Tenzin freaking out in a good way for once?

[spiralmovements]

A teletype from Air Temple Island proper:

CMDR BUMI
UNITED FORCES FLEET
OUTPOST, KYOSHI ISLAND

I AM GOING TO BE A FATHER
SPIRITS HELP US ALL

TENZIN

Comments

[abitofawildman]

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

[spiralmovements]

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.

[abitofawildman]

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.

[spiralmovements]

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!

[abitofawildman]

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

[spiralmovements]

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

[abitofawildman]

TENZIN
AIR TEMPLE ISLAND

STILL NO SIGN OF PEMZIN
OMASHU DRY FOR REPAIRS
DONT ASK

ACCESS TO SECURE LINE

CALL

CMDR BUMI
SECOND FLEET

[spiralmovements]

"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?"

[abitofawildman]

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

Bumi sounds weary, but otherwise okay.

[spiralmovements]

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

[abitofawildman]

"That's different."

[spiralmovements]

"Why?"

[abitofawildman]

"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?"

[spiralmovements]

"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."

[abitofawildman]

"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."

[spiralmovements]

"Have you really been asking around about such things?"

[abitofawildman]

"Are you really that surprised?"

[spiralmovements]

"...No. Not really."

[abitofawildman]

Bumi just laughs.

"So you're just aimlessly wandering the island, aren't you?"

[spiralmovements]

"No, I'm at the phone."

But before...

[abitofawildman]

"Well yes, obviously. Well then I'm doubly glad to get a chance to talk to you. Keep you from permanently disfiguring the walk ways with all your pacing."

[spiralmovements]

"Air scooter too."

[abitofawildman]

"My mental image of the goings on is both spectacular and hilarious. I'm so very sorry to be missing all of it."

That last part? Is very sincere.

[spiralmovements]

"Your furlough comes in soon though?"

[abitofawildman]

"Well, it should. And probably would have sooner had we not...we hit the Fire Nation, Tenzin."