This next bit is my take on the casting of Toph's actress - (ahem) I mean, actor. And for extra fun, those who read my main story Silent Hero in Emerald may recognize certain earthbenders.
Chapter Two: Of Blind Bandits and Sonic Waves
Pu-on Tim steps down from his polished carriage, stretching out his stiff, meaty limbs. He gives a loud, unattractive yawn, the kind that stretches your mouth so wide that your tongue flopping around inside is visible to the whole world. Some of the passerby's have a double-take upon noticing it; they quickly stride past as if wishing they didn't see anything.
But the playwright could care less for those commoners. He's travelled here all the way from the Upper Ring of Ba Sing Se, the finest spot of the finest city in the world. He has graced Gaoling with his presence for a purpose: He must know more about the Blind Bandit.
~o~o~o~
Tim can't help feeling intimidated by the looming shadow of the earthbender towering over him. He's forced himself to sit through the entirety of this so-called "Earth Rumble" tournament, nearly being flattened under chunks of stone at some point – just for a chance to talk to the contestants after the show.
"The Boulder does not wish to speak of his experiences with the Blind Bandit," declares the huge, muscly man peering down at him. The green-gold champion's belt gleams from below his bare abs, and his enormous arms rest upon its sides. "If you are not here to grovel in The Boulder's victory, then The Boulder suggests you get out of his sight!"
"W-wait, Mr. Boulder!" calls the playwright, reaching out towards the bulky earthbender as the man turns on his heel and begins stomping away. "You don't understand – I'm writing a play! A masterpiece! I intend to title it 'The Boy in the Iceberg.'"
The word "play" only seems to further disinterest the earthbender as he scoffs and continues walking.
Tim grits his teeth as he waddles along. "I have come here from the grand city of Ba Sing Se! This play has been approved by Sir Long Feng himself, and it will be the spectacle of the century!" he continues stubbornly, huffing to catch his breath. "Just tell me – please, is it true that the Blind Bandit, the unrivaled champion of this tournament...is only 12 years old?"
His nostrils flaring, the earthbender wheels back around. "The Boulder believes you have much nerve to test his patience!" There's a sudden pause. "But if you truly must know..." He lowers his face with such a dark, peculiar expression. "The Blind Bandit is...uh..." His eyes dart about the room as he pauses again.
Tim waits.
"She's...an extremely powerful girl, you fool!" The Boulder exclaims, rather frantically. "A – huge, frightening, powerful girl beyond all imagination!" His eyes keep darting nervously about the room as he clears his throat.
The playwright is surprised, but intrigued. "Hmm...strange for a 12-year-old, but that does fit the rumors I've heard of her earthbending abilities..." He strokes both his chins in deep thought.
"Of course it does!" The Boulder shouts indignantly. He glances down at his bulky arms. "Don't you know? The Blind Bandit is – a monster! A giant! Bigger than...uh..." He suddenly flexes all of his muscles, raising his massive biceps into the air. "Bigger than...The Boulder himself!"
Tim gasps as he shrinks beneath the earthbender's shadow. "Bigger than The Boulder?"
"Much bigger! Terrifying! The Boulder is – but a PEBBLE in her eyes!"
"Holy Mother of Faces!" cries the playwright, clasping a hand over his chest. He suddenly scrunches his face. "Wait, in 'her eyes?' I thought she was blind –"
"YOU KNOW WHAT THE BOULDER MEANS!" bellows the earthbender, flexing his muscles so much that the veins begin to pop out.
"I-I won't doubt it!" Tim squeaks, shrinking even further beneath the towering earthbender. His trembling fingers pull out an expensive, pre-inked quill and begin jotting it all down. "So, to clarify once more..." he mumbles slightly to himself. "I must cast a big, strong actress for the role of the Blind Bandit, Toph Beifong – well no, most likely requires an actor for this amount of muscle –"
"Toph Beifong...?" The Boulder looks confused, as if he's never heard of her before.
Looking up from his notes, the playwright raises a brow. "That...is her name, right?"
"Of...OF COURSE IT IS!" The Boulder gives a terrifying stomp of his foot that causes Tim to lose balance again. "Because it sounds like 'Tough!'"
~o~o~o~
"...And that's just what she is. Tough."
"Yes. Very."
Tim stares back at a very ominous pair of Dai Li agents. Agent Tsen, the nonconformist, is more stern than usual while his assigned patrol partner, a handsome young man named Agent Leung, eyes Tim as if he'd murder him for doubting a single word. These men are two of the most feared earthbenders in Ba Sing Se. They are elite agents of the Dai Li - and they have just validated his notes. Without hesitation.
So it is true, after all. The frightening Blind Bandit beat down an entire organization of master earthbenders within minutes. And it all makes utterly perfect sense.
She has to be a monster.
"Thank for sharing your experiences, oh mighty protectors of Ba Sing Se!" Tim bows graciously before his superiors; Agent Tsen looks away while his patrol partner's expression still questions how they're even associated. "I believe I have attained almost all the necessary information," Tim continues. He pauses for a moment when something occurs to him. "Forgive me - but may I ask one last question?"
"...You may speak," Agent Tsen replies wearily. There's a loud sigh from Agent Leung.
"There is a matter regarding the Blind Bandit that I do not understand," says Tim. "How does she triumph with such crushing victories...without ever being able to see?" Even Agent Tsen clenches his fists for a moment. "I-I don't mean to undermine your abilities!" Tim quickly throws in. "Please! I just wish to know the mystery behind her strength."
There's a sharp, mutual glance that passes between the agents. The silence stretches on for years.
Agent Leung suddenly looks Tim right in the eye. "She releases a sonic wave from her mouth."
He's deathly serious. No hesitation whatsoever.
"A sonic wave?" Tim widens his eyes. "Is that really a thing –"
"Yes. Every time she attacks."
"It's how she sees us. It's terrifying."
More silence.
"Oh...my...Dear Spirits..." the playwright begins. "It... IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW!"
The agents give a subtle sigh of relief.
"Yes, yes, it all makes sense!" Tim is feverishly scribbling down the notes. "Why didn't I think of it before? The Avatar has mighty spiritual powers, so of course his comrades could –"
"Are you done, peasant?"
"Y-yes! Thank you so much!"
Tim runs off gleefully, enlightened and excited as ever to continue his journey for information. He does not see the uniformed men in the distance slowly hanging their heads in shame, but one thing is certain:
Toph Beifong is a living legend.