SOKKA

- the team couldn’t afford to have Zuko be the one to buy food and supplies at the marketplace they’d spotted.]

You know, I think Appa’s fur holds smells by 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯. [He joked. Appa rumbled beside them, clearly unamused as he lumbered along.]

- recon. Just enough observation from the outskirts to see the clear view of high walls draped with Fire Nation banners towering over dull stonework below. Remnants of an old Earth Kingdom territory. Worn but unyielding despite its newer, unforgiving occupants.

It was also enough to know -

Depends on the smell and if we can afford to stay a little longer wherever we land.

[And after a few days of travel across the ocean, they’d finally settled in a clearing a good walk away from a small nearby town.

They’d gotten to know it was another one of the Fire Nation colonies after a brief -

- as he moves back to the camp to grab his pack and whatever else they might need.]

C’mon. You’ll find out sooner or later, anyway.

- But I’m telling you, I’ve tried everything to stop him from doing the thing after we give him a bath, and he doesn’t listen!

[A low groan from behind.]

You 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸I know I can tell when you’re playing with me. [He scoffs, voice shooting up a pitch before sinking back into muttered complaints -

Depends on the big guy’s mood.

[As if on cue, Appa snorts, a loud gusty cloud blowing from his nose that nudges Sokka forward a step. He catches himself thankfully this time, directing an exasperated look to the bison that almost said, ‘𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘩, 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘩, 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸!’] -

- You bet! [He releases Zuko with a hearty pat on the back (though, his excitement landed a little heavier than intended).] Let's move him over to the riverbank. And word of advice? You might want a change of clothes.

- Either way, Sokka wasn't about to waste any opportunity to... nudge Zuko around a bit while he was still trying to learn how to 𝘣𝘦 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦.

Besides, compared to all the times they'd had near-death experiences because of him, this was a very gentle trust exercise.] -

- 2) Appa would shed enough fur each season to make an entirely new sky bison.

And on the matter of Toph: 1) She couldn't see, and 2) would rather bathe in mud.

Yep. Most of the team.

So was this considered an initiation? Maybe. -

[A beaming smile lights up his face.] That's the spirit! Look at you, adjusting so well!

[Was this actually a requirement for everyone in the team? Not exactly.

Sokka and Katara got into the rhythm of helping Aang out because: 1) the smell got unbearable if they didn't, and -

- [He juts his thumb over to an unassuming rake lying next to the rest of their laid out supplies.]

How about giving a go at brushing his fur?

[Even when he resists rolling his eyes, the downward turn of his mouth makes his thoughts all too apparent on his face.] Yeah, was this before or after Aang told you he heard Appa speak human the last time he lost a week’s worth of sleep?

Nuh-uh, you’re not taking the easy route, Princelord. -

Heeeey, Zuko. [He slings an arm around the latter’s neck.]

Since you’re all part of the gang now, I think it’s about time you help Appa look like the biiiig happy sky bison he’s meant to be!

Sounds like the big guy’s due for a bath.

[Appa huffs beside him, slowly shifting his eyes away.]

No thanks to you. I think I can still tell there’s a terrible taste of bison fur in my mouth.

- rolling a surprised Sokka beneath him.

His shouts are muffled, his movements completely pinned down by the weight.

Appa breathes a sigh through his nostrils and closes his eyes.]

[His mouth opens into an obnoxiously loud yawn just as the ground beneath him shifts with a guttural groan.

It’s almost as if Appa seems to forget Sokka lying on top of him. Or his yawn must’ve been contagious, because suddenly, the large bison’s turning to his side with a contented yawn, -

/ canon things…

/ IDKW HAT IM DOING IM JUST HERE TO MAKE HIM PLAY WITH HIS SWORD /halfj

Southern Water Tribe represent!