[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.

[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!"

[gainedacoupon]

She laughs and gives him a salute back. Aang was always quick to play along with her silliness.

"This is going to be so exciting! I've never seen an Otter penguin before. How cute are they?"

[savedtheworld]

Oh Jin, Aang's own silliness is immense enough to come out whether or not there's other silliness to play with.

Aang rubs at his chin for a moment as if thinking it over deeply. "Hm... Well, try thinking of the cutest thing you ever saw. Otter Penguins are a little bit cuter than that!"

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!

[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.

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.

[gainedacoupon]

Her eyes go wide at the thought of that. Cuter than the cutest thing she's ever seen? Is that even possible? Now she has to see them!

"Oooh I can't wait to see you race them then! This is going to be exciting!"

[savedtheworld]

Aang smiles widely. "I know! I'm really excited too. It's been too long since the last time I went penguin sledding. I can't wait to try again! I hope I didn't get rusty." Let alone that he only ever rode an otter-penguin twice to begin with.

[gainedacoupon]

"Rusty? You? There's no way that would happen! Something as important as penguin sleeding is something you just don't forget. It stays with you forever like a warm hug or friendship," she declares with complete confidence

[savedtheworld]

Aang chuckles at that, his heart warmed. "You know... That makes a lot of sense! Thank you, Jin. Are you sure that you're not the Avatar here?"

[gainedacoupon]

She laughs and rubs the back of her neck with a dorky smile on her face.

"Well if I was, I must be a late blooming avatar."

[savedtheworld]

She's such a dork. He gives his own dorky smile. "There's nothing wrong with that! I bet people can start being Avatars even when they're all old and wrinkly! You still got your whole life ahead of you, Jin, so I'm sure it'll work out!"

[gainedacoupon]

"Well if I hang out with you long enough something is bound to rub off on me right? Then maybe I will get my powers even sooner!"

She knows it's pretty much impossible, but it was fun to pretend. Man these two seemed to always encourage one another for silliness.

[savedtheworld]

"That's a good idea! We'll have to make sure to hang out lots and lots, then. But at least you already have the most important form mastered already: smilebending!"

[gainedacoupon]

She let out a gasp and beamed even brighter. " You're exactly right! How could I forget about smilebending? I'm so good at it that I mastered the ultimate technique of smilebending when I was a baby."

[savedtheworld]

"Wow! You see? That's the opposite of late blooming, Jin! So what's the ultimate technique?"

[gainedacoupon]

"Well seeing as I am the master, I suppose I can share my little secret with you. Since we are friends after all."

She looks to the left and then to the right before leaning in close to Aang to whisper, " The secret to the ultimate technique is to just be happy and your smiles will shine brightly."

[savedtheworld]

Aang makes a very surprised look. "Wow! That's a really good secret! Thank you so much, Sifu, Jin! So, like this?" He smiles so, so brightly at her.

[gainedacoupon]

She lets out a scream and dramatically falls backward onto the ground.

" S-so shiny! So happy! I am completely defeated!"

[savedtheworld]

"Thanks! But I didn't wanna defeat you. I just wanted to be smiley like you!" He reaches out a hand to help her up.

Go Big or Go Home.

[abitofawildman]

Start with 2 Yuans.

[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....