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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[restoredhonour]

[Zuko doesn't seem to mind the intrusion, opening his eyes to observe the other man.]

Yes, he is. Don't let his presence concern you -- he is harmless.

[The response is automatic, from many years of travelling with Druk and just as many frightened reactions. The world isn't as accustomed to seeing dragons as it used to be, after all, but he hopes he can teach not just the Fire Nation, but the rest of the world, that humans and dragonkind are more than capable of coexisting peacefully.

He looks a little more closely at Iroh, though, as if really looking at him. He looks terribly like someone long gone from this world, and he's sure it's not just the nostalgia of the island talking.]

[teaspirited]

No, no, I only ask because it's been a long time since I've seen a dragon up close. He looks very calm where he rests, so I didn't want to disturb him.

[Just as old man Zuko is studying him, Iroh gets a good look at him in return. His mouth may have fallen open a little in surprise when he saw the scar. If there was another man with a scar like that in this time, he'd apologize for the confusion. But the surprise turns to a smile soon enough.]

Family, on the other hand, I may always stop to at least say hello.

[restoredhonour]

[That confirms Zuko's suspicions, and he gets to his feet, staring with a dazed expression.]

Uncle... [He thinks back to what Korra had said, that she had spoken to Iroh in the Spirit World, suggesting that somewhere his spirit was around and perfectly well. But Zuko never thought he'd have the same opportunity.

Without another word, he crosses the distance between them, and pulls Iroh into a hug. It's been far, far too long.]

[teaspirited]

[He hadn't known if he'd find his nephew in the city, the one who actually belonged in this time. But seeing Zuko after he had experienced a long life and looking well fills him with joy. If he actually is doing well, he wants to know, but questions can wait.

In return, Iroh's arms get a tight hold around his nephew's back.]

Hello, Zuko.

[restoredhonour]

[Fully grown, it's evident Zuko inherited Ozai's height; he has to stoop a little to properly hug Iroh. Not that it stops him from doing so.]

At my age, I thought I had seen everything, but life continues to surprise me. [He wants to laugh, and yet he's overcome enough that he has to blink hard to get rid of the tears threatening to well up in his undamaged eye.] Hello again, Uncle.

[teaspirited]

[He had been taller than Iroh for some time, but now the difference was more pronounced. Not that it stopped him or ever would.]

I know the feeling quite well. You never know what each day ahead of you has in store. [He finally pulls back to get a good look at him and reaches up to put his hands on Zuko's shoulders.]

How are you doing, my nephew?

[restoredhonour]

I'm doing well, have no worry of that. I abdicated from the throne a few years ago to settle into retirement, and my daughter has replaced me as Fire Lord. ['Retirement' isn't exactly a typical choice for Fire Lords, he knows, but his reign hadn't been very typical of previous Fire Lords in general. He's sure Iroh, of all people, will understand the decision.] Things have been peaceful... until recently, which is why I'm here in Republic City today.

[But there's a great deal to explain, and he's not sure how much Iroh knows or doesn't know already, from conversations with Korra or otherwise.]

[teaspirited]

[He hadn't yet heard that Zuko had left the throne, let alone that it was his daughter who ruled now.]

I still have much to learn about Republic City and this time. Would you mind if we sat down and talked over some tea? It sounds as if you have a long story.

[restoredhonour]

That sounds like a fine idea.

[If there's one of Iroh's many habits Zuko has retained, it's his love of tea. So Zuko leads Iroh across the temple complex and inside to the dining hall, which, for now, is deserted, with the new airbenders and Tenzin's family dedicating themselves to travelling the world. It isn't long before Zuko prepares them both a pot, and settles cross-legged at the table to pour some for both Iroh and himself.]

You said there is little you know about Republic City? You must, at least, be familiar with its early origins.

[teaspirited]

[Iroh couldn't be prouder. His nephew's come so far from his days of referring to it as "hot leaf juice". He sits next to Zuko and accepts his cup when it's ready. Ahh... One sip and he approves. Perfect temperature, perfect taste.]

Thank you. Most of what I know has been from what is written in Aang's memorial island. I visited it my first day here. I know a little more from talking with people I happen to meet. You've done good work here.

[He raises his cup to Zuko with a smile and takes another sip.]

[restoredhonour]

[Zuko smiles, pleased that his uncle approves.] Republic City has come a long way from its humble beginnings as Yu Dao. All that work was worth it, to see it as it is today.

[He sips his tea, absorbed in reminiscing, before continuing.]

As you may have already seen, the city is far from perfect... But then, is any country without flaws? Aang and I believed bringing the four nations together was one of the best ways to foster harmony in the wake of the war, and in that much, it has been an enormous success.

[teaspirited]

You are right, I have seen some of the less than savory sides of this city. But it isn't too different from what I have seen in other cities. [Though the unity of the Triple Threat Triad was... interesting to see. Three different nations represented in one criminal organization.]

And I believe you both had an excellent idea. This city removes the boundaries that the people of the four nations built up long ago, causing many to see themselves as separate from the other nations. But that separation is an illusion, it always has been. [He pauses for a moment to take another sip of tea.] This is an immense accomplishment that I hope you are very proud of, Zuko.

[restoredhonour]

Thank you, Uncle. [Even now, he's proud to receive such praise from Iroh.] The war caused a great many terrible things, but it also proved the four nations are able to work together to avert great catastrophe and bring peace. The United Republic seems only a natural continuation of that.

[He sips his tea, and a thought occurs to him.]

In fact, my grandson serves as a general in the United Forces. If you have the opportunity to see him, he would be delighted to meet his namesake.

[teaspirited]

That is good to hear. [He nods, still smiling.] And I would be delighted to meet your grandson some d--

[The word dies on his lips as his eyes widen round as saucers and he realizes exactly what else had been said there. It's touching beyond words to know someone in the family had been named for him. And a general too. Another General Iroh. When his surprise fades back to a smile, a couple tears well up in his eyes, which he wipes away with his sleeve. He bows his head, only able to smile at his tea, feeling so incredibly honored to be honored in this way.]

[restoredhonour]

Uncle... [Zuko sets his tea aside, placing a comforting hand on Iroh's shoulder. He forgets that ordinary parts of Zuko's life must all be great shocks for Iroh to take in, particularly in receiving such a great honour.]

When you do meet, I hope you will be proud of him. He has had the name of a great man to live up to, after all.

[teaspirited]

[He finally looks up, still smiling and misty-eyed.] If he is anything like you, I am sure I will be more than proud of him too. [He reaches up to place a hand over his nephew's, and his tone manages to convey his slight tease.] Are you sure it was wise to name him 'Uncle', though?

[restoredhonour]

[Rather than getting annoyed or embarrassed as he once might have, Zuko takes the teasing in his stride.]

You don't like the name? My daughter thought it had a nice ring to it.

[teaspirited]

[Someone alert the presses, his nephew developed a sense of humor for uncle jokes.]

No, no, it's a fine name. It's much better than Mushi.

[He dabs at his eyes once more as he chuckles. Though he silently hopes Zuko doesn't have a son or other grandson he doesn't know about yet with his false name from their time in the Earth Kingdom as refugees.]

[restoredhonour]

[Not just uncle jokes. Grandpa jokes. Toss in a dash of awkward Zuko humour for seasoning and you get... well, this trainwreck.]

Mushi will be kept as a back-up, should the family ever happen to run out of ideas.

[teaspirited]

[Nope, that one's got Iroh laughing. And carrying on the joke a little further.] I believe many years will pass before that day ever comes. After all, future generations may prefer 'Junior'.

[restoredhonour]

[Zuko can't help but chuckle along with him.] Junior? I'd forgotten all about that one. I don't know how we even lasted a day in the Earth Kingdom, with such flimsy disguises.

[... Actually, even calling them disguises is being generous.]

[teaspirited]

Even with our wanted posters, I don't think anyone in the Earth Kingdom was actively looking for us. [One or two incidents aside, but those were totally isolated. The rest were totally Fire Nation folks actively seeking them.] And staying out of towns and cities for most of our trip to Ba Sing Se helped too. Besides, no one caught on to them..

[Well... not for a long while, anyway. But we're not gonna go down that road much further because of what lies at the crossroads.]