Zuko sat on the Earth Kingdom throne as a couple, and a young woman with an escort was shown into the throne room. Katara stood to the side on his right, and Kyo was guarding her. The couple came forward and bowed. Their girl hung back with a servant holding onto her.
"Crown Prince Zuko. I am Lao Beifong, and this is my lovely wife, Poppy Beifong."
Zuko nodded, "you may rise. I heard you wished to speak with me."
Lao nodded, "I'm a businessman from Crainfish Town, and I'm a practical man. We were here when the Earth Kingdom fell to your sister Azula. She… Couldn't be prevailed upon to let us leave. I don't want to make trouble for anyone. I just ask for mercy and to be allowed to leave the city to run my business."
"You're not just some 'businessman'," Zuko said. "You're one of the wealthiest families in the Earth Kingdom. I learned of you and your family line from my tutor when I was nine."
"You honor us, Prince Zuko," he said and bowed briefly. "Did you learn we are pacifists? That's not to say anything about this war! I just mean I wouldn't be leaving to fight. I'm a family man."
"Family?" Zuko asked. "I know you have a wife. From what I was taught, it was a love match. Do you have any children?"
Lao smiled, "it is still a love match." He looked at his wife, and his eyes were pleading for help. "I only ask that the four of us be allowed to leave Ba Sing Se. Humbly ask, of course."
"And the two there with you and your darling wife? Who are they?"
He shifted on his feet nervously. "A blind girl under our care and her caretaker."
The blind girl crossed her arms. "I'm your daughter! I'm not just some 'blind girl'!" She walked forward defiantly and yelled. "You never admit I'm yours!"
Kyo was choking on his own surprise. She was The Blind Bandit. He hadn't looked closely at the girl initially, but now it was unmistakable.
"The blind girl is the one I told you about. The one that trounced everyone last night." Kyo had whispered into Katara's ear. She thanked him with a look.
Katara stated, "you and your wife may leave. We don't let servants go. They tend to…" she paused to think up an excuse. "You can't guarantee they won't cause trouble if they leave your employ."
Lao fidgeted, "um, we promised to…."
"If you want to go on the record as having a daughter, we will have it recorded officially. Or you can leave now," Katara replied.
Lao looked at Zuko in a panic. "Who… can she…? What is your command, Prince Zuko?" He had no idea who the beautiful woman was, but he wasn't stupid. She was at Zuko's right hand and guarded. No matter who she was, she was essential to the prince. Based on her beauty, he believed she was very important to him."
"You and your wife will be escorted out of town now. I will have guards go with you." Zuko stood. "Unless she is a part of your family, she stays."
Lao bowed to Zuko and drew his wife with him. When he got to his daughter, he whispered. "Suddenly, I'm relieved you are good at escaping. Come find us tomorrow or the next day by the enormous tree we camped by on our way here." He then walked away with his wife, escorted out of the room, then the palace, and finally the city.
Zuko walked down the stairs in front of the throne. "Who do we have here?"
Kyo answered, "The Blind Bandit. She's amazing! She knocked out a man whose arm weighs more than she does!"
Katara smiled and walked to the girl. "What's your name?"
"Toph Beifong, my father, won't admit I exist."
Kyo walked up to her, smiling. "I can't believe I get to meet you. You're incredible! My wife, Tohru, will freak out when she meets you!" He looked at Zuko. "Can I go get her?"
"Go," Zuko replied. "I believe she's in Katara's office."
Ozai lit the council table on fire. He was furious. "Where is my council?!" He screamed.
A trembling servant bowed. "Th-they are all at their family-"
"Call them back!" Ozai roared. "Tell them if they aren't here in two weeks, I'm stripping them of their titles!"
Yin laid back on the settee, eating grapes. "He's losing his damn mind. You know that, right?"
"Duh! He's dog-bat-shit crazy," Lin said. "But the sex is hot, so why would we care?"
"Because he's going to lose it and kill one of us? Don't you see that? He almost killed. What's her name?"
"Rin was never really one of us. She's such a stupid alarmist and a diva. And now that she's gone, more hot sex for us."
Yin said, "I don't quite agree, and I'm against dying. I am concerned."
"Who could satisfy him more than us? Do you remember what we've done? Why would he kill us?"
"You're an idiot. He doesn't care about us personally."
Sokka was on his back, looking at the woman he had instantly fallen in love with the moment he laid eyes on her. Suki had her arms crossed and glared at him as she stood over him. "I'm in love," he informed her.
"Nice try. I'll knock you on your ass again if you try to touch me," Suki said.
Yamato was laughing. "She's one smart woman!"
Kei elbowed Yamato. "Be nice."
"But this is hilarious!" Yamato said.
Sokka stood and dusted himself off. He looked at Suki and said, "you can get me on my back anytime you want."
Suki rolled her eyes and said, "I know," and knocked him on his ass again.