Wandering Firebender

Thirty Seven: The Wanted Poster

Elio went to pick up Sri for lunch like they planned. He was happy to have the day off today, so he slept in before coming over to pick her up. He walked to the entrance of the shop just as Sri was coming out. He greeted her with a smile.

"Hey, Sri. Ready for your lunch?" He asked.

"Yeah. Hey, uh, before we go though, can we talk for a sec about...last night?" She asked.

"Uh, yeah. I did wanna apologize. That attitude was unnecessary." He said sincerely.

"Yeah. I was gonna say the same actually. It was just dumb... How'd it go?" She asked.

"It went well. Really well. We don't have to worry about her. If anything, I think we can count her as a friend now." He reported. Sri nodded and managed a smile.

"Well, that's good to hear. Maybe you can introduce me to her one day."

"Yeah? I think you two would get along; you both have similar ideals. Her and her older mother just moved into the Lower Ring. I was thinking we could bring by some extra food for them. What do you think?" He suggested.

"That sounds nice," Sri smiled, patting his arm. "Anyways, same place as always for lunch?"

"I've got no complaints." He answered with a chuckle.

They turned away from the shop and walked towards La. However, before he mounted the ostrich horse, something caught his eye: a piece of paper floating in the wind. Something white was illustrated on the paper. He curiously walked over to it and snatched it out of the air.

"Elio? Everything alright?" She asked.

"Yeah... Sri! Look at this!" Elio exclaimed in shock, gesturing her over. Sri quickly came over to look at the poster. She looked it over and read it aloud.

"'Searching for a flying sky bison. Appa has 6 legs and weighs 10 tons.' What...? 'If you have any news regarding the whereabouts of him, please contact Avatar Aang,' Avatar Aang?! '...at the 96th District, 217th Alley/House in the Upper Ring.'

"The Avatar is here in Ba Sing Se?!" Sri exclaimed.

"It appears so! That's his picture there at the bottom right." Elio pointed it out.

"Is it? It could just be a ruse." Sri pointed out.

"No, I don't think so. I've met Aang, and I've ridden on that sky bison. I know for sure that this is him... His ride has gone missing. That bison must be here in the city if they're looking for him." Elio realized, looking around.

"Wait... You've met the Avatar?! And rode on a sky bison?! And I'm just now finding out about this?!" Sri asked in shock. Elio quickly shushed her.

"I don't exactly bring it up to people! But the real problem is Aang needs help. I should go see them." Elio said, rolling up the poster and putting it into his bag.

"Uh, I think you mean 'we' need to see them." Sri said, pushing his arm playfully.

"You'll help?"

"It's the Avatar! Like I'd pass up on a chance like this!" She said before heading back into the shop, "Mrs. Tani? I need to take the rest of the day off! Something important just came up!" She said to her.

"O-Oh, okay, dear! Hope everything's alright!" She called back. Sri hurried back over to Elio.

"Alright, I'm free! Let's go help the Avatar!" Sri said with an excited grin. Elio chuckled and nodded.

Elio and Sri mounted La, and instead of getting lunch, they rode over to the train station, hoping to catch a train into the Upper Ring. When they arrived, they found a number of people gathered by the steps. Police seemed to be blocking the way up.