Toph! Are you ready for the ball?
Yes Mother.
No you are not! Your dress is covered in mud and your hair a bird's nest! My poor baby can't do anything for herself!
Mother, just because I can't see the way you do, doesn't mean I can't take care of myself!
Toph dear, don't you understand how important this is? Tonight you might meet your husband!
Toph shuddered as she thought of the snobby Earth Kingdom noblemen who wanted her hand. She was the world's greatest Earthbender, not some weakling blind girl. If only Twinkletoes were here. The Avatar saw her as a warrior and friend, not some doll. Sometimes, Toph thought, that they balanced each other out quite well. But he was on Avatar duties, travelling with Sugarqueen.
Zuko! Your advisors say that you don't have time to see me!
The Firelord looked up from his paperwork to see Mai storming into his office.
Mai, I'm really sorry, but I just don't have time! I have to put the Nation first! Even if it means less time to spend with you. Maybe if you helped me, I could do my duties faster.
But paperwork is so boring! I can't stand being here any longer!
Mai, if you keep acting like this the Council will throw a fit. You know that our relationship has to come after the Nation.
So now you're saying that you're putting up with me? That I don't deserve you?
No Mai, I'm just saying that –
You know, why can't you be like Hong? He's an Ambassador, and he has time to spend with me!
Zuko sighed. He and Mai just weren't working out. She thought that he didn't think she was good enough for him. That made her moody. But she couldn't see that he had a duty to his Nation, and that as much as he wanted to be with her, he really had no time. She had met Hong in the Boiling Rock and they had been reunited when Zuko appointed Hong as Ambassador to the Earth Kingdom. He was happy that Mai had found someone who would keep her company, as Ty Lee was on Kyoshi, but he couldn't help being a little jealous.
Katara! There's a festival tonight! The villagers are so happy that I helped them rebuild that they're having a party in my honour!
That's great Aang! Just let me go get ready, okay?
Once Aang was out of sight, Katara let the smile fall from her face. Sometimes, she wished that people would appreciate what she had done for them. She had worked tirelessly healing the sick and wounded, starting schools and healing centers, only for Aang to get all the credit. Granted, he was the Avatar, but Aang was still a child, who enjoyed playing games and riding the elephant koi. He didn't do as many serious duties as she did. Zuko had been the only member of the Gaang to appreciate her and how much she did. She considered going to the Fire Nation. She wanted to play a bigger part, perhaps she could be her Tribe's Ambassador. But that would break Aang's heart.
Haroh! Put your father's swords down!
Come back you two! Stop flying away from Mummy!
Sokka! I can't believe you're letting Koda play with a boomerang!
He's not playing; he's training to be a warrior!
Are you bored Mai?
Like I would be with this rabble, Hong.