ATLA Little Bender

Waterbending Scroll

Elaria felt dizzy as she and Katara watched Aang pace back and forth on Appa's saddle; Sokka sat at Appa's head to guide them away from Crescent Island. The three had opened their ears to the words that Roku had told him in the Sanctuary and while Elaria mourned Shyu she was better at holding onto the hope that her old teacher is alive. At least until she managed to find out what happened to him. 

Elaria tore fabrics of her dress and used them for Momo to play with, the other fabrics she gave to Katara who said it could be used as possible bandages or for emergent needs. Just in case. 

Sokka talked; directing his words to Aang. "Would you sit down? If we hit a bump, you'll go flying off. What's bugging you anyway?" He craned his neck to observe the boy. 

Aang continued to breathe heavily, and Elaria stopped shedding fabrics from her dress until it reached the simple garments. She paid attention to her stressed friend as he continued to panic over his new mission. "It's what Avatar Roku said. I'm supposed to master all four elements before that comet arrives." 

Sokka sarcastically, and unhelpfully, updated Aang on his chances. "Well, let's see. You pretty much-mastered airbending and that only took you a hundred and twelve years. I'm sure you can master three more elements by next summer."  Elaria noted that Aang couldn't even muster a glare to Sokka. That didn't mean she couldn't. 

"Sokka either say something helpful or don't say anything at all," She bit back at him. Sokka only rolled his eyes in response. 

Beside her, Katara stored the torn fabrics in her bundle of clothes. "Wow, your father packed all of this for you? He's actually supporting you going against the fire nation?" Katara asked her. Elaria coughed uncomfortably, "I wouldn't say going against the fire nation," She fiddled with a sash left around her waist, "I'm doing this for them and my father understands that." 

Katara listened intently, "What made him change his mind?" she asked. Elaria bit her lip, "Well what made me change mine? I guess we both realized there's more to the War than what we've been shown in the capital. Although my father suffered a worse price before he realized...." Her eyes trailed to Aang who began to breathe heavily, she sighed in distress. Without thinking Elaria grabbed his wrists and dragged him to sit on his knees in front of her. She lowered her hands to squeeze his own. Everything will be okay. 

Aang questioned her silent comfort, staring deeply into her eyes. Although he stopped breathing heavily. " I haven't even started waterbending and we're still weeks away from the North Pole. What am I gonna do?" 

Katara tightened the rope around the bundles before turning to Aang. "Calm down. If you want, I can try to teach you some of the stuff I know." She reassured him. Elaria sent her a silent smile in thanks. 

"You'd do that?" Aang asked Katara; the girl smiled and nodded, she looked over Appa's saddle. "We'll need to find a good source of water first," she told them. 

Sokka entered the conversation once more in his sarcastic glory, "Maybe we can find a puddle for you to splash in." 

"You're lucky my acorns fell in the ocean Sokka," Elaria grumbled. All but one in Bumi's satchel that stayed beside a lump of coal from the Prison Rig.

-

Elaria found herself giggling at their faces. Katara and Aang looked ecstatic at the sight of the gorgeous waterfall in front of them. The waterfall led a river downstream, surrounded by effervescent shades of green and brown. "Nice puddle," Sokka muttered beside her. 

In front of them, Appa enthusiastically flies down into the 'puddle.' Elaria stepped back and laughed as the large splash resulted in Momo nearly being swept away off the rock he resided on. Appa turned on his back, his stomach being warmed by the mild rays of the sun. Thankfully the group had kept dry on the shore. Elaria turned to the other three, "I'm going to fix my clothes, I'll be right back okay guys?"