"Iroh! Why is your personal seel and the eligibility seel stamped on this Earth Kingdom, err, girl?" one of the generals asked, snarling down at Toph, she went to flick her wrist but Aang caught it, knowing it would not do her any favours if she earthbended someone into the ceiling, Sokka chuckled.

Considering there were approximately fifty eligible girls all who are accompanied by parents, the Fire Sages and Fire Lord Zuko's personal guests, there were a lot of people to check, plus all the party crashers trying to sneak in. There were eight guards and two generals, Iroh was one of them, and they were checking the bracelets and noble documents and recording the names of all the noble girls.

"Ah yes, Lady Toph Bei Fong, you look lovely." Iroh said, writing her name at the bottom of the list.

"You cannot! She is-"

"Of noble birth. I happened to bring my scroll, of which the conditions of the party were decided. You did not specify on nationality. It is signed, and if anyone wanted to change or add exclusions to it, they needed to do so twenty-four hours ago." Iroh smiled cleverly, the general's mouth dropped.

Iroh chuckled wickedly as Toph and the others entered the hall, they were late and entered as the eligible women were already being introduced to the Fire Lord. There were ten names on each scroll that was read out, Iroh made sure he did not hand his in until Toph was on it.

Katara leant down and whispered to Toph, "From the looks of it, you need to walk from here to the throne, bow then walk back."

"It's a 'if you got it, flaunt it situation'... 'Strut your stuff' type thing." Sokka whispered. Everyone laughed quietly as Iroh walked up and handed his scroll to the man reading out the names, he interrupted the introduction of a noble girl who hissed at him.

Mai's name was called and a few people gasped, "She looks beautiful!" Ty Lee squeaked, seeing her friend in make-up that isn't totally depressing is always nice change. Mai walked toward the throne, Toph could feel the Fire Lord bow and his heart fluttered simultaneously.

Toph's confidence plummeted. Haru and Sokka both place a hand on her shoulder, thinking it was Ty Lee's comment that dampened her feelings.

"You are way prettier, Toph." Sokka smiled, he kissed her cheek. She blushed.

"I second that." Haru smiled, he nudged her gently. She sighed softly and focused on the crowd, gauging their reactions and wondering how they will react to her.

A few minutes passed, a few more girls were introduced. Longshot suddenly nodded at Smellerbee, she smiled and blushed, than a short while later, he nodded again. "That name that just got called, Longshot saw that name at the top of your list, nine to go."

"Wow, we must have been late!" The Duke chuckled, he already had a handful of food that he was sharing with Sokka and Jet.

"You will smash this, well hopefully not literally. I think they would want this place in one piece." Aang smiled.

Toph felt her nerves growing, what if he rejects me? Teo smiled up at her, seeing that she was nervous, he pulled his lever that helped him stand, he leant down and kissed her cheek, the opposite one to Sokka. "You are going to make him runaway with you!" he whispered, linking his arm with her as a comfort.

She smiled and rolled her eyes at his cheesy reference to when she was younger. "All I have to do is get pretty and nervous, and suddenly I get kisses and complements, interesting." Toph said, everyone snickered.

"Everyone is wearing red or black. You will definitely be the stand-out noble." Suki whispered. She emphasised noble, because she wore her traditional Kyoshi ball gown, along with Ty Lee, both had blue, chcolate and gold with long sleeves. Katara wore a Southern Water Tribe gown that was blue and silver and Smellerbee wore a traditional dress clothes that was green and silver.

In fact, they were the all the only people not wearing red. Aang was wearing his yellow formal ceremony clothes, similar to the ones he wore to Zuko's coronation, he requested the style again as it was easy to move, his wooden necklace hung around his neck. Jet, The Duke and Longshot wore their usual style, but the royal dressmakers insisted on 'sprucing them up', so they added layers and replaced patches. They really looked handsome. Sokka wore grey water tribe formal clothes and Haru and Teo were dressed by Ty Lee, she had begged them for ages before Haru crumbled.

"Lin-Yu Yikin, house of Yikin." The announcer called, Toph could tell the small girl walking towards the throne was pretty, murmurs echoed as she approached the Fire Lord. There was a pause as they bowed to each other.

Lin is a nice name. Toph thought with a smirk.

Longshot whispered quickly, "You are after this girl."

Toph jumped slightly, "I will never get used to your voice…" Toph smiled at him, he patted her on the shoulder.

"I can't wait to see his face…" Jet chuckled, everyone smiled in anticipation and the announcer started again.

"And finally-"

…

Mai straightened her dress and watched as the Fire Lord bowed to the second last girl, Lin-something. Gosh, this was so boring. She hoped the girls were all as boring as their families looked. She half smiled at her joke, he father leaned down and whispered to her, "I think you are the prettiest, no girl will beat you. You will be the Fire Lady in no time."

She rolled her eyes at her father's comment, when her eyes came to rest a waiter over near the table caught her eye and winked at her. She raised an eyebrow at him, he winked again.

She looked away from him with a small smile, she had bigger fish to catch.

This was better than she expected, she got the most murmurs and Zuko visibly blushed. She had this in the bag. She almost smiled as she thought, if I hadn't broken up with him, I wouldn't be waiting so long. The announcer took a deep breath than spoke.

"And finally-"

…

Zuko hated to sound shallow, but Mai was definitely the pick of the bunch, she was the prettiest, and he knew her. This party would be over quickly. He looked beyond the crowd of admiring parents and nobles, he saw his friends laughing at something, probably him.

As soon as he could, he would propose, then he could spend most the party with them. He strained his eyes, The Duke, Jet, Longshot and Smellerbee were there, he was wondering earlier if they had made it, he would go greet them as soon as he could.

He couldn't see Toph, though, Teo had someone's arm linked with his, he could only assume it was Toph, there were people in front of them. He flushed with jealously. I guess he couldn't blame her for moving on. He was practically decided himself.

"Lin-Yu, house of Yikin." A pretty girl walked towards the throne, he bowed to her, she looked nice, but she must only be fourteen, how was she snuck in? He though dryly. He had kept count in his head, forty-nine. One to go. He was excited to get this over with, he also had his eye on the barrels of wine near the food table, and they would help him through the night.

Well, Mai is going to be the new Fire Lady, he sighed and waited.

"And finally-" the announcer called. Zuko smiled half-heartedly, last one. I am sure she won't mind a quick bow.

…

"Toph Bei Fong of the Bei Fong household."

…

Mai's eyes widen in shock. "What?!" she said, not meaning to say it out loud. She watched as the beautiful young woman walked towards the Fire Lord. How?! She felt her top lip curl in a silent snarl.

…

Here goes nothing. She thought, she walked to the aisle and walked as gracefully as she could manage towards the Fire Lord. She could feel his heart going crazy, and she heard him say her name aloud, obviously surprised. She smiled, hisses and murmurs filled her ears.

"Why is she wearing green? How disrespectful!"

"I heard about her, she is from the richest family in the Southern Earth Kingdom! What fine features!"

"Isn't she one of the heroes from the war?!"

"… What is wrong with her eyes?"

"I guess they let anyone in…"

The negative comments outweighed the positive, but at least not everyone was against her. She turned her attention back to the Fire Lord, his heart had not calmed. Actually it was the exact opposite, maybe I should call medical attention for him? She laughed internally. "Hey Sparky. Looking good." She smiled sarcastically as she bowed, she turned and walked away.

She knew she was going to be in trouble. She smiled.

…

Zuko almost choked. "Toph?!" he whispered out loud, though it was meant to be said to himself, he looked to his uncle in the crowd and saw him doubled over in silent laughter. He knew! His heart must have been audible.

Zuko looked up and controlled his expression, he saw his friends laughing again, but then he saw her emerge from the crowd. His stomach hit the ground, followed by his jaw, so much for a controlled expression... She was breathtaking, there was no other way for him to put it.

There were murmurs in the crowd, though Zuko wasn't listening, she walked towards him. He had never wanted something so much in his life.

She stopped and bowed, "Hey Sparky. Looking good."

He returned the bow, not even acknowledging her sarcastic comment, not taking his eyes from her. Then she turned and walked back to their friends, with the Fire Lord still staring after her.

…

Zuko walked straight towards his friends, politely moving through the guests, the look of shock on his face had his friends laughing before he reached them, Toph had a glass of wine waiting for Zuko. He growled as he took his drink from her, it wasn't an angry growl, but an annoyed growl, it soon turned into a smile, as his friends couldn't stop laughing, people were looking at them.

"That. Was. Great." Sokka smiled, downing his drink and slapping Zuko on the back.

"You should have seen your face," Jet laughed, "it was- well, hello there ladies." A group of eight girls were approaching the Fire Lord.

"Hello, may we steal you away for a bit?" Zuko had forgotten about this part, he had to talk to all of them. Gah! He was cursing on the inside but smiled politely.

"Of course. But I will insist on bring two of my single friends with me." He nudged Teo and Jet. They laughed and the group started to walk away, Zuko turned back and whispered, "You wait until your turn!", he knew Toph would hear, she looked towards him and winked. She knew we was still looking at her because his heart skipped a beat.

"Tonight is going to be fun." She smiled at her friends, finishing her drink.

…

Toph could not keep the grin off her face, and she was not the only one. She was standing with Teo, Katara, Aang, Longshot and Smellerbee. The Duke was talking to Iroh about tea, The Duke had never tried it, much to Iroh's horror. Jet had been slapped twice for inappropriate comments, Sokka and Suki were dancing around the room with Ty Lee and Haru, the band was playing romantic music and Suki and Ty Lee couldn't resist a dance. Teo had returned when it was made obvious that no girls wanted to focus on him when the Fire Lord was the prize, Jet wasn't giving up.

Katara was wanting to dance, but Aang was emerged in conversation with Fire Sage Shyu, who at the fall of Ozai, was reappointed as a sage and helped select a new place to worship Avatar Roku and past and future Avatars. "I am going to get another drink. Would you like one?" Katara asked Toph.

"Yeah, all this talk of spirits is starting to bore me," Toph said, finishing her drink, the wine was starting to have an effect on her. But she was not going to get drunk, at least not until the party is over, "You guys coming?" She said to Teo, Longshot and Smellerbee.

"Right behind you." Smellerbee said.

…

Teo sighed, this party blows, he thought, downing his wine and rolling after Toph. She sure looks beautiful, they all do. He looked at all of his friends, all in fancy clothing, he was too, but no one could see when he was sitting down. He rolled past the Jasmine Dragon tea table.

"I like your goggles." Came a soft voice, he thought he imagined it at first.

He stopped and reversed, a pretty girl was behind the table, she was wearing one of Iroh's aprons. Her hair was piled up in a bunch and she had a smile that stretched from ear to ear. Teo realised he was staring.

He smiled at her and faced his wheelchair towards her, he pulled his lever and shot up to the standing position, "Hey, my name is Teo." He smiled, holding out his hand.

She smiled wider at him, "My name is Jin." They shook hands, "um, would you like some tea?" she said, gesturing at the teas.

"Um, sure… What is that one?" Teo asked, pointing at a tea in front of him.

"Oh, that one is gross." She giggled. "Trust me… How about you tell me what you like?"

Teo felt the wine seeping into his being, Oh shit, do not say or do anything stupid. "Will I get slapped if I say brunettes?" He winked, Jin laughed and smiled at the handsome boy. Teo was thrilled at her reaction, maybe there is one girl her that isn't obsessed with becoming the new Fire Lady. "Okay, what about that on-AHHHH!" he leant forward to point at a tea and his wheelchair fell forwards. There was a large crash as the table smashed, the whole room looked towards the noise.

"Oh no!" Jin shouted. "Are you okay?!" she frantically clearing the bowls of tea leafs and special mixtures off him, the hot water had spilled near him, but not on him.

"And you guys thought I would be destructive…" Toph smiled, she stomped her foot, and a column of earth eased Teo upright, he was glowing red. The crowd that had gathered hissed and murmured. They had figured out that Toph was not of the Fire Nation, but most of them didn't know she was an actual earthbender. Aang excused himself from his conversation to check on his friend.

"Teo? What happened?" he helped the waiters collect the cups with a sweep of his hand, the cups blew into a neat pile.

Katara dusted him off, Jin came around and helped, he looked at her apologetically. He tried to talk, "I fell, oh crap. Miss Jin, I-"

"Don't worry! I am fine, I was worried about you. And call me Jin, just Jin." She smiled. "I was about to close up anyway. Everyone is heading to the wine."

"If you are off duty, you should join us." Aang said, glancing sideways at Teo and smiling.

Jin smiled, "I would like that."

…

Zuko heard a crash and turned to investigate, "No wait! I haven't told about my firebending training!" the girl almost shouted, she had been chewing his ear off for ages, and there were girls waiting to pounce everywhere. He felt like a Sabertooth-Moose-Lion surrounded by Sokkas.

"I'm sorry, you are really nice, but I need to check that wasn't any of my personal friends." He started to leave, as soon as he left her presence he was swarmed by frills and red silk. Giggles surrounded him and hands touching his arms and torso, "Ladies, please, give me five minutes!" they didn't listen, they were all talking to him at once. He looked over their heads and saw Aang and Toph standing near Teo, and a broken table. He needed her attention. An idea hit him, he stamped his foot.

…

Toph had a reading on him as soon as he walked through the door, he was swarmed by girls. He was probably enjoying it. "Ladies, please, give me five minutes!" she heard him say. She was standing next to Teo, then she got a signal, a stomp, from Zuko, it sent a stronger wave of vibrations, she felt him slide his foot out away from his body. A hint? Her head snapped in his direction, she smiled.

…

Yes! She heard me, hopefully she gets the message, Zuko thought, he did it again. Her smile widened as she slightly widened her stance and slid her foot in a semicircle away from her. The stone moved beneath the hoard of girl's feet, sending them quickly but gently, out of Zuko's path. They screamed as they were jolted in the opposite direction. Zuko beamed at his saviour, her cunning smile lit up her face.

"What happened over here?" Zuko laughed, scooping up a cup that Aang had missed.

"Teo made a new friend." Toph smiled.

"Oh! Hello Fire Lord Lee." Jin bowed respectfully, she had learnt of Zuko's true identity but still jokingly called him Lee.

"Jin! I haven't seen you for months! Why are you in the Fire Nation?" he bowed back.

"Lee?" Aang asked, he looked at Teo who shrugged.

"Ha, the origin of 'Lee' is an interesting story, I will explain in a second." She turned to Zuko, "Iroh offered me a trip of a lifetime! To help him start a tea shop here, it is very exciting. Are these your friends?"

"Yes, they are. I would love to catch up, but now I am pressed for time, I was going to take Toph for a while." He gestured for Toph to follow him, then mentally kicked himself, before walking back and placed his hand on the small of her back and led her to the balcony, as soon as they were alone, Zuko turned to her.

"You are in trouble. How long have you and Uncle planned this?" Zuko asked, a hint of annoyance but he smiled as he spoke. He was thrilled but wished he had known.

"A few days, he kind of dropped it on me when I was recovering after being, well kidnapped." Toph said, she walked towards the edge of the balcony, the cool air washed passed her face, it was very stuffy inside. "I was going to tell you, but I wasn't sure I wanted to go through with it."

"Why not?" Zuko was surprised, he thought that she shared his feelings. He knew they weren't in love, well not yet.

"I have been last in a crush before, it hurt. Well now I think about I never really expressed my feelings... Then there is all the obvious stuff, like our backgrounds, our personality clashes," she half-smiled, "I mean, I would destroy this place in a single temper tantrum."

"So could I." Zuko smiled. "Toph, I am glad you came. I am glad you are eligible. I really am." As he was talking he walked towards her and took her hand. She smiled, squeezing his hand. "But I have a question for you. You need to answer honestly. It is important."

She rolled her eyes, "No, I am not after your crown. No, I don't have ties to any underground earthbending organizations planning to overthrow you that I know of. And Yes, I am practically dying to jump in those barrels of wine." She smiled, she heard Zuko huff, "What? You need to spit it out, not stall." She laughed.

He huffed again, and rolled his amber eyes at her, "Do you understand that if we get engaged, then married, we are stuck together?"

"Oh damn! That thought never occurred to me! That Iroh! Why didn't he warn me?!" She thrust her hands in the air and faked an expression of horror. "I am wearing the damn bracelet, aren't I? Of course I know what marriage is." She smiled and sipped from her wine. "How many of these lovely ladies do you have left to chat with?"

He smiled at her reaction to his question, and thought for a second, "I think maybe ten? One of them being Mai, which should be good. She knows enough about me to hold a different conversation, I have told my life story like a hundred times." He sighed.

"Aww! Life must suck for you!" she smiled, she swallowed the last of her wine and gestured to the door. "I need a refill, and you need to get all this over with and make your damn decision." She went to walk back inside, but Zuko grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him.

"First, let me say, you look… Just… There are no words." He whispered. He leant down and lightly pushed his lips to hers softly, she blushed, not expecting it.

…

"How are you enjoying the party?" Zuko asked Mai, they were standing out on the balcony, but this time they were in view of the people inside, until Mai shut the curtains and turned towards him. Zuko had finally finished talking to everyone, and he had found Mai.

"Zuko, you cannot honesty be considering the earth kingdom girl." Mai wasn't messing around with small talk. She had planned a hundred assassination strategies to remove Toph, but didn't plan on acting on any. She just like imagining having the upper hand, she always had a plan, and Toph always worked around it.

"Well, not honestly, I have guilty intentions." He chuckled, being mischievous. He thought she was asking as a friend, not an ex-girlfriend. He decided it was time to follow his friends lead, and drink some wine, not too much… Yet… He told himself.

"The Fire Council will not let you marry her. She will destroy our culture. She will destroy you." Mai said coldly. Zuko realized she was angry and very serious.

"I don't think it is their decision, besides, it is not only what I want, but what I think the Nation needs, showing that Nations can become unite-"

"What is wrong with picking a Fire Noble? I thought you said I could be your wife, it is a preferable choice. She probably won't give you a firebending heir. No one will follow you if you decide to choose her…" Mai was starting to crack, she still managed to keep a calm appearance, she was so sure she would be engaged. So sure that she would have him back.

"Why do you care? We didn't work out before. You left me, remember? Now you suddenly want back in because I have moved on? It doesn't work that way." Zuko had had enough of her for now. She must have had a few to drink, she likes Toph. He always thought they were friends, maybe she was just tired.

Mai growled internally. So what? I lost the battle… I wonder if she is prepared for a war? "Fine, I just hope you trust in your decision." She walked away from him, stopping as she was pulling the curtains back, "By the way, you have gold on your lips…" she said over her shoulder, leaving him alone on the balcony.

He touched his fingers to his lips, and wiped it on his robe. It was almost midnight, he needed to return and announce his decision.

…

The Fire Lord stood behind the announcer front of everyone, they all eagerly awaited his announcement. The announcer rambled on about how successful the evening was, excluding Teo's incident.

Zuko sighed and looked out over the crowd, Toph was laughing with his friends. He looked at Mai, standing silently beside her father talking to the generals. Entertainment or tedium? What is right for me, or right for my Nation?

Some of the things Mai said made him think. What if, Toph is a bad idea? The generals would always act against her, the Nation might reject her as their Fire Lady, what if the only heir is an earthbender? An earthbending Fire Lord…

His thoughts were in a game of tug-o-war, what about you? You think about her often enough. You know you have feelings for her, regardless of how small they are at the moment. And have heaps of children! One is bound to be fire!

You are forgetting the generals… The Council… Maybe I should go with Mai. She is a non-bender, so the chance of me producing a fire bending heir with her was much greater, the generals would be happy, the Nation would rejoice… But how long would it take before I wanted to toss myself from the roof just for entertainment?

Listen to yourself! 'Producing an heir', you aren't a factory… Choose love.

Choose politics…

Entertainment or tedium…

"The Fire Lord will now address the audience and make his announcement." The announcer bowed and stepped away, Zuko walked to the front of the stage. He took a deep breath and started to speak.