Badfic Manor

[Somewhere near a large forest of alien trees Iroh wanders around, hemming and hawing.  He has a bundle of plants tucked under his arms.  Every now and then he rubs his stomach and looks mournful.]

Some of these must be alright to eat.  Maybe I could even brew tea from them.  Hmmm...

[He continues on his search, stopping here and there to bend down and study a plant and either pluck it out of the ground or move on.]

[In the kitchen, sitting in a chair by the window, sits a boy.  He has black hair, and golden eyes, and his hair is held up in a topknot.  His clothes are red and gold, the fine clothes of the Fire Nation royalty.

The boy Iroh sighs, content, as he looks out the window.]

What a rare gift this is.

[Iroh's got a big smile on his face as he pours himself a cup of tea.  He takes a sip, sighs happily, then addresses the camera.]

It seems based on the talk going around and the smell of smoke in the air that many of you are now Firebenders.  Waterbenders and Earthbenders too.  I'm familiar with all of these things from my world.  If any of you have questions, I can answer them.

Oh, and to those of you gifted with Firebending...I'd stay away from flammable objects until you master the art.  It can be a tricky thing at the best of times.

[Iroh's in some building.  It might be Macy's, or Saks 5th Avenue, or anything else, but whatever it is, it's decked out for the holidays with lights and wreathes.]

Could someone explain to me what this holiday's all about?  Everyone in the city seems to be celebrating it.

[Iroh's never experienced a Christmas before.]

[The shot is of Iroh, looking completely relaxed, in some small and cozy-looking cafe.  The seats are wood and red cushions, the walls wood paneling with paintings hanging from them.  Iroh has a veritable buffet of food before him: pastries and croissants, pies both fruit and meat, cups of soup, breads, one platter of cheese and another of meat.  Right in front of him is a silver coffee pot and a cup of steaming coffee, next to another cup full of tea.  A wine bottle in the corner of the table finishes the display.]

You know, people here have said that this city...Paris...has the finest food in the world.  I'm inclined to agree.

[He inhales deeply, clearly pleased with his great spread of food.]

What is it they say here?  Bone apeteet?

[He smiles and nibbles a wedge of cheese.]

I'm willing to share, if anyone else is hungry.

[After a week of being trapped inside with his childhood fear, Iroh's glad to be able to go outside again.]

Hmmm...looks like rain.

[The manor's grounds seemed to have changed too...the lawn's less well cared, and there's a massive graveyard by the woods, sprawling and ancient.

Well, it's better than nothing.  Hands behind his back, Iroh sets off at a leisurely pace across the grounds, towards the graveyard.]

[If anyone's near the woods, they'll find Iroh there.  He's walking slowly, occasionally stopping to bend down and study some plant, or pluck it up.  He's already got a bundle of weedy plants in one hand.  If you get closer, you'll hear him muttering to himself.]

Hmmm...no, no, that won't do.  That one looks unfamiliar.

[He pats his stomach, looking mournful, and continues on his little quest.]

[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!

[Iroh is holding a parchment scroll and frowning at whatever's written on it.  The writing appears to be Mandarin Chinese, or something close to it.  When he speaks, his voice is quiet.]

I don't understand...he's been dead for years.