Chapter Text
Lady Beifong had been interceding on the Fire Nation’s behalf in the Earth Kingdom and Zuko didn’t like it. There was no doubt it was helpful. International trading had increased. King Kuei had backed off on the question of the colonies. But any appreciation he had was tempered by suspicion.
He had granted Toph Fire Nation citizenship within a week of his coronation. Toph didn’t want to go back to her parents in the Earth Kingdom and if anyone tried to make her they’d learn that the newly crowned Fire Lord did not take kindly to his citizens being abducted. This had to be a way around his protection of the earthbender. They couldn’t physically take her so they were trying to use politics and business to force his hand.
It wasn’t going to happen. Toph wasn’t going anywhere she didn’t want to.
She was in Yu Dao right now. During their last visit they’d realized that the earthbenders in the colony had not received training (as they were officially part of the Fire Nation). Toph had volunteered to have open classes. So Zuko had arranged a training space and a trustworthy secretary who could read and write for her. It was easy to justify the funding. The Fire Nation had been negligent not to have training available for their earthbending citizens.
Toph’s absence was the only reason that Zuko consented to an audience with the Beifong’s representative when it was requested.
“Sui Asao, representative of the Beifong family.” A demure woman entered with a bowed head as she was announced. She wore green and yellow silks. Her hands tucked into her sleeves and her hair was pulled up with a comb decorated with some kind of white flower. She knelt before the throne as the doors closed behind her.
Zuko’s eyes narrowed as he looked at her. This was not a traditional meeting. He had dismissed his advisors and nobles and allowed only three guards: a Kyoshi warrior named Tsung and two veterans who had once served alongside Lu Ten. If the meeting unraveled he would not allow Toph’s family hardships to become Fire Nation gossip or ridicule.
“Rise and state the purpose of this audience.” Zuko commanded, a bit curtly. The woman obeyed, her head still bowed.
“The Lady Beifong humbly requests that Fire Lord Zuko facilitates a reunion between her and her daughter, Lady Toph Beifong.” The torches behind Zuko didn’t flare, but they flickered wildly.
“And why would Lady Beifong require assistance to meet with her own daughter?” He asked, keeping his voice flat.
The woman, Asao, inclined her head slightly to acknowledge the question. “The young Lady Toph parted with her parents on less than amicable terms.” That was an understatement. “And Lady Beifong is concerned that her husband’s attempts to… reunite, with their beloved daughter may reflect on her.” Fire Lord Zuko raised a disbelieving eyebrow.
“She claims that Lao Beifong alone was responsible for the bounty on their daughter.”
“He was.” Asao insisted. “Lady Beifong left the manor the same day that those men were dispatched.” The venom in her voice was a nuanced, layered thing. Like the way certain nobles he’d removed from his court had spoken about Katara and Sokka. “She tried to find Toph herself and followed rumors of the Avatar to Omashu. But… he’d been there before reaching Gaoling.”
Zuko frowned at her. Something was… off here. “She was in Omashu the entire time?”
“Lady Beifong has not returned to the manor since she left.” Asao stated firmly. “She negotiated a business contract with then governor, Ukano. You can verify with him.”
“A business contract with the Fire Nation?” Zuko said slowly.
“What better way to gain leverage for her daughter’s release if she was captured?” Asao challenged. “Of course, it was worded in such a way that it passed over to the King of Omashu, so as not to damage the Beifong’s position.”
Zuko stared down at her. “Lady Beifong disagreed with her husband’s actions?”
“They were reckless and wrong.” Asao said.
Then it clicked.
“I will not make Toph do anything she does not wish to.” Zuko stood and stepped down from the dais to stand before the woman. “She has had to endure that too often.” He met the woman’s eyes and saw his confirmation in her familiar features. “But you already know that, Lady Beifong.”
Poppy Beifong’s lips tightened as she looked down demurely. “You are very observant, Fire Lord.” She said softly.
“A representative of the Beifong family would never speak of Lao Beifong in such a manner.” Zuko commented. “But a wife…” Lady Beifong spoke about Lao Beifong the way Ursa had spoken about Ozai. “And if your story is true than you coming in person was the most probable.” Lady Beifong tucked her hands back into her sleeves and Zuko noticed her run a finger down a crystal bracelet in a gesture that reminded him of Toph. “Is there a reason for this masquerade?”
“A representative has more freedom and less scrutiny.” She answered. There was more. Zuko could see it behind the quiet gestures and delicate mask. Lady Beifong was a noble and a businesswoman. This was a calculated move.
Lady Beifong was a greater threat to Toph than a mere representative. Zuko would have taken different actions if he knew he’d been meeting Poppy Beifong today and she knew it.
“You realize I could have you arrested for traveling with false credentials?” He remarked, as mildly threatening as he could be. In addition to traveling under a false name, ‘Sui Asao’ was listed as a non-bender. Toph had mentioned that Poppy Beifong was an earthbender, but a weak one. He wondered if there was a reason for the oversight.
“Certainly, Fire Lord.” She bowed. “But you are far too intelligent for such a foolish action.” Zuko’s jaw tensed. She was right, of course.
“You are dismissed. I will send for you tomorrow.” He said. “And a personal servant will be assigned to you for the remainder of your stay.”
Poppy Beifong bowed. “You honor me.” A representative didn’t merit a personal servant. Lady Beifong did. She knew that the servant was as much an honor as it was the Fire Lord keeping an eye on her.
Lady Beifong left; the ideal marriage of grace and gentleness hiding an exceptional mind. “Yumi,” His personal aide entered at his summons. “Have Hina report to Sui Asao’s quarters. She is to act as her servant. Same protocol as Lo and Li.”
“Yes, Fire Lord.” She bowed.
“Cancel everything else scheduled today.” Zuko said, knowing it was an unpleasant and difficult task he added. “And give yourself a raise.”
“There isn’t enough in the budget for another raise.” Yumi replied.
“Then give yourself a title.” Zuko said, fairly sure she was lying since she hadn’t given herself the last three raises he’d told her to. Yumi’s mouth twitched in amusement. “I’ll be back before sunrise tomorrow.”
Since the end of the war, war balloons airships had become pleasure crafts for the upper class. (Zuko was trying to make them available to the general public, but it was on a very long list…) The popularity of airships meant they were becoming a more common sight around the Fire Nation. Zuko’s personal airship was a small one, built for speed and avoiding as much attention as possible. He would have preferred Appa, but Aang, Katara, and Sokka were traveling the world on a ‘Peace Tour’ (his uncle’s idea) with Suki providing security. His airship was sufficient. He could reach Yu Dao within seven hours using Air Nomadic maps of wind currents.
He arrived just outside of the city and landed the airship. Given the time, he headed for Toph’s house rather then the community center where she taught. (Though he did use several rooftops to get there. Not because he enjoyed it more, it was just… faster.) He dropped from the roof next door and moved to the front entrance. The doors flung open before he could even knock. Toph must have felt him coming. “Sparky!” She jumped on him, ignoring how sweaty he was from powering the airship and then running through the city. Zuko smiled softly as he wrapped his arms around her. “You smell so bad.” She said, but gave no indication of letting him go.
“I think I might have just set an air speed record between the Caldera Palace and Yu Dao.” Zuko said, his voice scratchier than usual.
“Did you drink any water on the way?” She groaned. Zuko smirked knowing Toph couldn’t see it. As expected she misinterpreted his silence. Toph huffed and punched his arm. “I am not dealing with Sweetness if you pass out from dehydration. Food and water. Now.”
Toph dragged him into the house and shoved leftovers at Zuko, taking the seat next to him. “So why are you here?” Toph asked. “I doubt you broke the air speed record just because you missed me.”
Zuko swallowed. “Your mother is at the Caldera Palace. She wants me to arrange a meeting with you.” Toph stilled.
“What?”
“She’s traveling under false credentials.” Zuko hurried to add. “I could easily deport her. But… It’s your choice.”
“The last time I heard from her I ended up in a metal cage.” She said acidly. Zuko shook his head.
“I’m not actually sure if that was her.” He said. “She claims to have left the Beifong estate to look for you herself, but she ended up in Omashu. I haven’t had a chance to confirm it yet, but it sounds like the paperwork will back her up.”
Toph’s brow furrowed. “She left? But… I don’t understand.”
“It sounds like she disapproved of the bounty hunters.” Zuko said gently. “Honestly, I get the sense that she hasn’t had much contact with your father since he hired them.” Zuko’s mouth twisted. “You don’t have to see her if you don’t want to. Say the word and she’s on the next ship to the Earth Kingdom. But… it is your choice and I thought you’d want to know what she had to say.”
Toph sat for a long time, Zuko’s hand a comforting weight on her shoulder. Finally she spoke. “I don’t want to meet her… but I don’t want you to send her away either.” Her hands clenched in her lap. “She can come to me if she wants to find me so bad.” Zuko hesitated, then pulled Toph into a side hug. She leaned into him.
“Okay, if that’s what you want.” He squeezed her shoulder. “If you change your mind. Just let me know.” Toph took a shuddering gasp that bordered on a sob.
“Thanks, Zuko.” She rasped.
The Fire Lord was exhausted when he received Poppy Beifong, alias Sui Asao, the next day, but he covered it well.
“You are free to travel the Fire Nation and its colonies.” He told her. “But any reunion you seek, you will have to arrange yourself.” Lady Beifong bowed but Zuko wasn’t finished. “And if you harass any Fire Nation citizen, if any of my friends request your removal, you will be ejected from the Fire Nation at once.” Poppy Beifong stiffened but agreed.
“I understand. Thank you for your hospitality, Fire Lord Zuko.”