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Post by sho on Oct 22, 2006 19:36:04 GMT -5
Sho watched with almost child-like bliss and eagerness as the ship drifted closer to the docks. The ships, the different colored banners waving against the sky, the calls of the sea birds, the salty smell… the whole port brought back a rush of familiarity, memories and emotions that had coincided with his work at the docks in the Fire Nation. He blinked, and then realized that he had really not been gone from his home for that long, but he was surprised on how long ago it seemed. It seemed like it had been such a long time since he had last seen his father, or come trudging through the streets into a warm house after a long day of work, with a delicious, steaming aroma wafting through the rooms…. His mother’s cooking.
Sho clutched his aroused stomach, just in time to become attentive as the prince spoke to him. The servant observed him silently for a moment, that was, until the prince abruptly turned and walked away. Zuko was restless, Sho concluded a moment later. And he certainly had reason to be, he then thought suddenly. If Sho, who had only been at sea a few days, missed his home so much, missed the comforts of it, the people… then he couldn’t even imagine the distress the prince must feel after being away from his home and on this cold, metal ship for two, long years.
For a few more minutes, Sho stood, staring thoughtfully over the horizon, thinking about what it must feel like. And honestly, he couldn’t think of it.
The ship finally connected with land, and steam hissed as the gate lowered and sunk into the sand. Instantly, crewmen began to scatter away in groups, eager to complete their various tasks, so they might be blessed with some free time. Sho blinked and simply stood on the deck, looking out as far as he could see. The island buzzed with activity, and, at first, it was almost overwhelming. There was so much to do and he had hours of freetime. What was first?
Sho's stomach grumbled again.
Oh. Right.
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Post by iroh on Nov 28, 2006 17:28:49 GMT -5
Iroh sat on his short stool playing a solitaire card game. He was tuned out of the outside world, and in to his intense game. He was almost done!
Finally, the ship came to an abrupt stop. Yes, Nadai Island! Iroh's first thought was tea and then he saw men running out of the boat. Leaving his unfinished card game, he shot up (with some back pain, unfortunately) from his stool, and started to walk fast out the ship.
He spotted Zuko in the mingling and shouted, "Zuko! Zuko! Come with me to the tea shop. I can smell it from here." He grabbed Zuko's arm carelessly and was ready to take off. Then he saw it: The tea shop. The old man saw packets of imported tea sitting on racks outside the pretty building. The tea shop also had a small tea-bar for tasting. Smoke floated out the brick chimney like. Iroh's eyes only saw a giant steamy teacup, all for him. He tugged on Zuko's arm and could not wait any longer.
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Post by zuko on Nov 28, 2006 20:36:54 GMT -5
Before Zuko could take a step toward the sandy docks, he was abruptly grabbed by the arm, rather tightly, and was literally pulled off the ship. The adolescent knew his uncle was going to be in an unnecessary hurry to get off the ship...but dragging his nephew along to a tea shop?
"Uncle! Let go!" Zuko protested, trying to pry his uncle's fingers off his arm, but to no avail. Zuko's feet forcefully moved on the land and into the town. Solid ground felt unstable for a second, but then Zuko quickly gained his land legs and continued his complaining. Iroh had a firm grip and was apparently more determined than ever to reach his beloved tea. People from the town began casting strange glances at the two firebenders, whispering among their friends and relatives. It was obvious that they were Fire Nation, but it just made them even more conspicuous as they rushed through the groups of people. When they finally reached the small tea shop, Zuko finally freed himself from his uncle's grip and stood irritably with his arms crossed.
"Well, we're here. Just hurry up and get your stupid tea..." Zuko knew his uncle would probably take for what would seem like an eternity just to decide on tea, making it very annoying for the prince. However, Zuko did not leave his uncle's side knowing that if he did, his uncle would surely get too carried away with the unnecessary shopping and use up their needed money. So, sighing quietly, Zuko stood and impatiently waited.
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Post by sho on Dec 1, 2006 19:32:55 GMT -5
Letting his nose lead him, Sho wandered into the hectic crowd that inhabited the ports. At first the young servant was afraid the red fabric of his clothing and the light, golden tint to his eyes would attract attention. However, as he was alone and quiet, Sho attracted little notice. At least, he thought so, but he was distracted by the aching grumble that irritated his stomach and the alluring smells that wafted in the air.
After gently pressing himself past bustling men and women and much glancing around at some of the few shops and stands that populated the port, Sho was growing very frustrated at the lack of satisfying options. Just as he was about to turn down another street, however, Sho spotted some tempting rolls that smelled as though they were freshly baked. His stomach moaned in longing, but with another twitch of his nose, Sho’s attention glided over to a nearby building. The smell was earthy, steamy, and tinted with cinnamon. It was fabulous to put it simply, and with much eagerness, Sho began to jog over towards the neat, little building, just barely missing a collision with a young teenage girl, who raised a slender eyebrow in mild interest as he rushed by.
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Post by iroh on Dec 6, 2006 21:57:21 GMT -5
Iroh was at the stairway to heaven. The old man took a deep breath as he stood outside the building right before the steps to the door next to the unenthusiastic Zuko. Fresh scents of tea entered Iroh's nose which caused a wide smile on his wrinkly face. He started to walk slowly into the shop with much excitement.
As the large door creaked open, his eyes feasted on exactly what he pictured. The Dragon of the West laid his eyes upon many many racks of tea packets, which were brown pouches tied with a think darker brown rope, arranged in a neat, organized system which was posted on each rack. Employees greeted Iroh and showed him into the store. The place was not crowded, but it did have a fair amount of customers. On the side of the shop was a desk where the customers would buy. On the other side was a bar-come-mini cafe.
The uncle got lost in the excitement and forgot about his nephew, his crew, and anything else that was on his mind. He scavenged each rack finding tea he liked best. He wanted to go to the cafe, to the expensive/rare tea section, and explore even more. Thinking that Zuko was right by his side, he asked, "I'm unsure of these two selections. Which would be better?" Iroh held up two types of tea packets to his side as he continued his engrossment in searching for other tea and waited for a reply.
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Post by zuko on Dec 8, 2006 20:39:11 GMT -5
Zuko kept his eyes on the crowd as his uncle excitedly searched the shelves and cases of tea around the shop. As his eyes locked on the crowd, he thought about how long it was going to take to get everything needed and then to leave. He had to be on the alert for the Avatar and to stay on top, keeping the royalty he had left in him alive. It was what he was taught to do, after all...or rather, what he was told to do. He didn't belong here among this crowd of commoners or even in a crowd like this at all - he belonged at home in his palace with his throne. Glancing around at the moving faces and busy shops, he felt like he stood out in the armor of his Nation. True, he was casted glances of hatred and others of curiosity, but he was used to it by now. Besides, their thoughts didn't matter to the prince at all...
Just as quickly as he was thrown into a daze, he was pulled back out by two packets of tea which his uncle busily held up, asking which one would be best. His uncle should know by now that Zuko really didn't care that much about tea, much less know what kind was best to drink.
"Uncle, I don't care. Just get both," Zuko replied, his forehead creasing with a scowl not even taking a second glance at the packages of tea. Just as he finished his sentence, his gaze shifted to the shop which rested across a few buildings down from the one they were currently in. The smell of sweet food drifted in the air and people gathered under the flaps of the awning to eat in the cool shade. The store didn't appear to be very crowded, so the hungry prince decided it wouldn't hurt to take a look.
"I'll be right back," he called after his uncle, walking out of the tea shop and toward the building he currently had his eyes on.
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Post by sho on Dec 8, 2006 21:35:30 GMT -5
Sho took a deep, satisfying whiff of the delicious aroma as he stepped up to the neat, little building. He then took closer examination of it, lifting his foot on the first step of the entrance and taking a peek inside the doorway. His lips twisted into a smile as his eyes focused in on a certain employee who was pouring out a cup of steaming, sweet-smelling tea, and then another who was passing out a large roll, topped with some kind of sugary frosting.
It would probably be more beneficial to eat something… healthier. Sho thought grudgingly as he eyed the pastry. But Sho was starving, so he walked up into the tiny shop, his stomach aroused by enticing smell of cinnamon and spice. Tea’s healthy. It will balance out. he reassured himself.
However, just as he opened his mouth, about to call out to grab the attention of an employee, he noticed a familiar shape over near the bags of expensive tea. He hesitated, kind of surprised that he had managed to run into the old general so quickly in the horrendous crowd.
Yet again, Sho’s stomach let out an impatient grumble, interrupting his moment of surprise. Trying to act casual in a sophisticated kind of way, Sho made his way over to the counter, stopping near Iroh. He nodded his head towards him with a small smile.
“Hello.” Sho greeted. He eyed the many packages of tea the old general seemed to be taking interest in. For some reason, he wanted to make conversation. Perhaps to make up for all the times he had made such a fool of himself. “Finding anything?”
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Post by iroh on Dec 23, 2006 12:31:23 GMT -5
Iroh's face flattened after Zuko's remark. He always knew Zuko didn't care about tea. Iroh sulked and decided to take Zuko's advice which was taking both packets.
He turned to walk another way and was greeted by Sho, one of the crew members. "Hello!" answered Iroh. He was rather excited because he has not really had a nice conversation about tea in a while. He took a big breath and started to blabber on. "Well, Sho, that is your name, right? Well, I have these two packets of tea here. I do not know which one to purchase, and I only want to purchase one because they are rather expensive. I would like to buy more regular, non-expensive tea for every-day and use expensive ones for special occasions. They always say, 'Save the best for the best time!' Which one do you think I should buy? This one has a more stronger scent, and will last longer because of it's equally strong taste. The other one clears up your sinuses, supposedly, and is also supposed to be the most soothing tea around."
Iroh held up the two tea packets and eagerly waited for an answer. He just realized how much he spoke. Did he make a foot out of himself? Will Sho be ask eager as him? Bust most importantly, which tea will he pick?
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Post by zuko on Dec 24, 2006 21:44:47 GMT -5
Zuko ordered rather quickly once he reached the shop. He was hungry, so he didn't particularly care what he ate, as long as it was edible. The man running the shop seemed reluctant to serve for the demanding prince, but since money was needed, he did not reject.
A few moments later, the adolescent was handed his food in a carry bag. Since it seemed to be “un-princely” to carry his own supplies, he pulled one of his nearby soldiers aside.
“Take this back to the ship and prepare it immediately,” he ordered to the solider, who nodded obediently and headed back towards the docked ship. Zuko figured that the food would be waiting for him by the time he would make it back to the ship, making sure he would take his time strolling before hand – he did not want to wait longer for his food if he arrived at the ship too soon.
The prince decided he should go and check on his uncle. Agni would only know how much his eccentric relative had spent already. Or maybe he was still deciding on what tea packet he should buy? Zuko rolled his eyes at this thought. However, as he turned to cross the road to where his uncle was last seen, he also saw another familiar person standing next to Iroh. It was the servant – Sho, his “student” rather.
’Nevermind - uncle can handle it…’ Zuko thought to himself, quickly turning the other way and walking down a different road. He was not interested in running into Sho again for what felt like the hundredth time already. Zuko had seen the servant enough for one day, so without hesitating, he continued on his way down the road and decided he should check on the ship and see how his crew was handling things (not to mention see the food that he was craving to eat.)
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Post by sho on Dec 25, 2006 18:33:22 GMT -5
Sho’s eyes widened significantly as Iroh spoke, because he was just a bit baffled from the length and enthusiam of the reply he received. For a conversational “how’s the weather” type comment, Sho didn’t expect to get a paragraph in reply. Quickly, the young servant ran his fingers through his mess of shaggy black hair, his mind racing; it took him a few seconds to gather his voice before he could think up an answer that would not embarrass him.
“I… uh. I guess the second one would be more… practical… Sir.” Sho stuttered, his gaze quickly falling to the ground. He felt his cheeks getting just a bit hot at the brief reply he had given to the old general’s lengthy ramble (should he have said more or was it better to be blunt?), so quickly he turned to observe the rest of the little shop, catching a few more glimpses of red fabric in the meantime. Seemed a few crewmen were heading back to the ship…
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Post by iroh on Jan 2, 2007 16:04:04 GMT -5
Iroh seemed to have scared Sho... well, not in a bad way, but in a very un-welcoming way. The younger man replied and said the second packet would be the best buy. Iroh responded, "The second one, it is! And enough of this 'sir.' I am an old, retired man. No one has called me that in years, and I don't want that to change. Zuko is your 'sir,' not me." Iroh smiled and slapped the youngster on the back.
Iroh's stomach growled with much hunger. Like many other crew members, he did not eat a proper meal in a few days. Unlike the others, Iroh was in a tea shop instead of a restaurant or inn. "Sho, if you do not mind, I must leave. The tea packets needs to be purchased, which will probably take awhile considering how much I'm buying. My stomach is also empty, and they always say, never eat right before sailing, so I'll get some food after I leave the shop. I'll see you later on!"
Without a reply, Iroh went off to check out his large basket of merchandise. Was it rude of him to walk off like that? Well, he really wanted to... he didn't want to stop having the conversation (though it was short), but he just was hungry and excited to try out his new tea.
Iroh approached the ship, holding his large bag of tea packets and a pot of soup along with other small food items that he bought at a small shop on his way. He was going to have a nice meal, but before that, he would taste some of his new tea. The old man spotted Zuko and told him his day's plan of reading, drinking tea, and eating his hot meal.
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Post by zuko on Jan 7, 2007 20:39:47 GMT -5
Zuko approached his ship sometime later and looked up at the darkening sky. It was shaded to a purple color now along with some orange along the horizon. The town lights were beginning to brighten as merchants lit their store lanterns for the night ahead.
The fact that the day was ending almost bothered Zuko. He felt like the ship should be moving again and start searching for what he wanted - no, what he needed. But he knew that the tasks that had to be performed could not have been finished yet, so he would have to wait; whether he liked it or not.
By this time, Zuko's feet planted firmly on the hard metal of his ship as he ascended the stairs. He was stopped short, however, when his uncle Iroh approached him and began telling him his plans for the rest of the day.
"That's great, uncle," Zuko said flatly as he continued onto his ship, not really caring about all the different types of tea his uncle saw. The adolescent then remembered his meal that would soon be cooked and suddenly felt a bit better at the thought of hot food going into his mouth. But there was still some things that needed to be checked on.
Walking away from his relative, Zuko began to ask random crewmen if the tasks (repairs, food, stowaway, etc) were taken care of and how long it would take to finish everything. Zuko looked back out to the town, hoping that all of his crew would return on time and not stall him any further.
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Post by sho on Jan 8, 2007 20:19:46 GMT -5
Sho merely stood staring off after Iroh for a few moments after he disappeared, still a tad baffled. However, never one to be patient, Sho’s stomach gave another anxious growl, reminding the young servant of what had brought him to the small tea shop in the first place.
Sadly, Sho took a look at the large line developing near the back of the store then back at the tempting pastry. The smell was as delightful as ever, but how in the world could he stand here smelling it for surely what would turn into an hour without exploding? He certainly didn’t have the time anyway. Reluctantly, Sho strode out of the teashop, glancing to down both sides of the street, searching for another satisfying option. Though, his search didn’t last long. When Sho caught a glimpse of the sky, he was horrified to see the deepening red and purple that was taking over the cerulean blue of the sky. Had he really been gone that long? Surely the ship would be sailing away soon. Would they leave him? He needed to hurry!
Suddenly, Sho burst out into a sprint, trying to avoid ramming in to the others in the crowd, but not succeeding very well. He tried to call out his apologies each time as he flew past the startled islanders, but after several minutes of jogging, his breaths and voice came out in desperate gasps. Soon, the young servant came in viewing distance of the ship, and was relieved to see at least one soldier approaching the prince's boat as well. Sho hurriedly caught up behind the other crewman, knowing that at least he would be late with another.
Still panting, Sho climbed back on deck.
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Post by iroh on Jan 22, 2007 22:39:25 GMT -5
Iroh stopped in the middle of the hallway. He was going too fast. He needed these moments to last in his life, which would end eventually, but hopefully not soon. At these evening hours it was a little bit chilly, even inside the ship. Iroh put the handles of the shopping bags onto his arms and put his hands into his large sleeves. He restarted his walk to the kitchen.
Before he entered, he heard some men enter the ship and get some last-minute jobs done. The old uncle entered his room and got a chill because it was so cold. He started making some tea from some not-so-expensive packets and washed a cup for himself.
After what seemed like hours, Iroh put his elegant teapot, his cup, and a silky napkin on a wooden tray. Smiling, he walked to his cabin where would peacefully drink and enjoy his new jasmine tea from a small, but high quality tea shop at Nadai Island. The ship hasn't started to go yet, so he assumed that last minute preparations are happening.
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Post by angin on Feb 3, 2007 13:10:42 GMT -5
The crew men that weren't working on loading the ship confirmed the prince's questions with their own answers and the current status of th ship. Men wearing masks with full uniforms as well as less formal men in every manner of dress hurried to finish their duties of the day. Some were egar to go out to sea not wanting the judgemental glares of the town folk while the men who still hadn't come to terms with this distrust wanted to go into town and have some time to do as they pleased.
Angin himself had finished his share of the work quickly enough and was waiting for the prince to give orders on leaving the ship or leaving port. The town seemed to have some fine young women, no doubt they'd be putty in the hands of a tall handsome stranger. No doubt he could manage to have a small fling with one of the beautiful exotic women....
He smirked a bit watching the port with his back ageinst the side of the ship. This was no pleasure cruise but it was all ones perseption of the fact. Any traces of the avatar were erased from their sights and no doubt it bothered the boy prince but the rest of the crew felt differantly. In the same sence it was their ticket home to the fire nation. Every man on this vessel craved to see their home again but it was un likely that they'd return any time soon. The avatar though a child younger than their prince wasn't a force to be underestimated. Angin knew first hand, when he was escorting the small boy to the hold he never thought that the bald brat would outwitt him and the rest of the soldiers there. It was such an annoyance to pick the ice off of the ships hull.
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