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A - Keeping In Shape

[Keeping in shape and being prepared was never really a habit that Blake had fallen out of, it had been drilled into her mind every day since her training had begun as a child. Training to fight benders, opponents who possessed abilities she couldn't match, the power to pull their weapons from the very world around them. To counter that, she had to make herself into a weapon and a weapon needed to be kept sharp and ready if it was to be any use. Plus it was nice to let her mind wander for a little while and not focus on troubles ranging from paying bills to whatever the spirits were doing to cause trouble now.

So, right now she can be found in one of Republic City's gyms dealing out a pretty heavy beating to one of the punching bags with rapid-fire punches and kicks. Of course, she's more used to training with an actual sparring partner but this would have to do for now....]

B - Paying the Bills With Bonus Yang Xiao Long

[Okay, so waitressing isn't exactly a particularly glamorous career path by any stretch of the imagination, but it could be worse. The pay was alright, the staff was agreeable, the hours were flexible. But there was always something... and in this case, it's the fact that the boss couldn't seem to pick a theme and settle on it and each month brought a brand new surprise. This time when she'd come in, she'd been presented with the most recent result of a late night "inspiration": maid cafe.

... Fantastic. You can be sure she'll be approaching this new setup with all the enthusiasm she's known for, or maybe a few customers will luck out and get the waitress who's actually on board with this nonsense.]

C - Cleaning Up the Streets

[Republic City wasn't the safest place in the world at the best, most stable of times, and the times the people are living in now are far from that. The typical dangers of the Triads and Equalist remnants were joined by angry citizens determined to get the so-called "foreigners" out of town. The police couldn't possibly be everywhere at once and somebody else had to step in where they couldn't be.

That somebody is currently moving through the city in the dead of night. Masked, hooded and sticking to the shadows. Few even knew she was out there and fewer still had seen her in action but one thing is certain tonight. Should trouble rear its head in Republic City's streets, the White Fang wouldn't be far behind.]

D - Choose Your Own Adventure

[Got something else in mind? Fire away. Aside from any of the above, Blake can be found roaming the streets doing everything from carrying groceries, keeping to herself and reading a book, or any of the above. Feel free to drop in on her anywhere you like.]

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[ Did someone say waitress that's on board with nonsense? Out comes Yang from the little makeshift dressing room the owner had created for the girls. It was handy, especially for when the girls to change in to uniform after coming in from the street, or when Ruby had to get into her mascot outfit. Most of all, it proved handy for times when the owner had up and decided to make sudden wardrobe changes.

As Yang steps out, she twirls and as a finisher she throws her hair over her shoulder. ] Look at us, two super cute waitress-maids!

Edited 2015-01-12 04:11 (UTC)

[It is a handy dressing room, considering how often a change of clothes is necessary around here. Thoughtful as well, since Blake wouldn't be caught dead walking to and from work dressed as she currently is. Yang, on the other hand... well, right now she suspects that the blonde firebender just might be okay with that.]

Don't get too attached. [She steps away from the wall she'd been leaning against waiting for Yang to finish changing.] This probably won't last beyond the next few weeks.

[Just look at the enthusiasm here.]

[ Yang was more than okay with it. Even though she was a girly-girl at heart, Yang found it far more practical to run around in pants and boots. The uniform was such a stark contrast to that, so it was only natural she was going to live it up while it lasted. ] Come on, Blake! Don't be such a downer! Just think of all the tips we're going to get with these!

[ Laughing, she bent over just enough to show the mass amount of petticoat under the skirt. ] Though, I don't think I've ever seen this short of maid uniform.

[ Not that it was too short, but it did come as a little bit of a surprise even if it didn't keep her from enjoying it even less. ]

[Blake was... not. She always went for practicality and usefulness over style, really, usually going for simple pants and boots so she's less interested in "living it up." This outfit was definitely not her usual style, but it was necessary. When she thought of it like that, she could deal with it.]

... Right.

[... Well, watching Yang, Blake doesn't really doubt that she'll be earning her fair share of tips tonight anyway.]

Well... somehow, I don't think "accuracy" was the main intention.

[ Yang rolled her eyes at the shorter brunette. It was so like her to take something fun and make it into no big deal. ]Don't sell yourself short, Blake! I mean, come on! Did you even look in the mirror?

[ Whether Blake saw it or not, she did look good. The whole black and white look suited her overall aesthetic and went perfect with the little bow on top. ]

I knew the old man was a secret pervert!

[Hey, now, Blake has fun. Reading books is fun. Still, she gives a faint, almost ghostly smile at the pervert remark.]

No comment.

[She does sigh a little though, picking a bit at one of the uniform's many frills.]

Of course I did. I'm just not really a "frilly dress" sort of person. They don't suit me.

[ Reading books was only fun to boring people that enjoyed boring things... No matter how you coined it, Yang would never find interest in books. Sitting around doing nothing while reading words was far from her idea of fun. ]

I'm not sure you looked hard enough. [ Placing a hand on each shoulder, Yang turns Blake to look directly at the mirror that had been provided. ] Wait-- Hold on!

[ Grabbing a clean rag, she made quick work of removing the light layered of dust that had settled on the mirror's surface. ] There! Now look! And I mean really look. It suits you a lot better than you think, if you ask me.

Wha-?

[There's a short protest when Yang takes her shoulders and turns her toward the mirror and she tosses the taller girl a look before shifting her attention to her reflection. It's... an unfamiliar sight. Not just because of that specific outfit, but anything of its nature really. Something not picked out with practicality in mind. Actually, she'd even thought of these clothes in those terms. She wore them for the job, she worked the job to make a living, she hadn't really factored in looks.

... Maybe it did look good on her. A little.]

Okay, I'm looking.

[She doesn't sound any more enthused but, maybe she betrays herself a little bit by reaching up to fix her hair a little.]

[ Yang stood against the mirror, arms crossed over her chest while she watched Blake take a good look at her reflection. It wasn't quite the reaction she was hoping for and she clearly rolled her eyes. ]

And?

[While his working certainly didn't leave Jackie with a lot of time for sitting around and doing nothing, it wasn't the same as doing actual exercise and he wanted to stay fit since it was clear that it was a skill he'd be needing while in the city.

So, on one of his sporadic days off, he decides to do some exercises at the city's fancy gym. He was used to just working out at home with logs and rocks, so surely this would be a far superior experience.

While he's doing his stretches, he looks over at a girl working on one of the punching bags. Something about it looks familiar but he can't quite put his finger on it...until one particular combination she does that he recalls seeing elsewhere. The masked woman! No doubt about it, it was definitely her! He's so surprised, he doesn't realize that he's openly gawking at her.]

[As focused as she is on her training, she doesn't even notice she has an audience. She lets her mind go blank except for the imagined counters and attacks of an invisible opponent and just focuses on weaving out of the path of phantom blows and dishing out as much punishment as she can.

This goes on for a few moments before she digs in and delivers a few sharp, punishing shots to the bag before shifting her stance and hitting it with a straight side kick with an audible impact. Satisfied, she relaxes, reaches over for a water bottle set nearby and only then notices she's being gawked at. Wonderful.

Turning her head slightly, she shoots a sharp glare Jackie's way, usually enough to make most onlookers think twice.]

Can I help you?

[Wait... there's something familiar about this guy.]

[The fact that she's now suddenly talking to him is enough to draw Jackie out of his stunned state as he points directly at her.]

It's you! That girl from the alley!

[From the alley...? What-- oh. Oh! Recognition finally kicks in. This guy is the fake earthbender from that night! And he recognized her?! But... how?]

What?

[There's a brief flash of panic in her expression and her eyes dart around the room, as if expecting ninjas or cops or both to come descending on her at any moment.]

I-I don't know what you're talking about!

No, it's definitely you! You have the exact same movements!

[He does a rather sloppy, but passable version of the move she'd been using on the punching bag.]

I'm so glad you're here! You ran away before I could ask your name or say thank you.

[Her moves? He recognized her moves? In the middle of a fight like that, he'd memorized enough of her techniques to recall them weeks later like this? Well... the Idiot or Genius meter ticks one step closer to 'genius' in her mind.

Only one though, because the whole concept of somebody wearing a mask seems slightly lost on him.]

I don't think you understand. You've clearly mistaken me for somebody else.

[Now to see if he can take a hint.]

[Jackie looks a touch confused for a moment before a light comes on and he grins. Too bad it's the wrong light.]

Ooooh, I understand now! It's alright, you don't have to be so modest. You should feel proud of helping people when they need it the most!

[Completely unaware of any of her other activities, Jackie only knows that she helped to protect him. Certainly not an offense worth being ashamed of or hiding.]

[He didn't take the hint. Blake sighs and manages to resist the urge to facepalm.]

No, it's not--

[Ugh. She can't talk about her vigilante activities in the middle of a crowded gym.]

If we have to discuss this, can we at least do it somewhere else?

Um, I suppose so. If you like.

[That's odd. Why would she want to discuss something like this someplace else? Was she embarrassed to be speaking to him in a setting like this? Admittedly, the gym wasn't the best place for conversation.

So she wanted to go someplace where they could talk more easily. Wait a moment. Could it be? Was she wanting....

a date?!]

[If only Blake could somehow know what was going through Jackie's head.

Unfortunately, she doesn't, so she just sighs and says.]

I need to get changed. If you're not going to change your mind, meet me outside.

[Fortunately, no one else is subjected to Jackie's thoughts but him. He gives a quick nod to her statement, definitely not intending to change his mind now.]

R-right. I'll meet you outside.

[Nonetheless, she is holding out hope that he does just that as she goes to change into her street clothes again. Briefly, she considers ducking out another exit but... no, that wouldn't be smart. Who knows how many people somebody like that might blab too. Even if there's no proof, she doesn't need that kind of trouble. She'll need to at least make sure he knows to keep quiet.

After a little while, she steps outside again, sighing faintly when Jackie is indeed still waiting there before walking ahead.]

Follow me.

R-right!

[If nothing else, Jackie seemed pretty easy to boss around. He only seemed to assume the best of intentions with her so the thought of possible coercion never even crossed his mind.

Instead, he was trying to remember what sort of rules were involved in courtships and whether they were different in the city or not.]

[Wan caught a glimpse of the masked girl as she moved through the midtown streets. It was late and he'd been on his way back to the wilds. But the movement caught his eye. That was more than a little suspicious and he broke away from his path to follow the shadowy figure. If she was out to cause trouble, he was going to put a stop to it.]

[It's looking like a quiet night. Blake stops at the edge of a rooftop for a moment, just above the city lights where spotting her would be difficult, and looks down at the streets. Just the usual, late night people wandering around. Maybe she could head home early tonight and actually get some rest--

-- and that's when she spots somebody headed her way, clearly having spotted her. She lets out a sigh behind her mask. She picked up a tail, just wonderful. But at least he doesn't look like much, probably just some homeless guy who got curious. Okay... she can handle a chase tonight.

Looking down at Wan from behind her white mask for a moment, she moves abruptly, hurrying to the other side of the roof and dropping into the shadows. Let's see how good you are, Mister Hobo.]

[Wan had only just started his lessons with Toph, and couldn't 'see' very far with the earth, but it was enough to feel where the person landed after her form disappeared from the roof. He headed across the street and for the alley, keeping his senses open so he could feel if she ran.]

[Run she does. She hits the ground running, moving quickly and nearly soundlessly through the alleys between buildings. She'll go for a few blocks before taking to the high ground again. The maze of alleyways and shortcuts between buildings was usually enough to lose most pursuers and knowing them was just as important as being able to navigate the city's rooftops.

Certainly, this should be enough to evade one hobo who'd caught a short glimpse of her.]

[Wan followed her easily through the alleyways while she remained on the ground. Once he felt her start to climb, though he knew he'd have to do the same. Instead of staying on the same path she had, he cut around the other side of the building she'd 'disappeared' from his earth sense at and used a quick funnel of wind to push him up to the last fire escape landing before he climbed the ladder the rest of the way to the roof. His approach was quiet, a product of years of practice both intentional and not, and when he hopped over the edge to the opposite side of the roof she was on. He was hoping she'd still be there, checking her back path to make sure she'd lost him, so she wouldn't see him join her.]

[It's a good plan, and one that's largely successful because Blake is clueless as to what Wan is truly capable of. So, when Wan catches up, she's indeed at the edge of the roof looking back where she'd come, satisfied that she'd given her pursuer the slip.

And she does certainly look suspicious. Her clothing is functional and designed for ease of movement and silence, mostly dark greys in color to better camouflage in a city that was rarely ever dark enough for black to do much more than create a silhouette. Her face is covered by a white mask, designed to resemble a grinning cat and a hood hides the rest of her head.

Other than that. She's armed and armed well with a short sword on her back and a sickle blade attached to long ribbon coiled on her hip.

For now, Wan's presence seems to be unnoticed.]

[While he was only planning on following her for a little bit, the weapons she was sporting had him worried. He wasn't sure it would be safe to just let her continue whatever it was she was doing. He decided to risk confronting her.

Wan moved so he was only a few paces behind her before he spoke up.]

You know, when people wear masks and skulk around in the shadows at night, they're usually up to something. What are you up to?

[One definite saving grace of the mask is there's little indication of her surprise at him managing to get the drop on her, only the slight lifting of her head. It might even have the opposite effect when she slowly turns toward him and fixes that unchanging gaze in Wan's direction.

He'd managed to keep up with her. So, not just some regular hobo then. She's quiet for a moment, considering, before speaking up.]

Nothing you need to be concerned about. Not unless you plan on causing trouble yourself.

You're the one with the weapons, I'm more worried about you causing trouble.

[Definitely a woman behind the mask. ~~Maybe he should have found a dog one like he used to have for nights like this~~.]

Weapons?

[She shifts slightly, casting a glance back at the sword hilt over her shoulder without ever letting Wan leave her line of sight.]

There are plenty of people in this city with natural abilities that can cause far more harm then these can, and an unfortunate number of them don't mind using them for just that.

If it makes you feel better, just think of them as equalizers.

[Wan couldn't really say she was wrong. His mouth twisted downward in a frown.]

Equalizers. Does that make you an Equalist?

[ Jin wasn't exactly sure why she decided to come to this place, but just the concept of a maid cafe seemed so crazy she had to see what it was all about. She sat down at a booth and glanced around the room. Everything here seemed so frilly and nice. She hoped the people who worked here were just as nice. ]

[Well, it's definitely pretty nice. As temporary and flippant as the boss's ideas could be, when he went with something he went all out. How he managed to change decor so drastically overnight was a mystery but the place was done up with curtains and tablecloths and even... probably doilies.

Blake loves it, let her tell you. Jin can undoubtedly tell as much by her utterly deadpan expression and tone when she comes up to her table, notepad ready.]

Welcome, what can I get you?

[Just rakin' in those tips.]

[ She's never seen someone so happy before in her life! She was practically melting from how much happiness was glowing off of her.

Jin giggled a little and set her Menu down for the moment. ]

I think just some tea for now would be fine.

[Blake will just pretend she didn't hear that giggle. Happily.]

I see. Any particular flavor, or...? [okay, okay, no need to take out yet another adjustment period on the girl] ... I like the black tea myself, if you'd like a recommendation.

Black tea? Hmm... you know what? I'll try it! I always find it's best to try what's recommended, because usually that tea has more warmth to it.

[So! Ruby is having an awesome afternoon on her day off. It sure felt nice to not be in a stuffed suit flailing an udder or a tail or whatever suit was chosen for her that week. She would also be grateful that she didn't have to smell the weird odor... but then she realized she was the only one that had actually been wearing the suits. Whew.

But, yes. Ruby sure is having a great day. She's walking by a gym, and whoa. Those people sure looked buff! They could probably earthbend with their abs and also their-- WAIT IS THAT BLAKE? OH WOW IT IS.

Immediately, she's zipping the window, practically shoving her face against the glass.

And staring.]

[Bolin had worked up a huge appetite after lunch and so he needed some food. And now that he wasn't spending all his money on helping the homeless, well, it was time to splurge a bit and get a tasty meal. He had heard about this café for a while from Yang, and so he finally decided that he would give it a try.

[Except he had not realised that it was going to be a themed place, and so the waitresses are dressed... differently than they might in places he's more familiar with. Weird.]

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C is for Chase Scene

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B is for Bolin