Tales of Four Nations

Collections of one-shots from the ATLA and LoK universes.
For Season 4 of the Pro-Bending Circuit

The Art of Brewing

Prompt:
Write a story about a seemingly insurmountable obstacle. Choose one of the following emotions to be included: fear, happiness, hope, regret, sadness. Minimum of 300 words
Words: 670

Iroh has faced more than his fair share of challenges throughout his reasonably long life thus far. He's been brother to a power-hungry prince itching to overthrow him as heir to the Crown, has led armies out to war. He's lost countless soldiers, friends, a son, to a cause he now knows was hollow and perfidious. He's followed his banished nephew out to sea in what was considered a hopeless quest for the Avatar.

Not many of these things, however, have been as challenging as teaching said nephew- now Firelord- to brew tea.

He remembers the first attempt as if it were yesterday. 'Bracing' had been the generous description of a loving uncle. Serving in the tea shop had not done much to improve his skills.

Nevertheless, Iroh firmly believes that the ability to brew a perfect cup to be of the utmost importance. Therein lies the key to becoming the leader he knows the young bender can be. He has therefore taken it upon himself to teach his nephew the art of brewing.

An impossible task, maybe.

But Iroh is a man of faith, and Zuko has never been one to back down from a challenge- he did find the Avatar, after all.

Choose your tea leaves carefully. It is the very foundation on which rests your drink. Withered too fast, the tea becomes harsh and bitter. Too slow- the stewing diminishes the quality.

The second attempt, two weeks after the coronation, causes Iroh to shudder visibly and Zuko glowers. He storms off to his study, muttering about 'hot leaf juice' and 'dealing with incompetent ministers'.

Ginseng soothes the mind and the body. Jasmine boosts your health and gives you strength.

He doesn't even drink the third attempt; at the sight of the thick, black sludge at the bottom of the pot, Zuko sends it flying across the kitchen and they both hear the delicate porcelain smash against the wall.

"That was my third favorite set."

At the door, Zuko stiffens. "Sorry, Uncle. I'll buy you a new one." With a tense bow, he disappears through the doors.

Iroh doesn't miss the roar of frustration that echoes down the hall.

Infused too shortly, it lacks flavour and potency. Too long, the bitterness infiltrates the taste buds, spoils the pleasure and effect.

Subsequent attempts all end in various degrees of failure, and Iroh sees the mounting frustration in his nephew's tense shoulders over the last couple of months. War has had a negative impact on the Fire Nation's economy, and the colonies are an inevitable topic of discussion at each council meeting. Zuko's buried in paperwork and endless meetings, and it's starting to show in the pallor of his skin and the dark circles under his eyes.

"It's tea," he grits out in frustration. "It shouldn't be this hard."

He closes his eyes and breath. In and out, in and out.

"I can do it." He's talking about the tea, Iroh knows, but it's also about more.

The determination in his face is oddly familiar, and Iroh believes him.

Water at the right temperature, leaves plucked and dried just so, carefully monitored infusion time and a generous helping of patience: those are the ingredients to the perfect cup of tea.

The final attempt- Iroh has lost the exact count, but it must be around the thirty-sixth or thirty-seventh- takes place in Zuko's study. He watches his nephew carefully boil the water in the pot with his palms, and drops the leaves. The expression of utmost concentration on the young man's face brings a smile to his face, one he quickly dissimulates under a mask of impassiveness. Zuko perks up after a moment and pours golden liquid into a cup, before handing it to his uncle with care.

Iroh takes a sip under Zuko's wary eye- and beams.

His happiness is only rivaled by the pride etched in his nephew's fine features.

Never give up without a fight.

"You brew, nephew, like you bend and rule. And live."