A Kiss in Ba Sing Se
[A/N: We learn more from the hard times than we do from the easy. A test is not a test unless it tries us.
These expressions are written by those who have passed through the trials and tribulations of life and were better for them.
A truism, "The Truth shall set you free!" and "The Truth is hard to swallow."
Both Aang must come to realize.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender
I hope you enjoy.
Comment if you wish!]
Chapter 54
Lessons and Revelations
Every sob cut through him like a knife. His own eyes were brimming with the tears he tried to hold back, attempting to be strong for her as he always had been. He slowly approached, placing a hand softly on her slender shoulder as he watched her saddened expression. She stared at the young man with the glowing eyes, her tears falling in large globs.
"Hey sis," he started to in a stammering whisper, "...uh maybe we should go to my room…"
"Oh Sokka," she cried as she fell into his strong arms. "I'm so useless! Here I stand crying like that idiot girl on Ember Island in that play, an-and I can't help him... or Toph!"
He started to stroke her long chestnut hair. "Katara, listen to me. Even when he's like this, I know he still feels your love, no matter what."
She looked up with her reddened eyes. "Ya really think so Sokka?" she asked with a sniffle.
He smiled lightly in return. "You just keep thinking about how much you care about him, okay? I'm sure... no, I know it's getting through to him, no matter what that spirit is making him do," he whispered into her ear as he squeezed her tightly.
"Thank you big brother," she sighed deeply, resting again on his chest. "You don't know how much those words mean to me now. He-he just looks so upset and confused right now. What do you think could be happening to make him feel that way?"
The Vice Regent stared into the Avatar's grim demeanor, "Dunno, he does look pretty confused like you say sis, but also sad at the same time. Sort of like that time he couldn't get to his Avatar powers."
Katara's gaze shifted to the expression on the princess' face, "Look at Toph, is she... smirking? Wh-why would she be smirking Sokka? Especially after what he did... I mean they just went through! Why is she smirking!"
He gripped her forearms,"Calm, down sis! I'm sure you're misreading the situation!" he exclaimed as his heart reached out to the spellbound earthbender. "Don't assume she's anything Katara!"
"If I just got my rocks off like that... I'd be smirking too," Mei Mei commented with a roll of her big jade eyes.
"Why don't you just keep your opinions to yourself Lady Mei Mei," Lili warned sharply. "We don't need anymore turmoil here!"
"Yes... of course your Majesty," she replied rather sarcastically with a short bow.
Katara looked up into her elder brother's face, "What's happening to them brother? "
"I wish I knew sis... I wish I knew," he sighed in return, his angst increasing by the minute.
Her large blue eyes shifted downward as she swallowed hard, "Sokka… you know in the game… when we kissed... I felt,"
He slowly shook his head, "Forget about it Katara, that's all in the past. Part of that stupid game... only a game," he broke her off in a shaky voice.
She pressed her lips in tightly. "No it wasn't," she refuted, stroking his ruddy cheek. "Not for me... I need to say this, so can you please," she breathed in deeply, "... just let me say what I have to say?"
The blue-eyed boy nodded, again giving her a comforting hug.
She turned her face to speak into his chest, keeping it from everyone else around them. "I don't know how I can say this, and it not come out sounding totally weird," she spoke softly, wiping her wet cheeks at the same time on his tunic. "I-I know I have to say it... tell you straight up, what I felt. It was the same feeling I had back then before... Aang. You were my first love... Sokka."
She felt him freeze up at her words, but she pressed her face against him even more. "See, I knew I'd sound too strange for words. I-I heard it said that for most girls... it's their dads that are their first loves. Well for me, it was you. I hope you're not taking this the wrong way, thinking that I'm... an unnatural, like they use to call us in the village," she explained closing her eyes tightly. "I overheard you telling Toph once that when you remembered mom, you saw me... so I guess, we're the same. Are we both... unnatural?"
He felt is heart leap into his throat. "No, no, not at all," he muttered, feeling extremely uncomfortable as everyone in the room seemed to be focusing on them instead of the spirit bound couple.
"Good, I'm glad you feel that way too big brother," she sighed in relief. "You know, after mom was taken an-and dad went out looking for her, you took such good care of me. You told me stories every night and when I cried, thinking that they were coming back for me, you would hold me... just like you're doing now. One time... and I know you will think this is silly, I thought it would be just you and me forever in that little village, since we hadn't heard of dad or anyone with him in so long. Is it alright for me to tell you all this?" she asked pressing against him. "I guess all these weird memories are coming up with Aang caught up in the spirit world like this. He seems so very far away, as if he were still in that iceberg. It's funny how I'm thinking about our past before he appeared, when it was just the two of us."
She felt the gentle kiss upon her head. "That's because, all we had before you found him Katara, was each other... and Gran-Gran," Sokka admitted, speaking into her thick mane. "I thought I would have to marry every one of those old frozen biddies if dad didn't come back," he chuckled lightly.
"And what about me," she asked softly. "Would you have left me to wait until one of the young boys grew up? Did you find me such an unappealing..."
His embrace was almost as reassuring as it was suffocating. "Shhh, my precious sister, we don't need to speak of what never happened, alright. Just know that I was there for you then, and I'm here for you now," he replied rocking her gently as he relaxed the bear hug.
Katara took in a deep breath, still not relinquishing her hold on her sibling. "Okay Sokka, no more what-ifs," she agreed.
"They're awfully close to be brother and sister," Lei pointed out to Lili. "Her expression... more of a lover, wouldn't you say cousin?"
The countess blanked her expression. "Not at all. They are Southern Water Tribe and I hear they have very closely knit families, even exchanging kisses on the lips between siblings as casual greetings. This display of affection is probably just the Regent's way of comforting his sister... nothing more, nothing less," Lili attempted to rationalize. "You really shouldn't presume anything more. Cultural differences can at times can be hard to interpret."
Lei lifted and eyebrow, "I wonder if that affection would also extend... sister to sister?" she sighed longingly.
"Toph... just call me Toph," the royal rapidly spoke up, glancing over at the mumbling, confused Avatar to see if he had overheard anything. "No need for titles right, eh, eh." she whispered to the furry little being.
The minuscule creature acknowledged her with an incredulous look. "But my liege, whose word is my law, I can only address you for who you truly are," she replied, also in a whisper. "This place, this wondrous world is a place of truths and revealing, your Highness. I know you don't want him to know who in all truth you truly are, but let me assure you, fear has no place in love. If you are afraid that he will reject you because of your true nature, then how can what you call, love survive? Indeed, how can your love be true, at all. It is only a fantasy as thin as rice paper, ready to tear at the slightest pressure. if you don't let him know all of you, then is this love real?"
Toph glared down at the lecturing being, "How dare you presume to tell me how to conduct my affairs!" she snapped. "This is my business, and not yours and certainly not my father's! What about you? You haven't even introduced yourself... who and what are you?"
The spirit bowed low to the ground, "Forgive me your Highness, favored of the Earth Spirit, only daughter of the mighty Jade Emp...!"
"I said, lay off the titles!" Toph growled under her breath. "That's an order!"
It now bowed lower, "As you command, my liege, she who's will is to be obeyed. I am Hidimbi, and I am a descendant of the Rakshasi," the spirit being replied.
A mischievous grin crossed the princess' face. "Oh, so you are part of the legendary man-eaters, eh," she quipped, examining the pint-sized, rather gentle appearing being before her. "Aren't you kind of... and forgive me for saying this, on the small side to be from a race that can swallow men whole?"
It was Hidimbi chance to smirk now. "You above all should know never to under-estimate one because of their size my liege," the miniature being replied, looking up with a toothy grin of pointed teeth. "We are shapes-shifters. Big or small, it's just another form to me. Beside, there are several methods we use to consume our prey. Swallowing whole and alive... that is just one, though not my favorite, it is very neat and effective."
"So, are you intending to eat him?" the princess asked, nodding Aang's way, "because if that is why you brought us here, well, Humpty, I'll have to stop you."
"Hidimbi, most powerful Weaver of Stars... and no, no, I would never, ever consider devouring your favored. I too am a creäture under subjection to Pulastya, who also serves the great Earth spirit. I am peaceful, and even when I walked your realm, I held all life sacred. I could never harm you oh, Earth Queen, Favored of the highly exalted Geb!"
"Sheesh, again with the titles and how many names does one spirit need? Guy names, girl names, and some I just can't make out what they are!" the princess sighed slowly. "Can't he/she just make it simple?"
Hidimbi started to snigger, "Who says the earth spirit in only one being? Is the earth only mountains? Is it not also valleys and deserts as well. Just as male and female is part of its nature, it is worlds, upon worlds!"
Toph rolled her murky green glowing eyes, "All I heard was , who says and then blah, blah, blah, male and female, blah, blah... whateva."
The little creature scowled tight-lipped, "S-sorry, for the..."
Toph waved a hand, "Well just forget about it Hillary".
"That's Hidimbi, your Highness of the Celestial Palace, my name is Hidimbi."
Toph nodded looking back over at Aang. "So Heidi, what brings us here?" she asked, ignoring the correction, "I haven't heard you say the reason why yet. I know you can talk because you been blathering nonsense ever since you got here," she claimed crossing her arms in front of her.
Hidimbi's non-blinking eyes for the first time blinked even as her left eye began to twitch. " Ah, yes... pardons for all my frivolity... Exalted Commander of the Core Elements! You are here because you willed it. You desired that you alone would be kissing him and that you would have opportunity to display your... full affections. I have to obey the force of your will, most venerable Queen of Worlds."
Toph's whole body jolted to attention as her arms straightened to her sides. "So Huang, you are saying this is my fault! It's my fault that Babbles over there and me are here!" Toph shouted as she shook a finger in Aang's direction who was still trying to bend anything. "I clearly don't remember asking to come here! So how in the name of earth could this be my fault!"
The man-eater fell prostrate to the ground before her. "Your... your will... oh Great One... your will, it is absolute! The force of your desire was so strong and you... you said... I mean told him, you didn't want him kiss that other base elemental!"
Toph rolled her eyes even as she wiped a hand over her face. "Get serious, it's just a game! So what if he kisses me and didn't kiss Sweetness, what's the big deal in that? She would just have to live with it!"
"Oh my gracious sovereign Queen, I am charged to be fair and unbiased," the little beast sighed. "But you, your will has overwhelmed me! In addition, you were the one most wronged when your pristine character was besmirched by that lowly water trudging slug! I could not tolerate another insult lest I consume the rancid creature!" Hidimbi threatened, her small hands digging into the ground in obvious rage.
The little general found the spirit's devotion both heart warming and somewhat amusing. "I can't have you eating my friends Hummus every time they insult me. I'd be awfully lonely in no time and Sugar Queen may get on my nerves, but I think I'd like to keep her around... okay?"
The small being seemed to take in a deep breath, "As you command, most Lenient and Benevolent Highness. I will not seek retribution on your behalf against she, who is called the waterbender. Even now she looks upon your physical bodies and ponders if you are friend or foe. Whether she should hate you or continue to love you," the shape-shifter stated as she rose to her knees.
Toph bit her lower lip. "So she saw... what we did, everything?"
Hidimbi nodded.
This time it was the princess who took in a deep breath as she began to wring her hands together and pace.
"It looks like all the freaky stuff has stopped," Suki noted out loud as she walked around the couple. "But he's still doing some strange stuff. Looks like he's trying to use the bathroom or something. Do they have...?"
"No they don't," Sokka replied before she finished her question still holding his sister. "I've been there... and I know, ohhhh... how I know," he groaned at the memory.
The others in the room chuckled a bit, all except for his sister. Her tears were penetrating his tunic now and he felt another crying jag begin to surface. Sokka once more, softly and gently kissed the top of her head several times as he soothingly stroked her back. "Listen Katara, you're exhausted. Why don't you go and lay down in the bedroom over there? I'll keep watch over them and I promise, I swear... if anything changes, I'll come and get you right away. Deal?" he suggested, tipping her chin up so that her bleary eyes fixed on his.
Katara straightened, "No deal," she answered in a ragged voice. "I-I've failed him... so many times, been too weak. I won't fail him again," she insisted, burying her face once more, clinging to him even tighter.
Sokka threw his head back, looking over at Zuko as if for some suggestion. The Fire Lord shrugged. "Okay, okay, well at least sit down. You've been standing this whole time they've been like this. You've got to be tired sis. I know I am," her brother whispered to her in a heated plea.
Katara felt the heaviness in her body as the mental fatigue was also wearing on her. "Will you sit with me?" she asked her surprised brother in a small, timid voice that made his heart skip a beat. As he looked into her blue, red-rimmed eyes, it seemed that she was once again 5 years old, calling for her big brother to comfort her once again. "Th-the chair... it's big enough for the both of..."
Sokka smiled sweeping her off her feet, and carrying her to the high-back chair princess style. "Sure my precious little sea plum, just like when you were smaller. I don't think you're too heavy yet, but a couple more of those pastries…"
"Ugh, how dare you..." she exclaimed, softly punching him in the chest but also smiling. "You're being mean now brother!"
He flopped down on the seat, allowing her to land in his lap with a little bounce. "Hey, that's what brother's are for sis," he said pulling her in close to rest in his arms. "You just let your big bro watch over ya for now. Everything will be fine."
Katara truly felt like a little girl once more, snuggling into his lap. She felt small, but safe as he held her tightly and then he started to hum. It was a Water Tribe lullaby that he used to sing to her years ago. She glanced over at the mime-ish couple. Both Aang and Toph had a melancholy expression now. "I'm so sorry," she thought as she began to drift off. Sokka was gently stroking her hair, just like he used too when she had those awful nightmares, reliving her mother's capture. The humming and his touch took her to the only place of peace she had... sleep.
Toph now glared at Aang flopping along the ground trying to launch himself into the air about 100 meters away. "Hey you dunderhead, stop fooling around over there and get over here!" she yelled. "We've got a real problem! Worse than any war or rebellion you could possibly imagine! Katara and the others they've seen us... in the real world!"
Aang ran at full speed towards her and remarkably was there in an instance. "What did you say about Katara and the others Toph?"
"I said... Houki here told me that Sweetness and the others saw our... "little display of affection", just now in the real world!" she reiterated pointing a finger at the diminutive creature's twitching nose. "Quick... kill me and then yourself Twinkle Toes! It's the only answer!"
Hidimbi's solid blue eyes doubled as she knelt before the princess. "Please your Highness, that will settle nothing here! You... you're in the spirit world so... uh, your body is safe! How could he possibly kill you?"
Toph glowered at the being, "If he can... uh... eat me in the really world... he can certainly do enough to kill me!" she stated as she obtained a reddish hue to her glow.
"I'm not going to kill you Toph!" Aang cut in. "I could never lay a hand on you!"
She looked lovingly over at him, "But... it'll would make me feel better, Twinkle Toes. Think of it as a kindness."
He smiled knowingly at her. "Does the idea of facing Katara scare you that much my love?"
Toph crossed her arms, "Damn straight it does," she replied bluntly. "I figured since you love me, you'd kill me quick. No telling how long that witch would torture me! Of course, she'd forgive you right away, maybe even give you a little fan service to wipe away my wicked stain."
Aang began to laugh. "Don't be ridiculous my love. Katara would never torture anybody! You're her friend. She especially would never hurt you!" he espoused with a wide grin.
The princess began to shake her head slowly. "I should have known you would think she's still Miss Perfect. You really don't know her very well Twinkles," she huffed crossing her arms and turning away from him.
He looked hurt at the comment. "I know her. I've known her for a long time and I've seen her bad side too Toph, still, she's no witch, okay! If we explain this together... she'll have to accept it. Trust me... trust our love."
A half grin creased her lips, "What do you think Hoopa, do you think I should trust this guy? Does he look like a guy you would buy a used carriage from?" she jested.
The man-eater gazed at him closely. "He is selfish, arrogant and extremely opinionated, my liege," she assessed. "No, I would not buy a used carriage from his man."
Toph began to laugh loudly now. "She really has you pegged doesn't she Twinkles! Aren't you glad most people can't see you as plainly as she can?"
The stoic look on the Avatar's face told her he didn't appreciate the assessment or the followup.
"Oh come on, don't be such a gloomy puss loverboy. Yeah, the truth may hurt... but I still love you," she exclaimed putting on her wide toothy grin. "Happy here is just trying to help us."
"And why you love him Oh Great One, is still a mystery to me," the man-eater expressed, throwing up her small hands. "I mean you stand side by side with that truly noble one. He is honest, kind, truthful, and giving to a fault! Even though I am not a human, he makes my blood boil with excitement!"
Toph and Aang exchanged curious glances.
"Who are you talking about Hootie? We don't know anybody like that," Toph said with a raised brow.
The gentle appearing creature smiled warmly. "Oh yes you do, Oh must Lovely One. In fact your heart was once stirred for him a long time ago, before this shallow ethereal held sway over you," she added with an unexpected wink.
"Who is she talking about Toph? Did you like someone else before me?"
The princess cut a hard glare at the furry tattle-tell. "Uh... it was nothing Aang, just a young girl's crush. Didn't I tell you before... he... uh, totally ignored me... totally!"
He smirked and pointed a finger her way, "Yeah, Zuko can be like that. I understand lots of girls like him... that gruff bad-boy type. I used to think Katara had a thing for him, drove me crazy," he admitted.
Hidimbi scurried up beside the monk. "Wrong, you pretentious upstart! Such a pure and honest soul as her Majesty would never even consider a pompous child of Agni! For being the all-wise Avatar, you are clueless."
Aang's smile dropped away and the sullen expression caused Toph to swallow hard. He turned to look into her glowing foggy green eyes.
"So... you have a thing for Sokka?" he asked in a low monotone voice.
The princess could barely look at him. "H-had... I had. It was shortly after I joined the team Twinkle... I mean, Aang. He was funny and caring and older... I never knew a guy like him before. The house-boys weren't allowed near me. He... he treated me like a real person... even once told me I was, pretty," she exclaimed with a flush to her cheeks.
The airbender's furrowed his brow, "So you do still like him! I knew it!"
Toph stepped back. "What! Where did that come from! Do you realize how long ago that's been you idiot? You're not upset over the Fire Lord, but Sokka... you go all jealous and goofy acting over him? I don't get it Aang... I don't get it," she confessed.
He turned his back on her.
Toph crossed her arms mulling over the situation. "Why should I be answering to you anyways! You were just sucking face with Sugar Queen like there was no tomorrow... and you admitted you were having naughty dreams about me at the same time! Did I get upset about that? But here you are, being all weird because of some... ancient history with Snoozels! I've never, ever swapped spit with him! Miss Fan Girl saw to that."
He looked over his shoulder,"You mean Suki?"
Toph rolled her eyes, "Who else would I mean you moron! He kissed her right in front of me... broke my stupid heart. I was grateful for that drill we took down. Trust me... I named it Suki, and it helped me get over him. Then came Roku's Island and since then, it's been only you... just you Aang!" she confessed as she kicked him in the butt.
Aang spun about gripping his backside. "Ow, that hurts! You got me right up my crack! I didn't think it would feel like this in the spirit world," he moaned.
Toph smirked, "Serves you right Twinkle Toes for turning your back on me! Why are you getting so bent out of shape over Capt. Boomeraang anyways?"
Aang gazed down at the ground. "It's what she said..." he exclaimed pointing the small spirit's way with his head. "I-I know Sokka and he is... all those things Toph. He's the best man I know. Why wouldn't you fall in love with him? So many times I've thought he would have made a better Avatar than me."
Toph flung herself about his neck, "You are one stupid guy, do you know that?" Toph sighed as she traced the outside of his ear. "Plus... you don't listen very well. I told you, I liked him a long time ago. Hell, I was just a kid, right out of my parent's house and you know what kind of a fucked up place that was."
He nodded, letting her touch convey her feelings as well. Crystal like tears began to flow from his eyes."My love, I... I thought, the only man truly worthy of you... is..."
Toph pressed her lips to his, "Shhh, you are worthy. I chose you, Fate and Destiny chose you," she whispered lovingly. "One out of three ain't bad now is it Twinkle Toes?" she giggled.
Aang chuckled lightly, "No... one out of three is prefect, as long as you're the one," he agreed, kissing her deeply.
The small being smiled at the sincere affection between the young couple. "Your Highness, I that your love for him is valid and filled with virtue. Won't you please speak with him now?"
Aang looked over at the small creature. "Speak to me about what my love," he inquired, pecking her on the lips once more. "Is it about why I can't bend here and you can?"
She looked demurely looked away. "Why Huoma, I do so enjoy seeing him make a fool of himself, launching himself about. Don't you, Hippie?"
Once more Hidimbi bowed before her. "Please your... trust him, trust this love you so treasure my dearest Queen of all Earths. I can assure you, you will find the peace of heart you are seeking."
Toph's mouth twisted slightly, taking on a reddish tint to her cheeks, "B-but what if your wrong Hidimbi? What if he can't accept me... can't accept what I am, as I am? I would have lost... everything."
The ancient spirit smiled finally hearing her name pronounced correctly. "What is love without trust, your Highness?" she asked in a soft mewing voice.
Aang looked back and forth between the two females. "What are you two talking about? Love and trust... we have that now, right Toph? And I already know who and what she is," Aang proclaimed pointing at the princess. "She's the love of my life, the woman I'm going to be with forever... and that all I need to know!"
Toph shook her head slowly as his seethed in. "Dummy... no you don't know everything. That is why we're here. Why Hidimbi brought us here so that you could find out. Find out, about me... about us," she told him with a deep sigh.
Aang stepped back away from her as he tried to take in what Toph was trying to say. Both the spirit and the princess kept their gaze focused on the retreating Avatar.
"I DON'T UNDERSTAND," he yelled as he stomped his foot. "And... why doesn't this bend?"
"Because you are in the spirit world, a different level, but the spirit world nonetheless Avatar," Hidimbi proclaimed solemnly. "I thought you already understood this?"
"Then why can she bend?" he yelled angrily pointing at Toph. "The only way a human can bend is if they go through the spirit portals... which I know are sealed, I've seen them myself! The only other way is if they aren't entirely..." he paused as his face contorted. "No... no... uh, I uh must be confused is all or I'm missing something here Toph... tell me, I'm missing something here Toph!" he shouted as he held the sides of his head. "Please, tell me!"
"What do you want me to say Aang?" the princess asked as she straightened and folded her hands in front of her. "Should I say, don't believe your senses, don't trust your knowledge or your teachings? Is that what you want me to say? What I can say is... I love you and have loved you. That's all I can say, the rest is up to you... my love."
Aang cast his big gray eyes at the strange ground, "Sorry Sifu, I'm just a little confused and more than a little frustrated ya know," he nervously began to yammer. "I've been trying really hard and nothing seem to be working to get this stubborn earth to bend. No matter what I do, it just won't budge. How about you, can you... "
The earthbend scooted a foot along the ground causing a mound equal to his size to shoot up next to him. Tears were falling from her eyes. "Yes Twinkle Toes, I can bend. I can bend anywhere I want, and would you like to know why?" she asked in a quivering voice.
He closed his eyes sucking in his bottom lip, "No... I-I just know you're awesome! just like metal bending, if you can bend spirit earth, that just means you are the greatest... "
"Stop it Aang!" she yelled at him. "Please stop this! Please let me tell you... please let me... show you,"
The Avatar covered his ears. "Wake up Aang! Wake Up!" he started to scream.
"How's Katara," Zuko asked as he walked up to check on the seated siblings.
Sokka put a finger up to his lips, "She's finally asleep now," he whispered softly. "This gets her every time, she's like a big baby."
Zuko nodded with a light laugh. "You're a good brother Sokka," he commended him, as he walked to the rear of the room, patting his friend's shoulder.
The Fire Lord glanced at the Kyoshi Captain but all her attention was taken up by the sleeping waterbender and her brother. He frowned for a moment at the lack of attention, but it was understandable.
Suki was keeping a close eye on the siblings as she chewed her lower lip. Visions of their kiss from the game replayed over and over through her memory. "Why am I torturing myself. It was nothing Suki, only a simple kiss," she reminded herself. "So why am I feeling so... jealous! I just want to push her off his lap and say... hey, look at me!"
"Hard to look at, aren't they," the monotone voice sneered. "She gets to be all lovey-dovey with him just because her boyfriend is drinking from the little princess' well. This is just a bunch of rhino-shit," Mai sighed as she took another gulp of her drink.
The Fan Master's eyes looked over at the blade wielder, apparently feeling the same way she was. "What concern is that to you Mai? I mean, why shouldn't he comfort his sister after all she's been through?" Suki asked leaning towards the drunk woman. "What if that had been Zuko instead of Aang, how would you be feeling right now?"
"Would he... be holding me like that?" she replied with a wide-eyed gaze that lasted a moment. "No, I doubt it right? You'd be all over my ass if he'd try, wouldn't you... Fan Girl?"
"You got that straight... bitch," Suki affirmed with a sneer.
"But you will let her do as she pleases with him," Mai stated candidly. "C'mon, I've seen husbands and wives with less affection on their wedding day for Agni sake! Let me tell you Suki, whoever gets to marry that man, will have to deal with her as well and it won't be pretty. You think a mother-in-law is bad, wait until you face a sister with a serious big brother complex. She'll not only be in your house, telling you what to cook and what he likes... she'll be in your bed, mark my words... bitch!"
Her words were like voicing Suki's own secret fears but the warrior shook the thoughts away. "Whoa now Mai! Katara maybe many things, but I think you're reading into this something that just isn't there. Sure, she and Sokka are close... maybe closer than most, but to insinuate that she wants him for herself, that's ludicrous," Suki snapped as she defended the waterbender.
Mai rolled her big golden eyes, "I wasn't trying to say she's an outright pervert. In fact, she may not even be aware of her base predilection," she surmised with another sip. "Come to think of it, the reason she probably like the Avatar in the first place is because the two of them are so much alike. She's really dating her brother by proxy."
"No she's not!" Suki denied vehemently. "They're nothing alike! So what they laugh at the same jokes and hang out a lot... that means nothing!"
An Azula type smirk framed Mai's lips. "Sure, just like you said, doesn't mean a thing. I'm just trying to say, she won't settle on anybody for her brother that she deems less than worthy of him. And I think she has pretty high standards," the intoxicated lady half slurred out.
"How high?" the warrior asked excessively troubled by the conversation.
The knife thrower nodded her head towards the near frozen form of the little princess, "Royalty high, if I'm reading her right. She gets the Avatar and her brother…"
Sujki turned away. "Now, I know for sure you're drunk Mai with all that crazy talk," Suki gasped nervously. "S-Sokka just thinks of her as a kid sister is all. He told me so himself. He would never think of Toph in that way!"
The knife wielder sat back in her seat. "And I bet Katara never thought of taking that silly kid of an Avatar seriously in the beginning either," Mai noted looking uncommonly thoughtful now. "Your Sokka wasn't seeing her as a sister when she was wearing that orchid dress... hell, none of them were. We already know she can use what she has, and if Katara tells him to, what makes you think he won't go all in?"
The weight of Mai's statement seemed to push the Fan Master back in her chair. "Am I being naïve," she thought as she stared at Toph's sad face. "Maybe I should have encouraged Aang to continue their relationship, what was I thinking!" she groaned, rubbing her forehead. "If she sets her sights on Sokka again, and this time has the backing of Katara and that bod, I'm done for," Suki bemoaned in her mind. "I can't let that happen. Little princess, I see an Avatar in your future!"