Ravings of a Jaded Woman
Prologue:
After two long years of undercover work, it was finally over. I had single-handedly destroyed the biggest threat to peace since the days of Ozai. It was a great feeling, and I couldn't wait to share it with the people who have become my family. But, first things first.
"Barkeep, I need a fire whiskey! Put it on the Bei Fong tab!" I yelled as I entered the tavern. I fumbled around until I came to a barstool and took a seat. Stupid shoes.
A glass was set into my outstretched hand, and the barkeeper hesitated before releasing it.
"You're Toph Bei Fong?" He asked. His voice placed him at about thirty, seven years older than me, but it was the absolute disgust that rang through his voice that piqued my interest.
"Yeah, what of it?" I demanded before gulping down my drink.
"But, your eyes miss…" There was confusion replacing the disgust as he spoke this time.
"Trust me, I'm blind." I snapped, wondering if he meant to mug me or pick a fight.
"Toph Bei Fong, you are under arrest for murder. If you resist, our orders are to kill you." A deep voice boomed from behind me as his strong hands clamped down onto my shoulders.
"Fine, no problem, but I'll be needing a whiskey for the road." I replied. This situation was not uncommon—though this was the first murder accusation—and I wasn't overly concerned. In fact, in my days before going undercover, I had been arrested quite a bit.
I'd go to jail, and then Aang or sometimes Sokka would come and get me out. The longest I had ever been jailed was a week, but that was because Aang had been negotiating with a bunch of singing nomads and it took forever for him to hear about my arrest.
Might as well be drunk if I'll be spending the night in prison.
I was asleep when my cell door clanged open.
"Did Twinkletoes finally show up and tell you guys that this is all some misunderstanding?" I asked before smiling.
"Aang will not be coming to rescue you considering who you killed." The monotonous voice answered as the door shut.
"Mai?" Okay, now I was officially confused. Even if I had killed someone, why would Mai be involved in it. Or the Fire Nation no less.
"Don't fool yourself into thinking that our past relationship will have any bearing on this situation." Mai replied sharply.
"What situation? What's going on?" I asked, fear creeping into my veins.
"Toph Bei Fong, you're being formally arrested by order of Avatar Aang for the murder of Chief Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe." Mai's voice broke as she spoke, and I could feel the blood draining from my face, and hear my heartbeat in my ears.
"What? That's not funny Mai!" I snapped, jumping to my feet.
"This isn't a joke Toph! Sokka is dead and everyone thinks that you're to blame!" Mai yelled, her voice thick with tears.
"That's not possible. I would never…" I fell to my knees as they gave out, and I realized I was trembling. "He can't be…I would feel it. There's been a mistake." I felt like I couldn't breathe.
Mai's hands were suddenly wiping my face, wiping my tears away. I was crying.
I never cry.
"Toph-" Mai began, but another voice interrupted us.
"Firelady Mai, we must go before the guards get suspicious." A servant called.
Mai helped me to my feet before leaving.
The door shut and the silence that ensued was nearly unbearable.
Sokka can't be dead, and if by some horrible mistake he was, I never would have had a part in it.
I cried myself into an angst-filled sleep.
I awoke to the faint smell of burnt hair and heavy footsteps.
"Hey Sparky," I mumbled, my thoughts returning to the nightmare I was living. Did Sokka die without knowing my love for him?
No.
Sokka was not dead.
Zuko tossed a package into my lap. I opened it with a long nail—clean I might add—and ran my fingers over the contents.
It was Sokka's favorite sleeveless tunic. I set the package next to my pillow and tilted my head up to "stare" at Zuko.
"Toph, at this point only Mai and I believe your innocence. I don't believe that Sokka is dead. That being said, I need you to find him." Zuko said softly, pressingly.
"What if we're wrong about this? What if he is dead?" I asked, though the words brought bile high into my throat.
"Then you'll be executed for murder just the same as you will if you don't break out of here." He answered honestly, almost coldly.
"You want me to break out, to become a fugitive?" I asked incredulously before jumping up.
Zuko pulled me into a tight hug, and I found myself clinging to him like a small child.
"Yes, I do, because if you don't then you will die." He whispered.
I nodded and pulled away, my fingers still gripping his kimono.
"Can I take Sokka's tunic? It's his favorite one, and I'm sure he misses it." I said quietly, and I think we both realized how much we needed those words to be true.
Zuko nodded and I pressed the package tightly to my chest with one hand.
"Spirits be with you Toph."
"Thank you." I whispered, silently agreeing with him. I needed them now more than ever.
I took my free hand and grabbed the back of Zuko's head. He gave the slightest nod before I slammed it into my knee and escaped through the cell door.
Author's note: this is just the prologue of what is looking like a thirteen chapter story—if it follows my pre-written plan—with an epilogue. I know this is a bit confusing, and there are probably many questions. All will be answered in time. The next chapter has a bit more excitement in it. Like I said, I have the outline done and I don't envision it taking long for the first chapter to be up. Thank you for reading and please review.
