The White Swanfish Gala (Open to All, including party-crashers)

[creepycyclops]

The White Swanfish Gala is this evening - A VIP-only event where invitations are only sent to the likes of the heads of industry, Mover stars, avatars, and their guests. The host is Wil Zan (Slade's affable civilian alter ego), and he is dressed in a fine white and blue silk nehru, smiling broadly and chatting with what seems like every patron there, one at a time. He has brought in the finest chefs to provide an unlimited stream of fine food and drink, popular musicians provide entertainment and lively music to dance to, and this gala is sure to be an event worth talking about for years.

Interestingly, Zan has set up some rather unusual security measures. Though your average riff-raff will be kept out, he has intentionally left strategic security gaps that can be bypassed by the bold and the cunning. Zan actually has men covertly watching these gaps, but instead of stopping these party-crashers, their instructions are to inform Zan. (This serves as a sort of test for potential apprentices that Slade may try to recruit in the future.)

((NOTE: This is an event log, so not every reply has to be toward Slade. Feel free to write what your character is doing at the party or how they snuck in, etc. "Zan" is likely to give you his attention, but others can too.))

Comments

[Open]

[prettyinhandcuffs]

Consider Duo one experienced party crasher. He cheerfully greeted a couple guests like old acquaintances, happily making a few scramble to remember where they'd met him to avoid the embarrassment of forgetting someone, catching little bits of gossip and storing them away.

And all without telling a single lie to get caught on.

"Pretty nice event, isn't it?"

[raavashing]

Wan, who Nabooru had cleaned up for the event, complete with wild hair pulled back into a neat ponytail, turned around at the familiar voice and stared for a moment.

"Uh... yeah," he replied. "Hello. Again."

Here and yet not.

[wolfstrike]

While Yuri isn't looking to crash this party, he is sneaking in. He found one of those gaps, and slipped in. Finding a place that's out of the way and out of sight, he simply watches what's going on. With the city being the way it is, he wants to know what all the big wigs are up to. And who the remaining top people in the city even are. Things are kind of uneasy in the poorer districts of town after all. With the city being closed off from everything, they're the ones that suffer first. And yet here all the rich folks are, having fancy parties and stuffing their faces. It's kind of disgusting really.

And of course his current employer is in on that. But he's not here to keep an eye out for Varrick. For now, Yuri is just merely observing.

[creepycyclops]

[For a guy with one eye, Zan certainly seems to be good at finding those who think they are hidden. He comes up from behind Yuri in his hiding place, and boisterously claps the young man on the shoulder.]

"My, my, young man! Are you shy? This is a party! You should be out there enjoying yourself!"

[profiteers]

You didn't think you could hide from him all night, did you. It is pretty far into the evening before Varrick spots him, however.

"Yuri! Great to see you here, pal." Except wait a minute... "Hey, didn't I give you the night off? What are you doing here?"

Open

[restoredhonour]

Lord Zuko has never been much for parties. Least of all the often glitzy and outrageous parties of Republic City, which are a world away from the more formal, ceremonial Fire Nation celebrations he's accustomed to. He arrives without much fanfare, with a small escort of metalbending police to the door, and once inside, he'll stop to greet any familiar faces he sees.

After that, he'll take a seat to one side with a drink, observing the party and making conversation with any who decide to join him. Largely, he's here to use this event as a prime networking opportunity. It's been so many years since he's been a more active participant in Republic City life that he's fallen out of touch with the most influential in the city. And if he wants to help the city stay on its feet until the power vacuum is filled, he'll need to reacquaint himself with the big names in town.

[paishodown]

"It's good to see you, Lord Zuko." Asami has only met him briefly before, but she feels it appropriate to at least introduce herself. She's making the rounds herself, so to speak. Keeping open communication with the important people.

Given the current political situation, Lord Zuko has just become important people.

"May I?" She gestures to the chair across from him, drink in hand and certainly dressed for the occasion.

[profiteers]

No. Way. That is totally Lord Zuko, isn't it? Varrick is so in on this.

"Lord Zuko! It's an honour to meet you, at last. Varrick, of Varrick Industries." I hope you weren't doing anything important he's gonna need your attention for a while, buddy.

[lavamylife]

It doesn't take long for Bolin to spot Lord Zuko here. He probably even did an ecstatic hop about it at some point as he pointed it out to whomever it was that happened to be nearby. Of course, no one else quite shared his ecstatic enthusiasm about it, but still, Bolin was nuts over him... even if he had seen him once already a few weeks back. Zuko was still a legend to him, and he was not going to be denied an autograph.

Bolin creeps forward slowly to where Zuko was seated and then just caaaaaasually takes a chair next to him. "Lord Zuko," Bolin says breathlessly. "I didn't know that you had come to Republic City at all."

[Open]

[diedthesage]

Where all the deep pockets and important names gathered, that's where Nabooru wanted to be. The whispers and invitations for the party had been intercepted a bit later than she would have liked, but not too late to get something together- and someone, for that matter. Going in with someone who fit the type would ease suspicions well enough. Though Wan wasn't really... the best fancy-party going type. Not if she wanted anyone to really believe they belonged there. So a little sprucing up was in order. At the very least not to get caught. And why not come along, she prodded, the possibilities of what could be in store were endless!

She'd decided to go for modest herself, in a knee length slimming pink dress. Though she was used to wearing tons of jewelry and glitz, it was better not to stand out where you were sneaking in. The purse she brought with her was for storage of other people's goods rather than her own, but not completely empty just in case.

So sneak in she did, though she'd have to be a putz to disregard exactly what kind of setup was going on. Inside she knew schmoozing was going to be her best option. Stay in thick crowds.

{A}
But who was she to refuse an open bar? She goes back and forth between the floor and the bar every so often just to refill the little glass in her hand. And eventually she'll sit for a few moments before getting up now and again. Never be caught in one place for too long. Nabooru cuts a nice figure sitting alone at the bar on purpose. Looking pretty was a good way to invite in company.

{B}
Like most events, Nabooru can also predictably be caught near the buffet tables, little white plate in hand. She was trying not to gobble down massive amounts because this was a classy affair and there was no easier way of getting thrown out than to prove you didn't belong. But for anyone watching her she does hover around quite a lot and the finger foods she's picking up on to her plate disappear just as quick.

{C}
The dance floor was going to be the easiest way to pick up some extra here and there. People were hardly paying attention to what was around them so wrapped up in each other and a rhythm. So she flutters around with a swing of her hips, looking like she's dancing but really up to something else entirely. But dancing alone in a crowd of couples isn't entirely inconspicuous either...

[Prose and brackets both fine! Totally also up for characters pestering her and asking her for dances\drinks that she can't refuse because otherwise it'll be obvious she doesn't belong there.]

B

[raavashing]

[Wan found Nabooru next to the buffet table after about a half hour. Just to check on her. Sure.

Actually it was because he was bored.]

How much longer are we staying, again?

[He asked, sounding exactly like the token arm candy he was pretending to be. Though, his question wasn't actually part of the cover. He really was that ansy about it all.]

A of course

[profiteers]

Why hello there.

[He remembers you from last week. He'd be hard pressed to forget, after all.]

Lovely to see you again. I'd offer to buy you a drink, but as I understand it they're on the house.

OTA

[raavashing]

Wan had only come along for two reasons. One, because Nabooru had asked him nicely. And two, because she's been willing to help him with a warehouse raid a little over a week earlier at pretty much the drop of a Pai Sho tile. He knew she was only going to steal money and jewelry she could pawn later and, really, he didn't approve of that at all, but a favor was owed and she'd explained that going with a date would make her stand out less. Though considering the dress she'd picked, he was certain she wasn't that concerned about standing out. Wan had caught more than few people giving her long and appreciative looks.

Wan, on the other hand, technically blended in with the men at the party. Nabooru had dressed him in something flattering and he'd consented to having his hair pulled back in a neat ponytail. He also cut a pretty dashing figure - and next to Nabooru, they looked quite the understated young and up and coming power couple - but he didn't stand out nearly as much as she did. In the looks department anyway.

Having never been to one of these things before, Wan's actual activity at the party stood out like a sore thumb. He tended to stand with shoulders hunched and hung out at the edges of the crowd. When he wasn't hitting the food spread. Small portions were taken, but they weren't eaten and Wan disposed of them somewhere during his discreet absconding that would let him take a fair amount of it out with him. A few more of the poor and destitute would get to eat a little fancier when they finally left.

His only saving grace was that while he wasn't that great at acting like he belonged the way Nabooru was, Wan was a pretty convincing liar when he put his mind to it. Being Nabooru's 'arm candy' date would be his cover and not be that much of a lie either.

[[Wan can easily be found by anyone and approached when he's generally hanging out. He is not so easy to find when he's sneaking food into the small bag he'd brought along and left in the coat check. Prose or brackets are fine.]]

why hello there sir dapper gentleman

[profiteers]

[Trying to be aloof and suss out the crowd gets old quickly. And Varrick is nothing if not needing the attention of others. He spies out a likely suspect in the crowd, someone standing away from others and looking particularly dejected. Probably someone's date that got ditched as soon as someone better walked past.

Varrick slides in smoothly, a plate of nibbles still resting on one hand.]

What's with the long face, pal? You're at a party, for cripe's sake!

[airyopalescent]

[Now and then Bolin and Opal separate, pulled apart by this crowd or that. And at times it's simply a drift to talk to others. For one reason or another, Opal can be found alone at this point as she finally makes a break for the nearby wall through all the crowds.

She's dressed fittingly too and settles next to Wan with a low sigh. She notes Wan pretty early on and gives the man a light little smile as she relaxes.]

Mingling is harder than it looks, isn't it.

Party Crashing! OTA

[backbends]

[ It just so happened that earlier that day that Ty Lee spoke flirted with someone that knew someone, that knew someone, that knew someone that could get her in into a party. Naturally, Ty Lee loved a good party and gladly took the offer. Of course, it wasn't an actual invitation, but she was told how to "get in". Assuming it was the legit way, she flipped her braid over her shoulder and told the cute boy she'd gladly meet him there later.

Though Ty Lee hadn't really gained any money yet, it just so happened she had arrived to Republic City in her nice dress. Ready to have a good time, she entered through one of the "secret" entrances as instructed, automatically seeking out the cute boy that had invited her while at the same time enjoying the party atmosphere.

She wasn't from Republic City, but it didn't take a genius to know that this was clearly a party that anyone who was anyone was attending. ]

[creepycyclops]

[Zan is making his rounds with his guests when he comes upon Ty Lee.]

Are you enjoying my party, young lady? You look familiar... don't tell me, you must be the daughter of... hmmmm....

[He scratches his beard in thought.]

[diedthesage]

[Nabooru would certainly like to agree. She had been on her way to get another drink and excuse herself from the main floor when she caught sight of Ty Lee.]

That is a wonderful dress. [She herself was wearing a little pink number, but it wasn't very conducive to move around in and if anything happened she'd probably regret picking it out. Now she was wishing she'd looked around harder because she really is admiring the one Ty Lee has.]

[restoredhonour]

[Lord Zuko is making the rounds, looking for any sign of people he might know. So far he hasn't had a great deal of luck; the party, by and large, seems to be full of young people he has no familiarity with.

He doesn't recognise the girl with the long braid straight away, either, but he does recognise she's in distinctly Fire Nation clothing. So he decides to extend the courtesy of stopping to say hello.]

Parties here are quite different to back home, aren't they?

It's so late, but Imma do it anywaaaaaay

[lavamylife]

[Bolin is trying to pull himself away from one rather boring conversation. Someone who happened to have seen him in that Nuktuk film decided that Bolin must be talked to... except the conversation quickly went from being about Bolin as a mover star and instead about his association with the Avatar, how bad that looked given her approval ratings, and his opinions about all things politics. As if Bolin had ever had a single political idea ever in the history of his life. (Well, outside of the fact that the government should try to help the poor folk.)

Nevertheless, he's backing up out of a conversation.]

Well, goodbye, it's been ... nice talking with you?

[He's grinning widely, giving a little bit of a finger wave to the nice gentleman before accidentally running right into Ty Lee behind him. Of course he hadn't seen her there, and probably neither her seeing him. Thankfully, he doesn't spill his drink or anything. But he immediately feels ridiculously embarrassed about it.]

Oh gosh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to run into you!

dis bitch is open as always

[profiteers]

[It's a party. With the rich and influential. Of course Varrick is there. For now he's spending most of his time around the buffet table, scoping out the crowd. It's been years since he's been in Republic City with this many people he doesn't know, and it's best to get the lay of the land, as it were.

Not that he won't approach someone if they look interesting. Standing against the wall only holds his interest for so long, after all.]

of course the host of this party wouldn't neglect Varrick

[creepycyclops]

[Wil Zan is boisterous, gregarious, and all smiles. No one in their right mind would ever suspect him of being the grim mercenary, Slade... which is of course the point. He spots Varrick and hustles over to him, glass of a fine white wine in hand.]

"VARRICK! How's my favorite venture capitalist?"

[With his free hand, Zan claps Varrick firmly on the shoulder.]

((I'm assuming that Zan owns a fair sum of Global Industry's preferred stock - enough to be a valued investor, but not so much that he's a threat to Varrick's ownership or anything , and that Varrick doesn't know of his secret double life. If you have any objections, let me know.))

[lavamylife]

[It's not been that long since Bolin has seen Varrick, though that wasn't in Republic City. In fact, he didn't quite know that Varrick had come back; somehow he had missed all the fliers and avoided all the gossip and hadn't quite gotten to it in the newspapers. Hey, Bolin and everyone else have had a lot to go through these past few weeks!

[But when Bolin spots Varrick, he is going to go over to him. Even if Varrick did try to kidnap the President, it was only an alleged kidnapping. He had made that point to Mako at least once in a conversation.]

Varrick?? What are you doing back in the city?

[Open]

[lavamylife]

[Let's be honest. Bolin was giddy as all get out when he was invited to this extravaganza. He's not used to being famous having grown up on the streets. First they won the pro-bending tournament, and then Varrick put him in the movers, which is probably why he got the invite? But either way, he wasn't going to say no to a party. And with the ability to invite a date, there was no way he was going to miss out on inviting Opal to a rather swanky soiree.

[So Bolin had to get another suit (since his last one had been ruined in the big fight saving President Raiko at the premiere night of Nuktuk, but he would be as dapperly dressed as someone of his income bracket could possibly afford. He had to swing a few favors for it, but it was worth it.

He'll be drinking a few cocktails, socializing with a few people, making sure Opal is having a wonderful time, being extremely ecstatic over the food that they're serving (it's like he's never seen such fancy food before), and generally being excited about any old thing that's going on.]

[raavashing]

[Varrick insisted on handing Wan a glass of some alcoholic beverage every so often and Wan was forced to get rid of it somehow. Either take it back to the bar, pass it to a waiter, or give it to someone else. He didn't recognize Bolin from the back, but he the closest person, so he tapped him on the shoulder and offered him the drink while he distractedly looked around for Varrick to make sure he wasn't anywhere close by.]

Hey, do you want a drink? I haven't had any. I got handed the wrong one.