1490/Morning Mediations

Morning Mediations
Date of Scene:	04 February 2015
Location:	Njorun Station - The Skygarden
Synopsis:	Toph meets Defiant and totally-not-his-girlfriend Dragon in the Skygarden where they discuss a potential threat and other stuff.
Cast of Characters:	20, 554

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Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Today she has woken up even earlier than normal, it seems. 2.45 am, Jarvis had said. Still, she had been wide awake and while she did feel tired, sleep eluded her and seemed to be as far away as morning. Luckily darkness doesn't bother the blind girl. So against Jarvis' suggestion that she should stay in bed and try to get some more rest Toph had headed out from Malibu and off to Njorun station. At least it isn't that early there, though it's still morning.

    As always the Skygarden is somewhere an earthbender can feel at home. And it's a perfect place for Toph to do her morning exercises. A bit off into the garden itself she has found herself a neat little area where she is busy. Her satchel has been flung off to rest on a rock, and the blind girl herself is busy bending some chunks of metal ore, around and around her, her arms moving as she gestures for the pieces to orbit around her even as they change shapes into spheres, cubes and other shapes. While Toph does look tired there's a look of focus and concentration on her face as well. Because she does take her bending very seriously, doesn't she?

Defiant (554) has posed:
     There are two others in the Skygarden at this hour, and one of them doesn't sleep. The other? Well, he's cut that human need down to a mere six minutes. The pair are armored in green and gold, sleek plates and etched scales. Blank faced helmets have been discarded beneath a natural stone outcropping that seems to be serving as a bench by the 'lake'.

     The tranquility of the space is broken by the gentle timbre of Dragon's Newfoundland accent. "Just some morning exercises, Miss Beifong?"

     Sitting beside her, Defiant says nothing. His hair appears to have finally grown back but, of course, Defiant has shaved it down to a buzzcut. Still, it almost completely obscures the scars that run down his scalp.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    If Toph knew the two were there, she didn't say or do anything to acknowledge the presence of Defiant and Dragon, the peculiar couple. When Dragon speaks up however Toph turns her head just slightly, as if listening intently.

    "It certainly isn't evening exercises," she responds, then with a motion of her right hand she causes one of the metal pieces to twist as easily as if it were butter. Perhaps a disturbing sight to somebody who is made from metal, or whose body has been replaced with a large amount of metal.

    "So what are you two doing here on a date at this hour? Up early to catch the old people buffet or something?" It seems that Toph isn't too tired to tease and prod at them.

Defiant (554) has posed:
     "Toph..." Defiant begins, until Dragon places a gauntletted hand on his armored forearm. /Her/ reply is more pleasant, not seeming to be drawn in by Toph's needles. Maybe she can't be. "I haven't seen a garden in a very long time," she says, smiling slightly. "And Defiant was kind enough to oblige me. If you need silence, we can communicate more quietly."

     Of course they can. Defiant's probably got something stuck in his head somewhere that allows them to talk secretly. That'd be just like him.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    It's a bit weird how Dragon seems more human than Defiant is most of the time. Then again, the multiverse is full of these contradictions, isn't it? She herself is blind and still is more perceptive than most people. And Toph does think that Dragon's influence is good for the guy. Not to mention that they obviously have a connection.

    "The ground here is nice and clean, and I do suppose it's nice for you seeing people as well," Toph acknowledges with a brief shrug, starting to turn as she shifts her stance and brings the metal pieces up in front of her, orbiting around each other and now taking on the same shapes as they alternate. "And blabber away all you want, if I can bend during battle I can bend during any situation." Bending is as natural to her as breathing, considering she subconsciously bends all the time.

Defiant (554) has posed:
     Dragon's eyes don't leave the ever-shifting objects that orbit Toph, even as she replies, "The world is a fascinating place." She could be talking about the surroundings or what she is witnessing - it's hard to tell. She holds out one hand towards Toph, palm facing upwards. "May I inspect those pieces? Speaking of bending, however, how did you find Defiant's gift?"

     There's a certain wry edge to that tone, like she knows just how much that'll make Defiant bristle.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    "Indeed it is," Toph replies as she continues bending the pieces around and around. At least until Dragon makes her request and extends her hand. Toph turns to face Dragon and Defiant, then she flicks her wrist, making one of the metal pieces fly through the air and towards Dragon's hand. "Sure thing. And the gift was nice, it's interesting to bend the various samples, and I even found some of them which might be useful for people who want to learn metalbending. Some ores are really good to work with and to learn how close metal is to earth."

    The earthbender steps closer to the two, still bending the other metal pieces, keeping them moving around her arm. It seems like they want to talk, Dragon does at least, and hey... Toph can bend and talk at the same time. "So what have you love birds been up to?"

Defiant (554) has posed:
     "There are not many capes with powers similar to your own bending, Toph Beifong," Dragon states, examining the piece between thumb and forefinger. She throws it back towards the earthbender with a gentle underarm throw.

     At the next question, Defiant and Dragon turn to look at each other, as if communicating... something. It's disconcerting. Defiant says, "We've been investigating a few leads. Primarily concerned with someone called the Dealer who claimed to be selling powers to people who wished to become capes. For a price, of course. He was killed just after we located him. Other than that, there have been no world endangering crises for us to attend to."

     "And yourself, Toph?" Dragon asks, "How is Mister Stark?"

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    "Of course there isn't. And I bet they are nowhere as skilled as I am," Toph says without feeling the need to be humble. Nobody has the same bond to the earth that she has, at least not humans. She does blink when the two turn to one another and have their silent communication. Just what is going on? "Are you two mindreaders or something now?" she asks.

    Still, it's good to hear that things are relatively quiet in Brockton Bay. "Daftmaster also talked about this guy he was searching for, I can help with that if needed." It's a good thing to help allies, after all. And besides, while she does tease Defiant a lot he has at least changed and become less of an asshole that he was. He still needs a punch to the head now and then though, it seems, but at least he doesn't annoy her like he used to.

    As for Tony? "Eh, same old. Pepper is working like usual too, and Goldie spends most of his time in the workshop working on his suits and cars. It's what he likes."

Defiant (554) has posed:
     "No," Dragon replies, "Not exactly. We are just made for each other. And, I won't lie, but by the way you describe Tony Stark, I'm somewhat surprised that he doesn't get along with Colin. There is a saying, I suppose - familiarity breeds contempt."

     "No comment," Defiant grunts out.

     Dragon's eyes wander to Defiant again at the mention of 'this guy', however, before they return to Toph. "Saint," he clarifies, after a moment. "I haven't been able to determine anything useful."

     "But he knows what I am, Colin," Dragon says, "And that is worrying. It's how he was able to win - three times."

     Defiant nods, turning his eyes - one real, the other clearly artificial - towards Toph. "I'll keep you informed. I intend to put Bitter Medicine on the case, as well. Quietly."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Made for each other? "Now that sounds like something love birds would say," Toph shrugs. The topic about the similarities between Tony and Defiant earns a slight snort from Toph. "They aren't that similar. Sure, they both have egos, but while Daftmaster here thrives on law and order, Goldie has his own rules. Not to mention he doesn't have a stick stuck up a certain place." Here she reaches out to punch Defiant in the arm. "No offense, but you really ought to get it fully removed."

    But on to more serious topics. Saint, whoever he is, is certainly trouble if he knows what Dragon truly is. Toph's expression turns more pensive as her brow furrows, and she picks up the metal pieces from the air before she crosses her arms across her chest. "You fought this guy?" she asks Dragon. And well, if Defiant needs help then she will offer it. "What can you tell me about Saint?"

Defiant (554) has posed:
     There's a distinct thunk as Toph's fist collides with the smooth plates on Defiant's arm. "I'm not getting into this argument now," he says, gruffly. Which, really, is one hell of a step up for him. When did /Armsmaster/ learn to hold his tongue when he thinks he is right?

     Dragon nods. "Once, officially. Three times unofficially. There is nothing I can tell you about him or his methods because I do not remember fighting him."

     That's a problem.

     "Saint. Geoff Pellick. Tinker," Defiant comments. "He and his mercenary unit are in possession of three suits of power armor, all reverse engineered from Dragon's designs. That should be impossible. Since the last attack, he has been silent."

     "Let's not talk about Saint," Dragon says, with that slight faux-cheer that says someone really wants to shut down the conversation. Defiant shuts up immediately.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Is that amusement playing across Toph's face? Seems so. "Sure."

    The admission from Dragon does make Toph look surprised, and she blinks. "What? How can you forget fighting him?" she asks, looking rather curious. Though Defiant's explanation does fill in some gaps. "So he is copying you, huh? And maybe he is just really good at doing it? They said metalbending was impossible, but I discovered how to do it anyway."

    But why doesn't Dragon want to talk about him? The tone is clear, and Toph looks concerned for a moment as she considers the reasons why Dragon is trying to steer the topic away from Saint. Oh, to hell with it. "Why not? We need to figure out how to kick his ass after all. And hey, if he has suits like you guys do, then I can take care of them with my bending."

Defiant (554) has posed:
     Defiant seems to be handling the conversation now. Strange. "Very easily," he says, to the first question. "There are a number of... injunctions in Dragon's code that force her to take certain actions in response to certain stimuli. Our hypothesis is that Saint knows what those are and deliberately put Dragon in situations which forced her to choose or otherwise brought those injunctions into conflict. Even so, she should still remember that happening. The missing data is a concern."

     Defiant crosses his arms. "Saint might have a Tinker ability that allows him to reverse engineer. Dragon has a similar speciality, but it is rare for Tinkers to overlap in that sense."

     He sets his hand on Dragon's shoulder. "As for the reluctance... If someone was to steal your metalbending knowledge and alter your memories so you can't recall it happening, it might leave some raw wounds."

     "It's also something of the reason why I have this partnership with Defiant," Dragon says. "As much as we may poke at Colin's fondness for rules, he can break his restrictions. I cannot."

     "I'm trying-" Defiant says, but thinks better of it and transmits something to Toph.

     "I would enjoy seeing you bend those armors of his into scrap though, Toph," Dragon says, smiling slightly. "Be sure to get footage when you do."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    So being what she is does have its disadvantages, huh... Toph listens intently to Defiant's theory, and she nods her head. It sounds like it makes sense. "We will find out why you can't remember. After we find this creep." Perhaps he doesn't have the same ability as Dragon, but something similar? Or something completely different that they can't even imagine. Who knows? Either way they will just have to react accordingly.

    That is a rather good point, as Toph looks rather uncomfortable as Defiant offers that hypothetical situation for Toph to consider. "... okay, you got a point. I would hate that." Chi blockers suck like that. And without her bending, then there wouldn't be much she could do, would it...?

    But it doesn't leave her down for long it seems, especially not when Dragon reveals part of why she is partnered with Defiant. "Wait, here I thought he was really strict about rules... and now you're thinking about breaking them?" she asks, eyes wide. All before she lets out a laugh. "I think I need to tighten some of those screws in your head, they must be loose!" Oh, this is rich. When he transmits something into the radio piece she has in her ear she blinks a bit, then nods before she turns back to Dragon. "I'll try, but I can't tell how it will look like considering I don't see the way you guys do. So no promises that the quality will be good when I do it." Yes, Toph is determined to teach this guy a lesson. Dragon is likable, after all! And Toph does consider her at least a close ally.

Defiant (554) has posed:
     "He is. He was," Dragon says, and lets Defiant continue.

     "Armsmaster no longer exists. I'm not beholden to any Protectorate regulations beyond what is necessary for them to let me continue to operate under a new name. The law is important, but not when it infringes on the rights of people."

     Who would have thought Armsmaster would ever say something like that? Dragon laughs, though, at the comment about loose screws and her fingers work a little pattern through Defiant's scalp - tracing the scars, maybe?

     "We could contruct a replica for you to work on," Defiant suggests, reaching out to pluck one of the metal pieces from the air, and the conversation continues...

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    It is a bit surprising to hear Defiant say those words, and Toph can't help but grin. "Man, if the former you could hear you now I bet he would have an aneurism..." she snickers. "Now maybe you get why I was so annoyed with you and your thick skull." Maybe.

    At least Dragon and Defiant aren't as oogie as some people in their displays of affection. If that is what they are doing, who knows?

    "Yeah, feel free to do that," Toph says, then reaches out to take the metal pieces back. "I do think I should head back to Malibu before Goldie and Pepper wake up though. You two continue smooching or whatever oogie stuff you guys do on your dates," Toph says, kicking the ground so her satchel is launched up and into the air, and she reaches out her hand to catch it as it is about to fall down next to her. The metal is put back in, and she offers a brief salute to the two. "Later."

    And then she turns, heading off to exit the Skygarden and find her way to the closest warpgate.