First steps(3)

While they were chatting, I pulled a chair and took out a notebook, and started drawing. While I still remember how to draw and had years of practice in my past life, now is a completely different story. Firstly, the pencil in my hand was too big for me and I couldn't control it to my liking. The second thing and probably the more important one is that I lost all my dexterity, all my muscle memory was gone. When I started, it infuriated me greatly, all that practice down the drain, but it's to be expected. I mean new body and all, besides all the theory and know-how was still there, and since I don't have anything else better to do I don't mind the exercise.

While I would like to read some books about this world, I, unfortunately, don't know how to read yet. The language is fairly complex and with no teacher, it's going to be hard to learn. I thought it might be a good idea to ask Naomi, but, thinking more about it, I concluded that it's better to not stand out too much yet. It raised some questions about the fact that I know how to draw already to this degree and I don't want to scare granny and to explain why may lead to things, I prefer to not share. Like the fact that I have more than 20 years of memories. My curiosity is satisfied with what I know from the anime. While it's not really that in-depth, it's something.

While I was drawing, I was also listening to the two ladies chat.

"...And how was the honeymoon with Tenzin?" asked grandma.

"It was beautiful! We visited all the air temples. The only bad part about it was that while we were there, Tenzin started putting -things in order- if you know what I mean, so it took us a lot more than we planned to come back home."

"Ah! That is Tenzin for you, always so serious." Said granny while chuckling.

"He has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. He's the last air bender now that his father died and that puts a lot of pressure on him. The only thing he ever wanted is to live up to his father's legacy." said Pema sighing.

"I know dear, I know. Tenzin is a good man, but he just puts his standard way too high when it comes to this sort of thing. So, now that you are back at the Air Temple Island, should I expect you more often to come to surprise this old lady?"

"Yes, aunty, I'll come as often as I can... I missed talking to you."

"I did as well, dear."

After that, they started chatting about how it was at the temple and how were things in the city. At first, I was very curious about temple life, but my excitement died down very fast. The only things they did there were to meditate and to take care of administrative stuff. What did I expect! They were temples in the end, and there aren't even air benders in them. Here I am getting excited for nothing. The only lingering question was how did grandma know Pema.

They chatter for what felt like hours, and, when I look outside, the sun was already setting. I sit up and look at my drawing. It was finished. I look at it proudly. It was my best piece yet. The lady air acolyte notices me stand up and looks outside and stands up bowing in apology.

"Dear me, I'm sorry Noami. I didn't want to take this much of your time"

"Nonsense! I enjoyed the conversation very much, but I think it's about time I prepare dinner for this boy." She said pointing to me.

While they were saying their goodbyes, I approach Pema and tug her robes, handing her a piece of paper. She looks at me and takes it.

"What is this...?" Then there were a few seconds of silence while she was looking at the piece of paper. It was my drawing. My drawing depicting her and Naomi chat merrily at the table. She then looks at me with astonishment written all over her face. "... I can't take it, you worked so hard to draw it"

"This is for the cookies." I respond simply.

"The cookies were a gift."

"Then this is my gift to you."

She looked at me not knowing what to say.

"Just take it, there is no changing his mind now."

She takes it, pats my head, and leaves. Granny and I go to the kitchen to eat. After dinner, I'm too tired to do anything else so I went to bed. That night, I had the most vivid dream, about me gliding through the air.