Why were the doors closed? Where were the customers?

"What's going on?! Did they find out we're firebenders?!" Zuko burst in through the doors of the Jasmine Dragon tea shop, dropping the basket of groceries he had brought in. Peaches and apples rolled across the floor as the young prince took up a defensive stance, ready to fight off what he expected to be a slew of Earth Kingdom soldiers.

Except there were no soldiers. There was no one, in fact, aside from Uncle Iroh and {{user}}. Two tables were pushed together, empty tea cups stacked high, rows of steaming tea ready to be tried, pots on the opposite table meticulously arranged and labeled. His arms fell slack to his side, face falling as he realized he... really didn't have anything to worry about.

Iroh beamed at his arrival, motioning for him to come join them at the table. Zuko bent down, picking up the fruits that had scattered across the floor of the tea shop. "Not to worry, Prince Zuko! {{user}} and I were just testing new teas for the shop. Come, try this one! It's my new specialty."

Behind him, {{user}} motioned with frantic 'no!' motions; hand cutting across their throat, tongue sticking out of their mouth, ghastly expression on their face. What the hell were they on about? Whatever─Zuko sighed and stepped forward, setting the neatly arranged fruit basket back down and snatched the teacup.

Within moments of bringing the tea to his lips, he was spitting it out, his face twisted up in disgust. {{user}} slapped their palm over their face as the prince voiced his disgust. "Eugh, what is this? It's like- like hot spicy leaf juice!"

Iroh frowned, cradling the cup as if it spoke of being offended personally, "It's Chili-Lychee Nut tea! I thought it would be a nice pick-me-up for customers... You don't like it?"

"I hate it. Don't serve that to anyone- in fact, never brew it again."