(no subject)
Who: Iroh and Rock Lee
What: Tea
When: Afternoon following Ganados
Where: Kitchen, outside
Rating: G
Iroh had wanted to make tea today. Of course, he wanted to make tea every day--but today, he had wanted to make cinnamon chamomile tea as a celebration for defeating the ganados. The only problem was--he was out of cinnamon. Well, not out, exactly--the ganados had raided his room it seemed. Nothing was stolen, but his herb and spice collection had been unpleasantly smashed to bits. And this meant no cinnamon.
So instead of making tea in his room as he usually would, Iroh ventured into the kitchen--the kitchen which was still a bit messy--and definitely missing the majority of it's knives and pots. He didn't want to think about where those had ended up--so instead, he began to rummage for the cinnamon he craved.
Lee had been drawn to the kitchen by the promise of cold, refreshing milk. It did a body good, especially a body constantly on guard for undead... somethings, trying to corner him in the hallways or shuffling into his room at four in the morning to attempt to eat him or turn him into a drooling cannibalistic unyouthful mass or steal all his legwarmers. Something awful. Now that he only had to be running from the undead half the time, he felt it was time for a calcium break. Through the chaotic mess he managed to locate a glass- clean, at that!- and it wasn't long until he'd started using acrobatic displays to navigate through the maze of plates and assorted kitchenware, eyes set on the fridge.
As Iroh sorted through the various herbs and spices left to the kitchen, he found his eye drawn to a young man dressed in green who seemed to be...cartwheeling all over the kitchen. Or some sort of acrobatic display--for a moment he was reminded of Ty Lee--a young girl with a charming disposition but unfortunate affiliation with his niece.
As he watched the young man, he grew more and more fascinated, a smile playing across his lips. Finally a chuckle broke forth and could no longer stop himself from commenting. "It seems you have quite the talent young man..."
Lee was in the middle of walking on his hands to avoid touching an overturned of lemon curd and its sticky contents(five hundred push-ups if he even touched the corners, he'd told himself) when his eyes drifted over to his recently-discovered onlooker. He didn't -seem- the undead type, more the jolly yet slightly eccentric type, and that was the type Lee enjoyed more, anyhow. "Not really. My pinky touched one of the wooden spoons back there, and I almost lost my... footing... handing? Handing, on some spilled raspberry jam."
He said all this in the same position, looking as though this came as naturally to him as walking upright. "Are you trying to cook anything? Most of the ingredients are down here."
Iroh grabbed a small container of what he assumed was the cinnamon, and turned to face the young man with a smile. "Cook? Not exactly. I'm planning to make some tea." He continued to watch the boy with raised brows--curious and amused by his valiant efforts to not touch any of the food mess on the floor. Valiant, though it ultimately seemed impossible--the floor was so littered with food.
Lee stays quiet as he goes hand-over-hand across the last chicken bone roadblock, grinning as his fingers close around the fridge handle, and while the light inside it seems to have been absconded for alternative and potentially destructive purposes(destruction, Lee noticed, was becoming a pastime around the castle), the air is still cold against his face and the milk carton is-!
Empty. One hand still trying to avoid spilled leftovers, he shakes the carton half-heartedly even though the lightness had clued him in the moment he'd picked it up. Still, he tries to console himself, it was a very good chance to train his curd-dodging skills. Doing a backbend to get back on his feet, he looks over at the older man with his own smile. "Tea, sir?" He asks, bushy brows perking up slightly.
"Tea indeed." He smiled genial, and nodded his head downwards in a slight bow. "cinnamon chamomile tea to be percise--I find it most relaxing in the afternoons following an attack of the undead." He chuckled. "Would you care to join me for tea, young man?" It was one of life's greatest pleasures after all--and this boy seemed so full of life, it would surely be a treat.
"I most certainly would!" Lee makes his way to the stove with a little less caution, only dodging the food spills and choosing to push aside plates and pots with his feet. Cinnamon chamomile... he's never heard of the two being put together, but he is hardly adverse to trying new things. Once he's closer to Iroh, he bends forward in a quick, formal bow. "My name is Rock Lee. Thank you very much for sharing your tea with me." This man looked very wise, like the sort you'd meet at the top of a mountain you had to climb using your pinkies. Lee wonders if perhaps he didn't live on a mountain top before, a Tea Guru, ninja and samurai alike scaling cliffs for a cup of his special Celestial Jasmine blend or something.
He knows that's probably not the case, but all the same he's much more interested, now.
Iroh beamed delightedly at the young ninja--there was something about his youthful radience, his geinial nature that reminded him of something...someone perhaps? It wasn't Zuko--Lu Ten? The thought caused him to frown slightly--he could remember nothing of his son aside from what Zuko had told him. But the frown was quickly replaced with another smile as he returned Lee's bow with one of his own. "I'm Iroh...It's a pleasure to meet you Rock Lee. Let's drink outside, shall we? I find the spring weather perfect for enjoying a cup of tea."
Looking around at the kitchen once more, Lee has to admit that the disarray of the kitchen isn't creating the most soothing enviroment. He's more than willing to relocate, especially if it means Manly Bonding Time with someone who is Not Homicidal and, from what he can tell, mostly sane and rather polite. "That sounds very nice, Si- ...Iroh, andI'm sure it will be much less crowded outside, too." And he'll have room for sit-ups, he's sure! Nothing like fresh spring air going through your lungs while you train passionately and then take tea. At least, he can't think of anything -too- much better.
Iroh grinned, pleased with the boy's attitude. It was a rather refreshing change of pace--his nephew would have probably rolled his eyes at the suggestion of taking tea outside, and prefered to sit and sulk in his own dark quarters.
As they walked outside, Iroh decided to ask the young man some questions. "So...Rock Lee. How long have you been in Paradisa?" As they walked outside, they came upon a small patch of grass overlooking the lake. Perfect. Iroh motioned that this was the spot to sit down.
Lee carries the teapot for Iroh as he follows beside him, making sure he's walking more carefully than usual for fear of spilling any of the potential former Tea Guru's tea and deeply insulting his art(what happened when you insulted a tea guru? Were there even really tea gurus?). "I have been here for..." And here he pauses to rummage in his pocket with the hand not carrying the tea pot for his notebook, opening it with a practiced flick of the wrist and thumbing through the pages. "71 days. Or 1704 hours. Roughly. I might have lost a day or two."
He stops at the grassy patch, still holding the teapot as he tucks away his notebook and sits in lotus position, smiling brightly. "How about you, sir? I have never seen you around, to my knowledge."
Iroh's eyes widened "71 days? Why--you've been here for quite sometime..." He considered how long he had been there himself, and chuckled after a moments thought. "Although I suppose I've been here for about two months. Time certainly flies when you're my age." He smiled, and gently extracted the teapot from Lee's hand. "Yes, it's too bad we haven't run into each other before--I fear that I've been spending many solitary days in reflection since I've arrived here." As if out of habit, he opened his palm to reveal a small blue flame. He placed his hand under the teapot and waited a moment before pouring them both a cup. "Ah, nothing beats hot tea."
If Lee were in Konoha, or at least in a world he was familiar with, he might have assumed Iroh was some type of ninja. But what he is quickly learning is that there are much more than ninja here, warriors and peacekeepers and civilians of every shape and style. Because of this, the blue flames fail to really make him very concerned, although they are quite fascinating- he'd never seen anybody make flame without the help of handseals! Unless this was a bloodline limit...? He'll have to put this in his notebook for later researching. He's sure he looks very uncharming right now, mouth partially open and staring at Iroh's hand and then the resulting steam. But staring isn't polite, and he tears himself away when Iroh offers him his cup. "I have also been more by myself than usual... I am still trying to get a better feel of where everything is- if I am going to be here awhile, I would at least like to know where it is I am being held." He explains, blowing on the tea for a few moments before gingerly taking a sip, and then another, looking very pleased. "This is wonderful tea. Cinnamon and chamomile?" That will certainly end up in his notebook, too.
Iroh's smile brightened consideredably "I am glad you enjoy it--good tea is best when shared with good company." He drank his own cup with long, slow sips--savouring the taste and the atmosphere. "I see...It seems that you a bright young man, Rock Lee. It is best to become thoroughly aquainted with one's environment before acting. I've been walking the castle grounds every morning and evening myself. Getting a little exercise is always quite nice." He chuckled.
Lee's not sure he can remember the last time he was called a 'bright young man.' The usual fare is 'knucklehead,' 'idiot,' and the occasional 'dweeb.' He looks a bit surprised when Iroh says it, and he can't help but think that it's probably just that Iroh hasn't known him very long. Exercising, though, he is incredibly comfortable speaking about, and he continues with renewed vigor. "Oh yes! I love to start my days with a brisk sunrise jog, get that satisfying early-morning sheen! It is good to get one's heart going at the start of the day. And then after that I have my brunch run, and my afternoon swim, and my early evening how-far-can-I-sommersault challenge..." He shuts himself up with another sip of tea, sure he's rambling.
Iroh's smile widened into a grin. "Ah yes, I find that walking at dawn is one of the most invigorating activities! After all--a firebender rises with the sun they say!" He chuckled slightly at his joke before continuing. "Although I'm not quite so active as you it seems--my days usually consist of reading, drinking tea, playing pai sho. And my nights of star watching--have you noticed how beautiful the sky is at night?"
Firebender? Lee can figure out that the earlier tea kettle trick has something to do with this title, but he's not really sure what being a firebender really means. And because he doesn't know, he doesn't see any harm in asking, because he doesn't think Iroh would punch him or tell him to shut up or threaten to close off all his tenketsu and throw him in the utility closet until he stops being curious or dies. "Firebender- Is that why you could do that, earlier, with the tea pot? You must be very fast with your handseals- I couldn't even see them!" Even with Sasuke or Kakashi, he could at least detect a blur of motion.
Iroh nodded. "Yes that was firebending...here, let me show you something." He took a sip of tea, and then suddenly exhaled spurting forth a flame. It never got old, doing that. The remark about handseals confused him slightly, but he decided to answer to the best of his ability. "Handseals? Firebending is controlled with the breath--so I don't usually have to move my arms or hands to manipulate a small flame like I had in my hand earlier."
Lee's eyes get round as silver dollars when Iroh spits flames, a hand going up to cover his gaping maw. A moment later, he's feeling more excited than he has in at least a week. "That is -so- cool, Mister Iroh! And through the breath, really!? Where I come from, everyone uses their hands to make seals... like these..." He goes through a couple of them to illustrate, though he really only knows them for the sake of identifying other people's jutsus. "Different seals for different elements and everything. I have never really met anyone who could use a technique like that without having to do at least one handseal, so... wow!" He has a million other questions to ask, like if you have to be born that way or if he ever has to worry when he sneezes, but he's trying not to be -too- intrusive.
Iroh laughed, pleased to make the boy smile. "Why thank you--it's an old trick, that's earned me a notorious nickname. I used to be called the Dragon of the West." He laughed again and shook his head. "But those days are gone." He returned Lee's gaze with a smile. "It seems to me that I am not the only one with talents in Paradisa--I saw your acrobatics in the kitchen. Quite impressive."
"Well." Lee laughs, setting his now empty cup on the grass. "I don't know about that- those were just basic moves... I learned most of them when I was still in the academy..." Oh, but he probably wouldn't know what that was, would he? "But..." he allows himself, "I do practice quite a bit." He had to, in order to compensate for his lack of ninjutsu. He had to make his main weapon, his body, as flexible and controlled as possible. Often times, it meant the difference between life and death.
Lee doesn't like thinking about that, though, because some of those recollections have strange blank spaces where he knows something should be and it gives him a terrible headache... voices he can't identify, faces he can't make out, parts of him he feels missing. "Is there anymore tea?" He asks, suddenly desiring a change of topic.
"Training is crucial--I often tell me nephew that battles are one lost by how well one opponent has mastered their basic training..." He smiled somewhat whimsically. "But...he is young, and uninterested. It seems you have remarkable discipline!" At the request for more tea, Iroh nodded and poured Lee a new cup. After a moment, he felt a sudden wave of exhaustion pass over him--it took him a moment to realize what it could possibly signify...until he remembered that his body was probably complaining about the lack of rest it had recieved after fighting the Ganados. He chuckled slightly. "It seems that I am a tired old man after all--please forgive me, Rock Lee, but I must cut our tea time short--I'm afraid my body is complaining for a nap. " He offered an appologetic smile.
Lee finishes his tea quickly and waves his hand. "No need to apologize! It was wonderful meeting you, though." Truth be told, his thoughts had started wandering elsewhere, and he wouldn't mind a chance to sort through them after Iroh leaves. "I do hope we will cross paths again in the future, maybe for tea, again!" He stands, brushing the grass off himself and looking out toward the massive lake. "But now... I think it might be time for me to try a swim... maybe start small with a few hundred laps..." Oh yes, just five or nine hundred, no big deal! And if he can't do it... well, he'll think of something.
Iroh smiled, and bowed. "It was a pleasure. I'm sure we will meet again soon--I love spending time with someone who understands quality tea." And with that, he turned and ambled back towards the castle.
What: Tea
When: Afternoon following Ganados
Where: Kitchen, outside
Rating: G
Iroh had wanted to make tea today. Of course, he wanted to make tea every day--but today, he had wanted to make cinnamon chamomile tea as a celebration for defeating the ganados. The only problem was--he was out of cinnamon. Well, not out, exactly--the ganados had raided his room it seemed. Nothing was stolen, but his herb and spice collection had been unpleasantly smashed to bits. And this meant no cinnamon.
So instead of making tea in his room as he usually would, Iroh ventured into the kitchen--the kitchen which was still a bit messy--and definitely missing the majority of it's knives and pots. He didn't want to think about where those had ended up--so instead, he began to rummage for the cinnamon he craved.
Lee had been drawn to the kitchen by the promise of cold, refreshing milk. It did a body good, especially a body constantly on guard for undead... somethings, trying to corner him in the hallways or shuffling into his room at four in the morning to attempt to eat him or turn him into a drooling cannibalistic unyouthful mass or steal all his legwarmers. Something awful. Now that he only had to be running from the undead half the time, he felt it was time for a calcium break. Through the chaotic mess he managed to locate a glass- clean, at that!- and it wasn't long until he'd started using acrobatic displays to navigate through the maze of plates and assorted kitchenware, eyes set on the fridge.
As Iroh sorted through the various herbs and spices left to the kitchen, he found his eye drawn to a young man dressed in green who seemed to be...cartwheeling all over the kitchen. Or some sort of acrobatic display--for a moment he was reminded of Ty Lee--a young girl with a charming disposition but unfortunate affiliation with his niece.
As he watched the young man, he grew more and more fascinated, a smile playing across his lips. Finally a chuckle broke forth and could no longer stop himself from commenting. "It seems you have quite the talent young man..."
Lee was in the middle of walking on his hands to avoid touching an overturned of lemon curd and its sticky contents(five hundred push-ups if he even touched the corners, he'd told himself) when his eyes drifted over to his recently-discovered onlooker. He didn't -seem- the undead type, more the jolly yet slightly eccentric type, and that was the type Lee enjoyed more, anyhow. "Not really. My pinky touched one of the wooden spoons back there, and I almost lost my... footing... handing? Handing, on some spilled raspberry jam."
He said all this in the same position, looking as though this came as naturally to him as walking upright. "Are you trying to cook anything? Most of the ingredients are down here."
Iroh grabbed a small container of what he assumed was the cinnamon, and turned to face the young man with a smile. "Cook? Not exactly. I'm planning to make some tea." He continued to watch the boy with raised brows--curious and amused by his valiant efforts to not touch any of the food mess on the floor. Valiant, though it ultimately seemed impossible--the floor was so littered with food.
Lee stays quiet as he goes hand-over-hand across the last chicken bone roadblock, grinning as his fingers close around the fridge handle, and while the light inside it seems to have been absconded for alternative and potentially destructive purposes(destruction, Lee noticed, was becoming a pastime around the castle), the air is still cold against his face and the milk carton is-!
Empty. One hand still trying to avoid spilled leftovers, he shakes the carton half-heartedly even though the lightness had clued him in the moment he'd picked it up. Still, he tries to console himself, it was a very good chance to train his curd-dodging skills. Doing a backbend to get back on his feet, he looks over at the older man with his own smile. "Tea, sir?" He asks, bushy brows perking up slightly.
"Tea indeed." He smiled genial, and nodded his head downwards in a slight bow. "cinnamon chamomile tea to be percise--I find it most relaxing in the afternoons following an attack of the undead." He chuckled. "Would you care to join me for tea, young man?" It was one of life's greatest pleasures after all--and this boy seemed so full of life, it would surely be a treat.
"I most certainly would!" Lee makes his way to the stove with a little less caution, only dodging the food spills and choosing to push aside plates and pots with his feet. Cinnamon chamomile... he's never heard of the two being put together, but he is hardly adverse to trying new things. Once he's closer to Iroh, he bends forward in a quick, formal bow. "My name is Rock Lee. Thank you very much for sharing your tea with me." This man looked very wise, like the sort you'd meet at the top of a mountain you had to climb using your pinkies. Lee wonders if perhaps he didn't live on a mountain top before, a Tea Guru, ninja and samurai alike scaling cliffs for a cup of his special Celestial Jasmine blend or something.
He knows that's probably not the case, but all the same he's much more interested, now.
Iroh beamed delightedly at the young ninja--there was something about his youthful radience, his geinial nature that reminded him of something...someone perhaps? It wasn't Zuko--Lu Ten? The thought caused him to frown slightly--he could remember nothing of his son aside from what Zuko had told him. But the frown was quickly replaced with another smile as he returned Lee's bow with one of his own. "I'm Iroh...It's a pleasure to meet you Rock Lee. Let's drink outside, shall we? I find the spring weather perfect for enjoying a cup of tea."
Looking around at the kitchen once more, Lee has to admit that the disarray of the kitchen isn't creating the most soothing enviroment. He's more than willing to relocate, especially if it means Manly Bonding Time with someone who is Not Homicidal and, from what he can tell, mostly sane and rather polite. "That sounds very nice, Si- ...Iroh, andI'm sure it will be much less crowded outside, too." And he'll have room for sit-ups, he's sure! Nothing like fresh spring air going through your lungs while you train passionately and then take tea. At least, he can't think of anything -too- much better.
Iroh grinned, pleased with the boy's attitude. It was a rather refreshing change of pace--his nephew would have probably rolled his eyes at the suggestion of taking tea outside, and prefered to sit and sulk in his own dark quarters.
As they walked outside, Iroh decided to ask the young man some questions. "So...Rock Lee. How long have you been in Paradisa?" As they walked outside, they came upon a small patch of grass overlooking the lake. Perfect. Iroh motioned that this was the spot to sit down.
Lee carries the teapot for Iroh as he follows beside him, making sure he's walking more carefully than usual for fear of spilling any of the potential former Tea Guru's tea and deeply insulting his art(what happened when you insulted a tea guru? Were there even really tea gurus?). "I have been here for..." And here he pauses to rummage in his pocket with the hand not carrying the tea pot for his notebook, opening it with a practiced flick of the wrist and thumbing through the pages. "71 days. Or 1704 hours. Roughly. I might have lost a day or two."
He stops at the grassy patch, still holding the teapot as he tucks away his notebook and sits in lotus position, smiling brightly. "How about you, sir? I have never seen you around, to my knowledge."
Iroh's eyes widened "71 days? Why--you've been here for quite sometime..." He considered how long he had been there himself, and chuckled after a moments thought. "Although I suppose I've been here for about two months. Time certainly flies when you're my age." He smiled, and gently extracted the teapot from Lee's hand. "Yes, it's too bad we haven't run into each other before--I fear that I've been spending many solitary days in reflection since I've arrived here." As if out of habit, he opened his palm to reveal a small blue flame. He placed his hand under the teapot and waited a moment before pouring them both a cup. "Ah, nothing beats hot tea."
If Lee were in Konoha, or at least in a world he was familiar with, he might have assumed Iroh was some type of ninja. But what he is quickly learning is that there are much more than ninja here, warriors and peacekeepers and civilians of every shape and style. Because of this, the blue flames fail to really make him very concerned, although they are quite fascinating- he'd never seen anybody make flame without the help of handseals! Unless this was a bloodline limit...? He'll have to put this in his notebook for later researching. He's sure he looks very uncharming right now, mouth partially open and staring at Iroh's hand and then the resulting steam. But staring isn't polite, and he tears himself away when Iroh offers him his cup. "I have also been more by myself than usual... I am still trying to get a better feel of where everything is- if I am going to be here awhile, I would at least like to know where it is I am being held." He explains, blowing on the tea for a few moments before gingerly taking a sip, and then another, looking very pleased. "This is wonderful tea. Cinnamon and chamomile?" That will certainly end up in his notebook, too.
Iroh's smile brightened consideredably "I am glad you enjoy it--good tea is best when shared with good company." He drank his own cup with long, slow sips--savouring the taste and the atmosphere. "I see...It seems that you a bright young man, Rock Lee. It is best to become thoroughly aquainted with one's environment before acting. I've been walking the castle grounds every morning and evening myself. Getting a little exercise is always quite nice." He chuckled.
Lee's not sure he can remember the last time he was called a 'bright young man.' The usual fare is 'knucklehead,' 'idiot,' and the occasional 'dweeb.' He looks a bit surprised when Iroh says it, and he can't help but think that it's probably just that Iroh hasn't known him very long. Exercising, though, he is incredibly comfortable speaking about, and he continues with renewed vigor. "Oh yes! I love to start my days with a brisk sunrise jog, get that satisfying early-morning sheen! It is good to get one's heart going at the start of the day. And then after that I have my brunch run, and my afternoon swim, and my early evening how-far-can-I-sommersault challenge..." He shuts himself up with another sip of tea, sure he's rambling.
Iroh's smile widened into a grin. "Ah yes, I find that walking at dawn is one of the most invigorating activities! After all--a firebender rises with the sun they say!" He chuckled slightly at his joke before continuing. "Although I'm not quite so active as you it seems--my days usually consist of reading, drinking tea, playing pai sho. And my nights of star watching--have you noticed how beautiful the sky is at night?"
Firebender? Lee can figure out that the earlier tea kettle trick has something to do with this title, but he's not really sure what being a firebender really means. And because he doesn't know, he doesn't see any harm in asking, because he doesn't think Iroh would punch him or tell him to shut up or threaten to close off all his tenketsu and throw him in the utility closet until he stops being curious or dies. "Firebender- Is that why you could do that, earlier, with the tea pot? You must be very fast with your handseals- I couldn't even see them!" Even with Sasuke or Kakashi, he could at least detect a blur of motion.
Iroh nodded. "Yes that was firebending...here, let me show you something." He took a sip of tea, and then suddenly exhaled spurting forth a flame. It never got old, doing that. The remark about handseals confused him slightly, but he decided to answer to the best of his ability. "Handseals? Firebending is controlled with the breath--so I don't usually have to move my arms or hands to manipulate a small flame like I had in my hand earlier."
Lee's eyes get round as silver dollars when Iroh spits flames, a hand going up to cover his gaping maw. A moment later, he's feeling more excited than he has in at least a week. "That is -so- cool, Mister Iroh! And through the breath, really!? Where I come from, everyone uses their hands to make seals... like these..." He goes through a couple of them to illustrate, though he really only knows them for the sake of identifying other people's jutsus. "Different seals for different elements and everything. I have never really met anyone who could use a technique like that without having to do at least one handseal, so... wow!" He has a million other questions to ask, like if you have to be born that way or if he ever has to worry when he sneezes, but he's trying not to be -too- intrusive.
Iroh laughed, pleased to make the boy smile. "Why thank you--it's an old trick, that's earned me a notorious nickname. I used to be called the Dragon of the West." He laughed again and shook his head. "But those days are gone." He returned Lee's gaze with a smile. "It seems to me that I am not the only one with talents in Paradisa--I saw your acrobatics in the kitchen. Quite impressive."
"Well." Lee laughs, setting his now empty cup on the grass. "I don't know about that- those were just basic moves... I learned most of them when I was still in the academy..." Oh, but he probably wouldn't know what that was, would he? "But..." he allows himself, "I do practice quite a bit." He had to, in order to compensate for his lack of ninjutsu. He had to make his main weapon, his body, as flexible and controlled as possible. Often times, it meant the difference between life and death.
Lee doesn't like thinking about that, though, because some of those recollections have strange blank spaces where he knows something should be and it gives him a terrible headache... voices he can't identify, faces he can't make out, parts of him he feels missing. "Is there anymore tea?" He asks, suddenly desiring a change of topic.
"Training is crucial--I often tell me nephew that battles are one lost by how well one opponent has mastered their basic training..." He smiled somewhat whimsically. "But...he is young, and uninterested. It seems you have remarkable discipline!" At the request for more tea, Iroh nodded and poured Lee a new cup. After a moment, he felt a sudden wave of exhaustion pass over him--it took him a moment to realize what it could possibly signify...until he remembered that his body was probably complaining about the lack of rest it had recieved after fighting the Ganados. He chuckled slightly. "It seems that I am a tired old man after all--please forgive me, Rock Lee, but I must cut our tea time short--I'm afraid my body is complaining for a nap. " He offered an appologetic smile.
Lee finishes his tea quickly and waves his hand. "No need to apologize! It was wonderful meeting you, though." Truth be told, his thoughts had started wandering elsewhere, and he wouldn't mind a chance to sort through them after Iroh leaves. "I do hope we will cross paths again in the future, maybe for tea, again!" He stands, brushing the grass off himself and looking out toward the massive lake. "But now... I think it might be time for me to try a swim... maybe start small with a few hundred laps..." Oh yes, just five or nine hundred, no big deal! And if he can't do it... well, he'll think of something.
Iroh smiled, and bowed. "It was a pleasure. I'm sure we will meet again soon--I love spending time with someone who understands quality tea." And with that, he turned and ambled back towards the castle.