1148/Dragons in Malibu

Dragons in Malibu
Date of Scene:	15 December 2014
Location:	New York-199999
Synopsis:	Defiant and Dragon visit Toph in Malibu, bearing gifts as well as an important request. Or an amusing one.
Cast of Characters:	20, 554

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Defiant (554) has posed:
     It's late afternoon when the windows in the Stark household begin to rattle. A great shadow falls over the house, blotting out the setting sun, and the rumbling continues, growing into the roar of a series of powerful engines. A pair of machines, dragon-themed, settle onto the twisting, turning road towards the private home. God knows how they found it or, even, who the pilots of the two machines are.

     The first machine has the general styling of a dragon combined with the sleek lines of a fighter jet. Claws, armor plating, giant engines, plating that looks like scales.

     The other, however...

     It looks like a dragon. Rather than armor plates, it has scales. Rather than engines, it has a pair of powerful wings.

     With the dragon machines idling where they are, a figure emerges from each one. They are covered head to toe in power armor, similar in theme if not in actual design. The forest green and gold armor glints in the afternoon sun.

     They are the same height, whoever they are, a man and a woman. Faint etchings of scales cover their armored suits with spikes at the bracers and greaves. The man wears a helmet that looks like something a knight might wear, although far more advanced. Where the visor meets the helmet it is shaped like the wings of a dragon.

     Someone has embraced his new identity, although it is almost difficult to tell who is who. The woman wears what looks like a jetpack with two great wings, like an angel.

     The woman removes her helmet and shakes her head, letting her dark hair fall around her shoulders and neck. Not beautiful but not ugly, either. Just... startlingly, exceptionally average in appearance, belonging to no ethnicity yet resembling all of them. She luxuriates in the sunlight for a moment.

     Jarvis is probably pitching an absolute fit.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    With this weekend's movie marathon over with, Toph had begun getting ready for bed. After supper and some relaxation the blind earthbender had changed to her pjs, but not going to bed just yet as she was still waiting for Armsmaste-- no, Defiant, to stop by. So she had been waiting in her bedroom, slacking off with some metal that she bends into various shapes.

    Then Jarvis alerts the whole house to the arrival of the two dragon machines. Of course this is something that Toph reacts to, and within moments she's made her way out of the front door, wearing a t-shirt and bunny print pajama pants.

    "Seriously, can't any of you new guys learn how to arrive /normally/?!" Toph demands with a snort, crossing her arms across her chest as she walks towards the two figures. One of them she recognizes as Colin, but the other...? For now the blind girl walks up to the man and reaches out to punch him in the abdomen, but not too hard. "If you do that again, then Goldie might demand parking fees. And Jarvis might have a digital aneurism or something similar."

Defiant (554) has posed:
     Defiant crosses his arms. To anyone with vision, it's an unmistakable repetition of a gesture that Armsmaster would make. "The Azazel prototype had to be tested on a prolonged flight," he says, as if explaining. Altered by his helmet, his voice is deep and tinged by an electronic reverb. Unrecognisable. Intimidating.

     "We won't do it again," says the other person, as Toph's fists thuds against Defiant's abdomen. The Newfoundland accent is unmistakable. "You must be Toph. I'm Dragon."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Even to somebody with a different kind of vision, it's clear. And when he talks like that, Toph snorts. "So you did go with the angel name, huh...?" she snorts. Sure, his voice sounds different, but then again, Toph's ears are sharper, and she never forgets a voice. Even if he sounds different, there's something about the way he talks. "Also, lighten up, would you? It's kinda stupid to drag weapon stuff here when there are all those Iron Man suits inside! I had to tell Jarvis to wait and stand down."

    Then the blind girl turns towards the other shape, and she arches her eyebrows. "So... you're Dragon. Collieboy here kinda explained you looked... different." There's a pensive and curious look on her face. "You feel kinda like those robots we have in the Union..." At least she is speaking quietly now. "So. How many people know?" Better know if she should keep quiet or not about what Dragon really is.

Defiant (554) has posed:
     Sharp, curt and incredibly blunt. That's Colin, no matter what armor he chooses to wear. "I left my spear in the ship," he states. With that, Defiant turns on his heel and marches over towards the Azazel. Hatches hiss open and he can be heard as if searching for something. Not his spear, surely!

     Dragon smiles. "The body is mechanical," she says. "Excepting you? Three. Colin and an individual called Saint and his two partners. And that is all who will know." She crouches down to be closer to Toph's height.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    "What does your spear have to do with anything...?" Toph calls to Colin with a slight huff, then shrugs. Whatever. At least Dragon sounds nicer, even if she's an AI. But Toph does nod her head. "Fine, I won't tell anybody." If people find out and ask her why she didn't tell, she can at least be honest and say that it shouldn't really matter anyway.

    "So... you wanted to see me. For what reason? I doubt the dunderhead came here to read me a bedtime story." Pause. "If you do, I would suggest something fun and action filled."

Defiant (554) has posed:
     Defiant's voice comes back... through Dragon's helmet, held under the crook of one arm. "You said it was stupid to drag weapon stuff here. I left my spear in the Azazel."

     "Not a bedtime story, not exactly," Dragon replies. Defiant's footfalls are heavier as he approaches. He's carrying something. Something heavy. Something filled with metal - a lot of metals. Rare earths, base metals, many others. Only small amounts, but still. "But Defiant did have something he wanted to tell you."

     Somehow, despite the armor, despite the blindness, Toph can /tell/ Defiant is uncomfortable. "I'm working on being more humble, but I think I'll always have a tendency to lose sight of the periphery of things. I hope that you can look past what discomfort I might have put you and Stark through. Accept this gift as a token of amends and for the 'festive spirit' of the season."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    A heavy sigh leaves Toph, who huffs and places her hands on her hips. "I meant the big dragon like thingies! Not spears! I mean, there are people with guns in the city!" she informs him. "Dunderhead."

    Though when Colin walks back towards her, she can pick up the sense of earthen materials drawing closer. What's this?

    The blind girl does indeed pick up on the discomfort, though fortunately she doesn't comment on it. His comment does earn a nod however. "Yeah, sometimes you are blinder than I am," she confirms, not even hesitating on saying such words. The request for her to accept the gift and to forgive him for whatever he has caused her and Tony, that makes Toph snort. "What kind of awesome people would we be if we let that get to us?" They are stronger than that!

    Though she does look curious about the heavy case. "I can sense that there's earth and metal there... huh, kinda weird. Where did you get this?" She reaches out to touch the box if allowed, clearly curious.

Defiant (554) has posed:
     "When you construct many jet-sized mechanical dragons," Defiant states, "Certain resources come easily." It's a heavy duty case, cool to the touch. "Where should I put it?" At the blind comment, Defiant adds: "I have a tendency towards tunnel vision," and leaves it at that.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Where to put it? Toph shrugs gestures towards the entry door. "My room is near to the entry doors," she says. "I would offer a snack, but..." Well. Yeah.

    He still lacks a sense of humour, huh?

    "Even I don't have tunnel vision, and I bend actual tunnels," she mutters and turns to head inside the house. Jarvis opens the door for them, and the interior of the Stark house is near immaculate. Large, spacious and obviously expensive. The girl keeps to the right and starts down a hallway that leads to several rooms, and Toph enters one of them. "Just put it down here somewhere."

Defiant (554) has posed:
     Hefting the case in his grip, Defiant follows Toph and sets it down in one of the indicated rooms. "There."

     There's a long pause then. Dragon is elsewhere, probably looking around the lounge area. "Nice place," Defiant says, to break the silence.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    With the case safely set down in the room, he should be able to get a better look at the large room with the glass windows overlooking the beach area. It's obviously a teenager's room, with various items around, like books, Toph's bag, her reading glove, different rocks and ores, and some of her clothes flung around. "Of course it's a nice place," Toph says with a shrug, "It's Goldie's. He's a billionaire, it's not like he would settle for a small apartment. Maybe he can show you the workshop sometime."

    The silence continues after that, and then Toph sighs. "I need to find something else to call you besides Assmaster now, huh? And it was such a perfect nickname too..." she laments with a grumble.

Defiant (554) has posed:
     Defiant turns his helmeted head left and right, his gaze taking in everything. "It's very lived in," he intones. It's very different to any place he has lived in. He steps over, footsteps heavy, and glances out over the beach.

     After a few moments of silence, Defiant turns to look at Toph again. "You could call me Defiant," he says. "But I am sure you will think of a nickname regardless of what I say."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    For now Toph is a bit curious about the box and its contents, and she walks over to crouch down in front of it, reaching out as if she wants to open it. Tony did tell her to wait with opening Christmas presents, but he isn't here right now, and besides, she can already tell what Defiant got her as a gift. There's no hiding metal and earth from her!

    "Yeah, imagine that. It being lived in when we are three people who live here. How strange," Toph comments. As for what to call him...? "What kinda silly name is that anyway? Did you run out of angel names or something?" And yes, he better be prepared for Toph coming up with a nickname sooner or later.

Defiant (554) has posed:
     "It is a fitting, descriptive name," Defiant replies, crossing his arms. The box is filled with neatly ordered earths and metals, divided by type and arranged by periodic number. "The Azazel is another reference, although it was estimated that it would be an ineffective disguise. Too similar."

     "Besides," Dragon says from the doorway, propping herself against the door frame. "The alliteration makes our names rather catchy. Public perception is going to be very important."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Since she's not being stopped, Toph opens the box and curiously touches the various samples within. And her expression should say just how interesting she thinks the gift is. While she can't see with them, there's some glimmer in her eyes, childish glee at the different types of earth as she touches them... and then bends one of them up, the earth seemingly suspended in mid air between her hands. "... neat! Where did you get this earth?" she inquires.

    "Well, you guys really are boyfriend and girlfriend, huh? I mean, not even Goldie and Pepper match their clothing like you guys do. Nor the alliteration thing," Toph comments with a impish grin. Let's not comment more here. Jarvis has eyes and ears, after all. And if they want to keep Dragon's secret a... well, secret, it should not be discussed inside the house. "Thanks. It's a neat gift."

Defiant (554) has posed:
     "I can get almost anything I need, given time," Dragon replies. She favours Toph with a slight smile. "I'm glad you like it, but it was all Defiant's idea."

     Defiant says nothing about that. The fact he gave a gift and an apology is awkward enough for him.

     "We haven't really talked about what we are," Dragon continues. She steps over to Defiant and takes one of his gauntlets in her own.

     Defiant, true to his nature, states: "Labels don't matter. The world doesn't need to know. Too awkward."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    "I'll remember that if I need something then," Toph grins, bending the earth into an elongated shape before she puts it back into its spot. As for it being Colin's idea? She closes the box, still smiling. "I gotta find a gift for you guys too. Just give me a few days."

    As for the two's relationship status? "Hey, be what you want, as long as you're not being too oogie in front of me." Holding gauntlets is fine though. "And trust me, you don't know how awkward those things can be..." she mutters, thinking back to recent talks. Ugh. So awkward.

Defiant (554) has posed:
     "There is actually one thing I want," Dragon says, speaking over Defiant's comments about not wanting a gift, "I'd like to arrange something with Iron Man and Pepper."

     "If you need anything built, Toph, I will see what I can do in the future," Defiant states.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Huh? Dragon knows what she wants for Christmas? At that the blind girl turns her head slightly, looking a bit puzzled. "What is that?" If it involves Tony and Pepper, then she is bound to learn anyway. Unless it's super secret adult stuff. And most of that stuff might be boring too. Or oogie. Or not, considering it's Defiant and Dragon we're talking about.

    As for having stuff built, Toph shrugs. "Maybe. I'm not all that into technology. Goldie made me the Braille glove that I use to read, and well... what else do I need?" she shrugs. Hey, she's a simple girl!

Defiant (554) has posed:
     "I'd like to go on a date," Dragon says, simply. Defiant says nothing. The pair lets that just sort of... hang in the air. "There are a number of similarities between Defiant and Iron Man," Dragon continues after a second. "It will be a learning experience for everyone."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    After the statement leaves Dragon, Toph is silent, her hands resting on the box. Then slowly, her lips twitches a little. Even as Dragon explains briefly why she thinks it would be a good idea.

    Then she laughs.

    It almost sounds like she's trying to catch her breath as she leans forward, her small shoulders shaking as she has to steady herself on the box where she is kneeling in front of it.

    Obviously something Dragon said was highly amusing.

Defiant (554) has posed:
     "I didn't know that was such an amusing idea, Toph," Defiant intones, sounding more terse than usual - if such a thing is even possible!

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    At first Toph can only nod her head, snickering between fits of laughter, and then she points in Defiant's direction. "You..?" she gasps. "On a /date/?!" This brings forth even more fits of laughter. Jarvis in the meanwhile speaks up. "Give her some time. Miss Beifong seems easily amused by certain people, I'm sad to say."

    But after a minute or so Toph seems to be done laughing, gasping for breath. "Really... oh a date... with Goldie and Pepper?" she asks again.

Defiant (554) has posed:
     "Yes," Dragon says. "A double date."

     Despite the helmet, despite the filter on his voice, Toph might be able to feel the discomfort radiating off Defiant. "I consider it an aspect of my personal development. It might be 'fun'."

     "I am sure you can discuss technical matters with Stark," Dragon comments. "Can you tell them that we would like to speak with them about it, Toph?"

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    This. Is. Hilarious.

    It looks like Toph is going to start laughing again, but she manages to keep it to snickering. "Sorry, it... oh man, here you claimed you didn't need attachments, and to be honest... you've had the personality of a really annoying door stop..." Toph manages to say with only some snickering. But fine, she nods. "I'll let them know and tell Goldie to contact you on the radio." She gets to her feet again, chuckling to herself. "Man, you might consider that one of those Christmas miracles they are talking about, heh. What's next? Pepper takes a vacation?"

    Okay, mental note. Tell Tony about Defiant and Dragon wanting to do a double date when she gets up in the morning.

Defiant (554) has posed:
     Defiant shifts on his feet slightly. Is Toph twisting the knife in a bit of an awkward spot? It seems that way!

     Dragon takes on the task of actually being a pleasant person, however. Ironic. "Thank you, Toph." She pats the young earthbender on the shoulder - it's a gentle touch, perhaps surprisingly so. "Unfortunately, we can't stay."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Of course she is twisting the knife! What else is she supposed to do? Be gentle?

    Dragon however earns a nod, and Toph sighs. "Yeah, I should get to bed. It's past 10 pm, and if I don't get some sleep Jarvis will tattle to Goldie and Pepper..." she mumbles, then gestures to the door. "Next time you should leave the dragons home. And stop by when Goldie is actually home. But I'll let him know so he can... consider your suggestion."

    Why yes, one last snicker does leave her. Those four on a double date. Man, it almost makes her want to tag along just for laughs.

Defiant (554) has posed:
     "Thank you, Toph," Dragon says, smiling once again. She brings her helmet out from the crook of her arm and sets it over her head. "We'll see about bringing only one dragoncraft," she says, Newfoundland accent not quite eclipsed by the filter on the helmet. She leaves then and Defiant follows, although he does give Toph a brief nod as he goes.

     Outside, Dragon boards the Melusine and Defiant climbs aboard the Azazel. The two draconic mechs roar to life and take to the skies, heading for the closest warp gate.

     Luckily, the front yard seems fine.