cyclicality | Welcome to Republic City!

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Welcome to Republic City!

It was a bright and sunny normal day in Republic City. Children were playing, spirits were chirping about, and everything was going along like normal. Well at least that's what everyone seemed to think. That is until so many people seemed to be appearing out of nowhere. For some reason Republic City seemed to be more lively and the crowds bigger.

The spirits have grown restless as if something important was about to change, and to try to fix that change, the spirits with their big long tree like limbs dragged people into the world left and right. Even the vines covering Republic City seemed to help. Although the spirits had the best intentions in mind, some people were more affected by the grab than others. There's talk that people in this city don't even know what this place is. People who have never heard of the words "bender" or "non-bender."

Welcome to Republic City! And to those who already live here: Happy Saturday. Please make yourselves at home and don't mind a little spirit gunk. It's mostly harmless. Go enjoy yourself a classic mover. Maybe you're the athletic type. If that's the case, come watch a few Pro-bending matches or form your own team. Just watch out for any Satomobiles. They can be deadly no matter how pretty the driver is.

Please remember to enjoy your stay and don't cause too much trouble. The Republic City Police don't need more riffraff to take care of. And don't stray too far. To make the the peace is kept, there's a huge spirit barrier around the perimeter of the city. It seems pretty strong, but it won't be able to last forever. Still, it's worrying. Radio signals and telegraphs don't seem to be getting past it.

[ OOC: The game is officially open! From this point on, feel free to make any posts you want or tag into this. Please remember to tag your posts with Canon: Character. Finally, although the game has no real network, you're free to respond with prose or brackets, whatever you're comfortable with. With that said, have fun! ]

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[Bolin happens to be between things. Honestly, being more or less unemployed (other than a potential future gig pro-bending again), he's got more than a little time on his hands. That is actually quite the understatement. He happens to be window shopping, though it's more like dreaming about what amazing things he could buy... provided that he could earn a little bit of cash from the upcoming matches.

[It just so happens that he happens upon the love of his life in the process.]

Opal! You actually have a day off training?

[Yes, he hasn't quite mastered her schedule yet. The number of times he's been at Air Temple Island to see her only to be told she was training is starting to get up there.]

[Ah, Bolin! Opal laughs a bit, smile bright.]

For once!

[Not that she minded all of the training or meditation. It was fun in it's own way, given how much she really did like learning. It seemed a shame though to be this close to the City and consequently Bolin and the others without being able to see them much.

Never mind that though, she gets to do some visiting after all!]

How have you been? I heard you stopped by to see me. Sorry about that. We've been trying to make up lost training time.

[For a brief moment, all those times Bolin had stopped by at Air Temple Island disappointed that he hadn't seen Opal were forgotten. She's here, and he's absolutely giddy as all get out to see her. Of course she does happen to mention it pretty quickly thereafter, so he doesn't forget it entirely, though it's somehow less important for a change.]

Oh, I've heard about Tenzin's training schedule. And... about how he made you guys climb up a mountain a few weeks back. [He leans in almost conspiratorially, uttering in a quiet whisper:] I would think he should realize that you guys need to rest more to make up for the extra training time!

[But nevertheless, he doesn't care. He has today, and the rest of the days don't matter.]

I've been... oh, I guess I've been alright. Yup, I've been trying to keep myself busy. With things. [He's been bored to tears since coming back.] And not stopping by the island every other day. [He totally has been stopping by the island every other day.] I'm trying to pick the Fire Ferrets up again?

[But that's small talk; he's never really mentioned pro-bending to her much in what brief amount of time they've had. He doesn't know if she's super interested in it. So he just bypasses that nonchalantly.]

But I'm so glad I ran into you anyway! We could spend the day together, if you wanted and go... do something?

[At the mention of the mountain, Opal's expression turns a touch 'ugh'.]

It was... interesting. I wasn't sure we would ever make it to the top.

[Hop from ledge to ledge to ledge. She didn't mind exercise but it really had been grueling.]

[That's brushed away though when he makes his offer of doing something that day and Opal beams.]

Of course! I've been hoping we could catch up. [Honest to a fault almost, her tone of voice dips to reflect her fondness.] I've missed you, after all.

[The change of scenery, going from long distance to suddenly right next door to one another, had made things surprisingly awkward. At least on Opal's end of things. A day spent around him would be just the thing to ease her back into the growing comfort of their Zaofu connection months before.

Opal settles in place near Bolin, turning to progress with the crowds as she returns to another point with an intrigued expression.]

You're going back to probending then? That sounds interesting. I've never gotten to watch a match before but we kept up with them back home.

[In all honesty, having Opal as a girlfriend made Bolin feel like a polar bear dog that had finally caught the car it was chasing; the only leftover question then was, "Well, now what?" Granted, Bolin's enthusiasm would make that voice a fairly quiet one, but he still couldn't help but be a little nervous having Opal there with him again. He starts walking with along with her, not really having a destination planned.]

I didn't know you listened to them; maybe I can get you into a match one of these days! But yeah, that's the plan at least. I mean, Asami's gone back to being the president of her company, Mako is back on the police force, and Korra... well... she kind of went missing, I guess? [At least he hasn't seen her! But Bolin scoots right past that detail. Never mind that, Opal; it doesn't fit the narrative that Bolin's trying to go for.] So I guess it makes sense for me to go back to what i was doing... before the Harmonic Convergence and me being in movers and all.

How's life with all the airbenders? Aside from Tenzin being Tenzin... [he adds with something like a low stage whisper.]

[At that Opal laughs a little.]

Well my brothers were more into them than I was, to be honest. I did keep up with the teams though!

[And that much said, she considers his last question.]

It's really been hard work. We have a lot of early morning sessions and evening ones too. I'm getting better at bending though and I actually really like the meditation times. It's amazing how much silence like that can clear your mind.

[That said though, she mock stage whispers in reply. Her grin speaks of amusement.]

Tenzin can be a bit of a 'practice til you drop' person though.

[Bolin grins as he listens to Opal. He's actually almost giving her a sappy grin as she talks about her keeping up with pro-bending and, more importantly, how hard she's been working to increase her bending skills. He can't help but flash a smile of pride, knowing that his girlfriend is doing well.]

That's so great! And especially Considering that it hasn't been long since you started training with Korra and Tenzin! I told you that you were a natural from the beginning! [Well, he probably very much did, though it's not like he would have really known... or knew all that much about airbending despite seeing Korra do it all the time.] I'd love it to come over one of these days and watch you train and see how you're doing. Even if Tenzin probably wouldn't approve of the distraction.

[He jokes a bit, but for the most part, he's trying to keep things lighthearted since he is more than a little nervous. Even if Opal has told him time and again that she actually likes his normal self and doesn't like it when he tries to go out of his way to impress him, it's still so hard to do that.]

So... other than having the day off, what were you up to in the city today? I mean, before I ran into you.

You're welcome to at any time really. Tenzin isn't there at the moment but I don't think Jinora would mind. You could even join us during our meditation hour.

[Because doesn't that sound swell, Bolin? Sitting, not talking, just breathing and thinking for a full hour?

That said, Opal gives her shoulders a gentle shrug and then laughs.]

I actually didn't have a plan, believe it or not. It's just nice to rest a little. I may bring back some supplies before I go back but until then... well, I'm free!

[Still as much as she might like aimless wandering, it might help him if they had a destination. His nerves are almost palpable and even if she thinks it's cute, it would likely be for the best to have some kind of plan.

So Opal sidles over in the next moment, lays hold of his hand with all the casualness she can muster, and just as casually adds:]

You said you're from Republic City, right? So you must know where everything in town is. Why don't we go sight-seeing a little? Believe it or not, I still haven't seen Lord Zuko's statue.

Really? Is he out doing important airbender things somewhere? [Really, the only thing he can think of is that he's doing something to help be the support for Korra in the world elsewhere, but with him gone, that meant that he and Opal might get a little more time together, right?] And that sounds... great? [He's not really sure that he's cut out for meditation, but... it's with Opal... so he grins and bears it.] I mean, I'd love to try it out with you. It could be fun!

[However, he's almost unprepared for Opal finally taking his hand in hers, and immediately he gets all bashful. Look, they're being a real couple. The two of them are actually holding hands. His nervousness fades away for the most part, and... yes, now they've got a plan.]

I completely forgot that you haven't really spent any time in the city yet. Yeah, I was born and raised here! I can show you all the things worth seeing, and probably some of the things that aren't. There's also a statue of Councilman Sokka on the way there too by the Water Tribe Cultural Center, and... wait, I know. Near the train station, there is absolutely the best noodle shop you will eat at. Narook's Seaweed Noodlery! We could, you know go have a nice dinner date there tonight? And the view of the city by night is amazing too, though I could always ride back with you to Air Temple Island and see the city from the ferry.

[His confidence is finally starting to come back little by little. He actually does know how to show a girl a good time!]

[At the question on Tenzin, all Opal can do is made an uncertain expression.]

I'm not sure really. When all of these people started turning up and the spiritual barrier went up about the City, he just didn't seem to be there. None of the other children are either or Pema.

[There's a moderate amount of worry to her tone.]

I don't think they're in any danger but... well, we have to wait until the barrier goes down before anything can really be done. And being too negative about it won't help the other airbenders, particularly Jinora.

[That said, she seems to brush the topic aside for just now. They haven't seen each other in a while after all and the last thing she wants is to cloud a day out with him by only contemplating the bad points of their current situation. There's a lot of good points too, like right now and how his confidence seems to be growing with the inclusion of a plan.]

You really are a quick thinker! It sounds great to me - any place with Seaweed in the title can't be bad. I didn't know there was a statue of Sokka too - they're really are a lot of statues around here then.

[Look, she likes her greenery, okay.]

[Bolin is shockingly easy to distract. He should be worried about the fact that Tenzin was gone... as well as Pema, Ikki, Meelo, and Rohan. He would have been too... except Opal helps smooth that over. She would probably know better than him, especially having seen him more recently.]

Well if the entire family is gone, maybe Tenzin decided to go on another one of his "family vacations" somewhere. They do that pretty regularly it seems. [Once.] And maybe Jinora just happened to want to stay behind...?

[For whatever reason she'd have for that. Whatever. Not that that was very important. Now his attention is solely focused on making sure Opal has a good time.]

There are a lot of statues, yeah but those are two of the most well known. I'd tell you that there's also Aang's out in the bay, buuuut you've probably seen that one already, huh?

[Bolin pauses for a moment to plot out a course through the town. A finger goes to his chin as he decides, and then he points each of the three directions forward before remembering exactly how exactly it is to get there.]

Yes, that way! Come on, follow me!

[With a quick look to make sure there aren't cars coming, he gently tugs at Opal's hand playfully as he practically prances across the street, urging her along behind him.]

I figured you'd like the noodles idea, especially since you seem to prefer fine food. Ah, oh, the arena! How could I forget? I mean, you can see it from the island, but it's so much more impressive to look at from up close!

And there's also Harmony Tower! You can see the entire city from there! Though that's best to see at night when the entire city is completely lit up. It's actually a pretty romantic spot at night. [He looks back at her with a happy grin and a wink.

[But there are plenty of ideas already on the table. First to Sokka's and Zuko's statues!]

[Opal has the good grace to give him a quick blush at the wink. Now that he's off and running and here she is being all but tugged along with him, it's her turn to be briefly and momentarily awkward. She settles into the new feeling in the next moment though and offers a big smile.]

I have but evidently it's not the only impressive sight.

[Not by half. Sokka and Zuko's statues are just as impressive once they get to see them, particularly the fire settled in the palm of Zuko's hand. The stories that accompany each one ~~because c'mon we're not getting out of this without a personal story with each one right?~~ are pretty good too, at least in Opal's opinion.

The arena up close really is every bit as impressive as Bolin said it would be. Here Opal expresses a wish to see it some time at night while it's all lit up. It reminds her of some of the buildings in Zaofu, though with a distinctive style that really is indicative of Republic City.

It's a bit of a whirlwind until the pause for that lunch. Opal admits only a little sheepishly that she really does need lunch by that point. And once she's settled down at a table and her seaweed noodles are more than half gone, she is all giddy cheerfulness.]

I've never really had a lot of Water Tribe dishes but these noodles really are good. I can see why they advertise them so much!

[But of course, Bolin with prattle on with some excitement about the stories. Granted, he doesn't know them all extremely well—he's not the historian, granted—but everyone in Republic City knows at least some portion of the stories of Aang, Zuko, Sokka, and the rest. After all, he did kind of go total fanboy when he actually met Lord Zuko in the flesh. And of course, Bolin will add a small dose of myth to it, some of which he's heard... and perhaps one or two things he at least wants to believe about them.

[Bolin by now has lost a good deal of that nervousness and now seems to be hitting his confidence as the day goes on and into lunch. With Opal feeling a bit peckish—they had been walking quite a bit!—he leads her into the noodlery. He of course will offer to sit down first, all gentlemanly-like, before seating down himself. And after some chitchat, lunch is served.]

I know, right? It kind of makes me wish I had grown up there. I could probably eat Water Tribe food every day. Or at least most of it. Not that Air Nomad food is bad; that's pretty delicious too, all things considered. [What can he say? Bolin just likes food. He's a fan.]

So what do you think of the city, now that you've had the formal tour? [Yes, he feels like the expert tour guide, and he wants to see just how much Opal likes it.]

Air Nomad food can be a little... green after a while. [Considering all the vegetables and whatnot.] I'm just glad I liked kale so much beforehand.

[That said, she thinks on the last question a moment.]

It's not all that different from Zaofu in the end. I mean there's more history here and the city is bigger than Zaofu of course. You can really feel the hope that went into creating both places though, can't you. It's obvious how much Avatar Aang and Lord Zuko wanted this town to prosper. And how much it has prospered too.

[And with that she gives a bigger smile, noodles plucked up with her chopsticks.]

I'm glad I got the chance to come here and experience all of it. And all at the hands of the best tour guide.

[At least in her opinion. He was no historian but he obviously cared for the city as much as she cared for Zaofu. And that meant more to her.]

[Bolin laughs a little bit along with Opal about airbender food.]

Well, yeah, I don't know if I'd really complain over airbender cuisine, but it can get a little old day after day after day.

[Her answer about Republic City does surprise him a little bit, though not in a bad way.]

Well, I've never really had anyone else to actually play tour guide to before... well except Korra when she got here. But I'm glad you think I did a good job! [He certainly looks pleased enough; honestly, Opal's smile was incredibly infectious for Bolin, and he just grins glowingly back at her.] Though I never really thought about it that way. I mean, I wasn't in Zaofu all that long, but it just seemed so small and intimate there! Like you would pretty much know everyone by name, and every time you passed someone you would say 'Hello' to them! There's WAY more people here that I don't know compared to how many I do know.

[Bolin scrapes the bottom of his bowl to fish for the last few noodles. He's probably a slightly faster eater than Opal is.]

Any food can. Then again I'm used to a big variety of meals so having to stick with just one or two isn't something I've experienced much.

[He's definitely a quick and hearty eater. It takes her a bit longer on her own, particularly when she stops to comment again as well.]

I guess it really is. Compared to it, Republic City seems so intimidating, at least on the outside. And I suppose some on the inside as well. It's definitely a big change.

[Yes, Bolin is certainly a fast and enthusiastic eater. Then again, it comes from years of life always being on the run, sometimes quite literally.]

I'm sure there are a variety of ways to spice up some of the recipes though. I mean... I'm not much of a cook myself, but I mean... remember the "pea tendrils"? Maybe Tenzin and Pema just need to get a gentle nudge to try some different things every once in a while.

[Then again, you know those old-school Air Nomads, always wanting to follow every last Air Nation tradition to the letter.]

It is pretty big, but hey, you'd be surprised at how frequently you run into people you know. And I'm not just saying that because people recognize me all the time from the Nuktuk mover; even before that, I would see a lot of people all the time. So I'm sure you'll get used to it.

So what's been your favorite part so far? Today or otherwise?

[At that Opal pauses her own eating to consider the question. Her favorite part so far...]

It's hard to say really. I've only briefly visited Republic City before but it's nice to see it more in-depth. It makes me wonder what my grandmother's life here must have been like.

[Then she laughs and her expression takes a mischievously teasing turn.]

Maybe it's not that place but the company that's my favorite part though.

Your grandmother Toph? [It's still kind of surreal even knowing someone that's even related to the founders of this city... outside of Tenzin's family, that is.] I can't even imagine what life was like back then for her and her friends: Aang, Katara, Chief Sokka, and even Lord Zuko!

[But the mischievousness in Opal's voice eventually causes Bolin to blush pretty brightly, and it certainly gets him into a sentimental mood.]

Aww, I'm glad you think that. For what it's worth, I think you're one of my favorite parts of Republic City now too. I'm so so glad we actually got to meet up.

[And then, perhaps as a moment of daring, since the mood almost seems ripe for it, Bolin leans over to place a small kiss on her cheek.]

It's a lot to think about! I just wish she had been better at telling stories...

[Or more willing to tell them perhaps. Whatever else she might have to say on the topic is dropped as the kiss is pressed against her cheek. She blinks in surprise a moment, a flush creeping across her face. And then she laughs, reaching unabashedly for one of his hands.]

I am too. I've been so wrapped up in training it seems like it's been ages since we had a chance to be around each other, doesn't it? I'll try my best from now on to make more time for you.

[It's so sweet to see Opal blush so hotly after his tender affection. As she grabs one of his hands, he interlaces his fingers in with hers, giving it an affection squeeze as he gives her a sappy smile.]

It has! I mean, all of that airbending practice, and Mako and I getting captured and sent to jail in Ba Sing Se, and then all that stuff at the Western Air Temple, and all the stuff going on with Korra these past few weeks...

[The mention of Zaheer and the Red Lotus makes him forget where he's going with this, but more to the point Bolin doesn't want to go there. Instead he just wants to focus on the two of them right now.]

But the most important thing is spending time with you. I want to make sure I'm putting you as one of the most important things in my life, Opal. You mean so much to me.

[Her own smile is just as stupidly sappy. The oogie level is likely pretty high by this point and Opal seems to have no problem enjoying it. She doesn't much like going into the business with the Red Lotus either and so is happy to veer away from it.]

And you're very important to me too, Bolin. So let's be sure to enjoy the rest of the day.

[~~Oogie level over 9000!?~~]

Oh I will; I'm already enjoying it. [Bolin definitely has a sappy grin at hearing Opal's words, and his words have this emotionally heartfelt air. For the first time in a long time, he feels like he's on a somewhat equal footing in a relationship, and that's amazingly special. He lets her finish her noodles while he stares dreamingly at both her and this place that they've gone to.

[And after that, Bolin will guide her around the city, catching up on a few other sights that the two of them have missed—the arena, for one, the Harmony Tower, for two, and even the park that was going to be renamed after Korra as a third. Perhaps they'll stop in a store or two either for fun or, as Opal originally intended, for supplies, and Bolin will gladly offer to carry something (perhaps slightly awkwardly) as they head back to the ferry at the end of the day.]

You know, I really envy you airbending every now and then. What I wouldn't give to be able to fly over the city and see all the lights from above!

[There's also the whole ferry thing; Bolin can't just fly over the bay to the island where Opal is staying.]

[Opal can't help the light laugh as she slowly moves the ferry along toward Air Temple Island.]

It's not exactly flying though, you know.

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I figure we can timebend past some of this? Thoughts?

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Timebending again?

Much timebending, such ferry.