The Heat that Drives the Light

Chapter 4

As more and more meetings occurred, the less and less interesting they got. The advisors had seemed to understand that Zuko wasn't going to govern like his father and that fighting it directly was a lost cause.

That didn't stop the shifty eyes and shady glances thrown at each meeting. They may have stopped outrightly disagreeing with Zuko, but that didn't mean that they weren't plotting downfall in the meantime.

Speaking of shady glances, one councilman seemed to keep on watching me. It was the council member that had grown frustrated over the fire nation school curriculum changes at the first meeting.

I could feel his eyes throughout the whole meeting, never leaving me until I looked at him. This wasn't necessarily out of the ordinary. I got weird looks all of the time from the council, but this one was off. Like he was trying to dissect me as I sat there.

"Hey," Sokka whispered from next to me where he sat, "why does that guy keep staring at you?"

"I don't know, but it's freaking me out," I whispered back. Sokka had been made ambassador to the southern water tribe by Zuko and had surprisingly made a pretty good diplomat. I knew he was sad to see his sister leave, but his job here suited him and he still had Zuko and I (also Suki too, but in a very different way).

"We should corner him," the water tribe boy muttered back to me, "ask him what his problem is."

"I'm pretty sure that would make Zuko's life ten times harder," I whispered.

"And ours ten times funnier-"

.

"Ambassador Sokka and.... Spiritual Advisor Amara, is there an idea you all would like to share with the group," Zuko cut in. We looked over at him with wide eyes and I softly shook my head no.

"Okay then," he said and turned back to the councilmember he had been talking to. I sent him a dirty look that I prayed he could feel burning into the back of his skull. Sokka just shrugged and slumped back into the chair.

I glanced at the end of the table, where the advisor still stared at me. His gold eyes narrowed at me, but he turned away and I felt a chill run up my spine.

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"I need advice." I heard someone say from my doorway. I looked over to see Toph leaning against the doorframe, a look of turmoil on her face.

"What's on your mind?" I asked.

"Not here Ghosty, let's go to the garden." She said and shifted off of the door and waved to me to follow her.

We walked in silence to the royal gardens. She immediately belined for the turtleduck pond. She sat down with a huff and crossed her legs.

"What's wrong Toph?" I asked, "And why aren't you asking Aang for advice?"

"I don't want to go back to my parents." She said, "And Aang will tell me to make peace. You'll give me the truth. "

"Why don't you want to see your parents?" I asked. "And I think, for the record, you should make peace with your parents."

"When I get back, they are gonna be all protective and I won't get any freedom!" She sighed, "I loved the adventures we had and I don't want to be locked away for the rest of my life!"

I went silent for a little while. Toph was clearly conflicted. Yes, she loved her parents, but they underestimate her. She clearly wants to help build the world, but she didn't want to crush her parents heart's. I could always write a letter and say I need her help with spirits-