The DragonBorn

Chapter 28

It had been three weeks since Zuko, Iroh and Zeraphina had become refugee citizens of Ba Sing Se, and a few days since Zuko and Zeraphina went out and the tension between then never faltered. Zuko would glance over at Zeraphina but she would glance away. However, Zeraphina didn't want to feel uncomfortable around her friend, she always thought that he kind and that's why he was her good friend, someone that she cared for very much.

But now, there was a shift in the air around them, and with all the dreams she's been having, Zeraphina had a feeling that something was going to change, for both their little group, and for the future of the world.

Zeraphina smiled as she served yet another customer her sweets. The customer smiled along with his companion as they bit into the delicious cookie.

"These taste much different than normal. Is this a new recipe?" He asked.

"Yes, I simply tried adding a different fruit this week. Are they to your liking?" Zeraphina asked.

"Yes! In fact, they are the most delicious sweets I have ever tasted. They go great with this brew of tea. I'm impressed."

"Thank you sir for the compliment."

"If I may ask, who is the brains behind this tea? I just have to know."

Zeraphina nodded and pointed towards Iroh, "My Uncle is the one who brews every single cup of tea."

The man thanked Zeraphina and stood up with his companion holding their cup of hot tea while walking over to Iroh.

"So you're the genius behind this incredible brew. The whole city is buzzing about you!" He said to Iroh who smiled at the compliment, "I hope Pao pays you and that wonderful little baker of yours well."

"Good tea is its own reward." Iroh said.

"And a smile is the cherry on top." Zeraphina added, walking to stand by Iroh's side.

"But it doesn't have to be the only reward. How would you like to have your own tea shop?"

Iroh's eyes widened so large that it looked like they would pop out of his head.

"My own tea shop?" He questioned, "This is a dream come true!"

"Are you serious, sir? Is this offer real?"

"You'd better believe it, young lady. This tea deserves to be sold in greater places, don't you agree?"

Just then, Pao came up to the group with a nervous look on his face, "What's going on here? Are you trying to poach my tea maker and baker?" He said stretching his arms in front of Iroh and Zeraphina.

"Sorry, Pao, but that's business for you, am I right?"

"Mushi, if you stay, I'll.... make you assistant manager." Pao tried to convince, "Wait, Senior Assistant Manager!"

"I'll provide you with a new apartment in the upper ring. The tea shop is yours to do whatever you want, complete creative freedom." The man said making a much more tempting offer.

"I even get to name the shop?" Iroh asked.

"Of course!"

"Uh, senior executive assistant manager?" Pao tried to convince Iroh again, but he failed as Iroh handed the manager the tea pot. Iroh and Zeraphina bowed at the man and Pao pouted as he walked away.

"Did you hear that nephew? This man wants to give us our own tea shop in the upper ring of the city." Iroh called out to Zuko.

"That's right, young man. Your life is about to change for the better." The man said.