She didn't have the option of learning from humans.

Not everyone would, no. Still, Mara would recommend the original source, for most people.

It's worked out for Eliko.

One of the adult badgermoles comes over to snuffle-grunt at them. "Time to do some work," Eliko says, standing.

"Alright!" she says, bouncing to her feet.

They're led out to expand the tunnel network. Changing them around often keeps the wolfbats confused and away from the den, Eliko explains.

The adult badgermoles are not shy at all about booping Mara to correct her form.

She's enthusiastic about helping, and fine with being booped. She doesn't tend to make the same mistakes twice, now that she has the mindset down.

Then she can pick up lots of hints.

After a day's work, Eliko pronounces them done, and they can head back to the surface. Following, of course, the distribution of final pats.

Obviously! She is very liberal with pats.

"Thank you," she says to Eliko. "This was helpful - and also nice. Like the best parts of home."

"Yes," she says. "I visit when I can."

"Hopefully I'll find more air bison some day. It'd be sad for Appa to be the last..."

"If there are any herds remaining, they have kept themselves well-hidden, away from civilization."

"I think they'd have the sense to. They're smart."

"Then perhaps you may yet find some. Let us return."

"Alright!"

And back to Appa and then the village.

The village is much as they left it. Eliko bids Mara a good night and sets off home.

Meanwhile, Hisame's sprawled against her girlfriend. "Do you want to try finding that library again?" she asks. "I'm planning to terrorize the Fire Island's home fleet tomorrow, but I think we're rather running out of things to do, here."

"I wouldn't mind visiting it again. We could take the other two."

"Oh, yes. I think they'd like that, and I think Mora will be more awake tomorrow, too."

"That sounds like a plan, then. As for the rest, yes I do think we are running out of things to do here."

"Hopefully wherever we move onto next will be more entertaining."

"I'm sure we'll find something. Do you think our new friends will want to come along?"

"To the next world? Mara won't. She's very dedicated to her job as Avatar."

"We'll have to figure out how to come back at some point."

"Certainly. I'd also like to see how that Azula gets along."

"She did sound interesting. Hopefully she survives the palace intrigue."