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

[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?

[tea_lover64]

[He'll give his beard a thoughtful stroke at the question.]

As well as anyone can be I would say. It certainly isn't what I would choose for my retirement, but then again I doubt many would!

[twodragons]

I hear there's always a chance you'll be sent back. I need to go back, but if all I can do is wait...

[There are worse places he could be waiting in. It would be far better without unseen hands controlling matters, though.

Oh right. He had something he needed to say. He sets down his cup.]

...I was chosen for the next draft. I wanted you to know.

[tea_lover64]

[Iroh's face automatically turns to concern at hearing the news. He places down his tea cup on the ground, and takes in the news for a moment.It was a dangerous world out there. He was accustomed to seeing those he loved in dangerous situations, but there was something worse about the unknown of much of this place.]

... I see. Are you prepared?

[He knew his nephew was a capable man. He would prefer to keep people from danger if he could, but in lieu of that, he would make sure he was well prepared for whatever was thrown his way. It had been that way for many years with them, and he would always be a support for Zuko as long as he held breath in this life]

[twodragons]

I guess so... I mean, I don't know what else I can do aside from showing up and hoping nothing terrible happens. I've never done one of these before.

[It seems wrong that they can just be pulled into these without any option not to, but Zuko isn't a coward. There are going to be others dragged in who aren't going to be nearly as physically capable as he is, and the responsible thing to do is to make sure they make it through okay.]

[tea_lover64]

Remember your military lessons, Zuko. The fundamentals will remain the same, you will likely have to adapt some of the tactics based upon who you are with. Most importantly, believe in yourself.

[Iroh intakes a breath and exhales slowly. He wished he could be there to help guide him and keep him safe, but his nephew had a habit of getting himself into dangerous situations.]

[twodragons]

[Zuko nods. He doesn't think a lot of the situations that might come up on one of the drafts here will be anything like what he might have dealt with at home, but he also knows that his uncle is usually right about the basics.]

I will. Thank you, uncle.

...I haven't soured your tea with this, I hope.

[tea_lover64]

You are welcome, my nephew.

[He takes a sip from his cup]

That is one of the nice things about tea, if brewed properly it tastes fine even when there is poor news.

[He stroked his beard thoughtfully a moment]

Come home safely.

[twodragons]

I can't make any promises.

[One never knew how a draft would go, from what he's heard.]

But I'll try.

[He pauses, then holds out his cup.]

It's good tea. I like it.

[tea_lover64]

[Iroh nodded a bit at that. Fate was not always kind, but hopefully he would be safe]

I'm glad you enjoy, I think it is about perfect for such an afternoon.

[He has a bit of a soothing sip.]

Far better than that strange soda drink.

[twodragons]

See? Exactly! That stuff is weird, but everyone likes it!

[Oh soda. The drink that has baffled Zuko since he arrived.]

It's not even refreshing, and it can give you gas like you wouldn't believe.

[tea_lover64]

[Apparently this is something that had often been on Zuko's mind]

Perhaps it has some sort of addictive property to it. Juice is much more preferable for sweetness in my opinion.

[People are going to think the Fire Nation is full of soda hating individuals]

[twodragons]

That could be it. I've heard some of them have a similar ingredient to coffee. It's supposed to help keep you awake.

[He tried looking at the actual ingredients. It was a mess of words he could have sworn must have been made up.]

And so begins the great beverage war of 2013...

[tea_lover64]

Tea can have energizing effects as well. And it has a much more clean and pure taste. Perhaps they are simply misinformed about the many uses of tea. I shall have to educate them!

[This was something which needed to happen]

Followed shortly by the Fire Nation Tea Party.

[twodragons]

[Should he be encouraging tea ramblings from his uncle? Is this really the way he wants to go about the situation?]

You could set up a day of appreciation for it.

[...Apparently so. At least it would give him something to do.]

Well, I mean Tea Appreciation Day is a thing since you made Iroh interim Fire Lord

[tea_lover64]

[The idea of a tea appreciation day seemed to Iroh a very fine thing indeed]

Ah, that is a wonderful suggestion Zuko! It could be a sort of festival. We could include some excellent food to go along with it.

[He stroked his beard thoughtfully]

Do you know of any good chefs around here?

He doesn't know that!

[twodragons]

You could check with the people that run Seventh Heaven. They might be up for that.

[Apparently the guy who used to run it was something of a master, so it's a shame he's not here now.]

We can always use a festival. It keeps people's spirits up.

He'll discover the Fire Nation has turned into a cult of tea worship when he returns

[tea_lover64]

Seventh Heaven is it? I will have to make some inquiries.

[A thought occurs to him]

We can get you a Tsungi horn to play as well!

They'll be better off for it, really.

[twodragons]

Oh, I uh... I've found one already.

[He recorded himself playing it for Katara's birthday, even, because he couldn't think of anything to get her.]

And they'll still find a way to take over the world

[tea_lover64]

You have?

[This is a bit of a surprise]

You should play some more. Perhaps I could acquire one. We can play a duet. Or I could get a guitar.

[The royal family band, its gonna be a thing]