incidentally canon divergent [i don't keep up with supplementary material]
muse info here and in headcanon tag, disregard everything written before 2026
OC friendly
Mutuals feel free to request my discord
Feel free to PM on tumblr if you want to plot or chat
Pacific time
presented by dan [31M he/him/they]
est 2013
avatar by rneowish [deactivated]
Rules
single ship with [@dienli] , but ship memes / other light stuff is fine
mun and muse have very different opinions about many things, please show me the good faith you'd expect from someone else
under 18 DNI [violence, suggestive themes, smut exclusive to dienli etc]
no godmodding, if you need muse to do something clear it with me first
You gotta be woke
proship
if you even breathe on AI i will literally kill you
Random preferences etc under the cut
prefer 1-2 paragraph pace
i don't do purple prose, extensive formatting, or icons/graphics
For crossovers, strongly prefer fleshed out AUs organically integrating the characters into the setting over transmigration/isekai
prefer one thread per partner with consistent replies to progress the action and resolve the narrative, let me know if you generally take more than 24 hrs to reply
I usually include firearms as part of my portrayal of the world. let me know if that doesn't jive with you
Default places to meet Iroh around Republic City
Friends and family of the Teams Avatar might find him relaxing at Air Temple Island
Associates of rich and famous people like Varrick and Asami Sato might catch him at one of their galas and soirees
Leaders, diplomats, and politicians might run into him getting down to business in government offices
Athletic characters can measure swords at the gym where his fencing club meets
Others so inclined may find him treating himself at the fanciest tea houses, restaurants, and spas in town
Izumi wasn't oblivious to her son's disappointment. After all, she was his mother. She made no remarks related to it though, simply observing his behavior in this conversation. She wasn't necessarily thinking of it as a test for him, but in a sense, it almost was.
"I see." Izumi took a sip of her own tea, a bit of disappointment felt within. Not at his ideas, but the fact that the cost wouldn't be easy to work with. "There is no way to place a price on one's life, so the cost would be worthwhile to prevent unnecessary casualties." Preventing the most casualties was always the woman's main goal as Fire Lord. There had been enough lives lost in the past and there was no need for that to continue in to this era. Unfortunately, there were those that didn't feel the same way - which was why the two were needing to have this conversation. Lost lives was a good motivator for one to realize that change was needed - although change was never easy. Not when it required more than just one person to do so.
"They are very dangerous. There are those that simply want to cause as much chaos as possible with no concerns for the consequences. A weapon with such power may lead some to embrace their hunger for power, but there really is no preventing that at this point, is there?"
Iroh's grip on his teacup tightened; he took a small sip to whet his lips as Izumi spoke, preparing his response.
"I don't think the madmen are the real danger -the ones who just want to cause as much chaos as they can. Rather, the fact that these weapons are so cost-effective means that the rational thing to do is to build as many as one needs to ward off attack, which if one's neighbors have the same idea, is bound to be a great many. The more states get them, the more will feel their threat and the need to respond in kind. The more states have them, the likelier it is they will be used at some points."
He paused, pursing his lips for a moment. "The way I see it, we have two options for the Fire Nation. Either we do everything we can to keep other nations from obtaining these weapons, or we build an arsenal powerful enough to ensure the destruction of any power that would use them against us or our allies. Which way do you lean?"
In ancient times, the tribes of the Fire Islands spoke many unrelated languages, having lived apart for millennia huddled on their lion-turtles before expanding into the wilds. Over recent centuries, though, the Fire Lords have relentlessly pursued a program of linguistic standardization. By first breaking the power of their vassal lords, then administering civil and military examinations solely in the national language, they ensured the elites of the provinces would learn it in their drive to advance, which then allowed them to teach it to the nation's youth with the advent of the public schooling system. Railways and steamship accelerated the movement of people through the empire and thus the homogenization of language. Most of the substrate languages of the islands linger on primarily through proper nouns and influence on accent.
In the present, there are three main linguistic zones in the Fire Nation, all of which bleed into each other. In the center is the Imperial City and the inland sea it sits on; to the west and south are the mainland provinces, while in the east are the outer islands. The provinces are considered relatively rustic, while the islands are more urbane and mercantile; the islands are where most of the colonist population came from, so they have had an outsized influence on the Fire Nation population of the United Republic. The growth and importance of trade with the Republic has made this dialect considerably more important in recent decades. The core vocabulary is the same across the whole nation, but pronunciation is adapted very differently depending on which direction you go from the capital.
real world linguistic terms/breakdown under cut
sanskrit is the the language of the Bhanti Tribe and the liturgical language for the cult of the avatar, spoken primarily by the Fire Sages.
literary chinese is the courtly/administrative language
written standard chinese is how public schools teach writing
spoken vernacular wu chinese is the main language spoken around the capital and surrounding provinces
'on'yomi-ese' [japanese imitations of chinese character pronunciations] is a common dialect in the islands and in the United Republic
'han nom-ese' [vietnamese pronunciations of chinese characters] is a common dialect in the mainland provinces
native japanese, burmese, korean, vietnamese, khmer, thai, lao, javanese, tagalog, and malay are considered super rustic, mainly survive in the highlands and in proper nouns [personal names like hiroshi, yasuko, asami, naoki, ukano, michi, mura, izumi]
so as you go from west to east, you would hear 神 or 'spirit' as 'than' -> 'zen' -> 'shin' in the most common dialects
火 'fire' as 'hoa' -> 'hu' -> 'ka'
國 'domain/kingdom/state/ as 'quoc' -> 'koq' -> 'kaku'
He fears being forgotten when he's gone, of not leaving any legacy for the future; he realizes it's a rather vain fear to have, so he keeps it under wraps as best he can. He often feels like he'll never be able to approach the greatness of his grandfather's generation, in part because they were so successful in saving it the first time around. These fears have gotten worse in recent years; when new crises did arise, he wasn't in any position to try to stop them until it was too late.
[ 🎐 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they have a sound, like a song or voice, that they associate with peace ? || accepting !!
A number of things. He's a bit superstitious, so when he needs to calm himself down, he'll recite the mantra honoring the Avatar and remember the clear ringing of the temple bells. Turtleducks splashing on the garden pond. The offshore breeze rustling through the treetops. Waves lapping on the beach. His grandmother's soft and scratchy voice.
Iroh softly brushed the hair out of Korra’s eyes, cut short since last he saw her, his hand lingering to caress the side of her face. Aiya, she was so beautiful, even folded in half like this, such that the definition of her chiseled abdomen disappeared. Seeing the warm tones of her face practically glowing as the blood rose in her was nothing short of spellbinding.
He reached under her, pulling her body closer as he smoothly rolled his hips against hers. His eyes slipped closed, and followed along as he felt her guiding his lips towards hers. She was so greedy despite, or perhaps because of her inexperience, he thought to himself fondly. He'd promised to be gentle, but that didn't seem to be what she wanted tonight, not when she teased him like that, calling him old man.
Well, now it was her muscled legs flopping at this old man's sides, shaking as she moaned against his lips. He couldn't hang on to that slight, though, not like this. His cares seemed to melt away, his eyes slipping closed as he leaned into her embrace, feeling the strength in her hands, her arms. The night could last forever for all he cared.
pick a random number + letter, and i’ll write a smutty starter based off the gif! you can look, or leave it a surprise. all images linked are HEAVILY nsfw!
[ 🌀 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they have a recurring dream or nightmare ?
headcanon questions || accepting !!
Drowning in Yue bay, an ignominious end to his first operation as General of the United Forces. He was mostly unconscious when he hit the water, so his imagination has even more room to play than it normally would in dreams like this. Most of the time he jolts awake in a cold sweat before he remembers Korra saving him from the frigid depths.
₊˚⊹ ㅤa collection of character analysis/headcanon questions to learn more about your character and your partners'! writing/headcanon prompts requested by anonymous. feel free to edit these as you see fit.
[ 🖐️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat do their hands feel like: soft, calloused, trembling ?
[ ☂️ ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they crave touch or fear it ?
[ 🎐 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they have a sound, like a song or voice, that they associate with peace ?
[ 🕊️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhen did they feel the safest ?
[ 💤 ]ㅤ.ㅤhow do they sleep ? curled up, sprawled, holding onto something ?
[ 🦇 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat is a fear they never talk about ?
[ 🔒 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat is a secret they’ve sworn never to tell ?
[ 🪢 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhen was the last time they broke a promise ?
[ 🫳 ]ㅤ.ㅤwho do they feel they owe, but never paid back ?
[ 💼 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat do they always carry with them ?
[ 🧨 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat’s the quickest way to set them off, even if they hide it well ?
[ ⛓️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat does guilt feel like to them ?
[ 💢 ]ㅤ.ㅤwho have they never forgiven and never will ?
[ 🩸 ]ㅤ.ㅤis there something or someone that, if lost, would break them ?
[ 🌧️ ]ㅤ.ㅤis there a pain they refuse to heal from ?
[ 🪞 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhen have they looked at their reflection and hated what they saw ?
[ 📿 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat superstition or ritual do they cling to ?
[ 🌊 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhen was the last time they cried ?
[ 🐾 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo animals like them instinctively ?
[ 🪶 ]ㅤ.ㅤhow do they laugh ?
[ 🫀 ]ㅤ.ㅤwho taught them what love is ? did it hurt ?
[ 💭 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they believe they’re worthy of being loved ?
[ 🎀 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat is their main love language ?
[ 🔦 ]ㅤ.ㅤwho do they search for ?
[ 📜 ]ㅤ.ㅤis there a story they love sharing with others ?
[ 🌒 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they have a dream or goal they have given up on ?
[ 🕯️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat memory do they replay when they’re alone ?
[ 🌪️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat’s the one choice they regret (not) making ?
[ 🧩 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat’s a truth about themselves they refuse to admit ?
[ 🍻 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat kind of drunk are they ?
[ ✉️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat kind of letter would they write but never send ?
[ 🗡️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat is a scar that they have but never talk about ?
[ 🕸️ ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they have a favourite lie they like to hear ?
[ 🪦 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat would they want on their gravestone but never admit aloud ?
[ 🎱 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat kind of future do they crave, and who’s in it ?
[ 🌀 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they have a recurring dream or nightmare ?
[ 🍃 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they feel like they belong ?
[ ⚓ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat does “home” mean to them ?
[ 🧭 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhere would they go if they could disappear tomorrow ?
"That it is," Iroh agreed with a nod. He sensed there was nothing further to be gained pressing President Moon on the matter, and made to change the subject or leave.
"Is there anything else you'd like to go over with me, Your Excellency?"