Good news; I updated 'the flying boar's rebrith'!
here’s chapter 4 "the visiter" preview:
Long and unforgiving silence enveloped them within the warmly lit lantern above the garden. Much to the brief joy and subtle relief Aang’s heart gave her, Toph’s stomach dipped into the ground. His hands took a hold of her own, drowning her in his new size and warmth as he spoke in that new rich tenor he had grown into.
“I’m glad I found you! The guards tried to arrest me, but I slipped past them. Are you okay?”
It grew very clear to her that Aang had grown since she’d last sensed his fluttering footsteps almost two years ago. What could be sensed through the earth was his tall frame which felt staggering compared to her. It was a surprising change, similar to Aang’s own surprise while he took in the sight of his friend all dressed up.
“I’m fine.” She swatted his hands away, trying to hold her voice firm. “What are you doing here?”
“I came here to find you. Why are you back home? I thought you were supposed to be in the north with your metal bending academy?”
She continued to walk towards the bridge. “Well, I have some things I need to take care of.”
Much to her annoyance, Aang followed closely behind and pestered her with more questions.
“What kind of things? What’s going on?” Aang droned on, leaning to catch sight of her face. It was a new habit he’d unconsciously learned with his new height.
“It’s my father, he’s gone.”
There was no need to say anymore. A small mound drew Aang’s eyes away from their earlier exploration of his friend’s new look, taking in the strange matt glint of something wedged within the trimmed golden field. The two deviated from the pathway, Toph grew grateful for the bare ground, it was more forgiving to her cold feet then the stone.
Biting winds nipped at her face and neck with the silk soaking in the cold. With no words, Aang rested his shawl over his shivering friend before drawing closer to read the stone etchings on what seemed to be a stone cover. He didn’t notice that Toph had froze in place until she took ahold of the shawl and soaked in the last of his warmth. A begrudged ‘thank you’ muttered into the cold autumn night while she inhaled the warm scent of sun.
Something about the stone and seeing Lao’s name amongst the various adorning flowers and patterns etched in the middle caused Aang to kneel.
She confirmed it with a low voice. “Yeah.”
A sharp breath from the air bender echoed in the sombering silence before the tomb. He stood and bowed, dipping his head low and back straight as he softly said his farewells. There was a strange moment that passed from when he opened his eyes to when his silver gaze fell on the small earthbender beside him.
