The Askew AU: About Zhao and Jinzi
Sokka goes to help Zhao cut extra wood for the fire, and sees how Zhao has some stones (made by an Earthbender) set in place to help hold the logs. They also have to cut extra because of a cold front coming in.
Zhao does complain a little, "Jinzi worries too damn much. I'm short an arm, I'm not inert."
Since they have to cut extra wood anyway, it at least saves Zhao the extra trip. So he doesn't try to insist he doesn't need any help.
He assumes that Sokka is staring because he's not used to seeing someone with one arm do chores that typically takes two hands.
Zhao admits that even though it may take a few extra steps now and then, he's able to function just fine.
But of course, Sokka doesn't say that he's completely weirded out by this version of Zhao who's actually a pretty decent guy.
The other Zhao was obsessed, crazy, and he killed the Moon Spirit (and Yue indirectly). This Zhao is well...normal.
He thinks that his dad and Bato would both like him and invite him to drink excessive amounts of ice wine with them.
Sure, this alternate timeline/world/whatever is extremely difficult for a rational person like Sokka to truly wrap his mind around. (Spirits may be a thing, but there's a completely rational explanation here!)
His memories of the people he knew in contrast to the people in front of him are really throwing his brain for a loop.
--
Revealed in various conversations between the characters:
Zhao is older than Jinzi by three years.
Zhao lost his right arm in a boating accident in his early teens and had to learn to use his left hand.
He became severely depressed afterwards. A small group of traveling Monks passed through his village about a year after his accident.
They encouraged Zhao to try a variety of airbending moves that didn't focus so much on the use of the arms, but rather the mouth and the legs.
Bending does not always have to follow a strict set of rules. There must be a willingness to adapt even in perceived weakness; therein true strength lies.
This contributes to Zhao's unique bending style, and he's extremely grateful to the Monks.
Zhao has a sense of humor. Is it good?? Is it bad?? Depends on who you ask. He's constantly telling dad-level amputee/hand and arm jokes and some can get pretty dark.
One of his favorites is, "I haven't been right in years!"
Ozai just sighs. He's been subject to all of Zhao's arm/hand-related jokes for years.
Azula groans. She questions her dad's judgment in friends.
Zuko pretends not to like Zhao's jokes, but he actually thinks they're funny.
And suddenly, Toph has found a kindred spirit.
Just as he falls for Toph's blind jokes, Sokka falls for Zhao's amputee jokes.
Katara appreciates his outlook and actually finds Zhao funny.
Aang likes a humorous Zhao. He also loves that Zhao appreciates Air Nomad humor.
--
At one point, Zhao did try to grow muttonchops but Jinzi was relentless in her teasing because she thought he looked so ridiculous.
One of her personal favorites was when Zhao asked her, "What's wrong?"
She replied, "Mutton, what's a matter with you?"
Zhao nearly grew the muttonchops out of spite but that would have only made Jinzi worse, so he shaved them off. The extra work to keep them maintained just wasn't worth it anyway.
--
Zhao and Ozai became friends in their mid-teens when they met at school. Zhao was the only one to treat Ozai like a person; and not try to be his friend just because of social/political reasons.
Jinzi and Ursa knew each other through the theater. Ursa made the masks the actors wore, and Jinzi worked on the props.
It was through Zhao and Jinzi that Ursa and Ozai met.
--
Ursa made Ozai a pair of theater masks as a gift before they started dating. He regrets having to leave them behind.
--
After Zuko was revealed as the Avatar, Ursa took her kids to Zhao and Jinzi and explained the situation. They hastily put a plan into place before Ursa returned to the palace.
Zhao took the kids and was traveling with them.
Jinzi moved to the Earth Kingdom town so that if anything went wrong, they'd have a place to go that wasn't in the Fire Nation.
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TBC
Part 1
Southern Water Tribe Culture
Aang's Life
Toph's Life
Rumors and Speculation
Meeting Lu Ten
Meeting Iroh and Ozai
Finding Zuko and Azula
The Shattered World
The Dam Breaks