Wandering Firebender

Ten: The Firebender

Elio was totally unprepared for the rush and joy that would come from a standing ovation and a cheering audience. However, he was even less prepared for the doubt and insecurities that a silent audience would bring.

Perhaps his first performance had set the bar too high, because after performing on this second night and being given only a small amount of applause, he was beginning to feel down on himself; worried even.

Had his performance been weaker somehow? He tried to do more or less the same thing again. Or was it the fact that he was firebending? He was still in the Earth Kingdom after all; perhaps the audience had been afraid of him, and thus couldn't enjoy his performance...

"Hey, Elio! I didn't say it earlier, but you were great tonight!" Ty Lee said, joining him and sitting next to him.

"Thanks, Ty Lee. So were you." He said. His words were sincere, but his tone was distant. He stared out the window of the caravan towards the night sky, mulling over the same anxious thoughts again and again.

"Thank you... Hey, don't worry too much about the crowd. I'm sure they were just so awestruck by your performance that they just forgot to cheer." Ty Lee tried to be reassuring. He shook his head in disagreement.

"I don't know, Ty Lee... I am still a firebender. Maybe they just couldn't see past that." Elio thought. She sighed and shook her head.

"Maybe. I'm sorry, Elio. I know that you did your best. But hey, I'm sure you'll have plenty more people cheering for you in the next show!" She said optimistically.

"Thanks," He said, smiling a bit. "I'll just have to hope that turns out to be true."

"Yeah..." Ty Lee said, still feeling bad for him. Her head lifted and her eyes lit up. "Oh hey, I know what will make you feel better though!"

"What?"

"I heard we're going to be arriving in town early tomorrow. I know you were asking about my chi blocking techniques yesterday. I can show you a few moves!" She suggested.

"Oh! Yeah! Totally, let's do that." He agreed with a smile.

"Great! It'll be fun! I've never taught anyone before!" She clapped excitedly. "Ooh! I actually have a paper that you could look at to get ready! Wait right there!" Ty Lee quickly hopped to her feet and ran to one of her drawers.

"I'm not going anywhere." Elio chuckled and waited.

"Here," Ty Lee came back and held a paper out to him. "This diagram helped me out a lot when I was first learning. Look it over!"

Elio took the paper and looked down at it. It showed a full body diagram with a front and back view: a series of dots covered both sides of the body. Elio's eyes scanned all the different points and he hummed.

"So all of these spots are potential targets for chi blocking?" He asked.

"Yep! Trust me, it's not as easy as it looks, but with my help, you'll be doing it in no time! Our first lesson begins tomorrow, my pupil." She said, bowing like a master would. Elio laughed.

"Can't wait, Master Lee." He said, spinning his hand around and making a pretense of bowing his head. Ty Lee giggled.

"Goodnight, Elio. Feel better!" She smiled, giving him a quick hug before going back into her own area, out of sight.

"Goodnight, Ty Lee." Elio said with a small smile, watching her go before turning his attention back to the diagram. He began studying it carefully...

Just as Ty Lee had said, when he woke up in the morning, all of the caravans and tents were already parked just outside the next town. All he had to do was get ready, help with getting a few things set up, and then the two of them walked some distance away from town for his lesson.