The curtains reopened, and showed Irah sitting alone in her bedroom, reading something when all of a sudden, dramatic music started to play as a pretty brunette walked in, her long hair waving behind her and her brown eyes filled with energy (Actor Ning).
Actor Ning:
Don't tell me not to live,
Just sit and putter,
Life's candy and the sun's
A ball of butter.
Don't bring around a cloud
To rain on my parade.
Don't tell me not to fly-
I've simply got to.
If someone takes a spill,
It's me and not you.
Who told you you're allowed
to rain on my parade?
(Spinning around, with her arms out)
I'll march my band out,
I'll beat my drum
And if I'm fanned out
(Overdramatically tripping, and turning it into a cartwheel that ends with her sitting with her legs spread out)
Your turn at bat, sir.
At least I didn't fake it.
Hat, sir, I guess I didn't make it!
(Standing up, and walking dramatically forward)
But whether I'm the rose
Of sheer perfection,
Or freckle on the nose
Of life's complexion,
The cinder or the shiny apple of its eye…
(Spreads arms out like she's embracing the world) I gotta fly once,
I gotta try once,
Only can die once, right, sir?
Ooh, love is juicy,
Juicy, and you see
I gotta have my bite, sir!
(Walking around animatedly)
Get ready for me, love,
'cause I'm a "comer,"
I simply gotta march,
My heart's a drummer.
Don't bring around a cloud
To rain on my parade!
(Striding forward, with purpose and determination)
I'm gonna live and live now,
Get what i want—I know how,
One roll for the whole shebang,
One throw, that bell will go clang,
Eye on the target-and wham-
One shot, one gun shot, and bam-
Hey, good old Fire Nation, (spreads arms out again)here I am!
(Dramatic Beat, holds arms out)
I'll march my band out,
I will beat my drum,
And if I'm fanned out,
Your turn at bat, sir,
At least i didn't fake it.
Hat, sir, I guess I didn't make it.
Get ready for me, love,
'cause I'm a "comer,"
I simply gotta march,
My heart's a drummer.
Nobody, no, nobody
Is gonna rain on my parade!
The audience clapped furiously as Actor Irah laughed and reached out to embrace Actor Ning.
"It's been too long!" Actor Ning cried out. "We've got to visit more often. You can come over any time."
Actor Irah laughed again. "Thanks, but my dad might have a problem me visiting someone who ran away from home to go be an artist."
"Your mom might not. After all, she's good friends with my aunt, and she ran away to join the circus!"
"Does that mean…that this is Ty Lee's niece?" Mai questioned. Zuko nodded, immersed in the scene. "It looks like it."
The two sat down on the couch. Actor Ning leaned forward, questioning. "Meet any boys since I last saw you?"
"None of any interest." said Actor Irah. "All just boring suitors that only want my money. If only I could meet someone who didn't care about that."
"If only I could meet someone." Actor Ning said wistfully.
"If only…" Music started up.
Actor Irah
Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Actor Ning:
YEAH!
Actor Irah:
Where's the streetwise Avatar
to fight the rising odds?
Actor Ning:
I'd like to know…
Actor Irah:
Isn't there a white knight
Upon a flaming steed?
Late at night, I toss and I turn
Actor Ning:
I toss and I turn, oohh…
Actor Irah:
And I dream of what I need…
(Standing up, determined) I need a hero.
Actor Ning (standing up, dancing around gracefully):
Doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo. Ah! Ah!
Actor Irah (pacing around with drive):
Somewhere after midnight, in my wildest fantasies
Somewhere just beyond my reach
There's someone reaching back for me (reaching out)
Actor Ning:
Do do do doo
Actor Irah:
Racing on the thunder
And rising with the heat
It's gonna take a daredevil
To sweep me off my feet
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero til the end of the night
Actor Ning (joining in):
He's gotta be strong
Actor Irah:
And he's gotta be fast
Actor Ning:
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
Both:
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero til the morning night
He's gotta be sure
And it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life
Actor Irah:
Larger than life!
Actor Ning (background):
Doo doo doo doo. Ah! Ah!
Actor Irah (stopping in a dramatic pose):
Up where the mountains meet the heavens above!
Actor Ning (standing beside her):
Out where the lightning splits the sea!
Both:
I could swear there is someone somewhere watching me
Through the wind and the chill and the rain
And the storm and the flood
I can feel his approach like a fire in my blood
Like a fire in my blood
Like a fire in my blood
Like a fire in my blood
Like a fire in my ah! Ah!
I ned a hero
I'm holding out for a hero til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong
And he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero til the morning night
He's gotta be sure
And it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life
Larger than life
Doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo ah! Ah!
I need a hero!
The audience clapped as the curtains closed, the two in a position akin to 'Charlie's Angels'. Zuko turned to Sokka, grumpy. "I don't like the way the plot is going. If your kid touches mine…"
"Then we won't do a thing about it!" Sokka said, getting irritated with Zuko's protectiveness and attitude towards his 'son'.
"Anyway, I'm curious about why Ning is in here." Mai said, stopping the two from arguing.
All of them were curious, but no one said anything.