Game-Changers & Grudge Matches

*Monu nods*

<Of course!>

*Monu closes the blinds, then starts stacking chairs*

"Senthose drugged her, and cut her shoulder. She'll probably be just fine. I plan to visit her tomorrow."

*He looks up when Sidon starts talking to him.*

"I'm kind of trying to keep it from getting out. I told Astarte, she can fill you in later."

Sidon narrowed his eyes and leaned in close, "I would appreciate you telling me yourself, boy. Are you involved with a gang? I don't want any more trouble tonight."
"No, Dad," Astarte shook her head. "It's not like that, calm down."

*Monu finishes stacking chairs and goes to stand by Sidon*

<Well, whatever happened, stay safe man.>

Mortal nodded, and smiled, "Yeah, I'll be sure to once I start feeling tired."

"...What do you mean 'more' trouble?"
=================================
*Euryale reaches over & turns on the radio beside her bed, tuning past a few stations.*

{<Pro Bending>--static--<election polls>--static--<music selection>--static--<Monsoons. As there is still another day where the devious duo can Bloodbend, no one will be contacting them until Friday, although Senthose has already announced plans to represent himself. Police say they have enough evidence to proceed, and plan to go forward with the trial a week after the solitary confinement is up. Some have protested that the Force is pushing this case too fast, if you want this reporter's opinion, it is moving exactly at the speed of drama. In less current news-->}

*She turns it off & lays back down.*

"Well, good. In a week, this will all be over. My shoulder will be healed, Senthose will embarrass himself in the courtroom, and he and Voland will go to jail for life. Nothing could possibly go wrong."

*Monu looks from Sidon to Roatha, very curious*

Mortal frowned, "I bet he is going to say that all the officers were high, and that our testimony is worthless."

"A relative turned up without calling first," Sidon answered, sounding irritated. "Now, please answer my question."
"Father, he isn't in a gang," Astarte said quickly, then hesitated and looked at Roatha as if prompting him to continue for her. "He's my friend and a friend of the police."

"Who cares what he says? His rap sheet is almost as long as Yakone's was, and he never bothered to hide his crimes because he didn't think that we could ever catch him. There's no way he's getting out of this."
===================================
"...Did you just imply that you're related to gang members?"

"Er, no," Sidon reddened and straightened up. "If you don't answer my question, you'll have to leave."
"Dad!" Astarte seemed exasperated, then leaned over to whisper in Roatha's ear. "He will understand that you don't want anybody to know, he hates the Triads, and he's not as bad as this usually..."

*Monu confusedly looks on*

There were those men earlier...

"Yeah," Mortal said, smiling again, "I'm just a bit nervous, or anxious maybe..."

"It'll be fine. Whatever he says, we've heard worse. Besides, you can straighten things up when you're on the air. You know, with Keter."
===================================
*Roatha does not listen, & instead stands up.*

"Fine, I'll go! I'm not even hurt, see?"

*He smacks his chest with his fist & grabs a chair to keep from doubling over.*

"See? Didn't! Feel! A! Thing!"

*With that, he strides out of the room. He re-enters the door a second later & looks at Astarte, without changing his tone.*

"Oh, I forgot to give you directions to the hospital. That's all right. I'll just swing by tomorrow, & you can tag along if you want. Okay. I think that's everything. Thanks. Good night."

*He leaves again, only to come back in a second later.*

"Forgot my jacket."

*Taking it, he leaves &, this time, does not come back.*

*Monu looks worried*

<Think he'll be alright?>

"Oh yeah," Mortal said with a sigh, "I really don't think I should. I mean, I'm not going to be good on TV. I'll be all stiff and I'm not some pretty actress."

"You're adorable. You can't compare yourself to actresses on film, they have personal make-up artists, and stuff. Which I'm sure Keter would let you use. Besides, the Chief appears on TV from time to time, and she does fine. Not that I'm saying the chief's ugly. Not that I'm saying I'm attracted to...listen, the point is, you don't have to be an actress. You just have to be Mortal. Or maybe Mortal the Firebreathing Cop. You know, ratings and all. Like I said before, I think you're really lucky to have this chance."

"You think I'm adorable?" Mortal asked after a second.

"Well, that's not all I said, but...yes...is that a problem?"

Mortal flushed red, and grinned stupidly, "No, of course not. It makes me really happy, actually." Mortal began to hold Euryale's hand a bit tighter, "I think you're really pretty too. Er, not 'too'... You only said 'adorable', I shouldn't assume, but, well, you know what I mean."

"Don't the words mean the same thing?"

*She looks down at her hand again.*

"Well, adorable can be a lot of things, I guess. Like, a cat or dog. You're really pretty though, in a way only you can be," Mortal said before she flushed red again, as she let go when Euryale looked down, "I'm sorry. I'm being awkward. You need rest, maybe I should go after all."

"I told you you should, but not on my account. You are not bothering me, in fact, I appreciate all of the compliments you've given me."

Mortal stood up, "You want me to go, so I'll just go." She then began heading for the door.

"O-okay...have a good night! I look forward to seeing you in the morning! ...(Please don't be mad at me.)"