HOME | DD

Description
The people of the Earth Kingdom were astonished that the Fire Lord would take one of their own as his bride. Now, the Avatar's lack of retribution, although extraordinary in itself, was to be expected. Most living memories did not extend into the time before the genocide of the Air Nomads, but the stories about them always told of a gentle people. He had acted according to the Nomads' history. But this? After a century of arrogant condescension to the People of the Earth, that a member of the Fire Nation royalty would gladly wed one of the "inferior" bending discipline?

Zuko noticed the change immediately after the engagement as he entered his sixth year of reparation work. People smiled a little more readily, even some of the most stubborn of the negotiators seemed to thaw a little bit. It was as if they were realizing that he actually was serious about change. He had always been, and to some degree- Toph had dragged this out of him after several sessions of "you're not telling me the whole truth"- it disappointed him that he couldn't convince them on his own before, without her hand. He saw it as a failure of himself- and this was the truth, or else Toph might have taken offense.

Toph's behavior, however, was the most baffling. Sure, they had been away from each other for long periods in the intervening years, but she had always striven to be the opposite of a prim, well-mannered noble. Now she was acting the part with no reserve. He became worried about her suppressing her personality, the one he had fallen in love with- the free-spirited, no-nonsense spitfire. He asked her about it one day.

To his inquiry Toph scoffed. "Relax, Sunshine. Listen, I know how important "appearances" are even if I'm blind. I can stand to lift a pinky finger once in a while. I am representing my entire country here."

He smiled. Toph had not grown much in height. But she had grown in other ways.

His face fell in consternation, however, as she continued, "And besides, I like knowing how to work people. It's a performance."

A performance? He recalled going to her Earth Rumble matches and seeing the grin that split her face when she heard the appreciative shouts of the crowd. Was this like that? She now enjoyed the approval of her "audience?" Did she enjoy holding them in her influence?

It wasn't the same as the cunning his sister displayed, and nowhere near as malicious, yet there were similarities. Both girls could act submissive and dainty if it suited their purposes. He kept the observation to himself. That is, until she dragged it out of him. That one did cause some offense.

And so, the people of the Fire Nation, though at first outraged by the idea, gradually came to accept, and then respect, their new Fire Lady. It didn't hurt that she also smacked down a few assassins along the way.

. . .

I hope you note the irony of the little woman, big country and large man, little country. XD

I have seen "older Zuko" drawn to look like Ozai, with a long beard. But don't you think it makes more sense for him to wear his uncle's style of facial hair? XD I dunno, just noodling with ideas . . .

Drawing the continents was infuriating and enjoyable at the same time. Don't ask me how. Anyone who spies what I threw in the map gets a llama (granted I haven't given you the freebie already). Look closely!!

Oh, and I failed at these hands. Epic-ly.

More Avatar fanart --> menollysagittaria.deviantart.c…

Best friends . . . high-class political allies . . . rivals . . . or lovers . . . Toko is AMAZINGLY EPIC any way you envision it.

Apologies if you have already seen this little poem (try reading it aloud )

Lord and Lady,
O.T.P.,
My One True Pairing,
With noble bearing
Two tough high heirs
Let all declare:
Stone and the Sun!
Second to none!
Earth and Fire!
All admire:
Volatile volcano flow
Ground gives off a grand gold glow
May majestically molding magma
Ever be my Meter and Mantra!

Molly's Mantra. Go figure.

Description
The people of the Earth Kingdom were astonished that the Fire Lord would take one of their own as his bride. Now, the Avatar's lack of retribution, although extraordinary in itself, was to be expected. Most living memories did not extend into the time before the genocide of the Air Nomads, but the stories about them always told of a gentle people. He had acted according to the Nomads' history. But this? After a century of arrogant condescension to the People of the Earth, that a member of the Fire Nation royalty would gladly wed one of the "inferior" bending discipline?

Zuko noticed the change immediately after the engagement as he entered his sixth year of reparation work. People smiled a little more readily, even some of the most stubborn of the negotiators seemed to thaw a little bit. It was as if they were realizing that he actually was serious about change. He had always been, and to some degree- Toph had dragged this out of him after several sessions of "you're not telling me the whole truth"- it disappointed him that he couldn't convince them on his own before, without her hand. He saw it as a failure of himself- and this was the truth, or else Toph might have taken offense.

Toph's behavior, however, was the most baffling. Sure, they had been away from each other for long periods in the intervening years, but she had always striven to be the opposite of a prim, well-mannered noble. Now she was acting the part with no reserve. He became worried about her suppressing her personality, the one he had fallen in love with- the free-spirited, no-nonsense spitfire. He asked her about it one day.

To his inquiry Toph scoffed. "Relax, Sunshine. Listen, I know how important "appearances" are even if I'm blind. I can stand to lift a pinky finger once in a while. I am representing my entire country here."

He smiled. Toph had not grown much in height. But she had grown in other ways.

His face fell in consternation, however, as she continued, "And besides, I like knowing how to work people. It's a performance."

A performance? He recalled going to her Earth Rumble matches and seeing the grin that split her face when she heard the appreciative shouts of the crowd. Was this like that? She now enjoyed the approval of her "audience?" Did she enjoy holding them in her influence?

It wasn't the same as the cunning his sister displayed, and nowhere near as malicious, yet there were similarities. Both girls could act submissive and dainty if it suited their purposes. He kept the observation to himself. That is, until she dragged it out of him. That one did cause some offense.

And so, the people of the Fire Nation, though at first outraged by the idea, gradually came to accept, and then respect, their new Fire Lady. It didn't hurt that she also smacked down a few assassins along the way.

. . .

I hope you note the irony of the little woman, big country and large man, little country. XD

I have seen "older Zuko" drawn to look like Ozai, with a long beard. But don't you think it makes more sense for him to wear his uncle's style of facial hair? XD I dunno, just noodling with ideas . . .

Drawing the continents was infuriating and enjoyable at the same time. Don't ask me how. Anyone who spies what I threw in the map gets a llama (granted I haven't given you the freebie already). Look closely!!

Oh, and I failed at these hands. Epic-ly.

More Avatar fanart --> menollysagittaria.deviantart.c…

Best friends . . . high-class political allies . . . rivals . . . or lovers . . . Toko is AMAZINGLY EPIC any way you envision it.

Apologies if you have already seen this little poem (try reading it aloud )

Lord and Lady,
O.T.P.,
My One True Pairing,
With noble bearing
Two tough high heirs
Let all declare:
Stone and the Sun!
Second to none!
Earth and Fire!
All admire:
Volatile volcano flow
Ground gives off a grand gold glow
May majestically molding magma
Ever be my Meter and Mantra!

Molly's Mantra. Go figure.