Ch 13- Changes, Part II
A Kyoshi Warrior walked in and time seemed to slow to a halt. That's when Sokka practically yelled, "Marry me!"
There was a short silence and then, "I don't think I'm ready to get married."
Deflated, the Water Tribe warrior hung his head. He had just proposed and been refused and his heart sunk until he realized the high-pitched, happy, cheery voice didn't come from his intended intended. His head snapped up and he took a closer look at the Kyoshi Warrior standing before him, making him frown.
"I am flattered, Sokka," Ty Lee's smile grew, her voice teasing, "But I couldn't possibly do that to Suki!"
Sokka facepalmed. "What are you doing here?" he asked, still too nervous to be irritated.
"You asked me to warn you when Suki was on her way," she replied. She was more giddy than usual if that was even possible.
Oh, that's right, he had asked for her help.
"So, is Suki on her way?"
"Yeah," the newest Kyoshi Warrior nodded, "She should be arriving any minute."
Sokka panicked again, his arms flailing. "Then, go woman! What are you still doing here!"
Ty Lee wanted to laugh - not at him, okay maybe a little at him - but mostly because she'd never seen anyone look more nervous in all her life. However, this was a big moment and she couldn't help be encouraging. "You're going to do great and she's going to say yes!" she beamed. "So, don't worry too much, okay?" Before leaving through a side door, Ty Lee paused to add, "You don't want to ruin the moment, do you?"
"Argh!" Sokka groaned, but before he could start freaking out again, the front door slid open and he held his breath.
...
"Ha! I win again!" Toph beamed. "Told you you couldn't beat me. Not even at pai sho."
Iroh laughed along with her. "Yes, well," he wondered when his blind friend had gotten so good at the game he loved, "They do say the third time's a charm."
"Really, you want to play again?" Toph whined stretching her hands over her head. She was tired of sitting down for so long. And it was exhausting trying to read him or get him to react so she'd know why he chose a particular piece to move. This last game he'd hardly given away his intentions. "I took most of your money already."
Iroh cleared the board just in case she changed her mind. As he did so, he asked, "What would you like to do instead?"
Eagerly, she jumped up from her chair. "We can fight! Earth versus Fire! Best bender takes all!"
He chuckled. "I am getting too old to fight benders in their prime, but why don't you tell me a story instead."
Making a face, Toph slumped back down on her chair. "Aren't you supposed to be the storyteller?"
"Perhaps," he smiled warmly at his young friend, "but I was not around a few days ago to see the battle for my nephew's hand…"
Toph sat up, her good humor gone. She blew the bangs out of her face in irritation and crossed her arms. "Is that what they're saying now?"
"It is. Care to share what happened?"
"Not really," she complained, but knew if she didn't set the record straight right now, who freaking knew what other kinds of unfounded fabrications those nobles (with nothing better to do) would come up with. "There's not much to tell. There was no battle. And it sure as earth wasn't for Sparky!"
...
Mai wanted to talk. That was strange in and of itself. Sure she and Toph hung out from time to time, but that was mostly to train or torture the guards. However, when the personal attendant Zuko assigned to help Toph with daily girly things begged her not to meet with Lady Mai lest she get hurt, Toph's curiosity was piqued. Like anyone in the whole Fire Nation - scratch that, the whole world! - could take on the Greatest Earthbender in the World? Ha! But she was curious as to why the attendant would fear for her. She and Mai weren't best friends or anything, but they got along well enough. Together, they had managed to shape the Imperial Firebenders into the elite force they were meant to be. And, once again, together she and Mai stopped an attempt on Sparky's life (that time it had been a lone assailant). Anyway, Toph had no clue what was up, but a challenge sounded like fun!
The earthbender ran into Mai near the side entrance and followed the dreary girl out of the Palace.
"So, what's up?" Toph asked. "Were you looking to get a beatin'?" she grinned, unable to conceal her eager anticipation any longer. Mai may not have been a bender, but she knew how to put up a good fight. Plus, her knives and darts only made it more fun for Toph.
"No."
Toph paused when Mai sounded more gloomy than normal. The older girl took a few more steps around one of the gardens before Toph stopped her. "Alright, what's this about? You're heartbeat is never this fast, so spill." Maybe Mai had some information on more of those anti-Fire Lord reports. Some people didn't like that the Fire Nation seemed to be the big loser in the war and that Zuko wasn't doing anything to correct that perception bothered them. Toph, herself, had looked into a number of threats (and Hide and his tiny group hardly counted!), but there was no hard evidence to support the obvious dissatisfaction. Toph waited for the other girl to say something."Well?"
Mai felt incredibly foolish. Stupid, even. She didn't want to ask, but there were all those...rumors...going around. She ignored them at first, dismissing them without so much as a second thought. But when her own mother asked her about them in her letter, she began noticing how much time Zuko spent with Toph compared to the time he spent with her and the gossip didn't seem so far-fetched. Then, of course, there was that party…those fight nights… Knowing what she knew of Toph, Mai could count on the earthbender telling her the truth whatever it was.
"Are you and Zuko…?"
Toph waited for her to finish the question. When Mai didn't, Toph prodded, growing annoyed. "Are me and Zuko, what?"
Mai sighed.
"Are you together? A yes or no will suffice," she droned.
"Together in what?" Toph asked, still not getting it. Probably because it was so ludicrous, she never even considered it.
Mai's voice rose a little. No one else might have noticed, but Toph did. "Together," the older girl emphasized. "You and Zuko, like me and Zuko."
Toph never did reply. Mai walked away after who knows how long passed while Toph clutched her stomach and laughed and laughed like she had not in such a long time. When she finally calmed down, the sun had disappeared from the sky and she was all alone in the garden.
"Together? Pfft," Toph mumbled to herself, but just thinking about it set her off again. And she laughed until some of the guards made their way over to make sure she was okay.
...
"Is that all that took place?" Iroh asked, watching her closely.
"Yeah, that's about it. Toldja there wasn't much to it," Toph shrugged one shoulder. She didn't add that it was the moment she had missed her friends the most. They would have been rolling on the ground with her. Twinkletoes especially would have been laughing just as hard. "It was funny though," Toph grinned, but when Iroh shifted his weight, she knew there was more. "Something else you wanna ask?"
He nodded. "I am afraid there is."
"I'm not gonna like it, am I?" She had an idea of what it was. "Alright, hit me."
"It is not so far-fetched, you know? From what I hear, you and my nephew spend quite a lot of time together."
"Maybe, but—"
"And you are a beautiful young lady."
"Says you."
"From a wealthy family."
"You're kidding me with this, right?" It was actually worse than she thought.
"Try to imagine what this looks like from the outside."
"That better not be a blind joke."
Iroh laughed, "No. I simply wish for you to realize why it is so easy to believe the rumors."
"But this is Sparky and me we're talking about!" Toph yelled, quickly letting her temper get the better of her.
"The Fire Lord and the Bei Fong heiress, yes."
She wanted to bend some sense into him or grab him by his collar and shake him until he realized what it was he was saying. "You can't be serious. Is that why you're here?"
"Not at all," he answered truthfully. "I only heard of this on the ride to the Palace. I came at my nephew's request."
"Oh, well, that's kinda sweet," she admitted after a moment.
Iroh smiled at her. "He thought you could use a friend…"
That was nice of Sparky, but still! "Well, then, let me clear things up for you, Pops. No way am I trying to be the newest Fire Lady!" she said, her voice getting louder again. Then as an afterthought, added, "Red is so not my color."
"Oh, but you are mistaken. You look quite breathtaking in the red and gold outfit you are currently wearing."
"Sparky said this was orange!" Toph growled. She was going to kill the Fire Lord! "Look, I promise I'm not trying to snatch up your nephew, so you can go back to your new tea shop with no worries, okay?"
"I don't think you understand," Iroh explained and Toph knew he was smiling. She held back from hitting him only because she liked him so much. He continued, "I would be very pleased if you and my nephew—"
"Eww!" she didn't let him finish. "You know I'm only fourteen, don't you?"
"Yes. I heard about the extravagant party my nephew hosted in your honor."
Stupid Fire Lord! She told him not to do it! Threatened him, too! But noooooo, he said something like Sugar Queen and Twinkletoes would never forgive him if he let her birthday pass without any acknowledgement. She yelled that it didn't matter what they thought, they weren't there! And, she promised to make them pay for telling him in the first place. But he ignored all her threats. As it turned out, she wasn't even there for most of the stupid event choosing to scam the guards out of their money instead.
"Earth!" she couldn't believe she was hearing this. Iroh wanted her and Sparky to…to…she couldn't even finish the thought!
"There is no reason to get so upset."
"Easy for you to say," Toph replied in a tight, controlled tone, "No one's trying to marry you off." Without saying anything else, she stomped away, the Palace grounds shaking with every step she took.
...
Suki slid open the door and entered the small room. Ty Lee told her Sokka would be waiting for her there. Why? Who knew. With Sokka it was hard to predict his actions if they didn't involve food.
"Sokka? You in here?" she called, then paused near the doorway. He was standing at the other end of the room, looking nervous. There were candles and panda lilies scattered all around. She'd never seen the training area where she and Sokka had first engaged in combat training years ago, look so beautiful.
Sokka swallowed, then cleared his throat. "Do you know why I asked you here?"
Suki bit her lip and shook her head no. She hadn't at first, but it was pretty clear where this was heading. Of course, it was Sokka so...
"There's something I want to give you," he said, his voice unusually soft. As Suki stepped closer to him, she realized he was sweating. His blue eyes were bright and she loved the way his skin seemed to glow in the candlelight. She'd always thought him handsome, since the first time she saw him when only chauvinistic idiocies seemed to spew from his mouth. Sokka had come a long way from the boy he had been. She supposed they had all matured for the better.
"Are you okay?" she asked with a smile. The closer she got to him, the more nervous he seemed.
Sokka took a deep breath.
"I'veknownyouaverylongtime-"
"Sokka," she laughed lightly and took his hand, "Slow down."
Nodding, he took another deep breath. When he smiled at her, her heart sped up in her chest and she could feel a giddy, bubbly feeling begin to rise up.
"I wanted to ask you something," he began calmly, but then the nervous Sokka returned. "Ihavelovedyoumanyyears-"
Suki tried not to roll her eyes as she waited for the flurry of words stringed together to come to an end. Finally, Sokka held out his hand and said, "So, I made this for you."
The beautiful blue ribbon with a quite, um, special Water Tribe insignia carved into a circular stone lay in the palm of his hand. Suki knew only Sokka, with his unique brand of "artistic" skills, could have come up with such a design. Though it would be easy for her to stand there and continue to criticize it, any betrothal necklace he made for her would have made her happy. This was despite the fact that it looked nothing like the lovely necklace Katara owned, Suki didn't care. Sokka made it for her.
Smiling, she took the necklace before hugging him. "Oh, Sokka!" she cried and kissed him.
...
Iroh chewed his food thoroughly. He was surprised his nephew was taking the news better than the young earthbender had.
"So that's why Mai refused to have dinner with us?" Zuko asked. "And why no one's seen Toph?"
Iroh nodded.
"I can't believe you, Uncle. Mai's my girlfriend!"
"I simply asked the question, nephew. I did not start the rumors."
Zuko sat down in a chair and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I know," he groaned.
"Mmm, you should eat some of this," Iroh suggested taking another bite. "It is delicious."
Zuko had lost his appetite. Why hadn't Mai said anything? Why hadn't Toph? Though now that he thought about it, Toph had suggested he spend more time with his girlfriend. She insisted on it, actually. And, long before his uncle showed up ready to congratulate them on a well-made match. Zuko had argued with Toph claiming that Mai would understand that he was the Fire Lord and thus had a lot of work to do. She only laughed and said that even she knew girls didn't like to be kept waiting too long. Ugh! Why hadn't he listened?
...
Aang flew high above Omashu on his glider. He'd been glad when he and Katara, accompanied by Bumi and Haru, finally left Ba Sing Se. The people there were beginning to act strange. It reminded him of when he, Sokka, and Katara first arrived in Kyoshi Island and Aang, as the Avatar, was treated like royalty wherever he went. The last few weeks in Ba Sin Se had been just like that, only more intense. And much more scary.
Rich families were willing to pay to dine with him. Noble families, with daughters of marrying age, wanted him to meet said daughters. Aang had been flattered initially, but soon the novelty wore off and he just wanted to get away from the few screaming girls that seemed to follow him everywhere he went. And he meant everywhere! It had gotten so bad, one such girl surprised him in the bath! He'd almost frozen her by accident.
He just wanted to get out of Ba Sing Se. Omashu would certainly be better. But as they flew on Appa, the others tried to explain why it might the same.
When Bumi told him it probably had to do as much with his physical appearance as with his being the Avatar, Aang didn't seem to understand. He'd seen himself in the mirror; grey eyes, bald head, blue arrow, nothing out of the ordinary. Katara went on to explain that where he had been a cute boy at twelve, now at fourteen, he was getting taller, filling out, and many would consider him quite handsome. Bumi added that a good-looking Avatar was sure to cause a stir everywhere he went.
Aang supposed it was a good thing...he wasn't too sure. But true enough, once a few girls in the market place close to the Omashu Royal Palace had gotten a good look at him, it was like a ripple affect. Soon, the Avatar was forced to use his glider to escape. The girls hadn't done anything except creep in extra, extra close to him, but he felt very uncomfortable with the looks some of the girls were giving him, especially the older ones. He felt like prey they wanted to toy with and devour. He shuddered at the thought.
Back in the safety of the Palace, he asked Haru what it meant, but the earthbender seemed to be as clueless as he was, saying maybe they just wanted to talk to him. Aang really wished Sokka or Zuko were there - they both had girlfriends. They had to know a thing or two about girls, right?
...
"You know this means you have to marry me," Sokka explained, pulling away. "And, you won't be just my girlfriend anymore."
Suki smiled, "Yes, Sokka, I know."
"Okay, just making sure. You didn't really answer."
She paused before putting the necklace on. "I gave you a hug and kissed you!"
"Yeah, but you could've been letting me down gently," he stated matter-of-factly.
Suki frowned. "Do you want me to let you down gently?"
"What? No!" Sokka yelled, "Why would you think that?"
Suki took a deep breath to collect herself. She knew him and she knew how he got when he was nervous, so instead of yelling at him, she took his hand and looked into his beautiful blue eyes.
"Do you want to marry me, Sokka?" she asked with a smile because as crazy as he drove her, she really did love him.
"You know I do."
"Well, I want to marry you, too."
Sokka hugged her, relieved. He let her go and watched, unable to speak, unable to do anything, but grin like a fool as Suki tied the betrothal necklace he made around her neck. She looked so- wait, did Suki just propose to him?
...
"Ooh, tough break, Sparky."
"Will nothing change her mind?"
Zuko didn't reply to either. He stared out the window ignoring both Toph and his uncle as they continued to speak behind him. Toph said something like he was better off and his uncle suggested various items to send along with apologies. But Zuko just wanted to be left alone because only an hour before, Mai had broken up with him. He wasn't sure he deserved it; he had made an effort, after all. Obviously, she didn't agree he had tried hard enough. However, he was sure he did deserve the letter she wrote him informing him of her decision to end the relationship. That made them even, he supposed. And though he was sad, it didn't hurt as much as he imagined it would. That…confused him. He didn't know what to make of it, which is why he wanted to be alone to figure it out.
Still, the worst part was that Mai hadn't even given him a chance to try and talk it out. By the time he got the letter, she and her family were already on their way back to the Earth Kingdom. It's true that since he became Fire Lord, he didn't have as much time for himself as he would have hoped, but the little time he spent with Mai had always been a welcome escape. After all, she was all that was left of the life he was meant to have once upon a time. It just...it didn't seem fair.
The knock at the door broke him out of his reverie. It had to be something important, Zuko had given instruction not to be bothered. He was grateful when he heard his uncle deal with it.
"Nephew, these two messages just arrived for you. One is said to be quite urgent."
Zuko sighed and took the letters from his uncle, but returned to the window to read them. He read the first one.
"According to Katara, they'll be arriving in a day or two."
Toph felt a fluttering in her stomach, but dismissed it. She had not seen her friends in over a year, it was natural to be a little nervous. Nope, not nervous, excited! Yup, that's all she was, excited.
"They'll be here just in time to cheer you up!" she told him. Then, as he read the other letter, she felt it, the sudden change in his heartbeat. "Everything okay, Sparky?"
Zuko closed his eyes before replying. "The other message is from Gaoling."
Toph crossed her arms over her chest. "What do they want?" she asked. She hadn't written to them since the letter Sweetness helped her write before the end of the war and she couldn't help wonder what they had to say now. "Don't tell me, my dad's coming here to try to take me back?"
"No, Toph," Zuko moved away from the window towards her, "It says your father is gravely ill."