Making A Comeback

<You don't need to know.>

*He smashes Hector's face on the ground to knock him out.*
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<I believe that depends. Ms. Aurora is heading back to the Fire Nation tomorrow, & only wants to be disturbed for important events.>

*Euryale offers Ven a hug. As the latter just stares, she eventually turns to Gabe.*
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*The cop turns back to his partners.*

<I don't see anything out of the ordinary over here!>

"I can't speak to it's importance, but I have invited over a group of friends for food and drinks, and was hoping to invite Ms. Aurora as well, should she be interested," Noct said.

Gabe smiled and gave Euryale her hug. She then looked over at Ven, "I'm proud of you Ven, you really came through for the team." She then turned to Tirea, "You too, you were both great! I couldn't ask for a better team."

*Eve sits down, hoping she's down being bother*
---
*Tirea hugs Gabe tightly*

<Neither could I.>

"I'm...just proud to have been on it...with you both."
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<Well, on her behalf, please allow me to extend words of gratitude. If you give me the details, I can pass the message on to her.>
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*In bouts of semi-consciousness, they catch glimpses of being bundled up into steel nets & dragged off somewhere.*

"Simply inform Ms. Aurora that everyone at Talea estate, especially myself, would greatly enjoy her company," Noctis said.

Gabe smiled, "We're all great, and this trophy is proof! Man, what a great way to retire."

Astarte gave Gabe a curious look, "I didn't know you planned on retiring."

"Huh, oh, well yeah," Gabe said, "I'm passed my prime, like, way passed. I've got a bum knee, and I don't want to injure myself further. I only came back because of my financial situation, but with the contract I signed, and the winnings, I should be fine."

"Yeah, that is what you said before, but you won," Mortal pointed out, "You can't be that bad if you're winning."

Gabe then motioned towards Tirea and Ven, "Trust me, they'll be better as a team if they replace me. I'm just glad I was able to help them win this season."

"Oh, well, I'm really glad you made it out on a positive note."

*A scream escapes Tirea, who falls to her knees*

<You...You can't leave us! I won't let you.>

Gabe is obviously a bit startled be the reaction, "No one is leaving you, Tirea. I just won't be on the team. C'mon, stand up, this isn't bad news, or news actually. I always intended for this to be my last season."

"Well, Astarte has a point, you couldn't leave on a better note... Well, minus the cheating by the other team... or, well..." Mortal drifts off, and doesn't finish her sentence, not wanting to kill the mood further.

*Tirea shakes her head, wiping tears from her eyes*

<But we work well with you...we can't find another new person.>

*Ven looks at her feet.*

V"I...don't want to replace you...."
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*Hector, Eduj, & Stefan wake up in a cage in some basement. The floor, as it happens, is a hard plastic.*

Gabe frowned, "I'm telling you guys. It isn't that big a deal. We're still going to be friends, and I'll come to all the games. I just... I don't feel like I'm in tip top shape anymore. That last game did a number on me, and I've been playing for years. I just want to take it easy now."

Mortal shrugged, "Maybe you can coach or something."

"I... I guess that wouldn't be too bad," Gabe said, "But I don't know if I Noct would let that swing."

*That does nothing to calm the crying Tirea*

OOC: I can't believe you actually made me do this.

<Of course. Have a nice night, Ms. Talea.>

V"It won't be the same. Please excuse me."

*Ven heads off to find a stiff drink. Euryale puts a hand on Gabe's shoulder & kind of steers her over to the corner.*

E"(Please try to understand, the 3 of you have grown very close as a team. If Mortal quit the Force, I would still have her to come home to, but at work, I would be all alone. Even if I had a new partner, it just wouldn't replace her.)"

*Tirea follows Ven, still crying*

Astarte, masking her surprise and mild confusion behind an awkward smile, looked around for someone to talk to.

Stefan called out.

OOC: In my defense, I was going to find the post for you in a show of meeting you halfway, but then I went out with my brother. Also in my defense, I'll be returning to FL soon, so I wont be distracted by family anymore.

Mortal looked at Astarte, giving her a wave, "So... how bout' them Pro-bending finals..."

Gabe nodded and said in a quiet, though aggravated voice, "I know, but the difference here is that Mortal has a preexisting injury, and was beaten to hell the last time she worked a beat. Not sure if you noticed, but that wasn't a cakewalk during that final, and they're going to be back next year, and the year after. I barely made it this year, I won't next year, and while it might be all warm and fuzzy to say 'yeah, sure, I'll return', I like having two legs I can put full weight on." Gabe ran a shaking hand through her hair, "I'm sorry, just... seeing them walk away like that hurt... A lot. Is it too much to ask that my friends look out for my best interests. Would you want Mortal with you so bad you'll put her in danger?"

Noct walks in to see the incredibly tense mood, "And here I thought, Keter was going to be the one to drain the life from the party... What happened?"

OOC: Instead you'll be distracted by shitty designing software.

E"(I think I would be conflicted, & upset that I can't just smile & move on.)"

*Roatha moves to say something, but then Mortal cut him off. He droops a bit, then reluctantly turns to Noctis.*

R"Gabe announced that she's retiring. Tirea & Ven didn't like the news."
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*A Metalbending Cop approaches, clad in a dark robe with long sleeves.*

<Ah, you've awakened.>

OOC: I don't go back to SF for a while, so no, FL is my actual free, by myself time.

Gabe just sighed, "Listen, I don't know what they want from me. I mean, it wasn't a secret. This was always going to be my last season. Saying get over it sounds mean, but at some point they have to realize I'm not willing to put my wellbeing on the line for a sport."

Noct let out a sigh, "Well, that is just wonderful. I thought it would be pretty apparent when Gabe only signed a contract for this season."

"Yeah, didn't stop Tirea from running out of the room crying," Mortal said.

"That seems hardly appropriate... considering some of the hardships already endured," Noct replied.

To Mortal's inane comment, Astarte could only manage a 'yeah'. She gave Noct a measured look.

"Yeah, and who are you?" Stefan demanded.

*He laughs & shakes his head.*

<Why are you so fixated on meaningless questions you won't get the answers to?>
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E"I guess they never really thought about it."

*There is a knock at the door. Meanwhile, Tirea & Ven are off doing shots somewhere.*

"Do you think I should go talk to them?" Gabe asked, "I don't want them to be mad at me. This was supposed to be a happy day."

Noct returned Astarte's look, and raised a hand, "I didn't mean any off-- Excuse me, I have to go answer this." Noct goes to get the door, like a good hostess.

Astarte was left, again, with nothing to do but stand and force a polite smile.

"If you don't remember correctly, my friend here was knocked out without so much as a 'hello'," Hector said, rather more calmly than Stefan. "I know you won't tell us who you are, but would it be a stretch to ask why exactly we're in a cage, and not feeding the fishes?"

<Because we haven't decided what to do with you yet.>
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*Aamon grabs Noctis by the throat. He spins her around, pressing her to his chest, & then holds one of the Purist firearms to her temple with his other hand.*

Aamon<And a happy day it will be! For me. Tell them where you hide your personal money, & then to get it all for me.>