Chapter Text
Asami sat at her desk in the office room of her mansion, looking through paperwork, when the door powerfully swung open.
“Asami! You gotta help me!” Bolin barged in, unsettled. “I kinda forgot to tell Ginger about Opal and she still thinks we’re dating.”
Asami, holding jasmine tea, jolted; droplets spilled onto the papers. “Bolin! You never told her!?”
Bolin nervously scratched his head. “Yeah…I kinda forgot to return her calls. You know, because of the whole Zaheer thing?”
Asami stood up to close the door behind him, allowing some privacy. “Bolin, you need to break it off with her. Did you learn anything from Eska?”
“Yeah, I am genuinely terrified of breaking up with anyone now,” Bolin said. “But here’s where you come in! Ginger invited me to Star’s Jazz Club, and you can come with us! I’ll break up with her after the performance, and you’ll be there for emotional support! Plus Ginger’s friend is singing; it should be fun!”
Asami sighed, but she wanted to help her friend. “Okay, I’ll be there.”
Bolin jumped with excitement. “Great! Also, is it okay if I invite Mako? I want him to be there but I don’t know if…”
Asami nodded in approval. “That’s fine Bolin. As long as everyone knows it’s not a double date.”
“Of course. Yes! Thank you Asami!” Bolin armadillo bear-hugged his friend.
______
Bolin opened the door to the jazz club, Asami and Mako two steps behind him, to find Ginger talking to the hostess.
“My Bolin!” Ginger wrapped herself around him. She then noticed Asami and Mako standing behind him, and removed her grasp. “Oh, I didn’t realize this was going to be a double date!”
“It’s not a double date!” Asami and Mako corrected in unison, annoyed.
“Oh…this was supposed to be just us two? I didn’t realize!” Bolin says as a bead of nervous sweat drips down his forehead, hoping Ginger will believe his lie.
“Bolin, you really are as dumb as those rocks you throw,” Ginger said. “Oh well, come on, Jorden’s about to perform.” She waved her hand to signal the group to follow her. Asami and her companions filed behind Ginger, leading into the jazz club. They sat at an open table near the front, marked ‘Reserved’. Star’s Jazz Club was mostly filled, a popular nighttime destination in Republic City for the young, hip crowd.
A young woman stepped onto the stage. “Welcome to Star’s Jazz Club, everyone.” She tossed her voluminous wavy hair, dyed bright magenta with Varrick’s new line of hair dye, with her hands of porcelain hue. She dawned pink heels to match her hair and a form fitting white gown, showcasing her tall, feminine frame.
Asami glanced at Mako, who looked like he was about to drool over Jorden.
“This first song is called Down Hearted Blues.” Jorden serenaded with her mezzo soprano voice like honey blending into ginseng tea. Got up this morning, feeling sick and bad, thinking ‘bout the good time, that I once have had.
“She’s really good, isn’t she?” Ginger asked no one in particular, looking out to her friend.
“Yeah, she is.” Asami ogled at Jorden for a few too many seconds, but broke herself out of it.
“Jorden is really popular here in Republic City,” Ginger said. “She has upcoming gigs in the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation. And she’s MY friend!”
Jorden crooned sweetly over the hour, captivating the attention of the audience. The four were mesmerized by the jazz swing.
“Thank you so much for coming tonight, ladies and gentlemen,” Jorden said to the audience. “My name is Jorden, and this is my wonderful band. If you want to hear more from us, we’ll be performing here at Star’s Jazz Club tomorrow night! Thank you again, and good night!” She waved and sauntered behind the curtain, with her bandmates following, as the audience whistled and cheered for her. Asami and the group all stood and clapped, electrified by the performance.
“We can go backstage and meet Jorden. I’m such a VIP here,” Ginger said, pleased with her celebrity status. The group enthusiastically agreed. Ginger led the rest through a few short hallways. She opened a door to find Jorden celebrating with her bandmates and the jazz club’s owners.
“Jorden! You were such a doll up there, as usual!” Ginger greeted her friend with a quick hug. Bolin snuck in a few bites from the oeur d'oeuvres table.
“Ginger, it is so good to see you, love!” Jorden said. “You brought some friends?”
“This is my boyfriend, Bolin, who I’ve told you all about, of course.” Ginger kissed his cheek and he cheekily smiled, mouth full of Varrick cakes.
Jorden reached her hand out to Bolin. “I’m a big fan of your movers with Ginger!”
Bolin took a big gulp to swallow his food, and enthusiastically shook her hand “Wow! I’m a big fan of yours, too! And this is my brother Mako and my friend Asami!”
Jorden shook hands with both of them. “Mako, I loved watching the Fire Ferrets last season. And Asami, I’ve read in the papers all about how you successfully took over Future Foundations; I’m impressed.”
Mako stumbled over his words from happiness and couldn't come up with a response.
“That’s very sweet of you. You did sound beautiful up there.” Asami said into her oceanic blue eyes.
“They’re totally NOT on a date,” Bolin jutted in. “They do NOT like each other like that…anymore.”
That broke Mako out of his daze, and he kicked Bolin’s shins. “Real smooth, bro.”
Asami ignored this. “How did you two meet?” she asked Ginger.
“She was in my physics class!” Ginger answered.
“Yeah, Ginger’s taking classes at Republic City University while starring in movers!” Bolin said. “Isn’t that cool?”
“So cool.” Jorden chimed in. “All the people there are so dull, but Ginger is just marvelous.” Jorden turned her head towards her bandmates who were huddled around a radio.
The Bombers’ pitcher throws a fastball right by the batter for strike three!
“Yes!” Jorden pumped her fist in the air in celebration.
“Are you a baseball fan?” Asami asked Jorden.
“Absolutely,” Jorden said. “The Republic City Bombers just built a new stadium in the city, and it is gorgeous. Baseball is almost as popular as pro bending, maybe even more so for non-benders! Asami, Future Foundations should definitely consider investing in the Bombers.”
“I’ll certainly look into it!” Asami said. “I have been reading about the games in the paper lately. I wonder why it’s gained so much popularity recently.”
“Many new fans were part of the Equalist movement,” Jorden said. “After Amon was revealed to be a bender, all of his fans latched onto equality in sports! I never liked Amon’s extremism, but as a non-bender myself I’m all for sports equality!”
“Jorden took me to my first game a couple weeks ago. It was a blast!” Ginger said. “And Bolin and I are going to watch the Bombers play the Omashu Otter-Penguins next week! Isn’t that right Boley?”
“Bo…ley?” Mako side-eyed his brother.
Bolin nervously laughed. “Yeah…about that…Ginger, can I talk to you alone for a second?”
“Of course, my love!” Ginger took Bolin’s hand and walked to the corner of the room. Asami kept an eye on them. She didn’t think Ginger would react as poorly as Eska did, but she still wanted to keep her promise to Bolin.
“Have you two ever been to a game?” Jorden asked them.
“No, but I would love to go…with you!” Mako said, awkwardly attempting to flirt with her. Jorden chuckled, amused.
“Us five should all go down. How about next Saturday?” Jorden asked.
“Yes, I’m free then!” Mako responded excitedly.
“That sounds like fun. I’m in!” Asami said. She then thought about Korra, wishing she could come too. Korra left for the South Pole to heal two weeks ago.
“Amazing.” Jorden eyed Asami. “Let me write my phone number down for you both.”
They heard a cry coming from the corner of the room, and saw Ginger run off sobbing.
“Actually, maybe it’s best if Bolin didn’t come.” Mako said. He looked at Bolin, now dateless, breathing a sigh of relief. Jorden looked over at Bolin, realizing what just occurred.
“I need to go console Ginger,” Jorden said. “I’ll see you two then! It was nice to meet you both!” Mako and Asami both watched Jorden hurry out as Bolin meekly rejoined the two.
“Well, that went as well as it could have,” Bolin said, and Mako and Asami embraced him.