Dinner was amazing. The conversation was never awkward, not even when they occasionally stopped talking. The man took obvious comfort in silence so she was able to relax too. She could completely gush about Iroh like a teenager and since she is hardly older than a teenager, she would be justified. But Asami Sato does not gush. She captures.

Leaving the restaurant, she got on the mongoose dragon without hesitation. He surprised her by getting on behind her this time. This meant he had to put his arms around her to get the reins. It was comfortable, way too comfortable. An old hurt pricked her at a memory of riding home in Mako's arms like this. She straightened in the harness, trying to keep from touching him (though that's both dangerous and impossible). She would have asked to reverse their positions but that would have seemed suspicious. No, no she couldn't trust him until she was certain he was hers. That required more age-old feminine manipulation.

"That was a nice dinner," she started.

Iroh tugged at the reins. "I can't imagine a more pleasant way to spend the evening."

"Expect you forgot the flowers."

The mongoose dragon raced to the closest building. He replied, "How foolish of me. I'll make sure to fix that right away."

"You don't have to. I was only kidding," her tone contradicted her words.

Silently, he pulled the reins tighter. The creature growled and scaled up the building further. They were going in the direction opposite of the island towards the middle-class section of the city. She didn't question it, thinking they were going to a flower shop.

So when they stopped in front of a tea shop, she was pretty confused. He peered down into her eyes and asked her, "Will you join me, Ms. Asami?"

Every time he formally says 'Ms. Asami' it thrilled her but this time it sent shivers down her spine. At the top of the brick and mortar building, the golden letters "JASMINE DRAGON" were painted on a green background. Inside, it was a pretty shop with a very homey feeling. She felt out of place. They were very much overdressed in comparison to the few, plain customers at the late hour. He patted her hand that was in the crook of his arm as if to say it'll be fine. The young, shaggy-haired teen working the shop immediately noticed them.

"General Iroh!" he exclaimed, going red-faced. "It's an honor to have you here!"

"Seeing how it's my namesake's shop originally, the honor is mine," he smoothly said.

He eagerly said, "Yes, sir! What can I get you and your woman? It's on the house, sir!"

"Actually, I was wondering if we could go to the back where the herbs are stored."

"Anything you want. By the way, my name is Zan," grinning widely, the teen didn't miss a beat. He led them to the back room and down the hallway, all the while, jabbering, "Man, to meet the real life General Iroh! You're my hero, dude! I may not be a bender but when those creeps took over, I was definitely scared. You and the Avatar saved the day!"

"Let me give you a piece of advice, Zan; no man stands alone. Victory would not have been what it was if not for other people, including Ms. Asami here."

Zan's eyes widened as he looked her up and down, "Wow, the Asami Sato? I heard you were beautiful but man…" The sharp look Iroh gave him sent the younger man a few steps back. He unlocked the large wooden door, "Well, here we are; the back room."

The smell was what hit her first. Various aromas merged together to make a strong, pleasing smell. It was a huge room full of categorized bins.

"We'll select the herbs that we find most appropriate to brew. Thank you for your help, Zan," Iroh dismissed him politely.

Hesitating for the first time, the teen nodded and closed the door behind him. Finally able to get a word in, Asami asked, "Why are we here? And who's your namesake?"

His eyes closed, he took a deep breath. "You requested flowers."

She didn't make the connection. When he opened his eyes, he walked over to two different bins and scooped a small handful of their content. Picking up a tossed tea pot, he filled it with water from the sink in the back and dropped the herbs inside. Fire erupted from his palm, heating the tea pot. "My great-great-uncle was General Iroh, Dragon of the West. From all the stories I was told, he was particularly fond of tea- enough to open a shop in Ba Sing Se and later, in Republic City. I wanted to feel closer to the only man my grandfather admired. Close your eyes."

Asami complied instantly with the authority in his voice but wondered if it was bad that he had so much power over her already. Those thoughts drifted as a sweet smell wafted through her nose. She opened her eyes to find two cups had materialized in his hand.

"Jasmine and female ginseng," he explained, "more fragrant than any flower."

"So you studied tea to feel closer to your great-great-uncle? I didn't think you had a soft side, General Iroh."

"You'd be surprised."

She accepted the cup he offered with both hands. Both leaned against opposite walls. As she quietly sipped from the tea, she kept her dark green eyes on him. The hot liquid rolled over her tongue, the flavor teasing and warming. It was hard to describe the taste but it was truly delicious.

"You are a multi-talented man, General Iroh."

He nodded nonchalantly and took a sip. Lifting the cup, he coolly smiled. "Did you know, Ms. Asami, that both these herbs are considered aphrodisiacs?"

She continued drinking, feigning disinterest. "I should be careful then."

"You should."

There was a heavy silence until Asami seductively said, "It seems I've finished my tea, General Iroh."

He took the cup as if to refill it but instead laid it aside next to a bin.