A Kiss in Ba Sing Se
[A/N: This is an A/U story. The Toph character does feel inferior to Katara and so in order to compete for Aang's affections pulls out all the stops. Aang is a boy with near infinite power and is being offered love and comfort from the two girls most dear to him.
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights or titles to the characters of Avatar: The Last Airbender. ]
Chapter 23
Not So Simple
"Thank you Princess Toph, you are an excellent model. Not only are you beautiful, but you stayed perfectly still the whole time. How did you hold your pose for so long?" the Royal Artist inquired.
"Earthbending training," she answered, as she stood and stretched. "You learn how to hold your stances for long periods of time. It is the same technique."
The artist sighed, "I wish you would teach it to all my subjects, your Majesty."
"Well maybe I could," she said as she laughed genuinely.
He joined her as he set aside his brush, admiring his work. "Thank you again, but my only regret is that you my best subject, will not be able to see the work for yourself. The spirits can indeed be cruel."
Toph could hear the sincere sorrow in the old man's voice as she bowed in respect to him.
The princess and her small entourage all returned to the suite. The four ladies-in-waiting started taking off the sash and crown, to be put away until the official coronation. Toph changed into her less formal uniform as Inspector General. The uniform was custom designed by her mother who didn't think the traditional ones complimented her little girl's appearance.
"These are just not... feminine enough," the Queen had declared to the tailor as they measured the miniscule general. So Poppy took to redesigning the centuries old uniform.
She stripped away the cape and the heavy fanged epaulettes, instead she designed an emerald green high-collar, double breasted blazer that went down to the middle of Toph's thighs. The greenish-yellow loose fitting skirt beneath was floor length with thigh high splits on either side. The black form fitting trouser added modesty. Gold pins on her collar, signified her rank as well as her royal station. The uniform allowed her a free range of motion and of course she was barefooted with leather coverings over the top of her feet... something Toph had picked up in the Fire Nation. She also wore a red headband similar to her sash, that held her full head of hair in place.
Even though Toph had to go to lunch with her father and the Avatar soon, she had one more piece of business to attend too.
Toph walked into her sitting room where her ladies were.
"Ah, cousin Mei Mei, may I ask you a question?"
"Why yes Princess... anything?"
Toph smiled broadly, "Why would anyone in their right mind put a blind girl in charge of the entire Earth Kingdom army?"
Mei Mei looked about to the other ladies. Even Lili was at a loss by the strange question.
She shrugged her shoulders chortling nervously, "Eh, maybe... because... her father is the king, your majesty?"
"Wrong answer," Toph snapped as the metal chair flew up behind Mei Mei, scooping her off her feet, and placing her inches from the princess' angry face. The frighten girl was sitting sideways in the chair holding onto an arm for dear life.
"Dear cousin... I was just joking... I did not mean... to offend! Please forgive..."
"Begging does not suit you Mei Mei," Toph growled through clinched teeth. "Since you're obviously all boobs and no brains, I'll tell you. I'm a Master Earthbender, the best in the world actually. That is why I was the teacher to the Avatar, now my lover... purely by coincidence I might add. And as you are experiencing, the world's one and only Metalbender... dear cousin. Do you get it now?"
"Y-yes... yess... I understand songbird... we all understand... Lili help me!" Mei Mei pleaded in terror as the chair kept flexing and changing shapes in mid air.
"Don't move Lili," Toph ordered, "...none of you move. Unless you want to take a ride in the chair as well?"
The threat had the desire effect as the others all sat back and silently watched their hapless cousin.
Toph again focus on the chair, some 3 meters (10 feet) above the stone floor and steadily rising, "You see... dear cousin, even though, I can't see as you do... I see well enough to know that you were flirting with my boyfriend, and that was a very bad move. In fact, it was a very stupid move if you value your life!" she uttered with an evil grin. "This is only a warning... this time dear cousin! But keep your filthy, shit filled claws off of my Avatar!"
Mei Mei gasped in fear as the chair started to spin and compress, bending her almost in half.
"Am I making myself clear yet, I haven't heard a response, remember, I'm blind," the petite general taunted the now very nauseous lady-in-waiting.
"Ugh...ye-yes…eh... ew... yes… please yes... princess very... ccc-clear... p-please let me g-go it will never happen... again, I swear!" Mei Mei promised trying to breathe as the bile rose.
The princess smirked satisfactorily as the chair went back to it's original form and settled on the floor with a loud thud, expelling its occupant, falling face first on the tiled floor retching violently.
Toph now turned her sightless gaze upon the startled and amazed others, "Now... cousins... this all stays just between us girl, right?"
"Yes princess,"they replied in unison, bowing head first to the floor. "Nothing will go beyond this chamber."
The chair now scooted up behind Toph as she took a leisurely seat crossing her legs.
"I hope so. I really do like all of you. It would be ashamed to have something... eh... unexplained happen to any of you. If you see what I'm saying.. it would simple break my heart."
The groups elevated heart rates told her that the message was delivered and believed. She could hear Mei Mei continue to cry and heave, an apology with each gasping breath.
Toph felt sick inside to use such strong arm tactics, but sensed that was the only way she could guarantee these 'ladies' would keep their various parts away from Aang. Also with the exception of Lili, non of the other could be trusted enough not to disclose any secrets, without some type of incentive. She had enough to deal with, thinking about how she had betrayed Katara, her best friend.
"Let's go ladies..." she ordered rising, "I believe I have a luncheon with my father and the Avatar to attend. You know how my father hates tardiness. Please... someone help Mei Mei off that nasty floor. Lei... get her cleaned her up... she smells terrible. She can't go anywhere like that... follow us when she's ready."
Lei bowed at the waist, "Yes princess... right away," she replied, moving to retrieve her shaken cousin.
"Look what I'm doing for you Aang," Toph told herself, "I'm becoming a mini Azula."
Toph walked into the hall where lunch was to be served Her father and Aang were already there, talking like old friends. She breathed a sigh of relief hearing them like this and not at each others throats.
"Afternoon father," she said formally, as the two rose to greet her. She gave him a small kiss on the cheek as well.
"Princess Toph or rather Inspector General Bei Fong," Aang greeted her bowing respectfully, "when you in uniform, how do I address you?"
"Sifu Toph as usual," she corrected him. "Something never change Twinkle Toes."
Aang bowed deeper, "Yes Sifu, and are you ready for lunch? I understand you picked out the menu in my honor."
"Don't let it go to that big rock you laughing call a head Twinkle Toes. I just got tired of hearing you complain about eating lettuce and rice all the time. I remembered you like egg custard and stir fried tofu. I've asked our chef to create something to stop all that annoying whining," she stated with a roll of her mint eyes.
Aang couldn't help the loving look he threw her way, "That is very kind of you Sifu... you really didn't have too."
"Of course I didn't have to! Believe me... this will cost you, Twinkle Toes," she came back with a sly smile, "I... we need your help, in rearranging some of our training courses... stuff like cross elemental training for my troops."
Lao smiled laughing at his daughter's shrewdness and wondered if he even needed to have that earlier conversation with the Avatar.
The vegan lunch was exceptional, even for people use to eating meat, and Aang ate until he thought he was going to pop. As he relaxed, he noticed Lao wince in pain once again.
"Are you okay your Highness?"
"Yes Avatar... I'll be okay... an old sports injury. My back is just a bit sore from sitting so long for my portrait this morning. Age wears on you... you'll find as you get older."
"I think I can help with that your Highness," the monk volunteered. "It's a firebender technique that works extremely well..."
"Oh yes it does!" Toph voiced with an almost sensual undertone that drew her father's immediate attention. "W-well that's what Uncle Iroh tells me anyway," she gulped, looking down into her dessert plate. "Boy... this egg custard is good!"
Aang immediately intervened, "Huh... where is your pain your Highness... it can be quite agitating I understand," the little monk quipped as he floated up and behind the king. "Iroh... uncle to Toph and I, has me do this for him all the time."
"Oh...do you mean the Fire Lord's uncle... the Arch Duke?"
"Yes... one and the same," the Avatar confirmed. "Your back right... upper... lower?"
Lao dismissed any suspicion, "My lower back... and right at the hip."
"Here?" Aang asked deliberately pressing on the painful nerve.
"AHHH... OW... that's the spot!"
"If I may... I am going to heat my hand and then press on this point again while straightening your spine," he told the king. "I can guarantee you... it's gonna hurt a lot less when we're finished."
The monarch looked down, "Well if you say so Avatar Aang. I'm willing to give almost anything a try to avoid another one of those accursed poundings."
Aang definitely empathize as he started to heat his hand.
Strangely, Toph felt herself flushing at the idea of his little hot hands as well. She had to remind herself to calm down or try to explain to daddy why she was red as a cherry in the face.
The Avatar made his one hand hot enough to penetrate the heavy robes. He pressed it on the spot, while pulling back strongly on Lao's shoulder. The king heard a slight pop a the pain vanished.
"This is... this is simply... amazing Avatar Aang!" he exclaimed twisting and flexing, "I can't thank you enough. Take my daughter in marriage."
Aang jumped, "Really?"
"No... not really Avatar... that was just a joke," Lao explained as he continued to stretch... ignoring Aang's disappointment. "You must teach this to my physicians. They always want to put me on this bed of pillars and beat me black and blue."
"I can truly understand your pain," Aang uttered, looking over at Toph as they shared a moment of grief at the mutual let down.
The airbender worked with the king for the rest of the day. He ate dinner with the entire Royal Family as their honored guest.
"You really have a mind for people Avatar Aang," Lao complimented him with a raised wine glass. "All these changes... I fear, will be long pitched battles."
"Yes Avatar... there are many who want a return to the old ways, seeking to isolate the poor and needy behind walls, as we once did. They close their eyes to the desperate and the abandoned," Poppy iterated with great passion in her voice, breaking from time to time, "but we will see this through. Will you help us?"
Aang hung on her every word, seeing Toph in her mother. The power, the raw passion he so loved in his Sifu, pouring from this wellspring.
"We are going to build three orphanages and two new hospitals," the Queen proclaimed proudly. "Our family is personally funding it."
"No money in the treasury," Lao whispered to him.
Poppy glared at her husband.
"Oh... sorry my dear... continue."
"Anyway Avatar Aang... it would be a great help if you and your friend Lady Katara, would come to the opening ceremonies tomorrow. The people love you both."
Aang nodded, "I can ask her..."
Poppy produced a scroll and quill. She unfurled it before him, "Wonderful! I have already drafted this letter. All you have to do is sign right at the bottom. Oh, it asks if she would also say a few word and greet the crowds... the people love that kind of thing."
Everything was moving to fast for the young monk now. "T-that should be okay... I guess..." he stuttered.
The queen continued, "You know Avatar... I was thinking... your other friends, they are as equally well known. If we can enlist their support Avatar Aang, then we are sure to draw a huge ground swell of support for these first time projects."
"Poppy... the Avatar and his friend are very busy I'm sure…" Lao broke in. "Do we really want to impose?"
"Yes we do daddy," Toph answered, "Twinkles... I mean Aang and the others will be happy to attend... won't they Aang?"
He immediately piped up, "Y-yes your Highness," Aang happily agreed. "This is exactly what we fought the war for. We will do whatever we can to help your charity projects. We will not leave these people in need."
"Now you sound like Sweetness... Aang," Toph laughed.
"Thank you so much Avatar... and these children, the people of Ba Sing Se, will be forever in your debt," Poppy announced with a bow. "We are ushering in a new age, the likes that have never been seen in Ba Sing Se. Now I have prepared letters for all of them. If you will but sign them, I will dispatch messengers."
"You honor me your Majesty," Aang returned her bow with a charming smile thinking how hot Toph was going to be when she got older. "This is a great opportunity to right so many wrongs."
Toph wiped away a tear of pride. She was now truly proud to be a Bei Fong and a part of the Royal family.
Dinner was resplendent with stories, jokes and merriment. Aang even did a couple of his silly airbender/waterbender tricks with various kinds of drinks. One didn't go quite so well though. A ball of wine and water splashed down on Countess Lili. The Royal family thought it was quite hilarious but Aang wanted to run and hide from that scathing look she threw him.
It had been a long day and so everyone was quick to say goodnight.
Toph walked with her four silent shadows, making their way back to her wing of the palace.
She now regretted her earlier show of force... recalling that these girls were family, regardless of anything else.
"Lili may I talk to you... please?" she said, motioning the countess forward.
The still damp and sticky lay-in-waiting ran quickly to her side.
Toph felt her fear, "Yes your Majesty? How might I be of service to you this evening?"
"Lili, I don't want you... or any of the others to be afraid of me," the princess told her, lowering her head. "We are family. And... I-I am sorry... for acting like a bully," Toph said, her smokey eyes tearing. "Normally I hate bullies... and here I am being one," she confessed, restraining her emotions, "But when Mei Mei licked her chops at Aang, like he was the center cut of a hippo-steer... I-I kind of lost it. So please... sweet cousin, please forgive me?"
Lili stepped in closer as they continued to walk, "Of course songbird... jealousy is understandable. We all know how much you care for him... Mei mei crossed the line. Should I relay this apology to the others as well?"
The little earthbender could now feel all the anxiety that Lili had harbored before was gone. She could relax inside. "Well I think... all except Mei Mei. I want her to think about it a day or so more."
Lili smiled, bumping warmly into her cousin, "A very wise move with that man-trap."
The other women wondered what was going on as Toph and Lili giggled away.
Toph sat on the edge of her bed wearing her thicker, fine thread, floor length cotton nightgown. She was alone in her bedroom now, but knew he would be arriving very soon. She had been thinking about all the things Lili and her parents had said. She couldn't help feeling the weight of this new world on her narrow shoulders. Nothing was as simple as she had hoped it to be.
"Where are you Twinkle Toes," she asked into the air, "I really need you right now!"
Then as if her prayers were heard, the passageway opened.
"Hey," he uttered in a staggered breath, his footfalls heavier than usual as he made his way towards the bed.
"You sound exhausted Twinkles... is everything okay"
He knelt in front of her and laid his head into her lap.
"Twinkles Toes... what's wrong... you're scaring me..."
He just started to weep. The crying got heavier as she rubbed his head, not sure of how to comfort him.
Then like a spring rainstorm, it just subsided into sniffles and hums.
"My burden," she thought to herself, as she leaned forward kissing his head, "...is so small compared to the weight he carries everyday. For one so powerful he's still just a person," she realized seeing the weight of the world take its toll.
His head still laid in her lap as she hummed him a lullaby. How much did he love her now he contemplated. It made his chest feel warm, inside and out. He had never felt this close and intimate with anyone... ever.
Aang floated up and looked into her face, as she opened her sightless eyes. Even though she couldn't see him, those spectacular misty green orbs, expressed so much.
"My love... what can I do for you tonight?" he asked softly clasping her hands in his. "You have eased my heart and brought me joy... my little beautiful one."
"Will you be my Cuddle Buddy," she asked as her own tears started falling. "I-I just need you to hold me... be my friend tonight... Aang. Tonight just Aang and Toph... i-is that alright?"
"I can't think of anything better... Toph," he replied sweetly, sipping the tears as they rolled down her reddened cheeks. "I can't think of anything better."
The couple got into bed. She placed her head atop his warm chest. Their arms and legs intertwined while his face rested in her hair. He snuggled, sniffed and then started to chew it.
"Weirdo... but I guess you saved the best dessert for last," she giggled, feeling sleep overtake her.