Here's another chapter!
Thank you to everyone who's been reading this, especially Sundae Bunny, XPeanutButterX, Cheminee Martinet, Kimjuni2, Duskstark, La Cenerentola and Kissa Kaze, who reviewed. You are all such sweethearts!
Anywhoozles, Enjoy!
Inkwarrior
Toph pulled her dress from the hanger, the third from the left, just where Katara had said it would be. She fingered the fabric. Despite her protests, she liked the dress. Besides, Katara had said she looked beautiful in it and Toph could tell she wasn't lying.
She secretly hoped that the Duke would feel the same way. Though, she was mad at herself for that. Since when had a boy's opinion made any difference to anything for her?
But still, the Duke wasn't just any boy. He was brave and kind and...oh goodness, she was starting to sound like Katara. What had happened to her? She shook her head and laid the dress flat on her bed. It was neatly made, mostly because she didn't sleep in it. She felt much more comfortable laying on her element, where she could see. She sighed. It wasn't only the Duke that would be at the ball, knowing her mother, she would be there too. What would she say when she saw her? Would she be happy? Ashamed? Did she miss her? Or was she enjoying not having to worry about a helpless blind daughter? Toph blinked back the tears in her eyes (if she smudged her makeup Katara would have a fit). But I'm not helpless Mom. I'm the world's greatest earth bender. Being born blind was the best thing that ever happened to me.
Toph shed her clothes and pulled on the dress. She hadn't figured out how to do the clasps on the back yet. Katara was still sitting in front of the mirror, fixing her hair and makeup. Toph didn't want to disturb her so she stepped out into the hall and knocked on the next door, the room that Mai and Suki shared. Suki opened it "Oh hey Toph. Wow! You look amazing!" Mai stopped pinning up her hair for a moment.
"Yeah, you look really nice," she said.
"Katara's work, not mine. Could you please do me up?"
"Of course." Suki's nimble fingers worked up the row of clasps. "Mai and I are almost done here. The gentlemen should be arriving any minute now. Do you know if Katara's ready?"
"I can go check." Toph wandered back to the room she shared with Katara. "Hey Katara, you all done?" Katara was tying her sash.
"Yup" she said, "let's go to the ball!"
As if it were planned, as the girls made there way down the steps, there was a knock on the door. "I'll get it!" said Toph. She earth bent the door open. As soon as she opened the door, sentiments ranging from 'Katara, you look beautiful!' (Aang) to 'Zuko, what have you done with your hair?' (Mai) were expressed. Eventually after everyone had greeted everyone else they began their short walk to the palace. The sun was low in the sky, or so Iroh told her, and lanterns were beginning to be lit.
"It's beautiful Toph," he said "though, not nearly as lovely as you look tonight."
"Thanks, Uncle." she smiled.