spiralmovements | Letters.

Though newly born by comparison to the world's other major metropolises, Republic City has quickly become a leader in terms of innovation and trade. Items moving towards the City seem to move at a faster rate than those attempting to fight its gravitational pull.

Which is why in a fraction of the time it took for Tenzin's letter to reach Bumi, his reply arrives at Airtemple Island.

My Dearest Sifu Arrowhead,

Both I and Admiral Squishikins bring you the warmest greetings from [REDACTED] where we are currently stationed off the coast of [REDACTED]. I assure you our position is secure and we are in no direct danger, but are merely here to keep a watchful eye on [REDACTED] while [REDACTED] takes care of [REDACTED].

Spirits are high as [REDACTED] has [REDACTED], and there is no doubt that a mutually beneficial outcome will be reached. Well, mutually beneficial to everyone but [REDACTED], who got exactly what they deserved.

I have received word from our highly esteemed sister in the north, who wishes me to extend her love and adoration for your work, your beard, and the work you've done on your beard.

She was kind enough to send me a year's supply of pickled sea prunes and sealturtle blubber jerky in celebration of my having survived to see yet another natal day. I am currently fortifying my quarters to keep my crew from poaching my stash. They are wiley. I have trained them well...possibly too well.

I, in turn, have passed forward the information you sent me with regards to Sifu Puddles' sister Tribe in the South on the off chance you don't write your sister nearly as often as you ought to. I might have also mentioned to Kya my discomfort with our Mother's growing relationship with the Avatar's Family. I worry that by getting involved with Korra she's only going to lengthen her own grieving process.

Of course, as the token spiritual wasteland of the family, I could be completely wrong there.

I would appreciate you not telling Mom I said any of this. And if you do, I'll just deny everything and call you a filthy liar.

Speaking of things left unsaid, I did somehow manage to omit your comments about The Lin Situation in my update to Kya. You can thank me later in what ever fashion of your choosing.

As for where you go from here with the lovely Ms. Bei Fong, I would be more than happy to provide you with any and all literature regarding the matter as my crew seems to have accumulated quite a bit of it during out last shore leave. Even if the articles are unhelpful, the images that accompany them are an education all on their own.

On the small chance that this isn't the kind of guiding hand advice you were seeking from me, allow me to also take this opportunity to say:

Love is the easy part, it's everything else that makes a relationship difficult. Trying times and stress do not a death knell make, so long as you are happy and that your partner inspires you to be the best you that you can be.

Please find the enclosed photograph of myself and the Admiral. Feel free to add it to the Wonderous Things My Older Brother Has Done scrap book at your leisure.

I love you always,

Bumi

Enclosed is indeed a picture of Bumi and his new stuffed sky bison, who just so happens to have a tiny United Forces Admiral's cap. The image is staged in such a way that it appears as if the plus bison is steering the ship.

Several weeks after Bumi's letter arrives a large box is delivered to Airtemple Island.

There is no letter.
There is no warning.
Just a note that stipulates only Tenzin has the security clearance to view the enclosed.

It should be noted that the Republic Forces is a co-ed, equal opportunity, military organization.

Dear Bumi,

I am writing you from the Eelhound. Jin is a very nice man, and a very poor Pai Sho loser. Thank you for introducing us.

I am happy that Kya has spoken with you recently. I sent her a message home with Councilman Tarrlok's assistant, but I was unsure that it had reached her. I am also pleased that you and your Admiral are fraternizing together. You certainly deserve one another, Commander. I hope you do not resort to becoming overly insubordinate.

~~I do not think Mom~~

I will admit that I am nervous to train Korra. She's Dad. But she's not Dad, and I have to help her. Him. Pronouns are quite unwieldy. (And if I am witness to you calling yourself a 'spiritual wasteland' again, I am going to be forced to do something drastic.)

Lin and I - Please do not speak of this to Mom. When I received your letter, I read it many times. 'As long as you are happy and that your partner inspires you', you wrote. The last part, I can assure you, is alive and well. Lin is a force to be reckoned with and I count myself blessed by the Spirits to know her in my life.

But 'happy'.

I received your package of 'material' yesterday. I wish I could say that I was shocked and appalled you sent such things to me, but that would actually make me into a filthy liar, and we 'arrowheads' are above such things. (Literally? - look, an airbender making jokes.)

The picture brought me a sound comfort that the United Forces are putting responsible personnel behind the wheel.

Your brother,

Tenzin.

Tenzin,

I would very much like to discuss with you just how poor a sport Jin is, and tell you about about all the various misadventures and shenanigans that the Admiral and I get up to on the high seas, then possibly speak at length about your anxiety with regards to teaching our not-father, and possibly even delve into this so-called airbender humor you speak of, however every attempt I have made to compose this letter winds up stuck at the point where you put happy in quotes.

Happy in quotes. Why is happy in quotes, Tenzin?

- Bumi

A message comes over the teletype, originating from Republic City Hall.

CMDR BUMI

DO NOT WORRY ABOUT ME IT DETRACTS FROM YOUR DUTIES
I AM PERFECTLY FINE

SAFE TRAVELS
TENZIN, CNCLMN, RC

"Excuse me," says the messenger interrupting a particularly heated council debate. "I do hate to interrupt, but there is an urgent teletype message for Councilman Tenzin."

The messenger bows slightly as he approaches the head table of the Republic City council.

TENZIN, CNCLMN, RC

I AM THE OLDER BROTHER HERE
AND YOU ARE NOT THE BOSS OF ME

WARMEST REGARDS TO THE COUNCIL

CMDR BUMI

Dearest Brother,

You are not still angry about the teletype thing, are you? How was I to know that there would be a photographer from the Republic City Sentinel in the council pressroom that day?

At any rate the picture was a good one, and you recovered very well I thought.

I hope this finds you well.

T'is the season for war games, and so we are cleaning anything that sits still for too long in preparation of the preliminary inspections. Even Admiral Squishikins is decked out in his regulation finery. I have a good feeling about the games this year.

Please find the enclosed photographs of the Admiral, as well as the tin of rock candy.

Bumi

Tenzin stares at Bumi's letter for a long while, and the rock candy, from one of the towers where he likes to meditate in the morning. It's a bird's eye view without the effort of bending.

Eventually he writes back a short reply:

Bumi,

I was not angry with you. At least not overly. I just did not know how to address your original question. I still do not.

Best of luck in the games, and I appreciate the pictures. I appreciate the sweets more, but the pictures are nice.

Tenzin.

The next package from Bumi contains not one, but two letters and a sizable container of cinnamon licorice rope.

The first letter is barely legible, and was clearly written while under the influence. There is also a bit of ink smudging where something spilled. Or...judging by the picture of Bumi face down on his deck with a bottle by his side and the letter under his face, it could possibly be drool that made the ink run.

Dearest baby brother of mine.

Well that as a colossal wash out if ever there was one. Attempted a new maneuver that did not pan out as I'd hoped. I might have to start being predictable, because this unpredictable thing that has worked for so long has become predictable. Blast it all. And to make matters worse my useless bump on logs crew went and finally found my stash. So on top of not winning the games, I am now completely out of sea prunes. Rutting hogmonkeys, the lot of them.

Am sending you the last of my turtleseal jerky for safe keeping. Keep it where people would expect to find it, and maybe they won't find it at all.

Okay. I should go lay down. I love you kiddo. Be safe.

-Bumi

The second letter, however, is far more sober.

Tenzin,

I couldn't NOT send that previous letter. It was written the day after our great defeat at the War Games. My crew and I took our loss rather hard. As in Jin levels of hard. I share the previous letter with you as a cautionary tale on the excesses of drink and hubris, and you would do well to learn by my bad example.

Still, it is rather funny and I thought if nothing else you would sleep easier knowing that the waters of the world are protected by professionals of the highest order.

As to our earlier conversation. My duty, above all else, is to our family, and so I will continue to worry, as it's my job to do so. Father would say that you should meditate on the question and the answer will come. I say that asking the question out loud, rather than repeating it over in your head, will bring faster results. Especially if you ask it in the direction of someone who could help you suss out the answer.

Which is my philosophical way of suggesting you talk to Lin, if you haven't already. You deserve to be happy. Spirits, Tenzin. You've more than earned it.

You probably notice the lack of jerkey in this package. That's because the crewman who took the picture also warned the poachers of my intent to relocate my stash to holy ground, and absconded with the rest of my food. In retaliation I have acquired the following Firenation treat. Enjoy!

Bumi

Edited 2012-07-10 17:34 (UTC)

Two weeks after Bumi's letter arrived, another teletype message arrived and was hand-delivered to Bumi.

"It's a blue letter, Commander," the subordinate near-whispered. "Never received one of those before."

REPUBLIC CITY BLUE LETTER TO BE HANDED IMMEDIATELY TO COMMANDING OFFICER ON BOARD
DELAY IN DELIVERY WILL BE MET WITH SEVERE REPERCUSSIONS

CMDR BUMI

WE TALKED
IT DID NOT END WELL

TENZIN

"I don't know that I've ever received one either," he says as unfolds the note. "The Omashu must have realized they are out...of..." He loses his train of thought as he reads the message. "...oh that's not good."

"What is it, Sir?"

"Nothing, I want you to send the following response, same priority level. Quote:

CNCLMN TENZIN

THE ROPE WAS FOR EATING
NOT FOR HANGING YOURSELF WITH

CONTACT IMMEDIATELY IF YOU REQUIRE MILITARY SUPPORT.

CMDR BUMI."

"Permission to speak freely, Sir?"

"Granted."

"Your family is kind of strange, sir."

"You have no idea."

My Dearest Sister Pema,

It has been far too long since we have corresponded, and so I beseech you via prose to accept my humble apology for my silence. With War Games, smugglers, and matters of state to contend with I find myself with less and less time to commit pen to paper.

The benefit of all of this action is that I'm rewarded handsomely for my participation in it, and as such am then able to bribe my way back into the lives of my ever neglected loved ones. Which reminds me, please find the enclosed Yuans earmarked for the Orphan fund, the Stable fund, and the Keep Tenzin in His Favorite Sweets fund.

I also took the liberty of doing a bit of shopping at my last port of call, and stumbled upon some rather amazing dyes in colors you may find helpful. All vegetable or earth in origin, just as my father would have approved, and a good deal when bartered for. I've enclosed a sampling, please let me know what you think, because there can certainly be more where this came from.

I hope this letter finds you well, and that the island is as ever a tranquil beacon of hope and spiritual guidance for the world.

Yours in humble bribery,

Bumi.

Dear Bumi,

No apologies necessary! I assume that a Commander of the United Forces fleet has many pressing duties to attend to, and I am thrilled to receive a letter from such an intrepid traveler of the world as yourself. Your donations to all three of your mentioned worthy charities will be put to great use - Master Tenzin has managed to work his way through your packages of supplies quite readily.

In regards to the dyes: the yellow in particular is perfect, but the orange seems to have a little too much clay in it to hold color well in the fabric. That is well, however, because yellow is the color that we would need more of! Please let me know of any arrangements that need to be made to further this particular transaction.

Speaking of transaction: What is it that you are bribing me for?

Yours in suspicion,

Pema

Sister Pema,

I would ask about what ever it was that I have done in the past to make you suspicious of me now, but I'm afraid that you would answer that question honestly. My ego could not handle your condemnation, and my crew could not handle my ego should you praise me.

So let us just move past that point and onto another: Bribery.
I merely wish to know how my brother seems to you. Emotionally. Socially. That sort of thing. You know how he is, just as you know how I worry. An impartial observer in the matter would help this old sailor sleep at night.

- Bumi

P.S. I've enclosed the contact information for the dye maker, along with the price they quoted to me. If, when you contact them, they give you a larger quote because of the address they'll be shipping it to, please don't hesitate to let me know.

Edited 2012-07-16 17:31 (UTC)

Dear Bumi,

Normally I would not feel comfortable reporting on Master Tenzin's disposition, family or no, bribery or no. Still, despite myself in this, I would say that his recent row with Chief Bei Fong has left him very solemn and more withdrawn than even his usually quiet demeanor portrays. It is as though he is focusing on the management of the temple rather than coping with this changing of the winds. I would like to help him, but I do not think efforts on my part would be well-received.

You are a smart man (apologies to your crew!) and I know that you have some idea of my ~~fee--~~ personal investment here. I brought him sugar plums from the garden today and it was the first time I'd seen him smile in some time. I should feel some embarrassment in sharing this with his brother, but you know him like almost no other.

Should I have hope?

Pema

PS - I've spoken with the dye-maker; the shipment is well in hand. Thank you!

Sister Pema,

And here I was thinking that it was you who knew him like almost no other. Sure we were raised in the same house, but no matter how tall he has gotten, and no matter how much responsibility the world continues to level onto that arrow of his, he'll always be the kid brother I repeatedly gave marching orders to.

Of the two of us it is you that shares his world view, and it is you that has devoted your life to keeping alive the ways of my father's people. For that reason alone I will continue to turn to you for counsel when it comes to insights into my brother's well-being. The fact that you routinely put, and keep me, in my place is a boon of the highest order.

Having said all that, and being well aware of your as you call it personal investment, I must warn against hope. Not because it's some sort of illusion that hampers your spiritual development by keeping you anchored unnaturally to the material world, but because we're dealing with Tenzin. As I am sure you are already well aware, his path is the one of least resistance.

I'm reminded of something my grandfather used to say, we can pray to La for wind, but only as we paddle for shore.

I wish you all the best, Pema.

- Bumi

P.S. You are most welcome. If I'm to travel the world the least I can do is bring back useful prizes.

A message comes in over the teletype, much more taciturn than even teletype messages usually are:

CMDR BUMI: P TOLD ME ABOUT EVERYTHING. YOU CALL ME THE SEC YOU GET CLR LINE. T.

"Sir? Sir are you all right?"

"Hmm?"

"You went pale, Commander. Are you feeling quite all right?"

"No, Lieutenant. I am most certainly not. How long until we arrive at port?"

"At this heading? At least another fourteen hours."

"And if we go full steam?"

"We can half that."

"Make it so."

"Aye aye."

"Oh and Lieutenant? Radio ahead and tell them I'm going to need a secure line upon arrival."

"Yes Sir."

Tenzin is meditating. It's what he does; Tenzin at meditation or prayer is almost the emblem of Air Temple Island.

Except that right now he's doing so to calm his mind, to keep him from air-scootering over to the women's dorms to see Pema.

There is a lot to work out.

In the next room, the phone starts to ring.

Bumi had just sat in the office alone for the better part of a quarter hour before he could convince himself to pick up the receiver and dial.

"eye of the tigerbear," he'd muttered to himself as he waited for the operator connect him after jumping through the various military hoops for a secure line.

"This is Tenzin."

In his most councilman-monk serenity-laden tone.

"Tenzin, it's Bumi."
He's all business. There's an objective, a mission.

"I would have called sooner but we were underway."

"I understand entirely the necessity of keeping to one's duties, Commander."

Tenzin's tone gives away nothing of his attitude. Whether that's due to having just finished meditating or some other reason isn't clear.

"I appreciate the effort in finding a clear line."

There are few things that Bumi dreads more than an even tone when he knows he's in the wrong. His father was the master of it, and it only made the disappointment that much harder to bear.

Yelling, Bumi got yelling. You knew where you were with yelling. But serene? There's no telling how deep the iceburg went below the surface when it came to serene.

"It was the very least I could do, considering."

He pauses and takes a deep breath.

"I'm sorry, Tenzin."

Yes...for seven and a half hours the big speech he was practicing to give to his brother was one composed of three words.

That's when Tenzin's brain starts to shudder and skip to a halt.

"What for?"

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