rachelsophielesch

[rachelsophielesch]

[rachelsophielesch]

one of the most challenging skills i've had to learn as an adult is the art of figuring out whether i'm proportionally annoyed with someone or just tired and overstimulated and looking for reasons to be pissed off

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“are u okay?” no i need more money

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antis will hate on zutara for being a colonizer/colonized ship and then turn around and ship zuko with mai — the girl who was at best indifferent to her country’s imperialism while enjoying the privileges of being a high-ranking member of the colonizing state, and at worst actively complicit in said colonization, without ever undergoing any growth or showing any signs of disagreement with the ruling regime, even till the very end — and expect people to take them seriously lmfaooo

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Actually while I'm thinking about it, I just wanna say that the more live-action remakes Disney shlups out like shoveled manure, the more amazed I am that Cinderella (2015) exists. It breaks literally every standard of Disney's LA remakes.

It's not a shot-for-shot remake of the original 1950 animated film, though it does include small references and homages to it, but only when such things can be incorporated organically into the story.

The creators understood and respected the cross-cultural significance of the Cinderella story. They didn't want to "fix" it, or add some wacky twist to it, they just wanted to make the best possible version of the Quintessential Cinderella that they could.

Everything that could be done practically was done practically. The carriage was a real, the horses pulling it were real, and all of the other animals (with the exception of the mice and lizards, since their performance was a lot more involved than the others') were real living animals, the lizard footman and goose carriage driver were wearing prosthetics instead of just having their animal features added in post, the Fairy Godmother's dress had little LED lights sewn into it so that it would actually glow for real, the ballroom set was built by hand and included real chandeliers with more than 2000 total candles that were all actually lit for the scene, and I could go on but you get the point.

There's a ton of attention paid to little details that make the world feel real and lived in. Ella's shoes are always a little scuffed and dirty. Her farm dress is faded and wrinkled. When she breaks down and runs away to the woods, she rides her horse bareback (which, once again, was a thing Lily James actually did, no stunt-double or editing in post), because not only is that something a country girl like her would know how to do, but it also makes sense that with as upset as she is, she wouldn't want to waste time with saddling the horse. When she's dancing with the prince, it's visually obvious that he is leading her and giving her cues because of course Ella wouldn't know the latest ballroom dances, and would need him to guide her through it.

Hey speaking of dancing, y'know what else this movie does that no other LA remake has been allowed to do (at least not to this extent)? ROMANCE. Land sakes alive, this is one of the most unabashedly and yet still tastefully romantic movies I've ever seen. Ella and Kit are just oozing romantic chemistry from the moment they lock eyes for the first time. It all comes down to the fact that these two characters both have the same core values of courage and kindness, which makes their admiration for each other feel grounded and believable. Richard Madden also really sells Kit's feelings for Ella with the way his eyes go all big and soft whenever he looks at her. And don't even get me started on Lily's performance as Ella. Her quiet awe that someone as powerful as the prince loves her. The timidity and fear that she's not really worthy of that. The selfless determination to protect him from her family's cruelty, even if it means she'll never see him again, I'm just-- *banging my fist against the table and screaming into a pillow*

Absolutely god-tier costume design. No notes, I think Sandy Powell's work speaks for itself. Btw, in case you were somehow still wondering, yes, Ella's ballgown is fully practical--those layers upon layers of dreamy silk skirts are real. CG was only used to brighten up the blue color to make her stand out from the crowd more.

Wicked stepmother was allowed to actually be wicked. The movie never tries to make you sympathize with Lady Tremaine, or shift the blame off to someone else. And her villainy is given an extra layer of depth with the reveal that she is a dark reflection of Ella. They've both lost people they loved, but where Ella refused to let her grief get in the way of kindness, Lady Tremaine became utterly consumed by it. She views the death of her first husband as a sort of twisted justification for pursuing all her worst impulses. She despises Ella for her ability to flourish even while enduring terrible suffering, for being everything Lady Tremaine was either unable or flat-out refused to be.

Also Cate Blanchet absolutely SLAYS in this role. Hands-down my favorite portrayal of the wicked stepmother character.

Anyways, TLDR: Cinderella (2015) is the only Disney live-action remake that can justify its own existence and that's because it actively defies everything the LA remakes are today.

[rachelsophielesch]

fic The Lotus Villa @zkbigbang piece

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Remember when I said I was working on some big stuff way back when….its finally heeeeere !!! 🤭

I got to create some art for this lovely soulmate au fic, Smoke On My Clothes, for the ZK big bang this year!

The entire team was such a joy to work with - such hard workers the lot of you 💗 - and it was such a fun experience that I honestly didn’t think I’d ever get to do (for context: my anxiety nearly made me chicken out of participating when they first announced the Big Bang even though I really wanted to but thank goodness I signed up without giving myself a chance to second guess it pft).

Please if you have the chance, go read it!! And do go check out the second artist for this project @eggchayi ‘s art!!! (seriously go check it out you will not be disappointed, their art is a literal masterpiece RAAAAAAH)

@zkbigbang

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Chapters: 2/? Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender (Cartoon 2005) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Rape/Non-Con, Underage Relationships: Katara/Zuko (Avatar), Mai/Zuko (Avatar), Kei Lo/Mai (Avatar), Iroh/June (Avatar), Mai & Ty Lee (Avatar), Azula & Mai & Ty Lee (Avatar), Katara & Mai (Avatar), Katara & Ty Lee (Avatar), Hama & Katara (Avatar), Katara & June (Avatar), Jet/Katara (Avatar), Ikem | Noren/Ursa Characters: Katara (Avatar), Zuko (Avatar), Mai (Avatar), Mai’s Parents (Avatar), Iroh (Avatar), June (Avatar), Kei Lo (Avatar), Ty Lee (Avatar), Azula (Avatar), Hama (Avatar), Jet (Avatar), Toph Beifong, Ursa (Avatar), Ikem | Noren Additional Tags: Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - Royalty, Attempted Rape/Non-Con, Attempted Sexual Assault, Alternate Universe - The Selection Series Fusion, Underage Drinking, Underage Smoking, Tea Parties, Costume Parties & Masquerades, Idiots in Love, Zutara Month 2024 (Avatar), Zutara Week, Zutara Big Bang (Avatar), Slow Burn, Pining, Mutual Pining, Toph Beifong is a Menace, Friends to Lovers, Teen Romance, Teen Crush, Teenage Drama Summary:

Katara, a lovely and ambitious Southern waterbender, is chosen as the first maiden from her tribe to be brought to Fire Lord Iroh’s court during its Bride Season when thirty-six eligible young ladies compete for Crown Prince Zuko’s hand. She moves into the Lotus Villa, the part of the palace where she and the other potential brides are kept safe, and befriends the front runners in the Bride Season despite her blossoming feelings for Prince Zuko. But life at court isn’t all parties and dashing suitors. Katara is swept up in political rivalries which threaten her new friends and the prince she loves.

[rachelsophielesch]

This hurts 🫠

✨️Right person, wrong writers ✨️

I still stand by the fact that if the writer was a woman, Zutara would be canon 🥲

[rachelsophielesch]

“In my experience…” Prince Zuko moved closer to Katara. “Bad company is the only kind worth falling into.”

A fun moment from a future chapter of The Lotus Villa, which is one of many fics out now for this year's Zutara Big Bang fan event!

The author of this lovely fic will be revealed on Sept 15, 2024 along with all the others so keep an eye out for that along with new chapters. There are many artists, authors, betas, and mods who have lovingly devoted themselves to this event so if you find yourself enjoying it along with us, please be sure to let those creatives know with your likes/kudos and comments!

I personally had a lot of fun drawing this moment and getting the atmosphere like how I pictured it in my head! Hope you enjoy! <3

@zkbigbang

[rachelsophielesch]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender (Cartoon 2005) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Katara/Zuko (Avatar) Characters: Katara (Avatar), Zuko (Avatar), June (Avatar), Aang (Avatar), Toph Beifong, Iroh (Avatar), Suki (Avatar), Sokka (Avatar) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Theatre, Alternate Universe - High School, Academic rivals, Fluff, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Showmance, katara thinks zuko is her mortal enemy, zuko just wants to left alone, but it turns out no one understands the other better than each other <3, katara is very insistent that zuko doesn’t Ruin This For Her, little does she know shes about to fall head over heels for him Summary:

Zuko took his cue to get off stage, slumping into the seat next to where he had dumped his stuff earlier, but not before searching for Katara in the crowd, his eyes widening slightly before immediately darting away when he noticed she was already looking – glaring – at him.

Katara didn’t know what that interaction was all about, but she was certain about one thing:

There was no way Zuko would be cast as Flynn. Not a chance.

Right?

*

When Katara’s academic rival and mortal enemy Zuko decides to audition for her drama club’s production of Tangled, Katara is determined to ensure he’s not there to play games. She wants her production to be absolutely perfect, and if that means spending every last minute of rehearsal time - and then some - with Zuko, then so be it. She hardly anticipated the pesky sprouting feelings of curiosity and maybe even something a little more.

[rachelsophielesch]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender (Cartoon 2005), Pride and Prejudice (2005) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Katara/Zuko (Avatar) Characters: Katara (Avatar), Zuko (Avatar), Suki (Avatar), Toph Beifong, Aang (Avatar), Sokka (Avatar), Jet (Avatar), Haru (Avatar) Additional Tags: Exactly What It Says on the Tin, how can anyone look at zutara and not see lizzy and mr. darcy, creative liberties were taken for the sake of story Summary:

It’s a Zutara non-bending Regent Era AU!! Especially for all the people out there who have yet to get over the 2005 Pride and Prejudice movie but also for people who’ve never seen it and just want a nice Regent Era/ Bridgerton-esque lightweight read.

Katara hates Mr. Lee. The most arrogant, entitled man she has ever met. A man she wouldn’t marry even if all the men in the world should suddenly disappear. A sentiment that he shares, Katara knows. He’s proved this multiple times with his mean words and actions, but then why does he keep looking at her, and she at him?

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[rachelsophielesch]

May you wake up to an inbox full of incoherent AO3 comments

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Beautiful

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Do you have any thoughts as to how Katara could be both the Fire Lady and an active member of the Southern Water Tribe. I don’t see her leaving to the Fire nation forever after a decade in the tribe. But I’m having trouble imagining the logistics of Persephone-ing (6 months away and 6 months home) the travel time would be heavy and having children with all that would also be hard. What do you think?

Before we begin, I want to summarize what happened to Katara according to Bryke in the post-A:TLA material. First, although Katara reunites with her father, she doesn’t go back to the Southern Water Tribe directly after the war. Instead, she spends months if not years traveling around with Aang, to the point that one of her own tribeswomen complains that she spends too much time away from home. Second, when she does return, it doesn’t feel like home anymore to her because so much has changed with the arrival of the Northern Water Tribe and the beginnings of social stratification, which are treated in the narrative as necessary evils for a cultural invasion and industrialization that Katara is apparently wrong for criticizing. Third, because Aang wants to restore the legacy of his people, he eventually builds the temple on Air Temple Island, which includes living quarters, food crops, and basically anything that you would need to start a city. It is thus implied that either Katara and her children lived with Aang away from the Southern Water Tribe, or (based on the Southern Air Temple monks not knowing Kya and Bumi existed) Aang and/or Tenzin spent large amount of time on Air Temple Island, while Katara was separated from her immediate family by living at the South Pole. I bring these points up because people use “Katara wouldn’t be near her family if she relocated to the Fire Nation” as a talking point against Zutara, even though she fared no better in her canon relationship with Aang and the “progress” of the Southern Water Tribe.

Now, if we exclude the post-A:TLA material and think about what might have happened to Katara had she not ended up fused to Aang, we can postulate that Katara would initially return to the Southern Water Tribe and help rebuild, staying with her father and brother for several years and teaching other children how to waterbend. However, Katara is a natural fighter, and that’s what I see happening if she were Fire Lady: becoming an activist for her people, as well as the lower-class Fire Nation citizens who have also become victims of war. Many Zutara fanfics have Katara being an ambassador, which makes perfect sense as it allows her to keep her connection with her tribe and also bring some of its members along with her. An ambassador doesn’t just arrive on her own to a foreign land; she brings with her security, attendants, and other staff to form an enclave at an embassy. In addition, if maritime trade relations resume between the Fire Nation and the Southern Water Tribe, there will also frequently be ships going in and out of the harbors carrying Water Tribe people, goods, services, and culture. What I see happening is that this eventually forms a fourth Water Tribe in the Avatar world–since we actually have three tribes, not two, including the Foggy Swamp Tribe–and that Katara would be considered its founder and matriarch, opposing the patriarchal North.