Gripping Toph's waist as they danced in the middle of the room, Aang kept thinking of the way Toph cringed when her father told her to dance with her new husband. She won't be happy with him. He just knew it. Once the alliance was in place this marriage will be seen as the knot to keep it together. As soon as people start doubting the strength of this relationship they will doubt the alliance. Aang wouldn't let the monks down but he also knew he couldn't fake a relationship with a woman who frowned at the thought of him.
To all the spectators the dance was elegant, Toph was taught to dance as soon as she could walk and Aang easily kept to the routine with his quick, gliding movements. The whole room seemed unnaturally large and empty with everyone just watching. Toph knew this had to continue just for a little longer and she could return home, but with him. Katara's words rang within her head as she felt the presence of her husband, who could also be her escape.
*Later at the Beifong Mansion*
"Goodnight Toph. I'll be sleeping in the other room if need me." Toph was shocked as he left but used it to slip out of her wedding dress and into her fighting garments."Surely if I rush I can get to the earth rumble arena in time for the last battle", Toph thought as she bended the earth beneath her to gain access to the tunnel she made years ago.
She arrived mere moments before she heard "Everybody welcome, the Blind Bandit!" Toph jumped to the stage and burst into her signature laugh to make the crowd go wild. Time was given as bets were made; those who haven't been to Goaling betted against the young girl while locals but everything on the bandit who couldn't be beaten.
The fight didn't last long, but Toph allowed it to last long enough to entertain any newcomers. However she didn't show restraint as she threw a boulder at the Boulder, and laughed as the irony hit the crowd. Picking the bag of gold from Xin Fu's open palm she walked over to placed it in the small chest where she stores her earnings. Toph felt faint footsteps behind her but when she turned to confront the person behind her, she had lost 'sight' of him, which caused Toph a lot of worry.