Fandom 𝖑𝖊𝖆𝖛𝖊𝖘 𝖋𝖗𝖔𝖒 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖛𝖎𝖓𝖊 | 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞

[Seraphine]

♡design by sirnateunknown, coded by uxie♡

Leaves From The Vine

IN-CHARACTER

Spoiler: in-character complex code

[comment]

Code by [USER=89406]@Yukitera[/USER] — Please do not remove the credit.
I do not own the images on this interest check.
The music is by Respawn Entertainment, from the game Apex Legends.
If you have any questions regarding the code, don't be shy to PM me.

Credit:
1. Izsly izsly
2. Min https://twitter.com/intent/user?screen_name=minnnnnnnim

[/comment][border="0; padding: 0;

     --background: #000;
--accent: #CCC;

     // character image;
   --charimg: url('https://i.pinimg.com/564x/dd/67/97/dd67971d934cd5c9ad01887b5486481e.jpg') 50% 35%/cover;

     --transparency: rgba(0,0,0,0.74);
--acces-col: linear-gradient(45deg, rgba(58,69,84,1) 10%, rgba(108,108,108,1) 100%);

     z-index: 0;

"][border=0; padding: 0px 0; background-size: cover][border=0; padding: 0; margin: auto; display: flex; flex-flow: row wrap; justify-content: space-around; box-sizing: border-box; width: clamp(250px, 100%, 1300px)][border=0; padding: 60px 0 0; box-sizing: border-box; width: 100%; height: 100%; background: rgba(0,0,0,0); display: flex; flex-flow: row wrap; justify-content: center; z-index: 1][border=0; padding: 60px 0; border-top: 0px solid var(--accent);][border=0; padding: 0; box-sizing: border-box; width: clamp(250px, 100%, 1340px); display: flex; flex-flow: row wrap; margin: 0 auto; justify-content: space-evenly][border=0; border: 25px solid var(--accent); overflow: hidden; padding: 20px; box-sizing: border-box; width: 100%; max-width: 650px; min-width: 250px; height: 100%;background: black][comment]----character icon----[/comment][border=transparent; width:100%; padding:10px 10px; box-sizing:border-box;][border=transparent; padding:0; padding-top:calc(100% - 22px); position:relative; border:0px solid var(--accent); box-sizing:border-box;][border=transparent; height:100%; width:calc(100% + 4px); padding:8px; box-sizing:border-box; position:absolute; top:-2px; left:0px; border:5px solid var(--accent); border-radius:0%;][border=transparent; height:100%; width:100%; padding:0; box-sizing:border-box; border:2px solid var(--accent); border-radius:0%; background: var(--charimg);][/border][/border][/border][/border][/border][comment]

―――――――――――――――― SECTION 03. | Right Side. (nothing to touch here)

[/comment][border=4px solid #090909; margin-top:10px;border-bottom: 0; border-top: 0; border-radius: 0px 5px 5px 0px; padding: 0; box-sizing: border-box; width: 100%; max-width: 650px; min-width: 250px; height: 820px; background-color:#3b3c36;][border=0; padding: 25px 0; box-sizing: border-box; width: 100%; height: 100%; background: var(--transparency)][comment]

―――――――――――――――― SECTION 01. | Title Area

[/comment][border=0; position: relative; text-align: center; left: 0; right: 0;margin-top:0px; bottom: 0px; padding: 0; font: 38px Kenia; color: #c3c3c3; text-transform: uppercase; text-shadow: 4px 0 4px var(--accent); letter-spacing: 0.1em][comment] * NAME HERE * [/comment]CHARACTER NAME INFO HERE[border="0; margin: 0 auto; width: 10%; max-width: 500px; min-width: 250px; clip-path: polygon(2% 0, 98% 0, 100% 50%, 98% 100%, 2% 100%, 0% 50%); display: flex; flex-flow: row wrap; justify-content: center; background-color:;"][border=1px solid var(--accent); clip-path: polygon(2% 0, 98% 0, 100% 50%, 98% 100%, 2% 100%, 0% 50%); background-color: rgba(66, 66, 87, 0.65); padding: 8px 0px 5px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font: 15px Josefin Sans; text-transform: uppercase; text-shadow: none; color: #fff; letter-spacing: 0.1em; width: 100%; max-width: 250px; min-width: 250px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 1px][comment] * ROLE TITLE HERE * [/comment]ROLE TITLE INFO HERE[/border][/border][comment]

―――――――――――――――― SECTION 02. | Music Player

[/comment][border=0; margin: 0 auto; padding: 7px 10px 0 5px; box-sizing: border-box; width: 100%; max-width: 298px; min-width: 250px; height: auto; display: flex; flex-flow: row wrap; align-items: top; overflow:; position: absolute; left: 20px; right: 0][comment]----buttons----[/comment][border=transparent; height:auto; width:60%; padding:0; display:flex; flex-flow:row nowrap; justify-content:center; align-items:center; margin-top:0px;margin-left:50px][border=transparent; height:auto; width:auto; padding:0; font-size:20px; color: #ccc;][fa]fas fa-step-backward[/fa][/border][comment]
----play button----[/comment][border=transparent; height:45px; width:45px; padding:0; box-sizing:border-box; position:relative; margin:0 35px; flex-shrink:0;][border=transparent; height:100%; width:100%; padding:1px 0 0 6px; box-sizing:border-box; border-radius:50%; background: var(--accent); display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; color: var(--bg-color); font-size:19px; pointer-events:none; position:relative; z-index:2;][fa]fas fa-play[/fa][/border][/border]
[border=transparent; height:auto; width:auto; padding:0; font-size:20px; color: var(--color-2);][fa]fas fa-step-forward[/fa][/border]
[border=0; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; left: -20px; top: 0; text-align: center; pointer-events: auto; margin-left: 90px; margin-top: -90px][border=0; width: 250px; opacity: 0.0001; display: inline-block][comment]
―――――――― Insert Music Link Here.

[/comment]put youtube link here[/border][/border][/border] [/border][comment]----buttons end----[/comment][/border]



[comment]

―――――――――――――――― SECTION 04. | Diamond Bar. POST LOGISTICS INFO HERE

[/comment][border="0; margin: 0 auto; width: 60%; max-width: 500px; min-width: 250px; clip-path: polygon(2% 0, 98% 0, 100% 50%, 98% 100%, 2% 100%, 0% 50%); display: flex; flex-flow: row wrap; justify-content: center; background-color: var(--accent)"][/border][border="0; margin: 0 auto; width: 60%; max-width: 500px; min-width: 250px; clip-path: polygon(2% 0, 98% 0, 100% 50%, 98% 100%, 2% 100%, 0% 50%); display: flex; flex-flow: row wrap; justify-content: center; background-color:;"][comment]

* * LOCATION * *
[/comment][border=0; padding: 0; display: flex; box-sizing: border-box; width: 100%; flex-flow: row nowrap; align-items: center][border=0; padding: 0; box-sizing: border-box; width: fit-content; width: -moz-fit-content; text-transform:uppercase; display: inline-block; font: 14px Josefin Sans; font-weight:600]Location[/border][border=0; padding: 0; height: 1px; box-sizing: border-box; background: var(--acces-col); flex: 1; margin: 1px 5px 0 5px][/border][border=0; padding: 0; color: #b3b3b3; box-sizing: border-box; font: 14px Josefin Sans; text-transform: uppercase; width: fit-content; width: -moz-fit-content; animation: 3.5s fa-fade infinite; --fa-fade-opacity: 0.71]LOCATION INFO HERE[/border][/border][/border][border="0; margin: 0 auto; width: 60%; max-width: 500px; min-width: 250px; clip-path: polygon(2% 0, 98% 0, 100% 50%, 98% 100%, 2% 100%, 0% 50%); display: flex; flex-flow: row wrap; justify-content: center; background-color:;"][comment]

* * SCENE * *
[/comment][border=0; padding: 0; margin-top:-10px; display: flex; box-sizing: border-box; width: 100%; flex-flow: row nowrap; align-items: center][border=0; padding: 0; box-sizing: border-box; width: fit-content; width: -moz-fit-content; text-transform:uppercase; display: inline-block; font: 14px Josefin Sans; font-weight:600]Scene[/border][border=0; padding: 0; height: 1px; box-sizing: border-box; background: var(--acces-col); flex: 1; margin: 1px 5px 0 5px][/border][border=0; padding: 0; color: #b3b3b3; box-sizing: border-box; font: 14px Josefin Sans; text-transform: uppercase; width:fit-content; width: -moz-fit-content; animation: 3.5s fa-fade infinite; --fa-fade-opacity: 0.71]GG/EG EP I. SCENE 1[/border][/border][/border][comment]

―――――――――――――――― SECTION 05. |

[/comment][border=0; border-top: 1px solid var(--accent); padding: 0; margin: 16px auto 12px; width: 100%; max-width: 580px; min-width: 250px][/border][border=0; border-top: 1px solid var(--accent); padding: 0; margin: -7px auto 12px; width: 100%; max-width: 580px; min-width: 250px][/border][border=0; padding: 0 8px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0 auto; width: 100%; max-width: 580px; min-width: 250px][border=0; padding: 0; margin: 10px 0; height: 473px; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0; overflow: hidden; display: flex; flex-direction: column][border=0; padding: 0; height: 93%; width: 200%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden][border=0; height: auto; width: 49%; padding: 0; box-sizing: border-box; font: 15px Jost; text-align: justify; color: #d9d9f0; text-shadow: 0 0 5px #7d7db4][border=0; margin-bottom: 0px;][/border][border=0; padding: 0; font: 1px Jura; color: var(--accent); letter-spacing: 0.1em; line-height: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; text-shadow: 2px 0 #000; box-sizing: border-box][border=0; border-left: 1px solid #262626; margin: 7px 0 0 5px; padding: 0 0 2px 10px; text-align: justify; font-size: 15px; line-height:20px;color: #c3c3d7; text-transform: none; text-shadow: none; letter-spacing: 0; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px][comment]

―――――――― ACTUAL POST CONTENT HERE

[/comment][font=Josefin Sans]Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Elit duis tristique sollicitudin nibh sit amet commodo nulla facilisi. Elementum eu facilisis sed odio morbi quis. Consectetur a erat nam at lectus. Pretium lectus quam id leo. Eu non diam phasellus vestibulum lorem sed risus. Mattis enim ut tellus elementum sagittis vitae et leo duis. Non sodales neque sodales ut etiam sit amet. Molestie at elementum eu facilisis sed odio morbi quis. Curabitur gravida arcu ac tortor dignissim convallis aenean et tortor. Velit dignissim. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Elit duis tristique sollicitudin nibh sit amet commodo nulla facilisi. Elementum eu facilisis sed odio morbi quis. Consectetur a erat nam at lectus. Pretium lectus quam id leo. Eu non diam phasellus vestibulum lorem sed risus. Mattis enim ut tellus elementum sagittis vitae et leo duis. Non sodales neque sodales ut etiam sit amet. Molestie at elementum eu facilisis sed odio morbi quis. Curabitur gravida arcu ac tortor dignissim convallis aenean et tortor. Velit dignissim.[/font][/border][comment]
--- END OF POST AREA ---
[/comment][border=0; border-top: 1px solid var(--accent); padding: 0; margin: 16px 5px 0; width: 100%;][/border][border=0; border-top: 1px solid var(--accent); padding: 0; margin: 5px 5px 0; width: 100%;][/border][/border]
[comment]

--- TAGS & INTERACTIONS HERE --

[/comment]
[border=0; padding: 0; font: 16px Jura; color: var(--accent); letter-spacing: 0.1em; line-height: 100%; text-align:right;text-transform: uppercase; text-shadow: 1px 0 #000; box-sizing: border-box;font-weight:900;]TAGS ⪻ INTERACTIONS[border=0; border-right: 1px solid #262626; margin: 7px 0 0 5px; padding: 0 10px 2px 10px; align- text-align: justify; font: 12px Jost; color: var(--accent); text-transform: uppercase; text-shadow: none; letter-spacing: 0; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px][comment]
[/comment]CHARACTER NAME // PLAYER
CHARACTER NAME // PLAYER[/border][/border][comment]

--- TAGS & MENTIONS HERE --

[/comment][border=0; padding: 0; font: 16px Jura; color: var(--accent); letter-spacing: 0.1em; line-height: 100%; text-align:right;text-transform: uppercase; text-shadow: 1px 0 #000; box-sizing: border-box;font-weight:900;]TAGS ⪻ MENTIONS[border=0; border-right: 1px solid #262626; margin: 7px 0 0 5px; padding: 0 10px 2px 10px; align- text-align: justify; font: 12px Jost; color: var(--accent); text-transform: uppercase; text-shadow: none; letter-spacing: 0; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px][comment]
[/comment]CHARACTER NAME // PLAYER
CHARACTER NAME // PLAYER[/border][/border][comment]

--- NOTABLE NPC CONTROL ANSWER HERE --

[/comment][border=0; padding: 0; font: 16px Jura; color: var(--accent); letter-spacing: 0.1em; line-height: 100%; text-align:right;text-transform: uppercase; text-shadow: 1px 0 #000; box-sizing: border-box;font-weight:900;]NOTABLE NPC CONTROL?[border=0; border-right: 1px solid #262626; margin: 7px 0 0 5px; padding: 0 10px 2px 10px; align- text-align: justify; font: 12px Jost; color: var(--accent); text-transform: uppercase; text-shadow: none; letter-spacing: 0; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px][comment]
[/comment]YES • NO • N/A[/border][/border][/border][/border][/border][/border][/border][border=0; margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px; border-left: 3px solid var(--accent); padding: 0; padding-left: 7px; width: calc(100% - 10px); font: 15px Jura; color: #ccc; letter-spacing: 0.1em; line-height: 150%; text-transform:; text-shadow: 0px 2px solid #ccc;][/border][border=0; padding: 0; margin: 25px auto 40px; font-size: 9px; width: 100%; max-width: 400px; min-width: 200px; text-align: center; color: #595973; line-height: 100%; letter-spacing: 0.4em; text-transform: uppercase][font=Comfortaa]code by yukitera[/font][/border][/border][/border][/border][/border][/border][/border][comment]

Do not remove the credit above.

I̵̠̱̗̤̠̮͍͆̀F̸̢̨̡̲̫̻̘̗̺͓̦͛̉̉͑͆̄͒̍̈ ̶̡̢̛̛̜̥̣̱͙̼̻̈̍̇̎̆̀Ẏ̷̢̹̰̤͆̓̔̇̒̀̿̈́͠͝O̷̡̨̻͉̖̲͉̯̮̠̎͑͒̋͐̂̊̿̊̍̈͜͝͠͝Ù̵̡̹̻͙̟̟͋̔͝ ̷̠͖̪̫̻͙͕̰̗͍̫̾̿̈́́̓̅͑ͅḌ̴͕̗̈́Ơ̸͈̞̼̼̦͓͉̟͖̳̙̼̥̅̄͂ͅ,̵͍͚̤͎̀̌̍͑̍̆͐͋͋͝ͅͅ ̴̡̛̺͎͈̳͔͎͎͚̠̣͔̲̅̀͗̒͆͗͐̓͝I̵̡̫͍͇̯̯͂́̏̀̐̇͌̿̅̕ ̸͙̻͍̭̱͎̃̌̓̑́̾͐͆̐̈́̆̈́͆́̕͜͜W̴̛͉̮̳̬͔͓̖̰͇̱͈̲̘̋̓̾͛͒͑́̅̇̑̅̂I̶̧̨̡̝̣̬̖̭͇̫̙̖̞̺̓̔͋̄̏̌̍̎͝ͅL̶̡̧͖͔̼͇̣̜̖̗̝̙̆̈̉̎̌̃͘L̶̢͓̯̯̦̦͉͍̖͖̹͚͙̠̟̎͑͗͂̑̎̌͑̈͠ ̵̛͔͑̌̌̈́̈́̽͝F̷̢̡͍͎͔̟͓͔͍̺̹͋̈́̄̑͛̋̊Ồ̴̻͌̋͘Ŗ̷̥̤̞̼͚̠̺̩͉̩̦̋̏̈͗̈́͐͗͛͋̑C̴̡̙̱̻̦̮̅̃̏̑̾̏͂ͅE̸͔͙̳͝ͅ ̸̨̖̩͕̭͕̭͇̪̫̦̹̈͑̈͜Y̴̧̢̨̻̳̗̺̣̽O̶͉̳̯͇͎̟̻͇̜̞̮͈̩͍̩͊̎̉̏̋̔͝Ư̵̳̓̇͒̑̓̍̍͑͜ ̵͔̝̜̙̙͙̩̠̙̭̩͒̆̋̌̌̍̂͋̄̚̕͘͜͜͝͝T̷̩͈̘̗͉͙̱̒͆̉̉̓̎͗̒͝O̴̼̦̝͚̘̤̼̪̠͋̆̀͒͌̅͆̏̈́̓̀ ̷̢̭̭̦͇̣̗̰͔̙̫̖͗̿̓̿̓́͂͗͜͝͝P̵̛̪̘͉̤̘͕̥͈̱̩̗̜̰̏̿̈́͋̈͐͌̓́͆͛̕͜L̵͔̯̘̠͙̖͓̒̅̅͛̊̊A̷̟̥̜͍̱̣̿̐̎̽̍͊̈̋̔̆̊̍Y̶̨̛̫͔̪͔̲͕͔̭͌̄̾̆͌͑̑͐̏͘ ̸͖͕̗̣̙͕̺̙̱̠̱͙̠͙̂̑̄͒̃̈̄̓̈A̴̜̯̥̓̆̐̒̂̄̏̓̈̑́͑͊͘͝M̶̡̭̰̱̪͉̤͓̻̞̽̇̿̈́̀̿̑͛̕͝O̴͇̫̺̝̜̹̦̟̝̪̻̤̊̈́̀̾̒̅̅̋́̀̍G̴̤͈͍̈́̍̈́͐̃̂Ư̶̧̪̖̹̺̟̝̬̩̇͌̎͛̚S̵̢̖̩̘͇͉̽͛̈́͋̌̿̂̈͊


You can remove the text above, though. Have fun with the code. Yuki out. 8)

[font=Philosopher][font=Cinzel][font=Cinzel Decorative][font=Maven Pro][font=Jura][font=Jost].[/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/font][/comment][/border]

Spoiler: in-character simple code

[comment][font=Rubik]:x[/font][/comment] [border="transparent;

/* Probably best if you don't change anything I haven't commented next to */

margin: auto;
box-sizing: border-box;
max-width: 600px; /* Max width */
padding: 0px;

--bar-h: 12px;

--accent: #111;

  --charimg: url('https://i.pinimg.com/564x/dd/67/97/dd67971d934cd5c9ad01887b5486481e.jpg') center/cover no-repeat;

--m: 0px 10px;

--str-w: 3px;
--str-p: 40px 0px 0px 0px;
--str-bg: #000; /* String colour */
--cir-m: 6px 0px 0px 0px;
--cir-w: 25px;
--cir-c: rgb(245, 245, 245); /* Circle text colour */

--text-p: 12px; /* Text padding */
--text-bg: #111; /* Text background colour */
--f: 'Rubik', sans-serif; /* Font, change font tag above if you change this */"][border=0; padding: 0px 0; background-size: cover][border=0; padding: 0; margin: auto; display: flex; flex-flow: row wrap; justify-content: space-around; box-sizing: border-box; width: clamp(250px, 100%, 1300px)][comment]-- Bar --[/comment][border=transparent;
box-sizing: border-box;
width: 100%;
height: var(--bar-h);
padding: 0px;
background: var(--accent);][/border][comment]

-- Container --[/comment][border=transparent;
box-sizing: border-box;
padding: 0px;
display: flex;
flex-flow: row wrap;
justify-content: flex-start;
align-items: flex-start;][comment]

-- String Container --[/comment][comment]-- String Container End --[/comment][comment]

-- Text --[/comment][border=transparent;
box-sizing: border-box;
flex: 1 1;
max-width: 600px;height:700px;
padding: var(--text-p);
--t-color: #fff;
background: #000;
font-family: var(--f);][border=0; display:; padding: 0; flex: 0; width: 100%; height: 200px;background: var(--charimg);background-size:100%;background-position:50% 53%;][/border][border=0; margin-top: -23px; padding: 0; position: relative; pointer-events: auto;]
[border=0; border-top: 1px solid var(--accent); padding: 0; margin: -7px auto 12px; width: 100%; max-width: 580px; min-width: 250px][/border][border=0; padding: 0 8px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0 auto; width: 100%; max-width: 580px; min-width: 250px][border=0; padding: 0; margin: 10px 0; height: 473px; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0; overflow: hidden; display: flex; flex-direction: column][border=0; padding: 0; height: 93%; width: 200%; overflow-y: scroll; overflow-x: hidden][border=0; height: auto; width: 49%; padding: 0; box-sizing: border-box; font: 15px Jost; text-align: justify; color: #d9d9f0; text-shadow: 0 0 5px #7d7db4][border=0; margin-bottom: 0px;][/border][border=0; padding: 0; font: 1px Jura; color: var(--accent); letter-spacing: 0.1em; line-height: 100%; text-transform: uppercase; text-shadow: 2px 0 #000; box-sizing: border-box][border=0; border-left: 1px solid #262626; margin: 7px 0 0 5px; padding: 0 0 2px 10px; text-align: justify; line-height:140%;font-size: 17.5px;color: #ccc; text-transform: none; text-shadow: none; letter-spacing: 0; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 15px][comment]

―――――――― ACTUAL POST CONTENT HERE

[/comment][border=0; padding: 0; font-family: var(--jpfont); font-size: 40px; line-height: 100%; color: var(--bgcolor); text-align: left; position: relative;][font=Kenia]CHARACTER NAME INFO HERE[/font][/border][border=0; padding: 0; font-family: var(--jpfont); font-size: 20px; line-height: 100%; color: var(--bgcolor); text-align: left; position: relative;][font=Kenia]LOCATION: INFO HERE[/font][/border][border=0; padding: 0; font-family: var(--jpfont); font-size: 20px; line-height: 100%; color: var(--bgcolor); text-align: left; position: relative;][font=Kenia]SCENE: EG EP. 1 SCENE 1[/font][/border]
[font=Times New Roman]Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

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[Seraphine]

BOOK ONE: WATER

EPISODE I. SCENE 1
"the boy in the iceberg"

© REVERIEE

 

[Seraphine]

THE GOOD GAANG

GM POST

∆

∆

∆

∆

Code by Yukitera

◈ AIR BISON ISLAND ◈

SCENE.

GG. SCENE 1

LOCATION.

Aang's Ice Cavern, Air Bison Island

WEATHER.

Fair, mild spring weather; schools of thick altostratus cloud dot the island's snow-capped mountain peaks. The higher one climbs, the colder and snowier it gets!

TIME.

4th day into the seven-day retreat, afternoon

PARTICIPANTS.

Katara, Toph, Sokka, Himari mi casa , Kaname Zenritch , Kallik armeen , Rane @Fill , Zhao Seraphine , Xiaobo .sol. , Naomi khai.

DESCRIPTION.

Ah, it's that time of year once again — the annual pilgrimage to Air Bison Island, where the old Gaang gathers for a week to honor the legacy of Aang. This year, however, Zuko and Mei have decided to excuse themselves, as Mei has fallen ill. They've taken precautions to ensure the safety of their two Princesses by providing them with ample protection. Following a spat earlier in the week with Katara, Malina has opted to remain behind and brew a comforting batch of hot chocolate for the group. No one knows what they fought about, but it has definitely put Katara in a sour mood.

By now, the routine is as familiar as breath itself; the first few days are for decompression, catching up and checking in on the state of the wiild air bison reserve protected by both Water Tribes. Then on the fourth day, right after breakfast, the hike begins. With Katara at the helm, everyone embarks on a single, (sort of) solemn two-hour trek up an indiscreet mountain, candles in hand. If one is lucky, one can peer through the veil of fog and cloud and see Appa flying up ahead, young daughter Maori trailing close behind, nipping at his tail. Their destination is a certain perch of rock along the mountain side, sticking out like the budding horns of a newborn air calf. The perch is home to a cavern, the mouth of it speckled in ice, and tucked somewhere deep within, is the Iceberg Katara had encased a bloodied and bruised Aang in, all those years ago...

Upon their arrival, Appa stands poised and patient, awaiting his human companions to lead him inside to his beloved old buddy. His daughter is a different story - eager for the pets and rubs she will surely get, Maori makes a headbutting beeline for anyone giving her an iota of interest. The group ventures deep into the ice-encrusted cavern cannals, winding into a modest expanse of space where Iceberg stood like some forgotten jewel of a chandelier. As they gather around the foot of the Iceberg, a solemn air envelops them. Katara takes the lead, approaching the ice with a small candle in hand. With a gentle flick of her wrist and match, she ignites the wick and places the candle against the ice.

One by one, each member of the group follows suit, lighting their own candle and offering either a speech or a silent moment of remembrance. But not everything goes smoothly. Some of the kids fumble over their words, their nervousness palpable in the quiet air. A few have forgotten to bring their candles or have lost them on the journey, prompting a scramble to share amongst themselves, even if the wick is already burned out. Either way, finally, it is Appa's turn. With a mournful rumble, he lowers his massive head and nuzzles the Iceberg, his silent tribute to his fallen friend. As the last candle is placed, a subtle shift in energy ripples through the group. There's a sense of palpable anticipation among the children of Sokka, Katara, the proteges of Toph and the rest. The potential for bickering breaks out among them as one thought comes to the forefront of their minds: riding back to the resort on the back of Appa himself. The snag is, this year, the question of whose rightful turn it is to take the reins has slipped through the cracks. With (almost) everyone vying for the chance to steer Appa, it's a recipe for tussle, backtalk and a bit of chaos.

Of course, there's an unspoken agreement: the last thing anyone wants is to be left in charge of steering Maori. A positive ball of boundless energy and unpredictable antics, she is a handful for even the most experienced of riders. Some of the young members of the group still haven't gotten over bruises or failed attempts from years before...

coded by xayah.ღ

THE EVIL GAANG

GM POST

∆

∆

∆

∆

Code by Yukitera

◈ COAL FREIGHTER ◈

SCENE.

EG. SCENE 1

LOCATION.

On the sea, five klicks (3 miles) from Air Bison Island

WEATHER.

Fair, mild spring weather; some strands of cloud streak across the otherwise robin blue sky.

TIME.

11th day on board, afternoon

PARTICIPANTS.

Ashina Dachai TAC , Ashina Zuolin High Moon , Ryuma Spiderverse , Noriko RikuXIII , Seika felideli , Jorogumo Steve Jobs , Mei Lian @cicada , Lihua @takki

DESCRIPTION.

Somewhere nearby to Air Bison Island, a chartered shipping freighter laden with coal cuts through the sea, ripe for plunder by the notorious Sky Pirates. In secret and grateful accordance with the crew, among their number are elite agents of Azula's Ember Society, tasked with a honey-trap style operation that aims to take the sky scoundrels down at the root - a necessary deviance from their usual lineup of dark spirit-related missions. For months, these marauders have brazenly raided Fire Nation native and colonial coal ships, their audacity growing with each successful plunder.

The agents' presence on the freighter is not by chance but the result of meticulous planning and execution. A week and a half earlier, they had tracked, captured, and interrogated a young Sky Pirate on his lonesome during a supply run on ground. Thanks to the information painfully gleaned from their new captive, the agents know with certainty that their target, Captain Kipaluk, is set to be present during this particular air bison raid. To enhance their chances of success, they have positioned themselves strategically, prepared to spring into action at a moment's notice. The calculated risk of using the tortured pirate as bait is based on the understanding that the Sky Pirates, fiercely protective of their own, would undoubtedly mount a daring rescue attempt.

However, there have been setbacks. Despite their efforts, the stubborn young pirate Tagak has yet to divulge the crucial information regarding Kipaluk's exact position. His resilience, coupled with a moment of weakness on the part of one of the agents, nearly led to a failed escape attempt a day earlier, when he managed to just about board a rowboat and attempt a daring getaway, putting his waterbending abilities to use.

Nevertheless, the elite force remains undeterred. They know that Kipaluk is set to be present during this Sky Pirate raid on Air Bison Island, but they are still in the dark in regards to what exact boat within the little sub-fleet he'll be on. This missing piece of information is the key to their success, and they are prepared to do whatever it takes to uncover it, as time is of the essence. They must obtain the vital information before their honey trap is sprung, and the Sky Pirates descend upon them in their rumored manner - shrouded in sudden fog, swiftly infiltrating their chosen victim vessel, and ruthlessly dispatching every crew member they encounter...

coded by xayah.ღ

 

[TAC]

ASHINA DACHAI

LOCATION: ON THE SEA, FIVE KLICKS (3 MILES) FROM AIR BISON ISLAND

SCENE: EG EP. 1 SCENE 1

The rebel General exhaled, a warmth rising from his stomach and leaving his lips, steam on the cool air erupting from him. He grunted, his form covered in sweat, as he balanced on one hand, his palm flat against the smooth metal surface of the charted ship’s metallic deck. With great exertion, Dachai pushed himself through his exercises, the latest being one handed, upside down push ups. A pain sparked in Dachai’s back as he fought to retain his poise, bending low before pushing himself far higher.

It wasn’t yet noon but the warmth of the Sun gave quiet reassurances to Dachai Ashina—guidance to spur on the impromptu workout.

With a final grunt, Dachai flopped to his feet, wavering a second before pulling himself up. Shirtless, Dachai’s form glistened with moisture as the rebel General labored to breathe. His amber eyes found the crew of their borrowed ship sluggish, a few uncomfortable yawns by the last of the midnight shift. They had another hour to go before being replaced with the afternoon shift, Dachai wanted fresh men out here before the water savages launched their misguided ambush.

“Very good, General.” One of Dachai’s lieutenants congratulated the general, forcing a sneer from Dachai’s mouth. The lieutenant held out a small glass and plate, a honey shaded tea waiting for Dachai.

“Five years ago, that wouldn’t have made me sweat.” The General complained, taking the offering in hand. Instinctively, Dachai’s palms surged to life with warmth, the tea cup in hand starting to bubble.

It wasn’t hot when Dachai sipped it but a combination of the building heat and Dachai’s own thirst made it passable. “Any word from our honorable guest?” Dachai questioned, eyes looking down at the lieutenant as he brought his tea back to his lips, an exaggerated sip filling the air.

The lieutenant—a man several years younger than Dachai himself, wrinkles around his eyes forming and the gray in his dark hair encroaching at the fringes—shook his head. “He wasn't in the mood to talk last night, General.”

Dachai nodded, absentmindedly, as he took another sip of his tea. “He’s proving to be quite the masochist.”

“Indeed, General. However…” The lieutenant’s eyes glinted with unspoken mischief. Dachai leaned closer, intrigued. “I suspect that we’ll have a lead very soon.”

“Is that so?” Dachai wondered. “One of the Kemurikage taking a whack at him?”

He hadn’t seen them around yet and that was as good of an omen as it was a bad one. On one hand, it meant Dachai’s morning was free from women who were too little of sanity for Dachai’s liking. On the other hand, it meant they were acting without Dachai’s eyes on them, which only fed a nervous pit in his stomach.

‘If the Kemurikage are interrogating the pirate, we’ll have him speaking very soon.’ Dachai Ashina thought pensively. ‘But there won’t be much of the prisoner left after that, either.’

A regrettable outcome.

Not that Dachai cared about the prisoner for his own sake but having an alive and not badly maimed prisoner would make coming to an understanding with the rest of the pirate’s cohorts later all the easier. Though Dachai had little doubts that Azula’s ferocious assassins wouldn’t care enough about Dachai’s wishes and would act on their own demented pleasures.

His sneer returned.

“Lord Zuolin approached the guards more than an hour ago, General. From the way the guards have been smiling, I’d say they are very optimistic with your brother’s efforts.” The lieutenant spoke with a swell of excitement.

And it was exciting. For eleven days, they’d been out on this boat—a mere transport ship, instead of their salvaged warships—racing against the clock to reach the pirates whilst dealing with an uncooperative guest. Much of the crew didn’t know if they were going to succeed or waste their time. Those who were part of the operation before the crew was assembled, those in the arduous strategy meetings whose job it was to ensure such missions go off without a hitch, were even more desperate for a lead.

Anything to justify months of planning and long hours going over Fire Nation patrols, Northern Water Tribe’s navy or even other pirates, all to safely slink past them.

‘It would be a terrible shame if this was another goosehog chase.’ Dachai hated nothing more than his time being wasted. Besides traitors such as Fire Lord Zuko, of course.

The news that Zuolin was taking over for the usual interrogators drew little more than a grunt of acknowledgement from Dachai.

“So long as he doesn’t maim the prisoner…” Dachai started before his mind went to Zuolin’s loud bias against the Water Tribe peoples. “In fact, go check in on him. After an hour, I suspect Zoulin has something.”

“At once, General.” The lieutenant saluted and marched off, two soldiers trailing behind the lieutenant as they disappeared into the bowels of the ship.

The rebel general turned, his eyes to the wide horizon in front of him. Somewhere, among the clouds above them, lay their prey. ‘Water Savages.’ Dachai’s lips formed a thin line. ‘Less respectable foes than the rock pounders and I don’t have much experience against the Water Tribe.’

Two battles in the Hundred Years War against the Southern Water Tribe’s expeditionary force amounted to the most practical experience Dachai had with their ilk. They were fierce warriors but not one of them was a bender. ‘And these ones are all benders. A peculiar subspecies of waterbender at that.’

He didn’t doubt they’d win, if the pirates descended upon them. The Fire Nation didn’t lose to Water Tribe savages. It was an impossibility. But that didn’t guarantee a swift and painless victory. His eyes fell to the lackadaisical guards, slumped at the shoulder from exhaustion. Dachai gestured for another officer to approach.

“Sir?” This one, a younger mixed breed from the colonies, inquired with youthful innocence mired with drowsiness.

His voice was curt as he spoke his orders. “Signal for an early shift change. We’ll want fresh tinder for the furnace.”

“Sir.” The officer bowed his head, turning to deliver these orders.

Steam came from Dachai’s tea cup, the hustle of footsteps and low murmur of questions from one soldier to another as they were abruptly ordered off duty, music to his ears. A steady strum of energy that fed into Dachai’s nerves, calming whatever worries he felt.

Dachai eventually smiled. ‘I have the strangest sensation but… Today’s going to be a special day.’

@highmoon

 

[High Moon]

ASHINA ZUOLIN

Grumpy Old Man

Location

ON THE SEA, FIVE KLICKS (3 MILES) FROM AIR BISON ISLAND

Scene

EG EP. 1 SCENE 1

With a withering sound of a scream, the boy crumpled onto the ground and Zuolin sighed, exhaustion clear from his expression, he himself collapsed onto a cushion.

The air remained stiff, and filled with static, one could almost feel the electricity in the air, made worse by the pungent smell of burned flesh that permeated from the "You are wasting my time and effort boy, and neither of those come cheap as you’ve learned."

He turned towards the young girl, accompanying him in his pursuit for knowledge. "Normally, I don't concern myself with low-hanging fruit like our mutual-friend here." for a moment annoyance and bitter hate tainted his words. "But, two weeks without giving us what we wanted? And trying to leave without asking for permission?" Were the engines roaring with new-found rigor or was the heat of the room making them imagine? "No no no... We can't allow such to go without punishment now can we?" he motioned for the soldier standing at attention to continue flogging the savage as he rested, a duty carried out with prompt haste.

He rose from his seat. "You should have taken the deal that we offered when you had the chance, boy." Towering over the crumpled mess that once used to be a human-adjacent creature, he "You could have left this ship, richer than even your wildest dreams, but alas I suppose savages such as yourself are incapable of rational thought. Why must you savages be so fucking stupid?” He was about to strike the boy once more…

but the awaited strike did not happen, as there was a sudden knock on the door, followed by a rusty creak breaking the old man's monologue.“Lord Ashina." said the young man that appeared from behind the rusted door, Zuolin guessed he was one of Dachai's very own lackeys, and not one of his own, for not one of them would ever have the disrespect to barge in without permission. With a side glance “Yes?” he asked, curtly, “The General wanted us to inquire about the state of the prisoner my Lord.” The young officer reported, it seemed like he was making sure his tone was as neutral as possible as to not seem accusatory. "Look, there's someone who cares for your well-being aboard this ship after all..." he scoffed, somewhat offended that Dachai would think he’d actually be careless enough to put that thing out of it’s misery. "Probably more so than yourself." Zuolin half-muttered, giving one last glance to it before he turned to take his, and for a moment he thought maybe he might have over-used his practice a little bit, using the boy as a tool to release his frustrations for the past two weeks, but the feeling did not linger, for scum of the earth like that did not deserve pity.

He turned his attention to Dachai's lieutenant and gave him a stiff nod. "Inform the General that our guest still draws breath but remains opposed to cooperating."He said it as if it was a simple report and not… well what it was. "Also inform him that I shall be with him shortly." He said to the adjutant with a dismissive wave of his hand, nothing more was spoken as the adjutant saluted and quickly retreated. He turned towards the young assassin once more. "Mei dear, take care of our guest in my absence will you? We don't want a repeat of what happened yesterday." It was clear that despite the way it was phrased, it was less a request and most certainly an order, with consequences that would be dire if they were not followed. “I shall be back before sundown, Send for me if he decides to be more cooperative.” he moved towards the door ready to take his leave, but just before he disappeared he said. “Oh before I forget, Mei, if he tries anything again? Be a dear and break his knees for good ol’ Uncle Lin, will you? We learn to appreciate such things better when we lose them.” and with that, he was gone.

He strode through the narrow halls of the freighter with heavy steps, his hands searching for the pack of relief within his pocket. Maybe, some tea could be refreshing. And provide ample time to discuss how to handle the previous day’s affair with his brother. Thinking of that he could already feel that this was going to be the longest day out of this hellish trip. Already he could feel a migraine coming up with unrelenting force. Oh what wouldn't he sacrifice to be back in the comfort of his office… Well, he had an idea of what actually, rather unfortunately.

TAGS ⪻ INTERACTIONS

Ashina Dachai // TAC
Mei Lian // @cicada

TAGS ⪻ MENTIONS

NOTABLE NPC CONTROL?

YES • NO • N/A

code by yukitera

 

[TAC]

ASHINA DACHAI

LOCATION: ON THE SEA, FIVE KLICKS (3 MILES) FROM AIR BISON ISLAND

SCENE: EG EP. 1 SCENE 1

Dachai remained on deck throughout the shift change. He stood on guard, a towel wrapped around his neck to soak up any sweat from his workout, as disgruntled guards begrudgingly took the places of their haggard allies. A few, most notably an older veteran from the Hundred Years War, was particularly loud in voicing his displeasure.

After all, this shift wasn’t due to be on duty for another hour.

While he could understand such frustrations, Dachai Ashina was no man to tolerate them. He remained on deck for that reason, as at the sight of their general, the afternoon shift of soldiers stuffed their ruckus complaints, trading them for vile whispers that Dachai pretended not to hear.

It’s not as if he was always the dignified soldier when getting upsetting orders, in his younger days.

Ever grateful to be a firebender, Dachai’s appreciation for his birthright was even greater. He’d never gone so far south before and the winds whipping along the deck were reminiscent of a harsh winter’s night. With careful and deep breathing, his body donned an invisible aura of heat, pouring from deep within his body until the wind was little more than a whistle in his ear.

The tea in his hands threatened to boil, if the brown liquid bubbling upwards was any indication.

His attention was elsewhere.

‘The report said these… Cloudbenders were not seen using traditional bending methods. But that doesn’t mean they can’t.’ Dachai mulled over the information. He didn’t like battling them with the ocean below and the clouds above—it gave them a topographical advantage akin to taking on an earthbender inside a cave. Though he did not count them in any ways out. They had a number of excellent benders and in general warriors on their side, not to mention the enigmatic Kemurikage. Their shadowbending alone was enough to stun most enemies, the first time around.

‘I know it stunned me.’ The rebel General considered, sipping his scorching hot tea as the memory came by. ‘Daiyu’s was nothing short of a monster.’ Which was all the more fitting.

Their clandestine meeting… Was something Dachai found himself returning to more than he should have. A darkness that not even his brightest fires had any chance of illuminating. And even if he could, Dachai wasn’t sure he wanted to see what secrets Daiyu and the Kemurikage were hiding. Rumors drifted, as they always do, with sinister warnings.

‘They sacrificed a catmeleon!’ One of his old comrades, a now deceased member of the Yuyan Archers, alleged. ‘You have us working with witches!’

‘Idle gossip, we’ve got better things to do than mind every bad word about those people.’ Dachai recalled how he shot back, the accusatory look in his old comrade’s eyes as Dachai later informed him to keep any mention of such activities to himself.

‘Have you heard the news, Ashina?’ Chu Han, a large chested and mustached man, shot across a tavern once lavish with red draperies that now found itself chained with greenery. ‘In the home islands, there’s been a rash of disappearances… With ex-Azula supporters. It’s weird. Only young girls were taken…’

Dachai’s lips curled at the memory—a fire nation colonial who was an avid supporter of the Ember Society, his trade that of a tailor. ‘Punishments given onto them from the Fire Lord, no doubt.’

He refused to name the Fire Lord any further.

Chu Han would later disappear in the night. They were all left to assume the Jing Wei were responsible.

On more than one occasion, Dachai had to order Jiaoshen silent when the man brought up their thirst for Earth Kingdom blood so great, they’d perform ceremonial executions.

‘Savagery.’ Dachai thought. Nothing but the antithesis of what Fire Lord Ozai stood for. Specifically what Fire Lord Sozin left the Home Islands to find and scour from the world. Dachai couldn’t.. No, refused to believe such barbarisms existed in the shadows of the Fire Lord.

‘These idle rumors…’ Dachai thought, his grip on the tea cup precarious as his hand wavered, shaking as a leaf in the storm. Honeyed liquid spilled outwards, falling onto the cold deck and onto his warm wrist.

The rebel General’s eyes rapidly shut and open, returning the man to the waking world, away from manic thoughts.

“General, I have word from Lord Zuolin.” His Lieutenant from before reappeared, the fact that Dachai was unaware of his approach only gave credence to how deep Dachai was, practically an ocean’s distance from their chartered vessel, worrying about concerns that need not occupy his mind.

With a muffled grunt, Dachai rubbed his wrist free from the bubbling tea. “That’ll leave a mark.” Dachai muttered to himself. “Go on, what’s my brother up to? Did he fry the boy?”

He braced himself for the disappointment that the prisoner would be dead, leaving them no choice but to fight with the sky pirates.

“The prisoner was not in great health,” The lieutenant said with a shine in his eyes. “Yet he refuses to talk. I was told to inform you that Lord Zuolin wishes to speak with you.”

A dry puff escaped Dachai’s lips, a hollow laugh as the general grabbed his towel, wiping away the moisture clinging to his neck. “Lord Ashina needs his appointments properly announced.” Dachai shook his head and muttered the word pompous.

The lieutenant blinked. “You are a general, General. It’s only proper.”

“He could’ve spared me the dramatics and followed you up here.” The general rolled his eyes. “Nevermind that… Standing here the last few hours reminded me why I chose the army.” Dachai licked his lips. “A man can fall asleep on shift with how unendingly dull sailing is. Do you play any instruments?”

For a second time, the lieutenant was caught off guard. “Erm… Yes, the chime, General.”

Dachai’s nose scrunched at the word. “How does one play a chime? You wait for a breeze and it makes sound by itself.”

“There’s a technique to it, actually. I’d be happy to—”

“No no.. That’s fine. Go grab your chime and take this,” He handed off his half spilt tea. “It’ll offend Lord Ashina if our teas aren’t served together. Find someone to bring us… Jasmine.”

“As.. As you command.” The lieutenant gave a swift salute, marching off.

It didn’t take the man six minutes to complete Dachai’s orders. If that wasn’t surprising enough, he beat Zuolin back on deck. With red cheeks, the lieutenant brought a stick with one bulbous end wrapped in soft cotton across the many ends of the chime. It wasn’t quite playing an instrument, in Dachai’s opinion, but fine tuning the wind’s course. It made for a not unpleasant sound to listen to as he patiently waited for Zuolin. Some thirty seconds later, the aristocratic tycoon ascended the stairs onto deck.

Dachai kept his face straight as he regarded his younger brother—weathered by age and softened by profession, yet those eyes of his were sharper than any sword Dachai’s wielded. Whatever his brother didn’t have in terms of physical ability, he more than made up for in his cunning and shrewdness.

‘He’d have made a hell of a colonel, if he joined up with the cause.’ Dachai appraised the man as he neared.

“Zuolin, heard you took an extra interest in our honorable guest.” Dachai hummed, avoiding any tone that could be condescending or accusatory. After all, it was a little obvious that Zuolin’s attention on the pirate was solely due to Noriko’s mistakes.

‘Best not to make much mention of that. Not until he does.’

“Lieutenant, please present Lord Ashina and myself with our drinks.” Dachai said with an ugly smile. He accepted his tea gracefully, taking a loud sip of it as Zuolin reached for his. “Did our honorable guest find your company… In any way appealing? Did it make him feel comfortable enough to let his tongue wag?”
@highmoon

 

[leviohsa]

Akira

daughter of ty lee

Location

Air Bison Island

Scene

GG EP I. SCENE 1

There was much to observe when in the back of the pack. It was a lesson Akira learned early on, even if her instincts will her to run and join the antics of the group. In the rear, one can notice the stifled laughter between childhood friends. The panicked search for a candle that had fallen a mile ago. The look of longing in Katara's eyes. Although, Akira supposed nobody could miss her and Appa's grief. It hung onto them, even when they seemed their happiest.

Akira couldn't be certain, though. After all, the only reason she stood behind the infamous group of benders was the pair of Princesses in her line of sight. Yes, she knew of the stories, and her mother became a friend to the saviors of the world as she knew it, but...

Her place was back here.

Especially now that she knew that the tradition of fighting over the driver's seat was bound to start at any moment. She rolled her eyes at the first attempt at claiming Appa. Of course, they're going to go for the old man. Akira, while thrilled to ride on the back of an air bison, knew she never wanted to be in charge of one. Especially Maori, who was all excitement and no patience. The Guard could take the brunt of the ride, since she let herself be last to pick a seat, but even she knew better than to try and take charge.

As long as she was with one (or preferably, both) of the Princesses, then Akira would be content. The Empress' illness left her friends shaken up, and Akira knew that it may lead to them getting in their own heads.

It was for this reason that when she spotted Kaname, she leaned over to her, "So, you gonna try for Maori this year?" It was mostly a joke, since everyone knew that attempting to reign in the young air bison was a guarantee for a full-body beatdown, but she also knew the Princess to be a bit of a risktaker. It left Akira with a small voice inside her, reminding her that Kaname isn't quite above trying to prove herself to the group.

TAGS ⪻ INTERACTIONS

Kaname // Zenritch
CHARACTER NAME // PLAYER

TAGS ⪻ MENTIONS

CHARACTER NAME // PLAYER
CHARACTER NAME // PLAYER

NOTABLE NPC CONTROL?

YES • NO • N/A

code by yukitera

 

[Seraphine]

TAGAK

THE PRISONER

Location

FIRE NATION COAL FREIGHTER

Scene

EG EP I. SCENE 1

Droplets of sweat slithered down from every pore, mingling with the heat generated by the old burning bastard's lightning. Tagak could only follow the slight strings of vapor with bleary, blue, bloodshot eyes. Along with his head, they lolled back deliriously from the pain. His nose burned with the scent of his own singed flesh. Patches had already begun to form along bare skin, faintly reminding him of polar leopard fur.

Polar... The thought dragged in his mind as if it were the animal itself by its hindlegs. ...Leopard... fur... coats.

The Captain had been quite adamant about it, circling it three, four times on the supply run list. After all, like life in the North or South Pole, when it comes to survival in the skies, staying warm is just as important as staying airborne. Of course, his old man had insisted on coming along, but for the love of Tui and La, Tagak would hear none of it. He was no longer a wayward teen in need of constant supervision! He knew the supply run like the back of his hand; Kipaluk's black market contacts in the Earth Kingdom all knew his face. So what if he went alone? So what if he lacked the legitimizing presence of his father, the First Mate to the Captain himself? So what if all it took was the right amount of grease to let slip of a young Sky Pirate's whereabouts? For what felt like the thousandth time, a biting fury surged within Tagak as he considered his captors. How foolish it was of him to believe that the business the Pirates brought to the Ba Sing Se black merchants would ward off the usual suspects, as it had been the pattern up until now. Ultimately, it reeked of Water Tribe sensibility; no matter how far he flew from the nest, the fundamentals of throttling togetherness and blind loyalty ingrained during his time in the Northern Navy, remained drilled in his head like icepicks.

Upon mention of his one and only recent escape attempt the night before, a bullet of blood-soaked spit shot out of Tagak's mouth, arcing through the air and landing against the geriatric ghoul of a general's boot with a spiteful flourish. The whispers of a gum-bleeding, missing-toothed smile tugged the corners of his lips before a cry of pain ripped through them instead, right alongside the whiplashes. Jaw clenched shut, Tagak stubbornly rode the waves of agony clutching at the chains tethered round the length of his arms. He could do nothing but default to a particular icepick drilled into his brain. Indeed, if there was ever a silver lining Tagak would admit to about having been in the Northern Water Tribe Navy, it was the resistance to interrogation training each cadet was required to go through. Their instructors had been Fire Nation prisoners during the Hundred Year War; their first-hand experience and knowledge of the old pyromaniac regime's torture methods were invaluable in a way Tagak could only appreciate now, in the throes of one single old gnat's pyromania. The underlying logic was simple: you are not your pain. A kind of forced state of meditation often split into seconds like strands of hair, a state that Tagak forced himself to burn into his very being these past two weeks.

Speaking of the devil, his parched throat seized for a moment, overcome by the nauseous smell of cauterizing flesh. He swallowed the bile down. With a practiced, tired roll of his head, he tuned out of the man's vitriolic rambling about promised riches. Tagak was, and had been called many terrible things growing up; Tagak the Turd, Tagak the Terrible, even Tagak the Terrible Turd – but he would rather sooner die than let Tagak the Traitor be one of them – tattletale turned by Fire Nation scum. The problem was, his captors seemed intent on making sure death was not keen in welcoming him.

These... bastards... are not the usual suspects...

The Jing Wei. Fire Lord Zuko's forces. This bunch was allied with neither; that much was made even clearer last night, when girls no older than he had guarded him; one too absorbed in her ream of sketching paper to pay attention, and the other too occupied in making fun of her for it to notice he had slipped out of his then-roped bonds. A couple of sprints and rowboat overhaul later, he was all but ready to jump into the sea whe... when–

Tagak flinched. The shadow of his tormentor's wrinkled hand appeared and disappeared like breath against a candle's flame. Muscles visibly loosened as the Fire Nation fossil finally turned round, muttering under his breath. They tensed right back up again when the topic landed on breaking his knees, and Tagak couldn't help but shudder. At that moment, his right leg flared with an intense pain, reminding him of the blast and the resulting ball of metal sat tenderly somewhere under the crook of his knee. It had come out of thin air, like lightning in all but name. He had already been cornered then, by a gigantic spider creature so dark and foul, its long, spindly legs of dark spiritual flame would reach into the realm of nightmares. Tagak had felt for the first time in his life perhaps, true fear unlike any he had ever known, and it was that paralyzing fear that had sealed the fate of his escape as a failure. He was here on this spirits-cursed vessel as a hostage, and he knew it.

Once the door closed, Tagak raised his head. The girl in front of him was a different face from the others, but he'd heard enough from the chatter of passerby guards to finally glean who and what she was.

"Do..." croaked the pirate, pale eyes narrowing to slits, "...your worst, witch."

TAGS ⪻ INTERACTIONS

ASHINA ZUOLIN // High Moon
MEI LIAN // @cicada

TAGS ⪻ MENTIONS

ASHINA DACHAI // TAC
RYUMA JI LIN // Spiderverse
JOROGUMO // Steve Jobs

NOTABLE NPC CONTROL?

YES (GM CONTROL)

code by yukitera

 

[Steve Jobs]

JOROGUMO

KEMURIKAGE ASSASSIN

Location

COAL FREIGHTER, ON THE SEA

Scene

EG. SCENE 1

The incompetence of her peers was astounding. She expected this type of behavior from one of the guards, but knowing who was responsible for Tagak's escape disappointed Jorogumo in ways that she previously reserved for defectors.

"You're lucky Mother Daiyu isn't here to see you embarrass yourself," she remembered hissing at Seika before she left to find Tagak.

Retrieving the prisoner had forced a marriage between newfound technology and traditional spiritualism. Where Ryuma tackled the left wing of the ship with her firearm, Jorogumo summoned Tsuchigumo to snuff out the right side. Gambling on his primal fear, the giant spider skittered along the walls, searching for its prey.

Judging by the bangs that echoed throughout the ship, Ryuma must have found him first. Though she wasn't proficient with most weapons, the gun was an innovation in Fire Nation technology. Portable, powerful, and fast, they were one of the few ways a Nonbender could reasonably fight back, Metalbenders excluded.

As a Kemurikage however, Jorogumo had a different means of nailing down her victims. The howl of pain that came from the staircase wasn't lost on either her or the spider who made a sharp left.

"There's no use in running, Tagak. If you stop now, there's still a chance you'll make it out alive," Jorogumo announced, curling her fingers back to form a claw and then striking forward.

Tsuchigumo leaped forward, descending upon its prey with otherworldly fury. As Jorogumo brought her fingers into a point, so too did her familiar sink its teeth into the limping Waterbender. She knelt down to inspect Tagak for anymore signs of defiance before gesturing for her familiar to relent.

"Oh, did you really think you were getting away?" she cooed, stroking his cheeks with razor sharp nails, "you're pathetic."

Ultimately she gave Ryuma the go ahead to take Tagak away and turned in for the night, anger settling into a simmer.

In the morning Jorogumo called for Noriko, Seika, and Ryuma to debrief in her quarters, away from the rest of the crew. Though she offered Ryuma the option to sit down, her eyes made it apparent that the invitation was not extended to the failures in the room.

"You two are supposed to be two of the best soldiers within the Ember Society, so tell me: how did he escape?" Jorogumo asked, eyes boring holes into their own. Whether sitting or standing, she towered over the two women who just barely entered adulthood.

"And you Seika." She leaned down. "I expect little from a brat who was plucked from her father's lap, but you are a Pyre Daughter. Every action you take reflects on the Kemurikage. How do you expect us to continue our post when you've been bested by a damned savage?"

TAGS ⪻ INTERACTIONS

SEIKA CHISAKI // felideli
NORIKO ASHINA // RikuXIII
RYUMA JI LIN // Spiderverse

TAGS ⪻ MENTIONS

TAGAK // Seraphine

NOTABLE NPC CONTROL?

YES • NO • N/A

code by yukitera

 

[RikuXIII]

NORIKO ASHINA

LOCATION: COAL FREIGHTER, ON THE SEA

SCENE: EG EP. 1 SCENE 1

Noriko hadn't slept a wink since the blasted prisoner sneaked out of his cell. How had she been so stupid to miss the escape? She had let her emotions get the better of her, feeling sorry for what was being done to the low life. That weakness had left her distracted and left her mind to wander. Now it felt like everything was crumbling. Ryuma had been able to fix the mistake, but with one of the damned witches they had been forced to partner with. Her fellow cadet could be trusted to keep quiet, but Jorogumo and Seika? They would likely seize the opportunity to discredit the Ashina Company. By now, Uncle Dachai would know what had happened. Would Father? Noriko knew she had to get out ahead of this, but the fear and lack of sleep poisoned her mind, leaving her in a spiral of thought. Fear, recrimination, desire for resolution, and repeat.
Noriko was broken out of the unending loop of anxiety by a dose of cold terror when she was summoned to Jorogumo's quarters. After a few frantic minutes to try to gain some control of herself, Noriko reported to the Kemurikage Assassin's room. While Ryuma would recieve a brief look loaded with gratitude, fear, and weariness, the Ashina Heir met Jorogumo with a look of anger and defience. The look remained unchanged as Jorogumo began her dressing down of the two failed guards, though being called a brat caused Noriko to snarl.
"Don't put this on me, assassin." She bit out, her mind racing as the opening Jorogumo had left as she laid into Seika presented an opportunity. "Your fellow 'Pyre Daughter' was the one who allowed this. Doubtless she was lost in thought of spirits rather than focusing on the here and now!"


~*Interactions*~
Jorogumo - Steve Jobs
Ryuma Ji Lin - Spiderverse
Seika Chisaki - felideli
~*Mentions*~
Tagak - Seraphine
Dachai Ashina - TAC
Zuolin Ashina - High Moon

 

[Seraphine]

KATARA

SOUTHERN WATER TRIBE CHIEFTESS

Location

AANG'S ICE CAVERN, AIR BISON ISLAND

Scene

GG. EP I. SCENE 1

The cavern air was crisp and mild against her skin, a stark contrast to the unrelentingly, frost-bound wind that had accompanied them since the start of their trek from the Island resort. Slipping quietly from its sealskin haven, Katara's hand rested gently upon the masterpiece of ice it had created all those years ago.

Her breath hitched. No matter how many times she visited with the others or took refuge here alone, the sight always moved her. Aang, buried deep behind a fortress of ice, faint battle scars scattered across his half-dressed body like petals. The last glow of his arrowhead shone faintly through the glacier, piercing her heart. Knowing that she couldn't keep things long this year, Katara carefully brought out her candle and single match, lighting it. Sokka, Toph, and the others didn't mind when it was their time to commemorate, but the children were very much a different matter. Though 'children' was hardly the right label for them anymore, she thought dryly with a touch of warmth, glancing back over her shoulder. Most years, it was not hard to sense the spacing out, the quiet fiddling with their candles and matches, or the yearning to go back and taste some of Malina's trademark hot cocoa.

Malina.

Katara bit back the urge to purse her lips. If there was anyone in the Tribes more aggravating to her than Gilak and his goons, it would undoubtedly be that woman. From the moment her sister-in-law had entered their lives, Katara sensed a rift. From the seemingly innocuous squabbles over menu selections for that week's construction crew to the deeper ideological chasms that drove their efforts, the rift between them was a constant and palpable presence. Whether it was debates over resource allocation, the prioritization of certain reconstruction projects, or the implementation of new policies to benefit the Southern Water Tribe, Katara and Malina nearly always found themselves at odds time and time again.

It was a clash of vision; in leadership, in governance, and in the very essence of what it means to rebuild the Tribe after the devastation of war. While Katara found herself grappling with the weight of tradition, with the responsibility of preserving the cultural heritage of their people in the aftermath of war, Malina approached the task bestowed to her by Chieftain Arnook with a pragmatic efficiency that bordered on ruthlessness. To her, progress was paramount, and tradition was little more than an obstacle to be overcome in the pursuit of modernization. She saw the reconstruction efforts as an opportunity to implement sweeping changes, to drag their sister tribe kicking and screaming into the future, regardless of the cost.

Of course, as the head engineer of the Northern Water Tribe division in the Southern Reconstruction Project, it was true that she held considerable influence and authority. In the end, it was Katara who had jurisdiction and the ultimate say as the Southern Water Tribe chieftess. But did that stop Malina from challenging her decisions or attempt to assert dominance in matters that should have been clear-cut?

Not in the slightest.

Katara glanced at her brother. He had taken a place in the gathered circle next to Toph, giving the shortstack earthbender a long-awaited noogie before Maori butted in and demanded he do the same to her. Katara sighed. Her brother's attempts at playing the mediator had become a familiar routine, one that Katara begrudgingly accepted out of love for him. But even Sokka's well-intentioned efforts couldn't bridge the gap between his wife and his sister.

And then there were the children.

Katara's heart twisted as her briefly landed on her son. Kallik, who bore the scars of his father's leaving. She had done her best to shield him from the pain, to provide him with love and stability in the absence of Jet. But she couldn't help but wonder if Malina's rambunctious Sila and his younger siblings, with their intact family unit and the image of marital bliss that she projected, looked down on Kallik for his broken home.

Despite their best efforts to keep their animosity hidden, Katara knew better than anyone how perceptive children could be. They sensed the tension in the air, picked up on the subtle cues exchanged between adults. And try as she might to shield Kallik from it, she couldn't erase the hurt in his eyes whenever he witnessed another heated exchange between his mother and his aunt. During their trek to the cavern, Katara had noticed the solemn expression on her son's face, a telltale sign that something troubled him. Sensing his unease, she waited for him to speak, her own thoughts still clouded by the earlier spat with Malina.

Finally, Kallik had found the words he sought, his voice tentative as he broached the subject. He explained the situation with the air bison, how they had lost track of whose turn it was to guide Appa back to the resort this year. Katara sighed, the tension of the day weighing heavily upon her. She couldn't help but feel a pang of irritation at the triviality of Kallik's concern. In the grand scheme of things, who drove Appa back to the resort seemed inconsequential compared to the weighty matters that burdened her mind.

With a weariness in her voice, she turned to her son and spoke, her tone dismissive. She expressed her trust in his judgment, though her words lacked conviction. "Kallik," she said, "I trust your judgment. Since you were the one who guided Appa last year, why don't you decide who gets to drive him and Maori back this time?"

Kallik's eyes widened in surprise at his mother's response, a flicker of disappointment crossing his features. Perhaps he had hoped for reassurance, for a moment of connection, but Katara's preoccupation left little room for such sentiments.

With a deep breath, Katara set aside her distractions, surrendering herself to the sacredness of the moment. Lifting her candle with gentle motion, she extinguished the flame with a soft exhale, then delicately positioned it against the foot of the iceberg, where it joined the multitude of others placed there over the years. As she straightened, Katara intertwined her fingers, and prepared to speak.

"We gather here today to honor Aang," her voice echoed softly against the great cavernous columns of rock and ice, each word heavy with meaning. "We honor him not only for his bravery as the last Air Nomad, but also as the last Avatar whose sacrifice restored balance and renewed hope to our world. Today, we give thanks, we mourn, and above all, we carry forward the legacy he left behind."

The words flowed out with all the ease and practice of a hundred reiterations. Still, each word left its mark on her, painful as the day she, Sokka, and Toph found him on that mountaintop, realizing that a great victory against evil came at an even greater cost. Katara spoke with a reverence born from the depths of her soul, her words a tribute to the friend, the leader, and the hero they had all lost. With a small yet firm nod, Katara gestured to the next person to proceed. For years now, she had no choice but to act as if he were long dead, while her heart had believed in the opposite. Some might say she was just as frozen as the boy she once knew—stuck in the past, upholding a tradition not for his sake but for her own. And perhaps there was truth in that, a bittersweet realization that lingered just beneath the surface of her composed facade. Like a shard of ice adrift in the current, she struggled to reconcile her longing for what once was with the harsh reality of what now remained.

But even as doubts gnawed at her resolve, Katara couldn't deny the flicker of hope that still burned within her. Despite the passage of time, Aang's spirit lived on in the hearts of those who loved him, a guiding light in the darkness of their grief.

Yet like a jagged rock against the current of the sea, even she was no match for the power of time. But amid her duties as a matriarch, the belief in Aang's eternal presence felt fragile, like the flame flickering in her grasp—vulnerable to the slightest breath of wind. Inevitably, life too would go on as it always did, its pieces left to be picked up by others.

The old gang had learned to accept this harsh truth. But for Katara, the hope lay not in the flame, but in the candle itself. Protected against the fire, preserved and nearly unscathed, just like her Aang.

Oh, Aang, she thought as her gaze drifted from adolescent to adolescent as they each stepped up to place their candle, speech or solemn silence on their lips, lingering especially on her beloved Kallik and the Fire Nation Princesses. Finally, Appa leaned against the ice, his mournful chuff escaping into the air. If only you knew how much we all still need you.

TAGS ⪻ INTERACTIONS

KALLIK // armeen

TAGS ⪻ MENTIONS

SILA // Steve Jobs
HIMARI // mi casa
KANAME // Zenritch
AKIRA // leviohsa
XIAOBO // .sol.
NAOMI // khai.
ZHAO // Seraphine
SOKKA // NPC
TOPH // NPC
JET // NPC

NOTABLE NPC CONTROL?

YES (GM CONTROL)

code by yukitera

 

[felideli]

CHISAKI SEIKA

KEMURIKAGE ASSASSIN

put youtube link here

Location

COAL FREIGHTER ON THE SEA

Scene

EG EP I. SCENE 1

God forbid Seika makes a teeny tiny mistake, and all of a sudden she’s the bad guy, and can’t do anything right. The harsh words from her peers and allies had been echoing through her head throughout the night, and she couldn’t get it out of her head. Seika was trying to recall back to when it had happened, trying to find a fault in their words. Seika knew they all had it wrong, had she even let her guard down at all? She knows for a fact that she never lets her guard down, especially if she was put in charge of watching such a high-value prisoner like the one they had captive. It wasn’t at all like her to not focus on the mission at hand without an obsessive nature to it, making sure everything was going her way. Everything that had happened hadn’t been her fault of course, if she had been paired with one of her sisters, or at least someone with a brain, then that prisoner wouldn’t have thought twice about escaping. But of course with Seika’s horrendous luck, she was tasked to guard the prisoner with someone from the Ashina Company, their name was Noriko, if Seika remembers correctly, working with her had been a nightmare for sure. Even just thinking about that company left a sour taste in Seika’s mouth, and she already felt herself physically recoiling at the thought. There was not one positive thought Seika had for them.

The night the prisoner had escaped, her fellow sister, Jorogumo, alongside another person from the Ashina Company had been the one to find and recapture him. Seika remembers her sister berating her for something that hadn’t even been her fault, even bringing their mother into the conversation. Talk about adding more fuel to the fire, Seika’s face burned a bright red, anger quickly boiling within her, she felt her hand become warm with the effects of her fire bending coming into play, who was she to talk to her like that? Before Seika could even utter a word back she had been left alone with her thoughts and anger. If she had stayed, Seika wasn’t sure it would be a pretty sight for everyone to wake up to in the morning.

The morning had come fast, sleep hadn’t even crossed Seika’s mind, it being useless to the situation at hand. As soon as the sun showed its face, she was called into a debrief by the one Seika currently despises more than anything at the moment. She knows once she shows up Seika knows she’ll instantly regret even thinking about coming. With an eye roll, and crossed arms, she slinks towards Jorogumo’s quarters finding Jorogumo, Ryuma and Noriko in there already all looking at her, the air filled with tension. Seika didn’t even get to blink before her sister started to talk.

Seika’s annoyance was already apparent as it had been present before anyone had even started talking. She let out a loud scoff, a scowl taking place on her face. There it was again, that condescending tone being spoken to her. Was everyone out of their mind these days, with the way they were all talking to her like that? Seika feels the hairs on her arms stand up, and she can feel that anger bubble up within her again. The matter turned worse when that pathetic Ashina cadet started to splutter absolute nonsense that pinned the blame on her! Seika turned her head towards the cadet, the latter fidgeting as these lies spilled from her mouth. Seika’s anger increased tenfold. “Shall I recall that night with the full truth? An Ashina cadet showing mercy to someone, a prisoner nonetheless? What a shame, perhaps you thought no one had noticed, hmm? With the way you had your head in the clouds the entire time, looking at the one we’re guarding with such a sorrowful gaze, one might even mistake you to be in love with him! It’d take an idiot to not notice.”, Seika taunted, a smirk on her face. “The first to blame is always the guilty one.”

TAGS ⪻ INTERACTIONS

JOROGUMO // Steve Jobs
NORIKO ASHINA // RikuXIII

TAGS ⪻ MENTIONS

TAGAK // Seraphine
RYUMA JI LIN // Spiderverse

NOTABLE NPC CONTROL?

NO

code by yukitera

 

[Steve Jobs]

SILA: SON OF SOKKA & MALINA

LOCATION: INFO HERE

SCENE: GG EP. 1 SCENE 1

It had been four months since Sila returned to the Northern Water Tribe, but his wounds were still fresh from his father’s verbal lashings. Where his mother’s “arms crossed, shake of the head, “I told you so’” was rough, she did still show interest in the mechanisms behind the Sky Pirates’ ship. Previously, the only forms of air transport were Air Bison and hot air balloons, but neither were accessible to waterbenders due to the nature of their element. While they could manipulate the vapors within a cloud, they couldn’t control the wind that came with it.

Though Kipaluk didn't teach him everything about their air ship, Sila knew enough to create a basic mock up (albeit, he inherited his father's artistic talent). By comparison, his father volleyed between the desire for punitive justice and relief that his son finally returned. It was hard to indict him as it would mean revealing that he'd been a pirate for the past four years. Worse yet, a Sky Pirate. Beyond the fact that he could face exile, the scandal would ruin the family name. Katara didn't need another reason to dislike Malina and nobody wanted to push Sila back into the fatherly arms of Captain Kipaluk.

Thus, he approached the yearly pilgrimage to Air Bison Island like any other.

He and Appa stayed as far away from each other as possible, only occupying the same space when they journeyed to Aang's ice cavern. It hadn't always been this way of course. In the years leading up to his departure, Appa and Sila shared a surprisingly close bond. When it came to piloting, the only people who bested him were Sokka and Katara (and occasionally Kallik). But who could forgive a man who kidnapped their family?

Naturally, he played off their rift as a joke and jealousy that he found another mount.

He stared hesitantly at Maori, his failed capture, before shooting everyone a sheepish smile. "I don't think either of them like me too much so it might be best someone else take the reins."

TAGS HERE.
KALLIK // armeen
HIMARI // mi casa
AKIRA // @leviosha
XIAOBO // .sol.
NAOMI // khai.
ZHAO // Seraphine

 

[.sol.]

XIAOBO

PROTEGE OF TOPH

Location

AANG'S ICE CAVERN, AIR BISON ISLAND

Scene

GG EP I. SCENE 1

The journey to Aang’s dwelling had been a long one, and that was putting it lightly. By the midway point, Xiaobo’s calves were burning from the combination of the path’s incline and Toph’s additional weight. A headache was on the horizon due to the way she batted him in the temple every time his pace faltered. It’s safe to say that he was more than ready to gently relay their mentor to Zhao when she deemed it acceptable.

The relief was sweet for the minute it lasted. Upon patting down the place where his candle was supposed to be stowed, he realized just how screwed he was. The damned thing fell out. Katara was going to kill him. He considered walking back down the mountain then and there to avoid her potential reaction; he could skip and get a headstart on Malina’s delicious, homemade hot chocolate–at least he’d die happy.

Unfortunately, that was a pipedream. If he tried to make a break for it, Toph probably would’ve found a way to metalbend a chain to drag him by. So, that left him with Option B: play things off and hope he wasn’t the only one. Sharing was caring, right? He caught up to Himari, tapping her on one shoulder from behind only to pop up on the other side as a surprise. “Heyyy, Firefly, how’s it hangin’? Mind if I join ya?”

~​

After another hour, the group finally reaches the mouth of the cave where Appa and his daughter await. A harsh, cold breeze blows past them and causes Xiaobo to wrap his arms around his body far tighter than before. He’s been able to keep his grumbling about the temperature (mostly) to himself so far, but yeesh, it’s like the extra layers never even mattered. Freezing as he is, he can’t resist the excitable ball of fluff that is Maori for long; she reminds him of Lai as she practically jumps at them to hand over some love. He figures it couldn’t hurt to sacrifice a few moments and give her a gooooood scruff on her head before following the others inside. He trails slightly behind Himari as if that’ll help him avoid judgment for not having his own candle in hand. Thankfully, it’s warmer in here, but that could just be from his embarrassment.

Words dance on the tip of his tongue when he steps up to pay his respects to Aang with Himari, but like in the years past, he stays silent. Xiaobo isn’t sure if he’d be able to stop if he let everything he wants to say tumble past his lips. His hand cautiously hovers in front of the Avatar’s icy fortress, not daring to fully touch the surface. A desire to remain there longer tugs at him, but a glance backward tells him that it’s time to move on. With one last bow of his head, Xiaobo forces himself to turn and join the rest of the group.

The last candle is set down, and when one tradition concludes, another begins. Xiaobo watches as the others transition to choose which bison they’d rather be a driver or passenger on. Akira's dedication, Kaname's boldness, Sila's hesitant jokes.

There’s bound to be a match for Appa’s reins, but he isn’t chipping in yet. No, instead, he saunters over and lazily drapes an arm around a certain friend’s shoulders. Typically, he’d use Himari as an armrest to mess with her, but Kal’s the one they overheard Katara passing down choosing rites to earlier. “Any chance you’re takin’ bribes for who gets to drive, Dewdrop?” He drawls with a smirk. The inquiry isn’t meant to be serious, of course, but rather an excuse to pause before the imminent chaos.

TAGS ⪻ INTERACTIONS

HIMARI // mi casa
KALLIK // armeen

TAGS ⪻ MENTIONS

ZHAO // Seraphine
NAOMI // khai.
AKIRA // leviohsa
KANAME // Zenritch
SILA // Steve Jobs

NOTABLE NPC CONTROL?

YES • NO • N/A

code by yukitera

 

[Spiderverse]

RYUMA JI LIN

ASHINA CADET

put youtube link here

Location

COAL FREIGHTER, ON THE SEA

Scene

EG EP I. SCENE 1

Ryuma was shocked by the news of the prisoner's escape the night prior, sure that even with the both her fellow Cadet Noriko present and one of the witch assassins guarding them that there would be no trouble. But both of them had slacked in their watch, let their guard down just low enough for the sky pirate to believe that they had a prime opportunity on their hands. As fate would have it, it was a golden opportunity for the two elders, she and Jorogumo, to fix their comrades' mistakes and bring back their prey.

The young woman was incensed but still pleased at the opportunity to test our her latest prototype, a miniature cannon that utilized metal pellets akin to cannonballs that could be carried in a soldiers two hands. Ryuma recalls the test run as she goes about her morning workout, the memories coming into clear view as she balanced her whole body on one hand, blood flowing into her brain. She and Jorogumo had split the vessel in two, quickly scrambling to a vantage point on the freighter that allowed her a better view of the deck below. Her breath slows down, as she shifts her body back into an upright standing position, mimicking the breaths she took as she prepared her prototype.

As most on that vessel have agreed, her two handed mini-cannon was a marvel of Fire Nation advancement, something she had only learned about from the Ashina Company after she became a cadet and only fully worked through how to craft something akin to it herself fairly recently. She remembers taking aim on the prisoner, taking into account the advice of archers who were well beyond her level of skill: aim at center mass. When she pulled the trigger the first blast had punched her shoulder aside, the recoil of her prototype being rather extreme for its size. The ammunition whistled through the air, nearly hitting the escapee as he rounded a short corner. This continued, with each shot being a miss, but with each shot coming closer and closer to the kill.

Inevitably though, it was Jorogumo's creature that apprehended the convict, with her volley of rounds cornering the poor bastard and leaving a very obvious trail. Ryuma let out a deep breath as she left her memories in the wind, rolling her arms before heading over to Jorogumo's quarters. The both of them would have more than a few remarks for their comrades failures. Although she was beckoned to sit, she remained standing next to Jorogumo, making it very clear with whom she stood at the moment. As Noriko and Seika walked in, the young woman folded her arms, staring daggers at the two. First to speak would be Noriko, and knowing full well that she would panic, Ryuma prepared herself for the lies and lack of accountability that might escape her. Though she would normally catch the heir's tongue, this was not a confrontation that she could be saved from. At least until the witch, the very same that had been working closely with Noriko on that mission, began to take their rebuttal too far. "You forget yourself assassin. The both of you failed in this mission, and had it not been for us, the depth of your failure would have reached the Sunken Library." Her head turned quickly to Noriko, face filled with anger. "And no one here is allowed to make such basic mistakes. You're both lucky the punishment isn't more severe. But you will nevertheless feel the weight of your failure."

TAGS ⪻ INTERACTIONS

JOROGUMO // Steve Jobs
NORIKO ASHINA // RikuXIII
SEIKA CHISAKI // felideli

TAGS ⪻ MENTIONS

N/A

NOTABLE NPC CONTROL?

YES • NO • N/A

code by yukitera

 

[Seraphine]

ZHAO CHENG LIANG

THE PROTEGE OF TOPH

Location

AANG'S ICE CAVERN, AIR BISON ISLAND

Scene

GG EP I. SCENE 1

"Hut!...Hut!...Hut!...Hu—"

A sharp swat to his sweat-mottled temple interrupted him.

"Sloppy," piped up the voice that had quite literally been breathing down his neck for the past hour. "For the third time! Knees, 90 degrees. Don't step so far!"

Zhao groaned, his chest nevertheless expanding momentarily to bark out a reluctant 'yes, Master Toph!' before she pulled at his ear. "And pipe it down, will ya? I can hardly hear the birds."

The breath blew out of him in one gust, a barely audible agreement on its back. Zhao's foot stamped down for yet another lunge at the same time as the temptation to roll his eyes struck him. What birds?

Almost as if the pint-sized older earthbender had heard his thoughts, he felt a tug at one of the beads swaying from the very first trophy he'd won, which now, many feet and years later, was part of his regular attire as a crowning headpiece. "Don't believe me? Stop, close your eyes and listen. The way I taught you to."

Zhao obeyed, legs giving his massive frame one last burning sear as he straightened for the first time in what felt like forever. Eyes fluttered closed, Zhao would focus his mind on the darkness and attempt to drown out the mountain wind. The soles of his feet swiftly ground into the paper-thin layer of frost, locked into that special stance that facilitated seismic sense; if one was 'as undiluted as possible', as his mentor liked to put it, then the ability to sense vibrations could be stretched to the point of capturing the flap of a butterfly's wing against a spiderweb, whose vibrations travel through the branch, down the trunk and so on, so forth to the one who truly listens. So far, the theory proved itself useless for everyone but the great Toph, whose sheer will and prowess convinced enough that it was worth teaching to her proteges.

What it was, was an incredibly advanced technique; one may as well resort to becoming blind just to master it. But after years of intense meditation and practice, Zhao was adamant to be the first one to master it. After all, he was her first! Protege, that is. The very thought of the embarrassment that would haunt him if he was anything less but first was one he could hardly stand. Not to mention, what benefit it would reap in the arena...

For a few, long moments all Zhao could hear was the wind and all he could feel was the rest of the group's march a mile further down, catching up to them. He strained his ears to hear that telltale chirp of a bird somewhere, anywhere, and—

Toph tugged at one of his beads again.

"I..." Zhao opened his eyes and took a deep breath. "I hear them," he said, though the truth was he only wished he did; all he could hear was the pounding of his own heart. He immediately regretted the lie, but the crave to hear her praise him outweighed his guilt, if only for a moment. He braced himself for her response, knowing he had no choice but to carry through with it. A small, silent part of him hoped she wouldn't see through his facade completely.

Toph's expression remained unchanged, unseeing eyes staring straight ahead. "Nice try, little Boulder," she said flatly, her tone devoid of the admiration he sought. "But I know a bluff when I hear one."

Little Boulder. Besides the fact that it was one of her favorite nicknames for him from childhood, he knew then she wasn't really angry with him; just disappointed. You asshole, the Earth Kingdom wrestler scolded himself in his thoughts. She's blind, but she's not stupid. She knows, you know that you're better than this.

A familiar tune, trading integrity for a fleeting moment of validation, especially from someone he so deeply admired. Yet, said someone's disappointment stung far deeper than any reprimand could. It cut through that pride, exposing the vulnerability he sought to conceal, and hinting at the downward spiral he'd been on since... since...

Zhao clenched his jaw and shook his head. He looked down at his lunge form. Once again, he was off kilter, dawdling again. He corrected himself before she could chime in for a fourth time. The last leg of the trek was spent in relative silence; as if to add a practical dash of salt to the wound, at some point Toph had told him to let her down, wanting to wait for the rest of the gang to catch up.

"This one's nearly empty," Toph held her waterskin up in one hand, leaned against rock as she handed it to him. "Naomi has a few full ones. They shouldn't be long now... you're sure you don't want to stay and wait here with me?"

Mid-pant, Zhao nodded, almost too vigorously. "Yep, yes, Zh..." he bent forward to rest a hand on his knee, clearing his dry throat. In his haste, a classic habit endemic to his time as the Boulder's student and assistant slipped itself into his speech. "Zhao is sure. Thank you, Master Toph. He will get water from one of the air bison up at the Cavern; they should be there already!"

─── ⋅ 𓐑 ⋅ ───​

Zhao anchored himself in the middle of the forming circle next to his fellow proteges, standing stoically with his arms respectfully crossed. Every fiber of his being willed him to not look to his side where... that old flame stood. It had gotten easier these past months to pretend, but no less painful. So instead, he focused on the flame the Chieftess carried with her as she approached the iceberg first. As the ceremony unfolded, Zhao's throat felt parched, a persistent reminder of his unquenched thirst. He longed for the moment when he could slip away unnoticed and seek out Appa's kid to retrieve the precious waterskins that were supposedly attached to her riding satchel. But Maori was nowhere in sight, presumably off on one of her infamous flying escapades again. The anticipation gnawed at him, making his fingers restless as they anxiously dipped between his knuckles, seeking distraction from the relentless ache in his throat. His eyes, too, began to wander, taking in the majesty of the Iceberg as he awaited the opportune moment to quench his thirst.

It was as it had been a year ago, and every year before then. At this point, he knew every dent and bump. A jewel of the bending arts, glistening like glass against the weak afternoon sun, as tall as a Fire Nation steamer. After all these years, the little boy inside seemed almost inconspicuous, impossibly small against the great expanse.

Reorienting himself, Zhao watched intently as Katara place her candle and went back to her original spot, his gaze switching onto her brother as he was beckoned forward.

Far off the side, the sound of cloth rustling drew Zhao back up to attention. The warmth meant for Fire Lord Zuko's daughter chilled at the sight of her cousin, Kaname. He looked away, waiting for her to get it over with. The irony was not lost on him; to let someone so coldly apathetic, let alone the daughter of one of the Avatar's archnemeses, stand every year and honor him sounded like a bit for an Ember Island play.

As a member of their current audience, Zhao was far from impressed or pleased. As an Earth Kingdom native born in the aftermath of the Hundred Year War, Zhao found it distasteful that above all it was a Kyoshi Warrior employed to make sure the blood of a monster slept soundly at night.

Despite his inner disdain, Zhao couldn't shake the memories of his youth spent alongside Akira. They had met as young teens at the Conservatory, both fiercely loyal to their nation, engaging in friendly brawls that left them both exhilarated and bruised. As much as he tried to convince himself that Akira only saw her duties as mere employment and nothing more, he couldn't ignore the lingering doubt in his mind.

But just as she knew her place, he knew his, and for the moment it appeared that Kaname did too.

Following her retreating figure back to the farthest corner of the circle and Katara's nod, Zhao stepped out from the middle, his gaze lingering on the Kyoshi Warrior for a moment longer than necessary before he forced himself to concentrate on the solemn proceedings ahead.

Despite the encroaching stiffness in his face, Zhao effortlessly flashed a greeting smile to all as he approached the Iceberg, his determination overriding any visible discomfort. With practiced ease, he brought out his candle and lit the match, his fingers steady despite the chill that seemed to seep through his native Earth Kingdom attire.

As he spoke, Zhao couldn't shake the persistent dryness in his throat. Nevertheless he pressed on, his voice gaining clarity and strength as all eyes turned to him. "Master Toph always likes to say," he began, his words punctuated by a momentary pause as he suppressed the urge to cough. "That a seed can only grow once. But come hell or hail, it grows. It fights, it lives, and when its time comes, it leaves seeds meant to be saved and sown again. So thank you, Avatar Aang, for the fight and for the life you had, and the seeds you left behind."

With a decisive exhale, Zhao blew out his candle and placed it on the opposite end of where Kaname's candle would be. He turned around, acknowledging Katara with a warm nod before retreating to his spot in the middle.

Still a small fish in a big sea, the Earth Kingdom wrestler thought, eyes focused on the faint glow of the boy's arrowhead, remembering the tales Toph recounted to him. You're still a small fish in a big sea. Zhao shot the daughter of Azula a withering look. It's why the sharks underestimated you. It's why you won and they lost. It's why we won and they lost.

Winners and losers, Zhao's language and trade. It's all that matters in the end, doesn't it?

─── ⋅ 𓐑 ⋅ ───​

Zhao raised his hand in a wave of farewell to Katara, Sokka and his mentor, their figures gradually fading into the distance as they took the long hike back home, leaving the air bison and their young riders to their fates.

In his usual lackadaisical, lazy way Xiaobo had already probed the matter, slinging an arm around Kallik's shoulders. Zhao shook his head, approaching them both as he let out a parched cough. It didn't stop him from placing a hand on each of their shoulders as he loomed over them, a gleam in those grey eyes.

"If anyone's worth betting on, it's the White Wolverine," Zhao nodded as the last of the cough left him. He shot a pointed glance at Kallik. "But Kal here is above all that. He's got better things to do than play games with Appa's reins. Still, Kal, buddy," he continued with a wink, "if you let me take 'em, I swear by this time in the next few weeks, I'll send you any Earth Kingdom knick-knack you want from my next winnings."

Just as he finished talking, a thump landed right behind them. It was none other than the prodigal daughter herself, her little jowls flapping in the wind. As the closest victim, Maori greeted the Earth Kingdom wrestler with gigantic head nudges, nearly making him trip over himself as he immediately turned and made his way directly to her flank. "Yeah, yeah, missed you too," Zhao murmured hoarsely and distractedly, the rims of his calloused knuckles running the course of Maori's broad, furry shoulder until it hit a particular bag attached to her riding satchel.

Without wasting a moment, Zhao lunged forward, reaching out to grab hold of the bag containing the precious waterskins. But Maori, sensing the chase, let out a playful bellow and darted around the perch before bounding into the cavern. Determined not to be outmaneuvered, Zhao let out a groan and followed suit, weaving through the rest of the gang filtering out of the cave, stalagmites and stalactites with agility honed through years of training.

"Maori! Oh, you little sh... Maori, get back here! Someone stop her!"

Of course, the young air bison wouldn't listen. She half jumped, half flew deeper into the cavern, fast for a furball. At this rate, she'd get herself lost...

But before she knew it, large boulders rolled into place, forming natural barricades, while protruding stalagmites acted as hurdles, forcing her to change direction. With each disciplined bend and twist of his body, the cavern's rocky landscape followed suit. Quickly channeling his earthbending prowess, Zhao created dead ends and detours, effectively corralling Maori towards the entrance.

Finally, with a swift sidestep and a blessing toward his large frame, he intercepted Maori, grabbing hold of the bag attached to her riding satchel. With a relieved groan, he pulled out one of the water skins, wasting no time before uncorking it and gulping down the refreshing liquid.

"You!" Zhao scolded sharply between sips, his voice laced with frustration and irritation. "You could have gotten yourself seriously hurt or lost. For the love of Laogai, every year, the same. It's about time you learn to listen and obey commands." Over his shoulder, he called out to both the waterbending cousins half-jokingly, "Kal, Sila, come on! When's this ball of fur ever going to get tamed? It's either that or put down. They do it to unmanageable pygmy pumas back in my home city."

Maori, seemingly unfazed by the harsh reprimand, continued to nuzzle and lick against Zhao's leg, her big, innocent brown eyes betraying nothing of her mischievous nature. With a heavy sigh, Zhao reluctantly softened his stance, reaching down to scratch Maori behind the ears. "Most of us still haven't forgiven you for last year you know," he muttered. "Or two years before that, flying on your back. You're licking a scar you caused."

Maori did not in fact know. As her affectionate licks traced his fingers, Zhao's gaze drifted downwards, drawn to the faint shimmer of day-old chipped green nail polish adorning his fingertips. A pang of disappointment flickered across his features. "Bloody badgermole..." he muttered, knuckles bending in an effort to examine them further. A slow sigh began to drift out of his lips, reminded of the other night, the night he had had them done to near perfection. The hours had slipped by in a blur of competitive spirit, cards, cheap wine and genuine camaraderie, all crystalized into one. Before he knew it, he found himself agreeing to let her paint his nails green, a sacred Earth Kingdom Wrestling custom. I'll just have to ask Her Highness to do them again later. A soft smile graced the corners of his lips at the thought, melting and making him forget his ire.

Man. She really is something with that little brush.

TAGS ⪻ INTERACTIONS

HIMARI // mi casa
KALLIK // armeen

TAGS ⪻ MENTIONS

SILA // Steve Jobs
KANAME // Zenritch
AKIRA // leviohsa
XIAOBO // .sol.
NAOMI // khai.
TOPH // NPC
KATARA // NPC

NOTABLE NPC CONTROL?

YES • NO • N/A

code by yukitera

 

[khai.]

NAOMI

THE PROTEGE OF TOPH

Location

aang's ice cavern, air bison island

Scene

GG/EG EP I. SCENE 1

" . . . Mm. "

Naomi murmured, a pleased hum meant only for herself — a purr that proceeded a self-satisfied smile after a rather impressive crack she had elicited from her neck. With the way she walked calmly amidst the procession, one could scarcely believe the woman, too, was given the honor of being her mentor's personal rickshaw earlier. It was to be expected, really. She would've been more insulted if Toph gave her an out, which to her credit, she never did.

The time was spent rather well all things considered. Her posture had done wonders for the task, and she could never get enough of the brisker weather during their escapades in the reserves. The exertion on her body made for a lot of heat that spanned her skin, and the turmoil, while grueling, made for rousing conversation. At least, as much of it she was able to muster in-between efforts to keep her breathing even and quiet.

Her mentor had lovingly taken advantage of this as she typically does. It wasn't often Toph was able to bully Naomi without a riposte on her part.

Fingertips pressed onto dark slats, she unfurled her che-san. The fan kissed what meager sunlight it could touch before it languidly begun to aereate the pale of Naomi's face, its reaches concealing her lower features. Lashes met and parted slow as she took the sights in with the rest. Truth be told, there wasn't much to behold on the lonely mountainside, veiled by thick tresses of clouds whose billows appeared to reciprocate the solemnity of the group's hike. In times like these, she would have ruminated on what to say to the Avatar in tribute . . .

. . . were it not for the delectable view of her fellow proteges heavily preoccupied with what was lounging on their backs.

She spared them the look of her own smug grin.

─── ⋅ 𓆲 ⋅ ───​

Standing amidst the crypt of the Avatar, Naomi reflexively fell to her habit. It wasn't difficult to do so. There were always new things to see and notice — the callouses that tore his knuckles, the burnt tears on his garments, the lines of worry that had etched itself onto a boy so small — it was unimaginable to her that someone that looked this frail held strength greater than anyone in this world, and yet, here they were. Encased in perfect ice, mourned and respected by those stronger than she ever will be.

She may have never met him, and her allegiance will always remain with Toph, but she understood. He bore a responsibility too dire and heavy to thrust onto someone too young, and yet, he still came when he was needed. Holding her candle, she thumbed the wax as she listened to the boom of Zhao's voice speak what everyone under Toph had wanted to say. Honey amber eyes looked past the towering man's shoulders, and onto the Avatar, and for a moment, her lips tightened into a thin line.

There was no room for whatever was left between them, and Naomi made sure of it. There were no passing glances, and no pleasantries. Rather, she caught Kaname's eye, bidding her a meaningful look, and a polite nod that held the smallest of smiles.

When it was her piece, her own footfalls were barely audible in the expanse of the chamber. The wick had coiled and burnt scarlet for a beat before Naomi spoke, her voice low and careful.

" All that I am, and all that I have is nothing to what you are, and what you have lost and sacrificed for what we hold dear today. " the lady confessed, a palm on her chest. " But I promise on my honor, and my master's. As I have then as I will tomorrow — I stand for you."

Firelight was snuffed with a keen puff, a thread of bitter smoke spooling from the burnt cotton as she places her own candle down as she returned beside Zhao, standing primly with hands folded. Her attentions were given to the rest of the tributes, her own thoughts occupying themselves with Aang, and what she would have done in his place.

─── ⋅ 𓆲 ⋅ ───​

" You cute little thing. " The lady cooed, her hand fondly patting the moist snout of one enthusiastic Maori who had taken a moment to nuzzle onto her person. Despite their differences in regards to their opinions on aerial maneuvers, Naomi had found herself being endeared to the younger air bison's wiles moreso than the calmer disposition of her father's. As if to remind her why she's her favorite, Maori lovingly licked the woman's cheek and palm — exactly how they practiced.

Laughing, she extended a handful of smuggled berries which the spry bison accepted with gusto. " That's my Maori. Such a good girl. " she tittered, elated that she remembered. While far from being tamed, Maori seemed to at least be very agreeable to Naomi's suggestions. Perhaps because she enables the bison's fits of mischief that Maori had come to listen to the bender. Naomi would sometimes even be her esteemed co-conspirator ( not that anyone has to know about that ).

Ah, if only she also stopped doing barrel rolls in the sky.

As Naomi had offered her own farewells to the old gang as she sustained more of Maori's affections, she would also come to find the rest of the group slowly pooling in. Zhao, as flashy and unmissable as he comes, also sauntered in, as obviously parched as the sight of his stupid face was insufferable. This idiot really would choose dying of thirst than to talk to her, not that she wouldn't do the same. She sighs. She's too nice.

" Maori, dear. If I may, " she requested, squishing her jowls twice before parting with the bison's cheek. " Perhaps you can . . . " A malicious smirk cleaves her mouth, subtly directing her attentions to the man, and her colleagues he has under hostage. " . . . attend to one of our friends over there. He misses you sorely, you know. "

Maori would grunt in confusion before her eyes twinkled as soon as the pieces all clicked in her head, giving Naomi one last nudge with her head before she launched upward, landing behind the three as the chiffon lady looked on with interest. Uncapping her own waterskin to take a long sip, she relished the cold drink with eyes closed before one would peek open to see Akira and Kaname alongside her beholding the ensuing spectacle.

Whether or not they were both there to see Naomi's prior orchestrations were beyond her. The undying solution to circumstances like these is to act like you had nothing to do with it.

" Ladies. " she acknowledged them before she returned to her beverage. As they can see, she had nothing to do with it.

TAGS ⪻ INTERACTIONS

KANAME // Zenritch
AKIRA // leviohsa

TAGS ⪻ MENTIONS

ZHAO // Seraphine
XIAOBO // .sol.
TOPH // NPC
KATARA // NPC

NOTABLE NPC CONTROL?

YES • NO • N/A

code by yukitera

 

[High Moon]

ASHINA ZUOLIN

Grumpy Old Man

Location

ON THE SEA, FIVE KLICKS (3 MILES) FROM AIR BISON ISLAND

Scene

EG EP. 1 SCENE 1

The Old Tycoon ascended the stairs with a certain haste to his step that rarely graced him back home, with a nasty grimace that accented his all the worst features.

She had squandered her opportunity to prove herself worthy to the family name once more, and this time he wouldn't be able to show any leniency towards her, not when she had failed so utterly in a mission given by her 'Royal Madness' herself, with her rabid dogs as witnesses. No he'd have to handle this with the degree of severity that would appease them when they were back on the mainland. The frown on his face deepened further, he didn't look forward to that prospect. Sometimes he really did give credit to their late father and his many comments about how they were going to drive him to an early grave. On the brighter side of things, this mission hadn’t even finished yet, that would mean that they had a few days trip back to the colonies, that gave him quite a while to think about exactly what that would be for the time being.

And as he pondered on and on about such events, he made his way towards the deck without even noticing, soon enough the afternoon sun shone upon his face as he reached the end of the creaky stairs, albeit he remained unsure if it were the stairs or his poor bones that made that sound every time he took a step rather too quickly, his recent exercise sure had taken its toll on him.

"Brother.'' He acknowledged curtly with a slight nod, looking into his brother's eyes, he detested that neutral tone, once upon a time he had been a natural at deciphering Dachai's tics and mannerisms, a lifetime ago. "I see you've been burning off the breakfast that you seemed to enjoy so very much." He took the offered tea, with a mouthed thank you to the officer that brought it, not failing to notice Dachai’s rather heretical approach to what used to be a ceremony. “Have some proper manners Dachai, mother would have been most displeased if she saw you with such bad manners.” He noted, somewhat amused despite his words.

Then he noticed that despite his arrival the sound of the chime continued to fill the air, the he threw a side-way glance towards the young adjutant that stood aside on their flank, who seemed to be clearly out of breath, trying his best to play an instrument, admittedly to a very mediocre standard. He raised his eyebrow in a questioning manner but did not voice his opinion.

When his brother inquired about his visit with the prisoner, Zuolin scoffed. "Yes, I wanted to give him my congratulations on his rather impressive attempt to humiliate us." His words were tainted with disdain. "Unfortunately for everyone involved it was a rather unpleasant meeting, our friend down there absolutely refused to be a compliant little savage." and there it was, the sneering Imperialist that would have made the Fire Lord’s of yore proud. "These Water Tribals are something else alright, he should have been begging for his miserable life before the sunrise…” He said, anger still evident but mixed in with something else, perhaps intrigue or perhaps amazement, but what he said was nothing of that sort.“Still, he won't survive the week, so I hope we spring this trap before any further delays." A pure fact, the part about how he might have drastically shortened the given time frame with his latest visit was left unsaid, Dachai for all his bullheadedness that rivaled a proper Gemsbok bull, was smart enough to fill in the gap.

Then he finally took a sip out of the tea, which turned out to be jasmine, certainly not what he would have picked for himself but it was an adequate choice, if an odd one unexpected from Dachai. Lowering the cup he spoke with a more even voice. "It was a mistake to go through with this 'plan' without the proper means, I told you that we'd need at least two of them to get the necessary information. They are always easier to break in pairs." Despite his displeasure, he did not sound angry, rather just disgruntled. "Especially, it offers a clearer picture if what they say correlates with each other… But you already know that." He said with a knowing tone, a shrouded way to say ‘I don’t blame you for this...’ “So, why did you agree to it?” ‘.. Too much.’ for he knew Dachai, for all his failures and blunders that he had heard and read about, was more than capable enough to know that this wasn’t up to the standards they operated by, so there was something clouding his judgement or rather an order that he could not refuse: He believed it was the latter in this case. Or rather it was a mix of both because old loyalties indeed were like opium to his dear elder brother. An addiction that Zuolin had only found out only after the fact of accepting him back into the fold, half a lifetime ago. An addiction that ensured that he would always be ready to follow unreasonable orders, that benefited not the Nation but the person, the folly of many soldiers of the old regime or if you were to ask Zuolin, the new one as well.

He had more to say, but with the eyes and ears on the vessel, it was best left unsaid for the moment. Instead he only asked. "What are we supposed to do, General?" Because this was far too risky, it reeked fishy, Zuolin was almost certain that the esteemed Brothers Ashina were being left out of the loop once again, to do the bidding His eyes searched for an answer, that he knew Dachai himself had little about how to answer.

Looking out into the horizon, where the clouds and the sea met, he thought that it was kind of nice being out on the sea again, if only if hadn't been for such a troubling cause he might have actually enjoyed it.

TAGS ⪻ INTERACTIONS

Ashina Dachai // TAC

TAGS ⪻ MENTIONS

NOTABLE NPC CONTROL?

YES • NO • N/A

code by yukitera

 

[TAC]

ASHINA DACHAI

LOCATION: ON THE SEA, FIVE KLICKS (3 MILES) FROM AIR BISON ISLAND

SCENE: EG EP. 1 SCENE 1

There was a mirthless chuckle coming from Dachai as his younger sibling chided him. Simple, thoughtless pleasures like these elevated Dachai’s day. Giving a more respectable sip of the tea, Dachai straightened his shoulders and eyes the man nearly as tall as himself.

Portly yet robust, is what Dachai would describe Zuolin as. From even quick glances, the man felt strong—empowered maybe by his brazen attitude, equal only to the more blue blooded of Dachai’s superiors in the Hundreds Year War. Despite Zuolin’s appearances, Dachai knew first hand that he was a hard worker, rubber stamping more orders in a week than Dachai had in a month, during the Omashu Campaign.

‘That old goatvine’s got a surprising amount of stamina.’

He idly thought, separating the rim of the tea glass from his lips.

“Quite honestly, mother would be delighted that we’re both aboard a fire nation vessel.” Dachai mused with a tinge of humor, the line of his lips quirking upwards at the thought of their late-mother.

She demanded both sons join the Fire Nation Navy and grew furious when Dachai chose the army instead. She didn’t have the grace to write to him until he earned himself some honors.

‘And Zuolin, the insubordinate drop out, probably had it worse.’ Dachai didn’t know for sure—Yuo Nao never mentioned Zuolin in her letters.

His attention was torn from the deep past to the present at the mention of the prisoner. His nose wrinkled at the mention of ‘their humiliation’ at the hands of the prisoner. In Dachai’s eyes, that went solely to Zuolin’s daughter. He pursed his lips and kept silent. Dachai leaned closer, that enjoyable if not off white demeanor of his shifting at the mention of their honorable guests’ status. ‘Not survive the week?’ That put them on a further time table, as if managing supplies, the many shipping lanes used by both Fire and Water peoples and future plans half baked, wasn’t bad enough. Now Dachai had a week to succeed.

For a second, Dachai considered his brother guilty of purposefully playing rough, but dismissed it a moment after. Zuolin was pragmatic but not without reason. The resources thrown to the wayside, should their voyage end abruptly, would be a dark blot on his books. ‘No, Zuolin wouldn’t make such a maneuver. Nor would he work against my interests.’

Zuolin wouldn’t see any profit in an enraged Dachai running loose.

“A pity.” Dachai said, his voice crackling, bones overbaked in a furnace flowing from his lips. “I was hoping to barter the pirate back to his own kind, if they bother to show up.” Dachai’s amber eyes turned downwards, looking at his half-drunk jasmine. “Avoiding any unnecessary violence would have been preferable.”

The Lord Ashina inhaled and the Rebel General cocked his head to the side, a satisfied if not even handed grin on his thin lips. The hairs stood atop Dachai’s neck as an unusual sensation ran through him, as if casting his sight into the future, he knew what Zuolin would say next. The scowl on his features, the straightness of Zuolin’s posture, the way his body breathed—he radiated a keen anger. And Dachai knew intimately what angry civilians did.

‘They complained.’ The Rebel General thought.

As irritating as these types of encounters were, Dachai would credit Zuolin with twice over. The Ashina Corporation, or whatever was left of it, kept the Ember Society afloat. Without Zuolin’s finances, Dachai and his most loyal would be back to banditry, the Fire Lord and the Kemurikage likely cutting ties with such a low quality cavalcade.

If Azula and Lady Daiyu were the brains of the Ember Society, Ashina Zuolin was its beating heart.

‘And I its lungs.’ He thought, exhaling strongly, the rush of his chi rising up his chest only to disperse shy of accumulating into a roar of flames.

“There were supposed to be two of them.” Dachai finally answered, having given his brother the freedom to voice his complaints. “But when he arrived for his rendezvous, he was alone. Make sure you thank our honorable guest for making this process aggravating.”

Then his brother asked the question.

What are we supposed to do, General?

‘Wouldn’t I like to know.’ Dachai almost said aloud. Were this any place more private, even in front of Zuolin’s children, Dachai would allow himself a moment of doubt. But in the public theater of their deck, volunteer soldiers and old veterans looking onto them for leadership? The Rebel General could not bring himself to pull up any level of unease with the plan, his eyebrows did not rise with shock nor did his head twitch as if nervous.

“Lady Daiyu,” He addressed, her name spilling from his lips as if it were the finest fire brandy. “Does not disclose such information so publicly. But rest assured, my brother, it will further The Cause.”

‘Big Picture, Zuolin.’ Dachai wanted to break down for him, only kept formal by his respective rank. ‘Focus on the overall goal, not just the numbers.’

Dachai finished his tea in a long, hideous sip. “I was hoping we’d come to an agreement with the pirates but if it comes to conflict, I’ve got something in mind as well.” A fire lit in his eyes, a hideous gleam from the Hundred Years War, threatening to spill out and engulf the world around it. “I’ve been studying one of your favored subjects, brother…”

He stalled, hoping to hear Zuolin guess.

“Fire Lord Sozin, specifically his tactics in defeating the Air Nomad Armies. I don’t know about you, but I’m very eager to remind the world why our skies are so empty.” His eyes shifted to the horizon, the distant clouds that approached them so brazenly.

“According to the old scrolls, Fire Lord Sozin dismembered the Air Nation armies with his dragon, which we decidedly don’t have…” He paused, purely for dramatic effect. “And his lightning bending. And I just so happen to know a lightning bender with a strong bias against the Water Tribes.”

 

[Steve Jobs]

JOROGUMO

KEMURIKAGE ASSASSIN

Location

COAL FREIGHTER, ON THE SEA

Scene

EG. SCENE 1

Jorogumo's face remained unchanged despite the Ashina cadet's glare. She'd made it abundantly clear that Noriko was not one to be feared, not only because she lacked the bending prowess of the other members of the team, but because she believed her presence was entirely Zuolin's doing.

Instead, her arms crossed as the Seika and Noriko floundered under their own excuses. While it was in their nature to be duplicitous, they shared a common goal: restoring Azula and the Fire Nation to their former glory. If Jorogumo could cooperate with a Nonbender then these two ought to have accepted the consequences of their actions as a unit.

"Since teamwork seems to be the biggest issue here, I will assign the two of you some training. For the next week, the two of you will be taking over janitorial duties," she declared, "I expect every latrine, washing station, floor, and table to be clean enough to eat off of."

There seemed to be a pause as she gazed between Seika and Noriko, a twinkle of something other than resentment appearing in her eye.

"Oh, and if I see a single rat roaming around this ship, you two will be shoveling komodo rhino shit for the rest of our mission."

What Seika failed to understand was that her words came not only from losing face, but a disappointment that one of her rivals would falter so easily. Unlike Fire Nation nobility, their prestige was built on fire and shadow, merit and discipline, love and suffering. The blood of battle was thicker than the water of the womb. She felt nothing for her late parents, but the bond between her, her sisters, and Mother Daiyu was the only thing that tied her to the Ember Society.

Though her sisters would eventually be defeated, Jorogumo needed Seika and Mei Lian to reach their full potential.

She needed her sisters to be charismatic enough to curry Azula's favor. She needed her sisters ready to dispatch the weak at a moment's notice. She needed her sisters strong enough to validate her future ascendance to Mother Flame.

By failing her duty, she was sullying Jorogumo's reputation by association.

TAGS ⪻ INTERACTIONS

SEIKA CHISAKI // felideli
NORIKO ASHINA // RikuXIII
RYUMA JI LIN // Spiderverse

TAGS ⪻ MENTIONS

NONE// NONE

NOTABLE NPC CONTROL?

YES • NO • N/A

code by yukitera