Toph felt so much better walking home. It was dusk, her favourite time of day, and talking with Iroh had helped to clear her thoughts. As she neared the house which the earth kingdom officials had given her, Katara, Suki and Mai to stay in, she sensed the vibrations of a couple on the porch, sharing a goodnight kiss. She waited until she heard Twinkletoes' cheery 'goodnight!' before stepping out of the shadows.

"Really Sugar Queen, do you ever get tired of smooching Twinkletoes?" She asked, slightly bemused. "Don't answer that. I can feel you blushing." Both girls stepped into the house, Toph smirking and Katara flushing.

Suki and Mai were sitting at a low table. "...Yeah. I don't tend to use daggers often...Oh hi Katara, Toph. Mai and I were just discussing weapon preferences. How was your date with Aang?"

"Wonderful." Katara sighed happily.

"What did you do today, Toph?" asked Suki. Toph could hear a tinge of worry in her voice.

"I had tea with Iroh." Toph said calmly. Suki let out a sigh of relief. "What'd you do?"

"I hung out with Sokka for a while this morning but then he and Zuko went off to, what was it again, Mai?"

"Watch an earth bending competition. I think they had difficulty dealing with the estrogen levels." said Mai, bemused. "Zuko won't be able to ditch me so easily once we're married."

"Married?!" Chorused the three other girls. "What? When? Since when?"

"He proposed a little while ago," she lowered the high collar of her blouse to reveal a red betrothal necklace with a fire nation emblem, "nobody's supposed to know yet. It is, well it was, a secret. We won't be married for a while yet anyway."

"Aww that's so romantic!" Katara said. "So, you're going to be Fire Lady then?"

"Something like that I guess. But, truth be told, I would have married Zuko if he was still a banished prince."

"That's so sweet. Congratulations." said Suki.

"Yeah, congrats Mai!" said Toph. She took a deep breath, "Hey, I know it's certain death for me to say this, but do you guys want to do something girly the day after tomorrow? Like just us, no boys allowed?"

After staring at her openmouthed for a few seconds Katara responded. "Yeah sure, I'd like that."

"Me too." said Suki.

"I'm in," said Mai. "Just what are we going to do?"

"I have no idea. You guys have more knowledge in that area." said Toph.

"Well...I know this great spa." Katara piped up. "You know, the one we went to last time we were here."

"And I saw this really cool marketplace," said Suki, "we could shop for dresses for the Earth king's ball."

"Sounds great!" said Katara. Toph sighed audibly.

"I'm going to live to regret this, aren't I?"

Hey Everybody!
About Mai's betrothal necklace, I'm not sure if that's the way engagements happen in the fire nation. I thought of giving her a ring instead, but since betrothal necklaces are used in the water tribe I thought perhaps the fire nation might use them as well. I really have no idea.

Thanks for reading!
Inkwarrior