[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 grins back like a loon.]

Yip yip!

[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!

[abitofawildman]

[Bumi chuckles.]

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

[savedtheworld]

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

[abitofawildman]

I should hope so, after all the time I've spent bribing him to do so.

[He's kidding...mostly.]

[savedtheworld]

How do you bribe a sky bison? Super-fresh cabbages? [He asks part-kidding, part-actually curious.]

[abitofawildman]

Among other things. Like...moon peaches.

[Bumi has some fond memories of sneaking food from his plate to where ever Appa and Momo were at the time.]

[savedtheworld]

Moon peaches?! [He gives a pretend gasp.] Now that's just sneaky!

[abitofawildman]

What can I say, I learned from the best.

[Beat.]

Mom always had a way with animals.

[Do you see what he did there, Aang?]

[savedtheworld]

[He sees it! That's why he turns to look at his middle-aged son with a flabbergasted look.]

Mom! But... I'm the animal! I mean- the one who's good with them. ...It's me!

[abitofawildman]

[Hold it. Hold it together Bumi. Hold it. Just. A. Little. Longer.]

[savedtheworld]

Hey, come on! [His face is somewhere between grumping and a pout.]

[abitofawildman]

[Suddenly so much of Tenzin as a child makes so much more sense.]

Oh you know I'm just pulling your leg.

[savedtheworld]

[H-hey now, he's not Tenzin, so that makes him safe from being teased. Right? ...Right?!

He just gives a bashful laugh.]

Oh- oh of course! You almost had me going there, Bumi! Good one!

[abitofawildman]

[It's here that Bumi slowly clambers up from his place on the saddle towards Appa's head. Slow because of his age, and not because he's afraid of heights or falling.
Bumi plops himself down next to Aang and gives Appa and absently gives Appa a pat on the head as he does so.]

You know, it's okay to tell me when I've gone too far. Took Tenzin years to figure that out, Kya...for some reason Kya always knew.

[savedtheworld]

[Aang gives Bumi a soft smile and bumps against his shoulder.]

Thank you, Bumi. I really appreciate that thought. It's very nice of you! But trust me, you didn't go anywhere near too far, you big goof!

[abitofawildman]

[Bumi nods in understanding, and then...being Bumi, follows it up with:]

So what you're saying is that I still have further to go. Good to know.

[savedtheworld]

[He looks on sheepishly for a moment. Like wondering if he's made a horrible mistake.

W-wait a minute! Did I say you didn't go too far? Um... uh... What I mean to say... was...

[He then melodramatically pretends to clutch at his heart and roll over.]

That's too much, Bumi, I can't take it!

[abitofawildman]

Uh huh. Pull the other one, Dad, it's got bells on it.

[Bumi is chuckling even as he attempts to sound utterly unimpressed.]