Commentary: =)
Words: 500
Word THIRTY-SIX: Respite
Toph was not often desirous of privacy or given to fits of introspection, and so when she asked to be alone one afternoon not long after they'd made it into the Fire Nation, her friends were surprised by but agreeable to her request.
"Sure, Toph," said Aang. He rose, amicably dusted off his pants, and left the cave.
"No problem," Katara provided. She made to follow Aang. At the entrance to the cave, though, she paused and looked back at the crosslegged Earthbender. "Why, though?" she pursued. "Is everything okay?"
"Now Sugar Queen," sighed Toph, "a lady of proper bearing need never explain her request for it to be recognized, but simply vocalize it in a manner befitting her station." At Katara's startled silence, Toph rolled her eyes and muttered, "Settle for just because." And since she wasn't at heart malicious, the smaller girl tacked on, "I'm fine, really. Thanks."
Half-prickling but placated, Katara exited the cave. The sounds of the conversation she immediately started with Aang at her departure wafted back on the stale air. Taking no notice, Toph scratched at an insect bite on her arm and prodded the last of her company, "Well?"
Sokka blinked across the cavern at his best friend. "I don't want to leave," he informed her simply. "I'm comfortable. And full." He provided a small belch to illustrate this. "Exercising so soon after a meal isn't a good idea. But"—and he rocked to his feet—"since you asked politely and I'm such a nice guy-AAAI—"
The floor of the cave swept the tribesman up and out of the group's hideaway. He landed unceremoniously on his butt before his sister and Aang, the latter of whom extended a helpful hand. Sokka took it. Heaving himself aright, he grouched to the assembly, "What's eating her?"
Aang smiled. "Maybe she wants to meditate."
"And maybe I want to convert my entire wardrobe to frilly dresses." Sokka shook his head. "Katara? What do you think?"
"Some people like to be alone to… cry?" hazarded the Waterbender.
"Yeeeeah, I'm gonna go with no on that one." Stationing himself vaguely close to the cave's entrance, Sokka sat down to ponder. A few minutes later Aang and Katara wandered off to utilize a nearby stream's currents to practice, and the tribesman polished his trusty boomerang. A pale sickle moon appeared on the horizon, climbing slowly up the sky's swell.
Not quite two hours after issuing her request in the first place, Toph exited the cave. Aiming a yawn in his direction, she stretched—her spine crackled—and asked Sokka, "Did I miss anything?"
"Just a sec." Lowering his boomerang, he peered curiously at Toph. "Did you ask us all to leave so you could nap?"
"Yep." Leaning over, Toph began to pick at her toes.
"Why?"
She shrugged. "I have heightened senses. Keen hearing. An acute sense of smell."
"And?"
"And I needed a break." Toph found a pebble and flicked it at him. "You guys fart continuously."