Winter Spring Summer and Fall...

[tea_lover64]

Player Name: Peter
Are you new?: Yes
Character Name: Iroh
Character Fandom: Avatar the Last Airbender

[It was a pleasant day for a walk around, the leaves were changing colors, creating a scenic view for residents. This place wasn't exactly what he had hoped for in his retirement, but life had a funny way about it. The best way in Iroh's view to deal with such problems was, of course, to have a relaxing cup of tea. He had been enjoying his walk greatly, but now it was time to find a nice place to sit.]

Mmmmm. Where would be a good place to sit?

[He stroked his beard thoughtfully as he looked around the park. He decided to go a little way away from where he heard the sounds of a game. He enjoyed the sounds of livelihood and youth, but on a practical standpoint, it could cause his tea to be spilled, a very sad fate indeed.

It was a slight hill where the tree stood, and he could get a very good view of the place as he brewed his tea. He supposed others could get a view of him as well, but old men brewing some tea was not such an unusual thing, at least in his experience back home.]

Comments

[savedtheworld]

[You can't hide from noisy youth forever, Iroh! Especially when one of them spots you while air scootering nearby. He heads straight up towards Iroh, but luckily he's mindful enough to dissipate the air scooter as he gets within a few yards of the old man.

Iroh had shown kindness to Aang even before Zuko joined them. So the now 15 year old Aang was eager to get to know him better.]

Hello, Iroh! How are you today?

[And nervously, he remembers his manners and scrambles into doing a quick Fire Nation bow.]

[tea_lover64]

[Iroh returned the bow as was polite. The one nice thing about this place he supposed was at least he knew some of the people. It was a sort of bittersweet thing however, given the danger. Brushing the thought aside, he gave Aang a warm smile]

Hello, Aang! I am quite well, thank you. Would you care for a cup of tea? It is Silver Needle white tea. Sweet, but mellow. The perfect tea for such a day.

[It was sometimes hard to imagine that the young man before him was the Avatar, given his nature, but he had witnessed some of his most awe-inspiring moments. A great deal of power within one who loved peace. Fate knew what sort of person the Avatar needed to be.]

[savedtheworld]

[He gives an eager nod. He has a similar sentiment himself. As much as he knows his friends would be safer back home, them being here was a support system that Aang wasn't sure he could endure this place without. And at least there were plenty of times like these - peaceful days when the war or the Malnosso's experiments weren't interfering with their lives in some way.]

I don't think I've had that kind before, but it sounds good! I'll gladly try some. [He then seats himself cross-legged on the ground.] I'm glad that you're adjusting well.

[tea_lover64]

[He pours him a cup letting it fill just a bit, and hands it to him before pouring a cup for himself. He takes a pleasing sip and expels a contented sigh.]

It is always good to be open to new experiences.

[There is a small beard stroke and a bit of a grin as he replies]

Ah, you could say I have become quite adept at having my life move around all over.

[savedtheworld]

Thank you! [He says cheerily and takes a sip.] I really like it. The sweetness is good!

And I understand what you mean. I'm an air nomad, so I'm used to moving around a lot, too. I think for me it's really been an adjustment to just stay here for this long! [He wasn't used to having a house - just going back and forth from the air temple in his earlier days and then traveling the world with his friends after the iceberg.]

[tea_lover64]

You are quite welcome. I am glad you like it.

[He inclined his head a bit, and took another sip of his tea]

As you get older, you may find that you enjoy returning to a place you know as home. There are few feelings more satisfying than to return home after a long journey, and be able to simply spend time in one place with your loved ones.

[He remembered the feeling quite well, it was a happy memory]

[savedtheworld]

Huh. [He strokes his chin as he takes that in between sips of tea.] That sounds really wise, Iroh. Is that something like... settling down to have a family?

[Something he knows he'll do someday. Thanks to all the people from the future. But in a way, just staying around the house here at Luceti has almost felt like that. Especially when most of his loved ones and his granddaughter from the future are sharing space with him already.]

[tea_lover64]

[Iroh chuckles about the wise comment]

Wise comments are the stock and trade of old men, Aang. Yes... it would be settling down to have a family. Something which I suppose you'll be ready to do in a few years.

[savedtheworld]

Maybe. I mean, I can't really do that while I'm here. [Even if things do work out with Katara in this world, he's already heard enough to know that starting families here is a bad idea.] But at home... it does seem like maybe it won't be too long. I just hope the world slows down enough that I can really enjoy it.

[tea_lover64]

There is a little secret about starting a family. No one is ever fully ready for it. You have to make the time for it. Make happy those who are near, and those who are far will come.

[Duty was all fine and well, but happiness and family were far more important. Time could be all too brief with them]

[seismicity]

Hey, old man. Got enough tea for another?

[ Toph grins. She's the last person to admit that she sometimes enjoyed tea, but Iroh is also the only person she'd willingly have tea with. ]

[tea_lover64]

Hello, young lady.

[He smiles]

Better to go without food for three days, than one day without tea.

[Which is to say, of course he does Toph]

Please have a seat, I will pour you a cup.

[seismicity]

[ Reflexively she wants to say that she can pour herself a cup just fine. But she's learning! ]

Thanks. [ Manners, too! Iroh is clearly the best influence on her. She plops down across from him. ] So what're you doing all the way out here? Isn't there a tea shop or something in town?

[tea_lover64]

You are quite welcome.

[He takes a sip of his tea]

Ah, yes there are a couple. Not nearly as nice as the Jasmine Dragon, of course but suitable enough.

[There is a certain amount of pride in his voice. An old man is entitled to such opinions after all. He laughs a bit though]

It is good to enjoy the weather, get some fresh air, and explore around a bit. I had just finished a nice walk around when I decided to have a little break. How about yourself?

[seismicity]

Eh, you know me. I'll take being outside over staying indoors any day. Even if there isn't all that much to explore around here. [ Luceti was big, but a cage was a cage. Toph frowns over her own cup of tea. ] I was just looking for a place to get some practice in when I "saw" you heading up here. Figured you could use some company.

[tea_lover64]

It is important to stay in good form and continually practicing. I appreciate your concern for me, it is always nice to have the company of a friend.

[He takes a sip of his tea. It was possible she was also feeling the need for some company, but he wouldn't bring it up]

Sorry I'm late.

[twodragons]

[Trying to enjoy a peaceful cup of tea? Then of course this is the best time to be interrupted by a certain nephew with other things in mind.]

Uncle!

[Zuko runs up to where Iroh is sitting, stops and looks like he's about to say something else, but then plops down on his knees in front of the man instead. Politeness will rule out for now.]

I've been looking all over for you.

No worries

[tea_lover64]

[Iroh smiles when he sees his nephew and inclines his head]

Firelord Zuko.

[He takes a sip of his tea]

It seems you have been successful in that venture. You should have a cup of tea to celebrate!

[twodragons]

I told you, you don't have to call me that. I'm not the Firelord yet!

[Yet being the key word. He's not the Firelord in his own timeline, but that doesn't seem to be the case for those that came from further ahead in time than himself. He still can't figure out if he should accept the title because it's an inevitable thing or not.]

And I'm not here for tea.

[He protests, but he knows he'll end up with it anyway.]

[tea_lover64]

Ah, but I think it is appropriate. You will have to get accustomed to the title eventually.

[Iroh innocently takes another sip of his tea, and sets out another cup. Tea is important for discussions, Zuko]

Oh no? It is surprisingly picturesque here.

Everyone eats and drinks, but only a few appreciate the taste of food.

[He can be frustratingly laid back at times]

[twodragons]

[Zuko frowns in response to... basically everything Iroh has just said.

He knows he'll have to get accustomed to the title. It doesn't make it any easier, but he's not going to argue the point.

As for the rest of it, he just sighs. Go ahead and pour him some tea, old man. He isn't going to get anywhere until you do.]

[tea_lover64]

[Iroh smiles pleasantly and pours his nephew a cup, and hands it to him. Patience was something a leader needed in abundance. Great projects and programs take time to see the benefits.]

It is a pleasant white tea which I think you will enjoy, my nephew.

[Now he'll just raise his own cup and have a deep sip, and then will take a look at Zuko.]

[twodragons]

[Zuko has gained a better appreciation for tea after working in a tea shop for a while, both here and back in his own world. So he accepts it gracefully and takes a sip himself.

The matter can wait a bit longer, after all. Iroh would know if it was a true emergency, as the nature of it (like say, a house being on fire) would have spilled out of Zuko's mouth before he'd even stopped running.]

It's... nice.

[It may take a couple more sips before he can tell if it's one he really likes.]

[tea_lover64]

[There is a nod of approval. He was glad his nephew had gained a greater appreciation for tea. Besides the many health benefits, it certainly was a way to slow down life for a bit. Something which young people needed to have from time to time.]

Quite nice I have found. A subtle bit of sweet, delicate, like a soft caress.

[He'll take another sip and just sit and enjoy his nephews presence. Sometimes just sitting and being in one another's company was enough.]

[twodragons]

[Zuko isn't sure he ever wanted to hear his uncle talk about soft caresses of any sort, but he just nods his head. He couldn't have been nearly as descriptive if someone had asked his opinion, but then he wasn't as much of a tea connoisseur. Yet.]

Are you doing okay in this place, uncle?