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

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

TENZIN
AIR TEMPLE ISLAND

STILL NO SIGN OF PEMZIN
OMASHU DRY FOR REPAIRS
DONT ASK

ACCESS TO SECURE LINE

CALL

CMDR BUMI
SECOND FLEET

"Oh my."

It's about three minutes to get from one end of the island to the other, to the only telephone.

It is an insufferably long fifteen minutes to get a hold of Tenzin's brother.

"Bumi, what happened?"

"Didn't I tell you not to ask?"

Bumi sounds weary, but otherwise okay.

"You don't listen to me when I say that."

"That's different."

"Why?"

"Because I say it is and I out rank you, Civilian."

Can't you hear his smile, Tenzin?

"We're fine. Stop worrying. How are things were you are? Am I an uncle yet?"

"Any day yet."

Oh Spirits.

"Pema has a lot of people surrounding her just now. My job seems to be not getting in anyone's way."

"From what the women on my boat tell me, that's the best thing you can do. That and just accepting that this is all your fault.

Oh, and to never hold a woman to anything she says during labor."

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