lizbee | Avatar works in progress (Reply)

stultiloquentia had a post setting some of her WiPs free, which I thought was rather nifty. I had a look through my drafts folder, but it turns out I don't actually have abandoned fics, just works in progress that I plan to finish one day (really). Still, I enjoy reading snippets, so here a few a few of mine.

The Epic Tophzula

This is SO CLOSE to being finished it's not funny. Of course, being SO CLOSE means that I'm into the pointy end where I have to juggle plot, emotion and structure, and all of those things are HARD. In the meantime, here are three snippets.

Azula

The less said about Toph's food, the better, but there are wild apple trees near the lake, so we're fed, if unfulfilled.

Toph pays careful attention to everything I do. She doesn't trust me, and why should she? And I'm not going to go to the effort of making myself likable just to please her.

"So," I say, "is the Earth Kingdom so chaotic that renegade earthbenders feel comfortable abducting foreign dignitaries?"

"Usually there's a pretty strong fear of reprisal," says Toph, "but I guess they made an exception for you." She bites into her apple, and says with her mouth full, "And don't you think 'dignitary' is a bit strong? I mean, your presence wasn't exactly announced."

"That's not true. It was explicitly mentioned in one of Zuko's formal notices to the Earth King."

"How explicit?"

In the very fine characters at the bottom of the last page, but I just say, "Maybe you need to find someone to read the correspondence to you."

"I hope Zuko's going to pay for my expenses in this rescue."

"Wear and tear on your feet?"

"Hey, I might have chipped a nail down there."

I have to look away so she won't see me smiling, before I remember how pointless that is.

*

Toph

"What was that all about?" I ask Azula when we're outside.

"He was an Upper Ring bureaucrat when I took Ba Sing Se."

"What did you do to him?"

"Nothing. He and his colleagues gave me their full cooperation. Then they turned around and did the same for the Order of the White Lotus."

"Well, what did you expect?"

"Nothing different." We're wandering aimlessly out of the town. I can hear the waves crashing on the shore. "I thought I'd go down in history as a great Fire Nation hero. The woman who took Ba Sing Se from inside. Now it's an embarrassment that no one likes to talk about."

"I hope you're not expecting me to feel sorry for you."

"I don't. But … this is not how I thought my life would go."

Too late, I realise that Azula has been leading me back to the place where the boy died. One of the local earthbenders has turned the granite back into sand. Once again, it takes me a few moments to find my footing. Azula draws ahead, walking down to the water.

When I reach her side again she says, "I'm sorry about this morning."

"Don't worry about it."

"I may have a problem with people who turn children into soldiers."

"I can see that."

She doesn't even make a joke.

"I guess your dad messed you guys up pretty good," I say.

"Yes."

It takes me by surprise when she kisses me. I'm thrown off-balance, but she slides her arms around my waist. The wind is blowing her hair into her face and it gets tangled between us, filling my mouth with the taste of kenanga oil. It's bitter, coating the back of my tongue and throat, but I don't want to let her go.

*

Toph

As soon as Azula's out of the room Sokka says, "See? That was a low blow."

And I snap. Because it was cruel, and it did hurt, and it was aimed at driving a wedge between me and my friends. And worse, it was uncalculated and off-hand, because striking at vulnerable points is one of Azula's talents, and I'm not even sure if it was deliberate.

And worst of all, it's working, because I'm mad at Azula, but right now most of my rage is for Sokka.

"Yeah," I say, 'thanks, I'd never have noticed if it wasn't for you. Next you can hold my hand while I go down a staircase. Or, I don't know, tell me I'm too stupid to know who I really want to be with! Because I'm blind and defenceless, and absolutely at Azula's mercy. Is that what you were about to say?"

"Kind of," says Sokka, and he doesn't sound angry, just sad and ashamed."I'm sorry. I know you don't need protecting."

"Damn straight."

"I'm just surprised."

"Well," I sink into the chair that Azula vacated, "so was I, really."

"Has she changed?" he asks. "Can she change? Because I know you can take care of yourself, but you shouldn't have to. And Azula's always been bad news."

"It's been ten years. We've all changed."

"I guess so." In a lighter tone he says, "But seriously, you have the worst taste in women of anyone I have ever met."

"Sure, like you don't love women who could kill you with two chopsticks and her little finger."

"Suki," says Sokka with dignity, "may be able to, but she never would." Before I can rise to the defence of Azula, or June, or Atka, or any of my other girlfriends, he adds, "Does Zuko know yet?"

"I don't think so."

"Oh boy. I really hope I'm there when he finds out. It'll be better than June. His face is going to turn so many colours!"

"I hope he makes that choking noise again."

"We'd better make sure Katara's around in case he actually does have a heart attack this time."

"Oh yeah, like Katara's not going to be freaking out herself."

"In fairness," says Sokka, "Azula did try to kill her. And she killed Aang that time."

"I know."

"This is going to be awkward, isn't it? Suki's not going to be a fan either."

"Are you?" I ask, serious now. "Really?"

"I … trust your judgment," says Sokka at last. "Whatever you want, I'll support you."

"Really?"

"To the end," he promises. "But if Azula so much as looks at you wrong--"

I sigh. "Sokka, did you just finish a sentence with a gesture?"

*

The AU where Ursa killed Azulon AND Ozai, and then Iroh has to figure out what to do with her

This one is still very rough -- a half-formed first scene and some snippets of dialogue here and there. I actually know exactly how it's going to go, but for some reason the story wants to be a comic rather than prose, and my art isn't up to that, so I'm fighting it.

*

A year ago, she had had a name.

A year ago, she had been a princess. Not powerful, the wife of a second son, but she had enjoyed a life of beautiful surroundings, good food, well-made clothes.

Now she had a cell, and tasteless prison food, and rough clothes. Her hair was a matted, tangled mess. There was blood around her fingernails. She had … bitten them? Or smashed them against the wall? She couldn't remember. All of these things had happened, were happening, were going to happen.

No one spoke to her. Meals were delivered twice a day. Rice porridge in the morning. Rice with vegetables and perhaps a little meat at night. Water. Sometimes she got fruit, usually an apple. The guards looked through her.

After a while, she had stopped trying to engage them in conversation.

*

Azula found Zuko on the training ground, working doggedly at katas she had mastered a year ago. He froze when he saw her, but she wasn't here to make fun of him.

"He's summoned her," she said.

There was a flash of hope in Zuko's eyes, which was typical and pathetic.

She felt a sense of deja vu as they slipped behind the curtain in the throne room. This was where everything had gone wrong last year. Azula's fingers clutched at the fabric, not caring that she scorched it.

*

"Let go of her," said the Fire Lord, but Ursa's legs gave way when the guards released her. The chains on her wrists hit the floor with a loud, echoing clatter that reverberated through her body. She pressed her forehead to the floor and prayed that Iroh would show mercy and kill her quickly.

He said, "I understand why my son died. But the reason for my father and brother's deaths remain a mystery."

Ask Azula, she wanted to say.

*

Bathed, dressed in clean robes, she waited for the Fire Lord in large apartments that overlooked the gardens. As if she were an honoured guest, except that the doors were locked from the outside.

She couldn't imagine what Iroh would want from her. No, she could imagine all kinds of things. But the Fire Lord could have his pick of women if he so desired. A dishonoured sister-in-law was a strange, even dangerous choice.

If she pleased him, he might let her see the children.

If she killed him, Zuko would take his throne.

But when he finally came, Iroh merely poured tea and said, "Would you care for a game of pai sho?"

*

"What do you know of the Avatar?" the Fire Lord asked.

Because she had nothing else to lose, she told him everything she had ever learned about her grandfather.

*

Azula/Toph, something about lies, families, etc

"Lie to me."

"I beg your pardon?" Azula asked.

"I still can't tell when you're lying. And no offence, but it bugs me. So," Toph crossed her arms, "I'm going to learn."

"It's easy. I'm lying when I'm saying something that's not true. Why does everyone have such a problem understanding that?"

*

The AU where Azula never found out Zuko and Iroh were in Ba Sing Se, and 16 years later, the Fire Nation has won the war, and Mai is the governor of Ba Sing Se, and she and Zuko have an awkward 30-something reunion

At this stage, this is mostly handwritten notes: one opening scene, which drags on far too long, and some snippets of future bits.

*

"It's the finest tea shop in Ba Sing Se," said Minister Wu, and it was all Mai could do to keep from yawning.

Heedless of her boredom he continued, "I'm told it offers the finest spiced tea outside of the Fire Nation, and at a very reasonable price..."

Mai opened the curtain a little, curious to see the city that lay beyond the palace. Her city, in a sense, or at least, her responsibility if anything went wrong. Her successes were but a tribute to the wisdom and guidance of Fire Lord Azula and Phoenix King Ozai.

"Not much further, Governor," said Wu. "I daresay you're the first ruler of Ba Sing Se ever to venture down to the Middle Ring."

The tea shop was unremarkable, crowded with bankers and businessmen, young clerks, even a few schoolchildren. Mai was the only person dresed in the Fire Nation style, but this was the sedate and compliant Middle Ring, and she attracted wariness rather than hostility as they were seated.

"Spiced tea," Wu ordered before Mai had a chance to look at the menu, "and red bean buns, taro cake and that lovely almond jelly I had last time."

"Yes, Minster."

"It used to be much more exclusive, of course," said Wu as the waitress departed, "but Master Li gave up his lease in the Upper Ring when his uncle passed away. He had a family to support, and business was bad after the purges--"

Mai let Wu's voice wash over her, but most of her attention was on her fellow patrons: the old men playing pai sho in the corner, the merchants, the teenage girl doing schoolwork in the corner.

"Ho," said Wu, following her gaze. "There's a bit of luck. Mi Rae!"

The girl looked up, naked reluctance on her face.

"Fetch your father, Mi Rae. I'd like him to meet my guest."

With exaggerated slowness that would have earned Mai a slap if she had ever dared to be so insolent, the girl rose to her feet, gathered her books and vanished into a back room,

"You shouldn't have put her to the trouble," Mai began, but Wu just said, "You're much too kind, Governor. How will people respect you if you don't assert your authority?"

It was less about kindness and more that Mai didn't want to be shown off to the local merchants like one of Wu's concubines, but she could see there was no point explaining that. Mai sipped her tea, regretting again that Wu had overheard her talking about wanting to see the city. He had sworn allegiance to the Fire Nation as soon as the city fell, and she had no doubt he would change sides again if somehow the Earth Kingdom regained control. In the meantime he was the worst sort of toady, both obsequious and patronising. Twice in their acquaintance he had made insinuations about the benefits of having a friend with the ear of the Phoenix King, and twice Mai had stared at him coldly until he sputtered, apologised and moved on. But she had no doubt he was just waiting to try again.

"Ah," he said, "just the man we wanted to see. Governor Mai, this is Master Li of the Jasmine Dragon. Li, I'm sure the governor will become your most valuable patron."

"I'm honoured," said the tea-maker, turning to look at her. Mai's breath caught in her throat as she saw the scar that disfigured his face, but the late Prince Zuko showed no sign of recognition as he murmured, "you honour my humble tea shop."

*

Over dinner Mi Rae said, "Do you know why they made her governor? Xia says--"

"I've told you to stay away from her," Li snapped.

"We share a guzheng class," said Mi Rae, undaunted. "It would look strange if we never spoke. Xia says Lady Mai was given Ba Sing Se as a consolation after the Phoenix King decided not to marry her." She looked to her grandmother for support, and Li's mother-in-law nodded.

"Xia spends a lot of time in the royal palace, I suppose," said Li.

"She hears things. Her older sister works in the governor's palace. She says the governor was the Phoenix King's mistress for years before--"

Li put down his chopsticks and said, "People are killed for spreading this kind of gossip. Don't let me hear it again."

His tone was rougher than he had intended, and Mi Rae looked down.

"Yes, Dad," she said.

"I'll have you moved to another class."

She knew better than to argue.

Later, he wondered if there was any point talking to Mi Rae's teachers, or going over the books, or ordering stock for the next month. Mai had recognised him. They should leave now. Pack a bag and head for the Lower Ring. Maybe find one of the underground settlements in the Agrarian Zone. Or maybe not. From his desk he could see Mi Rae, a flame cupped in her palm, growing and dying with her breath. He had heard what the resistance did to firebenders, even children. Even patriotic children who were wild to fight the Fire Nation.

*

There was metal against her throat, two swords, and hot breath against her ear as Zuko said, "Why did you come?"

"I haven't reported you," said Mai.

"Blackmail?"

"No."

The swords dropped.

"I wanted to see you," she said. She hesitated, then added, "I missed you."

"It's been twenty years."

"I burned incense for your spirit. Secretly."

*

"Who is her mother?"

"She died. Four years ago. And our sons."

"I'm sorry," said Mai.

"Do you have kids?"

"No," she said flatly.

*

"Why do you hide?" Mai demanded. "You don't owe anything to the Fire Nation. Why don't you fight?"

Zuko blinked up at her. "Are you saying I should join the resistance? Governor?"

"You need to pick a side." Mai climbed out of bed, reaching for her clothes. "Your thirteen year old daughter has more courage than you."

Zuko sat up fast.

"I was in the resistance," he said. "I helped my uncle liberate the city when the Comet came, and when Ozai took it back, I fought any way I could."

"So what happened?"

"Jin became pregnant."

"That's it?"

Zuko stood up, finding his clothes, dressing himself, ignoring the contempt in her voice. When he was ready, he said, "I realised that I could fight and die for a principle, or a throne, or my honour. Or I could be a good father. I chose my family."

*