Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA or its characters.

61

"Good morning, everyone," Iroh greeted them warmly. "You're my new recruits, and together, we're going to create a place of serenity and quiet inflection. A place where time can stand still for a moment. A place where the world can pass by for a short time, while you remain at peace."

Katara blinked. That sounded like a tall order.

But beside her, Aang sighed almost dreamily, and she couldn't help but smile. He always had a hectic schedule. After her time with him in the forest, she knew how much a moment of peace meant to him. She wove her arm around his, leaning into him.

"The way that's going to start," Iroh continued, "is with atmosphere." He gestured around the shop, at the live-edge wooden tables and the gentle arcs of lush green leaves, with candles resting in little glass votives on the table tops. "One cannot be at peace if one is worried about listening to the shouts of baristas. 'Twelve ounce breve' being bellowed across the room does not a serene atmosphere make." He shook with graveled laughter.

"What my uncle is trying to say," Zuko interrupted, "is that we'll be providing some table service." He eyed each of them for a moment as if to emphasize his point, his eyes lingering a second longer on Mai. The tall girl leaned against a high table, a knowing smile on her lips. Katara bit her lower lip in amusement. If the look in Mai's eyes was any indication, Zuko was in for some excitement in his love life.

"I thought I was here to be a barista, not a waitress," Suki said, her eyebrows raising. "That's quite a difference."

Iroh nodded. "I understand your confusion. Allow me to clarify; our patrons, our honored guests, will come to the counter there to order their teas and coffees and food orders." He gestured to a smoothly sanded wooden bar. "The point of sale, over there, is where they'll receive an order number, which I have in the back. There will be at least four people on every shift," he continued. "One for taking orders, two for making the orders, and one for table service and cleaning up accidental spills and taking care of other things as they come up."

"Try to keep the accidental spills to a minimum," Zuko added dryly. "We do have a business to run."

"But don't allow the business to get in the way of the experience," Iroh said warmly. "I care more about my patrons than my bottom line. Anyways, after they've finished their drinks and food, they'll bring their cups and plates over there." He pointed towards a station with shelving for used serveware and flatware, above a well-concealed trash can. "We'll wipe the down the tables. I want the experience to be relaxing from start to finish."

Suki and Katara shared a smile. Iroh's ideas sounded lovely, dreamlike. She hoped they'd be able to meet his expectations.

Mai pushed off the table she was leaning against. "Okay, so will the positions change every time, or will we have assigned roles? Personally, I don't really see my strengths in line with customer service. But I bet I can make one hell of a cup of tea."

"You'll switch out, so that no one is stuck servicing customers all the time," Zuko said. This time, he avoided looking at her. "But speaking of the teas, my uncle is very specific on how he wants them made."

"With love," Iroh said seriously.

"And also with this procedural sheet I've made for each order," Zuko added. He held up a pile of laminated papers. "Today, everyone is going to practice making each order. I want you to be familiar with the orders before we open. Opening day is not the time to be figuring out the difference between Oolong and green tea, or between a capuccino and a latte." He nodded towards Aang solemnly. "You have some experience with tea making, if I remember correctly from your interview, so you'll go first."

Aang nodded, smiling. He clapped his hands together with enthusiasm. "Great. Where do we start?"

Aang hung back a respectful distance as Mai dunked a sachet of tea into the boiling water. "That looks good," he complimented. "But maybe a little more gently. Don't forget to pull it out after two minutes. Otherwise it'll get too bitter."

She waved her hand dismissively. "Bitter is how I do things."

He laughed. "That sounds charming."

"Bitterly charming." She gave him an appraising look, as if seeing him for the first time. "You're Aang, aren't you? Katara's boyfriend."

"The very same."

"She talks about you a lot, you know," Mai said. "Like, every chance she gets. I want to be annoyed about it, but she's so damn into you in such an unassuming sort of way. It's like... sweet." The final word was said with something akin to begrudging admiration.

He blushed with delight. "I feel the same about her."

Mai stared at him for a moment. "Working with you two is going to be unbearable."

"I promise it won't," Aang laughed. "I'll keep the calf-eyed looks to a minimum."

"That would be appreciated."

"I'll keep the calf-eyed looks to a minimum," he said slyly, "if you keep the 'do-me' eyes under control around Zuko."

A little smile formed at the corner of her lips. "Alright. I don't seem to be getting much traction with that, anyway. He's not as attentive as I had hoped."

"If he doesn't notice the way you're looking at him, he's blind."

"Love and lust make us all blind," Mai declared quietly.

Aang gave her a knowing look. "But which one is it? Love, or lust?"

"I can't love him; I barely know him," she said.

"So it's lust."

"It's partially lust. And partially something else."

He laughed. "Partially love?"

"You're an irritating person, do you know that?" Mai said. "But, weirdly shrewd, for a guy. I think I like you."

He bowed to her. "I'm honored."

He was rewarded with a soft little laugh, so quiet he almost missed it.

"I'm literally in shock," Suki announced. "The coffee I make at home is fucking amazing, but I can't figure out this Spirits'-damned espresso machine."

Katara patted her on the back. "It's okay, it just takes a minute. It's not, like, concentrated coffee. Making a good espresso takes practice."

"I have been practicing." Suki rolled her eyes skyward. "You, Aang, and Mai all picked this stuff up so quickly. Look at the two of them over there, making tea like they were born to do it."

Katara glanced over her shoulder. "Aang is good at everything he does, and Mai is a quick study."

"I'm a quick study. You guys are all making me look bad. It's a concerted group effort."

"You don't look bad," Katara said, laughing. "Why don't we try a different approach? You obviously have a competitive spirit that borders on unhealthy."

"That's an unflattering observation, but continue."

"So make it a competition. To make tea better than Aang, or coffee and espresso better than Mai."

Suki considered that. "It's a notion. But I don't think it would be a good contribution to Iroh's vision of a serene atmosphere."

"Well, do it discretely, obviously. I felt like that didn't need saying, but clearly, I was wrong."

"You've been spending too much time around your brother," Suki sniffed.

Katara laughed again. "No; I've been spending too much time around you."

A/N: the long awaited coffee shop.