[ Zuko may have a near constant terseness about him, but he’s a transparent guy emotionally — and plenty emotional. Tonight was no exception. He takes a big, deep, not-very-calming breath before beginning his well-planned spiel. Except that’s not what comes out. He’d rehearsed this conversation and now it was all up in the wind. Shit. He’s winging it, trying to grasp on to bits he’d wanted to use from his rehearsal while completely spontaneous words came out instead. He’s bouncing his leg as he talks at first, but catches himself, instead reaching into his pants pocket idly and producing a... pocket lighter? with a tacky blossoming cherry tree design on it. He just fidgets with the lighter nervously for now, rolling it around in his hand as he rambles. This was not going to plan and he hadn’t even asked anything yet. Fuck. ]

So, um... I know you’re the president of your club, and you’re the most popular host or whatever — I mean, not that your club is uh, well— and in any case I know it’s just girls who go there, right? B-But anyway! You know a lot about... romance, and stuff, that’s very different than where I’m from... Some things that aren’t normal there are okay here... And in your world too, I’ve heard. And even though it’s technically not the same world as yours, or I don’t think it is, although it’s still called Japan, I um— I have another Japanese friend and I don’t really know his views on romance at all, really, like in general... But I don’t want to ask him directly cuz— I’ve never talked to him about that kind of thing. So, I was wondering what kind of insight... you could give me. About romance. Like that.