Avatar Rose: Justice

Ch.10: Audition

Nathan's POV

The sneezes continue for the rest of lunch. At one point, she shapeshifts into Evan and Liesel bursts into tears, causing the group to turn solemn. I turn over my shoulder. The cafeteria really has thinned- only a couple tables are occupied. Two girls stack their plates by the door. As they leave, one turns to stare at us, and then leans in to whisper something probably really idiotic to her friend, who holds back giggles.

I almost turn back when I spot a flash of pale blue. It's Wendy. Her long hair's been braided down her back in a traditional water style. She walks with grace.

Rose and Liesel catch sign of her too. The blond hair frowns, while the red hair lifts her chin a little higher.

"Gwen!" Rowan calls, getting up and running over to greet her. They continue their conversation hushed. Gwen nods her head, and then continues over to our table. Rowan sits back down, makes some room and Gwen slides in a sits next me. I already know what she's carrying.

"Here's your uniform, Nathan," she says, ignoring the huge aura stink being directed at her by Rose. She unfolds it carefully, spreading it out on the plastic table. "Here it is. This," she points to a red star, blue star and black star pinned to the collar, "signifies you're from all those places.  And this," she runs her manicured nail along thin streaks of fabric lining the pocket over the heart, "signify your extra sub-bending categories. White for healing, dark red for bloodbending. She folds it back up, then slides it over to me. "Put it on right now. You look like a serial killer."

So she thinks so too?

"Excuse me," I say, getting up and walking to the washroom. I'll admit, I'm feeling a little self-conscious. I walk into a stall and change quickly. I'm the only one in here. Where does everyone go after this? Where is Rowan staying? Are they already going through military training? How long has Rose been out of the mental asylum? Wait, what did she do in the asylum? IF SHE MET ANY CUTE SERIAL KILLERS I'LL KILL THEM.

As I'm taking off the serial killer clothing too. Shut up Nathan, you're way off your rocker.

I slip on the cloak. It's a tad darker blue than the rest of the outfit. I strap my satchel to my left leg, walk out of the stall and bend some water from the tap to refill it. I shove my bloody white isolation into the garbage, and stalk a little agitated out the door. Rose is waiting there, leaning up against the wall. Her golden braid faces toward me.

"Rose?"

"I figured you'd be lost and would have no idea where to go."

"That sums it up."

"Come," she says a little coldly. "It's your turn to be assessed."

I follow her down three flights of stairs. The halls all seem pretty deserted. "Where is everyone?" I ask.

"Probably doing stupid training," she replies.

"Why aren't you?"

Rose turn so me, a smile on her face. It's not a friendly one though. "Don't group me with your standards. I'm miles above all of you when it comes to skill. I don't need to train."

That asylum really did you in.

She airbends a door open, revealing a blinding sunlight. It's way brighter than it was this morning. There's too much light to even see anything, so it takes me a while to spot the obstacle course.

Rose's eyes apparently adjusted easily, and she walks over to a guy sitting underneath a tent. "Nathan's here to audition."

"Audition?"

"Last name?" the guy requests.

"Li," I reply. As a side note, I mutter under my breath "of Water Tribes, United Republic and Fire Nation." The phrase I heard so many times in that little white room.

"Alright," the guy says. "Sign this." he slides a sheet of paper towards me.

"What is it?"

"A waiver form."

Perfect... just perfect.

I sign it quickly.

"Just go to the sign over there and give them this ticket," he instructs, handing a small sheet of neon orange paper. "Good luck."

"I'll be waiting at the finish line," Rose says, and then flies away on her fire. The corner of the white tent gets torched black.

I hand the another  my card and he gives me some rules. I read them off in my head.

One- any bending allowed. So I can use bloodbending, huh? Two- The word to surrender is 'I relinquish my honour' oooooh harsh. I ain't doing that. Three- wait an hour for your written analysis, remember that passing the course does not always guarantee a good assessment mark. Four- try not to destroy anything. Like that's going to happen. Five- NO hostage taking. That's fine, I don't need to.

ALRIGHT LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED.

"I'm ready to begin," I say. He nods and then opens a door. "Go in here," he says. "Complete it in 30 minutes or less."

I'll complete it in three.

I get placed in a small room. There are 20 mannequins lined up in a row. I smile. Let's begin.