Drabbles: Daughters of Privilege (A:tLA; PG)

[jedibuttercup]

PG; Avatar: the Last Airbender. Reaction drabbles #3. Up to 2.8 "The Chase"; 2x100 words.

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Standing Strong

Of course Toph wants to fit in. But-- what does Katara expect?

Toph has spent her life mostly in two places: her parents' estate, and the underground world where she'd mastered earthbending. She can take care of herself, by herself; she's taught herself that much. But where would she have learned to set up a camp? Not to mention, she'd be a little useless in their usual unpacking routine.

She's not going to whine to the Avatar's friends about being blind, though; and she's not going to beg. Even wandering alone would be better than going home, now. She's free.

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In Her Shadow

Mai does like Azula. As much as Azula allows, anyway. They've been thrown into each other's company since they were little; they've played together, gone to school together, and fought together all their lives. (Azula is also Zuko's sister: a not insignificant factor, even since his fall from grace.)

She's like one of Mai's knives, unsheathed: all effortless, deadly beauty, implying danger and excitement by her mere presence. She's not always comfortable to be around, true; and Mai does wish she'd be a little nicer sometimes.

But-- that's just the way it's always been. She's Azula; and she's Mai's friend.

Comments

[irisbleufic.livejournal.com]

I do sort of wonder why Mai puts up with Azula; she's far stronger, far more independent, and should probably know better. I think I like your Mai drabble best of this lot so far!

[jedibuttercup]

I imagine there's quite a lot of social pressure on Mai, especially if her presence as one of Azula's 'friends' is a result of political maneuvering on her parents' part when she was little. Her attitude is probably the only way she can maintain any independence; and what she says to Azula in the Boiling Rock episode seems to support that. It takes until Mai finds something else willing to risk her life over, before she'll commit any more active defiance. *hugs Mai*

[anotherdreamer5.livejournal.com]

And just what I wanted: Mai!

I'll start with her first: I love the flow of her voice, the commas and parenthesis. The conditions tagged on after the fact, like an after-thought throughout--the second sentence, the bit about Azula being Zuko's sister. I also like the implication that this is what Mai thinks friendship is--Azula. How sad.

And Toph! You made her so tough! So angry and stubborn and independent and free. Best line: She can take care of herself, by herself. She is Earth. And free at last. :)

[jedibuttercup]

One of the things I liked about the show was all the comparing and contrasting of the flowing storylines. Mai and Toph: both daughters of privilege with obstacles in their lives, but the way they chose to handle them? So different. And yet both compelling characters.

[anotherdreamer5.livejournal.com]

Yes! That was what was so great. I think characterization in general was this show's great strength. Because you could see how Toph, if she hadn't been blind, would have been sent to the princess camp where Azula made friends, and you wonder about that world.