Tokka 5: Alcohol

Alcohol


The day was clear and the air was crisp. It was one of those perfect days where it seems that nothing could go wrong. Katara had finally convinced Toph to go on another girl’s day out.

They had meant to leave after breakfast but due to a mishap involving Momo and a bowl of hot water, they had gotten a much later start. So finally at around 6:00 they set off, Katara smiling and Toph looking neutral.

They were going to have fun.

Katara grinned as the swung her hands back and forth. “It’s nice to spend time with you, Toph. We haven’t really hung out in a while.”

Toph shrugged. “You’ve been a bit busy with your Fire Lord.” She smirked as Katara’s heart beat sped up.

“I’m guessing that being Fire Lady was never a childhood dream?” Toph teased, enjoying herself.

Poor Katara was now feeling incredibly uncomfortable. “We need to get you a boyfriend or something so you can stop teasing me about my love life.”

“I don’t want a boyfriend.” Toph smiled. “I’m independent.”

“Oh come on! There was to be someone that you like.” Katara started, heading for a small tea shop.

“Nope. I’m very content.” Toph said as the two headed into the very busy shop.

“Iroh!” Katara called, smiling at the old man. Iroh turned from the kettle and smiled at them.

“Well, hello! How’s my dear nephew?” Iroh asked, hugging the two girls.

“He’s great. Busy, but good. Can we get some jasmine tea?” Katara asked, looking at Toph as if to ask if that was alright. Toph just smiled.

“You’re in luck. I just made a pot for the gentleman over there.” Iroh said, pouring two cups. “You can go sit in the corner over there. Just make sure to say goodbye before you leave.”

“Will do.” Toph took the two cups and headed over to the small, corner table.

Katara slid into a chair across from her. “He’s one of my favorite family members,” she said fondly.

They both paused to sip at their scalding tea.

“So. We haven’t seen each other in a while. What’s going on in your life?” Katara asked curiously.

“A lot. I’ve started fighting with my earthbending again. It’s a lot of fun.”


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


The girls had ended up talking for much longer than they had originally planned. It was probably a mixture of Iroh’s tea, the need to catch up and the incredible amount of people who had interrupted their conversations, ooh-ing and ahh-ing over both Toph and Katara.

So by the time they finally exited the tea shop, the sun had long since set and both girls were ready to get back to the Earth King’s palace and sleep.

Still talking avidly, the two girls made their way down a nearly empty Ba Sing Sei street.

Katara shivered. “A little creepy at night, isn’t it?” She looked around.

Toph snorted. “Come on, Katara. This is so not scary. It looks the same as it does in the day. Just without the millions of footsteps giving off vibrations.”

Katara looked uneasy. “Still, I think we should get back to the palace.”

“We’re super talented benders. I don’t think we’ll have any trouble.” Toph scoffed.

“Right.” Katara gave a small smile. The girls walked in silence.

“Katara?” Toph slowed ever so slightly.

Katara looked at her.

“Just so you don’t get scared, there are two guys down that alley. Just ignore them and keep walking.”

Katara gave a tiny gulp but nodded. They passed the alley, not looking as the men gave little shouts for them to come over.

“They’re drunk,” Katara whispered.

“Just ignore them.” Toph continued walking, head held high.

The men staggered out of the alley and shuffled after them. “Hey girls! What’cha walking so fast for?” one of the men said, stumbling over the words.

Neither Toph nor Katara answered, both simultaneously walking quicker.

Katara made a surprised cry as one of the men suddenly wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Toph scowled and shoved away the second man who tried to do the same.

“Go away.” Katara’s eyes were the size of saucers. Honestly, Toph never knew she was so scared of things like this.

“Get off of me,” Katara said, ducking under the man’s arm.

The Earth Kingdom man looked upset. “But we just want to make friends.”

“Toph, they are really freaking me out.” Katara stepped closer to the earthbender. “I don’t have any water with me; can you make them go away?”

Toph smiled. “I can do that.”

One of the men staggered forward and enveloped the earthbender in an enormous hug. If it had been any other situation, Katara would have burst out laughing at the look on Toph’s face.

“How about you come with us to the bar? We can become best friends.”

A new voice joined the group. “Hey! You get off of her!”

It was then that Toph stomped her foot into the ground. The ground beneath the hugger’s feet rumbled quietly before shooting him three feet into the air before he landed messily 5 feet away.

“Oh, hey Sokka.” Toph grinned.

Sokka stomped into the group and glared scarily down at the drunks. Grabbing Toph’s hand forcibly, he started walking away, dragging the earthbender behind him. Katara hurried after them, not sparing the men a second look.

“Sokka! How did you know that we needed help?” Katara walked in synch with her brother.

“We so did not need help. I had everything under control.” Toph pulled her hand out of Sokka’s grip.

“It was late. We were getting kind of worried about you guys. Well, Zuko was worried. I just tagged along to keep him company.”

“Uh huh.” Toph raised an eyebrow. “So where is the Fire Lord you’re supposed to be keeping company?”

Sokka blushed lightly. “He went looking for you two on another street.” He grinned sheepishly.

Katara watched silently as Toph poked the warrior playfully. “You were so worried about us.” She sounded smug.

“Was not! I was sure you two could take care of yourselves. But Zuko insisted that we go out and look for you.”

The three turned left off the long street, where they could now see the man in question waiting silently by a wall.

“Zuko!” Katara walked over to him and planted a kiss on his cheek.

“Katara.” Zuko gave a smile. “Where were you guys?”

“Our visit to Iroh’s turned out longer than we thought.” The two walked hand in hand, a few steps behind Toph and Sokka who were still arguing avidly about whether Sokka had been worried about them.

“It was sweet of you to get Sokka and come looking for us.” Katara squeezed his hand affectionately.  

Zuko looked at her, bewilderment written over his features. “What are you talking about? Sokka was in my room pacing since 9:00. He finally got me to look for you and Toph about 30 minutes ago. And, sorry to say, he didn’t really seem all that worried about you.” Zuko grinned at Katara’s surprised face.

She looked at the bickering couple in front of them.

“Toph and…Sokka?” She shook her head as if to clear it. “Nah. That’ll never happen.”

The End