Hey everybody!
This chapter's a little shorter, I wanted to tie up all the loose ends and finish it, but I also wanted to update :).
Enjoy!
Inkwarrior
Toph wasn't sure when she'd ever been happy before in the company of her mother. Content perhaps, irritated, certainly. Now, sitting next to her she felt like an equal, not just a belittled little girl. Not only that but she was...happy. Happy that she could talk with her mom, happy that even after everything her mom still loved her.
"So, when was Uncle Mushi made Earth King?" she asked, curious.
"Shortly after the previous Earth King left. The city was in chaos and somebody had to step up, I believe your uncle and your father are the former Earth King's closest living relations." her mother replied.
They continued talking, talking like they never had before. Telling war stories and confiding secrets. Toph's mother revealed that her father wasn't with them tonight because he had broken his leg in a fire nation raid. Toph told her mother about her aspirations, how she'd love to travel some more and maybe teach other children how to earth bend. Her mother listened attentively, absorbing every word. She even summoned the courage to tell her mother about the Duke. Though, her mom was somewhat confused at first.
"Duke of what, dear?"
"No, mom, just the Duke."
She felt herself spilling her heart. How her stomach felt all twisty around him, how she had spilled her tea on him and he hadn't minded. How she wanted and dreaded being around him.
Her mother nodded in understanding, but didn't say anything. She didn't need to.
"Umm...Toph?" asked a voice behind her.
"You've got to stop doing that," said Toph to the Duke in a teasing manner. "I can never feel you sneak up on me."
"Heh, heh. Yeah," he laughed nervously. "Uh...I was wondering if you'd...if you'd give me the honour of this dance." His voice was hopeful.
Toph paused a moment, then grinned widely. "Why, certainly," she said, taking his hand.