Task: Write a story about what LOK would be like without one character. My missing character is Mako. The scene is when Bolin and Korra meet for the first time.

Prompts: (object) hot chocolate, (action) posing, and (AU) circus

Word Count: 1133

Main Characters: Bolin, Pabu, Korra

Summary: After Bolin losses his whole family in a mugging gone horribly wrong, he joins the circus. One day while preparing for a show, he meets a girl who will change his life forever.

Bolin and the Fantastic Fire Ferrets!

Bolin turned toward the mirror with pizzazz and gave himself a wink. He was satisfied with what he saw, except for one thing, his bowtie was a leaning slightly to the left. The darn thing was always so stubborn, he could never get it perfectly centered. But, Bolin, the greatest tamer of fire ferrets to ever live, wasn't going to let a silly little bowtie best him. He leaned toward the mirror to get a closer look at the knot and started fiddling with it. His tongue stuck out in concentration. When he was convinced it was perfect, he backed away from the mirror and examined it again. Now it was slightly right-leaning. Bolin shrugged and huffed. He crossed his arms. That was as good as it was going to get.

Pabu, his partner and the star of his act, jumped up on his shoulder.

"Hey, buddy!" Bolin scratched behind the fire ferret's ears. He nuzzled his cheek to Pabu's muzzle and recoiled. It was wet.

Pabu jumped off of Bolin's shoulder and onto his master's dresser. He curled around a large, red mug sitting there and stuck his nose into its creamy contents.

Bolin snatched the mug up and pulled it close to his chest. "Bad Pabu! This is my hot coco!"

Pabu recoiled from Bolin's outstretched finger and jumped into the slightly ajar top drawer. He peered out at Bolin's waggling finger with trepidation.

It was no use staying mad at the little guy. Bolin stopped reprimanding the little guy and took a long sip of his hot chocolate. He looked at his watch. It was time to go, but the hot chocolate was too tasty to waist. Bolin swung his neck back and killed the rest of the sweet drink in one gulp. He set the mug back on top of his dresser with a clack.

"Come on, Pabu." Bolin held out his arm in invitation. "I forgive you." The show had to go on, and for it's sake, all would be forgiven.

Bolin strode out of his trailer and into the snowy Republic city night. "Let's see how the others are holding up."

Pabu squealed in agreement, then dove down into Bolin's jacket.

The moving lump - that was Pabu - in Bolin's gut ceased to concern his fellows in the circus, but the occasional passerby stopped and stared with concern at his visibly rumbling tummy. He paid them no mind. Right now, a job needed to get done, and Bolin was the only one who could do it. Rubber neckers wouldn't stop him from completing his task of putting on the best show possible. He made a beeline for the big top.

Bolin gave the strongman - who just happened to be a member of the circus security team, too, - a nod and walked through the performer's entrance. The smell of hundred of sweaty people and animal dung permeated the place, but Bolin had long ago gotten used to the pungent odor of the circus. It didn't bother him. On the contrary, it smelled like home. Bolin got up on the tips of his toes and held his hand over his eyes to survey the area. He spotted his little performers in their cages, stuck between the larger enclosures housing the circus' one and only armadillo lion and the three lion vultures.

"Hey, guys!" Bolin greeted the rest of his fire ferret friends.

All six of the caged fire ferrets jumped up from where they were napping. It was an all out scrum to be the first to get love and attention from Bolin and Pabu.

"Hold on, hold on!" Bolin fiddled with the lock on one cage and then the other. Once he had both cages open all of the fire ferrets pounced. Bolin tumbled to the ground, wresting with all his "babies."

He dusted himself off and got up on one knee. The fire ferrets gathered around him and they huddled up. "Alright, guys, we are gunna have the best performance of our lives tonight, right?" The ferrets squealed, rolled, got up on their hind legs, and jumped in agreement. "Okay, let's get some practice in."

Bolin rolled his shoulders to get them loss and did a few leg raises in preparation. Fourteen little eyes followed his every move. "Okay! It's time for...Fire Ferret Frenzy!" Bolin jumped into his pose. He stood on one hand with his legs and other hand outstretched. The fire ferrets scampered up his body and to their various places. They all at once in an expert fashion in the shape of a dragon and gave a savage - for fire ferrets, at least - roar. Bolin had done this post so many time, he figured he could do it in his sleep, but it was there big finish. He couldn't risk anyone making a mistake.

"Nice job! Next we'll try -"

"Hey, you! What do you think you're doing here!?"

Bolin looked over to where the yelling had come from. The same strongman he had passed earlier had a beautiful Water Tribe girl by the arm. He lowered himself out of his handstand, stood back up, and walked over flanked by his posse. There was always time to help out a pretty girl.

"I'm...looking for the bathroom…" The girl smiled sheepishly.

"I'm tired of kids like you sneaking in without pay! I'm taking you to the police!" The strongman started to drag her away.

"There you are!" Bolin yelled the first thing that came to his mind. He had no idea if this was actually going to work, but he had to try. "I've been looking all over for you."

The strongman gave him an unsure look.

"It's okay, Ishi, she's with me."

"Yeah, I'm with him."

Ishi let go of the girls arm, but he didn't leave. He just stood there and crossed his arms. Almost as if he was waiting for more of an explanation.

The girl's quickness emboldened him. "So, you see, we're together."

"Well, not together together, more like friends." The girl added.

"Right, friends." Bolin backtracked. "I didn't mean to imply."

"Oh, you implied it." She sounded irritated, but had a smile on her face. Bolin took that as a sign that he hadn't totally messed things up.

"Ah, I don't care what you are!" Ishi threw his hands into the air and walked off. "I've got work to do."

"Right this way, miss." Bolin bowed and directed the girl back towards

"And, thank you, sir." She gave a slight bow back and whispered. "Seriously, thanks."

Bolin smiled. He had a good feeling about this girl.

Pabu jumped up on her shoulder and she laughed with delight.

He had a really good feeling. When the girl looked away, Bolin gave Pabu a thumbs up and mouthed the words "thank you."