Test Drive Meme

[cyclicalitymods]

	♥ 1. Where did you come from? You may not know anyone else on the boat, but you've all got one thing in common; you're headed to Republic City. ♥ 2. It's your first day in Republic City. You might wanna get a job lined up or you'll be living on the streets. ♥ 3. You're the new person in the city. You gotta make some friends, right? Go find someone and strike up a conversation.
	♦ 4. Feeling a little crafty? Maybe you could make a quick yuan. Sell information for money or do a little threatening. ♦ 5. Vines. Vines everywhere! They're like the heads of a hydra. What are you going to do about the vines that just invaded your apartment? ♦ 6. Triads, Equalists... thugs in general. Welcome to the aftermath of losing a fight. Are you gonna go find a healer or are you gonna tough it out?
	♣ 7. You've got a job. What is it? How are you going to get customers? You better get some soon. More customers equals more money. ♣ 8. You're a bender, right? Then you better practice it. What's that? Oh, a non-bender? You can still find a partner to spar with, right? ♣ 9. It's late. Have a drink at the pub! Get to know one another. Let it all flow freely!
	♠ 10. Yeah! You've got a driver's license! Everyone else better watch out... ♠ 11. Entertainment's just rolled on into the city! Watch the ostrich-horses race or the acrobats perform. Or maybe you're one of them! ♠ 12. It's a long line at whatever vendor you're at. Make small talk with nearby civilians or try and haggle the vendor down to a better price.
	• Make up your own scenario!

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Comments

[teaspirited]

[Now that's a big surprise. Iroh's eyes widen, and he's definitely curious to learn more about his companion.]

Ba Sing Se has stood for many years, even before my time. But how far back are you from, if you don't mind sharing?

[raavashing]

[At the question Wan did demure a little and cast his eyes to the side.]

I'm not sure it's a good idea to answer that. I'm still trying to figure out how much I should talk about it.

[He took a long drag of tea before his eyes widened and he gave a quick bow.]

Oh! My name is Wan. It's nice to meet you. I should have introduced myself sooner.

[teaspirited]

The pleasure is mine, Wan, my name is Iroh.

[He lifted his cup to Wan before taking a long sip.]

Your choice is a wise one. Not everyone here seems too accustomed that people have arrived from the past.

[Such as those that had been more keen to stare at people, like his young nephew. Some people had even looked at him funny when he said his name was Iroh.]

[raavashing]

I'm trying not to bring it up unless I meet someone else who seems to be.

[He admitted that freely. It was safe enough.]

I've only met a few people like us so far. In a city this big, it makes me wonder how many there could be that I haven't met yet. Not that I expect I'll ever be able to meet everyone in the city.

[teaspirited]

I imagine it would be quite a feat to try and meet everyone. Even standing by that building called Central Station, there were so many people in that one area, all of them constantly moving.

[It was almost dizzying to watch the foot traffic going in and out, barely anyone stopping. Very few people paying much attention, if any, to the children and teens that hung around the plaza surrounding the statue.]

[raavashing]

It was something else. I've never seen statues so tall before. It's amazing how much time and effort were devoted to them. And the one statue that holds fire in his hand! That's just... wow.

[teaspirited]

Yes, the craftsmanship is truly remarkable. I have seen statues like them before, but to see ones of people I know, including my--er... Never mind.

[...Probably not a good idea to mention one of the statues is of his nephew. At least, not here where it's too easy to be overheard. So subject change is go.]

How is your tea, Wan?

[raavashing]

[That got an eyebrow raise.]

All of them are statues of people close to the last Avatar, Avatar Aang. Or the Avatar himself. You knew them?

[Wan glanced down at his cup and then lifted it in a quick toast.]

It's great. You make a wonderful cup.

[teaspirited]

Oh yes, they came to be very good friends of mine.

[He's just gonna work on finishing his cup because he should probably be getting back to work soon.]

Thank you. I often find that sharing with a new friend makes it taste even better.

[raavashing]

[Wan recognized the dismissal and gave a friendly nod of his head.]

And thank you for sharing. If you'd like, when you're done with your shift, we can go back to my place and I can make a pot for you. Or another day if today isn't good for you.

[teaspirited]

I would be most honored to accept your invitation if you are free at sundown tonight. Until then, help yourself to the rest of this pot.

[Iroh slowly rose to his feet and nodded in return.]

It has been a delight to meet you today, Wan.

would you like to continue this with a timeskip to sundown?

[raavashing]

Thank you! And you, too.

[Wan grinned and pulled the pot a little closer. He took the lid off to check the steam and then put his left hand against it's side to heat it up. It was more obvious he was doing it this time, since a pot was bigger than a cup.]

sure! :D

[teaspirited]

[Iroh definitely noticed that, but said nothing. How intriguing that he was a firebender but didn't come from the Fire Nation. How far in the past was Wan from? If Wan ever felt like answering, he would, but Iroh wouldn't push him. But perhaps he would share some of his story with Wan.

Before he knew it, the sun was almost set and the owner was thanking him profusely for his work. As soon as he stepped out of the shop, he looked around for Wan.]

[raavashing]

[Wan was waiting outside the tea shop just down the street where an alley opened up. He was siting on the corner right before the alley rather than in it and saying hello to a small group of lizard-crows and rooster-pigeons. And one very, very brave spider-rat. Normally all were considered urban pests. Wan was treating them like old friends.]

[teaspirited]

[He stayed quiet as he approached, being careful not to spook the creatures. He stopped not too far and knelt down on one knee. Most of them didn't exist in Ba Sing Se, especially not in the Upper Ring. The Lower Ring on the other hand, they existed, but so much space had been fought over with the refugees that their numbers were few to none.]

I see you've made a few friends among the locals.

[raavashing]

[Almost as one the group of animals turned their heads toward Iroh and then scattered. They were skittish at the best of times and normally wouldn't come near people. Wan watched them go before standing up in a fluid motion.]

Just a few. They get along pretty well with the spirits around here but most of the humans harass them.

[He gave a quick shrug and waved his hand to invite Iroh to follow him.]

I've set up camp in one of the buildings abandoned because of the Spirit Wilds. It's not far, but it is inside the wilds. If you'd rather not go inside, I can grab my teapot and we can have tea somewhere else.

[teaspirited]

That's too bad. The people here would do well to learn to live in harmony with their non-human neighbors.

[He waved off the suggestion about going elsewhere for tea.]

Your home is fine. The vines that form these Spirit Wilds do not bother me in the slightest.

[raavashing]

[He liked Iroh already. Man had a good head on his shoulders.]

You're not like most humans I've met.

[Wan led the way down the street at a brisk pace. He wasn't really in a hurry, but it was already going to be dark by the time they got inside the wilds now that the sun was going down and he preferred using the natural light to firebending his own.]

You're more like me.

[teaspirited]

[To his credit, Iroh was able to keep up with Wan's pace. Even as he gave the back of his head an amused smile. What a curious young man this fellow was.]

Am I now? I must admit, I am a much different man from where I began many years ago. The things you see and experience can change you, sometimes for the better. [His nephew was a good example, for starters.]

[raavashing]

Definitely more like me than regular humans.

[He said over his shoulder.]

I'm a lot different than where I started, too. I think it's been for the better. I'm trying to teach the humans I meet to live in peace with each other and with nature. And to respect the spirits. It's not exactly an easy thing, but knowing there are others out there who feel it can be done... that helps.

[teaspirited]

I would say it definitely sounds like you changed for the better. I have long-since embraced a philosophy that the barriers between the four nations are merely illusions. For too long, the people of this world allowed themselves to be divided among their nations. From what I've seen of this city, it was founded on similar beliefs. It's not just the Avatar that should be concerned with what happens with each nation. What affects one, affects the rest. Perhaps not right away, but it does eventually.

[YEAH I'M LOOKING AT YOU GRANDPA SOZIN]

As with nature, the spirits most certainly should be treated with respect, whether they reside in the Spirit World or have physical forms in this world.

[raavashing]

[Can he just adopt you as family, Iroh?

He slowed down so he could safely turn around and walk backwards as he listened to Iroh, a big silly grin on his face. And wow, there may even have been a bit of a tear in the corner of one eye. That's how beautiful those words were.]

[teaspirited]

[Only if he can adopt you too.

He smiled back at Wan, one that seemed to lighten his face and smooth out one or two wrinkles. It looked like he had definitely found a kindred spirit in Republic City.]

It was no coincidence that we met today. It's not often I find others who share the same beliefs, much less those from other times.

[raavashing]

You're the first human I've met who's ever said those words. Who wasn't me.

[And it made Wan feel giddy to have found someone else who felt as he did. He turned back around and jogged for a bit to make it to the part of the Spirit Wilds he'd been using as is 'entrance' to the vine choked part of that block. Wan pulled the vines to the side so Iroh could walk through in front of him.

Once they were both through he once more jogged ahead, still grinning like an idiot as he sprouted a torch over his hand, lighting up the jungle around them and the spirits that lived within. A good ten feet in, he stopped and spun slowly with his arm extended, as if showing it off to Iroh.]

Welcome to the Spirit Wilds. The last time they existed in the material plane was ten thousand years ago.

[teaspirited]

[He followed as fast as his legs would carry him, which wasn't quite a jog, since his life wasn't in danger. So Wan still had a short wait until he could catch up. Shortly after Wan lit up his hand, Iroh did the same to get a better look. It was truly a magnificent sight, and it definitely had a familiar feeling. He stared around, eyes wide in awe. To think he would be so fortunate to see such a place that hadn't existed in-- Wan's words made him go slack-jawed.] Ten thousand years?! Is that the time you're from?