BelleBasBleue

Writer of Fanfics for Miraculous Ladybug and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Fanatic of BTS

[bellebasbleue]

NEW CHAPTER the stars are so bright tonight

I have a new chapter up and a resolution to that dreaded cliffhanger. You can find the links below to the new chapter:

Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/40209141/chapters/112828525

fanfiction.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14106690/12/The-Stars-Are-So-Bright-Tonight

[bellebasbleue]

Update on The Stars Are So Bright Tonight!

I updated! I finally updated!!!! Life and school got so crazy, I wanted to wait a bit until I posted again, but here we are with a new chapter! I hope you enjoy the new chapter, and don’t worry, the next chapter will be coming soon with a resolution for that cliffhanger lol.

You can read this story on:

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/40209141

fanfiction.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14106690/1/The-Stars-Are-So-Bright-Tonight

[bellebasbleue]

Another Chapter- A random scene where Zuko cracks Mai up

Here we are again with a new chapter! It’s a small little chapter with some fluff and minimal plot, but just another slice of life in the Fire Nation. Check out the links below to see the new chapters:

AO3:https://archiveofourown.org/works/40209141/chapters/104064378

fanfiction.net:https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14106690/8/The-Stars-Are-So-Bright-Tonight

This chapter, fun fact, was one of the first chapters/scenes I wrote for this sequel and it was a part I really wanted to included. I feel like zuko and mai give a Morticia and Gomez kind of vibe so I’m trying to include more of that dynamic in the chapters for The Stars Are So Bright Tonight. I hope you like it!

[bellebasbleue]

I UPDATED!

aren’t you proud lol. The Stars Are Bright Tonight is now updated with its 7th chapter titled Zuko’s Longer Hair. It’s just a fluffy chapter, but I loved writing the little slice of life for Zuko and Mai. Here are the links below if you want to go read it:

AO3:https://archiveofourown.org/works/40209141/chapters/103262520

fanfiction.net:https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14106690/7/The-Stars-Are-So-Bright-Tonight

Let me know if you have any questions for me or anything really on your mind. Until I write again, TTFN!

[bellebasbleue]

Writing/Posting Update

Hi all,

Just wanted to let you know that I will continue to post on The Stars Are Bright Tonight, but the updates will be more intermittent as I return to school and have less time to write and work on editing the story. Roughly I want to update every other Sunday (so this coming sunday the 21st but not the 28th). Thank you for reading and I hope you have a good day! 

[bellebasbleue]

Azula’s Thoughts

The new chapter is out! Chapter 6 is all about Azula and what has been happening in her absence. This is more of a side-plot of The Stars Are So Bright Tonight, but I did want to explore Azula, Aang, and Katara a little more and give them space for development after the series. I hope you like it! Next week, we’ll be back with Mai and Zuko. Here are the links below to the new chapter:

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/40209141/chapters/102425901

fanfiction.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14106690/6/The-Stars-Are-So-Bright-Tonight

I mostly have the collection of one-shots done, but I’m still unsure about some major plot points so my updates may be varied, looking forward. That...and I totally got distracted by another story idea. Whoops :) It’s hard to diverge from the canon of the show a little and get away from the comics, and obviously a lot of scenes written in the comics that happen after the series have impacted this sequel but I want to give characters like Mai, Ty Lee, and Katara a different plot line that gives them more agency. I hope you are liking the story so far. Until I write again, TTFN!

[bellebasbleue]

Guess who’s back with an early update?-The Stars Are So Bright Tonight

I have an early update this week!!! Very exciting, but no real reason except I will be out of town this upcoming Sunday. I’ll be back in August with some more plot, don’t worry. Here are the links below to the chapters, I hope you enjoy it!

AO3:https://archiveofourown.org/works/40209141/chapters/101799258

fanficiton.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14106690/5/The-Stars-Are-So-Bright-Tonight

If you still haven’t read the original fic in the series, here is a link to Sparky!!

AO3:https://archiveofourown.org/works/30860870

fanfiction.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13867958/1/Sparky

[bellebasbleue]

did i totally get distracted by a new plot bunny instead of working on my current story?

yes. yes i did

[bellebasbleue]

Update-Clearance Ch. 3

Hello! There is a new chapter today. I had fun giving into some of the plot bunnies to flesh out Mai’s character and give her a space in the Avatar universe. I hope you like it! I keep getting side-tracked by side stories and side projects so writing on other one-shots was at a minimum this week, but I think it’s good to take breaks and just do what makes you happy. You can click on the links below for the new chapter, and look forward to a new one next Sunday!

AO3:https://archiveofourown.org/works/40209141/chapters/101118471

fanfiction.net:https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14106690/3/The-Stars-Are-So-Bright-Tonight

[bellebasbleue]

The Stars Are So Bright Tonight

Hello! 

UPDATE!!!! I finally have a sequel to Sparky. it is going to be a collection of one-shots set after the war. I’ve been working on it for a while now, but I wanted to wait to post it so I could have chapters ready to go so the updates wouldn’t be sporadic. 

I tried to make the fic just something fun to read, filled with a mixture of fluff and some plot and angst. You can find it on ao3 and fanfiction.net under the name of “The Stars Are So Bright Tonight”.

Let me know if there is anything you would especially want to see. I’m trying to make the story just something I would want to read, and I wanted to share it with you guys. 

I will be posting every Sunday (until the schedule ultimately changes with school eventually because exams and classes are never fun) but I will let you know when it changes.

Click on the link below to see the new chapters!

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/40209141

FANFICITON.NET: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14106690/1/The-Stars-Are-So-Bright-Tonight

Also here are the links for the original story if you want to catch up or want to reread:

AO3:https://archiveofourown.org/works/30860870

FANFICTION.NET: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13867958/1/Sparky

[bellebasbleue]

Writing Update for those wondering

Hello for those who follow me on ao3 and fanfiction.net. I know there are some that are excited for a follow up for Sparky, and I am letting you know now that it is finally in the works. I have a sort of a plan, but it’s a still long way off from actually publishing it (given that I have to yet to write anything other than my planning document lol) but I swear it will be coming because if only for my sake, I want to know what happens that is outside of the comics. It will probably not be as long as the last fic, but we will have to see. Anyway, just wanted to give you guys an update for those looking for it. Maybe start to look for something from me around the middle to end of July 2022, but don’t hold me to it lol. Let me know if you would like to see certain things or what you are looking forward to. 

[bellebasbleue]

New Sparky Update!

I have posted another chapter on Ao3 and fanficiton.net! Also I have news, I will be finishing the updates for this story and complete it by the end of the year! I will post the last four chapters starting on the 21st of December so look forward to that! If you have not seen my one-shot december series on Ao3, check it out! I try and write a cute one-shot every day of december with mainly Mai/Zuko pairing, but it’s just supposed to be super cute. So far I have not updated everyday, but I’m working on it, lol. Thank you for those who are reading the fics! You guys are amazing!

[bellebasbleue]

December Fluff

Okay I always try and do a writing thing for every day of a month, and they always don’t work out. I wanted to try it again this December, and surprise surprise I haven’t written everyday. I know it is super to fun to at least give myself time during any month to write something fun, but I think I need to let go of the idea that I need to write and post every day because some days you just don’t have inspiration. Some days its hard to even get out of bed, much less do writing on top of school work. This has been the most stressful semester at university I have ever had, but I am really proud of myself that I have still found some time to have fun writing, and I think that is what these challenges are about. Throughout December, I think I’m still going to try and write fluff as much as I can while also trying to finish updating and editing the last chapter of Sparky because I have really enjoyed writing in my free time. I am entering my finals week, so I will probably disappear again for a few days, but I will be back to updating on ao3 and fanfiction.net so keep an eye out for that :)

[bellebasbleue]

Actual Update

I updated Sparky!!!!!!!!!! I hope you guys like the new chapter as it contains some nice fluff with Zuko and the Gaang. I didn’t think I would post anytime soon but I actually got a lot of editing done so the end is in sight. By the end of the year I should be able to finish this story, so look forward to that. Below is a little clip from Chapter 22:

Sokka read from the scroll. “It says here that it will be performed by the Ember Island Players. Huh, I guess they’re pretty well known around here.”

Zuko groaned, throwing his head back in disgust. “Mom would always take us to see them and they ALWAYS butchered Love Amongst Dragons. Always.”

Toph sniggered. “Didn’t know you were so into romance, Sparky.” She grinned wickedly.

Zuko shot her a pointed look. “Key word: mom took us, meaning my mother took Azula, my father, and I to the same play on vacation every year.”

Suki made a low whistle. “I would pay money to see Ozai watching that play.”

Zuko shrugged. “Surprisingly my father is really one for the dramatics.”

[bellebasbleue]

Editing Update

Hello! If you’re wondering where I have been and why I am not updating, I just want to let you know that I am still working on editing the last few chapters of the fic so I don’t leave out any important details. I should be able to update maybe at the end of this month or the next, but I promise that I will come back with an update soon. University has been busy for me this semester and life has been interesting so I have not had much time to write and edit. Just wanted to give you guys an update for those who are checking my blog to see if I have given any updates. Hope you guys are doing well and see you soon!

[bellebasbleue]

Long Time No See-Sparky Ch. 19

I am back with another chapter of Sparky!!!!!! I’ve been trying to find time within my schedule to post a new chapter and I finally had some time. It’s a little longer than I usually make the chapters, so I hope you enjoy. Here is a little tidbit from it:

“Come on Toph, let’s go!” Zuko pulled up the hood of his cloak and waited patiently outside of Toph’s rock tent. It was getting dark now, but it was the perfect time to go down into the town below.

“Don’t get your shorts in a wad,” Toph huffed. She emerged with an empty pack hanging over her shoulder and a large grin on her face. “Ready!” she announced.

Zuko scanned her up and down, raising a single eyebrow.

“What?” she asked, affronted.

“Are you really bringing that big bag to get…?” Zuko let out a long suffering sigh. Zuko shook his head and turned away. “Nothing, let’s just go.”

Toph grinned and practically hopped after him as they set off towards the town.

“You know we’re not staying all night to collect the large vegetation, right?” Zuko cast a sideways glance at Toph.

She shrugged, noncommittally. “We’ll have some time to grab some stuff while you send a letter to your girlfriend. Don’t worry, Sparky.”

Zuko shook his head again, muttering to himself about the one time he had gone to the market with Toph and had ended up with half of the market in their arms. “We are getting enough to fit in that bag, and that’s it, understand?”

“Yes Dad,” Toph grumbled.

[firelxdykatara]

it actually kills me how little thought was put into the air nomads and their culture, despite the fact that the main character was one and it was literally in the title of the show

[heavenlynipples]

if the only thing you got from air nomads culture was this you didn’t watch the show right

[hyperfixationwho]

how do airnomads celebrate birthdays? Weddings??? You tell me then

Op is saying we didn’t get enough of the culture, not that there wasn’t any.

[heavenlynipples]

no, they said how little thought was put into the air nomads culture, and that’s NOT true at all. we couldn’t see air nomads culture as much as we did with ek, fn and wt because there’s no one to show us this. every air nomad is DEAD.

if you’re not forgetting it, we also don’t get to see how the fn and the wt celebrate birthdays so what’s your point?

we got to see a lot more than expected about them, about their system, their politics, their beliefs. that’s because i’m not even counting the comics!

[firelxdykatara]

Except it is true, however little you want to admit it. Very little thought was put into the culture of the Air Nomads in the original show, which is what my post is about, and frankly, what very little we see expanded on in the comics isn’t anything to write home about, considering how the Air Nomads are always presented as the paragons of purity with very little depth. (And I notice that, once again, you’ve failed to even attempt to provide any examples of this alleged development. Very curious indeed.)

The single existing exception to this is the Kyoshi novels, which a) were not written by Michael or Bryan, and b) came out eleven years after the show ended, which is far too little, far too late for me to give the creators credit for the worldbuilding (especially since, again, neither of them wrote the books; that credit should go to FC Yee).

We may not see how birthdays are celebrated in the other cultures, but we see how their governments function. We see how and why their belief systems developed, and what those systems were rooted in. We get to meet spirits who are crucial to the development of the other cultures–the dragons and Tui and La in particular. We get to see the flaws of each of the other nations, too–we get to see where their predispositions lead them, and where they falter because of their belief systems.

We get none of that for the Air Nomads. All we know about them is based on the existence of a handful of artifacts, Guru Pathik’s lecture about chakras (which was never once revisited after book 2), a handful of sayings that Aang parroted from the monks who raised him without any evidence of wisdom or understanding, and an alleged dedication to pacifism to an extent that flies in the face of one of the first things we learn about the Air Nomad genocide, which is that Monk Gyatso killed a whole bunch of Fire Nation soldiers in defense of his temple.

And the structure of the story isn’t an excuse because it’s not like they were a culture that really existed and AtLA is some kind of historical record. The creators chose to set the story up this way, and then they chose not to devote any significant time or effort to developing the culture of their titular protagonist. All we really know about the Air Nomads is that they are supposedly so spiritually pure from birth that 100% of them are airbenders, and I really shouldn’t have to explain why equating spiritual purity with bending ability is more than a little problematic, especially since it doesn’t work that way for literally any of the other nations.

[thevictorianghost]

Also to add to this: on the Air Nomads being dead, there were many opportunities to bring them back in some shape or form! Especially in post canon, like LOK, or in a possible Book 4.

There obviously should have been many Air Nomads left in the world. Genocides usually don’t manage to kill everyone! The Air Nomads had friends in all Nations and they could fly on Sky Bisons. The writers managed to hide Appa from the Gaang for half a season in Book 2! I’m sure there would have been room to hide Airbenders around the entire world.

It’s been theorized many times that Ty Lee was a descendant of the Air Nomads who was a non-bender. Through her, the writers could have introduced her grandparents and other survivors, and they could have taught Aang and Ty Lee about Air Nomad culture, stories of how they lived back at the Temples, and stories of how they survived and, at times, thrived. Ty Lee was friends with Azula, the Fire Nation Princess! I think we can call that “thriving”.

After introducing Ty Lee’s family and, say, their village of Air Nomad survivors, we could have learned about a whole network of Air Nomads who survived and kept in touch. Keeping traditions alive, from foods to clothings to festivals, while adapting their lifestyles to their new environments.

Some people could move back to the Air Temples who are being rebuilt by a group of Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation and Water Tribe peoples, lead by Aang of course, while others could keep to their new ways. More Air Nomads could be born, non-benders and benders alike, and they’d all still be Air Nomads.

It would have been so interesting to see!

And yet.

[firelxdykatara]

This, all of this exactly.

When this topic comes up I keep hearing the same excuse, that all the Air Nomads were dead so there was no way for us to get any real insight into their culture, but like… that was a deliberate choice on the part of the creators. And it makes very little sense–how are you expecting your audience to believe that a nomadic people were completely wiped out (when that has never, in the history of this planet, been how genocides actually work–there are always survivors and descendants), and then show us hidden societies and secret tribal offshoots of the other nations that virtually no one knew existed?

If the Sun Warriors and the Foggy Swamp tribe managed to remain completely off the global radar for however long their societies have existed apart from the Fire Nation/Water Tribes, why are we supposed to believe it’s completely impossible for any of the Air Nomads to have survived the past century? And why is this an excuse for laziness in the worldbuilding when it was very much a deliberate choice, and nothing mandated that they not devote any time or energy to uncovering information about the Air Nomads both past and present?

Book 3 actually would’ve been a perfect time to have Aang’s rosy-colored view of his people challenged by showing him that not only were the descendants of his people still alive (and while I do love the idea of the show having gotten a book 4 for all of this, how poetic would it have been for him to discover that his people were still alive in a book devoted to the element that destroyed them?), but that there was more to his culture than pacifism and catchy proverbs?

Anyway, the ultimate point is that they could have given us a show in which the main character’s people and culture are explored in at least as much depth as the other three nations, and they chose not to. (Especially since, as someone else pointed out in the notes, they used flashbacks to show us plenty of information about what occurred decades and even centuries before the events of the show. They could have done more with the flashbacks of the monks than they did.) And that is what annoys me.

(As a sidenote, this becomes an even harder pill to swallow when you remember that the Air Nomads are largely based on Tibetan buddhist monks, and that their genocide is uncomfortably reminiscent of what China did to Tibet–making the complete lack of survivors, and the caricature of Pathik being the only living person we see who has any kind of deeper understanding of the Air Nomads and their culture, even more distasteful.)