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Yue switched on the lights in the empty studio, but soon decided against it because the sun streaming in provided plenty of light. Her friend Ty Lee, who managed a ballet and acrobatics studio, was letting her practice in Studio C for an hour.
Yue took a glance in the mirror while tying her pointe shoes. For aesthetic purposes, she decided to leave her hair loose and wavy(in case Jet decided to pop over), rather than her usual ballerina bun. With her shoes all laced up, she began to practice the five positions under the glowing morning sunlight.
After warming up a bit, Yue opened her phone and played some classic ballet songs. She practiced her routines, her body a paintbrush and her dance the art. In the middle of a grande jete, a loud rap on the door sounded. Yue, thinking Ty Lee may have a few tips for her, opened it.
"Toph?" Yue said, the last person she expected at the door.
"Um, Yue? Can you teach me what you do? Ballet?"
Yue shifted her weight from one foot to the other. If Toph "saw" with her feet, what would happen if she leapt in the air, no contact with the ground at all? Toph was always grounded, and ballet was often the opposite.
Toph's voice cut into Yue's train of thought. "I know what you're thinking, Yue." Toph sighed. "So, I brought Zuko to help me!" Toph said, shrugging her shoulders.
Zuko picked that moment to show himself. "Hi, Zuko here."
"I noticed," Yue replied. Definitely not her vision for the morning.
Yue sighed, before managing a smile. "Of course I'll help you, Toph."
--
Yue collapsed at the window. She was tired, her muscles like limp ramyeon noodles. Toph and Zuko had been practicing for over an hour. Beep! chirped Yue's phone. It was a message from Ty Lee, giving them however long they needed in the studio.
Yue laughed as she saw Zuko attempting to fix Toph's feet in place for 5th position. She had never seen either of them having so much fun together. Well, Toph was having fun. Zuko was exasperated, as Toph expected 5 star quality teaching. Yue heard snippets of their conversation.
"Damn it, Toph, you're as flexible as the earth you bend!" Zuko said, looking tired.
Toph just pouted, sticking out her lower lip. But, the lesson continued.
--
After a morning of twirls and mini leaps, Toph was satisfied, refusing to take off the ballet shoes she had used. But, Toph was set on Zuko getting his dose of humility for the day, and Yue ended up sending Katara a 2 minute long video of her boyfriend flapping around like a fish out of water. But still, Zuko had helped Toph even though he didn't have to, so Yue knew he didn't mind all that much.
Their little group hadn't even left the studio before Toph asked, "Again tomorrow?"
Zuko stopped breathing. "We'll see," he said, and took Toph's hand to guide her to his car.