Kiss.

"Mm, fun."

Heeeeeeee.

(The Fire Nation can wait on her finishing terrorizing them.)

Back at the training field, Eliko nods in approval as Mara finishes a set.

"You are improving quickly."

"Thanks!"

"Tomorrow, we will go to the mountains. I think you're ready."

"Oh? For what?"

"You'll see when we get there."

"A surprise! I can't wait."

"Rest well tonight. I'll meet you in the morning."

"Alright."

And off to settle in for the night, though she can't stop grinning excitedly to herself.

Bright and early the next morning, then.

"Normally I walk. It's a several day journey by foot."

"Can we take Appa?"

"If you like."

"Well, it'll certainly be faster, and poor Appa hasn't gotten to stretch his legs, lately."

"We'll take the bison, then."

"Cool!"

Appa is very eager to go and snuffles at Eliko in a friendly manner when they walk up.

Great. Hi, Appa. He can have a pat before they set off.

It doesn't take very long to get to the base of the mountains by sky bison. Eliko directs them to the base of a certain rocky slope, and hops off Appa's back to land her bare feet on the ground again with perhaps a certain amount of relief.

Appa is very fond of Eliko and has to be scolded out of trying to lick her.

Mara seems to enjoy the ride, and springs off with a delighted laugh.

Eliko leads the way to a narrow crack in the wall, sets her hands inside it and pulls them apart, widening the crack enough to walk through.

"Appa will have to wait here."

"Alright." She tells him to stay, reassures him she'll be back soon, and - "How long is this likely to take?" she asks Eliko. "So I can tell Appa."

"The rest of the day, probably."

"Alright."

She tells Appa he can sleep here, if he wants, but if she's not back by morning he needs to go find Hisame, okay?

He nods and then flops down.

Eliko leads the way into the cave.

It's very, very dark, but the floor is strangely smooth.

She's a bit fascinated by that! "What made this tunnel?" she asks.

"Cousins of my teachers. Can you feel them?"