How Long Does It Take Zuko To Convince His Staff That He Isn’t Gonna Slap, Punch, Beat, Banish, Or

how long does it take zuko to convince his staff that he isn’t gonna slap, punch, beat, banish, or otherwise assault them?

that they aren’t about to lose their job (or life) over a spilled cup or broken vase?

that he’s not trying to trick them when he says they can relax the ornate and complex flattery each time they leave the room?

that he means it when he bans corporal punishment in the palace (and out of it) and that they really can come to him if someone forgets that rule?

that they haven’t upset him or wronged him when he asks to take his meal without the full serving staff of twenty watching him?

zuko is sensitive, even when he tries not to be, and watching these people be so afraid of him would break his heart. but that also means we gets to see it when they begin to open up to him.

firelord zuko who’s feeding the turtleduks when a toddler comes running over. she almost topples into the water but zuko sweeps her up before she’s in any danger. he holds her in his lap and shows her how to feed them gently. when the mother comes careening out screaming for her child she stops short at the sight of zuko and collapses into a bow, head to the floor. she begs forgiveness but zuko shakes his head, and offers his hand for her to stand. he hands over her daughter, asks the girl’s name. his guard calls him back into meetings so he leaves with a smile and a bow to both of them. it’s the first time a child hasn’t been afraid of zuko here in the fire nation, and he smiles all week

firelord zuko who spends months trying to win over the kitchen staff enough the let him make his own tea. they refuse at first (as much as one is allowed to) and stand on principle. but zuko is patient, so patient, so he begins to visit the kitchens once a week. he tells the head chef he’s going to come, it’s not a surprise. and he just thanks the staff, asks their names, maybe mentions an earth nation dish he had that’s native to a region who’s dignitaries are coming. once he’s been a few times he asks about their lives. simple things, never much more than yes or no answers; he doesn’t want to force them into speaking more than they’re comfortable just because he is their firelord. but 10 months in, and he finally convinces the guards, tasters, and head chef he can make his own tea. the head chef still insists on checking the tea as it comes in (special shipment from the jasmine dragon of course) because he’s been working in the palace for a long time and he’s seen many leaders but zuko is the first firelord he’s actually wanted to serve. and he’s seen this 18 year old kid trying so damn hard to help the palace and nation heal, tying so hard to win favor with his dishwashers, that he wants to keep safe. he may not prepare the tea, but not a leaf gets to the firelord that isn’t personally checked by him.

and in a couple years, the permeating sense of fear and dread begins to leech out of the palace. maybe the maids start humming in the corridors, maybe the washer women laugh and talk as they go about their business, maybe the royal dressers don’t flinch at the scars all across their young leaders skin anymore

maybe the country is being run by a smart, kind, genuine young man who works tirelessly to restore their honor as people of the fire nation. zuko brings music, art, poetry, dancing and life back to the fire nation. he teaches the wisdom he learned from the sun warriors and old masters: fire isn’t just hate and death. it can be life, light, a sun blazing inside you and he fosters that light in his people. so they can shed the last 100 years of hatred together and foster a new nation of peace

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elissjayd

4 years ago

@zutaraweek

Zutara Week 2020 Day 3: Fuse

(Part 2/?)

Zuko had never been known for his calm and even temper. Even before his exile it wasn’t uncommon for him to blow up at someone when provoked. That it was a trait shared by most of his immediate family didn’t help him feel any better about it, especially when he knew half the palace staff was scared to even pass him in the halls when word got out he was angry. It was something he was working on and he usually accepted it as a process that took time.

Katara was not known for her temper. The other diplomats knew her as someone who was fiercely just, bold, confident, and passionate about her job. The palace staff treated her with proper respect while somehow still talking to her like she was one of their own. All smiles and gossip.

Obviously none of them had ever been on the receiving end of Katara’s fury when she was angry, but Zuko experienced enough to understand what she was really like.

The first time they had fought after they started dating he’d been scared he had ruined everything. That two people with short fuses could never make a happy relationship together and it was his fault for not having better control. The fight had been about something small and stupid, something that he would have tried to ignore but would definitely still eat away at him the longer it went not talked about. She had been the one to bring it up. The arguing started and then the yelling and then— to his amazement— the talking, a compromise and then before he knew it, laughing. The day had continued normally, only without the festering thing in the back of his mind from before, which had been replaced with another layer of appreciation for Katara.

They’d had a few small arguments since then, but they were easily worked through since their basic understanding was that they both really liked each other and wanted to stay together. Knowing that usually helped them not jump to any harsh conclusions.

But all this is to say that Zuko learned exactly what Katara was like when she was upset. Which was why, when she stormed into his office that morning all red faced glares and stomping feet (which probably would have looked adorable any other time), his first instinct was to rack his mind for anything he could have done to piss her off. His second instinct was to take stock of any liquids he had nearby as she had a tendency to waterbend without really thinking when her emotions got the better of her.

He couldn’t think of anything he did to get this reaction, so opted to stay quiet as he eyed her, slowly pushing his tea tray farther away from the papers on his desk.

She caught the action and stopped her pacing long enough to raise an eyebrow at him. He shrugged. She rolled her eyes and resumed pacing. Feeling like that was enough to confirm her ire wasn’t directed at him, he ventured to ask, “Katara. What’s wrong?”

“Aang. Aang is what’s wrong!” Oh. It had been three days since the Avatar and the others had arrived. Three days since Zuko and Katara told them how they were dating. And three days of Aang keeping his distance from them both. To be fair, he was still doing his part as Avatar and helping to moderate some important discussions about reparations with the Earth Kingdom, which was the original excuse for his visit. Aside from a few cool looks directed Zuko’s way, he was able to remain surprisingly professional and fair.

Though to be honest, Zuko had been less worried about Aang than he had been about Sokka. Aang may be the Avatar and Katara’s closest friend, but Sokka was still her brother and Zuko knew he still looked out for his little sister. It turned out there was no need to worry, though. When Zuko had approached him about it in private Sokka simply shrugged and said matter of factly, “I’m gonna be honest with ya, buddy. After the year and a half I just had, my little sister dating the new ruler of the Fire Nation is not the strangest thing to happen.”

So there was that.

“Didn’t he agree to practice waterbending or something this afternoon?” Zuko asked now. Katara stopped pacing again and the look in her eyes could freeze steam, no waterbending required.

“He cancelled. Said he had “important Avatar business” to do. As if I wouldn’t know anything about Avatar business!” She threw up her arms in frustration and Zuko’s tea pot rattled ominously. He casually shuffled some documents to the other side of his cluttered desk before standing and walking to her.

“I thought we were going to give him space to work through… things.”

She sighed and walked away to his open balcony. “It’s been days! And I’m no good at giving space. I just want us to be able to talk through it. We should be able to do that. We’re still best friends.” She hesitated. Hugged herself and sort of shrunk inward. Zuko was there, wrapping his arms around her before he even realized he stepped outside. “At least I still consider him my best friend. Zuko, what if he never forgives me?” She whispered.

He hugged her tighter and felt her lean into him. “We’re talking about the same kid who lectured us both on the saving power of forgiveness during a hundred-year war. I think you might be overthinking this, just a bit.”

She huffed out a laugh and actually smiled up at him, though ruefully. And he took a moment to feel the thrill of knowing he could make her smile, help her relax the tension building in her shoulders and brow. Especially now, when she was so upset and needed cheering. All he’d known for so long had been anger, so he never used to think he could do cheering. But for her he wants to become an expert.

“Fine, maybe you’re right,” she said reluctantly. “But if he doesn’t talk to me soon I’m going to sick Toph on him. And we all know how scary she can get.”

——

The length of this one kinda got away from me, sorry! My goal is to keep the ficlets somewhat short, but I kinda build the story up in my head while drawing and it sometimes becomes more than I originally intended. I tried to hide the text under a cut, but I only have my ipad and I can’t find the option to do that with the app. :/

Anyway, I’m loving all the beautiful works people have been posting! I love this fandom!

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elissjayd

3 years ago

Repainted another picture from 2 years ago, this time of Malon. (i secretly ship OoT Link with Malon…)

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elissjayd

10 years ago

Научите меня пользоваться тамблером. Хочется, интересно, есть идеи, но я просто не понимаю смысла. И как тут что делать. Я люблю, когда мне что-либо объясняют и если вы захотите помочь мне, я буду только счастлив.

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help tumblr how???? помощь

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elissjayd

11 years ago