Endgame

*He jumps, & kicks an arc of flame at her. Some sparks land on the carpet & glow briefly before vanishing.*
======================
V"Great, thank you."

*Ven gets up & heads down the hall.*
======================
"Possible. When this is all over, I should see if Keter needs help cleansing her home. For now, I think we should go round everyone up."

*She rolls into a sitting position. Out of breath already, instead of getting out of bed, she holds out her arms & starts gathering her armor--sitting in the corner of the room--back onto her body.*
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*She eventually comes to the top of a tall retaining wall, easily 5 stories with a 4 foot guard rail, overlooking the river. Over the buildings, a few blocks away, she can see the suspension bridge leading to the bay area of the city. The distance from the river slopes downward in that direction, & she can also see a ladder that leads down the retaining wall nearby. Of course, the gate to it is locked, but can probably be climbed over easily, if not safely.*

<Oh sorry!>

*Tirea comes to na stop outside Gabe's room*
---
*Eve bends the flames to ether side of her, then sends a fire whip at the man*

"Oh, Tirea," Gabe said, "Good morning. Did you want to talk?"

--

"No thanks necessary," Noct said, "Take care."

--

Mortal, not blessed with crazy ass metal powers, gets dressed the old fashioned way.

*By the time Mortal has finished her slow-ass method of getting dressed, they should be heading out the door. They eventually come up on Astarte, standing in the hallway & gaping at a door.*
=====================
*He falls back with an "oof!"*
=====================
*Ven thanks her again, then disappears behind a turn.*

<My weaselsnake found us! Wanna meet him?>
---
*Eve doesn't leave her defensive stance*

<Who sent you?>

"You have a weaselsnake?" Gabe asked, "Sure, I suppose. Lets go check him out before everyone wakes up, and we have to start getting ready for, uh, whatever..."

--

"Oh, hey Astarte," Mortal said with a wave, "What are you doing?"

"N-nothing," Astarte said, more defensively than she intended. "I'm... going to get breakfast."

Dalia took a good look at the gate and then looked around for people- mostly police- that might see her try to climb it.

<Weren't sent by no one. Not that it's any of your business, but a list came down the grapevine. Kill someone on it, get big Yuans.>

*He starts to rise.*
=====================
E"Whoa. Okay. Roatha, you in there?!"

*She starts banging on his door.*

R"Holy--yes! Is it in the RCPD contract to break down every door you come across, or something?"

*He turns the knob once Euryale stops knocking.*
=======================
*There is no one in the area.*
=======================
*Keter's assistant knocks on Noctis's door.*

<Hello, Ms. Talea? Are you in there?>

<Yeah, I brought one yesterday.>
===
*Eve carefully watches the man*

<Get out of here.>

Astarte started off towards the kitchen, watching her feet.

Dalia climbed over the gate.

"No, but it is encouraged," Mortal said with a smile, "So, what were you talking with Astarte about?"

--

"Yes," Noctis said, opening the door.

--

"Cool," Gabe said, broadening her smile, "What did you name him?"

R"Nothing. I didn't know she was out here."

E"She was just kind of staring at the door."

R"I see. Well, I regret to inform you, but I won't be joining you for breakfast, on account of the fact that I need to set myself on fire now."

E"Oh, come on, it can't be that bad. It's not like you were practicing asking her out, or somethi--oh--really? Well...your door was closed, so maybe she couldn't make out what you were saying."

R"The door is closed because I closed it just a moment ago."

E"You closed the door in her face?"

*Roatha tosses his hands up.*

R"I didn't know she was out here! The door was only cracked because I had to go to the bathroom!"

E"And you forgot to close it again after you got back & started trying to romance Ms. Aurora's pillow?"

R"Stop judging me!"
==========================
*Astarte likely reaches the kitchen before the argument can progress to the point where Roatha starts yelling like he's forgotten that he's trying to keep a secret.*
==========================
*She hands Noctis a manilla envelope sealed with a Fire Nation emblem. The From Address is in Ember Island, & the To Address is addressed to Noctis's house.*

<When Ms. Aurora heard that you would be staying, she insisted on having this re-routed overnight.>
==========================
<Of course. Let me just-->

*He kicks a blast of flame at her. Turning with the momentum, he follows this up with a 2-handed flamethrower.*
===========================
*There is no ledge between the gate & the ladder. Her foot slips on the first rung, due to moisture from the river below.*
===========================
*The weaselsnake decides to sleep, which means rolling up its top half & coiling its tail around Tirea's arm.*

"It is kind of hard," Mortal said, putting a hand over her mouth to hide her wide grin.

--

"Thank you for the delivery," Noctis said, taking the package.

Astarte walked in to the kitchen to see Hector and Eduj still eating, and Monu if he hadn't left. She looked between them and then down to her feet and got a glass of water.

Stefan left his room and started looking for a bathroom.

*Roatha gives Mortal an annoyed look. Euryale shrugs.*

E"Well, just act natural. We'll watch how she acts around you, & go from there."

R"Don't you have more important things to worry about?"

E"I say there are few things more important than love. Besides, it's not like Kane's going anywhere."
============================
*There's a bathroom near where Gabe & Tirea are. The door is open like the last person who used it had a lousy attention span. Keter being Keter, the shower curtain has an elaborate [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] though with more muted colors. The toilet & sink/counter appear to be made out of marble, with the facet gilded. The tiles on the floor also portray a [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]. There is a large window that overlooks a rock garden, but it's all walled in, so it apparently exists for the sole purpose of having the bathroom look out onto a rock garden.*
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<Of course. I believe your friends are waiting for you in the kitchen. Will you be needing anything else?>

<I haven't named him yet. I was hoping everyone could help me.>
===
*Monu grins at Astarte*

<Did you have a good night's sleep?>
===
*Eve bends the fire to ether side of her, then counters with her own flamethrower before sending a fire whip towards the asshole's throat*

"I guess, still pretty stiff though," Astarte returned the smile, and then motioned for him to come closer. "Things never really got cleared up for you, did they? I mean... you're a fugitive now, and it's because of us. I should explain."

Stefan used the toilet and then freshened up, using whatever products he could find of Keter's which he didn't find overly feminine. Once done he left the bathroom and went looking for food.

*Monu does come closer*

<I have been wondering about that.>

"Euryale is right," Mortal said, "When it comes to fighting for love how can we not help our friend?"

--

"No, that is all. Thank you, again," Noctis said, closing the door, and walking over to her bed to open her package.

--

Gabe said, "Oh, I've never named anything before, so I don't know how much help I'll be."

R"Aww, thanks guys. Alright, let's get out there."

*And so they enter the kitchen. Euryale waves.*

E"Mornin', everyone. Now, I know you all probably had a rough night--until our hideout turned out to be a mansion, anyway--but I promise, we're going to get you through this."

*She looks around.*

E"Alright, I see we have some people missing. Let's start making some breakfast, & then we'll explain the situation when they get here. Sound like a plan?"
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*As the flamethrower was in her blind spot, she's knocked off-balance & now her carpet is on fire. The assailant ducks to avoid the fire whip & punches another fire blast at Eve.*
==========================
*Inside of the envelope is a series of hand-colored photographs depicting Keter in 2 bathing suits. The 1st is a black, strapless one piece bathing suit with a white design running up the left side. At the bottom, it is tropical flowers, but gradually shifts to flames as it moves up the suit. The 2nd is a [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], only the bow is replaced by a small, golden Fire Nation clasp, while the frills are replaced by a red flamberge design. Each outfit is featured in 2 pictures of her lounging on a series of gold cushions with the ocean in the background, either on her stomach with her hair spread over her shoulder blades & her hands beneath the head cushion, or half-smiling into the camera with her upper body slightly raised, resting on her left elbow while her right hand traces her thigh. There is also a note with flowing script & a hint of wild flower perfume.*

Dearest Noctis,

I realize that being so far away from my visage must tear at your very soul. Although a pale substitute for being in the presence of pristine natural beauty, I hope that these mementos will help to ease your yearning. I assure you, no expense was spared in obtaining pigments that could best match those of my complexion, & attire, as well as an artist with the skill to capture my radiance. After all, women of our caliber deserve the very best.

I have decided to give you an image of me that is rarely seen. Ember Island's beaches are wonderful for swimwear, but of course, I have my own private plot of beach. This estate is for my own personal enjoyment, & I only model swimwear once per season. Still, I would appreciate hearing what you think, particularly on my new design based on styles from circa 70 years ago.

I look forward to your reply.

Humbly, lovingly yours,

Keter Aurora.

*Whatever, but that was never implied. Eve deflects the blast and sends her own*
--
<Neither have I. Let's go see what the others think.>

*Tirea grabs Gabe's wrist and pulls her towards the kitchen*

Astarte paused to listen to Euryale, then turned back to Monu to speak in a more quiet voice, "Well as I kind of understand it, the current police are corrupt and criminal, and they want to get rid of Mortal and Euryale. Because I know them, they were interested in me, and because you worked with me I guess they were interested in you... Then um, these guys..."
She gestured to Hector and Eduj, who had moved to the side of the room, arms folded.
"They are Triads, and one of them is my cousin," She said even more quietly. "They came into my house and gave the police an excuse to arrest me, and I guess by extension, you. I'm sorry."
Stefan wondered into the kitchen and took a look around at the gathered people, looking suddenly uncomfortable.

Dalia desperately held on and pulled herself back up, then after a deep breath pointed a finger down and puffed a couple of small balls of fire down across the rungs to dry them, then started down again.

Monu:<That fits with what I figured. So now we have to take out the entire police force?>

And so Gabe is manhandled towards the kitchen like the woman she is.

--

Noctis smiled as she read the letter. Once finished she returned it to its envelope, and placed it onto the nightstand by the bed. From there Noct started on her way towards the rest of the gang.

--

Mortal nodded, "Yeah. Oh, hey, think they have steak?"

OOC: Goddamn right Keter is appreciated. She was being humble!

E"Probably."

*The assistant comes in just as she starts to rummage through things.*

<Since the cooks aren't working, I suppose the plan is for me to cook for all of you.>

*She tries not to make her discontented sigh heard. Roatha turns when people enter.*

R"Hey Gabe, Tirea, Noct, &...some jerkbender."

*He gestures to Stefan at the last part.*

R"Oh, nice...what is that, a ferret-lizard?"

*It hisses at him when he points to it.*
======================================
*He's thrown backwards, hits the wall by the door, & knocks anything that might be hanging from it or on a shelf nearby down. Sirens can be heard approaching from the street below.*
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*Eventually, she reaches the concrete walkway by the bay. This one has no guard railing, & is broken by the occasional large drain pipe trickling out discolored water.*