#I rewrote this chapter so many dang times | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

olivetreehugger · 2 months

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IT’S HERE!!!!! Finally, goddamn this chapter took me forever to finish. I can’t tell you how many times I scrapped it and rewrote the dang thing. But it’s here, and that’s what matters.

above is a very cute screen grab of the character I’ve adopted and named Nani, who is the main character of this story. She’s so darn cute!!!! Would she not just be perfect for Bolin? I think so! Anyway, please see below for chapter two of Dispatches From Republic City!

Chapter Two: Reputation

It was early morning when Nani entered the Tea Market, her stomach growling impatiently for breakfast.

Located near the Four Nation’s Hall, the Tea Market was an outdoor bazaar/hodgepodge of food and beverage vendors. They offered everything from typical comfort meals to rare finds like pickled narwhal and sea prune paste (Water Tribe), thousand-year eggs and fish stew (Earth Nation) and boiled silkworms (Fire Nation). The Market saw a wide range of customers; everyone from important businessmen and politicians to triad members and hobos crossed its threshold.

It was rare that Nani had free time to visit, but ever since she was fired from Mama Chen’s, she found herself coming here more often. And after having such a restless night, she was both tired and ravenous.

The delectable scent of fried duck and congee tickled her senses from a few stalls away. Nani inhaled deeply and sighed, her eyes closing with a sad nostalgia. That particular meal brought back happier memories of her childhood, when she had a roof over her head and people who cared for her.

For a moment, she wondered what life would have been like had she stayed. Maybe she wouldn’t be starving now, standing in the middle of the Tea Market with two yuans to her name, with the image of Nuktuk begging for money on the street the only thing keeping her going.

Nani opened her eyes. That familiar feeling of failure began rising in her chest, hot and prickly, but as it reached her throat, she swallowed it back down and shoved it back where it couldn’t see the light of day. There, she mentally turned the locks and ignored its pounding on the door, pretending it was never there.

Gripping her purse, the brunette made her way to the stall. She placed her order and the vendor turned to the iron pot where the meat was being fried. As she waited, Nani turned her head to look at the surrounding stalls. Almost immediately, she saw something that made her do a double take.

Two men were walking in her direction. They were speaking to each other. It didn’t take her long to recognize them both.

One was dressed in a policeman’s uniform, black hair tidy and combed to the side, hands in his pockets. The detective from last night, she realized.

It took her a second longer to recognize the second man. He was just a bit shorter, dressed in a relaxed suit, his hair styled with gel. He was much more animated than his counterpart, arms emoting furiously as he talked.

“Something something, Mako, something something something!”

Nani’s eyes flew open as her mind flashed back a few years. Mako…as in…Mako and Bolin? The Fire Ferrets…the Bending Brothers—THAT Mako and Bolin? Oh, shit.

The pair drew closer as Nani awkwardly turned back to the vendor. She handed one yuan over in exchange for her meal. The heat of the cardboard holding the congee emanated through her fingertips and into her blood stream, warming her from the inside out.

It would’ve been nice to simply focus on the delicious food in her hands, but her mind was concentrated on the pair walking behind her.

“Are you sure about this, Bo?” The detective, Mako, asked. He sounded concerned.

“Yes, I’m sure!” His counterpart expressed. “This is gonna be huge for my career!”

Nani’s ears perked up with curiosity. She listened for their footsteps to clear and turned her head, watching their frames disappear into the crowd.

Not wanting to lose them, the brunette lunged forward, skittering across the dirty street to catch up. She held her food close to her chest, trying not to spill it all over herself as she moved. Eventually, she was close enough to eavesdrop, but hopefully far away enough to remain hidden.

“I’m not questioning your interviewing skills, bro,” Mako retorted. “But this sounds like a big deal--.”

Bolin grabbed his brother’s shoulder and exclaimed, “Uh, yeah! This is a big deal; it’s Cherry Wong!”

Nani’s hands suddenly went weak and her food slipped from her hands. Thankfully, she righted herself and caught the cardboard receptacle before a single morsel could be lost.

Did…he just say Cherry Wong?

“Exactly! This is the real deal. She’s coming out of retirement, so they’ll want some juicy information and dialogue,” Mako stated matter-of-factly. “Not some funny sound effects and jokes!”

A gasp of disbelief left Bolin’s mouth. “How dare you say that?! I am a reporter for the people and by the people! And guess what? I’ve already got a list of questions I’m gonna ask her.”

The older sibling was quiet for a moment before a defeated sigh left his lips. “Bolin, you’re not gonna ask her if she can touch her nose with her tongue, are you?”

An embarrassed scoff, “Tssshhht, no! Of course not….unless, no, no. Heh, definitely not.”

More silence, and Nani felt the secondhand embarrassment seep into her bones as Bolin’s shoulders sagged in defeat.

The earth bender muttered, “Okay fine, I’ll cross that off my list.”

Mako patted Bolin’s back and replied, “Look, the key to any good interview is good research. I do my homework before I interview a perp, and it helps me stay on track. I suggest you do the same.”

“Huh,” Bolin responded. “I guess that’s a pretty good idea. Although touching your nose with your tongue is also pretty dang impressive, I guess it would be helpful to know more about her as a person. Well…I’ve got a few months to figure it out!”

Mediocre and stupid…Shiro really knows how to pick ’em, Nani mused.

The brunette watched the brothers walk out of the market in disbelief. Her heart was doing somersaults in her chest and her nerves felt like they were buzzing.

When Nani was barely hitting puberty, Cherry Wong announced her sudden retirement on air, citing a severe chronic illness as the reason.

The world was not prepared for this unexpected departure, and Nani, her number one fan, was crushed. She used to pray for Miss Wong’s return, begging the spirits to listen. Maybe after all these years, they finally heard her.

With a smile on her face, Nani turned back to the market and scooped some congee into her mouth. The savory porridge combined with the fatty duck, spicy peppers and scallions instantly took her back. There she was, tucked between the other kids, the radio humming with Miss Wong’s velvety voice as she serenaded them to sleep like a surrogate mother.

The memory made her eyes burn, but she told herself it was the peppers. The news of Cherry Wong coming back to Republic City was incredibly stimulating, but knowing that Mr. Hot-Shot-Radio-Host would get an opportunity to not only meet her, but interview her….well, Nani couldn’t blame the hot feeling in her face on the peppers anymore.

Hastily, she finished her meal and wiped her mouth on her sleeve. She looked over at the horizon, where the antennas of the radio station were just barely visible.

A few months, huh? She mused internally, a grin forming on her face. I better start preparing.

___000___

The clouds had made their departure from the bright blue sky as Nani paced behind the radio station. She’d been practicing her introduction for several minutes now, and was growing frustrated.

Now, Nani was a damn good liar. It was a skill sharpened by years of living off the street, deceiving and swindling for a loaf of bread or a place to sleep. It was just something she had to do to survive—this was no different.

That audition could have transformed her life if she had been give the chance, but Bolin took that away from her so he could tell cheesy jokes into a microphone. He already had everything he needed in life. Why couldn’t he just go back to pro-bending? Why couldn’t he continue starring in those stupid movers? What did he get from this?

Prior to this morning, Nani didn’t plan on doing anything drastic. She figured she’d “bump” into him outside the station, pluck his wallet in the confusion, and go about her day. It would’ve ruined his week, but it wouldn’t have caused any significant damage to either of their lives.

But it was deeply personal now. Bolin was going to work with her all time hero, and he was likely going to fuck it up. He didn’t need her help to do so, that’s for sure. However, this was likely her only opportunity to meet the woman she’d looked up to her whole life, and she wasn’t going to pass it up.

If she could only figure out a convincing cover story to get her inside.

“Hello, my name is Tanana, I work with the Tribune—” No…

“Hi, I’m Tanana, I’m president of the Cherry Wong fan club—” No, no, coming off too strong…

“My name’s Tanana, I just finished secretary school—” Who are you trying to fool? You can’t even type!

She groaned in defeat, leaning her head against the brick wall next to her.

“Fuck….I can’t believe this is my life,” she murmured to herself.

“You said it, sweets,” a female voice replied dryly.

Startled, Nani twisted her head back to see a woman standing outside the back door.

She was beautiful, her bronze complexion complimented by her piercing blue eyes and long, wavy black hair. She wore feather earrings and a long lilac coat. Between her two fingers was a lit cigarette, its end burning a deep rust color.

Nani blanched. How long had she been standing there?

The stranger took a drag and laughed, the air whistling through the gap between her front teeth.

“I know that feeling. You look like you could use a smoke,” the woman said, offering Nani the cigarette.

The brunette took it cautiously. She hadn’t smoked one of these in ages.

She took a puff and coughed a couple of times. The familiar nicotine buzz came over her quickly, and she felt her nerves start to calm.

She coughed again and gave it back. “Thanks,” she said.

“Don’t mention it,” the woman replied. “’Name’s Koko! Nice to meetcha.”

Nani shook Koko’s hand. “I’m Tanana. You can call me Nani, though.”

Blue eyes widened with excitement.

“Oooh, so you’re a Water Tribe gal, too? Shoulda known, you’re way too pretty to be anything else.”

Nani frowned, responding curtly, “No, I’m from the city. Born and raised.”

Koko pursed her lips and shrugged. Blowing out a final cloud of smoke, she flicked the cigarette onto the ground and crushed it with her foot.

“If you say so, sweetie,” she responded. “So, what do you do? Oh, wait, let me guess: reporter, president of the Cherry Wong Fan Club, and a secretary? That’s an impressive resume.”

Nani’s cheeks bloomed with red heat. “So, you heard all that, huh?” She asked, wishing she could crawl into a dumpster and die.

A windchime-like laugh left Koko’s mouth, exposing a silver capped tooth. “I stepped out for a smoke and I heard ya rambling like a hobo on dope—figured I’d stick around and make sure you were okay,” she admitted.

Nani cleared her throat. “I take it you work here?” She pointed behind Koko to the station.

“You betcha,” the blue-eyed woman replied. “And I take it you want a job here?”

Her stomach nearly leapt into her chest as Nani responded, “You could say that.”

Koko looked her up and down, sighing, “A word of advice, sweets: if you wanna get a job, especially at a joint like this, you’re gonna need to look a little more put together. You’re also gonna need some experience in the entertainment industry; and something tells me you ain’t got it.”

Nani looked at the ground in shame. Koko was right; she hadn’t bathed in a few days, her hair felt like a rat’s nest, her face was bare and swollen from lack of sleep, her oversized wool dress was stolen from a neglected clothing line near by….she definitely did not look “put-together”.

But.

“I have experience,” she argued. “I used to sing in clubs.”

“Used to, ‘eh?” Koko asked, raising a thin eyebrow at her. “Let me guess, your pimp tried to share you with his partners so you made a break for it?”

Nani’s hand instinctively flew to her hair as she tugged and twirled at it. Tahno didn’t exactly like sharing his toys. And he also didn’t like it when his toys got more attention than he did.

“Not exactly,” she muttered.

Koko looked her up and down again, this time her expression softening. She took a few steps towards Nani, reaching for her but not quite touching her.

“My mom fell on hard times, too. I know it’s rough,” she started.

Nani frowned and looked away. She didn’t want pity, she wanted a job….but it felt nice to be seen.

Koko offered her a smile. “Tell you what; we’ve been looking for a backup singer to help jingles and stuff. I sing on ‘em too, so you wouldn’t be alone. If you can impress Shiro, he’ll hire you for commission. Whaddya think?”

Relieved, the brunette replied, “That sounds great, thank you.”

“Ah ah ah,” Koko responded, blocking the door. “Before we continue, you gotta show me what you got. No offense, but I’m not just bringing any broad in front of Shiro.”

Nani nodded, her heart suddenly thumping in her chest. Thankfully, she wasn't being held against her will in a brothel. She parted her lips and began singing one of her favorites,

“My man walked out, now you know that ain’t right,

Well, he better watch out, if I meet him tonight,

I said when I get low,

Ohhhh, I get hiiiigh,

All this hard luck in this town has found me,

Nobody knows ‘bout troubles all ‘round and ‘round me,

Oh, I’m all alone, with no one to pet me,

That old rocking chair ain’t never gonna get me,

‘Cause when I get low,

Ohhhh, I get hiiiigh,”

Her voice was a little nasally and raspy at first, but she quickly fell into her own rhythm, her voice growing more powerful with each verse. She finished on a high note, belting the last “high” with her whole chest.

Nani finished with a smile, looking nervously at Koko for some sort of response. She worried that she might’ve gone a bit overboard. Fortunately, the look on Koko’s face said quite the opposite.

___000___

Slender brown hands wrapped the satin scarf around Nani’s head and tucked in her stray curls.

“There, that oughta do it!” Koko exclaimed, turning the brunette towards the mirror.

Nani stared at her reflection, impressed by what Koko had done using only a bar of soap, a charcoal pencil, some rouge and a borrowed scarf.

She touched her face and smiled, feeling refreshed. She looked up at Koko’s reflection and said, “Thanks, I owe you.”

Waving a hand, the blue-eyed woman replied, “Don’t worry about it, sweets. C’mon, let’s go find Shiro.”

Nani followed Koko through the station as she gave her a glorified tour of the space. She hummed as she looked around. People, machines, papers, and noise filled the air. It was much busier than the last time she was here. She didn’t realize it took so many people to run a place like this.

“So…is your job singing?” She asked.

Koko shook her head, “Well, not really. I’ve written and recorded a few jingles for the show, but that’s a side gig. My real job is broadcasting—I work directly with the producers and talent to make sure everything goes smoothly before, during and after the show. I basically run this joint.”

Nani nodded in understanding. She wondered if she knew about the Cherry Wong situation.

The blue-eyed woman gestured for Nani to follow her upstairs, chatting vibrantly the whole time. Nani listened whole-heartedly, amused by Koko’s knowledge of office gossip. It was also kind of nice to experience real, personal interaction that went beyond the usual unpleasantries exchanged at her old job.

Also, Koko was pretty funny. The Water Tribe native had explained all the segments and shows they put on, what time slots they had, and how interesting they were on a scale of “yawnsville” to “better than sex”.

Apparently, she also worked on ‘Dispatches from Republic City’, which she had dubbed, “Almost as good as sex.”

With the mention of her self-proclaimed nemesis, Nani inhaled sharply.

“What’s it like working with Bolin, anyway?” She asked, expecting her to complain about how dim-witted and selfish he was.

Except, she didn’t. Koko came to a door that read “STUDIO” and swung it open. Smirking, she said, “See for yourself.”

Amplifiers, speakers, soundboards and monitoring panels lined the walls. The sound of rolling tapes clicked in the background. A man sat at a desk with a microphone and a panel of buttons and switches in front of him.

He clicked a bright red button on the base of the microphone. “That was perfect, Bolin. Let’s take a quick ten and then all we’ve got are the sign offs,” he said.

“Sounds good!” An amplified voice responded from the speakers.

The man at the desk got up, nodding at the women as he left. Seconds later, the recording room door opened and a young man stepped out.

Whatever “it” was that celebrities had, whatever made them so magnetic, Bolin certainly had it. Seeing him out in the market was like seeing an old acquaintance you hoped to avoid, but seeing him here? It evoked a starstruck feeling that made Nani’s insides stir when their eyes met.

His smile was charming, charismatic even. His eyes, lush and green, never once left her face.

“Hey, Koko!” The man came closer, acknowledging them with a wave. “Who’s your friend?”

Looping her arm into the brunette’s, Koko replied, “This is Tanana! She goes by Nani!”

The earthbender’s smile widened. “I’m Bolin!” He stated, extending his hand.

Nani glared at it for a moment, then looked up at him.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she greeted, her tone frosty. She allowed the handshake, but didn’t like how it summoned butterflies in her core.

Koko added, “She’s here to audition for the backup spot!”

Bolin’s eyes widened, “Wow! So, you’re a singer, huh?”

Nani felt her cheeks warm up, “Well, sort of.”

“Oh, don’t be shy!” Koko exclaimed, elbowing the brunette in the stomach. “She’s a singer alright! And a pretty damn good one!”

The earth bender walked over to the console table near the door and picked up a small white box. He popped it open, revealing several moon cakes decorated with different glazes and syrups.

“I brought these for the studio. Take one, as a token of good luck,” he said.

Nani eyed the moon cakes keenly. The duck and congee from this morning had already made its way out of her stomach, leaving a familiar emptiness.

“Thanks, but I’m not hungry,” she stated firmly, unwilling to compromise.

Her stomach growled viciously in protest, betraying her.

Bolin chuckled, “Well, it sounds like you are. Just take one!”

Koko quickly jutted between them and clasped her hands together. “Oh, thanks Bo Bo! You know I love these!” She squealed.

Nani watched the girl pluck two cakes from the box. As she proceeded to take several bites from each one, Bolin yanked the box away from her.

“Hey! Don’t be greedy! Nani hasn’t had one yet!” He chided.

“C’mon,” Bolin turned back to her, holding out the box. “Pick your favorite!”

Between her stomach exuding whale mating calls and Koko’s ecstatic chewing noises, Nani caved in and reached for a small yellow cake that was drizzled with raspberry syrup. She brought it to her lips and took a careful bite.

Sugary sweet goodness danced across her tastebuds.

“Wow,” was all she said, running her tongue over her lower lip to catch a stray dab of syrup. She popped the rest of the pastry into her mouth unceremoniously.

“Super good, right? I got them from this new bakery called ‘Oolong’ on Main Street,” the earthbender rambled. “They were so busy! The line stretched out the door and all the way round the corner, but it was worth it!”

Koko sighed, “Good ‘ol Bolin, always feedin’ us. What would we do without ya?”

Bolin smiled again, winking at Nani. “Hey, can’t leave my friends hanging! Today’s a long recording day—we gotta get through it somehow.”

It was that “it” factor again. Normally, the brunette was good at picking up on subtleties, so she was annoyed with herself for finding him so pleasant when just hours ago he was rambling like a senseless baboon. She glared at him. How were they even the same person?

His face was still round and youthful, but there was a sharpness to his features that she didn’t remember being there before. And yet, his expression retained a boyish charm.

He’s too good, she thought. How does he do that?

Bolin was also taller than she remembered, though she’d only ever seen him huddled in a booth at Narook’s. She was a little surprised to have to look up at him.

Even his build was robust, his muscular shoulders, arms and chest making their presence well known under his clothes. He personified his element well, and Nani figured if she tried to punch him it would feel like punching a brick wall.

Not that she wanted to punch him (ok maybe a little).

“Hey,” Bolin said, tilting his head sideways like a polar bear dog. “I know this might sound weird, but I feel like we’ve met before.”

Nani glanced at him in surprise. She didn’t expect him to remember her.

She cleared her throat nervously, “It’s a big city, I doubt it.”

Shaking his head vigorously, Bolin retorted, “No, no! I know I’ve seen you around before. Where do you live? Little Water Tribe? Harmony Park?”

“Neither,” she answered. She could feel her underarms growing damp.

Rubbing his chin, Bolin studied her for an agonizing amount of time before sighing, bowing his head in defeat.

“I got nothin’,” he finally said.

Nani exhaled in relief.

“But!” The young man exclaimed, startling her. “You can bet I’m gonna figure it out!!”

“I won’t hold my breath,” Nani scoffed.

Koko licked her fingers loudly. “Have you seen Shiro, by chance?” She asked the earthbender.

Bolin rubbed his chin again, stating, “Hm, you might wanna try his office. He’s been drowning in paperwork since…well, y’know.”

“Gooootcchhaa,” the blue-eyed woman replied, offering him a wink. “Well, we’re gonna go find him, now. See ya, Bo Bo!”

As the women turned to leave, Bolin waved at Nani and hollered, “Good luck!”

Nani didn’t respond.

Walking behind Koko, the brunette asked curiously, “So, what did he mean when he said Shiro’s been drowning in paperwork?”

A look of discomfort crossed over Koko’s face. “Well, it’s not my business to say but….Shiro’s going through some stuff with the missus,” she confessed.

Nani nodded knowingly, but she felt a pit forming in her stomach. If the famous broadcaster was dealing with an irate wife and stress from work, who was to say he would even give her a chance?

Once they approached Shiro’s office, Koko flashed Nani a confident grin before rapping her knuckles against the frame.

“Who is it?” Came a muffled, but familiar voice.

“It’s your favorite Water Tribe gal with a present!” Koko replied in a sing-song tone.

The sound of shuffling came from behind the door before it opened to reveal a rather tired-looking Shiro.

Nani had never actually seen Shiro Shinobi, but she never expected he’d look like this. His eyes were bleary and red, his cheeks were sunken in, and he reeked of cigarette smoke. A five o’clock shadow peppered his lower jaw.

When his gaze settled on Nani, he nodded. “I see. Come in, come in.”

The pair followed Shiro inside. Nani nearly gasped at the state of disarray. Paper cups half full of cold tea, crumpled up newspaper, stray napkins, and broken picture frames of an older woman littered the room.

She felt a twinge of pity for him.

“Shiro,” Koko declared. “This is Tanana. She’s here for the backup position.”

The older man offered her a half-hearted wave and plopped back into his chair. “Hello, Tanana. I take it you can sing, eh?”

Nani looked to Koko for encouragement. The Water Tribe native tilted her head to the side and darted her eyes towards the radio legend.

Taking the cue, Nani cleared her throat and replied with Koko’s pre-planned address , “Yes, sir. I’ve had several years of informal training as a child before I began singing jazz at the clubs. I’ve never been signed or anything, but I believe I can—”

“Alright, alright, you don’t have to tell me your life story, kid. Just show me what you can do,” he responded sardonically.

Although his answer was jarring, Nani decided to let his sourness roll off her skin and took a deep breath.

She flashed him a smile and opened her mouth.

____000____

“Alright people, I’ve got a jasmine, a Ceylon with sugar, one mint, a chai with sheep-cow milk, and two darjeelings,” Nani announced, pushing into the packed conference room for afternoon tea time. She set the serving tray down onto the table.

Bolin hopped up from his chair exuberantly, shouting, “Oh yeah! Nani, you are savin’ my life right now!”

He immediately dove to the tray and grabbed his drink, the Ceylon with sugar.

“Man, I really need this, I’m fading like an antique rug,” he sighed, bringing the cup to his lips.

“Careful, it’s still hot-” Nani warned, but she was too late--Bolin was holding back tears as he struggled to not spit out the scalding liquid.

She ignored him and walked the chai over to where Shiro sat, placing it in front of him with a smile. His tired eyes lit up.

“Thanks, kiddo.”

Shiro blew carefully onto the steaming cup a few times before taking a sip.

He closed his eyes and sighed, “Tanana, you might be the best tea maker I’ve ever met, and I’ve been to the Jasmine Dragon!”

The sound of affirmations and agreements filled the room as everyone eagerly enjoyed their teas.

Nani grinned. She’d been at Studio 54 for three weeks and already she had cemented herself as a necessary part of everyone’s day. Afternoon Team Time was a mandatory occurrence at the station (at Shiro’s behest), so she was tasked with the tea orders.

Originally, she was hired to record jingles for the currently airing shows. Koko warned her that the work would be sparse and dull since she was only a backup, and there were days she may not even be needed. Plus, the pay wouldn’t be all that great.

However, Nani was a resourceful woman. She knew how to make herself indispensable. The first day, she knocked on Shiro’s door and asked if he needed anything. At first, he only waved her away, but she persisted.

Soon, she was tidying up his desk and rearranging his candle collection. After that, she was writing memos and answering phones. Then she took responsibility of Afternoon Tea Time. She made herself Shiro Shinobi’s personal assistant and she took her role seriously.

She would be lying if she said she didn’t scour his office for evidence of this upcoming interview, but she never found anything substantial besides a frayed letter of correspondence between Shiro and Miss Wong’s agent, which didn’t have anything interesting in it that would benefit Nani’s cause. Disappointing was one way to put it, but Nani decided the gig was too good to just give up now. She was sure the topic would come up when the time was right. In any case, Shiro was barely in a state to be talked to right now.

The man was a bit grumpy and pathetic, but he was going through a nasty divorce and still had to run a very popular radio station. Nani couldn’t fault him for an occasional temper tantrum, especially since it was usually targeted at someone else.

The pay was quite a nice incentive, too. She was making eight yuans a day, which was more than she could’ve ever dreamed of. She saved every bit of her money, hoping to eventually find a small apartment so she wouldn’t have to keep sleeping on Koko’s mother’s couch. It was an incredibly kind gesture, but Nani knew from experience that kindness had an expiration date.

Which was why Bolin, of all people, perplexed her.

She didn’t buy his “boy-next-door” routine. A guy like that couldn’t bag a princess, a mover star, and a Beifong in the same lifetime. He was a haughty charmer, and an idiot, too—but he couldn’t possibly be that kind.

Ever since she started working at the studio, Nani took notice of how the earthbender always brought food for his colleagues, went out of his way to help them with tasks, and how patient he was when something didn’t go his way.

Just the other day, Nani accidentally spilled hot tea all over his notes for an upcoming segment.

“Gah!” He’d yelled, jumping back to avoid being burned.

As the ink blurred with the steaming liquid and dripped down the side of the desk, the brunette reflexively dropped to her knees and started cleaning, apologizing profusely. She expected him to strike, to yell, to at least throw something. Y’know, how angry men do.

Weirdly though, he instead got down to her eye level and asked, “Shit, Nani, are you okay?”

Nani nearly went into shock. She immediately stood, stone-faced.

“I’m fine.”

It was because she was Shiro’s personal assistant, of course. He had a reputation to keep, so that had to be why he was always so nice. On the inside, he was just as rotten as the rest of them.

At least, that’s what Nani told herself.

What really bothered her about all of this was how he and Koko interacted. Even now, the pair were chit-chatting and laughing about spirits-know-what during their meeting with Shiro.

Nani stood in the corner of the conference room, serving tray tucked under her arm, with an expression that could sour a lemon.

She couldn’t understand why Koko, someone so sharp and witty, was so chummy with this guy. Of course, Koko was friendly with everyone—sometimes even a bit flirty. But Bolin? Could she not see how fake he was?

Later that night, as the two young woman set the table for dinner, Nani decided to ask.

“What’s with you and Bolin?” She questioned.

The blue-eyed woman folded a napkin and placed it down before looking at her with a confused look. “Whaddya mean?”

Nani pursed her lips. “I mean, why do you hang out with him?”

Koko furrowed her brows together and stared at Nani. “Um, because I like him?”

Crossing her arms over her chest, the brunette scoffed, “You mean to tell me that you think that overgrown toddler is attractive?”

A chuckle left Koko’s lips. “Spirits, no! Bolin’s a cutie but he ain’t tan enough or hairy enough for me. I prefer tribe men,” she replied, thoroughly amused by Nani’s inquiries.

Nani uncrossed her arms and returned to arranging the cutlery. “I just don’t understand why you like him,” she admitted with a sigh.

Pouting, the blue-eyed woman replied, “Because he’s my friend and he’s nice.”

“That’s just it—he’s too nice,” Nani retorted. “Like, aggravatingly so. No one is that nice. Plus, he’s annoying, and peppy, and just so stu-“

The sound of the front door opening cut into her rant.

A resonant, raspy voice called out, “I’m home!”

“Hey, mom!” Koko called back.

Kalla walked in carrying two large take out bags from Narook’s and set them on the counter with a heavy “ooh!”.

The dark haired, older woman peeled her coat off and placed it onto a chair. She then turned to Koko and kissed her cheek. “How was work?”

“It was fine, Mom. The usual, y’know?”

Kalla nodded and turned to Nani with a smile. “And how are you, sweets?” She asked.

The brunette returned the smile shyly, replying, “I’m good. Thank you for dinner.”

Gesturing to the food, the elder Water Tribe woman said, “Dig in, girls. Before it gets cold.”

Nani gratefully helped herself to a heap of seaweed noodles, eyes rolling back as the familiar savory taste coated her tongue. It’d been a long time since she enjoyed Narook’s noodles. She gulped them down quickly, barely even chewing.

It took several minutes of silence, laced only with her own slurping noises, for Nani to notice Kalla and Koko were watching her.

“You must love Narook’s,” the younger woman remarked.

“Slow down, sweets,” Kalla uttered sternly. “You don’t want your cause of death to be ‘gagged on seaweed’, do you?”

Embarrassed, Nani set down her chop sticks.

“I-I’m sorry,” she muttered, not meeting their gazes.

Kalla smirked knowingly. “I remember when I first got off the streets. I inhaled every meal like it would be my last,” she explained. “I used to hide food, too, because I was afraid people would steal it from me.”

She covered her face with one hand and shook her head, laughing. “I remember your father would find rotting kale and mushrooms in the closet and say, ‘honey, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we’re not in the South Pole anymore!’”

Koko and her mother began cackling, and Nani chuckled along with them.

It was easy being around them, she decided. Both women were fierce and determined, but also carefree and forgiving. When Koko brought her to the apartment, Kalla, a divorced single mother, took Nani in without hesitation and refused a single yuan in return.

“Yue knows I’ve been there,” she’d said. “Save your money so you can buy yourself a castle one day.”

Nani would never forget that.

For the rest of dinner, she listened to Kalla and Koko chat about this-and-that, only participating to nod or laugh. When she finished, Nani began clearing her plate, but Koko reached out to stop her.

“I got it,” the brunette affirmed, swatting her hand away playfully.

Maybe she wasn’t allowed to pay for board, but she was sure as hell going to pull her weight in chores.

“So, Miss Tanana,” Kalla spoke, placing heavy weight on her name. “Who taught you to sing? Koko here was trained at Lady Tuya’s Academy. Their tuition was sky high but Tuya owed me from our days cleaning latrine’s together.”

Nani shrugged, stacking dirty plates into the sink. “No one taught me,” she responded honestly. “One day I was listening to the radio and I just started singing along.”

Leaning back in her chair, Kalla patted her stomach and hiccupped, “Huh. Well, I suppose practice does make perfect!”

“Don’t be modest,” Koko added, teasingly bending a squirt of sudsy water at the brunette. “Weren’t you in the Cherry Wong fan club?”

“President of the Cherry Wong fan club, thank you very much!” Nani quipped, spraying her back.

While the girls giggled and splashed around, Kalla admonished them from her seat, “Hey, hey! I swear to La, if I see the water bill go up even one yuan, I’m throwing you both out on the streets!”

Nani immediately froze and quietly went back to scrubbing the dishes while Koko rinsed them.

“She doesn’t mean it,” The older girl assured Nani, bumping her hip jokingly.

“Did you hear about this Cherry Wong coming back from retirement?” Kalla asked.

Ears prickling, Nani snapped her head back. She feigned ignorance. “Really?” She asked.

Koko nodded with excitement. “Yeah! In fact, she’s coming to our studio to do an interview with Bolin in a few months! But it’s all hush-hush for now, no one else in the station is supposed to know—only me, Bo, and Shiro.”

She hesitated, then looked apologetically at Nani.

“Well, and you, I guess,” she added.

Makes sense why no one’s brought it up at all the last few weeks, Nani contemplated. She was a little annoyed that being Shiro Shinobi’s assistant hadn’t given her the “in” to the studio’s secrets.

Kalla cogitated aloud, “Speaking of Bolin—how is that sweet boy doing?”

Koko moved to the stove and began boiling water in a blue pot. “He’s as good as can be expected,” she replied. “It’s only been six months.”

“Breakups are tough,” the older woman sighed. “He and that Beifong girl were too cute. But that’s what happens when you love a bird too hard…they fly away.”

Nani listened keenly, pretending to focus on the soapy water in front of her.

“Sometimes people drift apart,” Koko commented somberly. She reached into an overhead cabinet and scooped a handful of loose leaf tea into the pot as it came to a boil. “Poor guy didn’t see it coming. He was heartbroken.”

Bolin? Heartbroken? Nani scoffed internally. Sure, and I’m Avatar Aang. Please.

Unable to keep in her contempt, the brunette quietly muttered, “I’m sure he’ll move on to another chick soon. Men don’t dwell on these things for long.”

Koko didn’t respond, but Nani could feel her icy blue eyes on her. She pretended not to notice and started gathering the tea cups.

“Well, I hope he finds a good girl he can keep grounded,” Kalla said, pausing for everyone to notice her joke.

After a painfully long moment, Koko huffed, “Mom, that was terrible.”

Nani couldn’t help but laugh, and Kalla laughed with her.

“See, at least someone thinks I’m funny!” She exclaimed.

Her laughter filled every crevasse of the kitchen, along with the earthy, rich aroma of Ceylon tea.

#legend of korra #bolin #lok #bolin x reader #lok bolin #bolin fluff #bolin headcanons #bolin x y/n #bolin x you

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cwritesfiction · 2 years

Note

Hey!! I really like your blog and I had a question. Not sure if asks are open, but I do really want to know.

I have recently finished my first draft of a book. So a bit of history, I started this a year and a half ago, and decided to restart because I felt like I didn’t have a pulse on my main character.

So, I pretty much completely rewrote it and with a better pulse finished. I’m now in the *official* editing stage.

How many structural edits do you typically make, and how do you keep as much of your original material as you can, while still doing those structural changes?

You’ve been talking about your final edits and I was wondering if you had any tips, as I’m rather new to this 😅

Asks are always open!!!

First of all, mood. I went through a similar process with No Illusions. I wrote the thing and realized I needed to restart in order to make it work.

I don't have a number of structural edits I typically do, but I can give you some context as to how I got to this point!

This will only be the second novel-length WIP I've ever brought to "completion." The first time, I made structural edits pretty much every draft, but never a structural edit that addressed the main plot issue. Fixing it would've involved taking some concepts I loved out of the WIP...which is why it ended up getting shelved. There was too much going on, and I clung to some writing that I should've discarded.

Flash forward to No Illusions. After the first draft, I saw myself falling into the same trap (too much going on, the plot getting too difficult to explain.) I rewrote it. I didn't worry about keeping the original material (though a few key scenes stayed.) And when it was still too complicated, I rewrote it again. I wanted this WIP to stand a chance, so I distilled the story down to the concepts I actually cared about. Anything "extra" was launched into the sun.

Because I did so much heavy lifting on my own, I didn't need to do structural edits after that. I sent the "fourth" draft to critique partners (the second draft of the rewritten version.) Though I rewrote some chapters based on their feedback, I didn't have to alter the plot or reorder chapters. I sent a fifth draft to beta readers. The feedback I've received from them is further indicating I don't need structural edits.

I'm hoping for my next WIP I can skip the whole "oh no, I have to rewrite this because I overcomplicated the plot" steps. But I've learned that if I do overcomplicate my plot, it's better for me to suck it up and rewrite the dang thing instead of trying to salvage what was already written.

Hopefully that gives you some insight!! Let me know if you want me to talk through anything else :)

#writeblr #under no illusions

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spongeaddict · 3 years

Text

Fanfiction Year in Review!

Fanfiction Year in Review

Thanks for the tag @xxiamaclichexx! Spoilers, obviously, for all my fics that I’ve written thus far.

1. List of fics completed this year in the order they were finished

Two For The Show -- longfic, started in January 2020, completed in May 2020

Anniversaries -- twoshot, started in June 2020, completed in August 2020

Three To Get Ready -- longfic, started in May 2020, completed in December 2020

My God, I wrote literally all year long. Twelve months straight, from January to December. Holy cow.

2. Number of words written

TFTS: 91,025

Anniversaries: 6,009

TTGR: 87,078

Total: 184,112

WHOA

3. Your most popular fic

TFTS had over 8400 views this year, but it still comes in third place over all, behind Scooby Doo and the Mysterious Tape (over 11k views, finished in 2010), and One For The Money (more than 53k views, finished in 2019)

4. Your personal favourite

How do I choose between my children?!

I think overall, I’m going to say TTGR was my favorite this year. It had all the things I love -- secret romances, jealousy, betrayal, angst, a creep factor, and even a little bit of humor! I don’t usually write angst, but I had a good time with the chapters where it was present. I also got to do some really interesting character work in TTGR, which was super fun and exciting for me.

5. Your fave scene

I mean...I just love that scene in TFTS where Tony catches Shaggy and Velma making out in the practice room. I did a lot of nervous-laughing on behalf of everyone involved while writing it.

Also (I know I’m cheating here) I love the scene at the end of TFTS where Fred tells Daphne he loves her kind of off-the-cuff, and Daphne, who’s been trying for the entire story to work up the nerve to tell Fred that she loves him, bursts out laughing. It was so easy to picture Daphne trying to come up with the perfect, heartfelt way to share her feelings and then Fred, being so genuine without realizing it, just says “I love you” like it’s the easiest thing in the world.

6. A fic or scene that challenged you

For whatever reason, any time I needed Marcie and Velma to interact in TTGR was a challenge for me. I think I got too much in my head about the whole thing, and it seemed like nothing I had them do or say was organic. I rewrote the guest-room-at-Tony’s-party scene a bajillion times before I landed on something that I liked.

7. A line of writing you’re proud of

I know this says “a line of writing,” but I’m gonna cheat again and do like, a paragraph for each story I published this year. Don’t tell me what I can’t do!

TFTS, ch 14: Fred took a deep breath, apparently steeling himself for a difficult confession. "I've always had a fear that the people I love will all leave me one day," he told her. "I didn't even realize I felt that way until I was thirteen and found that letter my mom sent to my dad. I mean…if my own mother could leave me behind like that, what was stopping my dad? My friends?" He exhaled and looked into Daphne's eyes. "It even happens in this play. Diana leaves Dan at the end. Just like my mom left my dad. Just like she left me." He shook his head. "You and the gang are the most important people in my life. And when Shaggy's dad said that thing at the end of the summer, about how one day we'll all go our separate ways…I started to panic." He swallowed. "I don't want anyone in the gang to separate, but I'm terrified of losing you the most."

FRED IS SO SINCERE protect him at all costs

Anniversaries ch 2: Shaggy grinned and pulled her closer. The wind was starting to pick up, and he was starting to regret the ice cream just a teeny tiny bit. But having Velma snuggled up next to him warmed him throughout.

"Besides," he said. "It's not like we have to worry about it right now. Why worry about things that like, haven't happened yet?"

Velma snorted. "Says the guy who goes into a fetal position anytime Fred even suggests investigating a haunted house."

Shaggy nudged her playfully with his shoulder. "My point is," he told her. "We like, already made it one year. Who's to say we won't make it another?"

"That's true," Velma conceded. "And it's been a pretty good year."

"The best," Shaggy agreed.

They pressed their foreheads together and closed their eyes. Velma sighed contentedly and murmured her favorite line from In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.

"But for now we are young, let us lay in the sun and count every beautiful thing we can see."

Shaggy opened his eyes and gently tapped her once on the nose. "One," he murmured.

Is it arrogant of me to swoon at something that I wrote?

TTGR ch 12: Velma left the practice room first, eyes stinging with more unshed tears. She forced them back into their ducts as she made her way to her locker. I can't let Daphne and Fred see me like this, was all she could think to herself. She couldn't let them know that anything was wrong. She had to get a hold of her emotions. She needed to seem apathetic. Detached. Even though it felt like her chest was ripping open and everything inside her was screaming in agony.

Back in the practice room, Shaggy could feel his heart pounding like a drum against his ribcage. His pulse reverberated through every muscle in his body, and it seemed so loud that he was sure other students could hear it out in the hallway as they walked past. He leaned against the concrete wall and tried to steady his breathing.

He couldn't believe it. Velma had broken up with him.

Or had he broken up with her?

Regardless, they had broken up.

They were broken up.

I have to go, he realized. He couldn't stay in this room – he'd need to face the real world eventually – and besides, Scooby was almost certainly wondering where he was. With another shuddering breath, he wiped his eyes and steeled himself to leave the practice room.

Their practice room.

The thought had been automatic. With a sharp gasp, Shaggy clutched his middle, as though physically trying to hold in his anguish. How cruel it was that their relationship had ended in the same place it had begun. He had always thought of this place as theirs, ever since last year. But now, there was no more their anything. They were no longer a they. It was him and her, separate, apart. And now it would be forever.

His chest seized up and his throat tightened, burning. I can't stay in here, he told himself, even as his heartbreak surged. I need to leave this room.

But he allowed himself a short, muffled sob before swallowing and finally bracing himself towards the door.

I’ve always felt more comfortable writing dialogue than descriptions, but I felt pretty good about this paragraph about the aftermath of a breakup.

8. A comment that touched you

Oh come on!

Every single review means the world to me, and I’m lucky enough to have a handful of consistent reviewers who always read my work carefully, and their comments truly reflect that.

Though I will say, the comment that made me truly feel like my writing did its job successfully was from a pal of mine in Discord who, after reading a breakup scene, said, “I feel like I just got broken up with.” (Sorry again @complikated1)

9. Something that inspired your writing

Lord, so many things. My whole life and everything I’ve ever read. But mostly Scooby Doo.

10. Your proudest accomplishment (that one scene; finally finishing that one fic; posting your first fic etc.)

I mean, I essentially wrote two novels and two short stories this year. I’m pretty proud of that (and so is my husband...so much so that he outed my accomplishments to my whole family, who are similarly proud.

11. Do you have any writing goals for next year?

Several!

Start - and finish! - the finale, Four For The Road

Finish this got-dang Fraphne oneshot I’ve been promising to write

Begin writing ~what comes next~ (IT’S A SECRET, SO NO SPOILERS)

#fill this out if you want #scooby doo fanfiction #scooby doo fanfic #fanfiction #fanfic #writing

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wingsonghalo · 6 years

Text

Project: Matrimony- Chapter 7

Thank you so much, everybody. I thought I’d lost everything when I lost my entire document after chapter 1, but with all of your support, I rewrote the whole dang thing, and I’ll never be able to thank you all enough. I’m going to cherish the friendships I’ve made through these fanfics forever. You are all so important to me!! I love unicorns!!!!

Also available on Ao3 and Fanfiction.net. If you prefer to read on tumblr, previous chapters can be found here: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6

Without further ado!

Chapter 7: Unity

“I—told—you!” Maya sang triumphantly, emphasizing every word with a poke in the ribs.

“Ow, Maya, I need those ribs,” Phoenix complained, swatting her hand away with his free one, as his other was holding the spatula he needed to flip the burgers.

It was March, but his best friend had insisted that an engagement party called for outdoor grilling, so here he was in the cold, trying unsuccessfully to make these patties cook. He glared down at them, but they remained stubbornly un-cooked. Well, Phoenix supposed, the watched patty never grilled. Or something like that.

“Come on, Nick, give it up and tell me I was right all along,” Maya goaded him, resting her hands on her hips in a pose dripping with swagger. Phoenix rolled his eyes. She’d been like this ever since he’d let it slip that Miles had indeed been planning on proposing to him for a while.

“Look, he could have just asked because you were pressuring us to get married,” he grumbled. He didn’t really believe that was true, but he desperately wanted to bring her down a peg or two.

“Are you blaming me for your engagement?” she asked incredulously, delivering another fierce poke.

“Again, ow,” he commented, swatting at her once more.

The spirit medium dodged his swipe. “Whoa, careful, Nick,” she teased, her eyebrows popping up. “You could hurt a lady swinging around a rock like that.” She gestured to the ring on Phoenix’s finger.

“Is that so?” said Phoenix, flipping a burger and pretending to look around, holding his free hand over his eyes. “It’s a good thing I don’t see any ladies around.”

She made a mock-offended gasp, and retaliated by poking him even harder.

“Are you still trying to grill those?” came Phoenix’s favorite affectionately exasperated voice. The defense attorney and his assaulter both turned at the sound. Miles’ arms were crossed, and he was observing them with that wry smile of his. Phoenix was glad he’d gotten his fiance to dress casually today—well, casually for him, anyway. He looked pretty spiffy in his burgundy button-down and the dark-wash jeans Phoenix had made him get.

“Hey, I’m just trying to appease Burger Queen over here,” Phoenix said, jabbing a thumb at the woman with the deadly poking fingers.

“Mr. Edgeworth, I’m glad you’re here!” Maya exclaimed, clapping her hands together. “Maybe you can clear something up for me: Did you only propose to Nick because you felt pressured by him or anyone else?”

His eyebrows lifted in mild surprise. “Of course not. Any pressure was surely my own, as I attempted to ask so many times.”

Maya whirled on Phoenix, popping her hands on her hips and wearing an insufferably smug smile. “Ha! See? It was not because of me or you!”

“I should think not,” Miles snorted. “I only held off for a while because it seemed that Wright was not comfortable with the idea. After all, he reacted with embarrassment when everyone made the suggestion after New Year’s.”

“Held off?” Maya echoed. “Wait, you mean you were already thinking about it…?”

Phoenix’s jaw dropped. “You were going t… back then?!” he spluttered.

Evidently Miles hadn’t meant to reveal that, as he had hastily turned around and was halfway through the sliding glass door. “Don’t stay out here too long; it’s chilly,” he said shortly, and then closed the door. Phoenix caught his ears turning pink before he vanished, however.

Maya turned to him with the most pompous face he’d ever seen her make.

“Ugh,” Phoenix groaned. “Shut up.”

“I didn’t even say anything!”

“That’s a miracle right there,” he quipped. He looked down at the burgers again. Somehow they were still pink. “All right, enough.” He shoved the spatula into the spirit medium’s hands and made for the door.

“Hey!” she protested. “Where are you going?”

“It’s my party,” he called over his shoulder. “I’m gonna go mingle. I’ll leave the burgers to you.”

“Ooh, okay!” Maya said eagerly. She looked down at the patties, a predator surveying her prey. “Don’t worry, little burgers,” she cooed. “I’ll take goooood care of you...”

Phoenix suspected that by “take care of,” she really meant “eat.” He hoped she’d leave enough for the rest of them, at least.

He stepped into their living room, made his way through the kitchen, and then came upon Ema and Athena on the way to the family room. The two women were watching something on Widget’s holographic screen, though it was impossible to tell what from this angle.

“Hey guys, whatcha watching?” he announced his presence. The girls jumped, and the holoscreen winked out of existence.

“N-Nothing!” Athena blurted, whirling around and looking about as innocent as someone caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

“We were reminiscing about Christmas Eve and watching the video of the mistletoe kiss,” Ema explained at once, voice matter-of-fact.”

Athena hung her head, looking utterly betrayed. “Ema…!”

The forensic scientist smiled sheepishly. “Sorry. I didn’t see any point in hiding it.” She turned to Phoenix now. “Kay recorded it on her phone that day.”

The defense attorney smiled at the memory. He could recall quite clearly how flustered, but overwhelmingly happy, he’d been when Miles had kissed his hand. “No worries, but, uh...” He rubbed the back of his head, a little bashful. “D-Do you think you could send me a copy of that video…?”

They stared at him in amazement.

“I-I mean, that was the first time he openly showed affection, in front of everyone!” Phoenix defended himself. His face was flushing. “It was… y’know. Important.”

“Heh,” Athena laughed, her blue eyes soft with sentiment. “The first time, huh? You wouldn’t say that if you could have heard the voice of his heart this whole time.”

“Heart-voices don’t count,” he said, crossing his arms.

“Hehe,” was her only response. “All right, Boss. I’ll send it to you!”

“Thanks, guys,” he replied, offering them a smile before walking further into the family room, where Trucy, Pearl, and Kay were huddled together on the sofa. A familiar scrapbook was open on the little spirit medium’s lap, and the magician and thief were leaning over it on either side of her.

“You still have that thing?” he asked, pointing to it as he rounded the front of the couch.

“Oh, hi, Daddy!” chirped Trucy, her eyes flickering up to him and her face lighting up in a smile. “Yes, of course we still have it!”

“And now, it has real love letters in it!” Pearls sighed, pressing her hands to her rosy cheeks.

“Wh-What?” He still didn’t remember there being any of those, save for the note Miles had written him to go with his Christmas gift, but he kept that in his bedside table, tucked under some other things so it would be out of sight. Surely they hadn’t found that?…

“These are some of my favorite pieces,” said his daughter, pointing to a page with several rumpled pieces of paper glued to it.

“I retrieved them a couple weeks ago.” Kay looked pleased with herself, lifting her chin and grinning.

Trucy scooted over to allow Phoenix to sit down between herself and Pearl, so he took a seat and accepted the large book when it was pushed onto his lap.

He read the first piece of paper.

I can’t figure out Your ridiculous hair. You snore, and yet still I’m glad you are there. Phoenix looked up at his daughter doubtfully, raising an eyebrow. “How is this a love letter?”

“Oh come on, Daddy,” she said with a slight roll of her eyes. “We both know that’s how Papa expresses affection.” She had a point. “Besides, that’s not all of them! Keep reading!” She tapped another piece of paper eagerly.

His eyes fell on the second scrap.

You are sunshine. You are light. Sometimes annoying, But always Wright.

“That one’s my very favorite,” Pearls swooned.

“I threw those away,” said a dry voice right behind them. Phoenix’s head whipped up to see Miles there, peering over the top of the couch. Fortunately, he looked amused rather than annoyed. “Those weren’t even my best ones.”

“You think I’m annoying?” Phoenix asked, mournfully.

His fiance gave him a smile that was so soft it made Phoenix’s heart melt. He leaned over to give Phoenix a quick kiss. “Sometimes,” he confirmed gently.

Phoenix pouted. “You better show me these ‘best ones’ sometime.”

Miles shrugged. “Maybe someday.”

“I dunno, Mr. Wright, didn’t he already write you something pretty nice in that new journal?” Kay prompted, looking towards Miles with a wide smile.

Phoenix looked from the Great Thief to the prosecutor. “What new journal? I know about old journals, but...”

Kay made a scandalized noise. “You didn’t show him the journal?!” she accused Miles.

A blush bloomed in his cheeks. “W-Well, I ended up proposing in the elevator, so...”

The black-haired girl just crossed her arms and shook her head, disapproving. “Miles,” said Phoenix, “what’s she talking about?...”

“Later,” Miles said, placating. “I promise.”

He sighed. “Fine… but don’t expect me to forget,” he added firmly. “You will tell me, right?”

“You can count on it,” he assured.

“Speaking of telling people,” Trucy interjected, “I’m surprised I haven’t heard anything from Apollo. I thought he’d be surprised at the news, but he hasn’t contacted us.”

Phoenix cringed and looked up at Miles, who wore an identical oops expression. “Uh… that’s probably because we haven’t told him yet,” he admitted, looking back at her with a sheepish smile.

His daughter gasped. “Daddy!” she scolded.

“I burned the burgers!” Maya announced from the door to the balcony. “The good news is, I think a couple of them might still be edible!”

“Fantastic,” Phoenix said, unenthused.

Trucy, not one to let herself be distracted, dug into Phoenix’s pocket and slapped his phone onto his lap. “Call him!”

“Now?”

“Right now!” she commanded, folding her arms. She raised a single eyebrow in a way that was remarkably Miles-like. “Unless you’d rather enjoy a charcoaled hockey puck first…?”

He sighed and acquiesced, because she was the boss and everyone knew it. Putting the phone on speaker so everyone could hear, he waited for a response.

Apollo picked up on the fourth ring. “Mr. Wright?”

A smile rose unbidden on Phoenix’s face at the sound of his familiar loud voice. “Hey, Apollo. How are you doing?”

“Great!” he said forcefully, and then, more subdued, “Or, at least, I think I’m doing pretty well for operating on about 4 hours of sleep every night, heheh.”

The group exchanged grimaces. “That sounds pretty rough,” said Phoenix.

“I’m fine!” he assured them. “These people need me. Things are still changing gradually over here, so I need to always be ready to help!” Phoenix felt a surge of pride at having mentored this brave young man.

“You’re a stand-up guy, Apollo,” Kay commented.

There was a pause on the other end. “Was that Kay?” he guessed.

“Wow, you’re good!” she said, grinning. “But it’s not just me.”

“Hello, Mr. Apollo,” Pearl piped up. “I’m pleased to hear you’re doing well.”

“Hi Polly!” said Trucy, leaning over the phone.

“Pearl! Trucy!” Apollo’s voice was bright. “How are things going?”

“Good, but my act’s not the same without my favorite assistant,” the magician giggled.

“Is that Apollo?!” Athena called from over by the kitchen entrance. She seized a startled Ema by the arm and barreled over to the couch. “Hi, Apollo!” she said loudly, cupping her hands around her mouth.

“It’s on speakerphone, Athena,” Ema pointed out.

“Are you getting along with Prosecutor Sahdmadhi?” Athena continued, still speaking at high volume. “Tell him we say hi!”

“Nahyuta’s… busy a lot,” Apollo laughed. “But yeah, we’re getting along. Outside the courtroom, anyway. I’ll deliver your greetings. Tell our friends I said hi, too!”

“You bet!” Athena replied. “I’m sure Mr. Starbuck and Junie will be glad to hear you’re doing well!”

“Yo, Apollo!” Maya greeted, joining them from the kitchen and resting her elbows on the top of the couch between Miles and Athena. “Tell the Princess I say hey!”

“Maya too? Wow, seems like everyone’s here,” said Apollo. “I’ll tell Princess Rayfa you say hello, if she’s not in the middle of being busy with her royal duties or bossing me around. It’s a pretty slim window of opportunity.”

Maya laughed. “Good enough!”

“Not that I don’t love hearing from you all, but what brought on the sudden, er, group call?” asked Phoenix’s former protegé then.

“Well, um...” He looked up at Miles, who nodded. “W-We have some pretty big news for you.”

“Big news?”

“Yeah, uh…” He cleared his throat, trying to shoo away his bashfulness. “Edgeworth and I are engaged.”

“What?!”

“Wright and I are getting married,” Miles spoke up at last.

“Oh, wow. I… That’s great, you guys…!” He trailed off into silence, followed by a suspicious snuffling noise.

“Polly,” said Trucy knowingly, “are you crying?”

“No!” he said defensively, and sniffled again. “It’s just really dusty in this office!” They all exchanged disbelieving looks. “Anyway, um… congratulations, you guys. I’m... that’s fantastic. I’m happy for you.”

“Thank you, Apollo,” Miles said, his voice warm. Phoenix looked up at him in surprise. Miles nearly always called him “Mr. Justice.” His heart warmed at hearing him address Apollo with more familiarity.

“And hey, you guys better keep me in the loop!” the younger attorney insisted. “I am not gonna miss your wedding, all right?!”

“I wouldn’t want to have it without you,” Phoenix admitted. “Don’t worry. We’ll keep in touch.”

“I could probably deliver messages, too, since I’ll more than likely be seeing you again soon, if that infuriating brother of yours drags me off again,” Ema pointed out, sighing.

“You have my deepest sympathies,” Apollo told her sincerely. “Anyway… I’m so happy you guys shared the news, but I should probably get back to work. I have 15 more clients to meet with this afternoon.”

Everyone looked at each other in horror again.

“Hang in there, Apollo,” Kay said solemnly.

“I’ll be praying for you,” Pearl added.

“Stay safe, Polly! We love you!” sang Trucy.

“S-Same,” he chuckled awkwardly. “All right then. Justice, out!” Then there was a click.

“I’m surprised he didn’t say something like, ‘Gotta go; Justice waits for no one and no one waits for Justice!’” Phoenix said fondly, tucking the phone back into his pocket.

“Ha, yeah, that kid always has to add in some kind of joke with his name,” said the spirit medium who was only a few years older than Apollo.

“Hey, he’s single-handedly reshaping an entire legal system,” Phoenix defended him. “On four hours of sleep a night. Maybe the puns don’t come as easily.”

“Or he’s spent too long away from the master of Dad Jokes,” Trucy giggled, nudging him.

“I will take that as the compliment it was no doubt intended to be,” he responded graciously.

“Anyway, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m starved,” Maya said briskly. She glanced between the prosecutor next to her and the defense attorney on the couch. “What do you think, lovebirds? Is it time to eat?”

“Only if you do not call us that again,” Miles replied, frowning.

She only grinned. “I make no promises.” Then she turned and led the way to the kitchen.

“Five bucks says none of the hamburgers are fit for human consumption,” said Kay, hopping up from the couch.

“At least there’s jell-o salad,” Trucy said with a shrug, getting up as well and helping Pearl to her feet.

“That’s my favorite kind of salad,” Kay added as she followed the other two. Athena and Ema trailed after, as well.

Phoenix rose from the couch and rounded it to stand with his fiance. He looked him over, and since they were alone in the room, he didn’t bother to hide it. “You really do look amazing in jeans,” he commented.

“Hmph,” he replied, adjusting his glasses and looking bashful. “I-I could say the same of you.”

The defense attorney grinned, and grabbed Miles’ hand to kiss it. The ring they’d picked out together looked good on his finger, white gold and garnet, but soon it would be sitting on Phoenix’s finger instead. They had decided to exchange the rings at the wedding—it was one of the few things they’d actually planned in advance.

Miles’ mouth quirked up on one side as Phoenix released his hand, and the prosecutor pressed a quick kiss to his mouth instead. “Let’s not keep them waiting,” he said quietly.

“Aww,” Phoenix groaned in mock-disappointment, and together they made their way to the kitchen.

“All right, everyone, I think we all should say something to the happy couple,” Maya said as they all seated themselves.

“But this isn’t the reception,” Ema pointed out, immediately reaching for a bag of chips at the center of the table. “Isn’t that when people usually make toasts?”

“It doesn’t have to be anything formal,” said Maya dismissively. “We can totally eat while we’re doing this.” She looked down at her younger cousin, who was seated next to her. “Pearly, why don’t you go first?”

“M-Me?” she squeaked, pointing to herself. “Why?”

“Well, um...” She thought a moment, tapping her chin. “Because...” Her eyes widened as she came up with something. “Because you named Project: Matchmakers!” she decided with a nod.

“I’m not sure what that has to do with anything,” said Trucy, crossing her arms and sounding remarkably like her half-brother. Perhaps she was standing in for him in his absence.

“C’mon, Pearly, give it a try,” Maya goaded her.

Pearls still looked uncomfortable, but she nodded. “Well… I-I used to think M-Mystic Maya and Mr. Nick were perfect for each other...” she began, looking around at them all. Phoenix cringed, embarrassed. A glance at Maya confirmed that she was mortified as well, having sunk her face into her hand. It kind of served her right for suggesting this, Phoenix thought. “But, when I got older,” Pearls continued, and here her gaze drifted to Phoenix and Miles as a smile spread across her face. “I saw what true love really looked like. Seeing you two support each other and care for one another and make one another stronger with your bond… I… I think we are all very blessed to have seen that firsthand.” She bowed her head to them slightly.

Phoenix felt a little warm, but he had to admit to himself that the words had been sweet. Before he could open his mouth to say anything, Kay had sprung out of her seat and put both hands on the table. “I’m next!” she declared. She shot Miles a mischievous look. “This guy right here… I could say a lot of stuff about how he used to go on and on about some mysterious friend of his that inspired him and saved him...” Phoenix glanced at Miles nervously, and verified that indeed he was wearing a face of mild panic. When the defense attorney returned his attention to Kay, her expression had become more serious. “I’m not going to do that, though,” said the Great Thief. “What I’ll say is: when I first met Mr. Edgeworth, I thought he was… kind of emotionless.” She grinned at Phoenix now. “But when I learned about you, Mr. Wright, I saw I’d been wrong: Mr. Edgeworth has tons of emotions. He just needs a very special person to get him to show them.” She winked. “I’m so glad you were that very special person, Mr. Wright.”

“Th-Thanks,” Phoenix stammered as Kay sat down.

Ema, who was seated next to the Great Thief, did not notice that everyone had turned their attention to her until Kay nudged her shoulder. She looked up from crunching loudly on some Chex Mix, raising her eyebrows in realization. “Mah furn?” she mumbled through a mouthful, looking around at them all. She chewed hastily and swallowed, allowing her to speak normally. “Ahem,” she said. “Well. I… was probably the last person to figure out… things...” she started, staring at the table rather than at the two lawyers. “But once it became obvious, I couldn’t imagine how I didn’t see how explosive your chemistry was.” She smiled sheepishly. “Science pun only semi-intended. You’ve both taught me so much as I’ve grown up. I…” She flushed a little and looked down again. “I feel very lucky to have learned from you, not just as a scientist, but… as your friend.” And then she was blushing a little deeper and grabbing some more Chex Mix to shove into her mouth. Evidently, that was her way of indicating that she was finished speaking.

“Me next!” cried Athena, springing from her seat. “I haven’t known you two as long as the others have, but… I got to see you work together even when we met for the first time.” She and Widget both lit up. “You’ve always been such a great team. And while your hearts have always been been singing the same song...” She clasped her hands together and smiled even wider. “...I’ve never heard two hearts more in absolute harmony than yours are now!”

Phoenix wasn’t sure what exactly that meant, but it was nice to hear nevertheless. He offered a smile to the younger lawyer as she retook her seat. The next person at the table was Trucy, who was sitting next to Phoenix himself. She stood, locking her eyes on him. “From the moment I met him, Daddy’s always been so focused on helping other people and making them happy—his clients, his friends...” Trucy bit her lip a little. “...And especially me. He never seemed to want to worry about himself.” Here, her gaze shifted over to Miles. “But there was always someone around to look out for him, even when I couldn’t. Someone who cared about him, and who he cared about in return. When I saw how Papa treated my Daddy, and how much Daddy cared about him right back… I knew they could get through anything together.” She smiled brightly at Phoenix again, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “I’m so glad you’re finally getting to find your own happiness, too, Daddy.”

Phoenix wrapped his hand around his daughter’s as she sat back down. “Thank you, Trucy,” he said, voice a little choked. His eyes felt moist.

“I love you,” she whispered, her eyes sparkling. “Both of you.”

Phoenix squeezed her hand.

“Well, that was pretty sappy,” said Maya, but her voice was shaking a little, and her eyes looked like they were about to spill over, too. She wiped at them furiously. “S-So, I guess it’s me last, huh?” She rose from her chair, and then thought a moment, because apparently despite starting this whole thing she hadn’t thought of her informal toast beforehand. “I have known these two for a long, long time,” she began at last. “Man, you should have seen the way Nick looked at Edgeworth even back then.” She laid a hand over her heart, and then dramatically pantomimed a swoon. Phoenix glared at her, but she only giggled. “Heehee. Relax, Nick, I’m just kidding. You were much more subtle about it.” Phoenix’s glare intensified. “All right, all right, stop scowling at me,” she said, waving her hand around. “Look: I’ve always known these two were totally gaga-stupid in love with each other—”

“Hey!” Phoenix finally protested, at the same time as Miles spit out a mortified “Beg pardon?!”

“—You know I’m right, guys; don’t play dumb—but I’m so glad they’ve finally figured things out.” She smiled at Phoenix now, a smile full of honest affection that softened his heart. “I can’t think of any two people who deserve a long, happy life together more than you two,” she finished sincerely. Her piece said, she flopped back into her chair, but a moment later she had sprung back up again. “Also I was right,” she added hastily with a smug grin, and then sat down again. “Now let’s eat already!”

“You’re the one who started this,” Trucy pointed out, and again Phoenix was reminded of Apollo.

“Yeah I know,” the spirit medium said, waving off the words. She picked up her blackened hamburger, which she’d slapped onto a bun, and eyed it, obviously contemplating whether it was actually edible or not. “By the way, thanks in advance for asking me to be your best man, Nick. I humbly accept.”

“Whoa, we didn’t decide that!” he protested. “What about Apollo, Maya?”

His old friend made a sound of outrage as she dropped her burger back onto her paper plate. “I have known you way longer than Apollo!”

Phoenix couldn’t believe she was still stuck on this. “Yeah, but how would he feel to be passed over as best man despite actually being a man?”

“I can totally be a man!” she refuted, and spread her arms to gesture to herself. “Spirit medium, remember?!”

He crossed his arms at her firmly. “No channeling at my wedding!”

“Not even if I channel my sister?” She lifted an eyebrow in challenge.

Well, he had to pause at that. It would be nice to have Mia there, even if just briefly, but… “No channeling during my wedding ceremony,” he revised. If she wanted to channel Mia at the reception, well… he guessed he wouldn’t mind that.

“Aw, Nick!” she pouted. “Why not?!”

“Because I want you there as yourself, Maya!” he said, exasperated. “How could I not have you at my wedding?”

Her face softened into smile that was just a little sappy. “Aww...” She picked up her hamburger again, apparently satisfied with that answer. “I mean, I still say I should be the best man, but...”

Defeated, Phoenix turned to his fiance. “Would it bother you if my best man is a woman?”

Miles shrugged and offered a half-smile. “I was thinking of asking Franziska to be my best man, so I haven’t really any room to complain here.”

“Yesssss!” Maya cheered, pumping her fist. “Best Ladies for the win!”

“Won’t Mr. Laurice be sad at not being considered for Best Man?” Pearls piped up, her eyebrows drawn together.

Phoenix exchanged a look with the man next to him. As expected, Miles was wearing the exact same oh crap expression. “I completely forgot to tell him,” Phoenix admitted.

“I didn’t tell him either...”

“We have to at least invite him, don’t we?” asked the defense attorney in something of a worried tone.

“I suppose,” Miles conceded with a resigned sigh.

“Just keep him away from the rings and stuff,” Maya suggested, finally taking a bite of her hamburger. “Oh, bleh, gahd… I meffed up,” she said then, her eyes bugged out and her cheeks bulging. Evidently the hamburger was not, in fact, edible.

“He does seem to spread disaster wherever he goes,” Miles agreed, politely ignoring the spirit medium spitting out her half-chewed food into a napkin, because he was a gentleman.

Phoenix could have pointed out that his other option for best (wo)man had been accused of murder at least five times, but he was a gentleman too, so he said nothing and pointedly did not eat any hamburgers.

“I think we’re all skirting around the most important question here,” said Athena suddenly.

Miles lifted an eyebrow as he sipped his punch, but when he put the cup down again he asked, “And what might that question be?”

“When’s the big day?” she burst out. Clearly this question had been at the forefront of her mind all day.

Phoenix and Miles exchanged another unsure glance. That was not something they had decided on, but it would look kind of silly to admit that, wouldn’t it? He attempted to broadcast his thoughts with his eyes, and Miles gave a minute nod. Phoenix felt a surge of pride and warmth. Miles was so good at communicating without words. Phoenix nodded back, and they turned to the table again.

“In the fall,” said Phoenix, at the same time Miles said “Next month.”

A silence followed.

“Um...” Pearl broke the quiet, “N-Next month is April…?” Her voice was timid and her face was concerned, as if she was afraid Phoenix had forgotten his months.

“Yes, I know, Pearls,” he sighed. “The truth is… we haven’t exactly figured out a date yet.” And he’s nuts if he thinks we can plan an entire wedding in a month! he added to himself.

“Well, surely next month is a fine tentative date,” Miles said. “It shouldn’t be too hard to arrange.”

Everyone gave him incredulous looks. “Are you kidding me, Miles?!” Phoenix said after a period of silence. “There’s an entire profession based on planning weddings!”

He looked genuinely surprised. “Is… Is it really so complex?”

“Uh, yeah!” Kay said loudly. “You gotta think about where the wedding will be, for example!”

“And the cake you’ll order!” Maya put in, overriding the taste of the burned hamburger with jello salad. She pointed at them with her spoon. “Ooh, and your gift registry! Free stuff, you guys!”

“Don’t forget music!” Athena added. “Personally, I think live music is always best.”

“And flowers!” Pearls spoke up, and then sighed dreamily.

“We should think about entertainment at the reception, too,” said Trucy helpfully, her eyes sparkling as if she already had a few ideas of her own.

“Not to mention all the work that goes into managing the guest list,” Ema remarked. “And isn’t there supposed to be some sort of vow-exchanging?”

Miles looked around at them all in bewilderment. “I… I stand corrected...”

“Well, it’s a good thing we already know a florist,” Maya pointed out. She must have been talking about the Hamptons, Phoenix realized.

“Plus a certain violinist who could help with music!” Trucy said.

“Oh, great idea!” Athena exclaimed, clapping her hands together as Widget flashed green. “Ariadne could definitely get us some great live music!”

Miles cleared his throat and spoke up, though he looked a bit awkward. “I… may know some people who can handle the cake and catering...”

Kay lit up and pointed at him. “You’re talking about Mr. Master and Ms. Hall, right? That’d be perfect! I’m sure they’d love to hear from us! I can track ’em down!” Phoenix had no idea who they were talking about, but if they were friends of Miles and Kay, they were probably all right.

“Ooh, maybe Lotta could be the wedding photographer!” Maya snickered.

“Are you kidding?” Phoenix said. “She’d charge an arm and a leg!”

“So?!” Maya volleyed back, leaning forward over the table. If she wasn’t careful, she’d get her sleeves in the dip. “Capturing your special day would be worth paying a little extra!”

Phoenix just sighed, but Kay was looking intrigued as she helped herself to some cheese curls. “You guys know Lotta?”

“Oh yeah, we go way back,” said Maya. “Actually, she’s part of the reason Nick and Edgeworth even reunited as friends.”

“Yes, her damning photographs were ever so helpful,” Miles said flatly. Phoenix cringed at the memory. He wasn’t wrong, but at least Lotta had done her best to make up for her mistake later.

“As long as we’re discussing guests… I think we should invite Mr. Powers!” Pearl’s eyes were shining. “He’s so nice!”

“Yes, I concur. We will invite Mr. Powers,” Miles said immediately, because of course he would. Miles was a ginormous Steel Samurai fanboy, after all, Phoenix thought with only the slightest twinge of jealousy. He would probably love to have the Steel Samurai himself at his wedding. That aside, Phoenix privately agreed that they should invite Powers. After all, he had been present for the first time Miles and he had worked as a team.

Maya was still trying to write their guest list for them. “Let’s see, who else...” she murmured, tapping her chin. “Well we’ve got to invite Detective Gumshoe and Maggey, of course, and Regina Berry—”

“You know her, too?!” Kay burst out.

“Sure do!” Maya replied, her face lighting up.

“She is so cute!” they both said, and then busted out laughing.

“I’m glad you guys are having fun, but there is no way I am having a literal circus at my wedding,” Phoenix deadpanned. “Moe would make the worst toast ever at the reception and drive away all our guests, and that puppet guy… what was his name? Ben? He’d probably creep everyone out with that stupid dummy of his, and Regina would probably bring that tiger as her plus-one...”

“I think that sounds like a blast!” Athena said, unhelpfully. Phoenix frowned at her.

“I also think we should invite Sister Bikini!” Pearl piped up again.

“And the DeLites!” Maya insisted. “Oh, and Ms. Andrews, of course!”

“And Mr. Eldoon,” Trucy rattled off, “and Vera, and Little Plum—”

“Trucy!” Phoenix protested, alarmed. “We’re not inviting the Yakuza! No gangsters!”

“Oh, Daddy,” she said, looking at him with an expression that suggested Phoenix had disappointed her. “You know they just run a bakery now.”

“We can’t invite Ms. Hall and Mr. Master without inviting Mr. Shields,” said Kay, “and we can’t invite Mr. Shields without inviting Detective Badd… oh, and Prosecutor Debeste!” Who were all these people?!

“Speaking of prosecutors… I suppose it would only be fair to invite the fop, given how long he’s known you two,” Ema joined in as she helped herself to some jello, though she didn’t sound as resentful about it as she probably intended to sound.

“We can’t leave out Simon!” Athena yelled. “I mean, he helped you guys end the Dark Age of the Law!”

“Ooh, I just had an idea!” exclaimed Maya. “Ahlbi can be the flower girl!”

“He’s a 10-year-old boy, Maya,” Phoenix pointed out.

“Oh, fine, ring-bearer then.”

“Armie can be the flower girl!” Trucy decided for them.

“Guys, guys!” Phoenix finally burst out. “Please! Just…” He exchanged a glance with Miles, who looked like he was struggling to take in the flurry of ideas being tossed about, and then looked around the table again. “We’ll work on a guest list this weekend, okay?!” he declared.

“Fiiiiine,” Maya sighed. “Get it to me at 9 o’clock sharp Monday morning, mister!”

“You’re not my teacher,” Phoenix immediately fired back petulantly, and then opted to attempt a more mature tone. “I mean… everyone, just… go back to talking among yourselves, all right? Miles and I will figure this out, so… calm down, will you?”

Kay shrugged, and turned to Maya. “So Maya, do you know Lotta’s apprentice, too?”

“Her what?”

Phoenix let out a sigh and turned his head to face Miles now as the rest of the table began their own conversations. “We were totally right. They are going to take care of the planning for us, I guess.”

“I hadn’t realized so many people would be considered for our guest list,” Miles admitted quietly. “It would seem we have… quite a few more friends than I’d realized.”

Phoenix smiled at him, and took his hand, right there on top of the table. “Yes. We do.” Miles smiled back, and wrapped his hand around Phoenix’s. Pearl caught a glimpse of this and giggled and blushed, but Phoenix didn’t even mind anymore. He’d waited far too long—most of his life, really—to be able to hold Miles Edgeworth’s hand out in the open.

Phoenix thought, as he kept holding his fiance’s hand, that he couldn’t wait for the rest of his life to begin.

Next time: A Bachelor party for two.

Thanks again, everybody. Until then! <33333

#narumitsu #wrightworth #project matchmakers #project matrimony #stuff i write #love you all!!

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