A few days into their vacation at Zaofu, Hanuel found Jitsuko in the library, of all places. It was one of the smaller private libraries in a corner of the estate Hanuel didn’t often visit. The metal furnishings of the room were all somewhat dusty, as if Jitsuko was the first person to visit in quite some time.

“Spirits, you’re a nerd.” Hanuel mocked her firebender friend as she read. “Whatcha reading about, war tactics again?”

“Architecture, actually. It’s pretty interesting, written by your great-grandpa about how he built the city.” Jitsuko lifted her book to show her. It was in fact, about architecture, and seemed too big for Jitsuko to be able to pick up. Hanuel sometimes forgot how strong her friend actually was, she had graduated the fire academy three years early.

“So.” Hanuel said, not caring that she was interrupting. “I had an idea.”

“What’s your idea?” Jitsuko didn’t look up from her book.

“So you know how you’re a firebender. And I’m the avatar.”

Jitsuko looked up from her book and raised an eyebrow, as if to say ‘and? What about it?’, although Jitsuko had known Hanuel for so long she probably knew where the conversation was headed.

“Can you teach me some firebending? Please?” Hanuel begged lightheartedly. “It’s the next element and I’ve literally never done it before, I should probably get some practice in before I start.”

Jitsuko sighed and shoved her hefty book back onto the table, creating a small cloud of dust. “Fine.” She grumbled, getting up to walk out of the secluded family library. “But I’m only showing you the basics.”

Hanuel led her friend to the best training plaza in the estate, an open garden on the south side of the main residence. The area was generally quiet enough that benders could practice and peace, and there was enough rock in the ground and nearby metal to provide easy ammunition. Of course, they wouldn’t be earthbending today.

“Legend has it this is where Avatar Korra learned to metalbend.” Hanuel said as she and Jitsuko found a place to practice.

“What legend, your grandpa?” Jitsuko sneered, lightly punching Hanuel in the shoulder. The avatar laughed in response, used to the back-and-forth of her and Jitsuko’s relationship.

“Alright,” Jitsuko dropped into a bending stance, which Hanuel imitated awkwardly.

“Try to lift your center higher.” Jitsuko gestured to her own stance. “Firebending’s light, and not as grounded as earth.” She took a breath and quickly moved her fist outward- a move Hanuel recognized as a fire fist. A brilliant, golden flame sprouted from Jitsuko’s motion and danced across the sky for a brief moment, quickly dissipating into smoke and thin air.

“Wow…” Hanuel breathed.

“You try now.” Jitsuko near-ordered, regathering her posture.

Hanuel imitated the motion Jitsuko had performed, fully expecting to see at least a spark flash before her eyes. Nothing happened.

“Hm.” Jitsuko put a hand to her chin. “Your stance is really good for a beginner, and you’ve got the breath control down. Firebending relies on drive and energy, maybe you’re lacking that?” She shrugged.

“I don’t know.” Hanuel said, repeating the motion. “I feel pretty driven. And energized.”

Jitsuko seemed disappointed as Hanuel continued and eventually sat down on the steps, Hanuel followed her closely.

“It’s so strange…” The firebender muttered. “Y’know, most firebenders have the opposite problem when they’re beginners, we create too much flame and don’t know how to control it- that’s why our schools are so rigid, to beat control and discipline into us. But you’re not like that.”

“Maybe it’s cause I’m the avatar?” Hanuel pondered. “I mean, the four elements are all pretty different, and I’m used to earth, so…” She didn’t want to follow the trail her thoughts led her down. She was the avatar, she was going to firebend someday. She would just have to work at it.

Jitsuko nodded, a strong resolution in her movement and voice. “You’re right, and I’m hardly a professional teacher. Once we get to the fire nation, my sister will have you firebending in no time.”

Hanuel smiled, remembering what she knew of Jitsuko’s older sister, Ochako. From what she knew, the woman was one of the best firebenders in the world and taught at the Royal Fire Academy. “Sounds great.” She hesitated before getting up and returning to the estate. “Thanks for trying, anyways.”