[EVENT] THE SHANGPAR RACE

[ironwood]

Characters: ALL!
Date: January 20th to January 24th
Location: Various.
Situation: It’s time for the Shangpar Race!
Warnings/Rating: Add warnings as needed.

The day is here, the day is here, the day is here! Though not every shop is closed and not every kedan is on the streets, it’s a near thing. The race is slated to begin early in the morning, and the city rises for the occasion. Shops open late and workplaces allow for a late start to the day to give everyone an opportunity to watch the starting festivities.

It begins with something almost like a parade. The riders -- there are fifty-five of them, thanks to negotiations during the forum -- are escorted from the shangpari holding pens to the starting line just outside the city, using the most circuitous route available in order to take the riders through every sector.

The starting-line is located just outside a set of the city’s gates, while the finishing-line is at the set on the opposite end. It leads off away from the city, traversing through several of the shell’s terrains, from burgeoning woodland, across a ‘river’, to an area of wasteland leading into mountains, and then down to the shores of the shell’s edge.

While the usual daily processes continue during the race, there are runners at supply checkpoints who, thanks to the efforts of Stark Industries and a handful of Foreigners, are able to report the race statistics via audio directly to the consoles. Groups of children hired as criers run from place to place without access to consoles to carry those reports to the rest of the city. In this time the kedan already begin preparations for the feast which follows it, regardless of who the actual winner might be.

The winners begin trickling in on day four to a crowd already prepared. Thanks to the runners, the residents of Keeliai already know who’s in the lead and when, roughly, they will arrive.

---

LINKS
Parade | Betting booths | Starting line | Finish line | Feast

OOC
In the related forum thread the family leaders were open to the idea of Foreigners participating in the race as long as they possessed no abilities that would provide an unfair advantage and were able to front the cost of 500 juulan. If your character has no such abilities and would have wanted to participate, and you feel you have reasoning for their being able to finance their entry, please PM the mod journal so we can work out the details.

No Foreigner who enters will be able to OOCly apply to win the race -- this event is about the cultural experience, not the winning or losing! More details regarding the race are available on the itinerary here.

Please also do remember that IC actions will have IC consequences. This is a huge, huge cultural event for the kedan; disrupting it in any way will cause a negative reaction. That's not to say don't do it -- but do be prepared for the consequences.

Comments

FINISHING LINE

[ironwood]

The finishing gates were specifically chosen for space -- space for the welcoming crowds, space so the shangpari can be led off and tended, space for the riders to receive food and all their relations’ smothering attention. Dirty, footsore, triumphant -- the winners are led to the podium constructed for this occasion, where they’re given seats and the best food and drink available until the rest of the riders arrive.

Already, some of the bettors are exchanging money with varying degrees of glee, resignation or even devastation -- for those who literally bet the house. The stalls here run more along the lines of gimmicks and souvenirs than food, though there are a few snacks available -- small fishballs, tiny dumplings, bags of roasted nuts. The good food is reserved for the exhausted riders and for the feast slated to begin just as soon as the last rider has arrived and the winners have been awarded.

Once the final riders are in the shangpari are led away for slaughter and the riders return to their chariots to be pulled through the city by cheering fans -- in order of their winning, of course. The awards take place in the Courtyard of Public Opinion, where the winner receives their prize from the hands of their sponsor.

Re: FINISHING LINE

[whitelotustile]

Since his nephew was one of the racers, Iroh insisted on being present at the finish. Because if all the other riders were going to have their families looking out for them, so was Zuko.

Of course, he'd happily congratulate other racers as they came in. Just finishing a four-day race was an accomplishment in Iroh's book.

[akito]

Somewhere along the way Akito had lost track of the time. How long did he have left? It couldn't be much longer, since he recognizes the terrain. How far behind the other racers was he? He doesn't remember many people passing him, or how long ago it had been since he'd last seen someone's back. How far ahead was he? Hopefully enough that he would have a good amount of time to spend with Sand Tiger once he's crossed the finish line.

His body aches, but that isn't a new feeling for him. The stiff pain in his hands is different though - one from gripping something too tightly for too long. The first two days were fine, though as time went on and he grew more tired and hungry, Akito made sure to keep a tight grip on his chariot at all times lest he fall off. So his palms are blistered and bleeding and his bad leg is aching fiercely and

The finish line is in sight thank goodness.


While normally Akito is a huge fan of racing, a normal race to him involves using the power of your own two legs and not riding on the back of a chariot. Meaning that he's infinitely thankful there won't be another shangpari race for a good, long while and also that he's crossed the finish line and can get off of his stupid chariot.

His legs don't really want to support his weigh right now as they adjust to the whole walking thing again, but that doesn't matter because he's only moving far enough away to flop against his shangpar and give it some much needed affection. Whether it's needed for the creature or for Akito himself is up for debate.

The crowd is loud and excited, and even though he's a foreigner they don't seem to mind too much about that right now, meaning he's surrounded by exuberant strangers when all he wants is a quiet place to curl up and spend time with Sand Tiger. But this is what he signed up for. Tradition dictates...

Actually, Akito doesn't know what tradition dictates for after a rider has crossed the finish line, particularly in his situation. They're supposed to be met by family, but he doesn't have family. Friends, maybe? But he isn't sure if he has any friends who would bother waiting for him, especially when he hadn't told anyone he was participating in the first place.

So he'll just smile politely when necessary, offering words of thanks to any praises he receives while ignoring any impolite comments that might come his way. When he's offered some food and water he accepts it gratefully, though however hungry he is at the moment his stomach is unsettled by the knowledge of what everyone will be eating soon enough.

Unwilling to leave Sand Tiger unattended, Akito continues leaning against his shangpar until someone lets him know where he's to go next.


((ooc: 5^th place suckas aw yeah))

[theideaguy]

Sokka doesn't know Akito all that well, but he at least heard that he was in the Shagpar Races, so in a support of solidarity for his fellow Foreigners, Sokka is there too. And he's just in time too. He sees the racer coming in, and once he crosses the line, Sokka is running out to come greet him, hopping over whatever fence is nearby to come shake his hand.

"Look at you! Fifth place! FIFTH PLACE!"

[akito]

Akito is surprised by the enthusiastic greeting though the combination of exhaustion and recognition of Sokka means he doesn't react to it. He simply shakes the proffered hand, curious.

He turns his head to peer at Sand Tiger, who fluffs its feathers contentedly. There's a pained twinge in his heart at the sight, knowing that soon enough his shangpar will be killed. Akito had been aiming for fourth or fifth, hoping to maximize the amount of time between finishing the race and having Sand Tiger's life ended, so he's quite pleased.

"Fifth? Are you sure?"

Because he wants to be absolutely positive before letting his hopes get any higher.

[theideaguy]

Sokka looks at Akito with a healthy bit of dubiousness. "No, I completely forgot to count the other ten racers that beat you to the finish line in my calcula—of course you got fifth! As in four other people people you. One, two, three, four, fifth?" He raises his fingers as each of the numbers is counted.

But despite the sarcasm, Sokka is still grinning. "I knew all of that stuff that I coached you on was going to help!"

[akito]

Akito shoos him a look that is equal parts confused and dubious. "Only Ayin-san and Miss Zanru knew I was going to race." Therefore only they could have coached him. Though Akito isn't exactly upset by Sokka's declaration, since it reminds him of a particular crow-head back home.

"But fifth..! That means I get more time before Sandy is killed."

[theideaguy]

Well, really, for Sokka, it's more the spirit of the effort rather than the effort itself. "Hey, I would have! That ought to count for something." Still, he's smiling. "You should have told more people. We would have had a huge crowd out here for you, you know."

Sokka looks over to the Shangpar with a little curiosity. "You do that. He probably deserves some treats after all that running." Yes, Akito. Fatten him up for the feast. Sokka is wondering how good they taste.

[akito]

"Who would I tell?" He honestly can't think of anyone he would tell off the top of his head. Sarah's gone, and so is Hawke. He's still upset with Tony and Gene, plus he knows they're busy anyway. Maybe Katara, but... It hurts to think about Waterbending. Even using the water skein she made him makes him sad, yet it's too useful not to use.

Akito scratches Sand Tiger at the joint where wing meets shoulders, earning an noise that clearly pleased noise, followed by the creature butting its head gently against his chest. The shangpari remind him so strongly of dogs despite their appearance. It's still hard for him to imagine killing one for food, but it's an important part of the kedan custom and so he won't argue against it.

"I think I'll let him eat what he wants while I groom him."

[theideaguy]

"Well... all of us?" Sokka says as if it's the most obvious thing. "I mean, hey, I imagine you shocked the pants off of some of the kedan, thinking they'd get all of the top spots." Just how many top spots are actually "top spots" is left as an unsolved question. But still, top five, right? "I mean, even you could use an entourage greeting you at the finish line, yeah?"

But let's be honest for a minute. Yes, the Shengpar may be cute. Yes, it may look like a dog. But it's still meat. Sweet, juicy meat. Sokka would do the same thing in a heartbeat. He thinks the kedan, for once, aren't entirely crazy.

"Sounds like a good plan. Anything that you need now that you're back?"

[akito]

"Why would I tell people who wouldn't care?" It's not said bitterly in the least, but rather matter-of-fact. He knows that he's largely ignored by most people, whether it be due to his size or demeanour he has no idea, nor does he particularly care.

"No," he shakes his head. He'll need shoes later, but for now he couldn't care less. If need be he can sit on Sandy to spare his feet further damage.

[lordhotman]

He's dirty, thirsty, and exhausted, but Zuko manages to cross the finish line to a host of cheering Kedan and a few foreigners. He might be weary, but still manages a smile and lifts his hand in a triumphant wave.

It had been a long few days, but his persistence had paid off, and he is the tenth rider to make it back. Once he pulls his Shangpar and the chariot to a stop, he immediately dismounts and tends to the animal himself until some Kedan rush over to do so for him. It's then that he's ushered to the side to wait among the other riders who had arrived before him. Also being informed of his place in the race.

Some food and drink is then offered to him, of which Zuko gladly partakes. He'd unfortunately ran out of water a few hours ago, an is more than happy to quench his parched throat. It had been a long and grueling race, but in the end, it was worth it.

[raavashing]

Wan was loudly cheering with the rest of the crowd when Zuko came in. He waited only long enough for his boyfriend to get pulled to the side and the Shangpar gathered up before hopping on a cloud and flying over the crowd so he didn't have to fight the throng of people. When he landed near Zuko, he was grinning brightly, "Zuko! You did great!"

[lordhotman]

Zuko was exhausted. While he put up a good front, anyone that knew him well would be able to tell. The way his shoulders drooped a little, and the lines under his eyes. He had worked himself hard to finished at the place he did. He was all business as he pulled in and allowed the Kedan to gather the Shangpar, which he had affectionately called Kirin.

But when he caught sight of Wan, his face immediately lit up, and he didn't waste any time in going to his boyfriend. Reaching out to grab him by the shoulder and pull him into a hug.

It had been a long few days, with no one but Kirin to keep him company, and he had especially missed Wan.

[raavashing]

Wan's entire body felt like it had just been given an energy boost by Zuko's hug. He'd been hoping Zuko would be the one to give him a hug or a kiss or something when he greeted him. But he also knew that Zuko usually didn't initiate that sort of thing. Wan usually did. And he'd started to think that maybe Zuko refrained because he didn't want to push Wan into doing something physical - more physical - than he was comfortable with.

He wrapped his arms around Zuko, a little slower and not quite strong a hold, but very firm. He wasn't about to pull away any time soon, "It's good to see you again."

[lordhotman]

Wan was on the right track, for that was certainly part of the reason why he didn't initiate things. But it wasn't quite that simple, there was more to it, having to do with his past. Things that had just made him that way. Either way, that didn't make Zuko any less happy to see him, or love Wan any less.

"It's good to see you too," he said back quietly, also reluctant to let go. "I missed you."

Unfortunately, Zuko did pull away when a Kedan started to shoo them in the direction of where the other participants, who had already finished, where sitting. So that they could make room for the others that were coming in.

[raavashing]

Wan ensured that even when Zuko had to pull away, their hands were still locked together by threaded fingers. He blushed a little when they were shoo'd to the side. He was embarrassed by how much he'd wanted that public hug from Zuko that he'd forgotten how inconvenient it would be for the rest of the racers. He didn't protest having to move, though, and hurried along with Zuko to take a seat and be seated next to him. The other Kedanese racers already there reached out to pat Zuko on the arm as the two passed, congratulating him for his placement with obvious surprise and admiration that someone of his weight and inexperience could place that well.

Once they were sitting down, Wan leaned in and murmured into his ear, "You did really good."

[lordhotman]

Zuko was surprised, but pleasantly so, as some of the Kedan actually congratulated him. He hadn't been sure how they would react to him being in the race or making a decent placement, but this was actually encouraging. Maybe, if they were lucky, this would help improve relations between the Kedan and Foreigners. He also returned their words with some of his own, offering his own congratulations to those who had placed better than he.

Once they sat down, Zuko gratefully accepted some water that was given him, and he drank for some moments before looking to Wan.

"Thanks... I guess all that time I spent chasing Aang, actually helped."

This said with some embarrassment.

[raavashing]

Wan leaned in to 'nudge' Zuko with his shoulder. To reassure him with more than words.

"Sorry you never caught the Avatar you were chasing. But I like to think I'm not a terrible substitute."

And maybe to try and flirt with him a little, too. Zuko had been gone for four days and left Wan to think of all the stupidest lines to use on him when he got back.

[lordhotman]

The corner of Zuko's mouth twitch upward in a little grin at the nudge and the flirting.

"You're more than just a substitute. The Fire Lord of the Fire Nation won't accept anything less than the best."

And with that he took another sip of water.

[theideaguy]

Sokka is quick to join Zuko at the finish line after he came in. He's been here waiting patiently, but of course he's going to see Zuko as he strolls in. How could he not? They're good friends! So it's not long before Sokka's arm is around him, woefully oblivious about how tired Zuko must be feeling right this moment. "I guess they'll let anyone enter this race, huh? Maybe I should have given it a good try!" He just grins smarmily at Zuko before being a little more serious. "Hey, good job, you. I'm impressed!"

[lordhotman]

There's a little bit of annoyance showing on his face when Sokka's arm goes around his neck, but he's really too tired to offer any complaints. Also, its good to see his friends again after being away for a few days. Sokka's compliment though, draws a smile.

"Thanks Sokka. You can always try in two years."

[theideaguy]

"Two years?" Sokka grimaces at that bit. "Zuko, if I'm still living on this turtle shell two years from now... well, I'm going to take it that that's a very very bad thing." Yeah, he won't lie; he misses home just a little bit after all the negative treatment the kedan give them. At least there are friends here.

"But seriously, I will admit that I was a little worried about you being out in the cold all that while. But, I'm glad you not only to come back alive but also managed to place pretty well too." Maybe there's an inadvertent insult about Sokka being worried Zuko would die out there, but at least any hint of that would have resulted in Sokka being humbled.

"Anything I can do for you now that you're back?"

[lordhotman]

Sokka did have a point, but then they might not have very much say in that. There was no telling how long they might stay here. And even if you want home, you could always be brought back, like Zuko had been.

The firebender smirked at Sokka's so called worry.

"I might be Fire Lord, but I know how to rough it too, just like the rest of you."

Not that Sokka would likely know that, but it's true. Maybe they would have to catch up some time.

"I would like some water."

[theideaguy]

It was odd to think of Zuko as the Fire Lord. Sokka knows they manage to defeat the Loser Lord and his crazy princess daughter, but he hasn't experienced it. Sokka doesn't feel it, even if it is the logical result. And that's why there's a brief look—before an immediate sense of ease upon understanding it—when Sokka just eyes Zuko curiously.

"Oh, I know. I know you had all of your hardships as well." Like having food fed to you in the palace by Mai, by playing with turtle ducks, and being tortured by his sist...okay, that was a big one. But he knew at least vaguely about his being hunted down by his sister in the Earth Kingdom too, finally being parted from that Fire Nation vessel that he loved to pursue them on. "But I just have such fond memories of frostbite and being out in the middle of a blizzard. I may be Water Tribe, but I really don't wish that upon anyone, myself included these days."

As for his request, well, that's easy. "I'll be right back with some." And no, it won't be snow in a cup. He bounds off to go get some.