beckyh2112 | AU Meme

Zuko, firebenders are cannibalists.

Iroh, and/or the Gaang. Ozai executed Zuko after he arrived to Fire Nation at the beginning of third season.

Zuko, I post this prompt to Avatar_bigbang and no one has atleast admitted doing something with it. Iroh followed his son soon after to the death, so Zuko didn't have a other father figure. Ozai pretty much ignored him until one of his advisors commented on Zuko's skill at stealth (Blue Spirit!). Ozai got interested about this and called the master of the Guild and made Zuko his apprentice. The Guild is all about spying and assasination. Zuko is trained by them and he has definitive talents on that area. And Avatar arrives and Zuko with a group of other Guild members are in Earth Kingdom spying. Sometime during the second season preferably, but it's up to you!

(Ignore this if you want, I am not sure if this is a right kind of a prompt but woman!Pakku has to deal with very stubborn boys at the Northern Water Tribe)

Iroh, and/or the Gaang. Ozai executed Zuko after he arrived to Fire Nation at the beginning of third season.

I'm not going to write this one. You can choose another prompt for that slot.

Ah okay. May I ask why? O_o

Uhm. Zuko, the Drow!AU and his time at the top!world (? sorry, the right word is lost from me...). The first winter.

Yes.

Okay, why? XD (sorry, again in a weird mood)

Because it's insanely OOC for Ozai to execute his son when Zuko is finally doing what he wants, especially since he previously just scarred and exiled him for rebellion. Because I don't want to waste an Ozai and Iroh battle on something that OOC. Because, frankly, it's distasteful, and you've already asked for one pretty distasteful prompt.

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floranna.livejournal.com - 2010-03-30 15:12 (UTC) - Expand

"What is the best sort of spy?" The Master asked. He was an unremarkable man, hair pulled into a traditional topknot, robes those suitable to a minor noble from the central islands. His hair was dark without being black, his eyes bright without being gold. He had no scars, no quirks of appearance, no unusual mannerisms.

Zuko frowned, trying to work on the problem. The answer that occurred to him felt like it was missing something, some vital spark of understanding.

He sat in the Master's tearoom, on the bare tatami mat. The Master himself sat on a cushion. On their left hands, the low tea table sat with all of its supplies laid out.

"One who isn't scene," Zuko said, certain it was wrong but not sure how to be more right.

The Master shook his head. "No, Zuko. The best sort of spy is one who isn't noticed."

Zuko outright scowled at that. "What's the difference?"

The Master turned to look at the tea table. "Mai."

The girl who had been sitting there - the girl, Zuko realized, who had been sitting there since he entered the room - raised her head. "Hm?"

Flame rushed through Zuko's very essence, and he took a breath. This, this was the spark of understanding that he'd never been able to ignite before. "Oh."

***

"You look lovely," said the man called Lee.

"Thank you," the woman called Niu replied. Her glossy black hair was arranged in the elaborate weave currently favored outside of Ba Sing Se, suitable for the Omashu noble people believed her to be. Jade and bright metal pins held her hair in place.

He offered his arm, and she took it, walking close to enjoy the warmth his body gave off. Spring was slowly giving way to summer, but the nights were still cold.

"I'm surprised you gained an invitation," she said. "Even a celebration of the Earth King's bear's birthday seems like it would be... exclusive."

He smiled. "Very. They didn't even invite the Avatar."

She didn't have to feign surprise - her eyes widened. "I wasn't aware he was in the city."

"You've been busy," he replied.

"There are so many officials' and nobles' wives who want the thrill of hearing about our flight from Omashu," she said in agreement, a ghost of a smile curving her mouth. "I'm so happy our misfortune has allowed me to make such good friends, though."

"It is wonderful," he said. "I haven't been as social as you, I'm afraid, but one of the braided young men I play mahjong against heard you would be interested in attending."

She slanted a glance at him. "You know I don't like the Dai Li."

A smirk lifted one corner of his mouth. "Now, Niu. The Dai Li are unseen, not unnoticed."

Squee! This everything I dared to hope! Wonderful! Mai! You put Mai there! Yesh!

Now excuse me, I'll go off to make a fool of myself.

Glee! Ever since I saw that prompt, I was hoping that someone would write it. And you did! <3 So well! I really do like that nuance between being unseen and being unnoticed... I LOVED the last line. :3

And I agree with Floranna - I LOVED that you put Mai in. She would be an awesome assassin and spy. :3

And hey, does this mean that in this universe, Zuko can actually lie half-decently, I wonder? VERY AU IF SO. ;)

Niiiice! I love it when authors throw just enough common sense into sexy spy stories to make them really interesting.

You are the person to blame for this coming out very cool. *remembers that discussion of "make the master like Vetinari" "... I am not sure that would work well with Ozai around" "well, not exactly like Vetinari"*

Vetinari! I was right! I was a bit wondering who did the master remind me of so I am a bit giddy of being right. (Hey, rare things like this should be savored...)

I'd just like to say, y'all? Zuko is not Drizzt, and isn't in a situation remotely like Drizzt's.

Previously on Avatar (http://beckyh2112.livejournal.com/378703.html?thread=3155023#t3155023)....

Brightness stings his eyes. The reflection of moonlight off snow is almost too much for Zuko. It is cold, painfully cold, so unlike the comfortable temperature of the Underdark. The clothing he wears under his armor almost isn't thick enough.

He doesn't like this. He dislikes what will happen if he returns to Azula and Matron Ursa without his quarry even more.

The talisman Azula made for him draws him onward, south through the woods. It burns, and he knows he has almost found her.

"Shouldn't have chosen Eilistraee," he mutters. "Should have chosen anyone but the Dark Maiden. Azula might have forgiven you for that, Ty Lee."

Edited 2010-04-21 03:15 (UTC)

Ohh. So that means no freedom for Zuko? That makes me sad.

But this drabble is beyond awesome. Poor Zuko. Poor Ty Lee.

What does he need to be free from? He loves his family, and while he isn't always happy with his lot in life, no one is always happy with their lives.

That's true. Maybe I just feel it from my point of view and being in his place I would be running off faster than a race horse.

Re: Drow AU: Zuko on the surface, first winter

beckyh2112.livejournal.com - 2010-04-21 12:48 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Drow AU: Zuko on the surface, first winter

floranna.livejournal.com - 2010-04-21 12:50 (UTC) - Expand

Previously on Avatar... (http://beckyh2112.livejournal.com/421019.html?thread=5091227#t5091227)

"Hey, Sokka!" Hands shook him, and Sokka opened his eyes blearily. Aang stared down at him, looking concerned.

Sokka blinked, then shoved himself upright. The sudden motion aggravated his throat, and he found him some coughing fit to die. Aang winced and lightly blew air into his mouth, which almost eased the coughing.

On the other side of the cell, Katara had her eyes open for the first time in days, tracking every move Aang made.

"What're you doing here?" Sokka hissed as soon as he could talk again.

Aang glanced over his shoulder, and there on the other side of the cell-bars was the Fire prince. He was redoing his ponytail, rearranging his hair to hide a growing bruise at his hairline.

"Zuko came and got me," Aang said, a slight edge of worry to his voice.

Sokka could definitely agree with that worry. Anyone who could get Aang out of Zhao's clutches and into Azula's all by himself... Though it looked like the kid had gotten hurt doing it, so there was at least that.

"What are you sick with?" The prince asked all of a sudden, bright eyes on Sokka. "It sounds like thornfever, but Azula should have been able to fix that by now."

"Yeah?" Sokka asked casually, trying to look bored.

"Maybe she's out of frogs," Aang said nonsensically. Even Katara gave him a dubious look for that one.

"You don't treat thornfever with frogs," Zuko said contemptuously. "You take tea with honey and lemon, then you mix thyme and coltsfoot with ginger and cinnamon and eat that."

"... The frogs sound easier," Aang said.

"What is with you and the frogs?" Sokka demanded.

"Zuko!" Azula's familiar bellow came. "I thought I told you to stay away from the prisoners!"

Zuko rolled his eyes, then turned towards his sister with a smile. "I just wanted to see how they were settling in," his voice suddenly childish again. "I didn't think it would upset you."

Azula gave him a contemptuous look and slapped her hand through his ponytail. "Don't think about my orders, Zuzu. Just does as I say..."

She stared, and Aang gave a little wave.

"I sent Uncle Iroh a hawknote earlier this evening," Zuko said, "and he said he'd collect me at this abbey in the Earth Kingdom he's familiar with. Father's unhappy with me wandering off."

"Of course," Azula said vaguely, eyes intent on Aang. "You're still not much of a firebender."

Zuko smiled, wide and guileless. "Not like you, Azula," he chirped. Then he leaned over and hugged his sister. "Father will be so happy to hear...?" He glanced at Aang, looking slightly puzzled. "Well, to hear about whatever happened."

Azula drew herself upright, pushing Zuko away. "Admiral Zhao lied in his report," she purred. "How foolish of him to think he could get away with it."

Sokka studied Zuko carefully. That kid... That kid worried him. Azula still scared him, but he was pretty sure he had her measure. Zuko, though, was totally both new and dangerous.

Azula caught him looking at her brother, and her eyes narrowed. One hand settled on Zuko's shoulder, and she smiled. "Why don't you ask Father if you can stay with me for a while, Zuzu?"

Edited 2010-05-08 23:13 (UTC)

Bonus? To me? Frigging awesome.

This Zuko is a person I would love to know more of. He can be sneaky. And the fact that he acts a bit younger is, again, awesome. Azula's surprise is hilarious, even if she contains it way better than I would have. ^^

Zuko stared down at the sheared top of the melon. Behind him, he heard Aang and Sokka arguing, Aang almost pleading with the older boy. "I can't do that, Sokka, I just can't-"

There was something almost fascinating in the red flesh of the melon. If he squinted, he could see the inner white rind as bone.

"Aang, you have to," Sokka said sternly. "The Firelord is going to try to kill you. You have to kill him."

"Actually...," Zuko heard himself say distantly.

The argument broke off behind him, and he turned to look at the others. Aang looked up at him hopefully while Katara mopped her brow. Sokka just let the sweat roll down his skin. Something about the Fire Nation was just too hot for them. Toph dug her feet into the dirt, while Suki stared up at him curiously.

Zuko couldn't meet Aang's eyes. The boy was... was his friend, he thought, and he needed to know this. He needed to keep it in mind, because Sokka was right. "He may try to take you alive. You're the Avatar. If he has you alive- he can partake of your full strength."

Aang turned distinctly green, and horror flashed across Suki's face. Sokka's expression hardened.

"You mean he'll eat him alive," Katara said, sounding disgusted and sickened.

"It isn't eating!" Zuko snapped. Everyone always said that, how dare they say that when the Water Tribes had their barbaric marriage customs and the Earth Kingdom kept slaves! "Eating is cooking and consuming food, it's spices and vegetables and fruit on top of meat! We don't eat people, that's obscene!"

"Are you really getting picky about the words here?" Suki asked. "The results are the same."

"It isn't the same," Zuko said, hands clenching into fists.

Sokka made a calm-down gesture. "Right. Glad you shared that, Zuko. So, Aang, that's yet another reason you need to be ready to kill the Firelord..."

Wow... I'm not even sure how to put in words how I felt when I read this! I like the turn that you went with the prompt, and how defensive Zuko is about it. I like the cultural clash, and the cultural details. But I also agree with Sokka at the end. D:

(I have to wonder, has Zuko ever partaken of someone like that...?)

=DDD This is exactly I meant! Well, not exactly, my fanon is that if Fire Nationers consume human flesh, it's to honor them. Like, eating your dead relatives flesh to get their strength and wisdom, or the enemy who fought honorably. The last thing I would've wanted was the I-am-hungry,-let's-eat-humans!

I have a weird fascination with culture clashes. ^^

Generally, in the real world "I am hungry, let's eat humans" only comes up when you've got serious starvation conditions going on. (My mother has a theory that tales of ogres sprung up from some of those terrible Russian and European winters.) So ritual cannibalism was the only way it made sense to me as a society-wide thing.

Wait... then who does Zuko eat or... partake?

... What?

Well he's a firebender too. Who does he eat? Like do they sell people jerky at like... hotdog stands?

AU Meme

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Zuko in the Guild

Re: Zuko in the Guild

Re: Zuko in the Guild

Re: Zuko in the Guild

Re: Zuko in the Guild

Re: Zuko in the Guild

Drow AU: Zuko on the surface, first winter

Re: Drow AU: Zuko on the surface, first winter

Re: Drow AU: Zuko on the surface, first winter

Re: Drow AU: Zuko on the surface, first winter

Re: Drow AU: Zuko on the surface, first winter

Re: Drow AU: Zuko on the surface, first winter

Bonus: moar younger!Zuko

Re: Bonus: moar younger!Zuko

Zuko, firebenders as cannibals

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Re: Zuko, firebenders as cannibals

Re: Zuko, firebenders as cannibals

Re: Zuko, firebenders as cannibals

Re: Zuko, firebenders as cannibals

Re: Zuko, firebenders as cannibals

Re: Zuko, firebenders as cannibals

Re: Zuko, firebenders as cannibals

Re: Zuko, firebenders as cannibals

sorry :/

Re: sorry :/