Chapter Text
Toph sighed as she flung herself onto the big sofa, relieved that the day was finally over. Or at least the exhausting part of it. The part where you had to talk to diplomats, trying to figure out how to solve the mess that Ozai had left. Of course, that was important work that had to be done, and the Beifong name did weigh heavy. Especially in negotiations with guys who liked to carry titles such as “Head of the merchant guild of Ba Sing Se” or “President of the Omashu traders society.” What was most fascinating about them was how they were somehow both self centered stuck up and bootlicker in one person. Which also was the only thing fascinating about them. But they respected money, and Beifong basically was another word for that. Sokka once had said that she could probably buy the whole firen ation including Zuko with her families money, and it had only been half a joke. Of course, that would mean she would have access to that said money. She hand’t been disowned publicly at least, but it wasn’t like the connection to her father were as good she made those bootlickers here believe. At this point, he liked profiting of her fame as companion of the avatar, and she liked profiting of his capital, and they both liked just not talking to each other at all. Not that she would want to buy the fire nation anyway. The least thing she wanted at this point was Zuko’s job.
What she wanted now, anyhow, was just stretching on this sofa. The room it stood was a small chamber in the West Wing of the Palace that seemingly did not have any further function expect for containing 4 huge sofas and a heavy wooden table. And huge paintings kitsch paintings of dragons in all sizes and colors on the walls. At least that was what Katara had said. According to Zuko, those were tasteful deceptions of epic scenes from classic works of literature. Toph didn’t really care about that anyway. What she cared about was sitting here now together with her friends. As far as she could tell, they were all here already, except for Zuko. He usually was the last one anyway. Today, Zuko did not just come in, he stomped in and slammed the door shut behind him before throwing himself on the sofa opposite of Toph and next to Sokka.
“Wow, someone comes in to bring happiness.” She just couldn’t hold herself back. Sure, she did not want to switch places with him, but no one was forcing him to be so dramatic all the time.
"I would not have any left to bring.“ Speaking of dramatic.“If I ever had any to begin with, my last meeting sucked the rest out of me.“
He buried his face in his hands. „I just had the worst conversation ever.“
“Did you?” Suki, who had been slouching on the Sofa next to Toph before sat up straight now. “I just had to explain to an ambassador from the northern Watertribe that I am not a princess, but in fact leader of the royal guard.”
“Well, you do look like one, as always.” Instead of a thank you, Sokka got what sounded like a pillow against his head. “
He tried to arrange a marriage for nearly 30 minutes while all I wanted was to know if he would need an escort to the harbor tomorrow.“
“I’ll do you one better!“ Katar joined the conversation and woke up Aang, who had fallen asleep on her shoulder before. „The whole afternoon break arguing that the regions of the southern Watertribe are not just free real estate for investors from Ba Sing Se.”
“So those are the people I saw frozen in the water fountain!” Sokka invited another pillow to hit his face. “As opposed to others, I actually know how to handle situations like this professionally.”
“I would have no idea who you are referring to. At least I don’t throw pillows around in order to make a point. And I am valued and know amongst all nations for my eloquence and diplomacy”
He was hit by the remaining two pillows, thrown by Katara and Suki in mutal agreement. Zuko on the other hand had not show any reaction to anything at all since his dramatic entrance. Toph found that to be a bit unusual. Not that he was a ray of happiness normally, but was more than his normal level of brooding. Usually, he would at least chuckle at Sokka`s jokes. Clearly, someone had to get him back from wherever his mind had gone right now. She decided to address this matter head and get it over with, ideally before Sokka would be able to get himself in a duel with Katara.
"So Sparky, what exactly was your conversation about? We are still taking contenders for the worst one, and don’t make me add the one I am having with you right now to the list.“ Zuko rubbed his face in his hands a few times, but then at least he started to talk.
"You remember the trial we wander to hold? The one against my father`s closest accomplices?“
"Of course, what about it?“ Suki had turned serious directly. Those trial had been something that was important to her from the start.
"Well, obviously most of them went undercover and are now pretty hard to find.“ "But I thought this guy leading the investigations, this officer…“, Sokka took a few moments to think, "this officer Lazon had a trance for some of them?“
"That is what I had thought, too. Only then today he tells me that, when his men went to investigate who they believed to be Admiral Zhu, it suddenly turned out they did not have enough proof to make an arrest. And no, I don’t know how that is possible either.“ Zuko sounded deeply frustrated.
Toph couldn’t even blame him for it. Sokka put one arm around his shoulder. "This is bad but… I am sure it is not the only trace they had.“ „No. But the strongest. If things continue to go like this, we can hold a trial against no one, no one and no one. How will I be able to explain this to all those waiting for justice? “
Toph could sense how at once, all tension left Zuko´s body. If it had not been for Sokka`s arm, he probably would have slipped of the sofa.
"Not to put salt into the wound, put I had my doubts about them from the beginning.“ Suki sounded frustrated as well. "I mean, I do understand that there still is a certain protocol, but letting the military police lead an investigation against former Admirals, Genreals and Captains could only end this way.“
Zuko wanted to say something in respose, but Katara spoke first: "And I mean do see a lot of fire nation generals still walking around here. You could start with them. They might not be top tire war criminals, but war criminal nevertheless.“
"He can’t do that, Katara. Not without upsetting the rest of the fire nation military and elite. And sparking a civil war“
It were the first words Aang had said this evening, but they filled the room directly. For some time, no one else said a word.
„Sometimes I really wish things were like before.“ Toph finally stated. „Where we were some enemies of the state anyway and could just confront whoever we wanted without titles or protocols.“
„I do too.“ Aang agreed. „But we have to see this long term. Yes, these protocols are annoying, and I hate them like all of you. But back then, we were just that. Enemies of the state, fighting to just survive. But now, we actually have power we can and have to use carefully.“ He turned to Zuko. „I am sorry to hear about this, but like Sokka said, there are more traces. Maybe this was just a rough start.“
„Thanks Aang.“ Zuko really sounded a bit better, which lead to Sokka breathing calmer immediately as well. Suki and Katara still seemed tense, but soon the topic was changed and they started to relax again as well. The only strange thing to Toph was that something about Zuko had already changed when she had mentioned the old times. What about that could have caught him? It was not like those had been his best times, at least from what he had told them. On the other hand, likely also not his worst times. Still, she could feel that he was up to something. That was why, when they all decided to go after Aang had fallen as sleep twice again, Sokka had taken 3 more pillows and Katara had briefed Suki about how to best deal with the Northern Watertribe ambassador the next day, she, unnoticed by the rest, went to Zuko`s room instead of hers. When it was already dark, she truly was at an advantage. Of course having such an intense connection to the floor that you could move nearly without any sound came in handy as well.
When Zuko finally showed up, the surprise was on her side.
"So Sparky, spit it out. What are you up to?“ Zuko, who had instinctively raised his hand, lower it again when he recognized her.
"What would I be up to?“ Toph smirked „Well, even if I was not the super sensitive earth bender I am I could tell directly that you are planing something. Something having to do with the good old times.“
"Sometimes you kind of scare me.“
"Only sometimes? I truly need to step up my game. But no more teasing Sparky, out with it.“ Zuko sighed. It was always good to know when you had lost.
"I am going to visit admiral Zhu tonight. And get all the proof anyone could need, even if he has to hand it to me himself.“ Toph actually was speechless for a moment. She understood that Zuko was frustrated with the situation and that he had the tendency to act on his impulses first and act later, but this seemed a bit much, even for him. Of course, the idea had something to it, but that did not change the fact that his face was the most famous one in the whole nation. Everyone would recognize him, and then the explaining would be more than hard. "Right. That sounds like something the protocol enables the firelord to do.“
"That is the point. I am not going as firelord.“ He made a dramatic pause. Of course he did. "I am going as blue spirit.“
Toph found herself speechless again. Twice in a row, that should make a new record. She shook her head. „What?“ Appearently Zuko only approved dramatic pauses when he got to make them. "Nothing. It is just kind of a bummer to find out the blue spirit is you. I always thought they wold be someone cool.“ She smirked. „Oh cut your protest, Sparky. I like this idea. I am coming with you.“
„But you-„ Zuko began.
"I said cut the protest Sparky. You are not the only one who has exprience with alter egos. If the Blue Spirit goes to find Zhu, he will be accompanied by the Blind Bandit. Or the rest of his friends will your about this immediately from Toph Beifong. Your choice.“ Toph held out here hand.
„Fine.“ Zuko took it. „it is probably not the worst idea. Usually thinks do not go exactly smooth when I do them on my own. And I guess a human lie detector might come in handy.“
„You can bet your crown it will.“ Toph already felt the adrenaline pumping through her veins. Finally, she would be able to face something truly head on again.