Making A Comeback

*Tirea nods and heads out*

Gabe follows along.

--

Noct put a hand over her mouth, but you could see the smile at Mortal's expense in her eyes.

"Oh, right... that makes sense..." Mortal felt dumb.

*The team is directed to Noct's visitor box & arrives while Roatha is still trying to avoid eye contact with Mortal, & Euryale is patting her on the shoulder. They look over.*

E"Hey, congratulations on the big win. Especially my Star Pupil."

V"I'm your only pupil."

E"Well...yeah."

Mortal feels even dumber now that someone is pitying her.

"Quality over quantity," Noct said.

Dalia and her father returned to their car and drove home.

<Yeah, Ven's amazing.>

*Tirea grins at her*

*Ven stares at her feet.*

E"You all did great. I'd say we should do something to celebrate, but we've got an early start tomorrow."

R"Some time after the finals, then?"

<After the final sounds good.>

"Yea, sure," Gabe said with a smile, "Oh, we're still going to be doing that thing with Keter tomorrow, right?"

"Oh, yea, I suppose so," Mortal said.

"What thing with Keter?" Noct asked.

Gabe looked over, "Oh, she wanted the team, and Mortal and Euryale to help her with something. Is that okay with you... You're the owner of the team and all."

"Of course it is," Noct said, "I'd be happy to come along and help as well, if she wants."

"I wouldn't know... Maybe you can ask her yourself," Gabe did the little card trick thingy, but Noct put up a hand.

"I already have her number," She said with a smirk.

~The Next Day~

*Noctis receives a call. When she answers it, she hears Senthose on the other end.*

<You'll never guess who I ran into last night.>
==================================
*Thiera finishes a healing session with Eve.*

"That should just about do it. I think you should be okay to leave, now."
==================================
*Gabe hears a knock on her door.*
==================================
*Euryale springs out of bed the instant her alarm goes off. She doesn't turn it off, though, because it will likely be difficult to drag Mortal out. She starts rummaging through her dresser for clothes.*
==================================
*Dalia has to go into Future Industries.*

Astarte woke up, still on the couch, and looked around the room. At first she didn't remember talking with all of the others the previous day, but as she had a desperately needed drink and sandwich it came back to her. She decided that she should call Roatha and looked for his number, not remembering if she actually had it or not.

Dalia dressed and packed her lunch for work, and set off.

Hector and Eduj went out to buy some more stuff at the grocery store which Stefan had gone to. They left him asleep in his home.

"A whore?" Noct asked.

--

Gabe checks the peep hole to see who is out there.

--

Mortal groans and ducks her head under her pillow.

*She does not, but she does have a phone book. After presumably using it to look up his number, he answers, sounding groggy.*

"Hello?"
====================================
*Tarrlok. He smiles.*
====================================
*Euryale lays out her good dress on the bed.*

"Come on, rise & shine, Sleepyhead. I'll make you whatever you want for breakfast."
====================================
*This conversation occurs off-screen, for reasons previously mentioned. When Senthose hangs up, Ven taps Noctis on the shoulder.*
====================================
*When she sits down, the dude next to her asks her if she's going to the game tonight.*
====================================
*The cashier at the store asks the same question.*

"Um, hello," Astarte said. "It's Astarte. Sorry. Did I wake you up? I can call back."

"Yeah, yourself?" Dalia replied.

"Nah, yourself?" Hector replied.

"I want sleep for breakfast..." Mortal said.

--

Noct chuckles a bit to herself at her initial answer, then turns to Ven, "Oh, hello. Is something wrong?"

--

Gabe is shocked, "Uh, um, I'm coming, gimme a sec." Gabe brushed her hair with her fingers, and put on something that was better than just an old teeshirt, and panties. Now wearing pants, and an actual shirt, Gabe opened the door, "Um, hello. How can I help you?"

*Eve nods and tries to stand up, seeing if it still hurts*

<Thank you.>
---
*Tirea is sitting on her bed, bored*

*She is still slightly sore.*

"Would it be cliche if I said that I'm just doing my job?"
================================
"Nothing, I was just wondering if you'd talked to Keter yet."
================================
*Tarrlok holds out his hand.*

Tarrlok<Good morning, Gabe. I just came by to talk to you regarding your plans for a press conference.>
================================
"That doesn't count. Come on, up. Don't make me find out if you're ticklish."
================================
<What? How could you miss the finals?>
================================
<Of course! Wouldn't miss the finals for the world.>
================================
"N-no, it's fine!"

*He hardly suppresses a yawn.*

*A small smile crosses Eve's face*

<Only a little. Is there anything more I have to do here?>

"Well, um, I was just wondering about the finals tonight... they're in right?" Astarte asked, realizing as she spoke that Gabe's team might not have won.

"I'm afraid I'm not the biggest fan to begin with, and I have other plans," Hector said with a smile. "Besides, it's a little scary travelling through the city at night, wouldn't you say? Those Purists have gotten unbelievable."

"Indeed, I quite like the Dancing Dragons," Dalia said, figuring it wouldn't hurt to make some small talk. "Who are you supporting?"

"I was just about to call her," Noct said, "Good morning, by the way."

--

"Sadist..." Mortal said, rolling out of bed.

--

"How... uh, do you know about my plans to have a press conference?" Gabe asked, taking his hand and shaking it.

"No, I don't believe so."
=====================================
Tarrlok<Tirea didn't tell you that we arranged a meeting, but have yet to set a time?>
=====================================
"Why, yes. Yes I am."
=====================================
"Good morning. Well, in that case, I won't keep you."

*She starts to walk down the stairs, then turns back.*

"Oh, I almost forgot. What do you want for breakfast?"
======================================
<They were pretty bad for a while now, but I haven't heard anything about them in a few days.>
======================================
<I was rooting for the Zebra Frogs. Now I just want to see the Dragons knock Tahno's stupid hair off his stupid head.>
======================================
"Huh? Oh, uh, yeah. They beat the Boar-Q-Pines in a first round knock-out. It was amazing."

<I see, are my belongings around here somewhere?>
---
*Tirea tosses a ball against her bed room wall*

"I'm sure I'll enjoy whatever you decide to make," Noct said, beginning to dial Keter's number, and putting the phone to her ear.

--

"Huh... Oh! Oooooh..." Gabe felt horrible, "Right, I had forgot. As you were meeting with Tirea, I was actually having a chance encounter with Keter, who I promised my time to today. I suppose it wouldn't be so bad for you to come too. It can be a whole big thing."

--

"Kinky," Mortal said, walking over to give Euryale a good morning kiss, and probably an ass grab too, because why not.

"Ah, but they were responsible for those bombings recently, right? Makes sense for them to lie low a bit after such a big stunt," Hector said. "Were they very active around this area specifically?"

"Indeed," Dalia nodded. "And I'm certain they will."

"That's great... I'll be sure to be there, then... I couldn't miss their big match," Astarte said. "Also... sorry about yesterday. I'm kind of groggy so my recent memories are a bit blurry, but I wasn't very nice to you I think."

"I don't remember you being rude in any way. Would you like me to get us tickets?"
=================================
<That's true, and not really.>
=================================
*It being a fairly sexually charged atmosphere, she returns the favor, sliding her hands most of the way up the sides of Mortal's torso before stepping back.*

"C'mon, we've gotta get ready."
==================================
*Tarrlok grins, exposing his teeth.*

<Yes, that sounds lovely, thank you.>
==================================
*Confused, Ven heads down to the kitchen. The assistant asks who is calling.*
==================================
<You know, I hear they're doing a thing today, with Keter.>
==================================
"What belongings?"