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

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....

[myfavoritetea]

Pouring out the tea now that it had finished steeping, the old man inhaled the fine-smelling liquid and handed one of the cups to Miles. "Well, as far as I am aware. Red, the older one, does not keep in contact much... my poor sister gets very concerned for him."

[edge_of_honor]

"I can imagine." He took the tea and blew the steam away before he took a sip.

"But I assume he's still doing well, as far as anyone can tell?"

[myfavoritetea]

Iroh took a long sip of his tea, enjoying every subtle nuance of flavor and closing his eyes in pleasure. Very few things in life were better than tea. "It is hard to know for sure, but I believe so. Ness, the younger, is doing quite well."

[edge_of_honor]

"That's good to hear," he said. "And what does he do?"

[myfavoritetea]

Iroh beamed. He was, of course, insanely proud of both of his nephews, and happy to brag about them at any time. "He is quite a talented young healer."

[edge_of_honor]

Edgeworth nodded, and said, "It must be a satisfying life - though not without its own challenges, I imagine."

[myfavoritetea]

Iroh's face grew just a touch more serious, thought the warmth was still present in his gaze. "It is often the things which are most difficult to achieve that are the most worthwhile. All of life has its challenges. It is up to you to decide how to meet them."

[edge_of_honor]

Edgeworth remained silent for a moment, and his smile faded as his eyes gazed downward towards his tea.

"And how did you face your challenges?" he asked, his voice muted.

[myfavoritetea]

Looking down at the tea tray, Iroh sighed. "There have been many challenges in my life. Some, I have met with honor and no small amount of stubbornness. Some, I have resolved with intrigue and cleverness."

He sipped his tea again, and his voice was much quieter. "One, I could not face."

[edge_of_honor]

"And which one was that?"

His question was devoid of surprise or curiosity, and instead was spoken in the fatalistic tone reserved for old, long acknowledged hurts. Edgeworth knew what incident Iroh had spoken of, and he was certain that the old man realized this. However, the question still needed to be asked nonetheless. It was a ritual that both of them knew on some level, where old familiar steps had to be retraced in order to reach new ground. Somewhere in this line of conversation lay important truths, and whatever they were, Edgeworth knew that he needed to hear them.

I could have sworn I tagged this. Sorry!

[myfavoritetea]

Iroh, too, knew that these words had to be spoken. The question had to be answered. It did not make doing it any easier.

He looked down at his cup of tea, watching the steam rise from it. He had largely come to peace with the death of his son, and come to realize that there was nothing he could have done to change it. He'd tried. It had ended... badly. But the wound still ached, and always would.

"Lu Ten," he said softly and simply. Just the breathing of his name was a sort of benediction, and the rest of the words came easier. "I am not proud of myself for running from it- from everything. ...But it what what I needed."

No worries!

[edge_of_honor]

"I understand now," he said, his voice muted. "Even if I didn't understand then."

Edgeworth stared down at his own tea, and said, "For that, I owe you an apology."

[myfavoritetea]

Shaking his head, Iroh looked back up, managing a small little smile. "No, my friend. You do not." There was more he could have added, but he left it unsaid. Lu Ten's death... had affected far more than just him, of course, but he hadn't been able to see it. And despite how many condolences had been offered and empty words had been said, nothing had gotten better.

"It never goes away completely, you know," he said quietly after a moment. "But it does get better."

[edge_of_honor]

Iroh's smile only made Edgeworth feel worse. He thought back to the things he had said and the things he had believed; he had been such a fool back then. But that's what he was, wasn't he? Even when he was supposed to be a grown man, he was nothing more than a foolish child angry at the world around him.

There was a slight pause until Iroh spoke again. He thought over his words for a moment and took a deep breath.

"...you're right," he said, finally. "But what do you do if you've dishonored him?"

He spoke not only of Lu Ten now. There was someone else from his past who weighed much more heavily on him.

[myfavoritetea]

Iroh nodded without responding, pouring out a bit more tea and sipping it. He was aware that they were no longer speaking of Lu Ten, but he was not entirely sure who they were speaking of.

"...Miles, you cannot live your life if you are always looking behind. Those who have moved on and left us behind... I have to think that they would not want us to do so. It is best to simply enjoy what you have, Miles. Life only comes to you one day at a time, and that is how we must live it."