"The impertinence, the right to invade implied, astounded him."
"I hate this city."
"I thought you liked Bumi."
"Well, I suppose it has to have one redeeming quality." Aang laughed. Toph had taken to Bumi in a way no one else could. Perhaps it was the way dirt clung to his feet. "Tell me why we're here again."
"It's a peace conference, Toph, not a prison camp."
"Maybe to you." Toph mumbled in reply.
"I know you didn't want to be here, but it means a lot to me." Toph grinned.
"Whatever, Twinkletoes." Recognizing this as Toph's way of accepting his gratitude gracefully, Aang said nothing further but observed the rainbow of colors adorning the room. There were representatives from every nation mingling, talking, eating. Aang swelled with joy. This was what he remembered from a hundred years ago. This was the peace he had hoped for, worked so hard for, given up everything for. As his gaze swept around the hall, however, his eyes came to rest on a solitary blue figure and he deflated a little. Toph seemed to sense the change in his mood.
"Is she still refusing to speak to Zuko?" Aang looked down and shook his head. Toph's ability to read situations accurately was uncanny.
"It looks like it."
"I wonder why. Have you ever asked her?" Aang choked on the preposterous suggestion couched in Toph's question.
"I can't just ask—"
"Why not? C'mon, you know she likes to talk." Aang, who could feel Toph was on the verge of shouting "Sugarqueen!" loud enough for everyone to hear, stifled the atmosphere with an oppressive comment.
"Not anymore, Toph. Not anymore."