[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

[savedtheworld]

"Sorry, Jin. That's a risk I'm gonna have to take, to let you know how great a friend you are!" He chuckles bashfully.

[abitofawildman]

"Well would you look at that," he says as he picks up his winnings.

"Let's put 12 down on the next race."

[abitofawildman]

[Bumi grins back like a loon.]

Yip yip!

[gainedacoupon]

"Just for that, I'm going to cheer you on so hard in the races that you'll be able to hear me like a million miles away and there's nothing you can do to stop me!"

Because obviously that is the best revenge plan ever.

[lavamylife]

Bolin hears all the cheers, and while they're not all for Bolin—especially seeing how he's not at present in the lead—but as far as he's going to accept it all for him. He comes around on the second lap around the rink, and he happens to spot Opal this time cheering along with the crowd. He lets go of the otterpenguin with one hand and gives her a brief wave, not looking where he's going for a split second. Thankfully, nothing bad happens, though he does get momentarily unsteady.

And now knowing he's being watched, the competitive edge gets a hold of him, and so now he's going to ride hard until the end.

[airyopalescent]

Oooh. Some in the crowd may hold a breath and Opal can't help but do so too when the otterpenguin goes a bit unsteady. Opal calls out after him, spouting out a phrase she never thought she'd yell.

"Don't let go of that otterpenguin!"

Good grief this is surprisingly tense.

[savedtheworld]

"Have you done this a lot before? I could always show you some tricks!"

[savedtheworld]

[Once Bumi says that, Appa takes right off! Aang is off balance for a moment before he rights himself while holding onto the reins.]

Whoa! I guess ready or not, here we go!

[savedtheworld]

"Wow! That's really fiendishly nice of you, Jin! Thanks! If I win, it'll all be thanks to you!"

[abitofawildman]

[Bumi chuckles.]

You all right up there? Or do you need me to drive?

[raavashing]

You can have one of them if you'd like.

[He nodded at the trio near her who were all very intent on fighting over the fish.]

You just have to catch them while they're distracted.

[mercuryadept]

Mia just shakes her head. "No, not really. This is very much a Southern Tribe thing. We don't really go otter penguin sledding up in the north. So..." She smiles with a little amusement, "some tricks would definitely be helpful." Leave it to the teenaged monk to give her life lessons about everything.

[gainedacoupon]

" Well me and whichever cute cuddly creature you pick out. I think he or she might play a pretty big part in it too."

[lavamylife]

Good advice never goes unheeded. Well, except for when it's Bolin hearing it, but even Bolin can understand super good advice when he hears it, and so he will definitely hold on for dear life. He manages to recover thankfully without too much drama.

He pushes hard, and he gains a little momentum as he's heading down one of the slopes, pushing ever closer to the penguin in front of him. And it almost looks like he would make it. But after one of the jumps [There are jumps in otter penguin racing, right?], Bolin misaims the jump and falls directly behind the person in the lead, pushing him further ahead as he slides across the goal line.

But really, second place isn't all bad, right?

Bolin seems pleased, and he reaches down after shifting off the otter penguin to give it a congratulatory pat.

"You did your best, buddy."

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.

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?

[mercuryadept]

[The humour of the situation is not lost on Mia. Here's Wan, the well-disliked man hogging all of the otter penguins, practically just offering one of them to her, presumably because they're friends. But it does seem sound with the rules.]

You would trust me with one of your friends? [she asks in a mock-sceptical tone.] You know you won't get him or her back until after the raaaace. [She adds a bit of sing-songiness for emphasis. It should be clear that she's going to (try to!) take him up on the offer.

[She starts to head off towards the group of penguins though she's still well within earshot of Wan.]

You know, for that, I might just have the gall to give the others who are cursing you for having too many friends an earful if I hear them again. ["Might."]

[raavashing]

You don't have to do that for me.

[He laughed and stood up, drawing the attention of the three otterpenguins who were fighting over the fish. They perked up and then started waddling over to him.]

Oh, you're going to have to move fast, they're coming baaaaack~

[savedtheworld]

"You're right! He or she'll be the most important part! But I know the little otter-penguin'll get stronger from your cheers too!"

[mercuryadept]

[Mia's eyebrows raise with sudden surprise, and she just gives Wan a joking glare.]

Oh, oh, is that how it's going to be?

[There's a though in her head to do something in revenge, but there's unfortunately no time for that at the moment. So instead she runs over and throws herself at one of the otter penguins, throwing her arms around it.]

So uncouth! I'd throw a snowball at you if I had the chance!

[savedtheworld]

No no, I'm fine now! You just... got me by surprise! Appa must really like you, Bumi!

[raavashing]

[The otterpenguin let out an undignified squawk and tried shaking Mia off while Wan continued to laugh.]

If you win your race you can throw all the snowballs you want at me. But you're going to have to keep that one under control if you want to get that far!

[And just to make sure it was a real challenge, Wan bent over and clapped his hands together lightly, as if calling all the otterpenguins over to him.]

[savedtheworld]

"That's a shame. You Northerners are really missing out!" He wonders if that's the real reason why Pakku is so grumpy. Of course, he doesn't consider how it might seem that he's so familiar with the South Pole too.

"Don't worry. I learned some expert methods in the past, and I'll be glad to show you, Mia."

[airyopalescent]

The crowd can't help but follow all of it. The jump comes up, the crowd holds their breath... and then Bolin misses amidst a few slight disappointed noises. Others cheer though and soon everyone is as all the participants pull up to the finish line.

The otter penguin seems pleased enough with the pat, flapping it's stubby flippers. Opal herself is nearing the edge of the track.

"You really did well out there! I never knew you knew how to race otter penguins."

[mercuryadept]

[Mia might have grounds to be slightly upset with things if she weren't laughing so much at Wan and the most inappropriate display her mind thinks she's passing off as she's wrestling an otter penguin of all things upon the snow.]

Well that cuts it! I'll make sure to chime in then when people curse you for stealing all the otter penguins!

[The otter penguin is certainly trying his best to get back to Wan, though Mia is still managing to hold on and not give him too much ground, though the otter penguin is indeed making small headway.]

C'mon, I can be your "friend" too, Mr. Otter Penguin!

[Yes, still laughing in between all of her struggles.]