Urzai FC

[ladyavatar]

Because this has been the subject of extensive discussion in the Ozai FC thread, I thought Urzai might deserve a fanclub thread all to itself. Essentially, there is SO much potential discussion to be had regarding this pairing because we know so little about their history and what may have transpired between them before the events of the canon series.

For instance:
(1) Where/how did they meet? Did they know each other as children? Did they meet as teenagers? Did they not know each other at all until the day of an arranged marriage?
(2) When did they fall in love? Before their marriage? Only after? Not at all? And what was their actual relationship like - snarky, sweet, formal, etc.?
(3) What happened between Ozai and Ursa on the night of Azulon's death? Did they truly plot the whole treasonous act together or could Ursa have acted in isolation?
(4) Do you think Ozai ever saw Ursa after that day when she left Zuko for the last time? Perhaps she returned to confront him in secret after he burned their young son's face? How would that meeting have gone?
(5) Do you think Ozai and Ursa will meet again at some point during the comic series (such as perhaps during The Search)? Do you think she is still in love with her husband or that she has moved on to begin another life with a new family?

Have your own discussion topics or answers to the above prompts? Have some Urzai art or fanfiction links to post? Join in!

Link to the image below on deviantART: ozai-fanatic.deviantart.com/favourites/#/d2uv3m2

SPOILER: Click to show

[azuremoon]

This is going to Be a GREAT inspiration for my fic!! Not my oneshot. TT Which just got delayed again due to Zutara Month AND Website work. Have to edit something due Thursday and then edit 2 other things of my own - fix what she wants me to fix.

[ladyavatar]

I do hope there will be interesting discussion here. Personally, I'm quite nervous about The Search comic series. Zuko essentially constructed a legend around his mother that I'm certain she could never fulfill because she probably never was the perfect person he remembers. What if she really has moved on past her old family?

I'm also kind of worried Ozai might die during the comic series, which I pleaaaaaaaaase hope won't happen. D: But what's the alternative? Life in prison for inheriting a war passed on by his own father?

And what if Ursa no longer loves him? I'm just hoping for a sweet Urzai reunion in the comics, the likelihood of which is probably about zero - but I can dream!

[azuremoon]

Let's start with question 1~

(1) Where/how did they meet? Did they know each other as children? Did they meet as teenagers? Did they not know each other at all until the day of an arranged marriage?

I can't see it as an arranged marriage, not unless it was coincidental. They seem as though they were deeply in love in the early years, before Ozai became more determined.

I wouldn't be surprised if they knew each other in passing as children, but really met and go to know each other as teens. That part I'm unsure of, but things didn't develop imo until they were teens. That's when I think love happened.

Also , answering you:

I'm nervous too!! >< I'm excited though at the same time. He did. And she will not be as he remembers regardless. That is a problem. Yes, she probably wasn't that person. I have an interesting person interpretation of this that will confuse people and have a fun twist. But I don't think she's moved on...I hope they don't do that!

NOOOOO> WTF?! Why would they kill him?! >< I'm hoping there will be a way for him out later. =( But to Ozai, death might be kinder.

TT They should read this, and become Zutarians. And write that.

[ladyavatar]

It's interesting how many fanfictions do place them in an "arranged marriage" circumstance, but I actually find your comment particularly interesting - an arranged marriage by coincidence. One in which they were deeply in love early on and then, as if the spirits themselves conspired to bring about their union, found themselves in arranged circumstances.

I also love the headcanon where they met as children. Where do you think such a meeting would have taken place? Perhaps in a school setting, as some fanfictions say? Others cite a formal gala at the royal palace as an ideal meeting place for children. One of my favorite stories describes a gala in which Ursa sneaks off into the main palace and pretends she's the Fire Lord by strutting around the place - until our dear Ozai catches her! XD

[azuremoon]

It is. I could see it if they happened to be arranged yes. But JUST arranged? Hmm...=33 The spirits are smart.

That's precious!! Though they'd be in the Royal Academies so they would know each other at least to be of high standing. I saw something that earlier that said that Ozai was known by his name, whereas Iroh was known by his presence. So if he didn't mention his name...I could see it and it being cute or something. But if it was a school setting, it might be a mixer between the Royal Fire Academies (boys and girls). LOL!! I love that! I need to decide how they met for the sake of my stories...lol.

[ladyavatar]

That's actually an equally interesting question: where would Ozai and Ursa have received their early educations? Would the princes have been exposed to a usual school environment or privately tutored because that impact their meeting opportunities?

You'll find out my own headcanon soon enough, but I love fanfictions that have them meeting when one or both is up to no good (like the example above with the gala when Ursa sneaks off to run around the palace).

[shoeninja]

You make the best fanclubs.

Dec 9, 2012 15:35:35 GMT -6 ladyavatar said:

(1) Where/how did they meet? Did they know each other as children? Did they meet as teenagers? Did they not know each other at all until the day of an arranged marriage?

I think the likelihood of an arranged marriage between Ozai and Ursa is very slim; and here's why: Ursa is the granddaughter of Avatar Roku. Given what transpired between Roku and the FN Royal Family, I find it hard to believe that Azulon would have sought out a descendant of the last Avatar and married off his son to her. The Avatar's bloodline is clearly something that wasn't desirable to Sozin/Azulon; as illustrated by the secrecy that surrounded Ursa's heritage--otherwise, why would finding out about it have been such a surprise to Zuko?


So in my opinion, it was un-arranged. Ozai and Ursa were obviously pretty young when they wed and began having children, so the part of me that loves the idea of royal scandal likes to think that they had a passionate love affair that culminated in an "oops", followed by a shotgun wedding and Zuko's conspicuous birth just shy of 9 months later. At least, that's my take on the infamous "Lucky to be Born" clue...Maybe he really was lucky that Fire Lord Azulon didn't order the potential bastard terminated. Headcanons can be so strange sometimes...


The question as to how they would have met is a bit more open in my mind. Maybe as children; though the idea of two teenagers just coming into their own setting sight on one another and falling into hormonally raging 'true lurve' despite all odds a-la Romeo & Juliet is appealing to me.

Dec 9, 2012 15:35:35 GMT -6 ladyavatar said:

(2) When did they fall in love? Before their marriage? Only after? Not at all? And what was their actual relationship like - snarky, sweet, formal, etc.?

I think they loved each other. There are just too many little clues even the series (that by and large ignores most of Ozai's backstory altogether) that support that theory. Maybe things weren't as jolly toward the end, but at one point, at least, they definitely must have had feelings for one another.

Ozai strikes me as a snarky person, but one who feels he must appear and conduct himself in a certain way in order to get what he wants. So I like the idea that Ursa might have been the only person he felt comfortable being himself around--I think he would have had a special sweetness reserved just for her.

From what little we see and hear second hand about Ursa, she strikes me as one of those women who probably thought her husband hung the moon. This would explain why she overlooked the signs of his growing ambition and perhaps even his fatherhood!fails for so long.

Dec 9, 2012 15:35:35 GMT -6 ladyavatar said:

(3) What happened between Ozai and Ursa on the night of Azulon's death? Did they truly plot the whole treasonous act together or could Ursa have acted in isolation?

The world may never know? I really go back and forth on this one. Popular opinion supports the theory that she acted in desperation as a result of being manipulated into doing so by Ozai. And really, given only what we have to work with from the series itself, I really can't come up with a good argument against that assertion without throwing in headcanon evidence.

That said, I secretly like the (however unlikely) idea that it was Ozai who was reluctant to obey his father and act on the order, so Ursa took it upon herself to kill Azulon so Ozai wouldn't have to.


And then, there is the really interesting theory that what Azulon MEANT when he said that Ozai would know the pain of losing his son was that he would be taking Zuko away from Ozai and giving him to Iroh to adopt as his new heir; effectively skipping him in the line of succession. This one REALLY makes a lot of sense if you look at the way royal succession has been handled historically. But of course Azula wouldn't understand that and would have thought, as a child, that her grandfather had meant that Ozai must kill Zuko...so she ran off and gave this misinformation to Ursa, who freaked out (as any mother would) and killed Azulon to "save" her son...

Dec 9, 2012 15:35:35 GMT -6 ladyavatar said:

(4) Do you think Ozai ever saw Ursa after that day when she left Zuko for the last time? Perhaps she returned to confront him in secret after he burned their young son's face? How would that meeting have gone?

I kind of doubt it. My headcanon tends toward him not knowing where the hell she is, and that fact driving him crazy.

As a mother, if I found out that my husband had abused or injured my baby in any way, they would never find his body. Period. So in my opinion, Ursa must either be hiding out in a really remote location where she hasn't heard about what Ozai did to Zuko...or she is dead.

Dec 9, 2012 15:35:35 GMT -6 ladyavatar said:

(5) Do you think Ozai and Ursa will meet again at some point during the comic series (such as perhaps during The Search)? Do you think she is still in love with her husband or that she has moved on to begin another life with a new family?

I don't even want to think about that comic series...such a disappointment.

[azuremoon]

Michelle - I do believe that given both's statuses, it would've been at the Royal Academies. But what happened between them for meeting? I'm still up in the air. Azula went to the Royal Fire Academy for Girls according to canon. So I believe that the others would have too. Though at the time Azula wasn't the Fire Lord's child, but grandchild. It's quite possible that tutoring would occur. But I think it's up to the individual parents if they feel as though socialization is good or not. Toss up.

Dec 13, 2012 9:51:11 GMT -6 shoeninja said:

You make the best fanclubs.

She does. Lol. Intense discussion man!

I think the likelihood of an arranged marriage between Ozai and Ursa is very slim; and here's why: Ursa is the granddaughter of Avatar Roku. Given what transpired between Roku and the FN Royal Family, I find it hard to believe that Azulon would have sought out a descendant of the last Avatar and married off his son to her. The Avatar's bloodline is clearly something that wasn't desirable to Sozin/Azulon; as illustrated by the secrecy that surrounded Ursa's heritage--otherwise, why would finding out about it have been such a surprise to Zuko?


So in my opinion, it was un-arranged. Ozai and Ursa were obviously pretty young when they wed and began having children, so the part of me that loves the idea of royal scandal likes to think that they had a passionate love affair that culminated in an "oops", followed by a shotgun wedding and Zuko's conspicuous birth just shy of 9 months later. At least, that's my take on the infamous "Lucky to be Born" clue...Maybe he really was lucky that Fire Lord Azulon didn't order the potential bastard terminated. Headcanons can be so strange sometimes...


The question as to how they would have met is a bit more open in my mind. Maybe as children; though the idea of two teenagers just coming into their own setting sight on one another and falling into hormonally raging 'true lurve' despite all odds a-la Romeo & Juliet is appealing to me.

That's quite an interesting thought. That does make a LOT of sense though...And thus likely it IS unlikely for an arranged marriage. Before it was desirable, when he thought Roku would be on his side, but once Sozin knew he wasn't, no more desire. And the pedigree would've been known.

You just like scandal, but yes, love indeed I'd imagine. OMG! That's...I had not thought of that. 0,0 Wow...<< Interesting. I'm actually quite interested in further developments on this.

It is quite open so far. =P OMG XD You're all tragedy but LOVES. Can't blame ya.

I think they loved each other. There are just too many little clues even the series (that by and large ignores most of Ozai's backstory altogether) that support that theory. Maybe things weren't as jolly toward the end, but at one point, at least, they definitely must have had feelings for one another.

Ozai strikes me as a snarky person, but one who feels he must appear and conduct himself in a certain way in order to get what he wants. So I like the idea that Ursa might have been the only person he felt comfortable being himself around--I think he would have had a special sweetness reserved just for her.

From what little we see and hear second hand about Ursa, she strikes me as one of those women who probably thought her husband hung the moon. This would explain why she overlooked the signs of his growing ambition and perhaps even his fatherhood!fails for so long.

There are indeed clues of love. I doubt that as passionate (yes I think that's a good word to describe Ozai actually) a person as he was/is, that love had to factor in. At one point.

Ah yes. The I must keep up appearances kind of thing. I agree. I think it's special and that he's one of those that was a whole different person for his one true love.

"Hung the moon" Never heard that one before. But yes, if she was swooning and head over heels then I can see her ignoring it at first. Then it was too late.

The world may never know? I really go back and forth on this one. Popular opinion supports the theory that she acted in desperation as a result of being manipulated into doing so by Ozai. And really, given only what we have to work with from the series itself, I really can't come up with a good argument against that assertion without throwing in headcanon evidence.

That said, I secretly like the (however unlikely) idea that it was Ozai who was reluctant to obey his father and act on the order, so Ursa took it upon herself to kill Azulon so Ozai wouldn't have to.

We'll know in faniction but fuck if Bryke'll tell us in 'canon'. =P Thus fanon takes the reigns. Headcanon!! Tell me more of your headcanon.

No it's possible. I mean mother protecting her child...she'd do anything to save Zuko.

And then, there is the really interesting theory that what Azulon MEANT when he said that Ozai would know the pain of losing his son was that he would be taking Zuko away from Ozai and giving him to Iroh to adopt as his new heir; effectively skipping him in the line of succession. This one REALLY makes a lot of sense if you look at the way royal succession has been handled historically. But of course Azula wouldn't understand that and would have thought, as a child, that her grandfather had meant that Ozai must kill Zuko...so she ran off and gave this misinformation to Ursa, who freaked out (as any mother would) and killed Azulon to "save" her son...

THAT does make a whole helluva lot of sense actually. I mean it would be logical on so many levels. It would burn Ozai and help Zuko. And Iroh. Especially considering they're already close. Child, mentally ill Azula would indeed go the death route of course. And no, she wouldn't have understood and likely did tell mommy before daddy.

I kind of doubt it. My headcanon tends toward him not knowing where the hell she is, and that fact driving him crazy.

As a mother, if I found out that my husband had abused or injured my baby in any way, they would never find his body. Period. So in my opinion, Ursa must either be hiding out in a really remote location where she hasn't heard about what Ozai did to Zuko...or she is dead.

That's interesting. I'm torn. I can't decide because he probably banished her, or she ran off. That's where I struggle. Lots of she was banished, and even if she wasn't, that's probably what he's said.

Logical...=( I hope she's not dead!! T_T_T They wouldn't write a whole comic about it for her being dead unless they had flashbacks or something. TT

I don't even want to think about that comic series...such a disappointment.

The Search is the one that hasn't come out yet. So not a disappointment...yet...=-= TT

[shoeninja]

Dec 13, 2012 22:28:42 GMT -6 azuremoon said:

OMG! That's...I had not thought of that. 0,0 Wow...<< Interesting. I'm actually quite interested in further developments on this.

Totally...It's definitely one of those fanfics just begging to be written.