[open] Intro

[emulative]

I;

What happened to Republic City? The last thing Iroh remembers was hearing that Amon had been unbasked as a bender and had disappeared, then he had suddenly woken up in a very strange place (the Spirit World, he's almost positive it was the Spirit World - though how did he manage to get there?) and found his way here, back to Republic City. The only problem was that Republic City had changed immensely overnight - the vines everywhere are the first indication, but he's seen spirits milling around and the general feeling of the city is off somehow, though Iroh hasn't been able to pinpoint exactly why.

He was making his way toward City Hall to try to get some idea of what was going on, but Iroh has stopped to pick up a newspaper and is currently reading it, looking troubled.

The first section is troubling, but more confusing than anything else. It's the section regarding his grandfather that's causing his eyebrows to knit as he scans it. "There is supposedly a time-displaced younger Lord Zuko now installed as interim Fire Lord following Fire Lord Izumi's disappearance. Whether or not the 'young' Zuko is actually Lord Zuko's past self or a very convincing child actor, this means that Lord Zuko now has direct control of two nations. Is it possible our 'interim' President plans on having his rule be not so temporary? It is awfully convenient that his own daughter has disappeared in the same manner of President Raiko - and as we've now learned, the other world leaders of the nations and prominent cities within them - and this has allowed him to not only be voted in as the interim President of the United Republic, but to set a hand-picked puppet where his daughter used to sit."

"President Raiko...?" The name doesn't sound familiar. Since when did Republic City have a president, and why would his grandfather take over if said president had disappeared? What about Fire Lord Izumi? What had happened to her? What's going on here?

Iroh can be found puzzling over the newspaper on the side of the street. He's wearing the usual United Forces uniform (this one isn't missing a sleeve, thankfully). He looks more concerned than confused and he won't be looking up from that paper unless he's directly addressed.

II;

Once he's done with the newspaper, Iroh decides that the best thing to do is continue to City Hall. If his grandfather really is in charge right now, he can surely answer Iroh's questions. If Lord Zuko isn't in charge (or isn't in), he can at least find a phone to get in contact with the United Forces to figure out what happened.

Iroh stops dead in the street when City Hall comes into view. It certainly isn't the normal City Hall and the vines growing from it are quite impressive. Hopefully the place is still in good shape inside, because the last thing he wants is to find out that this isn't where he needs to be.

Comments

II

[braavado]

Though it's been a little while since Korra's seen Iroh--not since her attempt to get his aid in the civil war, really--he cuts a distinctive figure wherever he goes. The uniform is easily recognizable to Korra's eyes, even if she can't believe what she's seeing at first.

"General Iroh?" Korra asks incredulously, before she begins to smile. "When did you get here?"

[emulative]

"Avatar Korra," Iroh isn't really surprised to see her considering what he's seen and read in the newspaper, but it's still nice that he's run into her so soon. He smiles and for a moment the confusion and anxiety fades away. "It's good to see you again." Judging from her tone though, it sounds like he's been gone awhile. "I woke up in the Spirit World this morning and found my way here. Things have certainly changed. How long have I been gone?"

this is incredibly late, sorry!

[braavado]

"It's good to see you, too," Korra says, finally walking closer. Even if it sounds like he hasn't come here by choice. Not that this is anything new nowadays.

"I haven't seen you in months, but... that might not be all that helpful. What's the last thing you remember? We can figure things out from there."

I

[savedtheworld]

There are a few things troubling Aang lately - some to do with the news, others with spirit shenanigans and also largely to do with Katara having disappeared, just as Sokka had the other month. The young monk is walking through the streets wearing his monk robes plus a hat that covers the arrow atop his head.

Aang moves through the crowded streets with a speedy hustle while distracted by his thoughts, and it's in this way that he bumps into someone reading a newspaper. This pulls him back to reality as he regains his balance and looks up towards the man apologetically. "Sorry!"

[emulative]

Iroh looks up at that, still frowning though the expression fades when he catches sight of the person that ran into him. He doesn't recognize the boy right away, but there's definitely something familiar about him. "Ah, it's no problem - do you have a moment? I have a couple of questions."

[savedtheworld]

Aang looks up at the man with an absolutely bewildered look. Why does this guy sound just like Zuko? Kind of looks a lot like him, too...

"Um... sure! Questions... Question me!" He manages to meekly posit in his confusion, his own questions multiplying in his mind.

[emulative]

"I've only just returned to Republic City and it looks nothing like it did the last time I saw it. Do you know where all these vines came from?" He could ask about the Spirit World and how he got there, but he doubts this very familiar looking boy would know that. He could also ask why the boy seems so confused by being asked a question, but that's just rude.

[savedtheworld]

He sounds just like him. Just like him. Oh wait he's saying more things. Focus, Aang.

"Um... what was that? The vines- OH, the vines!" He waves casually at the air with a sheepish smile. "They came from the... what do you call it? The Harmonic Conga?"

[emulative]

...Um. "Harmonic Conga?" Iroh raises an eyebrow at that. It doesn't look like he's going to be getting any useful information out of this kid, unfortunately. "Well, thank you for your assistance. My name is Iroh; it's been a pleasure."

[savedtheworld]

"Wait a second. Iroh?!" He exclaims in disbelief. He looks a little young to be the Iroh he knows, so the monk raises an eyebrow in confusion.

"But... You're so young! And... why do you sound like Zuko?"

II

[restoredhonour]

When Iroh enters City Hall, he'll find it's still in use and as busy as ever, vines aside. He's taken to the lounge outside the President's office, where inside, Lord Zuko was engaged in a phone call with the mayor of one of the smaller cities of the Republic. Once it's finished, though, and he receives word his grandson is waiting in the lounge, he wastes no time in hurrying out to see him.

If Zuko looks a little older and a little more tired since they last met, that's because he is. The year of difference in times aside, lately his quiet life of retirement has been interrupted -- ever since the Red Lotus escaped, and now being saddled with the responsibility of a nation again. Two nations, in a manner of speaking, at least until Izumi is found and resumes her rightful place.

All that weariness leaves his expression when he sees who's waiting for him, though. "Iroh?"

[emulative]

He's content to wait until his grandfather has a moment. Iroh can only imagine just how busy things are, especially if the newspapers are right. Still, he finds himself smiling at the sight of his grandfather, even if the man does look a little older and more tired. "Lord Zuko," He greets with a bow. "It's been awhile." He hesitates, and then adds, a bit awkwardly, "A little while longer than I remember, I assume. I've only just arrived here but, ah... Can we talk privately, perhaps?" If the newspapers are right and people are having problems with those who showed up from the Spirit World, perhaps it might be best to keep that quiet.

[restoredhonour]

"Of course. Come this way, and we won't be disturbed," Zuko replies, leading him into the President's office. It's a far cry from the grandness of the Fire Nation's throne room, and Lord Zuko almost looks out of place, but it is at least comfortable and functional. He gestures for Iroh to sit, taking a seat next to his grandson instead of opposite him at the desk -- there was no need for that formality.

"I'm so relieved to see you're all right," Zuko says, once they're seated. "Was it the spirits who brought you back here?"

[emulative]

Iroh follows his grandfather and sits in the seat Zuko gestured to, frowning at bit at the question. "Yes, the spirits led me here. I don't understand what happened. The last thing I remember was hearing that Amon had been unmasked as a waterbender. He supposedly fled. Then I found myself in the Spirit World and now... it seems like quite some time has passed since what I remember. What happened?"

[restoredhonour]

Zuko nods. "That's right. The Equalist revolution was put down by Avatar Korra. Yet there was still discontent with the way nonbenders' concerns had gone ignored for a long time, to which Republic City's council was abolished and replaced with an elected official: the President of the United Republic. Unfortunately, President Raiko is missing... and Republic City's citizens asked that I fill in during his absence. I'm retired, of course, so this is only a temporary measure.

"As for the vines and the spiritual activity you can see around the city, that is also Avatar Korra's work. During a battle with the spirit of chaos and darkness, Vaatu, the gateways between the human world and the spirit world were opened... and once the battle was over, Korra decided it was best to leave them open, and let spirits and humans learn to live together in peace. Unfortunately, the spiritual activity here recently has changed, however: people are being pulled to and from Republic City, from all manner of times and places, as you have been."

He pauses, to let him take all that information in. There have been enormous changes in the world as of late, now more than ever, but hopefully Iroh could follow that explanation so far.

[emulative]

It's a good thing Zuko asked him to sit down because Iroh isn't sure what to do with all the information he's been given. He folds his hands and stares intently at the floor while he tries to process all of this.

A President was elected by the people after the council was dissolved. That President is currently missing and his grandfather is currently serving as a stand-in leader. The Avatar opened the spirit portals permanently, allowing spirits to live alongside humans, which explains the vines everywhere. People are going missing and showing up in Republic City.

As he ticks off each item on a mental checklist, Iroh finally looks up again. "I see," The reply isn't exactly a good one, but he doesn't look as troubled as he did when he first arrived. "What can I do to help? What are the United Forces doing right now?" He'd rather not have to chose between his job and his grandfather, but he's assuming Zuko knows what to do better than any of his colleagues.

[restoredhonour]

Iroh seemed to be taking it all in his stride, as he always did, at least. Zuko was grateful for that; it made his explanation far easier. To his questions, Zuko replied, "The Forces have still been operational without you, remaining on standby should any more spiritual threats attack the city again. If you wish to resume your post, I and the Forces would be glad to have you. But... there is another problem."

A worried frown passed across his face. He had bad news to give his grandson. "Your mother is amongst those missing," he said quietly. "We're doing everything we can to find her, but it seems she's vanished, just as you did. I'm sorry, Iroh."

He'd hoped never to have to give Iroh news like this, that his mother was gone. It struck painfully close to what he himself had been through as a boy, and that broke his heart.

I

[paishodown]

Asami has been in and out of City Hall more times than she can count in the past couple of months, so it isn't surprising that she comes across the General Iroh on her way to lunch after another contracting meeting.

"General Iroh-" She approaches him, her expression amicable if slightly questioning. Judging by that newspaper he's poring over...

"Did... you just get here?" Probably way too vague a question, but she has to start somewhere.

[emulative]

"Ah, Miss Sato," Iroh looks a bit surprised to see her, but it doesn't take long for his expression to relax into a more friendly smile. "Yes, I've just gotten here and I'm trying to figure out what has happened in my absence. The last thing I remember was hearing that Korra had unmasked Amon and that he was on the run. How long have I been missing?"

[paishodown]

"Please, just Asami is fine." She purses her lips at the General's explanation of what he remembers. That's going to be a lot to fill in...

"Well... A lot's changed since Amon's fall. Harmonic Convergence took place. It's a cosmic event that has to do with our connection to the spirit world." She imagines Korra could explain it better than she. "Long story short, there was a huge battle that you were definitely here for, and Korra ended it and chose to keep the portals between humans and spirits open. Hence..." She waves around them, indicating the vines growing in and around the buildings, and the occasional spirit poking out to investigate.

"Now, it seems like the Spirit World is pulling people from all over different worlds and times to this time. Which is probably why you don't remember the last several months." There's more. Much more. But Asami isn't about to overload him in one shot.

uno

[mercuryadept]

Mia is still getting oriented to Republic City. For better or worse, her mission to find Alex had pretty much come to a standstill; there's been absolutely no news as to his whereabouts since she'd come here. Granted, the city was much larger than she had imagined, but she had still hoped to hear something. For now, the only thing she really could do was explore the city and get used to things, hoping to turn up some sign of his whereabouts.

And so Mia happens to be out on the streets amongst the spirit vines. There are a few spirits about, and Mia is sitting down with one in her lap. There's a koalaotter on her shoulder, and she's giving both of them some genuine affection.

"You're such a friendly spirit," Mia says rather joyfully. "I wish Tui and La were more like you. I mean, I realise that they're like fish and therefore a lot less social by nature, but I wish more of you were at the North Pole."