*set juniorhostile true
They all appear to be my age, probably also attending the highschool, although they seem rougher than I was expecting from American highschool students. I see a few bladed weapons among them, though with the casual way they hold them it is probably safe to say they have never used them and have no idea how to. They outnumber me quite a bit but I should have diplomatic immunity due to being a foreigner to their territory. Even if they do not respect the laws of diplomatic immunity, I feel I have sufficient military power to counter whatever threats they make to my own territory. I would however prefer to avoid open warfare if possible, as I do still require their consent to seek asylum in their territory and any hostilities would likely lead to my swift and immediate deportation from their alleyway.

Upon entering their territory I notice several of their number cut off the exit behind me. This isn't any problem, as I could still easily move past them or if that is impossible use the fire escape above the dumpster, however it makes me slightly uneasy as to the course these negotiations will take.

"Now here I am thinking 'how stupid would someone have to be to walk down our alley?'" After my primary exit has been blocked, one of them steps forward, a knife hanging off his belt with no attempt to conceal it in an obvious attempt to intimidate. This is my first indication that this teenager is an idiot, "So, just how stupid are you?"

Nonetheless, I do need a place to hide, "I seek asylum in your territory."
*page_break Next
The teenager gives me an unbelieving look, and I hear someone mutter "Is this guy for real?" I'm fairly certain that I exist, despite many people's attempts to change that. "Well, you definitely need an asylum, we agree on that," the teenager laughs out, confirming what I'd just told him; presumably he needs to do this in order to remember what's been said. We all have our shortcomings so I'll not point it out, I believe they call that being polite.

"Yes, I require asylum in your territory, at least until the beginning of school at which point I will leave in peace. Is there anything you require in exchange?"

"Yeah, I could go for whatever you've got in your wallet," he says, unsheathing the knife he has holstered ceremoniously on his belt and pointing it in my direction. His stance is horrible, with all the balance to the side rather than forward, and his arm is all the way extended meaning he has no lunging power. It's clear that this man couldn't offer any threat to me if he seriously tried.

*choice
	#I've been itching for a fight
		*set bored +1
		*goto fighter
	#I would still like to avoid having a knife pointed at me. I disarm him
		*label fighter
		*set violent %+10
		*set junior_beach +10
		*set junior_beach_rom +10
		*set juniorrelationship "Wary"
		It is an easy matter. His arm is twisted and extended, and he hasn't left anything to use should he come under assault. It's a simple matter of ducking to the side as I come in close and wrapping an arm around his extended one, keeping him from being able to adjust his grip and keeping his knife far away from me. Once I'm close, I quickly grab him by the throat and push forward while using one leg to pull his out from under him, causing him to fall backward. His knife goes flying into the air and I catch it before it can get any real distance, holding it to his throat while keeping my knee pressing down on his chest to make sure he is unable to counter attack

		"Your form is bad, this is how you threaten someone," It's not long before I hear his allies also drawing their weapons, "The first one to step forward will have to explain to your superior how your impatience got an ally killed."

		"You'll let him go if you know what's good for you," I turn my eyes toward the new voice, coming from further down the alley. He steps forward in a manner that is probably supposed to be menacing, wrapping chains around his knuckles and forming fists. An obvious male, wearing what I can only describe as road leathers. It fits the image; a thick leather jacket, despite the weather only barely cooled down from the hot summer temperatures, as well as pants to match. I understand that road leathers offer some protection, however as far as my understanding goes it is more designed for protection in the incident of motorcycle accidents, hence the name. If I had to guess, his choice of attire is less about personal protection, and more about imposing the appearance of dominance.

		Aside from his choice of attire, he appears to be of an older disposition. Certainly older than me, though not by more than five years at the most. He must either be in his last year as a high school student, or at the very least recently graduated. It's difficult to tell his build due to the coverings, however the jacket seems to fit him well and it seems clearly designed for a person with broad shoulders and long arms. His hands are scarred around the knuckles. Old scars, indicating one who is quite used to physical altercations.

		The others look to him as if expecting him to take care of this so he's probably the leader of their group; given their personalities demonstrated thus far, they would only elect a leader based on his skill or strength, meaning this one is probably more dangerous than his followers, "I won't ask a second time."

		Even if this child wrapping chains around his knuckles couldn't in his most optimistic plans be any threat to me, there are probably more benefits to releasing his subordinate and opening negotiations. Getting up from the subordinate I toss the knife I was holding to his throat to the side. I keep an eye on him through my peripheral vision as he gets up, just in case he tries a second attempt, but fortunately he just scurries back into the group from whence he came, avoiding a repeat incident.

		"I have met your request, will you now negotiate with me?"

		He glares at me and I wonder whether I will have to take military action after all, "I don't take kindly to strangers walking in and beating up my boys."
	
		"I assure you, I was the assaulted party. Your subordinate simply misjudged his own strength."
		*page_break Next
		*goto superlabel
	#I'm not in danger and I still need this territory. I continue to try diplomacy
		*set violent %+5
		*set explosives -1
		*set reflex -1
		*set stealth -1
		*set juniorrelationship "Wary"
		"I do not carry a wallet," I inform him, "I have several skills you could find useful. Perhaps an exchange of services would be more beneficial."

		"Will you quit with that freakin weird speak? I am getting so sick of your words!" It appears something in my manner of speaking had offended the teenager. If even my words were insulting, these negotiations were probably not going to end well, "I don't care if it's a wallet, or cash, spare changes, or damn lint! You're handing it over or I will bury you!"

		"The only item in my possession is a cellphone and I am not authorized to part from it."

		"Not authorized," he repeated mockingly, before emphasizing his knife, "Does it look like you get to say no?"

		"Yes. I am negotiating for your benefit. I do not wish to engage in open warfare."

		His face scrunched up in anger to create one of the most hideous faces I'd ever seen, and I'd worked beside burn victims, "You little shit!"

		I saw his weapon-hand twitch back in order to stab forward, further emphasizing the tactical weakness of overextending your arm and granting me time to calculate where he would be aiming for. Once his arm extended again I was able to react perfectly; it was his right arm going forward, so I dodged to his right (my left) and wrapped my arm around his, locking it close to my chest. His stance became even more awkward than it was before as all his weight shifted forward but he was being held up, and his back was to me preventing him from doing any form of counter attack. Taking advantage of the instability of his stance, I used my free hand to grab him by the back of the head; simultaneously kicking his leg out from under him, I pushed the head downward so that his face would collide with the stone pavement, allowing gravity to do most of the work for me.

		He was unconscious a few seconds after his head made impact.

		Pretty soon one of his allies is swinging his own knife at me; this one in going with a horizontal slice and attacking while I'm close to the ground. I end up having to move quicker than expected and almost default into using my more lethal moves, but am luckily able to remain calm and find a nicer method; grabbing the knife of my fallen enemy and slicing it across the knuckles of the new one thus causing him to drop his knife, I then follow up by jabbing the hilt of the knife into his forehead, causing him to go blind for about 0.8 seconds. I'm about to finish him when I notice in my peripheral two more opponents charging for me.

		"What the hell is that?" For whatever reason, the two others stop when they hear a voice coming from further down the alleyway. I take the opportunity to hit my original target in the temple to finish him off and turn my attention to whatever distracted the other two. The others step aside to make way for him, meaning he is probably their leader or at least a high ranking officer. He's clearly more well built than the others and unlike them, he isn't carrying a weapon, yet he stands comfortably and in control while surrounded by people who do. His knuckles are bruised, meaning he still hasn't learned to hit with your palms to avoid broken fingers, but it also shows that he's had to fight recently, and judging by the lack of bruises on other parts of his body he evidently won that fight. Strangely enough, he appears to be glaring at the two who tried to attack me, "When has it ever been ok to go 2 on 1? Are you two stupid or did you just purposefully disrespect me?"

		An obvious male, wearing what I can only describe as road leathers. It fits the image; a thick leather jacket, despite the weather only barely cooled down from the hot summer temperatures, as well as pants to match. I understand that road leathers offer some protection, however as far as my understanding goes it is more designed for protection in the incident of motorcycle accidents, hence the name. If I had to guess, his choice of attire is less about personal protection, and more about imposing the appearance of dominance.

		Aside from his choice of attire, he appears to be of an older disposition. Certainly older than me, though not by more than five years at the most. He must either be in his last year as a high school student, or at the very least recently graduated. It's difficult to tell his build due to the coverings, however the jacket seems to fit him well and it seems clearly designed for a person with broad shoulders and long arms. And as previously mentioned, very scarred knuckles.
		*page_break Next
		"And you," he says, turning to me, "You think you can just walk in here, beat the shit out of my boys, and get away with it?"

		"I tried to handle the negotiations diplomatically but your subordinates were not interested in hearing my terms. Open warfare was a scenario I was hoping to avoid."
		*goto superlabel
		
*label superlabel

Never turning his gaze away from me, the leader reached into his pocket and pulled out a narcotic I recognized from my time in the trenches; good to smoke while getting a bullet wound looked at, as it heavily increased pain tolerance. Though with the exaggerated way he lit it and inhaled deeply, blowing smoke out in my direction, this was probably meant as an intimidation tactic rather than to distract him from a severe wound. 

"You must think you're some kind of badass, walking over here like this," he says in an equally exaggerated fashion, "Is that it? You think you're a badass?"

"I just know how to take care of myself. I'm certainly no one heroic."

"Hmm," he ticks thoughtfully, inhaling once again and I almost cringe at the waste of a valuable medicinal item. Back home in the trenches there were a few reports of people killing one another in order to get their hands on one after taking a severe hit. That this civilian punk is just wasting one when he isn't even hurt is almost insulting to the people who have died for that brief moment of respite. "What was it you wanted from me? Asylum?"
*page_break Next
"Yes, I am currently being tracked by authorities and need a place to hide until the first day of school begins."

"That so. What are they hunting you for?"

"I neutralized two security guards."

"Huh," his eyes briefly widened, and he gazes at the subordinate I subdued out of the corner of his eye, "Yeah, I guess I could see you being able to do that..."

He dropped the narcotic on the ground, still only half used, and stomped it out; I could practically hear the screaming of wounded soldiers with each crunch. "Alright, here's the deal," he continued on, completely oblivious, "You promise, in front of everyone here, to not do anything against my people again, and I'll let you stick around this one time."

"Those terms are acceptable to me," I say, and subsequently raise my right hand.

"I..."

*fake_choice
	#John
		*set firstname "John"
		*set fullname "John Decker"
	
		"I, ${fullname}, promise to never do anything to harm the group of teenagers that hang out in the alleyway behind the school ever again." I get a few funny looks from the members of said group of teenagers. I wonder if they see something funny about my name? Don't know how, Daniel was the one who picked it out.

		He says the name John suited me; as in John Doe, the man with no name, no past, no identity. Perfect for a fresh start; or so he put it.
	
		*goto woooooo
	#Pinocchio
		*set firstname "Pinocchio"
		*set fullname "Pinocchio Decker"

		"I, ${fullname}, promise to never do anything to harm the group of teenagers that hang out in the alleyway behind the school ever again." I get a few funny looks from the members of said group of teenagers. I wonder if they see something funny about my name? Don't know how, Daniel was the one who picked it out.

		I found out in our literature lessons that I was named after a fairy tale character who started out as a lifeless puppet but through hard work and a little help managed to become a real boy. I suppose he was trying to be poetic.

		*if (daniel_warden =true)
			I thought it was a really stupid story.
			
		*goto woooooo
	#David
		*set firstname "David"
		*set fullname "David Decker"
		"I, ${fullname}, promise to never do anything to harm the group of teenagers that hang out in the alleyway behind the school ever again." I get a few funny looks from the members of said group of teenagers. I wonder if they see something funny about my name? Don't know how, Daniel was the one who picked it out.

		He chose David from the old biblical story, David and Goliath. Supposedly about a man who, with a slingshot, killed a giant with the help of his father, though the story didn't explain how his dad helped him; I assumed he provided some kind of sniper support from far away and let his son take the credit, though apparently he didn't coordinate this to his son because the son kept telling everyone that it was actually his father that killed the giant, but they made him a king anyway. I didn't really get it but apparently this kind of stuff is very popular in America.

		*goto woooooo
	#Rommel
		*set firstname "Rommel"
		*set fullname "Rommel Decker"
		"I, ${fullname}, promise to never do anything to harm the group of teenagers that hang out in the alleyway behind the school ever again." I get a few funny looks from the members of said group of teenagers. I wonder if they see something funny about my name? Don't know how, Daniel was the one who picked it out.

		Daniel was apparently a history buff, cause he named me after a German general in a war from a long time ago. Apparently he was pretty good cause he wrote a few books; though if you ask me, he couldn't have been that smart if he wrote down all his tactics in a book for his enemies to read.

		*goto woooooo
	#Bruce
		*set firstname "Bruce"
		*set fullname "Bruce Decker"
		"I, ${fullname}, promise to never do anything to harm the group of teenagers that hang out in the alleyway behind the school ever again." I get a few funny looks from the members of said group of teenagers. I wonder if they see something funny about my name? Don't know how, Daniel was the one who picked it out.

		Bruce was apparently the most boring and unassuming name in all of America, which made it perfect for blending in. I could see the reasoning behind it and thought it was pretty smart of him.

		*goto woooooo
	#I wasn't sure they would understand my name but I figured I had to say something
		*input_text firstname
		*set fullname (firstname&" ")&lastname
		"I, ${fullname}, promise to never do anything to harm the group of teenagers that hang out in the alleyway behind the school ever again." I get a few funny looks from the members of said group of teenagers. I wonder if they see something funny about my name? Don't know how, Daniel was the one who picked it out.
			
		*goto woooooo
		
*label woooooo
*set junior_name "Junior Beach"

"...You know, you might actually be crazy." says the leader, "Nonetheless, momma taught me manners. My name's Junior, Junior Beach. Be sure to be gone the second you see yellow school buses; I don't want to see you in my alleys ever again."

*page_break About an hour later...

If I'd known what the assembly would be like, I probably would have just gone to the principal's office.

There had to be over 300 students packed into this single room, all pushing against each other to find a seat on the long row of benches; 90% of the benches had plenty of space behind them where anyone could get into your blind spot and the noise from all the other students would completely mask their presence. I couldn't believe that these people could just comfortably walk through such a dangerous room without any anxiety; I was completely terrified.

Scanning the room, I see no faces that I can recognize and there are too many for me to get a proper read on them. By the feeling of the room I can tell that very few of them want to be here, mostly they are lazily walking through without any motivation, which gives me an advantage though there is the possibility that this is some form of mirage. While scanning, I find it very difficult to find a single spot that offers me ease of escape, high visibility, and effective obfuscation; luckily, there is a very promising spot near a window off to the side.
*goto_scene 1-4aloneassembly-1