Peace or Not (Avatar Roleplay)

"Um, you're welcome," Sokka told him, awkwardly bowing back, "I mean, I know she'd do the same for me and I'd do anything for her since we're friends and all and, well, now more."

He left this hanging, unsure how to explain what happened in the Fire Nation.

"More?" said Lao, not understanding. "What do you mean?"

"We're together," supplied Toph, without missing a beat.

Both Lao and his wife seemed surprised by this. "Ah," said the noble. "Well, this day certainly is full of surprises."

"Yeah, it certainly is. I expected Hahn would have been way harder to catch," Sokka mused, "Zuko might have had to come here with a full battalion of Fire Nation troops."

Lao shivered. "We should be thankful it did not come to that." He nodded at Sokka. "Either way, you are welcome in our home, for as long as you wish to stay," he said, and Toph could sense the truth in his words.

Zuko tapped the table nervously and looked at Mai.

"Should we go see if Toph has been successful?"

"That's good," Sokka told him with a grin, glad that things were going better than he thought they were. Toph's parents seemed a lot nicer this time around.

*

"It would be better than doing nothing," Mai noted with a shrug. She smiled a little. It seemed Zuko hated being bored as much as she did.

Zuko nodded and stood. He wasn't familiar with the place, but he knew his way to Toph's house, only because he made sure to remember the way before going off somewhere else.

He walked up to the door and wondered if he should knock or not. If Toph was still pretending, he could ruin it.

"Halt! Who goes there!"

Guards, stationed around the wall after the close call regarding Hahn, quickly spotted Zuko and Mai. They approached the two, weapons raised.

"Only those with business with the Bei Fongs are allowed here."

***

Lao nodded, but did not say another word. He looked very contemplative.

Poppy, however, did speak. "Are you hungry, Master Sokka?" she asked, smiling at the young man. "Supper is to be served soon. You should stay, and eat with us."

"We are friends of Toph Bei Fong," Zuko explained, taking a chance. "I am Zuko and this is my wife Mai. Ask her yourself if you don't believe us."

"Zuko?" The head guard lowered his weapon. "The Zuko...? You are the Fire Lord!"

The guards all shared a glance, clearly startled by this new development. The leader drew in a tight breath and gave Zuko a slight bow.

"You will excuse us, Fire Lord, but a man who threatened our mistress has just been taken into custody, and there is the possibility of other threats. We are only doing our duty."

Zuko looked at Mai, his look saying "Was it Hahn?" then he turned back to the guards.

"It is ok. I admire your desire to protect the Bei Fong family. Please keep up the good work."

Mai gave him a look that said, "It probably was." In addition, she gave him a small smile that asked him how he dealt with the people aspect of his job so well. She personally found it annoying.

*

Sokka grinned at Lao and raised an eyebrow, surprised she hadn't made a smart comment about his eating habits. He spoke, "I can always stay for supper."

"We can announce you to Lord and Lady Bei Fong, and escort you into the home, if you like," said the guard.

***

"Wonderful!" said Poppy. "We are so glad to have you, Master Sokka."

Toph snickered. "And he's glad to get free food."

He just smiled back that said he wasn't exactly sure but it probably had to do with his upbringing.

"You don't have to escort us in, though it would be a good idea to announce us. Just so they know we're here. I wouldn't want to give Toph's parents a heart attack or anything."

Sokka rolled his eyes at his girlfriend, glad to see that she still had her wit. He spoke, "That too. You know me too well."

*

"Yeah. I'm pretty sure they're not accustomed to two surprises in one day," Mai agreed thoughtfully, suppressing a shudder at her memories of the rich in the Fire Nation. Very dull.

Poppy practically tittered. "Well, then. Please relax until supper is ready, then."

"Yes," said Lao, still in a rather thoughtful tone of voice. "Make yourself comfortable. Inform the servants if you are in want of anything."

He and Poppy slid out of the room a few moments later, to prepare for the meal themselves.

Toph tapped her chin. "Better watch it, Snoozles. If I could bet on it, I'd be willing to say they're already thinking about another arranged marriage for me."

***

"As you wish, Fire Lord," said the head guard. He motioned at one of his subordinates, who rushed inside to announce the Fire Lord and his wife. "You may go on in, if you like," added the guard. "I am sure Lord and Lady Bei Fong will be pleased to have such distinguished guests, such as yourselves."

"With who? I thought we got rid of Hahn. Who else is there?" Sokka asked before blushing as he thought her words through, "Oh. Right. What do we do?"

*

"I'm sure they will," Mai noted, smiling a bit wryly, "It seems that we're welcome everywhere these days."

Well, there was one perk to being royalty. People didn't mind when you came uninvited.

"Try and play if off, for now," she said. "I don't think I'm ready to get married. Are you?"

"I don't really think so, no," Sokka told her honestly with a shrug. He laughed a little, "Can you imagine us settling down, staying in one place, having kids?!"

Toph laughed too. "A little scary, isn't it?" she said. She drew in a breath. "Honestly... I'd like kids, someday, but not yet. And if I'm going to get married, I want it to be my choice, our choice. You know?"

"Exactly," Sokka agreed, shivering a little. Him with kids was scary. He could barely take care of himself, let alone a child. He grinned, "Don't worry. I'm not proposing until I'm ready."

"Good," she said. She blushed, for the first time really realizing what they were talking about. Marriage, between her and Sokka! Toph knew she loved him, and could feel that he loved her, but marriage was a huge step. It made her a little nervous thinking about it.

Sokka felt himself blush as well, trying to think of something to break the mood. At last, he said with a teasing grin, "You look pretty when you blush."

"Really?" she said. "I always feel pretty stupid." She rubbed at her cheeks, caught between wanting to look pretty, at least for him, and wanting to get rid of the blush.

"Me too. I guess it's a package deal," Sokka told her with a shrug, glad that he's changed the subject. He added, "You look pretty anyway, so it could be that."