VIDEO; un: adlantisag

[adlantisag]

[ Kida's sitting at a table at the back of the Abel inn. The bracelet's 'camera' is looking up at her, dead center, from where it lies on the table. She looks relaxed, but determined. There's definitely noise in the background, people talking, glasses--busy inn noise. She's not hard to hear, thanks to the bracelet's enchantment.

She's wearing her Chantean clothing, and with her pendant hidden beneath her tunic she might almost blend in. She can talk freely here: after all, where better to hide a fish than in a pool full of other fish? ]

My name is Kidagakash. It is a shame we could not meet under better circumstance: four missing and two more dead. We have been in this place for weeks and we are no closer to accomplishing that for which we were sent. I tire of waiting.

[ She shifts forwards on her elbows, and there's a sound like rustling as her sleeves push her papers and charcoal around. They're bare-bones drawings of the castle grounds, as much as she was able to gather from scouting, but she's not showing them off unless prompted. ]

I intend to seek an audience with Odette's king. [ Nothing less. That statement speaks volumes, owing to the fact no one is currently permitted in his Majesty's presence. She is definitely what you think she's saying. Sure smells illegal in here. ] Where better to find power than in a place of power? Records, information, whatever we might use: we need answers that will not materialize unless we act.

[ Emphasis on 'we'. ]

But this I cannot do alone. I need your help. The palace is full of guardsmen who will need to be contained, distracted--not killed. [ You know who you are. ] I will need people for whom walls are no obstacle, with a keen eye and quick step. We have worked divided too long.

We will take a few days to plan, and move under cover of night--disguised, if we can manage it. We must be as one, because we will have no margin for error.

[ She speaks like it's already a done deal--like she genuinely thinks she'll find kindred spirits amongst her fellows. She might be wrong, or right, it doesn't matter. Skepticism will be met with assurance, and criticism with dismissal. She won't twist anyone's arm, it's not in her nature: stand with her or not at all. ]

We have much to discuss. Speak with me.

[ In person, on the network, doesn't matter: you can find her at the Abel if you need her, ruminating over her plans. ]

Comments

un: bLIN (video)

[sediments]

[ The video features just a portion of Bolin's face; more specifically the right side of his face, off balance and too close to the "screen". But he looks openly curious regarding the video. Curious, right before he chokes on his own tongue because wow, that is a pretty girl.

But he focuses! This actually sounds like a great idea. Much better than sitting around waiting for more bodies to appear. ]

Hi, I'm Bolin! [ Not "bowling" or "bowl king". ] And that sounds like a great idea. I can probably help if you need a way in.

[adlantisag]

Hello, Bolin. [ Gets it right on the first try, natch. Have you heard how people mangle 'Kidagakash'??? ]

How do you think you can help? I am listening.

[sediments]

[ Yeah, he holds off from attempting to pronounce Kida's own name for the moment. ]

I can move stone around with no problem. [ It's so weird to have to explain his earthbending. ] So I can make a hole in the wall and close it up without anyone noticing probably.

[ Unless it was metal... but he doubts it will be. ]

[adlantisag]

[ Good boy. ]

You can move sto--open a wall?

[ Blinking sure is happening over here. ]

Are you also a magician, but only for stone?

[sediments]

[ A magician sure sounds cool... ]

I guess you could say that! [ He grins, leaning back and finally his whole face is in view. ] Stones, dirt, lava... as long as it's found in the earth I can move it.

[adlantisag]

Why only the earth? Are you only beginning your studies?

[ She saw Korra in action, once... ]

[sediments]

No... Because I'm an earthbender.

[ Not everyone can be the Avatar, Kida. (ಥДಥ) ]

[adlantisag]

An 'earthbender'? [ Yes, Kida, that's what he said. ]

So you were...born with this ability?

[sediments]

Sure was! [ He perks up now that Kida's no longer implying that he's some kind of amateur. ] It takes training to get good at it though, just like any type of fighting.

[adlantisag]

Is fighting all you use it for?

[ If she could tear up the ground with her will alone, she'd plant crops or build or...something....... ]

[sediments]

[ He has to think about that for a moment, remembering Zaofu, a city built by master metalbenders. ]

Earthbending? They used to use it to build cities and walls too, I think. [ Not as much anymore. ] But regular people wouldn't use their bending for stuff like that. Most benders probably don't fight either.

[ Implying that he's not "most people". (Casually puffs out chest.)

But he leans back, wondering how to classify pro-bending. ]

Bending can be used to play sports too! So there's a lot of things you can do.

[adlantisag]

[ She has a hundred questions, but she'll spare him. ]

Then I will look forward to seeing what you can do, then. If the initial wave is blocked at the gates, you may be called to help bring more people inside by shifting a wall. Does that suit you?

[sediments]

Yeah, that's no problem for me.

[ He grins, fairly relaxed at this whole idea. It's not like Korra hadn't come up with schemes just as bold as this in the past. It kind of makes him nostalgic!

He decides to pose some questions of his own, while he can. ]

So, what are you going to do once you're inside anyway? Ask the King about the sun?

[adlantisag]

Ask the King about his wife, about her death, about his response to this--about his people.

[ Simple, straightforward lines of questioning. About his failings as a king, as a leader. ]

[sediments]

[ Politics... ]

D'you think he'll want to talk if you break in though?

[adlantisag]

Will he want to? I have doubts.

[ But she didn't say she'd ask politely for answers, either. ]

[sediments]

Ah. [ He grins, leaning forward and not looking all that put off by her suggestion. ] I think that's a pretty good idea! And a fast way to get results.

[ ... ]

I hope he doesn't send his army after you though.

[adlantisag]

[ She's not planning on attacking anyone if she doesn't have to. There are ways to convince people without resorting to violence.

But she's keeping that arrow in her quiver, if she needs it. ]

His invisible army? [ Not entirely a scoff. The king might have resources they don't know about yet. In fact, it's not even a small chance--he's a king. Unseen resources is part of the job. ]

[sediments]

He might have one! [ Because he's seen it with his own two eyes back home: the Earth Queen's captive army, hidden under a lake. ] Who knows what kind of troops he has hiding in his castle.

[ He hesitates for a second. ]

I mean, he's not going to let the goblins do whatever they want.

[adlantisag]

[ That makes her blink. No, he isn't, is he? And who is it that stops the goblins? Well... ]

I suppose you could call the city's guardsmen a kind of 'army'.

[ If the whole city turned against them...she's starting to see where Clarke and Glee got their arguments. ]

[sediments]

[ He leans further toward the screen, looking very much like he's some kind of professional informant.

Which he isn't. ]

He could have secret police, y'know. Spies everywhere! You probably shouldn't wait too long or they might get suspicious.

[adlantisag]

You are being silly.

[ A beat. Wait. Is she sure? ]

Are you being silly? Because I have considered he may have posted assassins...Riza has kindly accepted to accompany me and to ensure, ah, diplomacy.

[sediments]

Who knows! [ He's totally lost himself in his own ideas now. ] I mean, his wife died right? Wouldn't it make sense for him to up his security?

[ It's a rare occasion that Bolin manages this much logic. ]

It's a good thing you're taking Riza though, she's pretty good in crazy situations.

[adlantisag]

It would.

[ Bolin's being a dork, but his words stick in her mind. His comment makes her smile, though. ]

I have had the benefit of her calm mind before. Where did you meet?

[sediments]

I met her when I got into some trouble with the goblins. [ And what a fortuitous meeting that had been! ] She's saved me twice already, so I totally get why you'd want her with you.