Dustbender 007 (ATLA)

Stepping into the kitchen, Terrah saw that a chef was already hard at work, and multiple dishes had already been prepared. 

The man was busily at work, and was going full on Gordon Ramsey on two twin teen subordinates. 

Taking one look at that, Terrah decided he wanted no part in that kind of mess, and decided to work on dessert. 

Going through various drawers, Terrah began to gather his ingredients. A sort of blackberry, some sugar, and then he started sniffing bottles until he found vanilla extract. 

“Can I help you?” The chef-who saw what Terrah was doing-approached him with a confrontational tone. He vaguely reminded Terrah of a Frenchman in terms of accent. 

“Where do you keep the ice?” Terrah questioned the chef without looking at him, and continued to search through drawers. 

“Let me rephrase that. What are you doing in my kitchen!?” The chef took away the bottle of vanilla, and bowl of sugar with a scowl. 

Terrah sighed, he didn't have time for this nonsense. Turning around, he realized the guard who had escorted him here was long gone. 

When he turned around, he saw that the chef's face was beginning to purple, and he was on the verge of crashing out. 

“Fuck it. Violence it is.” Terrah shrugged his shoulders, and clocked the chef cleanly across the chin, knocking him out cold. 

Terrah reached out to catch him, and took the supplies back, before lowering him into a chair. 

The two helpers cowered away from him, and one pointed a knife at him with shaky hands. 

“Where is the ice? I'm a guest of the Beifong's, and was instructed to prepare a meal.” Terrah said in a reasonable tone. 

This seemed to only heighten their panic, and the knife shook even more. 

The other helper shook his head defiantly. 

Terrah rubbed the bridge of his nose. 

‘Seriously?’ 

“One of you, go to the guards at the front gate, they'll confirm my identity. The other one will stay here and help me.” Terrah said with some authority leaking into his voice. 

The duo looked at one another, and then one was pushed forward, whilst the other stayed behind. 

During this interplay, Terrah was feeling a bit peckish, so he decided to sate his hunger a bit, and stuck a spoon in a bowl of soup for a taste. 

“Eh, pretty mediocre. We can do better than this. You there, start some boiling water, stir this pot, and cut these vegetables!” Terrah commanded as he got to reworking dinner. 

Ten minutes later, the other helper returned with a bruise on his chin, and a sullen look on his face. 

Terrah grimaced at the rough treatment, and thought the youth could use some ice to reduce the swelling. 

‘Right, my dessert!’

“Kid, go get the ice, and wrap a piece in some cloth, then put it on your chin while you're at it.” Terrah ordered whilst he stirred a pot with one hand, and tasted some sauce with the other. 

About 10 more minutes passed, and most dishes were done, or nearing completion when the kid carrying a bucket full of ice returned.  

“Start serving the food, I'll be working on dessert now.” Terrah waved the two servants off, then started to work the ice, sugar, and blackberries. 

About a half hour had passed, and several more dishes were served during that interim. By the end of the dining period, Terrah had produced a bootleg version of ice cream, and this time, he took it out to serve himself.  

However, just as he was ready to leave the kitchen, one of the servants silently-and shyly-held out a fancy article of clothing. 

“...you two were very dutiful, thank you for your dedication and hard work.” Terrah smiled. 

The twins hesitantly smiled back without saying a word. 

Terrah wondered if they were deaf or mute. 

“For such good service, I think you deserve a reward, here, a spoon each.” Terrah said in a gentle tone, and then handed the children-teens no older than 13 or 14-a spoonful of ice cream. 

Seeing their expressions light up in joy, Terrah was glad to have made such a delicious dish. 

He had learnt how to cook from his father, a man who in Terrah's heart, was a legendary foodsmith. Terrah had always asked his dad to open a restaurant or at least a food truck, but he always said the best part of cooking was preparing a dish for people you could talk to, for those people who would appreciate your cooking before your eyes. 

Experiencing that with the twins, Terrah could say his own old man was right. 

One of the twins held out a napkin to Terrah, and he only belatedly realized his vision was a little watery. 

“Haha, thank you. I would be going out looking like a mess if not for you two. Sayonara.” Terrah smiled, and waved, then took the tray full of frozen confectionery treats out of the kitchen. 

Walking into a lavish dining room, Terrah saw that Old Man was deep in discussion with an average looking tannish middle aged man. Sitting beside them was a pale middle aged woman, and Toph. 

“Master, I hope you enjoyed the dinner I had prepared, this is the dessert.” Terrah announced himself. 

“Ah, Lao, this is my disciple. Terrah, come great Governor Beifong.” Old Man sternly nodded. 

“Governor Beifong.” Terrah nodded, and lightly bowed. 

“Those dishes were of your design? Simply wonderful!” Lao gaily clapped his hands. 

“Yes, they were quite exquisite.” Lady Beifong tittered. 

“I am pleased the Lord & Lady enjoyed themselves. Please take a bowl of this, before it melts.” Terrah quickly handed out a bowl and spoon to everyone present. “It is quite cold, so be careful.” Terrah said as he placed a dish in front of Toph. 

“Hmph.” Toph snorted. 

“Toph, do not be rude to our guests. General Huang has sworn to defend this valley, his apprentice will act as your guardian from this day forth.” Lao said in a serious tone. 

Terrah rapidly blinked his eyes. 

‘Say what now?’ Terrah quickly glanced to Old Man. 

His new teacher had a twinkle in his eye, and winked at him. 

‘Ah you sly bastard, you're really doing me a favor, huh? Old Man, you really are a good master. I'll make sure to cook you good food until your dying day.’ Terrah thought to himself with a smile, and slightly inclined his head towards the beautiful bastard. 

“Thank. You.” Toph grit out. 

‘Haha, she really hated acting polite!’ Terrah barely withheld a laugh. 

“It is my honor to serve the Beifong Family. Here, allow me to serve Toph, we wouldn't want her to get a brain freeze from eating too much so quickly.” Terrah said in a faux concerned tone. 

“Oh my, brain freeze. Please do be gentle with my little To-To (pronounced toe toe), she's fragile.” Lady Beifong held a hand up to her mouth and gasped. 

“Well, To-To, open u-hrmnmn.” Terrah raised a spoon full of ice cream, and began to taunt, only for Toph to stomp her foot, and a pillar of rock slammed into his balls. 

“Is everything alright, disciple?” Lao asked between ravenous gulps of ice cream. 

“Just fine.” Terrah squeaked out. 

Toph had a satisfied expression pass across her face, but it was gone as soon as Terrah glanced down at her. 

Leaning low, Terrah placed a hand over his mouth and whisper-threatened Toph. 

“This is a hot summer night, and I put a lot of work into this never before seen delicious frozen food. So help me, you will let me feed you, or I'm going to accidentally spill this on the floor.” 

“Well servant, I wish to be served.” Toph clapped her hands, then opened her mouth. 

Staring at her sexy black lipstick, and the erotic way she rolled her tongue, Terrah just now realized how close he was to this big breasted beauty. With her mouth open like this, you could stick more than a spoon in there… 

“What's the matter, tongue tied? Oomph-!” Toph taunted, only to have a spoon full of ice cream shoved into her mouth. 

“How do you like my creamy load?” Terrah questioned. 

Toph closed her eyes, and exhaled in bliss. 

“Just shut up and feed me.” Toph imperiously commanded. At the same time,  reached down the table, and caressed his inner thigh. 

“Yes ma'am!” Terrah enthusiastically intoned, then began to feed Toph in earnest. 

Before long, the glutton had finished her bowl, and everyone was just about done eating. 

“So, Terrah, was it? How long have you been training under General Huang? You must be one of those Sleeping Dragons I keep hearing about. It seems your snoring has finally woken old Zhong up, eh? Hahaha!” Lao slapped his knee, and was the only person in the room to laugh. 

“Ahem, yes, Lord Governor, my name is Terrah, and I am a recent student under the General. You could say I'm something of a genius.” Terrah proudly held his head high. 

“Indeed? I have a hobby of collecting talents, and am glad that you have roused General Huang out of retirement. We look forward to your achievements.” Lao smiled, and said in dismissal. 

“The Governor has granted me an abode on this estate, and I have seen fit to have a room prepared for you boy.” Old Man gruffly intoned, however, his serious tone contrasted hilariously with the spoon of ice cream that he was ever so slowly consuming. 

“Yes, Master.” Terrah smiled, happy that he was finally done doing farm work. 

“Wipe that self satisfied smile from your face. We'll still be spending three days of the week at the farm. That wall won't be building itself.” Old Man harrumphed. 

Terrah rolled his eyes, and stood up. He was going to find someone to show him to his room, when Toph reached out a hand, and grabbed him by the arm. 

“I wish for a stroll through the gardens, this cold ice cream would do well with some warm night time air.” Toph declared. 

“Good idea, Toph. Terrah, make sure my daughter is safe. This is your first task!” Lao stated in an arrogant, somewhat threatening tone. 

Terrah briefly glanced at Old Man, as if to say ‘you believe this shit’ but he wisely kept his mouth shut, and simply nodded. 

“Goodbye, Terrah, your skills behind the wok pot were phenomenal, I cannot wait to see what you surprise us with next.” Lady Beifong clapped. 

Terrah almost doubled over, as he wasn't expecting to get ordered around so casually. Is this what Old Man said by consequences? 

In some regards, the farm-despite all the heavy labor involved-was more free than this life of luxury. He could see why Toph hated having to act like a perfect daddy's girl. 

For the first time since he saw her, Terrah looked down at Toph with a pitying expression. 

…well, at least he had gained some decent exp from cooking a full meal made from luxury ingredients. After 2 solid weeks of cooking for Old Man, this meal had granted him about as much exp in one night that he had spent grinding since he transmigrated! Level 51 in [Cooking] was right around the corner. 

Shaking his head, Terrah turned to Toph. 

“Come along, young lady.” Terrah held out his arm. 

Supporting Toph's weight, he felt her press into him. Once again, he was amazed by her softness. For a woman who could suplex him with ease, she was honestly too sexy. 

Walking through luxurious halls, and passing by dozens of luxuriously dressed servants/soldiers, Terrah was a little surprised that most people within the estate didn't go beyond level 15. Only guys as old as their late twenties or mid thirties were around level 20. 

For average people, it seemed that this was the cutoff point. Only the occasional low ranking officer that he passed seemed to be in their 30's. 

Clicking his tongue at the realization, Terrah eventually escorted Toph outside. 

Walking through a well lit garden, Terrah was silent as he looked at the beautiful plants, man made mini-lakes, and the way the moon reflected off Toph's crystal clear skin. 

He then looked up at the night sky, and grew wistful as a star twinkled down at him. 

“Hey, you're holding onto the most beautiful woman in the Earth Kingdom, and you're looking up?” Toph berated him. 

“Sorry, I lost a friend today, and it's been a hectic 24hrs.” Terrah weakly replied. 

“Want to talk about it?” Toph dropped her brusque attitude, and this time, she took the lead, and guided him to a bench. 

“I visited Gaoling this morning, and I guess I was too open with my spending, so a group of around 30 thieves followed me back to the farm. I barely defeated them, and one of the farm animals-the only friend I had-fought by my side, and died.” Terrah said in a depressed tone. 

“I'm sorry to hear that…Terrah. I made my first friend a couple weeks ago. He's a little stupid, and sort of clumsy, but I can't stand to see him cry.” Toph pouted. 

“Toph, you're blind.” 

“I know, it's a joke. Did it make you laugh?” 

“Yeah.” Terrah said in a soft tone, and let himself smile. 

“Good, because I'm the funny one around here, got it?” Toph bantered back. 

Terrah could see what she was doing, what all good friends strived to do. It wouldn't cure him of his regrets, but he appreciated what she was doing. 

“You're a good friend…Toph.” Terrah said with emotion. 

Toph wiped a tear from his cheek with her sleeve, and silently hugged him. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and they sat like that for about half an hour. 

There were no thoughts of sex, or lewd remarks. Just two people embracing one another, and finding comfort in their friendship on a warm summer night.