Welcome to Gaia! ::

An extremely loud noise of murmuring and general talking had risen from the crowd as they gathered near the volcano's base. This area was deemed the "City Square," although it was at the edge of the city. It was the best place for easy living, meetings, and nation-wide announcements. Which is what brought Izuma here today.

The Fire Lord stood on a small stage,about three feet above the ground, holding a whispered conversation with a soldier, a spy, and a priest. Discussed among the four of them were the matters of Izuma's recent travels, the creatures in the northern land, the new risk of being caught at night, and the matter of the murder. Izuma was still unsure if he should bring up the death of someone's father, but he knew he should keep the trust of his people. But another part of his mind argued that the citizens might go into an untrustworthy panic, knowing that something was happening they might not be able to control. Izuma sighed in frustration, shaking his head violently. This will be harder than facing Zulu in combat.

He nodded at a suggestion from the priest, and he turned. All the people before him hushed one another, and only a few quiet whispers remained. He took a breath to steady himself, and he began.

"Citizens of the Fire Land, I welcome and thank you all for coming here today. As you may have guessed, I bear news with me about my expedition into the land to the north. However, that isn't all. First, I must begin with the new threat that presents itself to the Fire Nation, and to the Unity. You all know of the horrid events that transposed during the Three Nation's Ball. The leaders of Water and Earth and I still do not know the identity of the conspiritors, but I do beleive some of them to be here, among us. I say to you, my people - be wary.

"Second, there is a new creature we must learn about. In the Northern Lands, there resides a creature with unnatural abilities to navigate through fog and dead night, and with haste and bloodlust. I am unsure what their source of food is, so I am forced to conclude that it could be any of you. Also, these beasts seem to have a sensitivity to light or heat. With this new information, I warn you - do not go outside after dusk. If you must, and absolutely must, then have a torch or lantern with you, if you lack the knowledge of Fire Lore.

"There is little else I can say. I leave you with these warnings, and-"

"Wait! What about the rumors of a murder happening last night?" a man shouted from the crowd.

"Yes!" another - a woman - shouted, closer to the stage. "My husband never returned from his nightly walk! Where is he?"

Many shouts arose from the crowd - some angered, other nervous, and all slightly scared. Izuma knew he couldn't avoid it - he had to inform them of the murder, or lose the trust of the people.

"Alright...alright, then..." he murmured, holding up his hand for silence, which immediately came. He needed to do this to avoid further tension from the spirit that had come and gone. "I tell you the truth, then...there was a death within this nation, just last night."

The woman who had shouted quickly brought her hands to her mouth, horror marking her features. Soon after, most of the crowd began to shout questions - who was it, what did the man look like, was the man a soldier - the details.

"Please, please, silence," Izuma said, holding up hs hand again. This time, however, the silence came slowly. "I regret to say it, but yes - a death. Not only that...a murder. By whom, I don't know. Who was killed, I don't know. Was he a soldier, no. The High Priest, a trustworthy spy, the local smithy, and myself..we all beleive this to be no accident. In fact, we have reason to believe that this vile act was caused by the conspiritors who wish for the fall of the Unity. I tell you this, my people - be very careful with whom to associate with. If you witness any acts that raise suspicion, I urge you to inform the soldiers as soon as you can.

"As for the man who was murdered...he will be given proper funeral rights, and honored like a fallen soldier. We shall hold the funeral tomorrow, at high noon, in the gardens behind the Priest's Temple. For now, I have nothing else to inform you of. Please, remain calm, as everyone who can make a difference in these events is doing everything they can to do so. Return home, stay inside after dusk, and be wary of the odd man out. Thank you."

As he stepped back, several questions arose from the crowd, but the majority of them proceeded to leave. A river of people left the Square, returning to the Residential District, talk passing between them. As they left, Izuma had his head turned down slightly, thinking about what could be done to fix these problems.

Nothing arose.

One man seemed bent on causing trouble. "Who's working on this, or are we just supposed to rely on two well known names and 'a trustworthy spy, and a local blacksmith?' Ptah." The man spat. "Those blacksmiths can't do anything right? Where's my dagger that I ordered well before the ball?" Many other voices rose up along with him.

The man continued on his rant. " All the blacksmiths seem to fine off as well, having a safe little escape in the forge. Especially Nicce. I hear she lives there." His companions greeted this with laughs and jeers. All it took was one stone. One rock was tossed and everything erupted into a full scale riot as the soldiers tried to control everyone.

"That's enough!" One of the priests shouted, "If Lord Izuma trusts them, then that should be enough for you. We need to stop pointing fingers at ourselves or we shall surely give into the enemy."

"Enough!"

Izuma had surprised everyone, even himself, with his shout. His shoulders were covering his neck, his eyes were scrunched shut, and he had fists trembling at his sides. With a heavy sigh, he relaxed, and turned to the mass of people. A slight shine of anger was in his eyes, but he checked it, knowing it wouldn't do any good at a time like this.

"Listen...I have told you all I can...and I need you to have faith in me. I know that my...history...doesn't paint a masterpiece, but that's all gone. My inability to complete my reckless and foolish hope of overcoming the former Alliance has shown me...that if I cannot become stronger by the sword, I must by the head. These blacksmiths that 'can't do anything right' have my complete and undying trust, as do all people within the Unity. Plus, with all that I've told you today, do you really expect for the people in the palace to have an easy life? If life is made harder for you by these recent actions from the shadows, then how do you believe I feel? I don't...I don't want anymore unneeded bloodshed, especially from my own people...and I want to do what I- no, more than I can to meet this goal."

He gazed upon the crowd, pleading for them to listen through the look in his eyes.

The blacksmiths shook their heads and slight disgust but also took up the cheering. It would be good for moral. The way back would be a race to see who would report the goings on to Niccea first.