#Agni is a character in this don't yell at me

[demaparbat-hp]

Zuko was a child when he met Agni. Then, the spirits started coming to him. Eyes hidden in the hallways, voices pleading for help, for recognition, for remembrance.

Zuko could see Agni. He could see the broken remains of a Great Spirit and the empty smiles of amnesiac ghosts.

And they could see him in return.

[zvtara-was-never-canon]

"Character X is Y sexuality" is such a dumb take to invalidate people's shipping.

If canon mattered that much in people's shipping/headcanons, Zutara wouldn't be popular. Everyone would (correctly) be disgusted by the concept of Z*c*st. Shipping wouldn't even be an actual thing, fanfic wouldn't be a thing.

People have always taken supposedly cishet characters and made them queer in their fan works.

("Azula is straight" gives me the same vibe of "Yelena is ar*-ac*". It's not explicitly mentioned in canon.

Oh, but she only showed interest in men.

So did Korra until she didn't and guess who she ends up with.

Kyoshi says she has to convince herself she's not in love with Yun and guess who she ends up with.

They'll kill Azula off, probably, take away her bending and finish ruining her character before there's a chance she's canonically queer.

Canon still doesn't mean much.

Unless clearly stated, anything is a headcanon.

Including "Azula is straight".)

This is a good ass blog, but that kind of take just ruins all of it for me.

"To invalidate people's ships" You're REALLY gonna pretend you didn't see me literally list all the lesbian ships I have for Azula, and that I didn't say I would love for her to be bisexual, huh? Again, I don't give a damn what people ship or what kind of fan content they want to create, I only don't like being told to treat fanon (even fanon I like) as canon because it leads to dishonest analysis of a show.

You: Unless something is clearly stated, it is not canon!

Also you: Azula canonically only ever shows interest men and never in women, and I personally think the writers would rather torture and kill her character than show her as a queer woman. But if you say that means she's canonically straight, I'll yell at you.

Make it make sense.

Also "Korra ended up with in a relationship with someone that the writers, by their own admission, never made her be explicitly or implicitly interested in because they were two cowards that were not at all interested in rocking the boat" is NOT the winning argument you think it is. And that doesn't retroactively make Azula bi or a lesbian, it's just extra proof that the writting for Legend Of Korra was TERRIBLE!

"Kyoshi SAYS a thing that confirms she's bisexual"

Congratulations! You found actual representation! Aka something being considered canon to a particular story BECAUSE IT WAS EXPLICITLY SHOWN TO THE AUDIENCE THROUGH THINGS THAT WE SEE PLAY OUT!

"Oh, but Azula never said she is NOT into women, so even though she is only ever shown to be attracted to men, we can't rule out the possibility of her secretly liking women too until she full on says it!"

Wanna go there? Fine. Then you cannot tell me that the Fire Nation royal family doesn't have a tradition of incest like many real life royals did, and that Zuko and Azula did not at least consider the possibility of marrying each other to avoid an Agni Kai for the crown like we saw in the finale. Sure, that is never explicitly confirmed by canon, but it was never explicitly stated to NOT be the case either, and according to you that TOTALLY means it is not at all impossible for this kids' show to have secretly said "incest is wincest" all along, because apparently the writers need Zuko and Azula, the two characters in a KIDS show, to look at the camera and say "Our family tree is not a circle" for us to understand that this family that has never been stated to practice incest, does not, in fact, practice incest.

"Canon doesn't mean much anyway" Then why are you mad that I said "Even though I would like for Azula to be bisexual, that is simply not canon. There's sadly just no way any character in a kid's show made in 2005 was meant to read as anything other than straight"?

Considering you felt the need to:

1 - Point out that Zutara is a ship with no canon basis AND that you like my blog, literally called "Zutara was never CANON."

2 - Randomly mention the fact that my OTP, Zucest, is also not canon AND that plenty of people, you clearlt included, find it absolutely disgusting (like I somehow didn't get the memo on that).

3 - STILL cherry pick stuff to claim Queer!Azula could totally stealthly be a canon thing.

I'd say you only have a problem with me saying things like "X is canon, Y is not" because YOU very much think of canon as being inherently better than fanon, so when I point out something you dislike is not canon that means my blog is awesome to you because you see it as validating your opinion that something is trash, but the second I go "But this other thing you (and I) like/are neutral on is not canon either" suddenly I'm the devil because I'm "attacking" people for something that is just harmless fun.

The whole "Azula is not canonically bi/gay, so any headcanon of her being queer is bad" is in YOUR head, honey. You're never gonna hear that kind of crap from me, and I'd appreciate it if you stopped putting words in my mouth.

And as a bisexual woman, I'd appreciate some ACTUAL REPRESENTATION of bisexuality being praised, instead of garbage like the incredibly insufferable Korra/Mako/Asami love triangle ending with a nonsensical conclusion that people praise just because it had two women *gasp* holding hands! And even THAT being hidden away since Korra's last season was basically dumped online because the show's ratings were terrible.

[noperopesaredope]

Ramblings About Ep. 1 of the New ATLA Adaptation

Okay, so the other day, I watched the first episode of the new live-action ATLA adaptation (only episode 1, I haven't seen the rest and don't really plan to), and I felt like I should probably share my thoughts (a large part of this is just me hyper-analyzing story-structure stuff).

I'm not quite sure how to feel about the fact that they started before the Air Nomad genocide and at the start of the war, but I kinda like it. It is a major change from the OG show and affects the flow of it, but it's not a terrible decision, and is actually kind of interesting. It also adds something very interesting to the viewing experience and perspective of the show's story.

On the one hand, starting with Sokka and Katara added a bit of mysticality to Aang's appearance as an airbender. We start with the knowledge that airbenders are rare/unfamiliar to a lot of people now, and the idea that they haven't been seen for 100 years is less of a surprise. But that makes Aang all the more surprising. He is a mystery, someone only heard of in stories. It makes airbenders as a whole a more grand reveal.

"The Storm" is also an excellent episode, and makes our perspective on Aang change in an interesting way. We start out viewing him from Katara and Sokka's perspective. He is a silly kid who is slightly mysterious, but is also the savior people have been waiting for for generations. But then the episode "The Storm" comes, and we see a whole new side to him. He goes from "goofy kid" to a really tragic character.

Imagine if we were first introduced to Katara when she was a kid and before her mother died, then saw the Southern Water Tribe raid. Or if we were introduced to Zuko starting at the meeting where he yells at the general, then see the Agni Kai with his father. The emotional impact of both those events would be very different, and out perspectives on those characters would be very different.

Instead of seeing Katara as a motherly and kindhearted, yet inexperienced young girl, then slowly realizing there is a lot more under the surface that she is hiding from everyone, we would start out seeing her as a tragic character who is hiding a great loss. Instead of seeing Zuko as some asshole prince, then learning his backstory after establishing him as an asshole, we would start out on his side and see his downward spiral from there. Our expectations for who they are as characters would be completely different, because our introductions and starting points would be completely different.

But the fact that those would be different doesn't mean that those would be inherently bad. Just a different way of telling a story. It gives the viewer a completely different perspective of the character as a whole despite telling all the same events. Telling the events in a different order changes the viewing experience drastically, but it doesn't mean either method is wrong.

The fact that we start out with the war makes for an interesting plot-twist for those who haven't seen the original show and know nothing about it. When we start out with the war and the Air Nomads, it makes airbenders feel like a part of the norm. They are not quite as mysterious, and are much more familiar to the audience. When we learn of the war, that obviously becomes the point of interest for us. However, if you go in completely blind, you may expect for the plot to partially be about stopping the war before it starts, or preventing the Air Nomads from getting attacked. Your expectations for what will happen in the show are completely different.

We see the Air Nomads as a natural part of the world, and our starting perspective/main introduction to the world (the first two scenes before that are a bit to vague to be used as proper introductions to the world, while the Air Nomads are a bit more solid). They are the norm, and while we likely don't expect to stay with the Air Nomads forever, we likely expect them to remain a part of the world. They are essentially "home" to us, the same way the Southern Water Tribe felt like "home" in the original, even though we were only there for two episodes.

They are still home to our main characters and the starting setting, and thus, us. It is the familiar since it is the strongest point of introduction to the world. So every new location introduced after that will feel unfamiliar, while the starting location will not. This is the case with the Air Nomads. Everything outside of them feels unfamiliar because they are not our starting point of reference. So when the Air Nomad genocide occurs, it is a lot more shocking and upsetting.

Imagine if, in the original show, the reason Katara and Sokka had to leave with Aang wasn't just because they were helping him, but because Zuko and the firebenders burned down the entire village after beating Sokka in the duel. This killed everyone inside, and left Katara and Sokka homeless, with nowhere else to go. It would be a whole new degree of horrifying.

Going back to the point on the Air Nomad genocide and the airbenders in general. We were introduced to Monk Gyatso early on, not as a mysterious mentor we hear about secondhand or in flashbacks, but as one of the major characters who we know a bit more personally. Maybe we expect him to die, but not exactly like this. And more importantly, we don't expect for all the other airbenders to die (unless you guessed based on the title of the show).

These were our main characters. This isn't supposed to happen. And yet, it does. We can understand the anguish that Aang feels, because we lose our main point of reference at the same time he does. Monk Gyatso's death also has a tiny bit more impact and feels more like, say, Obi-wan's death. While I think his death-reveal was a bit more emotional in the original, that's because the acting and music and directing was better. If those elements stayed the same, then I think his death would likely be even more emotional than the original (I will touch on this more later). He is our starting point not just for Aang, but for the viewer as well. He feels like our mentor rather than "Aang's old teacher." He is not a past-tense or flashback, but a present tense character who is killed off.

This all puts us into Aang's shoes a bit better, and we experience the loss alongside him. It feels less like seeing a loved one grieve and hearing about the one's they lost secondhand, and more like grieving with them. But that's not the only thing we experience alongside Aang, or the big value of starting before the timeskip.

Remember how I brought up plot-twists? Well, this is the other interesting advantage of starting with the beginning of the war and the Air Nomads. First, we have already experienced the loss and tragedy of the Air Nomad genocide. While Aang doesn't know about it until a bit later, we are still essentially grieving the loss alongside him.

But not only did we not expect the Air Nomads to all get killed off, we definitely did not expect a 100 year timeskip. And the best part (which I was hoping they would do as soon as I realized they were starting with the Air Nomads) is that they don't actually tell us until they tell Aang. We get a period of time where we don't realize that that much time has passed. We are likely expecting it to take place soon after the Air Nomad genocide, and that it will be a recent event. At most, it could be a couple of years or so. Maybe even just a year. They've been at war, but not for that long.

We can even assume for a bit that maybe this small village is just so remote that they've never met other benders before, or at least airbenders. Maybe they heard about the genocide, and didn't expect there to be survivors, but it would still be relatively recent. We think that they are in the same period as us, and maybe not the same exact situation, but generally a similar international one. We expect Aang to still be in his time. The framing is actually perfect for this. Sure, there will be a few moments that will feel...off...but everything can be excused.

So when they reveal that actually, this is a 100 year timeskip, it is worldshaking. Imagine that in most other shows. A character gets knocked out and is found in a new location by a few other characters, and things seem mostly normal. But then they throw us and the character a curveball by revealing that they've been missing/unconscious for 100 years and everything has completely changed. That's absolutely wack.

I will admit, based on how things were set up, I was a little disappointed with the payoff of the "plot-twist". The most interesting part of starting at the beginning of the war before the genocide is that the 100 year timeskip becomes much more shocking. We are mainly seeing things from Aang's perspective, so the shock of this revelation should be just as impactful for us as it is for him.

But it doesn't feel like a big enough moment. It feels a little rushed over. I think this is due to the same problems as Monk Gyatso's death. The music/sound design, direction, and acting aren't as good and don't have the same punch to them, thus taking away the impact of what should be a powerful moment. I think it was an interesting idea, but the payoff kinda defeated the point.

~~~~~

While going to the air temple makes sense in terms of character logic, I feel like the story-structure automatically took away the impact of Aang discovering Gyatso's body. Yes, as I've been saying, I kinda like them starting with the Air Nomads and then showing the genocide, but since they changed the story structure and emotional beats, it changes what scenes are and aren't necessary.

The episode "The Southern Air Temple" is very specific in how it tells its story, and the buildup to discovering Gyatso's body really only fits with the original episode. I think that maybe this could have worked if Aang coming back to the Air Temple was its own episode like in the original show and it took place a few episodes after episode 1. Like, we've already been on one or two adventures with Aang, Katara, and Sokka, and while they aren't besties yet, they are still beginning to establish a bond. We also see Aang still being at least slightly hopeful about there still being other airbenders around, which could be pretty sad since we already know that they're gone and it hasn't hit him yet.

Then, there is an episode where he is wandering around the Air Temple like in the original, and there is an intense tension throughout the episode as he gets closer and closer to Gyatso's body. We know Gyatso's dead, but Aang doesn't. We know that him seeing Gyatso's body is inevitable, but there is still a lot of tension in waiting for the inevitable. So it could be a really heartbreaking episode, because we know exactly what's going to happen, but we can't stop it.

So when he finally discovers Gyatso's body, it's like a gutpunch. And that's when the OG scene plays. The fact that it's a few episodes later also adds an impact to Katara's line about her and Sokka being Aang's new family. We experienced the loss of Aang's old family, and then we realize that the water tribe siblings have become Aang's new family. It makes it more heartwarming. Yes, Aang has lost, but he has also found.

~~~~~

I will admit, despite the controversy, Sokka's actor is pretty good. Maybe that's just because the movie lowered my expectations by a lot, but he was the most entertaining character. I laughed at a few of his jokes, and he was fun.

I do see people's problems with the sexism being taken away. The first episode works well enough without the sexism, and introduces a new, pretty interesting arc for Sokka (being a teenager expected to lead when he's not ready. That was slightly the case in the OG, but it more focused on other elements of this) which slightly parallel's Aang's arc of responsibility and putting expectations on kids/teens that they shouldn't have to handle. But Sokka's sexism arc was already pretty interesting and unique, and his toxic masculinity made his arc very intriguing. His character was very fun to look at through that lens, and slightly played into the idea of expectations.

I'm also unsure how this will work for the rest of the series. I mean, Kyoshi Island. What will they do with that? Legitimately. What is there to do? That was half the point of that episode, and it was awesome.

~~~~~

People were right when they said the special effects looked great, way cooler and cleaner than the movie. The opening scene with the earthbender is a great example of how to adapt bending into a live action form that captures the spirit of bending and does it service. It feels just as grand as in the original show. While I know the the bending moves in the OG were based on real martial arts, it can be hard to recognize just how natural the movements looked in relation to bending when watching a cartoon. But the live action bending made me realize and appreciate the way the elements actually flowed with the movements. They didn't felt random, they felt like there was legitimate physics to it.

I still have one problem with the airbending, though. I know Aang is the Avatar and a prodigy, but he was basically flying at multiple points, specifically when he was first introduced. I feel like he should only be able to do stuff like that with either his glider or when he's in the Avatar state. I was really getting into the episode and was slightly enjoying his introduction, but then he started floating down way too slowly without anything to fully support him (like a glider or even parachute), and it immediately broke my immersion and suspension of disbelief.

Despite being a show about people with either hyperspecific telekinesis or pyrokinesis, as I mentioned above, ATLA feels surprisingly realistic and grounded in its magic system, and bending feels natural with a physics of its own. I don't actually have to suspend my disbelief too hard, because though it can't happen in the real world, it doesn't feel unbelievable. Aang gliding around without a glider or other device to help carry him? Far less believable. Also, where's the airscooter? That made more sense for Aang and felt a lot less weird, and was more in-character. It's also very fun to watch and I'd look to see him do it. Give us back the airscooter.

So bending in the show still has a few minor flaws, and we're only on Episode 1.

~~~~~

Now, obviously, I do have some criticisms. I just like to get the positives out of the way first (though even then, I did mention a few negatives). The main problem that immediately stood out to me (and even my ever optimistic mom) is that the acting felt really stiff most of the time. That was one of the major problems with some of the emotional scenes I mentioned, like Aang finding out how long he'd been in the iceberg, or him discovering Monk Gyatso's body. I think everyone has probably already mentioned it, but I still felt the need to mention it. I respect the actors and feel bad saying this, but the acting lowkey ruined a lot of the first episode for me.

Like, do these characters feel anything ever? I get subtly in acting, but for characters like Aang, he often wears his heart on his sleeve and is very expressive. I actually wouldn't mind at least a little bit of exaggeration, at least for Aang. And while I said Sokka was okay, he could be a little bit better, and like Aang, he could be a little more exaggerated. Like when he's frustrated or annoyed (or most anything really), he seems like the type to have big, physical reactions. He talks with his hands and does things like throwing them up in the air in exasperation. He lets out big groans as he slouches and throws his head back. He's a silly guy, even when he is trying to act tough and serious. Basically get the most naturally funny guy you know and cast him as Sokka.

Katara, like in the movie, basically felt like she wasn't even there, or was standing around all the time. At this point, it feels like nobody will be able to capture the essence of the OG Katara, or they don't know how to. I saw a post recently that mentioned that Katara is actually a pretty angry person sometimes, and while she is very sweet and caring, she is a 14 y/o girl who is prone to outbursts and moments of pettiness. I actually like her best when she is yelling at people and getting annoyed and emotional. She is very flawed and more than just the motherly caretaker.

It feels like they need to add more emotional Katara, and not just the kind who cries. A Katara who is still a teen girl at the end of the day and has childish behaviors like the others. She will have moments of emotional immaturity. She will get overeager and impulsive (like when she stole the water scroll). She will be playful and silly. She will be angry and protective in a way that makes her reckless. She will make poor decisions. She will become strong and badass. She is so many things.

And yet, it feels like she is never given the spotlight, attention, and variety she deserves in these adaptations. Sorry for rambling about Katara, I just have so many Thoughts™ on her.

~~~~~

I don't have too much else to say, but there is one moment that unintentionally made me giggle, and I need to mention it. In the final few minutes of the episode (possible part of the final shot or something), Zuko runs over to his desk and starts furiously painting something on a piece of paper. He pins it to the wall in front of him, and it is a very shitty ink painting of Aang. And I find it so funny for some reason? I think it was because he was painting with such passion and intensity like it was the most important thing in the world, only for it to be contrasted by a poorly drawn scribble.

~~~~~

Anyways, that's all I have in my brain rn (or at least all that I care about enough to say anything about). These were just random, slightly disconnected ramblings rather than a properly written review, but I hope you related to them anyways or at least think they are interesting.

[blodgmonster]

Thoughts on live action Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Not that anyone actually wants my take.

It's solidly in the middle. Not as horrible as that wrteched movie. Obviously, it's not as amazing as the original series. It was never going to be. It was NEVER going to be as good as the original. You can't top perfection. I don't hate it. I don't love it. Below the cut (for spoiler free...ness) are my likes and dislikes. Probably not all of them. I'm sure I forgot some.

LIKES

Iroh. His characterization was good and I like that it kind of addressed the fact that he's a war criminal. Our beloved war criminal.

Azula. I've always adored her and was worried they'd wreck her. Obviously, I want to see her blue fire, but she was clever and badass, and we saw her insecurities. And went she lightning bent? * chef's kiss * That's my girl. Also, glad they didn't have her grinning like a sociopath when Zuko got burned.

Kyoshi. They leaned HEAVILY into the fanon interpretation of her and she wouldn't have yelled at Aang but she was badass.

Aesthetics. The show looked good.

Jun and Nyla. Perfect

The line "You are the fire in which her iron was forged." Fantastic.

Yue. Less wishy washy, more proactive. Also, a waterbender who sometimes chills in the spirit world. Good for her. And no love triangle.

Big fish fuckin things up!

Sokka. The actor did a good job.

"Kick his ass." Sokka being fully supportive of Katara

Katara bringing all the women to the battle.

Having Zuko's crew be the division he got his scar for was a cool touch.

DISLIKES

Zuko fought back against Ozai in the Agni Kai? I think NOT. That's the whole point. Ozai attacked a CHILD who refused to fight back. That shows the depth of his evil. Why erase that?

Did Aang just...leave my boi Hei Bai raging and in pain?

Aang never learned waterbending!? Didn't even try? Why???

Where was Katara's rage? Yes she's hopeful and motherly and in touch with her feelings but she's also fucking angry and she's right and it's great. But cutting that, they made her one dimensional.

Cutting Sokka's character growth, wherein he learns to respect women. "It was problematic." Yeah, dude, that's the point. He was in the wrong and had to learn that.

Suki. They made her...less than somehow. Less capable. Less strong. Ogling Sokka? Unnecessary. Saying he brought the world to her? Lame.

BUMI. WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT? Bumi was so BITTER and CRUEL to Aang! It made me so mad. Yes, he's unhinged but he's also a playful genius

Aang was kind of wooden. They cut his joyful, playful nature. But that's at Aang'd core. Why cut that? And he sides with PAKKU when he says Katara can't fight? EXCUSE YOU? No. He calls him Master Poophead and teaches her himself.

Cramming all the spirit world stuff into one episode was weird. Koh, Wong Shi Tong, and Hai Bei all in one go? And having Gyatso there only to have him leave? What was that? And they stripped Koh of his purpose, telling Aang who Tui and La were.

What was Mai's wig? Good Lord. The wigs in general were meh, but hers was particularly heinous.

Kyoshi and Kuruk yelling at Aang. Too much yelling.

[likeabxrdinflight]

okay so, episode one. thoughts.

so this episode covers, roughly, episodes one, two, Aang's half of episode three, and Aang's half of "the storm." which tells me they're not adapting that one in the way it was presented in the animated version. I'm...a little sad about that. but moving on. also, the Agni Kai between Zhao and Zuko was not present in this episode either- I suspect it will show up later. I hope it does, anyway.

I'm gonna start with the characters, I think.

Aang: Gordon is extremely cute and believable in the role. some of his dialogue is clunky and, like all the younger actors, his diction needs work. but he's a good little actor and he fits the role really well. I only think he'll improve from here. Generally speaking, Aang feels much the same as his animated counterpart. The biggest change they made was in why he ran away- in this version, Gyatso tells Aang he's the Avatar, and then Aang flies off on Appa to clear his head with every intention of coming back. It's just that the storm happens and it also happens to be the night of the genocide. I don't love this change, as it removes the more willful running away of the animated Aang. I do like the dramatic irony of it just happening to be the same night as the comet (which by the way is present and very much A Thing. It will be back for season three I promise.) But all that said, it's not a character ruining change- Aang is still Aang. This was the stand-out performance for me given Gordon's age. This kid's going places.

(also the bond between Aang and Gyatso was very intact and very sweet and I did cry multiple times but who's counting)

Katara- yeah. this was the character I was most concerned about and rightly so, I think. Kiawentiio is not a bad actress and there are flashes of the Katara I know and love in her performance. but the writers took away all her spark in this episode. it's not very clear that she's the one who frees Aang. she doesn't do it by yelling her head off at Sokka. her anger feels completely cut off in this version, we only see flashes like one time and it's not nearly the ferocity I expect from Katara. she definitely still wants to be a waterbender, but the entire mini-arc where Aang offers to take her to the North Pole and then she gets upset when it seems like it won't pan out is cut from these episodes entirely. she's also not the one to calm Aang from the Avatar State, which in some sense I like- Katara was far too parentified in the original cartoon- but in some sense I don't, because her ability to hold the group together and be emotionally resilient was one of her strengths as a character. she does get some nice moments with Aang though. I strongly think they are still setting up for Kataang down the line, though it's not as blatant as in the original. ultimately though she doesn't have quite the same role in this first episode as she did in the original and it is disappointing. we'll see how she evolves from here but I'm still very concerned she's gonna end up a...watered down version of herself. pun absolutely intended.

Sokka- no notes honestly. that's Sokka. if he's your fave I think you'll be pleased with how he's adapted here. they play up his sense of responsibility to the village and to his family much more, but that aspect of him was always there in the original. everything you love about Sokka is there.

Zuko- also no notes so far. he's virtually identical to his animated counterpart at this point. Dallas is gonna be great in this role.

Iroh- I'm thrilled with this depiction of Iroh. Paul Sun-Hyung Lee knows what he's doing with this character, and the writers know what they're doing with this character. All the inconsistencies with season one Iroh vs seasons two/three Iroh have been eliminated, exactly as I hoped. There's a very nice scene they've inserted between Aang and Iroh that pretty much spells out what we all already know about Iroh- he's not really on board with the whole war thing. There's also a scene where he indicates to Zuko that the throne might not be all it's cracked up to be. This is exactly what I hoped they'd do with his character- indicate early that he's not quite the Fire Nation loyalist and that he's playing a longer game with Zuko.

Generally the performances have all been pretty solid. Some line reads are awkward and all the kids need to fix their diction. I didn't watch this episode with subtitles but I think I will turn them on for the rest because it's kind of an issue. They all get mushy-mouthed in places. Sometimes the volume on the dialogue is a little too soft as well. So fair warning about that.

The overall look of it...the color palette was better in the final product than I expected. The costumes look much better than they did in the trailers. Some of the effects look amazing (fire and waterbending especially) and some...not as much (airbending has it's weird moments, so does earth.) Appa is solid. Momo hasn't shown up yet but I've seen clips from trailers and I think he'll be fine too. The worldbuilding looks incredible. The Air Temple felt very alive, the Southern Water Tribe looked pretty real and felt lived in. We haven't seen much of the Fire Nation yet, but Zuko's ship looks perfect.

In terms of writing, this episode definitely has an exposition problem that I'm hoping will only be present here, since there was a lot to set up. There's one scene where Gran-Gran just reads out the opening we all know from the cartoon, complete with the "water, earth, fire, air, long ago the four nations lived together in harmony..." and it's really fucking awkward. That whole scene was awkward. I'm hoping dialogue choices like that were a first-episode problem and won't recur as much moving forward, but we'll see. there's another spot where Aang, at the end, kinda gives a "hey I'm the hero now" speech and it's pretty awkward too because you know he's speaking to the audience, not Katara and Sokka. Gordon's doing his best but that dialogue was not good.

That said, this wasn't an issue the entire time. The opening with the Air Nomad genocide was actually very well done, but it seemed like once Aang shows up in the Southern Water Tribe it was like the writers suddenly felt they had to lore-dump everything all at once. It took me out of the experience a bit, as someone who's seen the original more times than I can count. But...maybe new audiences need this, I dunno.

The humor is largely intact. Sokka still has his sarcasm, Aang gets some funny lines, even Katara has a moment or two. It's not as cartoon-y, and there's definitely less levity. No penguin sledding, Aang doesn't crash into the snow tower, they don't play airball at the Southern Air Temple, etc. But it's not grimdark either, I don't get the sense that it's trying to be "edgy" on purpose. It's just playing up the serious elements that were already part of the story and removing the aspects that were only ever gonna work in a cartoon. This does still feel like Avatar, it feels like the same world and the same overall story, just being told in a different way.

Overall it's not a terrible start. There's issues, some changes I'm mixed on, some changes I really like, some I really don't. Mileage will vary on this particular episode for older fans, I think. But as a first episode? It's very watchable. There's good things happening here. Gonna see how it evolves over the next seven episodes. Please let Katara kick ass soon.

[number1villainstan]

AtLA Analysis Rewatch: S1E8: Winter Solstice Part 2, Avatar Roku

Intro: I've given up on trying to do this specific episode, at least, all in one day. I'll probably lose some of the overarching plot stuff this way but at least I'll actually do it.

Lot of spiritual, Avatar-specific stuff in the Previously section--talking about the Avatar's past lives, and how to connect with them. Also some crucial details about Crescent Island. Perfectly natural for this episode. I expect to pick out a lot of details about the Fire Sages and religion. (Did you know that Agni is a fanon deity, not a canon one?)

Opening scene is Aang trying to drag Appa into flying, without Sokka or Katara. Stubbornness and a sense of protectiveness over his friends; but also, in the same breath, a feeling of invincibility. Although he considers the possibility of his friends dying, he doesn't seem to understand that he could also die. Katara's line "The world can't afford to lose you to the Fire Nation. Neither can I." might foreshadow their later romance, but it also might be taken as purely platonic here.

Mayor (?) guy from last episode says that it's a "long journey to Crescent Island." a) How does he know that? b) How fast can Appa fly? c) How tiring would the journey be for Appa? The geography/pacing of these episodes are weird. Speed of plot and all. I also wonder exactly what's in the pack Mayor gives Aang, and why it's got a stick on top. What fabric is it using and where did they get it from? Is it just big leaves? But where did they get the leaves? Why is it tied like that?

Why was Zuko just...waiting outside Mayor guy's house? Why did he think shoving him back inside would be a good idea?? Also, he jumped straight from "Having trouble sleeping?" to "Seen the Avatar lately?" That's hardly impactful dialogue. Your mother would be so disappointed that you can't even think up proper villainous dialogue. ...Also, naked Iroh riding a Komodo rhino to the side. I had to go back to last episode's analysis to remember the context of that. :P Zuko's shove, I noticed, looks similar to a firebending move, with him drawing his arms back and placing his hands so that the palms face the 'opponent' (using that word pretty loosely here) and the fingers point up and down. Firebending training showing up here?

The sun seems to rise real quick in the Avatar world. Much quicker than in our own. It also seems to come with an already day-blue sky, rather than the red/orange/pink colors that come with sunrises and sunsets in our world. ...yet another case of astronomical inaccuracy.

Iroh actually gets mad at Zuko for daring to sail in FN waters--enough to raise his voice to a yell when he reminds Zuko that "the Fire Lord" banished him. Why is Iroh talking about his brother so impersonally? (I know why, but that's the Doylist explanation. I want the in-universe one, the Watsonian one.) I also believe that this is the first time in the series that someone has said that Zuko was outright banished, and not just dishonored. Right after Iroh yells, he softens his voice and indirectly asks about Zuko's welfare--"What if you're caught?" Zuko says he has no choice (he does, he could plan/strategize and try to predict where the Gaang would exit FN waters without actually entering them, this is just his impulsivity) and that his father will understand. (Zuko, you poor naive little boy.) (Iroh agrees with me here in this scene.) Iroh also refers to Ozai as 'my brother,' and I can't remember if this is another first time or not.

Fire Lord Ozai casts a large shadow over these two characters, even as he hasn't shown up in the show yet in any real capacity, not even as the shadowy figure of the Big Bad Villain. (I checked the wiki; apparently his first appearance is in this episode.) He casts a large shadow on the whole show. But we don't get a lot of canon characterization for him beyond Big Bad Villain, and what we do get we have to infer and debate based on tiny scenes and scraps.

So, Zuko is at the telescope himself during this talk, trying to look for the Avatar. Lack of trust in his crew? Self-initiative? A combo of both, probably, knowing both Zuko's bull-in-a-china-shop character and his royal (classist) upbringing.

So, the flaming ammo for that catapult. And the catapult itself. Are all FN ships outfitted with one? It came up from under the deck--where is it stored? How is it maintained? Who maintains it? Also, for the ammo--we know that the gray flammable gunk smells bad, thanks to Iroh (does he not know how this works, with his preference for 'something more fragrant'?) and we know that the brown fabric-tied stuff underneath is also flammable, but what's in the bundle? And what's the gray gunk supposed to be, oil or something? (Also, on another note, what sort of cultural details can we glean from Iroh using a fan, even a plain red one? I thought that was a feminine thing in Japanese or Chinese cultures, although I may be wrong.

It looks like the smell/fumes of that 'hot stinker,' as Katara calls it, are also a part of the attack. I wonder if the Gaang's eyes are watering?

What's up with the blockade? Why there? Is it specifically around Crescent Island? How much manpower is it using? I wonder what life is like for the soldiers on that blockade.

So, both the Gaang and Zuko decide to run the blockade. How late in the day is it? How far away is Crescent Island? How long would that detour to the North have taken?

And Zhao's back, in all his oily, awful glory. What is he doing on/at the blockade, though? The captain(?) he's talking to is concerned about Zuko's ship, although he doesn't seem to realize that it's Zuko's. Also, why is Zhao calling Zuko a traitor? Is it because he's about to run a FN blockade, or does it relate to The Scar Backstory? (What even was the official public explanation for that? Who even knows about that?? What kind of gossip is going around about Zuko while he's gone?)

(Okay, going to go through the blockade scene and then stop for the night.)

Zhao's ships, which look to be the blockade itself (again, what is he doing there? Inspections? Trying to guess where Aang's going? Does he know about the solstice and Avatar cycles and Crescent Island and whatnot? He does seem to mess with the spirits a lot.) seem to have more than one catapult per ship (three, it seems?); an upgrade to weaponry in the years Zuko's been gone?

Appa's real good at dodging those hot stinkers. (Also, I wonder how much of Appa's grunts Aang can understand, and how much of Aang's commands Appa can understand.)

Zuko's warned by an engineer(? Could just be an experienced crewmember, he looks pretty old) that they need to stop because the engines are damaged, and he still says "Do not stop this ship." Makes me think of Azula's "Do the tides command this ship?" Maybe it's a royal thing, being entitled jackasses even in the face of uncircumventable realities. Also, if the engines are damaged, shouldn't they be slowing down or stopping or turning?

Appa pulled off some serious speed skills to save Sokka. Also, Aang seems to be trying to 'drive' Appa the same way someone would drive a car; dude, Appa's an animal. He can see that Flaming Balls Bad. Appa can dodge on his own.

So, when Aang burst apart that flaming ball it broke into chunks. No fabric, and it looked like dirt? Dirt's not flammable. Although maybe it doesn't need to be? But where are they getting dirt in the middle of the ocean? (Unless...it's not dirt? Solid human waste isn't exactly in short supply. Gross, though.)

Okay, so Zhao's not on the blockade because he knows Aang's headed to Crescent Island.

So it did look like Zuko's engines were stalling, or his ship was slowing down. Although just cutting the engines for Zhao's ships wouldn't immediately stop the ship, would it? I can only imagine what's going through Zuko's head as he's looking up at Zhao. (Zuko's ship is a whole lot smaller than other FN ships, yet again.)

Finished blockade scene. Got 8 min 21 seconds in. Current word count, including this paragraph, is 1458 words. Jesus, this is going to be another long one.

Starting this again, a few days later. I hope I'll finish the rest of it today. That's probably not going to happen, though.

So, it seems the passage of time is being measured by the tint of the sky, not too bad of a choice, and Appa seems to grow more tired--head and legs hanging down. How many hours was that? Where was the blockade supposed to be? What the hell is AtLA geography, anyways?

"I was talking to Appa." "Well I was talking to Momo." God, they're such siblings. Also, does Momo's reaction mean that he can recognize his own name?

That's a long way up. Also, was that balcony constructed? Why? Also, if FN officials knew the Avatar was back, why didn't they put any guards at the temple?

Why specifically five fire sages? I know that Chinese(?) mythology held 5 elements, but this world has four elements and this is a temple dedicated to one element. Also, how exactly did they know that Aang was the Avatar? Did they get a drawing? Did they have some sort of vision during that scene when all of the temples lit up when Aang went into the Avatar state for the first time in the show?

Only three of the sages threw fireballs (too large a chance of hurting another sage if the two in the back fired?) and Aang is apparently so fast in escaping that neither the sages nor the viewer see him go. Impressive.

What on earth is the floor plan for the temple? Because it looks like it's a grid pattern but also a massive maze?? And the walls are made out of metal like it's a military construction?? Or is it wood/paper/actual building materials that I can't tell because the animation didn't put those details in??? Probably the second one tbh

"Firebenders aren't our friends." It's kind of an odd/simplistic way to phrase that, since potentially nonbenders from the Fire Nation/loyal to the Fire Nation cause would also not be their friends--indicative of a simplistic worldview from living in the South Pole and having little contact with the rest of the world?

Okay, the walls sound like metal. Also, how does the mechanism for that secret door work? And why does it lead into the mountain? Again, what is the floor plan here??

The sage says his grandfather knew Avatar Roku, and that he formed passages out of the magma, and that he once called the temple his home. But if Roku was a traitor to the Fire Nation, why would a temple be built on his home? Unless it wasn't? Questions for S3. Also, what was the grandfather's relationship with Roku? Because I'm not sure the timeline works if they were the same age. Also, why did Roku make those magma passages? But if 'many generations of Fire Sages' attended to the temple, that would mean that the temple was built before Roku, so it must have been that Roku lived in the temple for at least some period of time?? And then what about Sozin? There's no way this sage was alive when Sozin declared war on the Air Nomads. NOTHING ABOUT THIS MAN'S TIMELINE MAKES ANY GODDAMN SENSE. FUCK.

How long did they spend inside the temple? It feels like it has to be after sunset by now, but maybe that's just me pausing and unpausing to write this.

Is there any other way into the chamber than the secret passage (or the windows)? IIRC later in the episode Zuko and Zhao will both get into the chamber outside Roku's chamber, likely through other entrances.

Okay, so Friendly Sage's name is Shaiyu. (I think that's how it's spelled? Shy-you, if we're using words.)

"The sanctuary doors! They're closed!" Uh...duh? Why would they be open?

Ended at 12:55, through finding out the sanctuary doors are closed. Not including this paragraph, word count is 2079 words. And I'm only a little over halfway done with this episode.

What's up with those pillars in the background, with the dragons? I mean, I know what's up, they're there for structural support and probably decoration, but who put them there, how did they think up the design, etc etc.

What's the design/functionality of that firebending lock? Also, is there really no firebender powerful enough to create five separate fire blasts? Two feet, two arms and a mouth, that seems enough to me. Would hardly be a dignified move, but if you're alone and/or desperate, it could probably work. Unless a regular firebender couldn't make all five fire blasts powerful enough? (What's the trigger for the locking mechanism dependent on?)

...I bet Ozai could unlock the door alone. Or Azula, with a bit of practice/more and specific training.

The little 'ding' and the zoom out to the lantern above Sokka's head was hilarious. Loved it.

Speaking of lanterns, how did it get that red glow? Probably just through red paper, but what's inside? Is it just a candle flame? Wouldn't that snuff out after a while? Because that lantern looks pretty airtight.

Okay, so I thought Zuko was just being stupid when he decided to let Zhao follow his smoke trail, but no, apparently he's got an actual decent plan. Where did that mini boat come from? What's its capabilities? Is it supposed to be a life boat, a tug boat, a boarding boat? Probably the third, given that this is a military ship. When did the crew find the time to put in the upkeep for that ship?

Lamp oil in an animal skin. It's a good idea (and probably what the lamp shot was referencing before), but I think if they want the fire to go into the lock it's facing the wrong way--it should have the opening going into the hole. Although maybe then the fire wouldn't get enough air?

Would lamp oil really explode like that? (At least now we know how the lamps work.) Seems dangerous for a lamp to have exploding oil. Also, would the twin/rope they tied the bags with really have that sparkler effect? I know they're supposed to be bombs, but the components seem wrong for that.

"Did the definition of genius change in the last hundred years?" lol

I saw from one of the shots that Crescent Island is legit basically erupting. Lava flowing, smoke pouring out. That's...that's not how real volcanoes work, is it? I'm pretty sure we went over that in our geography unit. Generally lava is supposed to stop flowing once an eruption has stopped, since an eruption is from the buildup of pressure in the magma. Like one of Earth's pimples. Anyways.

Aang's tantrum here is...interesting. I don't think we often see Aang angry in the show, but he still reacts with yelling and throwing blasts of air at a door (although, thankfully, not at any person). Clear frustration, one of the few times we see it from Aang in the show iirc.

Sokka is the one to come up with the fake firebending idea, but Katara's the one that realizes what effect the fake firebending's effects on the lock would have. So it's not just Sokka that has ideas. But also, does this imply a difference between the way they both think? Sokka with engineering and things, Katara with people?

...Seriously, with all of those moving parts--how the hell does that lock work??

"Crawled through the pipes?" There are pipes connecting the chamber to the outside, where the doors are?

Those Sages are agile for a bunch of (presumably) old men. Also, how and where did Zuko get in? Is he familiar with the temple and its layout? He'd presumably have the right to be, but it's been three years since he was in the Fire Nation and had access to the temple, and to a sixteen-year-old three years is a long fucking time. When did he arrive on the island? He had to have had time to navigate the temple and get to the chamber.

...speaking of time, when the fuck is the sun going to set? I swear the AtLA planet is rotating at the speed of plot.

So, the Sages are helping Zuko? The banished and disgraced prince? Why? What motivation do they have for that? They're probably pretty high up, socially speaking, unless Ozai and Azulon and Sozin all started discrediting them, as part of the propaganda FN citizens are put through as part of schooling. Even so, why would they not hear about Zuko being banished and disgraced? On the surface, you could say it's because he's a royal, but like...Zhao's actively competing with him, and he gets promoted. What's going on inside their heads? Also, when did they even talk to each other?

Patience, Aang, the sun is (finally) setting. Just wait for a few seconds for the light to match up. Although--why sunset, and why on the solstice (winter, I'm guessing)? As well as the murals on the floor--where are those from, and what do they symbolize? On the other hand, there's kind of the question of why there's a temple at all, much less such a massive and ornate room dedicated specifically to Avatar Roku, when Roku was, what, declared a traitor to the FN by Sozin for not being gay back saying that he couldn't do an imperialism? Possibly it was at first to keep the Avatar sympathizers/more spiritual side of the nation calm, and then possibly it was forgotten about? God only knows.

So, Shaiyu invokes duty as a moral, as in the duty of the Fire Sages. Part of me wants to pick that morality apart and compare it to Zuko's honor. And then Zhao comes in, having somehow spotted and followed Zuko's tiny tugboat, and applauds the guy for his 'heartfelt speech' (that was two sentences long, that's not a speech!). So Zhao at least professes a plan to take Shaiyu to Fire Lord Ozai (although who really knows what's going on in that conniving head of his). Shyu, actually, I looked it up.

I remember one of the character pages a friend shared on a discord saying something about Zhao having the feel of a slimy sycophantic corporate ladder-climber, and...yea. His 'two traitors in one day, the Fire Lord will be pleased' bit really plays into that.

"Sooner or later he has to come out." a) So Zhao is patient when he wants/needs to be in order to achieve his goals. b) There are so many gay jokes you could make with this.

Why the mountainous and foggy setting for the vision? Why that specifically? Is it because it's familiar/like home to Aang?

Oh! Yes! This is the very first appearance of Ozai in the series! Shadowed face, surrounded by fire (even if the lighting would realistically let us see his face), and shirtless. Why is your waist so small, Ozai? So that other men (Zhao and also Hakoda) can grab it? Gayboy. And a drama queen with that mouth fire blast. Now we know where Zuko got it from (if it isn't like...the entire nation).

"Finish the war once and for all" is really fucking vague, my dude.

So Roku outright warns him that if Ozai succeeds (in using the comet) balance will be un-restorable, and yet I remember that at the beginning of the finale the Gaang minus Zuko decide to just wait until after the comet. So did Aang forget that warning? Did he never tell the others?

I believe this is the episode where the time limit is set (summer's end, when Sozin's Comet comes). Also, that (mastering all four elements) is a hell of a task to ask of a twelve-year-old.

I wonder what the choir-chant music is supposed to be (scene switching back to Zhao awaiting Aang outside the door). Zhao commands his soldiers to go full throttle--does he anticipate the Avatar State? More importantly, why do I ask questions that I know will be answered if I just hit play and wait a couple seconds?

Damn, Zuko got chained up too? Rip. Also, spikes on the door. Ouch. On the other hand, with the light, Zuko looks away and I think so do many others, but Zhao doesn't, and the soldiers don't. Wouldn't that hurt their eyes?

Okay, so the chamber is at the top of the temple. And the wall was fucking destroyed apparently. Also, how did Roku heat up those chains without burning anyone severely?

Katara refuses to leave without Aang. I think Aang's going to be fine...although it would be disheartening if he woke up and was alone.

Oh dang, Katara was right to be worried. Also. How the fuck is no one fainting from heat stroke? Did anyone get caught in the lava? This should have a lot more casualties than it does.

Okay, so apparently I was wrong before about the Sages having a high social status, if a commander (which is canonically lower than an admiral) can arrest all of them so easily and with such confidence.

And that's all! Final word count, including this paragraph, is 3,684 words.

[the-letter-horror-lover]

Sore Loser

Another_Starlight

Summary:

Ciel and Sebastian are visiting the Phantomhive London Residence and Ciel is actually willingly to play with the Prince. But what if Soma was constantly loosing and then gets sick of it? And will Ciel get away with his sassy behavior?

Notes:

This is a Kuroshitsuji fanfiction.

The anime/manga and characters doesn't belong to me.

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

work for more notes.)

Work Text:

“I won. Again”

“Huuh? No way, you cheated!”

“I did not. I'm just a better player than you.”

Ciel smirked when the teen in front of him threw his cards onto the table, a childish pout making its way on his face after losing the fourth time in a row.

Ciel and Sebastian were currently in London, visiting the Phantomhive residence where prince Soma and his loyal servant Agni lived for now. After nearly getting crushed into a bone-crushing hug by the energetic purple haired teen and finishing his much needed afternoon tea Ciel had shown himself gracious and agreed to play cards with Soma. At first, he was a bit annoyed from the prince but now after winning every game and seeing the older boy getting more and more frustrated the young earl was clearly enjoying himself.

“You want to play another round? It will be the last one but don't worry, I will go easy on you.” said Ciel with a sadistic smirk and a devious gleam in his eye that told the clear opposite. Sebastian who was standing together with Agni by the windows, watching them from there, chuckled silently at his masters behavior. When it comes to games, the young earl really showed no mercy.

“Bring it on Ciel! This time I will win for sure!” exclaimed Soma loudly as he put his cards together and hand them over to Ciel who begun to mix them with the skills of an experienced player.

“Good luck my prince.” cheered the white haired man from behind as he watched his prince taking the cards that Ciel had shoved into his direction.

Soma grabbed the cards eagerly, hoping for a good hand and quickly looked over them. His grin vanished shortly after looking over them and his early confidence was swept away in seconds when his eyes quickly scanned the cards in his hands. They were absolutely useless and even worse than in the last round! He couldn't do anything with them!

Soma slowly glanced over his cards into the direction of the boy who was sitting in front of him only to see Ciel smirking at him when their eyes meet.

“Bad cards I guess?” teased the young earl and suppressed a chuckle when he saw the expression that Soma was showing. It was clearly written all over his face that he hadn't any luck and the boy found it hilarious how easily Soma was showing it on his face.

It didn't take the young earl long for defeating the other boy within minutes.

“Well, too bad. It seems like you aren't good at playing cards at all.” said Ciel as he put the cards back into the package a small smirk still remaining on his features.

“You're just lucky.” grumbled Soma, not very happy with the outcome of the game as he leaned with his arms crossed over his chest back into the couch. How was it even possible to lose against a boy four years younger than him not only four but now five times in a row?

“And you're a sore loser.” said Ciel simply as he stood up and was about to go when a hand abruptly grabbed his wrist and pulled him back.

Ciel yelled in surprise when he suddenly felt the armchair of the couch pushing at the back of his knees and make him lose his balance. He fell backwards onto the couch, only to look right into Somas golden eyes after slowly opening his own blue one that he had closed during the fall.

“I'm not a sore loser, you are just afraid of loosing! Let's play another round.” demanded Soma as he starred with serious eyes down at the smaller boy.

Ciel who had slowly recovered from the shock of falling backwards just rolled his eyes at Soma.

“You would only lose for the sixth time. I will win every time so it gets boring easily and you clearly are a sore loser.” said Ciel as he sat up in a more comfortable position and moved a bit away from the other boy who was now huffing in anger.

“You can't know if I will lose or not if we won't play!” protested Soma, still holding Ciels wrist in his hand.

“Yes I do know that I would win because you are a horrible player and your poker face is even worse and now let me go.” said Ciel as he tried to pry Somas hands of but the prince seemed to have more strength as Ciel had thought.

Soma who seemed to be completely obvious or just unimpressed by the younger boys attempt to get his arm free frowned at the answer.

“I am not that bad! You're no fair Ciel.” said the older boy which made Sebastian snicker in the background.

“I never said that I was fair.” came it back from the young earl as he still tried to get his wrist free.

“It seems like this idiot has more strength than brain.” thought Ciel and sighed when he realized that an escape out of Somas hold was impossible.

“Play another round with me.” said Soma with a demanding tone in his voice and pushed Ciel back into the couch when the later made another attempt to stand up.

Ciel who wasn't prepared of the impact fell backwards, with his back on the couch. Before he could start yelling at the other teen or even stand up he got already pinned down.

“What are you doing, you idiot!?” shouted Ciel angrily as he tried pushing Soma of off him who had sat down onto his tights and made it unable to move.

“Play another round with me or I won't let you go.” said Soma as he grinned confidently, proud of his idea to simply hinder the boy from leaving

“Who do you think you are? As if I would agree with that.” said Ciel and rolled his eyes at him.

“I won't let you go.” said Soma simply and grinned smugly down at the other boy.

“And I won't play with you.” replied Ciel and crossed his arms over his chest, not willing to let himself be ordered around like that. He didn't care if Soma was a prince or not, no one would get him into doing what they want with this kind of behavior.

Both teens glared at each other until Soma grinned again as he looked down at the boy under him who was giving him his death glare.

“I could make you play with me.”

Ciel just raised an eyebrow at that. What did Soma think he could do to get him into playing along with his wishes? He wouldn't use violence, first because Sebastian was here and second because he wasn't a person who would ever try hurting him. So what other methods does he have...

Ciel couldn't even finish his thoughts when he suddenly felt a touch which he wasn't expecting.

Soma had placed his hands on his sides and grinned like a Cheshire cat. Ciel was confused at first but then as he put one and one together his eyes widened in shock when he finally realized what Soma was planning to do.

“Don't you dare.” said Ciel with a dead serious face and glared at the still grinning prince.

“What is the problem Ciel? Something wrong?” teased Soma and he could tell that if looks could kill he would be probably dead by now but that didn't stop him from teasing the smaller boy.

“I only wanted to play cards with you Ciel. You only have to say yes and I let you go.”

“As if I would do tha-STOP!”

Somas grin widened at how Ciels body jumped when he gave his sides two short squeezes.

“Just play another round with me.”~ sing sanged Soma, his hands still placed at the young earls sides, ready to strike.

“Never” was all Ciel said as he glared at the teen above him but when he felt hands squeezing his sides again and again he couldn't help but bucking widely at the touch.

Before the young earl could prevent it from happening, a small giggle had already slipped out of his mouth.

“What was that? Did you maybe just lauuugh?” teased the older boy with a mischievous sparkle in eyes and a smug grin decorating his features.

“N-no and now get off, you're crushing me!” yelled an embarrassed young earl.

“To me that sounded like a giggle, young master.” came it now from Sebastian who was watching the whole thing with amusement, while Agni stood besides him with a soft smile on his face.

“No one asked you Sebastian.” came it coldly from the young earl as he glared at his butler and had grabbed Somas wrists, trying to hold them away from his body.

“You are really mean today Ciel. Maybe we should change that bad attitude of yours and replace it with some smiles.” said Soma with a big grin on his face and begun to wiggle his fingers along the delicate ribs of the younger boy.

Ciel squirmed under the ticklish touch and quickly pressed his arms to his sides to stop the attacking fingers but it was to no use because Soma had already grabbed his arms within the next seconds.

“Ah ah ah” taunted Soma and grabbed first one and then the other arm of the younger boy and pinned them other his head with one hand.

“You won't get away this easily now Ciel.” said the older boy and Ciel who had until now somehow managed to hold every sound, except for the little giggle from the beginning in, knew that he was now seriously screwed.

Soma smirked when he saw the expression on the youngsters face when he realized what would happen next.

“Let's see how ticklish the earl of Phantomhive really is.” teased the prince as he laid his hand on the perfectly stretched out stomach in front of him. Ciels breath hitched at the touch and he unwillingly sucked his stomach in when he felt fingertips lightly prodding his torso. When Soma actually curled his fingers, a victorious grin take over his face as he saw how the corner of Ciels lips slowly turned upwards and he tried to bury his face into his arm to avoid seeing him in the face but that was a fatal mistake.

The moment where Ciel wasn't paying attention, too engrossed in trying to hold his laughter in, Soma attacked.

He let his hand dart forward and promptly started to let his fingers wiggle in the unprotected armpit of the younger boy.

Ciel who wasn't prepared for that, let out a squeal in surprise and within seconds the room was filled with bright and sweet laughter.

“My my, seems like the young master is really ticklish.” chuckled Sebastian, perfect lips curled into an amused smirk as he watched how the young prince tickled his master to pieces. Agni nodded in agreement, also wearing a smile on his face while watching the teens in front of him.

“Yohohou idihihot, stohohop!” shrieked Ciel in panicked laughter when a hand clawed at his rib cage and sent ticklish sparks all through his body.

“Watch your attitude Ciel~.” was all the prince said as he let his devious fingers dance all over the younger's upper body.

Ciel couldn't help but giggle when Soma slipped his warm hand under his thin shirt and scribbled all over his tummy. When Soma dipped his finger into his bellybutton the smaller boy arched his back and his laughter raised up a pitch, making the other boy grin.

“Got a sensitive tummy?” teased Soma and prodded some more of the soft and fleshy parts of Ciels abdomen.

“I hahahate y-youhuhu” was all the younger teen could bring out as he tried to glare at the prince but the bright smile on his face and the childlike laughter that where constantly flowing out of his mouth didn't really helped with that.

“That's not a nice thing to say to your friend. But I will forgive you if you take back what you said about me being a sore loser.” said Soma as he stopped the tickling for a second, waiting for an answer and letting the boy under him take a short break.

“I - huff - will - huff – never – huff- say that.” pressed Ciel out as he gasped for air, his chest raising up and down in a fast pace.

“Well it seems like I have no other choice to continue then.” said Soma with fake-repentance in his voice and before Ciel could get his breath back under control, he found himself back into a world full of ticklish and teasing touches, lots of giggles and laughter purring out of his mouth when Soma stared to drill his thumbs into his delicate hipbones, wiggle his fingers all over his tummy and sides and actually counted his ribs one by one which let the smaller boy blush when he couldn't suppress the giggles and his face flush in a light shade of pink of embarrassment.

“Ahahaha S-somahaha nohoh hehe” choked Ciel out when the taller teen let his wrist go only to dig grab with both hands behind himself and squeezed Ciels knees, kneaded his thighs and pinched wiggled his fingers under the boys knees which let Ciel kick out his legs and let out some high pitched giggles.

When he couldn't take anymore, Ciel grabbed a pillow that laid next to him on the couch and threw it with all he got into Somas face. The later fell from the couch when the pillow hit him full force right into the face.

Ciel sat up, cheeks still colored in a light pink and still painting hard, as he looked over to Soma who was laying on the ground, his legs still on the couch but his upper body on the ground, the pillow still placed on his face.

“Why did you do that?” asked the prince loudly as he sat up from his ridiculous position and looked at him like a kicked puppy.

“Because you nearly killed me, you idiot.” scolded Ciel and rolled his eyes.

“You could just have take back what you said and I would have stopped.” came it back from the now pouting prince who was now sitting cross-legged on the floor, in front of the couch.

Sebastian and Agni both sighed in sync as they watched their now bickering masters. This seemed to be turning out into a long night.

Notes:

Please leave a comment or constructive critic if you liked the story :)

[brionysea]

watching netflix avatar, for some reason. here are my thoughts

the genocide of the air nomads scene simply shouldn't exist

that is not katara

sokka is initially unlikable. good job!

sokka being so dismissive of katara is still sexist, they're just not calling it that anymore

the southern air temple prologue really lessens the impact of aang being gone for 100 years. it was like 5 minutes ago in screen time

"sky bison. SKY! BISON!!!!" "repeating it doesn't help"

zuko's obsession with the throne is weird. and why is he telling his uncle about his 3 year quest to find the avatar?? iroh KNOWS. he was THERE

someone should've fixed all this exposition pretending to be dialogue. the script needs like 5 more rounds of editing

zuko was never this evil

iroh talking to aang is good. very cryptic. never saying what his own views are, only explaining the new world to aang

suki <3 she's so weird <3

"i'm not just a warrior, i'm a kyoshi warrior" this is the only time this version's obsession with warriors has worked for me. is aang even a pacifist here? i'm concerned

stop yelling at aang for "running away from his responsibilities" he literally didn't do that

where is zuko's honour? not only is he not yelling about it every five minutes, but they're failing to demonstrate that he HAS it, despite what his father would have him believe

the CGI is stunning, especially with the landscapes

i say again: IS AANG EVEN A PACIFIST???? no one else is acting like it, and he's not correcting them. please tell me this isn't gonna be the edgy grimdark version where he kills the firelord at the end instead of keeping his people's culture alive

i like what they're doing with sokka's insecurities

aang and zuko's dynamic is very good

"oh no! there's a huge mountain in the way of rescuing aang!" somewhere in the earth kingdom, toph is laughing

bumi :)

bumi :(

"SAYS THE GIRL WHO FELL FOR A TERRORIST" are we sure sokka isn't a firebender?

this random earth kingdom soldier smacking iroh around for being a war criminal feels more real than any of the main characters

lu ten's funeral???? oh my god

wan shi tong more like what the hell are you doing here

"do you always make jokes when you don't wanna talk about something?" "what? that's not what i do" liar. a lying liar who lies. and his name rhymes with okka

heartwarming aang & gyatso reunion scene (REAL) (NOT CLICKBAIT)

"zuko's so disrespectful to his crew!" cut to aang being the most polite young man in existence

"you shouldn't try to move" *immediately tries to move* have i mentioned that the aang and zuko dynamic is VERY good?

steals your notebook and then earnestly says that you have neat handwriting. nice to see you here, aang. where ya been?

"i'm sorry! i didn't mean to hurt you. i have a feeling you've been hurt more than enough" :(

agni kai changes... bad

"more adult than the original" except they can't handle zuko's scar and say his vision COMPLETELY recovers from that burn. embarrassing

azula is being....... very open

suki and yue aren't just underdeveloped sokka-love-interests here, which is nice. but what is that WIG

"the plan is to reclaim what's rightfully mine!" "so no plan?" "i'm working on it, uncle :("

azula would never say no to her father

wow it's almost like katara fought for the right to be TAUGHT so that after the time jump, you could assume the women of the NWT had received some combat training, instead of just throwing them at the fire nation with no experience, at which point they will immediately be slaughtered

seriously, why is this version so obsessed with warriors? i get that it's war but the main character is a PACIFIST MONK

saving the "katara declares the gaang as found family" moment for the end of the season does flow better than three episodes in. that's always seemed a bit rushed to me

how the hell did they make yue's death about her grieving father comforting SOKKA????

the only time anyone has a point about aang being irresponsible is how he just... decided not to learn waterbending. and it seems like he's finally gotten over that! so everyone better shut up about it from now on because there's no other basis for that so-called "character flaw"

why was azula even here?

verdict: not enough appa

[azulasprettyservant]

might be controversial but:

Azula knew what Ozai did to Zuko was worthy of his anger

Ok, listen to me.

What made me think this for the first time was that scene in "The Beach" (S3 EP4 ), where Zuko is angry and Azula goes: "Well, there's a simple question you gotta answer then. Who are you angry at?". And then she, Mai and Ty Lee go trying to find out and one of Azula's "guesses" was:

[ID: Azula with a serious expression saying "Is it dad?, with Zuko off screen saying "no, no." with Ty Lee by her left side. END ID]

And the other one was herself, which is fair, since she knows how Zuko reacts to her taunts and knows how it affects him. Which made me question: "so Azula knows what their father did was at least worthy of Zuko's anger, right?".

We have to consider some things here such as: the Fire Nation praises violence (and Azula as a really "great" portray of this part, was taught to praise too) and Ozai in special praises violence as punishment and learning ("Suffering will be your teacher"). Also, Zuko acted much like Azula in this aspect right before and after he was banished.

[ID: Zuko, with a bandage on the scarred eye, in "Zuko's Story", firebending violently and yelling to a man: “Don't touch me, you filthy peasant! Don't you know who I am? I'm the prince of the Fire Nation! Son of Ursa and Ozai and heir to the throne! END ID]

Also, he wanted to believe what Ozai did to him was right and fair because he disrespected him, because the "Fire Lord knows best" (which, as we know, it's totally untrue, but again, it's Ozai the kid abuser ™ we are talking about). One of the aspects of Zuko's healing WAS learning that no, what Ozai did was not okay. But naturally, Azula (as the prodigy and star child) thought and embraced the same thing (hence the agni kai scene).

[ID: Iroh, Ty Lee, Azula, Mai and Ozai, respectively, watching Zuko go away. Ty Lee looks apprehensive, Mai looks neutral and Zhao is with a smirk. A close up to Iroh and Azula shows Iroh with a sad compassionate face and Azula with a neutral, almost bored one END ID]

Azula certainly does not looks glad here, though. There's not violence, just her brother going away. Nothing to praise about that in specific. Nothing to taunt him about.

Then there's this one:

[ID: Zuko with a bandage on the scared eye and the other closed, saying: "Father's always preferred you. You can ask for things that I can't." Azula with a long coat, hair covered with a hood, says: "I'll see what I can do. But you'll have to pay for any favors." Zuko replies: "I know". And Azula finishes with: "You should change those bandages more often. You'll lose that eye otherwise”. END ID]

Here, she just seems sort of resigned like "you know how father is", while also concerning about Zuko's eye. It's something to think about, if anything. She probably knows Zuko is suffering but they both think it's for the best. It's very, very sad how they were brainwashed to believe such cruelty was justified.

I want to clarify that I don't know if "Zuko's Story" can be counted as canon, since it's technically the movie's comic, but I think it portrays their characters very well so I'll keep it :)

[tea-and-la]

zuko ❤

(I hope you don't mind if I send you more character asks. it's always lovely to see people get excited about their ships 🥺💖)

hi!!! omg no worries i absolutely loveeeee brain rotting about my favs so i really appreciate you sending these in 🥺.

z u t a r a: i'ma be real. the only zuko ship i'll really ride for is zutara because they are IT for me. they're soulmates and that's that on that. i really love how they both encourage each other to open up about their feelings, and how they communication in a healthy way (even when they disagree.) in both of their scenes where they 'argue,' there is a very clear resolution (them apologizing for yelling at each other in crystal catacombs and the offer to heal his scar, and in tsr with zuko taking action to make sure katara can confront and heal from from her pain with her own terms.) they're vulnerable with each other in a way that makes me think that after tsr, they grow really close (zuko is the only one katara told about the day of her mom's murder.) we see in the finale that even though katara knows him well enough that she is worried that azula was taking advantage of him by asking him to do an agni kai. and even though katara doesn't want him to fight her alone, she respects his decision. then, as soon as she felt he needed her, she ran out onto the field. also, iroh canonically said that zuko's bond with katara is his strength.

jetko: i really like jetko because similarly to zutara, it's about two characters who have this realization that they aren't much different from each other, and they just kind of vibe. i like how jet saw zuko and said "you're an outcast like me. and us outcasts have to stick together." i think the food raid was really meaningful to zuko because he's hell-bent on his banishment and getting back to the FN to please his father. but for a moment, he's able to stop and have a bit of fun with kids his age (which he canonically didn't have friends, even when he was in the FN--mai and ty lee were azula's friends.) also, jetko's fight scene was um....tension.

jinko: similarly to jetko, i love how jin reminded him to enjoy normal teenager things like go on dates. we see how hypervigilant he was when he thought jin was a spy and that was the only reason he could think of that she was paying attention to him. and then iroh reminds him that it's probably just that she has a crush on him. and then he gets all dressed up and is an awkward goof that tries to impress her by juggling (even though he can't). and he lights the lamps for her. and he enjoys their kiss, even says that it was nice when iroh asked. they could've been something sweet.

[shopnedekharajkonna1]

I think AR is underestimating Nolok and constantly calling her a child/ "bacha meye". Nolok is around 20 which is old enough to understand enough and she portrays that throughout the episodes. She understands husband wife relationship is "saat jonome badha", she knows not to talk bad about her in laws house to her father, no matter how mean and badly they are treating her. She understands that AR is her husband and she has more power over him than Rohini. She even began to admire AR and express her feelings of gratitude for him ( " apni amar ishhor" ) The only mistakes she made throughout the marriage is simply her being from the village and not understanding the city life ( ex: not knowing how to use gas stove, hot water function, eating rice with water, tripping over low draped saree) That's not a "childish " act. She's smart and a fast learner - with proper coaching from AR, she could become the perfect city wife. I wish AR would recognize that instead of dismissing her feelings and behavior by calling her childish constantly.

And I'm not even going to mention the "high class, high educated" family members the Rai house have. If you're so high class, why are you all sitting around and blaming the newly married village girl for everything that's happening? All the background actors/ family members are so unnecessary to the original plot and causes annoying distraction (Especially the pishi, megha, pishis daughter, they should leave this house find their home lol) And the other characters ( AR's sister and Agni's wife) why don't they Teach her how to wear saree, teach her how to eat. The helper pishi (buri pishi) is the only person who has been genuine to Nolok from the beginning and being supportive of her. Everyone else just watches her getting blamed and yelled at. If being educated means constantly taunting and humiliating a person, then an uneducated villager is thousand times better.

Just my opinion. Let me know what you think.