Triads, Try-Outs, & Tours

Marcus: "Thank you for your help."


Syn: "So what's our path this morning?"

Instructor<Durn right I do.>
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Aamon<Yes, yes, now vacate my office, I have work to do.>

*Aamon walks out of the office, grumbling to himself.*

Aamon<Stupid kids, always expecting me to have a time machine, or a perpetual energy device.>
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*While she's busy with groceries, a masked person in black clothes unexpectedly dashes out of an alley, swinging a machete at her.*
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<Are you saying that you doubt the effectiveness of her stance on the Triads? Or that this was just a publicity stunt?>

Eve:<No, but there are more things to consider then just that. Like if she plans on cutting the research budget.>
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Monu:<Well, better go break the news.>

Marcus: "That...wasn't what I expected. Is this usually the results we get from him?"

Reporter<Research into what, may I ask?>
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Ivan<I am told he usually has a few inventions, but always seems to complain that they can't be mass-produced. It was the same with Shirshu Venom Vapor. In any case, we might as well deliver these plans to the Leader.>
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Instructor<Everyone, gather 'round. I have some bad news. The school will be closing down, starting tomorrow.>

*He waves down all of the complaints.*

Instructor<I just can't compete with the other businesses.>

*The oldest steps forward.*

<Would some of those "businesses" be the Triads?>

Dalia cast her bag of groceries forwards towards the attacker and jumped backwards at the same time, "Identify yourself."

Eve:<Various fields of science. Among other things, I calculate the occurrence of various astronomical events.>
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*Monu remains quite*

[They're not far off.]

<So how do you feel about Aamon's research? He claims to have found a cure for all mental illness, but his critics say the procedure could rob patients of their higher brain functions.>
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*She cuts into the bag of groceries, no doubt spilling half of its contents onto the ground. She then crosses her blades in front of her.*

<You don't know me? That's fine. I know you. I bet you think the cops can't touch you, & that makes you safe. But that just puts you at our mercy.>
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Instructor<I'm not gonna lie to ya, boy...no.>

Eve:<Define what is considered an mental illness in this case, and while I highly doubt there is one "cure" for all mental illnesses, I would like to see some more tests before I make up my mind.>
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Monu:<Speaking of that, I know I've said this before, but I don't want to see any of you in the triads. it's not worth it. Not at all.>

Mid-way through her attacker's reply, Dalia took a combat-stance, thrust a balled fist forward and launched a ball of flame towards her. She thrust her other hand towards the ground before her, pouring fire onto the space between her and her attacker's feet.

*Vanessa blocks the fireball with her crossed swords, then steps back to avoid the flames. She flings an arm towards Dalia, sending a quartet of throwing stars at her.*
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Reporter<So, to clarify, you do or do not believe his claim?>
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<I thought you said that Earthbenders weren't supposed to back down from challenges.>

Instructor<That doesn't mean ignoring the fact that you can't pay bills until your heat and water get shut off, and then you're arrested.>

Dalia un-balled her fist and flicked her wrist, releasing an arc of flame to intercept the projectiles. With her other hand she made a fist and fired three quick punches in her attacker's direction, releasing a trio of fireballs at her.

Eve:<I'm skeptical. I will wait until more tests are performed to decide.>
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Monu:<Sometimes, you just have to back down.>

*One of the younger kids speaks up.*

<Well, then, maybe we should go home now.>
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<Hmm...one more thing, could we get a picture of you for the paper?>
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*The shuriken fall to the ground & Vanessa is forced to dodge, putting her into an awkward, off-balance position. Just then, a shadow passes overhead.*

Airship speaker<Cease fighting immediately! Wait where you are, with your hands up, and your weapons dropped!>

The thought of pressing the attack and finishing her would-be killer sorely tempted Dalia, but instead she took a few running-steps backwards and raised her hands in the air, palms facing outwards. Her eyes never left Vanessa.

Eve:<Sure, why not.>

*Eve stops walking*
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*Monu shrugs, then looks at the instructor*

Marcus: "Agreed. Hope she doesn't have the same feelings I do with our meeting."

*Vanessa holds her hands up, but only long enough to drop her machetes into her sleeves. As cables fly out of the airship & anchor themselves onto the nearby rooftops, she turns & runs down the alley she came out of. One Metalbender skids on his feet down the cable & thrusts his palms outwards, causing a section of the road to flip upwards, forming a wall to bar her path. Vanessa scrambles over this, jumps to a fire escape, & dives through a window, breaking it in the process. As the Metalbender alights on the rooftop, more are coming down the various cables.*
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Instructor<I guess you may's well. Take them to the nearest phone booth to call their parents.>
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*The reporter holds up the camera & walks in front of her.*
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*Once they are back at the base, Ivan wordlessly hands the journal to the Leader, who begins flipping through it. A smile plays on her face the deeper she gets into it.*

<It seems the good doctor wants us to field test his inventions. Fine by me. Ivan, I want you to get started on building a portable, rocket-propelled arrow. I'll worry about the rest.>

*Eve stares directly at the camera, and kinda half smiles*
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Monu:<Ok. Everyone, come with me!>

*Monu points in the direction of the nearest phone booth then starts walking in that direction*

Marcus: "Anything I can do?"

Dalia remained standing with her hands in the air, and altered her expression slightly to appear more calm and agreeable.

*After taking a picture, the reporter immediately takes another, then steps to the side.*

<And let's get a profile shot of you looking contemplative.>
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*A few of the Metalbenders give chase to Vanessa, using their retractable cables to bridge the buildings. The rest begin using their Earthbending to climb down the walls of the buildings.*
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*Once the word gets out, cars begin coming to take the kids back home. One Water Tribe woman in a blue dress turns to the instructor and Monu.*

<None of the other families have been able to get ahold of you, so they wanted me to pass a message on: There won't be anyone else coming in today.>
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Leader<Vanessa's on patrol, chasing Triads out of our territory. Why don't you go see if she needs help?>

Dalia continued to stand perfectly still and calm in the street, though she desperately wanted to collect her groceries from the ground.

*Marcus nods his head.*

Marcus: "Any idea where she might be now?"

Eve:<Alright.>

*Eve continues to stare at the camera, but lets her mind drift away*
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Monu:<Alright. Thank you very much for passing on the message!>