2348/Gentle Information Gathering

Gentle Information Gathering
Date of Scene:	30 May 2015
Location:	New York-199999
Synopsis:	Toph gets put into SHIELD's Index for supernatural humans on Earth-19999.
Cast of Characters:	20, 301, 555

---

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Back from Disney World, and back to the usual luxurious life in Malibu. It had been some fun days indeed, and it was truly a wonder that they managed to get Pepper to take some time off.

    It is weekend still, so Toph has decided to get the most out of her two days off before it's back to doing lessons and whatnot on Monday. There's still so much homework to catch up on after a whole month of not having the motivation to do any of that. So the blind girl is seated outside on the patio, enjoying the evening sun as she works on some of her bending. Various metal samples lie on the table next to her, and she looks like she's concentrating, her feet pulled up into the reclining chair where she's seated.

Natasha Romanova (555) has posed:
    Toph will probably immediately sense a group of metal things headed down the driveway as she's sitting there, namely a couple of dark, nondescript vehicles that are most likely SHIELD vehicles. As expected, not long after the group has arrived, JARVIS announces to whomever is home that Ms. Romanoff has arrived on the property.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Oh yes, Toph hears the arrival of the vehicles up front, and she sighs. Seems there are guests at the door, and Jarvis informs her that she knows one of them. After all, she did talk with her some weeks ago in New York while she was staying there with Pepper.

    She does put the metal aside and gets out of the chair, then heads to the entry way of the house to greet the guests.

    "Dragging all of your buddies here with you today, Spy lady?" she asks Natasha, wondering just why she has so many people with her.

Natasha Romanova (555) has posed:
    Natasha nods, her expression neutral when Toph comes to the door. "Yes, I spoke with you about indexing, right?" she asks. "We'll need to take samples of your blood for analysis, which requires the appropriate equipment in order to ensure that it's done properly."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    The blind teenager stands calmly by the door, nodding when Natasha mentions the Index. It hadn't been a fun conversation, but during those minutes, it had been weird. Natasha had actually spoken the truth for once. And that was what convinced Toph to actually listen to her.

    Sure, she doesn't like the idea of giving away her blood or let the spies get much info about her, but they already know a lot of it. It's not like they can replicate bending either, right?

    So Toph nods her head to the side, a gesture for Nat and her sciency entourage to come on in. "And you're still serious about not using that blood sample for anything I wouldn't like, right?" she asks once more. "Maybe I should charge you. I mean, getting blood samples from the greatest earthbender of all time." At least she has the sense to joke around this time. And while she doesn't look pleased, she isn't morose like she was the last time they met.

Natasha Romanova (555) has posed:
    Natasha enters, and a team of doctors and scientists follow. "As far as I know, Toph, we won't be using the information for anything other than protecting the planet from extra terrestrial or other high-powered threats. That is SHIELD's job, not creating more." she reiterates from last time.

    "Now, why don't you just...have a seat, go ahead and make yourself comfortable wherever you typically do, I guess." She ignores the joke about charging. Things are a little less tense between them now, but Toph is not quite on the level of joking around with yet.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    "Here I thought protecting worlds was the Union's job," Toph comments and walks into the living room area before she flops down on the edge of the couch, keeping her feet on the floor. "If I find out you have been using my blood for any funky stuff, then I'll deal with it, just so you are warned." Hey, it's only fair to be honest about it.

    "So what do you put in this index information anyway?" It's easy to get to her arms considering she's wearing a tank top.

Natasha Romanova (555) has posed:
    "Origin, background, description of abilities, genetic imprints, criminal activity if any, stuff like that." Natasha replies. "You'll see soon enough."

    One of the doctors moves over to the couch and pulls out a syringe, along with a packet of alcohol swabs and gauze. "I'm just going to draw your blood first, okay?" A kind female doctor informs her with a smile. "So if you'll just hold your arm still for a minute I'll just sterilize the area where I'm going to put the needle." It's always best to tell your patients what you're going to do so that there are no surprises.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    "Origin?" Toph asks, then sighs. "Earth Kingdom, Gaoling, first daughter of the Beifong family, first class citizen. Earthbending teacher to the Avatar of my time. Earthbending, which means I can shift and move all types of earth, no matter how much or how little," she explains. And it sounds like she fully means that too without bragging. "I can also sense earth all around me, which is how I was able to discover metalbending. I can 'see' vibrations through earth, which is how I navigate. Genetic imprints? No clue about those... Criminal activities?" Oh boy.

    "I kinda broke a pyramid on one of the Earths if that counts. Though there was magic involved and I did that to help revive Goldie!" So it's justified. So there.

    For now the earthbender holds out her left arm as the physician moves to wrap a tourniquet around her upper arm in order to draw blood from her veins. As Toph is a fit girl it isn't too hard to find her veins, and she makes a slight face as she feels the needle go in. But other than lean forward a bit and grab the edge of the couch with her free hand, Toph doesn't move.

Natasha Romanova (555) has posed:
    The doctor is probably a bit relieved that she's pretty cooperative with the needles. Kids these days could be so difficult sometimes! The needle pierces her skin near her armpit, and thankfully finding a vein isn't tough, so the blood draw is finished quickly. The needle is removed and the doc quickly puts a piece of gauze on her arm and sticks it there with bandage tape. "You might be a little bit sore afterward, but it should go away quickly."

    Meanwhile, Natasha is busy writing everything Toph is saying down on a tablet. "The DNA samples will come from a quick mouth swab." She replies regarding the genetic imprints. "Criminal activity is confined to this planet, since other places are kind of outside our jurisdiction." After all who knows what is considered criminal or not on other planets anyway. "So the Beifong family. Who were your parents? Any siblings or other immediate family?"

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    It's clear the blind girl relaxes a bit when the needle is pulled out, and she pulls her lower arm up and uses her free hand to press down on the gauze. "Yeah yeah, I've been sore before," she replies. They poke her with needles in medical too, it's not like she's some little baby or something.

    Okay, mouth swabs doesn's sound bad. "No criminal activity here on this world, the paparazzis would have snapped up that rather quickly." SHIELD should know how Toph has been a bit annoyed with journalists who have been a bit too brave in getting stories from her. She seems to go a bit quiet when asked about her family, and it takes a few seconds before she responds. "Lao Beifong is my father, and Poppy Beifong is my mother. I am an only child, and I have some aunts and uncles... I am the first earthbender in my family for some generations." It still isn't easy talking about her biological family.

Natasha Romanova (555) has posed:
    The doctor smiles and removes the needle from the syringe, sealing the end with a plastic cap. She hands it off to a tech to put away, while she pulls out a clear package containing sterile swabs for the DNA sampling. "I figured as much, I've heard some of the stories. You're certainly tougher than you look."

    Natasha watches Toph as she talks about her family, noting the quiet demeanor. It sounded like family was a tough subject for her. She nods and takes the names down. "Are they still alive? What's their current status?" she inquires.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    It's a bit tough to open her mouth and talk at the same time. So Toph focuses on talking, even if the topic is something she doesn't like talking about. "Yes, they're both alive and well. They are in their forties, my father is a successful business man..." Her expression falters just slightly. "They... aren't too happy with me being in the Union. I haven't talked with them since last fall."

Natasha Romanova (555) has posed:
    Natasha nods, and the doctor is happy to wait until Toph is finished answering the question before going in with the swab. Just a little cotton thing, nothing harmful! In and out quickly, and she's done, placing the sample in a sterile container to be analyzed later.

    "Heh. Sounds like a case of overprotective family to me." Black Widow remarks. "Either that or they disagree with the Union's ideals." But that didn't seem that likely. "Now I'm assuming they're still living on your version of Earth?"

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Toph opens her mouth and lets the physician use the swabs in her mouth to take the samples. Though she does smack her lips a bit to get the taste out of her mouth.

    "You have no idea..." Toph mutters at the comment about overprotective. "They are mostly worried and think I'm weak. Which is why I left." And why she is staying with Tony and Pepper. "And yeah, they are still there..." Just how are they doing now since she last met them?

Natasha Romanova (555) has posed:
    "Weak?" Natasha quirks an eyebrow at her and makes a slight snorting sound. "That seems awfully delusional." Given she'd managed to pin Black Widow herself to the floor one time, Nat hardly thinks the girl is weak. "Not that I've ever been a parent, or ever will be for that matter." she mutters, as she jots that information down as well.

    "Anyway." Next question. "Have you ever lost control of your abilities? Had any health anomalies that you suspected might have been related to your bending?"

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    "They think I'm helpless because I'm blind. And that even if I'm a bender that I need to be cared for and guarded at all times," Toph informs Natasha, sitting calmly on the couch with a serious expression on her face, if not looking slightly discomfortable. This is information that the Union is well aware of, so... she has no problems sharing it with SHIELD.

    It is easier to talk about her bending. "Never," Toph replies truthfully. "Earthbending is a stable element that requires absolute control and will to bend, it's not like firebending where the fire has a will of its own, so to speak." Health anomalies? The teenager shakes her head. "I've always been healthy except for some colds here and there, had pneumonia once when I was very little. There was that spirit that... fed on my willpower last year. The Union saved me." Toph shrugs. "I was a bit weak after that." It's not fun to think about, even if she doesn't remember any of it. "You should also note that I like fighting, not killing. I will only kill in self defense or to prevent any of my family or friends from being harmed." It's important to note. And they should know that, considering they are concerned whether or not she will actually harm her adoptive father with her unique abilities.

Natasha Romanova (555) has posed:
    Natasha nods, taking all of this information in and jotting it down on the tablet. "So if you didn't have enough willpower, it just wouldn't work, as opposed to flying out of control?" she asks. "You've never focused on doing one thing but had the ground do another or perhaps go much farther than you intended?"

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    One can almost see the pride on Toph's face when she raises her head a bit, and her voice is calm and serious. "The earth moves when I tell it to move. If you don't have a calm mind and focus, it won't budge. I can move huge boulders as precisely as I move little coins, and I can do it better than any other earthbender," she claims without any hint that she is joking nor bragging.

    "Amateurs might lose control, but then again, they only use earthbending for fighting. I use it for /everything/, it's as natural as breathing to me."

Tony Stark (301) has posed:
Tony had been upstairs, napping after a very long night and longer day without much sleep. He could go days in his workshop without noticing the time, but make him get caught up on three days of backed up paperwork and he's out. He steps out onto the landing upstairs, Buster in his arms. The cat had been very happy to see everyone home after three days alone with the 'bots, and snuggles purring into his armpit. Barefoot, Tony pads silently to the railing overlooking the living room, and eavesdrops. No, he's not happy about SHIELD invading his house, but he knows this is one of those visits where they mean well, so he'll grit his teeth and bear the invasion of his privacy.

"Sometimes for things she shouldn't use it for," he calls down, as Toph continues bragging.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Hello to you too, sleeping beauty.

    Knowing fully well that Tony was up and coming down the stairs, Toph doesn't seem surprised to hear him speak up. Though she does let out a huff. "I fix your tools and scrap metal after I bend them, I don't see the problem," she states firmly. Then she points up at Natasha. "They're here to put me in that superhuman Index thingie that SHIELD has," Toph explains helpfully.

Tony Stark (301) has posed:
"Yeah, I gathered that from all the doctors and needles and interview questions," Tony smirks. "So what do you think, Nat, will this finally get Fury off my back?"

Natasha Romanova (555) has posed:
    Toph might be bragging a little bit, but Natasha just smirks slightly. She didn't really doubt it. It's true, the girl has certainly been on the news quite a bit. And there hadn't been a single case of her losing control of her abilities or causing destruction where she didn't intend to. Well, aside from the pyramid incident, but that was not on this particular Earth. From the reports though, the ancient tomb wasn't completely structurally sound.

    She looks up when Tony finally speaks. "Tony." Romanoff greets, nodding up at him. "Good to see you alive and well. With emphasis on the 'alive' part." Nat comments, then stands up, having nearly finished the full profiling. She shrugs at Tony's question. "I honestly have no idea, but the chances of that happening at least go up after this one last thing, just a full body scan. Again, quick and painless." The agent holds up the tablet and nods toward Toph. "Just stand up and hold your arms out perpendicular to your body for a second."

Tony Stark (301) has posed:
"You could've seen me alive and well at my birthday party last night," Tony points out with half-exaggerated pique, pushing out his lips in a pout. "So could Fury. You could have sung me a duet. Beauty and the Beast, maybe. I'll let you decide who's who."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Yeah, Baldy better get off of their backs now! And as far as she is concerned, she isn't bragging! She is stating the complete truth. But she gets up on her feet and shrugs. "Yeah, it's amazing. I wasn't even the one who killed him!" Toph jokes with a deadpan look on her face.

    She holds out her arms and stands still. "Get me from my good side, I wanna look nice on your photos."

    When Tony talks about songs though... "They could probably sing Friends on the Other Side too. Or that song that the snake from the Jungle Book sings." The one about trust and all.

Natasha Romanova (555) has posed:
    Natasha touches the screen to begin the scan, a blue line of light traveling up and down Toph's body several times. She also takes a couple of photos, then puts the tablet away. "There, all finished. That wasn't so bad, now was it?" She opens the image file, shrugging. "You look fine, don't worry."

    Nat pffs at Tony's suggestion. "Yeah, about that. I would have swung by, honestly. But you know how work can go. Had to run off grid in Dubai when some idiot tipped off the mob for cash. Plan B -always- ends up throwing the extraction team for a loop."

Tony Stark (301) has posed:
"Fury should know better than to run ops on my birthday," Tony replies airily. "Stay for dinner?" he invites suddenly, unexpectedly. "We were going to order in Thai and then there's plenty of birthday cake left to finish up." Maybe he actually feels bad that she missed the party. In any case it's an olive branch.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Toph can tell that she is being scanned mostly by Nat's body language, and once she is done taking photos of her the blind girl flops back on the couch, reaching a hand out as she makes a beckoning sound to Buster. "As long as you don't use the information for anything bad then I won't mind." Or as long as they don't spy on her private conversations again.

    When Tony invites Natasha to stay for dinner though, Toph blinks. Really? "Can I get that extra spicy soup? And those shrimps?" she asks Tony and even puts on her best puppy dog eyes as she turns to face him where she sits. Pleaaaase? "And some spring rolls?"

    Also, the best cake piece is so hers.

Tony Stark (301) has posed:
Buster 'mows' back at Toph from Tony's arms, but he's comfortable where he is. Tony just stares at her in bemusement. "Yes, of course you can," he replies, as if puzzled that she'd even ask. "Dad's a billionaire, remember? As long as you eat it all and don't let Buster lick up the pepper seeds again." That was a messy evening.

Natasha Romanova (555) has posed:
    Natasha shakes her head at Tony's airy comment regarding Fury. "It wasn't his op," she corrects. "It was mine. Red ledger, remember?" She sighs and sits down on the couch, accepting the invitation to dinner. "Thai, haven't had that in a while."

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Score! Toph beams where she sits. "I'll eat most of it and have the rest for leftovers tonight after the movie!" Yes, Saturday is movie night after all. As for the pepper seeds? "Hey, I got rid of the hair balls and cat vomit, didn't I? It's not my fault he ate them." But yeah, she'll be careful.

    As Natasha sits down on the couch Toph reaches down to pick at her toes. "What, Baldy doesn't feed you proper food?"

Natasha Romanova (555) has posed:
    Natasha shrugs. "I don't know, I guess I just haven't really taken the time to have a proper meal lately." she sighs. Always an op to be on, whether it's SHIELD or her own private contracts. There is always something needing to be taken care of, it seems. And none of it ever seems to stack up against all the red in her ledger, either.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    "Maybe you should, you would be better at snooping and spying on others if your stomach doesn't rumble so much," Toph teases. Hey, she's just happy she's getting to eat nice food and that Natasha is telling the truth for once. It makes her less of a bother to be around, really. And maybe things will be easier now that she's in that Index. And maybe they will rethink their earlier words after Tony did die and how hard the Union worked to get him back.

Natasha Romanova (555) has posed:
    "I'll try to." Natasha smiles a little at the quip about her stomach rumbling. "Spying is a lot more than just sneaking around and staying out of sight, though. Sometimes it just means pretending to be someone else for a while. Besides, there are other things that have to be done clandestinely, aside from recon." Like stealing, and hacking, and assassinating.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    "Yeah yeah, been there, done that," Toph snorts, though she does smirk a bit. It is fun pretending to be somebody else now and then, though she doubts it's the same innocent fun that Natasha goes through. "For now you can pretend to be a normal person and eat thai food. If you behave you might be permitted to watch a stupid movie later."