Catacombs, Pai Sho, and seeking the Moon Spirit

[truehumili_tea]

Who: Iroh & Open
What: End of March catch all
When: Last two weeks of March
Where: Catacombs, Gaze, & Salt Lake

Content Warnings: Mentions of war and death likely, will update as needed


A: Careful what you wish for
The catacombs were a very tempting place, ones in which it was very important for one to stop and look inward least they become lost or caught in the many different traps that were there. The patience to ensure that the water was safe to drink and traverse. Fire was an unforgiving thing, even in a spirit in which the flames of courage roared, but those flames gave off no heat compared to the ones of Iroh's past or that he commanded now. Materials goods held little meaning when they were devoid of sentimental value, and so the temptation was fleeting and easy to ignore. Through each of these challenges, Iroh would offer his assistance and guidance to those who might have faltered, or who were searching for a way through the catacombs.

Now he stands before the warning, 'THE KINDNESS OF THE WORLD IS BEHIND YOU: HELL IS AHEAD. AS ABOVE, SO IS BELOW. THAT WHICH HAS BEEN, WILL RETURN AGAIN.' and feels the darkness that stares at him. The shortcomings and transgressions of his past weigh heavily on his shoulders. But he refuses to turn back and simply stands there, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.

"If you look for the dark, it is all you will ever see."

B: A game of intuition and speed, but slow methodical strategy
After the adventures in the catacombs, Iroh was in need of some time to relax and gather his thoughts. There had been much of trench that had been rather worrying, and yet just as much that was fascinating. The people of the city were just as varied and it was strange seeing so many different backgrounds and cultures collected in one place, something which pleased him quite a bit. Still, though there were some familiar comforts of home which he had come to long for a bit, Jasmine Tea and his own bed being among them. But there was another which now was laid out on a table before him.

Among the various tables that littered Gaze and the school sat an old man with a board and array of tiles before him. Setting them into place seems to bring a small grin though there was only a handful that he knew of that had any knowledge of the game in this world. Still, Iroh was more than happy to teach any who were interested.

C: Spirits are not to be trifled with.
Iroh had heard stories of amazing things that occurred, those that came to pass beneath the full moon. Of course, Iroh was the kind to need to investigate such things on his own, to see the spirits of this world at world and marvel at their splendor. So as the full moon began to rise, he made his way to the salt lake. No light other than the small flame conjured in his hand as he left the lights of the city and ventured out into the wilderness, finding beneath the light of the moon that the flame was barely necessary. The lake which had always been black and devoid of light, beneath the silver tendrils of light from the moon, now glowed pink. It seemed to be brimming with life and energy, almost as if it were a portal to another world or a time before the corruption.

"Such a magnificent sight. It is truly the work of the spirits."

Comments

[onerthes]

Vira-Lorr was decidedly stubborn about calling her Cynthia. She knew her as the mortal woman that had been Julia's mother, and she trusted her more as that than the incredibly powerful moon presence. So, she stuck to calling her what she wanted.

She chuckled and while she sat beside the water, running her fingers along it. there was a light tingle that shot up her arm, feeling so much less pained or aching even from the small contact. "Many things in this reality are themselves magical. But a good hot spring can do wonders even without magic. You just need the right salts. Have you thought to try this water?"

[truehumili_tea]

"It was the reason for my journey actually. To see if the rumors were true, though if so then it a rare opportunity to be able to enjoy them. You certainly wouldn't want to drift off or lose track of time in them."

Because when the moon was gone, it would be a far different story to tell and the darkness of the night and this land would be reflected back in the lifelessness of the water.

"I had hoped to take a little with me as well."

[onerthes]

"I am planning to take some as well. To research the magic. Even if I cannot cast a spell, I can study the process, to better understand it. But I was thinking of testing to see how effective the waters were." She didn't actually mention just how much she'd been dealing with lately, the stresses of her life and the like, of watching some of those she cared about really start to lose the ground they'd made until very recently in improving themselves.

"Nothing to say one can't share the public baths though. We're certainly grown adults, if you were planning to take a dip while the moon shines."

[truehumili_tea]

"There isn't, it's not uncommon for there to be mixed company among popular hot springs. And I was, after all, I've heard such wonderful things about it and it is a rare opportunity."

It had been a long month, and he was quite sore. Plus it was the first opportunity that he'd had for something that was this much of luxury since his arrival not very long ago.

"If you don't mind the company."

[onerthes]

She began to quietly disrobe and smirked over her shoulder, back facing to the old man. "Oh, I don't mind the company at all. Nothing wrong with a couple old connoisseurs of bathhouses appreciating the gifts of the waters here. I certainly could use the ease of aches and pains." She didn't mention that those aches for her were more psychological this time than physical, but the point remained either way.

"How have you been settling in, if I may ask? no difficulties, I hope. Beyond the norm."

[truehumili_tea]

"It has been interesting, to say the least. I have met rather interesting individuals, some of which seem quite familiar with me and have known a lot about what I have only just recently accomplished. But I was also invited to a wedding shortly after my arrival as well."

Mako and Wu had been rather insistent that Iroh be among those in attendance, though it seemed they had invited quite a few people and had many friends. Iroh followed suit with pulling off robes and entering the water.

"Though there is still much I have to learn about the devices that allow people to talk to one another over distances."

[onerthes]

She nodded as she slipped into the water with an exultant sigh, setting the cloth to the side safely and resting an arm across her chest for a fraction of modesty while she tilted her head back. "I was so pleased to hear about the wedding," she said, knowing exactly which one he meant. "It's wonderful that they have the chance to be happy in this time. And I'm glad you've been able to meet souls from your world. It helps here, I think."

She laughed a little. "Ah yes, the Omni? It's... once you're used to it, it's easy, but I made a fool of myself so much when I had the first version, before we came here. I can show you sometime, if you'd like."

[truehumili_tea]

Iroh had brought a towel out of courtesy, though he let out a pleasant sigh as well once he sank into the water. It was very soothing and he could feel much of the stress already beginning to melt away.

"To have had the chance to meet the next avatar, as well as those who have had the opportunity to flourish in a world without war, it has been a blessing."

Ah the Omni, that's right, that was the name for the device. It had still slipped his mind,

"That would be very helpful."

[onerthes]

"Ah, so you're from a time before Korra assumed the title?" she said as she eased into a comfortable position. "My, that has to be quite a strange experience, to see someone who is from your own history, and likewise to see the future so personally present. Is she the next generation?"

She smirked and nodded. "It's not as hard as you might think. It's almost like it was created assuming some of us would have no idea how to use it."

[truehumili_tea]

"Yes, eighty years from what I've gathered. Long enough that my nephew has become older than I am. And wiser."

Iroh had been proud to hear of the accomplishments that Zuko made after the war. And he was thankful for the dulling of the aches and pains as he relaxed into the water of the spring. It truly was magical.

"What a thoughtful gesture."

[onerthes]

"Well now, that's quite the journey. Exactly the sort of thing that might feel a little disorienting, though it never hurts to hear that your family is doing well, does it?" Though she didn't know the half of it with Zuko.

"For whatever reason, they seem to think it's customary. I've known a few others who were trapped in other strange worlds. Devices like this, I've been told, are strangely common." She idly sometimes wondered why. "I imagine they think it's helpful for us to be able to keep in touch."

[truehumili_tea]

"Keeping in touch is a wonderful thing, and it does make it easier. Though I think that it's still better to have face-to-face communication. It is much more personal and is easy to show the proper respect to those you are conversing with."

The convenience of the devices was not to be downplayed though, especially with their ability to address a large group at once.

"Being able to capture a moment in an instant with such vivid detail is truly amazing though."

[onerthes]

"Person to person is always better. I think some of these people are more used to doing this. I've been told that they speak over great distances with similar devices in their worlds. It's a curious thing, certainly." That kind of magic had never been something her world had developed.

"Oh yes. Without being able to see the memories of another person, it is as vivid as I've ever seen."

[truehumili_tea]

"Share the memories of another? Is there such a thing possible?"

Iroh knew that the words lain down by certain individuals were evocative enough that it was almost as if you were there. Some were able to make it so that you could hear and smell the world as it was through their senses, but to truly witness the memory, would be inspiring.

Relaxing a little further into the water he leaned back and rested against a log.

"How much would we understand if we were able to be so open."

[onerthes]

"There was a trick to it, in the nightmare. We managed to copy a method the Pthumerians used. Well, we made one just like it anyway. It cost the person their memory, but an item was made with the memory trapped inside, which could be shared." She nodded once. "I still have those that I made. Memories of the nightmare, though most are now very much history, and confusing the the people of Trench."

Some would have almost said blasphemy among the Disciples.

"Mmmm, well it is possible to perform a bond that is telepathic in nature, but they say that there are no secrets in those shared thoughts. It's nice to keep just a few things back now and again, yes?"

[truehumili_tea]

[ooc: I apologize for the delay, a housing emergency came up. Feel free to drop this thread if you would like.]

"Yes, and it is a sign of trust. To trust someone that they will share what they know when they are ready and that you will be willing to wait until such a time that they are. As there is occasionally a truth that while it may be helpful will be quite devastating and harmful if discovered in the wrong moment."

Knowledge was an important and powerful thing, it was a lesson that his brother knew but not fully and not enough to truly understand. At least he would have had Iroh imprisoned long ago. Relaxing a little more into the water Iroh felt the tensions and aches of the month fade away, enjoying the warmth of the waters.

"But this is not something I think any would be able to replicate, for each moment is unique and tonight is so wonderful under the moon."

[onerthes]

(OOC: No worries. This month was busy for me too. We'll start something fresh next month as well, but no reason to wrap quite yet. We can let it ease to its conclusion.)

"Always a matter of timing. I can think of some things that, had we learned them at the wrong time, could have turned affairs quite sour in dangerous ways we couldn't have imagined." She sighed a little, raising one arm and letting the waters drip down from it as they talked. "And in a relationship, it is just as important to have that trust. To know that though you don't know everything? You know that you can trust them to share what you need."

She chuckled softly and nodded. "Certain things are precious. Unique. They are the most beautiful and wonderful. I would fear that those bonds almost make them all a little same. Tut tut. All the fun out of it. Minako's right not to want one of those."