AUDIENCE: ZUKO

[retellers]

Comments

[cuedoves]

That's good. I'll do my part to collect nova, but winning doesn't matter to me too much. Nice to see you guys getting something out of... [ vague encompassing gestures ] all of this, though.

[retellers]

Thanks. But right now, I mostly feel like I'm getting a headache.

[ because they have one. ]

[cuedoves]

... Want some tea?

[ that's all he got ]

[retellers]

... Does that do anything?

[cuedoves]

Uncle says it's the cure to everything.

[ a little dubious but... it can't hurt? ]

[retellers]

I don't think tea can cure the Realm.

[ very dubious? ]

[cuedoves]

Of course not. But it might help with your head. And uh... general stress levels?

[ or they could just eat meat again ]

[retellers]

My stress levels are fine.

[ you could sound less offended wolf ]

[cuedoves]

I don't mean it like that. It's just an annoying situation.

[ he's trying to help!!! let him live ]

[retellers]

What isn't, in this place? [ but they sigh ] ... Don't bother with tea. I'm fine. It'll pass.

[ like, maybe, ]

[cuedoves]

More annoying than usual. Extra annoying.

[ ... ]

You sure?

[retellers]

[ that extra gets him a quick huff of a laugh. good job ]

Yeah. Don't worry about me.

[cuedoves]

[ zuko looks a little pleased with himself but he's trying to disguise it ]

Well, I can also spar or get you some things to punch. That's about all I have to offer... tea and punching.

[retellers]

You've got one over me there.

[ ha ha. ]

[cuedoves]

You've got punching and sarcasm. That's not bad.

[retellers]

Pretty sure you've got that one, too.

[cuedoves]

Guess I just have to teach you how to make tea and then we'll be even.

[retellers]

Then people might expect me to comfort them. Pass.

[cuedoves]

No one has to know....

[retellers]

How hard can it be to make tea, anyway? It's just leaf and hot water.

[cuedoves]

Trust me, I used to think the same thing. But it is a little more complicated than that.

[retellers]

[ ... They just turn to look at Zuko and despite the mask he can probably feel the ??? dubiousness ]

[cuedoves]

....I had to work in a tea shop for a while.

[retellers]

... So what's the thing with tea?

[cuedoves]

A lot it has to do with the temperature of the water, how to grind up the leaves, and how long to steep it. It's different for every kind of tea. I'm not an expert, but I picked up a thing or two.