六

[proverbed]

[action]

[Iroh is hard at work, scrubbing the kitchen floor. He hums cheerfully to himself, but his eyes are sunken and he moves with unusual slowness. So much pain and suffering among his young friends, and his wisdom can do nothing for them. Youthful blood runs too hot

Comments

[offline]

[angle_on_it]

[Sokka is sneaking through the back yards of the houses at Queen Anne's Row. He stumbles over some of his old projects at #4 and cuts through #5 to make it back out to the street (maybe hoping to steal a meal on the way through). When he makes it into the kitchen his arms full of clothes, an empty soup bowl balanced on top.]

[He really isn't expecting to run into anyone, so he's surprised to see the old man. At least his face is healing some and he doesn't feel so awkward about the black eye.]

Do you want me to do that, Iroh? It won't bother me -- I can do it up pretty quickly.

[offline]

[proverbed]

[Iroh doesn't look up from scrubbing.]

It's fine. I enjoy the work.

[He looks up at Sokka, not yet registering the injuries]

How are you doing?

[offline]

[angle_on_it]

[Sokka shrugs and his bowl slides off the pile and rolls harmlessly around after landing on the floor. He quickly dips down to pick it up.] I'm okay. [Short and to the point.]

It's pretty... creepy out there. How are you doing?

[offline]

[proverbed]

Oh, I'm fine. Just a little under the weather.

Have you heard from Suki?

[offline]

[angle_on_it]

[The young man shakes his head and stands again, hugging the pile a little tighter. He hadn't heard much from anyone.] I'm sorry you're not well. Is there anything I can do?

[offline]

[proverbed]

[Iroh smiles at him]

Just take care of yourself.

Would you like some tea?

[offline]

[angle_on_it]

I don't know... unless you want the company, I probably shouldn't hang around that long. [People weren't exactly welcoming his presence of late, after all, and Sokka dreads the idea of running across Suki without being a little bit prepared.]

[offline]

[proverbed]

You are still my friend, Sokka. And you are always welcome here.

[offline]

[angle_on_it]

[Awww, don't make him wibble, man, he's already pretty close.]

Thanks, Iroh... um. Normally, I'd be glad to, but-- [Sokka shakes his head and sighs. It's been a rough couple of weeks, he's tired, and while he knows the firebender is bothered... Okay, so he knows the firebender's bothered, so he really can't refuse. What kind of friend would he be?]

Maybe we can talk for a couple minutes? This week... it's been hard on everyone.