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It's was the evening of my third day in Ba Sing Se after the infiltration. And while Azula focused on putting the city under her control, I kept an eye on team avatar and Iroh every time I could. From what I could gather, Team Avatar was collaborating with the Earth King after the betrayal of his trusted advisor, who Azula was manipulating to start a coup, something team Avatar was no aware of, but the ever innocent King trusted Azula, believing her to be part of the Kyoshi Warriors, meaning they had to tread carefully because one wrong move and the Earth King would die, after all, Mai, Ty Lee and Azula were always beside him, keeping the edge over all the others parties, including the advisor.
As for the advisor, he no longer had control of the earth kingdom special army, Azula had made sure of that, ensuring her supreme control over them with fear, something that did wonder to the Dai Li.
"You alright there, old friend?" a deep and familiar voice said, snapping me out of my long reverie. With a sigh, I look up to see Iroh, the Jasmine Dragon's owner, standing across the counter from me, carefully picking the right herbs to make his tea. "You looked like you had a lot of baggage, sometimes talking can be the key to self-healing."
I studied the old general for a second before sighing, I couldn't really tell why was I here in his tea shop, what did I want to accomplish? If I wanted information I could've just kept tabs on him with my seismic sense from afar, perhaps I came here to find some answers about my situation with Azula.
The old general smiled and pulled a teapot from the heat pouring me a drink into my cup. "I know that face, I have seen it many times," he chuckled, "You are hiding something from someone, and the weight of that secret is bringing you down,"
I chuckled, no wonder he was considered the most spiritually enlightened character in this world, he managed to read me like an open book with a simple glance, with a smile I raise my cup to him, trying to put words to my troubled thoughts, how could I explain what I was going through without revealing my identity.
"Well, I suppose… I could talk," I sighed, with a faint smile on my face, "I am currently dating a girl, but she doesn't know what I do for a living, and I suppose I am afraid of her reaction once she discovers the real me," I said, trying to be as vague as possible.
"The troubles of the heart, are never easy to heal or deal with, for there is no right or wrong answers, just paths that lead us to places of no return," Iroh hummed his answer, "But if you want my advice, I would recommend you to be honest with her, a relationship formed with lies is as weak as a wet paper,"
"I want to," I answered, "But telling her right now could potentially damage something I've been working on, I need to be sure she will side by me when push comes to shove," I chuckled, "Let's just say her dad is a very bad man, one that I have been tasked to end,"
"Oh, I see," Iroh chuckled, "Love and duty, the hardships of a young man, and an old one," He smiled, refilling my tea as he added, "But, now I know… you already have your answer, love is tricky and sometimes can be misinterpreted, but if you truly loved her your duty would not stop you, nor the consequences of abandoning it,"
If only he knew, "If I side with her family… nothing will stop them,"
"I know," Iroh smiled, "But siding with Ozai is not your destiny is it?" he whispered the last part, startling the fuck out of me, "Don't panic young Akira, I am not your enemy,"
"You are very perceptive for an old man, Iroh," I complimented, it was weird to see someone getting the upper hand on me.
"I know you don't want to hurt Azula more than our family has already hurt her, I know that…" Iroh smiled, patting my shoulder, "But that's not love, it's pity… sometimes you have to hurt the ones you love to wake them up, only then their true path will reveal itself,"
Was he true? Did I pity Azula? I certainly enjoyed our kisses and having sex, but did we have any connection outside that? "Pity? That's a strong word,"
--He is right kid, as much as I hate that fat idiot… he is right, you don't love her… I wish you did… with someone as unstable as her by our side… the world would be in utter chaos! But alas, you are not ready to throw everything away from her… if you loved her… you would do it without hesitating…. That how irrational humans are… a sight to behold,-- Vaatu growled, adding salt to what Iroh said, before going back to sleep.
"Was that Vaatu?" Iroh chuckled.
"You heard him?" I asked in shock.
"No, dear no," Iroh shook his head, "But I felt your energy fluctuate differently for a second, it was both beautiful and very scary," He sighed.
"Oh, I see," I chuckled, "Let's say I manage to do what I want to do… what do you think it will happen?" I asked.
"You won't succeed in gaining her heart, she might love you now… but the moment your truth comes out… she will never forgive you…" Iroh sighed, "The more love she gives the bigger the hate she will unleash on you, but perhaps I am wrong…. Perhaps you will change her before you reveal your true self, if not… don't beat yourself up for it… she is the result of our family's mistakes… including mine's,"
I had always known that was a possibility, Azula hating me, "So much for being a fucking empath… I can read everyone's emotions and yet I can't seem to properly understand mine, what a joke," I chuckled bitterly.
"It's easier to help and understand others," Iroh smiled sadly, "Our demons are always the ones that elude us, for it easier to see the shadows in others than in ourselves,"
"Thanks," I smiled, as I added in a whisper, "This city will fall within this week… leave if you want to fight another day, or stay and be captured… consider that a tip for the wonderful tea,"
"You are always welcome to come and drink tea with me," Iroh smiled and waved at me, as I left his store, and even now, I could never get a proper read on that guy.