3201/The Blind and their Family Issues

The Blind and their Family Issues
Date of Scene:	13 October 2015
Location:	Stonegate City
Synopsis:	Toph visits Brookwood to talk with Nightblind and meet another of her friends.
Cast of Characters:	20, 729

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Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    With the WMAT over and things slowly returning to normal in Brockton, there's time for other stuff. Way before the summer Toph had gotten an invitation to visit one of her older friends, and with nothing else to do the blind earthbender had decided to take Ella up on her offer. With directions given it isn't too hard to find the place, and it's not like Toph isn't used to estates and such, considering she's spent most of her life living in luxury. But this is kind of different in style from the Beifong estate in Gaoling and the Stark house in Malibu, isn't it?

    As she heads up to the gate the young girl considers just heading over the gate, but eh... security might get their panties in a twist. So Toph spends a few seconds looking for an intercom or something, just to announce her arrival and identify herself.

Nightblind (729) has posed:
    BROOKWOOD. The family home of the McRaes, once split between brothers -- until a woman came between them. Forested and given over to a natural sort of archetecture rather than the manicured lawns and avenues of other estates through the Stonegate area, the gates were very old, and made of stone and well-oiled steel. The intercom box was apparent, with braile imprinted on them for 'Speak' and 'Notify'.

    However, it didn't seem like Toph's arrival went unnoticed. There's the hum of a motorcart coming her way, followed by the four-step gallop of a canine.

    Dakota's bark is plain to hear.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Just as Toph is about to use the intercom she does notice that there's braille writing there. Oh, well, that makes sense considering Ella is blind as well... But the sound of the motorcar as well as the vibrations through the ground is pretty hard to miss for her. And the bark she recognizes as well, considering she did meet Dakota earlier.

    Turning around to face the approaching motorcart, Toph allows herself a grin and raises a hand in greeting. It might not be too far off to assume that Dakota follows their owner, right? "Heya, I hope today isn't a bad time for a visit?" she greets. If it is, then well... she'll just do something else while she's in town.

Nightblind (729) has posed:
    "I wasn't expecting anyone today." Ella replies breathlessly, letting go of the cart. She's grinning, her dead eyes staring out into sp ace. "It's not a bad time at all, I was just out for a run."
    "Oh! Is this---" a voice begins, and a chipper woman's behind it.

    "Toph, this is MAckenzie Jennings -- she's one of my good friends. Mackenzie, this is Toph. She's Tony Stark's daughter." she introduces.

    "I /knew/ it! I've seen your face on the internet. And you are so completely badass!" Mac gushes a moment, clapping her hands and almost hopping in her seat. "Nice to meet your aquaintence!"

    Ella catches her breath, and reaches up to make her way into the cart. "Want a ride to the house, Toph?"

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Yup, that voice is familiar. Toph hears the smile in the woman's voice, though the other voice is one she hasn't heard before. Mackenzie? Huh, peculiar name. Though Toph walks over to them. When Mackenzie makes it clear she knows her by reputation and from the internet, Toph can't help but laugh though, looking amused. "From one of the fashion magazines or blogs that think I should dress more ladylike and all?" she teases. Oh yes, she's known to make fun of those sites a lot in her spacetime, giving them the clear message that she does not care about her lack of fashion sense or the fact that others think she should have one. If she really needs to dress up she can get help, after all.

    It matters more that she thinks she's badass.

    As for the invitation for a ride to the house? The blind girl shrugs and heads on over to find herself a place to sit or stand on the cart. "Sure. It's not like I don't use my feet enough." Especially when heading around the multiverse.

Nightblind (729) has posed:
    "Forget that. You dress how you want to, you sling rocks the size of houses and your dad's Iron Man." MAckenzie replies with a grin. The cart's one of those golf cart ordeals, though the accesserator is a hand-driven event. Ella's in the backseat, accompanied by Daokta, who happily snuffs at Toph. The front shotgun seat's for Toph, and it's comfortable. There's a mild hum as the electric cart gets to speed, and the gates open. The smell of fall is in the air, and occasionalyl crackling leaves get underwheel as the trio of girls heads off to the house.

    "I'm pleased you were able to find your way out here, Toph. I know things were probably very busy for you with the WMATS. I wish I could have... gotten a little more information on them." Ella admits, with al ittle embarrassment.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    "Of course I do," Toph smirks. Most people have learned the hard way that the earthbending master is a stubborn girl. As she gets seated she does laugh as Dakota, petting the dog when it snuffs at her. "Heya there, easy now."

    She does however get comfy in her seat, resting her satchel on her lap.

    "Eh, as long as I get directions I'm able to find most places," Toph shrugs where she sits, trusting that they won't crash the cart. They don't drive as fast as certain people do, after all. Then again, how fast can a golf cart go? "And summer is always busy for me, with the WMAT and all. And what did you want to know?" she asks. As somebody who's been fighting in the WMAT three years in a row Toph does like to think she knows the most important stuff.

Nightblind (729) has posed:
    This paticular McRae Industrial Technology security cart can reach a top speed of 55 mph on even surfaces.

    IT can be noted that this is not an even surface. The driveway is paved, but it's old and a little bumpy. No one seemed to mind.

    "Oh.. ah... mostly when your boughts were. I caught the tale end of one over the radio." Ella admitted, and she rubbed the back of her head. "But I guess that'll have to wait until next year." she adds. Dakota happily lays his head over Toph's shoulder.

    "I mean, a lot of people go to see the matches, like a lot of people show up to /see/ your dad's birthday party--"

    "Wait, that was the event where you met the talking horses and you thought they were just really weirdly named humans, right?" Mackenzie pipes up... Ella gives an embarrassed laugh.

    "Ah... in any case..."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    A sigh leaves Toph, and she reaches a hand up to scratch Dakota behind his ears as they drive along. "I did well in the beginning, but I wasn't able to keep it up this year. At least I did better than last year, but that might be what I'm getting for moving up to the C bracket." It was a bit annoying to lose her exhibition match against Jinx too, but what can you do?

    "Hey, Goldie's birthday parties are always big and loud, and this year I convinced him to rent Disney. Of course it was awesome and people want to be there for that." Though, Toph can't help but snicker when Mac and Ella talk about the ponies from Equestria. "To be fair, they do act like people. The Elites aren't only humans, you kinda get used to it after a while." Her other hand reaches up to pick at her nose. "So Mac, you're just visiting as well, or...?"

Nightblind (729) has posed:
    "Oh, I know. I've gotten to talk to... some very interesting people. It doesn't matter the species." Ella replies thoughtfully.

    The garage door opens, and the cart allows the girls inside. The whole place is built on top of granite bedrock, made from old stone. The building's been kept up beautifully.

    The blind n on-bender girl carefully moves around the cart, and reaches out, pulling a wheelchair from the side. And slowly she begins to make her way towards the driver's side of the cart.

    Mackenzie gives a bright smile. "Nah. I'm a biological tech specialist with FAUST. I live in a van down by the river, way not fancy enough to live here." she explains, and then laughs. "And by 'van by the river' I actually mean 'have a very nice townhouse with two cats and a hamster'. I work with Ella on some special projects." she explains, and with strong arms, she hoists herself, turns, hoists again, and plops down onto the chair, pulls the brakes, and gives a bit of a shrug. "Ella tells me that there's a lot of interesting people over on the broadbands, buuuut I have my hobbies."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    When the cart comes to a stop Toph gets out of her seat, and she smiles when she notices that she won't have problems navigating this place. Though she looks a bit curious when Ella moves the wheelchair. At least until Mackenzie moves herself into it, and a look of realization dawns on Toph. Oh.

    Seems like they are all people with handicaps in one way or another. "So you're helping her with helping other people?" Toph inquires with some amusement. "And yeah, the broadband can be a bit noisy at times. Working on hobbies can be better at times, you know?" Either way the blind girl will follow the two, though she does reach into her satchel to pull out a small paper bag. "I stopped by a store in Malibu and bought some cookies if you guys want them." It's nice to bring gifts, after all.

Nightblind (729) has posed:
    "Coookiiiies!" Mackenzie intones, waggling her fingers at the bag. Dakota looks confused as he hops off, and gives a shake.

    The wheeled girl gives a bit of a laugh. "Proper guest you have, Arabella~" she states. Ella gives a slight 'ugh' sound at her real name, and digs for her sunglasses, setting them on. Here, she has no trouble navigating. She can practically see in the house -- her memory serves her pretty well.

    "We'll head off to the kitchen then." she gives a grin. "Take a left."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    The response from Mac does make Toph grin, and she teasingly pulls the bag away. "You sure you want them? They're organic and healthy and stuff," the earthbender points out. Though when she calls Ella by her real name, well... yeah. Toph is unable to hold back a brief laugh herself. "Arabella?" Hey, not the worst name. But still.

    Off to the kitchen it is. Toph heads off, leading the way if necessary and having no problems making her way around the place either, not bumping into stuff on the way.

    "So what have you been up to, Ella?" she asks. "I have been busy with the WMAT and helping Suzy in Brockton Bay with the crisis there. Though it should be quiet now that we managed to stop the evil being who wanted to destroy the world." Man, was that intensive.

Nightblind (729) has posed:
    MAckenzie gives a grin. "Even better. I can feel less guilty about eating /all the cookies/." she adds for emphasis, and wheels over to the fridge to grab the milk.

    Ella gives a shrug at her real name being used. "It's like if I called your dad 'Anthony'. Ella is what my dad called me. Arabella is what my mother calls me when she wants to get my goat." she explains... and then what has she been up to?

    I helped save part of a city when some clown-themed baddies attacked. I tracked down someone connected to my father's murder. They have a connection to my biological mother. I was chastized by Batman for my methods, but they worked. Mackenzie wants me to pursue Batman because he sounds cute...

    "Oh, well, nothing much." Ella replies as she makes her way, carefully, to a cupboard, and pulls out glasses. "I went out for coffee last night, met a nice young man from Gotham who thought I was pretty enough to ask to dance." She gives a wry smile. "Nothing like you and your heroics. I'm pretty boring." she admits.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Mackenzie earns a grin for the joke, and Toph opens the bag, shifting it into a makeshift bowl that she puts down on the counter, tapping it so Ella can hear it. "I put them here." Man, it's kind of weird to be around another blind person who can't 'see' the same way she does. And it reminds her just how much other people have thought she's been helpless.

    Toph does pick up a cookie though and lets out a snort. "Hey, my adoptive mother uses Goldie's full name when he's messed up something," she shrugs. And she's inwardly glad that she doesn't have a really long and stuck up name. Man, these cookies aren't too bad.

    Toph turns her head slightly, though she smiles a bit when Ella talks about her 'date' last night. "Dunno where this Gotham is, but hey, if he's nice," she shrugs. "And sometimes being heroic can be too exciting. Being in mortal danger isn't all that fun, and I want to take it easy for a little bit now and focus on my bending. Besides, there's lots of holidays coming up," she adds before she walks over to grab a glass for herself, and at the same time hand a cookie over to Ella and Mac.

Nightblind (729) has posed:
    "He was nice, but a little pushy. He wanted to get me to dance, and I had to decline several times before I tightened my hand on my cane." Ella replies quietly, sitting down. Mackenzie pours milk, and pauses as she looks up.

    "You didn't mention he was pushy." she comments. "That's not cool."

    YEah... it got kinda awkward." Ella's lips purse. "He didn't want to talk about Gotham -- which I guess is north of here, quite a ways, but it's in the future... and... has flying cars?" she pauses, and then gives a shrug.

    "EEE! HOLIDAYS! Full of candles and good food and Christmas Trees and menorahs and good food and giving presents and --" she lauses...

    The temperature seemed to drop a little in the room, and Ella 'looks' down into her milk. She takes the cookie, and breaks it in half, and dips it in.

    "It's all right, Mackenzie. I know you're excited about seeing your family all together."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Oh great, dating. A topic Toph knows barely anything about. So all she can offer is a shrug and her honest opinion. "If they get too pushy, I say you punch them." All in all the earthbender seems rather relaxed about it as she pours herself a glass of milk to go with her cookie. Though she makes a face when flying cars are brought up. "Ugh, and here I thought cars couldn't get worse." Sure, she can work with cars being on the ground even if she can't 'see', because she wouldn't catch a ride with a person she didn't trust, but... flying cars?

    It's easy enough to hear Mac's enthusiasm about the holidays, though Toph does notice how Ella reacts as well. And she listens intently, a solemn expression on her face. "Not much family to celebrate with...?" she asks, perhaps a bit directly. Though her voice isn't without empathy.

Nightblind (729) has posed:
    "Ah... oh look, it's pee-o'-clock! Pardon me!" Mackenzie excuses herself, and wheels out of the kitchen. Ella was about to open her mouth, but Mackenzie wheels /back/ into the kitchen, grabs her cookie, sticks it in her mouth, and wheels out of the kitchen again.

    Ella takes a deep breath.
    "I'm not really one for the holidays." she tries to explain. "Rich kids get ridiculous gifts. Cars, trips, expensive toys and doo-dads. Nothing stops them from getting spoiled... well. My mother tried that, and it was cool until I realized that there were kids on TV who wanted things like 'a new pair of shoes' or 'a warm jacket'... so I wrote and asked Santa for my expensive gifts to be given to the kids who needed them. My mother was furious, and blamed my father who really didn't have much of an idea." she curls her fingers around her glass. "My mother tried to coocoon me in privilage so that I would grow up to be like her and know the price of everything. My father showed me the world beyond the walls, and took me with him and taught me to know the value of people." she gives a small smile. "I think it's part of what lead to their divorce."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    That comment warrants an arched eyebrow, and Toph graciously provides one as Mac wheels herself out.

    So Ella begins explaining, and Toph listens curiously. And well, that does explain a lot, doesn't it? It's something Toph can understand well, and she nods. "Yeah... I get that. I mean, I'm happy if I get new rock and metal samples for my collection. I actually did get a car last Christmas from one of the Feds, but it's not like I will ever use it," she admits. To hear that it made Ella's parents divorce... uh, well that's something. "I guess I can understand that well, really. I just like the holidays because I never celebrated them before I joined the multiverse," Toph explains with a shrug, picking at her cookie. "And that I can spend time with people I care about. And... well, if you want people to celebrate with for the right reasos there's always the Union, right? If you want... maybe we could do some charity stuff for the kids who don't have what they need?" Ella seems to be all about helping others, after all.

Nightblind (729) has posed:
    "It contributed. They had vastly differing parenting styles and y dad was getting pretty fed up with Jessica's poor attitude after he realized what a complete and utter cold-blooded lying ungracious harpy she really was."

    Now the temperature of the room is obviously colder. The heat kicks on.

    And Mackenzie rolls by "areyoudonetalkingaboutsadstuffyetElla?" she inquires... and Ella stiffens... and then gives a laugh.

    The room warms again. "Yeah, yeah I'm done..." she states. "Come back in before you get crumbs all over the place. The Roombas are hungry."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Mental note. Don't bring up Ella's family again. Then again, Toph of all people know just how sore the topic can get in certain circumstances. It's a good thing when Mac returns, and Toph laughs a bit. "Hey, somebody has to think about the rumbas too, right?" She does dip her cookie into her glass through, then resumes eating it.

    She does look a bit curious as she turns her head slightly. "So... family home? Kinda large for one person. Or are you too busy with work to stay here much?"

Nightblind (729) has posed:
    "... it is pretty large for one person. I mean, ther'es house staff. Other than the roombas. I have a stablemaster who takes care of the three horses on the property. And the donkey -- that's one I asked for." she gives a small grin. "Groundskeepers and laymen. A housekeeper and cleaning staff. I have a cook -- it's his day off, today. Mostly he just keeps everyone else fed during the day so that they don't have to spend their own money on a midday meal most days." Ella replies. "And... yeah. My grandfather had a brother. When they built he home, the idea was that they would live together with their wives and children... well... great uncle Earnie passed early. ANd my dad was my grandfather's sole heir. So it falls to me... and let's face it, there aren't exactly oodles of people rearing to live in a great big house in the middle of nowhere."

    She crunches into her cookie, thoughtfully.

    "Not with the ghost stories and all."