savedtheworld | [Appointments] March 2012-February 2013

That's more like it! [Good, she's got his attention.] I need to talk to you. About learning metalbending.

Oh! [This could be exciting.] You're thinking about starting our lessons?

[A solid nod.] Yeah. If those 'Noses are coming, we gotta be prepared in whatever way we can. Even if you've only got an idea of the bare basics by the time they get here.

[He frowns at the mention of the Malnosso. He'd have his excitement back if he was learning during happier times.]

Yeah, that's a good idea, Toph. I'll learn anything that can help.

Good. [She nods.] The sooner we get started the better. And I think I know just where we can practice.

Sure! Where do you have in mind?

[She just waves a hand and starts walking.]

You just follow me, Twinkletoes.

[He nods and trots alongside her.]

Lead the way.

Before we get started, I gotta ask--have you ever tried bending metal before?

Nope, never. I still practiced after the war ended, but I didn't really try many new things.

Okay. That's probably good--then you won't have any weird ideas about what you're doing or what to expect. Metalbending is much different than regular old earthbending.

It is? Is it really hard?

If it were easy, I wouldn't be the only earthbender who knew how to do it.

Good point, Toph. But at least now you have experience in teaching it!

That's right! And I'll be honest. You've probably got a better shot at learning in than those dunderheads in my school back home.

[Pause.]

You make it sound like they haven't Metalbended yet.

[She scrunches up her nose.]

Never mind. Look, the point is, you're the Avatar. So you probably won't be too bad at picking it up.

Yeah! You're right! How hard can it be?

[He tries not to think of how hard it was just to start Earthbending.]

[She stop and turns to poke him in the shoulder.]

Hey, I didn't say it was going to be easy, either! You're still gonna have to work your butt off!

[He slightly bobs to the side from her poke.]

Right! I know! I didn't mean it like that!

[Huff. She starts walking again.]

Just don't go thinking you can slack off. If we're gonna have to fight the 'Noses, we have to be ready in whatever way we can.

[He resumes his stroll beside her, but a big agitated. He's used to Toph acting like this, but it touches a nerve this time with all the recent stress.]

I'm going to take this seriously, Toph. I don't want to let anyone down.

You won't.

[Hey, at least she knows she can count on you to take it seriously. Still, she'll drive the point home.]

We'll have a few different kinds of metal to practice with, I think. So if one kind doesn't click for you, there's other options.

Really? Yeah, that might help.

We can start with metal that's not processed as some. Kinds closer to their original rocky state.

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