Log | Ongoing

[drizzlinginside.livejournal.com]

When; Backdated to Tuesday morning
Rating; PG, inevitable angsting
Characters; o_tea_p, notsobendy and drizzlinginside, closed
Summary; After learning from Katara that Zuko left the City, Sokka drags her along to console a sadfacing Iroh in the tea shop.
Log;


[Katara doesn't know why she's here with Sokka. She doesn't know why she agreed in the first place. She doesn't know why the tea shop seems to be getting closer and closer. She doesn't know if this is the right decision.

She doesn't know the right words to say.

General Iroh is from the Fire Nation. She's supposed to be angry, consumed by the hate she feels after they took away her mother and yet, she knows the old man isn't a bad guy. She has proof, but still, the blood flowing in his veins is tainted by the blood of a murderer, of a family-wrecker. As long as she can see the fire he bends, the hate she feels burns. She had seen his reaction through the device when her memory played and she was surprised she had a firm grip of herself at that time not to lash out on him. Her morals awed her. He wasn't to blame. It wouldn't be fair.

As Sokka and her enter the shop, she remembered the first time she walked inside the place. And how she stormed out of it too in a fit of unsuppressed rage. Zuko's gone, she should be happier than this. He will be able to correct the mistakes he lamented on while he was here. And yet, now, she abhors the fact that destiny once again separated family like how it reunited hers. Fire Nation or not, Katara believes it doesn't have to be this way.]

Comments

[o-tea-p.livejournal.com]

[Iroh is in the back, nursing a lonely cup of cold ginseng tea. He should be preparing to open the shop -- he has already unlocked the front door -- but he doesn't have the heart. Every day, it has gotten harder.

His nephew is gone. Gone back to their world, gone back to the war, the suffering, the confusion. Zuko had a chance here, to live a life free of Ozai's influence. But it was not to be, and Iroh wishes with all his heart that he could have gone with his nephew, to help him and support him.

He hears the front door open and rises with a heavy sigh. He puts a smile on his face -- peace begins with a smile -- and goes to greet the first customers of the day.]

[notsobendy.livejournal.com]

[Sokka is actually kind of worried about Iroh. This isn't really his thing—the comforting. Okay, so he dabbles, but Katara is really better at it. Except here he is practically leading her by the hand just to get her to the tea shop. It's probably too much to hope that she'll take the lead?

Yeah, that's what he figured.

It's not that he really knows Iroh so well. He seems like a cool guy. And he helped them stop the war and save Ba Sing Se, so he definitely gets points for that. Kind of a weird tea obsession, but as long as he isn't hogging all the meat that's not really a problem.

But right now the three of them are the only people from their world and when you look at it that way it doesn't really matter so much if they aren't all from the same tribe, right? That's what the whole thing was really about. Balance. Or something like that. It's not like he was always paying attention when Aang and Katara would go off on their speeches.]

Hey, Iroh. Uh...how's it going?

[drizzlinginside.livejournal.com]

[Leading is something too much to ask of her. It was already a huge leap just for her to agree to go here and yet, she still came. If Zuko had gone with the same attitude as when she arrived, she'd make it a point to decline no matter what Sokka said. If he persisted, she'd have to hibernate inside an iceberg too if necessary.

But Zuko left with the desire to change and even if Katara didn't believe him right away, she clung to the tiny hope that he was actually saying the truth. And this hope brought her here now.

She stayed silent, though, and let Sokka do the talking. For now, at least, because she knows at some point, she'd have to let her voice be heard.]

[o-tea-p.livejournal.com]

[Iroh cannot hide the look of surprise on his face at the sight of the Avatar's friends, especially Katara. Considering their history, he had not expected to see much of them, much less have them come see him.

The smile he offers them takes effort, but is no less genuine. They are a touch of home.]

What a pleasant surprise! Please, have a seat!

[He pulls out two chairs and gestures for the teenagers to sit.]

Let me get you some tea. I've found a blend that tastes remarkably similar to crowberry tea -- I think you'll like it. Have you had breakfast yet? I have some meat buns just out of the oven.


[Is that Iroh avoiding Sokka's question? Perhaps.]


[ooc: Crowberry tea is, at least according to my google sources, one of the traditional Inuit teas, so I was thinking it could possibly be a traditional Southern Water Tribe tea as well.]

[notsobendy.livejournal.com]

[They have eaten.] Did you say meat buns? [But you don't need to know that.] Those sound good. [Meaty and bunny! Well, bun-y, not like a bunny. Although bunny is good too.]

Thanks, Iroh. [And he's taking a seat. Okay, maybe he forgot the point of why they were there juuuust a little, but you can't console a man on a full stomach! He looks at Katara to make sure she was at least going to sit down and relax a little. And not tell them they had breakfast! He can be dangerous even without weapons, little sis!]

[drizzlinginside.livejournal.com]

[Sorry, bro, today's not your lucky day.] We already had breakfast. [And even if she said this, she takes a seat anyway, relaxing just a little. It took a lot for her to actually settle in and this was quite obvious. There's a long pause before she decided to speak up, realizing Sokka already got distracted by the mention of food, or in this case, his favorite kind.]

We came here to see if you're alright. [She pauses for what seemed like a long time.] ... General Iroh.

[o-tea-p.livejournal.com]

[His tenuous smile fades at the sound of his title.]

Former general. I retired many, many years ago.

[That brings up its own painful memories. Normally, remembering the circumstances surrounding his retirement brings only a small twinge of pain, but with his nephew taken so abruptly from him, it's hard to forget the son taken even more cruelly.]

Why don't I bring out a pot and some of the meat buns anyway. It's important to eat and keep up your strength.

[He heads into the kitchen to prepare the tea, trying to calm his thoughts with the familiar, soothing ritual.]

[notsobendy.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that sounds good.

[He waits until he at least thinks Iroh is out of earshot before looking at his sister.] Katara, what are you doing?

[This scolding isn't even for telling him you already ate.]

[drizzlinginside.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to get to the point, Sokka. [She says this matter-of-factly.] There's no use hiding the inevitable any longer. It will just... [Katara pauses, averting her gaze.] ... going to make the pain worse.

[o-tea-p.livejournal.com]

[Iroh lets his thoughts go still as he takes the meat buns out of the oven and the tea pot from the shelf. He pours some water inside and blows gently to heat it up, before putting in the tea leaves to steep. He finds his secret place inside, his oasis of tranquility. He can never stay there for long, but hopefully it will be long enough.

He carries out a tray with tea and the savory pastries, smiling benignly.]

Here we go. Please, eat as much as you want!

[notsobendy.livejournal.com]

[Gives Katara a, "well, stop it" look. And then beams up at Iroh, his new favoritest person ever! His eyes widen to at least twice their normal size at the meat buns.]

Thanks! [Already inhaling one of them.] These are delicious. [Partially with mumbles. You understand, right?]

[drizzlinginside.livejournal.com]

[Katara cocked a brow at her brother as he returned to his usual cheery state. Oh, this is just peachy. Let us all pretend Zuko didn't leave and we're all in rainbow land. Yeah, that will solve the problem. After a few moments of staring, Katara stood up.]

I'm leaving. I'm not hungry.

[o-tea-p.livejournal.com]

I'm glad! They are a special Fire Nation recipe.

[His eyes go big, wide, and sad as Katara threatens to leave, and he holds out the tray with the tea pot piteously.]

But what about the crowberry tea?

[notsobendy.livejournal.com]

Katara. Come on. [He reluctantly puts the third meat bun down. It...it can wait. Even if it is warm and delicious right now. And meaty. Mmm...so meaty.]

We came here to cheer him up, not make it worse!

[drizzlinginside.livejournal.com]

[She glances at Iroh then at Sokka. She's not wearing a mad look, though. It was just a serious one. Katara just couldn't bring herself to sit and have tea like nothing happened. Iroh might be a good guy, but she was still wary.]

You go do that. I'll still have to prepare dinner for later.

[o-tea-p.livejournal.com]

[Iroh's expression turns serious, and he carefully sets down the tray.]

If you are worried about me, you don't have to be. I am fine.

[notsobendy.livejournal.com]

Katara, don’t worry about dinner. [Did he just say that!?]

[Why so serious, everyone? Oh, right, he used his out loud voice where Iroh could hear him too.]

Look, it’s just that she told me about Zuko, and I know neither of you remember all working together and everything, but we did or we will or however that works. But, whatever, the point is we’re the only people from our world here and we should be able to have tea and meat buns together and help each other out, okay? [Sheesh.]

[drizzlinginside.livejournal.com]

[She turns around, her face a portrait of confusion and anger. She couldn't believe Sokka was taking this so lightly.]

This is a serious matter, Sokka. I haven't lived through that yet. No matter what any of you tell me, I haven't lived through that yet! What do you think I'm feeling now, knowing that the future is carved in stone?

[She has no doubts Aang will defeat the Fire Lord but working together with Zuko? With Iroh? It's still hard for her to imagine regardless of learning from Zuko himself that he'll change. Or that Iroh's not a villain. Katara's torn, more than she was letting on.]

[o-tea-p.livejournal.com]

[Iroh keeps quiet, letting the two Water Tribe children have their fight. Nothing that he could say right now would help.]

[notsobendy.livejournal.com]

I am taking it seriously, Katara! If you want me to know then maybe you should tell me. But is it really so bad to know about a good future where things work out?

[drizzlinginside.livejournal.com]

[Now she remembers what Zuko told her before, when she was the one nagging him about the future.]

... I don't doubt for a second that we'll have a good future. But, I don't want to know about it when I'm not there to actually be happy it happened.

[o-tea-p.livejournal.com]

[Iroh chimes in softly, a little hesitant to interrupt.]

Still, it gives you reason to hope, does it not? Knowing what your brother knows, that my nephew goes on to help the Avatar restore balance to the world, that comforts me. It allows me to be happy that he is gone.

[notsobendy.livejournal.com]

[Sokka's expression has softened and his concern for Iroh has shifted to his sister.] I'm sorry, Katara. It's not like I have to talk about it if you don't want to hear those things. I thought it might help.

[drizzlinginside.livejournal.com]

[Katara turned to Iroh when he spoke up.] It gives me reason. It gives me enough reason to. [But I'm still partial about it, she added in her head, and it somehow showed in her expression as she looked down. For a moment, she was silent before looking at Sokka.]

... And it's alright, Sokka. [She then turns to Iroh again.] Zuko told me he wanted to change before he left.

[o-tea-p.livejournal.com]

I am glad. My nephew has been struggling for a very long time.

[He debated for a moment, how much of Zuko's story to share. What would be a betrayal of his nephew's trust? Would it help ease Katara's confusion, or would it only hurt her more, being asked to take compassion on someone who has hurt her?

He sighs heavily.]

I do not know how much you know of my nephew's past, but I can tell you if you like.

[notsobendy.livejournal.com]

[He looks at Katara, wondering if that will help] Are you sure?

[drizzlinginside.livejournal.com]

[To Iroh:] I have seen the... bad points. When Zuko was de-aged, I learned more about him. [And she probably hugged him and cried, but that's not important.]

[Then to Sokka:] I'm sure. Go and eat. I'll prepare dinner. [Whatwhat, she's now preparing to leave.]

[o-tea-p.livejournal.com]

[It made Iroh a little uncomfortable, learning that Katara already knew about his nephew's past. A part of him perhaps was hoping that he could tell her and everything would be better.

But it is what it is. Iroh makes no move to stop her. She is entitled to her feelings.]

[notsobendy.livejournal.com]

Fine. [Making Katara do something she didn't want to do obviously wasn't making Iroh or her or him feel any better.] Just wait outside for a minute though? I'll walk back with you.

[drizzlinginside.livejournal.com]

[She stood there for a few good seconds as if she was glued on the spot, as if hesitating to leave. Before she parted, however, she spoke up, her back still against Iroh.]

Feel better, General Iroh.

[It was soft and right after, she left, fully intending to wait for her brother.]

[o-tea-p.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Katara.

[notsobendy.livejournal.com]

[He waits until the door closes and looks at Iroh.]

I'm not going to apologize for her. I know exactly how she feels. [At least about the fire nation. Some of the finer points of someone from the future telling you how things are going to play out are a little lost on him.]

But I am sorry you aren't with Zuko. This place does a lot of weird things, but it isn't right to separate a family. [He slides out of his seat, not wanting to keep Katara long.] Thanks for the tea and the meat buns. I wish things had gone differently.