VATA ; AIR/WIND

Elsa stepped from the treeline, and the morning mist curled around her skirts as she followed the familiar trail of warmth that always seemed to lead straight to trouble where Bruni was concerned. And, as expected, there they were. The little fire spirit sat happily in the clearing with a bright red bun clutched between tiny paws as magenta flames lazily licked along their back in clear contentment. Her gaze shifted from Bruni to the young monk beside him, taking in the glider staff, the orange and yellow robes, and the easy calm he carried with him. There was something peaceful and strangely familiar about him.

Bruni gave a pleased chirrup and took another bite of the bun, and Elsa sighed, though the fondness in it was impossible to miss. “Of course,” she murmured, already knowing exactly how this had happened.

She crossed the last few steps into the clearing and crouched, carefully scooping Bruni up into her hands along with their prize. They made no protest whatsoever; far too occupied with their snack, as another pleasing flicker of flame danced over their spine. “I’m sorry,” Elsa said, glancing up at Aang with a small, apologetic smile. “They have a habit of deciding that if someone has food, they’ve obviously brought it for them. I promise they’re usually better behaved than this,” her eyes dropped to Bruni taking another determined bite. “Actually, no—that would be a lie.” The corner of her mouth lifted slightly. “I’m Elsa. And thank you for humoring them.”

She straightened then, Bruni settled comfortably in her hands, still happily working through their stolen treasure. “You look like you’ve been traveling for quite some time,” she said, her voice gentler now. “The Northuldra village isn’t far from here, and visitors are rare enough that no one would mind one more.” A faint smile touched her lips. “If you’d like, you’re welcome to come with me. At the very least, I can offer you something to eat that Bruni hasn’t already claimed for themself.”

the sorceress's presence was a cool bloom that spread throughout the vale. aang is almost surprised by it, as it radiated from elsa's person. a powerful spirit. a sacred sage. it almost feels like familiarity, as their eyes meet, cloudy grey eyes struck by her piercing blue ones. 

aang looked away, at bruni, and then back at her, smiling amicably. "it's alright! sounds like a lot like my friend, momo. he's a flying lemur. i'm used to it." he reached into his satchel, prepared to offer bruni another treat, another firecracker bun to sate their hunger. 

aang radiated kindness. peace. a permeable light that matched her own. he wondered if she could sense it, too, this great kinship between them, this swirling energy that encompassed all the elements of the earth. 

"i have some arctic hen, too, if they prefer meat. i'm partial to the puffin-duck myself, but those went extinct about a hundred years ago,"   he grins, sheepishly, but his honesty is true. true to him. true to his very soul. he feels like a child, again, staring at something wondrous.

"are you a spirit? i mean. i don't mean to be rude. i know how the spirit world can be tricky with the rules over there. but, well, you seem... familiar. in a funny way."

It was Appa that sensed the change first. Something that slithered through the ground like a swarm of angry serpents, digging deep into his marrow and filling him with a strange unease. He paused from where he was grazing, nostrils flaring in agitation. The sky bison’s tail raised up high and then slammed down into the earth—an act of intimidation.

Momo chattered, clinging to one of Appa’s horns as he attempted to get a higher vantage point. To scout out what possible threat could be coming. The skies seemed to darken, as if a great storm was about to roll in upon them. The air felt colder, the flying lemur hugging himself and rubbing at his arms to keep warm.

The grass around them wilted in a perfect circle. Life dying in the dark.

“Welllll…” A low voice slurred from around them, a million mouths speaking from the shadows in every direction. “I was waiting for the chance to have a conversation with you, oh dearest Avatar.”

A low chuckle.

he senses vaatu's presence before he sees it. aang's worry feels tangible, as he notices appa and momo's reactions. the verdant fields of sky bison scatter, taking to the air, as if knowing that something was inherently wrong. darker. aang watches the scene, as it happens; he remains steadfast, his heart full with courage.

"whoa, buddy. it's okay. nothing's gonna hurt us," he consoles appa, hands scratching appa's furry cheeks.

the sky darkens. the air feels colder against his skin. aang is wary, but not unkind. he feels the stirring of his past lives, the familiarity of vaatu's energy. a brother. a partner. an opponent. raava is with aang, now, an abstract energy that breathes life into every avatar.

"you must be vaatu. from the old stories." to aang's credit, he seems curious.

aang stands in front of appa, protective. the urge to take on an air-bending fighting stance is present in his body. but he is not afraid.