Good advice is something a man gives when he is too old to set a bad example.

[whitelotustile]

Characters: Iroh, various Avatar cast members, and you!
Date: November 8-10 (but totally open to backdating)
Location: Jasmine Dragon Tea Shop
Situation: War councils and tea
Warnings/Rating: None

{Iroh had a back room in his shop. Officially he could rent it for private gatherings, and that's what he said it was for when asked. On the other hand, he'd known there was trouble brewing, and a room away from a console and for his use only was convenient.]

[Iroh had dragged most of the tables to the center, and put down maps and paper and quills. His Pai Sho tiles served as various markers. He'd also written as many notes as he could recall.]

[There was tea off to the side. Of course. And snacks.]

[Meanwhile, Iroh was keeping an eye on the front of the store as well. It looked bad if he closed, and it let him intercept any Foreigners who might be more interested in strategy than tea.]

Comments

[solo_patria]

[Enjolras is certainly interested in strategy, if anyone else is around to talk it, but the recent message on the network does have him seeking out the tea shop for other reasons as well. He does not know very much of teas in general, besides the medicinal sorts that his doctor friends had prescribed for various ailments, but a quiet place to sort out his thoughts wins out over the awkward experiences he's been having at his old haunt in Wood lately.

Trying something out of the ordinary for him, in a place that more foreigners frequent, seems to be the best possible way to find some peace of mind. As he enters the tea shop, he looks, for all the world, like someone with a great deal of things on his mind, though he's not worn down by them yet. For now, some time to recharge, and to stare at the map of the island that he's carrying, along with a magnifying glass, and a few differently colored pencils for marking potential paths and secret areas of the island, seems the best of possibilities.]

[whitelotustile]

Would you like some tea?

[Iroh is gauging the Foreigner, trying to figure out if the man is interested in relaxation or planning.]

[solo_patria]

I would, actually.

[Enjolras gives the man an awkward little head-duck with the answer.]

Sadly, I do not know much about teas besides the ones that healers used at home. Are there any you would recommend for concentration? I...have quite the task ahead of me.

[whitelotustile]

Well, it does depend on your tolerance for stimulants. Too much and you will be too jittery to work.

[solo_patria]

It has gotten quite high recently, but I would prefer something that still allows me a presence of mind, yes.

[He's on a second wind, and pretty much looks it right now, a little pale, some of his braid coming undone, but still determined and with hands that are, at least, not shaking yet. And he is nodding towards his map.]

I do have quite a lot of things to review.

[It's probably discreet enough that Malicant might not notice it. Maybe. if he is lucky.]

[whitelotustile]

[Iroh used the time to glance over what Enjolras was working on.]

Keeping busy, I see.

[alphatar]

[The message was an urgent one, Korra knew Iroh from what she had seen in her future and now more than ever did she want to have that kind of guidance in her life. Korra gave a pat to Naga before leaving her mount and friend to enter the Jasmine Dragon.

The interior was reminiscent of her world, not necessarily her home at the South Pole or Air Temple Island, but anything from their world was becoming more precious to her by the day.]

Iroh?

[As soon as she entered, Korra looked around for him and anyone else he had sent the private message to.]

[whitelotustile]

Yes?

[Iroh is on hand, but no one else has come.]

Oh, do come in. Why don't you help yourself to tea before everyone else arrives. I have things set up in the back.

[Iroh gestured to the back room]

[alphatar]

[It was weird. Korra recognized him having never met him in person before, only what she’s seen.

And now felt.]

Sure, thanks. I thought I’d head over as soon as I could.

[Once she was inside Korra looked at the tea, taking in the aroma as she poured herself a cup.]

I’m Korra. [But she had no idea if he even knew that much, so she added.] Avatar Korra. It's nice to meet you, General Iroh.

[whitelotustile]

[Iroh bowed to her -- more the sort you'd give to someone you've met than anything formal]

We spoke once, over the network. I don't believe you mentioned you were the Avatar at the time. A pleasure to meet you in person.

[alphatar]

[Korra opened her mouth because for a wild moment she thought he was referring to their encounter in the Spirit World long after his time, but the network was what snapped her back to logic. She bowed in return, the informality of the gesture a rare thing and it was one she welcomed.]

No, I probably didn’t. It doesn’t really seem to matter much here to anyone.

[Then she remembered Asti and Eshai always called her by her title even though she never told them who she was.]

Almost anyone.

[She glanced at the tables before looking back at him.]

Is it weird I kind of know you already? [She didn’t even know how to tell him about what she’d seen in her future and in the Tree of Time.]

[whitelotustile]

Yes, a bit, but I'm adapting to people from my future being here.

[Iroh didn't mind being honest, because he wasn't going to lie about having to adjust his expectations to people from his future.]

The 8th or something, IDEK

[theideaguy]

[Sokka had known exactly what Iroh meant from his veiled instructions. And so Sokka came as soon as he was able, of course taking all of the shortcuts he had learned over the last weeks to make it to the Fire Sector, seeing as how it was on the opposite side of the shell. He no longer wanders the streets with just his boomerang but now is seen with Space Sword in tow as well, as if to be a deterrent. But all the same, he comes to the Jasmine Dragon by himself, knowing exactly what to expect. Or at least that's what he thinks.

[Upon entrance, the first thing Sokka does is seek Iroh out. And upon finding him at the counter, he drops down a single tile in front of him. To any other, it might look like some sort of money, but Iroh would recognize the White Lotus tile that he'd received from Piandao exactly as what it meant.]

So how much tea is this going to buy me?

Re: The 8th or something, IDEK

[whitelotustile]

[Iroh took a look at the tile, recognizing it. he quickly pocketed it.]

A cup of the house blend? Please, have a seat. The back room is ready.

[theideaguy]

[The only thought that Sokka thinks as Iroh pockets the Pai Sho tile is that he really hopes he's getting that back.]

Sounds good to me. I'll head back to, you know, [and then in a whisper with an idle point,] the back room.

[Yes, he's still going to be a little bit silly despite the severity of their situation.]

[whitelotustile]

[Oh, Iroh will, but he does want it to look like he took money and not a game piece.]

I'll make sure we have hot water ready there.

[theideaguy]

Fantastic, just what I need.

[And really, if there's one thing he has heard about Iroh, it's that he did know about tea, even if he hadn't had much opportunity to partake it before now.

[He heads on back to the back room to wait on Iroh and the others.]

[whitelotustile]

I'm not sure who will show up. Besides people you already know.

Anton Shudder | OTA

[gistful]

Anton had never met Iroh before, but he knew that particular cadence and charmingly downplayed invitation. It sounded like code, because it was most likely code. A way to let people know something was occurring at that place, in the near future. Anton didn't recall a meeting planned for the possession attempt, but if this was one such occurrence he felt he couldn't afford to miss it.

So Anton entered under the pretext of supplies, hence the shopping bag over his shoulder, and glanced around. He'd known the Foreigner-run shop was here, but never entered it.

Re: Anton Shudder | OTA

[whitelotustile]

Iroh is obviously working, and obviously has something going on in the back room. It is a good thing that the kedan are wary of a Foreigner-run business, as the shop is relatively empty, though there are a few tea snobs who would risk their lives (so they think) for a cup.

"Good afternoon! I'll be wth you in a moment."

[gistful]

"At your discretion," said Anton quietly. He was counting the doors, marking where they were and what they might be used for. There weren't enough Foreigners in the main part of the shop for it to be used as was, but more likely the man had a hidden room he was using for the meeting-place. "I am here encouraged by your recent broadcast. Relaxation can be vital to morale."

[whitelotustile]

"I'm glad you agree. And I haven't found a problem yet that doesn't look better after a cup of tea," Iroh said. This bit wasn't acting; having tea solved at least one problem (the lack of tea), so one could approach other matters.

Doors would be expected. One was clearly to the kitchen, and there were others labeled (in Chinese, but with a picture as well) as toilets. But there was an unlabeled door as well.

"were you looking for anyone in particular?"

[gistful]

Fortunately, Anton knew Chinese, and the difference in language was no deterrent. "No individual," Anton said, turning his attention to the proprietor. He certainly looked harmless--but so did Corrival Deuce, up until one prodded him the wrong way. "I was simply seeking a cup of tea and some ... like-minded people. Perhaps to discuss mutual obstacles."

[12goingon113]

[Aang knows the skies aren't anymore safer than being on the ground, but there's inherent to flying that makes him feel more at ease, and so when he gets the message from Iroh his glider is the first thing he grabs before heading out the door.

Cautiously he opens the door to the tea shop and pokes his head inside.]

Iroh?

[whitelotustile]

Do coem in!