The Comedian
"I was in a comedy troupe once…"
"A comedy troupe, really?" Korra's eyes widen. "That sounds interesting… Tarrlok the Comedian."
"We could have stuck together, but one of the guys bailed out on us to join a band, which sucked. We did stand up… improv… I did impressions and I was pretty good at it."
"Oh, really?" A smirk was on the young actress's face. "Show me."
"No, I can't…" Tarrlok shook his head, a shy smile. "I'm probably really rusty."
"No, come on Tarrlok, do it…!"
A small chuckle left the manager. Korra could persuade him so easily. He though about the film they both watched on cable last week while they were on set in the middle of the Utah desert.
He began to prepare his voice.
"You think I'm gorgeous…! You want to kiss me…! You want to hug me…! You want to love me…! You want to smooch me…! You want to hug me…!"
Uncontrollable laughter left Korra, her eyes began to water.
"That Sandra Bullock impersonation really was convincing…" she guffawed.
She was weak from laughing so hard, but the gleam in her eye was still there. For a moment, he felt his heart skip a beat. For some reason, making her smile was the greatest accomplishment he made all week.
Walking into the kitchen from her morning jog, Korra found her mother in the kitchen.
"Hi, mom…!" She kissed Senna's cheek.
"You and Tarrlok seem to be getting more chummy…"
Korra turned, confused as she sipped her bottle of water.
"Mom, what are you talking about…?"
"It's great to see you getting along with your manager, and you've found a great friend, but the way you're spending more and more time with him, I don't know what this is all going to turn into."
Korra's eyes widen.
"Mom, how could you even say that?!" She could feel herself blushing. "Tarrlok's a friend, that's all he is. He's been keeping me and my career safe, and he'd do anything to protect me, and I'd do anything to protect him."
"Okay, I apologize for saying such a wild accusation, but Korra, just be careful. He is not responsible, just look at him…! Married twice, divorced. I just don't want you to be ex-wife number three."
Korra looked out the window and saw her reflection on top of the swimming pool.
It was true that Tarrlok had bad luck in his marriages. She knew about them from the start. Tarrlok was a good man.
He was loyal, kind, and practical.
True that his past wasn't on the path of the angels, but it humbled him and made him the sound guy that he was today.
There was nothing Tarrlok could do that could make her change the way she felt about him.
"Who I'm dating is none of your business, and even if I'm with someone, you have absolutely no say in who I'm with."
She turned to the stairs. "I need some space…"