[center][url=https://fontmeme.com/signature-fonts/][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/180319/e73e196b396445c1e9e4e0f1441e26cc.png[/img][/url] [h3][b]The Middle Ring [/b][/h3][/center] [hr] The Inner wall was proving much harder to infiltrate. Huo Ling sat crossed legged on the roof of an accommodating Ba Sing Se restaurant staring up at the massive walls that separated the second-class Middle Ring from the estates of the city’s elite. Her unprecedented seat gave her an excellent view of the imposing barrier keeping her from traversing on to her ultimate destination. She sat, ate, and contemplated the irony of having a third and presumably even a fourth wall literally stonewalling her best efforts. Entering the great outer walls at all had been difficult enough, what with the recent abdication and hostile takeover leaving everyone on edge. Lucky for Huo she was resourceful enough to find a place on the earth bender powered monorail riding all the way up to the Lower Ring, though somewhat devious means. From there the plan went cold, at least until Huo miraculously found herself the owner of a significant sum of money, which bought her a ticket to the Middle Ring and an averted gaze from the teller. So far she’d been playing the game by instinct, following the wind and seeing how far luck would get her. A surprising distance admittedly, but even Huo’s luck ran dry eventually. She’d nearly been detained at the monorail station having been caught trying to bribe the tellers into letting her traverse one layer further. It was unfortunate to say the least, there were too many of An’s troops watching the monorail entering and exiting the Inner Ring. Spread thin as they were trying to control all of Ba Sing Se they still formed a bolstered defense around the sensitive Inner Ring, keeping out even a determined figure like Huo. If it hadn’t been for them Huo would’ve put money on the notion that she could’ve bribed every single official she happened across right up to the royal palace itself. An’s men however proved far more loyal then the underappreciated city guard for Huo’s meager offerings to placate them. Instead had to be thwarted by swift feet and a good ability to dodge projectile rocks. Coiling back Huo hurled her gumjua fruit core into the lawns below her, slumping back down with a disgruntled sigh. When it came to clever plans and inventive schemes Huo lacked the necessary forethought to strategize on any grand level. She was more of a go with her gut kind of girl, and her gut, although comfortably full for the first time in weeks, wasn’t giving her any bright ideas. At that moment a slight breeze picked up, playfully stirring her black braids and bringing up with it the murmur of conversation from down below. It was a pleasant enough day, and the privileged citizens of the Middle Ring were busy pretending all was fine and harmonious within Ba Sing Se; by enjoying a pleasant meal with their families. Sticking their heads in the sand like a herd of ostrichorses seemed like a common trait of the city’s residents actually. Huo swore if patrols of An’s troops didn’t march past every half hour or so the laymen would have thoroughly convince themselves that nothing at all had changed. Their denialism didn’t extend much further then that however. All through her meal Huo found herself the target of many a disapproving glare or muttered word by the restaurant’s other patrons, all for her crude manners and ragamuffin appearance. It grew to such a point that Huo abandoned their den of judgment altogether and retreated up to the roof to enjoy the last of her supper in some semblance of peace. Also, because if she had to hear one more person complain about how she smelled she might’ve burnt the whole place to the ground. The muted speech of the diners infiltrated Huo’s not-so-great attempts at formulating some semblance of a plan. The considerations of disguise, giant catapults, and straight up climbing the wall with an ice pick subsided and subconsciously the Fire Islands teen began casually eavesdropping, listening in on the random tidbits of talk that rose with the midday breeze. For the most part the dialogue was on anything from the weather to a favorite tea shop and everything in-between. Excluding mentions of An’s invasion, and not one word about the upcoming coronation. Nothing much of real interest. At least it wasn’t until Huo caught the low rumble of a man’s voice making a rather particular complaint to his friend. Leaning down Huo placed her ear to the green-colored roof straining to make out every last word. “So I told him, I don’t care how many air benders rob your cart, if you keep losing money I won’t be investing with you anymore. That’s exactly what I told him. Its disappointing to, as he’s usually quite successful, but now he wants loans for new watchmen as well. Said his got the snot beat out of them by the thief. The nerve of some people is astounding. I asked him, why do you have private security you’re a lychees vendor?” A second voice asked something but Huo couldn’t quite make it out. Nevertheless her interest was piqued. An air bender robbing fruit carts and then attacking the guards went against everything she knew about the nomads. She’d considered them inconsequential before, but couldn’t air benders fly? “That’s right. Odd isn’t it. Apparently he wanted to be hired or something. Probably a wannabe mercenary, though the first of his kind that I’ve heard of.” Without a moment more of hesitation Huo grabbed the edge of the roof swinging down onto the open windowsill. She landed as light as a cat, peering into the sunlit spaces of the restaurant. The two conversing men were seated right next to the window, reacting poorly to Huo’s more unexpected entrance. “Great spirits above girl!” One of the men, a large dumpy looking fellow jumped, spilling his soup onto his lap. His associate, a finely dressed merchant in his middle years jerked as well, but less violently. Saving himself the displeasure of hot liquid drenching his embroidered robes. Huo’s bright eyes flicked from one man to the other as all three stared at each other in an awkward silence. The man who’d spilt his meal rang a little bell, before launching into a reproach of Huo’s sudden drop-in. “Miss, please come down from there. This is rather undignified way to appear, you near frightened me to death. Run along to your mother and father, and make sure they know that you’ve been fooling around and scaring people. You certainly look old enough to know better.” The man sniffed in disdain and fluffed out a silk napkin, dabbing halfheartedly at his lap. Huo ignored him, narrowing her eyes at the merchant, who shrank back a little, looking very uncomfortable. [color=f7941d]“Where did it happen?” [/color]Huo demanded unceremoniously. “I beg pardon miss?” The merchant had a gaunt face and he pursed his lips at this unexpected intrusion. Clearly he wasn’t used to this sort of tone from anyone. [color=f7941d]“The air bender who’s up for hire. Where was he last seen?” [/color]Huo cast a baleful glare towards the oncoming waiter who was flanked by a bull of man, whom she could only guess by his clothing and bulging muscles was both head chef and acting bouncer. They had a clear intent to force her from the premises, which meant the conversation needed to end now. “Were you eavesdropping on our conversation young lady?” The merchant proclaimed in outrage, not noticing the strange look on Huo’s face. “How uncivilized, you ought to be ashamed of such unladylike behaviors.” Growling in a very [i]unladylike[/i] manner Huo snatched ahold of the merchant’s collar, pulling him closer. A ball of flame materialized in her free hand and she held it close to his face, the fire crackling merrily and giving off a cheery glow that contradicted the intense atmosphere. The room had grown very silent as most of the people present assumed they were watching a robbery take place right in front of their eyes. [color=f7941d]“Just, answer the question before you get burned.” [/color]She held the flame a little closer to his cheeks, allowing a few silver hairs to singe and crumple. “In the Lower Ring, in-in the merchants quarter by the little fountain! Gonshu usually sets up his lychees cart there, yeeeee don'tburnme!” Huo laughed waving her hand and putting the small fire out. [color=f7941d]“See that was easy wasn’t it. And don’t look so worried, that’s all I wanted from you. Enjoy the rest of your lunch.” [/color]Huo leapt clear just as the chef reached the table. The large man brandished a vegetable knife, leaning over the table to stick his head out of the window. “You ever come back here and bother my customers again I’ll Sautee your liver in a pan of boiling oil you smelly vagabond- aaagh!” He jerked back, just in time to avoid a blast of fire that splashed against the restaurant’s outer wall washing over the grass turning the lawn black and brittle. The building was well built, but dry and old proving to be the perfect kindling for a burgeoning fire. Snickering the arsonist deserted the scene before any soldiers arrived, jogging back the way she’d come towards the monorail station. She’d have to reenter the Lower Ring, but it was worth it in the end. Perhaps her luck hadn’t run out after all. She trusted her gut, and her gut was telling her that if an air bender was really looking for the highest bidder then that person had to be her. And if she enlisted the help of an air bender, well, who cared about walls then?