Awakening [Unintentional Video/Action] - 01

[tea_lover64]

[The morning had a dullness to it, a sort of dreariness that just seemed to make time go slowly. Even nature seemed to be having a hard time getting started today. The clearing in the forest was still and quiet, except for the stirrings of an old man who was slowly coming back into consciousness. He has a long beard, and a far receded hair line. Despite his age, he is well muscled individual. As his eyes slowly open he stretches a bit and winces. There is a moment or two as he gazes around his surroundings, taking everything in and sizing it up.]

This is certainly a strange place to wake up. I don't recall drinking any wine yesterday.

[He strokes his beard thoughtfully for a moment. He gives another wince and stretches his back a little. It is clear something strange has happened. It is then he turns his head for a second, and then startled turns it again]

Wings?! Since when do I have wings?!

[He shakes his head a second, and gives his cheek a pinch. It would seem he wasn't sleeping. When he had journeyed to the spirit world before he had maintained his shape, though that was the closest approximation he could make]

Mmmmm. I could use a cup of tea, and perhaps a bit of breakfast. Although I suppose that would be a bit much to ask.

[His gaze goes to the book which had a strange look to it, curiously he moved forward and taps it and... the feed cuts out]

Comments

[markofthewise]

Oh uh, yeah. A little.

[He sometimes forgets that. After all, four years in Luceti has had its toll. Deepened his voice, made him less scrawny, and due to choice in hairstyle, incredibly hairy.]

I'm surprised you recognized me like this.

[tea_lover64]

Have you improved your drawing skills any?

[The last picture he remembered was pretty awful]

Well, when you have the benefit of years of experience you can easily pick out certain changes. I see you've grown some facial hair.

[He gives his beard a stroke]

Looks good.

[markofthewise]

My artistic skills are great. [Why would they need improved. Seriously.] But thanks. I might let it get a little longer, eventually.

[He strokes his own beard proudly. It's nice that someone finally approves of it.]

[tea_lover64]

There is always room for improvement.

[He smiles]

A nice long beard is quite nice I have found.

[All White Lotus members have them]

[markofthewise]

Something you can really stroke and twirl, right? The others don't really appreciate it. I guess they aren't old enough, yet.

[If your chin isn't all pointy, what's the point?]

[tea_lover64]

I am a fan of doing a bit of braiding now and then. Usually only for formal occasions of course. It takes certain time to appreciate a good beard.

[You need to have a soup catcher, it was the style of the time]

[markofthewise]

Beard braids, huh? I'd have to really grow it out for that...

[It took him forever just to get his hair braid going. The idea of doing that for a beard seems daunting.]

[tea_lover64]

Its quite a project, but soon enough it fills out.

[Its what all the hip old folks do.]

[markofthewise]

I guess so. [A beat.] How is it you always take Luceti so well?

[Seriously. Already talking about beard styles. He would have thought Iroh would have other priorities.]

[tea_lover64]

[Iroh pauses and offers Sokka a shrug. It was one of those things he wasn't particularly sure of himself. It was just how he reacted to changes]

[markofthewise]

... maybe it just hasn't sunk in, yet. I mean, you could be here awhile. I'm almost at four years.

[tea_lover64]

Well, when you are getting to your seventh decade of living, four years does not seem like such a long time. Significant things can happen certainly, but compared to all the time I've had, it seems rather small.

[He raises an eyebrow]

Did you want me to get all excited or something?

[markofthewise]

No. It's fine, not reacting. Odd, but... fine. Actually, this might help you.

[Sokka will just provide directions to find the guide. It'll give Iroh some useful reading material.]

That sort of covers... everything.

[tea_lover64]

Ah, thank you that would be most helpful. Knowledge can be a very comforting thing in a strange place.

[He inclines his head]

How has your swordsmanship been coming along? Master Piandao spoke highly of you and your potential with the blade.

[markofthewise]

[He shifts uncomfortably, because suddenly it's like being visited by your Gran Gran and having to admit to what you're up to, while leaving out all the parts she shouldn't know. Except, Sokka realizes he lived with his grandma up until five years ago, so that probably isn't a prudent example.

Still. Awkward. This should be Zuko on the spot, not him...]

Good? I mean, great. I found a new teacher, Okita Souji. He's apparently a big deal back in his world. I'm nearly a master of Tennen Rishin-ryū.

[tea_lover64]

[Iroh smiles slightly at the news Sokka has a new teacher. It wasn't a breach of protocol. The study of the arts was made to be broad, having different teachers was normal and beneficial]

That is good to hear. Learning from multiple sources is a good way to gain a better understanding and mastery.

[markofthewise]

Is that what you did?

[tea_lover64]

Of course. My lightning redirection technique is based upon water bending as one example.

[markofthewise]

That doesn't actually make any sense. It seems like that would just teach you how to get by lightning even more.

[tea_lover64]

Within the technique you do get hit by lightning. You let it pass through your arm, down through your stomach and center of chi, and then out through your other arm. I have used it successfully against naturally occurring lightning as well as that generated through bending.

The basic premise is not to avoid the lightning, but act as a conduit and create a different point of release for the energy.

[markofthewise]

Yeah... well, you guys should have some kind of warning. Like, don't try to do this, you will probably die.

[Spoken by someone who tried it and then died.]

[tea_lover64]

The fact that it is incredible dangerous is quite apparent I would think by the necessary presence of lightning. If I had the option I'd prefer not to have to use it at all.

[You certainly could die with lightning involved]

Considering my brothers former skill with lightning it seemed a good idea to create something to counter.

[Never knew when his psycho brother might try something]

[markofthewise]

Did you do that before or after you realized he was psycho crazy pants? Or was that sort of obvious from the start? It was obvious, wasn't it?

[tea_lover64]

There were signs early on, yes. He always resented my position ahead of him, he believed it was a mistake of the heavens. He was singularly driven for power, with little thought of how it could be used to help the world.

[They had only had any sort of normal connection when Ozai was very young]

[markofthewise]

Yeesh. And here I thought I had it bad when I had a waterbending sister who kept drenching me. Do you guys ever have any normal siblings?