"Happy Birthday, you little brat." Toph said good-naturedly, handing Korra a half-eaten cup cake.
Korra looked at it amused. "Lose something?"
"I might of gotten hungry along the way." Toph defended herself. "Two blocks is a long way for a little old lady like me!"
Korra rolled her eyes. "When will you stop pulling that card, Sifu?"
"Just about when you stop pulling the 'I'm the Avatar' card." Toph retorted.
Korra grinned. "So it's never going to happen."
Teacher and pupil broke into laughter together.
"So, you know how old I am today?" Korra asked, smiling joyfully.
"I couldn't forget," Toph replied, grinning. "You talked about turning thirteen for five weeks."
"Hey, it's an important milestone, Sifu!" Korra argued playfully.
"I could not agree more," Toph chuckled.
She paused. "So are they finally going to let you out of this compound on account of your 'milestone'?" she added softly.
Korra's happy smile quickly faded, replaced by a sullen demeanor.
"No," the girl said simply.
Toph was silent for a moment, then punched Korra in the arm.
"What was that for? I already got my birthday punches." Korra said, confused.
"Listen kid, don't let yourself get all depressed. You're turning thirteen today, aren't you? And gaining official mastery of earthbending. Plus you've still got me and Katara for company, and Naga. You'll have your moment Korra, I promise. And if you see it coming and they don't let you go after it, go anyway! Don't let them tie you down. So you're not getting a little freedom. One day, you can have all the freedom in the world. Just be patient, and wait for the right moment to strike." Toph advised.
"But don't stop bugging 'em about getting out of here," Toph added mischievously.
Korra grinned. "You know, you can be really wise sometimes, Sifu."
Toph showed her thanks with a swift punch.
"Wh-" Korra started before Toph interrupted her.
"Relax. It's how I show affection," she grinned. "Now let's go eat that birthday food!"
"Right," Korra said eagerly. "I heard they've got fried pig-chicken!"
"Don't forget my cake," Toph scolded.
"You can bake?" Korra asked curiously.
"No, I bought it all the way from the next street over," Toph laughed. "Ice cream cake. Nice and cold like you Water Tribe folk like it."
"Thanks, Sifu." Korra said appreciatively.
Toph shook her head. "You've got to stop calling me that, Spitfire. I'm not your teacher anymore."
"Right," Korra remembered, feeling a bit odd. "We're done here."
Toph nodded, slightly sad. "You can call me Toph, if you like."
Korra grinned. "So, Toph, now that you're not my teacher anymore, we can finally do all that stuff you said the White Lotus would hate."
Toph smirked. "Maybe after cake, kid. Or should I say teenager?"