#Man I have so much to say about asami

[fossilizedhysterics]

guess who finished tlok tonight and immediately had this come to him in a vision!!!!

[malereadermaniac]

Serial Cheater ~ Mako x Male Reader

This takes place somewhere along season 2 - Mako having just broken up with Korra and chatting to Asami again You are a core member of team Avatar! word count: 750 - Short fic! Sorry lol m!reader (no genitalia mentioned) / FDNI

Even though Mako is the kind of guy fan girls swoon over, most people would say that he's pretty down to earth

Your friends wouldn't describe Mako as flirty or as a serial romantic

But for the entire time you've known the muscular fire bender, some things have stuck out to you - most notably that he is, in fact, a flirt and a serial cheater (on accident)

Mako never actually means any harm to the girls he dates, but you have noticed a trend in his dating patterns of dating drop-dead gorgeous girls with a little overlap between them

It may just be the law of attraction - maybe Mako is just a magnet to romance and he can't help it

But it's most definitely a fact that if an opportunity is presented to the police officer, he takes it

And that is exactly what got the both of you into this situation

Mako and you were hanging out, Korra away somewhere on avatar business and everyone else at their respective jobs

The two of you were just chilling in Mako's apartment, having ordered take-out and drinking some new companies mass-produced rice-wine

As conversations drifted from one to the other, Mako started to vent about his highly active love-life

Being a good friend, you listened to the tall police officer - nodding along to assure him that you're listening to his ramble about his feelings for Korra and also for Asami

You of course throw in a joking comment or two at Mako's adulterous nature, but all in all you listen to his problems and offer your comfort

And your comforting and caring nature, mixed with the alcohol in Mako's system, was what resulted in your current situation

That being you on Mako's lap, making out with you handsome friend

Yes, you broke the kiss initially

Yes, you said you two shouldn't do this because of your close friendship with both of Mako's love interests

Yes, Mako begged for your warm, soft lips and for your comfort

And yes, you gave in...

Even though Mako was just yapping on about kissing Asami less than 24 hours ago, his chiseled face and warm brown eyes drew you in like an inescapable black hole

As the two of you made out, clothing started to make its way off of your body - the air in Mako's apartment becoming hotter and stuffier

But as your nude chest rubbed against the handsome man's pecs, a knock of the door forced you two apart

"Mako? Hey I wanna... talk about earlier!" you could hear your dear friend's voice shout

Asami was behind that door, and you most certainly didn't want her to walk in and see you and her not-so-boyfriend-boyfriend getting it on

You and Mako struggle to get off of one another and desperately reach for your clothes to cover up

You head to the bathroom to hide and dress back up as Mako let's Asami in to talk

You over-hear the two as you wait in your friends' tiny bathroom

Their conversation had ups and downs, but it definitely ended in an up

You peaked out of the crack between the door frame and the door, watching as Asami and Mako kissed goodbye

As the front door shut, you open the bathroom door and lean on the frame

"Sooo... looks like you really just can't help yourself" you say with a smirk to Mako

The tall man chuckles as he walks over to you

"Heh... yeah, I guess so"

"I don't think you deny being a playboy much longer, haha..." you joke

Mako holds you head up with his soft hand to make you look him in the eye - Mako's height being emphasised

"Shut up... and what if I am?" Mako half-lids his eyes as he focuses on your features

And while you know that it's a dick move on your part, breaking Asami's and even Korra's trust, you couldn't help but push your lips against Mako's

Your hands rest on Mako's strong chest, his tongue slipping past your lips as his masculine hands slip onto your waist

"That's what I'd do if your were... Hmhm~" you laugh after breaking from Mako's warm lips

The two of you laugh as the strong man picks you up, your legs wrapping around his waist and your arms around his neck

As Mako makes his way to his bed, all thoughts of guilt float out and away from your brain

[pastel-peach-writes]

Attracted | KorrAsami x Reader

╰┈➤ PLOT: After a close call of losing the two girls who mean the most to you, you decide it's time to cut the crap and face the music, your feelings.

╰┈➤ WARNINGS: Not Proofread, No Use of Y/N, 3500+ Words

Part One | Part Three

⍣ ೋ Enjoy!⍣ ೋ

Their stares dug into your soul and pulled out every sense of hiding and masking you've held in for the last few years. Their slight frowns, and disappointment in their colored eyes; it was too much for you to bear.

Were you so prideful in keeping your feelings secret that you'd risk losing Korra and Asami? Was it really that serious to let them think you didn't support their relationship?

You didn't know. You had no way to know.

Now the three of you were staring at each other in the courtyard of Air Temple Island. All parties eager for an answer from you.

However, just because they were eager to get an answer from you doesn't mean you had an answer ready for them.

Just now, in this very moment, you realized you had a crush on the two bisexuals. You just realized that going to bed thinking about kissing the both of them, holding their hands, and making them laugh wasn't as platonic as you thought.

You hated to admit it but Bolin was right. You hated when he was right, especially since you're often so stubborn. He was never going to let you live this down now.

But that's something to worry about in the future. Right now you needed to worry about the present. Korra and Asami are staring at you with hurt and almost distant eyes. The longer you let the silencer linger, the deeper you hurt them.

What could you even say or do in this moment? Make up some silly lie? Confess to them right on the spot? Make them think you're not accepting of their love? All three options were terrible. It was a lose-lose-lose situation.

"Uh," you nervously chuckled, scratching the back of your neck. The bright sun on Air Temple island shone into your eyes, nearly blinding you from the sight of the red-and-blue-coded girlfriends. You wondered what color you would be if you were added to the pair. "You know, I think I need to attend one of Tenzin's meditation classes. Learn how to ease up and become one with my chi."

"One with your chi?" Asami echoed.

"Yeah. If I'm so tense all the time and not noticing, obviously something is off. Maybe even wrong with me." You gave them another shrug. "I can't be one of the best members on the Krew and not be one with my chi."

Korra let out a chuckle. "'One of the best members'?" You nodded at her statement, a cocky smile growing on your lips. Korra shook her head, her smile from her chuckle staying on her face as she crossed her arms. "Who said you were one of the best?"

"Oh, isn't it obvious, Avatar?" You mimicked her stance and Asami did the same, matching the teasing smiles on your faces.

"Must not have been," Korra rebutted. "Sounds like you still got some work to do."

You could only laugh at her playful words. Although her statement was true, it was for the wrong situation. You did have some work to do. You had to work through and process your growing crushes on Asami and Korra in hopes you can get over them and have them never find out about your crush.

That should be easy. What's a little crush going to do to you?

-

"You're right," Tenzin said as he waved his palms over your torso. You were serious about taking meditation classes from him. You were too tense, hyper-focused on the sapphic pair. You needed mental clarity and hopefully with mental clarity comes a way to get over them.

The Airbender was using reiki, some form of spiritual healing that used energy and intention to ease the human mind and body. He decided to use the technique on you when you came to him about your stress problem. He said he rarely used this technique but given that you're a new student of his, he decided why not?

The man had his eyes closed and waved his arms and body around as if he were airbending. The only difference is that he wasn't airbending at all and in fact was getting a feel of your stress and anxiety levels. "You are very tense," he continued. "The tension lies within your shoulders and sits in your gut. Your chest, too, is tight. If you were an Airbender, you'd be blocked from your ability entirely. It would take months, maybe even years to remove this type of stress."

You heaved a sigh as the monk opened his eyes and returned to his natural standing stance. "Months"? "Maybe even years"? By the time you mastered your chi or removed most of the stress in your body, Korra and Asami could very well be married. Or even worse, forgotten about you.

It was extreme to think of those two scenarios but it's what your mind went to. You're doing this to be better for them, not to risk losing your friendship. If it's going to take years to return to the person you were before you started having feelings for them, they were gone for good.

"Well," you said as another sigh escaped your body. "We better get started."

-

Because of your circumstance, Tenzin decided to add airbender training to your "Stress Relief Regimen". Like he mentioned, you would be blocked if you were an Airbender but in addition to the spiritual and worldly connection, Airbenders also have a physical outlet. They use their body to navigate through the winds and courses of life. It acts as another way to release whatever your body is holding in.

It's been a few weeks since you started training with Tenzin and you can admit things are a lot better now. Well, physically. You're still blocked mentally and spiritually, but the airbending training traditions were getting easier for you. You ran into the equipment less and stayed on the balls of your feet more often. Even Jinora was impressed.

You practiced day and night while leaving space to meditate and to connect with nature in between. But the cause of your vigorous schedule to train and relax, you've pulled yourself away from the Krew. You rarely hung out with them outside of work and only said hello to them during meals. Day in and day out, you were training.

It was ironic though. You were training and practicing these techniques to become one with your emotions and get clarity on the KorrAsasmi situation but all the training seemed to be doing was making you avoid them.

You were actively running away and towards your emotions at the same time. How you mastered that skill, not even Tenzin knew.

He watched you prance and elegantly move around the spinning panels on the Airbending arena with your eyes closed and your arms in the offensive position he taught you. While you were physically correct, he could still feel a weight of heaviness and emotion rest on your shoulders and sink into your body.

Korra saw it too. That's why she was here standing next to Tenzin and monitoring your training. She knew Tenzin to be a good teacher so she didn't understand why his training kept you away from the Krew so long.

She already went through that teenage rebellion phase with him so she figured he eased up on allowing you to go out and such. Especially since you're not under his care and a grown adult. And as she watched your practice, she knew Tenzin's methods had changed for the better and the pressure lessened. So, if it wasn't Tenzin keeping you away from her. What was?

When practice was over, there was a meditation session immediately after. It wasn't a one-on-one session like you usually had with Tenzin, but actually an open session for the new Airbenders and anyone who wants to learn more about the art. In fact, it was taught by Jinora. Tenzin wasn't a part of it at all.

Korra assumed you kept your schedule busy with not only Tenzin's agenda but the other Airbenders too. To her it made sense. You're pretty much training to be an Airbender just without the bending. So to her surprise when she walked into the class and saw you weren't there, something was up.

-

"And you're sure they weren't there?" Asami asked as she unmade the bed for the night. She and Korra were in their room, the midnight moon shone through the window and provided natural light for the girls. Korra, just slipping on her white tank, nodded.

"Yup. Now we know Tenzin isn't keeping them away from us. I think it's them who wants to stay away from us." Korra's feet shuffled across the wooden floor, her tush melting into the mattress after she plopped.

"Come on." Asami frowned. "They're not like that. I'm sure it's something else." The paler woman sat beside Korra and placed a well-manicured hand on her shoulder. Korra only sighed again with her head hung low. "They haven't even spoke to Mako and Bolin and they're like brothers to them."

Korra shrugged. What Asami was saying made sense but there was something deeper going on. There was something you weren't telling them and Korra was killing herself trying to find out. "Does it not bother you either?" Korra's sad blue eyes struck Asami's green. "Don't you miss them? Their laugh and how they used to look at us with those eyes? Like we were the world to them. Now we barely get a glance when we pass each other in the halls or in the street."

Asami sighed. Of course, she did. She missed all of it and how you used to compliment them or poke fun. She missed watching you interact with Mako and Bolin and playing with them like they were your blood kin. She missed so much and more. She only placed a kiss on Korra's cheek and moved some hair behind the Avatar's ear. "Come on. Let's get to bed." -

"Good, now breathe while you lift your leg. Your opposite arm follows." You followed Tenzin's notes, lifting your leg and doing a fan kick while your opposite arm follows. When your arm follows, the momentum carried you throughout the move and when your leg landed on the ground, you spun around and nearly womble to the floor.

"Good," Tenzin said walking through the plush grass. "When you use that move, your weight shifts between your standing leg and then the led that lands on the ground. Because of your arm and force of the air, you spin around and when mastered, it's a great move to switch the play on your opponent." Tenzin then cleared his throat, the tops of his ears going red. "You know. If you airbent."

You gave him a slight chuckle. Almost four months into training and Tenzin still forgets you're not an Airbender sometimes.

"Sorry, force of habit." You waved him off and repeated the move, still stumbling when your lifted leg hits the ground. Tenzin instructed ways to land and poses to land into but no matter the note or correction, you continued to wobble.

"Ugh, I don't get it. I'm doing everything right. I'm making sure I'm light on my toes and transferring my weight between my legs," you complained to Tenzin as you took a swig of water.

The Airbending master interlaced his fingers and held them near his diaphragm. "Well, are you emotionally light? Spirtually, mentally?" You nodded as you wipe excess water from the corner of your mouth.

"Yeah. I mean, I think so? I mediate in the morning, evenings, and join some classes at the other Air Temple. I don't know what I'm doing wrong." You walked over to the cemented benches which were really short walls of concrete painted beige. You took a seat, crossing your legs and placing your heels at the edge of the wall.

"Hm," pondered Tenzin as he followed you to the wall. While he can admit your dedication is impressive, he can't help but feel there's something else blocking you, stopping you from achieving your greatest.

It was similar to what he experienced when training with Korra or his failed attempts at connecting to the spirit world but heavier. Almost as if you were avoiding the emotions that kept you planted deep into the ground. If you were an Earthbender, he predicted you would be one of the best.

"Tell me, young one. Is it possible there's something else bothering you? Perhaps problems with family, friends, work even?" He took a seat by you as you contemplated your answer to him.

You've felt good. The feeling of jealousy or even anxiety changed to what some would call a rock. It was as if a flat rock sheet lay on your chest and stomach. Some had a heart of gold and steel, yours wore stone armor.

You gave him a shrug and sipped your water out of avoidance. Your lack of eye contact, expression, and words told Tenzin everything he needed to know.

You were stuck emotionally and he had a hunch it was about the Avatar and her girlfriend. And perhaps the fact that they weren't your girlfriends. Tenzin wouldn't have come to that conclusion if it wasn't for his older sister, Kya.

One day, Kya came to visit and Tenzin told her all about your training and dedication to the craft despite not being an Airbender. When Kya observed your practicing, she could tell immediately you were struck with something emotionally tolling. Something you took Airbending techniques to work through but ended up avoiding.

She did the same thing with Waterbending when it came to a crush of hers.

Also, Kya overheard the Krew express concern and longing for you. More specifically, she saw the faces of Asami and Korra and how their eyebrows knitted together in hurt and confusion. It was the same face she wore when she found out Lin liked Tenzin.

"You need to talk to them," Tenzin spoke. "Avoidance or whatever you call this dance of yours isn't going to better your ability to meditate or to perform such exercises. In fact, it'll stifle your chances and ruin whatever you have left of your friendships." With a deep sigh, Tenzin put a hand on your shoulder. "Take this from someone who focused so hard on training that he almost lost his family. Isolation is not the key to working through hard emotions. You have to work and realize it's not going to be easy."

When your eyes met Tenzin's, you could see his brows downturned as if he was frowning with them. His eyes glossy yet held this certain look in his eye, as if he saw you as his own. His family.

The look stirred a certain guilt in your stomach. It was the same guilt you felt when you watched the Krew interact while you purposely lingered in the shadows. In hopes of bettering yourself, you ended up self-sabotaging.

"Hey!" Bolin chirped as he strode over to you and Tenzin. You quickly blinked away tears and looked at him with a smile, responding with a greeting. "We're going out to dinner tonight. You coming?"

-

Dinner was nearly normal. The five of you, the Krew and yourself, went to this fancy-ish restaurant where they served everything from Water Tribe food to Fire Nation goods. They also included the more modern dishes that Republic City had to offer.

It was like nothing had changed when you first ate. Everyone was chipper, happily munching on their meals, and cracking jokes like no time had passed between your group.

But then, just as you were almost done with your meal, the mood switched. A metaphorical cloud full of darkness and heavy rain washed over your booth and wind dared to blow you away from your seat.

Korra sighed, putting down her eating utensil and putting her hands on the table in an interlaced fist. "Okay, we have something we need to talk to you about." You barely looked at her to continue. "You've been kinda distant lately and we know it's not because of your training. Tenzin was adamant in easing the intensity of his training schedule, especially now with the new addition to the family and the new Airbenders."

You shrugged for what felt like the fiftieth time today. "I'm taking my craft really seriously. Is that a crime?"

"No," Asami said in a calmer tone that Korra could've given the sass you had in your sentence. "But it worries us. Especially now that you're not even attending Avatar duties anymore. We're a group and we need you. We're empty without you."

You threatened to scoff but instead shoved down the urge with another bite of your food. "I don't know what you want from me."

"Your training was supposed to help you ease up and not be as stressed but it looks like it's doing the opposite," Mako spoke. "You're distant, eat meals alone, and I've never seen someone train so hard for Airbending when you're not even an Airbender."

"Okay, so what? Look, it's my training, my schedule. You guys don't have a clue of what's going on with me so just drop it. Okay?"

Bolin glanced around his table of friends. Nervously picking at his pants, his eyes landed on you and gazed into your eyes. With a tone soft and gentle, he spoke. "So, something is going on."

You sat up a little straighter, eyes on the brown wooden table in front of you. You didn't realize you said that out loud. All that work of being alone and trying not to talk about your feelings nearly came undone with one measly slip-up. "No. Drop it."

"No, we don't want to drop it. What's going on? We can help you." Asami reached a hand out to you but you just snatched your hand away.

The Earthbender at the table sunk down in his seat. He knew what was going on now. He doesn't know why he forgot the last genuine conversation you had just a few months ago.

Your crush on Korra and Asami were eating you alive. What was supposed to be an outlet became a distraction. A distraction from the possibility of hurt, rejection, and loss. If he remembered this earlier, he wouldn't have suggested this confrontation dinner.

The only person who could help you in this situation is yourself and Bolin could see you didn't want that. Not anymore at least. You were perfectly fine losing your friends if it meant the protection of your relationship and feelings.

Although, it's a bit counteractive letting your friends slip away just to avoid a blowup over emotions you couldn't control. Bolin wasn't going to let that slide.

The Krew's been in messy romance drama before. What's a little more? They've prevailed over three times and they could do it again.

"I'm sorry," you took money from your pants and placed enough to cover your meal on the table, "but you can't help me with this. I'm sorry."

Following your departure, Bolin followed you out of the restaurant. Your friends exclaimed and called out for the both of you, but you were too far to hear and well Bolin, he was on a mission.

You stumbled behind yourself as Bolin took hold of your wrist and snatched you back. Your eyes met his, the orange-yellow lighting of the restaurant shining through the windows and making the sidewalk glow.

"You don't have to do this," Bolin spoke in a whisper. "You don't have to hide and pretend you're something you're not just to avoid rejection."

You pull your wrist out of his grip, your brows knitted defensively. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not avoiding anything."

"Please, I've seen it multiple times before. I lived it. The crushes you have on Korra and Asami won't change anything. They won't be weirded out or throw you out of the friendship if that's what you're worried about." The green in Bolin's eyes sought out to comfort you. As before, he kept his voice gentle and nurturing. "Crushes are scary and can leave you vulnerable but you shouldn't avoid your feelings because of it. You'll end up holding things in, the hurt turning into resentment, and the resentment turning into hate."

The Earthbender's palm found its place on top of your shoulder. Like his eyes, voice, and now touch, Bolin comforted you. His words, though similar to Tenzin's, had more meaning. You've seen Bolin get rejected before and heard horrific stories but he never let the embarrassment get to him. He learned, grew, and eventually got the partner of his dreams.

You patted his hand. "That means a lot. I'll try, okay? I can't promise it's going to be a good try, but I'll try and face my feelings instead of avoiding them and letting them turn into something ugly."

Bolin smiled, the joyous expression reaching his eyes. "Good. You won't regret it and you'll always have me to lean on. Don't forget that." Before you could say anything else, he pulled you in for a bear hug and lifted you off the ground.

Maybe Bolin was right. Facing your feelings head-on would make them less scary and who knows, maybe Korra and Asami would get a confession out of it.

To Be Continued. (Last part coming soon!) | Part One

WC: 3,569

[colourme-feral]

@respectthepetty As you'd written in your post, Asami was very specifically making moves on Yuki. However, the man had already started his attack far before bed time. Asami visited without notice, cooked for Yuki and told him to go shower!!! And then he looked at Yuki's bed and made conversation about it. Casually. As though he wasn't thinking about much. Sneaky of him! (I'm betting they will sleep together on said bed. It has to happen now!)

Here's a little nugget that the subtitles didn't include.

I'm sorry about this small apartment. Note: Yuki is apologising for only having a small apartment to host Asami, who is a celebrity and is someone who is probably used to larger and more fancy spaces.

Despite that (the small size of your apartment), you have a semi-double bed. That's erotic/sexy (of you).* No, it's not (me)! I didn't buy it. Note:

*This line was completely untranslated, but I thought it was quite important...

A semi-double is only approximately 122cm x 195cm (48” x 77”), which isn't actually very big. It can sleep two people, but it's usually very narrow and if used by two people, they would likely be sleeping together (reference).

For a small apartment, it would make more sense to use a bed that takes up less space, like a single. Unless you're sleeping with someone and need a slightly bigger bed. It is the suggestion that there's someone Yuki is having/has sex with, or is planning on having sex with that is what Asami is alluding to when he says that it's "erotic/sexy" to Yuki, which is why Yuki is flustered by it.

On top of this, the idea of them sleeping together has already been brought up in the first episode, so there's probably that memory in the back of Yuki's mind and paired with Asami's comments and actions throughout the evening, which have been fairly suggestive after all.

[beifong-brainrot]

If worked for the team who made Avatar TloK. How would you rewrite TloK?

To be completely honest, rewriting tlok wouldn't fix all it's issues. Tlok just needed to have longer seasons, an actually established amount of seasons so they weren't pressured to make every single season a complete story for fear of not getting more time.

But let's say, hypothetically that I murdered mr Crabs or whoever is in charge of Nickelodeon and removed any studio meddling from the show.

My perfect world would include:

More filler episodes that focus on a singular character. Think Sokka's Master or the Painted Lady. The Krew are all fascinating characters with a lot of potential, however, due to the runtime of the show, their storylines are rushed... or completely nonexistent. Give me more details of Mako and Bolin's childhood. Show me emore of Asami struggling with her father's arrest.

I'd try to cut down on the westernisation of the show. I can see why these foreign aspects slipped in, since the closer the Avatarverse inches to our modern times, the more blurred the lines become. At least to my whiteass. I'd try to lean towards silkpunk, rather than the much more west based steampunk. It would be a fascinating endeavour to imagine what a world with mostly eastern influences would look like.

I'd make Vaatu the overarching villain/final boss of the story... it would require a bit of moving around of the timeline but I think I'd structure it as: Red Lotus> Kuvira> Amon> Vaatu. However I'd blur the timeline more. Make Amon a background threat in the eariler seasons, only for him to rise in popularity and power after people see what benders like Kuvira are capable of, for example.

This would also allow for certain villains to become redeemed or at least helpful in some way, later on. Mayhaps Amon and Kuvira team with the Krew to defeat Vaatu in some way.

Also, instead of destroying Vaatu completely, I'm leaning towards Korra absorbing him, in a way. Yes Vaatu is a dark spirit, but 'darker' urges are necessary for humans' survival and happiness. Korra embodies the duality of man very well. I think it would be a fascinating idea to see the Avatar become the embodiment of both light and darkness.

In general, making Vaatu and Raava more morally ambiguous, rather than the simple good spirit/bad spirit thing they had in the og show would be a fascinating concept.

I'd do my best to pull away from the show's original centerist narrative. Have Korra learn from the villains and make active changes to the world, showing her growth as an Avatar and person. Perhaps she's reluctant to see the Red Lotus' point of view at the beginning of the show, but sympathises with Amon at the tail end of the story.

Make the entire Krew queer. And talk about queerness more, in general. Have the characters have open conversations about queerness in their respective enviornments and cultures. Tlok already has a very queer undertone to it, even before korrasami became canon, but touching on this subject more overtly would provide great opportunity for characterisation and worldbuilding.

Have the story span several years. Watch the Krew grow up. Tlok works very well as a coming of age story even in its original form. Have Vaatu and his darkness and chaos symbolise the uncharted waters of maturity at the end of teenagedom. This especially works if Korra merges or accepts him like i suggested.

There... that's some basics. I think that most of my criticisms of the show could mostly be solved if the studio wasn't being a bitch but well. We can't have nice things, can we?

I took a while to answer this ask because it was genuinely such an interesting, but overwhelming question.

Also now I have wayy too many ideas about a potential tlok rewrite, so feel free to ask me about that if you want to hear me ramble.

[rightwheretheyleftme]

I just finished watching book 3 of The Legend of Korra. Here’s my top 5 things I hated the most about it:

caveat: I actually didn’t hate this season at all, I just wanted to continue this series

5. Poof! The genocide’s gone!

Let me preface this by saying that I thought that the storyline of Korra finding the airbenders was a nice change of pace and scenery and I enjoyed watching it. However, the bare-bones of this plotline are rotten for me.

ATLA treating the air nomad genocide with so much realism and severity is one of the greatest aspects of the show. Sure, this is a tv show for kids, but it’s still a fairly realistic portrayal of a victim of ethnic cleansing dealing with their trauma. We saw Aang searching for other air nomads, seeing his temples being destroyed, having to burn the last intact artifact made by his people (the staff), and the entire 4 part finale of the series revolves around Aang deciding that he is not willing to sacrifice his cultural and religious beliefs under any circumstances. On account of this, it truly shocked me that TLOK treats the air nomad genocide in the same way that Oprah approached her car giveaway:

The insistence that the air nomad genocide is something that the avatar could fix unintentionally conveys that Aang failed to fix it. Maybe if Aang had connected with Raava and meditated in the tree of time, he would’ve brought his people back- the narrative is saying. And I find that incredibly mean-spirited, regardless of whether it was intentional or not.

Aang died at 66 years of age, he never met any other airbenders after the genocide other than his own son; And TLOK killed Aang once again in season 2, so now he will never get to see the air nation’s rebirth. I know that this is a show about Korra, but I find this storyline to be not only an extremely immature way to treat a genocide (genocides can’t be “fixed”, bryke) but also a cruel insult to the protagonist of this universe.

4. Why the fuck is Varrick still here

Let me get this straight: Varrick took advantage of Unalaq’s colonialism to make himself rich. He bombed the Southern Water Tribe Cultural Center in order to incite a war between the tribes. He stole all of the weaponry made by Asami’s company and delivered it to the Northern Water Tribe so that they could use it to wipe out the SWT. He incriminated Mako, a 19 year old, so that he would take the blame for Varrick’s transgressions and spend his life in prison as a result. He manipulated and took advantage of Asami, another 19 year old. And many more crimes that I’m too tired to list.

So why is he in this season as a lovable sidekick? He escaped justice, Suyin yielded him, and when Lin understandably gets angry about that, Suyin tells her that Varrick shouldn’t be punished for his entire life just for a mistake. This isn’t Suyin talking to Lin, it’s the writers talking to the audience- they want us to forgive Varrick and accept him as our new sweet funny guy.

That makes me nauseous.

This is the sequel of a show about the dangers of colonization and imperialism. Why, why, why, WHY is the guy who aided colonization efforts the character that you want the audience to love? In moments like this, you can tell that this show was made by 2 white American men.

3. Mary Sueyin (Thanks for the pun!)

This already has been discussed ad nauseam. Suyin yielded a war criminal from facing justice, she also sent out the one person the Red Lotus wanted to capture and kill after them for her own vengeful reasons. The narrative never addresses this and continues to paint her as a flawless hero. It’s disconcerting.

2. Zaheer the Master

Sorry, I refuse to believe that a man who got his airbending powers just a couple of weeks ago is suddenly the greatest airbender in a millennium because he read some books.

Bumi: How can he fly like that?

Tenzin: He's unlocked powers of airbending that haven't existed for thousands of years.

Fuck off, writers. Fuck all the way off.

1. The torture porn

We didn’t need to see Korra getting tortured for so long in such graphic detail. I don’t want to accuse anyone of sexism, but I’m certain that these writers would’ve never treated Aang this way.

Overall pretty good season, 8/10.

[terapsina]

And those rarest of creatures...

My Top 10 Favorite Canon ENDGAME OTPs

(and I realize some of these will be a surprise because I haven't posted that much about them but... well, when everything is perfect and nothing hurts there's less need for venting... also a bunch of them don't align with my Tumblr heavy periods or precede them entirely, so...)

1. Parker and Hardison - Leverage

The absolute sweetest couple maybe ever. The way Hardison just... loves Parker, without ultimatums or impatience. Just there once she's ready to meet his feelings with her own. And Parker, knowing she's developed feelings for... 'pretzels' and admitting it in the only way she can initially. So good.

---

2. Aneela and Kendry - Killjoys

You give me two amoral queens, have them be evil and immortal, and have them fall in love? I was a goner from the word go. Giving them a sci-fi kid just added fuel to the fire.

---

3. Jo and Zane - Eureka

I shipped the 1.0 version too. But when they accidentally erased the original timeline and had Jo remembering being in love and nearly engaged and having Zane not? Damn. Talk about angsty ship bait.

---

4. Kensi and Deeks - NCIS: Los Angeles

Sunshine and gunpowder. Freaking made for each other and doing a proper piney slow burn. My jam.

---

5. Magnus and Alec - Shadowhunters

I mean. Do you think I could resist a grand wedding crash with a 'if your son wants me gone he's going to have to say it to me himself' with the widely grinning sister of the miserable groom going 'I invited him'? What am I, made of stone? (War of Hearts is tattooed on the inside of my eardrums).

---

6. Nico and Karolina - Runaways

Okay. But like, even beyond the flawless imagery of Gothic Witch Queen and Royal Heir of Sunshine and Rainbows... they were so captivating. So ready to sacrifice anything for each other's happiness. I love them your honor.

---

7. Xiao Lanhua and Dongfang Qingcang - Love Between Fairy and Devil

"Everything in this world is fate. Only love is not fate."

Talk about ripping out my heart. In a story built around two people more trapped by fate than anyone, they save each other by doing the one thing fate has no say over.

(I usually prefer my romances to be the B and C plots, but these two? They are the exception that proves the rule. This whole show is their love story and I was spellbound for 36 episodes straight).

---

8. Shawn and Jules - Psych

So. Much. Pining. And the inclusion of the cruelest 'I love you' known to man, because who doesn't love a good 'I've been shot, and the guy who shot me just let me call my girlfriend but I'm using the call to give out clues about how to find me, so I'm pretending you're Abigail, but he's listening and he wants me to tell you that I love you and I know... think... suspect... that saying it will hurt you, but I don't have a choice and I'm so sorry'.

---

9. Nikita and Michael - Nikita

They both know what it feels like to lose someone you love. Which is why the way them kinda having at least a scene a season where one of them thinks the other just got killed is brutal. But I live for the looks on their faces when they figure out they're wrong.

---

10. Korra and Asami - Legend of Korra

What's more fun than falling in love with the ex boyfriend's ex girlfriend? Nothing. They got me to stand up and pay attention right quick once I realized where this was going (and the finale was how I started watching reaction videos... it made me so happy watching everyone else cry, cheer and squee too)

[irresistiibles]

plotting/starter call under the cut! they're lightly capped at four per muse but if you have a good idea and it isn't last minute i'm happy to add it. i'll also being doing memes at the start of the event, so don't feel like you have to go crazy. like and i'll come to your dms or reply with some starters and i'll get to queueing! glad to see so much love and hype for the event!

achilles : unaware any change has occurred

achilles is technically a lord but is currently serving as a knight and thinks this has been his life forever. he's fine with it though he does think he deserves a higher up position than what he currently has and isn't thrilled he has to do this service as a knight for image or whatever it is that got him there. he is probably some sort of officer or commander not just one of the guys in the crowd. he spends a little too much time at the tavern starters (2/4): hades, patroclus

angel dust : aware things have changed

aware something happened but doesn't know how to explain it and is really worried he took something since everyone else is acting normal. he's also worried about how to find drugs here and will be very on edge all the time. starters (3/4): sir pentious, niffty, vaggie

asami sato : unaware any change has occured

working as a blacksmith and having a good time with it honestly. sure, it's less high tech than what she's used to back home but asami loves to learn new crafts and get used to new environments. actively involved in guild life and she's probably poking around with magic and monsters more than she should as well. starters (1/4): ben skywalker

ben hargreeves : unaware any change has occurred

honestly he's got no magic but would sign himself up to be a wizard's apprentice so fast. like that seems cool of course that's what he's doing. he likes adding ingredients to potions and chilling. absolutely will approach magical monsters even if he shouldn't starters (1/4): klaus hargreeves

clara oswald : unaware any change has occurred

she's happier now than she had been in modern washington. this is way more interesting to clara. she's working as a tutor but is absolutely getting too involved in nobility politics, and could get caught up trying to overthrow someone. also very interesting in the magical creatures all over the place starters (0/4):

deena johnson : unaware any change has occurred

a farmer who lives on the outskirts of town. she's really good with animals, and is probably one mistake away from being accused of witchcraft for one reason or another. she's not doing any witchcraft, but it probably way too comfortable talking to people who are. starters (1/4): rosamund du prix

emery anden : aware things have changed

he is very concerned with everything going on, especially in the medical field, and it's not making him feel great about the chances he's actually aware of his real life in modern washington also. get this man some help (not leaches please) starters (1/4): kaul hilo

fizzarolli : unaware any change has occurred

truly living up his best life as a jester for charlie. i would say they're a pretty well acclaimed jester in general, so even though he's a court jester they will come and perform in taverns when possible, and he's really just thriving in this sort of environment. starters (2/4): louise belcher, charlie morningstar

glinda upland : unaware any change has occurred

your local witch, but glinda has a very good reputation. she doesn't do any curses, just things like charms, good luck potions, healing spells, love potions, what have you. she's very chill and not worried about any accusations cause she's very good at keeping people happy and on her side starters (3/4): fiyero tiggular, lee hongjo, elphaba thropp

gu zi : unaware any change has occurred

you know what i'm committing. he's living as a rat catcher, and is honestly pretty chill about it. he absolutely also tries to befriend some of the bigger monsters and creatures running around washington even though he's got basically no way of defending himself. starters (0/4):

inej ghafa : unaware any change has occurred

she's actually gone from trying to work a respectable job in the modern day to going back to thievery and criminal activity. it's just easier and she doesn't trust as easily here with magic way more available and difficult to deal with starters (2/4): nimona, dom toretto

irina yang : aware things have changed

knows things changed suddenly, but has realized this is a great way to start scamming people. anything she can remember about the modern world she's selling as information, and they're also just kind of pretending to be a witch because she's got enough magic to get away with it, and when they ask for something she can't do, they're just putting drugs in potions. starters (0/4):

jang man wol : aware things have changed

she's working as an inkeeper but she's very upset to be back in the past. she already lived through this era! been there done that! where's her phone? her dramas? she will absolutely be complaining about this to anyone who will listen even if they think she's mad starters (0/4):

jin ling : unaware any change has occured

nobility. probably a whole king and very stressed and unhappy about it. made a ruler very young and has no idea what he's doing. he can't catch a break even when he's not home okay. starters (2/4): wei wuxian, jin guangyao

jonathan sims : aware things have changed

he's going to become fully aware after the event. right now he's still unaware of his real life but he's aware of his life in modern washington and knows this is not right. probably accidentally became a local prophet because of how he's just starting to Know things now, but he's mostly running around trying to figure out what the fuck is going on starters (0/4):

kyoshi : unaware any change has occurred

she's probably gotten herself involved with a local crime group because with her luck she would absolutely catch too much attention and get kicked out from her nice servant job. give her a crime group to join, she's got way too many morals and will be annoying but she's also good muscle. another one of my characters who's one wrong statement away from a witch hunt starters (1/4): jester lavorre

luo qingyang : unaware any change has occurred

living her best farmer life. she's got a bunch of chickens and is truly just chilling. is a good place to go to if anyone needs to hide from monster hunters or a witch hunt starters (0/4):

madoka kaname : unaware any change has occurred

give me a witch for her to apprentice under! she can't do magic but she can get ingredients, and help make potions, and bring a cat and some good energy along and she would love it a lot okay! she will also defend them as much as she can when the inevitable witch hunt comes along. starters (1/4): homura akemi

mei nianqing : aware things have changed

he's aware things are different but honestly he likes this better so he's kind of keeping his mouth shut i'm afraid. he's thriving as an astrologer/tutor/priest for the rich, and kind of hopes things will stay like this. don't mention how things were different he will gaslight you starters (0/4):

nico di angelo : unaware any change has occurred

he's a priest, does exorcisms and everything. obviously he still has his powers and knows who his dad is, but he just uses that to genuinely be able to help with ghosts and gain trust with people. he's living surprisingly comfortably here. starters (2/4): bianca di angelo, satana hellstrom

nie huaisang : aware things have changed

he knows things have changed but he's not really making that clear to anyone. sure, he'll talk in fantasy about a modern washington, but there's no need to stress everyone out by making them think he's more than just an airhead. he's a lower noble who spends his time chilling and painting. he's very interested in the mythical creatures and will try and adopt a baby dragon starters (1/4): nie mingjue

ning yingying : unaware any change has occurred

apprentice under shen qingqiu and learning about european swords and clothing. the problem with her being more confident and a little bit better at fighting in a world where duels and jousting are possibilities is she keeps considering it. girl is mostly living as a scholar but is ready to brawl do don't encourage her. starters (1/4): sha hualing

pearl: unaware any change has occurred

she's obsessed with the human concept of knights so this is great for her. she is of course serving as a knight, and though i'm sure she's under a specific kingdom but i would love to plot someone who she's specifically guarding. she's very protective and will be willing to throw herself in front of danger without hesitation pls employ. starters (1/4): sella palpetine

roronoa zoro : unaware any change has occurred

working as a bounty hunter/sword for hire again for both humans and mosnters, whatever gets him a paycheck. he'll work for whoever, but he's less inclined to work for people of power, he just doesn't really get along with them that well, and he's mostly looking to fight more than get a massive paycheck. starters (2/4): sanji, sgaeyl

shang qinghua : unaware any change has occurred

advisor to some sort of noble! overworked and a schemer, so if anyone's plotting against nobles he is a good person to go to. he's happy to do a lot of underhanded shit to get rid of people. give me a noble for him to work under. starters (1/4): kaul shae

shi qingxuan : unaware any change has occurred

honestly living a chill life as a barmaid/occasional beggar when funds are low. qingxuan is actually really comfortable and having a fun time with the common people in this form of washington, so it'll be a nice time for them. a good friend to have if you want cheap drinks starters (1/4): syala eren

toph beifong : unaware any change has occurred

technically somehow got herself stuck as a noble lady, and i think it would be funny for someone to plot being the poor knight/guard looking after her because i know toph is quite literally always running away from them and trying to get into fights or start trouble starters (4/4): katara, mai, jamie, zuko

yin yu : unaware any change has occursed

he's a gravedigger lmao, and not obsessed with it for obvious reasons. catch him sulking around in graveyards on the regular. he's staying away from most of the new mythical creatures and is trying to convince the people he knows to stay away from the dragons as well. starters (1/4): astrid hofferson

zagreus : unaware any change has occurred

he's a prince but doesn't actually like doing that and is working a small apothecary job on the side and just hopping he doesn't get recognized. loves going to watch jousting and see if he can get included somehow. starters (0/4):

[everythingfiction13]

Disclaimer: I may have cried while writing this.

Korra and Asami, along with Mako and Bolin, Tenzin and his family, Kya, Bumi and a-very-much-deprived-of-any-fun Lin decide to visit the Southern Water Tribe for one of their many festivals.

Once there, the others are quick to jump into the action, and Mako wins several gifts for Ikki who still isn't over her crush on him. Meanwhile, Bolin and Meelo playfully race along the roads of the SWT, but the general rule is that they don't use their bending. It is purely a test of speed and power, and nearly all of the gang has placed their bets on either boy, mostly in favor of Bolin. It is not quite a surprise when Meelo actually wins.

Jinora, for once, decides to let her hair down and enjoy the parades with Kai, and through much persuasion, Tenzin sort of relaxes thanks to his mother and Pema. After all, the children won't be as such for much longer, a fact that the Airbending Master can not get over, no matter how old his children get. Lin and Kya spend much of their time together, drinking and placing bets, trying to showcase who is stronger and who can hold their liquor, and at some point, Korra could have sworn she'd seen them flirting though they would surely deny it later on.

All in all, everyone's having fun and enjoying a much needed respite from saving the world from anyone who thinks of wreaking havoc again. All except for Asami, but nobody notices. Korra has her suspicions, deems it wise to let her girlfriend confide in her when she's ready. They'd already had this conversation before with Asami confessing that sometimes, when things got a bit overwhelming, she just needed her space. And Korra gave her all the space possible, letting her hang back while the others threw themselves in a series of shenanigans, yet always kept a watchful eye on the heiress. At some point, Korra was distracted long enough for Asami to slip away, this particular bout of uncertainty taking longer to shake off than normal.

Asami could feel her chest tightening, the air in her lungs barely enough to keep her on her feet, but she was well-versed in the art of hiding her turmoil, a smile always at the ready to protect her from any inquiring looks.

A gentle hand finds her shoulder, big enough to clasp her whole bone, yet tender and warm.

"Hey kiddo." Tonraq. Asami would always recognize his voice.

She turns to him a moment later, flashing that same practiced smile. But a look of concern furrows the man's brows, and he towers over her, large and imposing and so caring that the heiress can't help but feel so small.

"You feeling alright?"

"Yes, yes," she says, though the lump in her throat threatened to choke her.

Tonraq sees right through her. "Asami, you know you can confide in me. I may be Korra's dad and all, but I'm still here for you."

Tears swell in her eyes, but again, Asami will always hide her feelings in such moments. She can not afford to be weak, to let herself be so easily uncovered. "Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. But I promise, I'm fine."

"Have we not passed over the formalities? You are dating my daughter."

At that, a genuine grin curled Asami's lips. It feels weird, however, to call him by his name, almost as if she is breaking some unnamed rule. "I suppose so. I'll need some time to get used to it, though."

"As long as it takes, honey. Are you sure you're alright?"

Asami nods, swallows the knot in the back of her throat. Tonraq, she knows, is not convinced. There is little, however, she can do about it, only hopes that he isn't as persistent as his daughter.

He isn't. With one last smile, he rejoins the others, leaving Asami to her own thoughts. Relief washes over her, but she still can't find herself to breathe properly, the need to disappear for a moment gnawing at her.

Later, when everyone is fast asleep under the heavy covers to keep them warm, Asami finds herself clutching at a cup of tea she's made herself, sitting on a chair in the private kitchen even though the main hall was all but empty. This place was smaller, cozier. It suited her mood just as well. In her other free hand, Asami holds the one thing Lin was able to salvage from the wreckage that was the hummingbird Hiroshi and her had used in the battle against Kuvira, a pair of bent golden spectacles with no glass to keep it together. Asami can't bring herself to look at it, but it feels good to have it between her fingers, clasp at the very last thing that connected her to her dad.

"Oh, sorry I...I figured it would be empty," Senna breaks the silence. "Asami, are you okay, sweetheart?"

The young woman's lips quiver, unable to hold it together any longer. She swallows, her voice wavering. "Not really, no."

Senna pulls the chair beside her. She does not fail to notice the glasses, but makes no move to reach for Asami's hand. The latter doesn't blame her, she wouldn't touch something as tainted with blood either. Her father was a criminal after all.

"Sweetheart."

A single tear streaks down Asami's cheek. "My mom used to call me that. All the time. I miss her."

Another tear. Senna ticks with compassion, grabbing the younger woman then in a hug Asami had not been privileged with for so, so long. And for once, she hangs on, fingers clutching at Senna's shirt as her tears flow freely down her face.

"I can't...I can't breathe," she chokes out. "I can't breathe."

Tender hands clasp her face, and Korra looks so much like her mother, just as Asami reflected Yasuko's features, only older.

"I need you to breathe with me, sweetheart. Can you do that?"

Yet again, Asami nods. Her tears do not stop. Her breathing becomes erratic instead, but Senna's touches, firmer now, ground her. "You're okay, sweetheart. I got you. I got you."

"Why does it...why does...hurt...? Why did they leave me all alone?"

"Oh honey, they didn't. They never did leave you."

"They did. Everyone leaves me. Everyone..."

"Asami, sweetheart, that's not going to happen. Your friends are here, and you have Tonraq and me, and Korra..."

But the words fall on deaf ears, try as she may to take them in. "I never got to say goodbye. It hurts..."

"I know it does. But believe me, your mom and dad are with you, Asami. They will always be a part of you. Always."

"You don't...know that."

"But you do. In everything that you do, Asami, every waking moment, your being alive and well and happy is a testament to how much your mom and dad loved you." Senna brushes the girl's tears, pulls her in closer so that her head rests upon her chest. Tea discarded, glasses still clutched in her hand, Asami lets herself cry for what feels like the first time in years.

Of course, she'd done so before, several times, when the hurt became so much she was going to explode, but those were in her private moments. Never in front of anyone. Never.

"Sen?"

Great. If she had felt embarrassed at the start of her confession, Asami doubled in it.

Tonraq catches on quickly, and he wraps his arms around them both, setting a soft kiss on Asami's head. He does not need to say a thing because with Senna's words and his embrace, Asami feels safe again.

[feralboo-the-weirdo]

Here's where I get extremely nitpicky about the characters in Legend of Korra. Part two of my many rambly thoughts after watching S1 of LoK.

Amon and Tarlok, the two villains. I think they were well written as antagonists, until you look at their motivation. Why do they want Republic city? Why does Amon want to take bending away? Why does Tarlok want to get rid of all nonbenders? Why do they both want the city? What was their goals? It almost would have made more sense if they were the same person. How I think it should have played out was that Amon wanted to find Tarlok but he couldn't just go up to him for REASONS, because he wanted to apologize to Tarlok for leaving him, and start over. Maybe he was held hostage by benders cause he could bloodbend and that's why he was punishing benders idk. Then Tarlok is like "oh shit who is this guy?" He starts acting like a absolute menace to nonbenders to draw Amon out (the thing I think the show was trying to do) Amon is a no show. He goes to confront Amon, discovers it's his brother and freaks the hell out. He joins Amon??? Idk. They just needed better motivations, clearer ones, better goals. Something that makes Tarlok blowing him and Amon up hit harder than it does.

Tenzin was almost perfect. A mentor character that was also a very tired dad that has to adopt Korra. A great bender, not over powered, or overpowered only where he should be.

Korra. I don't know what to say about Korra. She wasn't a Mary Sue which I'm glad for, and I feel like her character was well flushed out, but she doesn't really have an ark. She starts out overconfident, cocky and headstrong and ends slightly less overconfident cocky and headstrong. Her ark should have been her unable to learn airbending because it requires you to be intune with yourself and able to follow the flow -Something Korra can't do- and then she learns to airbend not because it gets turned on, but because she learns to slow down and how to listen.

Mako, Zuko a little to the left just if he'd been left on the streets with a brother to take care of. Also what is this man's goal. Does he know what motivation is? Has he met a modivation? And like yeah, he's modivated by he wants to save his friend and keep Bolin safe but what does he want? Does he want a better life for himself? Does he feel like he has to protect Bolin always and that makes him overbearing? How does this affect his actions in the show? His goal seems to be first and foremost putting Bolin first. Keeping his baby brother alive. But we don't see this much after Bolin is kidnaped when he should be more protective of him. Maybe of Korra too. I don't know what his ark should be but him finding out he loves Korra feels empty. Like he started out a full character at the start and the the writers remembered they needed a love interest for their love triangle. I just don't get what he wants. Like he wants Bolin to be safe and a better life for both of them, which is why he moves in with Asami, but he trusts her too quickly in my opinion. This what eighteen, seventeen? Year old who lived on the streets and worked for a gang doesn't have major trust issues? He watched his parents get BURNED ALIVE. HE IS NOT OKAY. This parentified child trusts Asami's father instantly and it's ridiculous. Also, I feel like part of his ark should have been him being deeply distrustful of Fire benders, and that's why he doesn't like Korra. What I think his ark should have been. Learning that he doesn't have to be overbearingly protective of Bolin and that not all fire benders are bad people. So him letting Korra into the family dynamic would be more of a win. Would have mattered.

Bolin. Where to begin with Bolin. Sokka turned sideways. Naive, still immature, but that makes sense. Mako took on all the heavy stuff so Bolin could stay that way. Like Bolin isn't stupid, he hides behind humor, but somehow wears his emotions on his sleeves. He has the same problem as Mako. Starts and ends the season the same person. Also starts out a lived in character ends it the comic relief. Also him almost getting is bending taken away should have had a way bigger affect in him. I want nightmares, I want a fear of bending in public, I want him to be terrified of being found again. And I want Mako to be paranoid. Like Bolin just chill a day later- which as a person who experienced a lot of truamai find ridiculous. What is his modivation? His are even more fuzzy to me than Mako's. But I think I figured it out. I think fundementally what Bolin wants is to be loved. This is why he gets into so many messy relationships later in the series. He's a lost boy desperate for someone to fill in his needs where Mako can't. This is why he clings so hard to Korra, why he likes her so much. She treats him like a person, a friend, someone who deserves attention. This is why he cracks so many jokes. A desire to be noticed, to be cared about, attention that makes him feel like he won't be ignored. Because being a child on the streets messes you up. Mako grew up to fast, Bolin to slowly. A disconnect between them. Both struggling to meet each other's needs. I think what Bolins ark should be heading towards is learning he doesn't have to change who he is to be loved, that people will notice him and care about him when he isn't making noise. That should have been his ark in S1 or at the very least the direction it heads in.

Tenzins kids. Idk. They're kids. Meelo is annoying but most children his age are. Jinora was just there. Same with Ikki. Pema was fine. Kinda mid. Kinda just there cause Tensin needed a SO.

Lin. She's perfect. My favorite though I don't know why. Her modivations are inconsistent. She's kinda static. But she's cool. Idk. I don't know what she wants. She's chief of police. Did she inherit that from Toph? Did she chose that? Did she want that? It clearly means something to her. Though, I think what she wants boils down to her wanting to protect people and keep them safe. She seems to long for a parental role. Or at the very least would try to be good at one. I think this is what she wants judging by what she doesn in the show. She breaks everyone out of jail so she can find her officers. She stations her officers around the bending arena to protect the pro benders and the city. She sacrifices herself to Amon so Tenzin can get away and loses her bending. Idk. Regardless. Still my blorbo.

Asami. My least favorite. She felt like she was shoved into the story so Mako could have a love interest and there would be a love triangle. She's another character that I just fundementally do not get. Why does she stay with Mako? Why does she like him? Why does her being too nice at the start of the season feel like it's setting up her secrently being evil? Why couldn't she be secretly evil? Throw the viewers off track, make the dad just some guy. Like what does she want? Does she want anything? What is her goal? Her modivations for staying with new team avatar? Does she have any? Is she really just a plot device? Is that all she is? I don't know and it bothers me that I don't know. I think she should have been evil, working with Mako because benders killed her mom and she wanted to make them pay, but then she meets Mako and starts a relationship with the intention to get close to the avatar so she could make it easy for Amon to get her. But they she finds herself actually falling in love with him and she doesn't know what to do. Then it's revealed that she was evil and helping her father but she's changed, she wants to help them. Maybe she know a super important secret about Amon that she gives up do they'll trust her again. She had so much potential man. I would have ayte that up. And instead we have Asami, the "my father is evil but my only role is love interest and that's my whole character actually" character. Idk. Maybe I missed something, but she felt so shallow to me. Also there should have been more time devoted to Korra and Lin not being able to bend.

[korrasamibottles]

any fun facts you’d like to share about your recent fics?🤗

Hey!! Thanks for asking! This got a little long, so I put it under a cut:

Fun fact about The Heart Is A Muscle? It was almost entirely written one night around 1am after I'd seen That Art again earlier that day and it hooked its claws into my brain and literally wouldn't let me sleep. I also thought it would be a fun challenge to describe being in love without actually using the word "love" at all, but I couldn't quite hack it lmao. Sometimes there's only one right word, and I didn't want the writing to suffer just for the sake of winning my own secret challenge. And I guess once in 850 words isn't too bad!

Taking a dive into Love Bites...this might not exactly be "fun" but it's the first thing that came to mind, so I'm gonna quote two little sections of the fic:

This paragraph from the beginning

When it turned out the city's wealthiest businessman had been covertly funneling millions of yuan into the coffers of a violent militia that had kidnapped several government officials and killed two bystanders in the process, it wasn't unreasonable to wonder if he truly had been acting alone. She might've suspected the same, had her position been reversed.

And then this excerpt from about 2/3 of the way through

She hesitates before opening her mouth. "Besides, if anybody got hurt because I wasn't paying attention, I'd never forgive myself,” she says to her wrench.

Korra sighs. “Yeah, I can definitely understand that.” Asami looks up at her, sees something unreadable shuttering Korra's normally open expression before her blue eyes flick away and out toward the sea.

Asami takes in Korra's profile, the subtle, barely-there slump of her shoulders, and something cracks open in Asami's chest. Korra's so carefree it's easy to forget that what she does is dangerous.

And so is the ocean.

“Yes, I imagine you would,” she says finally, and when Korra turns to look at her again Asami offers her a soft smile. Warmth blooms in her chest when she receives one in return.

It's such a quick, quiet thing, over in the span of a few heartbeats, two twisted bits of scar tissue exposed and exchanged for one another, but it leaves Asami feeling laid bare in a way she doesn't think she's experienced before. It's not uncomfortable, exactly, more terrifying and exhilarating in equal measure. A bit like hitting a hairpin turn at a high speed and not knowing if you'll make it to the other side.

I spent a long time toying with that scene because 1) giving them an emotional connection in addition to a physical one was really important to me, and 2) I wanted Korra to have some kind of depth beyond Being Hot. It was tricky, since them being complete strangers brought together by their jobs coupled with the fic being from Asami's POV meant we really didn't get much opportunity to see inside Korra's head.

They're both carrying a lot, just like they are in canon. Asami 100% blames herself for the deaths of those two bystanders, convinced that if she'd figured out what her dad was up to sooner she could've fixed everything (she couldn't have). Similarly, Korra holds herself responsible for an incident at the beach several years ago in which a man drowned, and she feels deep in her bones that if only she'd reached him a second sooner, he'd still be alive (he wouldn't).

I kept this interaction brief and vague because I didn't want to take too big of a detour away from Silly and Horny, but to me it was a pretty significant scene. Within the span of just a few moments they understand each other on a much deeper level, and in a way nobody else really does. It's also something I want to explore in more detail in a future fic set in this AU (I'd like to make this a series👀)

That fact was kind of sad so here's a nicer one: in approximately 10 years Varrick will be convicted of tax fraud (and widespread wage theft as well as a whole host of workplace safety violations, but it's the taxes that really get him) and Asami will buy back the old Future Industries tower for less than Varrick originally spent purchasing it💅

[puellamagishowdown]

Round 2 Has Finished!

Hey, no tiebreakers this time!

Not much to say this time. Most of the results were what I expected but I do have some questions about others (please feel free to answer said questions).

If you would like to see the percentages and some commentary, continue reading. If not, I will see you soon for round 3.

Ayame Mikuri (51.9%) vs Miyuri Yukari

Pia Undo vs Tsubasa Hanekawa (75.2%) - I know nothing about Divine Gate, but I do think Pia's outfit is quite cute. A little sad she lost.

Toyo vs Madoka Kaname (84.3%)

Livia Medeiros (50.7%) vs Rena Minami - ... Really? Alright then.

Sana Futaba (78.3%) vs Asahi Miura

Kaede Akino (56.8%) vs Sudachi Suwa

Mikoto Sena (51.7%) vs Hotaru Yura

Saki Asami vs Mikage Yakumo (82.6%)

Sasara Minagi vs Amaryllis (81.1%) - This was a much larger gap than I expected. Is her story that good or do people mostly just like the design better?

Ren Isuzu (76.3%) vs Kokoro Awane

Kuro vs Nanaka Tokiwa (70.9%)

Kagari Hinata vs Alina Gray (85.7%)

Mikura Komachi vs Yu (76.9%) - Please, I am begging someone to tell me why Yu. Why is she so popular? It can't be because she's a serial killer, other serial killer magical girls have lost this already.

Himena Aika (62.5%) vs Sayuki Fumino

Ashley Taylor (70.7%) vs Meiyui Chun

Mel Anna (77.1%) vs Ryoko Natsu

Hazuki Yusa  vs Eternal Sakura (71.2%)

Mayu Kozue (53.4%) vs Kako Natsume

Rui Mizuki vs Kanoko Yachiyo (64.8%) - Aw man, the resident chuunibyou lost...

Masara Kagami vs Juri Oba (57.3%)

Kyoko Sakura (88.8%) vs Tsubaki Mikoto

Riz Hawkwood (75.4%) vs Kanna Hijiri

Chiharu Hiroe vs Mito Aino (59.2%)

Corbeau vs Tsuruno Yui (70.4%)

Yuma Chitose vs Mitama Yakumo (77.6%)

Yuna Kureha (66.2%) vs Riko Chiaki

Ayaka Mariko (74.6%) vs Meguru Hibiki

Momoko Togame vs Ui Tamaki (52.1%) - This was a little closer than I expected.

Ao Kasane (52.7%) vs Suruga Kanbaru - For a while, I really thought Suruga was going to win this.

Gunhild vs Homura Akemi (85.2%)

Sae Kirino vs Nagisa Momoe (74.3%)

Iroha Tamaki vs Yachiyo Nanami (62%) - It feels early to have two major characters face off, but the RNG willed it. And it wasn't that close.

Seika Kumi vs Nayuta Satomi (52.6%)

Karin Misono (56.7%) vs Kanae Yukino

Konoha Shizumi (68.9%) vs Shigure Miyabi

Oriko Mikuni (76.9%) vs Lapin

Olga vs Mifuyu Azusa (59.5%)

Felicia Mitsuki vs Mami Tomoe (72.2%) - Even against another major side character like Felicia, Mami has dominated. All hail Mami.

Rika Ayano vs Sayaka Miki (66.3%)

Mitsuru Inami vs Ikumi Makino (69.5%)

Kirika Kure (63%) vs Konomi Haruna

[orangepanic]

I've gotten into the vodka, who do you like more, Iroh or Asami? 👀

oh god going for the throat I see

I don't know? Asami is the original blorbo. I wanted good things for Asami because she deserved them after all the shit she'd been through. She was so nice and kept getting whumped for no reason. My initial interest in Iroh was as a gift to her; that hot as fuck soldier dude was Good Things personified. I wanted Iroh to make sweet sweet love to her like a gentleman and for her to scream loud enough that Mako would hear her multiple orgasms five miles away. But then I watched the rest of the season and started to appreciate Iroh in his own right. I liked that he was a man of few words and much action and seemed smart and principled without being dogmatic. I don't think I realized how much I liked him until he appeared in season two and I started yelling at the screen that he wouldn't fucking say that even though the guy had only had about two minutes of screen time in the entire show. So much so that I wrote my first fanfic.

I suppose my non-answer is that I love Asami because I adore her and want her to go on adventures and kick ass and find love and have a story that will flesh out her character and acknowledge her grief and treat her as more than Asami-ex-machina or a prize to be awarded to the heroine at the end. I want a story worthy of the potential of her character. But I love Iroh because there's so little of him in the series that I feel like over the years I've given him a piece of my heart to make up for all that canon left out. I care so much about who he's become in my stories. There's no way to pour that much of your own blood into a character and not love them dearly.

drunk AMA

[ashthemadwriter-archived]

Love Like Cherry Blossoms

—Osamu Dazai X Fem!Reader

Summary: Y/n is a normal citizen with a normal life. Everything in her life goes as planned; work, home, eat, sleep and back to work; but things suddenly change when she switches bodies with a member of the ADA, by accident.

Genre: Fluff, Romance, Smut, Fantasy, Humor

Warnings: Mentions of female body parts, Dazai being a creep, language

Word Count: 2.4K

A/n: From now on, I will use she/her pronouns for Dazai and he/him for reader.

Series Masterlist ⇝ Part Three

"So?"

The young woman slowly tilts her head to the side, sending a relatively sharp gaze toward her boss who's sitting in front of her behind his fancy ass desk.

"So?!"

"So Why did you call me in the middle of work hours? I doubt that the reason is to stare at each other's faces!"

The manager closely examines the woman's face. Her h/c hair is perfectly curled as always, her makeup is light and heartwarming though it's not as nice as ever due to her mascara spreading under her eyes, her face is decorated with a soft smile that he is used to see every time she arrives at the café; everything looks soothing and normal.

Then, why the hell is she creeping the shit out of him ever since that bloody accident?

"Listen y/n, the reason I called you to my office was that... We got a few complains from a couple of customers"

"Oh? What does it have to do with me?"

"The complains were about you"

The man holds a small ipad in front of her, shrinking his hand when she slowly takes it to avoid any type of physical contact. Y/n however is calm, her smile extending as she reads the unpleasant remarks about herself.

NekoChan42: Have you guys seen that barista from Kiyomi coffee house? She had an accident a few weeks ago and now that she's recovered... She looks weird.

DaishouKoganeeee: Tell me about it! Yesterday I went there to order a cup of Turkish coffee, but she didn't even take my order! Said that she was busy at the moment; busy with grabbing her boobs and smirking at the sight like a fucking creep.

HelpI'm6feetunder: Well can't really blame her, I would have done the same if I had access to those boobs...

Y/n smirks as she places the device on the desk, pushing it toward the manager without making any attempt to break eye contact. It's unlikely for her to be this relaxed in a situation like this, given how frightened she used to get every time he called her to his office. She's actually one of the best workers he has ever hired; always on time, always wearing a nice smile and a nice attitude toward the customers, it's the reason why the café is so busy ever since she was hired; because nobody can resist that pretty smile and that angelic look of hers, not even the manager himself.

When she remains silent for a while, the man has to speak up in order to break the tension filling the room. "Well? Care to explain yourself?"

"I am surprised that you're scolding me for this sir" The woman's voice sounds really confident, maybe too much for someone who's caught checking out her own body in front of other people. "I mean... How you ever even touched women's breasts in your life?"

"Excuse me?" The manager looks irritated, not only because she's saying such lewd things in front of him, but because she actually has a point.

"Those soft comfy meatballs that make the most important curves of a woman's body, making all men drool over how stunning she looks in a fine black dress, showing off those flawless creations... Ah! They really are god's masterpiece."

It's odd to be both touched and petrified at that sensual little speech of hers, but it's what the manager's feeling at the moment.

A few knocks on the door earns the manager's attention. He spares a glance at y/n, granting the permissions for the interrupter to come in.

It's Asami, the cashier. "Ah, sorry for intrusion; but can you dismiss y/n? We're short-staffed today because Amane is on her day off, so we really need y/n right now"

The manager actually feels at ease. He's not sure if he wants to keep up with this conversation, so he might as well grab the opportunity to free himself from this state. "Sure, we will continue this later"

With a small bow, the woman exits the office, heading to counter while fixing her apron. Asami hurriedly shoves the coffee tray in her hand. "C'mon c'mon, take this coffee to table three. He's been waiting for almost fifteen minutes"

Table three. It's placed at the corner of the café that has dim lights, and doesn't really stand out. It's the perfect place for lovey dovey couples, and also for someone who wants to avoid attention.

As the woman approaches the table, the sight of the brunette catches her eye. She can only see his back, but only from that she can tell how uncomfortable he's due to his figure being so stiff, something that scarcely happened to her when she was... him.

She keeps smiling. The atmosphere is so drastic yet she doesn't lose any bit of her calm, placing the coffee on the table. The man looks up from the table and stares at the woman, looking shocked. It's not like he didn't expect her here— he was actually waiting for her to deliver her order; he just isn't used to seeing his own body standing in front of him.

"Well hello there, y/n" The woman flashes him a soft smile. "To what do I own the pleasure?"

The mans expression is not surprised anymore. There are fade shades of anger and threat in his eyes, and he looks like he's about to pull out a gun from his pocket and kill her right on the spot.

"We need to talk."

"There you are, you bandage wasting machine"

Bandage wasting machine. A name that he's been called ever since he woke up from coma.

Y/n does not expect to be called by his own name, but being called by a name rather than insults is not much to ask for.

Kunikida has been keeping an eye on you since the day you opened your eyes from your long, stressing sleep. He is always monitoring your actions carefully, shoving the medicine in your mouth claiming that you'll lie about taking it again, suspiciously asking you if your report was written by yourself or you made poor Atsushi to do it again, repeatedly saying you have smacked your head against a wall or something...

This Dazai person must have been a real pain in the ass, and now that she's got a hold of your body, you're not very eager to take it back; because god knows what hell of a mess is waiting for you in your own life.

You couldn't come up with any other excuse better than coming down with sudden amnesia. It was stupid and typical, but strangely, they all bought it. It wasn't even luck— you strongly doubt that luck is in anyway involved with this person, but it was weird how a couple of as sharp as a tack detectives believed your crap, since you've never been much of a skillful liar.

Not that you're exactly complaining though.

Looking to your left, your eyes set on the white-haired boy's sympathetic smile. He's been the most considerate one around, the only person that never gives you a hard time and is the only normal person around here.

Ah, normality.

You have to do many things to seem normal. You have to carry a suicide book that gives you the creeps literally everywhere with you, have to wear a roll of bandages although your skin itches underneath them and you're tired of replacing them with new one— which is something that Dazai herself probably avoided to, in the mornings, you have to annoy the poor blonde man and mess with his habit of writing down everything in his apparently pricey book; and these are not a peace of cake to you, at all.

Yet you have no choice but to play along with the rhythm.

Kunikida's voice takes you out of zone, bringing you back to reality. "I'm heading to a mission with Atsushi. Since all the other employees are off to do their own tasks and no one's here, I need to make sure that you'll be alright by yourself"

You really want to protest and give him an earful; but honestly, can you even blame him? Dazai wouldn't be alright by herself. She probably would set the whole building on fire and by the time his coworkers arrive there would be nothing but ashes left.

"...You've been acting odd lately. Decent, responsible, it's not really you. I hope it's not one of your stupid tactics before a suicide attempt"

The guy is just worried about his friend.

Although he just mentioned that your acting skill haven't been up to much, you don't hold back from smiling at your— no, his colleague. "I'm alright, Kunikida. I am thankful for your concern, but nothing's going on. I guess I'm just... ah... trying to be a better version of myself? You know... since I nearly died and now I value life..."

A pile of crap indeed. Dazai Is probably asking women to commit suicide with her at the moment. You won't be surprised if you find yourself to be known as a lesbian when you get back into your own body.

Kunikida won't buy it, you think to yourself; but the knot on his eyebrows slowly fading away prove you wrong.

"I certainly hope that's the case... Well then, we're off"

After a week, you're finally alone by yourself.

There's nothing much to do around here. You don't understand anything of their work and you try not to get involved as much as possible. It's obvious that Dazai was good at what she did since people are looking up to you to get back to work, but you aren't Dazai. You're just a barista.

You get up and stretch your arms, deciding to give the café downstairs a visit. At least there are some people there and you don't have to be alone in this dangerous place anymore. God knows what kind of ability user will barge in and take your head. You're aware of Dazai's nullifying ability and you know martial arts yourself, but none of them would be enough to stop the trespasser, or at least that's what you think.

As you take the stair to the first floor, your first time at the café comes into your mind. Kunikida told you to act decent— no, it was more like threatening you not to flirt with the waitress or he will roll up his sleeves and have the honor of beating the shit out of your ass himself.

All you know is that Dazai was a playboy, an irresponsible man who never took care of himself and made everyone else worry about him, a smarty pants who apparently had a lot of enemies after his blood, and basically, a menace to the society.

"Welcome, Mr. Dazai"

It's the waitress, standing behind the counter with a warm smile. She looks as pretty and lively as always, making you suddenly wonder if you can actually blame Dazai for setting his eyes on her. She was gorgeous.

"Is there anything you would like to eat?"

Kunikida always picked up the tab, so it actually feels weird to come here alone. You're usually the one who prepares the orders, not the other way around.

"Some tea would be nice" "I will get it right away"

The waitress heads to the kitchen after politely nodding, leaving you alone with your thoughts. How did this even happen in the beginning? How long are you going to be in this body? Is there anyway to get back? Or are you trapped here for the rest of your life? Because that would be a nightmare. The salary here is higher than it was in your previous job, but you don't know what to do here. This position isn't made for you. All you can do is just helping out regular employees to organize paperwork, but that still won't save you from being a target. Everything is risky here.

Ability users scare you. You've never been involved with one before, and now you're literally one of them. It's a huge step. Too much.

"Here's your tea sir"

The small sound caused by the cup placing on the wooden counter is delightful.

"Thank you! How much is it?"

Oh.

Dread finds its way to the woman's face as he turns back to look at you with disbelief and shock.

Great. What the fuck did I do this time?

"You... want to... pay?"

You're now as shocked as her. It can't be... so this dumbass never paid for himself?

"Eh... yes"

"Oh that's great news!" She sounds a little too happy. "I was actually going to mention the life insurance again, but it's great to see you finally deciding to pay!"

Dazai... I'm going to murder you.

You beam modestly, taking a sip from the cup.

"In that case... Will you also pay your debt anytime soon?"

The damn drink shoots out of your mouth. Of course there's a debt.

You literally want to slam your head against the wall, but something stops you. This Dazai person has a lot of shit going on. Maybe you could help her a bit by helping her to get out of the red. Thankfully, it's the beginning of the month and your credit card is not empty yet; so you reach out for your wallet, happy with this charity-like gesture as you open it to hand in the money.

"I will. How much should I pay?"

"Thank you so much for finally doing this! Well, the total of your six months debt comes to..."

Your jaw drops.

"What?"

The waitress flashes you a weird look. She was surprised when you didn't hit on her like you— Dazai usually did, and how your attitude has changed so much, but you are still intelligent, right? You must've known that your debt is huge since you didn't pay for your meals for six months.

Except that you don't have a clue about anything, and you're literally about to rage.

"How— What— When— Are you fucki— That's what I make in almost a year! Just— Bye!"

You run. You just run out of the café, humiliated. You know where you're going. Oh, you gotta inform her that she has one more enemy now. You're going strangle her. You're going to kill her! You don't even care if that would be in her favor because she'll get to die by the hands of you, a woman. Can you even be counted as a woman anymore?

Fuck this shit. I'm gonna give her a peace of my mind.

Which brings you to your current situation.

Dazai is looking at you with an annoying smirk, and you don't know if you want to punch your own face or not.

"Sit the fuck down, you fucking creep"

All rights reserved © 2023 AshTheMadWriter. Please do not copy, repost, translate, or modify my works on any platform.

Tag List:

@pussydrunkfyodor @celestair @hey-comrade-hold-stil @echo28 @voyagewiththesatan @a-fanatic-fangirl-requests @xxseiraxx @dazaiwuzhere @bluerskiees @dazaisusedtampon @silverbladexyz @gslgsydyodyodoyd @otherworldly--dreamer @dazvia @cowsforkenji @ryokuryuu @thebirdsworkfortheboswazeee @winesupermacy5158 @whossuzy @iillusionsxbay @witchl0ve @circinuus @imkumichan @simplysm1le @minteraysolo @levii-s @heart-an0n @mina7777 @seoksao @hesterinias @n-akaharachuuya @originalalienchaos

[kingwuko]

How is Mako when he drinks? Sleepy? Flirty? Angry? Sad? I always pictured Wu as a man who knows how to drink

Okay I have a firmly established hc that I desperately want to write as an actual fic and I've talked about it before but I love talking about it more.

Wu knows how to drink. Mako does NOT.

Mako has explicitly avoided any kind of substance that could impair him throughout his life because he has always had to be hyper vigilant and on alert to protect himself and his brother. He's never felt safe enough to drink. On the rare occasion he is expected to drink, he fakes it. So basically he has no tolerance and no practical knowledge or experience in drinking without accidentally overindulging.

Wu on the other hand has drank socially since he was old enough to do so. Probably had wine with dinner as a teenager on a number of occasions. Sipping on drinks at parties and art galleries and wine tastings. He is well aware or his limits and knows how to drink safely.

SO. After they have been together and out to at least their friends for some time, maybe they have a get together where drinks are served. A Wuko Korrasami Bopal dinner party at one of their places. And there's alcohol. And maybe one or two people are not drinking, like Asami because she's driving home or whatever. And Mako is like... Okay. Maybe I can have a couple of drinks.

Everyone is a little too excited about this. They all want to see Mako loosen up. So he's drinking some plum wine, and Asami tops off his glass when he's getting low. Korra is making a deceptively tasty mixed drink and offers him some. Bolin brought beer and goads Mako into drinking some. None of them consult with each other, so when it all hits him, it hits him fast! They're all like oops we may have over served him on accident.

Anyway all that is to say he's super loving and VERY flirty when he's drunk. The PDA goes off the charts with Wu. Also he's just like way more open about his feelings maybe he cries about how happy he is for Korra and Asami and thanks Opal for being so good for Bolin and throws out so many 'I love you Bo's.

It's all very funny and sweet until Mako leans in to whisper to Wu all the things he wants Wu to do to him when they're alone. But he's drunk so he has no control over the volume of his voice and EVERYONE hears. This is the first anyone learns Mako bottoms 🤣

Korra is like uh what

Asami is like you know what that tracks

Bo is like I DID NOT NEED TO KNOW THAT

Maybe Wu has been drinking a little but not much and he is just like "oh Mako my big tough guy we are not doing any of that tonight you need to sleep this off."

Mako remembers nothing the next morning 🤣🤣🤣

[wishingforatypewriter]

Day 7: Stranger (Yuna feat. Baby Yasuko)

Written for Day 7 of my oc challenge. This one focuses on Yuna, the mother of Yasuko Sato and Asami's maternal grandmother.

From a very early age, Yuna had been taught that the way to survive this life was to expect little and accept most. So when her parents pressured her to marry Tae Joon, the green-eyed illegitimate son of a coal tycoon from the mainland, she agreed without much fuss, though he was older and prone to vice.

When Tae Joon asked for a child, she closed her eyes and imagined Minji’s deft but gentle touch in the place of his sloppy, choppy movements. Then, when Yui came and he still wanted a boy, she let him sweat on top of her until she was with child again.

And when Tae Joon’s father cut him off for squandering their allowance on high-stakes card games and tears of the pyre poppy, Yuna—still heavily pregnant with Yasuko—went to find work in an uptown hair salon, the stability that had been entirely the point ripped from beneath her.

She endured and endured, and likely would have kept it up until the day the sages lit her funeral pyre. But when she came home one day and found baby Yasuko crawling out onto the fire escape and her husband—who had no task but to watch her—slumped over on the couch with his pipe, she knew she had reached the upper limit of what she could accept.

As she yanked her youngest back from what would have been certain death, she remembered how to feel things, how to want. And the first thing she wanted was him gone.

Everyone in Little Caldera knew about Smoke and Mirrors, the base of the Agni Kais, just as they knew about city hall and police headquarters. But going inside was another matter entirely. And doing so with a stroller was a third thing altogether.

Still, Yuna squared her shoulders and walked up to the bouncer.

“Are you lost, Miss?” the burly, rough faced man asked when she approached.

“No, I'm here to see Sola,” she said, the name tasting of strength and danger. Of course she’d heard the stories—the smuggling ring that ran from Yue Bay to Harbor City, the councilmen who changed their votes in accordance to her whims, and of course, those who crossed her and subsequently disappeared.

“You’re not on the list,” he said without bothering to check.

“Yes, well, I was hoping to get on the list. Today, in fact. Preferably before I have to pick up my other daughter and well…” Yuna fumbled around her bag for a moment before pulling out a twenty yuan banknote, which she tried handing to the bouncer. “I don't know if this helps.”

The bouncer sighed. “Lady, take that and buy your kid some milk. Can't believe I'm saying this, but whatever you need, you'd be better off going to the police.”

“The police can't help me. Not with this. Listen, if you'd just let me talk to her I'm sure—”

“The Agni Kai don't take charity cases.”

“Charity? No, I can pay. I have-”

“Miss, I'm gonna have to ask you to leave.”

Yuna had just drawn a breath to argue further when a svelte figure emerged from the smoky doorway. The woman was mainland pretty—red lipped and golden eyed with long black hair in a half topknot.

“Kazi, fuck off and let her through.”

It was somewhat jarring to hear coarse language come out of such a patrician face, but Yuna was given little time to think on it before a long painted nail was beckoning her forward.

“Come inside and have a drink,” the beautiful stranger said, and then disappeared back inside the club, certain that she would be followed.

The club was empty save for a man smoking a cigar at the end of the bar, and a lone bartender in a suit taking inventory. She had little time to take in the endless mirrors that lined the walls or the ornate banquettes with their raised circular booths before the woman in her tall boots and tight black trousers disappeared behind a red curtain.

She then gestured for Yuna to take a seat at a small round table.

“What do you drink?” she asked, walking over to a bar cart.

“Oh, I don't, really.”

“You should start,” she said, and placed a glass of some brown liquor down in front of her. “Drinking is a lot easier than getting rid of your husband.”

Yuna gasped. “H-how did you know I—”

“I know your type.” She gave a casual wave before plopping down into the chair across from Yuna, a far more generous portion of liquor in hand. “So tell me, what did he do to bring you to this point?’’

The question uncoiled something within Yuna and before she could think better of it, the whole ordeal was tumbling out of her. The fire escape and squandered fortune, the arranged marriage and the bad sex, getting caught with Minji and never feeling that same desire for a man, no matter how she tried. At one point she started weeping and was handed a red handkerchief embroidered with a golden sun.

“I'm sorry.” Yuna sniffled towards the end of her tale. “I'm normally not like this, but I just can't have him around my girls anymore.”

The woman sighed, drumming her long fingernails on the table. “The going rate for what you're asking is five thousand yuan. It'd be cheaper to do it yourself. There's an apothecary down on Port Street who keeps arsenic in the back.”

Yuna's brow furrowed. “I don't want Tae Joon dead. I just want him far away from my daughters and I.”

“Dead is cheaper. And more effective on the whole.”

Yuna chewed at her lower lip. “He's their father, I can't…”

“Fifteen thousand and he never sets foot in Republic City again. Half now. Half when he's gone.”

“Right. The thing is I only have three thousand—”

“Oh, sweetheart—”

“But I was hoping that if I could talk to Sola, maybe…” The smile that grew on the woman's face was enough to still Yuna's heart in her chest.

“And just who do you think you've been talking to this whole time? Princess Azula?”

Yuna blinked once, twice, her face going red. “Oh. Oh.”

“You're funny,” the stranger—Sola—said, chuckling. “I like you. Fuck it. Three thousand and a favor someday.”

“Thank you!” Yuna said, more tears threatening to spill. “Thank you for helping me. You won't regret it.”

“I regret it already.” She took a sip of her drink. “Go pick up your other kid. I'll handle the rest.”