Crossroads
Another Day in Gaoling
The last few days had been very hectic for the young earthbender.
"I'm only one person," Toph sighed as she walked down the corridor and stood in front of the dining room door. "I can't be everywhere at the same time."
Toph had attempted very hard to be there for everyone. She tried to divide her time between her parents, Rae, her friends, and Zuko. She loved them all, but it seemed that it was difficult to keep them content. She was desperate for her own space to breath. Their presence seemed to suffocate her. Everyone was expecting far too much out of her. Toph couldn't duplicate herself to satisfy everyone's demands.
Grudgingly, she nodded to the soldier that guarded the door to open it and forced her feet to move, entering the double wooden doors. The moment she stepped inside the room, she felt the urge to run. Her parents' judging glances were on her.
"Oh, Toph," her mother said in disgust. "You can't wear that to breakfast. Go back and change, please."
"She looks beautiful," she heard Sokka say.
"True," Suki agreed, but their comment weren't going to deter Poppy from believing that her daughter's selection of clothes was inappropriate for breakfast at her table.
"You need new clothes, angel," Poppy said, watching as Toph sat in her chair. It still surprised her that her daughter carried herself so perfectly. She knew where she was going without needing eyesight. The simple thought seemed eerie, but according to Katara and Zuko, Toph only needed seismic vibrations to see. They didn't look crept out by Toph's unheard skills. They actually seemed to be intrigued by this phenomenon. "Go back and change, darling. We'll wait for you."
"Mother, not again," she said annoyed. "It's too early for this."
"Sweetheart, I am just saying this for your own good. You need to look presentable."
Toph had been so hungry that morning, but the moment her mother spoke those words, she wasn't hungry at all. She wanted to earthbend a whole and disappeared, taking Rae and Zuko with her.
"I like the way the fabric of my dress feels," she said.
"The fabric on your dress may feel nice, but your clothes are too shabby. You look like you belong with the hired help. You aren't representing the Bei Fongs properly," her mother continued.
"It's not always about the glamour. My clothes are practical for all the travelling I do." Toph explained. "It's great and comfortable for practicing earthbending."
Zuko sat quietly across from Aang. His forehead was creased with worried lines. His eyes followed Toph from the door, until she was seated between her mother and Katara. He continued to watch her- not uttering a word. Toph resembled a child that had been scolded. He could see the vein pulsating on the side of her temple. She hadn't smile in almost three days. She played with her food, angrily stabbing her strawberries with the fork. He wished that he could do something to ease Toph's burdens, but she'd politely asked for him to not interfere in her affairs.
"I know that they can be a bit annoy- Okay, very much annoying," she'd told him the night before when he tried to put her father in place after he made a hurtful comment regarding Toph's rearing of their son. "I'll handle them. Don't worry. We'll be gone in less than two days."
He'd agreed to stay quiet. His tongue bled from all the times he bit hard on it to prevent himself from speaking. Zuko raised his head when Katara's voice broke his stupor. She was attempting to explain to Poppy that they usually dressed much better, but since they've been constantly travelling these last few weeks, they needed to travel lightly and wear comfortable clothes.
"You never know what can happen. We have to be prepare for battle," Suki finished.
"Nonsense," Poppy rambled on. "My daughter and grandson need to dress-"
"Fine! If I go and change," Toph interjected rudely, "will you shut up?" She hissed through clenched teeth. "We've been shopping for these last two days and I have more clothes than I need or want. How much more do I need?"
"Toph," Lao snapped from the other corner of the large dining table.
"What?" she snapped, knitting her eyebrows together in anger. She prayed that Rae would never raise her voice at her or speak to her in the manner she was speaking to her father. One thing she knew was, she would love her son no matter what he wanted to wear or who we wanted to be.
"That is no way to speak to your mother." Lao said sternly.
Toph rolled her eyes, but looked down at her plate. She wasn't behaving properly in front of her son, her friends, and most importantly, Zuko. She'd been holding it in for so long: her parents' constant disregard for her person, their mistreatment of Zuko and her friends. They were a bit selfish – not a bit, a lot selfish – for stealing Rae and her from the group. She agreed to let her parents take them shopping to the nearby villages and neglected their guests – which were Toph's beloved Fire Lord and her friends.
"Please," Aang spoke softly, catching everyone's attention. "Excuse Toph's behavior," he paused, turning his head towards his earthbender friend. "She didn't mean to snap-"
"Young man," Lao retorted, "you aren't part of this conversation. You know what,"
"What?" Aang smiled politely, oblivious to Lao's internal thoughts.
Haru, seeing the contempt in Lao's face, shook his head and leaned toward the Avatar. "I believe that it might be wise if you were to be quiet." He said seriously.
"Why?" Aang asked a childish look on his eyes.
"You know that they don't really like..."
"I don't like you," Lao said flatly. "If you hadn't showed at our house that night, seven years ago, our Toph wouldn't have ran away. She would be safe with us. The world wouldn't have tainted her. She would be a classy young lady, married to a rich Earth Kingdom resident. She might even have children that-" he bit his tongue before he spoke hurtful words toward his grandson.
"Oh, please," Toph said haughtily. "I wanted to break free from this prison. The walls were closing in on me. I hated being babysat by the guards. No one in Gaoling knows that I am your daughter. You take me shopping at nearby villages where no one knows who we are, because you are still ashamed of me! Of my son! Of my friends and on top of that, you hate the fact that Zuko is Rae's biological father. Well, hooptie doo! Rae's father is a firebender, the Fire Lord of the Fire Nation and a great man!"
"Toph," Poppy reprimanded, "you know that is not true."
"You are out of line, young lady!" Lao shouted.
"Sir, you must be aware that Toph has tried awfully hard to please her parents," she said, giving her friend a sympathetic smile. "You know, your daughter has an indomitable spirit."
"How can you defend her actions? She needs to re-learn to respect her parents," Lao bellowed indignantly.
"Mr. Bei Fong," Katara said, her hand balled in fists, "nothing that you said or did in the past would've kept her here. Toph would ultimately have run off," Katara said defensively. "Even I would've run off if I was your daughter."
"Katara, you don't have to-" Toph said, but Katara huffed and continued.
"Toph would've run away whether you kept her within these walls. You treated her like an invalid. You sheltered her and forced her to live the life you thought was right. You never questioned what she desired; what she wanted out of life. Yes, she made many mistakes along the way, but, she was happy! She found herself. You should be proud that many people consider her an earthbending master. She is also an accomplished and competent sandbender. In fact, she is the only metalbender in the world. Toph is a member of the delegate of peace in the Avatar's Council."
"All you've done for her is hurt her feelings," Suki said somberly.
"That's not true," Poppy said sadly.
"Toph wrote her destiny," Aang said.
"And it was a disastrous mistake," Lao gritted.
"If Toph hadn't left, Aang would've never succeeded in learning earthbending and ending the Hundred Years war. She was part of a movement; of a desire to change the world. The path that she chose became her destiny." Katara continued, reaching to touch the back of Toph's hand. "She is a brave woman, a great friend and an excellent warrior."
"Thank you," Toph was moved by her friends' words. She gave Katara's hand a gentle squeeze and offered her a thankful smile.
"It's true," Aang nodded. "She was a valuable asset in-"
"Aang," Haru sighed, leaning closer again and whispered next to the Avatar's ear. "Aang, again, stay quiet. Let Katara speak. She seems to have a way with words. Lao, he still blames you for Toph leaving his house."
"I should shut up, right?" Aang said to Haru. Haru response was a brief nod and then proceeded to finish his food.
Lao glared at Aang, shaking his head in irritation. He also glowered at Zuko whom had been quiet during most of the conversation. He'd proven why Lao hated the Fire Nation. He'd kept to himself and didn't defend Toph. What kind of man didn't defend the mother of his child?
Zuko waited long enough. Toph character and morals were in question by her parents. He was a man of few words; this seemed like the right time for him to speak. "Mr. and Mrs. Bei Fong," Zuko said, everyone went quiet around the table. Toph quickly sat up straight. "I," Zuko said, clearing his throat.
"Zuko," Toph muttered, "you don't have to. Please,"
"Toph, I have to speak. I know that you asked me not to meddle, but this is ridiculous. They are questioning you, your persona, your morals, and value. They are questioning your parental skills. I can't stay quiet anymore."
It's true; Zuko had been very quiet for the last few days, observing how the Bei Fongs treated their own daughter, because Toph had practically made him swear not to butt in. He didn't dare to break his promise and he didn't want to speak out of turn because his hosts were Toph's parent. He'd tried hard to hold in his distaste when Lao made a comment on how to Toph should raise Rae or when Poppy mocked her daughter's dressing style: he'd had enough.
"Yes, Zuko you should say something," Katara and Suki said simultaneously.
"I disagree with your points of view," he said matter-of-factly. "To begin, you are misplacing your anger on the Avatar. Aang didn't have any thing to do with your daughter running away. Maybe it's time that you stop pointing fingers at others and start seeing your mistake. Did you ever stop to think how Toph felt? No, of course not! Toph is human; she has feelings. You kept her hidden within these walls." He said, pointing at the walls with his index fingers. "Toph was meant to be free. She wasn't meant to be caged in. She's like a beautiful bird; it needs to fly. You can't clip her wings and expect it not to rebel. Like Katara said, Toph – she has an indomitable spirit and that is one of the many reasons I hold her in such high regard. She's strong, loyal, kind, compassionate and an excellent person."
"How dare- You don't-"
The Fire Lord narrowed his eyes, slightly flicked his wrist and a pool of fire erupted from the hearth into the room, rising in a wall of red-like fire, warming the entire room. Poppy and Lao gasped. Zuko was commanding the floor. Toph sat up, her head pointing toward his direction, wanting to hear his voice. Zuko was a man of few words. He rarely spoke out of turn and when he needed to speak, it was brief and to the point.
"Fire!" Rae shouted excitedly. "Teach me, Zuko."
"Later, son," Zuko said through clenched teeth, his arms falling to his sides. The wall of fire dissipated, the room growing colder.
"I'm sorry," Rae mumbled, sinking in his chair.
"I will gladly teach you how to firebend, Rae," Zuko said, his feature relaxing. He inhaled deeply and exhaled before he went on. "I am not finished," Zuko inhaled deeply and turned his attention to Poppy. "Mrs. Bei Fong, your daughter owns many beautiful dresses. I've bought Rae and Toph many silk robes... fit for royalty, but Toph only prefers certain simple styles. She is practical and she is already beautiful. No matter how many dresses you buy her or how you dress her; she's still beautiful. She doesn't like to stand out. She prefers to blend with the background, unless there is a fight, I'm certain that I'll always find her ready to rumble," he chuckled.
Sokka, Aang, and Haru nodded. "So true," they said.
"She also enjoys her healthy coat of dirt once in a while. Stop trying to change her. If you love her... accept her for who she is. She's amazing. Your daughter is a wonderful mother, a great friend and the best person I've ever met. For Agni's sake, she is your daughter. Stop trying to change her and just learn to love her for what she is. You'll see that it's so much easier to live peacefully with a happy Toph. For once in your life, just accept her. If she believes in a cause, she'll fight for that cause. That's who your daughter is. She's a fighter. Stop trying to paint her as the victim. She isn't the defenseless blind girl you thought she was. Toph is strong..."
"I don't care ho-"
"Sir, please, do not interrupt me. It's impolite," Zuko said sternly, narrowing his eyes at Lao.
"Never in my life has anyone been s-" Lao began, but Zuko's menacing glare stopped him.
Zuko proceeded by clearing his throat and gazed at his darling Toph. "As I was saying, I believe that this might sound offending to the Bei Fongs, but I am – we are glad that Toph left the comfort of her old life. I personally believe that she was destined to be a moving force in ending the war."
"Yes, a war that your people started," Lao grumbled.
"Yes, I know this. I will forever regret it," he said remorsefully. "But we – with the help of my friends: the Avatar, Katara, Sokka, Suki and her Kyoshi warriors, Toph and many other brave people, and I – we ended it! I know that we suffered vicissitudes; many lives were unnecessarily lost due to it. And to tell you the truth, I am appalled that my family was the starting spark that turned into a raging fire. But I made a vow, to the Avatar, my nation and to the world – I'll make it again in front of Toph and my beloved son – I will restore my people. The Fire Nation will be redeemed. With the help of my friends," he said, looking around the table. His gaze falling on Toph, he smiled dejectedly, "I will build bridges to help restore the nations. My son – when he becomes the next Fire Lord – will continue with the legacy that I will leave behind. We are going to change the world with the Avatar's help. We can't change the past, but we can hope today's actions bring a brighter future tomorrow," he paused, licking his lips softly before he continued. "It may be selfish of my part to say this, but when I began my walk down the path of redemption, Toph believed in me. I am wouldn't be the man I am, if Toph hadn't been in my life. She believed in me. Toph has always been there for me and when we came here, I wanted to be there for her. She wanted to see her parents. She had great intentions in coming here, but all you two have done is damper her spirit."
"That is true," Katara nodded. "Toph has feelings, too."
Toph's cheeks were crimson. It was true that she wanted to rekindle her relationship with her parents. Zuko even encouraged her. Her eyes moistened with unshed tears. The Fire Lord continued speaking about Toph's character and how great of a person she was. Her parents could only sit and listen. Every time that Zuko paused, Katara, Aang, Haru and even Sokka would chime in, speaking of how great she was. She felt loved. She'd been truly blessed!
"My momma is the greatest!" Rae giggled contently, hopping off his chair and running around the table to hug his mother.
Thankfully, the child's action ended their breakfast. Toph was grateful for her spark-full son's action had ended that conversation. She felt warm and fuzzy inside. Zuko's love hung over her like a warm blanket. She stood up from the chair and excused herself, taking Rae's hand, they walked around the table. She stopped a few meters away from where the Fire Lord sat and drew in a deep breath. She lowered her head to whisper something in Rae's ear.
"Go ahead!" Rae said contently.
Toph slowly let go of the child's small hand and trudged to where Zuko sat, placed her cold hands on each of Zuko's cheeks, and planted a firm kiss on his lips.
"Thank you," she said and backed away. "I love you, Zuko." She smiled when she sensed his rapid heartbeats.
"You are welcome, Toph," he smiled, getting up from his chair. "I love you, too."