The old man also called Iroh saw a portal appear in front of his and out came what could be described as broke person he could see in those red eyes not rage but loneliness and abandonment a person who is on the onset of insanity a person on the verge of losing himself
As the young man walked over and sat at Pai Sho table he stared at the ocean waves and seemed as if reminiscing, he did not interrupt the young man but pored him a cup of Jasmine tea and placed it in front of the young man.
"Hello I should introduce myself I have had many names Michael, Samuel and now Valeriel but you can choose any of these " said the young man now know as Valeriel as he took a tentative sip of the tea and I chucked at his surprised many can find in tea one's emotions and feelings in the tea jasmine is my favourite.
"Well hello Valeriel I am Iroh a Connoisseur of tea and a fallen general and once father " Iroh said the last part in a bare whisper but Valeriel heard him and nodded as neither spoke and just enjoyed the peace and tea, "Family is everything and for them we would sacrifice everything for them " said Valeriel. Iroh nodded surprised a young man could understand that but he sensed their was more to say so he kept his mouth closed.
"I was a doctor a good one who always looked after my patients even if I suffered for it and I did it with no compensation or wanting praise just because people deserved to live, though when I had died, I wasn't able to rest in peace I was disregarded. By what you might call the reincarnation sprit and sent to a world of war and memories became nothing and in this world I was selfish and sought to fight not for my nation but the people who I had called family those who I reunited after solving all problems. And when it came to fight for them so they don't experience war I did everything I fought in to many wars seen to many things and by the end of my time in that world it had been for nought. My current life is bestowed upon by a goddess of mercenaries ,even though such of god I abhor as they do nothing for their believers I have people call me a god to not allow them to pray to those who would sell a lie I do no such thing they get everything I say I will give them a place to live after death happiness I give it all. Yet I'm empty I've had enough I'm about to go into a war where billions will die and I don't know why I'm continuing to fight when my life is semi stable" said Valeriel.
Iroh thought about what Valeriel said and concluded nothing this person while he has done and will continue to do wrong he has done much good and when goodness isn't seen it turns to resentment." You are at a cross roads in life in view you see yourself as a monster and from what I've heard from you, you just cared about those who gave you love and affection and yet in this new life. You are lonely from what I can affirm but just because you don't have someone to share you burned doesn't mean everything you do is worthless all has purpose even if its good or bad though such a black white view of the world. Is dangerous as without darkness their would be not light" said Iroh
"In my real body I am a dragon who wiped an entire race and was then chained and used as weapon against a formidable foe I made them a new forms for war and freed them from pain and suffering like they asked. But as I go though my bodies memories I see that I'm not that dragon I was once a human so my thoughts are always colliding with human and dragon being at odds never settling till once's fall" said Valeriel.
Iroh took a sip of his tea and placed down upon the table beside the board as he said "War is thing that takes everything for nothing we fight and then say it was for peace yet when not fighting and making plans for conquest or greed we are all wanting safety. But people turn and twist safety into their whims, you are wrong for making a race for war though I can not judge you as they asked for help though not in the way they wanted they eventually defeated their foes" said Iroh.
"We all have a balance in our heart when no one stands against us in words or swords it leads way to arrogance and pride which then leads to indifference and finally emptiness you are close to losing all yet having everything this is like my. Nephew you had it all then thrown it all away though for you all see you as a god and person of great power, power always is the loneliest at the top with none bar yourself to know what it mean stop be powerful we all have choice in this universe whether it be as simple as drinking tea or making the fate of billions. All is a choice and ultimately life is an adventure with no end though the good and bad its all you the person who makes choices" Iroh said.
"Have you heard of this phrase 'The hardest Choices require the strongest wills' I think a lot on that and I feel that I shouldn't " said Valeriel.
"Those are the words of man who has truly lost it and his way in a way its like my brother believing that destiny himself is his herald though its never been that way , come lets play Pai Sho and have a drink" as Iroh said those words he saw his nephew storming over to them and as he expected with anger and exasperation said "Old man who this demon who is on my ship ".
"Nephew do not cause fights come drink some tea this person is similar to you " said Iroh getting annoyed his nephew made his new friend riled up but no come back emerged as he saw his friend just looking at them with smile on his face.
"HOW COULD ANYONE BE LIKE ME!" shouted Zuko as he used a stream of fire towards Valeriel who didn't move just casually waved his hand that sent air through the fire as Zuko continued to attack him yet. Iroh could tell his friend was not actually fighting he was restrained a lot but he could see the battle stance he was in he was going easy on his nephew.
As his nephew tired himself out he slumped on the floor as caught his breath while saying "your...ha....an air..bender you should not exist "my friend with a practiced grace sat down and began drinking his tea holding his tea cup up for me to re fill it which I happily did as we ignored the fight that occurred much to shock of my nephew..