Upon hearing his name being called, Masaru looked to the origin of the voice that called him out. Of course, Masaru being called the Avatar got a few heads to turn to him. Most of Ember Island, his home, knew about him being the Avatar. The Fire Sages had gone out to the little resort island to announce it on his birthday, and a good deal of people had been filled out due to those same sages.

Masaru was hesitant. He knew the proper Fire Nation salute, and he didn't seem to have any sort of outsider appearance. 
[color=f26522]
"Tano."[/color] He called out calmly, the hybrid stopping so Masaru could hop off and return the salute. [color=f26522]"My thanks to the army, I suppose."[/color] He wasn't entirely sure how to react. Many of the visitors to Ember Island were still muttering about him and the lone soldier. If Masaru was going to be honest, he didn't like the hushed whispers around him, about him. If they wanted to say something, they should just say it right to them. It wasn't the first time that he had heard that he was nothing like Avatar Li, such a great man. All that was in his place was some kid who only knew one element. They should have broke tradition and told him about him being the Avatar from a younger age so he could protect the world better. 

He had heard it all.

An awkward silence overtook him. He wasn't exactly sure what to say next, and he wasn't sure if the soldier had anything else to say to him. [color=f26522]"Um... At ease?"[/color] He uttered experimentally. He hadn't really been in contact with the army, and neither of his parents served.