It probably shouldn't be to big of a shock, that the favourite hangout spot among group Avatar was in fact a local tea shop called "The Jasmine dragon." which was happy to host any of these young people even after closing hours.
Zuko loved this place… Why wouldn't he? The rooms were warm and homely with a permanent scent of tea and home baked goods in the air.
Both of which were available in any quantities.
There would be no royal servants, guards, soldiers, advisors or nobles looking for him here. In here Zuko was allowed to be just Zuko and completely ditch his fire lord status and everything that came with it.
Also there was this kind old man here who was always willing to lend an ear, give advice or just listen to Zuko rant.
Or like right now providing a table for Zuko, Aang and Sokka. And a whole bunch of papers and maps spread all over the place.
"That's where they are building your ships isn't it?" Sokka asked. "We gotta go there!"
"A Khomodo Rhino racing course?!" Aang gasped. "Can we go? Please can we go! I so want to try that!"
Zuko smirked as he shook his head. Planning a tour across the fire nation clearly wasn't as simple as you would think.
They had a purpose! Zuko and Aang were going to the big cities, hold some speeches. Go visit all the big schools where Aang would teach about true air nomad culture while Zuko would talk about the true nature of fire bending.
So obviously they also had to go to all of the fire bending academies for a similar lecture and demonstration…. And then as everyone wanted to go on adventure and explore too. It was going to be a tight schedule.
"Tui and La." Sokka gasped as he read a piece of paper. "A annual sword tournament. Zuko." he looked up. "We have to make it to that city in time for the sword tournament." he said.
Zuko glanced at Sokka as he rested his head in his hand.
"Come on dude! You could totally dominate that whole thing!" Sokka exclaimed.
"I don't know. It'll probably get pretty weird for those who faces the firelord. They wont really dare to fight me. That'll just be unfair." Zuko said.
"Then don't enter as Zuko. Enter as Lee! It'll be epic!" Sokka said.
"Erhm Sokka. I'm pretty recognizable." Zuko pointed out as he gestured at his face.
"Wear a mask. Do I have to think of everything?!" Sokka asked.
Iroh chuckled as he poured fresh tea for the three youngsters. "It would be quite the story. The fire lord participating in secret."
"So you think I should go for it?" Zuko asked.
"I don't see why not. You're very skilled." Iroh said. "And you're only young ones. Have some adventures. Just don't get hurt."
"Huh." Zuko looked down at the map.
"Betting winnings here I come." Sokka grinned as he rubbed his hands.
"What?" Zuko asked.
"Nothing." Sokka looked the other way.
"Oh check this out." Aang pulled up another paper. "The Ember island players is putting on a brand new original play in honor of the new fire lord." he said. "A re-write of the smash hit 'The boy in the iceberg' how-ever now with a more accurate and fair representation of our beloved Lord Zuko. May his fire burn bright and long." he gasped. "Zuko it's about us! We should totally go check that out!"
"Yeah let's not." Zuko muttered. "The Ember island players sucks! My mom used to take me there all the time when I was a kid. Every year they would just butcher love among dragons it was awful!"
"But Zukooooo." Aang complained.
"Look if you wanna go watch a play there are plenty of other groups around the fire nation whom are way better!" Zuko said. "The Ember Island players may have the most expensive productions in the fire nation but that doesn't make them any good. My mom also took me to these smaller shows made by traveling theater groups and they were way better."
"Traveling?!" Aang asked. "like Nomads?!"
"Well… Sort of." Zuko said. "Usually these theater groups will have a home city with a home stage where they will put up their play. Then they will travel for a while to put it up other places too before going home and work on a new play."
"I want to meet some of those guys." Aang said.
"Sure. As long as it's not the ember island players." Zuko rolled his eyes. "Can't be worse than that. Seriously."
"So which of these beaches are best for romances?" Sokka asked. "Where do I need to ask Suki to meet up with us for a couple of days of romance?"
"You're both acting like this is some sort of vacation!" Zuko exclaimed. "You do know there's a reason for this tour right?" he asked.
"Well in day time you need to do all your Fire Lord stuff!" Sokka exclaimed. "And then there are all the in betweens! Come on. It'll be so much fun."
"We need to find some more Panda Dolphins!" Aang shouted with his arms up into the air and Iroh laughed.
Zuko sighed deeply as he blew a string of hair away from his face. Of course Uncle would be on their side.
Then Zuko looked down at the maps. "Looks like we'll be gone for a while Uncle." he pointed out. "At least a couple of months."
"Don't worry about a thing Zuko." Iroh assured. "Take as long as you need. The fire nation palace will be in safe hands. And any nobles who thinks they can take advantage of your absence wont get an inch."
Zuko smiled lightly. "Thank you." he said.
"I was heir to the throne first. It is my duty to help look after the fire nation too." Iroh shrugged. "Beside. You've been working so hard these months and have truly managed to establish yourself which was the point. Now go talk to your people and have some fun with your friends." he smiled kindly. "I'll keep a keen eye on the palace and make sure that no one tries anything stupid."
"I guess your tea shop will be closed for that time period huh." Sokka commented.
"A sad necessity." Iroh said. "But it'll still be there. No worries." he smirked. "Once you have returned I'll just re-open the tea-shop." he chuckled.
"That's great." Aang grinned.
"I will though expect letters!" Iroh said. "You are leaving me all alone in that dreary palace! All of these delightful young people out there having fun. At least you must tell me of your adventures."
"Sure uncle." Zuko said a little amused. "We should at least be back home in time for the one year anniversary of the ending of the war." he commented. "I will be expected to attend the big celebration at the capital."
"Hah. We were key parts in creating a new global holiday." Sokka grinned. "How get to say that? Hey this holiday we are all celebrating. Yeah we did that. Me! Sokka."
"It was more like a group afford though." Aang pointed out.
"It was mostly Aang and I." Zuko shrugged.
"Hey I helped too." Sokka pouted and Zuko smirked amused.
"Yeah." Zuko sighed deeply. "Everyone did." he smiled warmly. "I can't wait till we go visit the new settlements!" he gasped. "The people from Ba Sing Se should be somewhere around there!"
"You think Ming and Ying are in the fire nation?" Aang gasped.
"I think so." Zuko said. "The fire nation refuges that lived with the freedom fighters all wanted to come back."
"Wow I wonder how they are doing." Aang beamed. "I hope we'll get to see them." he said.
"We'll have to stop at Da-yun." Zuko pointed. "Just for a couple of days."
"What's there?" Sokka asked.
"Zhau-Lis parents." Zuko informed. "He asked if we could just pass through it so he could see them shortly. I told him he can take time off to go see them if he want. Take a month. But you know him, he didn't want to leave his duty… Now though when he's coming with us anyway he asked. So well… He says it's fine we'll only pass through. But I think we could easily make an excuse to stay a few days."
"He hasn't seen his parents yet?!" Aang gaped. "We should go there first."
"We'll pass through when we go between Shau-mane and Lu." Zuko said. "Two big cities on each their side of the island." he said. "So well. We can start in Shau-Mane pass through Da-Yun. Zhau-Li can stay there a couple of days and then meet us later when we are done in Lu."
"That sounds good." Aang smiled.
"We should check out what theater shows we need to catch." Sokka grinned. "I heard of these all female productions of plays. We should go check that out."
"Why?" Zuko asked.
"All female!" Sokka exclaimed. "Do you think those actress's are hot?" he asked as he wriggled his eyebrows.
"Sokka. We all have girlfriends!" Zuko exclaimed.
"They don't have to know." Sokka said. "We're allowed to see some exotic dancing. That's fine art… All female cast here at the fire nation where already the young women are barely wearing any clothes." he smirked. "Sounds wild."
Zuko rubbed his eyes. "If we happen to run across it while we are out there. I'll consider it." he said. "But then you can't keep bringing it up!"
"Yes." Sokka grinned.
"And the reason why we are light on clothes is because it's hot around here! Sokka!" Zuko exclaimed.
"I am just saying. Parts of the earth kingdom was pretty hot too. But the fire nation is the only place where a bare midriff for the girls seems to be a fashion statement." Sokka commented and Zuko sighed deeply. "Man… I bet those must be some hot babes in such a show." he smirked.
"Right.. What-ever." Zuko sighed deeply. Just sort of hoping that Sokka would have forgotten all about this idea once they were out on the field.