So, hey all!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukka, Kwanza, whatever other holiday there be. ^_^

But besides all the holly-jollyness, I really wanted to write a long, fo-shiz story. Like, I've sttempted them in the past and i never finish them -_- *sigh* oh, well! i'm trying it again (and on top of that, i've got no clue what im going to do with it) so, it'll be fun. it'll be a good time...right? *nervous laughter*

So, enjoy, says Santa. He's watching...

Chapter One:

"You're crazy."

"No," he said, thumping his hand against his chest as a breeze blew their hair. "I am a genius.

The blind Earthbender shot him a skeptical look, rubbing her bare arms as the altitude chilled her. He took he hand and brought her closer as he stood at the edge of the great city of Omashu. Sokka looked far off into the city, wisps of white clouds drifting lazily through the blue sky. Somewhere in the city, rumbling could be heard; a result of Toph's incredbile bending match with King Bumi from the day before. Toph had never been to Omashu before, and, despite being a so-called country girl, she loved it. Something about the city, she remarked, made her feel excited and alive. Freer than Ba Sing Se, she had said. Definitley freer.

Plus personally knowing the city's king didn't do any damage, either.

But as they stood at the peak of the city, on a threshold between comfort and exhileration, she felt her stomach twist. The stone box was empty, teetering, and threatening to fall if it weren't for the strong Watertribe hand that held it. That's something she and the box had in common: a calloused hand grasping them.

"You sure you know what you're doing?" Toph asked.

"Of course," he said, pulling the box far back enough for her to take a safe step inside. "Aang, Katara, and I did it all the time. And with your Earthbending, we'll go a thousand times faster."

She took a deep breath, stepped inside, and knelt down, pressed as closely to the back as she possibly could be.

"Wow," he muttered, swinging one leg into the box. "Didn't think the Runaway would be so terrified of a measly little hill."

"It's not the hill that concerns me," she retorted. "It's you."

"What? You don't trust me?" he asked, arching his eyebrows.

She laughed. Her mind yelped 'Yes' after a few familiar feelings flash though her brain: something about dangling off a floating hunk of metal while a warm, trembling hand is the only thing tethering you to life and not death.

"Not now, not ever," she replied. He chuckled to himself, the sun kissing his face.

And with that, he pushed off the ledge, pulling his other leg into the box as they took off down the slope. Sokka cheered, holding the front edge and using it to take different routes (the fastest routes) as they wooshed their way through the glorious city. Toph's terrorized screams and occasional obscenity grew into yelps of laughter, as she held her hands out, even gathering the courage to stand up.

Sokka looked over his shoulder to see her smile. No mischeif, no untlerior motive behind it. Just pure, unbridaled joy.

"Ready to go faster?" she called over the air.

"Are you kidding?" he shouted back, adding a loud laugh. "I was ready the second we took off!"

She furrowed her black brows, an evil grin peeling across her face. She twisted her feet, columns of earth locking her into the same stance Katara hasd when she surfed. With a deep breath, and the close of her eyes, she flicked her wrists and thrusted her arms behind her, making her look like some pale, jovial bird. Suddenly, like they were hit with a blast of air, their sled became a rocket, Sokka's cheeks lagging behind his mouth. They came to the best part in the ride: a ten foot gap.

"Hold on, meathead!" Toph shouted, feeling the lack of track approaching quickly.

"Wha?" he asked as she twisted her hands and uncoiled her fingers. A ramp reared its ugly, daunting head as they drew near. It's too late to un-bend it, Sokka realized as they take off, flying like a a sky bison. Some say they saw something flying that day, high over Omashu. Some citizens thought it was some conspiritorial invention of the Fire Nation rebels, but others new better. The Avatar's trouble-making friends were in town. Anything abnormal could be blamed on them.

Okay so this is like a prolouge thing...hence the title. Warning: those of you who know me know I'm all about angst (though it won't be ALL depressing as all eff, I swear).

Anyways, I hope you guys liked it thus far! I'm really trying to get away from, like, repeat words and uber simple terminology and what not.

But yeah, I'm in the Christmas spirit so I thought I wouldn' start this (and the holidays) off with depressing angst and brooding. Oh, no, that's for another, upcoming time. ^_^

P.S. Sorry if Toph seemse a litte OC in the beginning aaaaaand reviews and criticism would be seriously appreciated!

But I'll quit before I can REALLY start to ramble!

Peace, L.