"How have you been? It's been so, so long."

spent so many years all across the globe, further and further away from home.

But, still, his mind recalled how things used to be in his young years, the halls of the palace buzzing with activity whenever Azula's friends came to visit.

Laughter, shouting, screaming, the evidence of a childhood.

((Time to rub braincells together

"Just the tea," Zuko repeated. "It'll be a five minute wait. I hope your experience is pleasant."

With a bow, Zuko retreated. He wasn't one for pushing unnecessary things on customers.

He wasn't a people's person in the first place.

Just the tea, exactly as the man had said.

Appetizers?"

"Oh, of course. Right away."

Making a note in his pad, gold eyes roving between the pad and the customer.

Uncle said it was mandatory to give the customer proper attention. Lots of eye contact....a smile.

He could smile. It was easy. Just a curve of the lips. Easy.

"Anything else, sir?

((Drops pants.

"Hello and welcome to the Jasmine Dragon, sir. Are you ready to order?"

[ @pitdiver.bsky.social ]

to get too close to the tents. He knew opinion regarding himself was still divided within the group. Katara especially...

Well, it was to be expected, so he didn't mind keeping his distance.]

I'll wait here. You get- whatever is needed.

undeniably present. A gentle hand stroking the bison's fur.

An eyebrow quirked at Sokka as he did so, as if to say, 𝘚𝘦𝘦? 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦.]

Sokka smells worse, anyway, doesn't he? Maybe we should give him a bath while we're at it, too.

[The descent towards the camp completed, Zuko paused, unwilling