#si wong desert

[cicidarkarts]

Based on a dream I had last night. His phrasing took me out bro 💀💀

You guys ever have a newborn? It's hell on your hormones. And your sleep schedule. That's why we look so tired here. Also I wasn't sure if Avatar characters would have hair dye, soooo... Natural haired Cici it is. Featuring our daughter, who I've still not named yet.

And yes, I want to be a Waterbender :3 <3

I wore my baby for 18 months. It was hell on my back. Pray for Idrees he really going through it here

[whimsicallywiddershins]

ATLA Theory: Some air benders fled the massacre to the Si Wong Desert. They intermarried Earth Kingdom people and their descendants are the Sandbenders.

There is no way a bunch of people who can travel by air were completely taken by suprise by ground troupes. C'mon. Some had to have escaped. They just had to find a place where the Fire Nation couldn't find them. What better place than a desert no-one ever visits?

Sand is the perfect mix of Earth and Air. It doesn't move like earthbending, it moves like air or water. The relationship between air and sand is strong: sandstorms, wind eroding rocks into sand, wind sculpting sand dunes, ect... All things you find in a desert.

Also, it's very likely the Sand People are nomadic. Most desert peoples are. This would fit perfectly with the Air Nomad lifestyle. Sand Ships would replace Air Bison. Also, the Si Wong Desert is a great place to hide, especially if you ally with the locals. The Earth Kingdom government doesn't interfere with the Desert, people don't usually travel through it, and those that do probably would interact heavily with the Sand People, so rumors wouldn't travel about new arrivals. The Fire Nations definitely never went there.

If any new air benders were born, it would be incredibly easy to hide them. Airbending could be disguised pretty easily as Sandbending, all you have to do is pick up sand with the wind as you bend. I bet there is a mix of airbenders and earthbenders in the Desert.

[coralenemypainter]

[piichivii]

ray & gold dust // tuyaa, the rogue

[glacierfest-unhinged]

[discordiansamba]

Honestly, kind of obsessed with the idea of a no memories Zuko reincarnation (I'm guessing that's what you meant) just deeply confused as hell as to why the Avatar and his friends won't leave him alone.

It's just such a funny idea to me. They're all just so excited to meet their friend again, even if he's in a different form that they don't even stop to consider how this probably seems from his perspective. Just. What's going on? Why won't the Avatar and his friends leave me alone? Why are they always around?

WHY IS THE FIRE LORD JOINING THEM?!

[malachitezmeyka]

Naming OCs actually sucks so much sometimes, especially when the creators of the source material have no fucking idea which culture they’re drawing from

[fandomnerd9602]

Y’All Be Sinners

Country!Wanda x Male Reader

Sunday had arrived at the Maximoff Farm. For Wanda it was another great day to spend with her city boy in the comfort of her church. For you, it was a great day to be with your country girl and her family in a place you hoped to someday tie the knot in.

You stood in the mirror and readied your church clothes outfit. Wanda, your loving gal, wrapped her arms around you, hugging you from behind.

“Looking good enough to eat, city boy” she giggles

“I’m more of a desert option,” you lift up one of her hands and kiss it tenderly. Your girl was a blushing mess already.

“Glad we’re all going to church today,” Piet mutters as he walks up with his gal Crystal in his arms. “You buncha sinners need it”

“Oh don’t go all holier than thou, Piet” Wanda warns her brother.

“Yeah we heard you and Crystal last night,” you chuckle, “and you weren’t exactly speaking in tongues.”

Crystal blushes before smacking her man. Crystal was a quiet gal but she had her moments of ferocity. Wanda already loved her like a sister, she was just waiting on Piet to propose.

Church was a small intimate affair in the small rural town. Father Wong was always there at the door to greet the ten to twenty people who came every week.

“Wanda!” He smiled at you and your gal, “miss Kate fell ill this morning, can we get you to lead the hymn today?”

“Aww shucks preacher,” she giggles “you beg your wine storage I can.”

Father Wong lead the opening prayer at the very front of the small church before turning it over to Wanda. She took a deep breath and began singing.

Amazing grace

How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost

but now I’m found.

Was blind but now I see

She was a natural up there. The way she carried herself. The way she held the notes. You knew it was only a matter of time before her and her band went global.

It was like even the heavens were proud of her. A beam of light cascaded thru the stain glass window and casted upon her and the stage.

As the song ended, the entire congregation was hooting and hollering at how good your gal was. She gave a little bow and blew you a kiss.

Piet playfully punched your shoulder, “ya sinner”

You sit there in the tiny church garden after the service. Your mind races with different thoughts and emotions and yet you felt peaceful there. It was a safe space.

Your fingers played with a small piece of gold that Pietro gave ya earlier in the week.

Your country gal walked out of the church, the sun hitting her white dress just right. She looked like an angel in your eyes.

“What are ya up to, city boy?”

“Just thinking” you shrug

“About?”

“This little church would be the perfect venue for a couple sinners like us”

“Oh you,” she playfully punches you in the shoulder, “wait a minute. Perfect venue?”

You reveal the little piece of gold you had been holding: a diamond ring. It was Wanda’s grandmother’s ring.

“Make an honest woman outta my sis, alright?” Piet said after handing it to you.

“Only if Crystal makes an honest man out of you, Piet” you told him back. Piet gave you a wink in response.

You finally found the right time and place to propose to your country girl. Her favorite spot outside her favorite church.

“T-that’s my gramma’s ring” she said tears welling in her eyes.

“My country girl, you turned my whole world upside down.” You get on one knee, “I wanna spend my life with you.”

She was already a weeping mess at this point and yet she never looked more beautiful, “I-I wanna spend ma life with you too”

“You are my songbird, my scarlet witch, my everything. Will you marry—“

You couldn’t even finish because she tackled you to the garden floor and began kissing you something fierce.

You were lost in the moment together. She was your whole world, your country gal. And all you wanted to do was be by her side for the rest of her life. She giggles, kissing you and nipping at your bottom lip, her reddish brown hair drapes down in your eyes, obscuring your vision in the best possible way.

“Wanda?” Father Wong interrupted. “T-this is kind of inappropriate for church-“

Wanda flashes him the ring now nestled on her finger, “I’m engaged!!!” She giggles.

“Okay then,” Wong shrugs, “don’t let me bother you” and with that he walks back to the small church.

You and Wanda still look back on that day with a little laugh. You ended up marrying each other in that little church. And Wong was the one to officiate the wedding too.

Not bad for a bunch of sinners.

Tags @lifespectator @olsenmyolsen @supercorpdanbeau @scarletquake-n7 @tokufighter @idkwhatever580

[callimara]

The other boys for my ✨ Avatar!AU ✨

Casey aka Kaisa, the Airbending Prodigy.

Elias aka Ilayas, the rough and tumble, hair-trigger Lavabender.

And finally, Markus aka Makku, the Firebender living in disguise among the Sandbender communes in the Si Wong Desert!

[fanboyzuko]

Learning to Fly: Ripples Make Waves Chapter Eight

It was ridiculous, but Ty Lee was jealous of Zuko. With every letter exchanged, it became all the more clear how much happier he was in banishment. Ty Lee couldn’t sense auras off of inanimate objects, but she knew that if she saw Zuko now, she would finally know what his colors were. Zuko was free for the first time in his life and somehow it was supposed to be a punishment? Oh, how Ty Lee longed to join him on his adventures. She wanted to see the wonders of the Si Wong desert, meet cute spirits, make new friends from around the world, learn all these wondrous tales of Avatar Yangchen and her friends. Logically, Ty Lee knew there was a war going on. How could she not, it was ingrained in the very fabric of the Fire Nation at this point. And yet, it clearly didn’t matter. It had no impact on Zuko’s travels, so it never factored into Ty Lee’s daydreams.

Ty Lee is stealing the narrative for a bit, sorry, not sorry. This is story of why she ran away from home to join the circus. (And what she's started to learn in her travels.)

.

How does Ty Lee fit into Zuko's latest schemes? Catch up from Ripples Make Waves chapter one! Don't know anything about Zuko's schemes in his banishment? Well head on over to the beginning of Learning to Fly why don't ya ;3

[cicidarkarts]

Who doesn't love Momo

If Idrees existed in AtLA, he would be the only non-bender in a family of Sand/Earthbenders

[someonessleeping]

20 Years Later with New Characters, New Stories and New Stakes.

MY SLIDESHOW PITCH FOR AN AVATAR-VERSE FILM AND SERIES.

(disclaimer: this is not an avatar-centred story)

"When you base your expectations only on what you see, you blind yourself to the possibilities of a new reality" - Zaheer

NARRATIVE TIMELINE

PROTAGONISTS

SUN WARRIOR - "Surviving, that's all that matters."

WATER ATHLETE - "Losings not something I want to get used to."

SAND BENDER - "See, all those fancy moves got nothing on a little wink and smile."

NON-BENDER - "I'd close that big hole in your face before you say something I don't like. You don't know anything about me."

AIR NOMAD - "I won't give up on people because they didn't give up on me."

ANTAGONISTS

The Painted Lady - "If you know who I am then you know this won't end well for you...any of you."

Earth Kingdom Service Man - "Maybe it's time we bend fate to our will."

Air Bending Inventor - "We won't lose to this, not to them, we've been through much worse."

Water Tribe Assassin - "Finally, a challenge!"

Indigenous Fire Nation Enforcer - "No one gets to escape their past, even you!"

THE WORLD (70s Aesthetic)

Fate of the Four Nations (ANIMATED FILM) - "If we weren't all complete and utter failures we wouldn't be here would we."

Scourge of the Painted Lady (SEASON 1) - "You mustn't surrender yourself to fate."

Secrets of the Si Wong Desert (SEASON 2 PART 1) - "I'm sick of all this peace and love -I WANT WAR!"

Fury Unleashed (SEASON 2 PART 2) - "It's all been leading to this. Now show me who you are."

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - Including soundtracks and episode structure.

ADDITIONAL LORE (Not Necessary Reading)

Thank you for making it this far, I hope you enjoyed my pitch. If you have any questions or queries I'd be happy to answer them.

Some more illustrations.

[coralenemypainter]

[atlaculture]

Hi, I love your work and was wondering if you've done a post breaking down Earth Kingdom clothing inspiration and what the pieces are called. I'm writing a fanfiction and having a hard time finding info. Thanks!

The thing about the Earth Kingdom is that it's the most populated and diverse of the four nations in-universe. Meaning that each area of the Earth Kingdom has its own unique flavor. Some places are based off of specific Chinese dynasties, others around the various ethnic minorities of China, and some are other Asian cultures entirely.

Ba Sing Se's aesthetic is based off of the later years of China's Qing Dynasty (1636-1912):

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Ba Sing Se Queues (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Zuko's Teashop Outfit (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Ba Sing Se Headdresses (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: The Dai Li (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Royal Earthbender Guards (tumblr.com)

Toph's family and background are meant to appear refined and wealthy so their look is based off of the later years of China's opulent Tang Dynasty (618-907):

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Toph’s Fancy Dress (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Toph’s Sleepwear (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Toph’s Hairstyle (tumblr.com)

Bumi likes to wear Chinese opera clothing and his character is broadly inspired by Lu Bu of the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280):

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Bumi (tumblr.com)

Kyoshi Island is Heian & Edo period Japan mixed with Ainu culture:

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Kyoshi Headbands (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Kyoshi Makeup (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Kyoshi’s Hair & Clothes (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Kyoshi Warriors Uniform (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Kyoshi Islanders Fashion Pt. 1 -... (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Kyoshi Islanders Fashion Pt. 2 -... (tumblr.com)

When Zuko and Iroh are on the run in the EK, they encounter a Vietnamese town and a Korean village:

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Anatomy: “The Swamp” Episode (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Architecture: Song’s Village (tumblr.com)

The tribes of the Si Wong Desert are North African crossed with Mongolian:

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Sandbenders (tumblr.com)

Chong and Lily (Secret Tunnel Hippies) wear Tibetan and Hmong clothing, respectively:

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Chong (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Lily (tumblr.com)

The refugee family with the pregnant wife is inspired by Yi people:

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Serpent’s Pass Refugees Pt. 1 (tumblr.com)

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Serpent’s Pass Refugees Pt. 2 (tumblr.com)

And, with the exception of culturally isolated areas like Ba Sing Se/Si Wong Desert/Omashu/Kyoshi/Foggy Swamp, most men in the EK wear their hair in Taoist topknots:

The Cultures of Avatar: The Last Airbender | Cultural Fashion: Earth Kingdom Top Knots (tumblr.com)

So the sort of clothing your characters will be wearing in the EK depends on where in the country they are or are from. If you plan on inventing a new setting that takes place in the Earth Kingdom, try to choose a culture and period that reflects the mood or theme you're trying to get across.

[mysticwolfshadows]

Taken - Zutara - Part 82

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Leaving the Fire Nation in his uncle's hands was easy. Preparing to leave the Fire Nation so soon after becoming Fire Lord was hell.

He had a hundred things to finalize, his bags still needed to be packed, and Uncle was handing out more and more tea.

"Remember your blood pressure, Nephew," Uncle said, as he passed Zuko what must have been his sixth cup of oolong. "Everything will be fine."

His eye twitched as he quickly chugged the drink. If he sat with it to long, he would start thinking about... And he couldn't get distracted.

While sorting through various Fire Nation tomes, Zuko had stumbled upon various hidden chambers. One had been in his fathers room, where he found a collection of war prizes from the other nations. Air Nomad robes, old Earth Kingdom armor, even a few Water Tribe pelts. He had wrapped up each one, and had put in a pile where his own bags were supposed to go.

The scribes were still replicating almost three dozen texts from the private library. A bit of everything. Some Fire Sage scrolls, a children's story, Love Amongst the Dragons, and some scrolls on Fire Nation history. The last one had to be corrected in some places, of course.

When it was finally time to leave, Zuko had realized he still hadn't gotten his things together. He'd thrown everything he could think of into a bag, and had to hope he had everything he needed.

"And you'll check on Azula?" Zuko was saying, as Suki was physically pulling him to the airship. "And for the love of Agni, Uncle, please no tea holidays. There's too much already going on, I can't come back to extra paperwork, please."

"Nephew," Uncle said, far too easily for Zuko's taste. He pat Zuko's shoulder, helping Suki steer him away. "I will take good care of our country. Please, go. Have fun. Say hello to Chief Hakoda for me."

Finally, he was pushed into the new airship. It had the main structure as the war ships, but was simplified and meant more for transport than offense. It had been one of the side projects he had organized, to give soldiers coming back from the war front jobs until they were able to find work elsewhere. The 'Soldier Career Relocation Project', as his ministers were calling it, was going outstandingly well. Farms were doing great, schools were reporting a massive decrease in firebending injuries, and with the number of jobs offered to reverse damages done by his father, their unemployment was at an all time low.

The airship was definitely still slower than Appa, though, and they were already behind schedule when Zuko called for them to change course to fly over the Si Wong Desert.

"Are you sure?" Suki asked, as the captain quickly directed the airship over the scorching desert. "We're already going to be late."

"There's something I have to do," Zuko explained. He was using a telescope to search for a lone tower rising from the sand. "And it's better to get this done sooner rather than later."

Suki, seeming to sense his displeasure at his coming task, decided not to ask further. She stood to one side, using her fan to keep herself cool.

When Zuko spotted the tower, he urgently ordered the airship over. He asked everyone to stay put, a platform with all the Fire Nation scrolls and texts lowered with him. Zuko and Suki went down, the Kyoshi Warrior staying on the platform, where she barely had room to stand.

Zuko repelled down into the library on his own. He didn't bother to wait for the spirit to show itself before attaching the rope to one of the pillars. There was a rustling of feathers already coming closer.

"You have returned," Wan Shi Tong said, sounding almost annoyed. "Was what you found not to your satisfaction?" A pause. "What are you doing?"

"Keeping my word," Zuko said. Once he was sure the rope was taut, he cupped his hands around his mouth, and called up to the window. "Suki! Start sending them down!"

There was a moment of silence, before a package was sailing down the line on a double ended hook. Zuko caught it before it could hit the pillar. He didn't bother opening it, instead lifting it off the improvised zip line, and setting it aside so he could catch the next. And then the next, and the next, and even more after that.

All the while, Wan Shi Tong watched on.

"What is this?" the spirit asked, once there were twenty or so packages set on the floor.

"I told you the last time I was here," Zuko said, bowing to the bird, "that I would bring back Fire Nation texts if we survived. Well, the comet is tomorrow, and the world is working towards peace."

"And what do ask for in return?" Even as the spirit sounded annoyed, he was using one claw to gently prod a package open to reveal a mix of scrolls and books.

"I ask for nothing," Zuko said, untying the rope. "It was only thanks to your library that we were able to make it as far as we have. It's a gift."

"If there are as many in each, this collection must be around two hundred texts. A pitiful collection, to be sure, but greater than we had. You would give this without asking anything in return?"

Doing his best to keep his voice calm, Zuko nodded. "Yes. Now, I'm leaving."

With a bow, Zuko started to scale the wall, leaving Wan Shi Tong with his new collection. When he reached the top, Suki helped him steady himself on the platform. It was already dark.

"This is where we learned about the eclipse," Zuko explained, as he and Suki were pulled up into the airship again. "I promised a favor as we were leaving."

She didn't press for more, instead settling back into her spot as his right hand. Ty Lee had stayed behind to help Uncle keep an eye on Azula.

When they finally reached Ba Sing Se, it was just after dawn on the day of the opening ceremony, nearly a full day after Zuko said he would arrive. There was a bit of a hold up, where Zuko had to go down and talk to General How at the first wall, before they were directed to take the airship to the edge of the farm ring. From there, Zuko, his luggage, and his staff would all take a trolley to the palace ring.

Everyone was still tired from the early morning arrival, and Zuko was yawning as he stepped off the trolley almost an hour later. He was hoping he could sneak a nap in at some point.

That is, until there was a shout.

"Zuko!"

He snapped up, wide awake, as he turned to find a girl in red and blue jogging down the palace steps towards him.

Katara.

First / Previous / Next / Masterpost

[discordiansamba]

avatar Zuko AU wherein is he learns he's the Avatar only after being banished wholesale to the Earth Kingdom and immediately goes. well. fuck. and proceeds to go on the most unconventional journey to master the four elements known to man.

first stop? well, he might as well check out the Air Temples. They're a good place to hide, since he's pretty sure all three surviving nations would like him dead. he ends up in the Southern Air Temple, and winds up laying the bodies there to rest... after he spends several days searching the temple for anything pertaining to how airbenders are actually laid to rest.

he does not expect to be greeted by a ghost once he does. The spirit of Monk Gyatso becomes his airbending teacher, until one day he simply stops appearing. Zuko assumes he's finally moved on, and decides it's time for him to move on. He wanders the Earth Kingdom for awhile, while trying to keep a low profile, and winds up at the Foggy Bottom Swamp.

...where there are apparently waterbenders who don't want to kill him. Sure, he'll take it. Huu is... eccentric, and he's not really sure he agrees with his uh. viewpoint on pants (or lack thereof) but he is a good teacher. after awhile, Huu tells him he should travel on to the Si Wong Desert so Zuko is just like. sure why the fuck not. and goes to the desert.

he gets taken in by one of the sandbending tribes there, and learns earthbending from them. he's pretty sure he prefers living in the desert over the swamp. the sandbenders he's staying with are nice enough, even if some of their younger members seem... well, assholes. said assholes sell him out one day, so he has to leave the desert.

well. now what?

(all the while, he's leaving behind the most eccentric string of rumors about the Avatar known to man.)