Test Drive Meme

[cyclicalitymods]

	♥ 1. Where did you come from? You may not know anyone else on the boat, but you've all got one thing in common; you're headed to Republic City. ♥ 2. It's your first day in Republic City. You might wanna get a job lined up or you'll be living on the streets. ♥ 3. You're the new person in the city. You gotta make some friends, right? Go find someone and strike up a conversation.
	♦ 4. Feeling a little crafty? Maybe you could make a quick yuan. Sell information for money or do a little threatening. ♦ 5. Vines. Vines everywhere! They're like the heads of a hydra. What are you going to do about the vines that just invaded your apartment? ♦ 6. Triads, Equalists... thugs in general. Welcome to the aftermath of losing a fight. Are you gonna go find a healer or are you gonna tough it out?
	♣ 7. You've got a job. What is it? How are you going to get customers? You better get some soon. More customers equals more money. ♣ 8. You're a bender, right? Then you better practice it. What's that? Oh, a non-bender? You can still find a partner to spar with, right? ♣ 9. It's late. Have a drink at the pub! Get to know one another. Let it all flow freely!
	♠ 10. Yeah! You've got a driver's license! Everyone else better watch out... ♠ 11. Entertainment's just rolled on into the city! Watch the ostrich-horses race or the acrobats perform. Or maybe you're one of them! ♠ 12. It's a long line at whatever vendor you're at. Make small talk with nearby civilians or try and haggle the vendor down to a better price.
	• Make up your own scenario!

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Sightseeing at Avatar Aang Memorial Island Museum

[raavashing]

When Wan had left the jungle-like spirit wilds he had expected to come out on the edge of vast plain that would lead him to the next Lion Turtle. The sight that greeted him instead was of a massive, alien city wrapped in thick, curling vines that connected it to the lingering wilds. Nothing in the city besides the roof lines and writing was at all familiar. Even the clothes the hundreds, probably thousands, of humans within it wore were of a design he'd never seen before. Everything had a hint of familiarity in the cut and style, but it was only a passing thing that just made him feel more unsettled and out of place.

There were so many people and he couldn't tell who was in charge just by looking around. More disturbing - or perhaps less? he wasn't sure yet - was that the city wasn't on the back of a Lion Turtle. It was far too vast, as large as the shells of at least three Lion Turtles sitting side by side, if not more so. His first few hours of wandering were cut off by the sight of a large statue far from the city, settled in the bay. For some reason he found it familiar to him despite having never laid eyes on it before. Just another thing to feel slightly disturbed by with how surreal everything was.

So it was that he'd made his way across the water (no one had given him second look as he called on the power of water) to the island and joined the small crowd of other tourists spending a day in the museum. He blended in surprisingly well despite his odd clothes. There were plenty of 'bumpkins' in from the country spending a well-earned vacation in Republic City. His clothes were only a little more threadbare and dirty than a few of the groups around him.

Of course, he was the only one staring intently at the "History of the Avatar" display like he'd never heard of bending or the Avatar in his life.

[whatbrake]

This place wasn't only odd for Wan. One minute Teo was working on fixing his glider, then the next minute he felt a weird force leading him to this strange... city? It was... well it was certainly something else.

Teo couldn't help but just stare in awe at all the sights. Any thoughts of worry were quickly pushed away by his love of adventure.

Rolling along with the crowds, he manged to hit a ramp wrong and came flying into the museum.

"W-woah woah! Out of the way," Teo shouted while waving his arms. It figures that he'd spend a few hours in this new place and his brakes would go out.

Yinhu | OC | Triads, Equalists, and More

[yinhu]

Sometimes, Yinhu bit off a little bit more than he could chew.

The Equalist training that he'd benefited from had certainly made him strong, dangerous, capable in a fight. There was no denying that. But it also hadn't made him invincible. Sometimes he still forgot that part of the Equalists' strength had been their strength of numbers, and surprise. No one had seen them coming, no one had foreseen half a dozen masked faces leaping out of the shadows and striking before they could act. That had definitely been enough to bring down groups of Triads, the police force, even the Avatar on occasion. It had been about coming in with the correct back up, picking your battles, knowing exactly when to strike.

Now, though, now he didn't have the advantage of Amon - his jaw clenched bitterly just at the memory - and his strategic mind. He didn't have the advantage of soldiers, brothers-in-arms at his side. All he had was himself. His own skills, the few bits of Equalist technology he'd managed to pilfer as the organization crumbled around him. He wasn't an Equalist anymore. He was just Yinhu, just the Fox, just an agent of justice and atonement.

And sometimes, justice hurt.

Attempting to break-up a Triad meeting on his lonesome had been stupid. Especially when he rushed into it. He'd been doing fine, he was confident in saying, up until the Earthbender that he'd missed had caught him from behind with a nice sized chunk of rock and nearly knocked him out. That had let the Firebender get in a few good licks, singe his mostly-fireproof uniform, and he'd only just managed to hightail his way out before they got in any more solid hits on him. It took him what felt like forever to lose them in the maze of Republic City streets, but finally he'd dashed into an alleyway and simply collapsed behind a stack of boxes, left with his ringing head, swimming vision, and the taste of blood on his lips.

Slowly, painfully, he removed his mask, stashed it away in a bag strapped to the small of his back, and did the same with his gloves. Then he pulled out a light changshan he had folded up in the same pack and draped it across his upper body, obscuring his uniform from view. The Fox was gone for another night. Perhaps another few nights. Still rubbing his aching head, he knew that he couldn't suffer any more impacts like that.

It took a great and, admittedly, noisy effort to get to his feet in the alleyway. If anyone caught him in their vision, what would they see? Someone who had been beaten. Someone who had been bloodied. Perhaps a drunk.

That was fine. He was Yinhu, now, Yinhu once again. Not the Fox. And the best thing for Yinhu, was not to be thought of. Not to be noticed.

Unfortunately, it was hard to go unnoticed when you could barely walk home, but he would do his best.

[innermonologues]

Squall happened to be on duty that night when Yinhu was struggling to get out of the alleyway. A flashlight shone into the alley and hovered over Yinhu. With a frown on his face, his first thought was this guy was out a little late and could barely move without needing the walls for help. When he got a closer look at him, he could see a bloody mess all over him. That definitely didn't spell out good news.

His instincts kicked in and he swiftly moved into the alley to move his arm around his shoulder.

"We need to get you somewhere other than here. C'mon," was all Squall said to Yinhu.

He didn't bother asking what happened, or why he seemed to be hiding out there. As a member of the police force he couldn't just leave him there to struggle.

Squall Leonhart | Final Fantasy VIII | Roaming the City on patrol

[innermonologues]

Squall here is what you would call a dedicated law enforcer of the Republic city police force. He didn't have a great start, but when he finally realized what he wanted to do with his life, nothing would stop his determination on getting in, and he took his job very seriously.

He was walking around town, making sure everything was staying safe. It was a little more difficult lately, but he was determined to keep everyone safe. If anyone was caught acting up he wouldn't hesitate to chase them down, especially not tonight when he was a little on edge. He might look a little intimidating, but really he only wanted to help keep Republic City safe, so if someone were in trouble, he was a safe bet to go to.

[hammergoesboop]

"HALT! ... STOP! ... SLOW DOWN AT LEAST!"

The sound of footsteps begins to thunder past. And then suddenly it's chugging it way right on down towards Squall himself. In the darkness of the evening it's not until the figure passes by a street lamp that one can get a good look at him. He's just your average guy, a little skinny and lanky but not really suspicious looking. He really seems to be booking it down the street though.

And soon the reason why appears, practically skidding as she tries to turn a corner. "I SAID STOP. I JUST WANT TO TALK TO YOU FOR A MINUTE."

There may just be a rock whistling past Squall now. Hopefully none of the flying projectiles will hit him - hopefully.

Kaihime | Samurai Warriors | OTA

[bearestofthemall]

2; THROW ME A DIME

[A new city, a new life! Hopefully, not one filled with too much trouble. Republic City is a bustling place full of business and money to make, right? So she just needs to get a job and send back money to her family back home. Simple! Easy!

Why is this so hard.]

Hey, hey! [Kai's dumped her stuff in a shitty apartment and has a month to find a job that can sustain her. But the sooner the better, right? Who wouldn't want to hire a beautiful maiden like herself? (Everyone, apparently, by the amount of people who've thrown her out.) Just because she has a horrible temper, makes impulsive decisions and likes to Earthbend people to the wall doesn't mean she isn't a useful employee!]

You look important. [That means you either look rich, or happy, or at least not covered in dirt.] Do you have, er, any job openings? Or at least, where to find some?

5; FUCKING PLANTS

[Kai has enough hydras in her original canon life, anyway. She doesn't need any more vines intruding into her house. Not to mention the fact that they're spirit vines-- not that she knows that yet. Where are they even coming from?!]

Ehhhh?! Why are they vines here? [Don't mind if she tries to cut the vines away and... throw them right out her window. With absolute disregard for whoever might be passing by below.]

8; CRACK YOUR ASS IN TWO

I'm unstoppable! Come, I'll take you on!

[Kai's no stranger to combat, and she wields a weapon hat accompanies her along with her Earthbending. Wait, those blades are razor-sharp! Are they even legal?! Welp, nevermind. The segments of her sword are held together by rope inside them that can detach to turn the sword into something of a whip when the time is right.

And she incorporates it into her bending rather smoothly. She might actually like using it more than Earthbending. Wonder why?

Well, you can go challenge her if you want to-- she actually doesn't use her sword unless her opponent has armor on, so you'll probably just end up slammed on the head with a few rocks. That's basically what fighting against an Earthbender is like, anyway. She's standing triumphantly after defeating another challenger (and making them cough up a bit of bet money), and it'd be kind of mean to trample on her ego, but also amusing.]

8;

[raavashing]

[Wan held his hands up and smiled a wide, slightly manic smile as Kai's eyes fell on him and she declared she could take him on.]

No. I'm fine. Just passing through. You've proven yourself pretty well already. Maybe you should even take a break. Get some tea or something.

What Even Is: Zuko Edition

[lordhotman]

[This is weird. Really weird. People are giving him strange looks, and he feels really uncomfortable. Then there's the statues. Statues of his friends. Everywhere! Sokka at the Southern Water Tribe Cultural Center, Toph at the Police Station, and Aang has his own freakin island! Plus there are places and things named after other people and Avatars. Like Kyoshi bridge, and Yue bay, and whatever else.

Now he's at Republic City's Central Station. And there he is. Standing at the base of the statue, looking up and arms crossed as he scrutinizes it. His face says it all.

They made him into a statue.

Okay, so maybe he shouldn't be that weirded out over it. There are statues of previous Fire Lords all around the Fire Nation. They had even put a statue of his father in Omashu before it had been torn down. But it's still strange to see yourself as a huge piece of rock and metal. He's getting even more looks now as he stands there. Because, well, the resemblance is uncanny.]

[apathybender]

[Mai steps up next to Zuko when she spots him, in that silently disinterested way she has. She was grateful for a familiar face, even if it wasn't evident in her expression. Wherever they were, whatever this strange city was, the sights and sounds were already starting to fade into the constant background that was her general apathy with the world. And yet...that statue.]

[She stared at it for a long moment, her finger tapping against her side in thought, then looked at Zuko, then back at the statue. This went on for perhaps twenty seconds, as if she were trying to decide something, before she finally spoke.]

Your nose is wrong.

[Wait...is she talking about the statue, or about Zuko?]

yuna | final fantasy x

[hymns]

[ a small shop in the little water tribe area with a sign that reads simply "healing" ]

[ a woman is seated at a counter, tapping her foot and surrounded by several maps. she's pretty immersed, but when the little bell over the door jingles as it opens she'll look up quickly at the person who entered. ]

Oh, hello! Did you need healing? [ she stands up, brushing her hair behind her ear and looking them over, trying to get a read on their injuries. ]

[ yue bay ]

[ yuna's waiting by the boat, standing on tiptoes and trying to get a better look. it seems like she's waiting for someone, but after a little bit she looks disappointed and turns to leave. ]

shop

[crowover]

I think it’s pretty obvious!

[The young man who just entered the shop has seen better days: split lip, a swollen eye, a burn on his lower arm. His clothes are torn and signed in places, and he holds one hand to his ribs.

He’s also grinning like a maniac. He may have just gotten his ass handed to him, but he enjoyed every second.]

Anyone want a Fire Princess?

[fearmemore]

[Azula dislikes surprises. Waking up in an unknown place surrounded by unfamiliar people and machines does nothing to change this. She walks through the city, trying to figure out where she is and how she came to be here when she spots the statue.

It's Zuko. But not like she's ever seen him before. He's older and wearing clothes she recognizes as the Fire Lord's... but they can't be.

Their father is Fire Lord. Or at least he was when she and her brother were walking back down to the beach to meet their friends- the last thing she remembers before arriving here.

Is she dreaming? If so, it seems more like a nightmare.]

Impossible.

NOPE

[anatural]

[Korra is grateful for the speedy recovery her arm muscles have been making. While she still can't walk more than a few steps out of her wheelchair, she can at least wheel herself around a bit; she no longer needs Tenzin or Asami to push her from one room to another. She's even talked Asami into giving her some time alone in Republic City. The other girl is never, just in case of emergencies, but the chance to be even the tiniest bit alone and away from the smothering concern of the people who love her is a relief, like a yoke lifted from her shoulders.

She wheels herself towards the statue of Fire Lord Zuko. He's a person who had been beaten down and had to fight to reclaim his place in the world. Needless to say, she relates.

And despite the fact that she's been looking forward to some much-needed solitude, she can't sit by when she sees a young woman, obviously new to the city, in distress.]

Hey. Do you need help with anything?

Opal | Legend of Korra

[airyopalescent]

SIGHTSEEING;
[To say Opal enjoyed the prospect of travel was an understatement. As eager as she had been to make her way off to the Northern Air Temple for training, she was just as eager now to see what she could now. Commotion and chaos had called for some time off before training recommenced and she was glad to take the opportunity. A visit back home and she begged her mother's leave to go visit Republic City first and foremost. Suyin had sighed softly and then laughed, "You may take after your grandmother yet, Opal."

So she arrived in the City eager, flushed and as much like a country tourist as any of them coming out of the backwoods of the various nations. For now she's back in the dark greens of an Earth Kingdom native.

Where to first? The city was big and bustling but so was Zaofu. The traffic bothered her little.]

TRAINING;
[Opal is all smiles right from the get go. Time spent in the Northern Air Temple has made her more assured with her abilities and she seems pleasantly happy for the chance to spar.]

Now you promised to tell me where I could use improvement, remember.

OPEN;
[I'm game for whatever prompt you've got!]

Sightseeing

[innermonologues]

[ Poor Opal wasn't able to get very far in her exploring before a man in the police uniform came walking up to her. Squall gave her a salute and a light head bow. ]

You are Miss Opal, correct? I was instructed by my higher up to make sure your arrival was a safe one.

lucy heartfilia | fairy tail | ou/non-bender

[vanikey]

A: ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER YUAN

[ it had been a hard time getting acclimated, after realizing lucy had essentially been dumped in a world that was not hers, nor a world ever known to her, and without any member of her guild or celestial spirits in sight. yes, it had been tough, but she was, if anything, a survivor, and she was determined to do what she could with what she had.

which explains why she is currently waiting tables at the local tea shop, because a girl's gotta eat. and rent is still rent, no matter what world you're in.

apparently. ]

Good afternoon, welcome to our shop~ [ see this blinding smile? see this warm reception? DON'T YOU JUST WANT TO TIP HER? ] My name's Lucy. How can I help you today?

B: MY LIFE SUCKS

[ turns out, that decently-priced apartment with the spacious bedroom and closet and bathtub? there's a reason it's so decently priced, and that reason apparently being the triads. really, she should have been told the walk back to her apartment is smack dab in the middle of gang territory, though there's nothing like experiencing it for yourself, she supposes. ]

HEEEEEEEELP!

[ it's late at night, and she's probably waking up the neighbors, but at the moment she doesn't care because she's stuck cowering beside a street vendor on her knees, holding her hands over her head in an attempt to avoid the crossfire of some gang skirmish.

there is a sudden blast of fire from behind her, prompting another yelp of dismay. she jumps to her feet and starts running in the opposite direction, though she's not even sure now if this is taking her further or closer to the fight. ]

C: MAKE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

[ have an idea that isn't one of the ones mentioned above? feel free to throw it up! ]

B

[bearestofthemall]

[YOUR KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR HAS ARRIVED

Or rather, a girl in some sort of costume. Is it ethnic or something? You'll probably have to ask her. What is abundantly clear, though, is that despite the fact she really doesn't look to be suited for combat, she's currently making cracks across the pavement with her sword.

Except the sword can detach to become a whip, and she's not actually using the whip the break up the ground.]

Huh? Where did you come from?! [It seems she's somehow involved in the fight, too-- the Firebender who threw the blast near Lucy's direction has been pinned to the wall with her Earthbendning.] Nevermind-- you're not supposed to be here, are you?

Maya Fey | Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (AU) | ota

[acebaker]

7. Maya Fey; Ace Baker

[ Maya's an immigrant from the Earth Kingdom and an apprentice baker who, like many other people in the world recently, has suddenly started airbending. For the most part, she's tried to look on the bright side. Bending is pretty cool! She had always been a little jealous of the awesome things benders can do. But her accidental airbending has actually become more of a hinderance than anything else.

As evident by the state of the bakery right now. Pastries, bread, and various other baked goods are strewn about the shop. In fact, it seems like most of the stock has found it's way onto the floor. Talk about a major health violation. ]

Oh, no! The Boss is gonna kill me. Maybe I can just blast them back onto the shelves--

[ Or maybe it'll just make a bigger mess. Whoops! She's not really sure how she's going to explain this one. She used a wild animal as an excuse last time. Maybe a dashing young thief? Or a police chase gone wrong? (Or maybe she can just clean up her mess...) ]

8. Maya Fey; Ace Acolyte

[ Somewhere along the line, Maya is either asked to join the acolytes on Air Temple Island, or figures she should probably head there for some serious airbending guidance. Because really, there's only so many times she can blast a shop before it gets a little old. And inconvenient. In either case, she's pretty impressed by the island itself. She's seen some cool places before, but this place has a different kind of atmosphere. It's a calm she definitely appreciates, but doesn't really fit into. ]

Wow, talk about zen! This place is super chill. [ And big. I bet I could get a serious echo around here. ] HELLOOOOO!

[ So much for peaceful. ]


Choose your own adventure!

[ What it says on the tin! Feel free to come up with a prompt of your own, or ask for one that specifically caters to your character! I'm open to anything. ]

8

[savedtheworld]

[Here's one monk with tattoos! Aang's kind of lost and confused - all of this future stuff is very overwhelming. Even if a lot of it is bringing him hope and joy.

But hearing someone else shout out seemingly just to hear an echo? That gets a laugh out of the monk as he steps out from around a corner.]

Hi there! Isn't this place nice and echo-y?

Lord Zuko | The Legend of Korra

[restoredhonour]

( CITY HALL )
[Lord Zuko seldom journeys to Republic City since his retirement from the Fire Nation throne. When he has, his visits have never been in any official capacity, only low-profile visits to see his grandson Iroh, whose service in the United Forces means he has little time for visits to the Fire Nation.

Today, however, Lord Zuko has made a rare appearance at City Hall to discuss with the President the continued threat of the Red Lotus -- Tenzin and Tonraq, two others who have been heavily involved in combatting the Red Lotus both historically and now, being too busy with their own nations' affairs, to do so in his place. Since he's no longer Fire Lord, however, that means he travels with no royal entourage, and that means emerging from City Hall after the meeting to the full force of Republic City's gathered media.

What do you think to the death of the Earth Queen? Is the stability of the Fire Nation under threat as well? How many Red Lotus members are left? What about the Avatar?

He issues a statement saying that the Earth Queen's passing is tragic, that he hopes the Earth Kingdom resolves its political turmoil quickly, he is in no official position to give a statement on Fire Nation security or any estimate of Red Lotus numbers, that Avatar Korra is on the road to recovery and that, above all, her privacy should be respected.

After which, he'll make his way through the crowds to the Satomobile waiting nearby in the plaza. He stops to greet and speak to those amassed in the crowds, in equal parts humoured and baffled when youngsters ask for him to give his autograph. Find him in amongst those he stops to speak with, perhaps?]


( AIR TEMPLE ISLAND )
[After a taxing day, Zuko takes the ferry across to the island once built and treasured by his best friend. He can be found drinking tea indoors, or using the tranquility of the temple grounds to meditate. His dragon, Druk, lounges on the craggy rocks near the beach, dozing in the light of the setting sun.]

City Hall

[raavashing]

[Wan only caught the hullabaloo because of the gathered crowd as he was exploring. Crowds usually meant something important or interesting was going on. In this case, it was a 'Lord Zuko' -Which was a little strange because he'd already met another Zuko, though the other Zuko had said there was an older him in the city. But what really caught his attention was all the questions about Avatar Korra and Lord Zuko's response that she was 'on the road to recovery'.

So when the opportunity to speak to Lord Zuko came, Wan took advantage of it. He pushed his way through the crowd closest to the Satomobile and waited his turn with a concerned frown.]

What you said about Avatar Korra, that she's recovering... What happened to her? What's she recovering from?

Yin | Avatar: The Legend of Korra

[heartiswherethehomeis]

(♣ 9)


[It was late. Some might argue well past the time when a woman her age should have retired for the night. Certainly, she had only intended to stroll the streets in search of fresh air and a continued admiration for the place she called home. Rarely did she get such moments to herself. The house was always so busy. Children. Grandchildren. Great-Grandchildren. Nieces. Nephews.]

[Family.]

[And she loved every second of being in their presence, because that was what it meant to be a family. Always there for one another. If not physically, then in spirit. Just as the presence of her beloved late Earth Queen (rest her soul) continued to bring her great comfort in her moments of solace.]

[But on rare occasions, Yin also appreciated the sights and sounds of the City. So noisy, yes, but she was used to the noise. And the people! My, my. There really were all kinds.]

[Her travels took her to a small shop on one corner. She recognized it for what it was, of course. A pub. She could hear the music and frivolities inside. How exciting! Taking a moment to excuse herself as a younger couple strolled passed, she lifted her head up high and entered. Fortunately, the serving bar was not too far from the main entrance, and she waited patiently until she had the server's gaze before making her request:]

Tea, please. Your best herbal brand.

[dealing_dreams]

[The little old lady was an easy mark. Lau had left his life of petty crime behind when he'd become a quasi-legitimate businessman, but the little tingle of excitement when he spied a particularly easy target never quite went away. The scars of living on the street could be healed by a sufficiently talented waterbender, and one's criminal records could be "lost" with a generous bribe to a firebender working in the police archives... but the thrill of crime was still there. Lau idly debated picking her pocket, just so he could say he was still keeping in practice. Instead, he approached her after a few moments, smiling warmly as if he was a beloved grandson who'd neglected to call her recently.]

Dear lady!

[It never hurt to be charming to women, no matter what age they were.]

I'm afraid you won't find fine tea here. Tea sharpens the senses and stimulates the mind, but people come to places like this to dull their thoughts for a while. As it so happens, though, I am the humble proprieter of a trading company, and I've just received a shipment of the finest herbal tea from the western mountains of the Earth Kingdom. You won't taste better, not even in the Upper Ring of Ba Sing Se. Here, bartender, make some of this for the dear lady. A cup for me as well.

[Lau produced a paper-wrapped package of tea from inside his voluminous sleeves and set it on the bar, within reach of the bartender. His company traded in tea mainly because the weight and bulk of the shipments made it convenient for smuggling more lucrative goods, like drugs. He gave the old woman another open, friendly, well-practiced smile. Sometimes it felt good to act against his baser instincts. It kept people guessing what he'd do next.]

Slade | Teen Titans | AU (mercenary criminal, metalbender, chi-blocker)

[whoneedsdepthperception]

♣ 4: Blackmail
[The hour is late, and the night is dark, overcast, and raining lightly. Slade has been following someone, undetected, for an hour now, waiting for them to be alone and away from possible interference. Tucked into his armor, Slade has various sensitive documents and photos that he's knows his target would be desperate to keep secret and safe. Slade can keep a secret, but he considers doing so a favor, and he does not give those out for free. ((Up to you where Slade finds your character alone (an alley, their home, their shop?) and what dirt he may have on them.))]

♣ 13: Take the Fight to Slade
[Slade has made use of dozens of different bases and safehouses in his career, but this is one of his more elaborate set ups. Apparently Republic City had once intended to build a subterranean rail system, but the project was left unfinished and buried under a pile of bureaucratic red tape. Now the interconnecting tunnels serve Slade as the perfect spot to prepare for his latest machinations.
The mercenary stands in front of a board with newspaper clippings, maps, and diagrams pinned to it, contemplating his next move. His attention shifts as a red light begins to flash at his desk, indicating that he has uninvited guests.
((Slade's been causing a lot of trouble for your character and/or your character's friends, and it's time to (try and) take him down! What specifically he's done to your character is up to you, but can include kidnapping a friend, terrorist plotting, blackmail, etc.))]

♣ Wildcard
[If you have an idea for any sort of thread, just throw it at me.]

4

[paishodown]

[All things considered, Asami's been straight as a board in her running of Future Industries. No discrepancies in the numbers, no mysterious disappearances of competition.

There was, however, that time she bought in with the Triple Threats. A dozen or so Satomobiles that somehow sneaked their way off the assembly line in exchange for... what? The sting mission hadn't even been a success. She'd been double crossed. But the public wouldn't care. All they need to see is evidence that she so much as spoke to the Triad and the shaky reputation she's been trying to rebuild could crumble.

Thankfully, it hasn't come back to haunt her. Yet.

Asami is on her way home from a factory inspection, hair tucked into her coat and an umbrella overhead for the drizzle. She's alone and alert, but so far unaware of Slade.]

Albert Heinrich | Cyborg 009 (Archaia Comics) | earthbender and deliveryman

[lufthansa]

♣7 and ♠ 10
The sun is setting over the bay making the water sparkle and reflecting off of the little islands it holds, making them look as if they glow with a warm light. Albert drives along the waterfront, careful not to deviate from the narrow street in the company car and doesn't pay attention to the view at all, his mouth set in a semi-permanent frown.

Really, things in Republic City aren't all that terrible. He has a home, a job, enough money to feed himself and pay the bills, and he even sometimes feeds the turtleducks in the park, but by looking at him one might think that everything was dismal.

And for Albert, maybe they are. He's alone, painfully alone since his fiancee was killed. He blames himself for her death, and why shouldn't he? It was his idea, his plan, and his hands on the controls when the stolen plane crashed outside the limits of Ba Sing Se. They'd had to get out from under the Earth Queen's thumb somehow, but the cost had been too high and every day, even in his freedom from the Lower Ring, Albert wishes it was him that had died and not the person he held most dear.

He's so caught up in his dour thoughts that he may not notice any pedestrians that might cross the path of his truck...


♠ 12
"Look, I have a delivery to this address but I can't leave without the money." Albert waves a receipt in front of the shop keeper, a glint of metal barely visible from under his right sleeve, catching the dim light momentarily before its gone with the man putting the paper on the counter and slipping his gloved hands in his pockets. "I really don't want to have to explain to my boss you wouldn't pay. What's he going to do with eight crates of vegetables?"

The shop keeper shifts uneasily and mumbles something about checking with his manager before disappearing behind a curtain. Albert just sighs, knowing full well he's likely going to get stuck without payment and have to explain it somehow to his boss.

Again.


♣ 8
One day off a week and usually Albert has to spend it doing errands for himself - groceries, bills, that sort of thing - but very occasionally he'll find the time to slip into a less populated area of the park and run through his forms. He's rarely gotten the chance since leaving Ba Sing Se, all his energy devoted to simply surviving and going through the motions, but somehow since then his earthbending has still be stronger than ever.

He remembers, as he tries to empty his thoughts, his teacher when he was young saying that earthbending is based on waiting. On finding the opponent's weakness and striking at the right time. Albert had never been good at that as a child - what child is? - but after his haste as an adult had lead to disaster, he's learned the hard way to be calm. To watch. To wait.

Albert steps his way through the first form, his feet square and rooted to the earth as he pulls great pillars of rock from the ground in uniform patterns around him. Or rather, they're supposed to be uniform. Those drawn up towards his left are strong and solid, but those to his right seem more fragile and teetering.

His bending may be stronger than it was when he lived in Ba Sing Se, but only partially.

[imprayingnow]

When you've spent your whole life in one city, most of it becomes 'normal' and no longer eye-catching. The sunrises and sunsets were not one of those things. They were his favorite times of the day, even if it was rare for him to be awake enough to see the sunrise.

A bit of cash in-pocket and his job-of-the-day done, he'd decided to spend some time down by the water front and watch the sun drown in the ocean before finding some food for himself. That was the plan, anyway, then he stepped out of an alley and found himself feet away from an on-coming truck. He half expected to hear the tires squealing as the driver would try to stop for him--but there weren't any, as though he hadn't even been seen.

"Hey!" A few choice words stronger than that ran through his head, but he was too preoccupied with the thought of getting out of the way to say them. He jumped and felt his weightlessness keep him airborne, well above the truck and out of the way of danger.

Katsura Kotarou // Gintama // AU (explosives expert + closet waterbender)

[nobleofmadness]

→ 6

[ It was probably unusual, a Triad member who didn't rely on their bending, but Katsura never particularly cared. He had a lot more faith in his sword and his bombs. In fact, it often proved to be useful - whether to pass himself off as a regular person or actually try to infiltrate the Equalist scum. Really, they deserved much worse than having their meetings sabotaged (they were responsible for the death of his favorite teacher, after all), but one step at a time. ]

[ Passing as a new recruit, he'd managed to plant a bomb right next to the supporting structures of their HQ, complete with a note, "All Equalists should die", and slip out unfollowed. ]

[ Or so he thought. ]


→ 8

[ Maybe it was because his parents, both benders, though long past their prime, came from different nations. Or maybe they had nothing to do with his dumb stubbornness, which wasn't particularly compatible with the fluidity waterbenders were supposed to have. He preferred the colour green, anyway, though maybe that would change when he was older. ]

[ Either way, he struggled with waterbending, while learning the way of the sword was, more or less, a joy. He didn't mind; both of those things were good for fighting with. But magical healing was something that even the modern day technology couldn't compensate. And to do that, he had to master the basics, anyway. ]

[ Nobody got better if they didn't practice, right? ]

Are you ready?


→ 9

[ WHAT YOU SEE RIGHT HERE? SURE IS UNDERAGE DRINKING. Maybe you should do something... or maybe you're a similar delinquent. ]

[ Katsura's just sitting there with a sake cup, staring at a barmaid on the other side of the pub as if he was a fifty-something geezer peeping around, looking disinterested but alert. ]


→ 10

[ No, he didn't get a driver's license. He wants to, though, and that means he needs practice. And possibly a car. ]

[ So, um, this is a very serious looking teenager jacking your ride... or, if it's not yours, he's probably coming at you at unholy speed right now, toppling over some cabbage stand on the way. ]

10

[shirogaki]

[ ffs, Zura, stealing a car isn't how you sort this shit out.

Really, Gintoki's just minding his own business. And when you're minding your own business, you appreciate people trying to not run you over rather than seemingly trying to do that very thing. At first he doesn't think the car heading for him is actually really heading for him. He thinks it'll turn in time. Why wouldn't it? He isn't even walking in the middle of the road!

Only then he spots who the driver is, and he freezes in place, an expression of enraged shock etched on his face. As everyone else runs out of the way, he stays firmly in place and

PLANTS A ROCK RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HOOD

Which he then uses to stop the freaking car. ]

OI, ZURA, THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?

Umi Ryuuzaki | Magic Knight Rayearth | AU (waterbender)

[raaagequits]

[Welcome to Republic City]
[It's a long way away from the Fire Nation, and as Umi steps off the boat, she can't hide a faint, surprised gasp at the sheer breadth of the city. The Fire Nation is immense, and beautiful, and she loves it, but here? There are so many different types of people -- it's really impressive! More to her liking than her mother's small Water Tribe village, to be sure.

Let's be honest. She had not been excited at the prospect of getting shipped off to school here. But she's starting to think she can handle this. The hustle and bustle makes her miss home less, although when she doesn't exactly know where she's going, it makes it far easier to-- oof! ...Bump into people.]

Ack-- jeez...! Sorry about that!

[She can be snippy about people running into her later, when she's feeling less overwhelmed and boat-tired.]


[City Under Attack]
HaaaaAAAA?!

[Ah. There we go. There's the shrill, Umi-like shriek that we all know so well. She had heard there was a room for rent, and she was all set to lug her things there to inquire about it, but--

Well. There's a kinda...green...problem, here.

Specifically, whichever way she moves, these weirdo crazy vines follow her and block her way!! She moves to the left: boom! Vine. Moves to the right? Same thing! With a frustrated grunt, she figures she has finally had enough, and grabs the stupid thing to try to pull it away--

...and then it wraps around her hand.]

H...hey!! Leggo of me!

[It's hard enough to do waterbending when you've never really had a teacher, but trying to do it with a vine wrapped around your arm? Come on, give her a break!]


[Tales of Republic City]
[When she had signed herself on for a part-time job at a local bakery...this was not what she had in mind.

A basket of fresh bread slung over her back, she makes her way through the streets of Republic City, ducking and dodging people along the way. Yeah, sure, that bread smells amazing, especially the sweet rolls -- her own family's recipe, one she's quite broud of. But don't even think about touching them, because she's got a delivery to make!]


[Choose Your Own Adventure]
[Got another idea? Lay it on me!]

[savedtheworld]

[As she's in the middle of her sacred bread delivery, there's a monk coming up beside her on an air scooter. He sniffs at the air and looks so pleased!]

It smells soooo good! What do you have?

Just a simple monk | Guess

[savedtheworld]

[A. Streets of Republic City]

[There's a 12 year old monk wandering the streets of Republic City, and he looks very lost. He's still not sure what all of this means. This has to be some weird spirit world business, or some kind of big misunderstanding. Maybe a big joke? Anything's easier to believe than suddenly having jumped ahead in time again. And this time without an icy nap!

As lost and confused as he can be, whenever someone's nearby, he'll light up and be quick to greet tem as if nothing's wrong. Aside from generally roaming the streets, he'll check out some of the establishments too. Maybe see if there's any interesting jobs he can take up while he's trying to figure out this weird problem!]

[B. Avatar Aang Memorial Island]

[There's one thing that hangs over Aang when he sees it. It's unmistakeable. A gigantic statue looming over the harbor, and it looks so much like him. It's awe-striking and unbelievable. One can find him at Republic City, staring out towards it from a pier while his mouth gapes open in disbeleif.

Or one can find him actually at the island, exploring it and the museum inside. Most of the tourists disregard him as some kind of "disrespectful costume-player" but they're invisible to Aang. Instead, he'll be transfixed looking at whatever recognizable displays he can find.]

[C. Do It For the Vines]

[It's not Aang's apartment - it's a lower-class family he's befriended while wandering the city. It's being attacked by spirit vines. Aang's been doing his best to keep a low profile - at least in terms of not using his bending much - but that goes out the window in the crisis. He'll be pulling out all kinds of bending tricks to try to stop these vines from destroying the apartment!]

C - I'm totally gonna have to get more icons.

[wolfstrike]

[Yuri actually doesn't live too far from here, and when he saw what was going on, quickly snapped into action. There's a nice family living in there after all, and it looks like there's still people in there!

Thus, a dark blur will race past Aang as he does his bending thing. Yuri leaping on and across vines before jumping in through one of the windows.]

Commander Bumi | Canon | OTA

[abitofawildman]

1) With his eyes closed, Bumi stands at the bow of the ship. His eyes are closed for many reasons but the two most important ones are these:

With his eyes closed he can almost pretend like hes flying.
And.
Because the captain of the particular vessel couldn't steer his way out of a wet paper bag, and it's hurting Bumi to watch.

"Civilians," he say through gritted teeth.


-Or-

12) There's just something so freeing about being lost in a crowd of people. Bumi will always have complicated feelings about being Avatar Aang and Master Katara's non-bender child, but even he has to admit being able to anonymously stand in a line for Rush Pro-Bending tickets is pretty fantastic. Certainly not something Tenzin could ever do, not that he'd want to. Bumi, on the other hand, has always had a great love for the game, and makes it a point to see one every time he happens to be on leave in the Greater Republic City area.

-Or-

9) No trip home is complete without a trip to the pub. And no trip to the pub is complete without time spent in the smoke filled back room where the old and salty play Pai Sho for hours on end. Bumi's just wiped the floor with his most recent opponent, and so there's an empty spot at his table.

9

[wolfstrike]

[Yuri's a young whipper snapper compared to most of the guys back here, but here is anyway. Plopping down in the seat right across from Bumi.]

Hey, old man. Up for another game?

Sakata Gintoki | Gintama | AU (Earthbender, some Triad thug)

[shirogaki]

6.

[ It's fairly late, and Gintoki's stumbling along the street looking worse for wear. Limping, with dried blood on his left temple and some in his hair. His white shirt is torn in several places, and specks of dust and dirt cover him all over.

The chaos around the city has died down, and he's just part of the aftermath. He seems pretty casual about it, though, and raises a hand to stick a finger in his ear. If he accidentally bumps his elbow into someone ... Nah, he won't apologise. ]

7.

[ It's not easy being a street rat. Not that Gintoki isn't used to it. And while he manages fine with finding food wherever possible and taking any chance he can to get people to buy it for him, it's also nice to actually possess money. So.

Jack of all trades! That what he is. No actual job - how dull is that, and he'd probably get fired for being lazy - but as he wanders through the city, if he spots anyone who might want help with something he's right there trying to talk his way into some quick work. Painting a sign? Cleaning windows? Putting up a billboard? A restaurant worker writing down today's specials on the placard outside? Or maybe you're looking for a lost pet?

Anything he can scrape together is good enough.

If his somewhat scruffy appearance turns you off, you're kind of a dick. Completely fresh clothes are for people with homes. ]

12.

[ When Gintoki finally has money ... he tends to do stupid things with them. Like spend them on gambling on the street. You know, those who tend to be scams?

There's a lot of commotion at one where you're supposed to roll dice. More exactly, there's a white-haired boy yelling at the host. Because he was stupid and fell for it. Although to be fair, the woman in charge also shouldn't be tricking people. ]

Hey, I noticed, alright? Those dice kept rolling low numbers until I started choosing those, then they rolled high ones! And you switched them out, didn't you?! You did something weird! I saw it!

6

[nobleofmadness]

[ Except as soon as he takes a turn, an inconspicuous door will open and someone will pull him into... what looks like the back of some noodle shop, seemingly empty. It's used as a hideout by thugs pretty often. ]

[ And oh, look, there's the Zura. ]

You look terrible.

Toph Beifong | The Last Airbender

[earthrhythms]

2.

[ Of course Toph finds her statue. She doesn't even seem all that weirded out by the fact that it's there, or the fact that she's here. Weird things can happen sometimes when you hang around the Avatar, even if she also sort of missed the weirdest things.

Point is she's willing to roll with it. Especially because there is a statue of her. She puts a hand on it, and grins wide. ]

How cool is that?

[ That is most definitely directed at someone and not just said to herself, from the volume. ]

Wild card

[ So this is the esteemed and famous Toph Beifong. Police officer of Republic City.

Tossing a can over her shoulder and possibly accidentally, possibly not, (most likely somewhere in between) knocking someone over (perhaps you) and then.

Spitting on the ground.

Yeah. ]

2

[theboomerangguy]

[ It's pretty damn weird that they're here, but hey, at least he isn't alone? The surroundings are both familiar and unfamiliar, and he comes up with at least a dozen of possible explanations for it (Industrial revolution? Spirit World? THE FUTURE??) until they run into the... giant monument for Toph's ego. ]

[ Sorry, he's just going to stare at it for a little bit, then hang his head. ]

Oh please, please tell me there's a Sokka statue around here somewhere.

Jinora | Legend of Korra

[spiritjourneys]

{ Air Temple Island }

Air Temple Island has always been Jinora's home. She used to sit on the rooftop of her family home slash temple and stare out over the bay at Aang's statue. It's like a silent defender of her home. For her, it's also a source of comfort. That's why she's sitting on the rooftop of her home now, looking out across the bay and at Aang's statue. In the early twilight, the resemblance between her and the statue is uncanny.


{ Vines }

Although they had taken out a large chunk of the city, Jinora found the forest of vines almost soothing. It reminded her of the good parts of the spirit world, and the friendly spirits that inhabited it. She does wish they'd been more thoughtful about the location of their new home, though. But the vine forest is the only place where she doesn't get stared at, so she still finds comfort in it. Jinora walks along, drinking in the spiritual energy and admiring the way the sunlight falls through the vines.


{ Choose your own adventure! }


(I don't plan on apping anytime soon, so please don't let me posting here dissuade anyone from apping!)

Vines

[raavashing]

The spirits really like you.

[Wan's voice is soft, hushed, trying not to disturb the small parade of spirits that followed after the young Air Nomad.]

The spirits always did like living with your people, but I've never seen so many gather like that for the sake of a single human.

[Other than himself, anyway.]

Jet Link | Cyborg 009 | AU (Airbender, street rat and occasional teenage loner)

[imprayingnow]

4; He didn't necessarily want to do it, it was a talent he'd honed out of boredom, but he had to admit it came in handy when he needed a little extra cash. So he slipped into the crowd, a hat pulled over his head and his golden hair stuffed into it so as not to draw attention as he went.

It was easy, most people were too focused on other things to notice quick hands lifting something off of them and with Jet's reflexes, a little loose change here and there was a cake walk and if he happened to manage something more than that, then even better.

Of course, he wasn't a master thief nor was he a perfect human being, sometimes he just plain slipped up. That was always an adventure.

8; It used to be that he was just fine not being a bender. Life was fine for him, he figured he'd go on unnoticed and probably die some day down the line (not likely too far down the line considering his life) and continue to go unnoticed.

Then he got his air bending.

It was a gift, he was convinced of that. He could control the very air around him and even better he could fly. Without a glider or major gusts of air, he found himself weightless and hovering far above the city and able to access the highest roofs. It was a dream come true, nothing had felt like freedom until he'd felt the wind in his face like that and nothing was more important than freedom.

Jet gave very few things his undivided attention and diligence, but his bending practice was one of them. Every day as the sun was setting, he'd stand on the roof of the building he stayed in and would practice his forms--forms he had to hope were right as he'd looked them up instead of asking for help. It was out there, he knew, but this was his freedom, he didn't want to compromise it by letting in the wrong person.

9; It's just the beginning of night and the usual crowd of bar-loungers were filing in either individually or in groups. Out of all the jobs Jet had held down in his life, this was his favorite. It was relaxed and easy and he actually found himself enjoying it. He could see new and old faces, listen to stories both real and true and sometimes bring smiles to other people's faces with one of his own. It was nice and he found he didn't mind working there at all.

If he could just keep his nose clean, maybe he'd even hold onto this one.

Hi, fellow street rat! Also, 4.

[shirogaki]

Jet wasn't the only one looking for money today. Only Gintoki had a bit of a different tactic. His focus was directed at everything but himself and his pockets as he wandered the streets looking for extra work. The sort of things that only paid change, usually. But it was still money and he could usually get something to chew on.

Or, more likely than not, he'd try to get more money by gambling.

But there was one thing he had in his pocket. Candy. And the thing about Gintoki and candy? You do not separate them. Especially not if it was chocolate or strawberry flavoured. In this case, it was strawberry flavoured. He didn't usually save candy for long, but he could do so over the day.

So he had candy - that wasn't a luxury he always had - and Jet bumped him when trying to reach into a pocket. Enough for him to notice because he had candy. And he was keeping it.

The reaction was pretty much purely instinct. He lifted a foot, kicked the ground and buried Jet's feet under it.

And then turned around, and grabbed Jet's collar in one hand.

"Oi, the hell do you think you're doing, bastard?"

exploring the city or at a tea shop

[teaspirited]

1. Exploring

[He'd never seen a city like this before. All the great cities of the world that he had seen in his life couldn't compare to this. Machines called 'Satomobiles' zipped through the streets, statues of the Avatar and some of his friends could be found outside some of the landmarks. He even paused to admire his nephew's for a while, a proud smile on his face at the young man's accomplishments. A trip to Avatar Aang's memorial island at least provided some information about where he was. To think, this was once the Yu Dao colony. The world truly was a wondrous place.]

2. Tea Shop

[It really shouldn't be a surprise that Iroh had found a tea shop. Instead of relaxing though, he's offered himself up to work. Spreading joy by making and serving tea was a joy he had experienced after the war. Why not continue it in this new future place?]

TEA SHOP

[raavashing]

[Wan hadn't ever gotten to spend time in an actual tea shop before. His experience with Lion Turtle Cities and tea had been a long series of pot of cold tea after pot of cold tea. Keeping a fire stoked in the treehouse would have been a deathwish.

So with an eager smile, wan entered the shop, found a seat, shut his eyes, and just smelled the air.]

Karst | Golden Sun | AU (Firebender)

[proxianpride]

[1]

[Coming from a more isolated region of the fire nation, Karst had never been to a city this size before. It was more annoying than she had anticipated; not only was she constantly surrounded by people, but these people seemed to be nothing more than morons and buffoons.]

[Nevertheless, there were certain essentials (meat) a girl needed to survive, and so she will spend most of the day out and about in the city. Anybody who isn't scared away by her glare is free to approach.]

[2]

[If it wasn't the people in this city being a hassle, it was the plant life.]

[It was only mid-afternoon, and Karst had already spent most of the day trying to firebend the vines out of her apartment. There hadn't been much greenery in the village she was raised in, and she was all the gladder for it as she tried to fire away yet another vine from her window.]

Blasted nuisance!

[3]

[She, somehow, managed to find a part-time job at a small store.]

[It didn't make dealing with the people any more sufferable, and despite her bosses many attempts to get her to "lighten up," she was still greeting every customer with a glare, and her curt language wasn't helping matters.]

[She hadn't set anything on fire yet, though. Progress?]

[4]

[It was the end of a long day, and Karst was amusing herself at the bar.]

[With a large glass of ale and giant slab of meet in front of her, she seems much more approachable than usual. One might even be able to strike up a conversation!]

[5]

[Make your own scenario!]

3

[glyphe]

[Weiss did not usually venture into convenience stores. they were small and cramped and sometimes had weird things in them. but today, she needs a few things and doesn't have a lot of time to dilly-dally. this will be a quick trip, in and out.

though when she enters the store and sees the grumpy clerk, that rubs her the wrong way]

Excuse me. [she ventures up to the counter] I'm looking for lotion and bandage wraps, and I'm kind of in a hurry.

Robin | Fire Emblem Awakening | AU (Fire Bender)

[ohkocupid]

[1]

[Robin wasn't sure how it had happened, but somehow she'd managed to wake up on a ship headed to Republic City with no memories, holding onto an old strategy book.]

[Her first act of business is to try to get her bearings on the ship; thankfully, it looks like she'll be able to get by without a ticket, so she'll do her best to try and mingle with the other passengers, and figure out what's going on.]

[2]

[She seems a little young to be hanging around a Pai Sho place, but there's no where else she feels more comfortable.]

[There's a certain satisfaction she gets from crafting strategies, and using them to decimate her opponents.]

[She'll be sitting behind a board, eagerly awaiting her next opponent.]

[3]

[There's never such a thing as being too skilled when it comes to fighting, and here is no exception. Robin will take what opportunities she can to practice what little of fire bending she knows.]

[Maybe things would be easier if she had a partner to spar with?]

[4]

[Wild Card!]

Pai Sho

[raavashing]

[There were more than a dozen little Pai Sho parlors around the city. He was genuinely surprised that the game had survived ten thousand years, though he wasn't at all surprised it was popular. Even the poorest people (Yao, Jaya, and himself) had had a small pai sho set for when the hours stretched long and there wasn't much to be done with them.

Most of the parlors he'd been to had been either too busy or too slow to get a game going with anyone. Some of that partially due to the fact that a few of the 'higher end' places required 'joining' their location with a fee. Not something Wan could afford with his lack of any money whatsoever.

So when he finally came into the current parlor, he was more than a little surprised to find an empty table that might possibly want a player to join. For free. He cautiously approached and stood behind the other chair to catch the woman's attention.]

Are you waiting for anyone in particular?