The panic in Zuko's eyes was noticeable.
The guy thought he was keeping his emotions in check, but I could see the moment his arm shot toward the hidden weapon behind his apron from a mile away.
As for Old Iroh... his expression remained calm. No—it was as if he were actually happy to see me here, even though we were technically enemies.
I mean, kinda enemies? I had no idea where we stood since we joined Team Avatar so late. Not that I had much of an opinion on them beyond what Aang, Sokka, and Katara had told me.
"Hello," I greeted them with a calm smile as I walked over to an empty seat. "I heard this is the finest tea house in all of Ba Sing Se!"
Old Iroh gently nudged his nephew aside before approaching my table with a tray in hand.
"Why, thank you for the much-appreciated praise!"
From... somewhere, he produced a menu and placed it in front of me.
"We have a wide variety of teas—though you should expect them to be similar to ones you've tasted before. I guarantee that even teas you've had countless times before will taste completely different when prepared by my nephew and me!"
Lifting the menu, I scanned it before humming.
There was... a lot of variety, wow.
"An impressive menu," I muttered. "Any recommendations for someone new to drinking tea? I normally drink water..."
"Why, we will have to change that!" As if flipping a switch, Old Iroh suddenly grabbed me by the shoulder as he leaned a bit too close for comfort.
"Come! Let me show you the world of teas! We can start with the basics like jasmine and then slowly ramp up the intensity with red hibiscus!"
"W-Woah, you are very enthusiastic with this...!"
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I-I think I spent almost thirty silver on just tea.
But wow, was it good.
"This one is especially great!" I praised as I took another sip of the osmanthus oolong tea.
"Yes, it is sweet, complex, and rich with fruity notes. One of the many teas that I personally enjoy!"
Meanwhile...
Zuko was staring at his uncle and me with a twitching eye, clearly trying his best to keep himself calm.
I glanced toward Zuko, whose eye twitched again.
"Your tea is wonderful. Though I noticed one of your blends has a rather... distinctive aftertaste."
Iroh followed my gaze for the briefest moment.
"Ah. That one has always been difficult to disguise."
"I see. Could I get a blend with a hidden aftertaste?"
"Yes, I have just the blend. Give me a moment."
Taking his tray with him, Old Iroh moved over and tapped Zuko lightly on the side before disappearing into the back of the shop. The prince followed a few minutes later, after serving another customer behind my chair.
Finishing my drink, I briefly glanced out the window before turning back toward the counter. Iroh soon returned with another teapot.
"Say, Mr. Iroh. Could I come back for more in the next few days?"
I gave him a knowing look.
"I'd like to enjoy my free time here drinking tea with you without my friends. I hope that's fine."
"Of course, of course!"
Patting my shoulder, he gave me a knowing look in return, his eyes briefly flicking toward the hidden Dai Li operative whom Zuko had served moments ago. The agent had entered the shop midway through our two-hour tea-tasting session, making sure to keep us, specifically me, under observation.
"In fact, why don't you come over to my house this weekend? I have plenty more tea varieties that I'm experimenting with..."
"Really?" I replied excitedly, though my eyes didn't share the same enthusiasm. "Wow, you sure do know how to make a guy feel appreciated. Then I'll see you on Sunday, let's say after lunch?"
A little while later, after chatting and laughing over another cup of tea, Iroh finally scribbled an address onto a small piece of paper and handed it to me.
"I'll be looking forward to seeing you on Sunday!"
"Likewise, Mr. Iroh."
I stood from my seat and paid for the tea, tucking the address safely into my clothes afterward.
It wasn't that expensive, all things considered.
Still, I'd already spent a little too much today.
I glanced down at the stuffed sack of coins hidden beneath my clothes.
Looks like I'll have to play more Hold'em if I want to keep our funds topped up.
...Ugh.
I hate gambling.
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A/N: Testing out shorter section breaks.
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