[color=bfbfbf][sub][table= //////= POST DESIGN v1=\\\\\\][row][sub][sub][sub][sub][sub][img]https://i.imgur.com/TDLlqyY.png[/img][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/sub][/row][row][cell][sup][img]https://i.imgur.com/cBK64s1.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[/color]Palace   ·   An LSF Collaboration[/center][/sub][/center][/color][quote][color=2e2c2c]____________________________________________________________________________.[/color]
[color=9f9f9f][sub][sub][u][b][color=a4c2f4]Fiber   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
Taiichi Sato was staring across the table, looking as Kata walked into the distance, trying to process what just happened.  He said

[color=white]“I wanted to say something but I didn’t think he’d react like that.”[/color]

Zhen said

[color=white]“Kata hides it, but he is prone to bouts of burning emotion. He tries to keep it under control, I don’t hold these outbursts against him.”[/color]

After that Xiaoxu began to speak, doing his best to sound gracious, but coming off in a tone that had a layer of artifice to it

[color=white]“Truly regrettable. He may have some strong feelings but that doesn’t entitle him to blow up like that. I’m sure he’s not the only one going through a difficult time right now, Miss Tamura. Talking about difficult subjects and relationships is always a better approach than bottling it up, lest we become like Mr Soran. I hope Miss Tamura and everyone else at the table knows that I’m always willing to lend an ear and help people through trying times.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=d5a6bd]canaryrose   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
An paused for a moment, trying to process what Xiaoxu had said. What? Why on Earth was he saying her name so damn much? [color=bcc7cc]“... Erm. Thank you?”[/color] She side-eyed him. What was this guy’s deal? Again, she tried to ignore Lani. 

[color=bcc7cc]“Well, that’s tragic. I hope he gets over his… issues.”[/color] Her eyes flicked towards the balcony, where she had seen him go. Really, she did hate men like that. Entitled. Intimidating. They thought they could get respect because they were larger, physically imposing.
[sub][sub][u][b][color=a4c2f4]Fiber   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
Xiaoxu felt he had been doing well so far, so he continued on, saying

[color=white]“Some people get over their issues, but it takes honesty. When someone hides too much it takes a toll, they can have trouble forming healthy relationships. Even if one partner is trying to make it work, even going so far to make sure none of the problems reach the public eye, the unstable foundation will show its cracks eventually.”[/color]
Zhen was able to maintain a straight face through all of this only through years of practice.
[sub][sub][u][b][color=d5a6bd]canaryrose   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
Oh, An knew exactly what Xiaoxu was hinting at. He had been trying to hint at it the entire time, but he was so bad at this that it made her almost want to laugh. Implying that her and Chu had an unhealthy relationship? It was laughable. [color=bcc7cc]“I’m sorry… what? I think Mr. Soran’s a widower, unless I’m mistaken and his dead wife is very much alive.”[/color] She chuckled at her own joke.
[sub][sub][u][b][color=a4c2f4]Fiber   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
Xiaoxu felt there was no more time to beat around the bush. He continued on ignoring An’s joke and said.
[color=white]“Oh, I wasn’t talking about Mr. Soran, though I see how someone could be confused. I’m sure I’m not the only one thinking this but, no matter how good it looked at first, and well, I’m not usually as blunt as some at the table, but Chu was”[/color] he whispered the next two words [color=white]”A firebender. That’s public knowledge now, but it doesn’t have to be the whole story. Anything else, anything that you’ve been keeping, you can share now, even if it hurts to say. It’s alright; we’re all here for you.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=d5a6bd]canaryrose   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
Ah. Here it was- the “big reveal”. Lani had technically already said it, but Soran’s freakout had distracted everyone from the truth. She found a deep blush coming over her cheeks as she received several stares. Flustered, she immediately took a long drink of her wine. She needed to stay sober, but it was convenient for pauses.
Vyska and her had discussed this. Her official directive was to seem like she hated Chu as much as possible. She [i]hated[/i] that, because it wasn’t true. Her fiancee was gentle and kind, the sort of woman who never would’ve willingly hurt another. The sort of woman who never would’ve even made an unkind comment to the woman she loved without immediately apologizing. An felt that ache of missing her intensify as a dark look grew across her face. Quickly, she schooled herself into a look of neutrality again. She needed to keep her composure. This man sure was fucking annoying.

[color=bcc7cc]“Lani already said that,”[/color] An pointed out, almost petulantly. [color=bcc7cc]“It’s… true, yes. Mortifying and upsetting, but true. I was supposed to get married to her next week. Before… well. I’ll spare everyone the rest and I don’t want to talk about it. It’s still a fresh wound. Thank you for bringing very fresh, very painful memories to the forefront, Mr. Zhang, even if it was already quite obvious. I [i]really[/i] appreciate it.”[/color] This was said venomously, angrily. An looked away, anywhere except the people around her. Her eyes found a painting on the wall. Despite herself, she looked quite upset. 

She just couldn’t do it. She was a gifted liar, it was true, but she couldn’t lie about Chu. Not about [i]that[/i]. It was too much. To go through with their plan… it made her stomach flip. Maybe if her life was on the line.
[sub][sub][u][b][color=a4c2f4]Fiber   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
There was silence and a round of uncomfortable stares. Zhen was the first to break it. She said [color=white]“I am truly sorry for all that you’ve been through and I think we all owe it to you to allow you some peace and privacy. Excuse me, I’ll be right back.”[/color] As she got up she shot a nasty look towards Xiaoxu and headed in the direction of the restrooms, which also happened to be close to where Kata had stepped out to take a smoke. Before she had left table, Xiaoxu started talking again, rapidly this time, clearly a hint of nervousness in his voice.

[i]No, listen, I’ve got this, I just need them to listen to me.[/i]

[color=white]“Well, uhhh, I’m sorry to bring that up. Well, I didn’t want to force you to talk about anything painful, but just, y’know I was thinking logically, are you gonna fault me for that? I’m sorry, it’s just the way my brain works, I’m based on logic, and I’ve read a lot about these things, you know a lot of my most cited papers are about issues like the link between bending and crime. I mean, have any of you seen the statistics? Especially for Firebenders, they’re sky high, and I’m told some psychologists have found some parts of their brains develop differently, like they’re evolved for aggression. That’s why there are animals like that one who killed Kata’s wife around, their brains are built that way. Look, if you do the research like I did you’d know. And y’know, you don’t even have to read the stats, just look at the history, what benders did, even stuff about Benders and how they view non-benders in relationships. Anyone remember the stories about Korra and Asami? Taiichi’s sitting right here, I’m sure he can tell them.”[/color]

Taiichi, who had been silently staring, said

[color=white]“What are you saying about my Great, Great, Great Grandmothers?”[/color]

[color=white]“Just the standard stuff, doesn’t everyone know about it? How Korra was abusive, controlling, she saw herself as inherently better, how Asami suffered for years but never got out?”[/color]

Taiichi grew insistent

[color=white]“The situation is much, much more complicated than you’re making it sound and I don’t appreciate you dredging up my family history to score some points after making an ass of yourself.”[/color]

[color=white]“Oh I’m sorry, guess I forgot which branch of the Sato family you’re from, sorry I don’t know every little detail of your family saga.”[/color]

[color=white]“Are the ideas of owning up to your mistakes or saying anything that isn’t part of ‘winning’ the conversation alien to you? Of course, you’re a guy who thinks someone who wrote a symbolic logic textbook can’t put two and two together about the purpose of all your trips that somehow end at the monorail stop outside the Drunken Honeybee.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=bca346]Exit   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[color=bca346]”What’s the Drunken Honeybee?”[/color] Vyska asked.
[sub][sub][u][b][color=d5a6bd]canaryrose   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[color=bcc7cc] “A brothel in the Lower Ring. Popular among elite men who like to have sex with prostitutes rather than their own wives. You wouldn’t know anything about it, Vyska, and only I know because it was popular among some of my least favorite classmates. I suppose healthy relationships are difficult to come by at this table?”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=bca346]Exit   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[color=white]”I wonder if that is where my brother is right now. The Drunken Honeybee.”[/color] Kaye finally said after having sat in silence. The laugh she gave felt half forced. [color=bca346]”I could almost be happy about that.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=a4c2f4]Fiber   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
Xiaoxu was fuming now, no one was spared. He said
[color=white]“I can’t help it. Some people at this table have a habit of spreading false rumors about my marriage in between their passions of getting divorced again and firing their own kids from jobs with the team they own. Maybe if they spent more time working on theirs they wouldn’t feel the need to tear down everyone else.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=bca346]Exit   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
Lani’s eyes snapped to Xiaoxu. [color=white]”Nobody in this life gets a free pass, dear. Not my kids, not my ex husbands, not even you. If they couldn’t cut it then they weren’t where they belonged. It’s a sad truth but it’s why there is only one seat to my name… and why your seat says ‘Lun’.”[/color]

Vyska’s eyes widened, the edges of her lip quivering as she struggled to stifle her laugh.
[sub][sub][u][b][color=d5a6bd]canaryrose   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
An couldn’t help it. She laughed, a real laugh, grinning. Her blood was boiling, but God did this asshole deserve it.[/color][/quote]
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[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 Balcony   ·   |@Katakuri][/color]Palace Balcony   ·   [@Katakuri][/center][/sub][/center][/color][quote][color=2e2c2c]____________________________________________________________________________.[/color]
[color=9f9f9f]Soran could not spot a functioning bar or a waiter with an alcohol tray within arms reach of him, so he decided to travel down one of the many halls of the building and he went to find himself a balcony or some sort of access to fresh air. He needed fresh air and he wasn’t going back to the Gala any time soon. [i]He hated these events… he hated most upper ring events[/i]. They only reminded him of his suffering and he took out a smoke from the inside of his coat pocket. There was that one person each and every time: [i]sorry she passed. How are you doing? If you need anything…[/i] all bullshit. 

Lifting the stick up to his mouth, he hit it hard and only began this bad habit after Eko left this world. The balcony doors were slightly left open to the balcony, so he could have a bit more light outside. Going over to the edge of the balcony and resting on the railing, as he allowed the cigarillo to rest weakly between his fingers. Glancing up to the skies, he was trying to cool off from getting so hyped up. Beginning to whisper to himself, he was picking out the astrological signs from the darkness overhead and the other important figures. The cooling air felt great on his overheated skin, it was relaxing. This meant he was hot to the touch, so he needed to cool down before going back to the party.

Soran noticed the cigarillo died quickly, it was practically gone, and he felt like he wasn’t out there that long. Dabbing it out on the stone railing.  [i]This sucked…[/i] as he flicked the butt of the smoke off of the balcony. He knew that he had to go back into the Gala, so he glanced over his shoulder at the faint light coming from the windows and cracks in the doors that he came from. [color=9e0039]"You could always smoke another."[/color] he was trying to talk himself into staying on the balcony longer, but he decided to stand up instead. Walking over to the exit of the balcony and making his way down the hall.

After his cooling off session, his expression was blank as he reentered the main area of the gala with all of the people. His table seemed to be practically empty when it came to guests, people must be socializing. Then his eyes roamed over to where Moon, Tamura, Lun, and others were. Everyone at that table had some type of negative expression and it looked like Zhen’s husband was not going to stop talking any time soon. Katakuri was considering going back out on the balcony for another smoke to ignore whatever was happening. Taking a look back to where outside was. He was really considering it. 

Sighing and running a hand through his short hair, he went over to his chair and dragged it out. Taking a seat and trying to mind his own business. A waiter came back with a tray of food, little appetizers, so he grabbed a few to snack on, in the meantime. Only consuming alcohol and nicotine was probably not going to be good by the end of the night. They were hamrolls and they tasted pretty good.[/color][/quote]
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[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[/color]Palace   ·   An LSF Collaboration[/center][/sub][/center][/color][quote][color=2e2c2c]____________________________________________________________________________.[/color]
[color=9f9f9f][sub][sub][u][b][color=a4c2f4]Fiber   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
Taiichi grinned at Kata as he returned to the table. He said
[color=white]“Welcome back Kata you missed… a lot. Professor Zhang here has been teaching a masterclass on socializing, though I think we might be learning a different lesson from what he’s intending to teach. “
“I was just trying to help An. I don’t know why everyone is blaming me, I wasn’t the one who set her off in the first place.”[/color] Xiaoxu said, clearly looking towards Kata.
[sub][sub][u][b][color=ea9999]Katakuri   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
Only noticing the grinning face of Taiichi when they referred to him, he wanted to make himself smaller. He was having second thoughts on not taking out another smoke and coming back inside. Listening to the other, he sighed, [color=9e0039]"Why am I not surprised?"[/color] this was a rhetorical question from Soran. Glancing around for a moment, he noticed there was not a tray of alcohol within a comfortable range, so he sat up in his chair and listened to Xiaoxu. His expression was blank when the married man was spewing whatever he was thinking out of his mouth. This man was like a nuclear bomb, ready to go off, and was his own weapon of mass destruction… [i]to himself…[/i]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=d5a6bd]canaryrose   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[color=bcc7cc]“Can you not shut up?”[/color] she finally snapped. [color=bcc7cc]“I already made my feelings clear on this topic, I don’t want your help or your opinions. It would be respectful of you to get off of the subject before you manage to anger everyone at the table.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=bca346]Exit   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
Vyska couldn't understand it. Some interest was expected, but the man was targeted with his questions, almost worse than Katakuri had been. This was the second time he'd referred to the woman when addressing someone else. [color=bca346]"Why are we so interested in how she is feeling right now?"[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=ea9999]Katakuri   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
Soran thought about what Xiaoxu said. Him being the one to set An off, and he stared at the other man. Exhaling sharply, [color=9e0039]"You really love to hear yourself talk don’t you?"[/color] he wasn’t really wanting an answer from Xiaoxu, but he might have wanted to drive the man up the wall, so he continued, [color=9e0039]"I don’t know how anyone can truly listen to you, especially your wife. She is so intelligent and then…[/color]” he trailed off with a smirk, [color=9e0039]“...and you just don’t have the mind to understand anything."[/color] Katakuri sat there staring. He wasn’t breaking his eyes from Xiaoxu until a waitress came by. Offering more hamrolls, he took a few with a pleasant smile, [color=9e0039]"Thank you,"[/color] he stopped paying attention to the older man. Putting one in his mouth and enjoying it.
[sub][sub][u][b][color=a4c2f4]Fiber   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
An’s and Vyska's words were completely ignored by Xiaoxu, he was only focused on Kata. Now bristling with rage and forcing every word out of his mouth, he said [color=white]“Keep my wife out of this, if you’ve got a problem with me then you settle it with me, like a real man does, that’s how it works, in case you forgot. It’s real funny hearing you talk about understanding, talk about intelligence when you look at how you got where you are. Zhen and I worked for what we got, I’d fall asleep at the cram school, walk to class in shoes that were worn through because I needed the money for textbooks, stay up working so many nights I started to hallucinate, but what about you? Everything you ever got in life has been given to you, everything you’ve ever accomplished in life is worth less than what your name has given to you for free. The Soran name is worth billions and billions, but your life literally is as valuable as a summer ant.  Your life is nothing, you serve zero purpose. If you want to settle this like men, I’ll be seeing you outside. Unless the thought having to do something with your hands makes you cower in fear, rich boy.”[/color]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=ea9999]Katakuri   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
Soran relaxed back in his chair and listened to Xiaoxu spit out the words, attempting to insult him, and his smirk grew into a smile. That smile grew into a grin before he managed to force his expression down to a blank one. He wanted to laugh at the man’s words. This is exactly what Katakuri wanted from Xiaoxu.[color=9e0039]"I would agree with you on your words, but we both would be wrong if I did that."[/color] 

After being requested to go outside with Xiaoxu, he stood up without any hesitation, [color=9e0039]"In the land of the witless you would be king, so lead the way your [i]majesty[/i]."[/color] gesturing towards the front doors. He was eager to see if Xiaoxu would be willing to actually go outside with him.
[sub][sub][u][b][color=a4c2f4]Fiber   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
XIaoxu shot up out his chair and slammed it back in, the table, then pointed abruptly to the door to the balcony without a word. He was ready to go.
[sub][sub][u][b][color=d5a6bd]canaryrose   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
An simply stared in disbelief for a moment before laughing. They couldn’t seriously intend to fight! But they were standing, fury on their faces, and she realized that these two men really were going to fight. At the royal palace. At an official function. She gaped, and then smirked. [color=bcc7cc]“You two are making fools of yourselves,”[/color] she said. [color=bcc7cc]“And here I thought law professors and bankers were supposed to be sensible. Not [i]aggressive[/i].”[/color] She couldn’t help herself from insulting them- she felt vindicated. And maybe a little tipsy. [i]Men.[/i]
[sub][sub][u][b][color=gold]FunnyGuy   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[Color=gold]“I'd say that's enough!”[/color] The deep authoritative boom of a voice Tao Xu, Director of the Republic Security Force shot out toward Xiaoxu and Katakuri. His entrance pulled the attention in the room toward himself, something he hadn't wanted from so many. Just to those who needed to be reminded of the order that would be enforced when [I]he[/I] desired it. 

The stern expression he gave them was enough of a warning but Director Xu couldn't always be certain with [I]these[/I] types. There was a slight upturn upon his lips and his hardened expression soften just a tinge. 

[Color=gold]“As entertaining as it might be to watch you two flail on the balcony,”[/color] and just as easily, his face became serious again. [Color=gold]“It would be a shame for the ‘Commander’ of the RSF to have to arrest two men of your stature for disorderly conduct. The gala has barely started. We can control ourselves and behave, yes? Right?”[/color] He was now addressing everyone in the room, his eyes scanning across both familiar and unfamiliar faces. He didn't expect an answer, knowing it was in everyone's best interest to de-escalate whatever tension was building, even if that meant forcing that de-escalation. As present as the tension still was, Director Xu would ensure that [I]tension[/I] was all it would ever be.

Then the nice lady can come in. Yin and Yang.
[sub][sub][u][b][color=d9ead3]dreamingflowers   [/color][/b][/u][/sub][/sub]
[color=white]"Miss Cheng...can we go get some snacks before we sit?"[/color]

Lana looked down at the boy who tried his best not to step on her [url=https://i.pinimg.com/564x/be/e5/d6/bee5d6923b3be632e319ee9e353ec0b0.jpg]dress[/url] while they maneuvered themselves through the spacious hall. She squeezed his hand softly.

[color=d9ead3]"Of course, Chey."[/color] He visibly cheered when Lana agreed to his plan. This was the first time he'd been to a party like this, or any party really. He'd been dreaming about it for almost two weeks, after Lana asked him to accompany her. The preparations were a lot of fun. They went to a tailor who made him the most beautiful set of clothes he'd ever owned. He wore them with pride. 

They got to one of the decadent banquet tables. They browsed for a while. The spread of sweet to savory was incredible. There were things Chey had never seen before, let alone tasted. Lana was carrying him and he was holding a precious china plate. He clutched it tightly in his hands. Eventually they got a selection together. Lana made sure they brought some for the guests they'd be joining at their shared table. 

Lana sensed tention as they approached and her mood shifted. Chey was still chattering away oblivious. She shushed him. She tried to get a read on the situation. 
[color=d9ead3]"Good evening everyone."[/color] The banker's wife attempted to diffuse to tension by having Chey cheerfully offer everyone a refreshment. They seated themselves at the table, Lana sitting Chey on her lap.[/color][/quote]
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