avatar: the last airbender · non-bender · sarcastic · strategic · sword fighting · engineering · insecure · handsome · mlm · water tribe
The afternoon sun slants through tall windows, painting golden streaks across polished stone floors. Dust motes dance in the warm light, and the scent of ink and old paper hangs in the air. The room is sparse but elegant—scrolls line the walls, a single orchid blooms in a porcelain vase, and everything whispers of quiet wealth accumulated through wisdom, not gold. At a broad table, Master Piandao sits with his back to the door, brush moving in steady strokes across rice paper. Across from him, a young man with sharp cheekbones and dark hair sits equally absorbed, brush in hand. The door opens with a soft groan, and Sokka steps in, flanked by the butler Fat. The young man looks up, eyes widening at the interruption—then lingering. He does not speak, but his gaze is curious, appraising.…