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commehter · 2 months

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I've watched a few episodes now, and I'm starting to wonder if the people who wrote the script for the adaptation have actually watched the original series. I understand some things have to be changed for the different medium or edited for the different number and length of the episodes. That doesn't explain making choices that break the worldbuilding or destroy the characterizations that worked so well in the original. I'm not going to say the original was perfect or without flaw, but it was (and is) popular for good reason. So, why? Why alter something so foundational and that the audience is begging to be left unchanged? I do not understand.

Netflix Live Action ATLA Adaptation

I'll admit upfront that I generally prefer animation over live action, and old school 2D animation in particular will forever have a place in my heart. I prefer the bright colors, stylized art, and easier suspension of disbelief inherit to the medium of animation. I also don't recall ever watching a live action adaptation of any animated movie or series that I considered to be better than the original.

So, I wasn't exactly excited for Netflix's new ATLA project, but I was, at least, curious. I'd not gone out of my way to follow any news or interviews about it, but I heard a few things here and there and I'd watched a trailer or two. Last night, I watched the first 30-ish minutes, and... I have a few thoughts. Just thoughts. No deep-dive critique or fiery damnation, just a few musings from my initial impression of the series.

It doesn't look like the project is Shyamalan bad, at least. Of course, Shyamalan dropped the bar to the floor and then blew it up with blasting jelly, so it would have been impressive if Netflix had managed worse.

The CG bending still has the problem of more often looking like fantasy mage spellcasting than of martial art bending. The bender does a series of movements like they're crafting a spell and after the fact there's an elemental outburst in response, rather than the element moving with the bender as an extension of them. It's clunky. (Also, Aang's first glider is iconic. Why avoid using it in his introduction for a sequence that looks like he's a step away from achieving Zaheer-style flight?)

The project seems to have settled on a tell-over-show approach for getting the uninitiated up to speed. It's a bit painful when a movie does this, but surely eight episodes is enough time that you don't need to cram in an explanation for everything right up front? The audience isn't so stupid that they can't figure out a few things without you telling them direct to their faces, or so impatient that you can't wait to address a secondary issue a few episodes in. You can give your own audience a little credit, can't you?

I'm a bit baffled as to why they felt the need to move the beginning scenes of the show to the pre-war timeframe, and then used some random EK spy. If you're going to mess with where in the timeline you start, why not jump straight into Sozin betraying Roku while they're fighting a volcano? It's got action, spectacle, and you can have Sozin monologue to his once-friend as he's dying rather than some nobody spy that he's only talking to for the sake of the camera. That one scene could be used to establish the Avatar's role, Sozin's ruthless ambition, and the state of the world as well as threat of the coming war. If you want to start things off with a bang and some establishing exposition, which is clearly what they attempted to do, then I don't understand why you don't immediately go to this scene.

This one's small, but why are so many FN soldiers using metal weapons during the attack on the Air Temples? They had to firebend/rocket their own way up from the look of things, so they're all benders. Those weapons would have been unneeded weight during their ascent and the comet is a boon specifically to their bending, so... Yeah, I can't make that one make sense.

Why is Sozin, who is a national leader and old, personally heading a military campaign from the frontlines? Doesn't he have people for that? A literal army of people?

There are some other illogical choices, particularly for folks who know the world, but those are the ones I recall most vividly after sleeping on it for a night. (Reminder: I only watched the first 30-ish minutes, roughly half the episode.)

In summary, it didn't strike me as being terrible but it definitely had its share of avoidable problems. I'm not sure how much of it I'll end up watching, if I go back to it at all.

How about it folks? Any opinions on if I should or shouldn't try watching more of the Netflix series?

#commehtating #actual blog post #avatar the last airbender #netflix #adaptation #live action #why? just why?

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commehter · 2 months

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Check it out! SToFLO made @kitsune024's Zuko-centric fanfic recommendations list! I'm pretty chuffed about it.

Anyway, if you've been looking for more Zuko fics, now you have a handy-dandy list to look through. Good deal!

Zutara Fics

An Unlikely Alliance by @badlucksav I Chapters: 53/? I season 2 divergence, Fake Dating, Fluff and Humor, Slow Burn..kind of These Tides Do Turn by @ink-and-dagger-alt I Chapters 32/32 I Completed Canon Divergence, One-Sided Aang/Katara, Slow Burn, Blood and Violence, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Ember Island

Another Brother by @awesomeavocadolove I Chapters: 37/? I Canon Rewrite, Water Tribe Zuko, Adopted Sibling Relationship, Found Family Tale of the Blue Spirit by QuillWrighter I Chapters: 8/? I Blue Spirit Zuko, Spirit Zuko The Spirit Tale of Fire Lord Ozai by @commehter I Chapters 21/? I Fire Lord Zuko, Canon Divergence, Pre-Canon, Time Travel, Fix-It, Spirits, Bodyswap, Zuko is Ozai, Parenthood Dragon at Heart by Identical Gemini I Chapters 40/? I FFN Dragon Zuko, Ursa is not liked here, Adventure/Friendship heart of a dragon by @discordiansamba I Chapters 8/? I Zuko gets raised by dragons au, Canon Divergence Sisyphus by @blluespirit I Chapters 6/? I Early Zuko Redemption, Badass Zuko, Blue Spirit Zuko

Oneshots

Mercy by Etherborn I Chapters: 1/1 I Overpowered Zuko, Dark Oneshot, Zuko Getting Revenge Teatime in the Dungeon by Skylinneas I Chapters: 1/1 I Azula Redemption Destiny and Duty by @sirenalpha | Chapters: 1/1 | The Gaang Learns How Zuko Got The Scar, Fix-It of Sorts, Aang doesn't get to run away from his responsibilities in this fic

Bookmark Series

Consider Chaos by @awesomeavocadolove I Part 1 - 6 I Chaos Avatar Zuko Assassin Zuko One Shots by LizaGreen I Part 1 -8 I Assassin Zuko, Badass Zuko Zuko Is A Protective, Chaotic Gremlin by Do_it_for_the_v1n3 I Part 1 - 2 I Completed Zuko has gone wild and connected with his inner lil sociopath, child Zuko kintsugi by @discordiansamba I Part 1 - 9 I toph didn't get her field trip so she gets to hog zuko for three whole years, Canon Divergence no grave (hold my body) by @zenzaaaaaaaaaaaa I Part 1- 4 I Badass Zuko, Spirit Zuko, Canon Divergence, Azula Redemption Learning to Fly by @fanboyzuko | Part 1 - 17 | Zuko Takes Himself on a Life-Changing Field Trip, Zuko is 13 A Dragon's Instinct by @aelincreativ I Part 1 - 3 I Dragon Zuko, iroh is a bad uncle in this, Azula Redemption, azula loves zuko, Zuko's crew, Jee is a good dad Dragon of the Yuyan by @awkwardpenguinproductions I Part 1- 40 I Yuyan Raise Zuko, Zuko & The Yuyan Archers, Canon Divergence, Badass Zuko The Gaang finds out..... by @imalwaysconfuzzled I Part 1- 6 I Oneshots, Badass Zuko, the gaang found out how insane their friend is. Loyalty Is Acquired Through Time by @codeearth | Part 1-13 | Role Reversal Au, Zuko and Azula, Badass Zuko, Badass Azula, Zuko is the prodigy and Azula was banished

#fanfic #fanfiction #reading lists #reading recommendations #tumblr recommendations #the spirit tale of fire lord ozai #zuko-centric #avatar the last airbender #atla #alternate universe #zutara #oneshot #series

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commehter · 2 months

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Netflix Live Action ATLA Adaptation

Why is Sozin, who is a national leader and old, personally heading a military campaign from the frontlines? Doesn't he have people for that? A literal army of people?

In summary, it didn't strike me as being terrible but it definitely had its share of avoidable problems. I'm not sure how much of it I'll end up watching, if I go back to it at all.

How about it folks? Any opinions on if I should or shouldn't try watching more of the Netflix series?

#commehtating #actual blog post #netflix #atla #avatar the last airbender #opinion #live action #adaptation #nitpick

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commehter · 3 months

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The Spirit Tale of Fire Lord Ozai - Avatar the Last Airbender Fanfic

Rating: Mature Genres: Political Drama + Family + Paranormal Adventure = Slice of Life for Fire Lord Zuko Pairings: Mostly Gen, Tui/La (thus far) Characters: Zuko, Iroh, Azula, Agni, Various Spirits, OCs as needed Summary: When La demands justice for Tui's favored mortal, Agni proposes a compromise and spirits become more active in the world of man.

Or...

Fire Lord Zuko finds himself entangled in the spirits' schemes. He has been stripped of everything -- down to his name -- except for the golden flame that adorns his head and the throne from which he guides his country. He... has a lot he needs to process, and even more to do.

~.~.~.~.~

Chapter 1: The Meddling of Spirits

One moment, Fire Lord Zuko is drifting off to sleep after signing the last of the major peace treaties required to officially end the war between the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdoms. In the next moment, he is standing barefoot in a forest and unable to open his eyes.

"Who's there?" he snarls. He can hear his abductors whispering amongst themselves. He hasn't been left unwatched. "What do you want?"

This is far from the first attack he's suffered since ascending to the throne, but it's already the most successful. He has no idea how his kidnappers have removed him from his bedroom, let alone how they got past the high palace walls and transported him beyond the heavily patrolled streets of Caldera.

"Peace, Zuko of Second Fire," a man's voice says from directly in front of him.

Zuko throws a fist blindly at his kidnapper's head. The man laughs as he catches the punch.

There are no flames. His bending isn't responding. Has he been drugged? Is that how they got him out of the palace? The man steps closer -- Heat pours off of his abductor as if he is a living furnace. -- and presses the Fire Lord's fist over his own heart. Enough of Zuko's focus is on not panicking that he allows the repositioning of his arm without any resistance.

"Your favored has poor manners," observes a deeper voice from somewhere to his left, "Are you sure you wouldn't rather just end his line to pay the debt?"

Zuko stiffens. They're after more than just him. Is Mai also being held captive somewhere nearby? Has the baby been harmed? Does their reach extend far enough to threaten Uncle in Ba Sing Se? Do their plans include Azula and Ozai? Both have been officially removed from the line of succession, but that doesn't mean much to some.

"The council is agreed," the man in front of him refutes easily, "The debt can be repaid in full through my plan."

"If your favored is as different from the last three of his line as you think he is," the deeper voice huffs, "If. He is still very young, even for a mortal. He could become much the same as they were, given some time."

"He won't," the first kidnapper states in confidence, "He is young, but he has been tried thoroughly. He will not forget himself to the lure of power or ill-founded ambition."

"My brother is correct," a woman's voice joins the conversation, "Fire Lord Zuko has proven himself to be a man of honor and compassion to the other nations. Do not forget, beloved, my brother's plan also benefits our own favored."

"I have not forgotten, my love," the second voice says, "I simply remain unconvinced. Your brother's plan is radical and has many delicate balances. It may fail more easily than it could succeed, especially with this one's inclusion."

"His inclusion is necessary or the plan has little chance to succeed at all," the first states calmly.

"Who are you people?" Zuko demands, temper nearing its end.

A mix of grumbling and laughter answers him. There are... a lot more kidnappers surrounding him than he had previously thought.

"Oh, child of fire, I am afraid you do not yet realize the magnitude of the situation you have been brought into," the first voice says in gentle amusement. Zuko tenses as the man walks a tight half-circle only to stop behind him. The dull red that has been the shade of his closed eyelids fades to pitch black and a steady heat beats against his back. "Dear Tui, your assistance would be greatly appreciated. Zuko of Second Fire, open your eyes and know those who address you today."

His eyes fly open as soon as the words are spoken and his legs immediately buckle at the sight that greets him. It is only the arm suddenly secured around his chest that keeps him upright. There is a second hand resting lightly at his throat. Zuko isn't sure whether or not that's meant to be a threat.

"Peace, child," the first man -- No, he is not a man at all. -- says, breath a warm breeze rushing past his right ear and cheek, "It is not our goal to harm you."

"Spirits?" Zuko squeaks, twisting to look at the being holding him. It is an attempt that is quickly thwarted.

The hand around his neck slides ever so slightly higher to put pressure on the underside of his jaw and effectively traps his head against the spirit's shoulder. Zuko swallows his pride and yields to the hold. It burns to do so, but he isn't equipped to fight spirits, let alone so many and without so much as his firebending to protect himself or a viable exit strategy. The hand at his throat reverts to being a deceptively light and unrestrictive touch.

The spirit laughs merrily, seemingly unbothered by the actions of the mortal man in his grasp. "Indeed," he answers, "This is the Council of Greater World Spirits."

Zuko scans the odd beings before him again but one in particular catches his attention, if only because she is the sole spirit approaching him. The female spirit is almost suspiciously normal-looking compared to the wilder physiques that some of the other spirits possess. Zuko frowns even as the spirit smiles at him. The form she wears is one he recognizes, but not in regards to any spirit.

"I know you," he says, "You were the Northern Water Tribe's princess."

The woman's smile brightens. "I would not have expected you to remember my favored's mortal form. It is a shame you and my Yue were never properly introduced to each other. I believe you would have gotten on well," she tells him, "My name is Tui."

"The Moon Spirit," Zuko whispers. The others have told him the story, about how Princess Yue sacrificed herself to resurrect the moon. Well, Sokka had told him the story once, after he had gotten drunk at some festival, and the others had clarified a few things when Zuko had thought to ask. He's still not completely sure which parts of the tale were factually true and which parts were alcohol-fueled rambling.

"Yes," the pale spirit says, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Zuko of Second Fire."

"Second Fire?" the man amongst spirits finally asks. He's heard the phrase too many times now to continue ignoring it.

The spirit at his back chuckles softly before answering, "I bestowed the gift of flame upon the dragons first, and to mortal man second, child of fire."

"Agni?" he questions weakly.

"So I am," the spirit responds.

He's being held by the greatest deity of the Fire Nation, one of the great spirits that support life throughout the entire world. He doesn't know how to process that thought.

"Tui, if you would," Agni requests as he continues to support Zuko's shock-numbed body.

"Of course, Brother," the moon says before returning her attention to the Fire Lord. "You would no more be able to gaze upon the Sun Spirit's native form than you would his physical manifestation in your world's sky without being blinded by his great light. It is, as it has always been, my happy privilege to reflect Agni's brilliance. Please, allow me to be the means through which you might know my brother's face."

Tui turns on her heel and suddenly a very different spirit is standing in her place. Or, not quite. The Moon Spirit's form remains, as if in dark shadow, behind the shining reflection of Agni. It looks as if the two spirits are standing back-to-back in the space intended only for a solitary spirit. It's surreal but, from what Zuko has heard and occasionally experienced, spirits only make sense about half of the time anyway.

The hand at his throat carefully closes Zuko's dropped jaw for him. The reflection's outstretched arm and hand don't quite line up with the fingers he feels gently pressed against his jaw, but it gets the point across well enough. Agni's reflection looks unexpectedly fond. That's... probably a good thing?

Zuko feels himself being lowered to the ground but he can't tear his eyes away from the reflection sinking into a relaxed kneeling position in front of him. The arms retreat for a moment but heavy hands soon fall upon his shoulders and Zuko honestly isn't sure if he currently has enough control over his own body to prevent himself from falling down completely without the support. Again the reflection is an imperfect match for the real thing, given the angles, but he can't be bothered to care when he's staring up at the face of Agni.

"I have a task for you, Fire Lord," Agni says, expression turning serious, "I am sorry to say it is not one you will be given a choice in taking up, but the council is in agreement that you deserve to be told why it must happen."

Zuko tries to breathe through the building panic. "Okay," he wheezes past his fried nerves, "I'm ready."

"Three years ago, Zhao of Second Fire attempted to slay the Moon Spirit."

"I remember," Zuko says through his tightening throat, "The Ocean Spirit sank the entire invasion fleet and dragged Zhao down to the bottom of the Northern Sea. I saw it happen with my own eyes."

Agni tips his head in a shallow acknowledging nod. "The Ocean Spirit swept up Zhao of Second Fire into a fate far worse than that of a man drowned at the sea floor, but that is a matter already settled. La's actions that day repaid in full the debt for daring to attack a spirit. However, Tui's favored was lost to the mortal world as a result of Zhao's actions and that debt has yet to be repaid. Balance would require that I, likewise, take from the mortal realm my favored. It is no secret that I have promised my strongest blessings upon my first children, the dragons; the leaders of my second children, the Fire Lands' royal line; and the mortal bridge, the Avatar.

"Yue of the Northern Seas was the only favored of Tui and La among mortal men. The council reached the decision that balance and justice would require that every living member of the Fire Lands' royal line be wiped from the mortal realm."

The breath in his lungs stutters as he processes the meaning of Agni's words.

The spirits have condemned his entire family to death.

"No! Please, I can --"

"Peace, child mine." Agni's hand cups his unscarred cheek and Zuko feels a face press against his hair. "And listen well." The spirit withdraws so Zuko can again see the reflection's face.

He can't give up without a fight, and especially not when the fight is for more than just himself. Still, Agni has bid him to listen and he has learned the hard way that it is often best to listen before acting. Zuko takes a steadying breath and nods.

"This was not a decision the council reached quickly and, in that time, I had put together another plan to repay the debt. My proposal caused yet more arguing amongst our numbers, but, eventually, my plan was accepted. Only Ozai of Second Fire will be removed from the mortal world."

"Oh," Zuko's relief bursts from him in a gust of breath that he had not meant to give voice to. Ozai's death will doubtlessly cause a stir, and there will likely be rumors of patricide, but... Considering what the alternative is, he has no complaints. He'll find a way to deal with the fallout.

"There is more to the plan and it will demand much of you," the spirit warns, "It will not be accomplished quickly."

"I can do it," Zuko promises. Whatever the plan is, he'll do his part. For Uncle, and Mai, and the baby, and even Azula.

Agni smiles but something about the Sun Spirit's expression is nonetheless pitying. "You can and I have faith that you will, but, as I said, you are not being given a choice in the matter. You will take up this task. But you will not be working alone. Now that the council is set on this course, many spirits are eager to participate. Tui and I in particular will remain near to guide you, and lesser spirits may also seek you out to offer their services."

Agni retreats and stands. Zuko's head is swimming under the warring relief and dread but he manages to remain sitting upright. "Now, we should get started," the Sun Spirit announces. "La, are you ready?"

The oddly normal-looking Water Tribe man that is actually the Ocean Spirit, apparently, flashes a shark-like grin. "Don't worry about me, King of Flames. I've had more practice in the mortal world than any of you in recent memory," he says in the same voice that had earlier disparaged Zuko's manners and openly wondered if they shouldn't go back to the old plan of indiscriminately killing his entire family. "I'll manage just fine."

"Wait! You still haven't told me what my task is!" Zuko yells.

"Your task is nothing more or less than you would do regardless, given what you have already been told and the situation we are sending you into," Agni says, "Be an honorable Fire Lord. Seek to create and maintain peaceful relations between the Fire Lands and the rest of the world. But please, child of fire, take some time to rest and think. The path before you is long and difficult."

"My moon," La says, offering a hand to Agni's reflection, "let us begin."

Tui spins and Agni's visage drops from her form like the illusion it is. The Moon Spirit takes the ocean's offered hand. She smiles at Zuko as she says, "Remember, young Fire Lord, the burden is not yours to bear alone. We all must do our parts. Call for us if you have need. We will answer."

Agni briefly touches the back of his neck and Zuko has to resist the urge to glance over his shoulder at the Sun Spirit. "I give you now the same charge that I once gave your forefathers: Fire Lord, my blessing is upon you. Go forth and tend to my children and my lands. Bring prosperity and honor to that which has been entrusted to you."

Between one moment and the next, Fire Lord Zuko exits the spirit world as abruptly as he had been pulled into it.

~.~.~.~.~

You can read the rest of the story on AO3 or RR

25 Chapters (WIP)

65k Words (and counting)

Posted 04/16/2022

Happy reading!

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commehter · 4 months

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Complaining and SToFLO Update

Ugh. I'm sure I'm not the only one, but I've had a pretty terrible year. I'm also not convinced the next one will be any kinder to me. Nothing for it but to carry on and find out, though. (Don't feel too bad for me. More of it than I'd like to admit could be considered self-inflicted. Perhaps I will have greater wisdom moving forward.)

On to more relevant things! I've almost got chapter twenty-five of SToFLO ready to post. The last portion of it has been fighting me. I finally checked the word count (something I only vaguely care about, tbh) and decided I had a decent enough stopping point several paragraphs back. It really only kicks the problem down the road for the next chapter, but I'll take it at this point. (A few scene breaks may actually help to get things moving again. I can hope, anyway.)

I'm also thinking about possibly posting SToFLO to a few more platforms outside of AO3. We'll see. If anyone has a favorite platform they'd like to see the story on, I'm open to suggestions.

Anyway, let's wrap this up. I wish you all a merry Christmas and happy reading! (And if you're having a bad year like me, I wish you a VERY merry Christmas! Heaven knows we could use some joy to break up our persistent pessimism.)

#commehtating #actual blog post #the spirit tale of fire lord ozai #writer's block #complaining #pessimism #christmas blues

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commehter · 7 months

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Twixt and Tui - Avatar the Last Airbender Fanfic

Summary: The original version of a reworked scene from Chapter 24: War and Blood Spilled of The Spirit Tale of Fire Lord Ozai. It was scrapped for a few reasons, chiefly because the tone and characterizations were off from where they needed to be, but not before I went through the trouble of writing, editing, and proofing. So I'm posting it here kicks and giggles, because why not?

~.~.~.~.~

Fresh tears slip down Tui's face as the unconscious woman collapses to the ground. The previous charter had prevented spirit intervention but Hama's words ring true despite the ignorance with which they had been spoken. Oaths have been broken. Prayers have gone unanswered. Duties have been neglected.

Water continues to fall from her eyes.

...Her?

Oh.

The reforging hums slightly under the strain of holding together Tui's essence as unwanted emotions bubble up from unexamined depths.

Human memories are too close to the surface. Tui's serenity is but a distant anchor while Yue's heart breaks. Habits built over a mere decade and a half are overriding millennia of experience as a spirit.

Tui wears femininity and masculinity at different times but in equal measure. They are a familiar facade to fit with mankind's understanding of their world. Rare are the spirits that truly conform to humanity's expectations of male and female. Tui has never begrudged allowing man this courtesy, but that is all this human guise is. These traits are not integral parts of Tui.

Or, at least, they had not been.

Such a short human life. Briefer, even, than most.

Such a grand impact. Strong enough to create ripples of change across two worlds.

"Tui?"

The call does not come in the human tongue, but rather in Tui's native language of gravitational waves.

"Agni," Tui responds, attention drawn back to the Lunar Palace. On the mortal plane, a young Katara's visage continues to weep silent tears for the people Tui abandoned, however unwillingly, and the innocents among the children of fire who have also suffered the consequences of Tui's inaction. The growing distrust of the moon among man is justified, and the rebuke is all the sharper for it.

"Are you well?" the Sun Spirit asks. A subtle crackle of electricity dances across the fiery sphere's surface. It's a sure sign of repressed unease that few beyond Tui would notice in her brother.

Brother. Another human term slipping through her mind as if it belongs. It is not as if either Tui or Agni have parents to share. But how else could the kinship of shared attributes and territory, of alliance and affection, be so readily explained to mortals?

Shortly after her death and reforging, the familial title had been a comfort to which she had desperately grasped. She can only be grateful that Agni is pleased to offer such comforts when her mind is muddled.

"I am well enough," Tui says, "The bonds of my reforging hold strong." Because that is what Agni is most likely to fret over. The Moon Spirit hesitates before confessing, "I am feeling very human, at the moment."

"Human?" Agni questions, his form spinning and lengthening before falling back into a sphere. Uncertain and hesitant despite his eagerness to help.

Tui spares her brother from his uncharacteristic indecision. A swift twirl and she wears the form of her Yue, as comfortable as slipping on a well-loved glove. Here in her palace, with only Agni to see, she allows herself an incomplete transformation. She remains as pale stone, a bright reflector facing Agni and deepest shadow where his light fails to reach. It is of Tui's essence and she thrives in the balance of such complementary opposites.

She holds out a hand to her brother and states, "I would not object to a hug."

Agni is quick to accept the invitation. In a bare second, he stands before her in as human a form as he ever adopts, flames still bright and burning. And in the next moment, Tui is enveloped in warm arms. "You need ever only to ask," he tells her

"I know," Tui says, luxuriating in Agni's easy affection.

So many insist that she should scorn those of second fire, but how could she hate the children belonging to such a supportive and steadfast brother? How could she watch from the sky and grow to despise them even as she bears witness to their pains and joys just as she does for the rest of humanity? Even La's anger is tempered. Her love yet buoys their ships and fills their nets with fish.

"And how are you feeling human, Dear Tui?"

Insecurity floods Tui at Agni's gentle question. She had thought herself past these uncertainties and their resulting confusion, but the effects of the reforging linger and she has been proven a fool.

"I..." Tui reaches for the serenity that has always been her bedrock. It is more difficult to hold than it once was. "I find myself thinking in human concepts. Male and female. ...Familial ties."

Agni is silent and then he is not.

The Sun Spirit laughs gaily. "Is that all?" her brother asks, drawing back to flash her a wild grin. "Tui, Dearest Tui, I had adopted such habits by my third herald."

The Sun Spirit's proclamation only baffles Tui further.

"But, Agni, I have had heralds and I have never --"

Agni's amusement is poorly smothered behind attempted sympathy. "Sister mine, you have dabbled in infrequent contact with humanity through occasional heralds. In this past age, you have lived a human life. It is a difference of magnitudes and I cannot begin to imagine your experience. Some newly acquired habits are hardly unexpected."

"And, and the sorrow? The grief? They are so strong."

Finally, Agni's merriment dims. His affection, however, remains. "Your distance afforded you a level of indifference, but you have drawn close now and remaining untroubled by their strife will be difficult, if not impossible."

"Brother, I have always cared for them, but I am a spirit of serenity. I cannot indulge in fleeting passions as you and La do!" What would it do to her if she did? What would it do to the mortal world? It hangs within the careful balance of the greater world spirits. Will these changes within her jeopardize their work?

"Is your essence not foremost of complementary balances and enduring partnerships?" Agni argues, "Perhaps it would likewise do La some good to practice serenity on occasion. You are allowed to feel, Tui, even deeply."

Tui teeters on the edge of indecision. "You truly believe so?"

"I do. You have grown through your recent experiences. Much of it has been painful, but not all of it need be feared."

Tui considers the words. That time is marked with death and sacrifice, but she had also reveled in life and joy as a piece of her Yue.

Perhaps it is not so terrible to be a little human on occasion.

She should seek out Raava once the Avatar is revived from his slumber.

"Thank you, Agni. Now, please, allow me to concentrate," Tui says, "I have become unpracticed at splitting my attention and it would not do to leave my nephew to face this night alone."

Unsurprisingly, Agni hurries to offer, "I could provide assistance! Or, if not me, I am sure La would --"

"Brother," Tui interrupts, "Both your herald and I will be fine. Have faith in us."

Electricity shimmers over Agni's form, creating a tingling sensation through Tui. "Of course. I am only a call away."

"I know," the Moon Spirit says with a soft smile.

Tui returns her focus to the mortal world.

And, despite his fretting, Agni lets her go.

~.~.~.~.~

You can read SToFLO on AO3 or RR.

24 Chapters (WIP)

60k Words (and counting)

Posted 04/16/2022

Happy reading!

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commehter · 1 year

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“You did well, Little Dragon” by malistaticy

Submission for The Spirit Tale of Fire Lord Ozai Art Contest.

The inspiration is from chapter 13, the scene where Zu-Ozai tugs on lil’ baby Azula’s bangs. So cute. I was trying to ape the style of the show, can’t say I totally succeeded. Had an enormous amount of fun though. Spot the turtleducks!

Back to SToFLO on AO3 or RR.

#guest post #competition entry #art #avatar the last airbender #atla #the spirit tale of fire lord ozai #2023 anniversary art contest #ozai #zu-ozai #azula #fire nation #submission

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commehter · 1 year

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Does nobody ask questions about your fics here?? despite the links? Anyways, here from AO3, and curious about your 'The Spirit Tale of Fire Lord Ozai' fic. I'm curious about what Iroh thinks of the extremely dramatic shift in personality Zu-Ozai has displayed.

To be fair, the links are fairly new. My previous policy was simply to avoid spoilers entirely, but I realized recently that tumblr might be a platform that would allow me to talk worldbuilding and such without posting spoilers where they could be as easily stumbled over as the comments section directly attached to the AO3 story in question.

Now then, on to your real question!

Iroh assumes most of the changes he sees are spirit work and Zu-Ozai has encouraged that conclusion in a few instances. His brother's newly revealed knowledge of his borderline treasonous activities with and for the White Lotus terrifies him, and Zu-Ozai's decision to thus far spare him likewise frightens him because he has no explanation for it that he trusts. (Agni hasn't been particularly protective of him, and Iroh doesn't know of any other spirit that might be, either. So, spirit intervention isn't an excuse he can apply to cover that particular conundrum.) He's suspicious and curious over the 'reforging' he has heard mentioned time and again, but he has not had success in researching it. (And he won't, as long as he is going off human records, as it is a practice solely among spirits. The closest instances to a reforging (involving a mortal body) before Zu-Ozai are the Avatar's creation/reincarnation and Tui's gift to Yue shortly after her birth. Agni is pulling a seriously experimental stunt -- and La is lurking in the background waiting for it to fail because the pessimist fish has no faith.)

I also have some worldbuilding going on in the background that hasn't come up in fic. I'll go into further detail in the following sentences, but the big takeaway is that Iroh never knew Ozai well enough to notice a good chunk of the differences between his original brother and Zu-Ozai. I'm running with the idea that there is a large age-gap between the brothers. 17 years, to be precise. I'm also playing with the idea that Iroh and Ozai could have been half-brothers. They're not 'estranged' because they've never been close to begin with. By the time Ozai (the spare, so to speak) was born, Iroh was a late-teens boy chasing after pretty girls. Interactions with his step-mother had always been awkward (she dies during childbirth, btw) and Iroh was no less uncertain about going from an only child to the drastically older brother of an infant upon Ozai's arrival into the world. There's never a demand placed on him to have much to do with the younger prince and so he more or less ignores his brother's existence for several years. It's about the time Iroh and his wife are expecting Lu Ten that he starts to show any substantial interest in Ozai, who is 11-12 by then, but even so, Iroh is building his own family and Ozai remains at the edges of it.

Since losing first his wife, and then later his son, followed by his father, Iroh has re-evaluated how he views familial ties and their importance. Upon returning to the Fire Nation after his year-long wandering, he chose not the fight for the throne but Ozai still kept him at a distance that made Azulon seem like a warm man. Azula, of course, followed her father's example. And so Zuko, likewise lonely and rejected, is the only one with whom Iroh has had any success fostering a familial bond with -- though that is still limited because Zuko desperately wants his father's approval and Ozai never hid how little he thinks of Iroh.

Then the Agni Kai goes sideways and suddenly Ozai is persistently, aggressively, unrelentingly determined to seek Iroh out for his company, council, and assistance, going so far as to argue with Agni over an oath made to win Iroh's trust. He's rightly suspicious of the change in personality, but he also can't help the desperate and selfish hope growing in his battered heart that he might be able to reclaim what's left of his family. (To say nothing of what these changes would/will mean for the White Lotus and the wider world.)

To sum it all up, Iroh is torn between his doubts and desires, leaving him cautiously hopeful, terribly confused, and scared out of his mind. He's lost a lot of family and is going with the flow right now because, until he has more information and a chance to catch his breath, he doesn't know what else to do.

Back to SToFLO on AO3 or RR.

#commehterask #the spirit tale of fire lord ozai #spirit tales asks #spirit tales spoilers #ao3 #royal road #fanfiction #fanfic #worldbuilding #avatar the last airbender #atla #iroh #zuko #ozai #zu-ozai #fire nation #family #brothers #fire nation royal family

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commehter · 1 year

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Palms and Fingers, Calluses and Scars - Gravity Falls Fanfic

Rating: General Genre: Slice of Life Pairings: None Characters: Ford, Ma, Shermie, Crampelter, Stan, Filbrick, Carla, Fiddleford, Bill Summary: He pays attention to people's hands. How could he not, when everyone else always pays so much attention to his? He'd learned at a young age how to read a person, not by their face or the lilt of their voice, but by the way they used their hands. The types of calluses and scars that formed with different kinds of work. The manner in which a person reached out to interact with the world around them. You could learn a lot by studying a person's hands.

~.~.~.~.~

Ma's hands were slim and gentle. Her hands were constantly in motion: twisting the cord of her telephone around her fingers, mapping out his palms with her thumbs, and the staccato 'clack-clack-clack-clack' of her fake nails as she thinks. These are hands that have held him when he was small, wiped away young tears, and bandaged skinned knees. These are hands that have ruffled his hair, pinched his cheeks, and tucked him in at night. These are hands that have loved him through his childhood.

"Your hands mark you as special, Fordy. Just you wait and see."

~.~.~.~.~

Shermie's hands were of average size and skill. They were normal to the point of being boring. Unless one took the time to look closer. A thin, pale scar runs down the outside of the man's right hand, marking him as a member of his mother's family line. These are hands that have tickled him until he was breathless and held him suspended in the air by his ankles. These are hands that have noogied him into submission and pulled books down from tall shelves for him. These are hands that have steadied him as he'd grown from a child into a young adult.

"I just realized my baby brother has the world's best finger-calculator. Huh. That would have made first grade a bit easier."

~.~.~.~.~

You can read the final 6 sections on AO3.

One-Shot

971 Words

Posted 03/20/2018

Happy reading!

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commehter · 1 year

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Where We Go, We Go Together - Gravity Falls Fanfic

Rating: Mature (Violence, Injury/Blood) Genre: Hurt/Comfort Pairings: None Characters: Ford, Bill, Stan Summary: Demons have a nasty tendency to come back for you. Ford discovers this the hard way.

A "Same Coin" theory-fic, of a sort.

~.~.~.~.~

You can read this one-shot on AO3.

One-Shot

4K Words

Posted 12/31/2017

Happy reading!

#fanfiction #fanfic #commehterfic #oneshot #archive of our own #ao3 #gravity falls #post series #stan o'war ii #ford pines #stan pines #bill cipher #same coin theory #possession #dream demon #stan twins #brothers #duality

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commehter · 1 year

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Rue What You Ruin - Gravity Falls Fanfic

Rating: Teen Genre: Angst Pairings: Filbrick Pines/Ma Pines Characters: Filbrick, Stan, Ford, Ma Summary: A pair of scenes from 'A Tale of Two Stans' revisited. This time, from the perspective of one Filbrick Pines.

~.~.~.~.~

You can read this one-shot on AO3.

One-Shot

2.4K Words

Posted 11/18/2017

Happy reading!

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commehter · 1 year

Text

Between of Dimensions - Gravity Falls Fanfic

Rating: General Genre: Angst Pairings: None Characters: Ford, Stan Summary: There are some places in the multiverse that the human race was never meant to be. Fiddleford McGucket could attest to the fact that what lays beyond the portal is just such a place. And, now, so can Stanford Pines.

~.~.~.~.~

Chapter 1: Fragmented

Dimension 0 Gravity Falls, OR February 22, 1982

"Stan! Stanley! Help me!"

Terror. Terror so thick he can't think.

The portal roars behind him, perverting gravity, twisting spacetime, opening the door to horrors beyond human comprehension.

"Stanley! Do something! STANLEY!"

He doesn't know what he expects Stan to do. It's already too late, but desperation argues that there must be something that can be done.

Then he remembers.

'The first journal! I still have it!'

And it changes his priorities.

'I can't let it be lost with me! It's too important!'

Ford flings the precious book as far away as he can. Maybe it will be enough. Maybe it can still be used to fix some of his mistakes.

Light engulfs him.

Dimension 1 Somewhere and Nowhere Time is an Illusion

He looks but the image before his eyes twists and writhes in impossible ways. He tries to listen but his ears can hear nothing over the laughter in his head and the screaming in his heart. He wants to move but he can't. There's something latching onto his legs, holding him down, or maybe there's nothing at all and he's just forgotten how to move them. He can no longer be certain. Common and physical senses are all suddenly unreliable. Or perhaps they have always been? He does not know.

There is still something. Something that he needs to do. It is important. Terribly so. But he can't think! What is it? What is it? What? What? WHA--

Glasses.

The thought drifts beneath the frenzied panic for a moment before it rises above the mad laughter and he remembers. His final gambit. It will not save him now -- not now, should have thought sooner -- but it may still be able to save his dimension.

Ford fumbles, normally nimble fingers made clumsy -- or maybe it is his mind that has become clumsy -- by the way reality is folding in on itself, but he manages to grab hold of his glasses in both hands. His body betrays him and finds the little buttons hidden in the metal frame too soon. He isn't ready, but that changes nothing.

He focuses on the light he fell through. The portal is a bright, shining beacon in this otherwise senseless plane. It promises salvation from the surrounding insanity already digging its claws into his fragile human mind. It is a beautiful lie. It needs to be destroyed. There is no other recourse left.

Ford fights to concentrate through the confusion pressing in on him. He pulls his arm back, throws his glasses at the vortex, and hopes that his aim will be true.

For a moment, nothing seems to happen and there is fear, panic, too late, not enough, usele--

The moment passes.

The portal begins to expand violently only to immediate implode instead, winking out of being entirely.

The laughter in his head changes to enraged screeching. It is not just him to whom the portal promised salvation. His heart begins to sing in triumph even as his body shivers in fear. Even though he is lost, he has still won. His home remains out of the demon's reach.

With the distraction of his task now spent, it isn't long before the madness begins to affect him even more strongly than before. Worse, he can feel his sanity being torn from him. Rational thought is soon beyond him as the Between of Dimensions takes him for one of its own.

He's afraid and ecstatic. This is everything he's worked for and against. All the worlds are in front of him and yet lost to him. He knows everything in this moment but it's too much, Too Much, TOO MUCH! -- and so he is blinded with the knowledge until he knows nothing at all.

This plane of existence -- It does not exist! It is neither possible nor real! It is absence! It is the Between! -- will destroy him. No human should be here. His mind is breaking, fragmenting under the strain. He is lost. He is damned. He is nothing.

Light engulfs him.

Dimension 2 Gravity Falls, OR April 17, 1989

"Stanford? ... No. No, you're not him. You're not my brother. You're some other Stan's twin, aren't you?"

~.~.~.~.~

You can read the rest of the story on AO3.

2 Chapters

1.3K Words

Completed 09/03/2016

Happy reading!

#fanfiction #fanfic #commehterfic #archive of our own #ao3 #gravity falls #a tale of two stans #ford pines #stan pines #stan twins #angst #multiverse #two shot #missing scene

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