Avatar Legends: The Forbidden Scroll

[Random Word]

Yuza gives Sesi a small smile, and some of the exhaustion drains out of her. At least someone understands. She's still in control. She's fine.

Niuan she gives a pitying look, "If you fail to rule your passions, they will rule you. You offer the freedom of a leaf on the wind, which is no true freedom at all. You must first control your breath and then your mind if you are to lay a foundation from which to exert control of the world. Without that, you can never secure the freedom of the sovereign mind. The freedom to align your fate with your principles. You will always be at the mercy of others."

She glances up at the offices looming ahead, "Enough talk of philosophy. We have a mission to complete."

 

[jaydude]

Eonivar Random Word Rykon

Niuan gives Yuza a thoughtful look in reply to her words. He doesn't seem to be judging her for her opinion, but he also doesn't appear to fully agree with it. He stays silent though, perhaps trying to come up with a counterargument.

The four of you continue to move through the plaza without trouble. On two occasions, you spot young kids - no doubt members of the Fire Finches - skilfully picking pockets within the crowd of festivalgoers. Before long, you're on the approach to the entrance of Sun Po's offices; a large set of metal double doors framed by an ostentatious-looking arch. In front of this door stand two guards, albeit ones who look very different from those employed by the Fire Lord. They're armed with metal staves instead of spears for one thing, and their armor is of a noticeably different design.

"Those two are members of Sun Po's security detail. They'll let us in once they recognize me." Niuan assures you.

Something else draws your attention however. A mochi stand set across the street from Sun Po's offices, manned by two men who seem to be focusing no small part of their attention upon the large entrance opposite them. Even when a customer comes up to buy from them, they keep glancing at the offices.

Spoiler: Group Stats

Clock:[X][_][_][_] (Morning)

Zaran​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Tradition - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Progress

Sesi​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [X]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Forgiveness - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Action

Yuza​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions: (All start unmarked)
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]
Balance:
Control - (_)-(B)-(_)-{_}-(X)-(X)-(X) - Connection

 

[Random Word]

"Subtle," observes Yuza, dryly. She holds a hand out to halt the Sage and waits patiently to see if Zaran wants her to get rid of the watchers. Could be watcher watchers, but these people don't seem too sophisticated.

 

[Rykon]

Zaran gave Yuza a nod of agreement with her philosophy. "Passion is force. Force without direction is chaos."

***

At the office of Sun Po, Zaran glances to see the burning stare from across the way. I smell a trap in the making. He chooses to break from the group for a moment to call them out. He holds a deep breath, his mind conjures images to provoke the passion of wrath. His expression dons the scowl of one avenging wronged kin before turning on the two watchmen wearing a mantle of fury. "You know, I'd heard tale of some depraved nutjob preying on the young around here. If you're just jealous losers, lackeys or otherwise, then you should at least conduct yourself with manners befitting civilized people. Otherwise, mind your business. Move on my cousin and what the law does to you will look like sparks compared to what I unleash upon you."

[Zaran's going to take a trick action to make them look away for fear of looking like predators. 9 in total.]

 

[jaydude]

At the office of Sun Po, Zaran glances to see the burning stare from across the way. I smell a trap in the making. He chooses to break from the group for a moment to call them out. He holds a deep breath, his mind conjures images to provoke the passion of wrath. His expression dons the scowl of one avenging wronged kin before turning on the two watchmen wearing a mantle of fury. "You know, I'd heard tale of some depraved nutjob preying on the young around here. If you're just jealous losers, lackeys or otherwise, then you should at least conduct yourself with manners befitting civilized people. Otherwise, mind your business. Move on my cousin and what the law does to you will look like sparks compared to what I unleash upon you."

[Zaran's going to take a trick action to make them look away for fear of looking like predators. 9 in total.]

Spoiler: OOC

Your roll was a success, but there's an external factor that prevents you from being able to trick the "mochi sellers" in this manner. I've hinted at it in the response below.

Zaran's false threat earns him a raised eyebrow from one of the two mochi sellers.

"Kid, I don't know what stories you heard, but we aren't involved. Now scram if you don't want to buy anything." the man says, placing a hand attached to a muscled arm upon the countertop for added emphasis.

The second man on the other hand is a bit less bright than his friend however, and Zaran's words have succeeded in unnerving him just enough to loosen his tongue.

"We're here on Fire Sage business, kid." he says, before getting an elbow nudge in the ribs from his suddenly annoyed friend. "That's all. Nothing you need concern yourself with."

Nearby, the two guards working for Sun Po can be seen watching the conversation with mild interest.

Spoiler: Group Stats

Clock:[X][_][_][_] (Morning)

Zaran​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Tradition - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Progress

Sesi​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [X]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Forgiveness - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Action

Yuza​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions: (All start unmarked)
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]
Balance:
Control - (_)-(B)-(_)-{_}-(X)-(X)-(X) - Connection

 

[Eonivar]

Sesi watches Zaran walk up to the two men and starts to talk to them. Once the two men are focused on Zaran, Sesi taps both the Niuan and Yuza on the shoulders and whispers. "Let's go while they are distracted, Zaran can find his way to the office on his own."

<Sesi will follow Yuza and Niuan when they go>

 

[jaydude]

Eonivar Random Word ( Rykon )
Niuan gives a nod of agreement to Sesi's plan, and heads towards the entrance of Sun Po's office, the young Waterbender and Yuza both following him. The guards in front of the large doors look away from where Zaran's keeping the two "mochi sellers" busy at their approach, and start moving to bar the way, but one look at Niuan's face under its hood is enough to make them hesitate to do this.

"Niuan, sir? What brings you here?" One of the guards asks politely.

"I need to see your boss." The sage replies, making sure to inject a hint of urgency into his voice. The guards nod and step aside, one of them pushing the doors open just wide enough to admit a single human. Once everyone's through, the doors are pulled closed again.

Looking around, Niuan, Sesi and Yuza find themselves inside a large entrance hall that has been decorated to be at the current height of Fire Nation fashion; big golden dragon murals adorning the walls, and a long red carpet of exquisite quality stretching across the black floor between the entrance and a reception desk, behind which a bored-looking clerk can be seen sat down. Four more security guards can be seen stationed around the hall, and they look at the three new arrivals like moose-lions scouting a potential rival pride.

(If anyone wants to add any other decorative features, go ahead)

The clerk looks up at the three of you through his glasses as you approach his desk. His eyes widen a little when he recognizes Niuan, and he picks up a gold-ended speaking tube with a dragon motif. You're just about close enough to hear the bulk of what he says.

"Ma'am...It's Fire Sage Niuan, ma'am. Him and two...companions." He says, looking Sesi and Yuza over as he speaks that last word.

The clerk's answer provokes a number of indistinct but angry-sounding words from whomever's on the other end of the speaking tube. Niuan can't help looking nervous.

"I'll ask." The clerk says, before lowering the speaking tube and fixing the three of you with a glare.

"What in the name of everything sacred are you three doing here?" he asks.

Do Sesi and Yuza wish to say anything? Or do they let Niuan try and handle things?

Spoiler: Group Stats

Clock:[X][_][_][_] (Morning)

Zaran​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Tradition - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Progress

Sesi​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [X]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Forgiveness - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Action

Yuza​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions: (All start unmarked)
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]
Balance:
Control - (_)-(B)-(_)-{_}-(X)-(X)-(X) - Connection

 

[Eonivar]

Sesi speaks up, "Oh we have one more with our party, <gives a general description of Zaran>, he should be along shortly."

 

[jaydude]

The clerk's brows narrow, as if suspecting that Zaran's reason for being a laggard is at the very least unlikely to be a good one. "Why is he not with you now?"

Spoiler: Group Stats

Clock:[X][_][_][_] (Morning)

Zaran​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Tradition - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Progress

Sesi​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [X]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Forgiveness - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Action

Yuza​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions: (All start unmarked)
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]
Balance:
Control - (_)-(B)-(_)-{_}-(X)-(X)-(X) - Connection

 

[Eonivar]

Sesi grins. "He did not like the way two men who were manning a Mochi stand across from the entrance of your offices here were acting and running their business. Our friend is an upright and righteous citizen and does not appreciate the two men taking advantage of others with such a stand, so he went to accost them that their business practices were not in the best interest of the community here. I am sure it is all completely harmless and he will be along soon."

 

[Rykon]

Meanwhile...

"None of my concern, huh? I think I'll be the judge of that. Too many people have gotten beaten or burned within an inch of their life on Fire Sage business to buy that line. Word is they don't look out for their own anymore! Why should I believe they have innocent intentions here!?"

Zaran gestures to one of the nearby kids, likely one of the finches, with a silver coin he palmed to avoid the eyes of the watchmen. "Hey kid, you hear about these two doing anything funny? Have they given you or your friends a hard time? Can you believe this, they're out here with these mad dog stares at regular kids and elderly folk on the streets. Doesn't that sound like something a crook would do? Like they're lookin' for an easy target to rob?" Zaran gave the kid a wink, hoping he'd take the hint and fan the flames a bit more after the loud altercation drew attention to the mochi sellers on the street.

If the kid played along, then Zaran will step past his accomplice to pass along 2 silvers behind the kid's back to avoid the sight of the watchmen before making his way to the offices of Sun Po.

 

[jaydude]

The kid's a boy who looks to be about ten to eleven years old, judging from his height, with short black hair not worn in a topknot. For a few moments he just stares at Zaran, as if wondering what the big fool's up to with his act, but then the the wink and the sight of the coin galvanizes him to action. Or maybe it was just being given the perfect excuse to cause trouble.

"You know what? It does." he says, speaking as loudly as Zaran. He then gives the two spies an almost malicious smirk. "My guess? They hate the fact that the Fire Sages lost most of their power when Fire Lord Ozai took the throne. Bosses can't pay them as much when they're not as big as they used to be, right? Heck, they probably only went with the mochi-seller act so that they could earn something on the side."

"Shut your mouth, you little brat!" the second mochi-seller exclaims, punching forward and sending a fire fist dangerously close to the kid, who yelps and jumps back. He quickly recovers his composure though.

"Wow. Firebending at a child? The Fire Sages really have hit rock bottom if they can only get those kinds of people to work for them now."

The first of the mochi-sellers steps out from the stall, hefting a kine mallet in both hands. By now though, the altercation has drawn the attention of a nearby guard patrol, who come walking over as if to demand answers from the two supposed mochi-sellers. The kid takes that as his cue to grab his silver and leave, and as the guards move in front of the mochi stall, Zaran is able to slip away and head to the office entrance.

---

"So you're all together now, yes?" The clerk asks irritably once Zaran's been let past security and rejoined the other three in front of the desk. "In that case, perhaps you can start answering some questions. Niuan, my employer heard tell from one of her contacts in Hari Bulkan that you had been detained. Now you're sneaking around in a cloak with these three. She wants to know why, and what the four of you are doing here."

Spoiler: Group Stats

Clock:[X][_][_][_] (Morning)

Zaran​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Tradition - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Progress

Sesi​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [X]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Forgiveness - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Action

Yuza​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions: (All start unmarked)
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]
Balance:
Control - (_)-(B)-(_)-{_}-(X)-(X)-(X) - Connection

 

[Random Word]

Yuza leans casually against something far too expensive for casual leaning and considers whether there might be time after this to get some mochi on the way out. Probably not. In the meantime, she leaves the smooth talking to the smooth talkers. If someone needs the door broken down and Sun Po dragged out kicking and screaming, they know where to find her.

 

[jaydude]

Eonivar Random Word Rykon
The clerk and the security guards give Yuza the stink-eye when they spot her lean against the large metal dragon statue near the desk, but no-one says anything.

Niuan bows. "Please forgive us if we have inconvenienced her. We've gotten into a spot of bother with the other Fire Sages, and we need her help getting out of the capital by tonight."

The clerk sighs and says something into the speaking tube, with Sun Po replying with some more indistinct words.

"She says she was afraid it was something like that." the clerk says to the four of you. "She also wants to know if anyone saw you enter this place."

Niuan shakes his head. "No. We suspected there were two people outside keeping watch, but Zaran dealt with them."

The clerk gives a nod and passes the answer onto Sun Po, who replies through the tube once again.

"As you wish, ma'am." the clerk says, before putting the speaking tube back and looking at the four of you. "She says she'll see you. Just head up to her office."

Niuan exhales in relief. "Thank you."

===

Sun Po's office is located at the top of the tower. Niuan leads you up multiple staircases running through the building's extensively decorated interior - as good a sign as any that Sun Po's done extremely well for herself - until you finally come to another set of large double doors.

"This is it. Here's her office." Niuan says, before pushing the doors open.

The first thing you see is a very large window overlooking the harbour set within the opposite wall. It takes up almost the entire wall, and through it, you can see numerous merchant vessels making their way to and from the mercantile docks. The mouth of the harbour is blocked off by a large stone wall, a currently open sea gate situated within the middle. Two more walls run perpendicular to the window, with the one on the right dominated by a mural of two dragons fighting with each other, and the one on the left home to a large map of the world, the major cities of the Four Nations marked upon it.

Sun Po herself is sitting down at an ornate desk with her back to the dragon mural, a calligraphy brush in her hand and an unfinished letter in front of her. She looks to be in her mid-forties, with only a few grey lines in her topknotted black hair, but still no less conventionally attractive than she undoubtedly was two decades ago. Her clothes are lavish jasper coloured robes with gold lacing, and she wears a small collection of rings on each hand. One of the rings has a moon diamond - only found near the poles, meaning it was almost certainly mined from Sesi's homeland - set within it.

As the four of you step inside, Sun Po puts the brush down and turns to look at you all with a shrewd gaze, one that was likely honed from years of reading contracts and other documents. "So, Niuan. You had a change of heart, and now you and your friends need my help getting out of the capital."

Her eyes then change their focus to Zaran, and the young man gets just enough time to realize he's been recognized. "And one of those friends just so happens to be a son of Daishu Baran. Tell me, kid. What makes you want to run away from your family? I thought the whole 'renounce your family name and worldly possessions' craze died out with the Air Nomads."

Spoiler: Group Stats

Clock:[X][_][_][_] (Morning)

Zaran​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Tradition - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Progress

Sesi​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [X]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Forgiveness - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Action

Yuza​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions: (All start unmarked)
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]
Balance:
Control - (_)-(B)-(_)-{_}-(X)-(X)-(X) - Connection

 

[Random Word]

"Sacred flames this lady loves stairs," observes Yuza as they ascend. "I'd hate to run messages here. The tower at the estate can't have been half this high and it was already bad eno- wait, they were talking. And she's all the way up there?" she looks up in wonderment.

Yuza completely ignores Sun Po, her acerbic questions, and the spectacular view when they enter the room, eyes instead immediately fixating on the polished brass horns of the speaking tubes affixed to the wall behind Sun Po's desk. She feels a powerful urge to go yell down one of them and see if she can hear a reply, but she swiftly crushes it. She has a mission to finish, and Sun Po may well feel threatened and panic if she wanders behind her, and behaving strangely might jeopardize the negotiations. Instead she clasps her hands behind her back and scans the room for threats and escape routes, her gaze resting on the window for an entirely justified length of time - knowledge of the state of the state of the harbour may prove pivotal to their escape.

 

[Eonivar]

Sesi walks up the stairs following the others, looking around making sure not to touch anything. They were trying to figure out why someone would build such a tower, it did not seem like a lighthouse. The water bender was a bit tense, in close quarters (at least to Sesi) of the wide winding stairway with a bunch of unknown people. They did not respond to Yuza on the comment about there being so many stairs. Then they entered the office.

Sesi's green eyes instantly went to the large window and the view of the harbor and the sea beyond. They sighed, finally in sight of their way out, finally in sight of the sea and the comfort of being around water again. But they still had to deal with this strange woman. Sesi turned to look at her and around the office. Sesi found that they did not appreciate the extravagant show of wealth. The woman seemed to be obsessed with material wealth, it did not impress the Water Bender at all. Their green eyes fell to the moon diamond ring and narrowed.

A memory of Sesi's mother crossed their mind...their mother always wore a moon diamond earring (Water benders did not wear rings often for fear of losing them while bending). "Your father gave this to me when he proposed our betrothal. It was handed down through his family and given to me." Then a vision of the Fire Nation Captain Ji, running Sesi's mother through with a sword when she went to defend her husband who was being attacked by Fire Nation soldiers. The Fire Nation butcher takes the ring off her ear. 'If I cannot have you...I will take this instead as a memory of the heartbreak you caused me..'

Sesi brought a hand up to their eyes, making it seem like they were just tired and wiping their eyes while shaking their head, trying not to cry, trying not to rage, just trying to be, trying to let the feeling pass on. Sesi knew that this woman probably had no association with the Fire Nation soldiers that killed their parents and murdered their village but that things like seeing this ring triggered the memories that haunted them. Sesi sighed deeply before focusing on the words being said between Sun Po and Niuan, only to look at Zaran with concern at Sun Po's pointed words at him.

 

[jaydude]

Eonivar Random Word Rykon

Instead she clasps her hands behind her back and scans the room for threats and escape routes, her gaze resting on the window for an entirely justified length of time - knowledge of the state of the state of the harbour may prove pivotal to their escape.

Other than jumping through the window - which is very likely to be suicidal - There appears to be no way out of the office besides the door that you all came through. Other than the members of your group, Sun Po is the only person in the room, and she doesn't look like she could take anyone besides Niuan in a fight. Causing any kind of disturbance is likely to draw the attention of her security guards however.

From what Yuza can see through the window, the harbour's operations are proceeding as normal, but there will no doubt be plenty of guards on hand to make moving around it that much harder for a quartet of fugitives.

Sesi brought a hand up to their eyes, making it seem like they were just tired and wiping their eyes while shaking their head, trying not to cry, trying not to rage, just trying to be, trying to let the feeling pass on. Sesi knew that this woman probably had no association with the Fire Nation soldiers that killed their parents and murdered their village but that things like seeing this ring triggered the memories that haunted them. Sesi sighed deeply before focusing on the words being said between Sun Po and Niuan, only to look at Zaran with concern at Sun Po's pointed words at him.

Out of the corner of their eye, Sesi sees Sun Po glance at them with a raised eyebrow, as if wondering what their reaction's all about. Thankfully the merchant's curiosity only lasts a few moments, and she soon turns her attention back to Zaran, awaiting an answer to her question.

Spoiler: Group Stats

Clock:[X][_][_][_] (Morning)

Zaran​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Tradition - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Progress

Sesi​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [X]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Forgiveness - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Action

Yuza​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions: (All start unmarked)
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]
Balance:
Control - (_)-(B)-(_)-{_}-(X)-(X)-(X) - Connection

 

[Rykon]

Her eyes then change their focus to Zaran, and the young man gets just enough time to realize he's been recognized. "And one of those friends just so happens to be a son of Daishu Baran. Tell me, kid. What makes you want to run away from your family? I thought the whole 'renounce your family name and worldly possessions' craze died out with the Air Nomads."

"Want to run away? You're confusing the consequences for the cause, the price for the prize as it were. Since you seem so interested, I too am curious. What is it you think might be worth such a heavy cost in your eyes?" He offered, using a simple question as a distraction. Better to maintain their party's air of mystery before one who'd yet to earn his trust. "Regardless of why, it doesn't change that we are not and will not be welcome here for a good while. Are you able to help us embrace exile in peace or not?"

 

[jaydude]

The corners of Sun Po's mouth turn downwards in response to Zaran's non-answer, as if the merchant feels slighted by it.

For the moment, she ignores his question about whether or not she can help them. "If you're not seeking to turn ascetic, my next guess would be that you've gotten yourself into trouble that not even your father can get you out of. Assuming of course that he isn't the one you're in trouble with. A big accomplishment to be sure, considering what I know about your family." she replies. It's admittedly not too far from the truth; while Baran might be able to get his son off the hook, it wouldn't be at all easy for him.

Perhaps Niuan fears that Sun Po won't help your group without a full understanding of their situation, because he suddenly bows his head and speaks. "He and his friends were caught sneaking into the restricted archives of the Dragonbone Catacombs last night. They were attempting to steal a scroll that...detailed...Fire Lord Sozin's motivations regarding the conflict with the Air Nomads, among other things. I trust you know the penalty for such an act?"

"You don't have to remind me. Sozin and his successors never enjoyed anyone challenging the official historical record of our empire." Sun Po replies dryly.

She then closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, as if wondering whether she'll end up regretting something. When she opens her eyes again a couple of seconds later, she focuses her attention on Niuan. "Okay. I'll help you and your friends get out of the capital. But only because your involvement with the Fire Sages was of great benefit to me during the days of Fire Lord Azulon. And my help won't come without a price. Understand?"

Spoiler: Group Stats

Clock:[X][_][_][_] (Morning)

Zaran​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Tradition - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Progress

Sesi​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [X]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Forgiveness - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Action

Yuza​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions: (All start unmarked)
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]
Balance:
Control - (_)-(B)-(_)-{_}-(X)-(X)-(X) - Connection

 

[Random Word]

Yuza leans against the wall beside the window, looking out over the harbour. "If you want your payment in advance, your price had best be short, and your help worth it. What is it you people say? 'Time is money'? We're resourceful, but we don't have all year."

 

[jaydude]

Eonivar Random Word Rykon

Yuza leans against the wall beside the window, looking out over the harbour. "If you want your payment in advance, your price had best be short, and your help worth it. What is it you people say? 'Time is money'? We're resourceful, but we don't have all year."

Sun Po nods. "I have a ship leaving the capital this evening. I can procure documents that will mark all of you as members of its crew, allowing you to pass by the authorities and leave the city without suspicion." she says. "In exchange for this, I ask only that you...deal with...a business rival of mine, who made the mistake of slighting me not long ago."

"'Deal with'? Just what do you mean by that?" Niuan asks.

"I don't want her killed, if that's what you're worried about. Just embarrassed. Humiliated. Ideally in public." Sun Po replies. "You do that, and I'll give you the documents you need to get out of this city safely. What do you say?"

Niuan looks uncertain, and it's hard to blame him. If the four of you go along with this plan, at the very least you'll be stuck in the Fire Nation Capital until the evening, meaning more time for the authorities to find you and the scroll.

Spoiler: Group Stats

Clock:[X][_][_][_] (Morning)

Zaran​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Tradition - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Progress

Sesi​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [X]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Forgiveness - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Action

Yuza​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions: (All start unmarked)
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]
Balance:
Control - (_)-(B)-(_)-{_}-(X)-(X)-(X) - Connection

 

[Rykon]

"We're going to need more to go on than that. What business are they in and how personal was the slight versus professional? if this is a personal spectacle we'll not only need the location of their business, but the location where they generally spend their time." Zaran scanned the room and then gave a shrug. "What? If we're going to be bothered for a petty matter of pride we might as well do it right and we aren't exactly spoiled for time."

 

[Eonivar]

Sesi reaches up and brushes their tied white hair behind them...straightening out their posture and smoothing out their clothing, glancing over with a slight grimace at Zaran, then turning to Sun Po trying to be a bit more pleasant and respectful, Sesi bows with respect towards their elder. "Sun Po, I am Sesi, thank you for allowing us an opportunity to leave this city, you are speaking of a rival that must be causing some sort of problem for you? Can you tell us more?"

OOC: I would like to use Sesi's Idealist Playbook move of "Whatever I can"

Spoiler: What Ever I can move

When you spend time talking to the locals about their problems, roll with
Harmony. On a hit, you hear about the most significant and serious problem
at hand; the GM will tell you who it affects and what is the cause. On a 10+, you
can ask a follow-up question about the problem or cause; you take +1 ongoing
when you act on the answer. On a miss, you wind up creating a whole new problem with your questions and ideas.

 

[jaydude]

Sesi reaches up and brushes their tied white hair behind them...straightening out their posture and smoothing out their clothing, glancing over with a slight grimace at Zaran, then turning to Sun Po trying to be a bit more pleasant and respectful, Sesi bows with respect towards their elder. "Sun Po, I am Sesi, thank you for allowing us an opportunity to leave this city, you are speaking of a rival that must be causing some sort of problem for you? Can you tell us more?"

Sun Po frowns at Sesi, as if silently mocking them for assuming there's a "problem" to be dealt with.

"Her name is Liva. And if you must know, me and one of our most prominent admirals had been working on arranging a betrothal between his son and my daughter until a few days ago, when he suddenly told me that he would be marrying his boy to Liva's daughter instead. My girl...was simply brushed aside...in favour of some pretty face from the colonies." She explains, visibly seething at that last sentence.

Niuan gently clears his throat. "From what I had heard, your daughter - that is to say, Sun Zian - would not have been terribly affected by the lost betrothal." he says, his tone of voice reminding Sesi of a tribe hunter trying to avoid stirring a nearby polar bear dog. Zaran and Yuza meanwhile both recognize the name, and recall that according to high society gossip, Sun Zian had never even really been into men - or boys - in the first place.

Sun Po narrows her eyes at the sage's words. "That's besides the point. Liva deprived my family of the prestige we would have gained through that marriage, and made me look like a fool in the process. I spent weeks trying to butter up that wretched admiral, and then Liva came along and made it look to the entirety of Hari Bulkan like I had squandered all that time."

It's clear to all of you - even Sesi - that Sun Po wants to humiliate Liva for no other reason besides wounded pride.

"We're going to need more to go on than that. What business are they in and how personal was the slight versus professional? if this is a personal spectacle we'll not only need the location of their business, but the location where they generally spend their time." Zaran scanned the room and then gave a shrug. "What? If we're going to be bothered for a petty matter of pride we might as well do it right and we aren't exactly spoiled for time."

"She's a merchant, like me. Her offices and storehouses are on the western side of the harbour, but from what I'm aware, she won't be in today. Her residence is all the way back up in Hari Bulkan, but with the authorities out looking for you, I doubt that you'll want to trek all the way up there and then back down here." Sun Po replies. Indeed, it would likely take all of you most of the day, and that's if you don't run into any trouble with the guards.

"That said, I do have an idea of where you'll be able to find her." the merchant continues. "In honor of the occasion, a troupe of performers will be putting on a play celebrating the life of Fire Lord Azulon within Harbour City this afternoon. Liva is the sponsor of both the troupe and the theatre they'll be performing in, so I have no doubt that she'll be in attendance."

Spoiler: Group Stats

Clock:[X][_][_][_] (Morning)

Zaran​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Tradition - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Progress

Sesi​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions:
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [X]
Troubled [_]

Balance:
Forgiveness - (_)-(_)-(_)-{B}-(_)-(_)-(_) - Action

Yuza​

Fatigue: [_][_][_][_][_]

Conditions: (All start unmarked)
Afraid [_]
Angry [_]
Guilty [_]
Insecure [_]
Troubled [_]
Balance:
Control - (_)-(B)-(_)-{_}-(X)-(X)-(X) - Connection

 

[Eonivar]

Sesi frowned and sighed, disgusted at this vain petty woman. They felt genuine sympathy for Sun Zian in this matter. Although the thought of disrupting the life of an admiral's son did seem somewhat appealing to them in some ways, Sesi also considered the effects of a disruption on the performers' lives as well. They had no desire to ruin the lives of others over this disgusting woman's wounded pride to escape. Still, some of the details seemed to nag at them.

"Who is the Admiral, if I may ask?"