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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[raavashing]

Well, it's not exactly ours.

[Wan said wryly as he entered behind Iroh and took a seat directly in front of the couch where Mula could easily drop her head down for chin skirtchings. Wan sat with his legs crossed as he had at the tea shop, much more comfortable on the floor than he had been in a chair.

The tea pot was put on a large flat stone Wan pulled out from under the couch to keep the heat of the pot from getting to the floor and two cups were set to the side for the time being. Wan put his hand on the side of the pot and in almost no time the water inside was boiling away.]

But it's home enough for now. I had to find shelter pretty quick after I found myself here and this wasn't being used, so...

[He shrugged.]

And it's nice to have company, too. I haven't gotten to spend a lot of time around other humans for a few years now. Not like this, I mean. A quiet moment like this is hard to come by when it's not just me and Mula.

[teaspirited]

[He nodded at to remark, understanding the necessity of finding shelter in this city, even if the means weren't exactly typical. But something told him the original residents weren't likely to return unless the wilds retreated and any damage was repaired. Though he did remember a time not too long ago when home was wherever he and Zuko could make it as they mostly stayed out of sight of other people on the way to Ba Sing Se. In the end, it would matter more how Wan handled things if or when the original residents returned.]

That's quite some time. It's nice to have a little human company while you travel, or so I've found. Whether it's temporary or more long-term. I've spent the better part of the last three years traveling with my nephew. Before I found myself here, that is.

[raavashing]

Actually, for the first year or so, I didn't want to be around other humans. I was tired of them.

[Wan laughed softly as he pulled his hand away from the pot and let the tea brew now that it was hot enough.]

I lived with the spirits of an oasis that was a day's travel from my city. I met Mula there and it took some convincing for the spirits to accept me, but life was good. They taught me their ways and the ways of nature, things most humans ignored or didn't care about at all. They were good friends.

[And one's he obviously missed as his eyes took on a sad light despite the smile.]

[teaspirited]

That sounds like an incredible experience, to earn the spirits' acceptance and live among them. [Definitely a life Iroh wouldn't mind experiencing.] My own time among the spirits was much shorter than yours, but some day, I wouldn't mind returning to get to know them better.

[raavashing]

You could always spend some time in the wilds here, while you're in the city.

[Wan suggested as Mula did, in fact, rest her head against his shoulder in a request for attention. He absently gave it to her as a few spirits drifted into the room and some seemingly appeared out of nowhere, fading from near-invisible to visible. Their presence had been disturbed by Wan and Iroh's return, but now that the two were sitting and relaxed the spirits were feeling safe enough to come back.]

The spirits like you. They probably wouldn't mind you coming by when you have the chance.

[teaspirited]

[He didn't take long mulling over that suggestion. It wasn't a bad idea, dividing his time between the spirits and the rest of the city. But there was a part of him that still felt duty-bound to be Zuko's guardian.] I would be glad to spend more time here. But I feel I should keep a closer eye on my nephew for a little longer before I can come here as often as I'd like. I know he can take care of himself, but he is about as far out of his own time as I am. Until then, what visits I can manage will have to satisfy me. [He reached out a hand to a tiny butterfly-like spirit that had taken to floating around his head and smiled as it landed on one finger. Such wondrous beings, the spirits were.]

[raavashing]

[That was a little surprising wasn't it? Or maybe not. Even Wan, as close to the spirits as he was, couldn't say how every little thing with the spirits and the spirit world worked. Most of what he knew - and was learning as the Avatar - came from Raava.]

Well, you can always come over for tea. And if you need a place to stay, both of you can stay with me. There's plenty of space even if it's not the most convenient way of living. If it's your nephew, I'm sure he's a human with a good soul. He couldn't be otherwise when he has someone as kind as you to watch over him.

[teaspirited]

[There's nothing quite like wandering down the path of one of Iroh's favorite topics. Even before he opened his mouth to talk, his face lit up with a proud smile. Even if it had hurt to see Zuko struggle with his life and making the right choices, he had always known he would eventually return to the right path.]

He has always had a good soul, sometimes in need of a little guidance, but always good. In a way, I think of him as my own son. [Especially after all they've been through together, despite a couple rocky moments.]

The moment I meet with him again, I will mention your offer. Though we may be better off on a lower floor if he accepts. But no matter where we are, you are always welcome for tea as well.

[raavashing]

Well, the first and second floors are pretty much one big house now. It would be plenty of space for the both of you. You'd have to figure out water since the pipes aren't working properly. But you have the power of fire, so you'd be able to keep yourselves warm and the rooms lit.

[Wan leaned forward and checked the tea. It smelled ready and with a quick press of his hand to the teapot, he brought it back up to temp once more. Then he set about pouring it expertly into the two cups.

He offered the first cup to Iroh and the second cup he took a short sip from before handing it over to one of the smaller spirits that had wandered over and started making an 'up up' motion with it's arms. It happily took the cup and started drinking from it, the tea curling into a little ball inside it's semi-see through body. Another spirit hurried over to it and poked it in the side, opening a small hole from which the tea poured out and it laid on the floor to catch the liquid with it's mouth.

Wan laughed as he took his cup back and the first spirit started berating the second.]

As nice as this is, I do hope an oasis forms around here. The spirits could use a relaxing place like that.

[teaspirited]

[Now that was funny. If the water didn't work that well, how did Wan get water out for the teapot? Iroh thanked him for the tea, just noticing the butterfly spirit had since fluttered off his hand, and took a sip. His eyes closed as he savored the flavor. Delicious.

The antics of the two little spirits sharing in Wan's tea made him laugh as well. They could be funny beings sometimes, but it also made him want to learn a little more about them and how they lived.]

I remember there is a spirit oasis in the Northern Water Tribe, not that it does the spirits here any good. [Not to mention one of the little pools is already occupied.] ...But if one does not appear, perhaps one could be made?

[raavashing]

A spirit oasis still exists?

[Wan asked, shocked by that. But then followed it up with another question as realization hit.]

That's where Tui and La live, isn't it?

[He gave a quick laugh, a burble of joy.]

That's great to hear. But, actually, I'm not sure an oasis can just be made. It has more to do with a large concentration of spiritual energy. Which this place has, but I don't know if it's enough.

[teaspirited]

Yes, the legends say they preferred to remain in this world long ago. I have been fortunate enough to see them for myself.

[Well... it was worth suggesting.]

Hm... I suppose it then comes down to what the best means, if any, are to introduce an oasis.

[raavashing]

It's true. They did. The oasis is probably still there because of their presence.

[They had already taken mortal forms when he visited to ask the spirits of that part of the world to return to the spirit world. He was more surprised they were still there. Ten thousand years was a long time. He had half expected them to move around the ocean.]

I don't think there are any easy ways to force an oasis to spring up and honestly, I wouldn't want to try it. That could upset the balance more.

[teaspirited]

[Had he been there under different circumstances, he would have loved to admire the beauty of the warm oasis in the middle of a frozen land.]

If I ever return, I'll remember to thank them for maintaining their spiritual influence there. But if they were there in your time too... To be swimming in a circle with each other for that long is incredible. [It was a wonder Zhao had even found the information in the library hidden out in the desert.]

Of course, of course. That is one of the last things I'd want to do, no matter how well-intended the idea is.

[He took another sip of his tea, then remembered he had some questions left.]

Before I forget to ask you, how is it that you got us up the rest of the way to your apartment?

[raavashing]

I think they'd appreciate that.

[Wan murmured as he refreshed his tea. At the question, though, he raised and eyebrow and stilled for a moment. Clearly debating if he should say something to Iroh or not. But in the next moment he was shrugging and relaxing. It wasn't like he could really hide that he'd used more than one element in front of the man.]

I used the power of air.

[teaspirited]

[The power of air, as he called it, would have to be airbending. But no one could use more than one element. No one besides the Avatar. Could his new friend be a very early Avatar?]

You are no ordinary firebender, are you Wan? There has only ever been one person who can control more than one element.

[raavashing]

I'm still getting used to hearing it all called bending. You're right, though. What you're thinking.

[He admitted softly.]

It's not just being from so far in the past that I have to be careful about. It's also because something has upset the balance enough to bring me here when there's already one of my future lives in this time. I'm not sure it's safe for her if I'm open about it.

[teaspirited]

[Iroh sets down his tea and places a fist against his open palm, bowing slightly. If Wan's willing to be open about his identity with him, he's just as willing to return the favor.]

I can understand your concern. I have already warned my nephew to be careful since he is still alive in this time, though much older. If something happens to him here and now, it could affect his future self that belongs here. I may have fewer problems blending in, but my nephew has a statue in his honor as a founder of this city. You remarked on it at the tea shop earlier today.

[raavashing]

[Wan set his own cup down and returned the bow. Though his hand cupped the other rather than remain open.]

Your nephew is Zuko. I met him. At the statue, funny enough. He was pretty upset about it. But it's a good likeness.

[He mused for a moment before picking his cup back up and leaning back against the couch so Mula could rest her head against his shoulder once more.]

Is that how you know Avatar Aang, then? Through him?

had to do some research :T

[teaspirited]

That's what I told him.

[He picked up his tea again, heating it back to steaming hot with his hands against the cup. His grin flickered for a moment at Wan's question.

In a way, I suppose the short answer is yes. The story is more complicated than that and I'm not sure how much of Zuko's past you know or may have heard. The first time we met face-to-face was really more our second. The Moon Spirit's life was in danger and we were both warning its captor to leave the spirit in peace. Even if we didn't succeed in stopping him from killing the spirit, there was a girl... Yue, I believe her name was. Some of the Moon Spirit was alive in her, and she willingly gave it back to revive the spirit at the cost of her own life. [If he was smiling before, it was gone now.] I believe the bay here was named for her.

I was able to properly talk to Aang after I sought out help from him and his friends in Ba Sing Se. Zuko had been taken prisoner by the Dai Li, the city's secret police, who were under my niece, Azula's control. He asked me for some advice as we went to rescue him and his friend Katara who had also been captured.

[He paused in his story to take another sip of tea.]

After that, I did not see him again until after war, when he and Zuko had become good friends.

[raavashing]

The Moon Spirit was killed?

[Wan's eyes flashed brilliant white for a moment as anger flushed hotly through him. The glow was brief and in the next moment Wan was bowing his head and setting his cup down, face twisted in mournful sadness.]

I read about the battle at the Norther Water Tribe and how Yue was honored with the naming of this bay for giving her life to defend the spirits. But there were no other details given. I wish I could say I can't believe any human would be so terrible.... but I've known humans just as bad as that.

[One could argue he'd been as bad or worse when he separated Raava from Vaatu.]

You and your nephew, and Aang, have all be through a lot. I wish I'd been able to do more in my lifetime to prevent this.

[teaspirited]

The man responsible is long gone. It would seem the Ocean Spirit took him in retribution.

[He had a very good source for that information. But he doesn't want Wan blaming himself for things outside of his control. Especially not things happening nearly ten thousand years later.]

Wan, you had no way of knowing what would happen thousands of years in the future. Avatar or not, you could not have predicted these things. Everything happens for a reason, even our pain and suffering. They shape us into who we are just as much as the good times we share with good friends.

[raavashing]

None of this would have happened if it wasn't for my actions, though.

[Wan muttered, putting his head in his hands as he felt the old guilt rise up again. He couldn't change the past and he couldn't get away from it and even ten thousand years later the world was feeling the repercussions of his one singular, supreme act of stupidity.]

So much of this could have been avoided if I hadn't acted without getting the whole story just that once.

[teaspirited]

What are you talking about? [Iroh was genuinely confused, but his concern was what showed. Surely whatever he did wasn't that bad. ...Right? He rose slowly and brought himself and his tea so he could sit next to Wan without interfering with Mula's space on the other.]

[raavashing]

[Wan looked up as Iroh moved and realized he was getting too loose-lipped. Too close to spilling every secret he had. There was something about this man that made it so easy to just start talking. Like you could tell him anything and he could somehow help you through it.

No wonder the spirits liked him.

Wan didn't have to force the smile that came to his lips, but he shook his head all the same.]

Thank you... but don't worry about it. I shouldn't let it get to me like this, anyway.

[He bobbed his head and tried to change the topic.]

I hope I can trust you not to tell anyone any of this? About me being the Avatar.