tushanshu | 004; video; notably completely unencrypted;

[Raine hesitates, for a very short moment, at the start of the video feed before firming the line of her mouth and plunging ahead. She looks tired, but determined.]

For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Raine Sage. Please pay attention; I’ll try to keep this brief.

[She sounds more like she’s lecturing a classroom than delivering potentially shattering news.]

If you have previously thought none of this affects you, or if you simply missed the information, at the end of last month our enemy asked us to guess where it really is. Some of you will have already formed your own conclusions about this; I know I’ve certainly talked to some who have.

[Deep breath.]

There’s sufficient data with independent verification that I’m now sure, and everyone needs to be aware of this, sooner rather than later.

Our enemy has possessed Asti himself.

[A pause, considering. Well, the words are out now, no taking them back.]

That’s all. If you wish me to justify myself, either my conclusions or my lack of caution, I’ll do so, but more pressing right now is coming together to find a way forward, now that everyone is apprised of how severe the situation is.

[She lifts her chin a little then, and adds, not to any Foreigner but to the being she is pretty sure is watching,] Well? Do you care to confirm or deny?

---

[ooc; this actually is directly related to Nilin’s post a few days ago! I have talked this out with a few people, Xhan (Nilin-mun) included, and I’m keeping track of what’s happening there for continuity’s sake, but Raine is unfortunately not the most subtle person in the world and is past the point of waiting and watching. For questions comments plotting or concerns, I can be reached at

makaricrow, ceryu (AIM), or makari.crow@gmail.com.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Oh, good, he has a solid grasp on the way the world works. Something always goes wrong, somehow.]

What I'm most concerned about immediately is the general reaction, both among Foreigners and kedan. This is perhaps one of the worse possible outcomes. It was important that people know, but I also don't expect that everyone will take it with equanimity.

If you could keep an eye on your friend Zuko, to watch for any change in him, and on the interactions between Foreigners and kedan as well-- either would be helpful. I don't anticipate things will remain calm for long.

I don't know yet what we should be doing, but I'll let you know when I do.

[It's also possible that his relative newness will allow him to spot things that people who are closer to the problem and have been here longer won't. And he's handling this better than some other people have been, which is points in favor of his ability to stay reasonable.]

[Sokka knows how the world works; he's seen way too many things go wrong in the past. Usually they happen to him.]

You mean... see if anything comes out of this other than or rises above a categorical distaste for us, hm? [Sokka really does feel like being in the Fire Nation, having to sneak his way through enemy lines just to get daily life taken care of.] I, for one, am pretty glad to know what's going on now, even if the news is terrible. But yeah, I expect things, at least with the kedan, are going to get worse before they get better.

But it also means we're on borrowed time. We've got to do something sooner than later.

But yeah, I can keep watch. I already am, in a manner of speaking, though before it's just been over my sister and some of the injured. [He sighs.] Zuko and the kedan though? Shouldn't be too hard to keep track of either of them.

[The kedan are already everywhere. As for Zuko? If you can't find him, just wait until you see fire anywhere or loud shouting.]

[Raine nods; Sokka's grasped exactly what she wanted. And he's much of the same mind she is, that it's better to know even when the facts are bad rather than to wonder and guess.]

Yes. The longer we wait, the worse our chances get, I'd imagine.

Thank you. I live in Earth, Tu-Gai, if you ever need to find me, or Taraja can ask Ryder.

[Sokka will totally remember that. He already has a rough idea of where that is, even if he's not actually spent all that much time in the Earth Sector; he's got the map already memorized with how much time he's stared at it.]

Don't you worry, Raine. I already know where that is. I'll make sure to find you if something comes up.

But otherwise, thanks for letting me know what you know. It makes me feel... a little better about our chances?

[And if he doesn't know where it is, he probably will soon; she lives with Iroh, after all.]

Of course. With more people on the same page, our chances of finding a usable solution increase.

Be careful, going forward. There aren't that many of us left these days.

Will do. Don't you be doing anything I wouldn't do either. Good meeting you, Raine.

[Sokka continues walking onward past Raine, turning around briefly to give her a false salute as he does so.]

004; video; notably completely unencrypted;

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