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.
In this chapter, Toph's cousin's find a challenge in Katara that maybe harder to overcome than they think.
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights or titles to the characters of Avatar: The Last Airbender. ]
Chapter 38
Pygmalion
The two top ladies-in-waiting strolled into the office as the light bickering continued.
"You seem very amused by all these... happenings, Fong Bei Fong," Lili stated, annoyed that she had been leveraged into this personal feud. Neither of the combatants realizing that she had her own personal stake in the matter.
Fong smiled, "No, the amusing part is that you have been enlisted to help the Ambassador. I know that's like putting sand in your undies Lili."
"This... this girl is a lost cause. I will simply speak with Songbird and we will resolve this foolishness," the countess exclaimed, turning back once more to glance at the hot-tempered waterbender. "Just look at the girl, Fong. It would take months, no years... just to teach her proper manners, let alone erase years of bad habits. How am I expected to teach such a one how to strut... when she can barely stand upright."
"You're preaching to the choir," Fong replied, obviously enjoying her cousin's predicament. "There is no way the waterbender can win this bet."
Lili now gazed at the brown-eyed Toph look-a-like through the corner of her eye, "Yes... the bet, the bet she made with cousin about the date. A date with the Avatar." The countess' large emerald-green eyes appeared to double in size suddenly. "Do you know... have you thought of the consequences cousin... if... if the King and Queen, were to find out about such a thing? Our orders... our mandate would be considered a failure!"
The taller cousin's eyes shifted,"I gather, they won't be very pleased, now would they... especially with you... Lili," she said calmly.
Lili walked closer to her slender, muscular second, "Not in the least... especially with us," she restated with emphasis. "We have to help that clumsy oaf of a girl to somehow win, if we value our own skins."
Her second still didn't seem to grasp the urgency, "Unless you're going to have her strut in the buff, I say the best option is just to tell auntie all about it," Fong proposed. "Take your lumps and the responsibility... but mostly beg for mercy. Auntie can be merciful, at times... but also she knows how impulsive Songbird is."
The countess now fixed her gaze upon the wily Bei Fong beside her, "Is this some type of payback for that Northern Water Tribe Envoy that you were crushing on... you know, the one who liked me?" she asked somberly.
Fong rolled her big auburn eyes, "I don't even remember his name Lili, that's how far out of my mind he is. After what he did to you, all I have to say is good riddance... and I'm glad he didn't like me. Blood before bros… right?" she remarked with a forced grin. "I had nothing to do with this. The waterbender requested you after she saw how you transformed our tomboy of a cousin yesterday into a woman. It was pretty impressive work."
The countess sighed heavily, palming her forehead, "Didn't she realize that cousin only pretends to be a tomboy? She has always been raised as a lady. Cousin is just a jewel with a little dirt on her. The Ambassador on the other hand…"
Fong smiled warmly observing Katara, "I don't know... I think she has a lot of potential. Yes, she can be crude, and a bit foul-mouth when she gets angry, but just look at her Lili. She is most definitely prettier than most. And she has a body that makes most men stand up and beg. I saw the Fire Lord trying to hide his admiration yesterday," she giggled, with a reddish blush. "He had to suppress that salute happening in his pants when she got near him."
"So why don't you tutor her Fong if you think she has so much 'potential. I mean I have better things…" Lili huffed, not finding the prospect amusing as she watched Katara down a hefty spoonful of her sea prunes.
"Like attending that cute Avatar?" Fong asked slyly, moving back into the main room. "Whose interests were you looking out for this morning, Lili?"
The countess' green eyes popped even as her cheeks reddened, "Get back over here... now Bei Fong," she ordered.
Fong did a perfect about-face and curtsied before her superior. "Yes... your Majesty?"
"You... you know why I had to do... for our princess!" she declared. "You know I needed to talk to him this morning Fong... especially after your blunder."
The taller woman crossed her arms with a defiant smirk. "Talk... was that all you did? Why then did I smelled that men's cologne on you Lili? Up to your old tricks again like you used on Kosun?" Fong asked bitterly. "Do you plan on double-crossing cousin, like you did me?"
Lili stood erect, "I-I did not, uh...uh... double cross you. Could I help it... if... if he preferred green eyes to brown," she stuttered, diverting her eyes to the floor. "but... I thought you didn't even remember his name Fong."
"Funny how similar circumstances will bring the strangest things to mind... dear cousin Soo Hahn."
"So Lili, I have given your services to my friend Katara here, as you undoubtedly heard before," Toph stated with a rather ignominious grin. "We have a sizable wager that she wants to win and you have until lunch to make her into a strutting phenom... just like me."
For the first time, the rather composed first lady looked to be beside herself, "B-but sire… it takes years... at best months for even the most gifted pupils to master the technique," the countess protested eying Katara. "H-has she had any previous training? If she has... it has all been forgotten from the look of her."
"No," Katara spat, feeling as though she was somehow inferior in their eyes. "I've never had a lesson. We didn't have such... luxuries at the South Pole with the Fire Nation breathing down our necks!"
Lili bowed, "My apologies Ambassador. I was not criticizing you. I am an admirer of all that you endured in helping the Avatar restore balance after 100 years of war. That far outshines any provincial customs we seek to obtain."
The waterbender's face softened, "Thank you Lili, I really appreciate that."
"Suck up," Mei Mei coughed covering her mouth.
"What was that Lady Mei Mei?" Lili asked, lifting a well trimmed brow.
"Nothing, Countess. I- I just got a little something caught in my throat is all," she lied.
"So, are you going to aid her cousin?" Toph asked, making big cat-deer eyes at her easily swayed cousin.
Lili sighed unable to resist the look, "Yes... please stop looking at me like that! Yes your Majesty, I'll do it. But I also request Mei Mei's assistance, since she was the former champion prior to yesterday," she threw in.
"Done," the little general proclaimed, "…and not a word from you Mei Mei. I want the two of you to help the Lady Katara today as if it were me. Hold back nothing... and I mean nothing! Your loyalty is to her today in this. You need to make her shine!"
"'Yes your Majesty, I will make her look like a Sun amongst moons," the countess announced smiling at Katara who found the analogy more than she could take as she put her hand to her chest in surprise and appreciation.
Mei Mei on the other hand just shook her head, "Why couldn't I keep my big mouth shut!" she cursed herself inwardly.
"Game on Sweetness," Toph declared. "Now have Twinkle Toes wear something other than those robes on our date. I want him to be able to really get down when we dance."
"Huh... you got some nerve you little Rock Troll," the waterbender growled.
After all the heated words once more faded, the little general was reminded of her upcoming appointment with her council. Toph inwardly was excited knowing that Aang would also be attending.
"Word Lili," Toph said as she rose from the table heading for the door, followed by Fong and Lei. "And I will see you girls later... love ya Suga."
"Love you too," Katara sighed with a roll of her blue eyes.
The countess followed dutifully with her head slightly bowed as they stopped just inside the suite, outside of earshot.
"Yes your Majesty?" she asked.
"Fong and Lei, give us a few moments," the princess directed them. "I will summon you when we are finished."
"Yes your Majesty," they replied with harmonious bows as they retreated back into the suite.
The two stood silently for a few moments and the unsettling quiet began to wear on the countess.
"Is all well your Majesty?" she finally asked.
"I was hoping you would tell me," Toph said with a slight smile. "How did it go this morning? Is all resolved now... especially after last night?"
Lili breathed out slowly as she relaxed, "All is... very well your Majesty," she answered with a bow. "The issue... that issue has been satisfactorily concluded, and once again balance has been restored."
The little princess sighed as if in relief herself, "Excellent... now was that before or after you offered to fuck him?"
Every muscle in Lili's body seemed to tense up to their maximum all at once. It was as if she had been suddenly turned to stone.
"Don't bother to try to lie or make up some believable story Lili," Toph continued as she focused her attention on her chief lady. "I know everything... and I do mean everything. He told me it all this morning."
The countess slowly shook her head, "But how? I was in the..."
Toph smiled slyly, "Let's just say... a little bird... flew in. Oh and Lili, I told the chambermaid not to change my bed. That you would do it for me from now on... personally. Not to worry, I said I liked it tucked in a special way that only you and my mom could do, that seemed to satisfy her curiosity."
Tears were rolling down the austere woman's cheeks, "Why me? Why do you want me to change your bed linens Songbird?"
Toph stepped closer placing the side of her face against that of Lili's, "I just want to thank you for sending him to me this morning... ya know, so nice and clean. He smelled so good... just like the cologne that still lingers on you. But really cousin, cherry blossom and sandalwood don't really match. Not like jasmine... don't you think? Anyways... pull back the blankets... I think the message will be clear," she finished, giving her a peck on the cheek.
"You... you didn't..." Lili stated rhetorically.
The princess laughed softly, "Well, not just me... he was doing a lot of the heavy lifting... so to speak. Hurt like hell at first, but after a while, slip, slide and away!" Toph dramatised with her hand. "I did think he would last longer... maybe tonight, right Lili?"
The countess stood in shock with her eyes closed and jaw clinched shut, unable to speak.
"Aw... it's not that bad," Toph mocked with a wide grin. "Look Lili, I'm a woman now and you don't have to worry about protecting my hymen. Poof... all gone!"
Toph's forehead was now resting on hers, "And if you ever... ever... come on to him again... dear cousin, nomad or not... it will be you Lili... Poof... All gone," the princess warned in a way that made the countess shiver inside.
"Eh... where's Lili?" Katara asked one of her would be tutors as she looked about the extremely large changing room.
"She'll be here soon enough," Mei Mei replied looking her over closely. "This part is my speciality anyhow, she's not needed. I'll show you how to stop them with a look... and then, a drop of the eye... combined with a bit of heat, and then follow through with a swing of those amazing... hipsss." she said letting the last word roll off her lips.
The Water Tribe woman felt as though she was being sized up like a side of meat as the buxom lady smile seductively at her.
"Uh...I hope... I can learn quickly, Lady Mei Mei?" she answered sheepishly. "I'll certainly do my best."
"I know you will... or the teacher may have to... spank you," Mei Mei teased, drawing closer to her. "Do you like... to be spanked Katara... may I call you Katara?"
"That's enough Mei Mei!" Lili ordered as she entered the room. "We're here to help her... not help you get your next date Mei Mei."
The princess look-a-like grinned widely, "I just thought I would expand all her... experiences. She seems so... naïve. It's absolutely delicious."
Katara looked at the lady in disbelief, "I'm a woman! Do you... really like me like that?"
"I do indeed my dear, I am quite fond of you," Mei Mei admitted boldly. "But sadly, this is about training, my sweet juicy fruit. I must stay objective if you have even a remote chance at attempting this."
The waterbender didn't like the awkward statement, but she saw the truth in it.
The first lady turned to address the waterbender," Please ambassador, tell us... with surely such insurmountable odd against you, why do you insist in continuing this course of action? You must see the futility in it?" Lili asked with a voice of motherly concern.
Katara looked down in thought, "Okay I'll tell you... I'll tell both of you," she started, setting her jaw firmly. "Some say I am strong willed and determined... and I definitely hate to lose... to anyone. I became the first and youngest female waterbending master in the North Pole's ever. Now, there is a whole troop named after me. I was... and I am the Avatar's waterbending teacher, if you haven't heard. Oh yeah, as for a fast learner, I became a master waterbender in a couple of short months, totally unheard of. As for determination... I captured that crazy, lightening shooting bitch Azula singlehandedly, like a rabid wolfbat on the day of Sozin's Comet! Now if I can accomplish that, don't you think I can learn this Walk in a couple of hours? These last few years, I've been fighting rebels, pirates and still trying to help rebuild the world."
Katara looked confidently over at the two ladies. Her faced dropped as she saw they appeared totally... unimpressed, as they began to whisper to one another.
"She does have determination Mei Mei… though it is misplaced. You can be as hard on her as you wish," Lili stated, still assessing the situation.
The boisterous lady nodded, "Sure, but do you really believe all that dribble. I mean, please Lili, just look at her. She's still slumping like a two copper hooker from the lower ring, " Mei Mei expressed, purposely loud enough for Katara to hear her.
The waterbender pulled back her shoulders to straighten herself up, "I will work as hard as you demand… trust me," she guaranteed, putting on her bravest face.
"Strip and show me your walk," Mei Mei demanded, stooping down for a better view.
Katara's eyes widened, "Eh... you mean... take off my clothes... down to my..."
"No, I mean get naked, " Mei Mei clarified. "And do it quickly, we don't have all day!"
Katara crossed her arms, "I thought you were going to help me, not be apart of some perverted scheme to make fun of me!"
Lili breathed out slowly, "Please calm down Ambassador. Trust us... trust me. Mei Mei has to ask this of you in order to see your true form when you walk. If time permitted, your undergarments would be allowed, but being that we are limited, we must resort to extreme measures... do you understand?"
"Yes..." she replied, blushing deeply as she started to disrobe. "B-but, I don't really... you know have a... a walk... per se, not like I saw Toph do yesterday."
"Then how do you get a man's eye," the surly lady asked in total surprise, shaking her head, "Cousin Toph is the best I've ever seen, a true natural. Probably the best in the world and I've seen a lots of struts all around this planet. If you even want a chance to make a decent showing, you're going to have to throw modesty aside girl!"
She was unwinding the softest linen breast wrap she had ever felt now. "P-put modesty aside? You speak as if you two expect me to walk down that hall butt naked," she remarked nervously.
"No, not butt naked. But there will be nothing between you and the dress you'll be wearing," Lili elaborated with half a smile. "That's if you're serious about winning this ambassador."
The lump in Katara's throat threatened to choke her, "(Cough) Nothing... under... at all?" she squeaked out.
"Not even the thinnest strip of linen," Mei Mei iterated, slapping her now bare ass. "How else will they see these fine muscles in motion? And these are some of the finest I've ever seen... she may still have a shot Lili."
The waterbender jumped around at the touch, "B-but Toph… yesterday…"
Mei Mei started to laugh, "She calls it free and breezy. She says she likes to air it all out once in a while."
Lili shook her head, "I think she was born with no shame in her body. If necessary, she would walk that hall au natural, to win a bet. Are you as equally set or should we just surrender now?" she posed to the blue-eyed woman, still holding her clothes in hand.
That comment got Katara's ire up, "I'll do whatever I have to do to beat that little trollop!" she declaring casting her garments to the floor.
"Then walk," Mei Mei commanded again.
This time she performed for the ladies her best strut, trying to ignore the fact she was completely nude, in front of strangers. "At least they're women too," she thought as she completed her run.
"Well cousin, with a walk like that... she'll get some looks but probably more laughs," Mei Mei huffed tersely walking, around Katara where she had stopped. "I guess tromping around in the ice and snow is good enough for savages in the South Pole…"
"We are not savages!" the waterbender growled through clenched teeth as her eyes started to tear up.
"Is the little Ambassador about to cry because she can't measure up?" the Toph look-a-like teased. "You might as well have put a bow on your boyfriend… what's his name... and hug up with that small tit girl for comfort... or if you want some size... maybe come see me."
"Aang... his name is Aang and she's not going to lay a finger on him! And no... I don't want to hug up with you or Suki!" Katara snarled holding back the tears now, as she stared into the lady's snarky face.
"Hmm, you have a lot of spunk ambassador, try putting some of that into your walk next time, " Mei Mei recommended as she smiled wickedly. "Still you made a bad bet. You made a wager with a Bei Fong, and let me tell you, Bei Fongs never gamble. You might as well accept the fact your boyfriend is now her property. Tell her Lili… he's history!"
Lili nodded sadly, "Unfortunately Ambassador Katara… this is one of the few times Mei Mei is speaking the total truth," she confirmed.
"Hey! What's that suppose to mean Lili?" Mei Mei guffawed, placing her hands on her hips.
"NO! That's not true... it'll never be true. I won't accept it," the waterbender screamed as the air temperature in the room dropped and a mist floated above them. "Even though this is just for a day, he will never be hers!"
The cousin's exchanged glances knowing the truth of how deeply the princess was truly entrenched in the Avatar's life. Lili dropped her eyes, recalling the bloodied bed sheets she had just uncovered.
"So... this thing called reality… just not your thing, is it Lady Katara?" Mei Mei said with a light chuckle.
Katara shot her a hard glance, but she did not even acknowledge it. Rather, she appeared to be taking her clothes off and quickly casting them off to the side.
"Lady Mei Mei... what are you doing?" the waterbender asked in a girlish voice.
"Shut up and watch me," Mei Mei ordered "I will demonstrate a proper walk for a lady, not that gross stumbling you just so shamefully displayed. Feel free to gawk in wonder at the most beautiful bod you have ever seen."
Katara was about to make a snide comment, but the woman was truly incredible to behold. She looked as if she was carved out of ivory and every movement seemed to be fluid and flawless, choreographed by some heavenly director. She really couldn't take her eyes off the stunningly attractive woman.
"This woman... maybe... no is, my only hope," she thought, trying to see the intricacies behind Mei Mei's movements. "What if they're right and Toph is going to take Aang away? I-I just can't let that happen," she told herself with gritted determination. "I'll just have to do my best... no better. These women have the training, and didn't Toph say Mei Mei was the champion until yesterday?"
The large breasted lady glided effortless to a stop.
"Now... Lady Katara... WALK!"
Over two hours later, the Lady Katara of the Southern Water Tribe emerged, ready to take on the pint size regal champion. Her hair was down in large curling locks. Instead of her usual hair loops, two long multicolored beaded plaits framed her face.
Her huge blue eyes dominated her look and captivated all who gazed upon her. She wore a gold and red kimono with slits up to her thighs on either side, revealing her long tan legs, as she strode into the room.
"Whoa... is that... is that Katara?" Suki asked, feeling her cheeks heat up at the glowing vision of the young woman.
"That... or a pretty good imitation," Mai exclaimed dryly. "Looks like she's been studying."
Katara walked towards her friends as their mouth's dropped open at her strut. She had a walk… a killer walk.
"Steamy," was all Mei Mei could say of her pupil. "So, do you think she has a chance Lili?"
"She's beautiful, strong, confident... and has a butt with all wiggle and no jiggle…" Lili summed up.
"So she has a chance then cousin?" the brash lady asked hopefully.
"Now don't you lose touch with reality Mei Mei," Lili exclaimed, placing a hand on her shoulder. "She couldn't beat you right now, what chance will she have against Songbird? But, all in all... she'll do fine. Come, we have to dress the other two for this... façade," the countess sighed.