Chapter 167: The Twisted Family (1)
"I don't listen to water!" Katara hissed.
"Well, you should," Iroh smiled, not the least bit fazed by Katara's outburst as Mai skillfully prepared a pot of tea without minding the duo beside her as if in the epitome of tea brewing zenith. Katara couldn't help but clench her fists, "You're a firebender! You don't get to teach me anything about waterbending—"
"Like waterbending," Iroh chuckled, "You've got to feel the flow while brewing tea." His arms stretched out and he looked like a giant 'T' before he waved his arm from the left and extended the motion to the right, "Waterbending, Firebending, Earthbending, or Airbending... it's just a matter of perspective and applications... it's the same with brewing tea or any other profession." His words and actions silenced her as he placed the ruined and bitter pot of tea back on the stove once again, "Do not misunderstand, Katara... I don't hope to try and dissolve your anger towards me. You are a waterbender... and unlike I and Mai, you can help us brew multiple pots at once... we need you. That's all."
"... fine..." Katara uttered, her fists relaxing slightly as Iroh brought away the pot she thought she had ruined and Iroh had her taste it once again.
Surprisingly... it was pleasant... unlike her outburst from before.
As Katara reluctantly began to show Katara the ropes around the kitchen, Nik, Yue, Michi, and Poppy were setting up the tables, cleaning things up, and just chatting while working. Before some time of their opening, they heard the knock, and eager to help around despite her background and lack of experience in such a situation, Yue opened the entrance with a bright and refreshing smile.
"Yes?"
Her large ocean blue eyes gazed at the small group of three women and one man staring back at her with slight confusion as Yue heard from behind, "That's Ursula we told you about yesterday. Let them come in."
Nik's words were timely and others stopped their work for a second while Yue gave a wide berth after giving a nod, allowing Ursa and her children to step into the tea shop. For a second, they considered calling Iroh out... would be a perfect way to introduce one another but they were sensible and knew that this stroke of perfection in their mind may just eventually lead to a disaster.
"Hey, you're right on time. We found a spare apron for you yesterday." Nik pointed at the earthen hanger and then looked at the two youths behind her, "These must be your children. One I already know... hey, you doing well?" Nik smiled at Zulon as the youth scowled, "Save it! I heard that the woman who was with you that night is staying with you... right?"
"Zulon," Ursa frowned with a reproachful tone and even if she wasn't aware of the things he was on about, at least, her son could have returned the greeting.
"It's alright. She's a friend and needs a place to crash into for a couple of days," Nik smiled and looked at the others, "Well, I'm Nik. Ursula and Jin already knew that. Now the two of you do, too. Would you like some tea?"
"Not quite yet," Azu smiled, her golden eyes staring around and taking in the sight as she finally focused on Michi, "Have we met before?"
"Oh my, Jin, you really were right about your good friend," Michi emphasized, "She's quite the womanizer... already trying to thinking of ways to butter me up." Of course, Michi had to think of something and this was her choice. Her playful smile made Azu frown and Jin blush as she took furtive glances in Azu's direction and Zulon's expression fell instantly.
Now realizing that it may not have been the best idea to take BOTH her children together, Ursa forced a smile, "Anyway, I wanted you all to be familiar with my children. Now, I'll be back by—" Before Ursa could send them off, Azu took a seat with a wide grin, "I would love a pot of tea. Although, it's not my style but you guys are newcomers. Allow me to tell you a few things about the village over a pot of tea. Call me Azu... oh, and," Her gaze fell on Michi once again, "I'm no womanizer... at least not to the people who are familiar with my friends."
Michi's movement came to a halt while Ursa couldn't help but frown, "Friends?"
"Jin, right here... she told us about you guys, too. I'm in your debt for taking care of her these past few days." Azu spoke slowly, with a smile that didn't reach her eerie golden pupils.
"Well, Mom, I should be going... work to do." Zulon muttered and looked at Nik, "And that woman... good friend or not, she's dangerous. Be sure to keep her pet away from my mother."
"Really? Nyla is a sweetheart once you get to know him," Nik shrugged, "So is June."
Zulon's lips twitched as he left.
"Wow..." Yue finally muttered. She was completely new here so she didn't know how to approach the situation and finally let out a breath she didn't know she kept a hold of for some time now.
Ursa smiled in embarrassment, "I'm sorry, my son doesn't like waking up early..." That's all she could muster in his defense since anything more may just sound prudish of her.
"It's quite alright," Poppy smiled and gestured, "Let me help you mark the tables while she can help Yue. It's Yue's first day, too so the two of you can help each other."
Ursa nodded and looked at Yue, "It's nice to meet you."
And with a surprisingly elegant bow, Yue mustered with a smile, "Likewise."
As Michi entered the kitchen, Azu couldn't help but scan the staff once again. The more she saw... the more amazed she felt.
This Tea Store could be VERY popular if the assets are used correctly. However, all she found was wasted talents.
"So..." Azu looked at Nik cleaning the table not far from them once her mother was out of earshot, "You must feel quite lucky, huh... are you the only man here?"
"Technically no," Nik hummed and looked around with the cleaning rag over his shoulder before smiling, "But you can say I'm the only one who can do something about it."
"And where are you from, exactly? It's the first time I've seen violet pupils," Azu leaned forward with interest only for Nik to shrug and walk away, "Lucky you, huh."
Her lips twitched as she glanced at Jin, finding her olive-green eyes momentarily attracted to Nik's buttocks. Frowning for a second, Azu cleared her throat and questioned, "That Nik... seems as ill-mannered as Zuzu, wouldn't you agree?" Azu raised her voice purposefully. Maybe she wanted a reaction out of the man or maybe she just wanted Jin to admit it in front of him.
Feeling a little guilty, Jin lowered her head, nodding meekly.
"Hmm, do you serve anything else besides Tea, Nik?" Azu questioned while leaning back on her chair.
Nik momentarily sized her up. Iroh believed her to be a talent in her own class and with her looks directly inherited from Ursa, she was no doubt fairly attractive. But as always, Nik believed to think from his dick once he has the potential partner already waiting for the thrusts. Instead of letting himself get played along with whatever her crafty golden pupils seem to be concocting, Nik added with a grunt, "It's a tea store. That's the only expectation to keep up here."
"Right," Ursa interjected with the intention of mediating, "Nik, why don't you hand me the rag. Shouldn't you leave easy stuff like this for someone like me while you clean up the outside area by the door?"
"Sure," Handing the rag to Ursa, Nik walked towards the door while he gazed at Azu who kept looking back at him unflinchingly.
Suddenly, she pulled Jin close to her quite subtly that only the three of them knew what she was trying. The sense of satisfaction in her gaze and smirk of her full lips was... well, quite erotic, if Nik had to be honest. So, he gave her an encouraging grin, not the kind she or Jin would have expected before going about dealing with his chores.
Azu did leave after a cup of tea. She didn't wish to admit it but... the tea was sincerely decent. Jin stayed for some more time. It was fine either way... the lack of reaction from Nik and an almost opposite response from his side when she expected some sort of negativity from him had left her in a strange state of distaste and now she wanted to have some more of that tea.
Fuck!
"So? What was her reaction?" Mai questioned with a smirk as Nik began chuckling. Mai had demanded to know when Ursa's daughter would arrive and that Michi did. She also revealed that Azu, for the most part, was onto her but Mai didn't care. Instead of Iroh's work, Mai had her own brew sent to Azu, and seeing how she left with utter dissatisfaction because she couldn't seemingly get dissatisfied... made Mai's day.
---
"Remember, if the flames are blue, absolute obedience. If the flames are red, you may raise your doubts," Jet warned the newcomers. It's a simple deal really. After the initiation, the newcomer must meet with the leader at his convenience.
"Yeah, yeah, shortstick, get on with it." A crude, unimpressed tone chuckled, "Oh, and how would I know what the color of the flame is?"
That... made Jet come to a slow halt as she heaved a deep sigh. She knew the Kyoshi Warrior from before. A part of HIS ranks... but she didn't seem to have recognized jet. Jet also knew of the infamous June as much as she knew the controlling of information limited to the inner walls of Phoenix City. What happened to be dangerous was the imp slightly taller than her.
Silently, Jet took out a dagger but the other two women beside Toph remained cool and collected.
"Can you see this?" Jet questioned.
"As clearly as the stupid mug behind the mask," Toph grinned.
"I see... when you're in the presence of blue flames, you will feel something sharper than this blade pressed against the back of your necks." Jet snorted, "Now, let's go."
The trio was soon brought into the Devil's Chamber as a curtain of crimson flames greeted their sights with a being in baggy clothes and a Blue Devil's mask on his face.
The moment they entered the room, June and Nyla attracted attention pretty much instantly.
"Why are you here, Jet?"
The muffled voice questioned, causing Suki to frown for a second as the name felt familiar but she decided to pursue it later. Instead, the trio looked at the person made the leader of the rebellion who has captured quite a number of soldiers and guards of the Phoenix City before beating them up to varying degrees and sending them back to the Phoenix City's gate. Yesterday, the trio had chanced upon one such encounter but it was the slightest bit special... yesterday, the group was also transferring a set of keys which was held by Suki right now.
Blue Devil had been informed, of course, but Jet knew to choose her words carefully and she bowed, "I informed you when your flames were blue... these are the people I talked about. The ones who intercepted our men yesterday and stole the keys to the sewer gates of Phoenix City. They wanted to—"
"Get some information for the appropriate price," June smiled and interjected as Suki took out a set of jingling iron keys from the inner confines of her plated green armor.
Aside from the crisp noise of the curtain of fire, the surroundings fell silent.
"Well? What is it?"
"We want the map of this tunnel system," Toph demanded.
"Why?"
"What's it to you?" Toph sneered.
"I'm not interested in shenanigans. We don't have any map, and I want that key—" the muffled growl was cut off by Toph's stomp that shook the surrounding region...
Nik's attention, Poppy's care, and the insight of various earthbending techniques from Nik using the library had empowered Toph greatly. It was akin to giving tigers a pair of wings.
*Drrr*
The entire chamber trembled due to her stomp. She may not have the actual reserves to do so but all Toph had to shake was a few key points of the chamber and her hiss echoed, "Or we loot it off of your broken and beaten body, man. But we aren't leaving without the map."
Her words only caused the flames to brighten greatly as even Toph could feel the heat drying her skin at a breakneck pace.
"You would dare to bare your maws at me?" Instead of a distorted and muffled tone, a chilly tone of a familiar youth made June's expression change slightly but a wicked grin soon gave way. She didn't mind stretching her joints a bit now that she had pledged her 'loyalty' to him in more than one position. But she would be a fool to not acknowledge the strength of the youth and not try to throw him off, "Hmm, boy, trying to intimidate pretty lasses instead of protecting them? Oh, how the chivalrous fall."
He instantly realized his mistake but just as the fire began to grow more heated, and unstable, a cold chuckle echoed from the depths of the darkness behind the devil. Just when a flicker of blue flame appeared, Toph slid her foot across the ground as a wall rose behind THIS devil in front of them, breaking off the connection with the newcomer behind.
"Preposterous!" He roared, sending two jets of eager crimson flames throttling in the direction of the girls as Jet quickly retreated, unable to bear the heat. Sensitive to such extreme temperature, June who had taunted him retreated with Nyla, too.
Toph was the only one who could really contend against a firebender of such firepower but instead of blocking or anything, their group instantly fell down the individual holes Toph created alongside Jet.
"What are you doing?!" Suki gasped, quickly coming to be after a surprising but short fall as Toph, with a cold sweat matting her forehead huffed, still panting, "I felt the knife pressing on the back of my neck, alright?! Just take this chick and let's go. She should know many things."
Before Jet could revolt, a flick of poisonous tongue paralyzed her and she was huddled away.
---
"Don't you see? It's them! That woman with that flower-nosed beast is staying in that tea shop. It has to be them!"
The wall behind Zulon was broken a second later after Toph and others unceremoniously escaped and from behind came another figure in a similar blue mask as she retorted, "And? You're the freaking leader of the rebels. What are you going to do? Discuss how the things they did were morally incorrect and take them to the farm to till the land?"
Zulon flinched.
"Sigh, Zuzu... do you know what they wanted?"
"They... wanted the map of the tunnel system..."
Azu frowned slightly, "Why?"
"I don't know. I was about to capture them and find the reason why—"
"Zuzu~" With a remarkably seductive but colder tone, Azu cut her brother off and chuckled, "We really have to do something about your impatience... it's unbefitting of an Emperor... sigh, you really worry me, dear brother."
Taking a step forward, Azu let her fingers trace up his arm and then strutted behind him, her hand on his shoulder and her masked face close to his ear, "We've got to do something about all the energy boiling within you." With a gentle and almost unbecoming coo, she added, "You need a release, Brother~ Something to spread all the boiling passion within you."
Zulon couldn't help but swallow thickly. His mind already felt numb while blood was rushing to various places and as much as he felt embarrassed that this reaction was caused by his younger sister, he couldn't help but feel... contained.
"Or someone," she whispered, "Maybe someone like Jin~!"
Zulon's eyes snapped open. Before he could question what was going on, Azu chuckled, "It's about time you learn the responsibilities of a man, Zuzu. You're a good boy to mom... but our family needs a strong man. These mistakes that you've been committing will all vanish if you take the next step forward. The leader of the rebels can't be having the passion of his life ruined by his mischievous sister now, can he?"
A low, feral growl escaped his muffled confines as Azu smiled beneath her mask victoriously.
"Tonight, her house by midnight. Don't you get distracted by Kei Lo, brother... this time, choose well."
"W-what about Jet?"
"We know where these troubles source from, yes? Leave that to me. Ever since I joined your merry band, have I ever led us downward?"
Zulon couldn't question that. Even now... deep down, he knew he was being manipulated but... Azu just knew the right things to say.
---
Unknown to Nik and others that they already had a new hostage, the Tea Store served their customers with a smile and a pot of tea. The addition of Yue and Ursa didn't go unnoticed.
Yue happened to be... exotic. Her white hair attracted even more attention but what charmed everyone was her soft and caring smile. Only god knows the outrage Nik had caused by pecking Yue on the lips just to finally stop the troubled and smitten wrinkled bastards trying to woo her with farm and cattle.
It was certainly an amusing sight in the eyes of the remaining three mature women but he simply thought this was the easiest solution.
Of course, there was one more bastard just testing Nik's patience to have his heart broken.
With a sigh, Nik placed the fourth pot of tea in front of a brown-haired youth who smiled pleasantly and questioned, "Would Mai meet me now?"
It was Kei Lo.
"Mai... said that this tea is poisonous. Drink it and she'll meet you." Nik smiled 'sincerely.'
"Really?" Kei Lo grinned, sipping the tea within the seconds of being served as everyone looked at him with awe. It wasn't like they were trying to hide their voice or anything so everyone in the store currently knew how determined this young man was. Unfortunately, he faced his love's mightiest challenge...
"Feel anything different?" Nik questioned curiously as Kei Lo closed his eyes, "It... tastes like the first day I saw her..."
Even Nik was surprised... Kei Lo actually got pretty close.
"Well, of course, Mai wouldn't poison our dear customer's tea but she was impressed and wanted to reward you with a special ingredient in the tea. Do you want to know what it is?"
Kei Lo grinned and nodded.
Nik soon leaned down and whispered something into his ear as Kei Lo's expression soon turned purple with disgust and he rushed out while cursing loudly.
As Nik thought... Kei Lo's fukboi-ness couldn't stand against his piss boiled for the tea... Kei Lo actually brought this on himself and Nik felt more hurt than him... no, the most hurt was Iroh who was still unconscious as Mai used his teachings in the most demonic of concoctions...
"Anyone else wants the special tea?" Nik looked around as they shook their heads, making him smile, "Right, so you lot better grow respectable to the ladies, yeah?"
Nik was soon called away by Yue once she took a trip into the kitchen and the entire time, Nik remained within the kitchen. This definitely made Ursa wonder what was going on inside but she had her reasons to hesitate. Taking this job was a way to work her courage slowly and meet him finally... thus, she couldn't enter the kitchen. Instead, Michi and Yue brought her share of orders out from the kitchen, too.
***
Shoutout to Bowzer, Wesley Tebbens, Eros, Suicidal Fox, and Dekabos
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