spiralmovements | Tenzin freaking out in a good way for once?

CNCLMN TENZIN
AIR TEMPLE ISLAND

THE CREW OF THE OMASHU ALONG WITH THE SECOND FLEET OF THE UNITED FORCES WISHES TO EXTEND OUR CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND YOUR WIFE

CMNDR BUMI INCOMPREHENSIBLE WITH JOY MAKING TRANSCRIPTION IMPOSSIBLE

LT CHU

Some days later a package arrives from the Kyoshi Island outpost.
It consists of a letter, a bottle of rather expensive rice wine, some equally expensive tobacco, and piece of yet-to-be carved walrus-turtle ivory.

My Dearest Brother,

First please extend as much love as humanly possible to my beautiful sister-in-law. Tell her I said she was both beautiful and glowing and anything else that might make her smile. I trust your judgement.

Then, when you are done complimenting your wife to the highest degree, please find the enclosed celebratory gifts which will be put to extremely good use once the little bundle of joy decides to join us.

If you are stuck on ideas on how to carve the ivory, might I suggest a sky bison?

Also, I thought you would find humor in my LOR, so I enclosed that as well.

Hope this finds you blissfully happy and not the slightest bit terrified about bringing a new life into this world of uncertainty and doom.

Bumi

"MEMO FOR: Commander Bumi, Second Fleet

From: Admiral Hai

Subject: Letter of Reprimand

1. Investigation has shown that you did, knowingly and without prior authorization, perform a 21 gun salute while docked at the Kyoshi Island Outpost. This offense is so serious, that had I elected to punish you under the provisions of Article 88 of the United Forces Charter, you could have received a reduction in rank, forfeiture of 1/2 of your base pay for two months, and 60 days restriction with 45 days extra duty.

2. You are hereby reprimanded. Your actions have brought discredit upon yourself and require me to seriously question your judgment and sense of responsibility. This is not the first time you have failed to consider the health and well being of both your crew and the civilian population.

3. I will not tolerate this type of behavior from a member of my command. Be advised, should I be made aware of any future information concerning this type of behavior, I will take swift action, possibly resulting in your punishment under the provisions of the United Forces or your involuntary separation from Second Fleet.

4. You will acknowledge receipt of this reprimand below. If you wish, you may attach a written statement or additional documents to this reprimand which will be attached to this document in file. If you choose to do so, such attachments must reach my office by __________________.

Admiral Hai, United Forces"

Attached to this LOR with a paper clip is the following handwritten note.

Please extend my congratulations to your brother, Hai.

Edited 2012-08-01 17:24 (UTC)

Postal delivery to Air Temple Island picks up significantly once news spreads that the last Airbender and his wife are with child. Amongst all the red envelopes and well-wishes is a package from Kyoshi Island, and Pema and Tenzin open it together.

"Bumi, please don't get yourself fired," Tenzin mumbles to himself. Pema's laughing - she got to the handwritten note before Tenzin did. He joins in eventually.

Dearest Bumi,

Thank you very much for your kind gifts. Tenzin is already working on ideas on paper for the excellent ivory you have sent us. His artistic interpretations of lemurs leave something to be desired, but it gives him focus.

Pema

Attached to:

Brother:

I am always focused. Please ignore any accusations to the contrary.

I do not need to tell you how much I never expected to be a father. Even when Pema and I were married, it never truly became a reality for me that such a thing was possible.

Such an adventure.

Tenzin

Two letters received means two letters returned.

Sister Pema,

You are most welcome for the gifts, though I feel as though I should warn you: This is merely the tip of the ice burg. I fully intend on spoiling this child absolutely rotten.

My brother is many things, but imaginative is not one of them. So it comes as no surprise to me that lemur imagery needs work. Thankfully the child will have exposure to actual lemurs so that it does not grow up thinking they are shapeless monsters coming to devour them in the night.

Also, there is much more ivory where that came from, should he like to give it a second go.

I would ask if you were craving anything in particular, but judging by the amount of print space your condition is receiving world-wide, I highly doubt you want for much. Should I be incorrect in this assessment, please don't hesitate to ask.

Bumi

Brother,

How you made it forty without knowing where babies come from is beyond me.

Uncle Bumi

The short note in reply is written two days after receipt of Bumi's notes back, but takes quite a while to reach Bumi out on maneuvers. It had been routed through several tiny villages along the coast of the Fire Nation. In Chinese characters on the front there is a note of apology for the singeing.

Bumi,

You are a horrible person and I do not like you any more.

I bought a camera for the baby.

Tenzin

Included is a picture of Tenzin on his own version of their dad's air scooter, Pema on his lap.

The next box that arrives from Bumi has the postmark of Fullmoon Bay upon it.

Tenzin,

Of course you do. You can't help but like me. That's what annoys you the most.

Bumi

P.S. Keep practicing.

In the box is a tin of sweets shaped to look like flying bison, a picture of Bumi's desk where both the picture Tenzin sent and Admiral Squishikins are prominently displayed, and another section of ivory.

CMDR BUMI
SECOND FLEET

CANNOT BELIEVE THEY LET YOU HAVE A DESK LIKE AN ADULT
PEMA HAS HER FIRST MAJOR DOCTORS APPOINTMENT SOON

DO NOT HATE ME IF I DO NOT FIND OUT GENDER EARLY

TENZIN

Tenzin,

You need not worry about my ire, not finding out the gender of your child is a choice that you as a parent get to make.

Just as asking our mother about the gender of your child is a choice that I, as the nosy uncle, get to make.

Aren't freedom and choice grand?

Bumi

Mother,

Do not ruin the surprise please!

I love you very much.

Your son, Tenzin

The envelope holding the response is postmarked Southern Water Tribe Outpost.

It contains a series of photographs involving Bumi, Katara, and Admiral Squishikins.

The first is the standard family portrait.

The second is Katara showing her son what can only be the letter from Tenzin. Bumi looks shocked, his hand primly obscuring his mouth.

The third is Katara leaning over to whisper something into Bumi's ear. Bumi is smiling a devilish smile.

The fourth is both of them laughing.

"I love your family."

"Pema, you're supposed to be on my side."

"But...you are your family?" she tries innocently. "So it makes sense that I love your family."

Tenzin's hand meets his face gently, and Pema gives his bicep a tiny squeeze. "Think about it this way. You've got about another month or so before your mother starts writing to come up and stay with us while I'm pregnant."

TENZIN
AIR TEMPLE ISLAND

HAVING FUN YET

CMNDR BUMI
SECOND FLEET

Bumi,

Things have actually been fairly quiet of late, except for my ever-increasing annoyance with Republic City society pages with regards to Pema and I. Once vitrolic, now they are cooing at us in order to be in some sort of imagined 'better' position to take pictures of the baby when he or she is born.

Dad always said there would be trials to any attempts at pacifism.

Tenzin

Tenzin,

If you need a distraction, I could invade the Fire Nation. It's peace time, they'd never see it coming.

Even Father approved of attacking the Fire Nation.

Bumi

Bumi,

No thank you.

Unless it is for chocolate covered fire flakes.

I think the cravings have started early?

Tenzin

Tenzin,

Just as a warning, it appears that the press have informants in the courier business. My joke about invading the Fire Nation, which was supposed to be a joke and a confidential joke at that, has begun to fuel rumors. Received a strongly worded, Knock it off, Bumi from Zuko last week.

I tell you this for three reasons. One because it's funny. Two to let you know that your correspondence may not be safe from prying eyes. And three to let you know that I came by the case of chocolate covered fire flakes legally. They're just one of many gifts I'm sure are headed your way from Zuko.

How much longer do you have before my nephew (or is it niece?) gets here?

Bumi

Bumi,

I received a phone call from Uncle Zuko as well. I hope that there were no other untoward repercussions.

This letter is short because I must now figure out another method of communication. I do not wish to discuss Pema here if this is likely to be read by others. Any suggestions?

The case is being heartily enjoyed. My thanks to you and Uncle both. Another message forthcoming soon.

Tenzin

While Tenzin looks for a more secure way to communicate with the world off Air Temple Island, Bumi amuses himself by writing letter after letter with misinformation about his family, just to mess with the press and corresponding rubberneckers.

Thus far the as yet unborn child has been listed as a boy as well as a girl and equal number of times, all with different names. The names start off as run of the mill, what with them having been cribbed from men and women under Bumi's command, to the surreal. Usually though, they all come with a plea for Tenzin and Pema to name the child Bumi, regardless of gender.

Then there are tales of how Pema has developed gestational bending, always Water, Earth, or Fire...never air. To use Air would be cruel to Tenzin, and that's the last thing Bumi wants to do.

And finally because he cannot resist, and is shameless, he opines of how he wishes to start a family of his own, and how he has seen the light and wishes to settle down.

Edited 2012-08-01 22:15 (UTC)

A Fire Nation messenger hawk lands on the deck of the Omashu and an ensign runs the message up to Bumi.

Bumi:

I hope this works. I've never written via hawk before!

Pema only has four months left. She is so big already, but always smiling. How brave she is. Mother is arriving in the next few weeks to stay for the birth.

Nice rumors you've started - they have you pegged with two sandbending twins.

Tenzin

Tenzin,

If I'd have known that all it took was a pregnancy to be gifted a messenger hawk from Zuko I'd have gotten knocked up ages ago. Apologies for returning Pemzin both late and a few ounces heavier. It appears as though much of my crew was not allowed pets growing up. Poor dears. Even the Fire Nation crew members who grew up with them. Oh sure they played all indifferent, but then they were discovered sneaking Pemzin food.

Sometimes I truly believe I'm running a day care here, and not a highly sophisticated military operation.

Mother is arriving and you believe Pema is the brave one? Oh you poor thing. You'll be outnumbered. Call for back up.
On second thought...call Zuko for back up. I'm sure I'll be too busy being pegged by two sandbending twins.

Bumi

Tenzin actually does call Zuko - it's been too long, after all.

(He gets a promise of another crate of fire flakes and a 'Good luck with Katara'.)

Bumi,

If he grows too large he will not be able to fly to you. Keep that in mind while supervising your charges.

Mother arrived safely and we are working on a room for the baby. Do not go overboard with presents - the room is only so large.

Will you be able to come for a visit before the birth?

Tenzin

Included is a transcribed copy of some notes about updates around Air Temple Island and Republic City. Since most of his personal letters are revolving entirely around impending parenthood, he thought that maybe an update about other things would be worthwhile too.

Pemzin arrives back at Air Temple Island roughly the same size as when he left. Give or take an ounce.

Dearest Mother,

Please be gentle with Tenzin, he's fragile.

Your loving, devoted, and stalwart son.
Bumi

Tenzin,

My furlough paperwork has been submitted. Whether my arrival will be prior to the birth or post is clearly under the purview of my niece or nephew, thus proving from the start that they have me wrapped around their little finger. It was my wish to visit sooner rather than later so as to maybe eek out two visits, but complications out of my control are preventing me from doing so.

In my stead I will be sending the Admiral to keep a watchful eye over the proceedings until my arrival. Please keep an equally watchful eye as he will be arriving by regular post.

We did try to train encourage Pemzin to take on a passenger, even going so far as to make goggles for the Admiral, but he was having none of it. Alas.

I do have to admit that after perusing your notes on the state of the city and such, that I exist in a state of awe at the amount you juggle at any given moment. As one commanding officer to another: delegate.

The city will still be there, but child only arrives once. Unless its twins, in which case.

And speaking of twins!

Bumi

There are several pictures enclosed of some very VERY attractive young ladies. Even some age appropriate ones.

Edited 2012-08-02 15:16 (UTC)

No letter returns with Pemzin (a name Tenzin detests, if anyone asks his opinion - Pema calls him a spoilsport).

There is however a photograph of Admiral Squishikins in a newly-built painted bassinet holding a sign - Two months!

Tenzin

I don't have the proper words to express how much that last picture has done for the morale of my crew. The entire Second Fleet passed that image around more than any other image they've previously passed around...and for wholly different reasons their usual sharing of pictures.

At least I hope it is a wholly different situation. I do wonder about some of them sometimes.

So from the lot of us out here at sea, thank you.

How is Pema holding up?
How are you holding up?

Bumi

CMDR BUMI
SECOND FLEET

PEMZIN ILL TODAY
PEMA ALSO ILL BUT FAR NICER ABOUT IT
MOM IS WORKING WITH THEM BOTH
I REQUESTED ABSENCE FROM THE COUNCIL FOR THREE MONTHS

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO EVERYTHING

TENZIN

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