Tea For Who? - OPEN

[uncle_iroh]

Who: Iroh and whomsoever wants to find him
Which: Open Log
Where: Not far from the fountain
What: Iroh enjoying sharing tea with strangers.
Warnings: Possible angst, themes of loss, possible war/death/betrayal mentions.




Iroh had found that he had been able to help people during the crisis in a number of ways. But one of them had been tea and talking. Just being there for people with a calming drink and an open ear. So he was trying that again now, once again by the base of the fountain.

Between conversations he was sipping his own tea and considering what it might take to open a tea shop here. For however long he was going to be here, that was...

For anyone who wanted to find him, he is near the fountain with a small comforting camp fire over which the tea pot is heating and a pair of large picnic style baskets, one of snacks and one of teas and tea fixings. So that he can have enough for every taste and stay a while for whoever showed up without over steeping the tea.

Comments

[holdshisown]

Maedhros felt ill at ease in the city, it was why he spent most of his time in the wildlands, but there were some things he couldn't get simply from hunting and foraging and that meant making his way to town.

Finishing the chores he'd set out to do did not take long, there weren't much he needed and he'd set to the task with his usual efficiency. It is on his way back that he spots a familiar face, and it does lift his spirits somewhat to see someone he's come to think of as a friend.

"Well met, my friend, I did not expect to run into a familiar face today. But it is a welcome surprise nonetheless."

[uncle_iroh]

"Well met," he agreed. "Please, sit and join me, my friend." He started pouring a tea for Maedhros.

[holdshisown]

Maedhros takes a seat next to Iroh, placing the bag containing his purchases by his feet. "How have you been, my friend?"

[uncle_iroh]

"I have been working to help others, and have met some interesting individuals. And yourself?"

[holdshisown]

"I've been spending much time in the Wildlands, recently. Hunting, mostly, but I found myself in need of new boots and I'm not much of a cobbler myself." So he'd had to go into town for them.

[all_the_aangles]

The smell of the fire draws him. There's something very comforting, in the smell of a camp fire. Then again, maybe he's just spent so many years on the run that it's what he knows now.

He doesn't see Iroh, not at first - just the fire, and so: "Hello?"

[uncle_iroh]

"Hello again," he said kindly. "Would you care to join me for some tea?"

[all_the_aangles]

He inclines his head in acceptance, moving to sit cross-legged by the fire.

"Of course! It's always an honour, Master Iroh."

[uncle_iroh]

He poured the tea and passed it across. "The honor here is the one that you do me, I assure you."

[a_sweet_little_peach]

Iroh wasn't the only one that regularly offered snacks to those around! By the time he found his way to the fountain, his platter was half empty, though it at least had a few of each snack he'd made left. It was mostly finger food -- little slices of smoked meat and cheese on cracker, no-bake cookies, and small raspberry tarts.

When Ralsei caught a glance of Iroh nearby, he smiled brightly and wandered over.

"Hello, Iroh! Fancy seeing you here." He settles his platter down nearby and settles in nearby. "How've things been for you of late?"

[uncle_iroh]

He poured Ralsei a mug of tea and passed it over. "I have been sharing tea with fascinating strangers," he said. "How have you been?"

[a_sweet_little_peach]

"I've been well! The past few months have been busy, with the rebuilding, and the refugees, and the... well, there's been a lot!"

He accepts the tea gratefully and takes a sip, smiling at the taste. Iroh does make rather good tea. "Did you ever get the chance to talk to your nephew and -- niece, I think?"

[uncle_iroh]

A sort of a sigh at the question, and he sipped his tea to give himself a moment to gather his reply.

"I have spoken with both," she said, finally. "They have left me with much to consider. How about yourself and those you care about here?"

[lethechained]

The fountain seemed a popular enough destination for a little time spent outdoors, and so perhaps it was no surprise that a young lady had also taken up residence to one side of it from Iroh's location. Keeping to herself, she spent no small amount of time sketching away in a book that was already more than half full - one of many in her possession, if her practiced hand was any proof. Approaching him didn't appear to be her inclination, but...

One did tend to grow curious after a while, especially in light of the smell of tea brewing. If Iroh looked up at the right time, he might have found curious blue eyes regarding him thoughtfully from a distance.

[uncle_iroh]

He met her eyes and offered her a kind smile. "You've been working a while, perhaps a break?"

[lethechained]

Pausing upon being addressed, Naminé blinked with open surprise, pencil still in one hand. That same hand lifted a moment later, fingers curling toward her chest with a tilt of her head - a non-verbal, 'who, me--?' But it seemed clear enough that the fellow was looking at her, and presently the lass elected to concede an, "... I don't see why not."

Was that an invitation to come closer, then? She supposed as much, though her expression was a questioning one as she hesitantly closed her sketchbook, other hand already hovering in anticipation of gathering her things.

[uncle_iroh]

"Do you want any help, my dear?" he offered with a warm smile.

[crystalized_hope]

What a curious sight to see someone offering tea in such a place. He had nothing particular that he needed to do, so G'raha decided to check it out. Besides, he hadn't been able to socialize as much as he would have liked lately. He was always glad to meet new people and learn more about others' worlds.

"My, you certainly look like you've made yourself right at home," [He means that politely, of course. Offering him a smile..., "Mind if I join you?"

[uncle_iroh]

"Of course you are welcome. Please, have a seat," he said, pouring tea for his new friend to be.

Oh gross. I saw a combination of tagging styles in that last tag lol

[crystalized_hope]

With his approval, G'raha gladly took a seat, thanking him for the tea. "My thanks for your generosity. Have you just arrived?" he asked. Iroh didn't seem familiar to him. Then again, G'raha had not been able to get out as much these days, so it was quite possible that he hadn't seen the man up to now.

It happens, no worries. :D

[uncle_iroh]

"About an hour ago, but I assure you the tea has not been over steeped. I have been changing out the leaves as needed."

We ready to get WEIRD?

[itstillhurt]

Aside from the carnival outing with Shealtiel and the business with the dreamnappings and the refugees- and a handful of supply stops- Azula has studiously avoided the village for the weeks since her Noctaere transformation. She hasn't stayed as far away as she was before, but she's still stayed in the wildlands. Better for everybody that way, she supposes.

She wasn't sure what possessed her to send a message to Zuko, but it didn't matter. He never responded. Typical. He wants to ignore her, fine. Unless...

The thought finally brings her back to the village. And, sure enough, she can't seem to find him anywhere. Either he's avoiding her- with an uncharacteristic level of skill- or he's left the village and gone home. The thought... bothers her, though she can't explain why.

It's not long after this that she sees Uncle's little tea setup. The absolute last person in the world she wants to see. And the last who would want to see her, she imagines.

She avoids him and goes about her business, but something is bothering her again. For one thing, she can't get the thought of Zuko out of her head. The angry thought. Which is ridiculous- she'd never wanted him around in the first place- but it's there, nagging at her mind. Her distracted wanderings bring her to the tea shop, which just reminds her of Uncle again. Rrgh. Even when he's not there, the old fool is frustrating. Whatever. It's not important.

She's about to simply order her usual tea and leave, but then she sees something odd. At first, it reminds her of home, but- no. She's made the mistake before, back in the city last year. The daifuku of Japan are similar to fire gummies, but with none of the spice. Not her taste at all. They complimented a floral tea well enough, she supposed, but she'd never cared for floral teas anyway, she always left that sort of nonsense to-

...

After a moment's contemplation, she orders a box of daifuku alongside her usual tea.

She's not sure, again, what possessed her, what ridiculous impulse, but now she has a box of stupid rice cakes for Uncle and no idea how to give them to him. He wouldn't even want them. He'd probably assume that she would poisoned them or some such ridiculous nonsense.

Not that she hadn't earned the suspicion. Rrgh. And that voice wasn't helpful. She's just going to ignore it.

Perhaps if she simply... left them for him. While he was distracted. He would chalk it up to the kindness of a stranger- ironic that he'd trust an unseen stranger more than he would her- not unfair, but ironic nonetheless- not helpful, not useful, shut up...

Ignoring the tumult of nagging thoughts and voices in her mind, she winds up- absurdly, comically, this is ridiculous- slipping near Uncle's teapot while his back is turned, leaving the box nearby, and trying to slip away before he can turn around.

Re: We ready to get WEIRD?

[uncle_iroh]

Azula underestimated him again. Of course he heard someone slipping up behind him. He wouldn't have survived the war if he could have missed something like that. But he didn't know who it was. And there was a value to being underestimated. So he simply lifted his tea cup at the proper angle and watched, still as if waiting for it to cool enough to sip.

Not something that would generally fool anyone who knew he was a Fire Bender, but here that was very few people.

No. What he was waiting for was the person sneaking up to get close enough that... there. A reflection in the still surface of the tea. A trick he learned watching Water Benders.

But the face coming up in the reflection was not who he had expected. And at the pace she was approaching he didn't have much time to decide how to react. He did sip the tea, so that hopefully she didn't catch what he had done. But he suspected she'd at least see the pause as suspicious, even if she didn't catch on to the reason for it.

And it was possible that she wouldn't. Azula didn't tend to see strength outside of herself, and he doubted it would occour to her to think like someone from one of the other nations.

If he reacted like he knew who it was, she wouldn't underestimate him in this same way again. That smart she very much was. Really in her own ways, Azula was brilliant. But her focus was just too narrow for her own good. It always had been.

Still, if she was coming to attack, failing to act could prove fatal for one or both of them. And possibly for any bystanders. But then she'd know he'd spotted her. What he needed... Ah... That would work.

He drained his cup, holding the liquid in his mouth, in case he needed it, as he reached for something on the other side of the fire. But he over extended. Intentionally, but not obviously so, so that he hit the ground beside the fire, looking up at Azula from the ground, hands ready to push himself in whatever direction he needed to if she was there to attack.

And if she wasn't there to attack, well she'd just see a clumsy foolish old man. One who was subtly breathing through his nose, and not talking, because he had super heated tea in his mouth...

[itstillhurt]

There's a moment, as she approaches, when he suddenly pauses with his cup raised-

Immediately, she freezes, tensed for violence. Had he heard her? Can he see her? A reflection in the surface of the tea might well have given her away. Stupid, sloppy, this was a mistake, why was she even-

And then he continued his drink, and leaned over. A broad, exposed pose, overextended, an easy target. No. No, he definitely hadn't seen her. He'd never simply leave himself wide open like that if he had.

She restrained the urge to sigh in relief, instead hastily bending, stretching out at the same time as he did to set the box beside his seat.

There. Enjoy them, you ridiculous old-

And then he suddenly fell over, rolling with the fall until he was on his back, and their eyes met.

For a moment, she simply stared, mind racing, trying to find a reasonable explanation for... well, for this. Finally, she decided that there really was no good explanation. So she straightened, leaving the box where she'd set it for him, and crosses her arms dismissively, rolling her eyes and sneering.

"Graceful as ever, dear uncle."

[uncle_iroh]

Lacking an immediate attack, he swallowed the tea so that he could speak as he slowly rolled onto his side then sat up; keeping his eye on her. As though he had to watch her at all times to be sure.

"We all have our strengths, mine happens to be tea," he said as if defensive. Let her keep underestimating him. "Did you come here for some?" he asked, knowing that she would never say yes.