Making A Comeback

Astarte hurried over to move the chair and open the door.

Hector turned and grinned at the audience, and Stefan spoke to their lawyer, "So, what happens now? Can we just get outta' here?"

"Hello," Gabe said, "Would Mortal and Euryale happen to be her--" Gabe saw them over the top of Astarte's head, "Oh they are."

Mortal raised her eyebrows, "Uh, was there something you wanted?"

Defense<Yes, you are free to go.>

*At this moment, a Metalbending Officer enters from the back, spots them, & approaches.*

Officer<I've been bid to inform you that there was a death in your family. A man named Sidon was inadvertently shot & killed by a suspect we believe to have been the Purist Leader.>
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V"They agreed to press conferences with Tarrlok and Keter."

E"And they both want us there?"

*Ven shrugs, to indicate that she doesn't know.*

"From what I understand, only Keter does," Gabe said, "I'm sorry, but she seemed like she would really appreciate the help, so I agreed."

Mortal let out a small sigh, "What do you think, Euryale?"

Astarte, not really involved with this at all, stood aside.

"Oh... thank you for letting me know," Hector said, his grin fading quickly. He turned to the others. "Let's go."
The three of them left the room, and didn't speak until they had left the building.
"Stefan, you can go home and do whatever you want, Eduj, come with me."

*Tirea leans against a wall, and waves at Astarte and friends*

<Tarrok didn't mention you guys.>

E"Oh, well, that's not so bad then."

*She looks at Mortal.*

E"I've been telling you that you should do it. I would pounce on the offer, if it were given to me."

<You should do it Mortal!>

*Tirea smiles*

"Oh, but it was given to you," Gabe said, "She wants the both of you, if I remember correctly."

"Didn't she take a dip in the polls?" Mortal asked, "She probably wants some good PR after the whole tree thing. What better way than cops, and the underdog team in the pro-bend circuit?"

"Jeez, you're so cynical," Gabe said.

Mortal shrugged, "I just feel like she would be using me for her own ends."

"Well, do you want someone else to win the election?" Gabe asked.

"I guess not... When does she want to do this?"

"Uh, I don't know. I guess we should call her."

"You can use my phone if you like."

Hector and Eduj were walking to Astarte's place, but were probably still a way off.

E"Are you sure? I feel really weird using your home phone to make business calls. Especially when we came to visit you."
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*On the bright side, the streets are safer, as evidenced by the fact that no Purists are attacking them. They could owe this to the large number of cop cars that they pass on their way.*

Mortal nodded, "Yea, all of this can wait until later."

"Okay, then."

They pressed on.

<Maybe.>

*Tirea shrugs*

*Hector & Eduj eventually arrive outside of Astarte's place.*

E"I think your family is here. Should we let ourselves out?"

"Uh, um," Astarte hesitated, then heard Hector knock and call out 'Astarte, you there', and nodded. "Yes... please... I should talk with them about... you know."

*Tirea nods and heads towards the door*

E"All right, take care. Come along, Roatha."

*Roatha stands up.*

R"Should we leave out the back?"

"For what reason?" Mortal asked, grabbing the door knob, and twisting it open.

Gabe wondered why Mortal would ask, then not wait for an answer, but didn't say anything.

"No, the front is fine..." Astarte said.
Hector stepped back from the door as he saw some random woman behind it when it opened, then said, "Hello there. Is Astarte in?"

*Euryale hurries over to the door to grab Mortal's arm & bow her head. They might notice that it had stopped raining at some point.*

E"Yes, we were just leaving. Some other time, perhaps."

Hector gave a smile and stepped aside to let them out. Eduj also stood aside.

*Tirea stares at them as she exits*

Mortal just walks down, and stops to wait for Roatha, Gabe, and Tirea to follow. Gabe does after turning to say, "Goodbye," to Astarte.

*The group is now heading back for the apartments.*

E"We'd better call Keter before the game."