Cup 004: Iroh [In person]

[ginsengismyfave.livejournal.com]

[Anyone in the cafeteria that night may happen upon Iroh, sitting by himself at the edge of a table.  Tonight's dinner is "Japanese" food.  He has chopsticks in his hands, the cheap, wooden kind one would get at an Asian restaurant.

He unenthusiastically pokes his meal with them.]

I suppose this is supposed to be rice...and sushi...and fish.  But I've never seen anything less like them in my life!

Comments

[ginsengismyfave.livejournal.com]

[Iroh looks up at the newcomer.]

No, it's not beef. But it's not much of anything else either.

[He picks up what may be meat and cautiously eats it.] Baaaah. Tasteless.

Oh. Where are my manners? I am Iroh. A pleasure to meet you. [He bows his head from where he is sitting.]

[eugene-watson.livejournal.com]

[Gene was somewhat familiar with Oriental customs from his work and bows his head.]

My apologies for speaking out of turn and not introducing myself. I am Gene Watson and I am honored to meet you.

[Gene watched with a slightly disinterested expression when Iroh talked about the food.]

At least it's not as bland as the fishsticks they had last week.

[Gene takes a packet of soy sauce and tries to cover up the flavor.]

I miss having wasabi. At least it cleared my sinuses.

[ginsengismyfave.livejournal.com]

[Iroh smiles.] The honor is mine, Gene.

Oh, what I wouldn't give for wasabi now. Or proper dumplings. [He moves what could be a dumpling around on his plate, but it more resembles a sticky grey ball.]

[eugene-watson.livejournal.com]

[Gene uses his chop sticks and pulls up with a disgusted expression something that's supposed to look like shishimi. Instead of the nice pink flesh, it looks nearly rubbery and a washed out orange. He sniffs it, raises his brow and drops it.]

I'm eating the rice.

[ginsengismyfave.livejournal.com]

A sound idea. That at least appears safe.

[eugene-watson.livejournal.com]

The soup's like salty water with spinach. It's not even close to miso.

[Shrugs and starts eating the rice.]

[ginsengismyfave.livejournal.com]

[Iroh makes a face.]

I didn't even bother with the miso. It smelled wrong.

Ah, but I do not wish to bore you with an old man's complaints about food. Please, tell me, how have you been in this place?

[eugene-watson.livejournal.com]

[Gene takes a sip of his tea to wash out the bad taste and nods in agreement to the smell.]

Well, considering that I've encountered a really creepy girl in biology, not too bad, I suppose. It's been pretty quiet around here for me. How about you?

[ginsengismyfave.livejournal.com]

Creepy girl, huh? [He honestly can't think of who that would be. There are some strange people here, but no one truly creepy. Not yet.]

All has been well for me. I have been doing my best with the prescribed exams. I am not sure why I bother, other than to avoid the punishments I have seen others endure.

[He mutters something about the principal being crazy into his teacup.]

[eugene-watson.livejournal.com]

That's exactly what I've been doing. I was stubborn once to fight it but there didn't seem to be any way out of the scenario so I just ran with it. Besides, the worst part about school for me is the prom anyway.

[ginsengismyfave.livejournal.com]

Aaah, the prom. I have heard the younger ones here talking endlessly about it. All I have gathered is that it is some type of dance.

I fear that there is no one here to attend the dance with me, but if there is music, and food, I will gladly go.

[Of course, he has no notion of the kind of music that will be played.]

[eugene-watson.livejournal.com]

Oh sure, if you like pigs in a blanket and Swedish meatballs.

It's generally stuff that's popular to the kids and the stuff that parents hate. If I hear Stayin' Alive by the Beegee's I'll hang myself. I hated that song then and I still hate it now.

[And Gene has no idea what's going to be playing so he's thinking the worst.]

[ginsengismyfave.livejournal.com]

[Iroh frowns. Of course, he's never heard of those songs or those foods.]

Well, perhaps we will be able to suggest some songs. I just so happen to still have my Tsungi horn with me.

[eugene-watson.livejournal.com]

I have my guitar back in my room. And...forgive my asking but what in the heck is a Tsungi horn?

[ginsengismyfave.livejournal.com]

Ah. Of course, you would not be familiar with it. My fault.

It, ah, is an instrument that requires the breath. It has a reed, and its pitch is controlled entirely by breath and hands. [He indicates its general shape with hand motions.] I will show it to you. At the prom. Bring your guitar too.

(and this is what is sounds like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjObRm9e81Y )

[eugene-watson.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a plan to me.

[Gene smiles then realizes that the other may not be familiar with the foods that he mentioned and kicks himself mentally.]

You know, I just realized something and I shouldn't have said what I did earlier. I...uh...made an ass out of myself and I shouldn't have assumed anything.

[ginsengismyfave.livejournal.com]

[Iroh waves a dismissive hand.]

Think nothing of it. We are all having difficulty adapting to the cultures of each others worlds.

[eugene-watson.livejournal.com]

At least let me make it up to you somehow. I was rude and obnoxious.

[Then an idea struck him.]

How about before the Prom, we exchange cultural music over drinks?

[ginsengismyfave.livejournal.com]

A splendid idea. If you have no objections, I will bring tea for us both. Where would you like to meet?

[eugene-watson.livejournal.com]

The Parlor seems nice and comfortable. And tea sounds great.

[ginsengismyfave.livejournal.com]

[He inclines his head in a shallow bow.]

Before the prom, then. I look forward to it.

[eugene-watson.livejournal.com]

[Gene didn't know a lot of people here and making a friend with a common interest was certainly a way to go.]

[enthusiastically] Great!