Here Comes Appa

[savedtheworld]

Who: The Avatar family plus Appa
What: Avatar reunion party
When: Tuesday Afternoon
Where: Outside House 56
Summary: Appa comes to Luceti. And the Gaang is complete?!
Rating: PG?

Aang sat on the front lawn outside the Avatar House after school, bison whistle in hand. It had been two days since he had gotten it back. Two days of blowing into the whistle and finding no sign of Appa. He had held off so far for today, not wanting to get his hopes up again, but he decided on one more try for now, and he had suggested that the others stay near the house just in case. His moment of silence finally came to an end. He finally stood up and blew into the whistle.

Several minutes of silence passed. Aang sighed and focused on the ground.

Followed by a familiar roar, one that Aang had been used to hearing every day from his childhood. A large, fuzzy silhouette appeared in the sky and grew closer. Aang found himself shouting out Appa's name, and his face brightened.
 
Appa was clearly excited to be here, so much that he almost trampled over Aang as he came to an abrupt landing on the lawn. Aang fell onto his back and immediately found himself being welcomed by Appa's tongue. Oh, how he missed that slobber. After several minutes of giggling and bursting with joy, Aang leaped into the air and landed on Appa's forehead in the closest thing to a hug he could manage.

Comments

[markofthewise]

[When Sokka returned from the smithy, what he didn't expect to see... was Appa in the yard, Aang hanging out with him. Wow... it's been so long since he saw the big hairy beast. He's back too, huh?]

... wow. Hey Appa!

[savedtheworld]

[Aang looks towards Sokka, full of glee.]

Sokka, you made it! Look!

[And the bison starts marching towards Sokka, eager to taste his beard.]

[markofthewise]

[Oh yeah... Appa... really liked to...]

Wait, don't--

[SLUUUUUURRP. Sokka is now soaked in the front, with his hair sticking up in the front.]

... yeah, I really missed you big guy.

[savedtheworld]

[Aang giggled even more at Sokka's reaction. It was just like old times.

And he was joined by some chittering, too. Clinging to Appa's horn was none other than Momo. It wasn't a stretch to say that the lemur was the only one even more over-joyed than Aang, having been separated from his big buddy for years. It would take a lot for him to let go.]

Isn't it great? I can't believe it!

[markofthewise]

[Sokka waves his hand trying to get some of the drool off, but it's kind of a lost cause. What he wouldn't give to be a waterbender right now. It dampens his excitement, but only a little.]

Seriously, I sort of expected him not to show up at all. [Avoiding the tongue, he gives Appa a hug alongside the face.]

[savedtheworld]

[He rubbed a path of Appa's fur as he spoke.]

You should be more hopeful, Sokka. Sometimes it gets rewarded.

[markofthewise]

[A dismissive shrug. As usual.]

That's Katara's job, remember? I'm the one that keeps you rooted in reality with my cynicism and logic.

[savedtheworld]

Hey, whatever keeps you so cheery and upbeat.

[markofthewise]

It's all the soda. Really. [He looks back up at Appa, pondering.] It's a good thing it's pretty warm out. Still, you and Toph are probably gonna have to make him somewhere to sleep.

[savedtheworld]

You're right about that. We can throw something together later, no problem. Right now it's Appa fun time!

[markofthewise]

Appa fun time, huh? [He backs up to get a better look at the big fuzzy beast.] It's true that I haven't been flying in a really long time.

[savedtheworld]

You want to take him out for a ride?

[markofthewise]

Well it's that or I go take a shower. This seems like a better way to bond.

[savedtheworld]

Great! [He hops up onto Appa.] His saddle's nice and warm, so we can take him out whenever!

[markofthewise]

[Lacking airbending, Sokka climbs up the old fashioned way, before rolling over inside the saddle.]

There are some pretty exclusive fishing spots in the mountains. Now I won't have to walk there.

[savedtheworld]

Just don't tire him out too much!

[He grins and grabs the reins quick enough that Sokka might not be able to properly seat himself. He's too excited to take Appa out again.]

Here we go. Yip yip!

[markofthewise]

[Sokka falls over, before he rights himself and shoots Aang a look. But wow. It's been SO long since they've been flying.]

You know, I think sky bison may be the only way to travel.

[savedtheworld]

[He notices Sokka's stumble and gives a playful smirk.]

You're right, Sokka. Teleporters just aren't the same.

[markofthewise]

True. For one, teleporters don't need baths.

[savedtheworld]

You say that like it's not fun.

[markofthewise]

I'm pretty sure it's only fun for Appa.

[savedtheworld]

I have fun with it! Especially when it makes good Waterbending practice.

[markofthewise]

And I don't waterbend. At all. [So it's really good practice in getting himself all wet and covered in fur.]

[savedtheworld]

Right. The challenge doesn't make it fun?

[markofthewise]

Nice try, Aang. But you won't appeal to my desire of conquering challenges by implying that washing Appa is one.