#745voiceofthepeople

[comradekatara]

It’s me again, and I’ve got another ask for ya @comradekatara

And no stupid pol meme’s that I gave only a cursory glance too and stupidly screenshotted this time!

I’ve seen a few of your post (at least I think it was your’s) about LOK. So I was wondering. In regard to the main villains, who is your least favorite/most disliked?

And what would you change about their motivations and perhaps their “villainous” means to make them a more compelling and/or sympathetic character?

lol this is a pretty big ask. i mean basically every villain in lok is completely incoherent thematically, politically, ideologically. people will call amon a communist but he doesn’t actually give a shit about economics or class in any capacity. people call unalaq a theocrat but as far as im aware he isn’t exploiting people’s spiritual faith to gain power, (maybe that’s what he was doing at first, but) he literally wants to submerge the world into “darkness” for one million years for… reasons and purposes. unalaq/vaatu is by far the worst lok villain, but that’s not even saying much because it’s so patently ridiculous and cartoonish. the red lotus are actually compelling but they also love chaos for the sake of chaos (because anarchism!) and want to violently murder a teenage girl and hold a genocided people hostage to do so (despite zaheer’s supposed respect for air nomads). and kuvira is an ethnonationalist who declares herself emperor, so i guess she’s at least a somewhat coherent portrait of a real type of person who actually exists, but the fact that the fascist despot is the ONLY character who points out that republic city was built on colonized earth kingdom land is um….. not a great look?

and then side characters like tarrlok, hiroshi, varrick, queen hou-ting, suyin(???), wu(???) who aren’t really the primary villains even though in many ways they’re more ideologically coherent, are just also kind of weird for their ambiguous framing. like hou-ting is literally kidnapping airbenders and putting them in underground labor camps where they’re tortured and ruthlessly trained into forming an army, which is something that chaisee does in the yangchen novels and is regarded as utterly reprehensible and heinous for it (because it is), whereas we’re supposed to feel bad for hou-ting when she dies because murder is bad uwu. and we’re supposed to forgive hiroshi for [checks notes] attempted filicide. and varrick is just some fun wacky little guy who is a ruthlessly amoral capitalist but also he does the charleston! and isn’t him marrying his overworked, exploited assistant cute?? and not at all grossly misogynistic and horrifying???? LOL!

so i don’t think going through every villain and antagonist individually and imbuing them with depth is really a worthy use of time, since the show largely suffers from incoherence due to the fact that it isn’t cohesive at all. besides korra’s character development (which is excellent), there’s no real central idea that ties every season together. take atla instead: it’s a very linear narrative, with an established goal that is always being worked towards and once it’s ultimately completed, the show ends. lok has no idea what that central goal is. so instead of trying to fix every character, it’s better to work from the center out and first simply define that goal. the central political tension in lok is, fundamentally, a question of whether it is better to alter the status quo in various radical ways, or whether it is better to maintain the violently upheld hegemonic norm by virtue of it being the status quo (and spoiler alert, it’s the latter!). and these radical ways, whether it be the terrorist movement of a fraudulent right wing populist dictator, or the terrorist movement of a bunch of commies, is always presented as equally dangerous and in need of korra’s gaggle of cops, liberals, and capitalists to suppress. what a great show.

however, the lok that lives in my head does away with most of that, and simply focalizes the conflict between the white lotus and the red lotus as diametrically opposing forces both vying to control korra’s position in the world as avatar and reconstitute her legacy on their terms. because korra’s arc is fundamentally about learning to define her selfhood and her role in the world on her own terms, and the one commonality between every villain is that they’re trying to suppress or control her identity in some way. because it’s also, incidentally, a show primarily concerned with the value of identity politics, and doesn’t actually give a shit about any of the class struggles that underpin the show’s worldbuilding and inform so many of its primary characters. so while i’m not opposed to korra’s struggle of identity, and in fact appreciate it a lot and find it personally affirming in multiple ways, korra deserves a show that is actually worthy of her brilliance as a character.

it’s not that korra shouldn’t struggle to establish her identity on her own terms, but that the politics through which they attempt to communicate this struggle are incoherent. so i would simply reframe the conflict as one primarily between the white lotus, who are reformist liberals at best, and neoconservative reactionaries at worst. we see the best of the white lotus in atla (arguably), and the worst of the white lotus in the yangchen novels (which are fascinating and excellent and everyone should read them). xai bau is only ever mentioned in a single exposition dump (in one of the only truly great episodes of lok, i might add), but his philosophy and role in the narrative is nonetheless fascinating to me. the idea that the white lotus becomes more public facing after the war, leading to its detractors also growing more vocal, is genuinely interesting. the conflicts established between the white and red lotuses are genuinely compelling (to a point). but they never truly address how the white lotus kept korra locked away in a compound for the first 17 years of her life, they never meaningfully address the harm the white lotus has done to her and to the world.

like, of course korra couldn’t master airbending, the element of freedom, if she’s never been truly free. korra spent her entire life in a gilded cage, her role in the world and legacy defined for her by liberals who wanted her to be some kind of supercop instead of a genuine spiritual leader. it’s not korra’s fault that spirituality and harmony and meditation are difficult for her, she was literally denied those facets of herself for her entire adolescence. the white lotus constitute a microcosm of the ruthless neoliberal society korra encounters when first arriving in republic city. the white lotus are a metonym for the liberal identity politics centrist reformist vision of the world that lok uncritically presents as the ideal. in a better show, korra would question those systems, disavow them, and even perhaps attempt to dismantle them. korra would define her freedom of self on her own terms by realizing the ways in which the white lotus and their broader ideology has harmed her.

that said, the red lotus is also flawed. and i don’t just mean because they’re chaos-hungry terrorists who love to murder with impunity, but because they’re in the business of denying korra’s agency as a human being and not simply as the avatar. they want korra dead because they don’t believe in the role she embodies. and you know, they can want that for understandable political reasons without being completely evil about it, but obviously in a show as facile and shallow as lok, no they can’t. i think that korra’s brief pause in considering zaheer’s point of view should have lasted longer. i think that korra should have become disillusioned by the white lotus and the stipulations of capitalism (as early as book 1, frankly), and she should have genuinely considered joining them. and once she does eventually disavow them too, it’s not because of their evil commie politics, but because they’re also in the business of dictating her role in the world, and korra can’t stand to be boxed in by anyone, certainly not from people who claim to be in the business of dissolving borders.

so pretty much every villain in lok would fall under either the umbrella of white lotus operatives (whether direct or indirect) or red lotus (whether direct or indirect). people who want korra to be the world’s ultimate cop who upholds the systems that benefit them, or people who think that the avatar has no place in a truly just world, for (honestly) kind of valid reasons. the red lotus would be antagonists who work against korra’s arc of establishing her own freedom and agency, but the white lotus would be the “villains.” and the capitalist juggernauts who mistreat and exploit their workers (and their assistants and their daughters etc etc) would not be let off the hook so easily either. the neocolonial tensions in republic city wouldn’t be framed as an issue of the distant past. the issues of class and colonialism would be foregrounded alongside korra’s struggle to establish her identity. and then, perhaps, the narrative would finally cohere.

[akiizayoi4869]

How’s it going!

I have a question regarding Azula and the Avatar comics. And as I consider you to be something of an authority on the matter so I wanted to ask you. I hope that is okay?

As far as I understand, in the comics the primary motivation of Azula and the Fire warriors was to “make Zuko a stronger and more autocratic sovereign”. Underling her more nationalist pragmatism. This motivation has always confused to me (at least in part, as I do find her more “nationalistic pragmatism” to be in character).

Wouldn’t she desire to gain vengeance on Zuko? At then end of ATLA, both Zuko and Katara took advantage of her metal breakdown and defeated her. While I do think Azula recognizes that taking advantage of her weakened state is just good tactics. Being defeated by comparatively weaker opponent (Zuko) and an equal (Katara) when her mind had betrayed her(just like everything else in her life) would have left a bad taste in her mouth.

Then we must take into account Azula’s appalling treatment after the war. During the comics it is revealed that Azula was kept in a psychologically/mentally abusive “mental asylum” . As well a physically abusive (being kept in a straight jacket for hours at a time is a form of torture). Zuko was the one who sent her to this asylum. While I believe Zuko sent her to this asylum in ignorance and not outright maliciousness, does Azula know that?

Then when Zuko deigned to acknowledge her existence and take Azula out of the asylum, he takes her to find her (at best) neglectful mother. During the journey he and his friends accost Azula at multiple times. Physically threatening her during hallucinations or at other moments. And of course Zuko and the Gaang grew angry when she defended herself.

While the comics destroyed Zuko’s and the Gaangs characterization (in part at least) they are (unfortunately) canon. While this is not to say that Azula is completely innocent in either the show or comics. She did fight for the objectively immoral side of the war. But as a child soldier ( digression; whose worse crime is killing the avatar on the field of battle, and when said avatar was planning to invade her home with an Earth kingdom army).

So why does Azula seek to make Zuko a better sovereign (in her estimation) rather than seek vengeance on Zuko and to a lesser extent on team Avatar?

Hello! Wow, you consider me to be an authority figure about this stuff? I'm flattered.

While I wouldn't say that the two of them took advantage of her mental breakdown since that implies that they both knew exactly what was wrong with Azula (which they obviously wouldn't know), I see what you're saying. She WOULD be mad at both of them for defeating her, especially Katara. Someone who was from a "lesser group of people", people who she has been taught all her life are inferior to her and everyone else in the Fire Nation. To Azula, Katara shouldn't have been able to defeat her at all. So yeah, she would be mad about that.

Getting to the comics, though....there really isn't a way to make sense of Yang's characteristic of them during The Search and Smoke and Shadow, as well as the plots, imo. Zuko not once asking Azula who or what she was seeing was just plain stupid, same for the others. Even before they left, he should have asked the doctors what her condition was and if it would be wise to take her out of the asylum. But he didn't. Why? Because it wasn't convenient for the plot that Yang had set up. And yes, Azula did request that Zuko bring her along, but still. Anyone with a brain should have been able to see that she wasn't all there, and that bringing her along to find Ursa was a bad idea, considering that Ursa was the one she kept hallucinating about. So it was an obvious trigger that Azula should'nt have been around. Now as to why she doesn't try and seek revenge against Zuko and the others after everything that happened? It's very simple. Yang just didn't think about it. I do agree that it would have made sense, though.

[juniperhillpatient]

Not really an ask @juniperhillpatient just wanted to say that I’m digging the new profile picture (scary Santa is best Santa), I loved the new Happenstance update. I can’t wait see what crazy ideas Azula and Katara have next in trying to get her back/make her crazy with jealousy (respectively). Love Azutara drama! And also fluff, but the latter needs to be earned! (By the characters themselves).

Also just wanted to save it’s a shame about the Scream VII news😢.

Hi! Thank you! That’s Art the Clown if you didn’t know - from the Terrifier series 🤡 Even though the Christmas Terrifier movie won’t be out til 2024 sadly 🎅

Thank you! I had SO much fun getting totally wacky & ridiculous & raunchy with the latest chapter 🥰 I also love Azula & Katara drama especially when it’s allowed to get really crazy & sexy 😘

I totally agree that fluff should be earned by the story & characters! 💖

I will say this - Azula & Katara definitely have some softer & fluffier moments coming up very soon between them 😉 I think that’s fair & fitting as you’ll hopefully soon see.

And I think that’ll be nice because the plot itself is about to derail into some seriously unhinged & depraved drama as this Ozai / Zhao / Liang plot comes to a head 🤭

Yeah it’s a real shame 😭 Fuck the studio but Melissa & Jenna are such queens 💜

[waterfire1848]

Hi @waterfire1848 !!!

You know I just realized something, but Azula (partially) gets the Yoda treatment in your fic “it’s a blessing and a curse”. I means she’s the smallest of the dragons, nor is she the strongest, but Azula is probably the fastest and the most powerful Fire bender of the bunch (sorry Ozai but you know it’s true).

I also have a question, say Katara marries Azula when the curse is still active, would she become some sort of water, ice, and/or frost dragon? Same thing with Sokka and Zuko?

Hey @745voiceofthepeople!! It's been a minute! How are you?

Azula isn't the strongest firebender YET but she will become the strongest. She's already the fastest though because she's smaller and slender, especially when she's younger she's a very fast little dragon.

I don't want to give too many spoilers but yes. I do plan on having Katara and Sokka became dragons alongside Azula and Zuko. The final (two?) chapters will be kind of a leap into the future where we get to see the two ships get married, have kids and will also see Katara and Sokka adjusting to being part dragon now. That being said, I don't know what kind of dragons they'll be. Now that you say water, ice/frost I kind of want to give them an ability aside from firebreathing, both to show off their WT roots and to show that the curse can adapt.

[745voiceofthepeople]

Hello @745voiceofthepeople !! How’s it going?

Got an ask for you this time.

A reversal AU where Katara is the princess of the Water Tribe and Azula is a peasant from the Fire Nation. The Water Tribe isn’t the bad guys. There was never any war in this AU.

Azula and her family journey to the South Pole when the FN goes there for a diplomatic meeting. Azula is one of the servers at the feast and Katara can’t stop staring at her because she really thinks Azula is gorgeous. After the feast, Katara seeks Azula out and starts talking with her.

It’s slow, but they do bond a great deal while Azula is there. Whenever Azula is done with her chores and Katara is done with Princess lessons, they met up and hide away. Azula is worried about how people will react if they find out she’s seeing a princess and, while she never says it outright, Katara is also a little worried about how people will react if they find out she likes a peasant from the FN so they keep everything under wraps. The only people who know are Sokka and Zuko.

When Azula has to go back to the FN, Katara tries to find every reason to visit. Eventually, her parents let her and Sokka go to the FN and Katara tries to find Azula again. No one in the FN knows Katara is a princess so when she takes off the expensive furs and crown, she looks like a regular Water Tribe girl and two can be seen in public together. Now Katara gets to spend some time in Azula’s world.

That’s all I got for now. What do you think?

I’m doing well @waterfire1848 , thank you.

This scenario is really interesting! I’ve never really though about the reversal of royal positions for Azutara before, so this is pretty cool.

In a no war Au, I can see this happening sort of like the following (maybe)

Its like you present, a peasant Azula can at first charm a (princess) Katara with her looks and then her personality as the two get to know each other.

I can picture a scene where there is some sort of international dispute being discussed between the SWT royal family (by Hakoda or his father) and the diplomats of the FN. And it is in the midst of this discussion when the FN diplomats call for wine bearers to come and bring in more drink.

This is when Azula comes in and stars pouring wine in everyone’s ones cups. Meanwhile Katara is having a discussion with an FN noble about fishing rights and Maritime boundaries between the South Pole and the Fire archipelago. While Katara is conversing she see’s her glass being filled up (with wine) and turns to look at the servant doing so. Only to stop dead in her grace as she sees the most beautiful women on the planet pouring the wine.

Katara openly gapes at Azula and she trails off in the middle of conversation. Sokka (who would be sitting to her right) has to stomp on her foot to get Katara to pay attention to the diplomat.

After everyone retired for the night, Katara would sneak out of her room (wearing what she believes is a “good disguise”) and try to get into the guest quarters. That held the FN diplomats and their retainers.

She’d find Azula randomly, and the two would have an enjoyable conversation. Talking about everything and anything. Life as a princess, as a servant, Waterbending, Firebending, politics, etc. And for the rest of the diplomatic mission, the two would have secret rendezvous at night. They quickly becomes good friends. Even showing each other their bending ability. Katara being amazing at Waterbending is expected. What Katara would not expect is for Azula to be powerful at firebending. Yet the peasant girl was. With Blue flames and the raw power to match even a princess of the Southern Water Tribe.

So for the next fortnight, Azula and Katara’s nights are spent talking, (sneakily) flirting, laughing, and sparing (discreetly so as to arose the suspicion of anyone else).

These rendezvous would continue until one night, Katara overwhelmed by desire, and falling in love with the beautiful Fire peasant, gives into her courage and kisses Azula.

From there, their secret rendezvous becomes more romantic. But eventually reality sets in and they have to “end” the affair. Even though neither of them really wish to do so. Katara is greatly worried about her parents and the rest of the Water tribes reactions to finding out she their prodigal princess has fallen for a peasant dorm the Fire Nation. Another girl at that!

Later when Azula goes back to the Fire Nation Katara becomes greatly depressed. Her love for the Fire girl is all consuming. So much so that he even begins to trump the bonds of duty. Eventually, Sokka notices Katara downtrodden state and (correctly) assumes that that is has to do with the beautiful servant girl from the Fire Nation that Katara drools over.

Sokka eventually goes to Hakoda (the high chief the United Water Tribes) and convinces him that he and Katara need to experience the Fire Nation for themselves. So as to better understand their newfound allies and financial partners.

Hakoda agrees, and Sokka goes to tell his sister the big news. Who is of course ecstatic.

Once the Water siblings get capital city, they check into the palace and greet the FN royal family. After this greeting, Katara goes into their library and reads their book of records. Once she finds the info she’s looking for (Azula adress, sir name, typical occupation, and other personal info) Katara puts the book back into its resting place.

Katara then flees the FN palace. Evading both the FN royal guard and the Water Tribe guards is a laughably easy affair. Had Katara not been so cornermen’s with finding Azula, she might have been concerned. As it was her mind was solely focused on the Fire Nation breaty. She had even forgotten to warn Sokka. She decided to leave her crown and other royal effects behind. With the exception of a coin purse.

Katara commanders a dingy in the docs. She paid for it though! And traveled via bait and Waterbending to Hawk-crab island (name I just came up with). Which was a small island in the southern archipelago, where Azula and her family lived. The trip itself took nearly two days. Katara spent the time alternatively thinking about Azula, how angry her parents would be, how she forgot to tell Sokka the good news, and damning her impulsiveness and forgetting to pack food. Fortunately, Katara being a royal Water bender can de-salivate the ocean water and make it potable.

Eventually, Katara arrives at the small port on the island. Anticipation and momentary panic erupting in her very bones. Still she steels herself and goes looking for her beau.

Walking through the port…town was an odd affair for Katara. She was used to be stared and gawked at all her life. Being a princess of the Water Tribes and all. Here? After Katara had gotten rid of anything signifying she was royalty? No one gave two cares about her. Sure, people would still occasionally stop and stair for a second. Because I she was WT on an FN island. And II she was great beauty in her own right. Still, now one belived her to be a princess. Such a realization was both dreadful and exhilarating for Katara.

She finally comes to a small shop in the middle of the port town. Katara had been directed to this shop by a kind women, after she inquired about Azula’s whereabouts. She entered into the small shop. It was duels designed. One area for black smithery and the other for glassblowing. And their Katara see saw her. The women of her dreams and and waking thoughts. Azula.

Azula looked up and saw Katara, her jaw dropped to the floor. She dropped the the glass she was working on and it shattered at the floor. Neither Azula nor Katara payed attention to that though.

Azula rushed to Katara arms and the two spun around. Laughing and crying tears of joy. Katara brought their lips together. Finally she was home.

For the next few month, everything was perfect. While it lasted. Katara got to know Azula and her family. Her father Ozai (a blacksmith), her mother Ursa (a tailor), and her brother Zuko (an apprentice-blacksmith). Katara didn’t believe that life as a peasant could be so fulfilling. To be sure, it could be exceedingly frustrating. And it took a long while to adjust from being a princess to peasant. But nothing could be the simple of joy of returning to the arms her girlfriend future wife(?) after an honest days work. Katara fished off her dingy that she brought over from capital city. Zuko would often tease Azula about being a trophy fishwife to a WT princess.

Katara and Azula are able to be together incognito. Katara is able to enjoy the simple life in the Fire Nation. Just her, her fishing boat, and the her pretty Firebending girlfriend.

Until of course, the Water tribe arrives. You see the guards panicked when the princess Katara disappeared with out a word. They had assumed she may have been kidnapped. And so the Hausa quickly rushed to inform the Chief Hakoda just what was going on.

Sokka assumed that Katara had found where her Fire Nation lover was and gone after her. So he was not overly worried. Especially, when he found (and later hid) Katara’s royal effects. Sokka would keep up a girl of ignorance to confirm the guards and the Fire Nation nobility at the FN palace. Sokka would do a good job of it too. Until Hakoda showed up in the Fire Nation personally.

Under his fathers intense scrutiny, Sokka lasted maybe V or VI minutes. Then he blabbed. Both about Katara’s love for a Fire Nation peasant (Azula) and her intentions to find her.

Hakoda and Sokka subsequently travel to Hawk-Crab island to find Katara. They find her to the Fire Family home. Hakoda demands that Katara abandon this peasant foolishness and return to the South Pole. Katara tells him of her feelings for Azula, but Hakoda replies that it is irreverent next to her duty. He offers a choice to Katara stay with the peasant and become one yourself, or return to the South Pole and remain a princess of the Water Tribes and a member of their family. While Hakoda does not like separating Katara from her love, he feels it is something me must do to maintain order in the tribes.

It is at this point, that Azula interrupts Hakoda and request permission for Katara hand. Right to the chiefs face. Impressed by the peasant girls audaciousness, Hakoda decides to give task reminiscent of say Beren and Luthien of the Silmilrilion. If Azula retrieved the pearl of spirit Sharks cove. A jewel of myth and legend, important to the Water Tribes culturally and materially. Then he allow Azula to marry his daughter, and even for Katara to retain her title and place in succession.

It was an near-impossible task that may mean Azula’s death. But she accepted it gladly. She traveled to the hive and retrieved the pearl. Overcoming all obstacles. Though only because of the aid of Katara (who did so secretly).

Azula presents the pearl to Hakoda and true to his word, grants permission for Azula and Katara to marry. Which they do gladly. Several years down the line.

Eventually, the two will bare a child (spirt shenanigans) whom will inherit the chieftenship of the Water Tribes.

Anyway, that’s one way it might go. Thanks for the awesome scenario @waterfire1848 !!!

[memopmiff]

I don't know why but it seems like tumblr turned off the replies for my post. I checked my settings and everything's fine, maybe it's a tumblr glitch? 😭

Replying to the nice comments here instead:

@drpoisonoaky I definitely want to read them! Starting your kazula short stories rn!!

@745voiceofthepeople Thank you so much!! This is so incredibly helpful!!! Don't worry it's not overwhelming at all, I love a long list and I'm absolutely gonna check them all out! Thank you again for those amazing and thoughtful suggestions!

@juniperhillpatient Thank you!! I'll try to draw them more if I can!

[xxrainbowvibezxx]

@745voiceofthepeople Sorry it took so long for me to answer this. I was thinking/ trying to write a fic about this. Let me just say, writing dialog is hard, and im trying not to write it out of character. Also, my mind was going blank with ideas. I had this saved in my drafts, and when I tried to edit it, it wouldn't let me.

Continuing on

On the date, things go well. Mileena, being a protective sister, questions Jade. Asking her what her what her intentions are and if she really likes Kitana. Kitana just sits back, and let's Mileena ask questions. I mean, Kitana did the same to Tanya when she found out Mileena was dating Tanya, so it's only fair. Tanya also sits back and let's them talk. Tanya kind of relates to Jade because she was once in that same position.

Jade answers each of Mileena's questions with ease. Mileena is satisfied with each answer Jade gives. The night continues with a few glasses of wine and laughs.

[itspronouncedjulia]

How’s it going @itspronouncedjulia ?

I’ve got a question I’ve been wondering,

As you know , I’m an avid reader of your Azutara works (with “My virtual Girlfriend” being a personal favorite!). That said I’ve also noticed your a fan of House of the Dragon. What with your writing of “Dragon dreams” and all. While I am more of a fan of the post Roberts rebellion era and of House Tully in particular, I was wondering

How do you think (if possible at all) that an Azutara/ATLA Au of House of Dragon could be organized?

I look forward to your answer!

Your loyal reader (one of many)

-745 Voice of the People

It's so funny you just asked this because I was right in the middle of making an ask to you about the drabble you just posted.

But on to what you asked me, this is a good question. Personally, I like House of the Dragon more than post-Robert's Rebellion because I love Rhaenyra so this question is right up my alley.

This is quite interesting because I'm not sure how to set it up. I keep going back and forth with different ideas. But I think I would set the Dance up between Zuko and Azula because their being Targ's just makes sense.

If Ozai is King then I would make him disinherit Zuko because he believes him to be a bastard. I'm using the scene from The Search where Ursa claims Zuko isn't Ozai's son. I remember in the comic Ozai knows she's lying but still uses the lie as an excuse to treat Zuko poorly.

So maybe in this AU Ozai takes that lie and runs with it. I'm thinking that he'd probably order both Zuko and Ursa's death and so they'd have to go into hiding. With Zuko gone, Ozai declares Azula his heir and has the lords from all Seven Kingdom's swear fealty to her.

Then I think that Zuko actually thinks he isn't Ozai's son so while in exile he accepts his fate but when he learns the truth he wants to go back and claim his birthright. I think maybe he and Ursa are living somewhere in Essos during their exile and they meet the other members of the Gang there and Zuko convinces them to join his cause in taking back the throne.

And I think that's the best I can come up with! There are still some loose ends like how Zuko gets support from the other lords in Westeros and how he convinces them that he is actually Ozai's son. But yeah those are my current ideas.

Thank you for the question @745voiceofthepeople that was actually a little challenge to work out! I didn't touch the Azutara part because I wasn't sure how to fit them together.

[theowritesfiction]

How’s it going @theowritesfiction ?

So I saw one of your Baldurs Gate 3 post on my dash recently and it got me thinking about D&D and Azutara. Your being are one of the Azutara trinity with @juniperhillpatient and @itspronouncedjulia and all ;) it got me to thinking… of a potential combination of the two. Which gave me an idea that I wished to bring to your attention.

In the early 1980’s there was kids cartoon more simply known as “Dungeons and Dragons”. The show itself was hosted by CBS.

The basic plot of the show was that a group of school friends were hanging out at an amusement park together. When they were at one ride, the group was hit with some sort of mystical energy and found themselves transported to another world. That of course being Dungeons and Dragons. The group have to go on adventures together while on a journey to discover a way back home to the real world.

Which got me to think about a possible ATLA version of this. Where the characters everyone knows and loves are transported to a similar new world.

I can see two ways for an ATLA adaptation. One that’s more canon minded. With the Gaang+dangerous ladies+whichever other characters are taken from the “Avatar” world and placed into this new one. Probably at some point in book 2 or early book 3. With Yue being taken out of the spirit world, and given corporeality again.

Or in a modern Au, the characters are pulled from somewhere in placed into a fantastical world of monsters and magic. Through everyone, would have to grapple with this new world, and their own interpersonal issues.

And of course, with an Azutara romance. Either an enemies to lovers stint with the “canon world” version. While the modern Au may be a rivals to lovers stint.

Let me know now what you think?

Hey, thanks for the question, @745voiceofthepeople!

Of course, considering my love for both franchises, I have already been thinking about the ideas to combine ATLA with BG3, and actually, it would be ridiculously easy to set up.

The main antagonists of BG3 are illithid or the mind flayers. Their ships, the Nautiloids, are capable of making planar jumps, which the mind flayers use to enslave whole new species and make them their thralls. It would be the easiest scenario to execute to have a fleet of Nautiloids suddenly pop into the ATLA world and abduct whichever characters we want to send on this adventure into the world of Baldur's Gate.

Still, I'm not sure if it's a story I will ever write. I just love the characters of BG3 too much to replace them with equally beloved ATLA cast. Could both casts of characters coexist? Maybe, but I'm a bit intimidated by working with such a huge cast.

Basically, I have a very clear idea on how to get the characters from the world of ATLA to Faerun, but I have no idea on how the story could take shape after that. Maybe one day I'll come up with something, who knows. :)

Thank you for asking!

[gold-fire]

What do you think of Azutara # 25

“I can’t believe you talked me into this.” ?

@745voiceofthepeople do you have a user in Ao3 so I can gift you the story properly?

[comradekatara]

Hi @comradekatara how are you?

I saw your repost about the ATLA cabbage man and Sisyphus and it brought the following image (not mine just something I found online) about Diocletian to mind. Make of it what you will!

hi. im procrastinating, how are you? anyway, this is just a vaguely reactionary meme, besides the implementation of cabbages as his idealized crop, I don’t really see what this has to do with the cabbage merchant, sisyphus, or anything else. but I guess you told me to make of this what I will. so like. okay!

[waterfire1848]

How’s it going @waterfire1848 ?

I saw your earlier post about Lin feeling like Toph didn’t love her like Suyin. And it got me thinking, who else didn’t think their mom loved as much as their sibling? Azula.

So how do you think a scenario, where Lin runs away from home and stumbles (perhaps quite literally) into Azula. Whom is living in secret somewhere in the Earth Kingdom. Azula then reluctantly at first (then genuinely) raises Lin would play out?

Hey @745voiceofthepeople ! Great to see you again! I'm doing good! You?

Ohhhhhh. Interesting.

I’ll start by saying that I don’t think Lin would say who her mom is. She knows by now that that either means trouble or people following her, begging her to teach them metalbending. Neither of which she wants. So when she does slam into Azula, she just says she’s a kid running from home.

Azula can’t help but feel some sympathy when she hears the girl talk about how her mom doesn’t love her and only cares about her sister so she agrees to let Lin stay as long as she helps out and doesn’t draw attention to her.

Lin quickly grows to love Azula. I don’t know if this Lin would be a kid/teen who ran from home or if she’s running away right after the Suyin incident but either way she loves Azula. She hasn’t put two and two together, but she does know Azula has a past she’s not talking about. Whenever the two talk about family, Azula uses the same tricks she does to keep her family secret.

One day, Toph shows up (I assume she’d come if Lin was a kid/teen but I don’t know about if she’d come after the Suyin incident when Lin looks to be in her 20s) and Azula and Lin find out who the other is. Lin is confused because on the one hand, this is not the Azula she’s heard stories about. The Azula from her mom’s stories are terrifying and made Suyin wet the bed. This Azula is kind and took Lin in. On the other hand, Lin also got stories from the other Gaang parents about Azula (meaning there might be some truth to their stories) so she becomes a little scared which saddens Azula because she doesn’t want to see this girl that she’s grown to really care for get scared of her.

Azula can’t stay in her Earth Kingdom home and is forced to flee before Zuko finds her. Lin returns to Republic City but gets a letter a few days later from Azula giving her her address and an invitation to come with.

Lin accepting or not is up to you.

Incorrect quote for this

[ Lin is running from bandits and slams into Azula. ]

Bandit: Hand the kid over!

Azula: And why would I do that?

Bandit: We have you surrounded, old woman. Don’t make this hard on yourself. We just want her and then we’ll leave.

[ Azula looks at Lin. ]

Lin:

Azula: *Groaning* I was really hoping to get through a day without fighting.

[ Shoots lightning and fire at the bandits to scare them off. ]

Lin: You’re a lightning bender! That was amazing! I’ve never seen-

Azula: Explain. Now.

Lin: MymomhatesmeandIranaway,butIranoutofmoneyandstolefromthosebandits!

Azula: Slower.

Lin: My mom hates me and I ran away, but I ran out of money and stole from those bandits. They saw me and chased me and that’s how I ended up here.

Azula: Go home, kid.

Lin: Wha-No.

Azula: No?

Lin: No. I won’t bother you anymore but I can’t go home.

Azula: Because you mom hates you?

Lin: Yeah. I’m just some kid she’s forced to take care of because putting me up for adoption would look bad. My sister is her real kid.

Azula: *Sigh* You’re out of food?

[ Lin nods. ]

Azula: Come with me. I’ll get you something to eat and some water.

[waterfire1848]

For the ask game 🌈

Thank you for the ask @gold-fire !!!!

🌈 Share something soft/fluffy from your WIP.

Based on an ask from @745voiceofthepeople

This scene hasn't been added to the WIP yet but it is a scene I really want to include at some point in this fic

Azula, noticing Katara coming close to her, set her book down and turned towards her girlfriend.

"Katara? Are you okay?" The girl looked like she was spacing out, her eyes had a glossy look over them that made Azula certain she was only half there, "Kat? You look really out of it. Should I call someone?"

"Can I lay with you for a few minutes?" Katara asked, "I'm okay. I just-...I need to hear it."

Azula didn't respond. She simply moved on her bed so that there would be room for Katara, who climbed into bed, pushing her body up until her head was resting on Azula's upper chest. Azula wrapped one of her arms around Katara and picked her book back up. Katara, by now, had closed her eyes and was peacefully listening to Azula's heartbeat.

"Katara?" Azula whispered. She had finished her chapter by now and wanted to see if Katara needed to talk yet.

Much to her surprise, Katara had fallen asleep. Azula, not wanting to disturb her, put her book away and moved so that she was in a better position to fall asleep. She ended up on her side, facing Katara's face, with an arm around her girlfriend's waist. Slowly, Azula drifted off with the sound of Katara's light breathing.

[waterfire1848]

Hi @waterfire1848 ! How’s its going?

I just had a thought regarding are earlier conversation with Azutara and Zukka coming out to their parents. You mentioned that you head cannoned both Kya and Hakoda as Bi. Which gave me an idea

In a modern AU we’re we have both “alive Kya” and “good Ozai” (or at least somewhat decent) .

So what if in a modern Au, what if Ozai, Ursa, Hakoda, and Kya, don’t approve approve of Azutara or Zukka. Not because of simple-minded homophobia or other thoughts of that ilk. But because Ozai, Ursa, Kya, and and Hakoda are all Bisexual and are a swingers couple. With the Water/Fire parents exclusively being open with each other alone.

So they disapprove of their child (Azutara and Zukka) SO (significant other) because of how awkward the whole thing is to them. Since both sets of the Water/Fire sibs are together.

I believe that all four would eventually get over the awkwardness factor and accept the relationship joyfully. But would probably keep their own secret to the grave.

Just Imagine the horror though, if in the future when Azutara/Zukka are married with children of their own, they learn that all four of their parents used to “knock boots” as it were.

Hello @745voiceofthepeople ! It’s going well! How are you doing?

I cannot put into words how much I love this idea and how much it made me laugh🤣🤣🤣! This is hilarious!

The four know the other two have kids and they go to the same school but it's not something they talk about when they decide to "meet up". Plus, I can see Azula/Katara and Sokka/Zuko keeping their relationship under wraps for a while so the parents don't even know their son and daughter are dating someone until they come out and say it.

“But would probably keep their own secret to the grave.” Definitely! When they're "introduced" at a dinner in an attempt to introduce the families to one another, they freak out. Kya and Hakoda are already there and eating when Ursa and Ozai step in the house and they just start choking on their food.

Katara: You already know Mr and Mrs. Agni?

Kya: You could say that.

Zuko: How?

Ozai:....Business deal.

Hakoda: Yup. We have a business agreement together.

Sokka: Cool. Saves us the trouble of small talk.

Azutara and Zukka are all grown up with their own kids and all four parents have recently passed away. They go to their houses to help clean stuff out and find old letters and pictures. Their kids don't know why they spend the rest of the day screaming and crying.

[745voiceofthepeople]

My turn for an ask @745voiceofthepeople !

What do you think about a mermaid AU except the Fire Family are the mermaids and not the Water Tribe family?

Katara and Sokka are desperately trying to prove that they can be good pirates/fisherman(I don’t know which) to their parents so they go out on the sea by themselves. While out there, they accidentally catch two mermaids their age.

Mermaids are regarded as myths so Sokka is so happy to show their parents that they caught them but Katara feels guilty. She knows that if they bring them back to the tribe they’ll never be allowed to leave. In a split second decision, she frees them both much to her brother’s annoyance.

They return to the village and don’t talk about the mermaids but that night Katara hears something pattering against her window. She looks outside to see someone in the water, throwing fish at her window. Azula claims she came back because she wants to know why Katara let her and her brother go. This begins Azula and Katara’s friendship and later relationship.

I love this idea!

It’s a unique twist of the Water/Fire dynamic. And I am all here for it! Remind me of your mermaid Katara AU, but I love the twist with Azula being a mermaid now.

And I can defiantly see Sokka and Katara reacting in the way that they do. Both have demonstrated a desire to live up to their parents expectations/example in canon. So I can easily see that being translated into this AU.

What’s also Interesting is the difference in how Pirates and fisherman may treat Mermaids.

If you go fisherman, I can easily see Hakoda (though perhaps not Kya) wanting to either use mermaids Zuko and Azula as “hunting dogs” (to use a categorical term) to lure fish into nets and other things of that ilk. Thus Azula and Zuko would be used for this practical purpose. Enforcing a kind of servitude. With Waterbenders being around to ensure neither could swim away and escape. Katara would probably come to a similar conclusion. Leading her to not pity, but sympathize with Azula and Zuko.

Or depending of the tribes beliefs, I can also see Hakoda, Kanna, and the tribe viewing as mythical beast sent as a blessing from the spirits. Being used in either the above capacity. Or being kept as “honored guest” in a gilded cage. Either way, neither option would be a life Katara would wish on herself or on another sentient being. Especially not a cute mystical being like mermaid Azula. Leading her to not pity, but sympathize with Azula and Zuko and to let them go despite whatever benefits (material or spiritual) their capture may bring the tribe. Much to Sokka’s chargin

In regards to the pirates, I can see them wanting to keep Mermaid Azula and Zuko as “pets”. Tourist attractions to attract wealthy patrons from all over the world. Pretty much being held as indentured servants or entertainment. Something that Katara (despite being a pirate herself) would not stand for.

With Azula, I can see her being absolutely befuddled that an enemy (humans) that had captured her and her (dum dum) brother decided to let them go. They (Katara and Sokka) had them “dead to rights”. So why did the human girl cut the net and let them go? Which would lead to seek out Katara for answers. On just exactly what the (pretty) human girl is playing at?

From there, Azula and Katara have many conversations, and slowly but surely fall for one another. I can even see a scene where Azula shows Katara around the sea floor.

This is an amazing idea @waterfire1848 !!!

[waterfire1848]

How’s it going @waterfire1848 ? Got another ask for ya.

So I was scrolling through Reddit randomly and I came across this discussion question on the r/fanfiction subreddit.

“How would your ships react to getting shipped?

Let's say the characters in question really do exist in alternate universes. And the fics you've been writing about them somehow manifested in various forms of media in said universes, such as tabloids, diaries, random websites, and so on. People catch onto these, and soon, everyone starts gossiping about the affair. Rumors spread until they eventually reach the ears of the two characters involved

How do you think they'd actually handle it?”

I like to think that Azula and Katara would hate it at first, and reluctantly work together to find and put a stop to whomever is writing about them. Gradually they’d develop feelings for one another in the course of this. And realizing that the writings may just have a point. When the two aren’t trying to kill one another anyway…

How do you think it would go for Azutara?

Hey @745voiceofthepeople !!

Gotta say whenever I see my inbox ping with a 1 message, my brain now just goes "Oh! What AU does 745voice have today?"😁

Now, onto the ask!

Ty Lee comes running up to Azula one day and demands to know why she didn't tell her that she and Katara were dating. That's when Azula sees the posts for the first time.

Both of them would be shocked and horrified at first. They don't like each other. Why is everyone saying they'd be such a great couple? Azula screams out that she'd never date a lowly peasant and Katara snaps back with how she'd never be with someone like Azula. This doesn't stop the Gaang from sending them different artworks, fanfics, theories, etc. Katara and Azula don't come out of their rooms for a few days.

At first, I do think that they'd simply believe the two of them saying that they aren't together and telling people to stop shipping them is enough but when that doesn't work they do try to find the source. While looking for it though they start reading some of the diaries, tabloids, websites, etc.

The more they read, the more they slowly start to learn about each other. They interacted before but it was always in a limited capacity. Now they're not only forced to partner together for something but they're doing so while reading things that talk about what a great couple they are. It's slow but by the time they actually find the source, they don't even tell them to stop because they actually are a couple.