element of change

It's been raining all day – something that doesn't have to matter much when you're flying, but becomes more of an issue when your sky bison needs to rest for the night. Katara doesn't have much trouble keeping them dry as they descend, but if they sleep outdoors tonight, they're going to get soaked through. This area of the Earth Kingdom is entirely flat farmland, no mountains or even hills that might have caves to hide in, the only natural cover a forest still rather far in the distance. Their best bet is to try to settle in a field and leave before dawn, or to stow away in someone's barn house.

Sokka irritably points out that some rain isn't going to kill them, but Katara answers they could get sick again, which would just slow them down as they tried to find Aang another earthbending teacher. They bicker over it until Aang spots the lights of an inn not too far off, reasonably set apart from the closest farm village. Though still rather skeptical, Sokka agrees to help Appa hide out nearby, while Aang and Katara head for the inn's entrance.

When Katara opens the door, the first thing she's on the lookout for is any sign the place is occupied by Fire Nation soldiers. It's not what she sees, but –

"Um, Aang? This place is weird."