Every time Iroh laid eyes on Asami, his hands went cold and his tongue dried up, making it incredibly difficult for him to speak. The young man never had had trouble conversing with women - it was like a sixth sense. But this one heiress had him wrapped around her finger so tight he couldn't breathe, or talk, or move. His muscles would tense up and his back would go rigid with anxiety. All he could do was stare blatantly and pray that his gorgeous object of affection didn't notice his impertinent behavior. His prayers were not heard, and if they were, they weren't acknowledged. Perhaps inviting the heiress to join him for tea at a local shop downtown hadn't been the best idea.
"You feeling okay, general?" Asami inquired lightly, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of her scarlet lips. Her pale, slender fingers were wrapped around a small clay cup as the pads drummed against the smooth surface gingerly. Iroh wondered how her hand would feel in his.
"I'm excellent," he said with as much confidence as he could muster, taking a swift sip of tea promtly after. The thin liquid travelled down his throat with ease, but Iroh still swallowed with gusto. There were many aspects of the woman sitting in front of him that drove the young man crazy. Her dark hair, groomed to perfection as always, smelled of honey suckle. Just a wiff of the fragrance sent Iroh's mind in a spiral; he could get high off of her scent alone. Next on the long list were her seductive eyes, framed by long, elegant lashes. Asami's beauty was ineffable, really.
The heiress arched one flawless eyebrow with curiosity, clearly amused. She saw past the general's bold facade as if it was polished glass. "Come on, I'll show you around the city." Asami rose gracefully from her stool with a sweet smile gracing her lips, and she took Iroh's hand to lead him around. It was still warm from grasping her tea cup, and it fit like a glove.
[cover image citation: "#755201 Chinese Flower by Elwynn." Chinese Flower Stock Photo © Peng Guang Chen (elwynn) (#755201). N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2013. /image/755201/chinese-flower.]