#ursa the polar bear

[lea-andres]

Me: I gotta make sure everyone knows Ursa sucks.

@bitter-sweet-coffee : Young Frankenstein.

Me: PERFECT-

[xcandiedorangesx]

[astralwhat]

enthusiastic about many 'ologies!

[lea-andres]

Yes, very, we're gonna platonically make out now-

sorry for info-dumping about how your oc's got my oc's killed in my lore, do you still think I'm hot

[childishred]

Icy water, by me, 2023.

digital painting using a photo reference

[jef-jaxon]

Pooler Bur. Love polar bears.

[amanda-axolotl]

Jump scare

[incomprehensible-phasmid]

Thinking about android pets today and like…

They should exist right? I mean there's no way it wouldn't be a bigger market than android children (like people who are allergic or stuff could get pets), and looking at how profit oriented Cyberlife is, well. But we only ever see two android animals, which are Carl's birds (that are weird and need to be turned or for some goddamn reason), and Ursa (who's, well, a polar bear and not exactly a pet).

(Although, I'm forever confused about wtf is going on with android zoos, because Ursa was created in 2030 - 8 years prior - but the article says that the first android zoo will just open, like? What are they doing for 8 years with the polar bears? Or are they already in regular zoos? But the article says that the animals have yet to be unveiled?

Also, Zlatko purchased Ursa secondhand, from where? Who did Cyberlife sell this poor polar bear and why? Or idk, I could imagine weird wealthy people having android polar bears as pets, I guess 😂)

Anyway, the point is that, if we assume that android animals can deviate as well… do authorities collect them to the camps too?

Idk, it's just funny to imagine some guards trying to herd a bunch of android cats 😂

[feather-bone]

North Star / Polaris & Co. and a little sea bear family.

[ID: an illustration of an adult polar bear and two cubs walking to the right. One cub sits next to the adult, and the other looks up, on its hind paws. Above them yellow stars shine on a pink and purple sky, and the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor are noted. The border is an orange-tined patchwork quilt pattern. End.]

[spanishskulduggery]

You're probably familiar with the cardinal directions in Spanish (and they're usually cognates with English):

(el) norte = north

(el) sur = south

(el) este = east

(el) oeste = west

However there are other more literary terms that you will see from time to time for using the directions as adjectives. This is different from something like norteño/a "northern" or "northerner" and sureño/a "southern" or "southerner"

And sometimes people will say del norte / sur for "from the north/south" as an adjective though it can translate as "northern/southern" regardless

...

Primarily what you will see for the fancier or more literary/geographic terms is:

septentrional = northern

meridional = southern

oriental = eastern

occidental = western

Particularly oriental and occidental get used with geographical terms, like el Medio Oriente is "the Middle East" or something like el hemisferio occidental "western hemisphere"

It's also common to see el Oriente as "the East" or "the Orient", and el Occidente as "the West"

I'd say oriental and occidental are much more common than septentrional for example... Largely you can consider them synonymous, but I think of septentrional as more formal than del norte and meridional feels more formal than del sur to me

These terms may also be used in relation to nautical things, or astronomical terms like constellations or the stars in the night sky, especially septentrional being used for the constellation Big Dipper [called (La) Osa Mayor in Spanish as Ursa Major, or "big bear"; sometimes called El Carro being "the Chariot" or "Wagon/Cart"], and sepentrión or septentrional also applies to stars near the North Star/Polaris and the Little Dipper [(La) Osa Menor or Ursa Minor; "smaller bear"]

Unrelated but Osa means "she-bear" literally; el oso is generally "male bear"

...But in etymology septentrional means "(related to) seven oxen", as the old word for the Big Dipper was "the Plow/Plough" or "Wagon", and it was said that the Seven Stars were the oxen pulling the plough; that sept- is related to "seven"; so again septentrional came to be related to "north" simply because that's what you'd look for as a sailor because that's where the North Star was

In other words, "north" was related to "the North Star and where you'd find it and what other stars were around it" hence septentrional

-

The other important directional words you'll want to know are:

el Levante = the East

el Poniente = the West

You may have heard the term "Levant" used for the Middle East; these terms come from Latin but have to do with the rising and setting sun

levantar is "to raise/rise", and poner(se) el sol is "for the sun to set"; thus el Poniente is "where the sun sets" for example and viceversa el Levante is "where the sun rises" which is more based on the old world knowledge of the East being more like Persia, Mesopotamia, and what the Ancient World called Asia [today we'd say "Asia Minor" now that we know fully about China and the Far East]

-

Other words to maybe just be aware of:

boreal = North / North wind

austro/a, austral = South / South wind

These you won't see too much except for something like la aurora boreal for "Northern lights" or just the Latin aurora borealis or when you look into the etymology of places like Australia as literally being "southern" [the north wind was el bóreas related to Boreas from Greek mythology]

And maybe be aware of el céfiro "zephyr" which was linked to the west wind; not that you necessarily need to know it for "west wind" unless you're reading Greek mythology or fancy literature, but they do use it when discussing the wind every so often

-

Side Note: el norte is also related to the ideas of "finding one's way"; like perder el norte can be "to lose one's way" which is literally "to lose north" - but it's related to nautical terms where people would follow la Estrella Polar "North Star / Polaris" and compasses facing north

A lot of directional vocabulary is related to wind and stars; which does make sense since it features heavily in navigation and nautical terms

[animalsalvationassociation]

A.S.A. Octonauts Headcanons:

Pt. 1 — Barnacles (1/2):

Childhood & Younger Years . . . ft. Barnacles’ sister Bianca

His full name is Barnacles Dour Seaver II, he was named after his (now) late father.

Bianca’s real name is Sedna Denali Seaver and was named after her great great grandmother. But when she went to college in the UK no one could pronounce it so she changed it to Bianca.

Her mother happened to do the same thing at her age because of the social standards of having a “normal” name.

Barnacles respects his sister’s wishes to call her Bianca, at least in public, so Sedna has become more of a family used name.

Barnacles grew up in their family Lighthouse with Bianca, his mother Beatrice, as well as their father and grandfather. The lighthouse was built by his ancestors to help wayward boats up north and has been cared for, for over ten generations.

Their family actually has native blood running through them, and have always lived quietly beside the ocean. Only when the lighthouse was built did they officially settle down. Before that they were travelers and participated in special hunting traditions and ceremonies.

In order to continue those traditions Barnacles’ family, as well as many others, meet together once a year to hunt on the sea ice.

Their father was a trades/fisherman within the markets of the north. Unfortunately one year their father’s ship disappeared in a horrible storm when Bianca and Barnacles were only seven.

Their grandfather eventually died some weeks later from heartbreak. That’s when their Auntie Juliette decided to come live with them. Their mother got very sick due to her own ailing heart, forcing the twins to grow up faster than they should’ve in order to take care of their mother.

Natquik, in his own way, became the father Barnacles needed and was always there when it was most important, especially when it came to the rest of his family. It’s because of Natquik that Barnacles was inspired to join the military (or in this case the navy).

Natquik was the one to teach him how to play the Accordion.

A few months after his father disappeared Barnacles fell into the ice hole, it was a very vulnerable time for him. It took several hours for the scouts to get Barnacles out, even then they were still forced to get their scout leaders because of how unstable the ground was, as well as the lack of supplies. He was always grateful to them, especially his sister who refused to leave him behind.

Because of where they lived they had very few friends growing up, and most of them were polar bears. Boris was the first friend he ever made that lived in the ocean, sparking his curiosities about the world beneath the waves.

He did his best to work hard in his studies, hoping to grow his knowledge on the ships that sailed past his little island home.

Barnacles and Bianca made a pact when they were kids that they would always be there for one another no matter where they went in the world. And they keep that promise to this very day.

Barnacles joined the navy as soon as he was old enough while Bianca went off to study English and Social Sciences in London.

By that time a Professor by the name of Lwazi Ntuli had created specialized suits for creatures who otherwise wouldn’t be able to breathe/function in places that weren’t their natural territory. And to test them they were given out to those who earned scholarships from out of the way places such as the Arctic, Antarctic, the seas/ocean, etc, etc.

While studying abroad Bianca rekindled her relationship with an old friend (another polar bear) who was also studying in London at the time. After some odd years they fell in love and married, he eventually became Orson and Ursa’s father.

Unfortunately only a few months after Bianca announced that she was expecting, they got in a car accident and her husband passed away within an hour of arriving at the hospital.

Barnacles didn’t find out until after the twins were born. It shattered his heart to see his sister like this, and he promised himself that it would never allow himself to loose contact again.

Bianca and the twins now live with her mother Beatrice and Auntie Juliette in the lighthouse. Bianca now plans to raise them as she works on her novels. While Barnacles is set to protect the world, Bianca is preparing to take on the role of lighthouse keeper to protect the ships that her ancestors were so keen to watch over.

The Seaver Family:

Barnacles Dour I (Father, Deceased), Beatrice (Tribe name unknown, Mother) Barnacles Dour II, Sedna Denali (Bianca, Twin Sister), Orson (Nephew), Ursa (Niece), Natsiq (Nati, Brother-In-Law), Auntie Juliette (Beatrice’s Sister, Tribe name unknown), Sesi (Grandfather on his dad’s side, Deceased), Lusa (Grandmother on his dad’s side, Deceased–Died before the twins were born)

(Beatrice’s Mother/Father, Deceased. Barnacles and Bianca never had a chance to meet them. Their mother doesn’t talk about them very often. Their grandparents were very dear to their mother and aunt.)

Other Headcanons . . .

Captain Barnacles ( 2 ) / Kwazii / Peso / Dashi / Tweak / Shellington / Inkling / The Vegimals

[ This is a Octonauts AU, in no way is this canon to the OG storyline. ]

(Note: I decided to change when the cubs were born as I wanted them to be a little older during present time Above and Beyond. I'm still figuring out the timeline so you'll have to forgive me.)

[lea-andres]

What of Infinite think of Ursa?

*laughs in a future fic of mine* He... Hates her guts. Let's... Leave it there for now. 😈

(Ursa is Bark's mom, if you need a refresher or if you are new here. AWFUL woman, just awful.)

[furverse]

This beautiful art was made by @foxliveowo, an artist who has been with me for a long time in the furverse.

This character is called Ursula, a polar bear who used to be my mascot, now I'm really thinking about putting her in some books in my series and in a possible animation.

Está arte linda foi feita por @foxliveowo, um artista que está comigo há muito tempo no furverse.

Está personagem se chama Úrsula, uma ursa polar que antigamente era minha mascote, agora estou pensando realmente em colocar ela em alguns livros da minha série e em uma possível animação.

[violetrainbow412-blog]

Day 16: stargazing

Masterlist flufftober 🎀

Reblog if you liked it!

You let out a sigh of satisfaction when you finished preparing the back of your father's pickup truck, after several minutes and a lot of effort to stretch the blankets enough. There was a mat, a duvet, sheets, and plenty of pillows so the two of you would be comfortable on the date you had prepared for your boyfriend. Spencer had told you about a meteor shower that occurred every ten million years and that on this occasion would be visible in the region, so he believed it would be a sin not to take advantage of the night to see it together and, in the process, spend a nice time between you. You seemed very excited about the idea and had prepared food to spend the hours that you were going to wait and, of course, a thermos full of coffee to share.

“How does it look?”

“It's perfect,” he replied happily.

He had been busy reviewing some celestial maps that he carried with him, under the light of a flashlight that you had in the trunk. You were in a remote section of the countryside and without all the light pollution of the city the stars could be seen in their maximum splendor, which had you completely fascinated. You had never done an activity like this and you knew how much Spencer was excited about astronomy, so the idea that he wanted to share that with you made you feel special.

You climbed up to the space you had arranged and he immediately imitated you, where both of you sat with your back comfortably leaning on a pair of pillows. You pulled a blanket to cover your legs and those of your boyfriend, who soon intertwined them to shorten the distance.

“I assume you know the constellations, right?”

"I do! At this time of year several can be seen. Like that one over there that is shaped like a trapezoid with a tail, do you see it?” he asked, pointing to a specific point in the sky. You had to admit that you weren't the best at finding shapes in celestial bodies, but you tried with all your might, until you finally understood what he was referring to “That's the Big Dipper, it's the third largest constellation and it's visible for all year round in the northern hemisphere, in addition to being one of the best known and most important in astronomical history. It has eight stars, one of them visible only in very clear places like this and they are called Alkaid, Mizar, Alioth, Megrez, Phecda, Merak, and Dubhe”

“There is a myth in Greek mythology about it, isn't there?”

“Yes, Greek mythology considered Ursa Major to be the bear that Callisto had been turned into by Artemis after being seduced by Zeus. Homer mentions the Bear in Canto V of the Odyssey, in which Ulysses tries in vain to be guided by her to return to Ithaca, his land”

“Wow,” you sighed, as you continued to look up to admire the stars your boyfriend was telling you about.

“When I was a child, I asked for a telescope as a birthday gift and this was the first constellation I learned because if you follow a line a little higher you can find the polar star… that one over there, do you see it?”

"I see it"

“That star serves to guide you because it always points north, so no matter where you are you can find your way if you find it. That way I imagined that whenever I was lost, I could come back home” he confessed to you, with a nostalgic smile on his face.

You stopped seeing the celestial sky to focus on him and you couldn't stop yourself from kissing him when you saw the sparkle in his eyes watching you with enthusiasm. The kiss was gentle and short, just as if you wanted to reward him for his eloquence, and then you settled under his arm with your head resting on his soft chest.

“You probably know a few thousand facts about the stars, or am I wrong?”

“I have never counted them, but from the books I have read I can assure you that it is an approximate amount”

“Well, we still have a few hours until the rain starts so start spitting them all out. I want Sagan to feel threatened in the afterlife by my knowledge of the universe at dawn” you joked and the soft laugh he let out above your head was like music to your ears.

Spencer talked and talked and you listened attentively to everything he had to tell you, only interrupting him to ask questions or to ask him to eat a little or try his cup of coffee. In the same way, you were changing positions as the hours went by, sometimes lying down, sitting, other times he with his head resting on your shoulder, and you even went so far as to sit on his lap, with your back comfortably against his torso while that he spoke kindly in your ear.

"You are tired? Bored?"

“None of that, love” you smiled. Right now you were lying in front of each other, with him absentmindedly tangling a lock of your hair in his finger “It's the most interesting date I've ever had in my life.”

“And it's going to get better, because it's the scheduled time for the main show,” he murmured in a theatrical voice, while he sat down and helped you with one hand so that you were in the same position.

He hadn't lied, because after a few minutes he saw the first star crossing the sky. You gasped in surprise like a little girl would, and your shock only intensified when another star sped past. Suddenly dozens of stars imitated the first ones and your smile grew as a new one appeared.

"Look how beautiful!" you squealed, shaking your shoulder excitedly at your lover, who was smiling the same way you were. “It’s wonderful.”

Spencer felt the need to hug you from the side to enjoy the view and the company at the same time, while you continued to look at the sky with fascination.

“We are experiencing a unique event in our space-time,” he whispered, the words slightly muffled by his lips in your hair. “And… I wanted to give you something equally unique.”

Suddenly you felt his hand take yours and then a metallic object sliding down your ring finger, forcing you to stop looking at the sky to look at him, with an expression of nothing but shock.

“Spencer, what—?”

“It's not what you think,” he hastened to say. You looked at the jewel and realized that it was a delicate ring that was completely smooth and silver in color. “It is a promise ring, it is used to… well, to promise a loved one that at some point it will be replaced by one that involves a greater commitment," he explained to you, suddenly becoming a nervous wreck "I thought about giving it to you today because I love you so much and I wanted you to know that I would like to go further with you, if you accept me”

"Darling…"

"Do you like it?" he insisted and you were forced to drown his fears with a prolonged kiss on the lips.

“Of course it does. I love you so, so much and you don't know how happy this makes me, I wouldn't want to be with anyone else in the vast universe. I'm serious"

That was enough of an answer for him and then you settled down again to enjoy the rest of the astronomical phenomenon, knowing that you would only be able to forget that night when the time necessary to witness another of those meteor showers had passed.

taglist: @navs-bhat @reidwritings @tricia-shifting14 @spencerslove @vivian-555 @r-3dlips @rhiannonhippiegirl @taygrls @simp4f1 @sdddoobydoobydoo @taintedstranger

[waterfire1848]

Sokkla Opposite AU, where Sokka is the banished Water Empire Prince looking for the Avatar and Azula is the last firebender of Hira'a who just found a boy inside a volcano.

Hello, @stardust948 !!! (BTW Love this reverse AU!)

1. Azula grew up in Hira’a because that’s where Ursa took the children and fled to when the Water Tribe attacking (very big mistake making your main city basically in a bowl). Iroh, Ozai, Lu Ten, Azula and Zuko were living their lives in the royal palace when the WT attacked and Ursa took the kids and fled to Hira’a which is where they’ve spent most of their lives (13 years). Ursa never stopped telling her children stories about Caldera and a time before the Water Tribe attacked and the Avatar which Azula rejected by Zuko was mesmerized by. Azula never really thought the Avatar could be alive and instead wanted to focus on defeating the Water Tribe so that they could go home. Iroh, Ozai and Lu Ten all never come to Hira’a so Ursa has no clue what happened to them but, shortly before Aang comes, she’s killed by the Water Tribe (who are looking for any remaining members of the Royal Family). Azula is the last firebender left in the area and feels the weight of this everyday. One day, she and Zuko are by the volcano (Zuko: Yeah. The Water Tribe would never look for two firebenders near a volcano. What a crazy idea. Azula: Zuzu. Zuko: Yes? Azula: I will know you into the active volcano. Please shut up. I’m trying to focus.) Of course he doesn’t shut up, Azula gets made and a familiar airbender pops out.

2. Sokka was banished by his father because he’s a nonbender. (Kinda hypocritical since Hakoda’s a nonbender too but…) Basically, Sokka was scarred and banished because Hakoda wanted Katara to take charge. He believed that she, being a girl in the Water Tribe, would be far more easy to control when she was on the throne as opposed to Sokka. So, Hakoda tricks Sokka so that when he goes on a traditional hunt, Sokka is attacked by a polar bear dog and blinded in one eye and returns home empty handed. Hakoda regards this as Sokka’s failure to show he can’t lead (he can’t even catch some food for a family. How is he expected to lead a nation?) and banishes him to find the Avatar. When Sokka sees the light coming from the Fire Nation island, he knows that this is his moment. (Sokka: Gran Gran, do you know what this means?!?! Kanna: That we have to go to the land where 80 degrees is their record low temperature?). Sokka’s scar is three long scratches over his eye and he can’t see out of it, so he relies on his other eye and good hearing to detect things. Also, because of his lack of bending, he’s become an expert in weapons and hand to hand combat which aids him greatly in an initial fight against Zuko (which he wins easily) and he doesn’t get to fight Aang because the airbender goes with him without issue (Aang: I bet none of you Water Tribe soldiers have ever fought an airbender before…)

3. When the Fire Nation was attacked, firebenders fled all over the planet and were hunted down by the Water Empire. Realizing they were weak, a good number of firebenders took whatever resources they could find and fled to the old Sun Warriors civilization. Azula and Zuko, being former royalty, were able to get that information and tell Aang about it so he can learn firebending (I changed the cycle. It’s now air, fire, earth and water). However, to throw Sokka off their trial they have to make a couple stops in the Earth Kingdom first. (Azula: I’m telling you, based on how Aang flies that water prince won’t be able to track us. Aang: What do you mean how I fly? Azula: We literally flew across two islands then flew back to both of those islands. Aang: Seems normal to me Azula: Yeah, no one is figuring out our pattern.) In the Earth Kingdom, they find Mai, who also fled with her family but they went to the Earth Kingdom. Mai is still trained as a markswoman but now she’s also helping the Yuyan archers. (Zuko: MAI! Azula: Your girlfriend is alive after all. Aang: Girlfriend? Azula: Mai and Zuko were inseparable before the Water Tribe attacked Caldera. They literally did everything together. Zuko: What?! No, we didn’t. Azula: Okay, we’ll pretend. Maybe we can also pretend the sky isn’t blue, Appa isn’t big and the Water Tribe doesn’t suck too. Zuko: 😡 Azula: This is only proving my point). Mai agrees to join after realizing where they’re going and what they’re trying to do.

4. Bato is a bit different from Zhao. He’s a family friend, but also Bato doesn’t just tell Sokka not to try and capture Aang. He gives him a chance but when Sokka can’t, he steps in and tells Sokka to remain put while he handles it. (Kind of in a…. ‘You’re my kinda sorta nephew’ way). Would you believe that Sokka doesn’t listen? Bato figures out where they’re going and that that’s the hiding place of the firebenders. The Water Tribe empire sends as many ships as possible and attacks while Azula, Zuko and Aang are there. When they arrived to the Sun Warrior’s home, they met Ty Lee who became a sort of spiritual person since her time in Caldera and is very closely connected to the dragons. When the city is attacked, she and the dragons emerge to protect the people and one of the dragons is shot down. The Water Tribe has GREAT respect for the spirits but they don’t really care for the first benders of other nations so killing a dragon is not a big deal to them. You know who it is a big deal for? Aang. While Aang attacks the Water Tribe, Ty Lee sacrifices herself to become the second dragon and maintain balance. (Sokka: Bato! Bato! Bato, hardly breathing because the dragon drove its claws into his chest: Hey, Sokka. Sokka: BATO! Bato, don’t worry. We’ll get a healer and- Bato: Don’t. I’m okay. Sokka: The blood coming out of your body would say otherwise. Bato: Sokka, I don’t know what you know about your father’s plan but promise me you’ll stay safe. Sokka: I- Bato: Promise me. Sokka: I promise. Bato: Good. Good….Sokka: Bato?…Bato…😭) (Hakoda: Ugh! Advisor: Sir, I- Hakoda: Get Katara! Advisor: But the princess- Hakoda: Get her! Tell her that she has her first mission. Bringing her brother back and killing Team Avatar. I have a feeling her newest skill will be very useless for that.)

5. Katara in canon was incredibly strong on just a couple weeks of training. Now imagine her with years of training and being okay with bloodbending (yeah....not good). As the princess of the Water Empire, Katara has a military force behind her but chooses not to use it because she wants to move swiftly. To do so, she uses Yue and Suki to help her. Yue isn’t exactly a princess (since only Katara can fulfill that role) but because the Water Tribe is incredibly spiritual, she is held in high esteem for having some of Tui’s life force. Unlike Azula and Zuko in canon, Katara and Sokka get along great. The second Sokka sees Katara he runs over to hug her and ask her how she’s been. Katara really doesn’t have any bad intentions so she tells Sokka about the mission their father has given her and if he wants to help. Sokka grows worried though because he doesn’t have Aang and wonders why his father could want him back without the Avatar. (Katara: He wants you back. What’s the problem? Sokka: I just….I don’t know. It feels weird. Katara: He’s our father. Sokka: I know and I know he just wants what’s best for us both but- Katara: He probably wants you back now because the Avatar is back. Hope will return to the Earth Kingdom and whatever’s left of those ashmakers may come together again. We need our Prince. Sokka: You’re right. Katara: I always am. Sokka: Spirits, I forgot how annoying you are when you’re right. Katara: I’d like to think of it as more….announcing to the world that I’m smarter than you. Sokka: You were right in this one argument. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves). The first time the four meet the Gaang, Katara goes right for bloodbending and bloodbends them all. (Katara: You’re not living up to the legend, Avatar). She only losses because Azula hits her with enough fire that Katara has to back up and they escape on Appa. (Sokka: You learned to bloodbend during the day?!?! Katara: That’s not all I learned. Sokka: What do you mean? Katara: Let’s just say I have a very…creative way to make sure that little firebender and the Avatar never bend a single element again).

(Plus one) 6. In Ba Sing Se, Sokka realizes the truth: that Hakoda doesn’t want him to return and grows terrified of going back with Katara. With very limited options, since Katara is seconds from taking over the city, he decides to switch sides and make a desperate jump to Aang’s team (Azula: Why would you join us? Sokka:….The good of the world? Azula: 😑). Of course, no one on the team trusts him but they’re a little occupied with fighting Katara to really worry about that. While fighting in the final battle, it’s Katara vs Sokka, Azula and Aang and Katara is very angry that Sokka changed sides. She’s angry enough that it throws her off her game and she ends up at Azula’s mercy with a flame to her throat. (Aang: Azula, no! Azula: We have to! If we don’t kill her now then she’ll kill us later! Aang: No! We can’t kill her. Azula, taking her eyes off of Katara: Aang- Sokka, noticing what Katara is about to do: Azula, watch out! *He pushes her out of the way of one of Katara’s attacks and Katara sends an ice blade past Azula and straight into Sokka’s chest. Sokka: AHHHH!! Azula: Sokka!) Katara takes the moment of panic to attack Aang, bloodbending him and Azula down and removing Aang’s bending but being forced to flee (cause….the Earth King has guards) before she can remove Azula’s. Azula, Zuko and the guards get Aang and Sokka to a healer’s room while Katara, Yue and Suki flee the city without being detected. Azula remains with Sokka and Aang while they heal, staying with Sokka until he actually wakes up. (Azula: He saved my life. Zuko: He did. Maybe he has changed. Azula: Zuko: Azula? Azula: No one’s ever….Zuzu? Zuko: Yes? Azula: Nevermind. It’s not important. I’ll talk to Sokka when he wakes up.)

[rocks-in-space]

THE WILD ONE, PROTECTOR AND GUARDIAN

1. The Four Generations of Chang E, Zen Cho // 2. “Ursa Major,” Lisa Bohnwagner // 3. "Run Boy Run," Woodkid // 4. The Blinding Star, Blanca Varela. // 5. The Wizard, the Witch, and the Wild One, episode 24, Lou Wilson // 6. "Sword Illustrations," Ma-Ko. // 7. Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? Jeanette Winterson // 8. The Green Knight, David Lowery //9. "Crush," Richard Siken // 10. "The Problem With Other People," Savannah Brown // 11. The Wizard, the Witch, and the Wild One, episode 13, Lou Wilson // 12. "Artichokes," Bianca Stone

The Wizard, the Witch, and the Wild One web weaves:

Eursulon Suvi Ame True Friends

[Image IDs:

Image 1: Text reading, "Past a certain point, you stop being able to go home. At this point, when you have got this far from where you were, the thread snaps. The narrative breaks. And you are forced, pastless, to invent yourself anew."

Image 2: A painting of a night sky showing the constellation Ursa Major with an image of a polar bear behind it.

Image 3: Text reading, "Run, boy, run! This world is not made for you / Run, boy, run! They're trying to catch you."

Image 4: Text reading, "Because you are no longer an angel but a person all alone on two tired feet upon this earth that turns, that wakes terribly young every morning."

Image 5: Text reading, "[Chuckle] Well, I'm maybe not a knight yet, but on my way."

Image 6: A drawing all in shades of green of a sword planted in the ground illuminated by a thin beam of light. The sword is in front of the ruins of a stone building overgrown with plants.

Image 7: Text reading, “I've always tried to make a home for myself, but I have not felt at home in myself. I've worked hard at being the hero of my own life. But every time I checked the register of displaced persons, I was still on it. I didn't know how to belong. Longing? Yes. Belonging? No.”

Image 8: Text reading, "Are you a knight yet?" "Not yet." "Better hurry up." "I've got time... I'm not ready yet... I'm not ready."

Image 9: Text reading, "which brings us back to the hero's shoulders and the gentleness that comes, not from the absence of violence, but despite the abundance of it."

Image 10: Text reading, "The problem with other people/ is that one must leave before the other/ + one always gets there first.”

Image 11: Text reading, "Feeling the sword, really feeling the sword, feeling that it is not of THIS world, but of HIS world, where HE comes from. That is the energy, that is of him, that is coursing through him, that HE wields, up the arms, into the shoulders, filling his chest with the warmth, the feelings of play, the feelings of community and family, that were shared amongst his brothers and sisters, and the Great Bear, the feeling of his home, where he is from."

Image 12: Text reading, "I bet I will live again./ I bet I will appear in full gear, the armor / of ugly indefinite livability, the real body, / alive or in decay — I'll appear / like a thundering, I'll save / myself. And you. And you."

end ID.]