Unconventional Aid

For #53:

"In 3 words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." –Robert Frost

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Their second trip to the fortune teller's village was with definite low spirits. Their optimistic attitudes had been beaten into unbendable dirt, as Toph put it. Although, she'd never say it aloud in a time like this, but she was glad Sokka wasn't so…perky anymore.

"Welcome back Avatar and friends. I see you have a new addition to your team," Meng smiled politely. She showed them to the waiting room with promises of food.

"Yeah, Meng this is Toph," Katara introduced. She gave her best effort of a smile and sat beside a still hurting Aang.

"It is pleasant to meet you Toph," Meng smiled crookedly.

Toph snorted. She already didn't like the girl from her voice alone. "Yeah, you too."

Meng bowed and took off to get the food she had promised. A slightly uncomfortable silence fell over the group, again. Toph was getting antsy. It had been this way for weeks; ever since they left Ba Sing Se to be exact. She was ready to fight, to take back the Earth Kingdom capital single handedly if she had to.

She'd do anything just to hear some kind of emotion come from their gang. She wanted them to get mad, get angry and get revenge. They could do it, she just knew they could.

"Sorry for the wait," Meng interrupted the earth bender's thoughts. She sat a tray of food on the small table in front of them, along with a pot of tea. Toph froze a little at smelling the tea, and wondered whatever happened to her old friend.

"It's okay Meng," Katara faked another smile. Aang sighed a little and poured himself a cup of tea. Meng just stood watching them. Toph could feel the young girl getting antsy, too.

And that gave her an idea. What was that Sokka said about this girl?

"Meng, right?" she asked, smirking. She felt the girl pivot and turn her full attention on Toph.

"Yep, that's right," Meng smiled. Toph could feel her stop moving.

"Sokka said you had a huge crush on Aang," she said innocently. Somewhere to the side, she heard Sokka choke on his tea.

Meng gulped. "Yes, I did have a little crush on Aang, but not anymore."

That got everyone's attention. Toph could feel them all squirming in their seats, but she wasn't going to stop. "Why did you in the first place? There's not much to Twinkle Toes, unless he's a looker. Somehow, I doubt that."

Toph was delighted to hear a growl from Aang's direction, and some muffled laughter from the other two. Meng giggled a little. "Well, to be honest, Aunt Wu told me I was going to marry a guy with big ears. I thought it was him. Sorry."

She laughed at that. "No problem!" Then another idea struck her. "You know, I've heard Sokka's got some big ears, too. Why didn't you like him?"

Sokka choked, again. The choking was followed by coughing, and a giggle out of Aang. Toph could feel what she supposed was Meng checking out the water tribe boy.

"He's ugly," Meng stated simply before walking away.

Toph smirked victoriously as Aang and Katara outright guffawed. Sokka began mumbling something incomprehensible. Finally he got his bearings straight and turned on Toph.

"You just enjoy tormenting me, don't you?"

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Meant to show that even though things can look so terrible, someone is always willing to humiliate Sokka and make you feel better.

Halfway through writing this, I remembered that Meng and Toph have the same VA. During the editing, I added in the not liking her for her voice thing. MormonMaiden suggested the crack pairing of Meng/Sokka. This idea popped into my head today while rereading the requests I've collected. Hope you enjoyed it, and if you did, or didn't, leave me a little message. They're like cookies.

-mcl