#national hunting and fishing day

[floridaboiler]

HAPPY NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY!!! National Hunting and Fishing Day is observed each year on the fourth Saturday in September. This day was created as a day to enjoy the sport of hunting and fishing, and it is meant to recognize that most hunters and fisherman are responsible and enthusiastic naturalists. 

[murderousink23]

09/28/2024 is Teacher's Day 🇹🇼, National Good Neighbor Day 🇺🇸, National Strawberry Cream Pie Day 🇺🇸, National Drink Beer Day 🍻🇺🇸, National Hunting and Fishing Day 🇺🇸, National Public Lands Day 🇺🇸, National Family Health and Fitness Day 🇺🇸, International Day for Universal Access to Information 🇺🇳, World Rabies Day 🇺🇳

[3liza]

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/theyre-not-human-how-19th-century-inuit-coped-with-a-real-life-invasion-of-the-walking-dead

Indigenous groups across the Americas had all encountered Europeans differently. But where other coastal groups such as the Haida or the Mi’kmaq had met white men who were well-fed and well-dressed, the Inuit frequently encountered their future colonizers as small parties on the edge of death.

“I’m sure it terrified people,” said Eber, 91, speaking to the National Post by phone from her Toronto home.

And it’s why, as many as six generations after the events of the Franklin Expedition, Eber was meeting Inuit still raised on stories of the two giant ships that came to the Arctic and discharged columns of death onto the ice.

Inuit nomads had come across streams of men that “didn’t seem to be right.” Maddened by scurvy, botulism or desperation, they were raving in a language the Inuit couldn’t understand. In one case, hunters came across two Franklin Expedition survivors who had been sleeping for days in the hollowed-out corpses of seals.

“They were unrecognizable they were so dirty,” Lena Kingmiatook, a resident of Taloyoak, told Eber.

Mark Tootiak, a stepson of Nicholas Qayutinuaq, related a story to Eber of a group of Inuit who had an early encounter with a small and “hairy” group of Franklin Expedition men evacuating south.

“Later … these Inuit heard that people had seen more white people, a lot more white people, dying,” he said. “They were seen carrying human meat.”

Even Eber’s translator, the late Tommy Anguttitauruq, recounted a goose hunting trip in which he had stumbled upon a Franklin Expedition skeleton still carrying a clay pipe.

By 1850, coves and beaches around King William Island were littered with the disturbing remnants of their advance: Scraps of clothing and camps still littered with their dead occupants. Decades later, researchers would confirm the Inuit accounts of cannibalism when they found bleached human bones with their flesh hacked clean.

“I’ve never in all my life seen any kind of spirit — I’ve heard the sounds they make, but I’ve never seen them with my own eyes,” said the old man who had gone out to investigate the Franklin survivors who had straggled into his camp that day on King William Island.

The figures’ skin was cold but it was not “cold as a fish,” concluded the man. Therefore, he reasoned, they were probably alive.

“They were beings but not Inuit,” he said, according to the account by shaman Nicholas Qayutinuaq.

The figures were too weak to be dangerous, so Inuit women tried to comfort the strangers by inviting them into their igloo.

But close contact only increased their alienness: The men were timid, untalkative and — despite their obvious starvation — they refused to eat.

The men spit out pieces of cooked seal offered to them. They rejected offers of soup. They grabbed jealous hold of their belongings when the Inuit offered to trade.

When the Inuit men returned to the camp from their hunt, they constructed an igloo for the strangers, built them a fire and even outfitted the shelter with three whole seals.

Then, after the white men had gone to sleep, the Inuit quickly packed up their belongings and fled by moonlight.

Whether the pale-skinned visitors were qallunaat or “Indians” — the group determined that staying too long around these “strange people” with iron knives could get them all killed.

“That night they got all their belongings together and took off towards the southwest,” Qayutinuaq told Dorothy Eber.

But the true horror of the encounter wouldn’t be revealed until several months later.

The Inuit had left in such a hurry that they had abandoned several belongings. When a small party went back to the camp to retrieve them, they found an igloo filled with corpses.

The seals were untouched. Instead, the men had eaten each other.

[mindblowingscience]

The childcare system of a contemporary hunter-gatherer community suggests a major pitfall of the nuclear family, and it could hint at why so many parents in wealthy, Western nations feel burned out. A team of researchers, led by evolutionary anthropologist Nikhil Chaudhary from the University of Cambridge, argues that children may be "evolutionarily primed" to expect more attention and care than just two parents can provide. Investigating the culture of Mbendjele hunter-gatherers, who live in the northern rainforests of the Republic of Congo and subsist on hunting, fishing, gathering, and honey collecting, researchers found a widespread caregiving network. Among 18 infants and toddlers in this community, researchers noticed that each child receives, on average, nine hours of attentive care and physical contact each day, usually from around 10 individuals, but sometimes from more than 20.

Continue Reading.

[fishenjoyer1]

Fish of the Day

Today's fish of the day is the Alabama Cavefish!

The Alabama Cavefish, scientific name Speoplatyrhinus poulsoni, is known for being one of the rarest troglobitic fish species in North America. Discovered in 1967, by the time the alabama cavefish was scientifically described in 1974, there were only about 100 fish left. On any visit to the cave, only about 10 fish have ever been seen, but they are consistently different fish, so the estimated number is a little under 100, making them critically endangered. This also makes them a possibility for the rarest cavefish in North America!

Despite the large waterways connecting caves in Key Cave National park to several other cave systems, the Alabama cavefish has restricted itself to only one cave for reasons we don't understand. A search of over 120 caves in the surrounding area revealed no populations or signs of populations. With a range consisting only of Key cave in Lauderdale county, Alabama; these fish are constantly faced by the threat of extinction, and most of their worries are based on the limited home range, and waters entering the cave. Any water with chemicals, especially fertilizers and other agricultural runoff are a large concern. That along with competition from more aggressive cavefish, and predation from nearby crawfish. Due to their living situation and delicate population, much is unknown about these fish. But, let us go over what we do know!

The diet of the Alabama cavefish consists mostly of invertebrates found in the caves: copepods, isopods, smaller cavefish, spiders, beetles, and anything else it can find that will fit in its mouth. They grow up to a size of 2-3 inches in length. They have no eyes or pigment, and hunt solely based off of sensory protrusions that dot the head and sides, a trait evolved to handle the almost complete darkness. These fish have no breeding season, and instead breed based off of the environmental signal: when the caves flood in the winter and spring. Insufficient flooding can lead to years where no breeding or spawning occurs, and when it does females carry few eggs, and even fewer eggs hatch. Their lifespans, based off of the lifespan of Northern cavefish, are an estimated 5-10 years.

[dragonpyre]

Selkie Jason is highly adorable and funny

Does he have the same tastes as a seal? Does he have a fondness for stroganina and sashimi?

Does he have hunting instincts? Has he ever gone to the zoo or an aquarium and been tempted to jump in and catch something for dinner?

Has he ever hidden in a zoo for the free fish and generous distribution of headpats?

Okay I'll stop there lol, hope you have a good one :3

Selkie Jason nation!

He totally loves fish in human form. Bruce physically has to stop him from eating them raw while human cuz his human body isn't built for that. And he definitely hunted for food (or at least tried to) before getting adopted. The instinct is a bit hard to break for a while though. Bruce learns to keep a hand on Jason whenever they visit the Gotham Aquarium in fear of Jason going seal.

I think he certainly considered joining the zoo for free food as a seal pup but realized they might call the seal CPS on him (look, he was 9) because the zoo shouldn't have any seal pups.

As an adult he has no such qualms. He's here to cause chaos and annoy his family on zoo days

The one downside of going seal is that he is now subjected to all the cuddles from his family. It doesn't matter how much he screams/barks, there is no escape.

[admiral-mason]

SAGAU x Forest Island

Based on this ask from @floofeh-purpi

This is Impostor AU again because why tf not lmfao

Reader is Gender Neutral

Warning: Violence, cult behavior, huntings

Ft. Yun Jin

Your ass can't be any more tired right now.

Ever since you were brought into Teyvat, you have been continuously hunted for "defiling Their Grace" or something. It started with Mondstadt- Jean personally sent all of the Knights of Favonius after you, forcing you to escape by hiding in Wolvendom.

Thankfully, reprisal came in the form of Razor, who didn't understand why he should be killing a random human that looked like a god. All the wolves near you also refused to attack you, and Razor treated you as if you were a Lupical.

Unfortunately, the Knights drove you out of Mondstadt, and you wouldn't have escaped if it weren't for a glowing yellow diamond you just happened to trip over.

Wait a minute is this Energy from Forest Island-

"You have nowhere to run, filth. By my sword, and in the will of Their Grace, I will strike you down-" Jean said before the diamond suddenly lifted itself up into the air and attacked Jean in the eyes, blinding her.

Suddenly, more of the same diamonds fell from the sky, attacking the other Knights and repeating what happened to Jean. This granted you enough time to escape from Mondstadt.

It didn't take long to confirm that the diamonds originated from Forest Island, an idle game you played in your pastimes alongside Genshin Impact. You obtained further confirmation when red heart icons suddenly appeared over local animals, whose affection for you grew tenfold.

These hearts regenerated stamina and helped foraged berries and fruits taste better, perfect boosts for a journey to Liyue...

...And suffer the exact same treatment. You'd be screwed right now if it weren't for energy diamonds blinding the absolute fuck out of your assailants with mere milliseconds to spare.

Then there's Yun Jin, who recognized you as the Creator, albeit with a weakened divine aura and in turn indistinguishable from an actual fraud with malicious intent. Even better, she actually tried treating you like a human, and within the short time you stayed with her, she got close to all sorts of wild animals that normally ran from humans.

"Oh, they're all so adorable, [Name]! Although I am an opera performer, never have I been given such treatment from animals before!"

Her family's great too! Although, with the amount of harassment the Yun-Han Opera Troupe gradually received for harboring an Impostor, you eventually decided to depart with a slightly tearful Yun Jin while reassuring her that you'll be back one day.

You head Inazuma, the same Impostor shit happens.

You trek on to Sumeru, and the same thing occurs!

Eventually, you just give up on all the nations, with everyone attacking you. So instead, you relegate yourself to an obscure beachhead, likely surviving on a crude fishing rod.

Sighing, you cast your rod into the waters, hoping to catch a fish to eat...

...Wait, why is the ground rumbling beneath you? And why is it intensifying?!

Suddenly, an absolutely huge-ass island slowly rose from the waters in the distance, and many diamonds fell from the sky, populating it with what appeared to be animals and fauna.

That finally solidified that indeed, your favorite pastime idle game decided to perform divine intervention that this world wouldn't give.

...Wait a minute- you get to live a cottagecore life without studying and taxes and shit!! Whoo!!!

General Headcanons

A green sea turtle helped you get to the island, offering to carry you on its back.

Immediately, all the animals left their respective areas and tackled you to the ground in their displays of affection. Thankfully, you weren't injured.

They all love you very differently; rabbits and foxes snuggle in your lap and nibble on the apples you feed them, while wolves and bears parade you on their backs and let you sleep with them during the night.

Ducks enjoy it when you sit near their pond's edge and pat their heads. Frogs just sit on their lily pads and croak happily at your presence.

Speaking of the night, all you need to sleep is a blanket on the floor! With a little energy from the island, you never feel too hot or cold.

You cleanse nature as a part of your new day to day cottagecore chores, and oftentimes the waste can be reused for cooking!

Sea turtles like lazing around with you on the beach. Sometimes, you'll even get sucked into the one indefinite whirlpool on the beach with them and feel the rush of a brief flight before landing on the mind-numbingly soft sand that somehow cushioned your fall.

Does and bucks like to scale and descend the island at running speed with you on their back. When they're not running, you lay up on them and they nuzzle you as you nap.

Alpacas and sheep shed their excess wool, allowing you to pick up other hobbies such as knitting and quilting, activities you would otherwise have lacked time back on Earth.

Raccoons play around with you, and they sometimes steal your food. Which is now effectively vegetarian although tasty thanks to the energy on the island. Other times, any leftovers you have go directly to them, effectively making them garbage disposal.

You climb trees while a gorilla carries you in its arms. Most would likely panic by now, but with the tight yet never harmful grip on you, you're reassured of your safety on this island.

Other fun things you do with the animals are swimming with dolphins, birdwatching, and stargazing with everyone at night.

Overall, a very nice time! And then one day, a ship from Teyvat appears in the distance.

They get blinded by island energy as usual, but they manage to get away...

...Oh boy.

Now, you have people and vision wielders on ships attempting to reach your island. However, it appears that the island recognizes what you suffered through.

Now, island energy does not just blind them- it actively forms literal yellow rods from god that tear away at the wooden ships.

Among the unwelcome figures, one welcome one stood out to you the most:

It was Yun Jin! She yelled and rapidly waved at you with a radiant smile, to which you promptly scaled down the island onto its beach and responded with your own massive wave.

Then, you noticed that the same green sea turtle that approached you that day performed the same action with her instead of you. It beckoned her to get on, and she did so hesitantly.

Once her little trip was over, she gracefully stepped down from the turtle before rushing to you to give you a gentle hug.

"I missed you, [Name]! I never thought I'd find you here of all places but I guess the commotion was right!"

And you quickly introduce her to the island's residents, who treat her with the same respect as you.

She decides to stay a while and you help her write a letter to her family, and an albatross volunteers to fly the letter to Liyue.

It's a peaceful life on the island, with Yun Jin constantly obtaining new ideas for opera and living a very domestic life. No need to worry about anyone you dislike either- the island is very protective over you and its inhabitants.

@floofeh-purpi Alright I finally answered your ask lmfao

[zvaigzdelasas]

The Onondaga claim that the United States violated a 1794 treaty, signed by George Washington, that guaranteed 2.5 million acres in central New York to them. The case, filed in 2014, is the second brought by an American Indian nation against the United States in an international human rights body; a finding is expected as soon as this year.

Even if the Onondaga are successful, the result will mostly be symbolic. The entity, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, has no power to enforce a finding or settlement, and the United States has said that it does not consider the commission’s recommendations to be binding.

“We could win against them, but that doesn’t mean that they have to abide by whatever,” Mr. Hill said in an interview.

The 2.5 million acres have long since been transformed by highways and utility lines, shopping malls, universities, airports and roller rinks.

The territory encompasses the cities of Binghamton and Syracuse, as well as more than 30 state forests, dozens of lakes and countless streams and tributaries. It is also home to 24 Superfund sites, the environmental detritus of the powerhouse economy that helped central New York thrive during the beginning and middle half of the 20th century.

Most notorious of these is Lake Onondaga, which once held the dubious title of America’s most polluted lake.

Industrial waste has left its mark on Onondaga territory, leaving the nation unable to fish from its streams and rivers. The history of environmental degradation is part of what motivates the Onondaga, who consider it their sacred responsibility to protect their land.

One of their chief objectives in filing the petition is a seat at the table on environmental decisions across the original territory. The other is an acknowledgment that New York, even if only in principle, owes them 2.5 million acres.[...]

Some Native nations have been willing to drop land claims in exchange for licenses to operate casinos. But the Onondaga say they are not interested in cash. Nor are they interested in licenses to sell cannabis or operate a casino — which they consider socially irresponsible and a threat to their tribal sovereignty.

There’s really just one thing that Mr. Hill says would be an acceptable form of payment: land.

The Onondaga insist they are not looking to displace anyone. Instead they hope the state might turn over a tract of unspoiled land for the nation to hunt, fish, preserve or develop as it sees fit. One such repatriation effort is underway: the return of 1,000 acres as a part of a federal settlement with Honeywell International for the contamination of Onondaga Lake. The United States has not contested the Onondaga's account of how the nation lost its land. Indeed, the lawyers representing the United States in the Onondaga case have centered their argument on legal precedence, noting that courts at every level — including the U.S. Supreme Court — rejected the Onondaga’s claims as too old and most remedies too disruptive to the region’s current inhabitants.

To the Onondaga, the logic required to square these contentions seems unfair. Why should the United States be allowed to steal their land and face no obligation to give some back?[...]

In New York, [...] Native people were not considered to have standing to sue on their own behalf until 1987.[...]

In 2005, the Onondaga filed a version of their current claim in Federal District Court in the Northern District of New York, naming as defendants the State of New York, its governor, Onondaga County, the City of Syracuse and a handful of the companies responsible for the environmental degradation over the past centuries. A similar case filed by the Oneida Nation was, at the time, pending before the Supreme Court.

But just 18 days after the Onondaga filed their petition, the Supreme Court rejected the Oneidas’ case. The decision referenced an colonial-era legal theory known as the Doctrine of Discovery, which holds in part that Indigenous property claims were nullified by the “discovery” of that land by Christians.

The “long lapse of time” and “the attendant dramatic changes in the character” precluded the Oneida nation from the “disruptive remedy” it sought, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote in the majority decision.[...]

[L]awyers for the Onondaga used the rejection as the premise for a new argument. They contended that the U.S. court system’s refusal to find in their favor proved that they could not find justice in the United States.

The petition filed before the international commission amounts to the most direct challenge of the United States’ treatment of Indigenous people to date in terms of human rights — and the first to apply the lens of colonialism.

“What the Onondaga litigation is doing right now is to force a political dialogue with the colonial occupier,” said Andrew Reid, a lawyer representing the Onondaga, adding that a favorable finding could prompt a political conversation about the United States’s treatment of native people on the world stage.

Representatives for the State Department declined to be interviewed and did not respond to requests for comment. But in legal documents, the United States contended that the Onondaga’s central claims have been rejected in prior cases; that they have had “abundant opportunity” for their case to be heard; and that they are merely unhappy with the outcome. It also contended that the commission has no jurisdiction, given that the bulk of the nation’s losses took place two centuries before it was established.

“The judicial process functioned as it should have in this matter,” the United States wrote in legal papers.

15 Mar 24

[atlaculture]

Cultural Architecture: NWT Totem Poles - The Specifics Pt. 2

Among most of the totem poles we see throughout the Northern Water Tribe (NWT), four representations appear consistently throughout. For this post, I will be covering the final two.

Koi Fish

The third totem is clearly a koi fish with long whiskers and a marking on its forehead. In other words, it's a reference to the physical forms of the moon and ocean spirit. I can't help but wonder if Aang's realization of Tui and La's true forms was unconsciously informed by the all the koi head totems omnipresent throughout the NWT.

Culturally, koi fish are yet another example of the Chinese influence in the NWT. In Chinese culture, koi represent fame, family harmony and wealth. There's also a famous Chinese folktale about koi fish and other carp:

Along the Yellow River, there is a legendary waterfall that cascades from a magical mountain top known as Longmen (登龍門), meaning the Dragon's Gate. If a carp can swim upstream against the currents and hop over the waterfall into Longmen, the fish will transform into a dragon.

Thus, koi fish can also represent determination, courage, and perseverance. The connection between koi and dragons also strengthens the fan theory that the dragons Ran and Shaw might be the Fire Nation's equivalent to Tui and La. Perhaps the dragons are the spirit of Sun and Fire respectively?

Wolf

The totem beneath the koi depicts a wolf. The wolf head totem also bares a striking resemblance to the headdress that Sokka wears in "Day of the Black Sun" (Season 3, Episode 11). Wolves are prominent figures in the mythologies of many Indigenous American cultures, particularly those whose societies were oriented around hunting.

Within different Inuit groups, wolves are called amarok (multiple groups), amagok (Inuvialuit), and amaguk (Inupiat). These names refer both to normal wolves and to the gigantic, supernatural wolf of Inuit religion. There are two Amarok-focused tales that I'd like to detail in this post:

A persecuted and physically stunted boy seeks to increase his strength. When he calls out to the lord of strength, Amarok appears and wrestles him to the ground with its tail. This causes a number of small bones to fall from the boy's body. The Amarok tells the boy that the bones had prevented his growth; he instructs the boy to return daily in order to develop his strength. After several days of wrestling with the Amarok, the boy is strong enough to overcome three large bears, thus gaining him the esteem of his village.

The land was once full of caribou; the people lived well and were happy. But the hunters only killed those caribou that were big and strong. Soon all that was left were the weak and the sick. The people began to starve. And so they called upon Amorak, the spirit of the wolf, to winnow out the weak and the sick, so that the herd would once again be strong. The people realized that the caribou and the wolf were one, for although the caribou feeds the wolf, it is the wolf that keeps the caribou strong.

From these two stories, we get quite a nuanced conception of what the wolf represents in Inuit culture. While wolves represent strength in many cultures, these tales really emphasize the wolf as a creature that strengthens those around it. Through this worldview, we understand strength not as an innate or individualistic quality, but one that's nurtured through mentorship and interdependence.

This makes Sokka's adoption of wolf imagery during "Day of Black Sun" all the more appropriate. Sokka is certainly not the most powerful character in the show, but his role as the leader strengthens the group as a whole.

Like what I’m doing? Tips always appreciated, never expected. ^_^

https://ko-fi.com/atlaculture

[reasonsforhope]

[Warning: Graphic (some very graphic) shark-fishing pictures at the link.]

"Suhardi isn’t your average snorkeling guide. Born on the Indonesian island of Lombok, he’s spent his life on water. While he now seeks out sharks for the enjoyment of tourists, he once hunted sharks to help earn money to feed his family and educate his two children.

Suhardi was a fisherman for more than 20 years. He first started fishing working on his parents’ boat, but was then asked to join the crew of a shark boat where he was told he could earn a lot of money. Back on deck, he looks embarrassed to divulge what a meager wage it was, but finally confesses he earned around $50 for up to a month at sea.

Now he and 12 other former shark fishermen are part of The Dorsal Effect, an ecotourism company that helps ex-shark hunters find a new vocation. Each week, the team takes groups of tourists, schoolchildren and university students to off-the-grid locations and guides them around pristine reefs. Each trip is designed to take guests on an exploratory journey of both the shark trade and marine conservation through the eyes of the Sasak people of Lombok.

Lombok is a hotspot for marine diversity, sitting just east of the Wallace Line, a biogeographical boundary separating Asia and Australia and their respective fauna. Pristine coral gardens and around 80 species of sharks can be found in its waters. The island is also part of the world’s largest shark-fishing nation. Only the whale shark (Rhincondon typus) is protected in Indonesia; all other sharks can be legally caught.

The Dorsal Effect first launched in 2013, a year after Suhardi met Singaporean ecologist Kathy Xu, who had traveled to Lombok to find out more about the shark trade. The diminutive but quietly determined Xu wanted to protect sharks, but because she knew shark fishing was poorly paid and dangerous, she wanted to hear the fishermen’s stories too. They told her how once they could fish for sharks close to shore, but now with the shark population dropping, the fishermen said they needed to travel farther out to sea, only to come home with a relatively poor catch. The reduced catch also meant reduced pay, so they often couldn’t cover their costs...

Yet, when Xu asked why fishers didn’t seek out another trade, she learned they didn’t want to be separated from the sea. They saw it as part of their heritage.

But as they spoke longer, the shark fishermen talked about the coral gardens that could be found under the waves, ones that only they knew about. Inspired by a whale shark diving trip she’d taken with scientists on the Great Barrier Reef, Xu had an idea. “If such spots exist,” she recalls telling the fishers, “I could take tourists out with you and pay you more than you earned shark fishing”.

At first, Xu guided the former shark fishermen on how to become eco-friendly tour operators. They dropped anchor away from the reef, served guests plant-based dishes, and made sure all trash was taken back to shore. But then Xu saw that something special was happening: The former fishermen had started to take the guest experience into their own hands, making sure tourists felt at home. Suhardi painted “Welcome” in large letters over the front of his boat, fitted green baize to the top deck for outdoor seating, and hung curtains in the cabin so his guests could enjoy some shade.

Suhardi has already bought a new boat with his earnings from snorkeling trips. “Every day is my best day,” laughs Suhardi, whose smile always travels from his mouth to his eyes.

While they were receiving tourists from across the globe, there was another group that Xu wanted to reach out to. “I think it was the teacher in me who felt impassioned about influencing the young,” she says. She reached out to schools and created a five-day program that would help students understand the shark trade and local conservation efforts. During the program, paid for by the school and students, participants would not only meet the ex-shark fishermen so they could ask them about their lives, but also hear from NGOs such as the Wildlife Conservation Society about their efforts to slow the trade. The Dorsal Effect also hired marine biologists to host nightly lectures and help the students with their field surveys...

The students were faced with the realities of the fishing trade, but they were also encouraged to take a balanced view by The Dorsal Effect team. The villagers weren’t just taking the fins, and throwing away the rest of the shark; they processed every piece of the animal. While they did sell the meat and fins to buyers at the market, they also sold the teeth to jewelers, and the remains for pet food.

The Dorsal Effect also takes students on an excursion to the fishermen’s village, a small island that lies off the coast of Lombok. Marine biologist Bryan Ng Sai Lin, who was hired by The Dorsal Effect team, says that on one trip with students he was surprised by how quickly the young people understood the situation. “One of them said it’s good to think about conservation, but at the same time these people don’t really have any other choice,” Lin says....

Conservation scientist Hollie Booth of Save Our Seas, which does not work directly with The Dorsal Effect, says the need to provide legal profitable alternatives to shark fishing is critical: “We are never going to solve biodiversity and environment issues unless we think about incentives and take local people’s needs into account. These kinds of programs are really important.”"

-via Mongabay, December 15, 2023

[gloomybadger4life]

We need Azula redemption where she technically does objectively good things but with questionable methods.

- She changes the law to ban the draft of anyone under 18. But to have that power she defeats a general in an agni kai and takes his title.

- She forbids dragon hunting and enforces the law personally. Anyome caught trying to hunt a dragon gets hunted by Azula.

- When someone breaks out Ozai and their forces storm the palace, she zaps them all, Ozai included.

- Zuko orders her to work at her uncle's tea shop in BSS. Azula does well at the job. Iroh realizes he is no longer tailed by the Dai Li. Iroh then realizes that there is no Dai Li at all.

When questioning Azula all she says is: you told me to clean up and take out the trash.

- She is then sent to the SWT. She is subsequently banned from fishing with lightning. As efficient as it is it makes the fish taste funny.

- She is sent to the NWT. She stages a feminist uprising out of boredom.

- Azula is sent back to the fire nation. Zuko asks her to help the avatar find airbenders in hiding. Aang politely refuses the offer for help.

- Azula journeys to the swamp out of boredom. She ends up in the spirit world. She meets wang shi tong. She has a fight with wang shi tong.

- Out of the ground the library returns. Wang shi tong apologizes to Aang.

- Aang realizes Azula literally beat up a spirit. He does not want to know how.

@chaosmagetwin @krista-kritical @local-enby @wingchunwaterbender @ziezii

[murderousink23]

09/23/2023 is Autumnal Equinox 🌎🍁, Day of Slovenian Sport 🇸🇮⚽️, Celebrate Bisexuality Day 🇺🇲🌈, National Checkers/Dogs in Politics Day 🇺🇲🐶, National Great American Pot Pie Day 🇺🇲🥧, Restless Legs Awareness Day 🇺🇲🦵, National Hunting and Fishing Day 🇺🇲🏹🎣, National Public Lands Day 🇺🇲, International Day of Sign Languages 🇺🇳

[idkfitememate]

"Freedom, if demanded of you by an archon, is really no freedom at all."

~ Venti ♡

♡ Boar Creator:

A Boar? In This Economy?

Pt.2 Pt.3

Description: After falling into the world of Teyvat, Reader finds that instead of being a person, they’re a Boar! And the Creator, no less. However with they survive?

Venti Encounter

Description: Venti gets shocked when he finds two Dvalins.

Diona Encounter

Description: Diona finds a friend in a certain boar by hunting for plants to poision drunks. Oh and Klee’s there too.

Fooling Venti

Description: Venti finds an enemy is a certain cat-wielding boar.

Visiting a Friend

Pt.2

Description: Friends come in all shapes and sizes across all of Teyvat.

Destroying Diluc with Diona

Pt.2

Description: Boar and Diona absolutely fuck up Diluc’s livelihood because screw capitalism and screw drunk people.

Roommates

Description: Here we see how our wondrous heroes found their way in the Teyvat to cause chaos- I mean help people.

The True Creator?

Description: If the “True Creator” could see their “fantastic” creations running the world of Teyvat.

Fish Blasting with Friends

Description: Klee and Razor have a grand old time with Boar and their amazing fish blasting abilities.

Barbara Encounter

Description: Boar beats a pervert up for Barbara and expects pats for payment.

Frozen Vineyards

Description: Fucking up Diluc’s business model AGAIN with Diona, now on ice.

Killing Venti (with Cats!!)

Description: Fuck Venti. For no reason in particular. Drown him in cats. Give in the temptation.

Dvalin Rides with Klee & Diona

Description: Fun in the skies with a catgirl and tiny terrorist.

Mika Encounter (with Klee!!)

Description: Mika finally takes a nap with Klee and a boar.

Kaeya Encounter

Description: Kaeya finally meets the legendary boar, though, not in the extreme way he expected. Instead, in a very tired and sleepy way.

Naps with Venti

Description: Venti finally finds peace with the boar under a tree. For now, anyway.

Joining the Choir

Description: Venti learns betrayal from the boar as they join the choir and shit all over Barbatos’s good name.

Gifts for the Children

Description: The adults of Mondstadt corner the boar who may have… gifted (?) the children some questionable gifts.

No Weapons for Boar

Description: Boar is not allowed to have weapons. That’s final.

Fear the Librarian

Description: Lisa is the only thing in all of Teyvat that the boar fears.

Bombing Liyue

Description: Klee and boar bomb Liyue because Mika cried.

No Cooking Boar

Description: Boar hunting is illegal now. No if’s, and’s or but’s.

Albedo & Sucrose Encounter

Description: Albedo is creepy and Sucrose is baby, boar saves Sucrose for this reason and flips of Albedo for the same.

Venti vs. Boar..?

Description: Venti and Boar finally have a small moment of understanding.

Spa Day!

Description: Diluc comes home to find a very depressing surprise, but gains a little respect for a certain someone by the end.

☆ Otter Creator

The Otter Chronicles

Pt.2 Pt.3

Description: Reader isekai’s as a Leisurely Otter and has the time of their life being pampered. As they navigate their new, rich lifestyle, trials and tribulations show themselves and force the Otter to fight for the future and friends… with a bit of tea of course.

Otter and Neuvillette

Description: Otter and Neuvillette hang out and do different things all around Fontaine.

Otter and Furina

Description: Otter and Furina have fun all across the Nation.

Aether Encounter

Description: Aether asks about the Otter who was sitting right next to the Sovereign and Archon of Fontaine, getting mixed results.

Visiting a Friend

Description: Friends come in all shapes and sizes across all of Teyvat.

Roomates

Description: Here we see how our wondrous heroes found their way in the Teyvat to cause chaos- I mean help people.

Happy Birthday Neuvillette!

Description: Otter surprises Neuvillette with water-ful gift from all across Teyvat.

The True Creator?

Description: If the “True Creator” could see their “fantastic” creations running the world of Teyvat.

Nighttime Shenanigans

Description: Following the Primordial Sea escapade, Furina and Neuvillette find out something interesting about Otter.

The Curtains Close

Description: Furina finds herself breaking down following the events of the curse and her freedom, Otter sees this and rushes to help.

Alone Time

Description: Otter finally gets some time to themself.

Shells for the Family

Description: Otter runs around giving shells to the aristocrats of Fontaine.

Otter Opera

Description: Otter organizes an opera in their likeness!.. Oh, and the others are there too I guess.

Spending Time with the Melusine

Description: Otter invites the Melusine to hang out in their personal room, unknowing that they’re being watched.

A Letter From Far Off Shores

Description: A gift in the form a a fic from an anon/mutual.

♡ Tiger Creator

Kaveh & Alhaitham Encounter

Description: Kaveh is tired, a tiger is right there… so soft looking… like a bed… Alhaitham however, is about to rip his hair out from his roomates stupidity.

Tighnari Encounter

Description: Tighnari is ALSO about to rip his hair out over a certain blond’s absolute stupidity.

Roomates

Description: Here we see how our wondrous heroes found their way in the Teyvat to cause chaos- I mean help people.

Nahida & Aether Encounter

Description: More people sleep on the tiger’s haunches, and Nahida has a realization.

The True Creator?

Description: If the “True Creator” could see their “fantastic” creations running the world of Teyvat.

Visiting a Friend Pt.2

Description: Friends come in all shapes and sizes across all of Teyvat.

Sitting on a Throne

Description: Silly drabble of Tiger dunking on the false creator.

☆ Fox Creator

Raiden Shogun Encounter

Description: A Vision taking ceremony is stopped at tiny fox finding itself curled up asleep on a certain God of Eternity’s foot.

Roomates

Description: Here we see how our wondrous heroes found their way in the Teyvat to cause chaos- I mean help people.

Yae Miko Encounter

Description: Yae Miko finds the fox that embarrassed her God, and decides the best course of action would be to take the tiny being to the God. A mistake.

The True Creator?

Description: If the “True Creator” could see their “fantastic” creations running the world of Teyvat.

Miss. Hina?!

Description: Itto was being an idiot again and mistakes a passing by Gorou as a certain sensual writer, much to our fox’s chagrin.

♡ Primo Geovishap Creator

Zhongli & Xiao Encounter

Description: A large Primo Geovishap follows Zhongli and Xiao after a mission, acting like a large dog. Both have mixed feelings on the matter.

Roomates

Description: Here we see how our wondrous heroes found their way in the Teyvat to cause chaos- I mean help people.

The True Creator?

Description: If the “True Creator” could see their “fantastic” creations running the world of Teyvat.

☆ Golden Weasel Thief Creator

Liyue Encounter

Description: Liyue pays their favorite little thief, unknowing of where that money goes.

Mountain Shaper Encounter

Description: Weasel finds out that his favorite old man might have some ties to the Adepti.

♡ Finch Creator

Qiqi, Baizhu & Yanfei Encounter

Description: Being a finch is pretty nice, large food portions and… a dead child, sick doctor and talking snake..?

☆ Deer Creator

Tighnari & Collei Encounter

Description: Tighnari and Collei come across the most peculiar deer, surrounded by tigers.

Cy-NOOO!!!

Description: Cyno meets the deer, Tighnari dies due to pun related illness.

Slowly Healing

Description: Deer and Collei take the morning slow, allowing for Collei to rest and deer to help as best they can.

Found Family

Description: Deer finds family in Liyue.

Moonlit Desert Travels

Description: A gift in the form a a fic from an anon/mutual.

♡ Lucklight Creator

Abyssal Encounter

Description: After getting stuck, our group of heroes gets help from a tiny glowing friend, for a price anyway.

☆ Dragon Creator

Liyue’s New Dragon

Description: Liyue finds out that Rex Lapis isn’t the only Dragon in the Nation, and that this Dragon may have ties to less than nice people.

Fontaine’s New Dragon

Description: Furina adds a new member to her troupe, shocking everyone, especially a certain Dragon

♡ Large Tusked Polaral Creator

Zarpolyarny Palace Encounter

Description: The Rooster thinks the funniest prank would be to allow a predator to all to wander around with no restraint. A mistake.

☆ Snake Creator

Zhongli Encounter

Description: Zhongli finds a new friend in a reptile who was just passing by, a long and very large snake.

♡ Horse Creator

Mondstadt Encounter

Description: Mondstadt grapples with the fact that horses exist and therefore their cavalry (at least the captain) now have a horse.

☆ Red Panda Creator

Inazuma Encounter

Description: Their a terror all across Inazuma, scaring all who cross their path and leaving them bruised and scarred. This being of torture and despair? A adorable little red panda.

♡ Sumpter Beast Creator

Dori Encounter

Description: Dori introduces her new pal to all in her palace. One douche bag takes it to far and the trader doesn’t take it to lightly.

☆ Raccoon Creator

Where in the World is Raccoon?

Description: Figuring out where the fuck a raccoon would make a home in Teyvat.

THEY STOLE WHAT???

Description: A raccoon did what all of Fontaine would’ve assumed naturally was impossible. But they made it possible.

A Gift From a Friend

Description: A gift in the form a a fic from an anon/mutual.

♡ Melusine Creator

Fontaine Encounter

Description: A new Melusine has made their way into Fontaine and attached themselves to a certain Dragon Sovereign, the aristocracy of Fontaine doesn’t know how to feel about it.

☆ Deep Sea Crab Creator

Freminette Encounter

Description: Freminette takes a quick dive beneath the seas of Fontaine to get away for a while, but while down there makes a shocking discovery.

♡ Golden Wolflord Creator

Sayu Encounter

Description: Sayu has a new friend, all of Watasumi island don’t know how to feel about it.

☆ Griffin Creator

Aether & Paimon Encounter

Description: Aether and Paimon find out that a griffin has been following them for the longest time. Not cool man.

♡ Hawk Creator

Mondstadt Encounter

Description: A Hawk finds themself counteracting all the shit a boar is doing to a poor, helpless Mondstadt. Besides Venti.

☆ Seelie Creator

Bennett & Razor Encounter

Description: Bennett finds a (slightly homicidal) seelie who perfectly counteracts his bad luck! And Razor gets meat out of the friendship, so he’s all set.

♡ Hydra Creator

Liyue Encounter

Description: A Hydra shows up out of nowhere. Hijinks ensue.

☆ Polar Bear Creator

Harbingers Encounter

Description: A polar bear finds themself at a members funeral. Instead of mourning, they spend time with their best friend, but for some reason everyone looks scared?

♡ Deep Sea Jellyfish Creator

Wriothesley & Sigewinne Encounter

Description: Wriothesley and Sigewinne have a small meaningless argument, interrupted by a large shadow covering the building.

☆ Crystalfly Creator

Nahida Encounter

Description: Nahida finds the oddest little Crystalfy who seems to know more than they let on.

♡ Squirrel Creator

Mona Encounter

Description: Mona falls asleep, and uh oh, a pine cone falls into her hat! Unfortunately for her, a little Squirrel really likes pine cones.

☆ Canine Bushin Creator

Inazuma Encounter

Description: Aether and Gorou find themselves faced with a brand new enemy.

[lilacgaby]

01 | Mᴀʀʀʏ ᴍᴇ

~1.3k

chapter select!

the kingdom of todoroki ruled with an iron fist.

lands around were conquered easily, any resistance killed off instantly without regret. through their destructive forceful tendencies, they garnered a reputation across the many nations of the land for their brutality that rivaled even the nation of barbarians.

their harsh punishment to innocents came twice as hard if there was even a chance that the victims happened to be witches.

the tale as old as time went as followed: a witch had resisted the cruel king's orders face to face, which led to confrontation. what were these orders? that was lost to time, but the hatred for witches wasn't.

more specifically, the hatred that had arose from a fight that had left the king's face permanently scared across his eye.

since then, witches have been hunted down and executed in mere seconds, with the only witches allowed to live being ones who served the king himself. the todoroki who had set it into place, and enji who now ruled, all vowed for the same thing.

the murder of all witches who weren't 'serving' the kingdom.

this didn't stop born witch prodigy, [name], from embracing her powers.

even with the amount of books burned, the brooms and wands used as firewood, the king could not stop the generational knowledge that passed down through the witch bloodline. that very bloodline which coursed through her veins.

since childhood, she'd practice these powers. it had been awakened on a full moon when she suddenly found she had the power of ice, she froze over an entire lake just to go ice skating in the summer. feeling guilty, she felt she had to unfreeze the lake and save the now dormant fishes in it, which led to her discovering her fire.

each element of her magic was discovered through experimentation and coincidence, just like the first generations of witches.

because of her strength, personality, and kindness, she was well-known and protected throughout her town's very own taverns and cottages. the villagers would warn her of soldiers passing through, and would even give her space to practice in their yards. she would heal the townsfolk for cheap, start fires, and found other useful ways to apply her elemental magic through her assistance in the town.

in particular: shinsou, a worker at the tavern, toga, a knight, and midoriya, the town's intellect all worked to keep her safe.

everyday, after a hard days of work for them all, they'd sit in the tavern, drink, and chat. midoriya, who couldn't seem to keep his nose out of a book before too long. shinsou, who was eternally tired. and toga, always passionate. they were home to [name], and she was just as important to them as they were to her.

the town, which was abandoned from any form of assistance from the royals, had lost their main form of income which was magic long ago. but, the happiness and community that had been built from the tragedy of the loss was something that couldn't be robbed from them.

as such, this arrangement worked for years, where not a single incident where [name] was ever suspected as a witch had ever come to light. royal checkpoints, random searches, and even interrogations were never fruitful.

until a faithful day where [name] strayed out far too far for far too long.

it had been a necessary risk she neeeded to take. she ran out of frog mucus and birds tongue, which were huge parts of her healing brews.

colds and flus were abundant this time of year, the transition between summer and winter hitting harder for some more than most.

she had just gotten out of the swamp, when from behind she was approached by a man. he was dressed head to toe in expensive garments, hell even his horse was groomed head to toe.

"hello." the strange man said, a fancy air about him. his halfed red-white hair stood out from the rest of his outfit, which was all a royal blue. his heterochromic eyes watching her as she finished stuffing her small basket full of items.

"oh, hello. may i help you with something?" she tried not to show it, but she felt tense. not at the man himself, but because of the red-haired knightsguard member who was staring bullets into her, threateningly.

"yes, actually. i was hoping if you'd know of any healing remedies for my mother. the medics in my home are unable to help her, and you look like you know what you're doing."

she seemed shocked at his request. if royal medics couldn't help how could she? but she decided to indulge him anyways. "oh, of course. i'm not sure if what i can give you would be any stronger or different but, if you follow me to my town i can give you a remedy."

"that sounds perfect, i planned to head into town regardless. thank you..?"

"[name]."

he stuck out his hand, as he introduced himself back. "shoto todoroki."

she almost drops her basket at the revelation, but snaps out of it quickly enough to take his hand. this guy was the heir to the todoroki empire? and even the royal medics couldn't heal his mother? what was going on? why wasn't this headlines everywhere?

"oh, well, todoroki, you can follow me back to the village. it isn't far now."

"alright then, lead the way."

as she led him, his horse, and that red-haired knight to the village, she was deciding whether or not it was safe for him to head into town. he was a prince for godsake! or more accurately, whether it'd be safe for her to enter with him into town.

"todoroki.. if you don't mind me asking, why did you come all this way yourself? isn't it dangerous?"

"well, i suppose. but i have my knight with me here as insurance, and i can handle myself just fine."

"oh, okay. well, we're here. i'll just be a second." she ran inside a shop, and moments later came out with two vials of a pink liquid.

"these should help at least relieve some of the pain felt. while they're not a full solution since i don't know what exactly she's facing, they're a pain suppressive that will help her feel better."

todoroki looked them over, seemingly impressed.

"you have pretty potent remedies for a civilian. thank you for your assistance [name]."

"ah! well, you know, practice gets me pretty good at them!"

"don't mind my asking but, are you a witch?"

she nervously started laughing and denying the allegations. "what? a witch? you're crazy, what would ever give you that idea?"

"i went into another town before this on accident. a woman who claimed to be a witch gave me a remedy, yet called it a potion. and even so, it didn't feel half as powerful as yours [name]. just from touching yours, i feel a strong aura."

"well.. maybe she was just a liar?"

"no, [name]. i think i'm smart enough to know a witch when i see one, especially since my castle medics are witches."

[name] sighed, knowing she had been caught. "okay, fine, i'm a witch."

instead of slicing her head off right there, he just took on a thoughtful expression as he looked up at the sky.

he suddenly brought his eyes back down to her. "[name], i'm going to ask you something quite forward. i hope you can forgive me."

"forward?"

"i know this is sudden but,

would you marry me?"

she now dropped her basket to the ground, her jaw dropping along with it. was this man insane? he certainly didn't look it, he was actually quite handsome so.

why was he so crazy?

"i- i just met you? where did that come from?!"

"well you see, i really..

want my father off the throne."

next!

[bookdragonideas]

Sokka is a brother

His first memory is meeting Katara. A tiny baby, so weak and squishy. Nothing like the Master Waterbender she would someday be.

"She's your sister." His parents tell him with a smile. And he's too young to fully understand that, but somehow the unsaid message rings in his ears. "Yours to protect."

Katara can make water move without touching it. It's fun, until it isnt. The adults worry, and he learns to worry too.

They play in the snow and get into trouble and some days she's his best friend and other days he wishes she was never born.

His father teaches him to fight. To throw a boomerang and hold a spear. He teaches him how to put on the traditional war paint and tells him the reasons and stories behind it.

Sokka is five.

And five is so old, an entire year older than Katara, half a decade. He runs after his father and begs the older men to spar with him. And he loses his first boomerang when he takes it penguin sledding. He watches his sister play with her water magic and promises to always protect her. And then he puts dead fish in her boots. (She deserved it)

He outgrows his Grangrans stories and insists on patrolling the village with his father. Katara calls him stuck up and meanie and they bite and kick each other until their mother catches them. She forces them to stop and to apologize and he doesn't really mean it (yes he does) and they don't get any treats for a week. And that seems such a harsh punishment and they decide they'll work together, if only to steal some treats from Bato. His mother sighs in exasperation, and makes them do extra chores as punishment this time.

Later his father will tell him that he needs to be responsible and do the right thing, even when he's mad.

Later Katara will apologize for real, and he'll tell her a dumb joke in forgiveness and everything will be alright again.

Later they will play together in the fresh snow, all quarrels forgotten.

And then the snow turns black and everyone will know what that means.

Sokka is eight.

And eight is so old. A whole year older than Katara, and he doesn't run to his mother, he runs to his father. Helping to defend the village like all the other men. He can't do much but throw things. But that seems to be enough. And he can hear Katara crying. He doesn't know yet what that means.

Eight is to old to cry. Men don't cry. Why is his father crying?

Where's his mother?

Sokka is nine.

And nine is so old. Nine is older than eight-year-old-Katara, nine is almost a decade. Nine is old enough to hate.

And he does. He hates the Fire Nation for what they took from them. He hates the North for the aid they never sent. He hates the way Grangran still talks of hope and peace, when there is neither. He hates Katara for not running fast enough. He hates his father for crying in the night. He hates himself for not running to his mother, for not being older and stronger, for not actually doing anything that mattered. Bato takes him hunting. He looks at the old ship, frozen in ice, and feels viscous satisfaction. They fought back once. They will fight back again.

Sokka is ten

And ten is so old. An entire decade, an entire year older than Katara. Katara who has been doing laundry and cooking and cleaning their home. Katara who has stepped into the void their mother left. He doesn't hate her anymore. He doesn't hate his father or his Grangrans stories anymore. Sometimes in the dark of night he still hates himself.

He goes fishing with his dad and spars with the older men. He patrols the village and trys to help with building the defenses. He makes dumb jokes and funny faces and sometimes Katara laughs. He loves it when she laughs. He loves it when his dad laughs. He loves it when his Grangran smiles and Bato chuckles. He loves it when his dad tells him he proud of him. Ten is old enough to love.

Sokka is thirteen.

And thirteen is so old. Older than Katara who's still only twelve, old enough to fight back. Old enough to fight.

His father disagrees. He says that his place is here, with his sister, with their tribe. He tells him he's proud and that he trusts and then he sails away.

And so Sokka protects. He builds defenses and tries to train the young boys. He goes fishing and hunting and sometimes Katara comes and sometimes she doesn't. And he still tries to make her laugh but less and less often. And when they fight he apologizes, because it's what his mother would have told him to do.

He goes fishing and Katara comes and she plays with the water and he gets wet. It's always him who gets wet.

An iceberg cracks (thanks Katara) and they find a boy.

Sokka is fifteen.

And fifteen is so old. Older than starstruck fourteen year old Katara, old enough to leave his home to save the Avatar and the world. Old enough to travel across the Earth Kingdom to their northern cousins. Old enough to know when's somethings wrong with this Jet guy. Old enough to get a job for some money (or fish). Old enough to fight their firey followers who chase them across the world.

Fifteen is old enough to protect his sister. And the Avatar. Who isn't just some kid anymore, he's family now, and Sokka will protect him as much as he'll protect Katara. Even if neither of them need him to protect them.

Katara challenges a Master Waterbender to a fight. She doesn't win of course, buts it's a close thing. Far closer than any of the northerners were expecting. Katara can protect herself now. But he'll keep protecting her all the same.

Fifteen is old enough to fall in love.

And fifteen is old enough to watch a girl his own age die.

The moon dies. And is reborn. And suddenly he understands why his father once cried in the night.

And he does what his father did and keeps moving.

They return to the Earth Kingdoms.

He has two little sister now. And neither of them want him to protect them but he keeps protecting them anyways.

They journey to Ba Sing Se. And he finds Suki. He didn't realize they had affected her so much. He's so happy to see her. He wishes she was back at her own home island.

He has to protect her. (She doesn't need his protection) he has to comfort Aang (Katara handles it before he gets the chance) he has to save Toph (Suki dives into the water with less hesitation than a boy raised in the frigid waters of the south)

They have to get an army from the Earth King. But this place is a maze and there's traps around every corner. But it's okay, because they'll find a way to make it work. They'll find a way to win.

They lose.

Sokka is fifteen.

And fifteen is so young. And fifteen is so old. He's older than Katara and Toph and Aang. He's younger than their fiercest enemy and his father and all the soldiers dying in this ancient war. He's old enough to know they need help. A place to rest. A place to be protected instead of protecting.

They modify his invasion plan. Katara is angry at their father. Sokka makes her laugh for the first time in weeks. He's so relieved he almost cries.

Aang wakes up. They spilt up with the rest of the group and head towards the Fire Nation.

Master Piandao teaches him the way of the sword. It's the first thing he's learned that he's been naturally gifted at. (Except for making his siblings laugh and protecting the worlds last hope and thinking up cool team names, but those don't count)

He learns that not every monster is from the Fire Nation, as he comforts his sobbing sister and finally understands the burden her powers can be.

He's horrible at explaining his own plan. Aang doesn't care.

His father is hurt and he takes the lead. They follow his command and all he can think about is his siblings, as his sisters fight and his brother flies.

He falls for Azula's tricks.

The invasion fails and they have to flee. He fails and he has to leave his father and his tribe behind. Again.

Zuko shows up.

Sokka breaks his dad and Suki out of prison. Azula finds them and they split up again. They watch a truly horrible play. And Aang learns firebending.

Aang disappears.

Only days before the comet comes.

They can't find him, but they'll be there to help if he needs it.

Sokka is sixteen.

And sixteen is so old. Sixteen is old enough to lead Toph and Suki as they desperately try to stop the airships. Old enough to fight and to kill. And maybe some will survive, but he steers the airship as they crash into the others. And he pulls the lever that dumps the crew in the ocean. And he looks at Suki and she looks back and he realizes she knows he did it himself so that she wouldn't have to. So that Toph, who is only twelve, wouldn't have to.

And sixteen is old enough to hold Tophs hand. As they dangle high above the ground. He throws boomerang and space sword and he makes a joke to help Toph. (She's crying. Toph never cries. Twelve is to old to cry.)

Sixteen is old enough to know what death looks like when it looms over (or under) you.

Sixteen is to young to die.

Suki agrees. Suki comes back and Toph makes a joke about boomerang, and the sky glows and the comet retreats for another hundred years and they won.

They won.

They won! And Zuko is the Firelord. And Aang took Ozai's bending away. And Suki looks absolutely amazing in war paint.

And his father is proud of him.

And his siblings hug him and laugh at his jokes.

And Master Piandao says they could probably remake space sword. And maybe even make a space boomerang as well.

And the world is at peace for the first time in a century.

Sokka is sixteen.

And sixteen is so old. An entire year older than Katara. And he walks with his father and they talk about the future of their tribe. He sits with Suki and she laughs at all his jokes. He plays pranks on Zuko with Aang and pulls scams with Toph. He travels the world with his siblings, basking in the peace they brought. He makes another sword and is given another boomerang. And he wears both wherever they go.

Because he's sixteen. And he fought in the war. And they might have brought peace but there will always be danger. He's the oldest and its his job to protect the others.

Sokka is sixteen.

And he knows with every bone in his body, that he will always protect his siblings and fight alongside them. His siblings are powerful, dangerous, magical, and skilled. But he's their brother. And he'll never stop protecting them.

Becauss Sokka is sixteen. And Sokka is a brother.

[yuwuta]

PETITION!!!!!! FOR THE ATLA X JJK STUFF!!!! OMG NOW I HAVE A BRAINROT love this idea sm.....

i have SOOOO many ideas you have no idea how near and dead atla is to me… i could rant about this day and night…. reader’s bending or non-bending abilities always change in the au for me, but i feel very strongly about everyone’s bending abilities teehee…. except satoru… i can pickle many aus for satoru bc that’s pookie <3

firebender reader that captures airbender yuuta to take him back to the fire nation as a reward and honestly he should fight back, he could fight back, and he probably shouldn’t blush when you’re rough with him, but you’re really pretty and stubborn and sure the ropes you put around his hands and ankles are really tight but it could have been worse. and you haven’t burned or scarred him, and you even give him some of fish you capture and cook along the way, so maybe you don’t really hate him that much. it’s so much of yuuta nervously rambling as you two travel and you not responding, but that doesn’t stop yuuta, nor does it deter him from thinking that you’re not all bad. clearly you’re strong and determined and you believe capturing him with worth something so he kinda…. let’s it be (also he thinks he’d lose a fight to you) and somewhere along the way he gets the courage to point blank as you why you’re taking him and i’d love to say he talk no jutsus you into not turning him in but also love the idea of someone else attacking you and yuuta turning on the airbending to choke them out which is insane bc you’ve done nothing but capture him but who’s to say that’s not a form of love too xoxo

or we can consider you and megumi growing up in the south pole together, it’s a small town so it’s not a coincidence that you two become friends, even if megumi is a little gruff at first. you two do everything together, even though your water bending abilities start to differ as you get older—you become much more mischievous, while megumi becomes focused on precision and healing. it’s why, despite the tradition being father and son to go out hunting, toji takes you out to sea to go ice fishing and you always run back home to megumi with your capture in hand, damn near tackling him every time and happily proclaiming you caught his favorite; and every time he tells you to calm down and not cause a scene, but you don’t, and toji and his mom chuckle as you tackle him and megumi tries to blush and wrangles you into a seat inside while he helps his mom with dinner. and really, all is well until some snobby prince from another town claims that your family is indebted to his and that you’re betrothed as collateral and everyone finds out very quickly that even though megumi spent all his time focusing on healing, that he’s still toji’s son and can make one hell of a tsunami if it calls for it. (and when the storm, literally, passes, megumi huffs as he digs through his belonging and stuffs a necklace in your hand and all you can do is blink and wonder what’s going on while his mom snickers in the background and winks at you “i think that’s a proposal, dear.”)

orrrrrr even though i firmly believe in airbender satoru superiority, i do make an exception for stealing yue’s plot line and making satoru a waterbender and prince who’s hair is only white because he blessed and saved by the moon spirit when he was very young. ofc, that’s not enough to make him nearly as humble as he should be, and satoru spends all his days ignoring his princely duties and bothering you and a nanami instead, ditching his masters and servants in favor of pouting at you to teach him your skills instead because satoru wholly believes his duty is not to serve as the bridge between his people and the moon, but instead to annoy you and hopefully make you mrs half-moon someday