The Origin of Roh-Shan

New Bending

Roh got back to the cave just as the sun was setting. She was instantly greeted by the smell of cooked meat, which was a very welcome greeting after having breakfast and lunch on the airbender's vegetarian diet. The food smelled rich, there were sacks of more food at the back of the cave, blankets for sleeping on, and Haider had a new shirt.

She crawled up by the fire and took some food. "How many people did you scam to get all that?"

"I have my ways." He beamed. His face was sunburned and the smile wouldn't leave, making her genuinely wonder what he'd been up to.

Kota's hair looked messed up. "And what have you been up to?" Roh asked.

"Nothing compared to the day you two had, I'm sure. Ennis and I took a little tour of the coastline. Found some good fishing spots. Got yelled at by some fisherman. Fought a Flying Fishapotamus. No big deal." She took in Roh's gaze for another second. "My hair's messed up, isn't it?" She tried to run her fingers through the knots.

Roh laughed, "No, it just looks like you went swimming. Which you did."

"Tell you what, my hair tie broke, that's why it looks so bad."

"It looks cute the way it is."

"Get a room!" Haider coughed.

Roh stared at him. "Sorry, your shirt looks cute too."

"It's a vest!"

Kota ignored both of them. "So, did you airbend today or what?"

"Yeah! Monk Panuk and this other kid, Taatu, didn't believe me at first, but after some meditation I could control it a little."

"Meditation? You're really falling for that spiritual hooey?" Haider looked amused.

"Well, it works. I can produce air on command!" Roh held out her palm and produced a weak little swirl.

"Whoa!" Kota watched.

"Oh look, I can produce air on command too!" Haider mocked, taking a big breath and blowing at Roh's face.

"Oh look, I can earthbend!" Kota grabbed a handful of rocks and chucked them at him from across the cave.

"Guys!" Roh held her hands out to stop both of them. "We're not gonna start a bending battle." She lowered her hands. "Because fire would win."

"What!" Haider erupted, and both girls started laughing. Without thinking, he reached for a stick on the side of the campfire, intending to throw it at them, but pulled his hand back quickly. "OW!"

Roh laughed harder and Kota grinned, lighting up a small flame in her palm. It illuminated part of her face and cast eerie shadows. "What's a'matter? Can't handle the heat?"

"You don't scare me!" Haider spat while pushing himself across the cave floor away from her, before he noticed Ennis curled up a few feet away from Kota. Then he got protective. "Put that thing out! You're gonna traumatize him!"

Kota closed her hand and the flames disappeared. "No I'm not, he's fine. Look." She held up one finger, producing a single green flicker. She whistled, "Ennis."

Haider balled his fist and the rocks she'd thrown slowly crept across the floor toward him, ready to beat her the hell up.

Ennis raised his head and saw her holding out the flame to him. His burns were mostly healed, fur still hadn't grown back in some places, but he wasn't scared of the flame anymore either. He just rested his head on his paws and closed his eyes again, completely trusting.

Kota slowly lowered her hand and put the flame out. "He knows it's not me that hurt him."

Haider relaxed again, taking it in. "Okay." If Ennis could trust them, he could too. But he already trusted them, they'd saved his life. And they trusted him, he broke them out of jail. He wasn't used to this many people all caring for each other in one place.