Fish Brownies and Tea by: Kounellii
Kou's comments: I've only seen some of the episodes of Avatar and loved it! Especially Uncle Iroh's and Sokka's light-hearted humor. Just to recap, Uncle Iroh's tea shop is in Ba Sing Se called Jasmine Dragon.
Disclaimer: I still can't believe I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender's characters. Must remember to beg Nickelodeon for themX3
-+Your Place or Mine?+-
Standing in the slim shade of the overhanging sign of the Jasmine Dragon, Sokka impatiently squinted down the road. Sighing for the thousandth time, he squatted down and eased himself back against the warm wall. His meteorite sword rested against the wall next to him. He scowled and watched the little lizard-shaped lanyard Suki tied to the hilt of his sword, swish back and forth.
He sensed someone step out of the tea shop but paid him no mind. It was probably just another customer.
"You know Sokka, I can ask Fire Lord Zuko to have the Royal Swordsmith add a nice, little, dragon design if you want," suggested the older man in a deep resonant voice. He placed his hand on Sokka's shoulder, sending him clear to the moon.
"AHHH! Iroh, don't sneak up on me like that," he complained. Sokka massaged his throbbing backside after he fell back down in surprise.
Iroh placed his hand on his belly (which wasn't as large since he lost weight in prison) and laughed. "Oh ho, but it wouldn't be considered sneaking if I step out of my tea shop in broad daylight. Which I did."
The young water tribe boy and new legendary hero absolutely did not find it amusing. But he got over it. There was business to attend to.
A few months ago, Zuko's coronation brought mixed feelings from the people of the other countries as well as within Fire Nation itself. However, with the help of Aang, Katara, Toph, Sokka, Suki, and the rest of the water tribe men who fought with the Avatar; they spread the news far and wide of Zuko's aid at the ancient Air Temple, teaching Aang to fire bend, down to the defeat of Azula.
Of course, they didn't leave out details such as Zuko dragon-dancing with Aang.
That was courtesy of Uncle Iroh.
He was very proud (and entertained) to hear that his nephew and the Avatar learned one of the ultimate techniques of fire bending. In his defense though, he said to a glowering and embarrassed Zuko, "What? The people of Fire Nation would LOVE to hear that their new Fire Lord danced with dragons. It's an immense accomplishment, Your Highness. You should tell all your guests who visit Fire Nation that story."
Fanning the dust off the tail end of his shirt, Sokka stood up straight and greeted his older friend properly.
He bowed his head slightly, then looked up at Iroh with an eager expression on his face.
"So, did you get my instant message? Haha, get it? INSTANT MESSAGE," laughed Sokka, slapping his knee in the process. "Cuz it's sent by the fastest way through air by my messenger bird?"
Iroh scratched his beard bemusedly not knowing whether he should pretend to laugh or tell him he'd laugh later. But his bad pun reminded him of something.
The former Fire Nation general had led many sieges in his day. After long days of walking, days of fighting and recuperating, he and his troops would often feel down and out. Now the warriors of his troop weren't all bad.
In fact, the farther they got away from Fire Nation, the more relaxed and fun they became. Often, the others would try to tell "You're so hot" jokes to increase morale.
Or at least get a few laughs.
And this instance of Sokka's jokes reminded him rather painfully of it (in the cringing sort of way).
"Ooh, ah, good one! Er, ahahahaha!" laughed Iroh a bit forcefully. He looked heavenward when Sokka closed his eyes to wipe away his own tears of mirth.
"But seriously though, you did receive it right?"
He ran his fingers through his grey beard thoughtfully.
"You know Sokka, I have watched you when you're with your friends and my nephew, and you, well, uh-"
Feeling clouds of compliments coming on, Sokka smiled widely up at the old man.
"Uh-huh, uh-huh, have you noticed my finely developed muscles? Ooh, ooh, or my new skills of swordsmanship?"
Uncle Iroh blinked in the innocent gaze Sokka was shooting at him. "Not quite. But what I am trying to tell you is that you don't always 'bring the house down' if you know what I mean."
"… Ehh? Well, I mean, that's true. But I know that deep down, they were all laughing. Yeah, laughing. We were in the middle of an Avatar-vs-Fire-Nation-World-Domination crisis for crying out loud! So of course, y'know, they just couldn't laugh like I can at times of um, crisis?" finished Sokka lamely in one breath. His tanned face was blushing. He averted his gaze to the side.
"It's okay. Because I like the optimism and energy you always tell your jokes with. It maybe so that there might be a little too much optimism, but that is what I enjoy most about your company. So about your letter, I would gladly be your partner," said Iroh with a reassuring smile at the legendary not-so-very-good-with-the-jokes Sokka.
But he still looked very glum about it. His ponytail was droopy and his blue eyes were downcast. Not many people knew this, but his love (or knack) for telling one-liners and wisecracks came from hearing his father, Chief Hakoda, tell them. He knew he didn't quite have Hakoda's ability for military briefing nor his charisma but Sokka thought he had that in spades.
Iroh patted him gently on the shoulder. Then he poked it with his forefinger, repeatedly.
"Ah, your muscles really have grown tougher! It's as if I'm pushing an iron kettle," Iroh added tactfully, at once relieved when he saw Sokka's smug smile.
Thank goodness he's easy to please, thought Iroh. He watched sheepishly as the young warrior perked up and energetically demonstrated several sword thrusts with an imaginary sword.
Sokka paused in mid-thrust and seemed to be puzzling out something. He walked up to Iroh.
"You know, of all the things I've joked about, and there have been a great variety if I do say so myself, (I'd say, thought-interrupted Iroh) I have never joked about tea. Even relatively."
It's amazing how one can think of doing that seriously. Iroh coughed.
"Can't say that I've heard any myself. Although I do tell some pretty good proverbs. Just ask Zuko."
"Hey yeah! He tried to imitate you once, but that kinda went over our heads. Scratch that, it didn't even make it over our heads. But I've got an idea, Iroh my man! I'll come up with tea jokes and you can teach me some wise sayings. It'd be a nice addition to my Sokkadvice (Sokka advice). If I feel like saying something helpful, I can bust out my penny-for-your-thoughts instead of my usual wisecracks. Whaddya say?"
Iroh averted his gaze this time.
"That sounds… fair. I think."
"Alright! So let's get going Iroh. The Fire colonies aren't gonna clean themselves up!" called Sokka over his shoulder as he grabbed his real sword and beckoned him to follow.
"Patience Sokka. You can't forget about your messenger bird," said Iroh, chuckling.
"Oh yeah! Thanks, Iroh. HAWKY! Get ooovver here!" he hollered. Then he remembered to whistle as the bird call he was taught by Bumi, Aang's literally old friend from Omashu when they visited.
Aang and the others took a few weeks to recuperate and, to put in Sokka's words "take a Fire Nation vacation cuz they so owe us." But during the past few months, one thing was clear: there's a lot of damage control to be done.
From forgotten prisons to bringing Fire Nation refugees back to their villages. Sokka came up with the idea for creating a rescue schedule. They'll split up into pairs (including other kingdoms and villages with able-bodied people) and receive their rescue assignment via Hawky to locations that Zuko pointed out needs cleaning up.
Zuko also sent out hundreds of Fire Hawks with duplications of Sokka's request which set the plan in motion.
Since Aang, Katara, and the other benders did the heavy fighting at the forefront and needed more time to relax, Sokka took up the first round of missions. He decided on asking Iroh to join him as they journey on Appa, Aang's air bison, toward some of the abandoned prisons and villages near Fire Nation first.
As they climbed aboard (Sokka climbing, Iroh just jumped) and got Appa going, Sokka raised his voice to be heard over the rushing wind, "So what do you think about making a quick stop by Zuko's place? I know Ba Sing Se is pretty far from the palace so this would be a good time for you to visit. Y'know, cuz I heard from your tea shop waitresses that you only got to visit him once since the coronation."
Old Iroh's eyes widened in surprise. He looked over at Sokka, who was lounging back against the ledge of the saddle, pretending to be laid back like he didn't say anything so considerate. Just like someone he knew.
A small smile formed among the wrinkles of Iroh's face.
"Sokka, I wouldn't mind it if you called me Uncle."
Sokka's head immediately jerked in Iroh's direction. "SERIOUSLY? Wow, even Pakku didn't let me call him grampa or even Gram-Pakku!"
Iroh couldn't help but laugh at that last nickname. "Sokka, you remind me of someone," he remarked, this time in a melancholic tone.
"Huh? Who?"
"My younger brother, Ozai. Back when he wasn't so bad."
EXTRA: It was so sad Pakku didn't let Sokka call him grampa. And Sokka called Iroh, Iroh, not Uncle in Book 2 (episode where Iroh asks Team Avatar for their help to rescue Zuko). But for the sake of showing their closeness, he gets to call him Uncle too. Please review!