#“Movie? What movie? There is no movie in Ba Sing Se”

[nartml]

You know what? The live-action gives me the impression that it knows it won't reach ATLA.

From the beginning, I think they accepted that fact and instead focused on giving their own twist to the story, which I can respect.

This is why TLA failed. Shyamalan wanted for his adaptation to be the spitting image of the animated series, if the incorporation of a lot of the favourite, most iconic scenes from the show is anything to go by.

But it fell flat, echoed hollow, because he just didn't get why those scenes were so beloved, and what made them carry the weight that they do.

But the live action focused more on tinkering with the characters, dynamics and the narrative, while also trying to remain authentic.

I'm not talking about whether they were successful or not, I'm talking about intention.

And I think their heart is in the right place.

The dilemma was "How do you surpass the unsurpassable?". And the answer? It's "You don't".

And they rolled with that.

[belphieslilcow]

you know I've never watched atla =w=

[thethiefandtheairbender]

my hot take is that i would've been fine if natla had changed virtually everything... character names, aesthetics, plot beats, character choices, etc. IF it had been more culturally accurate and respectful.

instead natla changes virtually nothing except the removal of sokka's sexism while increasing pakku's and the general north's, while also not being willing to commit to it (see: yue breaking off her engagement pre-show with zero consequences, which also undersells their new angle of her resenting/disliking the expectations her community has for her). we get one scene of katara doing braiding/weaving with her gran gran and mother. no other elements of water tribe culture are present that weren't there in the show, and others are removed. the water tribes don't even get to explain their own culture and relationship to the spirits, the fire nation does it. iroh being called out for ba sing se by an angrily grieving earth kingdom soldier is undercut by iroh coming off looking better when he spares the man and the man still strikes him afterwards from behind. because, y'know, the show that literally has fire nation characters critique an earth kingdom soldier for being corrupted by war, calls jet an outright terrorist and remove all of his nuance, and have katara say jet is just like the fire nation to his face isn't both sides'ing an imperialist genocidal conflict at all, obviously /s.

like, what the fuck are we doing here?

if natla wanted to radically change character arcs, struggles, backstories, and plot beats (avatars having glimpses of the future and that's why we head to the north, etc) they should've just wholly committed. the httyd movies are nothing like the books, but they change enough to be their own story in their own right (literally, they only keep a father-son relationship and the setting and half the character names; everything else is different). and they told a different, but really fucking good story.

for example: why not have there be zero sexism, and katara fights pakku for the right to learn any waterbending (healing or fighting) because they see her as an outsider who can't understand their culture, the same way there are stories about indigenous people working hard to reconnect to their culture after being separated from it due to colonization? why are we doing the same things, but worse, every time?

i'm not mad at natla for not being a 1:1 adaptation. i'm mad because every single unnecessary change it makes to the characters' core backstories and personalities are less effective than the OG, are not adequately addressed in story at any point, or has things ham-fisted in for no reason (yue being able to go into the spirit world has no bearing on the actual plot, for example; it's just There, because...?).

it's not more culturally sensitive than the og; instead, in many ways, it's less, and i think that's the biggest waste of it all.

[factual-fantasy]

28 asks! Thanks yall! :)) 🦶

My last doctors appointment came up with nothing. Onto the next one in a few weeks...

Oh good idea-- :00

Dink already has a friend! His name is Doink! :)

@stupid-thatsme

I usually watch YouTube or listen to music while I draw. I feel like it helps me draw faster and keeps me focused somehow.. XDD And no one wants to be alone with their thoughts lets be real-

@coolguyinternet

<XD I'll have to think about that one-

1: I knew what was coming for me in Tales from Ba Sing Se. But it still hurt. :(((

1: At first I don't think I liked Mei very much <XDD But after seeing her turn around at the end of the show?? I really like her :))

There's a lot of moments that were sweet and sad. But Zuko's apology to Iroh, and Toph and Sokka's talk about Katara's motherly nature were amongst the sweetest. And Aang going avatar mode when loosing Appa and being comforted by Katara has to be the saddest I can remember.. 🥺🥺🥺

The ending overall just felt like it came too soon, I wish the show was longer..

@mrplants-world

You're gonna have to be a liiiitle more specific- 😅

(Aang holding Appa art in question)

Do people really ask that?? Man.. smh.. smh.. 😔😔

That sounds like something they'd do! :DD

:DDD Thank you! I'm glad you like my artwork!! :))))

@the-woomyverse

XDDD Oh man that's some fantastic angst potential

(Evil Grim and V post in question)

An asker in this post described what I imagine they'd be like really well! :00

And yes! The evil versions are all shiny but evil Anastasia (Kricketot) is normal colors XD

I didn't intend to have Miraidon around, no.. 😅

And I don't have the DLC, so I am unfamiliar with Ogerpon.. <:0

@necromicon42

The boo mushroom isn't intended to be in my AU.. but the boomerang and cloud flower could be included :00 I imagine they'd be/look a lot different though..

The boomerang flower might not be a full on powerup.. I might make it this big flower that once it grows its oddly shaped petals fall off and harden like wood. Leaving behind these perfect flat boomerangs. I can imagine Mario and Luigi just learning how to throw the boomerangs instead of absorbing a powerup. This would also explain how boomerang bros got their boomerangs. They throw the same dried up petals that the bros throw-

The cloud flower might just be changed into some king of... wispy thing and the bros can collect. Instead of a flower. Maybe a literal cloud? I'm not sure.. but I can see it existing :00

@spinelfan11

I believe so! XD Thank you! :)

(Refencing this post and this post)

<XD No one is safe from the bootleg curse!

<XD No no, my AU was made before the movie came out. Nothing from the movie applies to my AU- including the Vanessa daughter thing <XDD

Well lets see,

1: I think Gravity Falls and Pixars cars was very inspirational to me! :0

2: My favorite song changes from day to day,, but currently I really like Lights by Ellie Goulding! :))

3: When I understood it, I think I liked math! :))

4: And sorry! But drawing suggestions are now closed 😅

@anikakitty11

Shroomie!! :DDD

@untitled-7613

I wouldn't trust them personally- 😅😅

@khoiazo

XDD The only appropriate response to evil Grim and V honestly-

@xxanxious-anxietyxx

:000 WAIT REALLY??? THANKO YOU!! :DDD

@hope0koi

They doin good! I've been meaning to draw them more often <XDD

@minophlia

Ah man.. this is very bitter sweet. I'm glad you found me here and that you like what I make. But its also horrible to hear that you found me through stolen artwork that I worked so hard on..

@katpotato55 (In response to this post)

:DD THANK YOU SO MUCH!! :)))

@im-nice-but-i-dont-like-you

XDD Well hey it made me laugh too! Also thank you! :))

@ink-machine-kidd

I'm afraid I wouldn't know what to do for that..😅I'm not familiar with Digimon.. 🥺 Thank you for the suggestion though! :00

@agent-cakeshroom

XDD Thank you!! And yes! I DO love sky! :DD Been playing ever since season of dreams back in 2021 💪💪💪

[the-genius-az]

What would have happened if Azula had had an illness in the series?

Tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is a very old disease, BC in fact. And let's assume that in Atla they also have that disease or similar.

And honestly it wouldn't be unusual for a royal to have a serious illness.

Anyway, it occurred to me just when I saw the movie where the Leper King appears, and then I thought of Azula, but with another illness. And I thought about my dad and my older brother who had tuberculosis, (They were cured, they are completely healthy now).

In Atla, I think Azula contracted the disease before going to war, I don't know how, maybe when she escaped from the palace and visited a place with poor people or something.

And she didn't know until she went to find Zuko and Iroh, and a doctor checked her (Lo and Li made her go to make sure she didn't have a broken bone after her fall) and that's when she found out she had tuberculosis.

Out of fear, Azula hid all evidence of her illness, saying that the reason she coughs is because she contracted the flu after falling into the water. She was able to do so for a while until Mai and Ty Lee discovered it in Ba sing se when they saw her coughing up blood.

[queenpiranhadon]

- Runaway, AURORA

ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴍᴀꜱᴛᴇʀʟɪꜱᴛꜱ:

𝕿𝖜𝖊𝖑𝖛𝖊 𝕯𝖆𝖞𝖘 𝖔𝖋 𝕮𝖍𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖒𝖆𝖘

𝕾𝖙𝖆𝖗 𝕮𝖗𝖔𝖘𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝕳𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘

𝕶𝖆𝖙𝖘𝖚𝖐𝖎 𝕭𝖆𝖐𝖚𝖌𝖔𝖚 𝕭𝖎𝖗𝖙𝖍𝖉𝖆𝖞 𝕰𝖛𝖊𝖓𝖙

𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖗𝖎𝖔𝖗

𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕾𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞𝖇𝖔𝖔𝖐 𝕰𝖛𝖊𝖓𝖙

ᴋᴇᴇᴘᴇʀ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴏꜱᴛ ᴄɪᴛɪᴇꜱ:

⟢ May I Have This Dance? ⎸⎸ Sandor x Grizel Oneshot › Grizel finally takes Sandor on that dance he owed her.

⟢ You Must Be Lost ⎸⎸ Sokeefe Oneshot › Keefe asks Sophie if he’s still the guy he was all those years ago.

⟢ His Friend ⎸⎸ Neverseen! Grady x Black Swan! Edaline Oneshot › Grady stops repressing his Talent and instead works to make himself more powerful alongside the Neverseen. But all actions have consequences.

ʀɪᴏʀᴅᴀɴᴠᴇʀꜱᴇ:

⟢ Sorella ⎸⎸ Riordanverse Oneshot › Bianca has to tie up some loose ends before she’s ready for rebirth

⟢ We're Not in Kansas Anymore ⎸⎸ Percabeth Oneshot › Percy decided to uphold the promise he made to Annabeth all those years ago.

⟢ Broken ⎸⎸ Leo Valdez x Reader › You stop Leo from making a mistake he'll regret.

ꜱᴛᴀʀᴅᴇᴡ ᴠᴀʟʟᴇʏ:

⟢ Pumpkin Soup ⎸⎸ Sebastian x F!Reader › You find out how to make the resident all time gloomy boy Sebastian, like you.

⟢ After 10﹕00 ⎸⎸ Alex x F!Reader › Alex takes notices of the local lumberjack after she beats his high score at the Stardew Valley Fair. He decides to talk to her.

ʜɪɢʜ ᴄʟᴀꜱꜱ ʜᴏᴍᴏꜱ:

⟢ The Sea Song ⎸⎸ HCH Oneshot › Three girls and their captivating music attracts the ears and hearts of the small village they were in. Little did they know that this happy family, wasn't so happy at all...

ᴍᴀʀᴠᴇʟ:

⟢ Sweet Angel ⎸⎸ Bucky Barnes x Reader › You fall apart after your year-long boyfriend disappears without a trace. You thought you moved on, and now here he is, months later with no recollection of who you are.

ᴀᴠᴀᴛᴀʀ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴀꜱᴛ ᴀɪʀʙᴇɴᴅᴇʀ:

⟢ His Little Waterbender ⎸⎸ Prince Zuko x Reader › You, a Waterbender from the Northern Water Tribe, are determined to protect your home from the Fire Nation. But what happens when you’re opponent is none other than the first prince himself?

⟢ Eel Rolls ⎸⎸ Sokka x Reader › After betraying the Fire Nation, you, and extremely powerful firebender, seek refuge in Ba Sing Se. One day the Gaang stumbles into your path, and you find yourself giddy over a certain blue eyed boy in their midst.

ɢᴇɴꜱʜɪɴ ɪᴍᴘᴀᴄᴛ:

⟢ Dandelion Wine ⎸⎸ Diluc Ragnvindr x Reader › You are finally returning home to Monstadt City after pursuing your dreams and exploring the world. When you get too tipsy one night and you can't defend yourself from an approaching mitachurl, who will save you then?

ʜᴀʀʀʏ ᴘᴏᴛᴛᴇʀ:

⟢ Hate ⎸⎸ Sirius Black x Reader › You, a Ravenclaw, are battling some severe anxiety in the middle of the night, so you slip out and wander the halls of Hogwarts for some reprieve in your thoughts. Turns out though, encountering a professor in the middle of the night is the least of your worries.

⟢ Against the World ⎸⎸ Fred Weasley x Reader › There’s nothing wrong between a Gryffindor and a Slytherin dating, so what better place to tell everyone that than the Yule Ball?

ᴍʏ ʜᴇʀᴏ ᴀᴄᴀᴅᴇᴍɪᴀ:

⟢ His Words, Not Yours ⎸⎸ Bakugou Katsuki x Reader › Katsuki’s parents invite the both of you over for dinner to meet you for the first time.

⟢ Goodnight ⎸⎸ Bakugou Katsuki x Reader › Katsuki finds out about your secret status as an underground pro hero.

⟢ Dumbass ⎸⎸ Bakugou Katsuki x Reader › You and your close friend Bakugou bond over a rom-com movie after having to share a room at a beach resort for a school trip.

⟢ Lipstick Stains ⎸⎸ Bakugou Katsuki x Reader › Bakugou thinks he’s falling in love all over again once he sees you in a traditional outfit.

⟢ Lockers ⎸⎸ Bakugou Katsuki x Reader › Bakugou's getting annoyed when you start receiving a bunch of love confessions out of nowhere

⟢ Wasabi ⎸⎸ Bakugou Katsuki x Reader › Needless to say, your boyfriend's pretty shocked when he finds out you have the same spice tolerance as him.

⟢ "Boy"friend ⎸⎸ Bakugou Katsuki x Reader › Katsuki gets hit by a gender bend quirk.

⟢ Teddy Bear ⎸⎸ Bakugou Katsuki x Reader › Your husband is invited to be on your favorite talk show - little do you know, the only thing he wants to talk about is you.

⟢ Tomorrow ⎸⎸ Bakugou Katsuki x Reader › When test anxiety and stress is too much, your boyfriend is there to help you out.

⟢ Number Four ⎸⎸ Bakugou Katsuki x Reader › Katsuki helps the rest of the world see just how awesome you are.

⟢ Daycare ⎸⎸ Bakugou Katsuki x Reader › You get your husband to finally pick up your kids from daycare

⟢ The Voice ⎸⎸ Bakugou Katsuki x Reader › After a fight spirals from your worries of Katsuki's safety, the voice in your head turns those worries into a nightmare.

⟢ Americano ⎸⎸ Bakugou Katsuki x Reader › You, the pretty barista at the local coffee store, decide to show some kindness to the young CEO Bakugou Katsuki, who's arrived for the first time without his girlfriend.

⟢ Matsuri ⎸⎸ Shota Aizawa x Reader (platonic) › You're scared your pro hero father won't support your dream to become a musician.

ʟᴇɢᴏ ɴɪɴᴊᴀɢᴏ:

⟢ After ⎸⎸ Cole Brookstone x Reader › You and the rest of the ninja settle down after everything ended.

⟢ Sundays ⎸⎸ Cole Brookstone x Reader › You, a baker, encounter the Master of Earth when he accidentally destroys your bakery.

ᴛʜᴇ ɪɴʜᴇʀɪᴛᴀɴᴄᴇ ɢᴀᴍᴇꜱ:

⟢ His ⎸⎸ Riordanverse x Inheritance Games Oneshot › Grayson finds out he's adopted- but the news of his real parents is a bigger shock than he anticipated...

ᴊᴜᴊᴜᴛꜱᴜ ᴋᴀɪꜱᴇɴ:

⟢ Clingy ⎸⎸ Gojo Satoru x Reader › Just some cute dating thoughts :)

⟢ Kiss Cam ⎸⎸ Gojo Satoru x Reader › Basketball star Gojo Satoru saves you from a disastrous kiss cam

[ultfreakme]

1. Sokka’s sexism has been toned down and changed, not entirely removed. Pakku is still exactly the same. Sokka is actually wearing the KW armor in the trailers BTW, and I understand the change because in the OG, Sokka wearing the uniform wasn't a progressive guys can wear dresses thing. It was a joke, Aang also wearing it was a joke. It was not in good taste and they modified it to be more respectful.

2. The trailer literally has Aang having a tough time accepting his position as Avatar and they have said multiple times Aang’s childishness and fun-loving side is still in there.

3. The Ba Sing Se thing was a literal joke and they're playing the bit and you guys fell for it. EDIT: The Ba Sing Se thing isnt even real! A twitter account parodying DiscussingFilm posted it as a joke.

4. It is an adaptation so they do have to shuffle things around and redo things.

5. When they said it's like "Game of Thrones" they did not mean its not for kids anymore. It was to give a little more weight to what's happening and expand the demographic from just kids to something everyone can enjoy. An all-ages show instead of a strictly kids show. I'd say ATLA already is that but they had to censor deaths to make it appropriate for very young kids. Albert Kim straight up says he put more details on the genocide in there because the original viewers, who were children and the cast like Gordon and Kiawentiio were able to see that and understand the implications in the OG so he thought okay we could show it more.

Also like, you do understand that a good reason why we ONLY see the remains of the air temples is not because of a deliberate choice but also because of censorship, right? They worked with to make it poignant and intentional rather than restrictive, but the censorship played a huge role.

6. They removed Sozin's comet to accommodate for the inevitably longer time frame over which the live action will take place in. All of them are growing older and there was no guarantee for s2. So unfortunately the series's timeline has to increase too. Sozin's commet happens in like 3-4 months on the OG. They COULD have put it in to give the kids direction and a deadline but that deadline would be like, maybe even 3-4 years from now. Like I get it, and I won't pass judgement on if it's a good or bad decision until I see the show.

6. Bryke were there for the first movie. We all know how THAT turned out.

You don't need to watch the show, you may continue to ignore its existence and even hate it but it irritates me to see people entirely misunderstand and make conclusions without knowing what is actually happening.

[oneatlatime]

The Earth King

As always, commentary off.

No. Sokka. No. Stop. This is your stupidest idea yet. I want to LEAVE Ba Sing Se.

Sokka. Listen to your sister. And your other sister.

Toph embodying my will manifested on screen.

What makes you think the Earth King is going to listen to four teens and their fluffy dog? When I put it that way, this is Scooby Doo. Scooby Doo plus Momo. Does that make Momo Scrappy Doo?

We're going back to Ba Sing Se. Great. Yay. I'm so excited.

It is rapidly becoming apparent that Sokka has lost his mind.

Surface to air rocks is funny. I'll give it to them, that's good.

This fight scene music is fantastic.

Aang took a level in badass at some point without my noticing.

I know these hats are inspired by real historical hats, and so I really shouldn't make fun, but these look like the lovechild of a toilet brush and a feather duster.

This fight is majority Toph and Katara. RIP the egos of these several hundred Earth Kingdom soldiers.

Please ensure your fluffy little butt is securely stored in the overhead bins before takeoff.

There's no way these guys are still alive. This is what was done to Jet, doubled. They dead.

The girl who doesn't even want to be here is doing all the work. Typical.

My congratulations to Toph, Katara, and Aang for demolishing an army without breaking a sweat. If only season 1 Katara could see you guys now.

I said in my previous write up that Zuko doing something good always comes back to bite him. I didn't mean it this literally. Did he have to take the jug out with him, or was that for the drama?

Good job guys!

Soka steals my job and points out the fulfillment of the Beat Up Sokka quota.

His earthiness has an interesting set of priorities.

So... is this episode just going to be talking?

He brainwashed your friend? Did you miss that he killed him too?

I said in my last write up that Long Feng was Avatar's first competent villain, but the tone he takes with the Earth King is so unsubtle that I'm thinking of rescinding that claim. Unless the King is so dumb that subtlety isn't required?

Toothprints. Sokka the idea guy coming in clutch. Too bad his brain wasn't engaged at the start of the episode.

Appa is a herbivore. Confirmed. Although he should have fangs for aesthetic reasons. Fanged Appa would be metal.

This king is a confusing mixture of endearing and infuriating.

No mere fever will prevent me from doing mundane actions in the most dramatic way possible!

Way back in the 90s there was a print ad for Chevy trucks that I remember seeing in magazines. It had a shirtless guy in jeans sitting on the bed of his truck in a field, pouring a bucket of water over himself. It was kind of at sunset and had a very late summer vibe. I had completely forgotten about it until I saw Zuko's bucket shenanigans in this scene, at which point I was abruptly -ABRUPTLY- reminded of how much time little me spent staring at that ad.

OH MY GOD. The King doesn't know about trains!!! BLASPHEMY.

Huh. So the King isn't stupid, he's just horrifically naive.

Positive attitude Sokka is kind of frightening. I do not like.

If I told this King that I had a bunch of puppies in my windowless van, he would totally fall for it. So much about the Earth Kingdom suddenly makes sense.

That one guard is having a doozy of a day.

Did the King just show a smidge of self-awareness? Wasn't expecting that.

Who is this? I have no idea who this is. I didn't realise how integral the scar was to the character's design. Give it back.

Yikes. A bunch of shmymbolism. I suck epically at decoding shmymbolism unless it's really spoon fed to me, so I'm not even going to try to understand this dream beyond 'poor guy has a really bad fever.'

Has anyone seen the Spencer Tracy movie Father of the Bride? There's a bit where he has a dream that the floor on the way to the altar does pretty much exactly this. Hungry floors must be a common dream experience.

Pretty.

If the King is really this completely ignorant of the war, who's been directing the army?

It's pretty neat that Sokka is the spokesperson of Team Avatar, and that no one disputes that.

Aang says "there's a comet coming this summer," but I heard "comic" and I know they made tie in comics for the show, so I was like "ooh a crossover episode!"

"You're already vulnerable. The Fire Nation won't stop until the Southern Water Tribe falls. You can either sit back and wait for that to happen, or take the offensive, and give yourself a fighting chance." -Sokka's dad speaking to the men of the Southern Water Tribe, while his son listens perhaps a bit too closely.

If the King really was completely in the dark about the war, how does he even know who the General is? Did Long Feng have the power to keep the General from mentioning the war?

"Your majesty I'm General How, head of the Council of Five." "What's that?" "It's in charge of your army." "Right. And what's the army up to these days?" ... " ...I planted a lovely tomato garden this year."

I love that earthbenders don't wear shoes, and that it's culturally normal. Makes an intriguing visual contrast to their fancy duds.

I have GOT to know what Mushi the teamaker's secret file says.

Toph can't read guys.

Sokka, Katara, I get it. You miss home too. But how would anyone at all from your tribe know to send a message for you to Ba Sing Se? Last time you all touched base, you were headed to the Northern Water Tribe. And those guys sent you off to Omashu, not Ba Sing Se.

Nitpick time! Katara starts reading the text of this letter out loud before she unrolls it.

Katara's voice acting while she's reading the letter is sweet. She's so excited.

Iroh. Priorities. Tea can wait.

"Huh? What's happening?" "You huffed a bit too much cave slime under Lake Laogai. Just ride it out."

This vase is lit like a main character.

"You're going through a metamorphosis my nephew." Iroh, he's a bit too old for that talk. Hang on I just realised that Zuko went through puberty on that ship. I bet that was rough.

I don't trust this. This news is all too good.

Aang referring to them all as "the family" hurts a little bit.

It is unbearably sweet to let Sokka go see their dad while Katara helps the Earth Kingdom plan, but Katara sucks at planning. Then again, the Earth Kingdom sucks in general, so maybe having a sucky planner will be a net improvement?

Either way it's good little sister content.

But there are six Kyoshi warriors. I counted in Appa's Lost Days.

Oh they didn't

Attack hug!

Airbender Zuko is a very effective jumpscare. Don't blame him for freaking out.

You know it's bad when finding the scar intact comes as a relief.

Nope. Don't trust it.

Fuck this guy.

Long Feng even eats rocks maliciously.

Fuck these guys.

Oh they did. Fuck these guys.

Final Thoughts

And just like that, it all went to shit. Or it will.

I was braced to be annoyed by how conveniently quickly the Earth King got with the program, but it actually fits well into the rest of the episode. Instead of a thing that goes improbably well, it's the one thing that goes right in episode filled with set up for everything falling apart. That bothers me less.

This episode was actually fun. At least until the end. It was mostly talking and Zuko on a bad trip. But it was win after win for everyone but my Ba Sing Se hating self, and it's always good to see your favourites having a good day. But! I have a glimmer of hope! So long as Sokka and Aang aren't completely written out until they return to Ba Sing Se, at some point I'll get some episodes outside of the city. And I have Appa back, so things aren't too bad in the grand scheme of things. I wonder that Appa wasn't upset at having all his people back for five minutes then having them split up again.

I do not like positive thinking Sokka, and I especially don't like that I have no idea where he came from. That point wasn't set up at all. I want my baby cynic back.

If letting Appa go was enough to trigger Zuko's morality crisis to the point of physical illness, why didn't letting Aang go in The Blue Spirit, or choosing to chase after Iroh rather than the Gaang in The Winter Solstice Part 1, cause a similar illness? What is different about this time?

Toph was once again the voice of reason in this episode, or rather my personal audience insert. Although it did surprise me how excited she was to see her mom. I thought that sending bounty hunters after their own daughter was kind of unforgivable, but either Toph doesn't know, or she's a more forgiving person than I am.

I realise now that this should have occurred to me when I watched Appa's Lost Days, but what idiot didn't take the Danger Ladies into custody when the Drill was stopped? btw I keep calling them the PowerPuff Girls in my head.

This episode was simultaneously a finale to a lot of threads and an introduction to a lot more. It was a chance to breathe between crossing the finish line of the 'find Appa' quest and starting the 'season finale' quest. It was also structured backwards. The big fight was like six minutes in. The 'what are we doing this episode?' was one of the last scenes. But it still works. I'll be interested to see what I think of this one when I rewatch it. It was such an info dump that I wonder if my opinion of it will be different once I watch it with all of the relevant facts known to me already. Either I'll appreciate the episode's other parts like the comedy, or I'll be bored. We'll see.

Two episodes left this season! I don't think I'll be getting to those before next year. See you all in 2024! (time needs to slow way down)

[dylanaz]

I don't understand why people don't get that everything B/ryke touches get ruined. Yes, they came up with the idea of ATLA, but they weren't the ones who made the show the masterpiece it is. At this point, it's getting ridiculous how people are still falling into the trap of "If they stayed, live action would've been better".

(This is directly copied from The Last Airbender movie Wikipedia page)

Avatar: The Last Airbender co-creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko voiced their opinion in an interview regarding Shyamalan writing, directing, and producing the film. The two displayed much enthusiasm over Shyamalan's decision for the adaptation, stating that they admire his work and, in turn, he respects their material.[16] In a 2014 interview, Konietzko and DiMartino said that the project was given the go-ahead without their approval, and when they tried to provide input, it all got pushed to the wayside. Konietzko added even further that "A) We didn't want it to be done at all. Before anyone was attached, we didn't want it. And then B) If it was going to be done, we wanted to do it, but they weren't going to let us. C) When they attached Night, we just thought, 'Well, this is what we've been dealt. We'll just offer help when it's asked of us, and if it's not, we'll stay out of the way'. In the beginning, it was more positive and we offered help, but then we had a big falling out".[17]

This is not the first time we all agreed that a certain something never existed. (There is no ATLA movie in Ba Sing Se). This is the creative team behind the ATLA comic:

Oh and there's another very controversial show after ATLA. Some fans liked it. Some didn't. What is it again? The Legend Of Korra.

I know that there are several other small projects that did well, but don't you see the reoccurring pattern? Most of the times when any of these projects got criticized, they just threw all the blame on the writers they were working with.

[giveamadeuschohisownmovie]

Pitch for the Earth Kingdom-Avatar show:

Assuming that Aang represents the 1800s (colonialism, warships, coal and oil) and Korra represents the 1920s (jazz music, steampunk, cars), let’s say the Earth Avatar takes place in the Avatar world’s equivalent of the 1970s/1980s.

For episode 1, instead of the traditional opening, we get a montage of how the world has changed since Korra died. Someone is watching TV and is flipping between channels, resulting in this montage:

1) A cheesy commercial about the home computer, developed by the Air Republic (by this point, the Airbenders have formed their own country)

2) A tacky ad about a cruise line for Kyoshi Island. The ad is intentionally degrading and not at all respectful of the island (lots of “ooohhh, how exotic!” type of editing).

3) A 60 Minutes interview with the Fire Nation Prime Minister (the Fire Nation government has changed since Korra died). The Prime Minister accuses the Earth Avatar of “Fire-phobia” and that he is biased towards the Earth Kingdom since that’s where he was born.

4) A news report that the crime rates in Ba Sing Se are skyrocketing.

5) A music video from a Northern Water Tribe celebrity. The song is in the style of city pop (ex: Mariya Takeuchi, Plastic Love).

6) A movie adaptation of Aang’s story. The actor playing Aang is obviously based on Arnold Schwarzenegger and the costumes are all wrong. It’s like the 1980s’ version of “Avatar The Last Airbender”.

7) Another interview in which several intellectuals argue about a “revisionist” perspective of the Hundred Year War. The intellectuals argue that the Fire Nation “needed” to attack in order to combat Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe aggression. They also placed the blame of the war on Aang for “cowardly” running away instead of acting as a peacemaker and that the real reason why the war ended was because of Zuko taking the throne.

8) Another news report that war between the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom is “imminent”. The Earth President and the Fire Nation Prime Minister both insist that they don’t want war but the news anchors cast doubt on the leaders’ statements. (obviously, this is to mimic the Cold War standoff between the US and the Soviet Union)

After the montage, we see that it was the Earth Avatar who was watching. He’s completely stressed out by what he was watching, which you can also see in his disheveled appearance. He tosses the remote and says something along the lines of, “Korra, if you’re out there, I need your guidance”. Korra doesn’t respond. The Earth Avatar then says, “Fine…I guess I’m on my own”.

Cue opening credits (which may or may not have 1980s synthpop beats).

[crystal-lillies]

General thoughts after watching Season 1 of Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender (spoilers may be present)

It's not bad. It's weird, but it's not bad.

No one asked for this.

No one asked, but we got it anyway. So what did we get?

It's not a 1:1 remake. I don't think, despite everything people have worried and griped about before the show's release, anyone wanted that either. It doesn't retain the same character arcs for everyone. Not just Sokka, but everyone.

At the same time, they still have arcs.

They're weird, they feel weird, because this show does what the Shyamalan movie doesn't, and makes an honest effort to capture the essence of the animated show, of the characters, of the world, and there is respect in its efforts.

There are musical motifs from the original. The set designs are out of the original. Many scenes are shot exactly like the original as homages.

And yet, storylines are merged together, elements from later seasons are introduced earlier, character interactions happen differently, character motivations are presented differently, and that feels weird.

We know the motions but when we the audience try to follow them, the show changes its direction and pulls a weird flex out of left field.

I won't say I agree with every major and minor change made, but I'm not enraged or disappointed in the same way as I was (and many of us were) after seeing the movie.

Instead, I'm more inclined to see where these new threads intend to go, and how the story we all know and love can be told in a different way.

Roku had barely a presence in this season, whereas in the original, he was more or less Aang's spiritual teacher. Instead, we've felt more from Kyoshi and Kuruk and Yangchen, and Aang has felt lost in his spiritual journey as well as his physical one.

Ozai, who was just a shadowy one-dimensional nightmare for most of the original first book, is now a more fleshed out figure, but one of confusing motivations. It's not the tonal whiplash of the movie, of the Ozai who legitimately worried and cared about Zuko's well being while also having still scarred and banished him, but one who is playing a 4-D chess game with his kids as the pieces and doesn't care who wins so long as one does.

I don't think it was the right call to have Zuko fight back in the Agni Kai before getting burned, but it gives a different dynamic to Zuko and Ozai's relationship that he's not the towering, shadowy Mark Hamill terror Zuko cowers before.

This Zuko seems legitimately convinced Ozai cares about him and all it takes is the Avatar to win his full love back, whereas there's still bitterness in the OG Zuko of book one. He knows Ozai favors Azula over him, he knows he's had to struggle well before being banished.

I also think not casting Dee Bradley Baker was a mistake. But they have time to correct that mistake.

All the kid actors, being green, of course do not stand up to expressive and gorgeous animation with brilliant voice acting. But they are all giving it their best, and I think they have what it takes to grow into the Book 3 Team Avatar if they get the chance.

The music got to me a number of times, particularly the instrumental renditions of "Leaves From the Vine."

Do we need this show? No absolutely not.

We have the original ATLA, and we always will. It's a timeless classic of our generation. Nothing could ever compete with it or ruin it.

However, I do feel like this adaptation is worth giving a chance to stand on its own. It may be far from perfect, but after watching it through, I legitimately want to see where it goes from here. I want to see this cast grow and change in their own ways. I want to see Toph in live action. I want to see Ba Sing Se. I want to see the new directions this story chooses to take to end up in the same place at Sozin's Comet.

But that might not happen if Netflix decides to cancel it, and I think that would be a shame.

I really do think it's worth seeing this show through, for better or worse.

Overall, as a show, I would give it a modest 7/10. (With individual elements skewing higher or lower throughout)

I don't like that it's only 8 episodes, but that's been a trend of other streaming shows also, across platforms, so I cannot fault NATLA alone for that.

You don't NEED to have seen the original to understand what's happening or get key details (unlike SOME adaptations have been doing recently). You can get a complete picture with just this. Is it as pretty or vibrant as the original? No. But it is still a whole picture (or, could be, with all three seasons).

It has great effects, sets, props, choreography, good music. It has SUKI. And JET. and JUNE. And THE Cabbage Man!

AND OMA/SHU ARE LESBIANS! I mean, I see that as an absolute win.

[waterfire1848]

If your still accepting the one ship prompt ask

How about Azutara for #13 co-stars au?

Hello, anon!! Here you go!

Azutara #13 - Co-stars

Billionaire Ozai Agni, father of actress Azula Agni, arrested for tax evasion and fraud!

Azula Agni drinking and driving! Punches the cop who tried to arrest her!

Azula Agni has reportedly fired her agent citing a professional dispute as the reason

“Azula Agni is taking a break from acting. She’s just not in the right head space anymore to act. She told me she’s seeing a therapist.” - Anonymous source

Two years later

Ba Sing Se Studios will produce a new movie with Azula Agni and Katara South as love interests

Azula downed the final drop of her water before making her way into the sound booth. Due to the expensive equipment, the company refused to allow anyone food or drinks while they were recording. When Azula entered the room, she was greeted by the sight of three sound booths in the entire room. All of them were pretty standard though, headphones, a place to set the script and a microphone in front of where they’d be standing.

“Azula Agni?” An older woman asked.

“Yes.” Azula confirmed.

“Hello! I’m Mrs. Wu! It’s so great to have you here! Katara should be joining us shortly. Why don’t you get started on some lines?” She asked.

“Katara’s coming?” Azula asked. For her animated work, Azula had never really worked with the other actors. Usually she just sent in her lines or came in and recorded.

“Yes. I really wanted you two in the same room to work together. This way you can work off of one another and get to know each other. You will be spending some time together both behind the microphone and in front of people for interviews and cons and stuff.” She explained.

Azula nodded then made her way into the booth, putting the headphones on and taking a moment to center herself. The script had some parts highlighted so Azula assumed that was what she was supposed to say.

“Wait! Wait!” A voice yelled.

A woman around Azula’s age with long brown hair, tied in a tight braid, and dark skin a little lighter than her hair color wearing a long blue dress came running into the room.

“You’re right on time, Katara.” Mrs. Wu chuckled, “No need to worry.”

“Great! I was so worried I was late.” Katara offered the woman a nervous smile until her eyes landed on Azula, “Oh. Is that Azula?”

“It is. You ready to work with a Golden Globe winning actress?” She asked.

“Winner before she went crazy.” One guy mumbled.

“None of that.” Mrs. Wu snapped, “Katara, get in the booth with Azula.”

“Got it.”

When Katara entered the booth, Azula looked up at her from the script, “Nice to meet you. I’m Azula."

“I know. You won a Golden Globe three years ago, you’ve been nominated for three Emmy’s and you have an album.” Katara must have realized what she sounded like because she quickly snapped her mouth closed, “I’m so sorry. It’s just such an honor to work with you.”

“It’s okay. I don’t mind someone listing off my accomplishments.” Azula smirked, “I assume you’re Katara South?”

“I am. I’m kind of new to acting. This is my first movie but I’ve had some smaller roles on tv shows.”

“Nice. This your first animated project?”

“Yes.” Katara nodded, “That obvious?”

“You forgot your script.” Azula noted.

“We can have it?” Katara asked, her eyes wide.

“Yes. This isn’t like acting in front of a camera where you have to absolutely know all your lines. You can have your script but you can’t read from the paper. You still have to act.” Azula explained.

“Wish I knew that before I stayed up till 1 am going over my lines.”

“Don’t worry. Just get a script from Mrs. Wu so we can start.”

Once Katara was situated, she and Azula were thrown right into recording. Mrs. Wu did seem to have a point that them being in the same room would help because it really worked as a good way to have someone to act against.

Everyday the woman continued to come to the same room and spend the bulk of their day recording. They arrived at 9 am and left around 6 pm. Most of what they did was just recording through, nothing beyond that. Even during lunch breaks, they never really talked. That is until a big fight scene.

In the movie, Katara’s character was meant to get into a huge argument with Azula’s character which would result in them breaking up but Katara was having trouble getting the tone just right.

“The way you’re saying it is fine.” Azula told her.

“I don’t want fine. I want people to rewind my scene over and over because I was so good. I really want to put everything into this role and this is one of the biggest scenes in the movie.”

“Okay. Let me hear it again.” Once again, Katara went through the entire speech with Azula piping up when her character was meant to speak, “Not bad, but if you want rewind worthy then I have a couple notes. One, try taking a break from it for a minute. If you keep going over and over this scene then it’s going to get bland and boring to you.”

“Okay. Good note.”

“The second is that you should try thinking about how you would feel in this moment. How would you react? What tone or energy would you bring to this argument? Or, instead of me, imagine that you’re yelling at an old friend or girlfriend or boyfriend who did something like this. I did something similar for my movie The Last Airbender. I had a big crying scene and asked everyone to leave the room so I could just be alone and delivered one of the most heartbreaking screams I’ve ever made. I still can’t watch it.”

Katara was just staring at Azula, her eyes wide with both respect and a little intimidation if she was being honest, “Wow. That’s amazing.”

Azula brushed a hand through her hair as if to say ‘I know’, “Give it time. You’ll get there too. I didn’t start off as the amazing actress I am today.”

“When did you start acting?” Katara asked.

“You know all the awards I’ve won but not when I started acting.” Azula laughed when she saw Katara look away with a blush on her face, “Six.”

“You were really young.”

“My father wanted me to start young. He had be in commercials as a baby but my mom demanded that stop when I started school. Then, when I was six, I got my first part in a tv show and from there my fame only grew.” Azula took a couple large gulps of her water while Katara looked kind of nervous. Azula’s father wasn’t exactly a secret. The entire world knew the cops had been after him for a while and that he was involved in a lot of shady stuff.

“I made the subject depressing by bringing up my dad, didn’t I?” Azula asked.

“Kind of.” Katara admitted.

“I tend to do that. You want the truth? He was a really horrible father. He had me in more roles than I could manage and while that was the reason why I won so many awards, it’s also the reason why I ended up in the hospital twice because I kept passing out. And, in case you’re wondering, that is why I went crazy after he was arrested.”

Katara might not have been the best actress in Hollywood but she knew plenty about comforting people who were clearly hurting, “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.” She spoke in a soft voice as she took Azula’s hand and rubbed her thumb against Azula’s fingers.

“Thanks, but you don’t have to worry about it.”

“But you’re my friend. I want to worry.” Katara said.

Azula’s eyes widened, “We’re friends?” She asked.

“I’d like to think so.” Katara said, offering her a smile.

A warmth filled Azula’s chest. She hadn’t had a friend in a really, really long time, “Then would you want to go drinking tonight?” Azula asked, “There’s this bar close to my house that I go to every Friday.”

“Sure!”

————————————

Maybe Katara should have through this through more.

She was currently standing in the middle of a large club that easily contained about two hundreds people, all of whom were dancing on the dance floor of softly swaying their hugs. A couple were screaming to be heard and others were just making out in the booths. Finally, Katara’s eyes landed on Azula.

“Katara!” Azula called, “You made it!” Azula was dressed in a beautiful short red dress that had sleeves which came to her wrists. Her hair was pulled up into a tight ponytail and she was wearing a hair of golden heels, “I was beginning to think you’d forgotten about me.”

“You? Never.” Katara took a seat in the booth Azula had acquired, “So, this is the bar you always come to?”

“Yup. Why? Expecting something else?” Azula asked.

“Kinda. I expected more of a fancy, elegant place not-“ Katara had to stop talking for a minute before someone threw a bottle in their direction, “this.”

“Well, lucky for you I already have enough alcohol in me to tell you why I like this place so much.” Azula told her, taking another few gulps of her beer, “My brother owes the place.”

“Wait? Really?” Katara asked, “He owes this entire bar?”

“Whole thing. I get free stuff here because of it. Come on. Let me show you the real reason I like the place so much.” Azula stood up and offered Katara her hand which Katara gladly accepted, with a slight blush, as she was led up the stairs and into a room marked employees only.

A man was at a desk in the room where they entered. His head resting in his hands and his body sagged in an almost cartoonish fashion to show how tired he was.

“Li, you can’t be showing up this late to-Azula? What are you doing here? Who is this?” He asked. When he turned around, Katara’s eyes were drawn to the massive scar over his eye. It was clearly old but also clearly effecting his vision.

“Katara South. My co-star in that new movie I’m doing.” Azula explained, “Katara, this is my older brother, Zuko.”

“Nice to meet you.” Zuko then directed an annoyed face to Azula, “I assume you’re here for free stuff?”

“You offend me dear brother. I would never just use you for free things like two beers and mozzarella sticks.”

“I’ll send them up.” Zuko nodded.

“This is why I love you, Zuzu.” Azula grinned, “Bye! Come on, Tara.” Azula led her out to the roof of the building which was slated to a more horizontal position so the two woman could sit down without fear of falling off.

“This is why I like this bar so much.” Azula revealed, letting the wind fly through her black hair as the sounds of the city filled her ears.

“The lights are so beautiful.” Katara whispered, “I grew up so far away from the city though. Guess I’m not used to the noise.”

“You’ll learn.” Azula promised, taking another few drinks, “Everyone learns to tune out the noise after you’ve lived in a city for a few months. So, what brought you all the way out here?”

“I wanted to act and I’m good at it. I landed a few smaller roles near my hometown but to actually do anything big I’d have to go into the city. So, I did and I got this role.” Katara pulled her legs up to her chest for a bit of extra warmth. True, it was beautiful up here but it was also freezing.

“Impressive. Took me a few TV appearances before people started approaching me for movies.” Azula admitted.

“So, what you’re saying is, I’m a better actress than you?” Katara asked, a large grin on her face.

“Now I didn’t say that.” Azula chuckled, “You’re decent. I’ll give you that, but you have a few more years before you’re at my level.”

“You think so? I think I’m already at your level.” Katara was close to Azula by this point, her face only two or so inches away. Azula was getting drunk but Katara was just having fun, “We’re in the same movie, aren’t we?”

“It’s not the same and you know it.”

“How is it not the same?” Katara asked.

“This is a step forward for you. For me it’s a step backwards.” That certainly caught Katara off guard, “No one wants to hire the a crazy actress and even when I get some roles there’s always a director or co-star who refuses to work with me because they don’t want my name attached to a project.” Not to mention the multiple comments she got from people who didn’t believe in therapy. When Azula went to visit her father in prison, after news broke that she was in therapy, he berated her for her entire visit and told her never to come back.

There was a reason why she had taken such a long time to get back into acting.

“My father, my supposed friends, my coworkers, they all threw me away.” She took the final two gulps of her beer then tossed it onto the street, “Not that I need them. I’m doing just fine. Got a role in a movie when everyone said I couldn’t, it’s from a respectable studio, my co-star is gorgeous, I have an audition tomorrow, I-“

“Wait. Go back one.” Katara said, “I’m gorgeous?”

Katara saying it again seemed to make Azula realize her slip up because her face quickly grew red and she turned away, “I didn’t mean that. I’m just a little drunk and-and I don’t even know what I’m saying. I’m just so-“

“I think you’re really beautiful too.” Katara said.

Azula turned back to face Katara, “Really? You’re not just saying that because I’m being a mess?”

Katara scooted herself closer to Azula until their hips were touching, “Really?” Much to Katara’s surprise, Azula leaned forward and their lips collided. Azula was even more surprised when Katara wrapped her arms around her and kissed her back.

[kraken17]

"Well, I finally have the Predator film series complete!" "But you're missing the fourth movie…" "Fourth movie? What fourth movie? There is no fourth movie in Ba Sing Se."

[zvtara-was-never-canon]

What you say to this

Let's debunk all the lies:

1 - "Kataang is one-sided" We literally hear Katara talk about how he gives her hope in the begining of EVERY SINGLE EPISODE, she canonically starts thinking of him as potential boyfriend instead of just a friend right in the middle of the first season (and after it we never see her having a crush on another boy like say Jet), the kiss on the cave at the start of season two is HER idea and she clearly enjoyed it, she is visibly upset when he's pulling away from her after Appa's kidnaping, her rage at his death is a clear parallel both to Tui and La as well as Oma and Shu, she is jealous when he's paying attention to other girls and flirting with him, she clearly liked the kiss during the Invasion even if she didn't see it coming, she threated to murder Zuko if he ever hurt Aang again, and even in the Ember Island fiasco she full on says to Aang that what her actress said about her only seeing him as a little brother is not true.

2 - "The age/maturity gap makes it weird" It's literally the same age gap as Zutara. It's TWO years, not twenty. Katara likes having fun and goofing around just as much as Aang does. Aang steps up and embraces his responsibilities just as much as she does when he discovers what the Fire Nation did to the world, and his people. Honestly, despite being older, Zuko is the least mature of all three - hell, 16-year-old Zuko is less mature than 13-year-old Zuko, which makes perfect sense because his abuse and banishment made him double down on all of his flaws, mainly his stubborness and tendency to lash out in rage.

3 - "They spent the second half of book 3 always fighting and disagreeing" They literally were only in conflict during The Southern Raiders, Ember Island Players, and then on the first episode of a four-part saga. Three episodes out TEN. Katara and Zuko meanwhile spent 5/6 of the entire series being enemies, AND she only forgave him when there was only ONE more episode left until the finale.

4 - "Zutara doesn't have any real red flags" Ya know, besides the fact that Zuko's nation and family commited genocide against Katara's people, and that he believed that was 100% okay, and that he chased her and her friends all over the world being openly hostile and violent, and he once hit her so hard it knocked her out cold, and he constantly calls her a peasant because he's very classist AND racist to the point of not recognizing her father's authority/status, and he attacked her when she offered to heal his uncle and then again in Ba Sing Se after she thought they had bonded, him helping Azula in battle was why she got to murder Katara's best friend and then he also sent an assasin after the Gaang to finish/repeat the job, and after all that he still felt entitled to her forgiveness after he was accepted into the group. Once again: this is why no one takes zutarians seriously. They love bragging about their ship being "complex and intriguing" then try to completely negate canon because for all their talk about "calling out abuse in Kataang/Maiko", they are, at their core, enablers.

5 - "Zutara was part of Ehasz's vision for book 4" No, it wasn't, and the man said so himself. He liked Mai and Maiko, and wrote lots of Kataang episodes. He has repeatedly let everyone know that the supposed interview in which he talks about how Bryke forced Kataang to happen at the last minute is FAKE.

6 - "We didn't get book 4 because Bryke wanted a movie" Bryke didn't really WANT the Shyamalan movie, but Nickelodeon, their bosses, wanted money. They literally walked out on the production because they were unhappy with it. They were OFFERED to make season four, but didn't feel it was necessary and stuck to three - and while I don't think that was the best choice, it still worked and it was a decision fully divorced from any movie deal or ship war.

7 - "People get angry at mention of zutara despite there being nothing wrong with the ship itself (besides not being canon)" Literally no one is obligated to like a ship just because YOU think it's perfect, and that kind of entitlement, the "I'm better/smarter than everyone else" complex, combined with all the lies, is exactly why people tend to hate the SHIPPERS and by extension the ship itself.

Admiting that zutara has always been pure fanon and that it isn't for everyone doesn't mean you have to stop liking it. Quit acting like a spoiled child, go enjoy your ship in peace, and respect other people's right to be indifferent to it or actively disliking it. Their personal preference is not a personal attack against you, stop treating it as such.

[valerietompson]

Some people in the PJO fandom (including myself) are speculating about the characters potentially getting ‘Daniel Radcliffed’ for new fans that get into the Riordanverse through the Disney show, but I’m honestly curious how many people experienced that through the movies.

Like, yeah there is no movie in Ba Sing Se and all that, but seriously, I watched the movies long before I ever touched the books (tragic. I know), and while my mental image for most of the characters quickly realigned to the canon descriptions and Viria fanart after reading the books, one singular character is permanently altered in my brain: Grover Underwood.

No matter what I’m reading, be it the actual books, fanfiction, or what have you, I imagine Grover as black. Sure my understanding of his personality is now in agreement with canon, but his looks? Absolutely not. It actually throws me for a loop literally anytime I get reminded that he’s not black in the books because I keep forgetting that that’s just how I imagined him as a movie-first fan and it stuck.

[hotpinkrathian]

I know that the holidays are *technically* over, and I'm late posting this. But if anyone has any cheer leftover here's a Hallmark movie Kyalin fic

Kya stepped off the train, the tempered air pinching her nose. 

She looked at the crisp snow as it landed on her belongings with a certain fondness. 

The snow in RC was different than the snow at the poles, or the lack of snow in Ba Sing Se. 

It had an aura to it, which she attributed to the density of airbenders in the area. 

She pulled on her mitts, setting her bag down for a moment. 

She would regret it though, as almost instantaneously someone came up behind her, looping the handles of her purse around their arm and sprinting into a run. 

“Hey!” She shouted, running after them. She pulled her suitcase behind her, inevitably slowing her down.

The perpetrator was far ahead of her, clearly a skilled thief as they expertly maneuvered through the crowded station. 

“Someone stop them!” She shouted, but people simply watched her futile chase. 

She was about to give up, when a woman stepping onto the platform stuck out her arm, stopping the thief with a self-inflicted blow to the throat. 

Kya gasped as she went up to the stranger and the fallen perpetrator. 

“Oh my, thank you so much,” she said, wrapping the woman in a hug. 

The woman stiffened, but accepted it. 

When they pulled apart she picked up the bag by the straps, the thief wheezing on the ground. 

“I believe, based on circumstances, this is yours,” the woman said, handing it to her.

“It is, thank you so much. No one else stopped them and I guess my yelling didn't quite warrant the attention of security.” She said sarcastically, doing a quick check of her bag to make sure everything was there. 

“Yeah the security here is pretty terrible.” The woman agreed. Upon closer inspection, Kya was able to make out a few distinct features. 

She had porcelain skin with jet black hair. Her eyes were a very distinct shade of green, undoubtedly speaking to her earth nation heritage. 

But most notably were a set of paired scars, running from her cheekbones to the base of her face. The tissue was slightly raised, speaking to a rushed patch job, but relatively neutral in color. 

“Tell me about it. What a warm welcome back to the city, robbed as soon as I step onto the platform.” Kya said, brushing herself off and strapping her purse onto herself.

Past the other woman she was able to see a couple of guards coming up to them, a definite lack of pep in their step. 

“We'll take it from here- chief?” 

“Surprise.” The other woman said. Kya watched, trying to make sense of the interaction.

“We were just-”

“I know what you were doing, and it nearly cost this lovely woman her purse, and you three weeks of desk duty.” The officers looked at each other, defeated as they picked up the thief and began to carry him away. 

“You're the security,” Kya said, facepalming.

“Mm, close. Lin Beifong, Chief of Police. Please excuse my lack of uniform, I've just arrived from Zaofu.” 

Kya accepted the hand shake, still feeling a little embarrassed. 

“I feel like an idiot,” she told Chief Beifong. 

“Don't. We appreciate the feedback. Helps me decide who's cut out for field work.” 

“Well, I'm glad I could help.”

“What's your name, you know, for the incident report?” 

“Oh, uh Kya. Kya Cloud.”  Kya watched the gears turn in the police Chief's head as her name registered. There was no way someone of so much status hadn't heard her name before. 

She was the only daughter of Avatar Aang, after all. 

“Well, I reckon it's about time we met, Miss Cloud”.

“Just Kya is fine.”

“Right. Well, is there anything else I can do for you, maybe something that will increase your rating?” 

Kya laughed, pulling her things close to her.

“I think this will suffice,” Kya told her, “you can expect at least three elements from me.”

“I'll take it.” Chief Beifong stated. “I'll see you around, ‘just Kya’.” 

Kya bade her farewell, watching the woman go down the platform. 

She took a deep breath, suppressing her smile, and the butterflies in her stomach as she started the walk home. 

“I can't believe you almost got robbed!” Her mother said, hugging Kya again for good measure. 

“Mom, relax, it ended up okay. You know I could've taken him. If I had been prepared.” 

“Your lucky Lin was there.”

“No kidding. She was very efficient.” 

“She's excellent at her job. The best Police Chief the City has ever seen. Including its first.” 

“Who was the first?”

“Kya, I know I've told you.”

“And you know I'm forgetful. I'm a busy woman, mom.”

“Lin's own mother, one of my best friends, Toph Beifong.”

Memories came back as Kya pieced history together. No wonder Lin had come off familiar, she had been an essential person in Kya's early childhood. Kya was about fourteen when the Beifong's stopped hanging around. It seemed like a lifetime ago despite it being only twenty years. 

“Right, I remember now.” Kya said. 

Her mother didn't seem assured, but carried on with her preparation anyway. Her and Kya were currently decorating the temple for the holidays, making everything either sparkle, or shine. It would be the first Christmas with a baby in the family, and Kya's first time meeting the little one. 

She felt terrible she hadn't seen Jinora, but her career often had her on the road, and she hadn't gotten a chance to stop at Republic City in nearly eight months. 

She took some solace in knowing Jinora was only a month old, so there was still plenty of time for her to become the career-wine aunt. 

“When will Tenzin be by?” She asked.

“He told me he and Pema should be back tomorrow. They decided to break the trip from the air temple into one more day, to give them some time to sufficiently rest.” 

“So just you and me tonight then mum?”

“Actually I have to make a City council meeting. The last one before the holidays.”

“So just me?”

“Sorry dear. You're welcome to come, or you could go out. Spend a night on the town? It's Saturday so it should be alive. Not Friday night alive, but alive nonetheless.”

“Alright. Know any good spots?”

“Hmm, I've heard some friends talk about Rafters. It might be old for you though.”

“Gotta start somewhere. Maybe I can bring a plus one to Christmas,” Kya smirked. 

Katara shot her a glare, so Kya just laughed.

She supposed she was going out tonight.

Her mother was right about the crowd of Rafters being older. Kya didn't mind, it meant more people willing to buy her a drink. At this rate, she'd be plastered before the tides even changed directions. 

She sat at the bar, absorbing the chatter of the crowd. Sipping on a peppermint Mojito- tis’ the season. The TV was set to a pro-bending tournament, which she hadn't paid attention to.

Her attention was drawn to a boisterous chatter at the door. A group of people came in, laughing, and dressed uniformly. 

At the tail end of the group was a woman, in her thirties, porcelain skin, black chopped hair and a pair of scars on her cheek. 

The woman saw Kya, too, excusing herself from the others and coming up to her.

“Are you stalking me?” Lin asked, setting an elbow on the bar and leaning in.

“I could ask you the same.”

“Hah, I always come here on Saturday. Like clockwork.” 

Kya had an inkling her mother may have had some ulterior motives sending Kya here.

It was frustrating, but Kya had to applaud her mother's nonchalance. 

“Well you got me. Take me away, officer,” Kya said, holding out her wrists. 

Lin smiled, looking at the table of her colleagues, then back to Kya.

“Why don't we pretend you weren't drinking alone, and you come join us?”

“Saving me twice today? Someone is looking out for me.”

“Seems to me you're still owed a proper Republic City welcome.”

“Your rating just went up, Beifong.” 

Lin smiled, ushering Kya to their table. 

“Everyone, this is Kya Cloud.” Lin introduced. Kya watched the same gears turn in their heads as she had with Lin earlier. 

“She'd like to join us tonight, if that's alright.”

No one protested, and Kya slid into the booth next to Lin. 

She absorbed their stories, shopping recommendations, restaurant recommendations and tourism tips for RC. By midnight she had a comprehensive list of everything Republic City had to offer.

She had also had another Peppermint Mojito, a Gingerbread Martini, and a shared pitcher of Apple Cranberry Sangria. 

“Have a good night everyone!” Lin said, watching her coworkers leave. The two of them were left in the booth. 

“You didn't want to go with them?” Kya asked.

“No.”

“Why not? And don't say because I needed a walk home.”

“Hah, I'm wasted. As soon as I stand up I'm going to hit the floor. Didn't want them to see me like this.” 

Kya laughed, sliding out of the booth, offering her own dizzy hand to Lin, who took it. 

“You got cash?” Lin asked. 

“A bit, why?”

“Tip the bartender. I used all mine on the pitcher.” Kya pulled her cash out, leaving it on the table as the two of them headed outside for the sobering cold. They walked a ways, shivering slightly at the brisk air, before Lin pulled a cigarette from her pocket, using a lighter to ignite it. 

“You know those are terrible for you,” Kya told her.

“Yup,” Lin replied, handing it to her. Kya accepted  taking a puff before handing it back. 

“So, you're back for the holidays?” Lin asked her.

“Yeah, my brother had a baby. Figured it warranted a visit.”

“Really? Which brother?” 

“Tenzin, the younger one.” 

“Wow, I remember going to school with him. He always wanted a family, so that's good to hear.” 

“Yeah. A little girl, Jinora.” 

Lin nodded, taking another puff.

“And what about Bumi?”

“Still with the United Forces Navy. He's coming back in a couple days. His service will be over in… a couple years I think? Got a couple medals, and don't ask because I'm terrible at that stuff.”

Kya watched as Lin took another long, contemplative puff before handing the cig back to Kya. 

“And you?” Lin asked. 

Kya scoffed on her exhale, relishing the warmth of the smoke on her face.

“I move around a lot for work. I'm a doctor, wherever a patient needs me to be one. Just came from Ba Sing Se.”

“How's the patient?” 

“Dead.”

“Jeez, I'm sorry.” 

“Don't be,” Kya said, handing what little was left of the cigarette back to Lin, “she was old, she knew it was coming. I was there easing the pain.”

Lin seemed satisfied with that, and her cigarette had run out, so they kept walking. They were making their way towards the ferry, and as the alcohol wore off, Kya was starting to feel the real effects of the cold. 

“Can I ask you something?” Kya asked as they walked.

“I got them on duty. Apprehending a getaway driver for a triad.”

“Oh, uh, I'm sorry.” 

“Don't be, I haven't even told you the worst part.”

“Oh.”

“The driver was my sister.”

Sister. That was right, there were two Beifong children… Lin and…

“Suyin.” Kya stated. Lin seemed impressed, and nodded.

“She was young, dumb, and fell  in with the wrong crowd. We've… made up, sort of. I visit once a year, if just to see the kids.” 

“She has kids?

“Yup, four with one on the way.”

“Wow.” Kya said, unsure of what to make of that. She didn't even know what Suyin looked like anymore. It was hard to picture the toddler she once knew with five kids. 

They were coming up on the pier, and Kya was getting tired of seeing her frosty breath in front of her. 

“You don't have to come on the ferry,” Kya told her, “I get it's a hassle, really I'll be okay.”

“It won't affect the rating, will it?” Lin teased, sticking her hands in her coat. 

Kya laughed, shaking her head. 

“Of course not. Assuming I don't get mugged aboard.”

“Well, if you do, you know where to find me.”

Lin said. The Chief removed a single cold hand from her coat, offering Kya a handshake, which Kya accepted. 

They bade their farewells and Kya continued on to the ferry, opting to sit indoors and warm up. 

She had to wait ten minutes for the change of the hour before the boat departed, but the journey across was only twenty minutes. 

She used the time to reflect on her night, how it had immediately improved upon Lin’s arrival at the bar. She wished she had a better way to express her gratitude. 

When they docked she tipped the ferryman, and made for the warmth of the temple. 

As expected, her mom was already asleep. Kya went for the pitcher of water and poured herself a glass, hoping to curve the hangover she was going to have tomorrow. 

She made her way up the stairs, pausing at her mother's door, but moving on.

She laid in bed, her mind once again drifting to the events of the day, and how circumstances had guided her interactions with Chief Beifong twice. 

How many times before she could stop the coincidence excuse?

“Coming!” Kya said, walking to the door. The bell had gone off, and her mother's hands were full with bed sheets as she prepared for the prodigal son’s return. 

“hel- Lin?” 

“morning Kya,” the earthbender said, her arms crossed. 

“did I forget something or-” 

“Actually, I'm here for Katara. You don't mind if I borrow her for a moment, do you?”

Kya was caught off guard, and she was well aware of her processing delay crossing her slow response. 

“right, of course, come on in.”

“Katara?”

“Chief Beifong in the flesh! You aren't fed up with me and Kya yet?”

“fed up with you? Me? Never. I brought those papers you inquired about last night. I know you won't have another order of business till after the holidays, and it seems you have your hands full here, or you're about to, so I figured I'd bring them over early. Take your time, I just need them back before the hearing on the second.” 

“Absolutely it's no problem Lin, and thank you so much. I'm surprised you didn't send one of your ‘henchmen’”

“my ‘henchmen’ are far and few right now. No one wants to work over the holidays.”

“and you shouldn't either,” 

“heh, I've had my fun. I went to Zaofu last week. I just got back yesterday- when I ran into Kya actually.” 

Kya allowed herself to drift into the conversation at the mention of her name. 

“good for you! How are Su and the kids?”

Kya could see Lin bite her tongue, and she wanted to ask for the tea, but refrained in fear of coming on too strong. 

“as good as they'll ever be.” Lin replied after a thoughtful pause.

“and you?” Katara asked, surprising Kya by placing her hands on either side of Lin’s face.

“good as I’ll ever be.” Katara didn't seem convinced, but she released the earthbender. Lin looked at Kya, a shameful look on her face. Like a guilty puppy. 

“Why don't you come for dinner tonight?” Katara asked. 

“I shouldn't. Kya tells me you're getting the other thirds this afternoon. You've got a full house.”

“Really it's fine,” Kya interjected. “I mean, there's plenty of food, and you've been such a help.” Lin looked torn. Like her heart said yes but her head said no. 

Kya told herself she would accept either verdict. 

“Alright, but just for dinner. I refuse to disrupt your family anymore.” 

“Of course, we will see you tonight then, Lin.” 

Katara said. 

“I'll walk you out,” Kya offered. The door was only a few meters behind them, but Kya walked anyway. 

“Thanks,” Lin said, placing her nimble fingers on the doorknob.

“It's no problem, really.” Kya assured her. “Holidays, right? No one should be alone.” 

Lin nodded, her hands turning the knob slightly. 

“Right. Um, last night… you had fun, right?” Lin asked nervously.”

Kya looked at her, not in an inspection way, but in the most honest way she knew how. 

“Of course. My mom can't stop teasing me about it.” 

“We should do it again sometime,” Lin suggested, and Kya felt her heart skip a beat.

“Yeah, totally.” 

Lin's hand finished turning the knob. 

“I'll see you tonight, Kya.”

“See you tonight,” Kya replied, watching her step out into the snow, closing the door behind her. 

“You are an evil woman mother,” she said, shaking her head. 

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” 

“Mhmm, so you just sent me to the random cop bar last night?”

“It's the only bar I know about.” 

“Right and it happens to be a cop bar?”

“Lin's the only person in the city that I know goes to bars.”

“And inviting her over?”

“She's a friend Kya, we see each other all the time. I helped her with her… accident a while back. You get close in a situation like that.” 

Kya eyed her mother suspiciously but decided to let it slide.

She was onto Katara, but truthfully, she didn't mind. 

In fact, she was hoping things went well tonight, even if it meant her mother had to do a little meddling. 

Things were just as exciting as Kya had anticipated when her brothers arrived. They were both coming from different directions, but their arrival times appeared to be coordinated with Tenzin and company arriving fifteen minutes after Bumi. 

“How was your trip?” Katara asked, embracing her youngest in a hug.

“It was fantastic, mother.” 

“Mm, so we can expect baby number two in nine months?” Kya teased, earning herself a swat from Katara. 

“I prepared the rooms for you guys, washed your sheets and everything. Little Jinora's nursery is all ready for her upstairs.”

“Perfect, I think this one could use a nap, inside a real house, with an actual crib.” Pema stated, taking Jinora inside.

With all of them together the absence of their father was more noticeable. It had only been ten months since his passing, and the first holiday season without him. Kya could see the pained look in her mother's eye, but she knew that offering a hug would only make it worse.

At least they had a baby to help fill the void of Avatar Aang. 

Kya helped Bumi and Tenzin carry their belongings inside, like the good sister she was, while she thought about what it would mean for them to have a festive dinner without her dad.

Surely Bumi would take over the toast because he was the oldest? Or Tenzin because he was also an arrowhead? 

Either way she was off the hook, which meant she could focus on the chief. 

“Lin will be joining us tonight,” Katara told the boys.

“Lin? I haven't seen her in…well it has to be over a decade,” Bumi said. 

“How did you manage to convince Lin to join us?” Tenzin asked, looking up the stairs for his wife. 

“Oh you are too hard on her Tenzin. She was happy to come. Plus I owe her one for taking care of your sister.”

“You got arrested?” Bumi asked, directing his inquiry at Kya.

“Excuse me? I got robbed at the train station and she caught the guy. Why did you automatically assume I was the perpetrator?”

“It wouldn't be the first time,” Bumi stuck his tongue out and Kya wanted to slap him. 

“You got robbed? Kya are you okay?” Tenzin asked, and Kya nodded her head.

“Bumi, see how he was concerned for my well being? Yes Tenzin I am fine, I didn't even lose anything. The guy tried to make a run for it and Lin stuck her arm out and basically throat-punched the guy as he sprinted down the platform.”

“Badass,” Bumi commented, earning a glare from his brother and mother. 

“Anyway,” Katara interjected, “I invited her for dinner, it's bad enough she has to work this time of year. The least we can do is offer her a warm meal and some company.” 

“Didn't she make up with her sister?” Tenzin asked. 

“Yes, but she went last week to see them. As the Chief she's kind of expected to be here over the holidays.”

The others seemed convinced and Kya leaned into Bumi's ear.

“Plus, Lin is super hot now,” she said, earning a raised eyebrow from her older brother. 

She caught her mother's smirk, and Kya realized she may not have been as quiet as she'd thought. 

Dinner time came, and with it so did snow, and of course, Republic City Police Chief Lin Beifong. 

She came in, an impressive bottle of wine in her hand, and allowed Kya to take her coat. 

They exchanged small greetings before Kya led her to the dining room. In the better lighting Kya was able to make out more of her features and clothing. 

Her pants were gray Khaki's which she paired with a black turtleneck and a black and gold belt. 

Kya felt underdressed in her corduroys, but she took solace in knowing she was still more put together than either of her brothers. 

“Welcome Lin, please take a seat.” Katara greeted, gesturing to the chair next to her, in between Katara and Kya. 

“Thank you for having me everyone,” Lin said as she sat down.

“It's no problem dear. I owe you one for keeping Kya safe, and busy the other night.” 

Kya immediately blushed, sure of the insinuation her brother would read into. 

Sure enough Bumi smirked at her, and she forced herself to look away.

“Just doing my job, Katara. Tenzin, Pema, Katara tells me you just got back from the Eastern Air temple, how was it?”

“It was beautiful,” Tenzin told her.

“But no place for a newborn, the building is far too drafty. Trying to get Jinora to sleep when the wind is echoing throughout the entire place was a nightmare.” 

Kya chuckled a bit, satisfied with Pema's honesty. Tenzin had good intentions, but he was the kind of willfully naive type. 

He was optimistic, without the necessary caution. Something he'd learn as a father no doubt. 

“And Bumi, I've heard much word of you over the years, Rear Admiral.” 

Kya was aware of her brother's status in the Navy, but truthfully she had no idea what rankings meant. She remembered when he was made Lieutenant, and that was a good thing. “Rear” made it sound worse but “Admiral” sounded like a promotion. 

Lin was congratulating him, so Kya took it as an improvement. 

“You sure know how to make a guy feel special,” Bumi said, “I appreciate that Lin. Take notes, Kya.” 

Kya waved him off, plucking a piece of her meal onto a fork and stuffing her mouth. 

“Well Lin, we've heard the story from Kya, but we would love to hear your perception of what happened at the train station the other day.”

“Of course,” Lin said, placing her utensils gently on either side of her plate. 

“I'm getting off the train, I'd just come from a long, and I mean LONG week at Zaofu. I step into the republic city air, honestly I was looking forward to it. Then I hear this woman shouting, pulling a suitcase behind her, flailing her arms. And a man she's running behind and instinct kind of just kicked in. I stretched out my arm and he hit it. I will never forget the look on Kya's face though. Jaw agape, sweat coating her brow and her eyes shocked and relieved. Went through all of the emotions in a single moment.”

The table burst into laughter, and Kya did too. The whole thing seemed so silly and spontaneous now. 

“I owe you one, Lin,” Kya joked, “next time you need a bad guy apprehended and you're double booked let me know. Can't promise it'll be as clean as what you are used to, but it'll get done.”

“Mmm, it's very tempting Kya, don't make a promise you can't keep.” 

“I can keep it.”

“Wonderful to hear, you want to go to work for me tomorrow?” 

“Can't, holiday plans,” Kya grinned. The look on Lin's face was… confusing. 

Captivating, titillating, flirtatious. 

Uh oh. 

Kya was now well aware of the table watching their banter and she wanted to excuse herself but doing so would confirm what they were all thinking. 

She side eyed her brother's smirk and returned to her meal with a blush. 

Luckily her mother offered to get the dessert and the conversation continued to flow smoothly for the rest of the meal.

It was nearly 9:30 pm before they were wrapped up. After a glass of wine (or two) Lin was ready to leave so Kya offered to walk with her to the ferry. 

“You know,” Lin started, “you don't have to make excuses to come see me.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“I mean, if you wanted to stop by the police station sometime you could say it's to follow up on the train station thief. Or you could say you wanted to see me.”

“And why would I say that?” Kya played along. 

“Because you wanted to ask me on a second date.” 

“Think you skipped a step there, Lin. The wine get to you? Or was it my gingersnaps?”

“On the contrary, Kya, I think it was you. My head hasn't been quite right since the day I saved your purse.” 

“Anything I can help with? I'm a healer after all.” 

“Probably. I have some free time Saturday at seven. We could go to  Zoryu's Palace at seven-thirty.”

“Why not seven?” Kya asked.

“I need time to pick you up.” Lin replied.

It was something about the nonchalance, yet the nervousness. All of the personality, but the withholding words that tempted Kya into saying yes.

One day, Lin would ask her why she agreed to get dinner with the Chief of Police and Kya would tell her it was because she wanted to say thanks, or that Lin's charismatic charm had won her over. 

But truthfully, Kya had known she met her match from the moment she saw her throat punch the thief at the train station. 

"It's a date."