At the Jasmine Dragon 20

At the Jasmine Dragon
Chapter Twenty: Airport

Aang gaped at Sokka when he came home after going to see Toph.

"What do you mean she's leaving?" Katara asked, voicing the same thought he had.

"Her family wants to go home. They only spend the winters here and now it's almost spring and the weather in New York is warmer," he explained tiredly as he sprawled out on the couch.

"Can't she stay?" Aang asked, he knew it was selfish, but he didn't want Toph to go and he knew Sokka didn't either. They had all grown attatched to her during the short time they'd known the blind baker.

"I don't think she has much say."

"When does she leave?" Katara asked gently, sitting in the armchair next to Sokka while Aang sank to the floor by Appa.

"The day after tomorrow."

"How about we go and see her off at the airport? I bet she'd like that," Aang offered. He hadn't been there when Sokka had gone through his depression, but he knew that his friend couldn't take another loss.

"I dunno Aang, she didn't seem like she wanted us to know," Sokka hedged. "I mean, she probably only told me because Meng made her."

"Well, if we show we'll miss her maybe she'll keep in touch?" Aang suggested hopefully, Katara nodded earnestly.

"I guess. Meng said they have to be at the airport for five."

***

Iroh did the baking the next couple days and told Katara she could have a few hours off so the three of them could go say goodbye to Toph. At four Katara grabbed her purse and went out to meet the cab Sokka and Aang had got.

The ride to the airport wasn't long, but Sokka was still very on edge. The trio walked through the airport, towards when Meng had said they would be seeing her cousin off as well.

"Guys! Over here!" Meng called, waving at them over.

"What are you doing here?" Toph asked, she sounded so different, there wasn't any fire in her voice.

"We came to see you off," Katara said with a smile at Mr. and Mrs. Beifong. "It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Katara; Sokka's sister."

"And I'm Aang!" Aang added with a wave, trying to lighten the somber mood that hung over them.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Toph's mother replied with a smile. "I'm Poppy, Toph's mother."

"How is it that you know Toph?" Mr. Beingfong asked, glancing towards his daughter. Toph didn't look okay, it was hard to tell because of her glasses, but to Aang she looked pale and tired. He had a feeling that coming to say goodbye was a bad idea. Maybe Toph had wanted it to just be her family.

"Oh, we all work together," Aang said slowly. Frowning when he caught sight of Sokka facepalming. "It's too bad you guys have to leave, the shop won't feel the same without Toph."

"There must be some mistake. My daughter is blind and tiny and helpless and- and fragile. She can't work."

"Yes I can," Toph spoke up. Aang noticed the hand that held Momo's harness was white knuckled and there was a steely edge to her voice.

"Toph? I don't understand dear," Poppy said softly.

"Mom, Dad I'm sorry." Under different circumstances Aang would've laughed, Toph didn't sound sorry in the least. "But I never was going to a music class. Aang's telling the truth."

"But you don't need to, there's more than enough money for you to not have to worry about it," her mother argued, though Aang could tell she was trying to still be understanding. He opened his mouth to say something, but a sharp look from Sokka made him swallow his words.

"I wanted to prove that I could take care of myself-"

"By lying to us?" Mr. Beifong demanded, sharply cutting her off. "All I see is that you need to be watched closer. Wu, I know you're my sister and we don't see each other often, but I can't bring Toph back if she's going to do thing like this."

"Lao be reasonable," Wu agued. "If you and Poppy gave Toph more freedom it wouldn't have come down to this. She's not a child anymore."

"No." Aang searched Toph's face, trying to see what she was feeling, but it remained as closed off as ever. Though her slouched shoulders and Momo's whining gave him some clue. "I've made up my mind. Toph, we're leaving." Poppy looked torn, but followed her husband with Wu and Meng on their heel, trying to argue with the decision. Toph lagged behind, momentarily forgotten.

"I-I'm sorry, Toph," Aang stuttered.

"Yeah, me too. Bye..." The three friends watched her trail behind her family and Aang felt his stomach sink.

"I didn't know it was a secret," Aang said softly, feeling like he had ruined everything. "And now it's my fault she'll never be able to come back."

"It's okay Aang," Katara tried to comfort him, gently squeezing his shoulder. "You didn't mean to. C'mon, I have to get back to work."