Chapter Text
Jorden walked into the Gentle Leaf Teahouse to find a strange sight—Ginger had her hair slicked back into a low bun and was dressed in a gray straight coat, utility pants, and boots. She didn’t even know Ginger owned pants, much less the rest of her current getup. Ginger had a stick of wheat in her mouth, and her usual regal presence was replaced with an intense and intimidating one.
“Ginger, what cataclysmic event caused you to wear…this?” Jorden queried.
“Jorden, always with the questions,” Ginger grumbled in a deep drawl. “I’m the one who asks questions around these parts. The name’s Sha. Detective Sha.”
Jorden laughed. “Does this mean you landed that role? Congrats, Ging! Very convincing. I didn’t know you were into method acting.”
Ginger stared daggers into Jorden’s eyes. “I take my job very seriously, little lady.” Ginger then relaxed, took the wheat out of her mouth, and crossed her legs. “Yes, I got the part, isn’t that great! This role is so much more exciting than playing the damsel in distress. I’m so excited for this mover.”
“You’re going to be a knockout in this role, Ging,” Jorden exclaimed.
“I know,” Ginger said cockily.
The waiter brought out a teapot and poured the two a cup of oolong tea.
“So, how did your date with Asami go?” Ginger asked.
Jorden told Ginger about her day with Asami: how she took her driving, how they sparred together, how Asami confessed she was starting to develop feelings for Jorden, and how Asami realized she wanted to pursue a relationship with Korra.
“Aw, what a shame,” Ginger said. “Well we don’t even know if Korra likes women, so I think you still have a chance with her.”
“I think so, too. I’m also developing a prototype with her for a Sato-mobile fueled by electricity!” Jorden clasped her hands together.
“That’s amazing, Jor!” Ginger jumped in her seat from excitement. “So you’ll be spending a lot of time together.”
“That’s right. If I play my cards right, I could have a job at Future Industries right after we graduate!”
“Oh, that’s definitely going to happen,” Ginger insisted.
Jorden poured some more tea for both of them. As Jorden took a sip, Ginger tossed the tea over her shoulder. Jorden snorted from shock and tea came out of her nose.
“What was that?” Jorden asked, dabbing a napkin to her nose.
Ginger put the wheat back in her mouth, spread her legs out, and leaned forward. “Tea is too calming. I need to be alert. Always alert.”
Jorden chuckled. “I thought you were done with the method acting.” She looked around to see if anyone was paying attention to Ginger’s antics. No one seemed to notice the tea puddle Ginger created.
“A detective’s work is never done, pretty lady,” Ginger mumbled in her deep drawl.
Jorden was fully entertained by this, and willing to play along. “So, Detective, how did your date with Saozu go?”
“Saozu seems to align with the side of justice,” Ginger continued as Detective Sha. “But don’t you worry about me. If he makes one wrong move, I can put in the slammer like THAT!” Ginger snapped her fingers. She raised her voice enough to cause an interest from the customers around them. Ginger drank in the attention. “Plus, I don’t need a man. My work is my husband.”
“Right…so that means it went well?” Jorden asked.
“Yes, it went well.” Ginger affirmed in her usual high-pitched sing-songy voice. “I want to take things slow with him. I’m still keeping one eye open for other opportunities.” Ginger winked.
“I’m totally with you there,” Jorden said.
“So if Asami is not an option right now, are you going to radio Mako back?” Ginger asked.
“I’m not sure,” Jorden replied. “He’s very handsome, but I’m so over men who can’t pull themselves together enough to have a regular conversation with me. I mean you saw him—he could barely get a word out!”
Ginger poured herself a cup of tea, and actually drank it this time. “Yes, I know what you mean.”
“But…there’s no harm in one date, right? If he can’t pull himself together by then I’ll end it there, but I think I want to give him a chance.” Jorden said with a coy smile.
“I’m glad you think so,” Ginger said. “Mako’s a detective, and I could really use him as a study tool for this mover!”
Jorden giggled. “Alright, I’ll ask if you can shadow him.”
Ginger resumed her detective gate. “Detective Sha appreciates your efforts to the cause.”
The waiter returned to the ladies’ table. “Is there anything else I can—woah!” The waiter slipped on the tea puddle and fell into the empty table behind him.
Ginger, feeling guilty, helped the waiter back to his feet.
The waiter rubbed his head in pain. “I’m alright. Where did that puddle come from?”
“Ging, I love the method acting, but maybe next time don’t throw your tea everywhere,” Jorden whispered. The two friends laughed.