Taang Week 2020 // Day 1: Tradition
So I often wonder where in the show they could have introduced the idea of romantic taang (just the foundation, to be explored fully when they’re a bit older) and a perfect chance imo was in the episode “City Walls and Secrets” which so happens to be filled with tradition (explained below:)) This drabble is my attempt to do that!
@taangweek
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Aang tugged at his collar uncomfortably as he felt himself melting in his busboy robes.
"You know, maybe Toph underestimated us" Sokka spoke from beside him. "We look pretty convincing in these things! But I stick by that Momo ghost plan, would've been a real winner."
Aang nodded in agreement, being the supportive soul he always was, but in reality he was too busy recalling back to earlier that evening as Katara and Toph had been leaving their upper ring dwelling.
"Now remember, get to the palace at dusk and be at the side entrance so we can sneak you both in. And make sure you're on time!" Katara had yelled back as the door swung closed.
Toph had insisted that she and Katara leave earlier than the boys so that they could visit one of the many spas that were sprawled across the Earth Kingdom capital. The key to their plan was to have the palace guards let the two ladies in believing them to be daughters of earth kingdom aristocrats, and they needed to look the part.
The boys had reached the palace promptly at sunset and had picked a hidden spot to wait out in. They waited for quite a while and lots of time had passed by but neither girl had shown up to sneak them in. At that point they decided to employ the busboy plan. Sokka's voice returned Aang to the present.
"See any sign of them yet?" asked Sokka, sneaking a few pastries off his platter
"Not yet" Aang answered clutching his teapot.
Anxious thoughts began to creep to his mind as he wondered what could have prevented the other two from letting them in, or how on earth they were going to be able to spot their two friends in such a massive hall. He was deep in thought when a familiar voice rang through the party chatter quelling Aang's concern at once.
"Another crab puff please." The voice drawled out.
Relief bubbling in his chest Aang turned to acknowledge his friend but instead he was left speechless. He could not believe what he was seeing. His ears told him that it was her, but his eyes were in disbelief. This couldn't be his Sifu.
Since he had first seen her back in Gaoling at the Earth Rumble Tournament, Aang had been in awe. He knew from the start that she was extremely talented and would not let anything limit what she could do. He had been both impressed and intimidated by her skills at first. However, everything changed after she called for a truce and invited him for a stroll across her moonlit courtyard that first night after dinner. The water under the bridge below them gently flowed by as she confided her sorrows to him, and at that moment, he knew he admired her for who she was more than anything else.
She was The Blind Bandit. The tough as rock Earth-Bending champion, feared by all in the wrestling world. But she was also a daughter who had been deeply hurt. Hurt at the way her parents had never believed in her, hurt at the way they had treated her like a fragile doll, kept away and condemned to carry out a false lifestyle with no end in sight. Between it all, she was just a normal girl who wanted the freedom to live her life as she pleased. Aang was the first to ever appreciate and accept her for her true self, just as he was the one that finally gave her the freedom she so desired.
The one side he had never seen of her, however, was her feminine side. Since she had joined them whether it had been her rolling around in the mud or jumping around in clumps of wet Appa fur, Toph Beifong had never seemed 'girly,' and he had just learned to accept that. Until tonight.
The clamor of the party continued as Aang looked on at the sight before him. It was all a shock to him. Her stylish outfit, her elegant makeup, and most surprising of all, her lovely new hairdo. Amid all his thoughts, one rose with conviction to the forefront of his mind.
"Wow... she looks beautiful."
The blush that rushed to his cheeks was fierce. Unable to speak, it was Sokka who came to the rescue.
"You found us!" Sokka exclaimed. "Oh and thanks for letting us in." he added with annoyance.
Aang could hardly hear him over the beating of his heart which pounded in his ears at his latest revelation.
Toph, however, was silent. She masked her confusion well and tilted her head in Aang's direction, focused as if she were trying to hear something. After a few moments, a look of surprise shot through her face, so quick that if you blinked you would have missed it. Her expression changed suddenly. She now smirked, and with mischief dancing across her face, she replied
"Please, I'd know Twinkletoes' little footsteps anywhere"
Aang's face burned even redder. Nonetheless, a small grin broke across his face. He had become very fond of her special nickname for him, and it pleased him whenever she used it.
Before the conversation could proceed any further, Katara joined the group with worry etched on her face.
"There you all are! Sorry we couldn't let you two in, we snuck in with some guy and now he won't let us out of his sight!"
Aang took a deep breath to collect himself. In Ba Sing Se an overzealous man, likely a government official, could only mean trouble. They had an extremely important task at hand, and time was of the essence.
But he noticed Toph looking his way intently, still listening for something. Feeling his gaze upon her she shot him a warm but teasing smile which he returned feeling his face heat up again. Clearing his throat, confused as ever, he addressed the group.
"Alright, we need to find the Earth King, and fast."
Having gained some composure, he pushed on through the crowds of partygoers, his neck straining to catch a glimpse of where the King might be. Though he was focused now, he knew later that night in the safety of their home, he would get the opportunity to ponder over the events that had occurred at the party. As he would lay his head down on his pillow, He was certain his mind would be filled with curious thoughts of his newfound feelings for a certain Earth-Bender, and her intriguing reaction.
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A/N: this was the first piece I ever wrote, very nervous to post it because I have no writing experience at all and English is my second language so apologies for any grammatical errors 😭 But... ITS TAANG WEEK!!! I just HAD to post something for my babies special week (it also got a little meta-y along the way but I can’t help myself with these two, such an interesting dynamic)
PS: I edited Aang blushing in those shots to fit my version of the story :)
Tradition!
I put this in tradition because this episode had loads of tradition in it! (Don’t wanna start rambling here but the entire party is filled with different little traditional things like the dresses, the architecture, the interior design ETC) In particular, Toph and Katara's outfits were based on actual Chinese Qi Pao dresses which were worn at royal parties. They both looked so pretty in them! I loved that we got to see a new side of Toph as well.
Also throughout the episode, the instrumental of the traditional Chinese folk song "Mo Li Hua" plays in the background, especially during the party scenes. The first time we ever hear it is during "The Blind Bandit" at the Beifong Estate so in my mind it'll always be the Beifong Theme
Cheongsam - Qi Pao Both, Katara and Toph, as well as Asami are wearing qi paos. The difference in style can be explained by the different ti
