Chapter 11: Air/Water Proposal

The Gaang is enjoying their last day in the Earth Kingdom before their journey to the Southern Water Tribe. Noticing Aang is not with them, Toph decides to look for him. When she finds him, she hears him carving something. "Hi, Twinkle Toes, what'cha doing?"

"Uh, nothing." Aang answers.

"Don't lie to me, Twinkle Toes." Toph replies. "Now what's going on?"

"I'm carving a necklace." Aang answers. While Toph feels he's not lying, she also feels there's more to it. "Would it be an engaging necklace to Sugar Queen?"

"Is it that obvious, Toph?" Aang asks.

"Are you kidding, Twinkle Toes?" Toph asks in reply. "After all those times I've heard yours abd Sugar Queen's hearts beating faster whenever you both are close? Of course it is. So, when will you propose?"

"I'm not sure, Toph." Aang answers. "Sokka's too over protective and he might not like it. I still remember when I first learned about the engagement necklace tradition."

Flashback begins

Aang and Sokka are alone after Katara sorts out a misunderstanding concerning her engagement necklace. "Sokka, how does the engagement necklace work?"

Sokka, believing it to be simple curiosity sees no harm in answering. "In the Water Tribes, when a man wants to marry a woman, he carves a necklace for her and asks for her father's permission to give it to her. Once the woman is wearing the necklace, everyone in the Water Tribes who sees her will know she's engaged to whoever carved the necklace."

"So, whoever wants to marry your sister will need your father's permission to give her one of those necklaces?" Aang asks.

"Actually, with him away on the war, I could give the permission instead." Sokka explains. "But anyone asking for it would be wasting his time."

Flashback ends

"In that case, Twinkle Toes, you should talk to Sugar Queen's father about it since you're going to visit him anyway." Toph suggests.

"Aren't you going with us?" Aang asks.

"I have duties in the Earth Kingdom, Twinkle Toes." Toph explains. "Even if I didn't, I don't see well on ice."

"Oh." Was all Aang could reply.

The Gaang then makes a stop at Kyoshi Island to pick up Suki so she could know the place Sokka came from.

"Hi, Sokka." Suki says.

"Hi, Suki." He replies. "Ready for the travel?"

"Yes." She answers. "Has anyone proposed to your sister already?"

"Not yet." Sokka replies. "And if it depends on me, she'll never wear any engagement necklace other than the one Gran-Gran gave her."

"Thank you, Toph" Aang silently tells himself.

"Sokka!" Katara scolds.

"Sokka, wouldn't it depend on either Katara herself or your father?" Suki asks.

"Well, according to the tradition of the Water Tribes, it technically depends on Dad but he won't let just anyone marry her." Sokka concedes.

"Sokka, don't you think Katara should be free to choose who she's going to marry?" Aang asks.

"Aang, Katara might be a master waterbender but I don't think she's ready for this." Sokka replies.

Later on, they go to the Southern Water Tribe. Some of the local warriors decide to put her skills to test since they find it hard to accept a woman could be a warrior as well. She soon impresses them.

Aang now talks to Hakoda. "Uh, Chief Hakoda, may I have a word with you?"

"Sure, Aang." Hakoda replies. "Any problem?"

"Not exactly." Aang replies. "You know, I like Katara a lot."

"We all like her, Aang." Hakoda replies.

"I mean, like in a special way." Aang explains and then shows the engagement necklace he hade for Katara.

"Aang, I'm glad you came to me but I understand Katara is independent and you should talk directly to her." Hakoda replies. "Just don't marry until both of you are old enough for this, okay?"

That night, Sokka, Suki and Hakoda are waiting for Aang and Katara. "Dad, where are Aang and Katara?"

"That afternoon, Aang asked for my permission to give Katara an engagement necklace." Hakoda answers. "And I granted it."

"What!?" Sokka asks, outraged. "Dad, how could you?"

"Aang is a good boy." Hakoda explains. "And I don't think your sister would let me keep her from marrying whoever she wants."

"You got that right, Dad." Katara replies as she and Aang enter. Katara is now wearing Aang's engagement necklace instead of Kanna's.

"Katara!" Sokka exclaims.

"Congratulations, Katara." Suki comments.

"Suki, which side are you?" Sokka asks.

"Your sister's." Suki answers as if it's not a big deal. "What's wrong with that?"

"It's been my duty to watch over my sister." Sokka explains. "She's not ready yet. She shouldn't have permission from either me or Dad."

"Sokka, have you asked for permission from any male relative of mine before giving me this necklace?" Suki maliciously asks, making Sokka blush.

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