Nervous. Sokka wasn't supposed to feel nervous. He wasn't supposed to feel anything except resolute duty. But any sort of weakness was particularly bad.

It was hardly his fault, though. This was a big assignment, and it had been a while since he'd been back in this line of work. He didn't like to think of his previous employer, but she was always on his mind regardless.

He stood awkwardly on the shiny marble floor, briefly tapping his foot. Focus, that was key. Think of nothing, be aware of your surroundings at all times. Await further instructions.

Movement. His eyes latched onto the opening door in seconds, his hand twitched near his side.

A middle-aged man entered, and addressed Sokka immediately.

"Mr Beifong will receive you now."

The man turned, and Sokka followed him, until they reached a door with a flying pig motif etched into it along with the name Lao Beifong. Sokka turned the handle and entered the room.

An exceptionally well-dressed man sat behind an emerald desk, he contemplated Sokka and stroked his dangling moustache.

Sokka straightened up and tried to look impassive as he was looked over. His face was somewhat snobbish and sported a very slight sneer, but Sokka was used to that sort of treatment. It had long stopped bothering him.

"Sokka Amarok, is that your name?" The voice was as soft and aristocratic as Sokka has expected, but still contained a minor hint of disdain. Sokka chose to nod in reply.

"You seem young, Mr Amarok. How old are you?"

"I'm twenty-three years old, Sir. I might be young, but I am in no way inexperienced. I've served plenty in this regard in the past." The direct approach was often the best one, in Sokka's opinion.

Lao Beifong frowned minutely. "Yes, I have heard… rumours of your past employment. Of course, I don't pay attention to commoner's gossip, but it is a slight concern nonetheless."

Rumours. Yes, there were certainly those. Sadly, there was little he could do the dispel them.

"I am not sure what you have been told, sir." He could guess, though. It would be better for him if this was nipped in the bud.

"They say that you made… advances to your previous employer's daughter. A woman you were sworn to protect. And you were thusly suspended from duty." It was clear what Lao thought of such matters.

Sokka's face tightened. He'd bet his life he knew just who had been responsible for these rumours.

"I would not speak out against my previous employers, but I assure you nothing untoward happened between myself and Miss Yue. It is unfortunate that her fiancé felt otherwise, and chose to terminate my employment."

It was not nearly as unfortunate as the assassination that had followed soon afterwards. Sokka had truly felt for the girl, and her death had hit him hard. The fact that her coward fiancé had survived was just another blow.

Lao looked out the window and onto the grounds.

"I love my daugher, Mr Amarok. She is my only child. But she is near-blind and frail. I cannot keep her contained here forever, but the outside world is too dangerous for her to face alone. She will need protecting.

"I will entrust you to this position. Ensure that she is safe at all times. But if she so much as gets a scratch on your watch, there will be consequences. And if I hear any… rumours, you will never be employed anywhere again, do you understand?"

Sokka nodded once. He'd be much more careful, this time. The epitome of professionalism.

"Splendid. I will take you to go and see her now, and then you will look after her at all times. You will give your life for her, if need be." The man rose, walking off at a brisk pace.

They found the woman in the gardens, sat on a polished stone bench. Sokka regarded her thoughtfully. She was young, wearing a green and white dress and seemed to be quite short with pitch-black hair held in a bun with a headband. When she turned to face them, he could see her green-grey eyes were cloudy and unfocused.

They were also narrowed in his direction. She regarded him with even more contempt than her father had. He could tell she was going to be trouble.

"Toph, this is your new bodyguard, Sokka Amarok. He will accompany you whenever you're outside."

At her father's words the hatred intensified briefly before she settled into a placid, compliant expression. Her voice was impossibly soft as she offered her greetings to her new defender.

Her father left the two to get acquainted, and as soon as he was gone the malice was back in full force.

"Listen up here, ponytail. You might be here to look after me like I'm some weak child, but you'll do as I say, alright?" Her previously mild tone was replaced with harsh venom.

He stared at her for a moment. His previous principals had, if not liked him, at least accepted him without much issue. He'd never been subjected to such raw fury simply for being hired to help someone.

Well, as unenjoyable as this was sure to be, he had a job to do. He could put up with an angry woman if he had to. He'd had plenty of practice from his sister, at least.

"Yes, Miss Beifong. As long as your requests don't result in any harm coming to your person."

He'd attempted to appease her with his words, but they only served to aggravate her even more.

"I'm not a helpless maiden! I don't need protecting from anything!" Her shout was followed by a stomping foot. Sokka privately found it a little childish.

It was clear the girl thought herself impervious to damage or something. But whatever the reason for her distress, there was only one language she would understand. What Sokka was about to do was technically a breach of protocol, but sometimes you just had to grab the bull by the horns.

So he grabbed her by the arm, and sat her down on the bench, standing before her.

"Okay, kid. Your dad's paying me to stop people from hurting you. You ever been outside this house?"

The sudden movement and questions startled the young woman, and she shook her head.

"I thought not. He looks the overprotective type. But like it or not, you need me. There are people out there that would gladly kidnap you to get ransom from your dad. And you're not exactly an amazon warrior. So you're gonna accept that I'm gonna be here to help you out, and we're gonna have a good time, got me?"

If her dad had seen his little display he would be up in arms for sure, but he didn't think she was the type to go tattling.

And indeed, a small smirk had crossed her face. She seemed to be reconsidering him.

"You're not as much as a wimp as you look."

"I've been in this business a while. I also have a sister who's even brattier than you. I can handle a few tantrums," he looked at her for a moment "I'm not here to be your friend or your servant. I'm here to ensure nobody tries to kill you."

Her smirk widened. "We'll see about that," there was a definite note of challenge in her voice.

"Catch me if you can!" And she rushed off, dress trailing behind her.

Sokka cursed quietly before tearing after her. This was going to be one tough assignment.