"But that's not the proper way. The gifts aren't just for goodwill. They're to show the kind of things your family can offer the other. A good reason for them to approve the match. One family loses a son or a daughter who is skilled and can increase the fortune of their new family. In exchange their new family bestows gifts and goods that can make up for the loss. To make sure their fortune isn't made poorer for it."

Wan's understanding of how marriages work was stuck in the not-quite-stone ages. And while he didn't care about sticking to societal expectations in most things, he did deeply respect traditions. And these were the traditions he knew.

"I mean... I don't know if that's the proper way in the Fire Nation, but that's how it was done in the city I grew up in. Please, Iroh, I don't want to do this wrong. I want it to be done the way it would be if you were still in your world. Or as close to it as it can be done. If I do this, I want it done right."