[ In a certain sense, Toph doesn't truly understand hopelessness or depression. She's an obstinate font of willpower in the same way that you can't convince a mountain to be something else, or go anywhere but where it is. She also hasn't experienced personal betrayal or hardship on a level that would erode her essential determined belief that she has agency. Maybe she can't control everything, but she can control something. She's not helpless -- in fact, Toph's sense of self is deeply dependent on not being helpless.

Although that means she can't entirely empathize with Ange, it also means she is steady as a rock for leaning on. Her hug is tight and emphatic. She doesn't give out friendship carelessly, but she doesn't withhold it when it's warranted, either. And she likes Ange. She trusts her. She's known her for months now, and she's been sensible and consistent and kind in her own gruff way -- a way Toph feels kinship with, in fact -- so why hold back? ]

I say we're friends and I'll kick someone's ass for you, and you're immediately figuring out how to deal with it after I'm gone? [ Toph complains, scoffing. It's a good-natured scoff, the same way she tolerantly puts up with Sokka catastrophizing or Katara insisting on trying to talk something out.

Toph pulls back but keeps one arm around her at waist height. ]

How about we take like a whole second to focus on being right here, where we both currently are?