Accidental Avatar 3: Totally Lit

Muteki and the secret dance party

Toph and I earthbent a bandstand from the cave floor. At the same time, Sokka and Mogui were arranging and lighting candles. Jin said it would be good training for the blonde boy.

"I can't believe we're having a dance party," Sokka grumbled. "It seems so... silly."

"Don't think of it as a dance party," Aang commented. "But as a cultural event celebrating the art of fancy footwork."

He demonstrated his fancy footwork as Katara and Mangetsu bent drinks into various punch bowls.

"I still don't like it," Sokka grumbled.

"Think of it this way," Jin nudged him with her hip. "Espionage..." she dropped the decorations on the stage and started pinning them up.

"What about a sponge?" Mogui asked, lighting the last candle.

"Espionage... like Spy stuff..."

"Like Black Widow?" Mogui asked.

"The superhero?" I asked back.

"No," he deadpanned. "The last king's wife... Of course, the superhero!"

"Okay," Jin put up her hands defensively. "No need to get so snarky."

"Can you feel that?" Toph asked me.

I put a hand to the ground.

"Footsteps?" I looked to her for confirmation.

"You learn quick," she then turned to everyone else. "They're coming! Everyone stop bending!"

"Except you and Jin," I corrected to Mogui.

"Sorry, buddy," Aang herded Appa into the back. "You should probably wait out back." 

Appa grumbled but shuffled deeper into the tunnel.

"I know, you've got fancier feet than anybody... and six of 'em!"

The Fire Nation kids meandered in and looked sufficiently impressed. The band set up and started playing various musical instruments on my bandstand. Aang leapt in front of them exultantly and, facing the band, spread his arms wide.

"Ladies and gentlemen," his presenter's voice needed a lot of work. "The Flamey-os!" 

He seemed particularly pleased, and I even heard him mumble to himself. 

"Yeah, this ought to get everybody moving."

It didn't. It was awkward, and everybody could feel it. He spun around, grinning like an idiot, then it fell from his face as he realised that nobody was Breaking It Down. They were just standing there... Girls on one side, Guys on the other. It felt like one of those awkward school dances that I hated attending. So I usually didn't unless I was in the band.

"Now, what do we do?" one kid asked.

"This is when you start dancing," Aang grinned.

Another kid pulled his neck in like a turtle. "I don't think my parents want me dancing in a cave."

"Yeah," a third boy agreed. "What if someone finds out?"

"Oh, boy," Aang sighed. "Listen, guys...dancing isn't something you think about. It's a form of self-expression that no one can ever take away from you."

"Maybe it was different in the colonies, Kuzon," the first kid complained again. "But we don't do that here."

"Sure you do," Aang grinned. "You have for generations. It just so happens that I know several classical fire nation dances. A hundred years ago, this was known as 'The Phoenix Flight.'"

The tiny air nomad ran in a circle, squatting and kicking his legs, his arms stretched straight out behind him in imitation of wings. It looked like some crazy Russian thing. The students oohed and aahed.

"And this was the 'Camelephant Strut'."

The next dance looked very South American with lots of hops and passing of hands in front of one's face.

He turned a somersault through the air and landed in front of two girls, who giggled in delight and embarrassment. Aang then somersaulted backwards and landed expertly on one foot, bowing. The students were amazed.

"Who knew Twinkletoes could dance?" Toph seemed pleasantly surprised.

Katara looked happy at the revelation. Meanwhile, my ship was sailing. 😁