My favorite ATLA fic was updated again. So addicted.

[timepiececlock]

fandomme topped herself again with chapter 13 of "Stormbenders".

It takes a really slick fanfic writer to gradually introduce a ton of fic clichés (especially fandom-specific fic clichés) and do it so stealthily that you don't even seem them, or if you do see them you don't care, because the overall effect is distracting you with its morass of AWESOME.

I think fandomme could eat a live baby on youtube and the entire zutara fandom's response would be "You won't get food poisoning and be unable to update The Fic, will you? Make sure you cook it all way through!" With helpful tips on seasoning and an offer to make the leftovers into sandwiches she can eat while writing. :D Pass the syrup?

Comments

Re: It's so perfect! And I keep getting on these Sam's Town kicks where I CAN'T STOP LISTENING TO I

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

From just having seen up to 3x13, I really have to say that I love how the show has built and addressed Katara and Zuko's complicated relationship as enemies/rivals and potential friends. Not only does it have PLENTY of tension for potential shipping (secret bonding? secret hate/resentment because of said bonding? secret "I'd rather fight you anyway"/"Likewise" feelings?), but it's just a really nice development of both of their separate character paths, and how they converge. Even stripping away EVERYTHING to do wiht shipping, the themes of forgiveness, rivalry, betrayal, and compassion are compelling and provocative.

Zuko has a special, specific relationship with Aang that's the most important in the gang, because of their criss-crossing paths. But after that the person he's interacted with the most has been Katara, in fighting and in potential friendship. I just love how their scenes in CoD feed into their new relationship when he joins the gang. Yummy! It's why I loved that poem line for my other icon: "You will go faltering after / that bright imperious line". Forgiveness? Acceptance? Friendship or love? Catharsis? And all of that is a beautiful story progression even if it has absolutely nothing to do with romance.

But then the writers gave us just enough UST on top of all that, so it makes shipping them even easier and richer. I feel like as the series has progressed, regardless of what if any pairings become final canon, the show has been seriously generous is giving us material to work with. After all this, after the secret bonding and secret hate and high tension and mouth-touching and death threats and feelings of personal conflict and of compassion, shipping Zutara finally has a grounding in the show itself. It may turn out AU, but the foundation is solid. Season 2 and 3 gave us a foundation, which we didn't really have in season 1. And it's such a YUMMY foundation, too-- fraught with tension!