You HAD to know this was coming. And yet you didn't prepare at all. FAIL.

Some spoilers follow:

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Since I've been reading a lot of Avatar fics lately, my thoughts on the popular ships:

Kataang: Cute, canon, fairly inevitable. Aang's too young, but that's never stopped anyone. The main trouble is that if you write them as adults, you really need to mature Aang while keeping his essential character, which can be tough. Katara's much easier to write for this pair (and indeed in general).

Zutara: Like Harry/Hermione, I'd probably like this if it weren't for its more obnoxious fans. I can read it provided it's in a fic that doesn't character bash. Also tends to be the most emo by far, and I thin k has attracted not only H/Hr but Draco/Hr shippers, judging by Zuko's tendency for leather pants.

Tokka: My favorite pairing. Oddly, there's little out and out romance with the Tokka fics, which suits me fine. Tokka's too young, for one, and for another, this couple leans far more towards the 'best buds' sort of pairing. Most Tokka fics have them arguing over something. This pairing also works well with future fics, as these two are easier to realistically mature than Aang.

Maiko: Sort of canon at the moment, ish. I like the idea of this pair a lot more than the execution. A lot of repressed affection from two very repressed people. I think I'd feel better about it if I weren't sure that if Azula said 'dump him and follow me', Mai would.

Taang: Urgh. Pairing off the leftovers. I don't see any onscreen chemistry between these two. Created when Sukka was far more popular than Tokka, it tends to solve the 'zomg pedo' angle by simply pairing up the kids. The only Avatar pairing I try not to read.

Sukka: Certainly the most canon of the Sokka ships atm, it's cute and they go well together. The only problem is Suki's gotten little face time, and in Season 3 we're still not quite sure if she's dead or not. Speaking of which...

Sokka/Yue (can't remember the name for it): Great way to give Sokka some love angst. Combined with a Suki death it leads to a lot of 'I am cursed and can never love again' in future fics with Sokka. Plus, of course, any number of moon metaphors.

Ty Lokka: Hell of a lot of fun canonically, and I'd love to see these two interact more. Fictionally, tends to be more angsty, sometimes involving a lot of physical abuse on Azula's part, leading to Sokka comfort. This is far less satisfying, as I like my Ty Lee perky and hyper, thanks.

Sokula: Can you say torture sex? I knew you could.

Azula/Ty Lee (again, don't know the name): Haven't read any fics with this, but after seeing The Beach, I wouldn't be surprised if Ty Lee has a big ol' crush on Azula. Azula is straight, though, so this isn't going anywhere.

Any that I forgot?

Today's GIP comes from the fantastic choushininoru, who has a way with Avatar icons.

This will be lj-cut, both due to spoilers and due to excessive fangirling on my part.

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So yeah, I liked the episode just a TAD.