The Fire Nation executed its deserters with a noose and a strong tree limb. It was an insult that way, Toph had learned, because it left the whole body to rot. Their ashes would never be taken home to the land of their forefathers.
The Earth Kingdom, in contrast, didn't execute its deserters because it had none. There was no desertion in Ba Sing Se. If anyone with the least bit of brains felt unenthusiastic about the round-the-clock bombardments or about hinting the Yu Yan guerillas stalking the farmlands, they kept such doubts to themselves. Otherwise they earned themselves leave courtesy of the Earth King and, after a little R&R Oma knows where, they came back with a fixed smile and no unpatriotic doubts.
If she ever ran, Toph decided to never stop. They couldn't catch her that way.
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branchandroot
FMB!Toph; Human Resources
Date: 2011-08-12 11:24 pm (UTC)The Earth Kingdom, in contrast, didn't execute its deserters because it had none. There was no desertion in Ba Sing Se. If anyone with the least bit of brains felt unenthusiastic about the round-the-clock bombardments or about hinting the Yu Yan guerillas stalking the farmlands, they kept such doubts to themselves. Otherwise they earned themselves leave courtesy of the Earth King and, after a little R&R Oma knows where, they came back with a fixed smile and no unpatriotic doubts.
If she ever ran, Toph decided to never stop. They couldn't catch her that way.