How We Quit The Forest

[redbrunja]

So, on atla_unspoiled, there was a poster talking about how, typically, Zutara shippers ship Suki/Sokka, and Kataang shippers ship Toph/Sokka. (Which I think is true, based on my totally unscientific experiences). She then suggested that this was because of the shippers looking for 'viability.' (Which doesn't make sense to me.) I think it's more likely the that similarity in character interactions and relationship dynamics is what makes it more likely for a Zutara shipper to like Suki/Sokka, and for a Kataanger to like Toph/Sokka.

(And of course, there all the various permutations of who ships what as a primary ship, and I KNOW that there are people who like Suki/Sokka and Kataang, and Zutara shippers who like Toph/Sokka, to name just two.)

Your thoughts?

Comments

[oyster-district.livejournal.com]

What's funny is that there is no canon evidence for Toph's homosexuality, but immediately when I decided to do the story, I realized that my Toph would be gay. I don't like the idea of Toph being "given" to someone else in the event of Suki or Katara's absence. She's not a consolation prize. I felt the only way to respect her was to show her innate strength and courage. Toph is definitely the kind of woman who could be happily single, but I think she's also one of the few people on the show who could live gay in the ATLA-verse.

In addition, I feel that Toph's homosexuality is part of what makes my writing of Toph and Zuko's relationship so easy and fun for me.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

*nods*

Plus, I loved her girlfriend.

[oyster-district.livejournal.com]

Yeah, agreed. Toph wants (and gets) respect. And there's no way that you can respect someone and "settle for" them at the same time. You have to see what they bring into your life that's unique -- what makes them special and different from who you are, why you need them.

I can't recall where, but I once saw someone comment that they 'ship Toph/Teo "because of the disability thing," or something. My eyes almost fell out. (Please. Toph and Teo defined solely on the basis of their disabilities? What about the fact one of them's the fucking Daredevil and the other can McGuyver an explosive out of peanut sauce?)

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

I didn't ship Toph/Teo for just that reason, until I read this one fic that was awesome, and when I commented to her about how they both have handicaps, she went, 'i know - I actually didn't clue in until I was actually writing that i was shipping the crippled kids together' and that attitude shows.