"That is an... unusual strategy that you are using, my dear. Could it be that you recognize the importance of the lotus tile, even at this young age?"
"Look, will you quit playin' with the kid and take your turn? She's getting the tiles all gooey!" The cook is not amused at this delay in his game- he's got half a week's wages riding on this being the day he at least makes a good showing against the old general. But the old man is very fond of his grand-niece, and even fonder of taking her off the hands of his busy niece-proper while she trains or stares at charts or sulks or whatever she does.
"I am sure a strategy will present itself in good time," General Iroh admonishes, and hefts the girl-child in his arm as he surveys the board. "What do you think, my dear?"
As they wait for the old general to finish up his move, talk turns to how the supplies are just starting to run low. Oh, not rice or the majority of vegetables or even the oft-untouched supply of salt-meat, that was once loaded into a cannon but never shot for fear of being accused of war-crimes above and beyond the usual treatment of the enemy. But the spices are getting a bit old, and there is no more red bean paste to make treats with, and the tea, of course, cannot be done without.
"It's just a matter of getting my niece to see that some time off would be good for everyone, you see."
.....
"What's the meaning of this mutiny?!"
Uncle is abashed, smiling his embarrassed-old-man smile, and Zura does not believe it for an instant. Her daughter beams up at her, mouth full of some surreptitious treat.
"Well, Princess- it seems I have- it seems I have misplaced my lotus tile."
"You're turning this ship around for a stupid game?"
"Now how many times must I tell you? Pai Sho is much more than just a game..."
Zura finally leaves the room with a growl of frustration, going back to her self-imposed duties with an especially grouchy vigor. Iroh turns back to Lan Min, smiling widely at his little fellow conspirator-
"Now, my dear, if you will just give it back..."
Lan Min grins.
And as he swiftly pats down her little sleeves and pockets, and his own, Iroh's own face falls.
"You didn't."
She had.
Well- nothing a good walk on shore and a swift dose won't cure... and it wasn't as if I weren't going to be looking for a new one anyway...
Teaching Pai Sho (And After)
"Look, will you quit playin' with the kid and take your turn? She's getting the tiles all gooey!" The cook is not amused at this delay in his game- he's got half a week's wages riding on this being the day he at least makes a good showing against the old general. But the old man is very fond of his grand-niece, and even fonder of taking her off the hands of his busy niece-proper while she trains or stares at charts or sulks or whatever she does.
"I am sure a strategy will present itself in good time," General Iroh admonishes, and hefts the girl-child in his arm as he surveys the board. "What do you think, my dear?"
As they wait for the old general to finish up his move, talk turns to how the supplies are just starting to run low. Oh, not rice or the majority of vegetables or even the oft-untouched supply of salt-meat, that was once loaded into a cannon but never shot for fear of being accused of war-crimes above and beyond the usual treatment of the enemy. But the spices are getting a bit old, and there is no more red bean paste to make treats with, and the tea, of course, cannot be done without.
"It's just a matter of getting my niece to see that some time off would be good for everyone, you see."
.....
"What's the meaning of this mutiny?!"
Uncle is abashed, smiling his embarrassed-old-man smile, and Zura does not believe it for an instant. Her daughter beams up at her, mouth full of some surreptitious treat.
"Well, Princess- it seems I have- it seems I have misplaced my lotus tile."
"You're turning this ship around for a stupid game?"
"Now how many times must I tell you? Pai Sho is much more than just a game..."
Zura finally leaves the room with a growl of frustration, going back to her self-imposed duties with an especially grouchy vigor. Iroh turns back to Lan Min, smiling widely at his little fellow conspirator-
"Now, my dear, if you will just give it back..."
Lan Min grins.
And as he swiftly pats down her little sleeves and pockets, and his own, Iroh's own face falls.
"You didn't."
She had.
Well- nothing a good walk on shore and a swift dose won't cure... and it wasn't as if I weren't going to be looking for a new one anyway...