THE OTHER AIRBENDER (Book 2)

(X) Fire

I have to admit, even though I'm the last person to tell Aang to use the Avatar card, it's a t times like these that it really does come in handy. The Beifongs didn't hesitate to invite us to come join them for dinner the minute we introduced ourselves at the entrance properly. And boy, did the food taste amazing.

I catch a servant bringing the Bandit a cup of tea, but her father shakes his head before he can set it on the table. "Blow on it. It's too hot for her."

"Allow me," Aang says, using his bending to blow off some of the heat.

The rest of the table seems impressed enough to clap at his little trick.

Mrs. Beifong is the next to speak. "Avatar Aang, it's an honor to have you visit us."

"In your opinion, how much longer do think the war will last?" Her husband continues.

"I'd like to defeat the Fire Lord by the end of summer, but I can't do that without finding an earthbending teacher first," Aang says, eyeing the Bandit suggestively.

"Well, Master Yu is the finest teacher in the land. He's been teaching Toph since she was little," Mr. Beifong replies.

Toph. So that's her name.

"Then she must be a great earthbender! Probably good enough to teach someone else!" Aang says, but suddenly winces in pain. "Ow!"

"Toph is still learning the basics," Master Yu explains.

"Yes, and sadly, because of her blindness, I don't think she will ever become a true master," her father adds with a sigh.

"Really? I mean... She does give off some strong earthbender vibes if you ask me," I say, earning myself s fissure on the leg that makes me want to let out a squeal. I look at Toph with narrowed eyes. "But what do I know?"

The look Toph gives me only sets me off the wrong way. Aang clearly catches this, but before he can stop me, I send a blast of air so strong, it makes all the soup in her bowl land on her face, making her stand up angrily.

"What's your problem, Air Head?!"

"What's your problem, Hard Head?"

"Well, shall we move to the living room for dessert, then?" Toph's mother suggests, clearly sensing the tension in the room.

***

"Hey, Alya, you alright?" Katara asks, as I feed Appa for the night through the window of the room we were given to stay in.

"Yeah. I don't know why, but she just rubbed me the wrong way for a moment there."

"Me too. But we can't make her help us if that's not what she wants."

"Hey," surprising us both, Toph enters the room, making me narrow my eyes at her.

"What do you want?"

"Relax. Look, I'm sorry about dinner. Let's call a truce, okay?" Toph suggests, while gesturing to follow her. "Twinkle Toes. Air Head. Come with me for a moment."

We do as she asks, ending up outside, back in the courtyard. I guess this place is a better place to talk. Her parents probably think she's asleep already.

"Even though I was born blind, I've never had a problem seeing. I see with earthbending. It's kind of like seeing with my feet. I feel the vibrations in the Earth, and I can see where everything is. You, that tree... even those ants," Toph explains calmly.

"Kind of like me with Air."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I've been practicing, so that I can use the air around me to sense my surroundings. It's not nearly as accurate as yours, though," I admit.