#anng

The Jasmine Dragon was uncharacteristically quiet, the steam from Iroh’s finest Ginseng tea curling into the evening air. The war with Taga was over, a victory that felt heavier than the one against Ozai, perhaps because the stakes had felt so much more personal this time.

You sat at the large circular table, your backpack resting against your chair like a relic from another dimension. Because, technically, it was. After your first departure, you hadn't expected the universe to pull you back, but when Taga rose, the tether snapped you right back into the thick of it. Now, with the dust settled, it was time to fulfill a very specific, very sugary promise.

“You guys helped save two worlds. The least I can do is give you a taste of the chaos I grew up with."

Iroh leaned forward, his hands tucked into his sleeves, his eyes twinkling with the unbridled joy of a man about to witness a culinary revolution. The Gaang gathered around: Aang sat cross-legged on his chair, hovering an inch off the seat in excitement; Sokka had his sleeves rolled up like he was preparing for a wrestling match; Katara looked on with maternal skepticism; Toph was leaning back, her feet on the table, sensing the vibrations of the crinkling plastic; Zuko sat stiffly, looking at the bag as if it might contain a small, edible explosive; and Suki was poised, her warrior instincts alert even for a snack.

"Alright," you said, unzipping the bag. The sound of the zipper, sharp and mechanical, drew everyone’s eyes. "I promised snacks from my world. I brought the heavy hitters."

Aang leaned forward, his eyes bright. "Are they magical? Do they give you bending powers?"

"No," you laughed, pulling out the first item. "But some of them might make you feel like you’ve been hit by a firebender."

You tossed a bright red bag onto the table. Zuko picked it up, squinting at the aggressive packaging. "It’s... glowing," he muttered.

"They're called Flamin' Hot Cheetos," you explained. "Proceed with caution."

You ripped open the bright red bag. A sharp, spicy, almost chemical scent wafted out. The snack inside looked like gnarled, crimson coral.

"What in the world..." Sokka leaned in, sniffing the air. "Is it supposed to be that color? It looks like it’s bleeding."

"They're not called Flamin' Hot Cheetos go nothing," you explained. "Go ahead. Grab one."

Sokka, never one for caution, grabbed a massive handful. "If it's red, it's gotta be good. That's the rule of meat, right?" He shoved them in and started crunching loudly.

Three seconds of silence followed. Then, Sokka’s eyes went wide. His face transitioned from his natural tan to a vibrant, alarming shade of magenta. "AURGH! MY MOUTH! It’s a trap! Why is it spicy AND crunchy? It’s like eating a porcupine that was raised in a volcano!"

"Oh, stop being so dramatic, Sokka," Katara said, reaching in and taking a single, twisted piece. She nibbled the end. "It’s... oh. Oh dear." She started fanning her mouth with her hand. "That’s actually quite a sharp heat. It’s not like curry. It’s... vinegary?"

"I think it’s interesting," Suki said, chewing a couple with a disciplined hum. "It has a very specific texture. It’s like it disappears as soon as you bite it, but the heat stays behind like a ghost."

Toph snatched the bag and dumped a pile into her hand. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. "It’s loud. I like it. It’s like someone turned a landslide into a snack. But why is the powder so sticky? I can feel it coating my fingers like mud."

"That's the 'Cheeto dust,'" you warned. "Don't wipe it on your clothes."

Zuko was staring at his index finger, which was now stained a bright, permanent-looking red. "It won't come off," he muttered, sounding genuinely distressed. He took a bite of one and winced. "It’s unnecessarily aggressive. It’s like the food is trying to pick a fight with me. Why would your people do this for leisure?"

"Because it’s addictive, Zuko," you said.

Aang took one, looking at it like it was a rare specimen. "It’s so light! But... wow!" He let out a little puff of air. "It makes my nose tingle. It’s like a tiny firework went off in my throat. I think I need some of Mister Iroh's tea to put this out."

Iroh chuckled, taking a single piece with his chopsticks. "It is a very spirited little snack. It has a certain... boldness. Though, I must say, the color is rather alarming for something meant for the stomach. It reminds me of the dye we use for the palace tapestries."

"Is it supposed to make my ears ring?" Sokka gasped, currently trying to drink directly from the spout of a nearby teapot. "I can’t feel my tongue! I think I’ve lost a layer of skin!"

"You're fine, Sokka," Toph grumbled, reaching for more. "It just means you're weak. Pass the bag back over here, I like the way it makes my teeth feel."

"Be careful, Toph," Katara warned, still fanning herself. "I think my lips are swelling. Is this even legal in your world?"

"It’s a best-seller," you laughed.

"Your people are terrifying," Zuko concluded, still trying to scrub the red stain off his thumb with a silk napkin.

The red dust was still settling, mostly on Sokka’s face and Zuko’s expensive-looking napkins, when you reached back into the bag. The atmosphere in the tea shop had shifted from peaceful recovery to a high-stakes culinary experiment.

"Alright, that was the heat," you said, pulling out a small, colorful box with a tiny spinning wheel on the front. "Now we move on to a game of chance. This is the BeanBoozled challenge."

You set the box in the middle of the table. "Here’s the deal: every color has two possible flavors. One is great, like Peach or Blueberry. The other is... well, it’s a disaster. It could be Rotten Egg, Barf, or Stinky Socks."

"A disaster?" Aang leaned in, his eyes wide. "How can a tiny bean be a disaster? It’s too small to be dangerous!"

"Oh, you sweet summer child," you muttered. "Who wants to spin first?"

"I’ll do it!" Sokka snatched the box, flicking the spinner. It landed on a yellow bean with white spots. "Buttered Popcorn or... Rotten Egg. Easy. I’ve eaten things in the tundra that were three weeks past their prime. A bean can’t stop me." He tossed it back and chewed with a smug grin.

Two seconds later, the grin died. Sokka’s eyes bulged. His jaw locked. "Mmmph—!" He scrambled for a napkin, his face turning a sickly, swampy green. Thwack. He spat the bean out with enough force to dent the floor. "That wasn't an egg! That was a hate crime! It tasted like a swamp’s armpit!"

"Oh, come on, Sokka," Toph laughed, feeling the vibrations of his gagging. "Let a professional handle this." She didn't spin; she just reached in and grabbed a green one. "Lawn Clippings or Lime,” she repeated after me, “I spend my life in the dirt. This is a win-win." She crunched it, "Grass. Definitely grass. It’s actually kind of sweet. I don't see what the fuss is about."

"My turn," Katara said, looking determined. She spun and got the blue one. "Blueberry or Toothpaste." She popped it in. She chewed slowly, her expression shifting to one of mild confusion. "It’s... cold? It’s very minty. It’s not bad, actually. It’s like I just finished brushing my teeth, but I’m eating candy at the same time. This one is quite pleasant."

"Lucky you," Zuko grumbled. He flicked the spinner. It landed on brown. "Chocolate Pudding or... Canned Dog Food." He stared at the bean like it was a personal enemy. "I have a bad feeling about this." He ate it, closing his eyes in anticipation.

The table went silent as they watched the Fire Lord’s face. Zuko didn't spit it out. He swallowed it with a grim, painful-looking gulp. "It tasted like a wet badger-mole," he whispered hoarsely. "Why is there meat flavor in a sugar bean? Is this a prank played on the children of your world?"

"Frequently," you admitted.

Suki spun next, getting the multi-colored one. "Tutti-Fruitti or Stinky Socks." She took a bite and her nose crinkled immediately. "Oh. Oh, that’s... pungent. It’s remarkably accurate. It tastes like a training camp locker room in the middle of summer. It’s actually impressive how they captured the 'sock' essence."

"I find this fascinating," Iroh said, picking up a white one. "Coconut or... Baby Wipes?" He chewed thoughtfully. "Ah. It tastes like very clean laundry. It is quite floral! I wouldn't mind this as a palate cleanser after a heavy meal."

"I want the booger one!" Aang cried, spinning the wheel excitedly. He grabbed a dark green speckled bean. "Is it booger? Is it?!" He chewed, his face falling. "No. It’s Juicy Pear. That’s boring."

"Boring?!" Sokka yelled, still gargling tea to get the egg taste out. "I just tasted the end of the world, Aang! My soul is tainted! I can still feel the 'egg' in my sinuses!"

"It builds character, Sokka," Toph smirked, reaching for another green one.

"I don't want character!" Sokka wailed. "I want a snack that doesn't lie to me!"

"Fine, no more lies," you said, reaching into the bag and pulling out the thin, crinkly packets of Pop Rocks. "This one is just a physical sensation. It’s called Popping Candy. Open your hands."

You poured the tiny, jagged crystals into everyone’s palms.

"They look like tiny spirit stones," Aang said, poking a pink crystal.

"Don't chew," you warned. "Just dump them all in at once and keep your mouths open."

On the count of three, they all dumped the candy in. For a heartbeat, there was silence. Then, a sound like a hundred tiny firecrackers started emanating from the group. Snap! Crackle! Pop!

"Whoa!" Aang’s eyes lit up. He started hopping in place. "My tongue is shivering! It’s like a tiny thunderstorm is happening behind my teeth!"

Sokka looked genuinely terrified. He tried to speak, but a loud pop cut him off. "Mmph! Is it supposed to do that? Am I exploding? Katara, heal me! My mouth is self-destructing!"

"Sokka, it's just candy," Katara giggled, though she looked startled too. "It feels like... tiny bubbles of ice breaking. It’s actually quite ticklish! It’s like someone is tapping on my tongue very, very fast."

Toph leaned in closer to the table, her ears twitching. "I can hear everyone's mouths," she grinned. "It sounds like a hailstorm on a tin roof. This is the loudest food I’ve ever encountered. It’s vibrating my jaw!"

Zuko was holding his mouth shut, looking intensely focused. "How is it doing this? There’s no heat, no fire. It’s just... percussion." He opened his mouth, and a particularly loud CRACK went off. He jumped slightly. "It’s very distracting. I feel like I should be fighting it, but there’s nothing to hit."

"It’s like a tiny party," Suki said, laughing at Zuko’s confusion. "It’s fun! It would be a great way to wake up in the morning."

Iroh was delighted, holding his mouth open to let the popping sound fill the room. "Ho ho! It is like a tiny percussion ensemble! Very lively! It makes me feel quite young. It’s like the spirits are dancing on my palate."

"It’s finally stopping," Sokka said, letting out a long breath as the last few pops faded. "I feel like my tongue just went through a 10-mile hike. I’m exhausted. My mouth needs a nap."

"Don't fall asleep yet," you said, pulling out a large, familiar blue bag. "We’re just getting to the heavy hitters."

The "popping" in the air had finally died down, leaving a strange, lingering sugar-hum in the shop. Sokka was still tentatively poking his tongue with his finger to make sure it hadn't actually detached, while Katara was busy wiping a stray pink crystal off the table.

"Alright," you said, reaching deep into the backpack. "We’re moving on to something iconic. It’s triangular, it’s orange, and it’s very, very loud."

You pulled out the large, crinkling bag and ripped it open with a flourish. The smell of artificial cheese and toasted corn immediately filled the alcove.

"Why is it that everything from your world smells so… strange?" Zuko asked, peering into the bag. He reached in first, his brow furrowed as he pulled out a perfectly triangular chip. "The geometry is impressive. They’re all almost identical."

"They're Doritos," you said. "Specifically, Nacho Cheese."

Zuko took a bite. The crunch was audible from across the room. He chewed slowly, his expression shifting from suspicion to a sort of grim appreciation. "It’s... savory. But there’s a tang to it. Like a very aggressive, very salty sun-dried tomato mixed with... what did you call it? Cheese?"

"It’s like cheese, but from a laboratory," you explained.

"I don't care where it's from!" Toph snatched a handful, crunching them three at a time. "This is the best one yet. It’s got structural integrity. It doesn't melt away like those red things earlier. It’s like eating a very delicious, very thin rock."

"Let me try!" Aang reached in, nibbling on a corner. "Oh! It’s like a cornfield had a fight with a salt mine and everyone won. It’s really crunchy! Sokka, you have to try this, it’s way better than the weird beans."

Sokka, who had been waiting for the go-ahead, didn't just take one. He took four, stacking them on top of each other. "The 'Sokka Stack,'" he declared, shoving them in. His eyes lit up. "Okay. Yes. This is it. This is the peak of human achievement. It’s salty, it’s cheesy, it’s… wait." He stopped, looking at his fingers. "My hands. They’re... they’re glowing."

"The powder," Katara noted, looking at her own fingertips after trying a chip. "It’s everywhere. Sokka, don't you dare wipe that on the tablecloth. Uncle Iroh, look at this! Your fine china is being covered in orange dust."

Iroh, who had been dabbing a chip into a small bowl of mild sauce he’d found, chuckled. "It is a small price to pay for such a robust flavor, Katara. It is very... bold. It has a toasted quality that reminds me of the street food in the Earth Kingdom lower ring, though perhaps a bit more... yellow."

"It’s not just yellow, Uncle," Zuko said, staring at his thumb. "It’s a stain. I’ve been marked by the triangle food. How do you people keep your documents clean? Do you just have orange thumbprints on all your peace treaties?"

"Usually, we just lick our fingers," you suggested.

Suki laughed, watching Sokka actually follow your advice with zero shame. "It’s a very tactical snack," she said, biting into one. "The flavor is immediate. You don't have to wait for it. But the noise... you couldn't eat these on a stakeout. You’d sound like a collapsing building."

"Worth it," Sokka muffled, his mouth full. "I would give up my boomerang for a crate of these. It’s the cheese. It’s calling to me."

"You would not give up your boomerang for a chip, Sokka," Katara sighed, though she was reaching for another one. "But I have to admit, the flavor is... strangely comforting. It’s like a very loud hug for your tongue."

"A hug that leaves you covered in orange mud," Toph added, happily licking her palm. "Best world ever."

The orange dust had become a collective problem. Zuko was still trying to subtly rub his thumb against his tunic, only to realize he was making the stain worse, while Sokka looked like he had just finished a very messy painting session with his mouth.

"Alright, everyone is looking a little parched," you said, reaching into the bag and pulling out several sleek, cold cans. The condensation on the aluminum shimmered under the shop's lanterns. "This is the world's most famous drink. It’s called Coca-Cola. Or just Coke."

You held a can in the center of the table. "This combines two things you’ve already tried: sweetness and the 'popping' sensation. But it’s a liquid. Also, it’s very, very dark."

"Just watch," you said. You cracked the tab. Psst-clack!

The group jumped. Aang actually levitated an inch off his cushion. "The can breathed!" he chirped. "Did you hear that? It’s like there’s a tiny spirit of air trapped inside!"

You poured the dark, fizzy liquid into Iroh’s delicate porcelain cups. The bubbles hissed and danced at the rim.

"It looks like tea that’s been left to sit for a thousand years," Katara said, leaning in. "Is it supposed to be that color? It’s almost... obsidian."

Iroh was the first to pick up his cup, ever the connoisseur of beverages. He brought it to his nose. "It has a very sharp, medicinal scent. Like cinnamon and... something else I can’t describe." He took a sip. His eyebrows shot up, and a surprised "Ho-ho!" escaped him. "It bites! The liquid actually bites the tongue! It is quite refreshing, though the sugar is... overwhelming. It’s like a dessert you drink."

"My turn!" Suki took a long drink. She blinked rapidly, her eyes watering. "Wow. That’s... intense. It’s like drinking a thousand tiny needles that turn into syrup. It definitely wakes you up. I feel like I could run a marathon right now."

Toph didn't wait for a cup; she snatched a can and took a massive gulp. She slammed it back onto the table, letting out a burp that rattled the tea sets. "Whoa! That’s got some kick! It’s like drinking a thunderstorm. It’s the first drink I’ve had that feels like it’s fighting back. I like it. It’s got... texture."

"Toph! Manners!" Katara scolded, though she was looking at her own cup with fascination. She took a sip and crinkled her nose. "It’s so... bubbly. It feels like my throat is being tickled from the inside. It’s a bit much, honestly. How do you drink a whole bottle of this without your stomach exploding?"

"You get used to it," you laughed.

Zuko took a cautious sip, his face twisting into a scowl of pure confusion. "Why is it so cold and so sharp at the same time? It’s like drinking liquid metal that’s been sweetened with a mountain of honey. It’s... confusing. I don't know if I like it, but I can't stop looking at the bubbles." He took another sip, then another. "Okay, maybe I like it a little."

"Give me that!" Sokka snatched a cup and drained it in one go. He sat perfectly still for five seconds, his face turning a deep shade of red. He let out a gasp that sounded like a dying steam engine. "I can feel the bubbles in my brain! It’s like my sinuses just got a deep-cleaning! It’s incredible! It’s like water, but with an attitude problem!"

"An attitude problem?" Aang giggled, dipping his finger into the bubbles. "It’s like the water is giggling! Look at them go!" He took a sip and beamed. "It’s so sweet! It’s like fruit, but not any fruit I’ve ever seen. It’s like... 'brown' fruit flavor."

"It’s a secret recipe, Aang," you said. "Only a few people in my world know exactly what’s in it."

"Probably just concentrated lightning and sugar," Sokka muttered, reaching for a refill. "I feel like I could jump over the Great Wall right now. Is there more? I feel like I need this for the rest of my life."

"Easy, Sokka," Katara warned. "You’re already vibrating."

"I'm not vibrating, I'm energized!" Sokka shouted, his eyes wide and frantic.

The caffeine and sugar from the cola had effectively turned the table into a buzz of high-energy chatter. Sokka was tapping his feet so fast the floorboards were humming, and Aang was literally floating a few inches off his cushion, his eyes darting around the room.

"Okay, everyone, settle down," you laughed, reaching into the bag. "We need something to soak up all that fizz. This is a classic from the snack aisles of my world. It’s called a Twinkie."

You pulled out the plastic-wrapped, golden-yellow sponges. They looked almost too perfect, like they had been carved out of a very soft, very bright cloud.

"It’s... squishy," Suki said, being the first to take one. She poked it through the plastic. "It feels like a very small, very soft pillow. Is there a bird inside? Why is it so light?"

"No birds," you promised. "Just cake and cream."

Suki unwrapped it and took a bite. She chewed slowly, her eyebrows rising. "It’s very... soft. It almost doesn't feel like food. It’s like eating a sweet, golden breeze. There’s a lot of air in this, but the middle is very thick and sugary."

"Let me see that," Toph said, snatching one. She squeezed it in her fist, and the cream filling oozed out the bottom. "Gross. It’s like a sponge that swallowed a marshmallow. I don't know about this one. It’s too quiet. I like my food to have some resistance, and this just... gives up." She popped the whole thing in her mouth anyway. "Tastes like yellow. Just... the color yellow."

"I think it’s delightful!" Aang cried, having already finished half of his. He had a smudge of white cream on his nose. "It’s so fluffy! It’s like eating a piece of a sunset. It’s much softer than the moon-cakes we have. It’s like a hug for your tongue!"

"It’s a bit much for me," Katara said, taking a small, polite bite. She made a face, dabbing at her lips. "It’s very, very sweet. I feel like I can feel my teeth shouting at me. And the texture... it’s a bit oily, isn't it? What is this made of? It feels like it could last for a hundred years without spoiling."

"Actually, that’s a common legend in my world," you said. "That they never go bad."

"I believe it," Zuko said, staring at the golden sponge in his hand with deep suspicion. He took a bite, chewed, and then looked at the cross-section of the cream. "It’s efficient. If you were on a long journey through a desert where nothing grows, this would be a perfect ration. It’s pure energy in a very small, resilient package. But... it tastes a bit like... metal? No, like... plastic?"

"That's the preservatives, Zuko," you explained.

"I love the preservatives!" Sokka shouted, his voice an octave higher than usual thanks to the Coke. He was currently trying to fit two Twinkies into his mouth at once. "It’s like a cake that's also a toy! You can squish it, you can bounce it, and then you eat it! It’s the ultimate multi-purpose snack!"

Iroh took a small piece, dipping it into his tea. He hummed thoughtfully. "It is very light, like a summer cloud. However, I think I prefer the density of a traditional bun. This feels like it’s missing a soul. It is a very lonely little cake. But," he added, brightened, "the cream is quite a pleasant surprise."

"A lonely cake?" Sokka asked, his mouth full of yellow sponge. "Uncle, it’s not lonely! It’s got all its friends in my stomach now!"

"Your stomach is going to be a war zone in about twenty minutes, Sokka," Katara warned, looking at the mountain of wrappers growing in front of him.

The table was now a graveyard of neon-red bags and silver cans. Sokka was vibrating in his seat, Toph was leaning back with her feet on the table, and Zuko was still trying to scrub a single orange Dorito smudge off his sleeve.

"Final boss of the snack world," you announced, pulling out a blue package. "These are Oreos. There is a very specific way to eat these, and if you do it wrong, you’re basically a criminal."

You pulled out the black-and-white sandwich cookies. The ornate patterns on the chocolate wafers caught the light. "It’s a ritual. You twist it, you lick the cream, and then you dunk it." You set out a fresh bowl of milk and a cup of tea for Iroh.

Aang was the first to grab one, his eyes fixed on the white center. "Twist it?" He gave the cookie a gentle turn with his thumb. Click. The cream stayed perfectly on one side. "Whoa! It’s like a secret compartment! It’s so satisfying to open." He gingerly licked the white filling. "It tastes like... very sweet snow. It’s much more solid than the Twinkie stuff."

"It’s too much work," Toph grunted, snatching a cookie. She didn't twist. She didn't lick. She just crunched the whole thing in one go. "Good crunch. It’s like eating dark earth and sugar. It’s the first thing today that isn't loud or spicy. It’s just... solid. I like it. It’s honest."

Katara took her time, twisting hers open and looking at the pattern. "It’s beautiful, in a strange way. The contrast between the black and white is very striking." She dipped the edge of the wafer into the milk, watching it soak. "Oh, the texture changes instantly! It goes from a brittle rock to a soft cake. It’s actually quite sophisticated. Sokka, try dunking it instead of just inhaling it."

Sokka was already mid-inhalation. "I’m busy!" he muffled, his mouth full of dry chocolate. He tried to speak and a puff of black cookie crumbs flew out. "Ack—it’s a bit dry on its own! It’s like eating a delicious chalkboard!" He grabbed a cookie, plunged it into the milk, and let go. He watched it sink. "Wait. It’s gone. It’s at the bottom. I’ve lost the cookie!"

Suki laughed, reaching in to help him. "You have to hold on to it, Sokka. You can't just abandon it." She dunked hers perfectly. "It’s a very social snack. Everyone’s sitting here playing with their food together. It’s... it’s nice. It’s the perfect way to end the night. The chocolate is very deep, almost bitter, which balances the sugar."

Zuko held his Oreo between two fingers, staring at it with the intensity of a man trying to solve a riddle. He twisted it, but the wafer snapped into three pieces. He scowled. "My cookie is broken. This is an inferior design."

"Just eat the pieces, Zuko," you said.

He ate a piece of the black wafer. "It tastes like... toasted cocoa. It’s not as sweet as the 'golden cloud' cake. I actually prefer this. It has a certain... dignity to it. Even if it did break on me."

Iroh didn't use the milk. He dunked his Oreo straight into his hot Ginseng tea.

"Uncle, surely that’s not right," Zuko sighed.

Iroh took a bite, a look of pure, enlightened joy crossing his face. "On the contrary, Prince Zuko! The tea draws out the bitterness of the chocolate while the cream adds a silken sweetness to the brew. It is a harmonious marriage of two worlds. It is... dare I say... better than a biscuit!"

"Better than a biscuit?!" Sokka gasped, finally fishing his soggy Oreo out of the milk with his fingers. "He’s lost it. The sugar has finally taken him."

"It’s the best one," Aang decided, his face covered in a mix of white cream and chocolate crumbs. "It’s a snack and a game. Your world is very good at making people play while they eat."

"That's the whole point," you smiled, looking at the mess of crumbs and the happy, sugar-crashing faces of the people who just saved the world. "Food is better when it's a bit of a disaster."

"I'm still orange," Zuko muttered, but he was reaching for another Oreo.