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Friday, July 28, 2023

Episode 7: The Snake Pit

 Lei Fang and Taqqiq stare each other down a moment, before Lei Fang questions what Taqqiq is doing there. After Taqqiq mentions he's investigating what happened to Long, the leader of the Fanged Mercenaries reveals he was the one who attacked the joint, on the behest of Enji. He also reveals he's looking for Chona still. Taqqiq gives him the fake name of Taq, and offers to be available if Lei Fang needs him. After a tense moment, Lei Fang allows Taqqiq to leave.

Everyone meets back up at the Moon Peach Inn, sharing the information they found.Po shares that he managed to convince Sonam to return back to Faa at the White Raven Shrine, and Taqqiq his recent encounter with Lei Fang the Firebender. Mayu and Kensaya share they've caught the attention of Setua the Information Broker, and where he can be found. They decide to go out, with Po and the gang convincing the Inn staff to sell them outfits to help disguise them.

Along their way to the Blue Shell parlor, the group is stopped by the city Task Force, guards assigned to keep peace and defend against the daofei incursions and corruption. After some talk of staying away from the Blue Shell, and being on the lookout, they become a little suspicious. Mayu reveals himself as a former captain, and the guards announce themselves as soldiers under General Hei Wan. They let the companions go with warning to be careful and get off the streets due to curfews and safety.

At the Blue Shell, the gang splits up: Mayu and Kensaya to look specifically for Setua, and Taqqiq, Po, and Chona to watch their backs. Mayu and Kensaya get the attention of a well-dressed woman who seems to be part of Setua's circle. They circle back with the others and, while at their table, are invited to meet with Setua since the companions believe they have information he'd like (and he seems interested). 

Mayu, Taqqiq, and Chona are allowed back to Setua's chambers, leaving Po and Kensaya in the main parlor. Setua is a well-dressed Waterbender, with a pet snake around him which he knows his on the nose. Mayu begins by explaining that the daofei within Ba Sing Se are more prepared to strike than is perhaps common knowledge. Taqqiq also asks about Long's study/shop.

Setua says that he's aware of the squabbling between the daofei, particularly Lei Fang's Fanged Mercenaries and the Paper Lantern Gang in the Middle Ring, which offer him some protection.  He reveals he knows Chona and that she escaped, and that Mayu was tasked to retrieve her.

Taqqiq asks him about Enji, and he reveals Enji used to be married to a daofei woman, and she and their child were killed in attacks when Kyoshi returned to Ba Sing Se a few years ago and began to clean house. Since then Enji has become enamored with how to revisit or revive them, traveling into the depths of the Crystal Catacombs beneath the city to meet with Unyielding Zato, an Earthbender hermit.

Setua is intrigued to learn about Enji's attack on the White Raven, Kaa, and believes he has turned toward more violence than Setua would believe. Setua explains that Enji is trying to find a paradise land where he can meet his family, or their memory, and he was misled by the power of Kaa to help him.

Meanwhile, outside, Kensaya becomes the target of Dai Li agents,who were tipped off to suspicious characters, but Kensaya erupts in anger at being singled out and chastised by Po moments earlier. He sends a circle of flames through the parlor, and Dai Li agents arrest him, clasping his hands.

As Mayu, Taqqiq, and Chona hear the commotion, and Setua's retinue rushes them out of the meeting, they return to the parlor, now in chaos, as some more Dai Li agents arrive, with a man who suspiciously looks like Po -- indeed, it's his father, Lohi.

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