First Cup of Tea

[jasmineofthewest]

Who: Uncle Iroh and You!
Where: In the Plaza
When: Early Afternoon
Style: Action
Status: Open
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[Uncle Iroh was nothing if not the most generous man you would ever meet. Arrive in a new place, soaking wet with no idea how you got there? See other people in a similar situation? While a normal person might freak out and demand what was going on, all Iroh saw was equally confused people who desperately needed some nice, soothing tea. And as luck would have it, he had some tea leaves right there in his pocket! And also some tiny cups. Because he was always prepared that way.

They might have been a little damp with sea water and it wasn't his best cup of tea, but he had set to work (with a little bit of sneaky firebending of course, shhhh) and had some tea brewing very soon, passing out cups to random people with a large smile on his face. He was also still soaking wet, because he'd declined the towel. More, less fortunate people than him needed it!]

Please, do return your cups to me after you finish, so that others may have some tea as well!

Comments

[fortheempire]

[Ioder hadn't been a newcomer for several months by then, and thanks to his cousin and others he had settled in to Vatheon fairly well, but he still went by the plaza every so often to check and see if there were any more familiar faces.

A few in particular he was hoping on, quietly, but he never voiced his desires and he really didn't expect anything to come of it.

But today seeing the obvious soaking wet new comer serving tea to others gave him pause, as well as a bit of a faint smile. That was awfully kind of this person.

He approached after the last person he was giving tea to had left, offering the older man a gentle smile of his own.]

I'm not a new comer, but I would be remiss if I didn't partake in a stranger's tea.

[jasmineofthewest]

[Iroh's smile widened at the stranger's remark, genuinely pleased that someone would approach him for tea. Up until then, he'd mostly just been handing it out, others being a little too confused to actually approach him.]

Oh, well in that case it would be my honour to share some tea with you! [He pours some tea into another cup and extends it to him.] It's... ah, not the best I could do, but I hope you enjoy it, nonetheless!

[flammatory]

[Zuko has to do a double take as he walks by. It could be any day in Ba Sing Se, his uncle sitting around dispensing tea like he didn't have a single thing to be worried about in his whole life. Which Zuko knew for a fact was patently untrue. And here he was, doing it in Vatheon just when he'd gotten used to the idea that he had to make his own way while he was here.

But the relief at seeing Iroh was so immense, so overwhelming, that it completely pushed aside any irritation. Even before he'd come here, he'd still been adjusting to the idea that Iroh was staying with his tea shop, and Zuko was staying in the Fire Nation capital, at a time when he needed advice more than ever. And now, after he's been here for weeks... it's like they're reuniting all over again.]

U-Uncle! [He immediately runs over and dodges the cup of tea that he's holding to go in for a hug. His uncle might be the only person alive that Zuko would willingly hug as a greeting, and right now he doesn't care about seeming aloof. He's not alone here anymore.]

[fortheempire]

Tea is always best when shared with some one, sir, no matter the quality of the flavor. Thank you.

[Ioder gives a polite bow at this, a hand on his chest, before he takes the tea and sits down next to Iroh.]

[blessedbyfarore]

[Suddenly, tea.]

[Link blinks down at it, accepting it out of sheer surprise, then up at the old man who had offered it to him.] Uh, thanks! What is it? ...Do you need a towel?

[withoutasign]

[Signless is taking a walk through the Plaza when he spots the older human. Living with Psii and Disciple has turned him into a tea drinker, and he cheerfully accepts a cup, offering the man a towel in exchange.]

Thank you, sir. You are very kind.

[420]

[Gamzee blinks mellowly as he gets a small cup of tea shoved into his hands. What a nice dude. Gamzee likes this dude. He has already decided that.

Reaching into his sylladex, he draw out a bottle of faygo, holding it out to Iroh.]

[xthecorvus]

[ There's a pause as he considers the cup being offered to him. Not exactly what he was here for but surprising, particularly from a newcomer. So you'll have to pardon him if he considers the cup with a measure of skepticism. Of course, he is the perfect gentleman and would never decline something offered to him so he takes it.

His sense of taste is nothing like a human's and neither is his sense of smell. But he knows this taste, just barely as he does the aroma. It's foreign, certainly but similar. ]

Pardon me, but might I inquire as to what sort of tea this is? Certainly not an ordinary cup of green tea, if I may say.

[reaper2die4]

[She is passing by, trying to figure out something to do in this place, as the cup is offered to her. She tilts her head at the old man. He certainly is strange but he is offering her some tea so he can't be all bad. Though his appearance is... Something to be desired for her.]

Thank you... I think. I'm not often offered something like this from people.

[She was being honest here. Most people tried to avoid her like the plague.

Okay, so he wasn't the best looking man, but she could see the age and the story in his eyes. She normally never felt like this toward someone like him.]

You're new to the bubble... Why haven't you taken an offered towel? There are plenty to go around.

[jasmineofthewest]

[Oh, it's always so refreshing to see someone so polite. Iroh gives him a large smile and holds out his own cup of tea in a toast of sorts.]

Tea with strangers is one of life's many pleasures, especially when the stranger in this case is someone as polite as you. What's your name? You may call me Iroh.

[jasmineofthewest]

[To say Iroh is surprised is an understatement. From his perspective, it hasn't been terribly long since he's seen his nephew, so the fact he's being hugged like this by Zuko is quite a huge surprise. But even more than that, he's just surprised to find Zuko here, of all places. He doesn't even know where here is, admittedly. He hasn't even stopped to ask- just made tea and talked briefly with random strangers.

But if Zuko wants hugs, well by gosh Iroh was not going to turn him down, so he wraps his arms around his nephew, accidentally spilling sloshing tea on the ground behind him, because he sort of forgets that he's holding a cup of it, he's that surprised. Only Zuko hugging him could ever make him forget holding a cup of tea.

After a few seconds, he pulls away.]

Well that was a pleasant surprise!

[jasmineofthewest]

[Iroh cocks his head slightly. Has this lad never heard of tea?] It's tea, of course! And no, I am actually collecting any towels offered to me and saving them for those who might need them more. A little dampness never hurt anyone, after all.

[jasmineofthewest]

You're we- [He pauses, because he's just noticed the man's physical appearance. He's never seen anything quite like it... Though he did see some... questionable things, when he was in the spirit world in the past. But still, never quite like who he was standing in front of now.

But he does not want to be judgmental, that would be terribly rude. So he's just going to continue as if nothing has happened, though his tone is a little more curious now.]

-lcome!

[jasmineofthewest]

[... What a unique young man this is. Very unique. Iroh blinks a little, not quite entirely sure where the drink he's being handed just came from. He chalks it down to a senile moment though, and takes it with a smile.]

Oh, thank you very much! [He holds it up and examines it. What... is it, exactly? He's never seen anything quite like it, but it looks fascinating! He's not quite sure how to get to whatever's actually inside, though. He'll cross that bridge later, until then he thinks introductions are in order.] And who might you be? My name is Iroh!

[jasmineofthewest]

Oh no, definitely not ordinary green tea! It's jasmine- er, with a hint of sea water, incidentally. [He smiles sheepishly.] Not my best cup by far, but I thought people might appreciate it anyway!

[jasmineofthewest]

[The look on Iroh's face is nothing but pleasant. He really doesn't care what she looks like, he's just happy to help someone. And it makes him happier to know that he might have possibly brightened her day a little, if people don't do this very often.]

I think the world is generally lacking in selfless, giving people. So I make it a point to try and make up for one person tenfold!

[At her statement and question, he nods.] I am indeed new here- very new, actually! I've only just arrived- though how, I am unsure. And I've noticed a few other people who could use a towel more than I. I am perfectly fine, I would hate to take away from someone who might need it more.

[fortheempire]

[Ioder raises his cup in return, taking a drink. Certainly not the strongest tea (and was that a hint of salt in there?) but it was good none the less.]

Ioder Algios Heurassein. It's probably easier to simply call me Ioder, though.

[flowing_kinetics]

[Akira is... understandably baffled as some random man hands him a cup of tea.

Um.]

T...hanks?

[flammatory]

[Of course, once they release each other, Zuko is back to his usual grumpy, overly loud self.]

When did you get here? Have you been standing around handing out tea the whole time?! [If it'd been anything longer than an hour or so, there was about to be a lot of yelling.]

[withoutasign]

[Signless catches that moment of hesitation, and he smiles disarmingly.]

I'm a troll. And no, I don't eat human children or live under bridges or anything like that. My name is Signless, and it's a pleasure to meet you.

[Also, this tea is delicous.]

[blessedbyfarore]

[In fairness, not a lot of teas in the forest.] Oh - I don't think I've ever had that before. And you can use mine, if you want - I'm not using it.

[Okay, let's try this tea...]

[xthecorvus]

You seem to be a rather considerate man to think of your fellow newcomers.

[ His master would have his head if he served tea that even carried the barest hint of saltwater. Were it a Mongolian Salt Tea however... but that was beyond the point.

At any rate, he offers a towel as well as the cup back. ]

However, I must thank you for the tea no matter how... unorthodox its delivery. Would I hazard a guess you've just arrived, judging by your state?

[handshakegreeting]

[She had been watching from a distance for quite some time, rather intrigued by the elderly man handing out the cups of tea and refusing the local's assistance. So eventually, she decides to approach him... far more cautiously than she would ever admit, all because of a spark or multiple the apparent youth noticed as he prepared the tea.]

Rather uncommon to see such a kind man passing around tea when they have but just arrived and not settled in just yet.

[The Izanami gives a polite smile, holding out a bottle or two.]

Perhaps a little fresh water, instead?

[420]

Gamzee.

[He smiles before indicating the bottle of faygo, careful not to make a mess with his tea.]

If figured if you were all fuckin' handing out your brew, I could done be indulging you in mine.

[reaper2die4]

[She's honestly humbled by this man. Often so vein, she feels calmed in his presence. It's strange for a shinigami - let alone her - to be eased by a human. The last she had felt anything near kindness toward or from a human was... a while ago.

She gazes at his stature a little. She wondered how much he had seen, what he had seen and lived.]

Yes, the world is lacking so many people like that. It's so rare to find a kind soul.

[She hands him back the cup. The tea wasn't the best in the world, however it was refreshing in how it reminded her of back home.]

Still... Perhaps you should dry off.