[color=bfbfbf][sub][table= //////= POST DESIGN v1=\\\\\\][row][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][img]https://i.imgur.com/S3G8b59.png[/img][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/row][row][cell][sup][img]https://i.imgur.com/5NQnVK3.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   ·   An LSF Collaboration   ·   Part One[/color]Palace   ·   An LSF Collaboration   ·   Part One[/center][/sub][/center][/color][quote][color=2e2c2c]____________________________________________________________________________.[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=a4c2f4]Fiber   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[color=9f9f9f]Both Zhen and XIaoxu took their time upon entering the gala. The slow pace allowed them to be seen in public, noticed by the important and also to absorb the information about who was sitting where. Each of them were dressed to the nines, Zhen in a slender black dress paired with a white coat and a smattering of jewelry, and Xiaoxu in a sharp white suit, clean and impeccably tailored. Finding their seat reminded Xiaoxu of the unfortunate error on the seating chart, listing him as merely Zhen’s plus one rather than granting him own seat. The conversation had already started when they sat down, and they came just as they heard Kaye refer to “Professor Lun and her husband”. Internally, Xiaoxu wanted to shout at her. Both of them were full professors, and he was not just any professor, but the 11th most cited legal scholar of all time. While he was distracted and fuming, Zhen started a conversation.

[color=white]“Kaye, so nice to see you! I’m sorry to hear about your brother, I can only hope he will be found safe soon, moments like these remind us how the incident at the storage facility has taken a toll on all of us. I hope you’ve managing to recover well, I wanted to tell you about a monumental project that involved collaboration with some researchers from your R&D Department that my colleagues and I have just finished. The preprint of the paper was just published, the title is Pleasure and Pain Quantified: Population-scale Hedonic Calculus via Brain Computer Interface and Deep Reinforcement Learning. It was a true interdisciplinary effort. I worked with the best of the Neuroscience and Computer Science departments at the university, along with some researchers outside the academic world. The Ethics board was annoyingly persistent in their efforts to hamstring this research, but I think this will be the cornerstone of some truly great things in the future. I also must thank the Sato and Moon families for their generous grants, those also aided this greatly.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=bca346]Exit   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[color=white]”I appreciate it, Doctor Lin.”[/color] Kaye said. [color=white]”My family is holding out hope that he’ll turn up soon. I’m optimistic…”[/color] The blue in her eyes seemed to dull a bit. [color=white]”My brother is known to be quite resourceful, although I fear at times his thirst for knowledge and passion for what he does sometimes drowns out his reason. He can be very hands-on if given the opportunity. Putting himself in unnecessarily risky situations.”[/color] Her eyes flashed to Vyska. [color=white]”It’s true that the explosion has affected us all but I am glad we can still find moments like this.”[/color] She gestured back to Zhen. [color=white]”Such as helping each other continue to make discoveries like this. I’m thoroughly looking forward to reading the paper.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=a4c2f4]Fiber   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[color=white]“Sorry if I was grim earlier, I have no doubt you brother is quite capable. I think it might be because the university has seen too many lost too young this past week. I remember one, Huanyan. She was only in her first year and already showing remarkable potential, I was looking forward to mentoring her until she met a tragic end. It saddens me to see and I’m going to personally petition the department to award her posthumous degree, it’s a simple gesture but I feel anything we can do in this trying time will help.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=bca346]Exit   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[color=white]”That’s very kind of you.”[/color] Kaye said.

[color=bca346]”I like to think it’s those gestures that make the difference. Money can only get one so far if the heart isn’t in the right place. It’s why we’re only too happy to fund your research. Advances like the ones you and the Xuoshi’s have discovered are necessary for a better tomorrow.”[/color] Vyska added. [color=bca346]”But besides all of that, It’s a pleasure to see you again. I know last time we met I was little more than a girl in my father’s shadow but he’s shown me much and taught me more. He’s been a huge fan of you and I look to continue as he did, funding your work in the future.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=a4c2f4]Fiber   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[color=white]“I am honored to hear that, Vyska. Your father is a true giant, a man of character whose donations have the whole city owing him a debt of gratitude. I don’t know if the Doing What We Can Foundation would exist without him, and it certainly wouldn’t have raised billions without people like the Moons. I have no doubt you’ll continue his legacy and improve countless lives.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=bca346]Exit   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
Vyska turned to An. [color=bca346]”Doctor Lun, the woman seated next to me is none other than An Tamura. Director of Operations at SynEn. An, Doctor Lun here is a professor at the University of Ba Sing Se. You might know her? And this is Professor Zhang. The man next to him is Taiichi Sato.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=a4c2f4]Fiber   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
During the conversation, Taiichi Sato was listening, not entirely comfortable enough to chime in. It didn’t help that he was watching his phone, trying to see if the energy shortage would interrupt the production line or not. Whoever worked in operations at Future Industries always had to be ready to drop everything and get to work solving production problems, even if they were a C-level executive and at the royal gala like Taiichi was. Not being willing to get your hands dirty wasn’t the Sato way. He looked up briefly to say 

[color=white]“Nice to meet you, An. Welcome to the Gala, I promise it’s more boring than the tabloids make it seem.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=d5a6bd]canaryrose   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[color=bcc7cc]“Very pleased to meet you,”[/color] An said to them both, smoothly extending her hand with a smile. Privately, she wanted to roll her eyes at how Vyska had introduced her, but she kept it to herself. What was this girl doing? She turned to Zhen. [color=bcc7cc]“You look too young to have taught me when I was there, but I graduated from the University of Ba Sing Se… six years ago, now? Your paper sounds intriguing. If I ever have the time, I might read it- but I have to admit I’m a bit more of a… paper-pushing girl these days. You’re a professor of… philosophy? And you, Dr. Zhang? I’m sorry to say I’m not very familiar with the faculty these days, but your name, Dr. Lun, has at least reached me. In the news and such.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=a4c2f4]Fiber   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[color=white]“I believe I was at the university when you were there, although my teaching load was sporadic at times. The research projects I was part of consumed a lot of energy, as did launching the foundation. I only got a more regular teaching schedule when I became a tenured professor, that was seven years ago. Of course, if your expertise is in Synergy that is a subject somewhat removed from philosophy, I know several professors from the hard sciences who never even set foot in the Philosophy department’s building, treating it as though it were haunted ground.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=d5a6bd]canaryrose   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
An chuckled good-naturedly at Zhen’s comment and took a sip of her wine. [color=bcc7cc]“Don’t worry, I’m no scientist, even though Vyska likes to talk me up. I was actually a mathematics major, which is… probably not much better in your eyes, if I think about it. I mostly learned about synergy through my work, and I do know quite a bit about it but I also have many actual scientists under my employ who know more. Like I said, I’m a pencil-pusher and a manager, among other things. I won’t bore the whole table with the technical details.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=a4c2f4]Fiber   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
When she was done, Xiaoxu saw an opening. He tried to sound casual, almost a little folksy when he spoke.
[color=white]“Oh Miss Tamura, you can call me Xiaoxu, I’m a law professor, we don’t do that doctor stuff. I’m just a kid from the middle ring who studied way too much and wrote some law journal articles people thought were pretty nice, somehow I ended up the eleventh most cited legal scholar of all time. Can’t complain, I’m just happy to be here with all of these incredible people and married to such a beautiful and intelligent woman. I heard about what’s happened this week, it’s hard not to, but I couldn’t help but think about how you’re been feeling, An. With all that’s been going on I’m sure it hasn’t been easy to talk about your experiences.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=d5a6bd]canaryrose   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
She blinked at Xiaoxu’s comments, a bit confused… and then nervous. Damnit. He was hinting at knowing about hera dn Chu. It wasn’t exactly a very well-kept secret, but… she simply looked at him for a moment, before smoothly saying, [color=bcc7cc]“Well, it’s been a difficult few days for everyone. I’m not sure what you’re talking about, I’ve definitely been under a lot of pressure at work, but it doesn’t compare at all to what Vyska and especially Kaye went through during the explosion. So many people are dead or missing, chaos is still reigning with over half the city without power, and we still don’t know the cause of why all this happened. Excluding the obvious. I, for one, would like to find out why. I know a lot of people are working on it, but I’m anxious to find out. Aren’t you?”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=bca346]Exit   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
Kaye chimed in next. [color=white]”I think what we really want to know is how long we have until we run out of power? You’ve diverted energy to our production facilities, as I’m sure you have to Sato…”[/color] She gestured toward him. [color=white]“But eventually, it will not be enough. Not until the pipe is repaired. I imagine balancing power distribution with the ramifications of cutting power to others is no easy task.”[/color]

[color=bca346]”If it eases some concern, reports from our plant say that they were not similarly affected the way we were here. No loss of life. No appearance of… Benders. All hands [i]are[/i] available and repairs are happening apace. Completion is projected within the next few days. Repairs to the pipe will take a little longer. A week at the least, but we have reserve energy for exactly these type of emergency situations.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=d5a6bd]canaryrose   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[color=bcc7cc] “If you’d like to know more about the power situation in the city,”[/color] An chimed in after Vyska, leaning forward to face Kaye, [color=bcc7cc] “you should schedule a meeting with Vyska and me. I can tell you all about my distribution methodology. We’re trying to prioritize right now. It’s certainly not easy, but rest assured that we won’t run out of power any time soon if we use it wisely. We have other supplemental power sources and plenty of reserves.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=bca346]Exit   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[color=white]"I think I might do that. There [i]are[/i] a few things I'd like to talk to you both about actually."[/color] Kaye was once again staring at Vyska.
[sub][sub][u][b][color=ea9999]Katakuri   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
At the designated table, Katakuri Soran glanced when he heard his name called out by a familiar voice in the room. First glance, he recognized who it was: Lani. Another prominent figure of the upper ring, and he put on a slight smile instantly within making eye contact. [color=9e0039]”Why would I bring a plus one when I know I was going to surely see you here?”[/color] This question was more of a statement, but he purposefully let it linger in case she wanted to fire anything back. 

Deciding to close the space in between them, he approached her, and noticed the wine glass which was hugged to her chest. Bowing in respect, [color=9e0039]”I didn’t recognize you at first. I was almost disappointed when I thought you sent your daughter in your place tonight. Are you already enjoying yourself?”[/color] Katakuri’s words were spoken with a silver tongue. A waiter walked by, giving Soran a chance to snag a glass for himself. Taking a sip, he gestured to Lani.
[sub][sub][u][b][color=bca346]Exit   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[color=white]”As best as one can surrounded by present company…”[/color] Lani began with no regard to those around her. Kaye rolled her eyes. [color=white]”...although the night is improving by the minute.”[/color] Lani looked Katakuri up and down momentarily before she gestured with a hand toward An.

[color=white]”Have you met a Tamura?”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=ea9999]Katakuri   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
Katakuri couldn’t help the small laugh slip from his lips, [color=9e0039]”I know what you mean,”[/color] his words were soft and maybe lower in volume than usual. There was one reason he was at the gala tonight, and that was to keep his only child safe. The LSF requested that he be here which meant his father wouldn’t be, and his father would have complained till he left the house in his place. 

Watching the other’s eyes trace his figure, he smirked, and allowed his eyes to follow the older woman’s hand to a smaller figure. A woman with long raven black hair and dark eyes, his fading away from emotion. Approaching, slowly and gently, [color=9e0039]”I do not think I haven,”[/color] he knew this face. The face of a significant other of a famous athlete that recently set themselves and a whole stadium on fire. He wouldn’t have been able to do it better himself, but he was keeping shady comments to himself tonight. [color=9e0039]”It’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Tamura. I’m Katakuri Soran.”[/color] his words leaked with mystery along with a sudden change of tone. A tone that was professional and impersonal. One that said, I do not care to get to know you, but I will be nice anyways. His eyes focused on hers, as if he was trying to read her or was he looking right through her? Dark eyes traveled to meet who she was near, Miss Moon. Then he lost interest and took a sip of his drink.
[sub][sub][u][b][color=d5a6bd]canaryrose   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[color=bcc7cc]“Nice to meet you, Mr. Soran. I’m [i]An[/i] Tamura. I’m the Director of Operations at Syn-En.”[/color] An met his cool, disdainful stare with one of her own, one that was almost meaner. [i]I dare you,[/i] it said. She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. The man in front of her felt threatening, almost analyzing, but An was sure it was because of his height and the way he looked at her like she was simply dirt on his shoe.
[sub][sub][u][b][color=ea9999]Katakuri   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
Katakuri Soran took note of An introducing herself with such a title: [i]Director of Operations at Syn-En.[/i] Raising a brow at the thought, why would someone like the Moons keep this individual under their employment? Didn’t her fiance almost burn down a whole stadium with handfuls of people in it.
[sub][sub][u][b][color=d5a6bd]canaryrose   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
As for Lani… An simply let the comment slide off of her like water. She didn’t even look at Lani, didn’t indicate she had heard her. Frankly, she didn’t give a shit what Lani Butakha thought of her family. It made her a bit annoyed, sure, but it didn’t anger her. They had been ignored for years. Honestly, An took a sort of delight in the fact that her mother and father had fallen so far in society. She didn’t care. Plus, An pettily thought being ignored completely would spite the woman more than responding. She took a sip of her own wine and wished she could take shots in respectable company. 

[color=bcc7cc]“I assume you’ve met Vyska, Mr. Soran?”[/color] She gestured to her boss, resting a hand on her shoulder.
[sub][sub][u][b][color=ea9999]Katakuri   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[color=9e0039]”I do not think I have met Vyska Moon before,”[/color] he bowed his head in respect to both of the women. 

[color=9e0039]”I’m Katakuri Soran. It’s a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Miss Moon.”[/color] Taking the last sip of his drink and setting it down on a server tray that was gliding by, he had to ask, [color=9e0039]”I have to ask. How does a family like yours keep someone linked to such a devastating occurrence under their employment?”[/color] his voice was filled with curiosity while he glanced over to An. This look that An got from him was not the harsh one upon meeting, it was gentle, almost connected to a feeling of pity. It was the opposite of what he was asking her boss. His words might have been accusing, but he couldn’t help showing how he actually felt in his eyes: he felt bad for everyone that burst into flames or uncontrollable conditions because of the explosion. It was saddening that so many lives were ruined
[sub][sub][u][b][color=bca346]Exit   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[color=bca346]”Miss Tamura is the only one keeping the devastation spreading to the other rings by keeping the power on…”[/color] Vyska stood again. [color=bca346]”...and the fuel in your car. And keeping your house warm at night for… guests. She understands the grid better than anyone in the city and without her, well… frankly, Benders would be the least of our problems. That is why she is here tonight, Mr. Soran. Why we’re lucky to have her at SynEn. So we can gather like this and enjoy conversation with such pleasant company.”[/color] Vyska extended a hand at the man.

[color=bca346]”It’s nice to finally meet. My father has told me much about the Soran family… and about what happened. It’s good to see you were able to move on.”[/color] She then turned to An. [color=bca346]”As I understand it, Katakuri is the COO of Soran Enterprises. The life blood of the city’s economy dealing in finance and automatic banking.”[/color] 

[color=white]”That’s riiight…”[/color] Came Lani, finally peeling her focus away from Katakuri and turning to An with sudden interest. There was some light in her eyes as if a fog had been lifted off her ignorance. [color=white]”The Hua girl was… you were engaged to be married to that Firebender!”[/color] Although her voice was raised, it was not quite loud enough to reach the other tables.

[color=bca346][i]...Oh you fucking bitch...[/i][/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=ea9999]Katakuri   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
Katakuri titled his head and chuckled at how Vyska took him, [color=9e0039]”I think you understood me all wrong, do not get defensive, because I do appreciate your [i]associate[/i].”[/color] shrugging his shoulders. He was only curious as to why An Tamura was in such a place and he had to guess, she didn’t like attention on how she pushed him off onto her boss. [color=9e0039]”I think your and my definition of enjoyment are different, Miss Moon. I do not care to dress up all prettily for people to look at me like a doll.”[/color] 

He seemed to completely change when his deceased fiance was brought up, anyone could tell he lost his cool when Vyska’s comment about him moving on was vocalized. His eyes lost all light and emotion. He was chewing on his cheek and he was projecting a dark atmosphere around him now. [color=9e0039]”It’s not moving on when your significant other is [i]brutally[/i] killed by a fire bender, Miss Moon. Maybe you should learn how to think before you talk, not the brightest moon out there, are you?”[/color] Katakuri was staring at Vyska. He was clearly pissed off. Everyone that knew Katakuri, knew that he was extremely sensitive about Eko being brought up. With this, he decided it was better if he found better company or a bar. A bar would be so much better.
[sub][sub][u][b][color=d5a6bd]canaryrose   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
An took a long sip of her wine. Then another. And another. Pretty soon, she had finished her first glass and had moved onto her second. She was trying to avoid talking about Chu for as long as possible- and drinking had allowed her to let Katakuri go on a long, glorious rant, drawing the attention off of her. A thick blush had settled on her cheeks and a rage had grown in her chest. What a fucking dumpster fire. Everyone looked mad and was either staring at Katakuri or her. 

[color=bcc7cc]“How dare you call her [i]stupid[/i]?”[/color] An snapped, drawing up a false indignancy. She stood. [color=bcc7cc] “You know nothing about her, Mr. Soran, and I’d advise you to watch your tone. She’s… what, 7 years your junior and has earned the equivalent of your position in that time? I’m sorry about your late wife, I [i]really[/i] am, but you shouldn’t be so rude.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=bca346]Exit   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
Vyska continued to smile as Katakuri's poise collapsed and he began to berate her. It took some effort but she refused to show any emotional change during the short exchange, instead opting to keep to the professional outward appearance she’d been trained to hold. However, when she did break, it wasn’t because of what he was saying or how he was saying it, it was An. She’d stood up and defended her honor and out of surprise, her smile dropped and she turned to the other woman. With the way they were seated, An couldn’t see her and when An stood, she’d inadvertently placed herself between Vyska and Katakuri. Vyska’s surprise was visible only to a few and only grew more obvious when An refused to give the man any ground as he leaned into her space. It was impressive to say the least, especially when considering it was her first time surrounded by people very clearly more powerful than she was. Katakuri was physically taller, more intimidating looking given his sharper features and was also very rich. Enough money could back any threats given, spoken or otherwise.

What she felt in that moment was fleeting, but she suddenly understood why An was supposed to be married to a world class Stickball player. There hadn’t even been a question in the air and yet she found the answer.

Then she saw the empty wine glass in her hand.
[sub][sub][u][b][color=ea9999]Katakuri   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
Stopping in his tracks, he listened to Miss Tamura get defensive about her boss. [i]Don’t fucking say a thing. Kata. Don’t…[/i] he started repeating those words or similar in his head. [color=9e0039]“[i]Don’t fucking do it,[/i]”[/color] he whispered to hismelf, probably where no one else could hear. 

Katakuri Soran could not help himself, An Tamura kept talking, and he turned right around. Dead stare. He was thinking about what he should and shouldn’t say, he was trying his best to not explode. Walking up to An, he got close, so close that he bent down with a few inches in between their faces. [color=9e0039]”Don’t tell me false apologies, Miss Tamura. I know you and her, do not care,”[/color] he was staring An dead in the eyes, he was trying to keep his cool and not explode on An. An wasn’t the one that brought up Eko and he knew that she didn’t know him at all. [color=9e0039]”There is something you need to know about me, Miss Tamura. When I have someone being rude to me. I do not give a fuck how I am back to them,”[/color] Katakuri stepped away from An, and he glared over at Vyska. 

Instantly, his behavior changed, [color=9e0039]”Good day ladies. [i]It was a pleasure to meet your acquaintances.[/i] I hope you have a wonderful time at the Gala,”[/color] he didn’t care if they began to talk to him again. He stopped listening and walked as far away as he possibly could. He was going to go find a bar or at least another waiter who was carrying around alcohol. He was going to need it to get through this Gala tonight.
[sub][sub][u][b][color=d5a6bd]canaryrose   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
An stared at him dead back, not cowed or cowering. She glowered. When he walked away, though, An had to take a moment to compose herself. For a moment, her hands shook, and her eyes widened with fear. He truly looked like he had been about to kill her. 

[color=bcc7cc]“Well,”[/color] she commented as he walked away, [color=bcc7cc]“Someone has anger issues. Perhaps a therapist is in order? I’m… very sorry you had to see that, Vyska. Some people just can’t hold their alcohol.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=bca346]Exit   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[color=bca346]”It’s fine.”[/color] Vyska had said after Katakuri left the table. [color=bca346]”He’s right. I touched on a sore subject and I shouldn’t have.”[/color] She shook her head. [color=bca346]”My father was always better at this stuff than I was.”[/color] She watched as Katakuri wandered to the bar. [color=bca346]”I should apologize to the man. It wouldn’t do to sour relations with the Soran house because…”[/color] She turned to An and threw her a playful wink. [color=bca346]”... because I don’t like him.”[/color] The last bit was almost whispered but she was sure the other probably overheard, not that it mattered.

[color=white]”I think I like him more.”[/color] Lani muttered.

[color=bca346]”Thank you, by the way.”[/color] She said before gesturing to the empty glass. [color=bca346]”Should… I get you another?”[/color] Before An could answer, she was waving down one of the servers wandering the tables
[sub][sub][u][b][color=d5a6bd]canaryrose   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[color=bcc7cc]“No, no, you don’t have to. Please.”[/color] An waved over the server herself, getting another glass.[/color][/quote]
[/cell][/row][/table][/sub][/color]
[center][sub]Seating Chart[/sub][/center]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/HS8M3CO.jpg[/img]