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It was the first weekend of November, and tonight was that weird yearly ritual when everyone had to turn their clocks back an hour. None of them really understood why, but hey, tradition was tradition, right?
Katara, Yue, and Nita, a striking trio of Water Tribe girls, eagerly approached the Jasmine Dragon, their favorite tea shop in the city—and, as far as they were concerned, maybe the whole world. Owned by Iroh, Zuko’s grandfather, it was just as well-known for Iroh's wisdom as it was for his incredible tea blends. They’d been meeting here every weekend since they could remember.
A final shiver against the chilly morning air and they were pulling open the heavy door. Warmth immediately wrapped around them, filling their senses with the rich scents of spiced tea and freshly baked pastries. Soft murmurs of boiling water, the delicate clink of teacups, and a faint crackling from the fireplace all added to the shop’s cozy calm. It was a peaceful Saturday, with only a handful of patrons scattered in booths along the far wall.
Katara led the way to their usual spot by the window, sighing happily as she slid into the booth. Tugging at the cuffs of her navy sweater, she thought about how Gran-Gran had knitted it just last month. The wool scratched a bit, but it fit like a familiar hug.
Beside her, Yue settled in, sunlight filtering in and catching her snow-white hair, making her long silvery-blue scarf almost shimmer. Across from them, Nita crossed her arms on the table, her gaze already fixed on the counter with a spark of anticipation. She’d just redyed the bottom half of her dark hair a vivid blue that matched the lilac cardigan she had on, and it really made her stand out.
Just then, Zuko approached their table with a small tray carrying a pot of steaming chamomile tea and three delicate porcelain cups. His dark hair was neatly tied back, and he wore his usual red and black shirt, looking every bit the attentive server. He placed the tray down, casting a glance around at the empty tables with a faint, familiar smile. “Slow morning,” he said, warmth in his tone reserved for close friends. “Just let me know if you need anything.”
Katara offered him a grateful smile, nudging her bag to the side to reveal a stack of novels peeking out. “Thanks, Zuko. We’re settling in for a long one.”
“Book club day, huh?” he asked, his tone light as he poured the tea.
Nita grinned, curling her hands around the warm cup. “Yep! If you ever want to talk fantasy with us, there’s always a spot at the table.”
He chuckled softly, a hint of tiredness in his eyes but something warm too. “I’ll keep it in mind. For now, though, I’m on solo duty. Akira and Hideki are both out sick with a stomach bug, so it’s just me, Dad, and Grandpa Iroh holding down the fort. Really hoping it stays slow until the afternoon shift.”
“We’ll say a prayer to Tui and La for you, Zuko,” Katara said with a grin, making a little blessing motion with her hands.
He chuckled, his smile softening, then gave a little wave and headed back to the register. The familiar sounds of clinking teapots and quiet murmurs of other patrons settled around them like background music, grounding them in the calm of their weekend ritual.
“He is pretty handsome, don’t you think, Katara?” Nita teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
Katara felt the heat in her cheeks immediately. “Nita, you know perfectly well Zuko already has a girlfriend! He and Akiko are practically soulmates! I mean, yeah, he’s good-looking, but I’m not about to steal someone else’s boyfriend for fun,” she shot back, half-indignant, half-embarrassed.
“Whoa, relax, Katara. Nita’s just messing with you,” Yue jumped in, her voice soft and calming as she patted Katara’s arm. “She knows Zuko’s taken. She’s dating his younger cousin, Ember, after all.”
Katara took a couple of deep breaths, letting the steam from her tea fill her senses as she tried to center herself. “Okay, okay, sorry, I overreacted.”
Nita’s teasing smile softened, guilt flashing in her eyes. “No, I’m the one who should be sorry. I know my brother Sitka’s been hassling you again, and I shouldn’t have made the joke. That was thoughtless.”
Katara relaxed, giving her an understanding smile. “It’s all good, Nita. Now, shall we get into this book series? It’s taken us forever to get through it all, but we’re finally here!”
They each reached for their books, flipping through the worn pages like they were diving into a familiar world.
“I think we can all agree the series hits close to home for a lot of reasons,” Yue started. “I mean, Atlantis is supposed to be under the sea—even though in the book it’s more like a small island. Or, that’s what we thought until book three,” she added with a chuckle.
“Yeah, that twist was as weird as the rest of the third book,” Nita replied, taking a thoughtful sip of her tea. “But let’s stick with book one for now.”
“Good call,” Katara grinned. “So, in the first book, Riley was so relatable—same for her cousin Alfie. The way they teased each other felt real, didn’t it? Kind of reminded me of how our brothers act sometimes,” she said, glancing knowingly at Nita.
Nita laughed. “Totally. Riley’s the older one, but Alfie still calls her ‘Shorty’ just ‘cause she’s…well, short. Typical little brother energy, if you ask me.”
Yue raised her hand, waiting until they both gave her a nod. “I thought Bastion was super charming. And Ms. Piggleworth—his governess who turned into a dog? That was wild.”
“Oh, yeah! And then when we find out everyone’s been cursed? It all just clicked,” Nita said, her eyes lighting up. “How did we not see that sooner? I mean, what else but a curse would turn people into animals?”
“Right? And with all those mystical creatures, too—unicorns, mermaids, gargoyles, and even a leviathan,” Katara added.
Yue shivered a little, wrapping her scarf tighter. “As someone named after the moon, I wouldn’t want to experience any of those ‘red moons’ they kept describing. Way too creepy.”
Nita’s expression grew serious. “The moons were scary, but honestly, what really got to me was how the Community treated anyone who’d turned into an animal. Forcing them to wear those colored cloaks just because they weren’t fully human anymore? That was messed up.”
Katara nodded, her voice hardening. “And the mythical creatures weren’t much better. But what really infuriated me—” she paused, catching Yue’s knowing look.
“You’re talking about Riley’s dad, right? He turns into a dolphin and just…chooses the ocean over his family? That was cold. He even admitted it was selfish! And since the last book didn’t give us a clear ending, we never know if he came back,” Yue finished, her tone heavy with frustration.
Katara clenched her fists. “I don’t care if he’s cursed; my dad would never pick the water over his family. That’s just…low.”
“Take it easy, Katara,” Nita said gently, resting a hand on Katara’s. “People make dumb choices all the time. Still, I get it. And hey, at least the characters—Riley’s family, the Atlanteans, Gideon the Gargoyle—they were all so layered.”
“Even the villains,” Yue agreed. “They were bad, no question, but they still felt real. And the details of the world-building? The cruise ship Community lived on, and the gargoyles’ Cubical? It was all so vivid.”
Their discussion paused as Zuko returned with a tray carrying four slices of blueberry pie. He set them down with a shy smile. “Mind if I join? I, uh, couldn’t help overhearing…and I read the series, too.”
The girls exchanged a surprised look before breaking into welcoming smiles. With Zuko settled beside them, they each took a bite of pie, savoring the sweet blueberry filling as they dove back into the world of Atlantis, lost in their shared love for an unforgettable series.