I should write Varrick more. It is so fun to imagine what he would do.
BOOM!
"Meelo!"
"I didn't mean it!"
"You make that thing blow up right next to me!"
"Kai, you're on fire!" Ikki cried.
The airbender cried out, trying to pat out his smoldering clothes. Korra bended some water on him, soaking half his suit.
"Thanks," He mumbled.
"You wanted to me to leave you on fire?"
"I swear I just pushed the button," Meelo grinned innocently, holding the detonator.
"We've been here all of ten seconds Meelo," Jinora took the deceive from him.
"I wanted to see what it did,"
"Haha," Varrick patted Meelo on the shoulder, "You're man after my own heart. Most of the time I make a huge discovery because I wanted to see what the thing did,"
"And the other times you manage to set a building on fire,"
"Zhu Li that only happened sixteen times,"
"Twenty four times," Zhu Li handed a towel to Kai.
"So what? I would have never figured out remote detonation otherwise,"
"You mean the tech you used to run Asami out of business," Mako said folding his arms.
"Come on that's all in the past. No need to bring up old bad blood. And don't you mean almost run Asami out of business. Speaking off, how are my second and third favorite girls!" Varrick pushed himself in-between Asami and Korra, forcing them to stop holding hands. He put an arm around their shoulders. "Bolin told me you didn't appreciated my publicity effort,"
"You're untrue publicity," Asami said with a small frown.
"I didn't actually say you were going to be in the mover."
"You still mention our names. You shouldn't have done that."
"You're absolutly right. I've already sent out messages that those rumors are false."
"We're still getting asked question though,"
"Well, you know the press. They run stories they want too,"
"Varrick,"
"Relax, I promise I'll make a personal statement live that the story was wrong."
"Really?"
"Of course, would I lie,"
"Given your past track record,"
"Oh come on. Bolin is going to be with me, so you know for sure I'll make the statement."
"Where are you going to be making this announcement?" Asami arched an eyebrow.
"That's a special surprise," Varrick grinned and winked at Bolin. Bolin grinned back.
"What are you up to now?"
"Nothing bad we swear," Bolin grinned wider, "Or false. You'll like it, I promise."
"So," Varrick started, "I was hoping you would at least consider-."
"No," Korra and Asami said at once.
"Aww, don't be like that," Varrick pouted, " You two would be great on screen. Can't you just see it?" He pulled them closer together, so their heads were pressed together, "The love story of the century. Star crossed lovers caught on opposite sides of a civil riot."
"What? What are you talking about?" Korra asked.
"You two," Varrick let them go suddenly, vanishing from their sides. The ladies stumbled because the weight he'd been using to hold them was suddenly gone. Varrick popped up in front of them again holding an artist sketch. It was drawing of the two them, only Asami was wearing a revamped equalist outfit that showed much more of her skin that a normal equalist uniform would have.
"What is that?" Asami asked.
"A concept poster for the mover. Great right? The artist really did a good job of capturing you two. Wait until you see the concept art for Bolin,"
"No, why am I in…a really revealing equalist outfit?"
"That's the plot. Or one of the plots anyway. Asami, you're a spy for Amon, but you've fallen in love with the beautiful Avatar and you're torn between the two sides. And when Korra discovers you're a spy she feels betrayed and heartbroken and leaves. But realizing that she can't live without you she goes to Amon, ready to give her bending away if that's what it takes to be with you,"
Ikki gasped, "Did she really just give up her bending?"
"You know it didn't happen like that," Mako said, "Asami was never even with the equalist,"
"But this way is so much more romantic.
"You haven't even heard the best part," Bolin said excitedly, "When Asami learns what Korra's going to do she comes to me for help. Together we break into the equalist hideout, defeating everyone in our way. But we get to Korra too late."
"Oh no!"
"Yeah, she's lying on the ground, weak, and bendingless, about to die."
"Wait, why is she going to die?" Kai asked, "Didn't he just block your bending?"
"SHHH!" Ikki and Meelo said.
"I want to hear what happens," Wing said.
Jinora, Mako and Asami all roll their eyes, somewhere between annoyed and amused.
"As she gasping out her last breaths Asami takes her into her arms and tells her how much she loves her and that she's sorry. And just as it looks like Korra dies Asami kisses her, and their kiss is so pure and so filled with love it brings Korra back to life and gives her bending back."
"Aww!" Ikki gushed.
"That…just makes no sense," Mako said.
"It doesn't have to make sense, it just has to be a god story," Varrick said.
"You're not doing that," Asami said.
"Well I can't if you two won't act. Just think of how poplar it will be. It could go down in history as the greatest love story ever,"
"I doubt that," Asami deadpanned, "And Korra and I have no interest in becoming actors. Right Korra…Korra? Korra! Stop staring at that poster!"
"Huh, what?" Korra became aware of that was going on for the first time since Varrick pulled out that poster. The others laughed and snickered to each other.
"Ah well," Varrick tossed the poster aside, "There are a lot of other stories we can do. Wei, Wing are you two interested about working on a mover? I could use some ace metal benders like you."
"We would love too," Wing started.
"But our family is going back home soon, so we have to turn you down."
"That's a shame. But it's fine. But you know your whole family will be invited for the premier."
"We won't miss it," Wei grinned.
"Hey Varrick," Kai nudged him discreetly, gesturing for him to bend down so he could whisper in his ear, "Think you have parts for a pair of airbenders?"
Varrick grinned, "I just might,"
Meelo and Kai smiled at each other, fist bumping, "Alright."
"Oh no, dad said no," Jinora said to them both.
"He doesn't have to know," Meelo said.
"And how are you going to explain you being in the mover when he sees it?"
"He won't know it's me,"
"I think he'll be able to recognize his own son,"
"Hey, Taka, Shinjiro, Zhao Lei come meet everyone!" Bolin called out as three men walked onto the set.
"Oh, hey, so these are the friends we've heard all about," The first said, he had short, spikey hair and dark green eyes. He wore a few chains, and metal bands around his arms. "I'm Zhao, but everyone just calls me Zee," He smiled, raising an arm.
"You're Mako, right?" Another said, holding his arm out.
"Yeah," Mako shook his hand.
"Your brother is a riot," He laughed.
"He's something," Mako smirked slightly.
"I'm Taka," He greeted. He had a piercing through one eyebrow, and silver hoop earrings on. His hair was close cropped at the sides, with a puff of long hair at the top that was slicked straight back.
"It's nice to meet everyone," Shinjiro said. He had shoulder length hair, the ends of which were dyed a light blonde, almost white. His bangs kept falling into his amber eyes and he gave his head a quick shake to toss them back.
"You're all actors?" Kai asked.
"We are now,"
"What parts are you playing?" Jinora asked.
"It's great! Zee's-"
"Bolin, do you want to spoil the whole story for them?"
"Oh right?"
Taka laughed, "Guess you'll have to watch the mover to find out who we play."
"So, you're going to here everyday?" Ikki was looking at the three guys in turn, her eyes wide.
"Yep, whenever we're shooting"
"What's your name sweetie?" Shinjiro bent over slightly, giving her a dazzling smile. Ikki blushed and giggled.
"Man, you think mom won't let us stay a few more weeks," Wei said.
"I don't think so," Wing smirked, "You're drooling by the way,"
"Am not! Dude!" Wei punched him.
"Something tells me Bolin is going to have a lot of company to come on set," Asami chuckled lightly.
Mako huffed, "Between Kai and Meelo trying to get on screen and what look like a serious crush for Ikki he is sure have a lot of company."
Asami turned to Korra, only to find her girlfriend wasn't next to her. "Korra?" She looked around. Mako pointed out that she was talking to Varrick. They watched as he gave her something. A blush lit up Asami's cheeks.
"Korra! You are not taking that poster!"
"But Asami!"
Does Korra get the poster or not? Who knows?
Nardragon~ until the next page.