4979/Troubled Teenaged Tenants

Troubled Teenaged Tenants
Date of Scene:	03 January 2017
Location:	Ad Coelum
Synopsis:	How will Amalthea reeech theeese keeeeeds?
Cast of Characters:	20, 395

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Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Over the holidays Toph had been home in Malibu, spending time with her family and Sokka and obviously having a good time when she had been on the radio. From New Year's Eve and onwards however, the usually loud teen has barely been heard on the radio. Part of it might be explained by the news of a new addition to the Stark family, as Toph surely has been busy helping out with her new baby brother and all.

    Today however, she's done a quick return trip to the Ad Coelum. And handed in a request for change of rooms.

    Currently Toph is in the proccess of filling up a cardboard box with various items from her room, and she's even stuffed her backpack with the clothes she keeps here for training, sleeping and so on. Not that she's put a lot of stuff in her room here, considering she doesn't put lots of stuff on the walls. But there are enough rocks, metal, the soft pillows, duvet... It's one hell of a load that Toph hefts up in her arms as she kicks the door open and heads out into the hallway. Okay, onwards to the elevator!

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    Holidays are over. It is back to work now. Though Amalthea hasn't scheduled anything just yet on a larger scale since the Caverns and a Creatures session yet, this does not mean she cannot have smaller meetings with her students on a more personal basis.
    Like right now.
    It's unexpected, unannounced, and possibly even unwelcome at the moment, how she seems to suddenly just be there. There was no sound. Not so much as a breath to hint her arrival. To the blind girl so reliant on sound, she might as well have been invisible until just now, when her voice comes from the doorway. Her tone is soft. Inquisitive, but most importantly somewhere between non-threatening and genuinely curious.
    "What are you doing, Toph?"

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    As Toph turns around and suddenly hears that voice, she nearly jumps in place. But her surprise should be the easiest seen on her face, judging by her wide eyes.

    At least she manages to not gasp or yelp in surprise.

    Instead the blind teenager clearly tries to compose herself, standing up straight as she adjusts her grip on the carboard box. "I'm just changing rooms before I get too settled here," Toph explains, then nods her head towards the wall. "It's a bit noisy here due to something in the wall, so... I'm moving to the floor above. Just delivered the paperwork for that, so that should be in order. At least that's what the clerk told me," she quickly adds. Okay, you can move now so she can head past you.

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    So much can be seen right then and there in that jerking instant. Catching someone off guard can always tell you the world about them, but Toph's expression alone screams volumes of suspicion, when the unicorn catches the Bender flat-footed. But Amalthea says nothing for a breath, letting the girl compose herself and give an answer. But now there's a footstep. Approaching. Amalthea is entering. "Huh, really?"
    There's a soft buzz as one floppy ear pricks up, and she spends several seconds listening intently. "Well I can't hear anything." She is well enough aware Toph's sense of hearing is probably better than her's, but what she's doing is something else entirely.
    She's calling the Blind Bandit's bluff.
    "Really? So sudden? Just... Changing rooms like that?" She muses. "Well, if the noise is bothering you, then there's no helping that I guess. But I'm sure it would be just fine if we had a tech come in and inspect what's in the panels, too. Just takes five minutes."
    Hey look at that, she hasn't gotten out of the way.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    ... why is she walking /into/ her room? Well, her former room...

    The blind earthbender stands still as Amalthea listens, and at the comment Toph shrugs just slightly. "Well, I do have a better sense of hearing than most people," she says in a way that she hopes sounds casual. Her expression is calm, but there's something hidden behind those unseeing eyes... something similar to when Amalthea summoned Toph to talk about her cheating in the first training session. It's even easier to see when Amalthea talks about getting a tech to inspect the panels, as Toph looks... slightly nervous? "No, that's not necessary, ma'am! It's just my overly sensitive ears! Somebody with normal hearing can take this room and I can take the free room on the other floor, I don't mind!" Really!

    You can move now... please?

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    No... No she hasn't moved. It looks like she's still not going to, just yet, shifting lazily to lean herself on the doorframe. She counters Toph's argument by sort of just brushing it off entirely. "So how were your holidays? I heard Pepper had the baby. Are they both well? How is Tony, I haven't spoken with him in too long now." So casual, so relaxed, as she folds her hands behind her head.
    "You know, I'm a few hundred years old. I could bullshit you with smalltalk for a few hundred more, if I wanted. You could only keep it up for maybe a few hours tops, so how about we just jump ahead a not waste time, because I'd like to read my daughter another fairy tale before her bedtime." She swings in, ever still so completely casual.
    "The paperwork was really sudden."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    How were the holidays? "Oh, m-mom's well, so's the little squid. And Tony is really happy and proud, kinda proud that he made the little poopy machine... and an actual diaper changing machine," she says, wondering where this smalltalk came from but all too eager to talk about it. Which might have been Amalthea's intent as she springs her trap.

    The sudden confrontation makes Toph halt, keeping quiet. And ugh, no fair bringing Ariel into this, as Toph likes the little unicorn girl. So she exhales through her nose where she stands, still not dropping the cardboard box. "I... guess it was. I just need another room, okay?" Toph says, a slightly pleading tone to her voice. "It's no big deal or anything..." Then why are Toph's hands clutching the box tighter? Why does she look so uncomfortable where she stands?

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    There's a hitch to Toph's voice. Like a shark smelling blood on the water, Amalthea is on it, and if her prior request to cut the crap wasn't going in for the kill enough, now she's quiet. It's nice that Tony and Pepper had the child but that's not really why she's here and they both know it. Amalthea will bring Ariel into whatever argument she pleases though, there is no fairness in dealing with curious unicorns. "You just guess?"
    And then there's that plead. Amalthea heaves a sigh.
    "Toph." She says, so much more firmly. "I'm not blind, you know." A pause. "That didn't come out right." Try again. "I need to know if there is something that will disrupt your lessons or will distract you."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    When does Toph ever guess? She's certain of herself and what she can do, guessing isn't something she does.

    The faux-pas does lighten the situation a bit however, and Toph lets out a slight chuckle, though it should be clear that Toph isn't quite herself when she doesn't jump on that chance to crack a joke at her own blindness like she usually does. And all too quickly Amalthea reels the conversation back, becoming more direct in a way that it will be way harder to away from. Drawing a deep breath through her nose, Toph takes a moment, then... speaks, if not a bit hesitantly. "I... just don't want to have a room near Sokka right now," she admits, which might come as a surprise. Considering how the two have been like peas in a pod so far, partners in figurative crime and so on. "I kinda... messed up." Toph's jawline tightens a bit. "It won't distract me, so don't worry about that." At least that last line sounds sincere.

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    To the root of the problem it is then, and Toph bears the truth of the matter. She doesn't want a room near Sokka. The sigh Amalthea heaves is most weary and patient at the same time. She steps into the room further. And shuts the door.
    Then comes the sound of Amalthea sitting herself on the edge of Toph's bed, planting hands on her knees.
    "That is kind of a big deal. And there is no way in hell I believe for a moment that it will not be distracting for either of you. If you don't want to be near him now, what can I expect during group training? I'm not going to have whatever this is about between the two of you spread to the other Squires, and make it hard for everyone to focus; myself included."
    She pats the space beside her, pointedly audibly.
    "Sit. Talk to me?"

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Okay, why did Amalthea sit down? And no, it doesn't need to be a big deal for other people, so why won't Amalthea just accept that reason and just let her handle it in her own way like Toph knows she'll be able to? ... or at least she hopes she'll be able to. It's never been a secret that the stubborn earthbender doesn't like talking about her feelings nor involve others in her personal problems. When Tony died on Reptilon she basically shut down her emotions for a whole month, never talking about how she felt as she worked doggedly to help retrieve the Dragon Balls. But most of those who knew her would have been able to tell that she was everything but alright during that time.

    This is different though, at least it is in Toph's mind. So she does actually... look a bit annoyed when Amalthea speaks. "It's not like /that/!" she audibly protests, her fingers digging into the carboard box. "I... just don't want to be alone with him, okay? It's okay if there are other people there, really, I..." Another heavy sigh leaves Toph as she turns her head sharply away... and then she lets out a snort as she sets the cardboard box firmly down on the desk in the room before she sits down next to Amalthea on the bed, crossing her arms across her chest.

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    Amalthea sat down because it is Talk time. It would seem Toph's answer might not just be acceptable to her. A slow breath and Amalthea spends a moment in thought, fingers drumming on her knee before the mechanical mythic sucks on her teeth. "I don't see what the issue is. You're here. He's across the hall. There are two doors between you, with locks on both of the," She decides. "It's not like you actually have to see him passing in the hallway."
    That one was intentional, but she is serious once again.
    "No, it's going to be like that. And what if whatever this is ends up getting worse with other people around?" She points out.
    "So." She tries again. "Are you going to huff and pretend to find the wall interesting despite both of us knowing you can't watch paint dry? Or do you want to maybe actually talk to me. It is not just my job to whip you both into shape, it is my desire to see excellence out of you both and help as best I can." And then she rubs her face. "And I haven't heard one of his damned puns on radio in days, and that is kind of really bugging me."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Sure, their rooms aren't right next to each other, but they are still too close for comfort when it means they might bump into each other even more than necessary. So isn't it better to do something about it by changing rooms?

    "No, it won't be worse with other people around," Toph interjects firmly, "I won't let it." So there!

    The young earthbending master has always been a girl of action rather than a girl of words. So it might not come as a surprise when she sighs and rolls her eyes slightly. "I don't get /why/ we have to talk about it though, I've already talked with dad about this, and I'm dealing with it!" Is Sokka though? Not a day goes by without him making a pun on the channels, that's for sure... so why hasn't he been speaking up? Even if Toph hasn't been talking too much on the radio she /has/ been listening. "I don't know what's going through that gravel brain of his, so why don't you talk with him?" If she can get him to actually say words instead of just repeating the same noises over and over again, that is. "I mean, what /do/ you want me to talk about anyway?"

    The blind girl sighs, blowing some hair away from her face as she turns her face away from the wall, finally. "About how I messed up our friendship by actually telling him how I feel?" Heck, according to Tony it was obvious to everybody just how she felt about Sokka, so why bother trying to hide it anymore? "About how he doesn't want to be around me right now?"

    The girl's expression is stern, but it doesn't quite reach those milky green eyes where she sits.

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    There is a patience in Amalthea that she finds now, a patience she did not have years before in dealing with others. It has grown, and grown far and wide. But there are moments, when this patience can't hold up, and the irrascible old nag within flashes her fangs.
    This is almost one of those moments.
    But the unicorn steadies herself, taking her time, speaking very level, as calm as she can without giving the hint that Toph's evasiveness, grudging stubbornness, and hostility have not just jabbed on an old nerve. "We have to talk about this because I'm not your father, I'm your instructor. AND Sokka's instructor. At the same time. I'd rather cut through the bullshit now than step on landmines with either of you; which means I am probably going to have to hunt Sokka and sit him down like this too."
    Poor Toph doesn't know it, but the shake of Amalthea's head sends a small dusting of glitter everywhere, including on the bender. "Toph I'm not oblivious. He practically sat on your lap, and you turned half the shades of a rainbow when he--... You were as red as..."
    God /DAMN IT/.
    "I noticed. And now this. And if you think others will not pick up on things you do many people around you a sore insult." This is when she tugs her legs up, folding them under her with a cluck. "That's what happened then?" That explains much. But now it is Amalthea's turn to snort. "And he did not take it very well did he?" Gravel brain indeed. "There is a difference between not wanting to be around someone, amd being afraid to be around them, you know. I would imagine, if he cares for you in any fashion, as I think he does... He's probably feeling just as vulnerable as you are. Maybe even just as confused and hurt. But I tell you now, what will hurt your friendship with him is if a wall forms between you both."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    It's bad enough to talk about these things with Tony, who's one of the few people who can get the stubborn earthbender to talk about things she usually hides from the world. Toph swallows hard, but she doesn't protest when Amalthea points out the obvious fact that she has to deal with both of them.

    Once again Toph's cheeks flare up a bit where she sits, a look of discomfort on her face. "W-well, I was hoping it wasn't /that/ obvious since that Meat Head never got the cruddin' hints!" Toph points out with a huff. No, being a teenager with feelings is seldom an easy thing. Ugh, and she's thinking of talking with Sokka too?! No, that's not something she wanted to know.

    Obviously Sokka didn't take it well, considering Toph trying to keep her distance from the older boy that she nearly spent all of Christmas with. "Look," Toph sighs, "I'm not going to avoid him forever! I know I can't, I... I just need some time to deal with this, okay? It was just a silly crush." What does she mean, if he cares for her? He's the one who tried to explain how she couldn't possibly have those kinds of feelings for him. So why should he be the hurt one? And their friendship was hurt when she was stupid enough to actually think it could be something more.

    "Sokka will be making his puns again in no time, I'll be tossing rocks around... but fine, I'll keep this room then." She'll... just have to keep a figurative eye out on the hallway.

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    This is the kind of thing that will not stay a secret among recruits. Regardless of the disparate ages. And that means it's something that needs to be settled quietly and fast. The fact that Amalthea now knows, on top of Tony, and by Extension Stadler, says it all. There's no way any of this would have stayed discrete. Not one chance in the world Toph and Sokka could have handled it on their own silently. On their own sure, but silently... No.
    "It was obvious." She once again confirms. "From an outside perspective, at least."
    But she ponders a moment. And holds up one finger as though to emphasize whatever point she is about to make. Pauses. And lowers her finger.
    "Not forever. Get it handled, Toph. The quicker the better. I'll speak with him myself soon, most likely. As it stands, some breathing room is a good idea, but don't make rash decisions. Trust me this isn't a one way thing."
    Amalthea is pretty certain it's as rough on Sokka as it is on Toph as she stands up. "It's good you decided to keep the room though. I mean imagine settling this and asking for a room change again- you'd just make more work for some poor paper pusher." Noted as she makes for the door, stopping just short of exiting.
    "I would have denied the request anyway~."
    And there she goes.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    ... why was it so obvious to everyone but Sokka?

    Get it handled, she says. That's what Toph was trying to do by adding some safe distance between herself and Sokka, but no... And to hear that she's going to talk with Sokka, ugh. Just how is this going to end if not making it worse? Then he'll know she's talked to somebody about the whole mess, and that won't make it easier to face him later, that's for sure!

    Just what the crud is Amalthea talking about? "What? I wasn't going to ask for a room change after I got settled in the new room, I don't like moving my stuff around!" Toph protests with a huff as Amalthea stands up and walks to the door. The fact that she reveals that she would have denied the request for a room change though, that makes Toph actually pout where she sits, and she snorts again as she turns her face to the wall. Man, she could have said that in the first place, couldn't she?

    After Amalthea leaves, Toph remains seated on the bed for some more minutes, all before she pulls herself up and over to begin unpacking from her backpack and the box. The clothes are easily put back, as are most of her various knickknacks, though as she reaches in to find her figurines of Tony and Pepper, her hand brushes against something at the bottom of the box. A blue and white necklace. For a moment Toph halts, running her fingers across it. All before she pulls her hand back, her face pulling into a grimace before she resumes getting her room back in order. Yes, she's definitively going back to Malibu later as planned since there's no training for the next day anyway.