Game-Changers & Grudge Matches

*Monu smiles, waves, then heads for the door*

<Thank you, Mr. Sidon!>

*Monu exits the cafe, and heads home*

"I'll just take a glass of water, and a grilled chicken sandwich," Gabe said.

--

Mortal smiled, "This is perfect."

*Euryale smiles & takes another bite.*
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*The radio song [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] as they begin to eat. Not too long afterwards, a pair of Metalbending Police enter the tea shop, one male officer, one female.*

Female<Are you the ones who called about an incident in the park? An alleged spirit?>
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Partner<None of that stuff really has anything to do with enforcing the law.>

Officer<I'm sorry, but if your friend is Bending under the influence, I'm afraid we're going to have to detain him.>
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*Monudon arrives home without incident.*

Astarte looked up and nodded.

"But sir, we have him under control," Hector and Eduj brought Stefan out of the alley, still firmly grasping his arms and keeping him restrained. He stared at his feet. "I just... don't think that being arrested after a day like this will help him. We were going to stay with him and make sure he didn't do anything stupid. All he needs is a night's rest. You could follow us back to his place if you like, we aren't going anywhere else."
"I'm sorry," Stefan looked up and spoke with a slight slur. "When these guys caught up I didn't know who they were right away, they coulda' been some of those uh, Pure-ist guys... I got a fright..."

*Tirea nods*

<That's us!>
---
*Monu goes to bed*
---
*Eve continues to work*

Since two people already answered Gabe didn't see the need to, and waited to see what else they wanted.

--

Mortal had forgotten her food entirely in the heat of the moment, and even as she went back to it she couldn't stop thinking about the kiss.

Female<How did you know this was a spirit? What was it like? What did it do?>
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*Some time later, they finish their meals.*

"Do you want to get something else to eat, or do you want to head out to the observation deck?"
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Officer<The law is the law. You can tell your story down at the station.>

*He swings an arm out, causing a cable to extend for one of Stefan's arms.*

"It produced a fog that two skilled water benders could do nothing about, and was able to... I suppose teleport is the correct word," Gabe said.

--

"Lets go to the observation deck," Mortal answered.

<Yeah, I used a bunch of ice needles on it, and it didn't do anything. Same with plants.>

*Tirea beams at being called skilled by Gabe*

"We didn't exactly provoke it, either," Astarte said quietly, not nearly as upbeat as Tirea. "And there was a boy's voice crying for help. We didn't see him, though..."

"Well, do you want us to go with him? Maybe just one of us?" Hector asked.

*The man looks at the woman.*

Man<Could be the missing child? Being taken to the Spirit World would explain why we haven't found a body.>

Woman<It's also wishful thinking. Let's not get our hopes up just because we want a happy ending. What about other Bending Arts?>

"Gabe & I are Firebenders. I didn't really clearly see what she was doing, but my fire wasn't really doing anything. So I tried lightning, but its wound closed almost instantly."
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Officer<You can follow in another car, or a taxi, if you so choose.>

*He tugs Stefan closer, turning him around and wrapping the metal cords around his list.*
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"Alright."

*Euryale begins putting Yuans on the table.*

<It was crying for help.>

*Tirea stares down at the table*

"We didn't want to get lost in the fog, and the thing was hostile," Gabe said, "It wasn't smart to go after whatever was calling for us. Anyway, Roatha is right. My bending did nothing."

--

Mortal does as well, "Wait... how much is tip?"

Astarte sat quietly.

"Well, I'll probably come around so I can bring him home whenever you're done with him," Hector said, looking up and down the street. "I'll get a taxi or something. Eduj, can you go ahead?"
Eduj nodded, then looked at Stefan, "You have the keys?"
Stefan nodded back and mumbled, "Right pocket."

"I usually leave 20%. It's funny, not a lot of people leave tips."
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Male<Well, we've got another team investigating the scene, but it would help greatly if you had any evidence.>
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<<Hmn.>>

*The partner coaxes Stefan into the back of their squad car.*

<I don't think we have anything solid. Sorry.>

*Tirea shrugs and frowns*

Gabe shook her head, "Nothing that I can think of. Oh, I don't think we ever told you what it looked like. It was kind of like a really tall man, but with no face, and this giant mouth of uneven, and sharp teeth. It also kind of looked to be wearing a, um, suit, kind of."

--

Mortal throws down a few more bucks, "Yea, I know. Anyway, ready to go?"

"I think it had tentacles... maybe..." Astarte added. "Or just a lot of arms."

Stefan clambered into the police vehicle, Hector went looking for a taxi, and Eduj began walking to Stefan's apartment.

Man<...Why would a spirit be wearing a suit?>
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"Yes."

*And so Mortale emerges on the balcony, near where Eve is.*
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*Before too long, they end up at the police station. The officers escort Stefan to a holding cell.*

<Because he has to wear something. Or go nude.>
---
It is those two from yesterday. I'm glad they are alright.

*A small smile crosses Eve' s face*

"Why did it teleport, and have multiple arms?" Gabe countered stifling a chuckle to Tirea's simplistic answer, "A lot of tonight was very surreal. I can't really explain it, but things just happened and it happened too fast to really question why."

--

Mortal is too struck by the view, and Euryale in front of it to worry about who else is joining them out there, though she does notice another female. "Wow, it is beautiful out here," Mortal said.

Astarte had nothing to add.

"So, erm, how long should I be here...?" Stefan asked.

I assume Hector found his way to the station and was waiting on a bench.

<Until you sober up. Then we'll talk about your fine.>
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*Everyone ignores Hector.*
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Female<Well, if there's anything else you can tell us, don't hesitate to call.>

*They start to head out of the restaurant.*
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*Euryale looks over at Mortal, then out over the city.*

"Yes, it is. Hey, it looks like they cleaned up that gazebo."

*She points in the direction of the park. It's difficult to see, because there aren't too many lights, but because it's a perfectly clear night, they can see that the burnt wreckage has been cleared away.*

Gabe waits for food.

--

"Oh, that's nice," Mortal said, "The gazebo didn't deserve to be treated like that."

Astarte waited as well.

"Oh..." Stefan rested his forehand in his right hand. "Okay... Sh-should I let you know if I think I'm 'right?"