Game-Changers & Grudge Matches

Gabe totally didn't forget Tirea had existed and had three other fireballs set up just for her, which I assume she pegged out of the sky in a puff of steam.

*Tirea excitedly jumps up and down*

<We are SO going to win tonight!>

*Ven furrows her brow & punches a few discs at the fireballs. All miss their mark by anywhere from 1-4 feet.*
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*If anyone is inside, they're ignoring Mortal.*
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<I'd heard only Benders care about that sky stuff.>
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"Uhh...well...fine. I guess. What about you?"
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<This is true. You have no additional insight as to how the bombing occurred?>

"You're doing great, but I need you to try just a little harder, Ven," Gabe said smiling a bit at Tirea's enthusiasm, "The other team isn't going to be standing still. You have to hit moving targets."

--

Mortal circles the premise trying to see if she can find a window or something to see what was going on inside before she breaks down the front door and starts lighting bad guys on fire.

<I'd say that's untrue. The sky holds many wonders for benders and nonbenders alike.>
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<Yeah. Come on Ven, you can do it!>

*Tirea does an encouragement dance for Ven*

*Ven's next shot misses the net entirely & smashes against the opposite wall. A high-pitched male chuckle can be heard behind them. The [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] and some [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] can be seen leaning on the doorway. Tahno, the Team Captain, steps forward, giving an exaggerated bow.*

Tahno<Oh, sorry, sorry...I just think that losers are funny.>

*He stands up straight & smirks back at his team & groupies, who all laugh at his...wit.*
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<And I say the only "wonder" that Benders deserve is "wondering" at how much my blades hurt in their stomachs.>
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*All of the windows facing into what can be presumed is the living room have basically the same view. Towards the back of the home, she can see a dark room with a simple cot bed & an oil lamp. When she reappears on the other side, the trio of catfish gators in the enclosure swim towards her to hiss/growl at her again.*

*Tirea turns around, curiously looking at the new arrivals*

<Could you be anymore of a walking stereotype? You're an asshole, you have a bunch of girls fawning over you, and now you're in here trying to piss us off.>
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*Eve raises an eyebrow*

Purist.

<People should not be judged by something they cannot control. Neither should they be prevented from doing something if they have the means.>

"Alright, I guess," Astarte shrugged a little. "Working at the cafe is kind of tiresome, especially when a customer has a cold or something and I think they might get me sick. How's your work?"

"I wish I did, but no," Hector shook his head. "Some Purists had come around earlier and fired a bunch of arrows through the windows, so I feel pretty sure it was them."

"And it won't work," Gabe said, putting a hand on Tirea's shoulder and turning her away from Tahno. Gabe had previously gotten into a fight with a Pro-Bender during the season, and didn't want anything like that to happen again. "We're undefeated this season, so lets just stick to the facts."

She then looks back at Tahno, "Anyway, is there something I can help you with, Tahno?"

--

Mortal knocked again, "RCPD, open up."

*Tirea lets herself be turned away, but crosses her arms*

<Why are they always assholes?>

Gabe leaned close to Tirea and whispered into her ear, "Don't let it bother you. And if you do, just put them into the water when it is game time. If they rile you up here you're either not going to focus on the game, or you'll try to drown them and never even make it to the field in the first place." She put a hand on Tirea's shoulder, "So don't worry about it. They're just a bunch of jokes." Gabe then leaned away from Tirea and awaited what she was sure to be a clever response from Tahno.

<(I know, I know. I won't let him distract me!)>

Gabe smiled and put her hand in the air to give Tirea a high five, "Good."

*Tirea high fives her with a big smile on her face*

Fuck yea, high five.

Tahno<Yeah, I was just wondering, what did you have to do to get them to let a non-bender play?>

*He points at Ven, & there's another uproar of laughing as she tries to hide behind Tirea & Gabe.*
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*A hand can be seen moving in front of the candle, extinguishing it, but other than that, Mortal is once again ignored.*
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<I see. Well, I'm afraid that, with the evidence we have now, we're not going to be able to build a case one way or another. Which, I'm sure you've already been told, means that you won't be able to collect the insurance.>

*Meanwhile, a police truck parks nearby, engine still running.*
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"You know...I guess it's been going pretty good. I got a promotion since I can now make lightning. Now I just need to find a way to increase my output."
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<You know...you're absolutely right...why did I never see it before?!>

*She spreads her arms, catching her falling machetes in her hands, before crossing them in front of her eyes.*

<We have the means to take over this city & destroy all of its Benders, so we won't be prevented from doing it!>

*Tirea pats Ven on the shoulder*

<Don't worry, he's just upset 'cause he has no real friends and is totally insecure and stuff.>
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<I'm confused here. You are talking about murdering many innocents because of something that they have no control over. Why?>

*Eve looks very confused*

<And excellent job twisting my words.>

Gabe laughed at Tirea's comment, then held up her pinky and wiggled it a bit, "Yeah, totally insecure. Probably for good reason, too." She then looked back at Ven and put a hand on her shoulder, "Pay him no mind, Ven. You're going to do great."

--

Mortal tries the door, if it isn't open she gives it a sturdy kick directed next to the lock. Regardless of how the door opens Mortal says, "Knock knock, anyone home?"

*Vanessa answers by charging at Eve, swinging the machetes back in an x-shaped cut.*
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*She did, in fact, have to kick it open. She can't see anything, due to the lack of light, but she does become aware of the fact that something has wrapped around each of her ankles.*
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*The girl with the dark bob steps forward.*

<Oh yeah? Well, we know why you're insecure! You can't get a man like Tahno, so you try to be as good as him, and still fail!>

*Tahno raises a hand.*

Tahno<Ladies, ladies, please...I guess I did insult them because I felt bad.>

*He turns & starts walking away, putting an arm around that chick, & leading her out, but looks one last time over his shoulder.*

Tahno<I feel bad 'cause the Mongoose Lizards are gonna wipe the floor with you, & you'll never even get to face us. So, sorry 'bout that.>

*The others start laughing & turn to leave as well.*

*Eve answers that by turning and running back towards a more populated area*

Using fire bending may only get me in more trouble.
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*Tirea looks confused*

<How is that a "good" man?>

"Why did she think I wanted a man at all?" Gabe asked with a shrug.

--

Mortal creates a ball of flame to light up the room, and looks down.

*Tirea looks up at Gabe with a slightly confused and questioning look*

*Ven stares blankly at Gabe.*

"...I think that the match is about to begin."
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*In the flickering orange glow, she sees a pair of vines wrapped around her ankles, running off of the deck & down to the swamp. They are clearly being bent by a trio of [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], their arms held low to their sides at rigid right angles. They jerk their hands up to their left shoulders, & correspondingly, the vines pull Mortal so that she falls forward & start dragging her back to the swamp.*
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*Eve's back is sliced, & Vanessa literally kicks her in the ass, sending her sprawling. She pulls out a bola & throws one end, aiming it for Eve's neck.*

*Eve rolls, then stumbles to her feet and continues fleeing*
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*Tirea looks at the time*

<We better get out there!>

"I guess practice is the only way to do that," Astarte said. "How long have you been working there for?"

"Nonsense," Hector shook his head and scowled. "You can rule me out right now, I was elsewhere, being ass-kicked by a Monsoon. He can verify, he's a witness!"
Hector pointed at Eduj, who nodded, "I was also attacked by the Monsoon. It was after closing hours, and we were going to get a drink."
Stefan watched the scene, feeling just a little satisfied by Hector's loss.