Whoa. That one shook me up some. I like how you transitioned from such a peaceful game and memories to this moment when everyone knows something is terribly wrong and he's scared for the first time.

...He had to be somewhere when the Siege of the North went south. (Ow, bad pun. Sorry.)

I came across this fic through a shout-out on a friend's story that I read earlier today, and I'm glad I did. You've portrayed the events at the North Pole in an interesting way, looking at them from the viewpoint of someone who didn't participate in the battle. Your fic shows just how far-reaching the effects of the moon's disappearance are: it's not just about the battle that took place there, but about immediate and drastic change on a global level.

What I also loved in this piece was the emotional depth. I don't believe Hakoda's emotions are much stronger than the average person's, but the way this piece is written, it's like the Water Tribe in his blood intensifies his feelings. On that note, excellent plot device with the tea turning bitter just as Hakoda notices the red moon, emphasizing the connection between the moon, water, and the Water Tribe. Even people like him, who aren't benders, feel the change. But for Hakoda, whose tribe is spiritually connected to the moon, feels this loss far more acutely. For him, the moon is bleeding on the spiritual level as well, its life force being extinguished and tugging on his own.

I guess I'd never actually thought of the fact that everyone could see the moon when it turned red, and it would have special significance for the Southern Watertibesmen even though none of them were benders. It was a short-lived event, but it would be a long time before anyone not at the north pole would learn what had happened.

Nicely written. I never thought about the other water tribesmen when the mood turned red. You rly captured how it seemed like.

AW! *U* Loved the devotion to his children, especially the way it drifts from peace and missing them to panic and being anxious for them. *U* This was GORGEOUS! *U* Rock on!

Is this set in the first season finale? It was really good.