[color=bfbfbf][sub][table= //////= POST DESIGN v1=\\\\\\][row][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][img]https://i.imgur.com/DzwfQpI.png[/img][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/row][row][cell][sup][img]https://i.imgur.com/SFa7Abg.png[/img][/sup]

[color=2e2c2c]_______________________________[sub]........[/sub][/color]
[/cell][cell][color=white][center][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][img]https://i.imgur.com/DHKvx27.png[/img][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][center][color=2e2c2c]Palace   ·   Late Afternoon   ·   |@Katakuri] & |@Fiber][/color]Palace   ·   Late Afternoon   ·   [@Katakuri] & [@Fiber][/center][/sub][/center][/color][quote][color=2e2c2c]____________________________________________________________________________.[/color]
[color=9f9f9f]Arrival at the palace itself would have been an event for anyone who didn't live in the Upper Ring. For those who lived and breathed this life, the gilded scenery, flashing lights, and over-saturated self importance was just another day in the life. Personal airships arrived at a number of marked landing pads one at a time, offloading its precious cargo before being taken by valets to be parked elsewhere. Each one was an obvious representation of affluence and power. The men and women who exited these vehicles were similarly wrapped in opulence. Skin like porcelain, hair thick and lush. Their bodies adorned in jewels that glinted in the setting sun. The wealth on this day alone was worth more than all of the combined wealth of the rest of the world, and even then, they themselves paled in comparison to the palace.

The palace itself was large, outlined in gold and embellished in flora. The shape had been heavily altered from the simple rectangular blocks that were its past. Instead of sharp edges, the building had been rounded and the size expanded greatly. The walls had been knocked down and redesigned and the surrounding grounds had been cleared and filled with acres of open land, some of which had been converted into a Chuiwan course that resembled a miniature scale replica of Ba Sing Se. It was also one of the tallest buildings in the Upper Ring and due to the elevation, the deck at the top enjoyed a view of the entire city stretching into the horizon.

Every path outside of the palace seemed carved into the surrounding greenery, lined on either side by various trees and bushes and waterways. Additionally, some of the flora found here could not be found anywhere else in the world, further adding to an illusion that had been so carefully crafted. A visit to the palace was a visit to an entirely different world, and when standing on top of it, it was often far too easy to forget the real one. In fact, many in attendance were ignorant of anything beyond the walls of the Upper Ring and happily remained so.

The list of guests, though quite exclusive, was still quite long. There were many families who held power in the city, though obviously some more than others. Families like the Varricks and Satos or the Moons and Sorans and Xuoshis; The faces of finance and technology having each had a hand in curating the city into what it was today. The Gan-Lans would be in attendance as well, owners of Cabbage Corp. Lani Butakha, director of the NSL and owner of the Wolfbats. Lana Cheng and her husband who was head of the largest banking concern. Lana herself had her hands in many charitable foundations. The Xus. The Keums, owners of the farming land to the North and Northeast of the city, and the Zoltas who were a prominent family having earned their place at the gala despite rumors abound of ties to the Triple Threat Triad. And these were just a few of the more well known names in attendance. There were many more and it was expected that the palace would be at capacity. Many had been looking forward to the anniversary gala while others were looking forward to what the King had to say about events unfolding in the city.

As each guest arrived, attendants who were standing by moved to receive them, offering to take any coats or jackets and bags for safe storage. Then, each person was led off the platform and toward the palace by a personal attendant. They would be ushered through large gilded archways that led into a hallway, decorated with portraits of Wu's past, and then through already open doors to the ballroom.

Inside, tables covered in black cloth had been placed in a half circle around a stage at the far end. Each one had been properly set with golden dinnerware and adorned with a bouquet centerpiece of red, greens, yellows and whites. Like the flora found in the Upper Ring and those around the palace, the flowers here were indeed real and the scent was sweet. Nestled in between some of the leaves were soft lights. On the stage, Jie Xiao was [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzKM5g_FwYU]singing[/url] something pleasant into the crowd. She seemed lost in her own world but it was obvious that others in the room were being pulled into her daydream.

Other guests had found their assigned seats and were already striking up conversation with those around them. Weaving in and out between the tables were a number of servers who were offering wine or water and hors d'oeuvres. Near the front and closer to the stage were two tables that were a little off center. Two individuals were already seated and chatting away.

[color=white]"...It's unthinkable. Can you believe it? I swear he picks those players wearing a blindfold. Thank the King he is not [i]my[/i] manager. I'll be damned if there is a Bender ever allowed in the Wolfbats."[/color] An elderly woman with graying hair and subtle cracks around her dark eyes pulled a sip of her wine.

[color=white]"What about the Wu girl."[/color] Came the woman seated next to her. She was shorter but only slightly and sported a head of dark hair that had been straightened and parted at the front. It seemed almost too simple in present company, but the stark blue in her eyes was piercing and far too distracting for anyone to notice.

[color=white]"Now [i]that[/i] is truly a shame. Lisa did so much for the good of the league and all her daughter did was drag her name through the dirt. And now, there are rumors that she was even involved in her mother's disappearance."[/color] The woman's eyes flicked toward the empty chair next to her. The Wu name had been crossed out and replaced with 'Tamura'. [color=white]"That woman... She knew how to hold a conversation."[/color][/color][/quote]
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[color=bfbfbf][sub][table= //////= POST DESIGN v1=\\\\\\][row][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][img]https://i.imgur.com/pvEqEhU.png[/img][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/row][row][cell][sup][img]https://i.imgur.com/z8LDxn2.png[/img][/sup]

[color=2e2c2c]_______________________________[sub]........[/sub][/color]
[/cell][cell][color=white][center][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][img]https://i.imgur.com/DHKvx27.png[/img][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][center][color=2e2c2c]Entrance to the Underground   ·   Late Afternoon   ·   |@Mistress Dizzy][/color]Entrance to the Underground   ·   Late Afternoon   ·   [@Mistress Dizzy][/center][/sub][/center][/color][quote][color=2e2c2c]____________________________________________________________________________.[/color]
[color=9f9f9f]The day was overcast. Light struggled to pierce the cloud cover over head and reach the city floor, leaving the streets darker than it typically was at the hour. Heavy smog hung thick in the air as it always did, making it difficult to breathe for some. Many wore masks to try and keep the dirt from their lungs. Others, those who'd lived in the filth all their life, learned to live with it. Besides the elderly and children, it was sometimes easier to see who did and did not belong on that distinction alone.

The streets were crowded as they always were. Throngs of people cloaked in black and grays pushed past each other on their way to somewhere else. All of them packed so close together and yet every single one isolated in their own worlds. Their crouched, hooded figures a sea colored bleak in stark contrast to the lights dancing above their heads. The murky air here was often tainted in hues of pink and blue and other odd hues, graced by neon lights and cracked street lamps. A half naked woman bound across the street above downcast heads, her hands opening and pointing toward her home where pleasures awaited any who entered. A convenience store cut into the neglected exterior of one of the many housing stacks advertised 'CCCXTRM' in neon letters and 'Spirits' underneath. Across from it, a food stall was open serving hot bowls of ramen. It was crowded at all times of the day with the limited seating around the one man operation. The menu was small and the options few but the pricing was somewhat reasonable, especially considering the addition of 'fresh' vegetables. A curious thing when fresh anything was hard to come by in the Lower Ring.

One of the pathways branching off the main road became a long flight of stairs that seemed to climb further down into the bowels of the city, sloping steeply before turning into the dark. There were more people here, loitering on the steps or sleeping in the little slice of Ba Sing Se they had cut for themselves and called home. They did their best to keep out of the wash that fell from the upper levels.

A man stood at the top against the wall seemingly minding his own business. He was wrapped in a black leather duster with neck lining that was taller than most. When folded up, it could cover past his chin and was at the moment open and loose, hanging almost like a scarf. Underneath he wore a plain gray thermal and pants, also dark and somewhat loose, with the hem of each leg gathered above his black boots.

On the wall behind him was a surprisingly well done mural of a helmeted female. White hair cascaded down her back from under a helmet that was also sporting two bunny ears.[/color][/quote]
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[table=bordered][row][sub]Prompt:[/sub][/row][row][cell][color=9f9f9f]At present, there are only two people seated at one of the two tables that we are focusing on. The names on table one are as follows: Lun marked for two spots, Moon, [s]Wu[/s] Tamura, Butakha, Xuoshi and Sato. Names for table two are: Soran, Cheng for two spots, Xu, Gan-Lan, Varrick, Zolta and Kuem.

Despite being seated at separate tables, the two are close enough that conversations can be carried between both. Additionally, Zhen and Katakuri are seated in such a way that they can see each other [i]and[/i]... Katakuri would be within arms reach of Zhen's husband.

As others arrive, your characters will be free to interact with any one they please. Of the prominent characters, some are open to visual and creative interpretation. The new NPCs that are off limits include, Xuoshi, Zolta, Butakha, both Chengs and Xu. If preferred, your character may also move around the ballroom to create interactions elsewhere. There are a number of food stations around the room, restrooms to the Northeast and west and the stage up front.

The mission from HQ is less of a mission and more of an opportunity to gather information about the more powerful families in the Upper Ring. Allegiances could be changing and some people may need to be dealt with in the future. Neither agent in the palace is authorized to take a life as LSF.[/color][/cell][/row][/table]