Drabbles: A Little Perspective (A:tLA; PG)

[jedibuttercup]

PG; Avatar: the Last Airbender. Set late Book 1; 2 x 100 words. Reaction drabbles #1.

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Refuge in the Abstract

It is easier for Zuko to think about the Avatar in the abstract. As an object: the goal of his redemptive quest. As an obstacle: a power opposing the Fire Nation. As a hurdle: yet another naturally gifted younger bender against whom Zuko must prove himself.

Not so simple to think about Aang, twelve years old and separated from his people, with only a pair of juvenile Water Tribe peasants-- no Uncle Iroh, either of them-- to support him.

But that doesn't matter. Zuko can't let it.

He must capture the Avatar. Of course they never could have been friends.

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Living Life in Detail

It isn't that Aang doesn't understand how important he is. He knows. He's always known.

It's too big, though; too much. He's twelve. He's not even as old as Avatars usually are when they're told their destiny. And somehow he has to not only end a hundred-year-old war, but do so on a deadline? He can't live with that on a day to day basis.

This is what he can: one hand offered in friendship; one new town explored or saved; one smile coaxed from Katara.

He'll get there in the end, he's sure. Just-- one step at a time.

Comments

[tigriswolf]

These are both very drabbles; it strikes home how young most of the characters were.

[jedibuttercup]

I'm sure I'll have a more complex take on the characters when I get through the whole series, but as Season 1 plays out? I keep just wanting to hug the stuffing out of our hero and anti-hero. They both need it. At least Zuko does still have a caring adult in his life, if he'd listen to him a little more often.

[tigriswolf]

*facepalm* I left out "good" between "very" and "drabbles". Oops.

Yeah, I spent most of the series want to either hug Zuko or smack the silly stubborness out of him.

[irisbleufic.livejournal.com]

Oh, Zuko: I love how you think you're all dark and tortured and scary, but in reality, you just need a hug. Iroh will hug you. Aang will probably even hug you if you let him *squishes*

These are adorable.

[jedibuttercup]

Thank you for reviewing these; I'm glad you've enjoyed them.

I think one of my favorite things about this animated series is the way it makes you totally want to embrace two of the nominal 'enemy' almost right from the start. =)

[anotherdreamer5.livejournal.com]

Such a great insight. Avatar already has a layer of depth, but I like this show of resistence. Of Zuko mentally cutting himself off from identifying with Aang. And I like the detail where you have him compare Aang (subtly) to Azula. Well done. And then for Aang to really feel how young he is? That's wonderful. And to limit his expectations.... love. Reading more now.

[jedibuttercup]

(Wow; all these reviews in my in box! Thank you!)

This is one of those shows it took most of a season to really sink in the hooks, but once it had I really wanted to try and capture how I felt about it as I watched. The show was so much about the growth of Zuko and Aang, especially; they're both so young in different ways.

[anotherdreamer5.livejournal.com]

I went review crazy solely based on the fact that your writing was really inspirational. I loved a look at a show that I've never really talked to anyone about. I watched all three seasons on teh computer at once, can't remember why I got hooked, but it was SO GOOD. As was your writing.