[If there's something that really works in Marinette's favor, it's that people still tend to judge by appearances, despite typical stereotypes being proven wrong again and again. Nobody expects slight, mousy Marinette to be working as a spy or to be as efficient as she is in combat, yet she is all of these things and more. Their mistake.
Sneaking around, hiding things, isn't normally Marinette's style, but with the way things are in Republic city, it's kind of hard not to get involved in some way. The Equalists are almost blinded to common sense by their resentment--it only takes one look at Marinette's story before she's accepted into their ranks eagerly. Hiroshi himself takes special interest in her, relating to the way she'd lost her family in a fire caused by a bender, and it doesn't take much for Marinette to get a job working in the mansion's kitchen. It's not revenge she's interested in, though, not like the Equalists immediately believe. She has friends who are benders--had friends before her life got turned upside down. Infiltrating the Equalist ranks is just one way to keep herself occupied as the smoke and ash clears.
In a way, she's almost glad when Asami finally finds out about her father's schemes. It must hurt, Marinette thinks, but at least she isn't in the dark anymore. And she'd liked the Sato heiress while she was working in the mansion. Marinette isn't sure what makes her cross the bay to Air Temple Island to go looking for Asami a few days after the fallout--compassion, maybe. Or the need to be useful. Whatever it is, she's here, and it would feel wrong to turn back now.
Marinette catches the attention of an air acolyte, asking to meet with Asami, if possible. As she watches the acolyte walk off, she stays in the main courtyard, fidgeting with her jacket. All that's left is to wait and see what Asami would do.]
[Asami wants to believe that Marinette is here to help. She took a liking to the other girl while she was working at the estate, and she could definitely use an extra friend right now.
But it's hard not to be suspicious about Marinette's reasons for being here, considering she'd been close to Hiroshi. But Asami'd been close to her father too, and she'd had no idea what was happening.
At the least, she's willing to hear Marinette out. Even if she wants to try something, Air Temple Island is well-defended enough that it probably won't be here and now.] Hey.
[She offers a weak half-smile and studies Marinette, wondering what's going on.] You wanted to see me?
Hi. [Marinette smiles at Asami ruefully, hands twisting together in front of her nervously. Determined as she'd been to smooth things over with Asami, it's hard to get the words out when she's actually standing here in front of her.]
Is there somewhere more private we can talk? [Her eyes dart to the air acolytes wandering through the temple close by.]
[Asami twitches slightly at the request. She doesn't like being asked to move away from the guards, but she can take care of herself if it comes to it.]
Let's go for a walk. [She can't guarantee the airbender kids won't interrupt them inside, so a clear patch of the island is as good a spot as any.]
[She can tell Asami's tense (and who could blame her?) so Marinette keeps her hands out where they're visible, following Asami further into the temple grounds.
When they're out of earshot, Marinette sighs and begins to talk quietly.]
I heard what happened with your dad. I'm sorry, even if it's not what you want to hear right now. [Marinette turns her head, looking out at the calm waters surrounding the island.] You're helping the Avatar now, right?
I have friends who are benders, too. My best friend is one. What happened with my parents isn't their fault. That was the whole reason Hiroshi asked me anyway.
[Marinette looks down at her hands.]
I used to just ignore all the Equalist fliers--those people who just stand in the streets and talk it up? When your dad asked me...I had a feeling there was a whole lot more to it, so I said yes. [She swallows uncomfortably.] There's a lot more people involved than I thought. And there's Amon... I know I don't stand a chance doing anything on my own.
[Asami hums thoughtfully under her breath.] Well, it's a little late to try and sneak any of us in. The best you can do is probably let us know what they're up to.
I can do that. [Determination fills her.] Hiroshi doesn't suspect anything right now.
[Tentatively, Marinette smiles at Asami.] Um, just so you know, I'm going to quit working at the Sato estate, even if you decide to come back. I think I have enough for my own place in the city now.
And the rest. [Asami nods, but she looks a little uncomfortable at the compliment. She starts a few sentences, but gives up partway through the first syllable each time. Eventually she settles on a single word.] Thanks.
[Perhaps sensing Asami's discomfort, Marinette quickly turns their attention back to planning. She understands, though. It's only been a short time since Asami found out about her dad.]
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I wasn't even sure what to leave so here's some kind of thing
I JUST MADE STUFF UP let me know if this works...
Sneaking around, hiding things, isn't normally Marinette's style, but with the way things are in Republic city, it's kind of hard not to get involved in some way. The Equalists are almost blinded to common sense by their resentment--it only takes one look at Marinette's story before she's accepted into their ranks eagerly. Hiroshi himself takes special interest in her, relating to the way she'd lost her family in a fire caused by a bender, and it doesn't take much for Marinette to get a job working in the mansion's kitchen. It's not revenge she's interested in, though, not like the Equalists immediately believe. She has friends who are benders--had friends before her life got turned upside down. Infiltrating the Equalist ranks is just one way to keep herself occupied as the smoke and ash clears.
In a way, she's almost glad when Asami finally finds out about her father's schemes. It must hurt, Marinette thinks, but at least she isn't in the dark anymore. And she'd liked the Sato heiress while she was working in the mansion. Marinette isn't sure what makes her cross the bay to Air Temple Island to go looking for Asami a few days after the fallout--compassion, maybe. Or the need to be useful. Whatever it is, she's here, and it would feel wrong to turn back now.
Marinette catches the attention of an air acolyte, asking to meet with Asami, if possible. As she watches the acolyte walk off, she stays in the main courtyard, fidgeting with her jacket. All that's left is to wait and see what Asami would do.]
its good lets go for it
But it's hard not to be suspicious about Marinette's reasons for being here, considering she'd been close to Hiroshi. But Asami'd been close to her father too, and she'd had no idea what was happening.
At the least, she's willing to hear Marinette out. Even if she wants to try something, Air Temple Island is well-defended enough that it probably won't be here and now.] Hey.
[She offers a weak half-smile and studies Marinette, wondering what's going on.] You wanted to see me?
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Is there somewhere more private we can talk? [Her eyes dart to the air acolytes wandering through the temple close by.]
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Let's go for a walk. [She can't guarantee the airbender kids won't interrupt them inside, so a clear patch of the island is as good a spot as any.]
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When they're out of earshot, Marinette sighs and begins to talk quietly.]
I heard what happened with your dad. I'm sorry, even if it's not what you want to hear right now. [Marinette turns her head, looking out at the calm waters surrounding the island.] You're helping the Avatar now, right?
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I want to pass on information to you and the Avatar. Your dad invited me to join the Equalists a little while ago and...I accepted.
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[Marinette looks down at her hands.]
I used to just ignore all the Equalist fliers--those people who just stand in the streets and talk it up? When your dad asked me...I had a feeling there was a whole lot more to it, so I said yes. [She swallows uncomfortably.] There's a lot more people involved than I thought. And there's Amon... I know I don't stand a chance doing anything on my own.
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Until her old concerns are replaced by totally new ones, that is.] You were gonna try and take them down yourself?
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[Well, no one really needed to rehash what had happened to Lin Beifong and her officers when they tried to confront Hiroshi.]
I guess I didn't really think this through.
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So let's think it through now.
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Then that means...you believe me?
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What do you think we should do, then?
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[Tentatively, Marinette smiles at Asami.] Um, just so you know, I'm going to quit working at the Sato estate, even if you decide to come back. I think I have enough for my own place in the city now.
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...I haven't gotten that far yet.
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You're just going through a lot right now. Anybody would need time to themselves if they were in your shoes.
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Let's take down my dad.
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[Marinette pauses, then stumbles over her own quiet words.]
I wanted to tell you... it was really brave of you to stand up to your dad like that.
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So...what are you planning to do now?
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