Master Tenzin of the Air Nation

Indie Ask/Rp Tenzin sideblog. "Hello, I am Master Tenzin of the New Air Nation. Welcome to Air Temple Island. We're pleased to have you." Credits for icons go to praxceptor and mrspiritual.

[airnationtenzin]

"Does the Air Nation have any rules against learning how to sword-fight?"

“Not… particularly,” frowned Tenzin. “However, it’s not normally in our scope. Why do you ask?”

[darkmasterofcupcakes]

“…It’s for Hiro, actually” Rohan admitted after a moment of hesitation. “Apparently his school offers sword-fighting lessons, and earlier today he was asking if he could take them.”

[airnationtenzin]

“Hm... I suppose there’s nothing against it technically, but I am concerned as to why he wants to take it,” said Tenzin. “Being responsible about it I mean.”

[airnationtenzin]

"Does the Air Nation have any rules against learning how to sword-fight?"

“Not... particularly,” frowned Tenzin. “However, it’s not normally in our scope. Why do you ask?”

[airnationtenzin]

“That’s very good to hear. We’re happy to have as many airbenders as we can get. Another thing, however, is also our pacifistic ways. Since we’re talking about adjustments. Air Nomads don’t participate in aggressive acts. Defends, on the other hand, is a different matter. Does that make sense?”

[opalbeifxng]

   Opal nodded and looked up at Tenzin. “Of course, depending on the situation, the level of aggression would be zero or slightly– in a defensive manner defending someone would be worth fighting for.”

[airnationtenzin]

“Correct. We don’t initiate acts though no matter what the reason. We’re not vigilantes. We defend ourselves in the moment and the situation. If we know a threat is coming then we’ll defend ourselves, but any form of seeking out aggression is against our way of life. Speaking of which, how are you with animals? No allergies I hope?”

[airnationtenzin]

“Well, as far as culture one of the first things new airbenders get acquainted with are our diets and our habits. We tend to be early risers, but moreover, we’re vegetarians. We’re also pacifists. Those are two of the biggest adjusters when initially coming in that people seem to struggle with to some extent. I… hope you aren’t too fond of meat I’m sorry to say. We even grow our own vegetables on the island.”

[opalbeifxng]

   “I have ate it in the past, but I have a bigger craving for vegetables. So switching over shouldn’t be too much of a struggle.” Opal said in a hopeful tone. “But everything sounds like an adventure. I’ve always wanted to go one one. And joining a new growing nation seems to be the best start- and the biggest. It was even a bit of a struggle for me to leave home. But I really wanted to train with all of you. So, I went for it.”

[airnationtenzin]

“That’s very good to hear. We’re happy to have as many airbenders as we can get. Another thing, however, is also our pacifistic ways. Since we’re talking about adjustments. Air Nomads don’t participate in aggressive acts. Defends, on the other hand, is a different matter. Does that make sense?”

[opalbeifxng]

“No, no I like your way of thinking. First I’ll show you around and I’m sure we’ll meet some new airbenders along the way,” he said, gesturing for her to walk with him. “Come along. What are you most curious about?”

[opalbeifxng]

  Opal followed Tenzin as he began to walk. She looked around the temple, keeping a fairly close distance to him, making sure that she wouldn’t get lost. Who knows how large this place actually was on the inside. “Me? I’m curious about the bending aspect of it all. I haven’t been a bender until now. And Korra said that I was a natural at airbending. Also the culture. Being able to travel.” She could go on forever, but she decided to stop there rather than bore him with all she was excited about.

[airnationtenzin]

“Well, as far as culture one of the first things new airbenders get acquainted with are our diets and our habits. We tend to be early risers, but moreover, we’re vegetarians. We’re also pacifists. Those are two of the biggest adjusters when initially coming in that people seem to struggle with to some extent. I... hope you aren’t too fond of meat I’m sorry to say. We even grow our own vegetables on the island.”

[airnationtenzin]

Tenzin blinked.

The last one…?

There were only two men int he world who’d ever been “the last airbender.” Himself and his father. Now, he looked at this boy and the way his wide-eyed look reminded him of his brother and to a lesser extent…

“Do you know a woman named Katara?” asked Tenzin suddenly.

[airbcnding-deactivated20161213]

Okay, this was getting weird. It was already weird, but now it was getting double-y weird, or even triple-y.

“Yeah, she’s a friend I’m travelling with, I probably should be looking for her and the others… How do you know her?” The question of where exactly they were came up in his mind. He’d have to ask that next.

[airnationtenzin]

“It’s just...” Tenzin began. “You look an awful lot like Avatar Aang. He was my father and my mother’s name is Katara. You just seem somewhat... out of place. Also, besides me and my daughter, nobody else has airbending tattoos. Young man, may I ask where you got them? Those are very sacred to our people.”

[airnationtenzin]

“Oh, it’s okay,” laughed Tenzin. “It’s clear that you’re a bit nervous, but don’t worry. We’ll take good care of you here. I knew your mom growing up you know. Known her, well, her whole life honestly and most of mine. Believe me, I’m very familiar with your family. It’s almost odd we haven’t met in advance even.”

  “I know, It’s quite odd. But nevertheless. I’m here now.” Opal said looking around at the temple. “So, what’s first? Tour? Meeting everyone? Getting the airbender clothes?” She looked back up towards him. “Sorry, haha you know more about this than I. Wherever you would like to start.”

[opalbeifxng]

“No, no I like your way of thinking. First I’ll show you around and I’m sure we’ll meet some new airbenders along the way,” he said, gesturing for her to walk with him. “Come along. What are you most curious about?”

[airnationtenzin]

Aang?

Tenzin raised his eyebrows.

“No, there’s a lot of us. Well, many now and always growing…” He paused. “…where are you from?”

[airbcnding-deactivated20161213]

A grin spread across Aang’s face, a small laugh he couldn’t contain bubbling up inside him.

“Well, whenever the other Air Nomads and I weren’t travelling around, I was at the Southern Air Temple, that’s where I learned Air Bending, except… that was about one hundred years ago”. He shrugged it off as if it wasn’t a big deal before countering Tenzin with a question of his own, “Are you guys just staying here? I mean… I haven’t seen any Air Benders anywhere else, and the temples are all empty… Everyone thinks I’m the last one”.

[airnationtenzin]

Tenzin blinked.

The last one...?

There were only two men int he world who’d ever been “the last airbender.” Himself and his father. Now, he looked at this boy and the way his wide-eyed look reminded him of his brother and to a lesser extent...

“Do you know a woman named Katara?” asked Tenzin suddenly.

[airnationtenzin]

Tenzin chuckled at the boy’s clear excitement. Though he was still curious, something about the boy felt strangely familiar. 

“Indeed I am,” he said, nodding his head. “I’m Master Tenzin. I’m senior airbender if you will. And who might you be?”

[airbcnding-deactivated20161213]

He wasn’t alone anymore. Of course, he wasn’t, he had Katara and Sokka and Toph, they were family to him, but this was different. These were his people, and however strange this place must be, it was where the Air Benders were. Maybe that’s why the spirit brought him here. Aang could feel warm tears filling up his eyes. He gave a small bow once he remembered to, the common respect for Air Benders Masters –of course, he should have figured the man was a master when he had arrow tattoos.

“I’m Aang. I…I didn’t know there were any Air Benders left”, he wiped at his face with his sleeve once more, looking up at the much taller, “How many are here?”

[airnationtenzin]

Aang?

Tenzin raised his eyebrows.

“No, there’s a lot of us. Well, many now and always growing…” He paused. “…where are you from?”

[airnationtenzin]

“Oh, but of course. You can send one every day if you’d like as long as you find the time to sit down and write it. I know you’ve probably heard airbenders are isolated, but not true. We’re reaching out to others as well. We have to in this day and age. Don’t worry. We won’t keep you from communicating with your family back home.”

[opalbeifxng]

  “Thank you so much.” Opal smiled up at Tenzin. “It’s amazing that the airbenders evolved in such a way. Though it wasn’t through the best standards. But you’ve reached out to helping others and such. In a way- like you said. In this day in age you kind of have to. It’s practically impossible not to. Well, not impossible but you know what I mean. I hope.”

[airnationtenzin]

“Oh, it’s okay,” laughed Tenzin. “It’s clear that you’re a bit nervous, but don’t worry. We’ll take good care of you here. I knew your mom growing up you know. Known her, well, her whole life honestly and most of mine. Believe me, I’m very familiar with your family. It’s almost odd we haven’t met in advance even.”

[airnationtenzin]

Tenzin looked up from where he was discussing something with the other acolytes. He excused himself and came upon a young boy… with an arrow on his head? Odd. At first, it looked like Jinora in the distance, but it’d been a while since Jinora wore the traditional Air Nomad clothes. In fact, it’d been a while since anyone wore those now that he thought of it.

But if that was the case… who was the boy with the arrow on his head?

“Hello,” said Tenzin pleasantly, choosing to be polite initially. The boy didn’t look like he meant any art. “May I help you?”

[airbcnding-deactivated20161213]

As Aang neared the men, he saw the blue arrow tatooed on the taller’s head. Did that mean…? Hope began to swell inside his chest, he almost felt in shock of what this could mean,

“Are you…. Are you an Air Bender?”, his face lit up with the question –honestly, he couldn’t contain how excited he was. He’d already accepted that the Nomads were gone, that he was the last one, but this temple, the people here, maybe he had been wrong. A little piece inside of him countered that they might not be real Air Benders, they might just be adopting the culture. He hoped that was true, he really did.

[airnationtenzin]

Tenzin chuckled at the boy’s clear excitement. Though he was still curious, something about the boy felt strangely familiar. 

“Indeed I am,” he said, nodding his head. “I’m Master Tenzin. I’m senior airbender if you will. And who might you be?”

[airbcnding-deactivated20161213]

airnationtenzin​

Air Temple Island, someone directed him to after one glance at his clothes. Air Temple Island, where all of the other Airbenders are –where was this place? Aang had been to most of the air temples already, he’d seen the empty rooms, the skeletons. All of the Air Nomads were gone. Except now there was a whole other Air Temple complete with monks (there were monks there, right?) and a huge statue of… him?

This place was weird. The clothes, the buildings, so many things. Aang was starting to get a feeling that that spirit he was talking to did something a little different than help him find his friends… 

That was when the boat arrived. Maybe he should be focusing on finding his way back to somewhere recognizable, they only had so many days until the Lunar Eclipse and Aang knew he should be finding his friends. But he was standing in front of the air temple now, walking down the dock to find a few men in familiar clothing talking to each other.

“Excuse me?” Aang called out as he neared them, “Is this where the Air Benders are?”

[airnationtenzin]

Tenzin looked up from where he was discussing something with the other acolytes. He excused himself and came upon a young boy... with an arrow on his head? Odd. At first, it looked like Jinora in the distance, but it’d been a while since Jinora wore the traditional Air Nomad clothes. In fact, it’d been a while since anyone wore those now that he thought of it.

But if that was the case... who was the boy with the arrow on his head?

“Hello,” said Tenzin pleasantly, choosing to be polite initially. The boy didn’t look like he meant any art. “May I help you?”

[airnationtenzin]

"Are we allowed to have pets besides lemurs and bison?" Lian asked, tilting her head curiously. - twin-winds

“Of course, dear. Lots of people have pets other than them… why do you ask?”

[twin-windsarchived]

“Cause I got a baby iguana-parrot as a pet earlier, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t need to break any rules to keep him” she replied, smiling slightly as she mentioned her new pet. “Mommy and Daddy said I could keep him, but they said I should ask you to make sure it’s okay.”

[airnationtenzin]

“Well, of course you can keep him. May I ask if he has a name?”

[opalbeifxng]

airnationtenzin

Tenzin laughed.

“Oh, that’s okay. That happened to me many times when I was very young. It’s hard to control that one sometimes. Well, Opal, it’s great to have you. To be perfectly honest, I never thought that Su’s daughter would be one of our new airbenders. The great thing is that you’re not alone so I don’t want you to be nervous, okay? There are a lot of new airbenders right around your age and even older who have just joined us as well.”

   “Really?” Opal asked happily. “I can’t wait to meet them. It’s so exciting to be here, but at the same time… it’s a little scary. I’ve never been away from home before. Will I be able to send them letters and let them know how things are going here?” Her eyes were hopeful. She had heard that airbenders don’t really converse with the outside world. But then again, Tenzin could of very well made exceptions for the new members. Adjusting to a new lifestyle will take time, but in the end. It will be an adventure.

[airnationtenzin]

“Oh, but of course. You can send one every day if you’d like as long as you find the time to sit down and write it. I know you’ve probably heard airbenders are isolated, but not true. We’re reaching out to others as well. We have to in this day and age. Don’t worry. We won’t keep you from communicating with your family back home.”

[airnationtenzin]

"Are we allowed to have pets besides lemurs and bison?" Lian asked, tilting her head curiously. - twin-winds

“Of course, dear. Lots of people have pets other than them... why do you ask?”

[airnationtenzin]

Tenzin chuckled.

“Indeed she did and it is so nice to have you join us.” He smiled. “How does it feel to be an airbender?”

He had to admit that he never thought Su’s daughter would ever be one of the airbenders to join them. Then again, not even six months ago was he was pretty convinced that he and his children and whatever children they had were going to be the airbenders of the world by the time he died. How happily wrong he was on that.

    “It’s such a different feeling.” Opal said bringing her hands in front of her chest, her palms facing upwards before closing them. Completely overjoyed with the fact that she could now airbend. “It’s exhilarating. Out of the people that were given airbending, I never thought I’d wake up one day and be able to bend air.” She dropped her hands down to her sides. “I sneezed and ended up making a mess of my room.” 

[opalbeifxng]

Tenzin laughed.

“Oh, that’s okay. That happened to me many times when I was very young. It’s hard to control that one sometimes. Well, Opal, it’s great to have you. To be perfectly honest, I never thought that Su’s daughter would be one of our new airbenders. The great thing is that you’re not alone so I don’t want you to be nervous, okay? There are a lot of new airbenders right around your age and even older who have just joined us as well.”

[opalbeifxng]

                                [ airnationtenzin ]

Opal had spent the past couple of days on the airship heading towards the Northern Air Temple. She was excited to see the temple and meet the other airbenders. After spending all of her life in Zaofu, it was certainly exciting to see a bit of the world as they traveled from above. Even it was simply mountains and rivers, with a few towns along the way. It was exciting o see something other than large metal buildings. Roughly an hour later she arrived at the Northern Air Temple. Once the airship landed she made her way to the large docking door and walked out of the airship. She looked around in awe, the buildings were beautiful as well as the scenery. Soon as she caught sight of Tenzin and a few other Airbenders that had come to greet her she ran over to them and smiled. “Hello, Master Tenzin. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Opal. I’m sure Korra told you I would be arriving.”

[airnationtenzin]

Tenzin chuckled.

“Indeed she did and it is so nice to have you join us.” He smiled. “How does it feel to be an airbender?”

He had to admit that he never thought Su’s daughter would ever be one of the airbenders to join them. Then again, not even six months ago was he was pretty convinced that he and his children and whatever children they had were going to be the airbenders of the world by the time he died. How happily wrong he was on that.