"They don't know I'm gone yet." Toph's small voice was firm on this point. Lightly her hands patted at the mud, making soft sucking sounds. Nearby, a pair of turtle-ducks quacked back and forth to one another. "They don't let me come down to the pond by myself. And earthbending's a secret."

Korra could probably hear the frown in Toph's voice. "You're not going to tell."

More statement than question. Even smaller Toph was fierce.