Avatar; The Royal Firebender.

Wan Shi Tong's Library.

The initiation into the white lotus took almost the entire night with Zuko learning the rituals, speech and how to initiate a meeting through playing the white lotus gambit. After the pleasantries were out of the way, Iroh and the other masters discussed getting passports for the entirety of team avatar to go into Ba Sing Sei. By the time they actually exit the meeting, dawn is already rising over the desert and the tiny oasis village they're staying at. The two firebenders head over to the stables expecting to find the rest of the group ready to go find this library that Sokka wanted to go to. Instead they find Aang fast asleep on Appa's tail while Professor Zei sits leaned up against Appa's belly writing scroll after scrolls worth of notes regarding his interactions with Aang and Appa. "So much for leaving early this morning." Zuko says before looking at the professor. "Why are you two out here? Isn't the tavern also an Inn?"

"Sand benders were harassing the sky bison after we left the tavern, Sifu Aang said he was going to stay out here in case they came back. I figured I'd join him and learn as much as I can about this magnificent creature." Professor Zei responds. "The other members of your traveling party are at the Inn."

"Ok, we might not need to wait until tonight to look for the library, if we fly high enough the temperature won't be a problem. Not to mention, since I'm the firebending Avatar I can control the ambient heat in the desert to keep us cool." Zuko responds. "I don't believe that I introduced myself."

"Neither have I." Professor Zei says as he gets to his feet and sets his stuff down on the ground. "Professor Zei, head of anthropology at Ba Sing Sei university." He says offering to shake Zuko's hand to which the prince accepts the gesture.

"Avatar Lee." Zuko responds, "This is... my father. Mushi. We were both banished from Yu Dao after it was discovered that I was the avatar." This statement from Zuko surprises Iroh at first, his nephew referring to him as his father for the first time warms his heart... until he then says his name is Mushi which slightly irks him.

"It's a pleasure to be traveling with you then." Professor Zei greets humbly. "Could I treat you to some tea while we wait?"

"Of course." Iroh says before he climbs up Appa's side to get to his pouch before producing his brass teapot. "Do you need sugar or honey? We have both."

"Honey would be excellent." Professor Zei says as Zuko takes a seat leaning against Appa. Iroh slides off the side of the bison, stumbling as he hits the ground and letting out a pained groan as he topples over.

The dark purples and blues begin to give way as the sun begins to rise over the Shi Wong desert. The conversation with Professor Zei had woken Aang from his sleep, but he wasn't mad to be woken up to the smell of tea and a pleasant conversation. The conversation leads into the mid morning by the time Katara, Sokka, Toph and Yue finally leave the Inn. By this point Zuko and Aang had begun to play a game of Pai Sho while Iroh coaches on the side. The master and student snack on dried fruits and sip their tea as the game progresses, Aang patiently waiting for Zuko to move a tile, he ends up being distracted allowing Zuko to capture Aang's white lotus tile with his own orchid tile. When he looks back, Aang gives Zuko a squinted sneer much to the firebender's amusement as Aang had just lost. Aang isn't a sore loser though, while he feigns being annoyed the fake look on his face quickly fades and is replaced with his typical smile. "Seems you guys are having fun? Everything ready to go?" Sokka asks as he comes to a stop just at Zuko's feet. The avatar looked up at the warrior before nodding. "What was with that meeting last night anyways?" Sokka asks as Zuko reaches over and begins collecting all of the Pai sho tiles. "Just catching up with an old friend." Iroh responds, while Sokka is skeptical of this response, he doesn't press the topic much further. "Now, I believe we have a bit of an adventure to go on. Let's pack everything up and go find this library I've heard so much about."