Mr. Yao was an elderly man who worked at the market in a small Fire Nationvillage. The word around town was that he had a slight romantic interest toward Hama.[2]
While Team Avatar was staying at Hama's inn, she and the Team went shopping. Katara noticed Yao's romantic feelings towards Hama, and suggested to her that they go back to see if they could get some free komodo sausages from him.[1]