Chapter 167: The Twisted Family (1)

Chapter 167: The Twisted Family (1)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." The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

"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.

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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