𝑨𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕

𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔

                  Chapter Eight

Elora

I sighed deeply, feeling the weight of Avatar Roku's words bearing down on me. The lack of sleep from our encounter with Zhao during the Winter Solstice was starting to take its toll, and I found myself pacing back and forth on Appa's saddle, my mind racing with worry.

"Would you sit down? If we hit a bump, you'll go flying off. What's bugging you anyway?" Sokka's voice cut through my anxious thoughts, but I couldn't seem to still my restless movements.

"It's what Avatar Roku said. I'm supposed to master all four elements before that comet arrives," I explained, my voice trembling with anxiety as I wrestled with the daunting task ahead.

"Well, let's see. You pretty much mastered airbending, and that only took you a hundred and sixteen years. I'm sure you can master three more elements by next summer," Sokka joked sarcastically, attempting to lighten the mood. I shot him a glare, my frustration mounting.

"I haven't even started waterbending, and we're still weeks away from the North Pole. What am I going to do?" I cried out in frustration, feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenge before me.

Sokka reached for my hand, gently pulling me down to sit beside him. His touch offered a sense of grounding, and I found solace in his comforting presence.

"Hey, calm down. It's going to be okay," he reassured me softly, his eyes meeting mine with a warmth that eased my worries, if only momentarily.

"If you want, I can teach you a few moves," Katara offered, her voice filled with determination and kindness. My spirits lifted at the prospect of her guidance.

"You'd do that?" I asked, my eyes brightening with hope as I turned to face her.

"We'll need a good source of water first," Katara replied, scanning the landscape below Appa's side in search of a suitable training spot.

"There must be a clearing down there somewhere," Aang chimed in from his seat on Appa's head, his voice laced with exhaustion as he struggled to stay awake.

"Maybe we can find a puddle for you to splash in,"

"Nice puddle" Sokka's sarcasm cut through the air as Appa seized the chance to splash into the river, sending ripples dancing across the surface and Momo tumbling into the water with a startled chirp. Aang wasted no time in following suit, his laughter mingling with the sound of splashing as he leaped into the refreshing embrace of the river.

Eager to join in the fun, I moved to follow their lead, only to be halted by Katara's firm voice cutting through the playful atmosphere like a blade.

"Hey, don't forget why we're here," Katara's words carried a note of solemnity, her gaze unwavering as she directed her attention towards me.

Caught off guard, I quickly relented, sheepishly pulling my clothes back on as a sense of purpose replaced the fleeting desire for play. As much as I longed to frolic in the cool waters, I couldn't afford to lose sight of our mission – not when so much was at stake.

✾ ✾ ✾ ✾ ✾ ✾

After inadvertently sending our supplies cascading off Appa's back and into the river with an accidental waterbending mishap, Sokka, Katara, Aang, and I convened on the shore to strategize our next move.

"There must be a market somewhere around here" Katara suggested, producing the coins we had managed to salvage from the mishap.

"I think I'll pass this time. Im feeling a bit drained from all the bending," I lied, knowing full well that what I really craved was solitude to wrestle with my thoughts until my brain was scrambled. Aang shot me a knowing glance, his expression silently questioning my excuse, but thankfully, he relented without protest.