#astaroffire

[astaroffire]

Zutara week day 1: Happenstance

Disclaimer: I really struggled with this prompt and I don’t really like it! Find it difficult to do the mostly speech drabbles! But I hope at least some of you like it :)

“Katara! Hey, Katara!”

“Zuko!” Katara’s eyes widened in surprise and a smile slid across her face at the sight of her friend. “Wow, you’re here! In the Earth Kingdom. I thought you were tied up with Fire Lord duties all summer”

Zuko shushed her, glanced around and then lowered his voice.

“Well, I am Katara. I can’t talk about it out here but I received an urgent summons that I had to attend in person. I’m meeting him later tonight actually, but I want to have a look around. I haven’t seen a single person since I got here, the place seems deserted!”

“Well, that is strange. I received an urgent message myself about some water tribe healers who appeared here a few weeks ago, but you’re right, there’s not a single person in the entire village!”

Zuko looked at her then, puzzled. There was something going on here- he hadn’t seen Katara in nearly a year, as much as he wished for it every day. And yet, here she was in a tiny, deserted Earth Kingdom village on the same day as he was. It was too much of a coincidence.

“I don’t like this Katara, I think we ought to have a proper search around. Keep your guard up”

Katara nodded, and together they made their way down the street together, eyes alert for danger.

“I mean, what are the chances that we would be the only two people here?!”

---

In the building directly behind where they had stood, Toph was suppressing her laughter.

“I still can’t believe you managed to pull this off” Sokka exclaimed. “Seriously, I’m impressed”

“Rule number 1, Snoozles. Never doubt Toph"

[astaroffire]

Prompt: Zutara Western Air Temple. Katara is determined to hate Zuko but he keeps making her feel confused. she keeps trying to tell herself that she doesn't like him but we all know she does ;))

“Hey, now I’mnot saying you have to kiss him or anything Katara, I’m just saying you should givehim a chance!” Sokka exclaimed, exasperated.

Katara’seyes flashed and she turned from her task to face her brother.

“Kiss him?!” she screeched. “Sokka, weshouldn’t even be talking to him! He’shere to teach Aang, and only to teach Aang, and then he can just…crawl back towhere he came from!”

Sokka shookhis head and sighed in defeat.

“LookKatara, I know you feel strongly about this guy, but he did help me save Suki and Dad. I just think you should go alittle easier on him”

Katarawatched Sokka turn and walk away. As soon as he was out of sight, she droppedonto the fountain’s edge, squeezing her eyes shut and resting her head in herhands. Things had gotten so confusing since Sokka and Zuko had returned fromthe Boiling Rock. She hated Zuko – she hated him with every ounce of her being.He was the face of the Fire Nation, the man who had followed them all aroundthe world, fought them multiple times, and tried to capture Aang – their lasthope. And yet here he was, saving her family, teaching her friend, cracking jokes.

Katara feltlike she was always on guard, just waiting for Zuko to slip up and reveal histrue motives, but with every passing day she felt that she was having to forceherself to do so more and more. She was just so confused!

“Hey…I justum…saw you sitting out here and wondered if you needed any help? You know,cooking? Since no one else is helping?”

Katarasnapped back to reality, fixing her eyes on the very man who troubled her sogreatly. She frowned, noticing how he visibly flinched when she did.

“No Zuko, Idon’t need your help…. Thank you” she forced the last words through grittedteeth and turned her back on him.

There wassilence for a moment, and then, finally, she heard his footsteps retreating. Breathinga sigh of relief, Katara nodded to herself and turned back to where she had lefther belongings. There, on top of her neatly folded clothes, was a singleflower, and this time Katara couldn’t help but smile.

[astaroffire]

Day 5: Connections

Korra looked up at the skies above her, tracing constellations with her eyes. The sky in Republic City was a sister to those she had known back home. So very similar, yet so different.

The stars reminded her of Harmonic Convergence, of the infinite cosmic power she had tapped into - commanded for a short while. It reminded her of the feeling of the Avatar state, of being guided by hundreds of her past lives.

Her eyes fell to rest on one star, slightly to the East, which shone a slightly different colour from the others. It was more blue than white – a subtle difference Katara had taught her when she was young. This was the Avatar’s star. Katara had told her the story of its naming was lost to time, but legends spoke of Avatars connecting through it.

Korra knew now that it couldn’t be true, but it drew her eye all the same.

“Oh Aang, if only you could still talk to me. I have no idea what I’m doing, or where to go next...” Korra sighed. “I just feel so lost right now”

“You know, we’re all connected” Jinora’s intoned quietly as she sat down cross legged by Korra. “Like the stars. You can’t see the link, but you can make out the constellations. Our spirits, our energy, they’re all connected like that”

She fell silent for a moment.

“Even without your link to the past Avatars, I believe you are still connected to them, like I am connected to you, and to Ikki, and to everyone”

She smiled brightly at Korra.

“You only have to look deep down and believe, and you’ll know what they want you to do”

Korra sat up, joining Jinora in a meditative posture and closing her eyes.

“Well, it’s gotta be worth a try”

Korra wasn’t sure how long she sat there, but by the time she was done, Jinora was long gone.

Jinora was right. There was no conversation, no exchanging of memories, only a gut instinct she couldn’t quite explain. Korra opened her eyes, tranquillity and assurance blanketing her.

I know what I have to do.

[somuttersthesea]

realized i was whoa late on some replies ^.^

elidyce replied to your post “i love how i close down my dashboard and reopen it multiple times in a…”

I do it too! And hit refresh a lot.

yes, like, i keep thinking messages will magically appear when i haven't contributed anything to fandom or messaged anybody so that i'm expecting a reply and i just somehow think they'll show up???  problematic, i think, on my part. ;)

faloodahloodle replied to your post “i apologize in advance for the vast amounts of cliche that are about…”

So precious cliche

i am so shocked i didn't lose more followers over that v-day disaster, honestly.  /hugs you across the interwebs b/c i think if we were both in the same room in rl neither of us would want to actually hug/

astaroffire replied to your post “rumea asked for #7 high school sweethearts “Is there a reason you two…”

Ahhh so cute :D

thank you!!!!! :)

jeekoness replied to your post “Hi, I love your drabbles! This is late, and no pressure, but if the…”

Thank You!!! surprise steambb is awesome.  I cannot get chocolate here on Hoth, unfortunately. But thank you for this sweetness and fluff, that makes up for the lack of candy!

you're welcome!!  and this is where i really want to make a comment to show how in-the-know i am about star wars but, really...i'm not.  i remember that hoth was the snowy one where han solo cut open that animal with a disgusting-sounding slice in order to keep warm, yes maybe?  i hope /you/ are able to stay warm with less fuss and bother.

zukes-babe replied to your link “Enfold the Sun, an avatar: last airbender fanfic | FanFiction”

I like it! More, more!

thank youuuuuu you are too sweet and your encouragement made my day!  there has been much sickness on my end of late, but chapter two is almost finished and /fingers crossed/ will be up before too long!!

[astaroffire]

Day 2: Beginnings

Zuko walked the streets of the Fire Nation capital, hood pulled forward to hide his face – as if anyone could see him in the half light of the lanterns. As if anyone was around at this hour.

He could still hear her scream – that haunting, heart-wrenching cry of a mother who had lost it all. She had pushed her way through the crowds to his palanquin that day, cursing his name, and his family for the deaths of her sons. He could still see her tear-streaked face as his guards dragged her away.

He pushed the image away. How many had died needlessly in this war? How many of his people? How many boys no older than himself? How many families destroyed?

Zuko growled. Leaning back against the wall, he clutched his head between his hands and squeezed his eyes shut. Everything had been so difficult since he returned from the catacombs in Ba Sing Se. Every day he spent back in the Fire Nation was a struggle on his conscience.

In the building behind him, a baby began to cry. Zuko listened as the mother made her way through to them, listened to her soothing voice and the dwindling cries. What was this baby’s future? To join the army and die? To take the life of others? Zuko’s head whirled as he remembered the pregnant lady and her husband who he had almost attacked for food in the Earth Kingdom. What was their child’s future?

Their lives were only just beginning, their future in his hands.

Zuko stood, jaw set with determination. He would do what he must. Today, things would change. Today, he would change. And soon, the world would change.

In a few hours the sun would rise. A new day. A new beginning. The day of Black Sun.

[astaroffire]

Day 1: Dear ...

Dear Greetings Hey Katara,

I regret I apologise I’m really sorry to hear about you and Aang. I hope you are doing ok.

I guess I’m just writing to tell you that you can write to me any time. Actually, if you wanted to, I could use your skills here. With negotiating, that is. You know, if you wanted to try something new. Not that you have to or anything. But I miss I would be grateful of I would appreciate your company.

Anyway, hopefully I’ll hear from you soon. If you aren’t busy anyway.

Your friend,

Warmest regards,

Best wishes,

Zuko

 Dear Zuko,

Reading your letter made me laugh! It’s good to hear from you.

I’m actually travelling the Earth Kingdom just now with people - helping out towns that were badly affected by the war. There are some things I should tell you about.

I’ll make my way to the Fire Nation, I hope to be there by early Spring.

See you soon,

Katara

  Dear Sokka,

I have arrived in the Fire Nation safely and settled in. Zuko has had a room set aside for me – you should see the size of it! The food is as weird as ever and even though it’s only early Spring it is far too hot! I miss the South Pole already.

Tell Dad I love him and say hi to Suki!

Love Katara

  Dear Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe,

I am writing to formally invite you to attend the ceremony and celebration of marriage of myself and Katara of the Southern Water Tribe.

The celebration will occur on the Summer Solstice and a coronation of the new Fire Lady will occur soon after.

We hope that you and Suki will be able to attend.

Best regards,

Fire Lord Zuko.

  Dear Jerkbender,

WHO SAID YOU COULD MARRY MY SISTER HUH? FANCY WRITING WON’T DISTRACT ME! WAS THIS ALL JUST A SCHEME TO GET HER IN THE FIRE NATION AND THEN STEAL HER TO BE YOUR FIRE LADY? I AM NOT HAPPY.

Sokka.

  Dear Sokka,

Stop being a jerk. Zuko is going to be your brother, you have to be nice to him. And, oh yeah, I am not a prize. I made my own choice. Calm down or I’ll un-invite you!

Katara.

 Dear Zuko and Katara,

I’m sorry about Sokka, I just found out about the letter. I’ll speak to him and we’ll be at your wedding.

Looking forward to it!

See you soon.

Love Suki

  Dear Aang,

It was great to see you at the wedding, I’m sorry we didn’t get to chat for as long as I’d have liked. However, I spoke to Ty Lee today, she tells me you guys had a great time. I guess you should probably write to her soon!

Drop by next time you’re passing!

Love Katara

  Dear Sokka,

I’m writing to let you know some exciting news! I’m pregnant! I’ve told Dad and GranGran and everyone here is so excited! You will all have to visit next year to meet the baby!

Miss you all!

Love Katara

  Dear Zuko,

I AM SERIOUSLY GOING TO KILL YOU.

From Sokka

  Dear Katara,

I’m working on him!

Love Suki

(P.S I am super excited by the news! Have you decided on names yet?)

  Dear Toph,

DID YOU HEAR THE NEWS? You have to help me kill Zuko, or at least, you know, mess him around a bit! I will write to you again to discuss the master plan in due course.

Form Sokka

  Dear Sokka.

I CAN’T READ.

Toph.

(Yes, I did get someone else to write this, before you ask)

[piinkmune]

This is my super duper late SS gift for the lovely astaroffire ! I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting, I got wrapped up in the holidays as always and then school started and oh gosh I'm just so sorry (;>_<;) But I really hope you like it ! It was really nice getting to know you, too ~ !

[astaroffire]

Warcraft/RPG AU

Archmage Katara and her Fire Mage husband Zuko have retired from adventuring for the past few years of relative peace to start a family together. However, when issues in Draenor require all heroes old and new to answer the call of war, Katara realises how futile her attempt for peace and normality ever was.

A/N: Don't worry! I've kept it very, very vague from the game for those who don't follow it (assuming the majority of you!).   Also part 1 is super short as I wasn't sure where else I could cut it easily.

Part 1/?

----------------------------------------------------------

Katara answered the door to their little house and blinked as the light of the torch hit her. It was 3am and drawing into winter, and their house was far enough out the way that visitors rarely came by. But yet, there was a young man who, judging by his clothes, belonged to the City Guard standing at her door looking sheepish.

“Archmage Katara” he began, bowing his head. “I apologise for the intrusion, but I was instructed to bring you this immediately”

He handed her a scroll bearing the royal crest, which Katara took and unrolled tentatively. She read the brief note three times before meeting the boy’s eye.

“Tell the King we will come. Thank you, soldier”

The boy nodded and, taking his leave, left Katara alone.

Katara sighed, and wandered barefoot through her little house. She had known this day would come, but she had hoped it would be much, much further away.

She paused by her daughter’s room, and allowed herself a moment of peace to watch the three year old. Akira was sleeping peacefully, completely oblivious to what was about to happen. Katara smiled a sad smile, and continued on to her own bedroom.

Katara spared a glance for Zuko, sleeping as peacefully as ever, before kneeling down to pull the long neglected chest from its refuge under her bed and heave it open. There lay her old life – her whole history as a mage locked into one box. She trailed her hand across her old robes fondly, before closing her eyes and gripping her staff. The gem topping it shone bright white at her touch, responding to the familiar magic within her.

She stood. She had had her time to mourn this life which she was yet to lose, and now it was time to go. And they would go – oh Light, they would go. For Akira. For the world.

And so she set down her staff and woke her husband, the scroll that began it all left abandoned on the floor, the final words shining in the candlelight:

“Safety not guaranteed”