Yin & Yang

Chapter 18.

Toph's blind walk took her to the docks. Though blind, she knew she was turning heads. Her body had filled out nicely. Momo sat on her shoulder, chirping and purring as he did. She reached a hand up to scratch behind his ear. Several people approached her to ask if she needed help but she always declined them. They did not know who she was and she expected it. It was a Fire Nation colony, after all. Looking up and stopping her stride, Momo took off from her shoulder. She listened for a moment to what was around her and smelled the air. Fruit. Of course, Momo. A moment later, a merchant started to yell at Momo. Shaking her head, she walked by and grabbed his tail to yank him away from the merchant. "You should keep a leash on that thing!" The older man scolded her. She didn't look to him. "I am talking to you, lady!" Some people in the street stopped.

Her blank expression began to unnerve him. "Momo.." He looked up to her from where his tail was still in her grip. "I told you to stay with me. Don't make me leash you." His ears drooped with a sad chattering. "What was he trying to eat?" She still didn't look to the man.

"Can you not see-" Toph looked in his direction. He fell silent and wiped his hands on his apron.

"No, I cannot. Momo, what did you try to eat?" The man silenced as she let go of Momo. His small paws picked up a half a watermelon and she followed his tail to it. "Ah. I see." Digging into her pocket, she tossed the man some coins and grabbed up the fruit. "Let's go Momo. We have a boat to catch." He happily sat up on her shoulder as she fed him bits of the melon. The merchant grumbled as Toph walked away.

Munching on the melon, Toph dodged the people walking about with ease. Either moving them for her own amusement or just moving aside, she was able to navigate the area easily. "Momo. Which way to the ships to the Fire Nation? I can't tell." He jumped to the ground and walked in front of her. She followed him silently. Toph heard whistles and shouts. "I won't miss it!" She ran after Momo. Though, really, how did he know which one was the one she wanted? An idea struck her. Looking around, she found what she wanted. A guard. He'd help her.. Deviating, she started to shout. "Momo! Momo where are you?" This drew the guards' attention and he walked to her. She stumbled as she walked closer to him. When they were close enough, Toph faked a sob and bumped into him. Gasping, she felt the chest plate of the guard. "Are you on duty here? Please! I can't find my lemur and I need to get to the boat that's departing for Sozun soon. Zuko is expecting me."

"Watch your mouth!" The female shouted. "It's Fire Lord Zuko. Show some respect. As for your lemur," she turned Toph in the direction of Momo who sat on the ground, pawing at some birds over some bread crumbs. "And the boat is that way." Toph didn't move. "Are you blind?"

"Yes." Toph's short answer made her stutter. It was so amusing to her that she could use this to her advantage.

"Oh. Apologies." She murmured. "I'll take you to the boat. Get your lemur." Toph tapped the ground and Momo shot up into the sky, landing in Toph's arm. She smiled as the guard turned and led her to a ship. "Make sure this lady gets to Sozun." She leaned in to talk to the man standing at the dock for the boat. "Says the Fire Lord is expecting her. Better send a hawk up before you dock." Saluting each other, the woman walked away, her spear slung over her shoulder.

"Let's go! Helmsman!" A man with a deep voice shouted over Toph's head as he led her to the deck. Three people stepped up behind Toph. Momo screeched and hissed, jumping to the shoulder opposite of them. "Momo.." Toph spoke silently to him. Her hand touched the rail and she led herself along it to find a seat. Metal was too hard and dense. Toph still could not see with it as she did the dirt and paid no mind to Momo's reaction to the people that had boarded after her.