The Visitor

Day Seven

Toph did not like being awakened early. And on this day, she was especially irritable. The airship ride put her even more on edge. She wouldn't even speak to Azula or Masanori on the way.

When the three reached the palace, Azula took point. She insisted on a palanquin bearing, which Toph could have done without. A page was waiting to show them to the meeting.

Rather than conduct the discussions in the throne room, Zuko had chosen a more intimate setting: the banquet hall, with its large table. Zuko sat at the head of that table. He was dressed in his finery and looked impressive. Mai was at his side. She was splendidly dressed, though obviously pregnant. Lao and Poppy Beifong had already arrived when the islanders entered the room.

"Baby..." Poppy Beifong lost her composure and tried to embrace Toph when Lao stepped in. "Darling, please."

Azula and Masanori both gave formal bows. "Your lordship," Azula said.

Zuko raised his hand. "No need to be formal, Azula. This isn't an official function. You're not here as a court advisor, but only for moral support."

Azula's eyes narrowed. She didn't like the sound of that at all. But she help back for Toph's sake.

"Let's all sit down." Ursa stepped forward and took her seat.

Zuko spoke. "I'm nobody to judge or criticize family affairs, Mr. and Mrs. Beifong. I hope you understand that. But Toph came to me not only as Fire Lord but as her friend. That makes me partly responsible for her."

Lao Beifong was incredulous. "Responsible? That's not a word I would use to describe any of this, Lord Zuko." He turned to his daughter. "Toph, not only did you run away from us again, but now I find your choice of friends appalling."

"Sir," Zuko said tensely, "it was my idea to have my sister watch out for your daughter. She and Masanori were the best choice."

"The best choice? You believed the best choice to safeguard my daughter was the conqueror of Ba Sing Se and her...consort?" Clearly, Lao Beifong's dignity was offended.

So was Azula. "This 'consort' is my future husband."

"They're my friends, Dad. Not that it's ever mattered to you."

"You make friends with people like her?"

Ursa leaned forward. "That is my daughter, Mr. Beifong. Do not insult her."

"Like you insulted us? You wormed your way into our home and then vanished to do spirits-know-what. Or did you think we had forgotten?"

Zuko slammed his palms down on the tabletop. He clenched his hands into fists, then relaxed. "Before we all get too emotional, I think we should hear from all parties involved. Toph, since this meeting is about you, you should go first."

Toph stood. "Mom. Dad. I ran away because you didn't give me a choice. You didn't give me one the first time, either. But both times, I ended up better for it. Let me show you something. I just need some metal."

Mai placed a dagger on the table. "I don't need it that badly."

Without even touching it, Toph made the metal blade slide down the table to her, where she bent it into a ring. "No one else in the world can metalbend. I can. And you said you'd take it away. I won't go back with you because I...can't trust you."

Zuko spoke again. "Mr. and Mrs. Beifong."

Lao Beifong had done most of the talking. It was his way. "Lotus...perhaps I spoke without thinking. I admit that. But this...ability of yours...I just can't see how it can be practical. But the things your mother and I wish for you are so you can live a normal life."

"There's nothing normal about my life! There never has been! I'm not the one who's blind if you can't see that!"

Zuko called for calm again. "Maybe an outsider's view is needed. Azula, what have you to say as a neutral observer?"

Azula pondered the question, letting the tension build until she saw her opening. "I don't think I am one, Zuko. Toph has been hurt very deeply, and I think her grievance is a real one. I know how important bending is, especially if you can claim an ability no one else has."

Zuko turned to his future brother-in-law. "Masanori? I expect you to be level-headed about this."

"All I know is what I've seen and heard. This has been very hard on Toph. Anyone can see that. And while I admit that the Beifongs are acting out of love...sometimes love is about saying you're sorry."

Mai spoke up. "Is that what you want, Toph? Just say what you came to say."

Toph took a deep breath. "Mom. Dad. Whatever you think, Azula and Masa have been good friends to me. They let me live with them when I had nowhere else, but they respected my privacy and independence. I'm not a little baby anymore. And I've never been helpless. Why can't you understand that?"

Poppy Beifong spoke up. "Honey, we were so afraid you'd get hurt."

"You say that, Mama, but you were hurting me. Treating me like some fragile flower, threatening to take my bending away, not letting me have friends...it's like it's not enough that I'm blind, you want to cut off my arms and legs too. And sending goons to kidnap me was nothing but stupid."

Ursa raised her hand. Zuko recognized her. "Toph," the Princess Mother said gently, "what would you like to happen?"

"I just want my parents to accept me as I am. Why don't you love me, Daddy?"

Lao Beifong's face bore a look of deep shame. "I do, Lotus. I do. I...I went crazy when you left."

"It's not just that you're our baby, Toph," Poppy Beifong said with emotion. "You're our only baby...the only one we'll ever have." Tears started down Poppy's cheeks. "We tried so hard to have children, but they all died. Except you: the blind earthbender. We were...crazy with fear. I'm so sorry, baby." She sobbed as Lao held her.

"Can you forgive us, Lotus?"

Toph's answer was like the crack of doom. "I don't know."

Ursa rose. "May I say something?"

"Go ahead, Mom," Zuko said.

"Mr and Mrs. Beifong...I know what it's like to want your children safe from all harm. No matter how old they are or what they can do, they are always our little ones. And we're always afraid that someone will take them away. I myself was very foolish in that regard." She looked to Azula apologetically. "I nearly drove my daughter away because of that foolishness. In trying to protect her, I was hurting her." Ursa paused to compose herself. She considered her next words carefully. "Parents are not always right. We make mistakes. And when we do, they are big ones. But children have a gift: love. They abide. They endure. They love. And they forgive. Toph, can you forgive?"

"Things can't be like before," the earthbender said. "But you are my parents. If you're willing to understand me...I think I can."

The relief in the room was palpable. Ursa had done quite a trick, parent-to-parent.

"Mama. Daddy," Toph continued. "Don't get angry with anyone here. They're good friends, and they've been good to me. Zuko. Azula. Masa. All of them. And they made this possible." Toph made her way around the table. Nobody stopped Poppy Beifong this time. Mother and daughter embraced. "Love you, Mama. You too...Daddy."

No other words were needed.

Lunch was served in the banquet hall. There was still some tension, but the hard part was over. Zuko insisted that everyone stay on as his guests for a few days.

Out in the courtyard, everyone was gathered to view some bending demonstrations. It was impressive. Afterwards, Toph spoke. "Azula, I've been hiding something from you. I can feel it growing inside you."

Azula was alarmed. "What is growing inside me?"

"Remember what I said about singing to your baby?"

Shock ripped through both firebenders. "I'm pregnant?"

"I knew then, but I didn't want to upset you."

Masanori forgot himself. He lifted Azula up by her waist, beaming. "Cat, we're going to be a mommy and daddy!"

"Put me down." Masanori set her back on her feet. "Zuzu, you're catch mosquito-flies in your mouth like that."

Everyone was floored. Ursa wept silently for joy. Zuko looked like his head would explode. Mai was bug-eyed, which did not suit her at all.

"Call this a thank-you for what you guys did for me."

Later on, Azula felt a strange sort of pride at how Toph had managed the entire affair. The earthbender had expertly manipulated her way into what she wanted. She learned well from me, the princess thought.

Even so, Toph remained a friend to both Azula and Masanori, even insisting that she be there for the baby's birth. Little Roka (named after her ancestor Roku) entered the world near the end of spring. She always loved her "Aunty Toph."

The Gaang begged Toph to tell the story of staying with Azula and Masanori, but she never told it all at once; just bits and pieces over time. They certainly looked at their old enemy in a new way.

Ursa couldn't resist telling Ozai. He ranted and raved, but she just scoffed.

With Aang's help, Zuko began development on Republic City.

But all of that was far in the future. On a summer day, a blind earthbending girl held a tiny baby.

END

Thanks for reading! I hope you had as much fun with it as I did.