[hr][hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/FrK2rk0.png[/img][/center][hr][hr][center][h2][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Cc94Knv86w]♫[/url][/h2][/center][hr][hr][center][color=808080][i][b]Present:[/b] Yalen Castel [@pantothenic], Maura Mercador [@Ti], Trypano Somia [@A Lowly Wretch], Ingrid Penderson [@dragonpiece], Niallus Saberhagen [@McKennaJ71], and Abdel Varga [@YummyYummy][/i][/color][/center][hr][hr][color=808080]
Captain Zhao was in his later forties, stiff and stern and not much for pageantry. That appeared to be the purview of one of his lieutenants, a woman named Zihan, who had orchestrated the squadron's entire entrance. The group members were introduced only to those two, the remaining lieutenant - a tall, thin, quiet man designated 'Ming' - and the 'Speaker' of the squad, a small, mousy orderly named 'Shuyuan' who seemed like nothing so much as an alternative version of Xiulan, but drained of all verve and personality. 

[color=a2d39c]"Zere are more,"[/color] Xiulan assured the students, translating the juicier bits for those who could not follow, which was most of them. [color=a2d39c]"Zese White Guads have ze sree extra people in ze group zey not to let us see."[/color] Her voice was almost a conspiratorial whisper, and Kaureerah found herself both amused and subtly impressed with the translator's subversive shift. [color=a2d39c]"At ze top is ze Ghost, who is hide somewhere and have a special magic. Zey are even above ze Captain Zhao if zey meet some emergency."[/color]

Meanwhile, two hooded women had dismounted from the horses, their feet not touching the ground as they floated about the wreckage. Four of the eight basic guards accompanied them. 

[color=a2d39c]"Zey are Watchfurl Eye,"[/color] Xiulan continued, lowering her voice and glancing about warily. [color=a2d39c]"Zey are... I sink you say 'tezered'. Zey to see all sings, from close to far."[/color]

Red Menders and Orange Caps swirled about by now, paying the group of foreigners little heed beyond the occasional curious stolen glance. They talked, though, as they worked: they talked amongst themselves, and it was no stretch to imagine that a lot of people were talking and that the story of what had happened here would spread rapidly. 

[color=a2d39c]"Ze ozer two are Dragon and Clown,"[/color] Xiulan was concluding. [color=a2d39c]"First one is the most strong for when zey need it. Second is ze magic trickster and he can to..."[/color] she trailed off, uncertain of the word for a moment. [color=a2d39c]"Inter-Oh-gat? Inter-Oh-gate?"[/color] She blushed with embarrassment. [color=a2d39c]'Or ze torture."[/color] That word, she was sure and certain on, lips pressed together grimly for a moment.

Horse-drawn wagons and pushcarts were now all about the plaza, as the moons hung in the sky at various stages and heights, and construction teams eagerly set to work, orange-robed mages present to muffle the sounds so that people nearby could sleep. Lieutenants Zihan and Ming moved about the group of students, employing Xiulan and Shuyuan, respectively, in taking statements from the women and the men... respectively. Though the White Knights addressed him with respect and deference, those who paid attention may have noticed that even the Exemplar of Creation and Destruction, Wu Long, was required to provide a report. The process was, in a word, [i]thorough[/i]. By the time that it was finished, it was well into the Hours of Dami, by Constantian reckoning and Wu Long had disappeared.

Captain Zhu did not accompany his charges back to their inn immediately. He was stoic throughout the process, and mostly quiet, hovering close to his men, especially young Peng, who'd very nearly lost his life in the encounter. The Goldcloaks were to first report to the constabulatory for inspection and re-equipping before heading back later.

Xiulan, as well, was quiet when they made it back. She claimed exhaustion and was almost immediately in her room. She tiredly reminded them that she was always ready to help and to call upon her if they needed anything. Yin and her father had laundered any spare clothes, changed the bedsheets, and left pitchers of water and cups on each of the students' nightstands. The former was waiting for them as they arrived, asking Xiulan after Captain Zhu's whereabouts. She bowed softly and led them inside, offering to provide for whatever they might need. 

The eight young foreigners - four boys and four girls - were then left, more or less, to their own devices. There was no guard posted, the city slumbered, and Mr. Wei was nowhere to be seen. Yin was a ghost moving about the halls, sweeping and cleaning and preparing for the day to come. It appeared that they had free rein for the time being. If the question was 'what to do with it?' Kaureerah was the first to answer. She yawned a stretched and paced. [color=DEB887]"Eye heve noo hoope auf sleep,"[/color] she admitted with a snort, [color=DEB887]"end eye mess the wauter soo."[/color] She had already begun walking and politely excused herself. [color=DEB887]"Eye thenk eye shell goo faur e waulk by the daucks."[/color] 

Rikard was next. [color=a187be]"Ditto,"[/color] he agreed, [color=a187be]"but I think I'm going the opposite way: up."[/color] He crossed his arms, tucking his hands under his elbows, and let out a sigh that lingered in the courtyard. He looked a bit agitated. [color=a187be]"Yeah,"[/color] he confirmed. [color=a187be]"There's that pagoda from yesterday I wanna check out, just for the view."[/color] He suited words to action and began walking. That left seven behind - a lucky number in some cultures - and very much to discuss.

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[hider=Action Opportunities][center][h2]Action Opportunities[/h2][/center]
Welcome to chapter four of Metropolis: The Comedown. After the desperate and unexpected struggle of the previous chapter, we now reach the aftermath and there is much to sort through and plan for. This cycle will conclude the night of Sunday, April 30. below are some ideas for what you might want to notice, focus on, or pursue in your posts.
[list][*]Feel free to interact with either Ming or Zihan through the translators. They will be looking for pretty standard witness statements, but if you offer them more, they will respond.
[*]Ming is thorough, incisive, and scientific in his approach. He's socially awkward but quite friendly beneath his professional veneer, and rather interested in your group, your culture, and your methods. That said, he does things fairly by-the-book.
[*]Zihan is intuitive, stylish, and charismatic. She seems very motivated to catch the badguys, and eager to employ you as tools in that pursuit, though not personally invested in you. She may be willing to bend some rules if you can make a compelling offer.
[*]Zhao is a closed book. He is stern, mighty, and exudes authority. He is not to be addressed directly, but through his lieutenants first. He is quite busy directing the entire investigation and coordinating the rebuilding efforts.
[*]You are not to speak to the pair of Watchful Eyes. If you attempt to do so, you will be politely but sternly scolded by the Old Guards and, if you are close to them, the Lieutenants. 
[*]You will need to roll a natural 20 on your first roll (no rerolls) to encounter either the Ghost, Dragon, or Clown. If you succeed, I will need proof and we can collaborate.
[*]If you look closely, you will noticed that Captain Zhu's hands shake a little bit as he grips his staff. He seems pensive and particularly concerned about Peng.
[*]You have been told that you will be brought to the constabulatory tomorrow to follow up with the investigation. 
[*]Wu Long seemed to disappear rather abruptly, and nobody is quite sure when or how. You will need to roll a natural 16+ for more information. 
[*]Yin may be encountered and spoken with if you have some means of understanding her or translating. You can say so on discord and I'll play through the conversation with you.
[*]You may notice quiet noises coming from Xiulan's room in the early hours of the morning if you are nearby and alert.
[*]There [i]is[/i] someone who can repair the disrupting orb, to a degree.
[*]Sweeping the inn for energies may reveal the presence of a child in the other wing, who sometimes appears to be tagging along with Yin. 
[*]Kaureerah is heading down to the waterfront. You may ask to accompany her, but results will vary based on who tries to come along. You may also tail her, but please tell me on discord if you do.
[*]If you find yourself at a high enough vantage point in the late hours, you may see something very intriguing north of the city.
[*]This may be the ideal time to discuss, unpack the day's events, and [s]conspire[/s] plan with your fellow students, as you do not appear to be supervised.[/list][/hider][/color]
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