[color=008000][h1]Dao[/h1][/color]

Location: Lower-ring at the wall to the middle-ring

Today was an unusual day to start your first day at the office. Especially when your office is called the  Dai Li. The cities administration had decided to close the gates from the lower-ring to the middle-ring, stopping all the movement between both sections of the largest metropolis in the world. Needless to say that the event of a lock down was a small inconvenience for the people of the lower-ring. Public discontent was bound to happen and the Dai Li where at the scene to monitor the crowds behavior. After-all, when part of a large group, peasants will often show their true colors.

For Dao this was a special day. Starting your job with a lock-down of the lower-ring is something very rare among the Dai Li. But with something big happening even Ba Sing Se's cultural authority needed every man they could muster, no matter how green they are. For this day the young earth-bender was teamed up with Jian, a senior Dai Li agent with 20 years of experience in the field. Without doubt the most noticeable quality of Jian was his long black pony tail that started to turn gray. From a dark allyway both agents observed the crowd in silence as the peasants grew more discontent by the announcement made by the guardsman. It wasn't for long until Dao broke the silence.

[color=008000]” Hey Jian, you should really dye that hair of yours. Once you get it all black again it will make you look 10 years younger.[/color] Joked the rookie agent as he tried to hide his nervousness. After-all this was his first day and he wanted to make a good impression. Not only on Jian, his direct senior agent but also on the illustrious Samir, the head of the Dai Li. A man you definitely want to keep on your good side no matter what. 

Jian, sighed “ I know you're nervous. Every agent is nervous on their first day, there are no exceptions to that. But remember why we're here, stay focused on the job and cut the chitchat and jokes. We're here because we received intelligence that an anti-government cell wants to instigate a riot. The lock-down is there to give them an opportunity, once we spot suspicious behavior in the crowd, we arrest them. So keep your eyes peeled and your mouth shut. Let me know the moment you spot anything suspicious” 

Dao shifted his attention once again towards the crowd. He knew it was not the time to joke around. The Dai Li are professionals, the guardians who protect the ancient culture and order of the Earth kingdoms capital against all kind of groups who try to undermine the Earth Kings administration and authority. The young agent hated such groups. The only reason Ba Sing Se became the greatest city in the world was it rigid social order. Once the order collapses, the economy of the city will come to a grinding halt. Chaos and anarchy would reign supreme and the city would implode. Something Dao would never let happen on his watch.

The young Dai Li agent scanned the crowd once more. Every person he observed looking for any detail that might seem off. Peasant after peasant where scanned from top till toe until his eyes fell on particularly well build fellow. His blue tinted clothing and exotic skin-color revield his water tribe background. Dao judged this lanky man to be some years older as himself. A man in his prime, a perfect age for a warrior. Yet this watertribe man looked like he feels rather out of place. Dao notified his companion.

[color=008000]”Jian, what do you think about that watertribe peasant? He seems out of place.”[/color]
Before Jian could even respond a young man close to the person from the watertribe tribe started to shout “Down with the Earthking! The avatar will return and liberate us from the oppression!” Some of the people in the crowd where struck with awe while others made sure to keep their distance from the disobedient man. As Dao watched the scene unfold he instantly knew this was the time to move in. The two Dai Li agents bursted out of the shadows and into the crowd. Most of the peasants quickly jumped aside the moment they noticed the Dai Li approaching, they all hoped the agents would not come for them. The unlucky ones who where not quick enough where simply pushed aside by Dao as he rushed through the crow. Peasants would stumble over each other as the two Dai Li agents approached their target.

Much to Dao's surprise the young man did not flee the scene. He was just standing there as the crowd dispersed and an open space was formed around the three men. Dao smirked.  [color=008000]”You're supposed to run to make it a little interesting for me. You're making it way to easy”[/color]

Slowly the man turned around. For the first time the young Dai Li agent could take a good look at the dissident. He was a typical lower-ring citizen. His clothing was cheap but his muscled build betrayed that he exercised a lot. Maybe at some bending academy or martial arts school but he had defenitly received training somewhere The most remarkable feature of the man was the tattoo of a white lotus on his left upper-arm. For a moment he looked at the Dai Li agents and just smiled. “Too easy? I just hoped some green clowns would show up” before stamping with his right feet on the ground to lift some rock. With a single punch the boulders where send flying towards Dao.