i forgot about the hug and the things implied about their past such as:
After Naoki and San died the still lived in their home for a bit before they were thrown on the street when mako says "You didn't see any probenders crying for us when mom and dad died and we got dumped on the street"
Shin was the one who found them and fixed them up with jobs
And Shin also being the one they had to defer to
Shin also regularly preying on Mako's responsibility to look after bolin
Referring back to the Mako & Bolin post about being a firebender and earthbender in RC, I think that when taking into account that the Earth Kingdom doesn’t necessarily make a major deal out of earthbending in comparison to the Fire Nation and firebending, and upon applying that Bolin’s character, it creates this interesting picture of his character and what it says about him.
Considering the EK’s neutral perspective of earthbending and the Republic City’s origins with FN settlers having more privilege over the EK residents, the abilities of earthbending may be deemed as menial in comparison to other forms of bending (the stereotypes in regards to firebenders and earthbenders being interconnected to Fire Nationals & Earth Civilians is a whole other case in it of itself). Like I said before on a reblog, earthbending can be well utilized in manual labor, but overall it may not appear as anything special if not honed, used for something such as entertainment (pro-bending), or a sort of gateway to a subset of bending (metalbending & lavabending).
With that being said, I find it intriguing how Bolin seems to be, at least somewhat, proud to be an Earthbender — and it’s perhaps due to figures like Toph Beifong (who he looks up to a whole lot) that he’s proud of being who he is as an earthbending. Furthermore, I think this can add onto how Bolin kind of has a hard time nailing down who he is as a person — trying to figure things for himself as someone who is often a follower.
In some way, I can see how the perceptions of earthbenders within both the RC and the Earth Kingdom can impact Bolin when examining such intersections.
You make a lot of good points! I think Bolin's relation to his earthbending is so interesting, because a lot of people seem to downplay his bending abilities. Bolin is a highly capable earthbender, honestly probably on par with Toph, in my opinion. He utilises both earthbending and firebending techniques in his bending, and actively nerfs himself while lavabending. Like he opts for the lava disk, because if he pulled shit like this?
He'd be a murder machine. Bad guys in the tlok universe should thank their lucky stars that Bolin is a cinnamon roll.
He's able to bend with little to no contact to the earth, he's physically strong even without his bending, he has incredible accuracy, he's incredibly agile on his feet, being one of the only earthbenders to backflip like why does he do that
And I honestly don't find it surprising that Bolin is so skilled. His bending skills are probably one of the things that kept him and Mako alive on the streets, not to mention that his and Mako's income also depended on his bending ability in their probending days.
So I'm not surprised that Bolin has some level of pride in his skills, despite also being a little insecure about them too.
Knowing the love for bending in the Fire Nation and the neutrality towards it in the Earth Kingdom, I wonder about the difference between San and Naoki's approach to their kids bending. We know that a child begining to firebend is a reason to celebrate in the nation.
And I could certainly see Naoki celebrating Mako's bending. But I can also see that sentiment carrying over to Bolin too. We don't know much about Naoki, but she seemed to be a good mother, so I can't really picture her being too biased towards firebending over earthbending.
So it's very likely that, even if Bolin's abilities weren't celebrated outside the home, they were celebrated by the family.
I can see Bolin kinda getting slapped by the harsh reality of people's approach to Earthbending. Of course, I mentioned how Lighting Bolt Zolt could've favoured Mako due to his firebending, plus the City's potential disdain toward earthbenders.
One thing I find interesting is Bolin's hero worship of earthbenders who seem to have elvated over the status quo, and particularly earthbenders who have somehow innovated earthbending. Toza is a probender, which seems to be a relatively new sport, which lead to new techniques developing. And Toph is Toph. She revolutionised the bending art. She's an icon She's a legend and she is the moment.
Bolin: Mako! Do you know who that is? It's Toza, legendary earthbending captain of the Boar-q-pines. He's my hero. What do you think he's doing here?
Bolin: Because it's embarrassing. This isn't the first time I've tried, and I've been wanting to metalbend ever since I heard about Toph. Your grandmother is my biggest hero!
It's possible that Bolin percieves these two as having elevated themselves above the typical stereotype of earthbending being an uncreative, rudimentary bending style that is only based on brute strength and throwing rocks.
Bolin desperately wanting to metalbend is a very interesting and telling part of his character. Beacuse I'm sure that a lot if earthbenders would feel dissapointment over not being able to metalbend, but Bolin is like, genuinely distraught over it. He's ashamed and very uncomfortable on the subject.
It maybe leads me to wonder if he had been pressured to learn to metalbend at some point in his life, maybe by the triple threats, and was unable to do so.
One thing from Bolin that I've always been fascinated by is when Bolin calls metalbending 'not normal'. Because it's such an odd way to phrase it. Also, really funny thing to say right in front of Wing and Wei who eat sleep and breathe metalbending.
Bolin: Mako, metalbending is extremely difficult. No one gets it right away, if they can get it at all! It's not normal!
Of course, it could just be Bolin lashing out or deflecting, but the idea that Bolin doesn't consider metalbending as 'normal' has been latched in my brain. Because it potentially implies that Bolin sees metalbending as a trait that isn't normal. Maybe a trait that is 'above average'.
I think it wouldn't be too out of the blue for Bolin to want to metalbend due to his perception of metalbenders as 'special'. To elevate himself over the potential demeaning he faced as an earthbender. Bolin struggles with his self esteem throughout the show, some of which may come from his role as an earthbender.
I believe Bolin loves his bending, loves earthbending, loves the martial art of earthbending, but he also wants to surpass the stigma of earthbenders being menial labour, or something of the sort. He was excited to connect with his Earth Kingdom Heritage when heading to Ba Sing Se, and downright giddy when in Zaofu. His identity as an earthbender is important to him (let's remember that he had nightmares about his encounter with Amon for days afterwards) but he has incredibly high expectations of himself. I think he sees himself as 'one of the dirteaters', and he wants to evolve past that. Adding to this is his struggle with finding his own identity and his desire to 'find himself'.
I really wish this side of Bolin had been explored more, because I think it has some great potential fod a good story.
Here! Have a WIP I won't finish any time soon but still enjoyed rereading through.
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“Man, the rain sure is coming down, huh?” Bolin stated as he stared through one of the many windows of the probending arena.
“It’s really picked up since I came over for practice, the wind too.” Korra propped her arm up on Bolin’s shoulder, joining him in watching the rain pelting against the glass. They only stood for a moment before Mako interrupted the silence as he walked by.
“You two going to stare at nothing all day, or are you going to help?” Korra rolled her eyes and Bolin just smiled apologetically to her and shrugged. With the winds suddenly picking up, many of the windows were being blown open. Rain quickly soaking the floors. So they had been tasked with locking all the windows that could be opened. Or rather, the boys had.
Mako told her to go home and Bolin wished her a good day but Korra felt bad for leaving them to do all the work themselves. Even if it is their job. They told her that she didn't have to help, Mako insisted they had it covered but she refused. They’re teammates after all. The Fire Ferrets worked together, even off the arena.
It was actually a little fun, if she was honest. Not so much the menial task, though it was hardly work. It was mostly just the three of them, walking along the halls and talking about whatever. Korra never really got days off, what with being the avatar and all. She didn't hate or resent that but it was nice to just do nothing once in a while.
Fire skimmed the floor in front of them, steaming away a puddle that had gathered there. Mako kicked along the floor casually yet careful not to actually burn anything. He abruptly stopped when the window in front of him slammed open, just missing him. With a sigh he grabbed the window’s edge but paused to look outside. Bolin stepped up to lean against his back and Korra followed suit.
“You should leave.” Mako said bluntly, leaning back against them to push them out of the way. “The waves are only going to get worse.” Korra took note of just how harshly the wave crashed as Mako shut and latched the window. Korra gave a snort and rested her hand on her hip.
“I'm the avatar and my native element is water. I think I can handle a few choppy waves.” She boasted confidently.
“That sounds like something a waterbender would say right before she drowns.” Mako looked over his shoulder with a teasing smirk. Scrunching up her nose, Korra stuck out her tongue. She didn't admit that he may have a point but judging by his soft laugh, she didn't need to. Korra sighed and pouted, she really didn't want to head back yet.
“Oh!” Bolin was suddenly shifting his feet excitedly. “What if you stay here?” He turned and beamed at Korra. “There is a phone in the back, you can call the temple and tell them you're staying the night and then you won't have to worry about crossing the waves.” Korra hadn't been worried about traversing the waters but she didn't bother to dispute it. Instead her smile widened to match Bolin’s.
“I have access to the concession snacks and Mako is gonna make noodles tonight. He can easily make extra.”
“I can, hm?”
“Then we can stay up and tell stories. Oh, and share secrets! And when we go to bed you can sleep on my bed and I can sleep on Mako’s.”
“Sounds good to me!” Korra laughed, amused by Bolin’s infectious excitement. “Lets go!” Bolin immediately grabbed her wrist and they raced down the hall. Mako’s call about not agreeing to his bed being stolen were promptly ignored.
What started out as Korra excitedly but politely asking for permission to stay the night, had quickly changed to frustratingly shouting her plans to stay, no question. The storm was interfering with the connection, making Tenzin’s words a jumbled mess. She's sure it was hardly different on his side.
“I said-” Korra shouted slowly, drawing out each word “-I’m staying at the gym tonight!” They waited a moment before Tenzin’s voice crackled through the static.
“I - think - good idea - better - stayed-” Korra stared hard at the radio before glancing back to Bolin.
“Sounds like he said okay to me.” He said with a shrug and she nodded her head in agreement.
“Thanks Tenzin, see you tomorrow!” With that, Korra switched off the radio and grinned wildly to Bolin. “So what next?”
“Bolin and I get back to work.” Mako’s voice cut in, startling them both. He was leaning against the doorway looking a cross between amused and annoyed. “I finished the windows but we still have a job to do, you know.”
“Right.” Bolin chuckled as he scratched the back of his head, cheeks a little red. Mako shook his head before walking away. “Sorry, fun will commence once the chores are done.”
“No sweat, I can help if you want.” Korra offered.
“Aw thanks, but you don't have to.”
“Sure I don't have too but I want to. Plus with my help you'll get done twice as fast.”
“Well if you put it that way.” Bolin laughed as they made their way out, through the hall and to the gym. There Mako was leaning on a broom, listening to Toza. Whatever was said must have been funny because a moment later Mako actually chuckled. Korra stood in mild fascination, it's not like she’s never seen Mako in a good mood or never heard him laugh. It just wasn't often, rare even.
“You two are really close to Toza, aren't you.” She asked, turning to Bolin. In all honesty, Korra never paid the man much thought. He was just this presence that came and went in the background of their training sessions. Bolin smiled softly,
“Toza was the one who got us off the streets.” Bolin was just met with a quiet ‘oh’. Ever since the whole “revelation” and Mako sharing a small bit of their past, Bolin had been much more open about it. Orphaned, homelessness, gangs and every other hardship she could imagine. Korra couldn't deny her heart broke for her friends at every new thing she learned.
“Yeah, long story short I may have messed up and got us in trouble with the Threats.” Bolin laughed at the memory. “But it turned out fine in the end because Toza not only stood up for us but offered us a place to stay here.”
“How old were you?”
“I think I had just turned fourteen? Yeah … yeah, cause Mako turned sixteen a couple months after we started staying here.” Korra just quietly nodded as she listened. In her head she wanted to yell at the injustice of it all. Eight to fifteen was such a long time for two kids to be on their own. She's sure if she asked, Bolin would accept a hug. But instead she praised the old man that she was determined to pay better attention to in the future.
“He must be a great man to take in two kids and stand up to the triad.”
“Toza also taught us all the rules of pro-bending, being a pro himself. After everything he’s done for us, he’s basically family. Right, Mako.” Korra turned to see Mako had been sweeping his way past them.
“Sure.” Mako snorted with a cocky grin, an unusual sight out of the ring. “Like the grumpy uncle we never wanted.” The tile below Mako’s feet shifted, causing him to stumble back and nearly bringing him down.
“I ain't so old I can't hear you being a smartass, brat.” Toza called over to them before he continued moving the training equipment.
It makes me kinda sad to realise we got so little of Toza in the show :( He was on screen for what, like 10 seconds? He told Korra to get out, Bolin assured him it was fine, she's with him and we never saw Toza again, excluding the Republic city hustle short. I get that TLOK had around 14 episodes to work with in each book, but I simlpy would've liked if he appeared in the background when the Fire Ferrets were training, or at least mentioned in book 2 when Bolin leaves pro-bending.
You could assume that Toza and the bros aren't that close. Like he's no longer relevant to Mako and Bolin lives, even in book 1, and I find that hard to believe. He's more than just their trainer! You can not underestimate the close bond a teacher and their pupils have, seriously - but that is not all. Republic city hustle showed: Toza got his shit together and won after Bolin told him to never give up, saw the skills of these boys, and then he decided to make them pro-benders and took them in. He even provided them housing, which they haven't had for a long time in their lives. He's like an uncle to the bros at the very least!
thinking about how since mako and bolin were kids on the street they probably didn’t know how to swim, so toza had to teach them before they started pro-bending... imagine bolin splashing around and doggy paddling, mako getting frustrated when he doesn’t get it and accidentally making the water boil
LoK really had Toza adopt my boys Mako and Bolin off the streets and then decided that he’s fucking Michael McDoesn’tExist outside of like two eps in Book 1 and the Republic City Hustle shorts.
Like? Let my boys have their adoptive mixed Water Tribe dad.
