"So ms. Liana, mr. Lee and mr. uhmm.. Mushy, is it?" the woman behind the desk asked as she read the names of their forged passports.

"It is pronounced Moo-shi." Uncle corrected her as he broke up the fake name, emphasising the enunciation.

"Are you telling me how to do my job?" the woman answered with a stern face. Elyrie swallowed when she saw the look on the darkhaired woman. She reminded her of her former math teacher at the Academy. She even had the same hairstyle and mole.

"No, no." Uncle said, smoothly making his way over to the ticket lady, "But may I just say you're like a flower in bloom." He showed a seductive smile at the woman. "Your beauty is intoxicating."

"You're pretty easy on the eyes yourself, handsome." The woman answered, her pudgy face now split in a smile. She roared flirtatiously at Uncle, looking more like a giddy schoolgirl than a annoyed ticket lady now. "Welcome in Ba Sing Se."

She stamped their passports and Uncle took them with a last wink at the ticket lady. When he turned around, he saw Elyrie standing with both her hands clasped in front of her mouth and Zuko with his hand covering his eyes.

"I'm going to forget I saw that." Zuko said as he snatched his passport from his Uncle.

"Why? You can learn something from it." Elyrie shot him a cheeky smile as she took her own passport from Uncle. Zuko returned it with an angry glare, but she tactfully ignored it as she tried to keep her own laughter in check.

They made their way to the platform where the trains were about to transport them to Ba Sing Se. All and all, the journey wasn't as terrible as Elyrie had expected. The hard part is done, she thought as she sat down on one of the benches on the platform.

"Where are we going now?" she asked Uncle as he sat down next to her.

"Our friends arranged an appartement for the three of us in the Lower Ring," Uncle answered, "That's where we'll live."

Zuko sat down next to Elyrie, his arms crossed and his expression somewhat frustrated. She could see that all of this wasn't what he'd been expecting. The Lower Ring was for the refugees in Ba Sing Se: the poorest citizens lived there, cramped together in small spaces. From what she could remember, it was the most populated part of the city: too many citizens and little job opportunities.

"So," Jet said as he interrupted her thoughts. Elyrie looked up at the young man, wondering how he kept popping up at the most unexpected moments. She realised he wasn't talking to her when she saw that the Freedom Fighter sat down next to Zuko, obviously eager to speak to him. "You guys got plans once your inside the city?"

"Get your hot tea here!" a tea seller yelled as he walked by them, "Finest tea in Ba Sing Se!"

Before Zuko or Elyrie could answer Jet, Uncle waved his hand at a tea seller. "Ohh! Jasmine, please!"

Zuko rolled his eyes, annoyed that his Uncle spent the little money they had on something as trivial as tea. After his first sip, Iroh immediately grimaced at the repulsive taste. "Blaugh!" he cried out with an indignant expression, "Coldest tea in Ba Sing Se is more like it! What a disgrace!"

"Hey," Jet interrupted as he nudged Zuko, "Can I talk to you for a second?" He motioned for Zuko to follow him as he walked away from the bench.

Zuko raised an eyebrow at Elyrie, who simply shrugged in response. Zuko shot her an exhausted look as he audibly sighed. He had envied his Uncle and Elyrie since they always were invited to join groups, but now he regretted his envy. This Jet didn't seem to leave him in peace, and it was exhausting. He didn't want to join a group now, he had trouble enough as it was adapting to his new surroundings. He rose reluctantly from his seat and made his way over to Jet.

Jet didn't waste any time – again- in making his intentions clear. "You and I have a much better chance of making it in the city if we stick together." he said, almost enthusiastically, "You want to join the Freedom Fighters?"

"Thanks." Zuko answered, "But I don't think you want me in your gang."

"Come on!" Jet urged him, "We made a great team looting that captain's food. Think of all the good we could do for these refugees!"

"I said no." Zuko answered, more annoyed now as he started to walk away. But Jet wasn't about to let it go.

"Your friend can join too." He added as he pointed to Elyrie, "We can use another girl." Now Zuko did turn around as he saw the sly smile crossing Jet's face. If he thought he could convince Zuko this way, he was sorely mistaken. It only made Zuko feel more agitated, angry at the attention Jet had for Elyrie. He didn't even bother to answer him as he made his way back.

Elyrie looked at Jet as Zuko walked back to them. She had tried to eavesdrop on their conversation, but his expression said enough: Zuko wouldn't join the gang.

Jet caught her eye and stepped in her direction – undoubtedly to ask her the same question -, before he shifted his gaze to Iroh sitting next to her.

At first surprised, Elyrie saw his eyes widen in shock. She turned her head to see what surprised him, only to see Uncle enjoying his cup of tea. The tea he just spit out because it was cold. His now steaming cup of tea.

Cold hands grasped her heart as she resisted the urge to turn around to assure herself Jet hadn't noticed it. But she knew better.

"What are you doing firebending your tea?" Elyrie hissed at Iroh just as Zuko slapped the cup from his grasp. "Hey!" Iroh cried out, but Zuko leaned in closer. He had seen Jet's look too. "For a wise old man, that was a pretty stupid move." Zuko said between gritted teeth.

The cup bounced over the ground, spilling the hot liquid everywhere.

"I know you aren't suppose to cry over spilled tea," Uncle said with tears in is eyes, not even bothered by their reactions, "But it is so sad."

Elyrie was astonished: he worried about the tea?

She crossed a look with Zuko and saw the same worry in his eyes. But more importantly: fear. Jet was perceptive, he had shown them. Seeing Uncle with hot tea, he surely could piece it together. If people knew they were Fire Nation, then… Her thoughts jumped from one conclusion to the next, panic taking over her.

"Oh Gods." She mumbled as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Calm down," Zuko hushed her as he lay a hand on her shoulder, "We aren't even sure he saw anything."

"And what if he did?" Elyrie asked, her voice low, "You know what that would mean, right? If the people knew what we were?"

"I know, Lily." Zuko sighed, "Believe me, I know." He added as the look in his eyes darkened. Elyrie lightly touched the hand that rested on her shoulder and let her fingers linger over his. Zuko's eyes lit up and he gave her a small smile, which she returned.

"From now on," Elyrie said as she turned to Uncle with a stern look and a lifted finger that reminded Zuko of his old nanny, "No more bending." Iroh looked up at her with watery eyes, but swallowed once he saw the look on her face.

Then Elyrie looked at Zuko with a softer look in her eyes, "For all of us."

"Couldn't those flower merchants arrange something bigger?" Zuko mumbled as he inspected their new apartment, if that was what you could call the small space of three rooms. Even his room on his ship had been bigger, and that had been only his private quarters.

The first room made up the living room, kitchen and dining room and the second room was much smaller, just enough for two beds. One of them had to sleep in the living room, which would most likely be Elyrie. Lastly, they had a very, very, small lavatory with a bath but he was glad they didn't have to share one like most in the city. Elyrie had apparently less trouble with the size of the bathroom and had practically ran into it when she noticed it. Zuko heard the splashing sounds of water through the door.

"It is perfect!" Iroh exclaimed, pretending not to hear Zuko, "Now, freshen up because we need to start our new jobs this afternoon!"

Zuko didn't answer immediately as he walked to the small window. Lines full of laundry were strung across the apartments, so he could not see beyond the buildings. Not even the sky could be seen in this part of town.

"This city is a prison." Zuko said in a dark tone as he leaned on the windowsill, "I don't want to make a life here." On their way to the apartment, he had watched the people living here. Children without shoes running through the streets, exhausted mothers with crying babies and men with bottles in their hands in the early morning. His trained eyes had spotted knives in the stashes of some of the other young men, who shot them suspicious looks.

Well, they shot him suspicious looks. They looked in a whole different way at Elyrie. The hairs in his neck stood up every time they passed a group of youngsters. Their eyes went over her as if she was a piece of meat, ready for the sale in a butchery.

She hadn't said anything, hadn't shown any form of intimidation as she made her way through the crowds. But he had seen her flexing her fingers, her deep inhales that made her chest rise and fall. She wasn't afraid, but she was careful.

He had walked behind her the entire time. He knew she would tell him she didn't need any help. He knew she didn't need it, but he still had that unnerving feeling every time that something terrible would happen if he left her. That nagging feeling had been haunting him ever since last night. For some reason, he felt the need to be near her.

The situation had almost escalated as well. A large man had bumped into him on their way, which was obviously on purpose. "Watch it!" he had growled at Zuko. That had been enough to agitate him when all the stress and confusion came to a boiling point. He had turned around in anger, ready to fight the man and let all of his frustrations out. The man had turned around as well and given him a look as if to say 'come and get it.'

Zuko almost had attacked the man, if it hadn't been for the small hand on his arm. Elyrie had taken his arm without saying a word and without even looking at him. Nevertheless, the strength with which she held him was enough to signal her message. Zuko had felt the blood pump through his body and heard his own heartbeat pounding in his ears as he looked at the man. The cool hand slit into his own and her fingers entangled them, like she had done that morning on the ship. It had been enough for him to snap out of his anger and shift his attention to her.

Zuko let his head hang as he leaned on his elbows on the windowsill. For some reason, he couldn't think straight today. Every time Elyrie spoke, laughed or even moved was enough to make him feel uneasy inside. No, not uneasy: nervous. Well, not exactly nervous. It was more a feeling he had never felt before. With a sigh, he shook his head and pushed himself back from the window.

"Life happens wherever you are." Iroh answered as Zuko turned around, "So I suggest you enjoy the things that are happening to you now."

Zuko opened his mouth to protest again, but he was interrupted when Elyrie swung the door open. If he wanted to protest earlier, he was unable to do it now as his breath hitched.

Elyrie looked refreshed and it was clear she had just taken a bath, judging by the towel that she had swaddled around her body. Her face was clean again, her cheeks rosy from the warm water. She had washed her hair and she smelled like a combination of vanilla and roses - she had probably used up all the soaps. Her legs were bare, and Zuko swallowed thickly as he let his eyes glide over her slender frame in the towel. Longer than was necessary, he looked at her tanned legs, her smooth arms, her bare shoulders.

Her skin looked so soft, so tempting for him to touch. He imagined what it must feel like to let his hands glide over her silky skin, smooth and soft as the petals of a Fire Lily. He almost extended his hand to do exactly that, before he halted himself and shook his head in embarrassment. What was wrong with him? He was no better than those sleazy figures in the streets, looking at her like that.

But he would be lying if I didn't admit that she looked absolutely beautiful. It was a different sort of beautiful than last night: when she had sung, her beauty had come from the inside. But now, with no clothing or jewels or anything, she looked like a vision. She didn't need to pin up her hair to look sophisticated, she didn't need the make up to have a blush on her cheeks, she didn't need the fancy clothing to show off her desirable body. She was beautiful, it was as simple as that. It was simply…

"Unbelievable." he whispered to himself. Or at least he thought he had, because both Elyrie and Uncle looked in his direction. He could slap himself: had he really said it out loud?

"Ehm, I mean- what were you doing in there for so long?" Zuko asked, clearing his throat in an effort to mask his embarrassment.

"First of all, you never ask a lady about her bathroom habits. Second," Elyrie continued as her eyes took on that mischievous glance, "Why do you want to know?"

"I don't-," Zuko sputtered, his face turning a crimson colour. It deepened when Elyrie winked at him, so he quickly stepped in the bathroom to splash cold water in his face. Or drown himself, whatever worked better to hide the embarrassment.

When they all were ready – Iroh took his time as well in the bathroom – they walked to their new job. It was only a five minute walk from their apartment to the Middle Ring of the city.

Even though their apartment was in the Lower Ring, they could freely travel to the Middle Ring. That was were all the restaurants and shops were located. Zuko was at least glad it was in a better neighbourhood than the one they passed through that morning. Nevertheless, he did not waver from Elyrie's side. But if she noticed it, she didn't say anything.

Suddenly Uncle stopped in front of a small building just on the edge of the Middle Ring. A stone step, two wooden pillars flanking the door and an overhanging welcome sign marked the entrance. Each pillar was decorated with a green lantern, which made the plain shop look cheerful.

But neither Zuko nor Elyrie reacted cheerfully once they read the sign above the door: Pao's Family Tea House.

"You found us a job in a tea shop?" Zuko asked, just as Elyrie let out a reluctant sigh. After what happened this morning, she was in no mood for more of Uncle's tea shenanigans. "You have got to be kidding me." she muttered under her breath.

"Isn't it perfect?" Iroh answered happily as he pushed the door open. A small bell announced their arrival.

Elyrie let her eyes go through the small tea shop as she stepped inside. It contained eight square wooden tables with matching benches to sit on. The tables were divided by four, placed at each side of the shop so that there was a broad pathway in the middle for the waiters. It wasn't big, but it was cosy and the aroma of herbs and fruits lingered in the air.

On the walls hung paintings of animal designs and the room was decorated with a few vases with flowers in them. But what drew Elyrie's immediate attention was the small, wooden piano in the right corner of the shop. It was a bit rough around the edges, but her fingers immediately itched to play a few notes to hear if it was in tune.

She almost made her way over there, but she was halted when the shop owner walked into the room. He greeted them with a gracious smile, obviously glad for the three pair of extra hands to help him in his shop.

"Hello," he greeted them jovially, "My name is Pao and I am glad you are coming to work for me." He smiled widely, which made fine wrinkles in his slightly tanned face. His olive-green eyes looked kindly, and his black hair was tied back in a braid. He sported a small moustache and a goatee, like most men in the Earth Kingdom.

Elyrie saw the laugh wrinkles in his face and decided immediately that she liked him. Maybe this isn't so bad, she thought as she returned his smile and bowed to him with respect.

Pao handed them their work attire: which was a simple apron over their green-coloured clothing. "Well, you certainly look like official tea servers." He said contently as he looked at the trio in front of him, "How do you feel?"

"Ridiculous." Zuko murmured under his breath, which earned him an elbow in the ribs from Elyrie. Luckily, Pao didn't hear him as he looked at Iroh who was struggling with the strings of his apron.

"Uh, does this possibly come in a larger size?" Iroh asked as he tried to tie the string behind his back, but his effort was in vain.

"I have some extra string in the back." Pao nodded to him as he poured them a cup of tea, "Have some tea while you wait."

As Pao disappeared through the door, Uncle took a generous sip from his cup. But for the second time that day, his face contorted in disgust.

"Blech!" he cried out, "This tea is nothing more than hot leaf juice!"

"Uncle, that's what all tea is." Zuko said.

"How could a member of my own family say something so horrible?" Iroh's kind eyes formed into angry splits. Elyrie didn't dare to point out that his family had committed numerous crimes, since they were not nearly as grave as offending tea.

This tea is going to be the death of us one day, she mused as she saw Uncle take the pot and head over to the window. He dumped it outside with a determined look. "We'll have to make some major changes around here."

"Unbelievable!" Elyrie cried out as she let the tray fall down on the wooden counter in the back. Zuko turned around when he heard the wooden door open. He had hidden in the back to escape from the demanding costumers for a minute. Apparently, Elyrie was having the same trouble.

As soon as the door closed behind her and she was out of sight, Elyrie had dropped the smile she had plastered on her face. It had been a long day in the tea shop, but it wasn't the working hours that plagued her. Apparently, when one works in service people automatically assumed you were an imbecile.

An older woman had ordered tea: "We always want a special flavour." she had exaggerated, only to order the chamomile tea. One of the most basic flavours. She had drawn out the syllables as if to spell it out for her and explained that they were the 'dried flowers.' Then she had turned to his partner and said something in a dialect, but Elyrie understood enough that it meant something about 'waitress' and 'simple." She had to bite her tongue to prevent herself from talking back to the woman in her native language, just to show that she could in the few words that she mastered the language and wasn't an idiot.

"Bad day?" Zuko asked as he filled a new pot with water to boil it for the tea.

"That woman assumed that I am some kind of idiot, just because I am serving tea!" Elyrie answered indignantly.

Zuko bit his lip as he placed the full pot on the counter. It was true: some people seemed to think that they were morons because of their work. Especially some of the Middle Ring-citizens who were themselves barely any better than flat out idiots. But if there was anything Elyrie hated, it was if she was considered stupid.

"I am sure they don't know any better." Zuko answered in an effort to cheer her up.

"Yes, I know that." She answered as she wrung a cloth between her hands in frustration, "But it is so annoying. She actually spelled out chamomile for me." The edges of the cloth started to smoke as she continued her rant.

"If it's any consolation," Zuko said as he took the cloth from her to prevent her from burning it, "They talk to me too as if I am very slow of mind."

Elyrie's face split in a playful grin. "I know." She answered with lights in her eyes, "But being considered stupid is new for me; you're used to it."

With a laugh, she ducked to avoid the cloth Zuko threw in her direction. But as she did, she hit the pot of water that had been standing on the counter. Accidentally, she knocked it over and lost her balance when she tried to catch it. She let out a small shriek, followed by the sounds of something shattering. Zuko turned around to look if Elyrie had hurt herself, but he was relieved when he saw she was alright. She laid on the floor, with her face, hair and clothing dripping with water. The pot she tried to catch was in pieces on the floor next to her.

Her shocked face and soaking wet appearance were so unexpected that Zuko could not help but laugh.

It wasn't just a giggle or a smile. No, he was laughing out loud. Elyrie was astonished at this, but he laughed even harder when he saw her eyes, looking offended.

"Really?" she said, barely able to hold back her own laughter, "You never laugh, except when it comes to my humiliation?" Zuko was only able to nod as he was unable to stop. He was actually holding his side, because it actually hurt how much he was laughing.

"I understand," she said with pouted lips while picking up the cloth and wiped up the water. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she got back up on her feet and straightened her wet apron

Zuko wiped his tears away to apologize, but before he was able to utter a word, Elyrie threw the soaked cloth to him, which covered his face with a loud splashing sound.

"Ahh, what the hell." He yelled, wiping his eyes.

"You were right" Elyrie said with a wicked grin, "It is funny."

"You're on!" he said as he took a soaked cloth and tried to hit her with it.

"Wait, no!" she cried out laughing as she ran around to avoid his hits. He swung the cloth around and let it crack, like a whip. "Stand still!" he yelled, "I am trying to hit you!"

"Have to catch me first!" she yelled back in a high voice, trying to make her way through the small space as she kept his arms away from her with the wet cloth.

She let out a shriek when she felt his arm around her waist as he pulled her to his chest. "No! Stop!" she yelled as he used his other hand to push the dirty cloth in her face. She heard Zuko's deep laugh in her ears, "Mercy?" he asked, and she could almost hear him smile.

"You should never let a lady beg for mercy!" she laughed, as she turned her face from side to side. Zuko's cheeks tickled when her curls went over his skin. Something stirred within him when he inhaled the sweet scent of her hair. Her thick locks were no longer tangled or dry, but they were soft to the touch. Zuko took a moment to let the softness of her hair caress his face and he lowered his chin so it rested on her shoulder.

"I'm not asking a lady, I'm asking you." He whispered in her ear as he pulled her closer. For a moment, she stopped struggling and opened her mouth to answer. As she did this, Zuko pressed the cloth against her face and neck.

Her yell was louder than she had meant to, so Zuko was sure someone had heard them. And as if to prove his point, they heard Pao from outside the door. "What is going on here?"

His footsteps came closer to the door and they quickly let go of each other. Elyrie wiped the wet strands of hair out of her face and straightened her clothing. Zuko followed her example as he quickly threw the cloth in the sink – out of sight – and let his hand go through his wet hair.

Still having fits of giggles, Elyrie went to the door. She peaked her head around the corner so Pao only saw her face, and not the mess in the kitchen. "I am so sorry sir," she said with her sweetest smile, "But I am afraid Zuko dropped a pot and made a mess of the kitchen."

Zuko stood behind her, but before he could protest, she kicked him against his shin and he yelped.

"Make sure you clean this up," Pao said as he turned around, obviously in a rush, "We are swamped!"

"Of course!" Elyrie replied with a smile as she closed the door. As she turned around, she thought she had control again over her laugh, but then she saw Zuko hopping up and down as he shot her an annoyed look while rubbing his leg.

She covered her mouth as she let out a stream of laughter she tried to hold back.

"You are mean. You know that?" Zuko said with a pout as he put his leg down and crossed his arms.

"If I was more of a lady, I might have been more polite. Oh, stop pouting, will you?" she grinned. Zuko wanted to say he didn't pout, but she made her way over to him and wiped the wet strands of hair out of his face.

The simple gesture was enough to render Zuko speechless for a moment. The touch of her fingers against his face was so calming, he stood frozen for a moment. "I'll clean this up," she said, breaking the silence as she motioned to the shards on the floor.

Zuko only nodded as he walked outside with the same dazed feeling that had been plaguing him ever since he set foot in Ba Sing Se. If he had hoped the feeling would go away over time, he was mistaken. If anything, the feeling only grew stronger the more he tried to ignore it. It seemed to be connected to Elyrie's presence, which meant that he had to ignore her.

But he couldn't ignore her, not really. He heard her sing in the room next to him when she got ready for bed. He smelled her sweet scent in the apartment when they left in the morning. He saw her laugh and interact with costumers in such a friendly manner that he couldn't help but want to join in. He couldn't ignore her when they lived so close together, but more importantly: he didn't want to ignore her because he wanted to be near her.

His confused feelings weren't getting any better, so he decided it was best to carry on with the work in the tea shop. And maybe that was for the best, because the crowds grew bigger every day. Ever since they started working, Pao had remarked that it was getting busier by the day.

What drew the crowds to the small tea shop? It could have been the handsome waiter, over whom all the young ladies swooned. It could have been the pretty waitress with the enchanting smile. But more than anything, it was the new tea maker, who was hauled as the best in the city.

"This is the best tea in the city!" one of the guards complimented Iroh as he poured their tea on a warm evening, only two weeks into their new job. And it was true: Iroh truly blossomed in his new role. Finally he could put the years of tea brewing and enthusiasm to good use. And the customers were thankful for it: within a few days, the word started to spread that Pao had hired the best tea maker in the city.

"The secret ingredient is love." Uncle answered humbly, as he enjoyed the fresh aroma of his brew.

Elyrie looked up as she attended the table at the front of the tea shop, hearing Uncle gracefully accepting compliments. She chuckled, happy to see him so content.

All and all, she decided that working in a tea shop wasn't so bad after all. Uncle was happy and she got to spend more time with Zuko, even though he was acting a bit awkward the last few days. Not that she minded: he was awkward most of the time. As for her, she found that she enjoyed the interactions with the customers. Most of them were very nice, which led to some interesting conversations.

Just as she picked up her tray and cleared one of the tables, a loud knock startled her. The door swung open and a silhouette entered, his two swords by his side. He looked determined and angry, his whole composure filled with hate.

This was someone who was looking for a fight. Elyrie took a step forward to calm him down - it wasn't the first time she had to deal with difficult customers -, but she almost dropped the tray when she recognised him.

It was Jet.

Note: I worked as a waitress in a restaurant, so the rude woman is based on an actual experience I had when I was working there!