Chapter 2 - Preparations
A/N: I really, really appreciate your reviews and words of encouragement. Thank you so very much! :D
*Ahem* Now to the formalities... Italics in the story imply thoughts and is thus in first-person. A straight solid line indicates a change in perspective, or sometimes a timeskip.
Disclaimer: I do not own A:TLA, although I wish I did.
"Wow. Isn't this place bustling with life," Toph whistled, eliciting a groan from her companion.
"They're all preparing for the coronation of the would-be Fire Lord Zuko," Mai drawled out. "Of course this place would be busy."
Toph gave a smirk and nodded. Sunshine here wasn't great talking-material. She ended conversations there and then. Not that it bothered her much. She herself wasn't exactly great listening-material either.
Here, her four senses overwhelmed her. She felt the life-vibrations of the crowd around her. She heard the different voices haggling over the prices of the goods. She smelled the delicious stew brewing a few feet away from her.
"Why did you bring me out today?"
"Zuko's request to show you around the place." Mai answered before muttering under her breath, "Although it sounded more like a boring babysitting job."
Toph pretended not to hear her. "So... We're just walking around?"
"Well, you have to help us prepare for Zuko's coronation feast. Look for Granny Zhen and ask for 3 times of the usual," Mai told her dryly.
Toph frowned. "Do I know a 'Granny Zhen'?"
"I know you don't," Mai answered shortly. "One of the servants will be bringing you there."
"What servant?" Toph grinned, which resulted in Mai's realization she had used up her manpower.
"… Fine. I'll show you to Granny Zhen's stall."
"Stay still, Prince Zuko," the tailor urged. "We would be done far sooner if you kept still."
Zuko glanced down, watching as she fitted the robes on him. The clothes he had longed to wear, which would earn his loved ones' recognition. He smiled grimly at the silk robes. His father's numerous looks of disapproval flashed through his mind. A year ago, he would probably recoil in horror to learn the cost of getting these ornate robes.
"My lord, are you alright?" The tailor asked worriedly, glancing at his clenched fists.
Zuko slackened his shoulders a little and gave a curt nod before gesturing for her to proceed. In response, she raised an eyebrow and looked towards Uncle Iroh.
Uncle Iroh had to assure her that Zuko was not upset in any manner before the tailor continued her work. His eyes met Zuko's and they exchanged looks. He understood.
This prompted his mind to wander to the part of the brain which contained Zuko's most recent memories. He could not help but give a small smile.
You have made friends too, He told himself. Trustworthy and loyal ones.
"Here they are. I would certainly be looking forward to Prince Zuko's coronation," Granny Zhen laughed heartily.
"Thanks, granny," Toph grinned as she picked up the packages. "Y'know, you could've just come here yourself, Mai. No need to show me around."
Mai glanced her way, before continuing her walk towards her next stop, wherever that was.
"I could. However, I presume you need to familiarize yourself with the people here. You are planning to stay here long term, are-" Mai cut herself off. "Stop stalling, Toph. We have a lot to do."
Toph didn't answer. She spread out her feet, feeling the smooth pavement underneath her bare skin. She strained her ears.
Shouting and the crash of wood against the ground.
Disorder.
Something's wrong.
The silence was broken by a servant bursting into the room abruptly.
"Did I not give orders-" Zuko began.
"I'm sorry, sire! There seems to be… A…" The servant bowed to him and Uncle Iroh.
"What is it, then?" Zuko demanded, ignoring the protest of the tailor. This seemed serious.
"A riot, my lord!" He spluttered nervously.
Zuko's eyes widened as he exchanged looks with his uncle. This could not be. Just within days…
"Are you absolutely sure?"
"Positive, sire!"
"Is it throughout the nation or concentrated on a certain section?" Zuko asked as he hurried to change out of the robes.
"It's not too far from the palace, my lord. In the markets."
By now, Mai had already noticed the commotion. The shouting and screaming had become louder, closer. Both, while still carrying the packages, turned the corner into a narrow road, presumably an alley.
A crash was followed by a small cry.
"Please! No! I need to sell these goods to provide for my family!" Toph heard someone plead to the mob.
... The voice... It sounded familiar.
"Granny Zhen?" Mai murmured, answering her question.
Toph tensed. Although she had only met Granny Zhen, she felt an inexplicable urge to rush to her side and ensure her safety.
"Goods? After Prince Zuko ascends the throne, there would be no need to feed your family! Let them die a more dignified death, when we still have some honor left. I can see it already, Zuko would only bring the Nation down with his cowardly ways!" One of them shouted, triggering yells of agreement from the horde.
Toph's blood boiled when she heard the comment. Mai's figure stiffened greatly in response as well.
"How dare they…" Mai hissed, dropping the packages on the ground, she reached out for something hidden in her robes.
"Come on then," Toph grinned, flexing her arms a little. "Let's give them a little surprise."
That's where Mai and Toph are! I know they would more than hold their own… But… Zuko thought as he rushed down the hallways of the palace. I still…!
During his dash out, he crashed into a couple of servants who were clearing out Toph's dirty bed sheets. He made a mental note to arrange for Toph to take some lessons on hygiene as he picked the linen up for the flustered servants.
He stepped out of the palace and nodded to the couple of guards he requested to escort him to the markets. Before he could take another step, however, he felt the ground rumble.
Toph. He thought immediately, before realizing how much damage she alone could incur in the crowded streets.
"Let's hurry," He ordered.
"The would-be Fire Lord needs a knife-thrower and an Earthbender to protect his own reputation? How pathetic," The irritating man to Toph's left spat.
That definitely was not a wise move, especially since he had been pinned to the wall of a shop with his toes barely touching the ground. Toph stepped over the groaning pile of people and walked up to where she decided the man was.
"Y'know, the fact that this is all Zuko needs to take down an unruly bunch of people like you says something, doesn't it?" Toph smirked.
"The people of the Fire Nation will never agree to let him rule! He wasted 100 years of my ancestors' efforts for peace! He is nothing but a foolish traitor, enemy of the Fire Nation!" He yelled.
Toph frowned a little before facing Mai's general direction. "Would you care to...?"
Mai shrugged and tucked her remaining sharp projectiles into her robes. "Cleaning knives is a dull job."
"Oh, I don't bother about cleaning at all. The dirtier the better," Toph cracked her knuckles before launching a well-aimed rock at the man's neck, knocking him out cold.
"All done then?" Mai inquired, heading to the alley to pick up the packages.
Toph scanned the streets, most of the people were now hiding, not eager to get in on the fight that started earlier. Except... There were footsteps. People heading this way.
"There are some people headed here... I think I know who it is though."
The streets were practically empty, except for one. That particular street was scattered with groaning people. Zuko hoped that none of these were innocent bystanders. The trail led finally to two figures.
"Mai, Toph," He called out, feeling relieved to find both of them safe.
Mai nodded in response while Toph gave a satisfied smirk.
"This is more serious than I thought," Mai began on a serious note. "This may be just the beginning of an onslaught of protests and riots."
Zuko scowled in response. This wasn't the reaction he had hoped from his country.
"Well, 100-year habits die hard," Toph said nonchalantly. "Don't worry, I'll help."
A/N: Alright, that's the end of the chapter. I know it's really short. (But I thought it was a pretty good time to end this chapter so...) I'm very sorry! Please do tell me if the characters end up OOC (Like how Zuko was kinda OOC and all in the last chapter... ]:) or I've gotten my information wrong. I'll do the appropriate amendments to the chapter/story! Reviews would be very much appreciated! Thank you!