Preview Of The Azula's House Of Wonders AU

Preview of the Azula's House of Wonders AU

Ursa had learned many things about herself in the course of a life that would be long and historical, in some ways better than others. She had always internalized that her fire was a source of devastation and ruin, that it could destroy and was incapable of doing anything else. And yet here she was, taking a technique in a faintly desperate hope from her mother's scrolls and writings, hovering with indigo flame over Azula's withered arms, seeking to reactivate chi.

It was a paradox of Benders (and non-Benders too, perhaps, not that she would know and not that it occurred to her to even ask, then) that they could heal physically but if the inner flow of chi, that great mystical wellspring of all power, was not fixed nothing else would work. Azula had withered in more than spirit, she had withered in soul. Even then she stared at a corner as if some hellish thing stood there that she could not see.

Perhaps it did, one who lived near the Forgetful Valley could not dismiss such things out of hand. She had no real expectation that it could work. Mother had worked such wonders and she had sliced steel and trees as if it was nothing.

When it was done she moved back and sat, folding her hands in her lap, afraid to hope.

--------

Azula had quietly tried this repeatedly through the search for Ursa, hating every second of being caught in her brother's desperate dream without any say-so, any freedom to move. All the big and small humiliations she'd gone through and the insult to injury of knowing her mind lied to her.

Her fires had seemed to have guttered out in her arms and legs, and yet when she focused on Chi it was there for the first time in a year and a half. She took a deep breath and focused on a small thing. The ability merely to move her fingers.

------

Ursa saw her daughter's fingers tremble, a slight tremor, so very slight a thing and then her daughter was crying. a look of awed disbelief on her face. Ursa looked at her own hands for a moment and in that moment she would speak in later years, began to wonder if she had dreamed too small and punished her own daughter for dreaming too grandly (and in but two years time she would not wonder, she would know and add it to a long series of private regrets she carried to her grave).

"I can feel my arms," she heard a choked up voice say, "for the first time in a year and a half."

Golden eyes ran with tears and met her own and she moved without hesitation to sit near Azula.

"Thank you mother, I love you." It was almost imperceptible but the sincerity....

Ursa would have spoken those words in turn but she knew, from the stories that the Avatar and others had told her on the return trip that a ghost of her had spoken them and helped drive her daughter into this state.

So she did not say them, she merely put her arm on her daughter's shoulder and leaned in, resting her head on her shoulder. Azula understood and she did not see the gratitude in those eyes that she restrained herself from speaking words that would hurt her. If she had she would have felt even sadder than she was at that moment.

It was at that moment that the spectre of Ursa with those sad eyes and a cutting voice that Azula had seen for so long stood in the corner of the room and gave her a smile that was a pale ghost of the true woman beside her, and vanished, never to be seen again.

More Posts from Animus-primal36 and Others

2 years ago
This Scene Is 22 Years Old, And It Still Gives Me Chills Whenever I Watch It!!

This scene is 22 years old, and it still gives me chills whenever I watch it!!

Source: Digimon: The Movie/ Digimon: Our War Game!!

3 years ago

50 Dialogue Prompts

“It’s really not that complicated.”

“Close the door.”

“It’s three in the morning.”

“I should have told you a long time ago.”

“Why are you helping me?”

“You have to leave right now.”

“Just trust me.”

“I’ve been waiting a long time.”

“You’re in love with her.”

“Come here.”

“We could get arrested for this.”

“What are you thinking about?”

“I thought you were dead.”

“You’re never going to let that go, are you?”

“Was that supposed to hurt?”

“I can explain.”

“Love is overrated.”

“Watch me.”

“I’ve missed this.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Sometimes, being a complete nerd comes in handy.”

“I don’t owe you an explanation.”

“We have to be quiet.”

“You’re trembling.”

“I want an answer, goddammit!”

“It was you the whole time.”

“Tell me again.”

“This is why we can’t have nice things.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“You don’t see me.”

“I can’t keep kissing strangers and pretending that they’re you.”

“You could have died.”

“Prove it.”

“I might never get another chance to say this.”

“Do you regret it?”

“Tell me I’m wrong.”

“Lie to me then.”

“You’ve thought about this, haven’t you?”

“We need to talk about what happened last night.”

“I never stood a chance, did I?”

“I feel like I can’t breathe.”

“I’m only here to establish an alibi.”

“Are you drunk?”

“I still remember the way you taste.”

“How much of that did you hear?”

“What happens if I do this?”

“Why are you whispering?”

“You make me want things I can’t have.”

“I don’t want to screw this up.”

“People are staring.”

1 year ago

I have a question. How did you come to the wonderful conclusion that Aloy and Talanah would be a good couple? I can see the appeal in it, but I'd rather hear it from you

[CRACKS KNUCKLES] Watch me try to stay as concise as I can with this post, hahaha.

First thing I'll say is--I'm an absolute sucker for a strong-based friends to lovers ship. The loyalty, the devotion, the knowing each other before and after the world changes them and every stage between, the slow strengthening of feelings, the contending with blurred boundaries, the oh moment, the it was this all along, the I have always been here and so have you and so we will, the settling into even deeper contentment with the other, hoo boy I can go on and on. I especially like it when it comes in a sapphic flavor of the Burdened Chosen One and their Tender, Caring, Supportive Best Friend.

[looks directly at camera]

So you can already see where I'm coming from, here. But--truly, for me--it comes down to 1) the similarities AND innate differences in their life stories/situations and 2) their interactions in HZD. A combined one-two punch that crushed my windpipe and stole my lunch money.

I'm a sucker for a friends to lovers ship, and I'm also a sucker for a ship with compelling parallels. What interests me most about the Aloy/Talanah dynamic is that they're narrative mirrors, but foils in situation. Both are highly-skilled hunters; both driven by their fixation on a parental figure (either avenging or uncovering); both lost their father (figure) to a cruelty much too large for them, with their fathers' shared desire for them to survive; both inheriting new titles (Sunhawk, Alpha Prime) and shouldering the burdens of their deceased parental figure; both proving their place and worth in the world as based on, in Talanah's words, more than the nature of their birth alone; I could keep going. (Don't tempt me.) But here Aloy was an outcast, while Talanah is from one of the noblest houses of her tribe--the difference of change from without versus change from within, and all the ways in which both are complicated. So narrative mirrors coming from opposing situations--how does that make them alike, and how does it make them different? How does it change they way they navigated through the world, and how does it change the way they would navigate one another?

I also love to point out the fact that Talanah is the perfect example of what Rost was trying to demonstrate to Aloy in his final lesson. The strength to stand alone and to make a stand. Her dedication to a selfless cause--ambition not for her own sake, but to restore her family's legacy, and to change her culture. GOD. My fingers are going numb just thinking about it.

What I'm trying to say is that Talanah is in a unique position to see and empathize with the burden Aloy feels post-HZD, and I'm not sure I'll ever forgive the writers for not capitalizing on that during the pivotal time of HFW. Carrying on of your parent's legacy is not easy, and even if Talanah doesn't know it by weight, she knows it by shape. Importantly, to me--Talanah understands--she's lived analogous experiences to Aloy's--but she's also different enough to challenge her. In fact, it goes both ways. There's a mutuality to the way that they make up for what the other has maybe lacked--puzzle pieces instead of cognate shapes, or the same image repeated twice, amplifying itself. There's harmony where there could just be volume.

That got away from me, so I'll just keep on going with how their interactions in HZD fishhooked me. I made a post the other day about Aloy's joy in the Redmaw victory, and that's a major part of it. The rest is just--the sense of ease and understanding that comes out in all of their conversations? And how Talanah always and consistently from the beginning sees Aloy as Aloy, not a Seeker, not a savior, not an oddity, just based on her own merit alone? How she heard Aloy give herself a name--Aloy despite the Nora--says she'll remember it, and then does, TWICE? Every smile she brings out of Aloy, every moment of bare genuineness between them, that giggle from Aloy post-quest? And don't get me started on the "you made this possible, Aloy" parallel. Don't even let me think about "you'll always have a special home here, if you want it." It'll end badly for all of us, category 10 blorbo emergency.

But it's not only what Talanah can offer Aloy (a deep bond of loyalty and fondness, a sense of belongingness, the simple fact of being seen as exactly how you yourself want to be seen)--Aloy gives back to Talanah as well!! Much more deeply than just helping her earn the Sunhawk title and restoring her family's legacy. Think about their pre-Alight conversation: "I won't stand aside while one of mine fights alone. Not again." Aloy has become one of Talanah's--a person who has lost everyone dear to her. Something that must be absolutely terrifying (see my post-HZD Lanah characterization, lmao) but still worth fighting for.

I was lucky enough to read the entire Sunhawk comic directly after the credits rolled on HZD, and that again just blew me out of the water with how much sense they make. The fact that Talanah was the only one to see Aloy leave makes my brain wanna come gushing out of my ears. And how they just--keep running into one another (more on this in the next paragraph). But perhaps the most important comic moment is Talanah's affirmation of "you don't owe me anything" after Aloy apologizes for leaving. That right there is respect to Aloy's agency and personhood (versus instrumentality!!) and the burden Talanah can sense she's under. She trusts Aloy to have told her what was up, if she had wanted her to know. And trusts that whatever she is doing must be important. Even if it's been difficult to be without her, Talanah knows she can't ask Aloy for more than what she is or what she can give.

(that's not to say Talanah isn't hurt. I think she still is--and projects a lot of that hurt and attachment onto another woodsy hermit--but that's a topic for a different post. You can trust and accept something like this while still being hurt by it.)

You asked how I came to the conclusion of THEM, so I haven't really included HFW in this analysis (I was clearly a goner from HZD), but it's there too. The way Aloy just happens to find out Talanah is nearby after her entire worldview is cracked open at Latopolis, how seeking her out and finding her seems to just make things okay again despite everything? (again, the constant finding of each other.) The fondness of their reunion? "It feels good to hunt by your side again"? The easy way they settle into old comfortable patterns of conversation? The tone of You love him, don't you and Really??? and Come here.? It's just all there screaming at me. I can't.

I just. I love them so much. It's so clear to me how they already have helped and can continue to help each other grow. Especially now that the series has placed them in yet another paralleled situation post-HBS. From where I see it, they've been dancing around each other since the beginning. And the way they've both sought things with others (ALSO EACH HAVING PARALLELS TO THE OTHER) only to walk away makes me wanna go absolutely feral. I can very, very clearly see this playing out into an what was I looking for when there was you moment and it might actually be the thing that makes me perish

I'm so sorry if this was totally incoherent. I've got a lot of feelings about this ship and I'm gonna continue to make them your problem.

2 years ago

Hawk and Thrush!

Hawk And Thrush!
3 years ago

reblog if your inbox is always open for new members of the fandom who may be a little shy or intimidated. doesn’t matter whether or not you’re a “popular blog”; everyone here is equal and if you’re reading this as a new person/someone considering entering the fandom, we will not turn you away!!!! talk to us!! make friends!! i more than understand being shy but trust me this fandom is chill come join us in this hellhole

8 years ago

God I fucking hate when that happens!!!

When you hop off your sparrow and it keeps going forward and lands on the patrol beacon, reblog if you struggle

2 years ago

Katara: Are you serious?! You can't just date my ex like that!

Azula: Oh, and why not?

Katara: Because it's just part of your plan to hurt him, that's why! It's all some part of your big grand scheme to make him miserable!

Azula: Katara, you are NOT his mother. Both him and I can date whoever we want. And, even though I am a master schemer and I originally wanted to hurt the Avatar... There is something about him that I have grown to enjoy. So, get used to it. Because he's MINE now.

Katara: But- You can't just- You can't just 'call dibs' on him like Aang's some kind of object!

Azula: There's a saying I heard a little while ago... And I feel like it works very well in this setting... 'I licked it, it's mine'...

Katara:

Katara: Are You Serious?! You Can't Just Date My Ex Like That!
3 years ago

I aspire to this level of creativity

8 years ago

God damn, that'll fuck some clowns up!!!

Russian Fleet Pestich Signal Revolver. 37mm Caliber, 1870s.
Russian Fleet Pestich Signal Revolver. 37mm Caliber, 1870s.
Russian Fleet Pestich Signal Revolver. 37mm Caliber, 1870s.
Russian Fleet Pestich Signal Revolver. 37mm Caliber, 1870s.

Russian fleet Pestich signal revolver. 37mm caliber, 1870s.

3 years ago

I'm literally speachless!! Who has been asking for twin earthbenders?? And I feel like Raava just being able to leave Korra is broken as shit.

Avatar Studios Announces Their First Two Animated Movies: The Legend Of Wei (2029) And The Legend Of

Avatar Studios announces their first two animated movies: The Legend of Wei (2029) and The Legend of Wing (2030)

We knew there would be something at the Avatar panel at this year’s Nunya City Comic-Con but no one expected anything this huge: Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko have announced what Avatar Studios’ first releases are going to be and when they’re coming: two animated films: Avatar Studios’ The Legend of Wei and Avatar Studios’ The Legend of Wing, coming to theaters in 2029 and 2030 respectively. They will have a 30-day theatrical exclusivity window and then stream on Paramount+.

Here’s the official description from the official press release from Paramount that came out just after the announcement (emphasis mine):

The wait is over. From Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra co-creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko’s Avatar Studios comes a breathtaking new era of animation: The Legend of Wei, a 2D-3D hybrid animated film hitting theaters in 2029, followed by a direct sequel, The Legend of Wing, in 2030.

In The Legend of Wei, set five years after The Legend of Korra, Avatar Korra takes a vacation and the spirit of Raava temporarily leaves her body and fuses with both Wei Beifong and Wing Beifong, the twin metalbending brothers of the youngest generation of Toph Beifong’s famous family, with each getting two of the four elements. However, a twist of fate separates the pair, and, without his brother by his side for the first time in his life, Wei Beifong must grapple with being half of a whole and half of an Avatar.

“We know how much fans have wanted twin earth Avatars for years,” Bryan Konietzko said at Nunya City Comic-Con, “we knew we had to find a way to make it happen.”

“I think we cracked a really special story with this,” Michael Dante DiMartino was quoted saying, “we think you’re going to love it.”

Now that the official announcement is out, I can also exclusively reveal some more plot details from my source at Paramount:

Wei gets waterbending and earthbending while Wing gets firebending and airbending.

Vaatu was reborn inside Raava, and when she split to fuse with the twins, it was actually the Raava part that went in Wei and the Vaatu part that went in Wing. That’s why Wing mysteriously leaves (but no one knows about Vaatu, that’s why it’s a mystery until the end of the movie).

Vaatu became savvy of the modern world in the, what, ~9 years he’s watched the world through Korra’s eyes, and his evil plan is similarly on the ball: he knows that money and corporations make this modern new world turn and Wing seduces Asami, who breaks up with Korra and starts using Future Industries’ power and wealth for the dark Vaatu Avatar Wing’s plans. Wing and Asami are a power couple like the Four Nations have never seen.

Korra, heartbroken, falls into the arms of Wei, and they fall in love.

The main dynamic of the movie is the Wei and Korra couple vs the Wing and Asami couple.

Korra still has her waterbending, so she teaches Wei (and he obviously already knows earthbending). There’s lots of cute couple-in-love splashing from what I’ve heard. Zuko and Zaheer are Wing’s firebending and airbending teachers respectively.

All of this is happening while Toph and the rest of the Beifong clan are trying to organize Lin and Pema’s wedding, which is where most of the comic relief for the movie comes in. I don’t know the details on how Tenzin and Pema broke up and Lin and Pema got together, it most likely happened in the five-year gap.

Honestly, this is EXACTLY what we’ve been waiting for. Everyone knows Wing and Wei are some of the fandom’s favorite characters, including placing first and first (tied) in the recent CBS News poll run during their Avatar Week (disclaimer: CBS is owned by Paramount, Avatar Studios’ parent company), so it’s amazing that Bryke and Avatar Studios are listening to the fans.

And the fact that the movies are coming so soon? Cherry on top.

From what I understand, after these two movies are out, there will be multiple spinoff animated series for each of the rest of the Beifongs, coming to Paramount+ starting in 2031 and so on.

But for now, get hype for The Legend of Wei coming 2029 and The Legend of Wing coming 2030!


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animus-primal36 - Sorry bout the mess...
Sorry bout the mess...

He/him, 28, all around nerd. HUGE ATLA, Bionicle, Digimon and HZD/HFW fan. Most posts will be about these things. Enjoy!!😁

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