Katara walked through the lower ring of Ba Sing Se after finally escaping the Dai Li. Even though they were supposedly able to do whatever they wanted, whenever they tried to do anything they were there watching. She tried to tell the rest of the gang but they thought she was just being paranoid as always. Katara looked around smiling as she saw the children running around happy, since the war started it seemed so hard to see kids being carefree. She continued along until she got to a small tea shop, not knowing what possessed her she walked into the small shop. More costumers then normal for a shop so small were sitting at the tables that lined the walls. Katara sat down at the table closest to the counter.

I wonder where the servers are.

"She keeps smiling at me," Zuko head, instinctively running a hand through his hair as he balanced a tray of tea carefully in his left hand, something he had never been the best at doing. He was learning, with spending all of this time working at this tea shop. His uncle had insisted and, what better way was there to spend time in hiding?

He could think of plenty.

But it wasn't so bad and there was a certain air of peace to the entire scenario. In the very back of his mind, though, he longed for something. A chance to capture the Avatar and bring him to his father so that he could reclaim his honor. Things had only worsened since he had first been banished, though.

"--because she obviously likes you and you shouldn't be shy. After all, the course of love never did run smooth."

Zuko blinked, his eyes snapping toward his Uncle who was rambling like the old man that he was. "What? Shy!? I'm not shy!" he said, though he could feel his face flustering a bit and he suddenly turned, the tray in his hand nearly toppling over. He immediately grabbed it with his other hand, balancing the cups of tea again. Sucking in a deep breath to steady himself, Zuko turned on his heel and made his way to the next couple of tables he was supposed to be bringing tea to.

"Nephew! Another customer!"

With a slight grimace, Zuko glanced toward Iroh, who was on the opposite side of the shop, and he followed his pointing finger to see the still back of a girl sitting at a table by the counter. His sighed and made his way over there. When in the world would he be able to take a break? He wasn't completely accustomed to this whole 'getting a job' thing and he had yet to get used to it. "What can I get for you?" Zuko said as he circled the table, notepad in hand since his uncle didn't completely trust his nephew's memory, to get in front of her.

Suddenly, though, his right eye widened a bit while his scarred eye remained stoic. He recognized that face. He would recognize it anywhere. And, suddenly, the boy lifted her arms upward so that the notepad was just in front of his face. Katara, the water tribe girl. She was traveling with the Avatar. As he hid his face indiscreetly behind the notepad, his eyes wandered his peripheral vision for signs of the boy but he was nowhere to be found.

Katara looked up as the waiter started talking to her, his voice seemed very familiar. “Jasmine tea, please. I know this might sound rude but do I know you, I have heard your voice before.”

A memory flashed through Katara’s mind, the night the pirates tried to take the water scroll back. She saw Zuko holding her arms as he slowly whispered “I’ll save you from the pirates. The memory was gone as soon as it came but she felt the need to touch her mother’s necklace just to make sure it was there.

Why did I think of Zuko just then. Ba Sing Se would be the last place he would be, Firebenders can’t get in. It’s impossible. She tried to look at the boys face but his note pad coved his face.

"No," Zuko suddenly said before quickly clearing his throat and blatantly heightening his pitch slightly. He was trying to pull the 'Zuko' out of his voice so that she would, perhaps, have less a chance of recognizing him. "No, I don't believe we have met before." He hadn't had much close contact with Katara, but each time he had, he hadn't felt like himself. Or perhaps he had felt like himself. He'd just been stricken with grief and stress for so long that he wasn't sure who he really was anymore.

"I'll get you your Jasmine Tea right away," he said, swallowing rather nervously as he suddenly turned on his heel to head toward the back of the shop. His notepad had unconsciously lowered itself slightly to flash a bit of scarred skin, but in just seconds, Zuko was gone.

Katara’s eyes widened as the notepad fell for a second and she the scar. Zuko, she knew who he was at once she saw it, not many people have a scar like his and live to tell the tale. Even though Katara knew she should run she had to stay and figure out why Zuko was hear and if Iroh was with him. As soon as she thought that Iroh walked out of the back room with a cup of tea.

“Ah Miss Katara it’s good to see you again. Here is your Jasmine tea, so what are you doing in Ba Sing Se.”

“Thank you Ir-“

“It’s Mushi.”

“Yes Mushi, I dont know how I confused your name. I am living in the Upper Ring with the gang.”

Zuko paced the back of the store anxiously, not quite sure yet whether to be relieved and upset that his uncle had sauntered right over to Katara without a second thought. Granted, he was quite possibly one of the gentlest firebenders around, depending on the circumstances, of course. He could say, though, that he was relieved he had decided to bring her tea over to her.

He continued to ponder the whereabouts of the Avatar, though, as his eyes wandered. His ears perked up a bit, though, as he listened to his uncle speak to Katara. Perhaps the old man could really draw some locations out of her. He had a feeling that she wouldn't be so thrilled to talk to the banished prince, himself. So he stood by the back wall of the store, watching the two converse from a distance.

(ew I feel as if I put way to much talking in this)
Katara left the shop with hopes of coming back the when it closed so she could talk to “Mushi” and “Lee” some more. There was no reason she should go back, they were safe from Zuko because of the social status here but her curiosity got the better of her. She got back to the house to see everyone lying around.

“Have you guys even moved since I last left.” Katara said putting her hands on her hips.

“Don’t worry sugarqueen we just got back from looking for Appa. Still no sign of him.” Toph said blowing her hair out of her face.

“Where were you all day?” Sokka asked.

“I was at a cute little tea shop. Would you like to come with me next time, Sokka? OH and where’s Aang?”

Ew go to the tea shop all you want, I hate drinking that, it tastes like water mixed with dirt. Aang is in his room.”

Katara walked over to Aang’s room to see him sitting in the darkness not wanting to disturb her friend she went to her room to get ready for tonight.