The Perk / Friday / October 2, Afternoon

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

Azula was not pleased. She didn't expect any visitors, she didn't want any visitors and uncle was the last person she'd think of visiting.

She led Iroh from the park to the coffee shop. "There, now buy your precious tea."

She didn't know if this shop served tea but she really didn't care.

Comments

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

"I shall purchase some for you as well," Iroh declared generously.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"How very kind," she said sarcastically.

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

"It's quite soothing," Iroh pointed out in a tone that suggested that Azula could obviously use some soothing.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

Azula scowled. She liked tea well enough but when he was around she almost resented tea. "Just buy us a drink already."

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

Iroh strode over to the counter authoritatively and opened his mouth to order, then froze. "What varieties do they have here?" he muttered in Azula's direction.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"Finding it hard to read, are you, uncle?" She said, smirking a little. "Just order green tea, they'll know what you mean."

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

"But, but," Iroh looked horrified at that suggestion. "There are dozens of varieties of green tea!"

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

Oh, for the love of-- "They don't have variants here they only have tea."

Azula wasn't sure if that was true but it was better than having him ramble on about tea. She's yet to forget his rambling lecture on green tea variants and that was almost a decade ago.

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

Well, Iroh had practiced that speech quite often, and he was really good at it.

"I suppose that will have to do." Iroh looked crestfallen, but he did return with two mugs of tea.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"I thought you had enough of it now," she said when he returned. "Seeing you have that tea house in Ba Sing Se."

It was a small thing but it served to let him know she wasn't as powerless as he assumed.

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

"Yes, of course, but I like tea." Obviously.

He quirked an eyebrow at the revelation. Not that he was surprised, exactly.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"Really? I didn't know that, what a surprise!"

The sarcasm was so heavy, if it fell on a boat it would have sunk.

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

Iroh sipped his tea. And apparently it was good enough to pass muster.

"How is your tea?" he asked.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"It's fine," she answered. Then she looked at Iroh slyly, "I've heard people here put milk and sugar in their green tea."

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

Iroh immediately choked on his tea. "They what?"

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"Barbaric isn't it?" She said in mock sympathy. It helped that Azula also felt a little scandalized when she learned that.

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

Iroh shook his head sadly. "This place is crazy."

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"Uncle," she said, drawing out the word, "you have no idea."

She placed the cup on the table. "What else do you need to know?"

So you can leave.

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

"Why are you so eager for me to leave?" Iroh asked in a jovial tone. "I only just arrived."

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"Despite your pretense, Uncle," she said, "we have never been close. So forgive me if I'm being a little skeptical."

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

"But skepticism should not necessarily lead to animosity," Iroh countered philosophically.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"Spare me," she said rolling her eyes.

So maybe she was still a little bitter when he threw her off her own boat and that one time when he gave Zuko a dagger but only gifted her with a stupid doll.

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

"I do not hate you."

To be fair, she was a sociopathic monster. But, yeah, Iroh had no excuse for that doll stunt.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"Well, I don't care for you either, uncle."

Love declarations, Fire Nation style.

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

"Am I truly so bad?" he asked, fully prepared for a 'yes'.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"You gave me a doll, uncle," she replied.

Someone knew how to hold a grudge.

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

"..." Iroh blinked.

"That's what you're upset about?"

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"Among many," she said, a little petulant.

She hated how this mood swings seem to make her more upfront than she liked.

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

"Such as?" Iroh sounded genuinely curious.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"Such as a lot of things," she answered.

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

"You are usually quite detailed in your answers," Iroh suggested. Well. She had been.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"And sometimes I'm very succinct," she countered.

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

"Hmm..." Iroh hummed thoughtfully as he sipped his tea.

That was a 'so you're avoiding the question' sort of sound.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

Azula was tempted, very tempted to stick her tongue out but that wouldn't be princess-like and immature.

"Are you going to speak to the principal and my Ethics professor?"

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

"Should I?" Iroh asked, tilting his head slightly.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"You are here to evaluate me, right? See if I'm being a good girl," she said, she sipped her tea. "Tea here isn't that good."

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

"I am here for more than that." Which wasn't a denial that he was here for that.

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

"Right," she and and laughed. "Give it up, uncle, I know you don't care about me, stop the pretense."

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

"That is not true," Iroh said softly. He may not have cared for what she has done, but he did care about her and how she was doing

[azuldragon.livejournal.com]

Azula watched her uncle expressionless. After a few moments, she said, "Perhaps we should start with the day's activities, I have to stop by Zuko's appointed therapist, if you don't mind."

[tealovingdragon.livejournal.com]

Iroh sighed. "Very well." It seemed that this trip would not bring any reconciliation.