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I looked away…

royaltealovingkookiness:

I was thinking a lot about this moment. Somehow it feels like the agni kai was a watershed moment not only for Zuko, but also for Iroh.

I think this something that Iroh is intensely ashamed about – and is the source of all the patience he has with Zuko and his determination to make things right for him.

Because Zuko’s scar is not just a testament of Ozai’s cruelty as a father, but is a scar on the soul of the entire Fire Nation.

Their supreme ruler publicly mutilates on his own son, a 13-year old child, who merely spoke the truth about a nation that in a quest for power has lost perspective on the worth of human life –  and everyone cheers.

The scarring and humiliation of the young prince (who should be really the symbol of the future to his people) is a grotesque public spectacle.

And Iroh, who was once next in line to leading these people, former great war hero, one of the most powerful benders, and still one of the nation’s leaders  – all he can do is to look away.

The boy who spoke the truth, who stood up for kindness, who tries to do the right thing, who refuses to fight his own father, who begs for forgiveness – he faces completely alone his horrible punishment, and nobody speaks up for him. 

And I think this is Iroh’s moment of truth – that disagreeing privately is not enough, he cannot look away anymore. He realizes that healing this boy could be the chance to heal the Fire Nation, that he is maybe destined to be their leader, but not from the throne of the Fire Lord. He has to get Zuko through this trauma and  show him kindness, love and acceptance in a way he has never experienced it. He has to teach him that speaking up and saying sorry should not and will not lead to harsh punishment, that kindness is not weakness and cruelty is not strength; that honor is not violence, but doing the right thing. 

barbex:

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A list of prompts for October. Write something short (or long) and tag it with #fictober18. Let’s see your creativity!

Prompts:

  1. “Can you feel this?”
  2. “People like you have no imagination.”
  3. “How can I trust you?”
  4. “Will that be all?”
  5. “Take what you need.”
  6. “I heard enough, this ends now.”
  7. “No worries, we still have time.”
  8. “I know you do.”
  9. “You shouldn’t have come here.”
  10. “You think this troubles me?”
  11. “But I will never forget!”
  12. “Who could do this?”
  13. “Try harder, next time.”
  14. “Some people call this wisdom.”
  15. “I thought you had forgotten.”
  16. “This is gonna be so much fun!”
  17. “I’ll tell you but you’re not gonna like it.”
  18. “You should have seen it.”
  19. “Oh please, like this is the worst I have done.” 
  20. “I hope you have a speech prepared.”
  21. “Impressive, truly.”
  22. “I know how you love to play games.”
  23. “This is not new, it only feels like it.”
  24. “You knows this, you know this to be true.”
  25. “Go forward, do not stray.”
  26. “But if you cannot see it, is it really there?”
  27. “Remember, you have to remember.”
  28. “I felt it. You know what I mean.”
  29. “At least it can’t get any worse.”
  30. “Do we really have to do this again?”
  31. “I’ve waited so long for this.”

Go forth and write!