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lofty-immeasurable-sky · 4 years ago

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I remember reading somewhere that we communicate nonverbally far more than we do verbally. (I think verbal is like 7% of our communication? Wow!) So, naturally, I projected my fascination with that onto my current fixation on Zukka. Zuko and Sokka canonically struggle a bit with social interaction, but in opposite ways. Their relationship, I imagine, would consist of them frequently helping each other navigate social gatherings. Personally, I struggle more on the Sokka side of things-- becoming too passionate and loud about certain subjects. I tried to make their reactions healthy, because I��ve learned to recognize the difference between being told to shut up and being told to step back, take a breath, and regain perspective. Similarly, I know the importance of smiling at others, and what kind of a difference in your confidence it can make when someone smiles back.

Anywho! I created some rough comics surrounding this idea that were going to be a Thing but then I spent waaaaay too long on the panels above.

The sketches and the ID are below the cut! (Honestly, I like how these sketches turned out better than the main comic I made. Sighhh.)

I originally pictured Zukka’s nonverbal communication to be very sweet, but then I started thinking about how they would definitely also have wacky interactions that would help them escape the occasional and nearly inescapable boredom of their jobs. I also don’t know how Sokka communicated “mochi” with only a look. I just know that it happened. (I had so much fun with Zuko’s expressions! My favorite is the heckin’ sweet one)

[ID: A digital comic. Zuko and Sokka, who are both visibly older, sit at a table along with two earth kingdom dignitaries. They are in the fire nation palace, in a vast room with two pillars, raised steps, and doors leading to outside behind them. Everything is highly decorated and in golds and crimsons. The table has several scrolls and cups on it. Zuko’s place is very neat, whereas Sokka’s papers are scattered and crumpled. Zuko frowns and looks at an earth kingdom dignitary with glasses. The dignitary is visibly nervous. He says, “So, anyway, Firelord Zuko, um... I think-- er... um... uh...” Sokka looks benignly at Zuko.

The next page shows Sokka’s hand on Zuko’s arm. Blue letters read, “Hey.” Then, a close up of Zuko’s scarred eye, looking at Sokka. Sokka then smiles. Blue words say, “smile!” next to Sokka’s head. Zuko looks down, smiling slightly. Yellow words say, “Oh. Right.” Zuko smiles at the dignitary, who smiles back gratefully and thinks, “Oh, he’s smiling. Thank the Spirits.” Zuko rests his hand on Sokka’s. Yellow words say, “thank you,” and blue ones say, “of course.”

Another page shows Sokka yelling across the table at a fire nation dignitary. Zuko looks at Sokka. Then, he rests his hand on Sokka’s arm. Yellow words say, “Sokka. Take a breath.” An ellipses comes from Sokka. He brings his hand toward Zuko’s, and blue words say, “I know.” Sokka breathes in, then out. He then says, “Anyway, this is an issue I feel very strongly about, and it’s necessary we take the proper precautions...” Sokka bites his cheek and looks at Zuko. Blue words say, “I wasn’t done, y’know.” Zuko smiles, and yellow words say, “I know. You can tell me later.”

On the fourth page, a fire nation noble sits. He is looking very nasty and mean. There is a close up of his eyes, which look in Zuko’s direction. Zuko, in a side profile, startles slightly in recognition. Sokka looks on. Under the table, Sokka holds Zuko’s hand, which is shaking. Yellow words and blue words surround the hand. The yellow ones say, “SOKKA. That man- he was there. At the war meeting. On that day. I can’t do this... Sokka... why is he here... I can’t I can’t I can’t.” The blue words say, “Yes, you can... I’m here... Just 30 more minutes... You’re safe.”

The first sketch page shows a rough drawing on a pillared- room. There is a blue and red blob that represent Sokka and Zuko, respectively. They recognize each other. Zuko looks pointedly at Sokka. Red words say, “Hey. Let’s ditch this party and go feed turtleducks.” Sokka smiles conspiratorially, shows a bag of something tucked into his belt, and points a thumb backward. Blue letters say, “one step ahead of you. I already got the bread crumbs. Let’s bounce, babe.” Zuko has stars in his eyes. Big words say, “HECKIN’ SWEET.” There are stars behind him, too.

The second sketch shows Zuko and Sokka both dying of boredom in their chairs. Sokka gets an idea. He looks at Zuko excitedly, and blue letters say, “Zuko Zuko Zuko, let’s have mochi later. Zuko wrinkles his nose and red letters say, “I don’t like mochi. You know this.” Sokka frowns and looks at Zuko. Blue letters say, “Don’t make me do it.” Zuko frowns back and red letters say, “DON’T YOU DARE.” Sokka makes a puppydog face. Blue letters say, *dares*.” Zuko silently screams and red letters say, “NO, MY WEAKNESS.” Zuko lifts a hand to shield himself from Sokka’s cute attack. Red letters say, “No No Not again.” Zuko looks forward, then at Sokka, then completely away, then he looks fully at Sokka. Red letters say, “OK.” Then, an “AHEM,” sounds from somewhere off the panel. Sokka and Zuko, who are holding hands and facing one another, are startled. They both grimace and look at each other. Purple letters say, “oops.” End ID]

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