Chapter 18: Beifong Family

"Hoho, this Bumi sounds like a real character; I slightly regret leaving you alone now." Said Gyatso softly with a slight chuckle and a raised eyebrow as he glanced at Aang while the two flew through atop their Sky Bison.

"So, you finally admit it, huh?" Asked Aang blandly as he gave Gyatso a side glance, causing him to promptly cover his mouth while laughing.

"Haha, oops, did I say that out loud?" Said Gyatso lightly with a faint smile as he glanced at Aang, who sighed before shaking his head.

"Anyways, it sounds like you had an enjoyable time and acted like a kid for once." Added Gyatso with a small smile as he calmed down and glanced at Aang, who furrowed his brows before softly nodding.

"I suppose." Muttered Aang lightly with the faintest of smiles, only to shake his head afterward.

"So, are we finally going to Ba Sing Se, Monk Gyatso?" Asked Aang curiously as he glanced at Gyatso, who promptly shook his head.

"Hoho, nope, not so fast, Aang; we haven't been within the Earth Kingdom for all that long; let us take out time." Replied Gyatso with a smirk as he eyed Aang, who nodded before crossing his legs.

"I was merely asking, Monk Gyatso, that's all; now, I shall return to meditating." Said Aang with a nod as he rubbed Appa's head before closing his eyes, resting his hands on his knees, and causing Gyatso to nod while he did the same.

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Walking down the street of Gaoling City, which had sections that were completely night and day, with one part of the city being incredibly wealthy while the other part was the complete opposite and poverty-filled; it was honestly a little depressing, so I avoided that side of the city, though it made me feel that much more grateful about my situation.

'I may have been born as the Avatar, but it could've been far worse.' Mused Aang lightly as he glanced down an alley filled with beggars, only to sigh while shaking his head before looking away.

Getting rid of such depressing thoughts, I took a sharp turn, heading further into the wealthy district of the city, acquiring weird looks from many so-called nobles, though it was only briefly, as they promptly smiled shortly afterward. Yes, something I've noticed after visiting a few different places with Monk Gyatso is that almost everyone who has information on Air Nomads is friendly, which made me realize how welcomed we were, at least to the Earth Kingdom.

'I imagine it'll be the same with the Southern and Northern Water tribes, and as for the Fire Nation, well, I feel like that's kind of self-explanatory.' Thought Aang lightly with a curious look as he continued walking down the street, eventually reaching estates and manors.

Having reached deep enough into the district where I've finally come across a noble's estate, even though I didn't have much interest in any of them, I continued walking, and it was for one specific reason. Even though I knew she wouldn't be alive, and with my existence, there was a massive chance she wouldn't even be born, I still wanted to look; besides, having come to Galoing, it would be rude not to pay my respects to the greatest earth bender in the world.

'Excluding Avatars, of course; otherwise, good luck surpassing Kyoshi, even I'll be hard-pressed to achieve that.' Mused Aang lightly with a faint smile as he arrived before a large estate.

"The Beifong Estate. Much larger than I remember." Muttered Aang softly as he stood before the entrance of the Beifong Estate.

I must've arrived at the just the correct time, since I spotted a small carriage within the Beifong estate heading towards the gate I was standing in front of, and curiosity, I decided to wait for them as I moved out of the way when they finally began exiting. Though they must've noticed me since the carriage promptly stopped while the door opened, revealing a slightly plump man, an older woman, and a young man sitting within the carriage.

"An Air Nomad? A pleasure to make you're acquaintance, I'm Jozu Beifong, this is Paline Beifong, my wife, and this is Maz Beifong, our son. How can we help you?" Asked the slightly plump man by the name of Jozu as he looked at Aang while Paline and Maz both gave Aang curious looks.

"Help me?" Said Aang in slight confusion as he glanced at Jozu before looking at himself, only to promptly shake his head.

"No, you misunderstand, Sir Beifong; I was merely appreciating your beautiful estate; you don't get to see such a sight within the Air Temple often, though excuse my rudeness." Added Aang lightly with a faint smile and a slight bow as he gestured to the Beifong estate, causing Jozu to nod before smiling.

"Ahh, well, I appreciate it…?" Said Jozu with a smile as he looked at Aang while trailing off towards the end.

"Aang of the Southern Air Temple. Though you can just address me as Aang." Replied Aang softly as he clasped his hands and slightly bowed, causing the three Beifongs to nod.

"Well, as I said before, I appreciate it, Aang; the Beifong family is quite old, and so is our estate, so seeing someone appreciate its beauty always brings a smile to my face." Stated Jozu with a friendly smile as he looked at Aang, who nodded in return.

"So, Aang, we were just heading out to watch a play, and since you're all alone, I was curious if you'd like to accompany us. I'd love to know more about the Air Nomad's way of life." Said Paline softly with a faint smile as he glanced Jozu, who nodded, before looking at Aang, only to slightly frown when he shook his head.

"I appreciate the thoughtfulness, but I wouldn't wish to impose upon a family outing, and if I'm being truthful, the life of an Air Nomad isn't as amazing as it may seem; we don't even have specified toilets, though, don't tell Monk Gyatso I said this." Remarked Aang with a small smile as he glanced at Paline and Jozu, only to lean forward while whispering, causing the three to subtly shiver.

"Ahh, no toilets? Yes, I'll admit, my desier to learn has waned somewhat." Said Paline softly while Jozu and Maz both nodded in agreement.

"Anyways, I shall get going. I'd like to continue my tour of Gaoling before I leave, though before I do, Maz, could you possibly do me a favor?" Asked Aang lightly as he glanced at Maz, who raised an eyebrow before hesitantly nodding.

"Could you perhaps tell your future children of our encounter and then have them do the same and so on?" Added Aang softly, his words confusing Maz as he tilted his head to the side before nodding.

"Y-Yes, I-I can do that; I-I probably would've told my future children about meeting an Air Nomad anyways." Replied Maz lightly with a weird look as he eyed Aang, who faintly smiled.

"Well then, that is all. Have a nice day, and I shall return to the Beifong Estate in the far future." Said Aang with a faint smile as he waved at the three Beifong's before turning around and walking away.

"Well, I wasn't expecting to meet an Air Nomad today." Muttered Jozu lightly as he gave Aang one last glance before closing the door to the carriage while looking at Paline.

"Yes, though, I must admit, while he was nice, he was a little weird. Or maybe that's just how all Air Nomad's are?" Said Paline with a nod only to look at Maz, who still seemed confused.

"Don't think too deeply about it, Son; it might've just been an eccentric desire from the young Air Nomad." Remarked Jozu as he patted Maz's back, causing him to nod.

"Yeah, you're right, Father; it's just a weird thing to ask for." Said Maz with a nod as he leaned back in the seat.

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"Haa, I hope my encounter with them doesn't mess with Toph's birth; I'd hate it if she's not born simply because of that small interaction." Said Aang lightly as he walked down the street of Gaoling with his head down, regretting his earlier encounter.

While hoping my little butterfly effect didn't go in the wrong direction, I grabbed my whistle from my pocket and blew on it, causing an inaudible sound to resound throughout the city. Waiting for Appa to arrive, I continued to look around the city, but it was only for a short few minutes before I spotted Appa flying overhead, causing me to grab my bo-staff off my back as I turned it into a glider, creating a gust of wind which lifted my off the ground and into the air, I quickly arrived at Appa as I landed on his soft, fluffy back.

"Hmm, is it just me, or do you seem slightly plumpier than usual? Have you been stealing food again?" Asked Aang with furrowed brows as he leaned forward and stared into Appa's eyes.

Although Appa wasn't able to respond, I knew he understood what I was saying, and I had a feeling he was just pretending to ignore me on purpose, causing me to frown; but I eventually gave up after a while and just flew towards Monk Gyatso in the distance.

"Monk Gyatso, I've finished my tour." Said Aang softly as he looked at Gyatso, who stopped meditating and opened his eyes.

"Ho, that quickly? It hasn't even passed high noon. Are you sure you're finished with your tour?" Asked Gyatso as he looked at the sky before skeptically eyeing Aang, who nodded.

"Yes. I'm more than finished with my tour. There was only one thing I found interesting in, and everything else seemed rather repetitive." Remarked Aang softly with a nod while overlooking the Beifong Estate.