#let's sink the Wani

[muffinlance]

Wait, what’s going on with Embers???? That fic has been on my read later list since 2021, what’s happened with it???

Brief overview, then I'm likely never touching this topic again, because this is not a Drama Blog:

Context: Embers is a super old AtLA fic that was written during the early fandom days, read widely at the time, and was the origin of the widely-used fanon name of "Wani" for Zuko's ship (kind of by default that it was one of the first popular fics to give his ship a name, I think?), even though most fic writers don't seem to realize it's from there anymore.

"What's Going On": I used to include a link in all my stories to it, because I believe in crediting other writers for borrowed elements, and I was using "Wani" in all my fics. But BOY did I not want to be sending readers that way anymore, so I've adopted a new name for Zuko's ship, and removed all Embers links.

None of the criticisms about Embers itself are new; I'm assuming they date back to when the fic was being written, because this isn't an "it aged badly" thing, this is an "actually yeah this gets worse the longer you think about it and I shouldn't have ignored my bad feelings just because some of the worldbuilding was interesting" thing.

An Incomplete List of Why I Made the Change:

I don't actually like the story that much anymore, and don't want to rec it

I tried to re-read it recently to see if some things were as bad as I remembered and it turns out they were So Much Worse Oh Yikes. More specifically, the treatment of Katara and Aang and their respective cultures has... rather a lot going on. One example: The Fire Nation and Air Nomads are both given multiple backstory elements in an attempt to make the average Fire Nation soldier's participation in the genocide/war in large part the fault of the Avatar and the Air Nomads themselves, and also fully justified from the Fire Nation perspective. And I do mean fully. One of its core tenants is "People from the Fire Nation (and only people from the Fire Nation) who don't follow orders Literally Die, therefore murdering pacifists and babies and continuing the war (and their regularly scheduled war crimes) is the only thing it is physically possible for them to do". I cannot emphasize enough how literal that is.

Also the name "Wani" means "Alligator" and is... objectively a pretty lame name for Zuko's ship? Where's the personality, where's the deeper meaning, where's the resonance with Zuko's themes? @tuktukpodfics initially thought I was calling the ship "Wanyi", and that's what I've switched to, because it is Objectively So Much Better. In their words: “Wànyī (萬一): Literally ‘one in ten thousand,’ ‘perchance.’ Used grammatically in Chinese to mean ‘what if’ or ‘just in case.’ I think a ship called ‘The Perchance’ is perfect for a boy clinging to false hope.”

TL:DR; I don't rec Embers anymore, because I don't actually like the story anymore, and there are things about it that get worse the more I think on them. I've removed links to it and renamed Zuko's ship to "Wanyi" ("The Perchance") because our boy deserves a ship name that reflects his character arc.

[pointycorgiears]

Been thinking about Crocodile and his wani obsession collection, so here's an excerpt from my most recent fic (guest-starring Dragon):

~~~~

There was a rustling in the shrubs behind them as they observed the pond. Dragon turned to look and his breath hitched as a massive form emerged from the forest with a hiss and a mouthful of dagger-like teeth. His hand slowly reached out to touch Crocodile on the arm.

Crocodile glanced at him and smirked from the wide shock in his eyes. "Heh, don't worry about it. That's just Berry Whip."

Dragon stared at him, incredulous as if the use of a name would just explain everything. He eyed the huge, pink wani again as it made its way closer to them. There was a crest shaped like a strawberry on its head, explaining the bright, rosy magenta color. It aligned its long maw with Crocodile's right hand, nudging him softly with its snout and lifting his arm up over its teeth. Crocodile gave a hard scratch on the scales of its face and the creature gave a rumbling purr-growl in return.

"This is...a pet?" a perplexed Dragon asked.

"This is the float matriarch," Crocodile replied, and Dragon couldn't believe the grin on his face as he spoke. "She's in charge of the lake, the whole island really. She helps with the hatchlings, teaches them how swim and hunt. If they sink to the bottom, she pushes them back to the surface or lets them sit in her mouth til they figure it out."

"That's...amazing," Dragon said as he watched Crocodile continue to run his only hand dangerously close to the enormous teeth. He became aware of the bright yellow eyeball, level with Crocodile's shoulder, watching him intently. He tried not to look at it directly. "She appears to be quite docile."

"She's my little gal," Crocodile said happily.

Dragon raised his brow. "Little?"

"I found her right after the battle at Marineford. She was a runt that got lost from her float. Kept her in my coat pocket everywhere Daz and I went. She started growing once we got settled down here. Now she's the boss. Aren't you, Berry?"

Crocodile scratched the wani right above her lip. He held her lower jaw with his hook as her mouth opened wide, allowing him to inspect her teeth. A full grown man could have laid flat on his back on her tongue and still have room to move around. A loud rumble emanated from deep in the abyss-like throat and Dragon subconsciously stepped back.

Crocodile laughed as he sensed Dragon's apprehension behind him. "Don't worry, she's friendly! She's just saying hello. She won't bother you as long as you have my scent."

"I see."

The large mouth closed, rows of teeth joining seamlessly together in one soft chomp. Crocodile scratched the wani's head, leaning over her eye and planting a firm kiss on the scaly ridge leading to her crest. The yellow eye slowly blinked and Dragon swore he saw the corner of her mouth turn upward in a smile.

~~~~

Fun fact: Berry Whip got her name from a Snickers bar.

You can read my dragodile fic here.

[empressgeekt]

Trolls - Accidental Knight and the end of the world (Field of Forget-me-nots au - what if?) -PART 5!!!!

Okay, so this is a what if off of second movie of the FoF au (this post), where Barb won. This was inspired by the fic "The Beginning of the End" by AnimationFan2006 on Ao3. Pls go give it a read. I highly recommend that anyone go to look at the rest of the Field of Forgetmenots au. And I had to split it in half because I posted the first one at 2:00 am. Here is that first post! and here's part 2 and here's part 3 and here's part 4

Entering Bergen town is terrifying. For the Puttputts and Brozone at least. The bounty hunters are a little cautious, while Demo and Jovi are curious. When the get to the gates, Poppy and Branch exit Rhonda (much to their siblings stress) and talk to the gaurds, who are very accommodating, calling them, "Her majesty and Captain". Inside of Rhonda several trolls are two steps away from a panic attack, and Viva is straight up having and episode that Jovi is talking her through. Demo is confused as to why they were freaking out so much, so Bruce gives him and the hunters the run down. Demo is more freaked out then Tresillo and Wani since they've had to deal with giants before. Keith calls the hunters cool, and breaks Brozone's spirit. Branch and Poppy get back on board, claiming they have a meeting with the king and that if the puttputts are worried about going in they can wait for a minute while they talk to Gristle. They take this deal with the Snackpack (minus Cooper and D) staying with them for comfort

Bridget is helping Brandy in the kitchen, with Synth playing the sudsy sink as they clean dishes, when she hears the news. Trolls had come knocking on the gate, Poppy was back. Bridget ran out of the kitchen and into the throne room just as Rhonda ran in. The group of trolls that exit the critter, look exhausted, and some of them don't resemble the trolls that Bridget is familiar with, but she knows her friend. Poppy looked so worn, black and grey streaked in her hair, with heavy bags in her eyes, but she still stood so tall and strong. Those pink eyes are dull, but a small twinkle comes back when she sees Bridget. The BFFs reunite with Bridget picking Poppy up and letting the troll squeeze her finger in the closest thing they can have to an embrace. It doesn't last long however, as pink troll with blond hair starts screaming and uses a gummy hand to attack at Bridget, yanking on her hand almost making poppy fall. Branch restrains her and nodded to someone else in the group to get the troll back inside.

Poppy is a little embarrassed but Bridget is an angel when the issues are explained. Gristle, Branch and Keith get a quick "Sup", and it's down to business. Introductions are given, and mostly Gristle is baffled on how someone manages to have five children in the first place in reaction to brozone After that Poppy is quick to explain the conflict between the tribes and how it has spilled out. She askes that they hide out in the city until they have a next move. Gristle agrees immediately, after all the pop tribe is their allies and it isn't the first refugees they've opened up their city too. Bruce hones in on Refugees and gets enough courage to ask where their from, and when Gristle says Vacay island hope swells up in him.

The next few days are spent recovering. Bruce gets reunited with his family and tries to pull his brothers in on it. Though, Branch seems to be resistant and cold towards all of them. Speaking of the Scarred troll asked Wani and Tresillo to teach him their fighting tactics, much to his elder sibling's objections (which only seems to make Branch push them away further). Viva and most of the puttputts are staying closer to where the vacayioners live simple because they can't handle seeing a bergen without a panic attack.

Eventually the question of what to do next is asked, and well while there was one clear answer "Stop Barb" it would be hard to understand how to go about it. They can't kill the Rock Zombies they didn't choose this. Demo explains how strings basically forced a connection to Rock music onto them and since it was unwilling and unnatural it twisting up their minds. Question is how do they break that connection. Clearly it's possible with Branch being patient zero. Branch explains that it was all rage, and he didn't even realize what was going on, so there was no fighting against the powercord spell.

JD: so how did you break out?

Jovi:...he died...

Branch:...I'm going to need you to elaborate...

Jovi goes onto explain that music can only link with something living. Branch's heart stopped when he drowned in the river. Sure, he was brought back but the link to all music was broken. In fact Branch didn't even get his colors back until after singing Keith to sleep. It's a good theory, however they can't exactly go around drowning every zombie and bring them back. Too risky too time consuming. John askes if they actually need to kill them or just break the connection to the powercord. Demo answers the latter, is the most likely. But how do that?

Once more Jovi chimes in, though this time he is far more sheepish. He claims he knows a way, but doesn't like it. The Celtic Tribe have something called "The river of Silence" though it is more of a ocean current in reality. The water that flows through it has and interesting effect on trolls. It drains them of their color and natural connection to music on contact. It's actually used as punishment, Celtic trolls who step out of line are doused with the water, rendering them grey and mute before being locked in the dungons. Everyone his horrified, but Jovi assures them it can be reversed, a potion brewed of honey and Trolling's Breath Flowers is enough to break it. Branch does not like it, He knows what it's like to be grey, but its better then killing the poor trolls. Dousing the Zombies might be their only shot. Poppy is on Branch's thought process and asks Jovi if he can take them to Frost Point. Jovi says they can try, but he doesn't think that the Celtics will help them. Poppy remains undeterred.

However another issue is quickly brought up after this. They don't have enough troops to take down Barb's army. Even once the Zombies are taken out of the picture. Bergentown is too small to have anything other then a small guard shift. Vacay island has fallen, and all the other tribes have been taken over. Well, not all of them, as Tresillo claims. The Showtunes Tribe had survived all these centuries too. Like Celtic, it wasn't part of the original string treaty, however it was due to being a nomadic based society that told stories through their songs. They never stayed in one place for long during that period before the great split, but at some point in the passed 200 years had settled down. Wani and Tresillo sometimes took jobs from them and they did have an extensive army, and something that might be able to go toe to toe with the powerchord. The ThunderClap. A unified applause that is rumored to smash mountains.

They also had no weaponry, but Prince D steps up saying that Vibe City was still intact. Powered down but intact they could get weaponry and other machines to help them there.

From that point a plan is set.

Poppy, Jovi, Wani, Viva and Tresillo, would journey North to Frost Point to get aid from the Celtic trolls. The funk twins along with most of the snack pack would head to the ruins of vibe city. While Branch and his brothers, plus Demo, head over to the Auditorium Isles, to hopefully get help from the Showtunes tribes. With the children and the Puttputts left in the care of Cloud Guy, the Vacationers, and Bergens

For now we'll follow Poppy and her possie. The journey to Frost Point is dangerous, the Celtic Tribe lives on a seastack far into the northern oceans, were the waters are deep and so cold that you're hair could freeze on contact with the waves. But before that they would have to run through the forests and mountains that rested between the coast and bergentown. Wani, and Tresillo are really the ones leading the group during this leg, being more experienced with the outside world. Viva is really clingy thought out the trip, and jittery, she's terrified to lose her sister, however watching as Poppy braves this journey with pride and discolored hair, she can't help but feel proud and inspired. Poppy was a far better queen, then she would ever be. It makes her want to pull herself together, and actually pull her weight.

Eventually they reach the coast, and find a small ship yard town, called Miner Key. Poppy is surprised to see trolls of all kinds living there. Jovi explains that this is a pirate town, people who are rejects from their tribes, either banished or left willingly, gather here to trade goods and make money, or steal from others. Jovi really takes the lead here. While Wani and Tresillo have experience in places like these, Jovi has a personal connection with Miner Key, as his father mostly used the port there, and he still connections that allows the group to hitch a ride on a ship run by Shanty Trolls, which are Basically Celtic trolls who rejected the strict rules of the tribe and struck out on their own. Poppy and Viva make sure to thank the captain of the ship, Captain Bones, and they actually end up having a conversation about the disaster at hand, the sisters surprised to here that Captain Bones isn't all that worried.

CB: Ah Lassies, The world is always ending somewhere. Let that queen come when she comes, the ocean will swallow her alive, or we'll go down making our ancestor's proud. The world never gave much of fish's worth about us anyway.

Poppy is not please to hear about inter-tribe conflicts that Celtic had even before the String were a thing, and considering she hadn't been the most open listener lately, she takes it upon herself to learn about the shanties the crew sing as they sail. However none of the crew will speak about their bio tribe, so Jovi is the one to instructs her the most. Celtic music is about tradition and purity, making sure that things are done the right way. Songs are mostly sung during chores or celebrations to remember those of old and keep on task. and while Shanty is much looser, she still saw that focusing aspect in action when they get caught in a storm and the crew sings as they hoist the ropes and sails.

Frost Point is an intimidating sight. The sea stack stretches high into the clouds, with homes and docks of the lower levels dipping down until reaching the docks where water met stone. The dock works are chanting as they arrive ("Valhalla calling me") and the deep voices and strength they display as they work is rather frighting in a way. thought Poppy has to admire at how pretty Celtic trolls are. They weird long robes, sharp ears, and gleaming horns and wings that glittered in the little sun light. Shanty trolls are bio celtic, but they wear capes over they wings to keep them safe from salt water, and their horns are broken and scuffed from battles over booty. There are two pale purple, Celtic trolls waiting for them on the Docks, Heather and Holly, Jovi's cousins who agreed to host them during the visit.

Heather's home is warm and welcoming, filled with children, and her husband who's a carpenter offer's gifts and the master bedroom to the royal pop sisters as per tradition when it comes to hosting those of higher rank. Poppy tries to decline, but Jovi just tells her to go with it, since this was a mellow as Celtic's get in terms of treating a royal guest. And that's just the first of many culture shocks Poppy learns about the celtics during the night. Heather is Holly's older sister, and they both have another sister and three female cousins, however they are not in contact as when Celtic's marry the bride leaves to live in her husband's home. The only reason that Holly had left yet was because she was merely betrothed not married, but she would be come spring much to her dread. Poppy is confused about her not happy about getting married until she learns that the groom bought her and Holly doesn't have a choice. The entire concept of a brideprice is baffling, like Holly is a person you can't buy a person. However to Celtics females are considered lesser and need to be under custody of a male, Holly's uncle is the current head of their family, and when he passed the role will be given Heather's husband as she she's the eldest daughter. Her uncle was forced into a corner by holly's future in-laws and they had to agree to the betrothal. Come spring now that Holly was of age she's be married off. It really pisses Poppy off, but she can't force her ideals on everyone she knows that now, but she still offers Holly a place in Pop village if she wants it. Heather, holly, Heather's husband, Jovi and even the uncle are very grateful, none of them like the groom to be either, and Poppy offers for them to come too.

Sadly, things only get harder from here. King Thor is very traditionalist, and while he'll entertain a meeting with foreign Queen, he does not take her pleads seriously as she is unwed. He invites her to dinner party, to basically show off, and Poppy is not impressed especially when she learns this muffin head has seven wives, three of which are pregnant and half his age. They preform the song "The Willow Maid" for him and it as beautiful as it was weirded Poppy out. Poppy continues to ask about the River of Silence, however is brushed off by everyone except the eldest wife, Queen Delphi. The pale blue Celtic troll actually tries to get her husbands' attention on the matter, however he shoves her off, calling her a barren hag. Eventually Poppy's frustration boils over after Jovi is wrongfully accused of stealing something, and Viva has to dodge a creepy dude at the party, and King Thor sends her to the prison after claiming she's drunken herself to hysterics.

The prison turns out the be in the bowels of the sea stack and made of solid ice. While Jovi isn't that bothered, the others are cuddling to stave off the cold. Poor Tresillo's hands are too numb to try and pick the lock. Poppy hair got stiff from the temp so she can't under her hair to break out. Some part of her can't help but find the irony in the situation, since not too long ago, she was in jail in the desert. Only hickory wasn't here to break them out. Rather...Queen Delphi does. The eldest Queen decided to go behind her husband's back, gathering up jugs of the River of Silence, bundles of Trolling's Breath, and Jovi's family, shoving them all onto a boat run by trolls who are loyal to her alone.

When Jovi askes why she's helping them, She explains how for years she had been underneath her husband's thumb, even if he never looked at her anymore after discovering she couldn't give him children. She had been a passive Queen and she regrets that, Especially when Jovi's mother passed, they had been friends growing up, and she had wanted to take him in however Thor didn't allow it. She wouldn't stand by this time.

They get to the boat, and Poppy asks if Delphi will come with them. Delphi has to decline, while her husband has broken the vows they made to each other, Delphi would not, but she tells Poppy to live her best life and she'll make a much stronger queen then any in Frost Point. Screaming comes from above as guards and King Thor arrive, and the group casts off. Poppy watches the elder queen stand strong against the cruel man she was bound too, eventually being dunked in a left over jar of the river water they couldn't load in time, by King Thor. Her colors draining from her body and wings going limp. Poppy never forgets Delphi's bravery and sacrifice.

.....

Well this took a lot longer then expected. Sorry, we'll see what will happen with the other groups next time.

[mjrtaurus]

Ed was not happy with having to give Luffy up. At. All.

He was constantly screaming that this was a mistake. They needed to go get their baby now now NOW! He didn't care that Luffy was with Garp. He wasn't Garp's baby, he was their baby! He needed to be with his father! Viggo is wrong about Luffy not being safe with them! Ed knows Luffy would be safe! Wani would never have left them if they kept Luffy! He was their baby and they gave him away! This is horrible! This is wrong!

This is

This is...

This is all the World Government's fault.

If not for their cruel practices of cursing an entire bloodline, they would still have Luffy. They need to act now now NOW! They need to bring storms to the Red Line. They need to kill every last Celestial Dragon until their reign is nothing but a bad memory. And then they can go get Luffy and everything will be okay. They'll never have to leave their baby again.

From anxiety to blind rage to soul-crushing grief… it was the first time either Dragon or Viggo had witnessed Ed so distraught. This ugly tangle of emotions and paternal urges that they didn’t know what to do with, that they couldn’t rationalize. Why was Dragon listening to Viggo? Why was Dragon not being a father? Why did they keep letting them hurt? They’re all the same person, aren’t they? When one of them hurts, they all hurt, don’t they?

Dragon couldn’t transform for a very long time after letting Luffy go. It was too risky, Ed was too volatile to comply, and Viggo was too frozen in indecision to attempt it. Ed blamed them both and the world for it all. Viggo did his best to soothe, but… Dragon was with Ed on this one. Emotionally at least.

The Freedom Fighters are working double time, sinking warships, cutting supply lines, intercepting slaver ships, taking in refugees… and all the while Dragon is growing more and more withdrawn as Ed lashes out and Viggo matches him blow for blow.

Why can’t they fly to Mary Geoise? The Gorosei and Holy Knights would kill us. Call down all the fury of the sky, the earth, and the sea? It would kill our own. They have that power! Only if we work together. They can do this! They can’t. Dragon, Viggo, why aren’t you listening?! We are. Why are you letting this go on?! We don’t want to. Why are you hurting us?! We don’t mean to. Why do you hate us?! We don’t hate us.

We don’t hate us, right?

Right?

[chiptrillino]

1. Wamini. Get it? Wani. Mini. Wamini

2. Jee sometimes wakes up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night — lord captain is coming

3. Many pirates attacking random small ships bc easy prey get a very nasty surprise when they're sunk by the fucking fire lord of the fire nation from a boat smaller than theirs

4. Rumors spread and the fire nation advisors are going bald from stress, meanwhile ppl at sea are like naaaah. No way. Is it. No. It's a myth there's no way

(if Yue were to be alive and friends with zuko here, he'd make a stop at the north to pick her up. Get in loser we're going to sink ships or something) (yue would be great at sea)

hahah

i agree to all of this. nobody would belive that the fire lord is at sea hunting down pirates for stress relife.

one thing i am against with, why keeping yue mortal when she could cause so much trouble as the moon? yeha yeha rules and duties and balance. but the her imortal eternity barley started and la is just swiming in circles and the waves are waving, and the moon is gaining and faiding.

sure, yue shouldn't mingle with mortals affairs but she gets the need to let of steam. so who is gona complain every new moon she just like hangs out on the wamini and lures pirates to this ship?

aang: yue... seriously? yue sitting next to zuko braiding each others hair: it was fun you should join next time!!!

[jayofolympus-writes]

First Lines

Rules:  Share the first line of your last ten published works or as many as you are able to and see if there are any patterns!

I was tagged by @do-androids-dream-ao3acc, thank you!

1) Free as a Weed - The Witcher, rated G

Lambert didn’t expect to come home to Leo throwing a fit in the middle of a sunny, summer afternoon, but it honestly wasn't the strangest thing he'd walked into.

2) Shade and Shadow - The Witcher, rated T

Leo gawked out the viewport as the spaceport grew before him. It was bustling in a way that even Coruscant wasn’t.

3) Vernon Roche's Quest for the Ultimate Daddy - The Witcher, rated E

There's something missing when he's with Foltest. It feels like it's all just a game.

4) With the Smallest of Dreams (written with @frenchkey) - The Witcher, rated G

Leo’s shrieks of laughter made Geralt grin as he blew raspberries into his nephew’s cheek. It was the height of summer and they’d badgered Eskel into driving them all out to the lake for a day of fun and parent free shenanigans.

5) Let our Bodies Talk - Star Wars, rated E

Striking.

That was the first word that came to mind when Obi-Wan saw his betrothed for the first time.

6) Lights Will Guide You Home - The Witcher, rated T

It was in a tavern a little South of Spalla that Gaetan first heard of it. A manor in Toussaint where witchers were welcomed. A light shining in the window to guide them home.

7) Devour What's Truly Yours - The Witcher, rated E

If Adrien were to describe Kiyan, it would be as a feral dog, straining at a fraying leash, kept from terrible violence by only the flimsiest thread. Adrien greatly enjoyed sawing away at that rope, avidly awaiting the moment Kiyan truly let loose.

8) Dip it Like a Dairy Queen - The Witcher, rated T

They left the hotel real early to head over to Vesemir’s friend’s place, arriving while the sun was just starting to peek over the horizon. Eskel had barely slept, too wound up with nervous excitement to sleep easily.

9) your mind is playing tricks on you my dear - The Witcher, rated T

"Please don't cry."

10) Casting off Chains - AtLA, rated T

Prison wasn't the worst thing Jee had experienced - off the top of his head he'd say that watching the fleet sink under the combined force of the Avatar and the Ocean Spirit probably topped the list; and the journey to the North Pole, listening to Zhao monologue about how amazing he was ranked pretty high too, right alongside the week the whole crew of the Wani was down with monkeylizard flu - but it certainly wasn't fun.

Tagging @frenchkey, @tumbleweedtech, @sl-walker, @round--robin, @on-a-lucky-tide, and @major-trouble

[theshy1sout]

Inseparable - Chapter 15

Tags: Broppy, Slow Burn Fluff, Not rated, Trolls Mythology Au

Ao3 is here

Notes: Umm... Feel free to leave a like or a comment? xD I noticed I have many readers, but I barely got any feedback from you. Even if you don’t like it (but still read it somehow), feel free even to openly hate me xD

_______________________________________________________

- Yeah, you were right - Branch admits with a gentle smile. - That was fun.

They're leaving the little village they've just visited to check if everyone sleeps well. But Guy Diamond already was there and powdered some glitter on trolls' eyelids. The townsfolk have sweet dreams for sure.

- Chaos can be so surprising sometimes - Poppy chuckles, thinking about the last Night. - Who would expect the group of Party Goddesses?

- "Silver Party Goddesses" you wanted to say - He shakes his head with amused disbelief. - What were their names, again?

- Wani, Ari, Baby Bun - Poppy starts counting with her fingers. - Kim-Petit and... Gonbori?

- Gomdori - He corrects her. 

- Yeah

- I'm glad they came at the end of the party - He confesses. - I mean, that was fun, but I don't want to party every Night.

- Me neither, to be honest - She smiles at the stars up her head. - I really took to the calm sounds of the Night.

Branch smiles warmly, glancing at her. Their eyes meet and she adds:

- But we'll come to parties sometimes, right?

- Of course! - He beams.

- You were wild on the dance floor! 

The god explodes with a laugh.

- I was dancing just like you!

- You humble dork! You are a really great dancer! And oh my goodness, you sing so well... I mean, your voice was always so warm and calming, but when you sing, guh, you do such amazing things with your voice!

Branch blushes, feeling a bit shy. He starts rubbing his neck awkwardly.

- Well, thank you - He murmurs quietly. - I always thought that your voice is... Well, angelic. Sound, soft, melody. I just had your beautiful voice to harmonize with at the party, that's all I can say.

He corrects his cape near his neck and finally looks into her eyes. Her cheeks are magically charming with a rose blush decorated by her sparkling freckles.

- Aww - She smiles tenderly at him. He looks away with an awkward smile.

- And now we're all red and shy - He chuckles shyly.

- Yeah, now we're all red - The pink goddess grins.

- There has to be some medicines for that or something - He rubs his face. - It's ridiculous to turn all shy every time we complement each other. No one reacts like that!

- I don't know - She smiles at him sweetly and grabs his arm. - I like it this way. We are dorkly original.

He gazes into her joyful eyes, being so close now. His cheeks get warmer, of course. Her wide smile forces him to smile back. A deep, glad sigh escapes from his lungs.

- You are so adorable - He says warmly.

- And you are so handsome - She whispers playfully.

Branch giggles. 

They walk like that for a while. The long sandy road guides them in the dark,coniferous forest. One of the stops on their way. The god of the Night has to check here if critters are in their homes, caves, minks, hollows, and nests. He always needs to find every lost one and helps them. Being in a safe and warm place during the Night is really important. So the moment they arrive at the woods, they split up, walking around and making sure if every critter is in their place. It's Branch's job of course, but they started sharing their responsibilities more and more during the last months, doing almost everything together. It has one, really attractive advantage - they do their jobs much quicker, so they have much more time to waste with each other.

Therefore, Poppy's part is to find lost ones in the woods when Branch is tending sleeping animals. She walks around the whole forest, but luckily this area is empty. No one got lost here. She comes back to the god, finding him near to a little hollow in the big pine tree. 

- No one gets lost or hurt here? - The god guesses, when she stands by his side.

- No - She tilts her head aside with curiosity. - Is that a squirrel hollow? Can I take a look?

- Sure - He makes space for her and invites her with a hand gesture. She stands on her toes to peek in the hollow.

The squirrels are sleeping peacefully, gathered in one place. The biggest one is surrounding its offsprings with a long, fluffy, deep orange tail. Little squirrel's children are squatting, hiding their noses in their parent's belly. 

- What are they doing? - Poppy asks.

- They're sharing warmth - She hears Branch's answers behind her. - I like to call it "hug". Or "cuddle". They are lying really close to each other and keep the warmth between them. All animals do that during the Night.

- Why? - She frowns.

- Why?? - He sounds really surprised. - It's really cold during the Night! Don't you notice that? They can freeze if they are not with their close ones.

Poppy is still staring at the little squirrel balls. Their tiny, orange muzzles show comfort and serene peace. They all look safe and happy. She can't take her eyes off them, they are so adorable.

- Why is the Night so cold? - She asks another innocent question with the purest curiosity in her voice.

- How is it possible you don't know that? - His voice is a bit impatient now. - The Night is cold because I am cold. 

The goddess finally turns to him. She blinks, tilting her head like a surprised puppy.

- But why? Why are you cold?

Branch heaves a sigh, slouching a bit.

- I just am - He looks aside. He sounds a bit disappointed in himself. - I always was. 

- You feel it? Do you feel cold? - She peers worryingly at his face. - I mean, are you freezing? It has to be unpleasant...

He shrugs his shoulders blankly.

- Yeah, but I got used to it.

She steps close to him. She's always warm, even during the Night, so she just didn't realize what Branch can feel. How horrible is to always be so cold and not be able to do something with it? She remembers his touch, she knows how cold he is. And she knows, he doesn't like to be cold at all. Her every touch makes him calm, blessed... He desires warmth so much.

- So that's why you always wear your cape? - She asks.

Now the god chuckles at her innocent question.

- It's funny that you noticed those only now. I thought it was so obvious for y...

Branch stops with his eyes wide open. It hits him sharply. The soft warmth, the scent of the wildflowers, shiver on his back... He loses his breath. Her little arms embrace him around, place on his back, little warm hands on his back, under his cape, her heated soft beating chest on his chest, fast strongly beating heart, her chin on his cold shoulder, and her cheek pressing gently into his...

- What are you doing - He blows weakly. His arms, wide open, get lost, and freeze lifted in the air.

- I share my warmth with you - He hears her sweet shaking whisper right in his ear. - I'm hugging you. What is it like?

He blinks. He still tries to get his lost senses together. Poppy is... Poppy is everywhere. So close. Her warmth hits him from every possible direction. His whole body desperately absorbs it like a thirsty animal in the desert. Her soft warm touch... It makes him melt and shiver, it makes him burn and calm down, it fills him like empty vas, it fills him with unknown feelings, it makes him forget about the whole world, about himself, about everything. All he knows now is the warm arms of the pink goddess around him and her sweet scent in his nose...

His breath gets calm and deep. He carefully puts his free hand on her back. She's so little, so fragile, his fingers cover almost the whole of her back. Her skin is so delightful to touch, soft like silk. Oh, her supple body clings to his, surrounds him. The sweet, fragrant cage, the exitless trap of her arms... He closes his eyes, sinking into an infinity abyss of bliss.

- It... - He tries to answer her question from the last minutes, but his mind is still dizzy with feelings. His whispering voice turns husky and low. - It's... Let's just say... Please, never let go of me...

Poppy chuckles softly into his ear, making him quiver again. She nestles up to him even tighter, and he starts wondering how it's even possible to be even closer, to touch even more, to feel even deeper... Their hearts beat like one, their chests breath in a common rhythm. They freeze like that, in the middle of the warmest moment in their life.

Branch sighs blissfully. He corrects his grasp on the Staff. Now the hand on it is the only quite cold part of him. He wishes he had both hands free. He wishes he could just leave the Staff somewhere for a while... He wishes he could embrace Poppy with both of his arms, trapping her in him, and never let go if she doesn't refuse. Oh, is there any limit of intimacy? 

His nose gets stuck in her silken strawberry pink hair and he breathes in her warm scent. Oh, how amazing she is, she’s a huge mysterious world he can explore endlessly. An ocean without the bottom, he can dive in and never come back, swimming down deeper and deeper and never looking back. He can't ever get enough and equally he always has much more than he could even wish, than he could ever dream or imagine. His nose gets deeper in the sea of her beautiful hair till it touches her warm neck. It makes her skin shiver, it forces a sudden pleasant sigh of her. Branch smiles. So she likes to be touched here.... But he doesn't move anymore. Even if he wants to, he feels his body weak and strong, burning and melting, his heart can explode if he moves even the slightest step closer. He stays where he is, and he doesn't need more in his entire life. Just to be. To be a man in Poppy's arms. 

Neither of them knows how long they are cuddling. Maybe an hour, maybe a half. But also neither wants to push others away. They cling to each other, feeling so safe. They're in hog heaven. Calm, but also burning. They're all heated. Much warmer than Poppy was at the beginning. Sharing the warmth makes them both warmer somehow...

The goddess heaves another deep, content sigh. Her hand gently strokes his back under his cape.

- We should finish - She murmurs into his shoulder.

Branch purrs lingeringly as if he misses her at the very thought of letting her go. He fondles her neck gently with his nose, snuggling his face. Her hands on his back grab his shirt and clench into it.

- Branch... - She breathes out shakingly, during another deep sigh. She puts her chin on his shoulder to be more hearable. - Really... I really enjoy this... But your responsibilities... We need to stop...

He chuckles softly into her ear.

- It's you who is hugging me, sweetheart... - He whispers warmly, with a tender smile she can't see.

Poppy heaves a sigh one last time. She slowly, unwillingly leaves his arms. She steps back and immediately loses her balance. The god grabs her arm, stopping her from falling. She staggers a bit until she stands on her leg. She puts her hands on her face and then sinks her fingers into her hair.

- I'm so dizzy - She mumbles, squinting.

- So am I - He chuckles dorkly, staggering and then lying down with the Staff.

- What are you doing? - The goddess giggles, getting on her knees next to him.

- I'm drunk - He confesses, gazing adoringly into her eyes with such a wide smile. - Drunk with you.

She rubs her cheeks, smiling at him.

- You are so cute and handsome... - She whispers purringly.

- And you are so stunningly beautiful and adorable... - He replies with a low, husky voice.

They gaze at each other tenderly, until Poppy chuckles sweetly.

- Look, we don't turn red! - She points out, giggling.

Branch laughs heartily, closing his eyes. For the first time in his life, the ground under him is colder than him. He's warm. He's really warm. He laughs with happiness inside him. He's so purely happy.

Then, the sudden sound of clearing someone's throat interrupts their laughs. They both look up at the orange god who appears in front of them out of nowhere.

- Can I ask you what are you doing? - Gust frowns at them with puzzlement.

- We're nuts - Branch giggles. - There are so many weird things about us. You don't want to know. Just keep walking.

- Branch! - Poppy laughs, covering her eyes with her hand with amusement.

- Actually, I'd like to know - The god of the Order looks at them calmly. - King Peppy sent me to you to ask why the Night became warm.

Indeedly, the world around, even if still covered by the blanket of Darkness, feels warm. Not as warm as during the Day, but not cold at all. It is really nice temperature, the grasshoppers sing happily on the nearby meadow.

- It's her fault - The blue god points at the pink goddess next to him. She shrugs her shoulders, grinning.

- Well, how to say it - She chuckles. - I shared my warmth with Branch.

- She's amazing.

- I know, I know. And now we're both kinda drunk.

- We didn't drink. We were just hugging.

- Basically, we have no idea how we work.

- We work amazingly for me - He smiles at her dreamily as if Gust isn’t there.

Poppy giggles. She points at Branch, turning to the god of the Order.

- See? Just look at him, isn't that the most charming and taking smile in the world?

The blue god sits up.

- Disagree! Your smile is the most adorable, breath-taking and mesmerizing miracle that could happen on the Earth.

- Ok, stop - Gust chuckles awkwardly, lifting open hands with the peace-offering gesture. - This... I don't know what's happening with you two, but you seem to have some sort of fun, so I'm going to tell King Peppy that everything is great.

- Yeah, It is great - Poppy smiles dreamily.

- Super great - Branch adds, lying down again.

- One thing - The god of the Order says with a bit firmer tone. - The Staff. The Gold Sphere should not lie on the ground.

The god of the Night turns his head to the side and glances at the Staff in his hand. He drops his dorky smile and blinks. Reminding him about his responsibilities sets him up. He stands up straight, brushing his clothes down with one hand. He corrects his grip on the Staff, dusting the Gold Sphere off a bit. It is so fragile, so fragile that a slight hit can crack it. He should never forget to care about It. He clears his throat shyly, seeing Poppy standing up next to him out of the corner of his eye.

- Sorry - He says, looking down a bit ashamed. 

- It's okay - Gust smiles at them comfortingly. - Just be more careful about It. 

Branch nods with a serious face.

- Farewell - The orange god says and disappears, just like Immortals like to do.

- Well, that was embarrassing - Poppy announces, turning to her company. She frowns with surprise. - And what are you doing now?

Branch is unclenching his cape, trying to take it off with one hand.

- I feel warm, I don't need this anymore - He throws the cape on her shoulders.

- Hey, I don't need it either!

- But  you want it - He smirks at her, trying to lay the cape on her with only one hand.

- Branch! - She giggles, grabbing the edges of the fabric. - It's huge!

- Let me see you in it - He steps back and views her slowly. Poppy giggles and puts the hoodie on her head. She rubs the fabric across her cheek and smells it.

- Okay, agree, I want it - She admits. - It smells like you.

- And how do I smell? - He chuckles.

The goddess looks aside, smiling shyly.

- Like the woods, trees, leaves. Like safeness and care.

Branch smiles warmly at her.

- Well, you look pretty safe in this - He puts the top edge of the hoodie on her eyes. She puffs, amused. - Come come, we have res pon si bi li ties

Poppy lifts the hoodie, looking up at him with a smirk.

- I really like your mood now - She says genuinely.

He grins in the way she usually grins at him, making her smile even wider.

****

- The Night is almost over - Poppy announces, unclenching the silver buckle under her chin. - Maybe you want your cape back?

- No, not really.... - Branch starts, but the goddess is already getting the cape right on his shoulders. - Oh, okay. You don't like it though?

- No, it's really comfy, especially when I hide in it whole - She smiles, clenching the buckle on Branch's neck. - It just can bother me during the Day.

She brushes the cape on his arms to get it right. She meets his adoring eyes and caresses affectionately the corner of his smiling lips with her hand.

- Grab the Staff - He orders quietly.

She frowns.

- It's not the time.

He squints at her with discontent.

- It's just a few minutes - He argues. - Can't you start the Day a bit earlier?

- For what?

He looks up, smiling dorkly.

- What is it? - Poppy chuckles. - Can't it wait a few minutes?

- Can't you grab the Staff earlier?

- Tell me what you want! - She beams at him.

- I want you to take the Staff from me - Branch smiles mysteriously.

Poppy is gazing at him with puzzlement. She hesitates for a while. Her curiosity fights with her head. A few minutes aren't a big deal, right? She carefully grabs the Staff, the sky gets lighter and beams with the colors of the dawn, and almost at the very same moment Branch embraces her suddenly. His arms cover her whole. She loses her breath.

- You waited to hug me with both your hands? - The goddess breathes out, giggling. He purrs "uh-huh'' into her shoulder, which wakes up pleasant butterflies in her stomach.

Poppy closes her eyes. His big hands drape her whole back, she sinks into him, in his warmth, in his care and safeness. She cuddles tight, letting him hide her into his arms, conceal her from the whole world around. She breathes his warm heavy scent. Now she notices why he was so desperate to hug her with both arms. The Staff in her hand doesn't let her fully snuggle with him, it stops her from diving deeper, she has to keep the Staff as far from Branch as it's possible, cause he can't touch it during the Day.

But even with the Staff in her hand, she's in their small, pure, warm heaven. His fingers sink tenderly into her hair, forcing her to sigh. Oh, may this moment last forever...

_______________________________________________________

Index

[daysnoches]

Ozai’s Plan for Zuko Addition

Origins of the Blue Spirit Mask. An Incomplete Thesis

Iroh, “You need to start asking yourself the big question. Who are you; and what do you want?”

[Gif of the blue spirit mask slowly sinking into Lake Laogai]

“You did the right thing nephew… Leave it behind”

After Lu Ten’s death, Iroh disappeared on his spiritual journey trying to find a way to bring him back. He was still MIA when Azulon “died.” That left Ozai as the only one to the throne. His claim is made even stronger with Azulon’s “dying wish” stating that Ozai is his heir. When Ozai was crowned he had a council he didn’t pick or vetted. His brother, with a strong claim to the throne, comes back ALIVE. To top it all his wife is gone. A princess does not simply disappear without someone noticing and raising questions.

Any one who questions where Ursa had gone is banished or imprisoned. Unfortunately Iroh returns to the capital before Ozai is able to interrogate his council fully. Which means there is a chance some will plan to replace Ozai with Iroh. So the royal court becomes a minefield of mind games. Probably as a precaution Ozai sends Azula to Lo and Li. He orders Zuko to train under Piandao since his firebending is supar maybe he can be useful in other ways.

Zuko returns arrogant, starts to act out and starts to challenge authority. In other words he is no longer under Ozai’s complete control. Which could be used against him if his councilmen are aiming to dethrone him. When Zuko spoke out Ozai used it as a chance to not only punish Zuko but make him an example. Banishment was supposed to make Zuko desperate to do anything to regain his father’s favor. So Ozai gave Zuko orders to capture the Avatar. But Ozai is not one to waste an opportunity. So he sent away Zuko with the Blue Spirit Mask. The Wani was supposed to take Zuko around the world to designated spots under the guise of looking for the Avatar but really it was just a guise so Zuko can gather intel and possibly eliminate threats to the fire nation.

But Iroh decided to join him. Now Zuko became a liability. So he never gave Zuko any more instructions besides capturing the avatar making a test to see how long Zuko was going to remain loyal to him. For as long as he was still looking for the avatar Ozai still had control over Zuko.

Ozai was always going to send Azula to retrieve Zuko. Chances are it was going to be right after Zhao killed the moon spirit. Sure it was to imprison him for failure but also give him an opportunity to regain his honor by eliminating political threats.

He’ll  be sent to nobles households to determine if they were traitors or loyalists. Order to dismantle rebellions or even start them. Chances are he would have been put in direct opposition from the white Lotus. Which means that Zuko would have to fight Iroh multiple times. If Zuko doesn’t go mad from doing this being told to eliminate Uncle Iroh probably would. We all know Uncle Iroh would have let Zuko kill him. If Zuko would have gone through with it he would have become the Blue Spirit permanently. The Blue Spirit would then gain the reputation of being the Firelord’s personal hunting dog.

But Katara released Aang and Ozai had to change plans. Now that the impossible mission had become possible with an added threat of the avatar returning to end the war Ozai couldn’t risk Iroh getting to the avatar.

Ozai’s Original Plan: 1 

[onedemoniclilly]

Hooo boy that clears up why I just couldn't bring myself to finish it no matter how many times I read it.

Wait, what’s going on with Embers???? That fic has been on my read later list since 2021, what’s happened with it???

Brief overview, then I'm likely never touching this topic again, because this is not a Drama Blog:

Context: Embers is a super old AtLA fic that was written during the early fandom days, read widely at the time, and was the origin of the widely-used fanon name of "Wani" for Zuko's ship (kind of by default that it was one of the first popular fics to give his ship a name, I think?), even though most fic writers don't seem to realize it's from there anymore.

"What's Going On": I used to include a link in all my stories to it, because I believe in crediting other writers for borrowed elements, and I was using "Wani" in all my fics. But BOY did I not want to be sending readers that way anymore, so I've adopted a new name for Zuko's ship, and removed all Embers links.

None of the criticisms about Embers itself are new; I'm assuming they date back to when the fic was being written, because this isn't an "it aged badly" thing, this is an "actually yeah this gets worse the longer you think about it and I shouldn't have ignored my bad feelings just because some of the worldbuilding was interesting" thing.

An Incomplete List of Why I Made the Change:

I don't actually like the story that much anymore, and don't want to rec it

I tried to re-read it recently to see if some things were as bad as I remembered and it turns out they were So Much Worse Oh Yikes. More specifically, the treatment of Katara and Aang and their respective cultures has... rather a lot going on. One example: The Fire Nation and Air Nomads are both given multiple backstory elements in an attempt to make the average Fire Nation soldier's participation in the genocide/war in large part the fault of the Avatar and the Air Nomads themselves, and also fully justified from the Fire Nation perspective. And I do mean fully. One of its core tenants is "People from the Fire Nation (and only people from the Fire Nation) who don't follow orders Literally Die, therefore murdering pacifists and babies and continuing the war (and their regularly scheduled war crimes) is the only thing it is physically possible for them to do". I cannot emphasize enough how literal that is.

Also the name "Wani" means "Alligator" and is... objectively a pretty lame name for Zuko's ship? Where's the personality, where's the deeper meaning, where's the resonance with Zuko's themes? @tuktukpodfics initially thought I was calling the ship "Wanyi", and that's what I've switched to, because it is Objectively So Much Better. In their words: “Wànyī (萬一): Literally ‘one in ten thousand,’ ‘perchance.’ Used grammatically in Chinese to mean ‘what if’ or ‘just in case.’ I think a ship called ‘The Perchance’ is perfect for a boy clinging to false hope.”

TL:DR; I don't rec Embers anymore, because I don't actually like the story anymore, and there are things about it that get worse the more I think on them. I've removed links to it and renamed Zuko's ship to "Wanyi" ("The Perchance") because our boy deserves a ship name that reflects his character arc.

[esmeralda-anistasia]

#for the record if you ever find something kind of rancid in my fics#do please let me know#EX: I've rewritten scenes to be better Actual Blind Rep for Toph based on blind reader feedback#and I'm debating how hard it would be to ignore/re-write the canon issues of Water Tribe sexism (for the Southern Tribe at the least)#because that is a common complaint I see from the people who's RL cultures the Water Tribes was based on#probably I can do more interesting things with that going forward#in other words justice for Hama and Hahn#at least the show itself made Hama excellently complex#anyways back to doing actual writing#please no follow up questions#though I will say anyone who wants to update their own fics to use Wanyi (or any other name): go for it!#all you need to do is plop your chapters in a word editor and find/replace the ship name! it took about 40 minutes to do literally#all of my fics and I had some other editing to do besides! it'll be even quicker for you!#let's sink the Wani

Wait, what’s going on with Embers???? That fic has been on my read later list since 2021, what’s happened with it???

Brief overview, then I'm likely never touching this topic again, because this is not a Drama Blog:

Context: Embers is a super old AtLA fic that was written during the early fandom days, read widely at the time, and was the origin of the widely-used fanon name of "Wani" for Zuko's ship (kind of by default that it was one of the first popular fics to give his ship a name, I think?), even though most fic writers don't seem to realize it's from there anymore.

"What's Going On": I used to include a link in all my stories to it, because I believe in crediting other writers for borrowed elements, and I was using "Wani" in all my fics. But BOY did I not want to be sending readers that way anymore, so I've adopted a new name for Zuko's ship, and removed all Embers links.

None of the criticisms about Embers itself are new; I'm assuming they date back to when the fic was being written, because this isn't an "it aged badly" thing, this is an "actually yeah this gets worse the longer you think about it and I shouldn't have ignored my bad feelings just because some of the worldbuilding was interesting" thing.

An Incomplete List of Why I Made the Change:

I don't actually like the story that much anymore, and don't want to rec it

I tried to re-read it recently to see if some things were as bad as I remembered and it turns out they were So Much Worse Oh Yikes. More specifically, the treatment of Katara and Aang and their respective cultures has... rather a lot going on. One example: The Fire Nation and Air Nomads are both given multiple backstory elements in an attempt to make the average Fire Nation soldier's participation in the genocide/war in large part the fault of the Avatar and the Air Nomads themselves, and also fully justified from the Fire Nation perspective. And I do mean fully. One of its core tenants is "People from the Fire Nation (and only people from the Fire Nation) who don't follow orders Literally Die, therefore murdering pacifists and babies and continuing the war (and their regularly scheduled war crimes) is the only thing it is physically possible for them to do". I cannot emphasize enough how literal that is.

Also the name "Wani" means "Alligator" and is... objectively a pretty lame name for Zuko's ship? Where's the personality, where's the deeper meaning, where's the resonance with Zuko's themes? @tuktukpodfics initially thought I was calling the ship "Wanyi", and that's what I've switched to, because it is Objectively So Much Better. In their words: “Wànyī (萬一): Literally ‘one in ten thousand,’ ‘perchance.’ Used grammatically in Chinese to mean ‘what if’ or ‘just in case.’ I think a ship called ‘The Perchance’ is perfect for a boy clinging to false hope.”

TL:DR; I don't rec Embers anymore, because I don't actually like the story anymore, and there are things about it that get worse the more I think on them. I've removed links to it and renamed Zuko's ship to "Wanyi" ("The Perchance") because our boy deserves a ship name that reflects his character arc.