Maybe it didn't go exactly as I planned, but it worked out! I achieved my goal, and all three girls went to sleep in the same room, on one large bed. The sight was undoubtedly beautiful, at times funny, and certainly worthy of being immortalized on canvas. If only they were more undressed—the robes hide a lot—and slightly drunk... but the ideal is unattainable. It's better to be content with the small victory of gradually bringing the girls closer and closer, strengthening their friendly bond, and slowly translating it into something more. I still saw Azula sinking into Ty Lee's chest, while Mai authoritatively threw her leg over the Princess, hugging her from behind. And through all this, they were all sweetly snoring. Ah, how I wished I could lie down right beside them, enjoying the warmth of their young bodies. Alas, I still didn't have a body, and I could only dream of that.
Adoring the girls all night long like some pervert quickly bored me. Covering the young ladies with the slipped blanket, I went about my business. I never forgot about my training and attempts to become fully material. And after that, dawn broke, and then a new day. The last day in this corrupt city.
After enjoying the view of the rising sun, I went to wake the girls. The sight of the sleeping beauties improved my mood for the whole day! I decided to wake them up in a special way.
Frost and sun; a wonderful day!
You still slumber, charming friend—
It's time, beauties, awake:
Open your closed eyes,
To meet...
— Argh! Yoaru, shut up. Your poems are awful, — Azula growled discontentedly, slightly opening her golden eyes. Looking around, she lifted herself up in the bed.
— Ugh-aah, — the acrobat stretched her whole body, beginning to rub her eyes cutely. — I liked it, I've never heard poems from Yoaru.
— I'm going to the bath, — Azula shrugged off the arm and leg of the sleeping Mai, getting out of bed. — Roust Mai.
— No need, — the not-so-sleeping beauty replied. — Your conversation woke me up. Is Yoaru already here?
— Yep. He woke us up by reading poetry, — the circus performer explained to her friend.
— A spirit with the talent of a poet? Wonderful, — Mai remained in her phlegmatic style.
— He's quite good. Should I recite it for you?
And while the girls discussed my poetic talents, Azula returned from the bath, immediately looking at me with an angry glare and starting to command the girls. The friends went to wash up one by one. And after the morning routines, a conversation about yesterday's "crime" took place; it was early, so we could talk. And despite her external nonchalance, I was worried about Azula's possible hasty actions. Not for myself, of course, but for Ty Lee. I am invulnerable to the Princess, but she could do a lot to her friend. All I could do was hope that the good relationship between the girls would prevent the Princess from being cruel.
Azula was right in some ways; alcohol clouds the mind, and in the current situation, getting drunk is not the best idea. But the Princess was guarded by a small army and several dozen elite benders of the country. So, there was a grain of truth in my desire to relax and have a little fun in a safe place on the last day. Because a second such opportunity would not arise anytime soon. Although I just wanted to use the alcohol to bring the girls even closer. And then Azula could also be taught to relax. After all, the girl is under constant stress, and I didn't know how to help her. I couldn't exactly force alcohol down her throat. And she wasn't ready for other methods yet.
We talked and discussed everything; I tried to prolong the conversation as much as I could. Mai grumbled that she couldn't hear or see me and didn't understand why she was participating in the conversation. Azula reluctantly admitted that Ty Lee and I were right, after which she safely took the bottle of sake, and the girls went about their business. Of course, the Princess did not forget about the punishment, but my suggestions to spank her friend on the bottom were ignored. And then, with Ty Lee's embarrassed indignation about not wanting to be spanked like a child, Mai's grumbling, we successfully dropped the subject. Time was starting to press, and Azula needed to prepare everything for the continuation of the journey. However, I noted with some pleasure how much the Princess had changed. She had changed for the better.
The girls went their separate ways.
By midday, we left the city, temporarily leaving the ship's captain, Jee Chan, in charge. The inspection continued its journey along one of the main roads. A squad of just over forty people, we might have passed for a trade caravan if it weren't for the military uniforms with rhinoceroses. A small group of two YuYan archers and one firebender marched ahead of everyone, separated by a few kilometers, looking out for ambushes and enemies. They also concluded our squad, trying to prevent the enemy from coming up behind us. Azula utilized their amazing skills to the maximum. Plus, I was also scouting the area, flying in the sky and looking out for anything interesting. It would only be possible to approach the squad unnoticed from underground, but earthbenders are unable to tunnel underground blindly and without air. With the exception of a few individuals who have reached unprecedented heights with their mastery.
Everything happened exactly as I expected.
Talking to the Princess in the morning—though, to be more precise: she allowed herself to be talked to, but that's not important. In the morning, Azula simply didn't have time for unnecessary conversations and punishing her friend. And she accepted that it was a mere trifle for which only a reprimand was necessary. And while traveling, they had little time for discussion. And they never talked about me in front of others. Azula had long since informed her friends not to spread information about me, and my existence was more or less a secret. Whatever else, I could be more invisible than anyone. In this regard, I no longer had to worry about Ty Lee.
Of course, since the squad began moving overland, I started to communicate much less with the girls. In fact, I stopped entirely. Because they were rarely alone. And I considered it somewhat unethical to force my communication on them when they were together lying down to rest at camp, or worse, relieving themselves. I might even have felt somewhat lonely, but I had long been accustomed to being alone. And there was a lot of interesting stuff on the journey. New animal hybrids, beautiful landscapes. As well as interesting and mysterious places: abandoned caches, Earth Kingdom bender bases, branched networks of caves that were created by bending, and special places where the real and spirit worlds intersect. Although there were very few of the latter on our path, I felt one after a week of traveling. And it was very different from all the ones I had seen before.
It all began at sunset, when the squad started setting up camp, moving off the road closer to the forest.
— Azula, order your people to be quiet in the forest and only collect firewood from the ground, — flying up to the lone girl, I quickly conveyed the message to her.
In response, she gave me a suspicious look.
— I'm not joking. A spirit, or even several, lives in this forest. It's better for people not to attract its attention. However, it's still up to you to decide. But you'd better heed my advice, or some of the soldiers might accidentally get lost in the forest, forever, — after conveying the information, I moved away from the Princess.
I specifically chose a time for a short conversation when she would be without Ty Lee; there's no need to bother my favorite acrobat. I can watch over her myself. And the other people, as usual, neither heard nor saw me; there was no need to consider them in such matters.
What I said was the pure truth, because deep in the forest I saw the light of the smallest spirits in the world, simultaneously sensing a strong spiritual presence emanating from the depths of the forest. With the onset of darkness, their light only became brighter. They were firefly-like creatures, harmless nature spirits that wouldn't hurt a fly. Usually, spiritual beings are not found in the human world, but there are special places where they can dwell. In these places, the boundary between the two worlds is extremely thin, and it is much easier for inhabitants of the other world to visit humans. I myself used one such place to get to the Fire Nation islands.
Azula decided to heed my advice and issued the corresponding orders. Because of that, I worried less about the Princess and her friends. Not that spirits are dangerous to people, but people can unknowingly anger them. And while by human standards I am extremely strong and mighty, among spirits I am probably one of the weakest. So, it's better to avoid conflicts with such creatures.
While the people were setting up camp, I looked at the fireflies in the forest that beckoned me. Reflecting on my goals and the ways to achieve them, I didn't notice the sunset descend upon the land, and the people at the temporary stop went to sleep, posting sentries.
Finding the library or meeting the Mother of Faces is considered impossible for an ordinary person; the Avatar may be the only exception. But I was neither one nor the other. One thing I knew for sure: in the Spirit World, I could find answers to all my questions. With such thoughts, I flew into the thick of the forest, led by a distant blue light that was like stars. Only it glowed in the darkness of the forest, flickering between the trees, and not in the heavens.
Following the blue glow of the fireflies, which were like small glowing fairies, I flew through the forest thickets while the Princess's squad rested after a long journey. The fireflies led me deeper and deeper into the forest. I knew that if I followed them, I would definitely come out somewhere. Such minor spirits could be trusted; they would never lead to a dangerous place, being the most harmless and peaceful inhabitants of the Spirit World, on whom one could rely. In fact, it was thanks to them that I found the passage to the human world the first time.
The darkness did not bother me, and the light showed the way. Being a spiritual creature, I felt relatively safe. As I approached my goal, I began to notice the strong spiritual presence more clearly, which is natural for places where the boundary between the human world and the Spirit World is very thin. I was already beginning to guess what I would find at the end of the path. Carefree, flying between huge trees whose crowns obscured the sky, following the light of the fireflies, I found a huge wooden idol of a bear around which hundreds of glowing dots were flying, disappearing into nothingness and reappearing from nowhere. In fact, it wasn't exactly like that; the fireflies were simply moving between this world and the Spirit World. I could do the same here myself, but I didn't rush with hasty actions that could lead to unclear consequences.
Around the large statue were many smaller bear statues. Together, they formed a circle, with the idol at its head. It looked like a place where offerings are brought to appease the spirit of the forest. In front of the statue was a stone table where supposed offerings were to be left. Next to the table were other spirits, not fireflies, but larger spirits that looked like small figurines made of white clay, with leaves on their heads. There were several of them, three. And all of them were looking at me curiously with their black bead-like eyes.
— Hello, — I wave to the cute little dolls.
— Prue-prue-prue... — the spirits answered me with something incomprehensible, starting to exchange glances and communicate in their "spiritual" language. I completely forgot that they are not entirely sentient beings.
After inspecting the magical place, I decided to look at the plaque. I wasn't in a hurry to approach the idol, fearing the wrath of the local host. "Hei Bai." That's what was written at the base of the statue. The spirit of the forest — the great bear. Logical. But where is he himself? And just as I was about to ask the small dolls, a quiet growl sounded.
— R-r-r, — was heard somewhere below.
After which, the rustling of bushes reached my ears. Looking down, I found the cause of the noise. A giant panda appeared there from the forest thicket. I recognized him instantly. After all, I had been examining his statue a few moments ago. Despite the size of the bear that appeared, which was larger than the polar bears I knew, I felt no fear. Being in the air, much higher than his presumed attack radius, I felt almost safe. No fear, only apprehension; the spiritual presence around the spirit was simply overwhelmingly huge. But at the same time, he looked very peaceful and friendly. I could wait with running away and try to establish contact.
— Hello, I was just walking around, following their light, and it led me to you, — I start the conversation, pointing at the fireflies. Taught by the bitter experience of meeting certain spirits, I knew it was best to speak first. If you don't start first, they can stare at you silently for days.
— R-r-r... — the animal grumbled discontentedly in response, looking at the stone offering table.
— I'm sorry, if I had known where I was going, I would definitely have brought something tasty.
— R-roo-u.
Observing the panda's saddened face, I finally decided to act. With offerings, the chances would be higher, but I could try without them too. I didn't have much faith in the success of my venture anyway.
— Listen, are you by any chance familiar with the great Mother of Faces? Or Wan Shi Tong, the owner of the world's largest library? — I decide to ask the questions so important to me, not hoping for any coherent answer.
— R-r-r. No. I know nothing of the Mother of Faces. But seekers of knowledge sometimes wander through my forest. They know Wan Shi Tong: foxes carry books to him through my forest, — the panda answered me in a deep bass.
Wow, I hadn't hoped for success. After all, counting on spirits knowing each other was very naive. How lucky, but calm down, I haven't gotten any closer to my goal yet. Foxes know the spirit I need, I must remember that. The silence is dragging on, I need to say something!
— Whoa, I didn't expect an answer. Thank you, — overcoming my surprise, I reply to the spirit, feverishly thinking about the best way to proceed.
— You arrived with good people; they respect me and do not harm my forest.
Respect? Did the soldiers perform some special ritual upon entering the forest? Or was it because they tried to over-fulfill Azula's order? It's unknown; I paid the least attention to the soldiers then, absorbed in my own thoughts. How good that I managed to warn Azula. I doubt the spirit would have been so kind to me if the soldiers had chopped down a couple of trees for fires.
— Ahem. I would like to meet these knowledge-seeking foxes.
— They are not in my forest right now. I cannot lead you to them, — the panda calmly replied. Too bad, but not all is lost yet.
— And if they appear, could you send them on my trail? Meeting them is very important to me; I would be very grateful and bring a worthy offering, — I don't stop trying; hope dies last.
— Hmm. It will be hard for them to find you.
That was the problem, as I could be waiting for the arrival of these spirits for days or even months. And time was pressing. But wait a minute, the knowledge-seeking spirits are foxes!
— And if I leave an item of the person I am traveling with, will they be able to find me? — I voice the idea that unexpectedly came to mind. Foxes are relatives of dogs, and they have a good sense of smell. Perhaps they will be able to find me by scent.
— R-r-r. I don't know that.
Right, how would a nature spirit bear know about the abilities of other spirits? And I had hoped.
After talking a little more with the friendly panda, I arranged to give him an item from the person I was traveling with. In exchange, I promised to bring him a large and tasty offering that very morning. All he needed to do was talk to the first knowledge-seeking spirit and insist that the spirit who knows Wan Shi Tong meet with me, relaying that I have knowledge for the great owl. Having made an agreement with the panda, I headed back to the Princess for the necessary item, feeling like the spirit in the best possible position. Thoughts of my dream's approaching fulfillment were so inspiring.
The way back was quite short; flying through the trees at high speed, I quickly reached the soldiers' camp. However, I decided not to go immediately and wake the Princess. Let her sleep; the overland journey is taking a greater toll on her than she cares to show. Instead, I set about searching for suitable offerings. Searching the night forest for something tasty that a bear might like turned out to be not as easy as I thought. But luck was on my side, and after several hours of searching, I found a couple of beehives near a large field of flowers. The question of the offering was solved.
At dawn, I finally decided to wake the Princess a little earlier than she usually wakes up.
— Psst... Azula. A-zu-la. Wake up, beauty, a new day has dawned, — in my joy at the approaching fulfillment of my dream, I even lightly pecked the sleeping beauty on the lips.
— Ugh. Yoaru? What do you want? — the girl quietly grumbled, probably not noticing my action.
— Azula, I need your clothes.