#talaya

Look who’s got a ticket to a Broadway revival of Hamilton?

Yet, Drake doesn’t want to go alone, so he is in need of a trusted plus one to.

But who?

Then, in comes the ribbon-adorned Talaya, crash landing on her pal’s head once he tells her the news.

And she’d love to be in the room where it happens.

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Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender (Cartoon 2005) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Malaya/Ta Min (Avatar) Characters: Malaya (Avatar), Ta Min (Avatar) Additional Tags: Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Reckoning of Roku, Malaya (Avatar) Lives, Post-TROR, Southern Air Temple (Avatar), Budding Love, Air Nomads (Avatar), Festivals, Rooftop Conversations, Cultural Differences, Don't try their stunts at home kids Series: Part 4 of The Roku Era Summary:

Ta Min pauses, light pink dusting her cheeks. Her eyes drift down to the courtyard. A particularly loud bout of laughter echoes up, released into the air. “Technically, I’m not even supposed to be here. Most of the job involves me staying put.”

“But you’re here,” Malaya points out. Slowly, Ta Min looks back up at her. “That’s a choice.”

Her extremely vague accent, her flighty love of fashion, and her grandiose mannerisms whenever she controls a body makes her stand out to me for some reason. I want to see her reform and have a platonic friendship with Drake!

First off, this headcanon is kind of a two-parter, so let me start with part one.

I do not think Drake and Morgana were a healthy couple on the original show.

Even though they love each other and have put their lives on the line for the other countless times, they also constantly argue over their interests and priorities.

While Morgana would get easily offended by Drake being creeped out by her macabre activities, he would usually be doubtful of her skills as a sorceress. I think it would be best for them if, after one too many fights, they decided to break up on good terms. It would be heavy on both of their hearts for a while, but it would be the right decision for them.

Now, onto part two.

There is another character on the show that I believe would be a better match for Drake.

And her name is…Talaya! You probably don’t remember her, do you?

Ok, recap.

In the episode, “Battle of the Brainteasers”, a group of hat-like aliens from the planet Fez invade Earth to conquer the planet.

Flarg

Barada

and Nikto

This species has the power to attach themselves to the head of a host to control their bodies, which they use to possess several of the main characters. Fortunately, their plans are thwarted by Honker Muddlefoot, who has become a hero on planet Fez and a mortal enemy to the diabolical trio.

This was followed by a sequel episode titled “The Revenge of the Return of the Brainteasers, Too”, where Flarg and his henchmen break out of prison to take revenge on Honker. Although, this time, they have a new member: Talaya. She is Flarg’s “Harley Quinn” to his “Joker” and the one who assists in their escape. Once again, they possess the heroes in order to frame Honker for crimes of destruction across the universe. Naturally, the Brainteasers’ plans were foiled, and they get arrested again.

This episode was the first and only appearance of Talaya in any Darkwing Duck media, including the comics. Now, I wish this character would show up again because I believe she and Drake could become good friends.

They both have a lot in common: they’re both egotistical, theatrical, and have a tendency of being unintentionally silly when trying to act intimidating.

For most of the episode, Talaya uses Drake, in his Darkwing Duck costume, as her host, and she adores the way he looks. She even loves his outfit, which she demonstrates by posing and waving his cape around in front of Flarg. Even Flarg thinks Darkwing Duck looks like a knockout! Plus, for someone who has been accused of having terrible fashion sense, this would be a huge boost for Drake’s ego. (Or it could be because some of the aliens on Fez see their hosts, no matter what gender or species they are, as a fashion accessory to show off).

Plus, it would be hilarious to see Talaya explain this memory to Drake about the day they first met!...

Thus, brings me to another point on Talaya’s redemption. She needs to acknowledge that she has done horrible things and hurt people, especially Honker. No one, including Drake, is going to justify her past actions for the sake of the narrative. In fact, Drake never tries to pressure any of his family or friends to immediately warm up to her just because they're friends now. Yet, for this to be a genuine atonement, Talaya’s choice to make amends must not rely solely on her relationship with Drake. Somewhere down the line, she needs to have a moment of self-reflection on the choices she made and what she might’ve done if no one had stopped her in time.

Understandably, Honker will not forgive Talaya so easily, but Talaya will accept that.

Most importantly, Talaya must fall in love with Drake Mallard first, not Darkwing Duck.

When Morgana and Drake first met, she first fell in love with him as his superhero alter ego, which sort of rubs me the wrong way.

For their relationship to have a healthy start, Talaya needs to be friends with Drake’s civilian side before eventually falling in love with him. Then, when she has truly gained his trust, Drake will reveal his secret identity to her.

Whether she and Drake become friends, lovers, or just allies, I would be fine if Talaya came back, redeemed and develops from a one-dimensional villain's mistress to something more.

When they were still friends, Drake and Talaya would take a day off to go on shopping sprees together. Drake even brought an iPhone with him so they could have music during their clothing montages.

Drake has a collection of playbills from famous Broadway musicals such as “Chicago”, “Les Miserables”, and “A Chorus Line”. This inspired Talaya’s shared interest in Earth theater.

Drake once snuck Talaya in a theater to see “Hamilton” on stage. They sung “Helpless” during the whole ride home. But what really resonated with them were the play’s themes or forgiveness and remedying. This made them regret their past actions that have hurt people and forever grateful to the loved ones who still stuck with them.

One time during a mission, while they were mutually linked to each other, Drake threatened that if Talaya made him eat one more kazoo, he’ll have them wear something with polka dots. That immediately curbed Talaya’s appetite for awhile.