A/N: Avatar the Last Airbender is wholly owned by Nick.

Toph, the young maiden, makes ready to get married as friends and family gather.

Nothing is normal.

(This was meant to be a one shot but it's evolved.)

Bride's Day

Toph sat anxiously in the solarium of the elite hotel at the center of Republic City that bore the same name. Her mother told her constantly that the site's decorations were awesomely stunning. "Your father has spared no expense I can assure you, sweetheart. Only one thing more beautiful here, and that is you, my dear," Poppy said with a long sigh. "There isn't a man alive who wouldn't marry you now, and I didn't think this day would ever come! My baby is finally becoming a woman."

"I am already a woman, mother. Or did you forget I'm twenty-two years old now?" Toph stated as she dropped her head. "And I just want one man to believe that right now. I want him to see me and not think about her, at least for today," Toph thought as she tried to breathe under the thick layers of silk that made up her red traditional wedding dress. "Ugh, this stuff is heavier than my armor," she inwardly groaned.

"I know you're a woman, baby," her mother replied, pinching her cheek. "But to your parents, you'll always be our child."

As Toph rolled her big smoky jade eyes, a sudden noisy commotion filled the air, and she identified the trio of brash women who charged in.

"If it isn't the Three Bitches, glad you gals could make it. Loud as ever!" Toph yelled out to them, happy to get her mind off her current train of thought and her mother's attempt at being supportive.

"And is that coming from Bitch #4 or did you forget you're in the same club, Duchess?" Azula corrected her as she pointed a well-manicured finger the Earthbender's way.

Toph laughed loudly. "Ya got me there princess!" she fired back as she held out her arms. Azula, Mai, and Tylee now swarmed the sightless bride-to-be.

"Careful, the dress girls!" Poppy warned the glomping trio, "It took the servants all morning to get it just perfect."

Tylee retook a step to admire the plush red fabric with the bright green-gold embroidery of the high-collared ensemble. Studded across the bodice of the waist length tunic, were emeralds, sapphires, diamonds and jade stones, all masterfully integrated. The former acrobat blew out a long whistle. "Why don't you forget him, girl, and come marry me! You're too gorgeous for a bum like that. Trust me; he'll never amount to anything."

Toph let out a long exhale slowly shaking her head. "You know, I would love to baby, but he asked me first, sorry," she exclaimed playfully. "But I'll keep you in mind if he pig-chickens out at the altar. You just come slide right over for momma."

They both loudly giggled as Poppy stared closely at Tylee, wondering how serious the proposal was.

"With the way you look today, I don't think there's a chance of in the Nether World of that happening," Mai spoke up, taking both of Toph's hands. "You look, fabulous little sister. The dress suits you well."

"It ought to. I think it cost my dad a small fortune," Toph whispered to them. "I heard him complaining about the bill earlier today. We did offer to pay half when we were all discussing the plans with him. He insisted he would take care of the arrangements. We can still pay if he needs us too," she concluded as she fidgeted in the tight gown.

"Spirits forbid!" Poppy gasped as if in shock. "Toph Beifong, you will have a respectable wedding and bring honor to your father! That's all we ask, not a thing more," her mother stated emphatically. "He's spent a lot of money, and you better not mess this up!"

The four young women began to giggle like school girls.

Lady Beifong got ahold of her emotions as she realized it was just girlish banter. "It's good to see you have made more friends Toph," Poppy pointed out. "Where is the other one, you know, the pretty Waterbender. Isn't she coming?" An uncomfortable silence filled the room as Azula, Mai and Tylee exchanged trepid glances. "Did I say something wrong," her mother asked as she saw her daughter's muted eyes begin to glisten. Toph wiped them with the back of her hands, smearing her mascara down her painted cheeks and blacking both of them. It seemed as though she were wearing a mask.

"Now you totally look like the Blind Bandit," a familiar voice said from across the room.

Toph felt as though her heart was going to explode at her old infamous moniker. The young metalbender shot off her seat and ran at full speed to embrace the woman who had just come in, sending them both tumbling to the floor. "Katara, Katara, Katara," she repeated as she hugged the Waterbender with all her strength. "I've missed you so much! I haven't seen you in such a long time Sugar Queen! Well, I can't see you at all, but you understand what I mean," she added with a teary-eyed grin.

"Toph! Your dress, you're getting it all wrinkled again!" Poppy screamed out in horror.

"I'm so sorry Toph," Katara replied as they both tightly hugged one another, weeping and sniffling. "I've missed you too, girlfriend. I had to work things out ya know. It hasn't been easy, but I'm not avoiding you!"

Toph gripped her tighter as she breathed in the waterbender's aroma. "I know Sweetness, but I still missed you like crazy," she sighed as they held one another. "It sucks that you've been away so long."

Well, you're going to be seeing more of me, I promise, well not literally," the waterbender said with a small chortle. "I've been keeping up with you though."

"Really?" Toph exclaimed as her grin broadened.

Katara moved a loose strand of hair away from her blind friend's face. "Yep, Sokka has been writing me almost every week, and he tells me all the stuff you've been up to, Ms. Chief of Police. I'm so proud of you, Toph," she said kissing the Earthbender on both cheeks. "I knew you were going to do great things."

Toph pulled away from the hug to reveal her streaking makeup. "Of course, what else would I do! I'm a genius aren't I," she bragged not realizing she looked more like a clown than a bride.

Katara couldn't hold back a snicker. The other women in the room also started to laugh. All except for Poppy who thought she was about to faint from the antics.

"What's so funny?" Toph asked as she wiped her bright red nose with the palm of her hand.

Suki who had walked in with Katara shook her head. "Nothing, you little dirt digger, nothing at all. Can I get a hug too," the former Kyoshi Captain asked.

"You'll have to come down here," the Earthbender exclaimed. "I can barely move with this thing on as it is! I told my dad I could make a metal dress; it would have been a lot cheaper."

"Ladies, we all have to get ready now," Jun, the ex-bounty hunter, exclaimed, interrupting the revelry as she clapped her hands together. "All the dresses, slippers, headdresses and tunics have been sorted accordingly on the tables to the right. Please look for your name to make sure you get the proper attire! We're not all blessed the same as Chief Toph or Lady Tylee here. It's a pity the spirits are so biased," she sighed, gazing down at her own breast in comparison. "The hairdressers and makeup people are ready for each of you in the adjacent room!"

"Thank you, Detective Jun for all your help," Poppy expressed with sincere gratitude. "Will you also tell them the bride needs to be redressed as well?"

"Of course and you're welcome ma'am. I would do anything for the Chief, especially on her wedding day. She helped Iroh and me so much. I owe her big time." Jun replied as she walked towards the other room.

"Well, I hated to lose you to those goobers in Ba Sing Se, but at least I know uncle will treat you right," Toph exclaimed as Katara and Suki helped her to her feet. "Mom, why does this dress have to be so tight?" she complained, trying to take in a deep breath.

Poppy stepped over to her and took hold of her daughter's makeup smeared face with both hands. "Darling, my only daughter, this is your special day, and we pray that you'll only do this once. So, naturally, a little discomfort is acceptable, don't you think? Consider the man you're soon going to be sharing a bed with, Toph. Don't you want your groom to believe he's made the right choice? Personally, I don't think they're tight enough considering these beauties that will be surrounding you. Didn't you make any 'everyday' friends my dear?" she asked, trying to straighten out the wrinkles she could. "You should thank the spirits you're so well endowed."

Toph reached into her top and shifted her ample breast in her tunic, moving her nipples off the seams. "I guess that's the curse of being blind, they all look the same to me," she giggled, giving her bosom a good shake to settle them in.

"Toph is this right; we're not wear anything under these gowns?" Katara yelled from her station. "Ty Lee just told me we're going full commando! I don't know if I feel comfortable without my wrappings. Can I at least wear the ones I have on?" she asked pensively, staring at the bright red two-piece.

"Yeah, I agree with the water chick here," Smellerbee exclaimed as she stepped beside Katara in a show of unity. "Won't these things get stuck in our butt cracks? Nothing's more embarrassing, in my opinion, than to have your dress stuck in your butt crack and nobody says to you, "Hey lady, your dress is stuck up your butt crack! Am I right?" she laughed wiping at a pretend tear.

Katara took a step away from the former protestor, hoping to distance herself.

Tylee, however, was laughing right along with Smellerbee as the two started talking as if they were old friends. "I love saying butt too," she commented, as they clasped hands. Katara happily vacated the area to let the two get acquainted.

Toph shook her head, "Commoners," she muttered under her breath.

Poppy smiled proudly at her daughter's elitist reaction. It had been awhile since she could look at her with pride. "I'll go take care of your friends, my dear," her mother exclaimed as she kissed her daughter's forehead. "You go and get your makeup and dress fixed."

"Okay, mom," Toph said as she enjoyed her mother's help.

Lady Beifong walked over the changing area. "Please ladies; there is no need for concern. A linen underslip is also there for modesty. And may I ask you all to hurry just a bit? We have only 2 hours before the ceremony commences," Poppy began to explain as she assisted the bridesmaids getting dressed, starting with Smellerbee.