And now it's high time to be something bigger than we are [Closed]

[edge_of_honor]

Characters: Edgeworth and Iroh
Content: Iroh and Edgeworth's odd friendship as it develops through the years
Setting: von Karma's manor, the Firelord estate, and the best little teashop in Reial
Time: Fifteen years ago, ten years ago, and almost nearly a year ago
Warnings: None yet

Comments

[myfavoritetea]

Good progress had been made at this meeting, Iroh felt. Soon they would launch their initial attack on the enemy and rid their glorious land of their presence once and for all. He felt no guilt about this. Years of brainwashing both at home and at the academy had hardened him into a devious, opinionated and cunning Admiral. And after all, it was their home and their land, and they were the greatest and most powerful nation of all. Who would dare oppose their might

[edge_of_honor]

Miles turned slowly to look up at Iroh when he spoke. His eyes were wide at first, but soon narrowed while he bit his lip; he had heard of this man. He was big, important, and if von Karma's lack of insults meant anything, he was also very, very good at what he did. He glanced down at the hand in confusion, and after a moment's hesitation, he looked back up at him and took the hand with a soft, weak grip.

"...sir," he greeted, the wariness evident in his tone.

[myfavoritetea]

Making no comment as to the weakness of the handshake, he still smiled. He had always gotten along well with children. One of the things he disliked most about his position was the fact that it kept him away from his own son for long periods of time. Edgeworth was only a few years younger than Lu Ten.

His eyes twinkled merrily, and he hid his mouth behind his hand conspiratorially, as if sharing a state secret with the boy. "It is usually considered polite to introduce yourself after you've shaken hands," he said gently.

I need more kid icons.

[edge_of_honor]

"Ah, erm..."

Stupid, stupid, stupid! Miles turned beet red, before he pursed his lips together and straightened his posture. Get it together, Miles. Remember what you were taught.

"Miles Edgeworth," he said, his voice firm and his head held high.

Ten Years ago, at the funeral for Lu Ten at the Firelord family Estate

[myfavoritetea]

Really, Iroh simply wished to be left alone. The platitudes and empty, meaningless words meant nothing. His son was dead, and no one could make that right. No one could change it. Nothing anyone said would ease the pain.

It was only making it worse. The eulogist had been spewing forth meaningless garbage that Lu Ten had died 'in a valiant effort to preserve the purity and fundamentals of his country.' He had been killed 'upholding the ideals of Ivona, and ours in a nation eternally grateful for his great sacrifice.'

Iroh had wanted to be sick. The emptiness that consumed him was slowly being filled by a quiet rage at his own 'beloved country.' He couldn't bear it anymore, and walked away from the endless crowds of people waiting to shake his hand and say the same tired line of being 'sorry for his loss.' He didn't care that he left them standing there. He didn't care that they would Talk.

He was beyond caring.

[edge_of_honor]

Miles' head hung low as he listened to the eulogy. He tried to pay attention to the speech but the words all blended together into useless gibberish by the time they reached his ears. The only thing that remained was the soft, smooth rhythm of his voice. The now hypnotic sound only served to strengthen the numb daze he had found himself in. Lu Ten, son of Admiral Iroh, lay dead. Even though they had known each other since children, even though he and his father had been so patient and kind to him whenever they met, Miles felt no grief. That emotion had been blocked off by a heavy damn, too distant and far away to reach him

[myfavoritetea]

Fortunately the eulogy and reception were taking place up in the house grounds proper, and not at the actual gravesite. There had been far too many people to gather beneath the tree on the hill.... And so that was where Iroh headed now.

There were tears in his eyes, but he was numb and cold and far too angry to let them fall. He would weep later. Kneeling by the fresh grave of his son, he touched the image next to it. "My son..." he whispered to no one, and sighed.

And it was about this time that he noticed he'd been followed. He made no indication of the fact, though. Hopefully whoever it was would see an old father lost in his grief, and just leave him alone.

[edge_of_honor]

Miles realized where Iroh had led him a moment too late. His steps became slow and halted and his heart pounded against his chest. He wasn't supposed to be here. This wasn't his right. He stood back while Iroh grieved, and panic mixed with guilt as every fiber of his being shouted at him to leave.

But he couldn't. His feet had become rooted to the very ground he stood on. Miles clenched his fists in frustration and squeezed his eyes shut as he lowered his head. This wasn't right. Nothing here was right.

A year ago, at the Jasmine Dragon tea shop in Melior

[myfavoritetea]

The afternoon peak serving time was, thank goodness, just about over. Granted, the Jasmine Dragon was never completely devoid of customers, (perish the thought!) but there were certainly times of the day that were more frantically paced than others. Piling an already well-laden tray with even more empty cups and teapots, Iroh smiled at each of his happily departing customers in turn. Heading towards the back, he was stopped by one of his many much younger employees, to whom he gratefully handed the heavy tray.

"Thank you, Jin," he smiled amicably at the young girl who had very quickly proven herself to be extremely capable. Sweeping his eyes around the shop, Iroh noted that everything else seemed to be well in order. Taking a pot of his own special blend of ginseng tea (his favorite of the day), he wondered if there would be time for him to get in a game of Pai Sho before the evening rush began....

[edge_of_honor]

It had been a long time since Edgeworth had talked to the ad-to the former admiral. Too long, in fact. However, he was not some snivelling child anymore, nor was he some coward who played at being a man. He had spent the last few months putting his past to rest, but some loose ends still remained.

Which brought him to the tea shop. Edgeworth took a deep breath and straightened his posture before he entered the Jasmine Dragon.

[myfavoritetea]

Iroh's back was to the door at that particular moment, setting up his preferred Pai Sho board and arranging the tiles in the order that most pleased him (just in case anyone was foolish enough to want to play him). Finishing, he took a sip of his tea and smiled contentedly. He was far happier doing this for a living than he ever had been waging war.

Turning, he glanced over his shoulder at the door, saw the flash of color as someone entered, and bowed deeply at the newcomer. "Welcome to the Jasmine Dragon," he said merrily, raising up to look at the new patron more fully. "I am Iroh, the owner and--" he blinked. "Miles?"

[edge_of_honor]

Edgeworth removed his bowler hat and bowed in turn. When he straightened up, he cleared his throat, and said, "It's been some time...sir."