A/N: Hello and welcome to my first ATLA fic! :) I've read quite a few and I've been inspired! I want to write my own now. :) So here is the beginning of a series (yes, as in more than one)! If there's anything you want to suggest, by all means. I am open to your ideas and I'm happy to credit them as such. I have the basic plot of things outlined and there will be at least 3-4 fics of undetermined length. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them! :)
And with that I present to you, my first fic: The Journey.
Dear Lady Katara,
My dear child, it has been far too long since we last spoke, so I thought that perhaps I would write you. I hope things are going well in the South Pole. How has the rebuilding been going? I hear that the houses are much stronger now and there are more buildings. Perhaps I should come and see sometime.
Things at the Jasmine Dragon as running smoothly. I have hired an assistant to help me run things. I admit that perhaps a little help is good in old age. I am not in as good of shape after the war. An old man gets spoiled running a tea shop. We have many customers and I am constantly working on making the teas the best they can be. I will send some along in a package soon. I hope you enjoy.
While I am still running the Jasmine Dragon, I am thinking of taking a short vacation of sorts to the Fire Nation. Zuko has been awfully stressed lately. Sometimes my dear nephew forgets that even though he is Fire Lord, he is still human. That and still a boy, perhaps less of that now though. More of a man, but still to me he will always be a boy. I think it would do him some good to see some old friends.
Speaking of old friends, how is your brother doing? Piandao came to visit for tea recently and he asked after young Sokka. And your family as a whole? Have you heard from the rest of your friends lately? I have not heard from Miss Beifong lately and I wonder if she is too busy for someone to read the letters to her. I suppose her Metalbending School must keep her occupied.
But enough about me and my silly little worries. I cannot wait to hear back from you. I look forward to hearing about things in the Southern Water Tribe and your life in general.
Sincerely,
Uncle
(How many times have I told you to call me that? I expect to see that in my letter back. No more General Iroh or Iroh. You are practically family.)
With that final stroke of the brush, Iroh got up and walked over to his messenger hawk. He gave the bird a small snack as it was fed long ago, and smiled at it. The bird was a gift from his nephew so they could communicate more. Ironically enough it was his nephew who generally forgot to write or respond. The former General shook his head and attached the letter to the hawk's leg.
"Take this to the Southern Water Tribe. Katara should be there and this is for her." He said simply, knowing the bird would understand. With simply a noise in response, it flew off towards it's destination.
And there ends the Prologue! :) I promise you that every chapter will not be letter based, but it seemed a good introduction to things. Iroh was always a man of (many) words and wise ones at that. So I thought he'd be the perfect way to open things!
Please leave your thoughts in the form of a review! I can't wait to see feedback!
Love you folks!
~ Different Child
(azuremoon on Painted Blue)