So, who knew that eight years later a Legend of Korra rewatch would inspire a retrospective look at my old fandom work and the determination to finish the one story I actually kind of liked? Nobody, that's who. Sorry this update is LITERALLY eight years late.
I will be uploading a version of this story, edited and revised, on my AO3 later: archiveofourown (period) org (slash) remembertowrite
Rapture
To the Esteemed Master Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, Her Royal Sugar Queeness,
I am a servant of the Beifong Estate writing on behalf of Mistress Toph Beifong, and apologize for my employer's lack of manners. She insists I address you as Sugar Queen. What follows is dictation from Mistress Toph:
Hey Sugar Queen! Have you frozen your hair loopies off yet or choked on a sea prune? Went to the Northern Water Tribe with my mom a few months ago and almost froze my toes off it was so cold. The ice kinda sucks. I couldn't see that well in the snow.
I'm back in the Earth Kingdom now with my parents. My dad's turned back into a dictator-jerk, but I've been able to sneak off to some Earth Rumble matches. Now my mom comes and watches my matches. She says she just wants to keep an eye on me and make sure I don't hurt myself, and that she can barely stand the "uncivilized filth they call a sport," but I can tell she's lying. She likes watching. Can you believe that? I guess my mom is actually kinda cool. But don't tell her I said so.
I wrote to Zuko recently and holy hogmonkeys is he grumpy. He just wrote about all these dumb political things he's scared about. Because I care so much about politics. Ugh. I'm still salty I didn't get my life-changing field trip. Guess I got one with Mom.
How's Sokka, by the way? Will you, I don't know, punch him in the shoulder or something for me and tell him to come visit sometimes? I miss his stupid face, you know?
Anyway, write back soon or face my metalbending wrath!
- Mistress Toph Beifong, Master Earthbender, Earth Rumble 5, 6, & 7 Champion
Master Katara, I have also enclosed a small metal curio that my mistress shaped herself. She tells me that you can use it to throw at Mister Sokka, but I think she means it as a gift for him.
Please feel free to use this komodo-falcon as delivery for your return message. Mistress Toph anxiously awaits your response.
- Guyan, Servant of the Beifong Estate, Earth Kingdom
Hey Katara,
I'm sending Momo to deliver this message because I think Momo misses you almost as much as I do! How is your time with your family? How's Sokka and your dad?
I'm still in the Fire Nation with Zuko helping him bring unity and peace and all that stuff. All in a day's work for the Avatar! General Kazir, one of Zuko's Fire Navy guys who came with us to Ri Chu, reckons I'm getting pretty good at this peace thing. I met with some of the rebel leaders yesterday. They reminded me of those tribes we helped through the Great Divide, except this time I didn't lie to solve the problem. I told Zuko about lying to resolve the issue between those two tribes, and he started going off about how it's not honorable to build peace on a lie, and how Uncle says you can only connect with others when you open yourself up first, blah blah blah.
That's the only kind of stuff he talks about nowadays. He used to be more fun, like when we went to Ember Island a couple months ago. He even let me teach him some firebending magic tricks back then, and we went to a dance hall and did the Dancing Dragon there. Ever since we came to the resisting provinces, he's been really serious. He gets weird and broody whenever people talk about what's going on back in the capital. It was just one day he slammed my door open at the palace and said we had to go out to Ri Chu immediately. He's kinda dramatic. So here we are in Ri Chu Province.
I miss you a lot. Write soon.
-Aang
Toph,
I'm really glad you're reconnecting with your mom. That's great, Toph. I'm sure she missed you a lot during the war.
Also, can you cut it with the nicknames already? Besides, I'm no queen here. I've mostly just been helping look after kids of the Northerners that came down to help us rebuild. The Northern Waterbenders are still weird about letting a girl help them in constructing new ice buildings, Spirits forbid. So I'm stuck with their kids (who are admittedly really cute). Boys suck, Toph. Suki said she would help me go and kick their butts, but she's also been sneaking off with Sokka a lot. Gran Gran's the same with Pakku. It's totally gross.
I gave Sokka your metal sculpture. He said it's really cool. He also said he can't visit for a while because he's got a lot of stuff going on with helping the tribe rebuild. Which is true. When he's not all over Suki. Ugh, now I get how Sokka felt traveling with Aang and me. Which you might've heard from Aang about, but, uh. It's complicated. But you knew that.
I'm sending you some seal blubber jerky from Sokka and I. Miss you a lot. Hope things get better with your dad.
- Katara
Aang,
I miss you so much too! Sokka got a kick out of seeing Momo again. Momo stole his Arctic eel-lizard on a stick, and Suki and I laughed a lot as Sokka chased Momo around. Suki and Sokka send all their love to you, and Zuko too. So do I!
It sounds like things are really dangerous right now in that part of the Fire Nation. Be careful, Aang. But I know you'll do great. I'm glad you're so excited about your Avatar duties. And take care of Zuko. I hope he's doing alright. I was writing to him for a while, but he hasn't responded to my last letter. Give him a big hug for me, okay? And tell him to get off his royal rear and write me back.
Lots of love,
Katara
Katara,
I'm sorry it's been so long. A lot's changed in the Fire Nation. Or I guess it's really just stayed the same. There's a lot of nobility in the west - especially in Ri Chu, where Aang and I are now - that are stuck in the old way of Fire Nation thinking, all the garbage my father and Azula parroted. I wish Uncle were here. It hurts that he left the Fire Nation. He said I needed to find my own path, but it feels like I'm just failing all over again.
I saw Azula before I left the capital. She's… not there anymore, to be honest. You saw her at the Agni Kai. She's even worse now. I know I shouldn't care, but it bothers me that she's like she is now. I never thought I'd say this, but I wish she would throw a rock at a turtle duck again or something.
How goes the rebuilding of the South? I hope Sokka's not mad I crushed his lookout tower with my ship that one time. Um. Tell him I'm sorry.
Aang says hello. He wanted to write too, but he told me I should be the one to write to this time, because I haven't written to you at all. I'm sorry about that too. I'm just sorry in general.
I don't think I'm cut out for this, Katara.
- Zuko
Zuko,
Don't be ridiculous. You're one of the best people I know. When we were traveling around, you somehow always knew what to do. You're the Fire Lord your country has needed for ages. I believe in you.
Also, Toph wasn't kidding, you are grumpy-broody. Where's the dorky Zuko Toph and Aang and I all know and love? The one who jokes about chasing around the Avatar for old times' sake and quotes dumb Fire Nation classic plays to me?
In all seriousness, are you okay? Aang said you've been different since you left the capital. Did something happen? I know seeing your sister like that must hurt, but it seems like there's something else. Please, if you need help, let me know. I'll always be there for you.
That's what friends are for.
- Katara
Katara,
You know everything, don't you? I thought that was Toph's ability. Fine, I had a mutual disagreement with Mai. A, well. A permanent disagreement on the general status of our relationship.
But also: I don't brood. I can't believe Aang told you that.
I've been so busy with the situation in Ri Chu, but I was just telling myself that. To be honest, it's a relief to dive into work right now. And it's been nice to have someone to write to.
Thank you, Katara.
- Zuko
Zuko! Aang! GUESS WHAT GUESS WHAT GUESS WHAT.
I'm a smooth dude, that's what. Suki and I are engaged! You guys know I'm not into all this girly stuff, right, but the ceremony's gonna be on Kyoshi where we first met, and I did the whole engagement necklace tradition and everything. Katara, who is the bestest sister ever (and who is reading this), let me use my mom's necklace. Anyway, stay tuned for more, and give Hawkie some fire flakes!
-Sokka
TOPHHHHHH! The sculpture you sent was awesome! Katara said she sent you some of my seal blubber jerky as thanks. Did you love that saltwater taste or what?
Anyway, wanted to share the news. Suki and I are engaged! You gotta come down to Kyoshi Island for the wedding. Or I'll sick Katara on you. She's pretty merciless when she wants to be, you know.
Peace!
- Sokka
To the Esteemed Master Katara of the Southern Water Tribe,
It is Guyan, servant of the Beifong Estate writing once again. I am not writing on behalf of my mistress, but begging that you might write again. Ever since Mistress Toph received the news about your esteemed brother's engagement, she has become rather melancholy and insists that she will not be able to attend the wedding. I pray that you can write some sense into her. I know my employer misses you and all of her friends dearly, and it would mean the world.
Thank you ever so much.
- Guyan, Servant of the Beifong Estate, Earth Kingdom
