Chapter 119 - Towards the Palace (1/2)

In two hours, Nik and the group quickly freshened up before eating a hearty brunch as they continued chatting. With the Fire Nation's victory, it didn't actually matter if people of other regions visited the capital, especially the Water Tribe for they had already submitted to the fire nation way before it actually won the hundred years war. Of course, that did not prevent the judgemental gazes of others being directed towards them.

At this time, Karna and Katara actually felt fortunate that Toph couldn't see. Even though they immediately chided themselves internally after having such thoughts, it was the truth. Toph was way too rough and if someone actually glared at her, the water bender duo reckoned that Toph might just spike their eyes out of spite.

The arrival of Azula, Mai and Ty-Lee took the group by surprise. By now, they already knew Nik's situation and his requirement for ten women. Since, until now, Nina wasn't even touched, the group, except for Toph, eyed Ty-Lee in a serious manner before June pointed out the strangeness of the situation where Azula had asked both Nik and Sokka to follow her, finally inducing Katara to confront Sokka about the situation.

”What?!”

Katara almost screamed in shock as she felt his mind buzz. She immediately glared at her own brother before speaking.

”If there is a chance that dad is alive then I want to follow, too!”

Katara immediately looked towards Nik with a fierce expression. But before Nik could respond, Sokka tried to intervene, he didn't want her hopes to get high only for them to get crushed, but he was shot down with an unusual look of disgust and hatred flashing past her expression.

”Don't you dare stop me, Sokka! He isn't only your father!

Or do you think that low of me that I don't even have the right to look for him?”

With that, Sokka was finally silenced as the group looked at the tensed environment with a serious expression, even Toph.

Just at this moment, a drunkard, who obviously got drunk, remarked at how uncouth those from other nations were only for an earthen pillar to send him flying with blood spurting through his mouth.

Since Azula and Mai had their faces covered, the surrounding people were immediately riled up only for Ty-Lee to step forward and use her own reputation to curb the outrage while Azula inched closer to Toph and whispering a praise that came as a surprise to all of them.

”Nice shot!”

”Don't mention it, dollface.”

Toph shrugged while Azula became even more amused.

”You ARE blind, right?”

Toph grinned towards Azula and pointed towards her own face.

”If Nik actually still is interested in you after looking at the angel Incarnate my beauty is, then, of course, you are a dollface.”

”How do you know you are beautiful?”

Ty-Lee also stepped in with curious eyes.

”Ah, you are the new one, aren't you? When you get to my age, you'll notice things that should be otherwise oblivious to normal blind people.”

”I am older than you.”

Ty-Lee chortled with amusement within her heart growing stronger.

”My point proven.”

Toph shrugged and actually spanked Ty-Lee accurately before shooting a look towards Nik while placing her thumb up.

***

”Toph was a really pleasant girl, unlike you guys painted her.”

Ty-Lee pouted as she pointed out the fact to Azula and Mai. Meanwhile, Katara and Sokka sat on the seat in front of Nik, beside Ty-Lee.

”I just said to be careful of her.”

Azula shrugged and didn't refute the claim but Mai had a troubled expression.

”I don't know... she still feels dangerous... remind me of someone...”

As she whispered, the eyes of the group trailed onto Nik, who shrugged in response.

”Don't look at me. Toph is a pleasant girl and absolutely wild in bed.”

”Too much details!”

Ty-Lee groaned while Nik nodded and chortled happily.

”I know! So? Enticed enough?”

He looked Ty-Lee in the eye as she averted her eyes anxiously. While she was somewhat shameless, it hadn't reached the level of Nik's shamelessness.

”Can we not talk about it?” Katara groaned a response before looking towards Azula with a hesitant expression.

”You might already be informed about my father, right?

So? Do you know—”

”He's alive, alright.”