[OPEN] Let the races begin

[cyclicalitymods]

January 10th is a big day for anyone interested in the races. Or rather, interested in a little bit of gambling. Located in the Southern Water Tribe, the penguin sledding races are the place to make it big or lose everything! Races will be held from dawn until midnight with stalls selling food and souvenirs are set up around the event area. Everyone is free to take place in as many races as they want on one condition — they have to catch their own otter penguin, which might be a bigger challenge than actually sledding through the race track. They take this rule very seriously! Those who hire others to catch their otter penguins for them will be disqualified if they're caught. Just remember that this is the South Pole. The event area isn't around any residential areas, so bring warm gear when you hike to it in the cold.

There's fun in Republic City, too. It's snowing, at least, so a few otter penguins have been shipped in for racing around a smaller track. There's stalls set up in the city, too, selling knickknacks and Water Tribe cuisine. People are free to place their bets here as well, but any penguin sledder who's anybody is probably already in the Southern Water Tribe where the big fish are.

So there are options. People who have free time and money to travel can take a ship to the Southern Water Tribe to see what there is to offer. People who are short on time or money can stop by the penguin sledding arena for a few minutes to see what's up.

[ OOC: Feel free to include a variety of scenarios in your tag. It's an all-day event, so if you want to include scenarios for travel, otter penguin catching, sledding or just spectating. Whatever floats your boat! ]

Comments

BETTING

[cyclicalitymods]

Place your bets here!

Post with how many yuans your character is betting. We'll RNG the results to see if you're losing it all or if you'll make it big! For reference, we'll say that 1 USD is about 6.21 yuans.

Go Big or Go Home.

[abitofawildman]

Start with 2 Yuans.

[cyclicalitymods]

Congratulations! Lady luck is on your side and your 2 yuans have turned into 16 yuans!

BETTING

[raavashing]

12 yuans

then cross his fingers and prays

[savedtheworld]

Otter penguin sledding races... Now this was something Aang wouldn't miss out on for the world. He had been staying in Republic City to try to keep track of the spirit activity going there, but he was starting to miss traveling. And this was as good an opportunity as ever. And so he set off on his trusty sky bison towards the land where he began his journey all those years go...

A. Who wouldn't want to come on a magic Appa ride? Aang will offer space on the bison's back to any of his friends who want to come along to the trip. Once Appa's on a straight course, Aang will be sure to chat up his friends and maybe try singing to pass the time, as Appa continues making his way towards the Southern Water Tribe.

B. The search! ...For a penguin. Join Aang as he seeks out just the righ otter penguin to set off with. He remembers exactly how to do it, from when Katara showed him. Back when they first met. He might get a little sad and nostalgic in the process.

C. The race! Aang is heading off on his otter penguin. Anyone dare to race a thrill-seeking Avatar?

A.

[gainedacoupon]

This was certainly not something Jin wanted to miss. She's never seen an Otter penguin before in her whole life. Not only was the thought of seeing them exciting enough, but she'd even get to ride on a cute fuzzy appa? She was completely sold! So when Aang offered to take his friends to the southern water tribe, Jin jumped at the chance and made sure to show up early so Aang wouldn't have to wait.

"Ready to board, Captain!"

[savedtheworld]

Aang gives her a cheery smile and salutes. "Aye aye, Miss... Jin!" He's not sure what to call her when he's already the captain. He puts on a pirate-y voice. "We be casting off soon!"

A.

[abitofawildman]

There's a spring to Bumi's step and a jaunty tune in his heart as he tosses his Seabag from the ground into Appa's saddle.

Appa's Saddle.

He chuckles and shakes his head as he climbs up the familiar tail and flops into what was always his usual spot in the bison's saddle.

[savedtheworld]

[Aang gives his own laugh as Bumi boards, taking his position by the head of the bison. He flashes him a cheery smile.] Ready to sail off, Mr. Bumi?

B.

[mercuryadept]

So far Mia has had little luck at catching an otter penguin, and clearly her technique isn't going to win the day. As she's out searching, she sees Aang off in the distance looking for his own. Seeing as how the young airbender was the one that hoisted her onto a sky bison to make the voyage down to the South Pole, it seems only fitting that she offer a hand (or even ask for pointers).

"How's the hunt going?" she calls out happily.

[savedtheworld]

"It's going okay!" He quickly gains a smile as Mia nears. "I'm just waiting to try to find the right one..."

Republic City

[paybent]

Who has two thumbs and... not much else, hence being stuck in the city? This guy, that's who. Detective Gumshoe is wearing his normal scruffy trenchcoat, with the only winter addition being a pair of puffy yellow earmuffs. He's brought the contents of his latest paycheck to the arena for his yearly tradition: he slaps it all down on the counter, with a crooked grin. "I'm putting it all on the Little Flipper! This year's her time to shine!"

He's actually not completely poor at the moment, at least, thanks to some gold that's leftover from the spirits' gift. He'll stop by the snack stand to get some stuff for himself and some for any of the town's hungry he find nearby. One can also find him by the gift stand, where he's tempted to blow the last of his money on some of the more overpriced trinkets.

Finally, he could be found sitting in the audience as the race is starting, ready to cheer Little Flipper on!

[lavamylife]

And Bolin is holding a box of noodles filled with some seafood, and he's practically just giddy with joy from the deliciousness. "Oh man," he says with his mouth still half full of the first bite of noodles, "this tastes just like the stuff at the South Pole! Man, I love Water Tribe food so much! Beats Earth Kingdom cuisine any day of the week."

[paybent]

Gumshoe offers a smile to the younger boy. "I don't know if I'd go that far, pal. I love a hardy Earth Kingdom meal. But the noodles? They hit the spot!"

[lifescratched]

Connor has fond memories of penguin sledding around his village when he was younger, and it's that nostalgia that draws him to the Southern Water Tribe to watch the races, a tradition that seems to have sprung up in the wake of the war. He bets only what little yuan he can spare on the races -- not that he expects to win anything -- and moves into the crowds to watch the results. More than anything, he's happy to see his tribe safe here and at peace, even if after seventy years, none of the faces are familiar, and the settlements have changed and grown beyond recognition.

After the race, he can be found looking for an otter penguin of his own. Not to sled with, since he's outgrown that years ago. Instead, he lures one over to simply to feed it, offering some freshly caught fish and watching in amusement as it tosses its head back and wolfs each fish down with a single gulp.

Many things have changed here, he thinks, but at least the animals have stayed the same.

I can't remember if we kept our test drive thing, but...

[mercuryadept]

After the race is finally over, Mia happens to see the water tribe warrior as he's heading off away from the crowds. It certainly strikes her a little funny that, only now does he seem to be heading off into the great wintry expanse, as if to go searching for an otter penguin now that none of them need to be caught. Having the assurance from her ride that he'll be sticking around for a little while longer, Mia hurries off after him, running to catch up with him.

"Leaving the festivities already?"

Republic City

[airyopalescent]

Opal is constantly stretched for time as of late it seems. And after a fumbling fight with Bolin, she's spending her time in Republic City trying to relax as much as she can between training sessions.

And one of these times is during the fun in Republic City. She can't exactly head off to the Southern Water Tribe at the moment so she's enjoying what exhibitions were here for now.

One can find the airbender browsing through the stalls or enjoying the Water Tribe cuisine before she takes a moment to watch what penguin sledding is going on here.

[lavamylife]

Bolin hasn't had the chance to talk to Opal in a while, and he's sort of in doldrums about it. With the right invitation, he would have dropped things and headed off for a Southern vacation easily, but while invitations were received, he didn't get one from someone that would have convinced him, so he's staying in Republic City while some people head off to the South.

Being in a rather depressed mood, he's come here to cheer himself up. He actually does not believe that Opal will show up, and so he's at the penguin sledding rink ready to race on his own. Of course, he's perhaps a little too big to possibly win, but he's going to milk this for all the fun he's got.

And it just so happens that he's going to be zipping past Opal about the time that she's passing by.

/forever late

[metalworkings]

Lin was passing through through some of the stalls. She was only around as a measure of security as it was. No event could go without a few people out and making sure no one started trouble. With everything still not lining up properly to her either it was only right to try and keep an event from having any situations get out of hand.

Spotting Opal was a pleasant surprise. Pleasant enough that she'll go over with a little grin. "Hey, didn't think I'd find you around here." She's relieved. Opal around the city did mean one less person she had to worry about.

[abitofawildman]

It's been a few months since Bumi's been back to the Southern Water Tribe and so he's prepared to make the most of his visit.

Join him, won't you?

a) There are friends and contacts to reconnect with. That'll likely happen at the Arctic Hen, a seedy dive bar near the harbor, where the drinking age is whether you can see over the bar high enough to order.

b) Then there's a trip to his mother's house. She's not there. He knows she's not there. He goes anyway.

c) The Avatar Stupa also gets a visit. Bumi's never been one for quiet meditation, but this place is different. Offerings will be made, incense will be burned, and maybe a few tears shed. Consider yourself warned.

d) The Actual Sledding festival itself. Bumi's a bit too large to be riding an otter penguin, so he'll be sitting this one out. There's no shame in shouting from the sidelines...or from partaking of a wager or five....

C

[raavashing]

[Wan found his way to the Stupa. Something about the place drew him away from the hustle and bustle of the main city to the quiet standing stone. Something, a feeling, he couldn't place. He walked the raised walkway slowly until he came upon Bumi. Not really paying attention to what the other man was doing, since his eyes were on the center stone, he asked:]

What is this place?

South Pole

[mercuryadept]

[Mia wasn't actually aware of the otter penguin races down at the South Pole until just short of the event. It's only once a few radio broadcasts had declared that there was going to be a similar event in Republic City that she even became remotely interested in it. And it wasn't until she had another talk with Aang until she found out that she could go to the actual event at the South Pole.

[Having never been, it sounded like a ripe opportunity to see another part of the world and return back to Republic City soon thereafter. Of course, doing so served other more personal purposes as well, but while she was there, she might as well try her hand at racing.]

A. Souvenir and food stalls

[Mia has a little bit of time in between her obligations to spend time at the souvenir shops, looking to see what things the Southerners are selling. Of course, she'll be frequenting food stalls as well, but her main interests are in the craftsmanship of the souvenirs as maybe she'll pick up a trinket or two from it.

[She looks down at a rather lovely brooch that piques her interest, though is sadly a little more expensive than she ought to spend for the time being. She'll put it down and say her thanks to the shopkeeper. Interrupt her for a chat?]

B. Catching an Otter Penguin

[One would think, having a koalaotter, that being able to tame an otter penguin would be an easy task; however, it's proving quite difficult! Short of actually trying to waterbend one into an ice pen, which she hasn't tried yet, all her efforts of coaxing one close and grabbing them have been unsuccessful.]

C. Racing down the Slopes

[She's finally managed to catch an otter penguin, and she's zooming down the slopes. It's crazy fun, and to be honest, she's more concerned about having fun than winning, and so she'll be screaming out with joy the entire way down the hill, even if she's lagging behind the leaders.]

B

[raavashing]

Meanwhile, Wan, who has absolutely no intention of racing, has a small crowd of otterpenguins around him and is happily petting them and chatting with them like they're friends he hasn't seen in ages. He's off to the far side and most people who are catching their own have left him alone because, well, he's the one that 'caught' them. All of them. It was very unfair to hog, but no one could exactly call him on it. The best they could hope for was that he'd pick one to race with soon so the others could be free game again.

Wan, of course, didn't care in the least that he was hogging attention. He did, however, call out to one of the people he knew from Republic City when he saw her trying to talk one into coming near.]

Have you tried fish yet?

Penguin Races with Jin

[raavashing]

[Wan had come down to the South Pole on a boat the day before the races began and had been throughly enjoying himself - despite the chill. His clothes were his winter wear and looked much more archaic and threadbare than the 'modern' second-hand ones he'd gotten used to wearing. But he was still pretty recognizable as himself when he found Jin in the souvenir stalls. Just scruffier.

He grinned when he saw her, surprised that she was there, but not unpleased.]

Jin!

[Wan stepped in front of her to make sure she saw him.]

I didn't know you were coming south.

Re: Penguin Races with Jin

[gainedacoupon]

[ Jin jumped back in surprise and gave him a big smile. ]

Wan! It's so good to see you! Aang was kind enough to offer rides, and I didn't want to miss a chance to be able to see something this exciting.