"Mmmm,well done, this tea is delicious," said the retired general as he stared down at his granddaughter, her hands clasped on her lap, eyes trained on his face to watch his reaction to the brew.
"Im glad you like it, Grandpa," she said, a shy smile gracing her face. "Father said your favorites were Ginseng and Jasmine, so I tried a mix of my own."
Iroh stroked his beard contemplatively, the hairs of it long since gone from grey to white, while calmly drinking the rest of his tea, a pleasant smile on his face.
"You have learned well in the art of teamaking, my young pupil," Iroh joked, winking at the brown haired girl. She really did take after her father he thought, as he watched as the shy smile formed into a grin and then into a laugh. The glee at the complement played on her nine year old face, her long hair flowing down her back and swishing with the motions of her head as she shook her head in mock disappointment, her golden eyes closing as she made sounds of disapproval.
"For a girl who looks and acts exactly like her father, let's be glad you didn't inherit his skill in tea making...bleh!" Iroh scoffed, and the girls laughter started with renewed vigor.
"Would you like to continue?" the old man asked, gesturing to an abandoned game of Pai Sho, its table in the left corner of the vast room. Iroh had begun teaching his granddaughter the basics of the game at the ripe age of four. Honora had a quick mind for her age and what had at first been tentative placements of tiles on the board had blossomed into an easy confidence with the game. The girl had even managed to beat her grandfather a few times. The Dragon of the West chuckled as he recalled the girl's expression as she beat him for the first time.
"I... I can't believe it!," his granddaughter had practically squealed, her eyes wide at the realisation of her accomplishment. "Grandpa, I just beat you!" After the initial shock was over, her small five year old face had held a smug look as she pointed to her grinning elder. Iroh had praised her, and set off to make some tea with one of his special blends as celebration.
Since then, Honora had managed to beat him an astounding number of times. Few people rarely held the upper hand when it came to playing Pai Sho with the Grand Master, but Iroh enjoyed the challenge. It also gave him the opportunity to spend time with his only granddaughter while her father was busy with his Fire Lord duties.
Honora nodded and began to get up from her seat, her red robes making a rustling sound as she walked to the game table. Halfway to her destination, she stopped short, a hand coming up to her mouth in a gasp. Whirling around, she blinked and quickly bowed to her grandfather in the traditional Fire Nation style. Taking quick steps toward the door, she explained her hasty departure, looking over her shoulder as she did so.
"I'm late for firebending practice! Will you join me in the courtyard to watch?"
Iroh nodded as he watched her small figure disappear, heading out towards the practice courtyards. He put his teapot and cups away, all the while contemplating the joy the simple things in life brought him. The war was 15 years past, and after the initial chaos ensued, the world, it seemed, was now in order, all four nations working together. The Air Temples had been restored to their former glory thanks to the Avatar and feuds over territory and refugees had been eventually settled in all corners of the world with help from ambassadors like Katara of the Joined Water Tribes and a few others.
His nephew had done wonderfully in his new role, so unlike his predecessor, ruling with fairness and a decisiveness that Iroh had to admire. Yes, his nephew had done well with his life, despite his struggles in his younger years. The man had even gotten married, and now held his own well-deserved share of happiness. Iroh recalled how at one point, he thought the boy had been lost forever, sucked into the toxic environment that was Fire Lord Ozai's court after Ba Sing Se. He had been so relieved and happy when, just days before the arrival of the fabled Sozin's Comet, he had found his nephew in his tent upon waking, begging for his forgiveness. Iroh had simply held him as they both cried, never having held contempt for the boy, only glad he had found his way back to the correct path.
Iroh walked with his hands clasped together under his great flowing sleeves, making his way to the courtyard/arena that was commonly used for firebending practice. He liked to watch the occasional spars between father and daughter when he could, sometimes even taking over a lesson to teach his granddaughter a few special tricks or a new form. Despite his aging body, the Dragon of the West still sparred occasionally with his nephew or the aforementioned's wife, just to keep in shape and to keep his techniques from getting rusty. These sparring sessions had no violent purposes, but were simply for staying agile or testing his granddaughters ever evolving skills.
As he passed the turtle duck pond near the family quarters, Iroh felt a hand clamp down on his right shoulder in a amicable way.
"You're late," he commented with a smile on his face, not having to look to guess who the new arrival was. "Honora will be waiting for you."
"I know, I know Uncle," came the raspy voice. "I just had a meeting with one of the Earth Kingdom Ambassadors, and they took forever to finish."
Zuko had changed from his Fire Lord attire into his sparring garbs, a white flowing shirt complete with wrist & chest guard, his black pants tucked into his calf length leather boots. He walked alongside Iroh, a hand lifting to rub his neck in an offhand way.
They came to the courtyard to see that the young girl had already begun practicing her forms, occasionally sprouting fire from her small fists as she moved to and fro with precise and controlled movements. Hearing their approach, though silent, she stopped mid strike and turned around to face her father and grandfather, arms crossed and a brow raised.
"You're late", she chorused Iroh's earlier statement, an unimpressed look on her face. Her words were directed at the Fire Lord.
Iroh chuckled as he watched his nephew's calm look break into a momentary scowl at his daughter's haughty accusation, only to be replaced with a small smile.
"Im sorry, Honora, but the Earth Kingdom Ambassador made me late. I'll make it up to you." Zuko motioned to the courtyard's ancient cobblestones, some spots black with soot from previous fires. "Shall we?"
He descended the 3 steps off the raised dais of the pathway, and gave his daughter a grin as he faced her.
"Show your Grandpa and I what Master Ling has been teaching you. Are you ready?"
Iroh sat down cross legged beneath the red tiled roof covering the pathway, leaning against one of the great marble pillars. He readjusted his robes underneath him, making himself comfortable, and looked up to see Honora nodding and both benders bowing to each other before positioning themselves into fighting stances.
With a smile, the Fire Lord made the first move, a low kick, sprouting fire from his feet. Honora dodged, returning the attack with fire spurting punches, aiming for her father's chest. Zuko easily deflected the blows, and the two continued to circle each other, taking brief moments of pause between sets of attack to regain their breath, which had become heavy. Iroh had to admit, the girl was an excellent firebender, quick on her feet and agile. He continued to watch the "fight" between father and daughter, and smiled when he saw Honora dodge a fireball and duck behind a pillar. His grin went even wider as he heard her breathing and gasping from behind it. His nephew frowned, letting his guard down in a moment of fatherly concern . The Fire Lord walked towards the pillar, worry evident on his face. Three steps away, the Fire Lord let out a yelp as his daughter sprung from behind the giant pillar began mercilessly throwing firepunches and breathing fire at her father, having faked exhaustion. Iroh laughed at the girl's cunning and devious strategy. Oh yes, this girl would soon become a Master.
The Fire Lord, having previously dropped his guard, struggled against the barrage of flame, barely able to deflect it. Falling and rolling to the side, Zuko dodged another fireball, this time aimed for his head.
"Do you concede to defeat , oh mighty Fire Lord?" his daughter taunted, a smug look on her face, towering over her father, one arm out aimed to his face, ready to strike again.
Zuko laughed, obviously proud of his daughter.
"Yes, you got me. Very ingenious of you, using my concern to your advantage. You'll make a fine Firebender one day."
The girl blushed at the praise and stood back, unconsiously brushing back a piece of hair that had come out of her braid.
The Fire Lord got up and went to get him and his daughter a towel to wipe off and a cool glass of lemonade, sitting on a tray on a low table nearby.
Iroh watched his nephew hand a towel to his daughter, wiping his head with his own and settling down on the steps near his uncle, Honora following suit. As the old man watched the two, smiling and joking with each other, he smiled to himself. Yes, things had most definitely changed for the better. Out of all the terror and struggle the war had brought upon his family, they had found peace at last.
