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[He had been left in the outskirts of the village after they had finished with him. It had been a particularly difficult couple of weeks while they were there. They had tested his physical limits, pain endurance, capability of his powers, and seemingly just what it would take to make him cry out in pain. Exhausted was an understatement, he felt thoroughly drained and doubted their claims that it would somehow help. They had enjoyed the process it seemed to him.
Laying on the ground there he contemplated just taking a nap right here. It would be delightful to just rest now, but people would be worried, and the comparative safety and comfort of the house would be welcome. Thankfully it seemed at least he would be able to communicate, the journal was right beside him. Lifting a stiff arm he flips it on.
He starts to try and say something for a moment before coughing for a few seconds, and takes an audible breath in. He winced as he took it in, seemed like that would take a little bit of time to heal]
H-hello, I hope I haven't worried anyone too much..
[He clears his throat and puts a little more volume in it]
This is Iroh, I'm in the forest, I can't tell exactly whereabouts. Normally I would find my own way back, but I am feeling a bit under the weather. I would appreciate any assistance, and if it is not too much to ask, a good cup of tea.
[A fortnight without tea was quite barbaric as well]
Laying on the ground there he contemplated just taking a nap right here. It would be delightful to just rest now, but people would be worried, and the comparative safety and comfort of the house would be welcome. Thankfully it seemed at least he would be able to communicate, the journal was right beside him. Lifting a stiff arm he flips it on.
He starts to try and say something for a moment before coughing for a few seconds, and takes an audible breath in. He winced as he took it in, seemed like that would take a little bit of time to heal]
H-hello, I hope I haven't worried anyone too much..
[He clears his throat and puts a little more volume in it]
This is Iroh, I'm in the forest, I can't tell exactly whereabouts. Normally I would find my own way back, but I am feeling a bit under the weather. I would appreciate any assistance, and if it is not too much to ask, a good cup of tea.
[A fortnight without tea was quite barbaric as well]
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[He coughs.]
Somehow I think it was more for their own twisted amusement.
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[He disappears into the kitchen and then returns a moment later with a tea tray which contains the cups, the pot, and a little plate of sandwiches that Rogue left for him. He has little doubt Iroh needs them more, and will probably appreciate them more besides. Rogue does make lovely food...if you like that sort of thing.]
This entire place is framed around our ultimate helplessness. I loathe it. [He sets the tray down on the coffee table in front of Iroh and proceeds to pour him a cup, then offer it.] The one time they took me, I ended my pleasant stay with my mouth sewed shut because I did not feel like telling them what they wished to know.
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Not for their benefit, but for everyone else here. Finding a way to bring people back to their own worlds purposefully.
[He takes the cup gingerly fingers tracing around it and he brings it up to himself with more effort than he was accustomed and sips quietly]
They are barbaric individuals, this has been shown many times.
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[He keeps an eye on Iroh, ready to support the man's hand if he seems about to drop the cup.]
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That is certainly a possibility. It is difficult to get a read on them at all, other than their believed superiority.
[He scoffs a bit at that and it turns to a cough]
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The path they have chosen will only end poorly for them. A farmer reaps what he sews.
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I'd be worried if he didn't. A bit more complex here than a simple field, however.
Though they are fools for certain, to want to fight a battle on so many fronts at once.
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[He grabs the cup again this time forcing himself to do things in a slow and controlled manner, and takes a sip before placing it down again]
Have you been up to your usual mischief?
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[He frowns slightly.]
Nay, more that the Malnosso have. You managed to miss quite the experiment.
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[He glances at Loki quizzically.]
Oh?
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[He had a conversation earlier about this]
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Nay. I was simply... three different people over the course of those two weeks. Or perhaps three different versions of myself.
[He is silent for a moment before adding:] One of whom was from your world.
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[Just imagining it was quite enough]
From my world? What was that like?
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But this rage is stronger in its own way, more pure. Perhaps because it is not just for him, but for a daily that never existed. For murdered children he never had. It's confusing, but undeniable.
And something else is undeniable: Iroh is from the Fire Nation. Perhaps someone he might have cooperated with once Aang and Katara had forced him to abandon the path of bloody vengeance, but...hah. To ask that question.
And that too, is confusing. Everything thus makes him feel is confusing, from such a simple question.
The anger does not show in his face, not the confusion, but there is a certain sense of distance that comes to his expression as he considers these things, idly turning his tea cup in his hands.
Finally, he says:]
I was a water bender of the Southern Water Tribe. What do you think it was like?
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Ah. I'm sorry to hear that.
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[His lips pull for a moment in a crooked smile.]
In this false life.
[He considers again. It's disturbing to feel such different things simultaneously.]
It didn't make me want to skin you any less at the time. But there really aren't any words to cure that sort of ill.
And I think we might have eventually gotten on.
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The Southern Raider strategy I disagreed with even when I believed some of the philosophy behind Fire Nation policy. On a purely practical level, it took away economic potential, not to mention military considerations if there could be a successful assimilation like in some of the early earth kingdom colonies.
[He breaths in deeply]
There is much that should have been done differently by my family. The past will always remain with us, no matter what we do. You can either let that define you, or move forward, and add some good to that history.
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I once said to a dear friend that every choice we make is a stone that hangs upon our neck.
[It feels so long ago, that conversation with Jane when he hadn't been himself.]
But I have never been particularly good at letting anything go. I am too greedy for that.
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It is best to avoid grudges where one can, but burdens we make can be carried by those we surround ourselves with. The right company can make even the heaviest burden seem but a trifle.
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He smiles crookedly.]
I'm still grappling with the idea of being around people who don't want to kill me.
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[Lots of people want to kill Iroh, he just stops them from doing so, bids them a nice day, and has tea with them]
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Humans are very strange, you know.
Even stranger, I'm starting to really like some of you.
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