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

[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."

[spiralmovements]

"And you wonder why I ask what happened?"

[abitofawildman]

Oh here we go.

"No one got hurt, there's just a tiny breach in the hull. That's all."

[spiralmovements]

"Do I have to hide the newspapers from Mom?"