Peace or Not (Avatar Roleplay)

Sokka squirmed, wondering if Toph tickled him on purpose. He grinned at her winningly and replied, "What can I say? I have a curious personality. It's not like you're any better. You could have bankrupt the entire Fire Nation when you were conning everyone."

Toph pulled a mock-pout. "Awww.... Don't say that. It was all in good fun." She poked him again, amused that he was actually so ticklish. "And you're one to talk. You're the guy who kept going out with me to scam people. We were partners in crime, and all that jazz."

"Hey! Like you said, it was all in good fun," Sokka argued, throwing her words back at her, "I wasn't saying it was a bad thing."

He grinned a little, deciding to get revenge on her by attempting to tickle her back.

Toph shivered a little and slapped away his hand. "You better not try that again," she said.

"Yes ma'am," Sokka told her, knowing not to aggravate his friend. He rubbed his arm and asked, "How many Earth Rumbles have there been since the war ended?"

"Two more. This will be the third, coming up," said Toph. She crossed her arms. "I've been busy lately, so this will be the first time I've gone back since Twinkle Toes cheated and knocked me outta the ring. I've got a title to reclaim."

"You know, he was just trying to talk to you," Sokka pointed out with a shrug, "Probably not at the right time, but still."

"He still cheated," said Toph. "So, really, I've never lost. I've got a perfect record, and it's just going to get better once I get back on the stage." She smiled at the thought. "I've missed competing."

"Well, you're a very competitive person," Sokka noted dryly but he couldn't help grinning, "It's one of the reasons why you're fun to be round."

"Why, thank you." Toph gave him a friendly punch. "Tell you what. You show up to cheer me on, and I'll get you a first-class seat."

"Just don't chuck any large boulders at me," he joked, rubbing his shoulder. Earthbenders, he found, hit hard without even meaning to, "Oh, and don't traumatize the others, at least, not enough to keep them from coming back next year."

"Hey, I always hold back just enough," said Toph. "I actually want to fight, not have them forfeit before the match even begins." She nodded, mock-solemnly. "And I promise I won't chuck any large boulders at you. Mid-sized ones, now, though..."

"Fine, I'll just have to get out of the way," Sokka told her seriously with a small grin, "After the tournament, you have to help me find my sword. I miss spacey..."

"We get along fine," Haru protested. "It's not my fault that Jet gets riled up so easily."

Zuko opened his mouth to say something, but Shizuka had already reached them. The other performers were close behind her.

Zuko looked his childhood friend over. She had changed from her normal clothes to ones that Zuko assumed were worn when dancing. Her original clothing resembled Ty Lee's, but now she looked...different.

Her black hair was down, falling to her shoulders. A golden headband was on her head now. Her outfit consisted of a shirt like the one she wore before, but with billowy sleeves this time. Her skirt went to her knees and black tights were worn instead of her leggings. What looked like black slippers were on her feet.

All in all Shizuka looked very pretty.

"Fire Lord Zuko. Fire Lady Mai. We are ready to begin now."

"That's good," Mai told her with a small smile, "I'm sure some people are getting bored already. Is everything set up?"

"Yes." Shizuka felt her face already hot. She was use to performing in front of crowds, but this was different.

Zuko nodded at her and she nodded back. Yuu winked at her as she made her way to the middle of the room.

Yuu and the others began to play their instruments. It was a soft, soothing melody, but it had a beat too. Taking a deep breath Shizuka began to dance.

Jet and Haru stopped arguing as the music started. Both found themselves drawn to the girl as she moved across the floor.

"The dancing is starting," said Aang, as the music began. He stood up straighter so that he could watch.

"Wonderful," said Toph, yawning.

"Sounds fun," Sokka noted as he finished his cake, getting some frosting on his face, forming a mustache. He looked over at Toph thoughtfully. He was her date and she did like him, even if he didn't quite know how he felt. He asked, "So, do you want to dance?"

"I don't think we're allowed to yet," said Toph, blushing. "I mean, the lady dancing now is the entertainment, or something."

"Oh, right," Sokka said in embarrassment, his cheeks reddening. Spirits, one thing was for sure. He had blushed more in these couple days than he ever had in his entire life. That might mean something, he noted in the back of his mind. He looked over at the girl dancing and attempted to change the subject, "Water Tribe dancing is better."

"I didn't even know you people danced," said Toph. "Guess I should've known, after your sister got all close and personal with Aang during that party we threw for those school kids."

"Yeah, don't remind me," Sokka muttered darkly, shooting Aang a glance. He had almost forgotten about that incident. He was grateful Aang was still 12, otherwise he'd have clobbered him. He shook his head, "Yeah, we do dance. It's usually around the bonfire in the biggest building in the village, the one with the Tribe's council. There's a lot of yipping and shouting."

"Sounds interesting," said Toph. It was hard to tell whether she was being serious or not, or just sarcastic. As it was, she had turned her head towards Sokka and was listening. "Who're you shouting to? The spirits?"

"Among other things," Sokka told her, not sure whether he was boring her not. He didn't know why, but he wanted her to be interested in what he had to say about his people, about himself. He didn't want her to be like other Earth Kingdom or Fire Nation people who thought the Southern Water Tribe was primitive. He continued, "We shout to the Moon and Ocean spirits, the Great Wolf Winterfang, and our ancestors."

"We have shrines," said Toph. "Not just those big ones you sometimes see in towns, but small ones. Lots of wealthy families have them somewhere on the estate. We place the tablets of our ancestors in them, and we pray to them ever so often. You know, for guidance and good fortune."

***

OOC: Since the EK is pretty much China, I'm thinking of Mulan here.