Unrest

[cyclicalitymods]

A medium-sized group of people have decided to take matters into their own hands. In the middle of the night, they split apart and casually make their way through different parts of the city. And then suddenly, all across the city, homes and apartments catch fire; some buildings, specifically businesses, collapse due to suddenly unstable ground; other areas near water are completely flooded.

It's not long before most, if not all of the suspects are apprehended, but quite a bit of damage has been done. Boroughs 3, 4 and 5 were hit the hardest for what seems to be due to the fact most of the refugees live in those areas. Some parts of the Spirit Wilds also have some damage, but the spirits were quick to chase away the vandals from their home.

For anyone awake at this late hour, word is quickly spreading and the blame is being squarely placed on the shoulders of the refugees. At least, that's why the the vandals claim to have done it. They're taking all the resources...! That... the group just destroyed. Apparently if they can't have them, neither can the refugees. Most of the members of the group seem to be members of the Triads. Apparently they felt the need to be "heroic."

For those not awake, well, they probably will wake up soon. The earth begins to rumble and shake violently all throughout Republic City, much too strong for even a large group of earthbenders. A few more buildings fall victim to damages from debris.

The shaking stops after a solid three minutes or so, but throughout the night, strong aftershocks will shake the city. What's of interest is what happened during the earthquake. On Air Temple Island, a bunch of spiritual energy has gathered. The result of the gathered spirits is a ball of energy that fiercely glows a red color. Sparks of red leap away from the gathered energy and apparently draw in quite the impressive strike of lightning! Hopefully the airbenders won't mind a giant red glowing thing of doom right where the symbol for Tui and La used to be.

Someone could investigate. It's dark and the glow from the ball of energy can be seen for a few miles, although as time goes on the glow will subside a bit, but not completely.

[ Tags from this account will probably come tomorrow. We'll comment back about the red thing of doom, but otherwise let us know if you want us for stuff. Otherwise, feel free to NPC some things. Catch a runaway or two, etc. ]

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[airyopalescent]

Opal had only returned from her trip to Zaofu the night before and her nerves were still on edge. With her mother, father and all of her brothers gone, Zaofu was literally destitute for people to lead it. And Opal was sitting on the edge of a very hard decision to make - abandoning her airbending training to lead Zaofu until a time when her mother or father themselves could be found.

Sleep wasn't coming easily that evening, to say the least. So she was still awake when the rumbling had begun. It seems to fall more focused in Republic City however and in the next moment Opal had been out of her room and into the courtyard where the symbol for Tui and La was. And where a big ball of glowing red now hung, crackling with energy.

... What should she do about it exactly though?

[abitofawildman]

Cautiously Bumi walks over towards where Opal is standing.

"That...that wasn't there when I went to sleep."

[airyopalescent]

"I'm sure it wasn't here just a few hours ago either."

Was it connected with the earthquakes then? Opal turns on her heels to look out in the direction of Republic City.

[abitofawildman]

"This can't be good," he says absently as he turns to look towards the Women's Dorm.

"I don't suppose you've seen Korra or Jinora, have you?"
It looks spirity, and well...they're the experts.

[airyopalescent]

"Korra and Jinora left when the spiritual barrier lowered on the seventh. I think they were going to check out the spirit portals for clues about everything going on as of late."

[abitofawildman]

"Her light's not on, that that it's likely she'd be inside what with this outside. Well then, Miss Bei Fong. I think this might be up to us. What're you thinking?"

[airyopalescent]

Opal looks... well, a little baffled to say the least. She studies the orb a moment with narrowed eyes.

"It must be some form of spiritual energy. If Korra was here she could try to neutralize it..."

But, well, she isn't.

"The one thing I'm pretty sure we shouldn't do is touch it."

[abitofawildman]

"See you say that, but I look at that thing and all I want to do is touch it. Takes all kinds to make a world, I guess."

He shoots her a smirk.

"I was able to talk down an angry spirit by playing music for it before harmonic convergence, think it'd work here? Do we think this thing is...angry?"

[airyopalescent]

"You did? That's... pretty amazing actually." No seriously, it is!

"It doesn't exactly feel angry."

[abitofawildman]

"I'm a man of many talents," he says with no where near as much bravado as he'd usually muster.

"Do you feel anything from it at all? Aside from red and heat, I mean."

[airyopalescent]

"Not really? It doesn't feel bad but... well, if it was something horrible, something should have happened alright, right?"

Instead of us just, y'know, standing here and gawking at it?

[abitofawildman]

"Maybe it's just biding its time? Or lulling into a sense of security."

Beat.

"You really think it'd be a bad idea to touch it?"

[airyopalescent]

"You don't usually go sticking your hands into things you don't know... right?"

[abitofawildman]

"Do you want the honest answer? Or the one that's probably going to make you feel better?"

Because with Bumi...those are not often the same thing.

[airyopalescent]

For a moment Opal looks quite uncertain. In the end though, she gives a sheepish smile, "Well... honesty would probably be better, in this situation. I can guess what that answer would be though..."

[abitofawildman]

"It's almost like you know me," he says trying to keep his tone light, but...he's anxious. Really anxious. There's precious little about this situation that Bumi likes one bit.

[airyopalescent]

"A little. To be honest, I think I'm still trying to figure you out."

That said, silence reigns a moment.

"... So should we ignore it...?"

[abitofawildman]

"Even if we were sure we'd have that as an option, could we?"

Bumi gestures towards the glowing sphere which is now occupying most of the courtyard.

"I'll be honest with you, Opal: I've seen more than my share of weird things, but this...is hands down the weirdest."

[airyopalescent]

"No kidding."

He has a point though. They probably don't have the option of simply ignoring it but she can't reason how to contain it. It's not really doing much but... she ponders a moment. Then looks to Bumi with raised eyebrows.

"Maybe we should touch it after all."

[abitofawildman]

Bumi can't help but blink at that. It's almost like he's surprised someone agrees with one of his crazy schemes.

Actually, it's exactly that.

"You really think so?!"

[airyopalescent]

"It seems like the only way we're going to know what this is is to actually interact with it. And honestly I'd rather we airbenders do it than someone who wanders onto the island. It would be better if we got hurt versus anyone else, right?"

It's still a crazy scheme but at this point Opal is beginning to think it's their only one.

[abitofawildman]

There's a pause as Bumi considers her words. Not because he doesn't agree with them, on the contrary he knows what she's saying is the only logical course of action to take. It's more how she manages to make the Standard Bei Fong matter-of-factness sound so...tactful.

"Agreed," he says eventually. "Do you want to go first? Or should I?"

[airyopalescent]

She considers for a moment. "Let me. If something happens it's probably better if you're around. You are the one in charge after all." What with Jinora away anyhow.

With that Opal will step forward, reach a hand out to the glowing sphere and... well, it goes straight through. Not coming out the other side or anything but just inside of the glowing ball.

[abitofawildman]

"Well when you say it like that it sounds horrifying."

Bumi can do nothing but watch as Opal moves towards the sphere. Just as she's about to make contact,...he cringes.

And then nothing happens.

"Opal?"

[airyopalescent]

Opal looks over with wide eyes.

"It doesn't hurt or anything, it just... goes in."