4355/Donuts on the Beach

Donuts on the Beach
Date of Scene:	25 July 2016
Location:	Beach City <BC>
Synopsis:	On a trip to Beach City Toph meets Steven who's a bit confused. And so Toph decides he needs some sense knocked into his head.
Cast of Characters:	20, 1023

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Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Summers are less busy for a certain earthbender, so she does like to wander a bit, and often to places she's been briefly to before. Beach City is a decent place, even though the people there are a bit strange. Maybe that's what happens when there are gems on their very door step. And well, the gems are more fun in Toph's opinion.

    On her way towards the beach, Toph is busy munching on some fresh donuts that she bought from the store, just idly annoyed by the guy behind the counter. Man, he's never going to be anybody's best friend with that attitude! But she doesn't let it bother her. Maybe Garnet will want some donuts too... And well, the sand doesn't feel too bad between her toes, even if it isn't all that solid as she walks, glad she's wearing shorts and tunica.

Steven Universe (1023) has posed:
Steven Universe sits resting with his back against Lion as the big pink lion naps on the beach in perhaps the biggest sunbeam ever. He seems a little lost in thought, strumming idly at his ukelele and staring into the water. Usually bright and energetic, the preteen-looking kid is in fact concerned today. Something heavy weighs on his mind.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    As she walks, there is something that doesn't escape Toph's perceptive feet. The blind girl halts a bit, not turning her head as she arches a quizzical eyebrow. While the strange colouration of the large feline is lost on her, she does notice something else there. And so she change her course and walks towards the kid and his big oversized cat. "Hey, you!" the teen calls out, wiping some donut crumbles away from her mouth. "Are you a new Gem here or something?" There's curiousity in her voice, and she doesn't seem worried about the fact that he has a lion there with him.

Steven Universe (1023) has posed:
startled out of his reverie, Steven looks up at Toph, blinking to clear eyes somewhat dry from staring. He strums his ukelele one more time, grunts at the lack of inspiration and sets it down. Lion lifts his head slightly, opening one eye to show he recognizes Toph's presence then goes back to sleep.

"Oh, um, hi. No, I've always lived here. I think...? It turns out there's more than one Beach City. And whole other worlds too." He sighs. "Things are weird now, and not in the good wacky gem way."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Well, the bit cat seems rather relaxed and non-tense. Maybe it's this kid's pet or something, and he realises that she is no threat to him. Somehow it seems unlikely that a Homeworld Gem would just have a nice, relaxing day at the beach here. Mostly because they are high strung and tense in her experience.

    There's a look of realisation on the teenager's face, and she blinks once. "Oh, you're from another version of this world? Gotcha," she nods with a big grin spreading across her face. "I take it you're new to the multiverse, kid? You'll get used to things being weird, honest. I've been part of the Union for three years now, and weird stuff keeps on popping up," Toph adds as she walks on over. "So what kinda gem are you? Amethyst? A quartz....?" she asks, though she's still not looking at Steven. There is a curious look on her face, and she even reaches into the donut box, then tosses a donut towards Steven.

Steven Universe (1023) has posed:
Steven tries to catch the donut, fumbles a bit and manages, though it is now a bit squished in his sticky hand. He looks at it, then at Toph, then takes a bite.

"I guess I am, and that's kinda what's making everything weird. And I mean, I like weird! The Gems and I are always dealing with weird. But... Are the gems here the ones I grew up with? Do they even know me? Dad and Connie? It's hard to tell with Lion, but he seems the same... And..." He trails off, having trouble even saying whatever it is that's on his mind.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Oh man, it sounds like the kid is overthinking things, huh? As she's a simple girl, Toph doesn't worry too much about these things, not when they don't really matter.

    "I've met several different versions of some people. Sure, they might not know you like the ones from your original world. But they tend to be the same, as do their feelings. Just think of it as more people who are your friends and family." Okay, she has no idea who this kid's dad is, nor Connie, but... the blind girl stops in front of Steven , and she reaches a hand up to rub at her chin. "Your voice... sounds kinda familiar..." Okay, now she's certain she's heard it before. Though only a few seconds passes by before her pale milky green eyes widen. "Wait... /Steven/?"

Steven Universe (1023) has posed:
"Ummm, yeah? Have we met somewhere? You seem like someone I'd remember. Are you from Ponyville?" Steven sounds confused, momentarily distracted from his heavy thoughts.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    At that the blind teenager grins, though it's obviously good natured. And she even snickers, shaking her head a bit where she stands. "Nah, do I look like a pony to you? I heard your voice on the radio last year, I think. Steven Universe, one of the Crystal Gems! Though it was a different version of you, never got to him face to face though. Pearl and Garnet spoke well of you though, I was about to head on over to their house on the beach. I just was curious what a kid was doing here with a big.... lion, was it?"

    Here she extends one hand down towards him where he sits. "The name's Toph Beifong, call me Toph. I'm an earthbender and in the Union, I've worked with Pearl, Garnet and Peridot before. I guess you could call me a non-Gem gem expert," she adds with a smirk.

Steven Universe (1023) has posed:
Steven Universe accepts the profferred hand (with a slightly sticky hand that moments ago held a donut). "I'm Steven Universe. I live in the house over there, with Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl. Rose Quartz is my mom, and Greg Universe is my dad. Wackey gem magic stuff." He chuckles, then sighs again. "Except, I don't know if the Crystal Gems will even know me, or if the ones at home think I've vanished out of existence... They'd be so worried..."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    It doesn't appear that the older girl is too disgusted by the stickiness. Though she does look surprised at something, even if she doesn't interrupt Steven just yet as he speaks. Withdrawing her hand she wipes it on her tunica, obviously not worried about getting it dirty.

    "Oh, they'll know you, don't be a worry wart. The ones here and the ones back in your own world will know. I mean, my biological parents were worried too, but stuff worked out back then." Here Toph picks up another donut from the box and takes a big bite out of it before she resumes talking. With her mouth full, of course.

    "Sho... you schould go schey hi to tham," Toph suggests as she chews, though she does raise her foot, twisting it a bit before she kicks down into the sand... and a small pillar rises up behind her that she sits down on, looking relaxed.

Steven Universe (1023) has posed:
"Well, they haven't been home. I mean, Mom's here, but she might be in her room, and Amethyst seemed pretty cool but she's usually cool with things... But Pearl and Garnet, I don't know if they're on a mission, or in their rooms, or what. And I've kind of been afraid to go talk to Dad, because... well, him meeting Mom again is gonna be really hard I think." He pets Lion softly, taking comfort in one thing that makes sense easily and also happens to be warm and furry and lovable.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    There is a pensive look on Toph's face where she sits, and she's listening intently. And while she doesn't look unsympathetic, she does lean over... and punches Steven lightly in the shoulder. Light for her, that is.

    "That's why you tell him about your mom first before they meet, dunderhead," she points out as if it's the most logical thing in the entire world. "It sounds to me as if you're overthinking it."

Steven Universe (1023) has posed:
"Hehehe, ow, hehe... You're right. I should do that. Yeah. I know what'll help, first... I need some music! It helps when stuff gets hard." He stands up, picking up his ukelele, and starts strumming a song in a haunting minor key as he walks toward the car wash.

I'm so confused I don't know what to do
I don't know if I can see this through
Everybody means so much to me
But I'm scared and don't know where to be

I'm hee-ee-eere
But am I really here?
I'm hee-ee-eere
Is anybody near?

And where am I supposed to be...

I guess I'll talk to Dad and see.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Of course she's right! It certainly looks like the rough girl is certain about herself, brimming with confidence that she doesn't seem to mind sharing with Steven. Aaand there he goes singing.

    At first Toph merely blinks, listening as Steven plays and walks off towards the car wash.

    "Hey, Rock Bard!" she suddenly calls after him when it sounds like he's done playing. And whether or not he turns around to look at her, she will speak her mind once more. "Stop thinking so much, okay? Just do what feels right, a lot of the time you just waste time and energy trying to think it over too much. Go with your gut!" With that Toph rises, kicking her heel into the pillar she was sitting on and crushing it back into sand. All before she tosses down a donut for Lion in case he wants one too.

Steven Universe (1023) has posed:
Lion looks up just in time to see the donut and chop it out of the air. He chews thoughtfully for a moment, then stands up and walks out onto the water like a feline savior.

Steven turns back around, walking backwards. "Thanks, Toph! I'll try not to think too much anymore! I, umm, hope I see you around again, I'll let you know how it works out!" He sounds so much more relaxed and positive than only a minute ago. He also seems to have completely not noticed the earthbending, or the fact that Toph can't actually see.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    "Wait, there are you--" Toph begins, then blinks when the Lion... begins walking on water? "... what the crud..." she adds.

    Oh well, at least Steven seems less stressed, and she nods with a slight grin as the little Gem guy thanks her. "Feel free to stop by Malibu on Earth-199999, okay? The biggest and flashiest house there on the point! Or just contact me via radio!"

    Oh well, her job is done here it appears. So she will just take her donuts and head on about her business.