Avatar Legends: Book 1: Unity

[CaoimhinTheCape]

OOC Thread

Book 1: Unity
Chapter 1: Primary | Chapter 2: | Chapter 3: | Chapter 4:
Chapter 5: | Chapter 6: | Chapter 7: | Chapter 8:
Chapter 9: | Chapter 10: | Chapter 11: | Chapter 12:
Chapter 13:

Earth. Fire. Air. Water. Weaponry. Technology. Eight years ago the world was in panic. Avatar Korra and her friends were able to stop the Earth Empire army from destroying Republic City. The United Republic has faced numerous threats in the past decades that have shaped our city and now that the Avatar is attending to other matters, it is up to us to grow and advance our society. I was elected President to lead that change, but now my time is coming to an end. While the world is coming together to discuss the future, Republic City must find a future of its own in the upcoming election. The new candidates face an unknown threat that seems intent on taking them all out of the race. It is now up to us, not the avatar, to protect our city and its people.

Chapter 1: Primary

As you walk or drive through the streets of Republic City, there is excitement in the air. The press was up first combing the streets to catch a glimpse of the many political figures set to arrive.

Internationally, leaders from the other Nations were set to arrive and attended the first meeting of the World Coalition. The representatives invited may not be the direct heads of state but are becoming famous from their new role on the world stage.

Within Republic City itself, the primaries have just ended, leaving them with six candidates for President. Each has been openly campaigning on their own platforms and now that the election is entering the final stages, they are pulling fewer punches. Touting their own platform has turned to mud slinging, as they are increasingly focused on why the others should not be elected. There have even been rumors that more than words have been used against the candidates but for now, they remain rumors.

Zhu Li has refused to endorse any particular candidate to appear impartial, continuing her duties as President as normal. However, the one action outside of her regular schedule was to hire you all. She has given little information to you so far, but you do know that it is in relation to the rumors of attacks on the various candidates.

On this morning you are asked to meet her to go over the details of your assignment, should you choose to accept.

[Ramsus]

Spoiler: Kiyo's cheongsam of the day

Show

Kiyo finished her tea time with some of the fairly (though not extremely) well to do ladies of similar age that she met with, usually, weekly for their tour of teahouses of Republic City. Though the members of this "teahouse touring club" were actually more varied in social class than an outsider might expect, this particular one was on the more expensive side. The teahouse was up on the balcony area of the fifth story of a department building, granting it a nice view to accompany the day's warm breeze.

Bidding the others a good day, she hopped onto the outer railing and stepped off to fall a little more than her body length off the edge with a parting wave. Though the fall was entirely for dramatic effect, as evidenced by the next moment where with a subtle but commanding movement of her right foot she made a short lived block of solid air to land on. And with the same bending technique she'd developed from her studies of earthbending applied to her gift of airbending, she continued to make a flight of stairs as she walked down to the street level. As the nearly invisible stairs dispersed behind her with each step, she made eye contact and the occasional nod of the head or a gifted a smile upon a passerby she was familiar with. Given the amount of time she'd spent out and about in the city in her life and especially the last few years, she'd greeted almost a dozen people just by the time her feet finally touched down upon the pavement. She even greeted a confused looking clearly fresh to the city boy with a wink, as if to inform him that the wonders he'd see in Republic City were many and more.

By the time she reached the next block she was already engaged in conversation with a pair of leather jacket sporting siblings she knew, an older brother and slightly younger sister (though both her elders by a few years), from a somewhat rougher neighborhood who had been out shopping.
When on the next block a car turned a corner a bit too fast and almost sprayed them with oily runoff water, with a casual motion of her left arm she made a small wave of wind that sent the spray splashing back against the body of the car. Nothing that would decrease the driver's visibility, but just a bit of mess they would hear right now and know they'd have to clean later, that would hopefully make them keep in mind to drive more considerately in the future.
The siblings, familiar with Kiyo and being born and raised in Republic City, didn't blink an eye at any of this. Though gave brief gestures of thankful acknowledgement, the same you might if someone had blocked the water with an umbrella.

After a few blocks she parted way with the siblings, and within half a block she paused to briefly chat with a baker while purchasing a small box of a few dozen little cookies. That by a few blocks later she had eaten only one of and handed the rest out to a variety of casual acquaintances whose variety matched those of the cookies.

It was in this, her more or less usual style, in which she approached City Hall. Breaking off from a conversation only right before the entryway.

[Batcathat]

Click. Cli-click. Dink. Click. Cli-click. Dink. Click. Cli-click. Dink. The sound as Ye Quon made his way down the street was almost as hard to miss as his outline. The metal ending of his cane was good for both close combat and dramatic gestures. The sound it produced as it struck the cobblestone served its purpose as well. Make a distinct enough sound wherever you go and no one think to look for you without it.

The coat – garish enough to make a rainbow fade into the background – served a similar role. Ye Quon had met dabblers in the field who preferred to observe their surroundings from the shadows but that was not his style. No one expected the center of attention to be staring back at them. Of course, having a need for attention the size of an elephant whale might have influenced that particular observation.

Click. Cli-click. He paused at the corner across the way from City Hall. Never enter a building without surveying it a little, never have a meeting without a smoke first. Rules to live by, he thought as took in both cigar smoke and surroundings.

[flame12]

Kara weaves between streams of water as she closes in on her opponent, turning his own water against him. With a flick of her wrist, she freezes his legs in place before the young man can react, and lands a solid hit into his chest, leaving the man breathless. With a smirk, she pokes the man between his eyes and releases him, backing off while cracking her shoulders. "Nice feint, but you need to learn to capitalize on an opportunity like that, otherwise all you do is prolong the fight." With her advice given, Kara heads to the showers to clean up before she heads out from her newfound sparring partner. Since coming to Republic City, Kara found that going to different dojos has been a great way to keep her skills sharp, as they always have someone looking for a fight.

Leaving her latest training ground behind, Kara turns and heads down the street at a brisk walk. The match took longer than expected, but she figured she still had time to get where she needed to go without having to run. Looking around the city as she walked, she couldn't help but smile at the advanced technology. Truly, it made for some interesting sights, and even more interesting fights.

After a short while, Kara came upon the City Hall, but before she could head in, she heard a distinctive sound. Clink. cli-clink. Dink. Sighing to herself, she headed towards the source of the noise, and found Ye Quon smoking outside the building.

[CaoimhinTheCape]

City Hall, and much of the rest of Republic City, had been cleaned with the utmost care for the coming dignitaries - the two story building had never been in better condition. Municipal workers were preparing the steps and checking the shrubbery to make sure everything looked perfect as the earliest reporters kept an eagle eye out for the foreign leaders who would not be arriving for hours. Workers making final preparations bustle in and out of the multiple sets of doors and you think you even notice a rolled up pink carpet waiting to be set up for the leaders to walk down.

As your group meets in front of city hall, a reporter catches your group's eye and rushes over to you three, paying particular attention to Ye Quon's flashier appearance. "Excuse me! Any comment on the various nations coming together for the World Coalition?"



OOC: This can happen before or after your group has a chance to talk, the timing on it doesn't matter much.

[Batcathat]

"Of course." Ye Quon assumed what he considered to be an expression of uttermost wisdom, blew a cloud of smoke and leaned against his worryingly creaking cane. "After all the international unpleasantness of the last two hundred years — Ozai, Kuvira, water chieftain whatshisname — any steps towards greater international unity are important." He paused, giving the reporter a moment to bask in his wisdom. "Hopefully our leaders will be able to set their own egos and need for attention aside and work together for the greater good."

[Ramsus]

While the press are distracted with Ye Quon, Kiyo slips into the building without even pausing to think about it, as the Mushi family has usually done their best to avoid public attention when possible. At least when it's not something they've organized and have a plan to benefit from, but even that's pretty rarely done.

[flame12]

Kara watches with fascination as Ye Quon works the crowd, slowly shifting to a distant position that gives her a better view of how the press moves around to better capture the man's attention for follow up questions.

[CaoimhinTheCape]

The reporter frantically takes down notes of Ye Quon's statement. "Perfect, perfect! It is true that representatives of many nations have attacked or planned to attack Republic City. Do you think there will be any repercussions? What reparations should those nations pay if any? Is there anyone who should have more or less of a say in the Coalition?"

More reporters came over to listen to the answers - both Ye Quon and Kara got the feeling that they were only interested because someone else had come here first, and they couldn't let a rival get some important soundbite before them. As for the original reporter, he seemed to be probing for any statement that could make a good headline, though seemed less interested if other papers would get the same scoop.

---

Inside, Kiyo is able to effortlessly walk past the various workers all trying to prepare the building. She can easily find the meeting room where Zhu Li is waiting, though would have time to explore the building without drawing much attention to herself, if she chose.

[Ramsus]

Kiyo spots a woman she knows, Ai Shi, amongst the various people milling about. She knows Ai does some kind of office work here but as for it's exact nature... *shrug*
Nonetheless, she approaches Ai and engages in a bit of casual conversation before inquiring about the president's mood today.

[CaoimhinTheCape]

"Oh, hello Miss." The woman that Kiyo approached constantly looks to the other people walking around the building, occasionally handing folders out as others pass. "I hope you're doing well. We are all busy here today. Really, you're here to see Ms. Moon? She has been a bit more... particular than normal. Calm as ever, though the World Coalition is important to her. If she is worried, she would not let it show, but she doesn't seem to be in a bad mood. She did seem to be more relaxed after a conversation with her husband. He's away right now, pitching a business venture for one of the further Earth Kingdom districts. I think him being otherwise occupied means she has one less concern before the meeting."

[Batcathat]

Ye Quon smiled towards the reporters. "I couldn't possibly comment." Which was true, on account of him not really knowing much about it. "Though I do believe this meeting will provide some much-needed answers." Also true, on account of being blindingly obvious.

"I'd love to stay and chat." He twirled his cane and started walking. "But duty calls."

[flame12]

Kara sees the reporters looking to get someone else to talk after Ye Quon leaves, and she quickly darts inside leat she be bothered for a statement. Inside the building, she begins looking for a map, or failing that someone who looks Iike they work here.

[CaoimhinTheCape]

The reporters are disappointed when Ye Quon leaves, but soon after they find someone else to bother for a comment.

The group enters the building separately and all see people rushing around, though there are signs to help guide visitors to whatever room they'd like. It doesn't take long for you all to find yourselves in the Zoryu meeting room. The large table here could sit up to twelve, though as far as you're aware there was no one else invited to this meeting.

Though Zhu Li is not here yet, there is hot tea waiting for you along with a cold water pitcher and an assortment of pastries.

[Ramsus]

Kiyo picks a seat in the middle of the table and serves herself a cup of tea and a pastry.

[CaoimhinTheCape]

Zhu Li enters the room and gives everyone a slight smile. To anyone who doesn't know her, she is the epitome of composure and calmly puts some information packets on the table in front of you. To anyone who does know her, she is doing her best to hide a number of panic attacks as she tried to plan ahead for everything that could happen during the day.

"Thank you all for coming. I actually thought we may have another joining us, they may be able to help you out later.

So. What I have called you here for is to address the issue of our presidential candidates being attacked by an individual or organization."

She turns on a projector and points it at a white wall. As she speaks, she puts pictures of the destruction into the projector.

"So far each of the six candidates has been attacked. These attacks have caused structural damage to buildings that houses political rallies and have caused the most recent debate to be moved and rescheduled. Outdoor events have been disrupted in ways that include cutting the electricity and causing large explosions not far from the premises, causing a panic.

There have been incidental injuries from some of these attacks but it seems as though the crowds are not targets themselves. However..."

She brought up a picture of a room whose walls were covered with newspaper clippings and pictures of each of the candidates, with strings between them.

"We were able to track down the apartment that the suspect or suspects were believed to reside in. We did not find anyone there but found this board, with more knowledge than what the general public should have on when each candidate's upcoming events are. The "documents" found here indicate anger toward all candidates and possible plans to continue the attacks. While we are not worried about most civilians being targeted, I am worried about the safety of the candidates themselves.

The police force will be busy during the days that the World Coalition is in session. I would ask that you protect the candidates at their public events and pursue any leads you find on who could be responsible. As you are doing this, you are not expected to put your own lives at risk and would only pursue dangerous avenues of your own volition.

Do you have any questions on the knowledge we have or what this job would entail? You will be well compensated for your work, of course."

[Batcathat]

"Interesting." Ye Quon rose up from his seat at the end of the table and walked up to the projection, leaving a trail of crumbs behind. He stopped a few feet from the wall, eyeing the image of the suspect apartment. "Always string. I swear, lock up everyone who buys over ten feet of it, and half the police force will be out of a job."

He cleared his throat and turned towards Zhu Li. "Two questions, Madam President. Well, two at this point anyhow. How did your people find this apartment and are our mysterious, violence-minded chums aware that their hideout has been found?"

[CaoimhinTheCape]

"The police were able to use witness accounts to lead us to the apartment building where we found this information. It did not amount to anything more than someone of average height in a trench coat, but it was enough for them to begin their search.

We have been monitoring the building for some time now, but no one has been back. Our detectives tried to be subtle when investigating and staking out the apartment, but it seems whoever was using it is aware of the surveillance."

[Ramsus]

After giving a bit of a respectful nod, Kiyo asks, "Mrs. President, do the candidates and their security know we're going to be providing extra protection? I'm curious to know if you think the threat is someone with inside information and well.... it would be good to know ahead of time if they might mistake us for the threat."

[CaoimhinTheCape]

"I have informed the candidates that I was looking to hire additional investigators, though I haven't provided your names yet. I can provide documentation to affirm that you are the correct team.

The attacks have been committed against all six candidates - I would be surprised if any one person has access to all the campaigns. It would be helpful for the perpetrator or group to have an insider on all of the teams, but I can't say for certain that this is the case."

[Batcathat]

Clack. Cla-clack. Donk. Ye Quon had started pacing back and forth in the room. "Attacks against a single candidate could be motivated by something in their politics or even their personal lives. Attacks against all of them suggest a larger motivation." Clack. Cla-clack. Donk. "Perhaps royalists with a grudge against democratic elections?" Clack. Cla-clack. Donk. "Perhaps a Fire Nation or Earth Kingdom extremist who consider the territory theirs?"

He grabbed more pastries as he passed the table. "Perhaps one of the candidates want to get rid of the competition without looking too suspect?" He devoured one of the pastries in two bites. "Mmm, exquisite! We should look out for attempts that might not have been intended to succeed."

After carefully sucking some crumbs from his fingers, he turned to the President. "Madam President, are you aware if any of the candidates... how should I put this diplomatically? have any skeletons in their closet? Possibly literally."

[CaoimhinTheCape]

"This is politics. I am sure that some, if not all, of the candidates have a past that they are less than proud of. I was arrested (well, technically Varrick was arrested and I went with him) for kidnapping the previous president.

While it would be helpful to look into their past dealings, I have had a lot on my plate and have not investigated the candidates past this public platform and well-known history."

[flame12]

"Strange thought, but what if we are looking at this the wrong way? Madam, have you had anyone expressing, extreme dissatisfaction, with you stepping done. Enough to suggest they might sabatoge the elections just to prevent anyone else taking the position?"

[Batcathat]

"Well...", Ye Quon said and took another bite. "The president's esteemed husband is a convicted political terrorist." He winked at Zhu Li. "I kid. Probably. But I suppose Miss Kara has a point — there are a lot of possible motives, and we shouldn't focus on them at this point." He twirled his cane, barely missing a expensive-looking vase. "Let's get to work, shall we?"

[CaoimhinTheCape]

"Strange thought, but what if we are looking at this the wrong way? Madam, have you had anyone expressing, extreme dissatisfaction, with you stepping done. Enough to suggest they might sabatoge the elections just to prevent anyone else taking the position?"

"That is not something I have considered, but it is certainly possible. These attacks to seem to be distributed evenly. I do not know of any group that is quite so devoted to me, so it may be a lead for you to follow up on."

"Well...", Ye Quon said and took another bite. "The president's esteemed husband is a convicted political terrorist." He winked at Zhu Li. "I kid. Probably. But I suppose Miss Kara has a point — there are a lot of possible motives, and we shouldn't focus on them at this point." He twirled his cane, barely missing a expensive-looking vase. "Let's get to work, shall we?"

"I will say I do not think Varrick is behind this. Despite his experience with illegal explosives, I think he misses having me working with him on his business ventures and around the house in general."

Zhu Li gave a small smile, before returning to a serious face.

"I should also officially say I have no reason to believe my husband, Varrick, is plotting, in the process of carrying out, or previously attempted to commit any sort of crime that has not become public knowledge and that he has not already served time for."

She runs through this declaration as if she has needed to say it many times in the past.

---

Zhu Li sighs. "Your first assignment is to protect candidate Rin at her rally, later today. It is being held not far from this building, and she intends to speak out against the coalition as the leaders are arriving today. You can meet with her manager, Noburu, for details. Please keep a lookout for anyone who is suspicious at the rally but also make sure the attendees do not become too riled up."

[Ramsus]

"Well, let's go see this Noburu then." Kiyo says and gets up to leave after giving Zhu Li a respectful nod as a parting.

[flame12]

Kara gets up to follow Kiyo, but remembers her manners at the last second and also bows to the current president before leaving.

[Batcathat]

With a respectful bow and a inappropriate wink towards the President, Ye Quon grabbed a plate of pastries and followed the others out the room.

[CaoimhinTheCape]

< cutting to the next scene, though you all would have had time for discussion before this >

You arrive at the setup of the rally, where workers are setting up the stage and equipment in anticipation of the candidate. Just like city hall, the place is bustling with activity, where people are rushing to get something or other done. The area cleared out is large, in particular you note that this outdoor event doesn't have any barriers to denote the area - just some velvet ropes that seem more like guidelines than boundaries. Though there are some chairs near the edge of the marked area, its seems this even will mostly be standing room only. The area is in full view of city hall, you can assume that this was the closest they could get.

This event has garnered the attention of locals and tourists, you can easily pick out the latter. The locals seem to be supporters, many holding signs with slogans like "United Republic First!" and "What about us?". A banner unfurls above the stage, reading, "Our City, Our People, Our Future".

There is applause from the one person who doesn't seem to be stressed from working: a confident looking man with his hair in a bun. He wears a formal suit, purple with red and black accents, and he seems to be calling out to people as they pass, giving instructions as necessary. You can assume this is Noburu, Rin's event manager.

[Ramsus]

Kiyo casually strolls up and asks, "Would you happen to be Noburu?"