After reading this fic and the reviews for it, I went and researched foot binding to see if it was accurate. (Thanks, by the way. For the nightmares that will never ever leave my brain.) Like another reviewer mentioned, the bones were broken in the procedure, but I've found conflicting accounts of whether it was a gradual process from the tightness of the bindings, or if they were actually snapped in the initial binding. Wiki seems to imply the latter, however. It's also possible that it varies with the technique--I've seen pictures of more severe bindings in which the bones were simply folded over like paper, and less severe ones in which the toes seemed to be mostly in their proper alignment, just somewhat crushed and stunted. There's also mention of a rarer form of binding which did not break any bones or severely reform the foot, but simply kept it small, much as tightlacing did for women's rib cages in old Europe.

My point is, there's room for doubt, but it seems likely that if Toph's feet were bound in the manner common in old China, even if she undid the bindings immediately afterwards, due to the broken bones they might not ever be right again. And this is something almost too horrible to contemplate.

I don't think Bryan and Mike ignored footbinding in making Avatar, though. I think it's significant that such a fuss was made over Kyoshi's big feet. It seemed almost a reverse cultural perspective from footbinding--a reverence for large feet. Avatar has a lot of feminist themes, so I think this is intentional.

Aw, it's so sad! Poor Toph!

I love this story, I hope you do more like it!

Oh wow, I had a feeling what I would be getting myself into but I never would've imagined it like this...

This was amazing. So horrific. My eyes were literally growing as Toph's fear coupled on itself. I was seriously hoping that they wouldn't break her actual feet (like it's usually customary to do). Also, the way you captured Toph's dad was really IC, and that's really difficult to do considering he didn't get alot of screentime.

The idea is very unique as well; VERY original to incorporate the Chinese customs of foot-binding into this. Great one-shot! Love the ominous feel to it too-- what with your lack of A/N's. XD

Very skillful how you wove the Chinese custom of foot-biniding into the obviously Chinese-inspired Earth Kingdom. I never even thought it odd that Toph never had her feet bound. Good stories make you think about things like that. A fascinating idea pulled off wonderfully.

-Tina

I heard that in the Chinese culture they actually broke the bones and bended them inward like you would with your hand. So I guess Toph's lucky, or it would have been impossible to regain her "sight". Unless I'm wrong about the breaking the bones thing. I don't think I am though, I had a book study in class with a book that was written about it.

Amazing oneshot. I really liked how you portrayed the entire story. Keep writing...

Oh, that was creepy. There was wonderful dramatic tension - you knew what was going to happen but you didn't want it to, but I had to keep reading. I thought the part about her mother's heartbeat was interesting, in that her mother knew what was going to happen, but in her own way, was powerless to stop it.

That was really cool! And yet, somewhat creepy. Poor Toph.

I think it would be cool if you could do a sequel with her mother's reaction when she found out she tore the silk off... XP

Good Toph tore The Ribbons from her Barefeet. She Does't like people touching her feet she is the only one that could touch her feet. Update soon.

This was -amazing-. And also slightly horrifying. The foot binder last was quite scary, just imagining Toph having to go through that (and realizing that it really had been an option for her) made shivers go down my spine. It really makes you thank God she got out of there. Excellent job.

What an amazing story, the most creative one I've read of Toph in a while, I loved the idea of foot-binding, of trying to mold Toph into someone she isn't. The flower metaphors were incredible, a flower that bloomed in adversity, I'm impressed.

This is good stuff. And I can only imagine what a footbinding would do for Toph...

Wow, this is a really good story. I love it!

That was so sad! But so well written!

Yeah, I read once how this girl's feet were bound so tightly that she couldn't even sleep at night.

What a look into Toph...that must be quite traumatic fr her...