Disclaimer: OK I do not own avatar - There ya go.
Chapter 2: The Gaang Rides Again
Katara climbed over the saddle and onto Appa's head. She crawled up behind Aang and, wrapping her legs about his waist, she grabbed his shoulders and pulled herself forward to kiss his cheek.
"Are you OK?" She asked, wrapping her arms about his chest.
Aang had filled out a bit over the years. He was as tall as Zuko though leaner and his face had thinned only slightly while his still rounded cheeks gave him a more youthful appearance. He still kept to his Air nomad traditions; shaved head, loose red and tan shirt and pants. And of course his ever present blue arrow tattoos, the most prominent being the large one on his forehead which ran over his scalp and down his back. He had matured a little more (though he'd always been wise for his age) but he was still a big kid at heart. Although he was the Avatar, the only one in the world able to Bend all the elements, he never let the responsibility or his duties dull his enthusiasm for life. Whenever there was a carnival around or just fun to be had Aang would be there. Which was one of the main things Katara loved about him, his sense of fun and adventure always keeping her on her toes. That and his constant desire to impress and please her. They were always on the move, always helping people, life was one long, happy adventure. Katara supposed that's what kept her so fit. She still wore her usual blue, form fitting tribe clothing and still kept her sleek, brown hair pulled back in a long plait. She knew she was considered quite beautiful by the compliments she received when she was out on her own. Not that any of that mattered to Katara, she only judged her appearance by the joy she saw in Aang's large expressive grey eyes when he looked at her. The only obvious difference, to anyone who knew her, was the small blue and white pendant she wore around her neck. A rare piece of blue marble, it had the symbols of Water and Air carved on each side. Aang had spent months working on it in secret, which had been hard to do considering they were never far apart.
Back on Appa's head, Aang sighed and relaxed into Katara's grip.
"I'm OK, just, not looking forward to doing this again. Did you get them ready?"
"I'm just about to." said Katara, "Just wanted to see that you're OK first."
"I will be babe." said Aang, grabbing her hand and giving it a squeeze, "Just get them ready and we'll get it over with quick."
Katara climbed back into the saddle and what she saw made her laugh. Toph and Mai reclined against the side of the saddle while Zuko kneeled over Mai. He had his face pressed against her abdomen burbling muffled nonsense words.
"Who my widdle baba den?" He said to Mai's stomach, "Who dat widdle baba in dere?"
Toph grinned, rolling her eyes while Mai covered her mouth with her hands to quiet her giggles.
"OK, that's enough, Daddy." Katara chided Zuko, laughing gently, "I need to fill in Toph and there's more to tell you as well."
The trio settled themselves against the side of the saddle and Katara sat across from them and took a deep breath.
"OK, here's what we all know so far." Katara said, looking at Toph, "and it isn't much."
"Aang and I were taking a rare break at home with the kids and Bumi was staying with us for a holiday when Aang fell into the Avatar State. I was so scared when he just collapsed, but Bumi took charge of the kids while I watched Aang." Katara paused, taking another deep, calming breath, "Aang woke up in about half an hour anyway and he said he'd been visited by Roku and many of the other Avatars. The Avatars say a great evil is coming to our world, something that could end the world."
"But what?" Toph interrupted, with her usual defiant grin, "And we could kick it's"
Katara placed her hand on Toph's knee, silencing her.
"What I tell you now is as much as even the Avatars themselves know." continued Katara, sitting back, "But Aang did say that the whole time he was speaking to the avatars, well, he said they seemed afraid, edgy and irritated. He said it was as though their wisdom had left them and they didn't know what to do."
Toph sat back and blinked, effectively silenced by this bit of news.
"Anyway, the Avatars told Aang he needed to gather his closest friends to him once more and be at the north pole glade by solstice."
"But." started Toph, but the others shushed her.
"I know, I know, solstice is tomorrow." said Katara, "But, the Avatars have shown Aang how to bring Appa into the Avatar state with him and once there the Avatars themselves channel energy from the spirit world through Aang and Appa. With this power, Aang says he feels like he could fly around the world in one night."
Katara looked down at her hands. "He doesn't like it though. Aang says its like something big and powerful is taking over when he uses the power. He said its like he has to give up being himself for a while and he wasn't sure the thing, this power, whatever it is, would let him come back. But when you two," she said, pointing to Mai and Zuko, "went off to pick up Toph on the lookout, Aang meditated and spoke to Roku some more. This power that the Avatars are channeling from the spirit world seems to be coming from one of the Great Spirits, one of the Guardians of Eternity was how Roku put it. Roku also said that never before in the history of man has one of these Great Spirits influenced the mortal realm directly, so something really big must be happening. And, that's it really, we don't know anything else. Bumi offered to take Ana and Gyatso back to Omashu for a holiday and Aang and I flew straight to the Fire Palace to get Zuko and Mai then down here to pick you up. Now we're off to get Sokka and Suki at the south pole, then from there to the north pole and hopefully, answers."
The three across from Katara sat open mouthed and blinked at her for a while.
"Wow, you said a mouthful, Sweetness." said Toph, quietly. "So, how long will it take to get to Snoozle's place then?"
"Hold on." said Katara and turn toward the front, "Aang! We're ready back here. How long do you think it'll take?"
Aang turned his head and called back over his shoulder, "A couple hours, maybe three. Everyone get settled and hold on."
"Here." said Zuko to Toph, repositioning himself so she was between him and Mai, "you'll want one of these."
He reached into a bag secured to the side of the saddle and handed Toph what felt, to her, like a waterskin with the top cut open.
"What's this for?" asked Toph
"Just trust me." was all Zuko told her.
Aang settled himself into a medative pose on Appa's head and slipped easily into the now familiar Avatar state. His eyes and tattoos flashed brightly, then glowed with a clear white light. Slowly at first, then faster, the glow spread from Aang following Appa's pale, tan markings until man and bison became beacons of light in the sky. Then Aang flung out an arm in front of him, palm out and from his palm poured golden light. The light extended out from Aang to about a body length ahead of Appa and formed into a ball. Then tendrils of light spread from the ball, moving out and back along Appa's body, meeting just behind his tail. Aang leaned forward, seeming to pour even more energy into the golden light and it sprang out into a sphere, encasing Appa in a golden cage of light. Then the passengers in the saddle felt themselves rise and fall as Appa began to sweep his wide tail in long slow strokes. With each sweep of Appa's tail the people on him felt a surge of acceleration, causing all of them to grip the saddle with white knuckles. The only one unconcerned was Aang, who merely stared straight ahead, the golden energy continuing to flow from his hand into the cage of light. Below them the land fled faster and faster until suddenly the coastline was passed them and within a few heartbeats they were far out to sea.
About an hour into the flight, Aang remained as he was, energy flowing from his outstretched hand into the cage of light. Zuko and Toph lay back to back in the centre of the saddle, an old waterskin with the top cut open clutched to each face as they moaned intermittently. Katara and Mai sat talking together at the front of the saddle (upwind of the airsick passengers) and occasionally one or the other would lean forward to check the suffering pair.
"I think I might give them a sedative for the trip up north" Katara said after checking them again
"Please." came a retched voice from within one of the waterskins.
"Oh my poor babies." said Mai with real concern in her voice. She saw Katara looking at her, "What?"
"I was just thinking." said Katara, blushing a little for being caught out, "You guys have changed so much. You and Zuko and Toph. And you've changed the face of the world you realize?"
"You and Aang were there doing your part too." Mai said blushing herself now.
"That was just political crap, placating all the old farts. All Aang and I ever cared about is helping the people. But you and Toph. You made those old farts dependant on the people. The people have the money and suddenly they're spending it outside the kingdom. So the old farts need to trade to get some money back and it all goes around. I remember Bumi loved the idea when we put it to him, he kept saying it was 'Pure mad genius'."
The last three words Katara tried say while imitating King Bumi's mad cackle. Both women laughed at the attempt. She got a moan from the 2 on the floor.
"But do you know the best - the most wonderful thing you did?" Katara asked.
Mai shook her head, smiling.
"You opened my eyes to love." said Katara softly, "You showed me that no mater how it happens, true love in any form, should be cherished and celebrated. And now , when we go into the villages and towns, I see it everywhere. In families and lovers, the old and the young and its wonderful to be able to see so much. And look at where all this has come from. Where's the mopey, depressed girl who used to throw knives at anyone who annoyed her? Where's the hard-ass little earth bender who bottled up every emotion? Where's the moody, unpredictable prince who got so mad at himself for breaking your mothers tiara at your engagement party he accidentally set fire to his own pants?"
Mai stifled a giggle at the memory.
"Don't you see how much you've changed?" Katara asked Mai, "You and Toph are two of the most influential women on the planet, not forgetting you've grown into two beautiful, caring women. And who is it that seeks the affections of these two beautiful women? Why, only the strongest and wisest Firelord in Firenation history. I just wanted you to know that I , we, Aang and I, we really admire you guys for all that you've done."
There was silence between the women for a moment.
"Wow, Katara. Thanks. That was really deep." Mai said with awe in he voice, then, "Have you been drinking?"
The two women laughed, throwing their arms around one another until the giggles subsided.
A while later, Zuko and Toph had settled into a restless sleep while Mai dozed next to Katara.
"Icebergs!" Katara's exclamation woke Mi with a start, "And look. I think Aang is slowing us down."
Sure enough, when Mai looked at Aang, the flow of energy from his hand seemed to be lessening, the cage of golden light around them dimming slightly. Below them, shining in the moonlight, she could see icebergs drifting in the ocean and off on the horizon she could see a line of white. They were almost there. Katara crawled back and began digging through the luggage tied to the back of Appa's saddle.
"Here, its lucky I brought plenty of spares." She said, tossing Mai a thick, blue traveling cloak. Katara took out some more cloaks and laid them over the sleeping pair, throwing one over her own shoulders and keeping another handy for Aang.
The golden light was dimming more noticeably now and the white coastline was much closer. Below them they could see the running lights and rising steam of a ship navigating the channels between the bergs.
"I think that's one of ours." said Mai, pointing out the ship to Katara.
"Oh, yes." said Katara, glancing down then she fixed her eyes on Aang, "Sokka did say in his last letter that it had been a good fishing season this year."
Mai watched as they crossed the coast and began to descend toward the South water tribe village. The village itself had not changed in appearance much over the years but had grown significantly larger. Still surrounded by a low circular wall, the homes within were still mostly made up of low, white domes. The only marked difference to the village was the large fleet of fishing vessels moored at the equally impressive docks and the large square building at the centre of the village. This central building (the only one built of stone and wood) was the official residence of the village chief but in such a small community it was also used for a school, a hospital and in a low stone room at the back - Sokka's workshop. As Appa dropped toward the structure, Aang dropped his arm and the golden light snapped out of existence. Aang slumped forward, moaning softly as Katara came forward to steady him and wrap him in a cloak.
"Thanks babe." Aang told her with a weak smile, "I'll be OK."
Appa dropped to the ground before the front door of the building with a bone jarring crash and promptly began snoring. Toph though, jumped immediately to her feet, her eyes wide and her face shiny with sweat. Before Mai could grab her, Toph had taken several running steps and hurtled over the side of the saddle. There was a short wail and a soft thump.
"Land." Toph moaned in ecstasy, "Oh, its soft and wet and I can't see it but IT DOESN'T MOVE!"
Mai laughed and went to help an unsteady Zuko off the bison.
Sokka had been crawling into bed next to his sleeping wife when the crash outside brought them both to their feet.
"What? What?" said Suki, looking around their bedroom sleepily.
Suki, like Mai, had not aged a day in ten years. Her reddish, brown hair was slightly longer, hanging down to just past her shoulders. Motherhood and her warrior training kept her in peak physical condition and she was very aware of the sly glances and occasional open stares she got from the other men in the village. But only one man mattered to her and around her neck she always wore the blue and green pendant Sokka had proposed to her with.
Unlike Suki, Sokka had changed a lot. Gone was the short, wiry teenager. He now stood as tall as any man in the village and between training with Suki and working around the village, he almost bulged with muscle. With his dark skin, bright blue eyes and long dark hair he was often forced to hide from female admirers lest he embarrass himself or (worse still) annoy Suki.
"If those boys have been in my workshop again." growled Sokka, marching out into the hall and approached the front doors. He flung open the doors to the frigid night and stood in mute surprise at the sight of Appa asleep in the snow and his sister and friends making their way to the door.
"Hey guys." he greeted them with a happy smile, "What," but that was as far as he got as something grabbed his ankle causing him to give a high pitched shriek. He looked down and saw Toph's pale face looking back up at him from under a blue cloak.
"Lemme in!" she growled at him and Sokka watched as she crawled between his legs onto the stone floor of the entryway. She collapsed, spread eagled onto the stone and rested her face against the floor with a contented sigh. Sokka looked back up to see his sister supporting Aang and behind them came Mai supporting Zuko.
"Must have been some party." he commented with a smirk while throwing his arms around his sister and best friend.
"Hey, Sokka." said Aang, wearily.
"Hey big brother." Said Katara, kissing her brothers cheek, "Just let us get these guys settled for the night and I'll explain."
Sokka could sense the seriousness in his sisters tone and in her round blue eyes.
"Alright, here let me help." he moved around and took Aang's other arm, guiding them down the hallway. Suki came out of her room, dressed in a warm green robe. She had heard the exchange and could also sense something amiss so she calmly took Zuko's other arm and helped them follow Sokka to the guest rooms.
Katara, Mai, Sokka and Suki left the guest room leaving a snoring Aang and Zuko to their slumber. Katara had just finished bringing them up to date.
"Well, this sucks." said Suki, while Sokka stared into the distance thoughtfully, "Just when everything is going so well, too"
"But why us?" Said Sokka, indicating himself and Suki, "If Roku says this danger comes from the spirit world, what good can me an Suki be?"
"I don't know, Sokka." said Katara looking at the floor, "We won't know what any of us can do till we get some answers and we won't get them till we get to the north pole."
Sokka's face took on a dreamy look, "The north pole in a day. Now that's going to be an experience."
"I just hope my sweethearts are up to it." Said Mai as they stepped into the entryway. She looked at the floor for Toph but seeing only the blue robe crumpled by the door she looked around, concerned. "Toph?"
"Here." came Toph's voice from a room off to the side, followed by the sound of children giggling.
"Oh no." said Sokka, hand coming up to slap his forehead, "The kids are up."
The four of them stepped into a large well furnished sitting room. A warm pile of coals smoldered in the fire place and positioned before it was a large comfortable chair. As they moved into the room the Gaang could see Toph sitting on the chair with a pretty little girl of around three years old with dark brown hair in pigtails and bright blue eyes. On the arms of the chairs sat two identical boys about 7 years old, Sokka and Suki's twin boys, Hakoda jnr and Maki. The boys were the spitting image of their father except for their hair, which was the same reddish, brown of their mothers. They were not perfectly identical, Hakoda had bright blue eyes like the grandfather he was named for while Maki's eye were a bright green.
"Aunt Tara. Aunt Tara." cried the two boys in unison, leaping up to throw themselves at Katara. Smiling, she held them to her tightly.
"Un Mai. Un Mai." said the little girl, bouncing up and down on Toph's lap with arms outstretched.
Mai laughed, and bent down to scoop up the little girl for a cuddle.
"Oof. Your getting big, Reena" said Mai to the little girl, "Pretty soon you'll be picking me up."
"Aww." said Reena and wrapped her arms around Mai's neck tightly.
"Alright." came Sokka's stern voice, "Hakoda, Maki, Reena. It is passed midnight and way passed your bedtime. Come on, the adults have work to do."
"Aww Dad." came three simultaneous wails.
"Its OK. I'll take them." said Toph, jumping up and reaching out to take Reena from Mai.
"Come on guys." said Toph to the boys, "I'll tell you the story of how your Mom and Dad brought down a whole fleet of Fire Nation war balloons back in the war."
"Aww." said Hakoda, "we wanna hear how Dad got sick on cactus juice,"
"And tried to swim across the desert." Finished Maki.
"Alright you two." said Suki, shooing the boys out the door, "Come on, Toph. I'll give you a hand."
After they had left, Mai tried unsuccessfully to hide a large yawn. Katara quickly followed suit.
"Why don't you two go join your men folk?" Sokka told Mai and Katara kindly, "I'd best go see if Dad's back from his fishing trip yet. Or failing that, I'll have to find someone in the village willing to watch the kids for a while."
"I can't imagine you'll have much trouble with that." said Katara
"Are you kidding?" said Sokka, rolling his eyes, "Too many of them remember ME as a kid."
Toph awoke feeling warm and contented. She was in a big bed with Hakoda and Maki either side of her and Reena asleep on her chest. She smiled, kissed the top of the little girls head and then gently extracted herself. The stone floor of the house gave her partial vision at least and she quickly orientated herself and made her way toward the kitchen to get something to eat. She could sense others moving about the kitchen, the smell of tea and breakfast making her walk faster. As Toph entered a familiar voice brought a wide smile to her face.
"There's my beautiful sleepy niece. Good morning, Toph."
"Uncle Iroh." she squeaked and rushed forward to wrap him in a hug.
Zuko stood at the counter, preparing tea while Mai cooked fish and small rice cakes for breakfast. They smiled at Toph's outburst, both knowing the younger woman had always had a soft spot for the old man.
"So what brings you down here?" Toph asked when she let go of Iroh.
"I was coming for a fishing holiday with Hakoda Snr." said Iroh, "We were going giant coi fishing off Kyoshi island but after hearing about this mission you are on with the Avatar I think I will suggest to Hakoda we take the children to Omashu. We can join up with Bumi, Ana and Gyatso for a big family holiday."
Mai brought over some plates of food and Toph sat down next to Iroh.
"Thank you my other beautiful niece." he said to Mai, "I am starved."
"Oh yeah?" said Zuko setting down cups of tea for them and reaching over to pat his uncle's round stomach making Iroh laugh. Indeed, Iroh's muscular physic had softened over the years until he now resembled his old self - back when he and Zuko had first been banished from the Fire Nation. His grey hair was a little lighter as was his beard but apart from a few more wrinkles around his eyes, Iroh hardly seemed to have aged at all.
They all sat down to enjoy breakfast.
"Hmmm." said Iroh as he tucked into his food with enthusiasm, "Good food. Wonderful company. Our lives would be very empty without these two in it my nephew."
"Don't I know it." said Zuko, smiling at the women he loved. Then a touch of sadness banished his smile and he looked down at his food.
"What is it, Nephew?" asked Iroh, who could not help but notice Zuko's mood change, "What is wrong?"
"Oh nothings wrong with us." said Zuko, looking up to smile at Mai and Toph again, "Its just, I wish I could make it official."
"What do you mean?" asked Iroh, confused.
"You know, Uncle." Mai sighed sadly, "It's the marriage thing again. We love each other so much and we want everyone to acknowledge Toph as a part of us, but well, you know."
"No. I don't." said Iroh, still very confused.
"The stupid nobles." Toph informed him crossly, "If the scandal got out, Zuko would loose the support of those pinheads and as much as I want this," she paused and looked sadly at Zuko and Mai, "I won't let them give up everything just for me."
The trio looked at each other across the table, then bowed their heads, playing with their food.
Iroh's confusion was suddenly replaced by a look of understanding and the other three were shocked from their sadness by Iroh's booming laughter. He laughed so hard he was forced to grab the tables edge to stop himself sliding off his chair, he even slapped the surface of the table a few times. Before the others could wipe the shock from their faces Hakoda, Maki and Reena bounded into the room to cries of "Uncle Iroh, Uncle Iroh!". Katara and Aang soon followed rubbing the sleep from their eyes. Sokka, Suki and Hakoda Snr followed soon after. Zuko and Mai jumped up to finish serving the breakfast while the others shared an impromptu reunion over breakfast.
Soon however, Aang mentioned that the day was getting on and Sokka announced that he and Suki had Appa packed and ready to fly. There were tearful goodbyes and everyone began to file out. All except Zuko who stood beside his uncle, a hand on Iroh's shoulder keeping him in his seat. Once everyone had left Zuko spun to face a smiling Iroh.
"How could you laugh at us that way" Zuko said to his uncle angrily, "You could have hurt Mai or Toph's feelings."
"I was not laughing at them." Iroh told him, still smiling, "Come over here, my nephew."
Zuko stepped forward, feeling confused himself now and Iroh promptly reached up and slapped his nephew's forehead with a loud 'Smack!'.
"Ow! Uncle, what?" Zuko stepped back and stopped when he saw his uncle's smile replaced with a look of amused disappointment.
"You have been Firelord for 10 years now Zuko." said Iroh, "But tell me my nephew, have you ever read the histories of the Firelords? Have you learned anything about your predecessors?"
"Uncle the Historians tell me," Zuko's voice failed him under Iroh's stern glare.
"Advisors." spat Iroh, "Fools who tell you what you want to hear or what they want you to hear. My nephew, I should leave you to figure this out for yourself but I could not be so cruel to my darling nieces."
Iroh paused and took Zuko's hands into his own a look of deep sadness on his face, "And all this time I believed you were hiding your relationship out of shame, but the shame is mine.". He dropped his sad gaze and looked at his nephew with love and compassion.
"My great-grandfather, Sozin's father, had 3 wives." said Iroh, as Zuko's eyes widened, "Many love ballads have been written about them and the history books say the 4 of them were inseparable for their entire lives. My great-great-grandfather had 8 wives and I remember reading about a Firelord from around 400 years ago who had over 50 wives. Oh, my foolish nephew. I hope you can forgive your foolish uncle for not realizing what you wanted earlier." Iroh pulled Zuko into himself and held him tightly, "But the answer has been before you all along. You are Firelord. You may have as many wives as you wish and the advisors," he spat the word again, "may say nothing about it."
Zuko was shaking, barely able to contain his excitement.
"Thank you Uncle." he thought to say first, "Do you know what this means? Wait. I have to tell Toph and Mai."
"Then we had best catch them before you are left behind." Said Iroh, starting to get up.
But Zuko had already gone.
Outside, Aang was already seated on Appa's head, reins in hand. Katara, Mai, Toph, Sokka and Suki were in the saddle while Hakoda Snr and the children gave Appa a scratch on the ground. Suddenly, Zuko tore through the door and without pausing, vaulted himself up into the saddle.
"Mai. Toph. Err, what?" Zuko's excitement was momentarily forgotten by the sight of Toph, snoring gently in a sleeping bag which was secured to the side of the saddle.
"I already gave her a sedative." said Katara, coming over too him, "Here." She thrust the neck of a small waterskin into his mouth and squirted a mouthful of something sweet inside. Zuko coughed and spluttered, going blue before he could swallow the strange liquid.
"Sorry Zuko." said Katara, patting him on the back, "But we've got to get moving."
"Its OK." he said brushing her off, "I have to tell, Whoa."
Zuko fell to his knees as the world began to revolve and swim around him.
"Wow. Mai, Mai." he called, reaching for one of the half dozen Mai's before him.
"Come here, Zuko." said Mai, pulling him over to her.
"Hey Mai." Zuko struggled to look at Mai and promptly went cross-eyed, "Your pretty." And with that he collapsed against her and began to snore.
Everybody laughed while Mai and Katara wrapped Zuko in his sleeping bag and secured him to the side of the saddle.
"What is in that stuff?" Asked Iroh as he approached from the house. "I could sure use some of that on those cold winter nights."
"I got the idea from Sokka." said Katara laughing, "Its brewed cactus juice. Nothing better for when you need to help someone get to sleep."
"I think he wanted to tell me something though." said Mai, stroking Zuko's cheek.
"Never mind, my dear." Iroh told Mai, "He will tell you when he awakens."
Iroh was silent a moment before continuing.
"My niece. Before I left home I had a dream of my son. Lu Ten came to me and told me I must bring something here with me." from the folds of his robes, Iroh produced a rectangular package, as long as his forearm, "I did not understand but I knew my son. Wait until you are underway before you open it and be sure a certain someone doesn't see it before it is time."
"Uncle?" asked Mai, curiosity written across her features. She leaned over the side of Appa and took the package from Iroh. It was wrapped in bright green paper, decorated with pictures of red and gold fire lilies. Inside, her fingers told her, was a thin box.
"Go on now." Iroh told her with tears in his eyes, he stepped away from Appa, "Before I embarrass myself and start crying. Good luck to you all."
With a few final yells of goodbye from the Gaang, Appa swished his tail and took off into the morning sky.
Iroh, Hakoda and the children stood waving until Appa took on a golden glow and flashed across the sky, disappearing over the horizon.
"So what was with the package?" Hakoda asked Iroh.
"Oh, just young love, ready to bloom." Iroh told him.
Hakoda chuckled.
"You know, my great uncle Borta had 2 wives, and boy they used to have some wild fights." he told Iroh, "But no one could ever doubt the love they shared."
Iroh smiled at his friend, seeing that he understood.
"Now, kids." said Hakoda, turning to his 3 grandchildren, "Who wants to teach uncle Iroh how to ride a penguin-seal."
The children cheered and raced off to find penguin-seals, leaving Iroh behind, rubbing his old bones in anticipation.
