[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

[abitofawildman]

[Bumi's not quite sure what to say to that at first, which might explain why his mouth opens and closes a few times before anything actually comes out.]

I don't rightly know, to be honest. Maybe? Yes...let's go with that.

[raavashing]

[Suddenly, Wan felt slightly queazy and had to turn around to lean on the railing.]

Then I'm really glad I've never been.

[abitofawildman]

[Bumi watches him carefully for a second, before turning to standing next to him by the railing.]

So...meeting and seeing evidence of who you're going to become after you're gone isn't as troubling as the thought of this body being left behind?

[raavashing]

It's different. They're alive. I can feel a connection to them. I know I'm... dead... in this era... but I'm also not. How would you feel if you found a grave marker that belonged to you?

[abitofawildman]

[Bumi can't help it, he smiles. Granted it's a rather rueful smile.]

I'm actually kind surprised I haven't already.

[mercuryadept]

As if in response, there's a sheepish smile on her own face, as if it was a completely obvious bit that she had overlooked. "I should have guessed. The quickest path to an otter penguin's heart is through its stomach." She laughs a bit. "And then it's a piece of cake after that?"

[mercuryadept]

"Mitten-clad Mia"? [She's still laughing ridiculously and completely fails at sounding faux-offended by it.] Oh you are so going to get it when I get this penguin captured for good!

[Clearly this isn't quite working, so Mia, while still holding on, attempts to pick the thing up. It's heavy and bulky, but she's clearly, though barely, got the otter penguin's feet off the ground.]

If you want your friend back, you're going to have to come after me yourself, you penguin tamer!

[lavamylife]

"Well... yeah, Earth Kingdom food is kind of good too," he says with a shrug. "Though I've had a lot of rotten Earth Kingdom food too." Perhaps unbeknownst to Gumshoe (and even Bolin), he is talking about rotten as in mouldy and stinky rather than just not good. "I mean, I've had some good Earth Kingdom food, but I think I've been turned off of the cheaper stuff for a while. But noodles? Always good." And cheap!

[raavashing]

[Wan devolved into more laughter before he managed to get himself under control enough that he could walk over to where Mia had the otterpenguin awkwardly held in the air. He held his hands up to indicate a surrender.]

I think it's against the rules for me to steal an otterpenguin that's been rightly captured.

[He did, however, reach over to pat the struggling otterpenguin on the head and try to calm it a little.]

It's okay, big guy. She's a good person. You'll be fine with her.

[A moment passed before his lips twisted playfully and he moves his hand from the penguin to Mia's head, fully taking advantage of the fact that she couldn't push his hand away without letting go of her prize. Pat. Pat.]

You did a very good job, too.

[mercuryadept]

[Mia's laughter echoes Wan's for very much the same reasons. She's having far too much of a good time than she has any right to, and she's practically tickled by this little encounter.]

Oh you're finally giving up? [She still can't cease her laughing entirely, but she just smiles rather victoriously up at Wan when he gives the otter penguin those reassuring pats. It actually calms itself down, quieting its struggles and almost going playfully quiet in Mia's arms.

[But then Wan's reassuring pats go from her captured penguin's head to her own. And the expression on Mia's face is one of surprise and disbelief. She can't help but paradoxically smile at it though, completely amused by the "audacity" of it all. In a quite unladylike fashion, she sticks her tongue out at him and raises an eyebrow.]

Well, thank you, my most gracious and benevolent teacher. [She can't wave away his patting of her head, but she could move. But she doesn't.] I'm glad I rose to your expectations.

[raavashing]

I never doubted your ability.

[Wan let his hand drop, the playful victory he'd achieved was enough for him.]

I guess I should say goodbye to the rest of these guys and go watch the races. If it's okay for me to walk with you?

[raavashing]

You wouldn't be weirded out?

[abitofawildman]

[He pulls a what're-you-gonna-do face.]

I was a Military Man for longer than you've been alive. And there were some days? I was more than a little bit convinced that my very own marker was waiting for me just over the next ridge, or on the next beach.

[raavashing]

I didn't think there were any wars since the end of the 100 year war.

[Wan answered genuinely surprised at the answer.]

I thought it was a time of peace.

[abitofawildman]

The sad truth of it is, people will violently disagree with each other, even in times of peace.

And the Avatar can't be everywhere at once.

[raavashing]

...I know.

[Wan's eyes shut and he took a deep breath.]

The darkness that surrounds humanity is not easily broken. It will take all of my lifetime and the lifetimes to come and still it will be a struggle. But even slow progress is progress.

[abitofawildman]

So long as we keep moving, we'll find ourselves in a better place.

[Bumi adds in agreement.]

Do you...well, so long as it wouldn't be too weird, but...would you...

[raavashing]

Would I what?

[abitofawildman]

[Bumi reaches into one of the interior pockets of his long red UF coat and retrieves several sticks of incense.]

Admittedly, it's weird for me now too, given that I flew here on Appa and make sure Aang eats his three square a day.

[mercuryadept]

[Mia smirks a bit at that, side-eyeing Wan. The fact that he's so willing to just leave his pile of friends behind now that Mia is heading off doesn't entirely escape her.]

I wouldn't mind at all. In fact, I'd love the company, provided your friends aren't going to be jealous that this one here, [she indicates to the penguin in her arms with a nod of the head,] will be getting all your attention.

[raavashing]

[Wan twisted at the waist to toss the rest of the fish he had on him away from the two of them and the group that were around his feet waddled off, grunting and honking loudly.]

I don't think they'll mind too much.

[He turned back and reached out to scratch at the head of the otterpenguin in Mia's arms again.]

And as great as he is, he's not really the one who'll be getting all my attention.

[raavashing]

[Wan stared down at the incense sticks for a long moment. He understood what was being asked of him and it did feel a little weird. But it also seemed important to Bumi and Bumi was family in a roundabout way...

He reached up slowly to take the sticks.]

Is there a certain way I need to do this?

[mercuryadept]

[Well, okay, he really is flirting with her. Not that she's of a prerogative to mind though.

[Though she can't help but pass up the moment to tease him a bit on account of the fish.]

Oh, you've been using fish the entire time to make your friends? [She laughs a little bit, and if her hands weren't full she'd try to cover her mouth a little at the laugh.] I'm disappointed; I had believed that you just had a knack for otter penguins, that you were just that good of a charmer.

[She looks up to him and casts him a knowing smile. He is a charmer, really. She bites her lip a little bit at his second comment, feeling rather lucky.]

Well, I can't say I disappointed, [she says a little shyly.]

[raavashing]

Giving my friends gifts I know they like is not the same as using those gifts to make friends.

[Wan said in 'tsk tsk' tone before sticking his tongue out at her.

Only after her shy admittance did he seem to have the decency to blush and look to the side in embarrassment. The grin that had taken over his face wasn't able to be suppressed - though he did try for a moment.]

Well... that's... good.

[Smooth, Wan. Smooth.]

We should... um... probably get you over to the sign ups. I could carry him for you, if you want?

[mercuryadept]

[Mia giggles in response to the first bit.]

Well, I suppose that's very true. After all, I'm rather appreciative of the gift that this little guy is.

[She smiles down at the otter penguin, and he just tries to nudge her face with his little whiskered nose.

[For better or worse, Mia misses Wan's own blush. When she's finally looking back to him, he's looking off to the side. But she could still see the edges of his grin.]

No way are you taking this guy from me after I worked so hard to get him! [She just flashes a jokingly distrustful look. But all the same, she knows he's completely trustworthy.] What will they do if I get to the check in desk and see that I didn't "catch" him myself?