A/N: Okay, so, I basically combined my love for music and for Tokka. So, if you share my interests, then you'll enjoy this story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar. If I did, Sokka would wear his hair down more often. Definitely.

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Her sightless eyes were closed as she glided her delicate hands over each key. With each gentle press of her fingers, a clean note joined another, to form a pristine, harmonic melody. She smiled. It was moments like these she favored best. When she was left alone, in peace, within her favorite room.

The room was simple, yet elegant, her mother would tell her. It had plain white walls, and a plain white rolled arm chaise on the far right wall. And right in the middle, a classy grand piano.

"It's really quite empty," Mrs. Bei Fong had summarized with a sigh. "But if you ever learn to play that thing,"--she pointed to the black and white keyboard-- "then you can consider this room yours."

And so Toph learned to play. Sure, it took time, and patience. Her father, being the rich man that he is, hired one of the most professional instructor to teach his daughter. Every Tuesday, Instructor Yu came to the Bei Fong residence to resume Toph's weekly teaching.

It was during these lessons-- or when she played piano at all-- that Toph felt like the wealthy, extravagant young women she was supposed to be. She was patient, and let her teacher treat her like the fragile, helpless girl her parents sought her out to be. Though, deep down it aggravated her to hell.

But she gave it a chance; the idea of playing an instrument. She wasn't sure what it was, exactly, that gave her the restraint and self-control. Whether it was herself, wanting to be the "perfect" daughter for her parents. Or whether she was tired of her routine-filled life, and wanted a change.

Maybe I'm becoming someone new, she had thought once. But she quickly dismissed the idea, not wanting to think of the endless results and alterations.

There was a soft knocking at the door, and Toph quit her playing. "Come in."

The door opened and there stood Toph's favorite servant, Zak. "Dinner's ready."

Zak was Toph's only true friend. He was a young man of seventeen, whose father encouraged him to pursue the career of a servant. Zak never knew why his father wanted him to follow his footsteps. And he figured he never would. But that's not why Toph favored him the most.

When Toph was younger, and was having trouble with one of her assigned pieces. Zak had been able to hear her struggling from the hall, and knocked gently on her door. The music stopped. And Toph said those two little words that started it all.

"Come in."

It was that Tuesday evening that Zak had suggested several recommendations and tips. Toph was extremely obliged. And because of that, Toph had asked Zak to teach her.

"Please? Instructor Yu holds me back just because I'm blind."

"But your father pays good money to that man. And besides, I'm not here to teach piano."

Despite his protests, Toph managed to convince him to agree. And she couldn't be more grateful.

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Yeah, it was short. But I didn't want to bring Sokka into the story until later.

Special thanks to Sam, who answered my questions, gave me useful suggestions, and shared hilarious 'n' helpful ideas.

~Kara Gui't'ar

R & R!