The sun had long risen when Varrick's yacht docked in Republic City. Lin was overseeing Water Tribe criminals being loaded into trucks when she noticed Team Avatar departing the yacht and walking up to them.
"Welcome home, Avatar. Thanks for starting a war," She greeted sarcastically
"I didn't start a war. Well, I did, but it's more complicated than you're making it seem." Korra defended
"Mako, I want you back on the beat. There's going to be a Southern Water Tribe peace march tonight. I need you there to make sure things don't get out of hand." Lin turned to the firebender
"I'm all yours."
"I'll go too. The people of the South need to see that the Avatar is on their side in the fight against the Northern invaders." Korra declared
"Great, that should calm them down" Lin rolled her eyes before walking away
"Maybe you should sit this out," Mako suggested
"What?" Korra glared
"I just think having you there blatantly supporting one side will only make things worse. You could at least try to seem neutral." Mako stated
"I'm not neutral!" Korra snapped " The North invaded my home. The only reason I'm here is to get the Republic to send troops to help the South"
"Zhu Li's already scheduled a meeting for us with President Raiko tomorrow. We'll get them on board." Varrick cut in
"Whatever, I gotta go to work" Mako walked away
"I better go check on my factory" Asami followed
"I'm going to find out about this peace march" Korra walked away with Naga following
"And I am dying for a pedicure." Varrick finished, walking away with Zhu Li who was carrying all of his bags.
"So, um, what should I be doing?" Bolin asked
"I don't know, Bolin. Figure something out" Mako called over his shoulder
Elira glanced at her best friend sympathetically as he looked off to the side with a frown.
"Hey, I need to go check on the island, wanna come with?" She asked, holding up her glider.
"Sure, but can we take the ferry?" Bolin asked, looking reluctant to be flying and making El giggle.
Varrick suddenly slid over to them, wrapping his arms around the two teens as they looked up in surprise.
"Say, kids, have you ever seen Republic City at night?" He asked as Pichi chittered, climbing onto El's head.
"Sure, we live here" Bolin replied as Pabu hid in his shirt.
"Have you really seen it?" Varrick questioned
The teens shared a look from the corner of their eyes.
"Y- no?" El said, looking unsure.
"That's what I thought", Varrick chuckled. "Come on!"
He began leading the teens away, but El slipped out of his grip.
"Can I meet you guys later? I do really need to check up on the island, let them know I'm here and stuff" She explained
"Sure! But meet us back here tonight, we'll head to the arena together" Varrick turned to her
"Tonight, got it" El grinned before taking to the sky with Pichi
"And make sure to wear a dress!" Varrick yelled after her as she flew away.
*
Back in the South, in a war room, a general and Unalaq stood looking over a map.
"Tonraq and the rebels are holed up here in the hills outside of town" The general pointed to a point on the map.
"Leave them. My brother's no threat to us up there. Increase security around the spirit portal. Keeping it safe is our number one priority." Unalaq ordered
"Yes, sir!" The general bowed and headed for the door
He opened it to find Desna and a deranged Eska in a bridal gown and smudged make-up standing there.
He quickly left the room in fear, keeping a distance from Eska, and the twins approached their father.
"I need you two to go after the Avatar. She's the only one who can open the Northern Spirit Portal." Unalaq explained
"But Father, you told Korra-"
"I told Korra what I thought she needed to hear." Unalaq cut Desna off
"I'll find her" Eska glared " She and that floozy airbender stole my husband."
"I need Korra alive," Unalaq stated, giving his daughter a look
"Fine." Eska sighed "But what of the airbender?"
"If she gets in your way, you can do with her what you wish. She is of no importance to us"
Desna's eyes widened, glancing at Eska as she smirked creepily.
*
On Air Temple Island, El flew in on her glider, landing in the courtyard as Pichi landed on her shoulder.
"Hello, I'm home!" She called, walking into the temple.
"Master Elira" The head Acolyte came up to her and bowed smiling "Welcome home. You'll be pleased to know that things are running just the way they should be"
"Thank you" El bowed back "I'm gonna need your help keeping it that way until Dad gets back from vacation. I don't want my parents to find I've accidentally destroyed the place"
"You can count on us, that's what we're here for, miss"
Another Acolyte suddenly rushed up to them "Master Elira, your father's on the phone"
Elira nodded and hurried to her father's office. She practically jumped into her father's chair, grinning as it spun around before picking up the phone.
"Hey, Dad," She said
"Elira? Wha-- So that's why you didn't answer my call this morning. What are you doing back in Republic City?" Tenzin's voice came through the machine
"Dad, you won't believe it. Turns out Unalaq--"
Elira paused.
Her father was supposed to be having a relaxing vacation. Telling him about the Civil War would only cause him to freak out.
"Elira? You alright?" Tenzin called out as she had gone quite
"Yeah, I'm fine. Pichi was chewing on something, sorry" Elira lied smoothly causing the lemur to chitter at her in protest "Yeah so, Unalaq decided to bring Korra's training here for some reason. I don't know, I wasn't listening"
Tenzin hummed "I see. In that case, how is everything on the island? Haven't set fire to the kitchen yet, have you?"
Elira laughed "Give me time, I just got back. But have a little faith, Dad. Anyway, how's the vacation? Uncle Bumi driving you nuts yet?"
Tenzin went quiet
"Dad?" Elira called her playful mood vanishing.
"Everything's fine, sweetheart. But yesterday your brother and sisters told me something. They said they feel as if you don't care about our family anymore now that you're a part of Team Avatar" Tenzin explained
Elira fell silent for a moment before responding, "Dad, are they there?"
"Yes, they're all right here."
"Put them on"
Elira heard shuffling on the other end before hearing the kids shout through the phone.
"Hi, El!"
"Hey, guys!" She smiled "Now about what dad just told me, you three listen to me, alright? I care about all of you and our family more than anything in the world. That hasn't changed just because I'm not there with you. Okay?"
"Okay" Ikki and Meelo replied
"We just miss you, El" Jinora added
"I miss you too. Even if you drive me up the wall most of the time" Elira smiled softly when she heard her siblings laugh.
"Here, how about this? When you guys come home, I'll take the three of you out to the city, and we'll spend the whole day together. How does that sound?" Elira suggested and laughed when the kids cheered loudly over the phone.
"But you gotta behave though, deal?" She quickly added
"Deal!" The kids yelled
"Okay, I have to go now, I have things to do. But I'll talk to you again soon, okay?"
"Bye, El!"
"Bye, guys. Bye, Dad" El chuckled
"Stay safe, sweetheart" Tenzin replied before Elira ended the call.
She sighed and leaned back in the chair. Pichi chittered at her, her ears folding down in disapproval.
"Don't look at me like that" El pointed at the lemur who chattered at her "He deserves a break, Pichi."
Pichi just looked at her owner, tilting her head, and her chipped ear flopped to the side.
*
That night, Elira got ready and headed for the docks to meet up with Bolin, Varrick, and Zhu Li.
She decided to take the ferry over to the city, arrived at the docks and found Bolin, Varrick, and Zhu Li all dressed up and waiting for her next to a limo!
"Hey, guys!" She waved, walking up to them. "I'm not late, am I?"
"No, you're just in..." Bolin's eyes widened when he saw her.
Not mine ⬆
Her hair was once again pinned back, elegantly swaying behind her in the slight breeze. Her outfit was a cute little dress with a back accessory that looked like butterfly wings. Her make-up was light but made her face glow. She looked stunning!
"Woah, El...You look...Woah" He gasped,
"Thanks, Asami bought this for me the day when we went shopping for the gala. She saw it on the rack and insisted she get it for me. But because of the length of the skirt, I didn't wear it for the gala. Dad would've had my head"
Varrick suddenly rushed over, wrapping his arm around the airbender
"El! Perfect timing, kid! You look great! Now come on, let's hustle!" He exclaimed before Zhu Li ushered the two teens into the limo.
After a short drive to the arena, the group stood outside the limo, while photographers were continually taking pictures. Bolin and El looked on in surprise, while Varrick was waving at the audience.
"Wow. Usually, when I see flashing lights like this, it's because I got hit in the head with a rock." Bolin said
"It's amazing" El smiled
"Being famous is like getting hit with a rock all the time." Varrick grinned
*
Inside, the group were taking their seats in the VIP section when someone in the crowd called out.
"Look! It's Bolin and Elira!"
The crowd then began chanting their names "ELIRA! BOLIN! ELIRA! BOLIN!"
The teens grinned at each other before standing back up. Elira waved to the audience with a bashful smile while Bolin flexed his muscles.
"Folks, that cheer you're hearing is for local favourites, Bolin, of the Fire Ferrets and their cheerleader Elira of the Air Nomads. Let's see if we can get a quick interview. Bolin! Elira!" Shiro Shinobi gestured to the teens to come over.
The duo made their way to Shiro's booth, sitting down across from the man.
" Bolin, Elira, the Fire Ferrets are out for the season. How have you two been spending your time lately?" He asked
"Well, We took a trip South for the Glacier Spirits Festival with El's family and went penguin sledging with her brother and sisters. I was briefly engaged to a princess, then went through kind of a tough breakup there, but thankfully El was there to help me, was accidentally involved in a civil war ..." Bolin trailed off when he realised the crowd did not look interested
"But there's nowhere we'd rather be than pro-bending night in Republic City! Am I right, people? Republic City!" Elira grabbed the microphone, yelling as the crowd cheered.
"So, Elira, for the past few years you've been nicknamed the cheerleader of the Fire Ferrets. Tell me, how did that title first appear?" Shiro asked as the airbender sat back down
"Well, it kinda started as a joke" Elira explained "Since I never missed a match, the boys joked one night that I was like the team's personal cheerleader and I guess it kinda just stuck"
"Yeah, and we never had trouble hearing you from how loud you cheered for us", Bolin teased, nudging the airbender, who sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck as the crowd laughed.
"But I was never as loud as these wonderful fans! Am I right?!" Elira waved to the crowd who cheered loudly, proving her point.
"So, Bolin, do you miss being in the ring?" Shiro then asked when the crowd quietened
"Well, I definitely don't miss getting hit with things all the time, and the humiliating losing"
"That does get pretty old", Elira added
"Yeah, and you know, sometimes I actually cry myself to sleep ..." Bolin trailed off again as the crowd fell silent again
" I guess what I miss the most are these fans! They're the greatest fans in the world! Give it up for the fans!" Bolin yelled, standing and grabbing the mic as the crowd cheered loudly.
Once the interview was over, the two teens left the booth finding Varrick waiting for them by the entrance.
"Look how these people love you two! They're eating that cornball spiel right out of your hands," He exclaimed
"The trick is, whenever we get confused, we just say "Republic City" or "fans" Bolin grinned
"Then everyone cheers!" Elira laughed, throwing her arms in the air.
"I think I just figured out your true calling." Varrick declared, making the two teens smile at each other excitedly.
*
The next day, after spending her entire morning making sure the island was running smoothly, the animals were fed, and the garden was being tended to, Elira went to hang out with Bolin and Varrick again. From what Varrick had told her, apparently, Korra's meeting with the president didn't go so well and he refused to help the South!
Currently, she watched in amusement as Varrick attempted to do archery blindfolded after she and Bolin doubted he could. So far he had missed every shot, and there were stray arrows everywhere
Korra and Asami suddenly came up the stairs into the cockpit as Varrick fired again. The arrow nearly hit Asami, but Korra quickly pulled her out of the way.
Both girls stared at the arrow, now embedded in the target, before they turned to the group in surprise as Varrick removed his blindfold.
"Oh, hello!" He greeted before turning to El and Bolin. "See? I told you I could do it."
"Sorry we ever doubted you." Bolin grinned as Elira nodded
"We can't wait for the President to act. We need those troops now." Korra declared
"And my company is about to go under. I have to find a way to make some sales," Asami added
"Right, okay. Got it. Idea storm! Get the supplies!" Varrick ordered Zhu Li, who dashed off
"You're about to get an inside look at how Varrick Global Industries stays at the forefront of imagination innovation, or "imagivation"! That's trademarked, pal" Varrick exclaimed as Zhu Li brought in some equipment and Elira looked at it curiously.
"Brainwork requires increased circulation", Varrick explained, taking a chilli pepper from a plate, while Asami and Korra glanced at each other with unsure looks
Varrick ate the chilli pepper and immediately reddened with tears in his eyes. "Let's do this!"
Using some strange device around his ankles, Varrick hung himself upside down on the metal frame Zhu Li had brought in.
" Okay, here come the ideas", He declared as Zhu Li stood on stand-by with a notepad.
"Fast and furious...Pink mint lemon tea...Radio for pets... Uh, hand shoes... Hold on, a tic. We don't need the President to go to the South. We just need the troops! Let's go straight to them! If there's one thing I know about troops, it's that they love fighting."
Elira gasped in realisation and smiled. "Of course! Iroh! He might be willing to help us!"
"A man on the inside. Perfect! And you need to sell some mecha tanks. I know some people who need them. We'll ship 'em South!"
"That's perfect! You'll be making money for your company, and you'll be helping to defeat Unalaq." Korra grinned at Asami
"It's true. If you can't make money during a war, you just flat-out cannot make money." Varrick stated
"It's dangerous on the seas right now, but I'm willing to try if you are." Asami smiled
"It'll be crazy risky, but I love crazy risky! End storm!" Varrick swung himself upright with a spin before pointing at Zhu Li " Zhu Li, get those other ideas to research and development. I want prototypes by next week."
Zhu Li nodded and ran off
"I don't understand why it's so hard to get Republic City to support the South." Korra frowned
"Don't worry. I'm already working on that. As soon as people see this," Varrick walked over to a movie projector sitting on a table" They'll be lining up to fight Unalaq. Zhu Li, do the, uh-- the thing."
Zhu Li suddenly appeared again, turning on the movie projector.
"Don't freak out. It's not real." Bolin muttered to Korra
"I had a film crew documenting the entire Northern invasion," Varrick explained
The screen showed the troops massing at the harbour. It subsequently cut to troops waterbending, followed by a shot of Eska, who turned as she noticed the camera.
"Ahhh!" Bolin yelled, hiding behind El, clinging to her sleeve as the other glanced at him " Sorry. I keep doing that."
"We're gonna cut this footage together with scenes we shoot of our superstar Bolin here playing a Southern Water Tribe hero battling the evil Unalaq. No one will root for the North after they see "The Adventures of Nuktuk: Hero of the South"!" Varrick announced, gesturing to Bolin, who posed, flexing his muscles.
"I'm Nuktuk! What do you think?" Bolin grinned
"And that's not all! We're not just gonna convince the people through sight, but by ear too! " Varrick exclaimed "Varrick Global Industries has recently invested in a radio station, which will broadcast news about the war, obviously in favour of the South, along with heart-warming, ahead of its time, melodies about courage and freedom that will surely motivate the people into action. All performed on-air and in live concerts by the city's sweetheart, Elira!"
Varrick gestured to the airbender, who grinned in excitement
"You're gonna sing?" Korra asked
"Yeah..." Elira chuckled, rubbing her neck bashfully. "But, I'm obviously gonna take lessons before."
"Nonsense. Bolin's told me all about your musical talents, and I have faith you'll be the singing sensation of Republic City!" Varrick encouraged
Elira smiled, her face brightening as she began to feel more confident in herself.
*
Later that day, Elira and Bolin went back to Bolin and Mako's new apartment, talking excitedly to each other. When they walked in, they spotted Mako sitting on the couch Mako, flipping through a book of criminals' faces with a serious expression.
"Oh, man, you should have seen Varrick today. That guy is a genius." Bolin exclaimed
Mako didn't even look up from the book "Uh-huh."
"He's gonna help Asami sell her mecha tanks to the South, and he came up with this great idea for Korra to get Iroh to fight Unalaq without President Raiko ever even knowing" Elira jumped up and down in excitement
"What? That's a terrible idea!" Mako finally looked up at them
"And he's gonna put me on the radio! Me! Singing on the radio! Can you believe that?! He said I'll be "The singing sensation of Republic City"!" Elira grinned, her eyes sparkling in joy.
"And he's gonna put me in the movers as this hero, Nuktuk! He's a man of action, but he's got a heart of gold. He was born in the tundra" Bolin imitated Varrick making Elira laugh
"Look, I'm trying to do something that's actually important here." Mako scowled, getting annoyed with their loudness.
"Oh. Oh, sorry. Uh, sure. What is it?" The two quickly quietened down
"Something doesn't make sense about this bombing", Mako explained, and Bolin sat beside him, moving the book over to him as Elira sat on the arm of the couch
" I just don't buy that the Northern Water Tribe was behind it."
Bolin flipped a page in the book
" Wait a second! That's him! " Mako pointed at a picture in the book. "That's the guy that attacked the centre! I gotta go show this to Beifong!"
Mako quickly grabbed the book and rushed out the door
"Glad I could help. Nuktuk saves the day again!" Bolin called out as Mako left, and Elira laughed
"Well, Nuktuk could save this girl's day by racing her to the Noodlery cause I am starving", Elira smirked, nudging the boy's shoulder
"You're on! And no cheating!" Bolin grinned, and the two rushed out the door laughing.
*
Soon after, the duo sat at their usual table at the Noodlery, laughing and goofing around while Pabu and Pichi lazed together on the table.
"Hey, Bo? Can we get serious for a second?" El suddenly asked, playing with the food in her bowl.
"Hmm, yeah, sure", Bolin replied, his mouth full as he slurped his noodles.
"Do you remember that promise we made in the arena all those months ago?"
Bolin swallowed the food in his mouth for answering, "The one where we promised we'll always be friends? Yeah, I remember."
"There was more to it than that, Bo. We promised we'd always be friends no matter where life takes us or how far apart we end up," Elira continued
"What are you getting at?" Bolin questioned
"With these movers and concerts that Varrick's setting up, we're gonna get a lot of fame from them. Paparazzi, interviews ...." Elira sighed. "Just...promise you won't let it all go to your head. Even though you're "Nuktuk: Hero of the South" on screen, I want you to stay the same goofy dummy head you are off-screen, okay?"
Bolin smiled and took her hand gently. "I promise, El. And the same goes for you. Don't go forgetting about me when you're a number one star, which I know you're gonna be."
Elira giggled softly and ruffled the boy's hair playfully " Who could ever forget about you, dirt brain."
*
The next day, the two teens met up with Varrick once again on his yacht, where a bunch of workers were gathered to begin filming Bolin's mover. Elira had her notebook tightly gripped in her hands. She'd stayed up most of the night, sacrificing her precious sleep, coming up with ideas for songs, and she was pretty proud of what she came up with.
"There they are!" Varrick quickly noticed the pair and rushed over, flinging his arms around them. "The city's newest stars, ready to make their big break!-- Right, no time for fooling around, Bolin, get down to hair and make-up pronto! We got a mover to shoot!"
"Yes, Sir", Bolin saluted, making El snicker before two workers came and whisked the earthbender away into the yacht.
Varrick then turned to Elira, eagerly clutching her notebook, with Pichi on her shoulder. "El, you come with me. There are some people I'd like you to meet, your new bandmates who'll be providing the music to your songs."
"Lead the way, boss" El grinned, and Varrick led her into the yacht with Zhu Li following behind them.
After many twists and turns, they came to a room which had a sign stuck to the door.
"PRACTICE ROOM - KNOCK FIRST!"
Varrick flung the door open with a huge grin on his face. He pushed Elira inside, causing the girl to quickly catch herself, as Varrick called out, "Wolf bats! Meet your new lead singer!"
"Tahno?!" Elira gasped, seeing The Wolf Bats lounging around the room, some holding instruments!
They were her bandmates?!
"Hello to you, too, Master Elira" Tahno waved at the girl from where he was sitting at a piano.
"Ah, good! You've already met!" Varrick exclaimed as Elira glared at the waterbender in front of her. "Now, get practising on that new song. I have to go direct the mover, but I'll be sending Zhu Li up later to check on your progress. Have fun! "
Varrick then turned and left with Zhu Li, slamming the door behind them and leaving the room in tense silence.
Tahno sighed, getting up from the piano" Look, we're sorry about the championship. We understand you may still be angry--"
"I'm not angry", Elira cut him off, crossing her arms. "As an airbender, I've been taught to forgive those who've wronged me. Even though some may be disgusting cheaters who paid off the refs."
The Wolf Bats shared awkward looks.
"But it was months ago, so..." Elira sighed
"So...We're cool?" The Wolf Bats earthbender, Ming, asked
"Yeah, we're cool", Elira smiled. "Now let's get practising, or Varrick's gonna have our heads."
She held up her notebook for them to see with an excited grin. "I was up all night working on some potential songs. They don't really have a melody, but the lyrics are there."
"I didn't know you wrote lyrics," Tahno said, looking surprised.
"That's because I've never told anyone. I'd get these ideas for poems from things that were happening around me and just decided to write them down one day. Then before I knew it they started to sound like song lyrics. Just, you know, without the music since I can't play any instruments," Elira explained.
Shaozu looked confused between his bandmates. "But I thought Varrick already--"
"Well then, let's see what we're working with", Tahno cut him off, sending the firebender a look from the corner of his eye.
Elira didn't notice and grinned. Bouncing over, flipping through her notebook filled with scribbles and showing them to her new bandmates.
"Wow, these are really good, Elira," Ming said after a few moments of looking over the lyrics.
"Yeah, all they need is a tune, and these could be killer songs", Shaozu added.
"Great, I'll get these down to Varrick and see what he thinks. Then we can get started" Elira jumped up and headed for the exit.
"Elira, wait!" Tahno called, but the excited airbender was already out the door
*
Elira skipped down the hallway happily, humming a little tune to herself as Pichi followed over her shoulder.
"El, wait up!" The airbender skidded to a stop, turning around when she heard Korra call out to her.
The Avatar rode up to her on Naga, and the polar bear dog licked El's face in greeting. Pichi chittered happily, jumping off El's shoulder onto Naga's head.
"You heading down to see Varrick?" Korra asked, scratching Pichi behind her chipped ear and making the lemur purr.
"Yeah, I want to get his approval on these songs before I start practising", Elira smiled, holding up her notebook. "Speaking of, can you have a look, too? I mean, it is your home. I'm trying to help. You should have a say in the songs."
"Yeah, sure" El handed Korra her notebook, and the Avatar flicked through her lyrics
"El, these are perfect!" Korra gasped. "I'm sure Varrick's gonna love them!"
"You think?" Elira grinned
"Definitely" Korra flicked through some more of the songs in the book before stopping on one and smirking teasingly. "Oh, I think I know who this one is about. "There is something that I see in the way you look at me. There's a smile; there's a truth in your eyes."
"Wait, that's not --! Korra! Give it back!" Elira's eyes widened, attempting to snatch the book back, but Korra held it out of reach, holding the airbender back and laughing as she continued to read.
"Invasion of privacy!"
"But in an unexpected way, on this unexpected day, could it mean this is where I belong? It is you I have loved all along" Aw, El, this is so cute."
"Yeah, and private!" El cried, jumping and finally snatching her notebook back, clutching it to her chest. "Didn't you want to see Varrick?"
"Yeah, you're right. Fancy a lift?" Korra laughed and gestured to Naga's saddle.
"After what you just pulled, I'm tempted to say no", Elira crossed her arms. "But the idea of not having to walk down there is tempting, so why not."
She airbent herself on behind Korra. "I'm gonna get you back; you know that, right?"
"I thought revenge was not the airbender way", Korra smirked over her shoulder.
"Just drive", Elira scowled, making Korra laugh before she flicked the reigns, and they took off down the hallway.
*
Down in the deepest and biggest room on the yacht, Bolin was now out of hair and make-up, dressed in a rather revealing Water Tribe outfit. Consisting of a pair of shorts, boots and a fur vest that left his chest bare.
"Wouldn't I be cold wearing this outfit in the snow?" He asked, looking unsure
"Ah, Nuktuk is never cold." Varrick scoffed
Ginger suddenly walked passed Bolin, also wearing a revealing Water Tribe outfit.
" Ohhh, hey, Ginger", Bolin called flirtatiously
Ginger walked up beside Varrick and flipped her red hair
"How about that, huh? It's the latest product in my Varri-manageable Hair Line: Varri-dye!" Varrick grinned " We get some shots of her using it before Unalaq kidnaps her; I guarantee we sell a million cases week one."
Korra and El suddenly burst into the room on Naga, causing everyone to turn to them in surprise.
"Bolin, I need you and El to watch Naga while I'm gone", Korra declared, jumping off Naga.
"Woah, hold up. You never mentioned you leaving?"Elira jumped off after her
"Yeah, where are you going?" Bolin asked
"The Fire Nation. I'm going to try to get them to help the South." Korra explained before turning to Varrick, " I need a boat."
"What happened with General Iroh?" Varrick questioned
"Yeah, did he say no?" Elira added
"He was going to help, but then President Raiko showed up. Someone must have tipped him off, but I can't figure it out. No one knew about it except for us, and Asami," Korra huffed
"And Mako," Bolin revealed
"Mako?" Korra glared sourly at the earthbender
"What? There's no way Mako would have told," Bolin declared confidently
Korra didn't say anything and stormed off
"Right?" Bolin turned to El
"I don't know, I..." Elira trailed off when she finally realised what her best friend was wearing. Or rather, what he was not wearing, and her cheeks burned bright red.
"Uh...Nice outfit. But wouldn't you be cold wearing that in the snow?"
"That's what I said, but Varrick said that Nuktuk is never cold!" Bolin grinned, striking a heroic pose with his club prop.
Elira stared at him for a moment before shaking her head and walking over to Varrick.
"Varrick, I showed the band some of the songs I wrote last night, and they liked this one the best" Elira flipped her notebook open to one of her songs before holding it out to the man " So I just wanted your approval before we started practising.
Varrick looked at her, confused. "What are you talking about? I've already chosen the song."
"What?" El looked shocked, all her previous excitement vanishing
"Your band already has a song and a songwriter. I told the Wolf Bats this morning before you arrived. Didn't they tell you?" Varrick questioned
"No...They didn't tell me a thing" Elira looked away, scowling as she closed her book. Pichi chittered sadly, nuzzling her cheek.
"I'll...get back to practising" Without another word, Elira turned and fled the movie set. Disheartened and humiliated.