2534/Sizing Up the Competition

Sizing Up the Competition
Date of Scene:	27 June 2015
Location:	Papaya Island - Tournament Grounds
Synopsis:	New and old participants of the WMAT meet when their paths cross.
Cast of Characters:	20, 799

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Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Summer is awesome for so many different reasons. Nice warm weather, then again she lives in Malibu, it's nice and warm all year around. Unlike most people she walks without shoes most of the time, so she always gets to experience the nice feeling of grass between her toes. Ice cream is something you can eat all year around.

    But in summer, there's something else that Toph Beifong enjoys above everything else... The WMAT!

    Due to some other issues she didn't get to go to the signup office the first day, but the young earthbender is here now, making her way through the tournament grounds with purpose in each step. If she looks a little giddy, who can blame her? Rather than getting dressed up in her fancy earthbender gear she is wearing leggings that reach underneath her knees, a singlet with some adorable bunnies printed on it, as well with her elven satchel flung over her shoulder. All in all she does look a bit out of place as she stands in the signup line for the C bracket. Man, it's nearly her turn! There's also the exhibition match she should get checked out. Toph waits patiently at least, even if she's nearly bouncing in place where she stands in the line.

Hisoka (799) has posed:
    It's a fairly awesome time, yes. Hisoka doesn't care much for the changing of the seasons, but he got to play recently. He's still bearing a few scrapes and scuffs of the fight too, though they don't show in public. Or anywhere, really, so long as he keeps the injuries covered. The playtime was good. Suitably showy, and successful, and he's fairly sure such a good showing will mean good things for his long-term future goals.

    And of course... the WMAT is open. While he's not exactly one to show off his true strength in public forums, Hisoka still has those long-term plans. A good showing in the tournament, even if he doesn't win, will make him more appealing to those he wants to have seek him out.

    His flamboyant swept-back hair and lilac outfit, the one with the symbols, may be lost on someone like Toph. The stares he gets from others though... that might not be so lost on her.

    Of course there's also the question of what division to enter. No question at all, really. He's seen some of the past events, at least on video. While they don't provide recorded nen video tracks, he's seen some measure of what the competition might be. He'd be disappointed if he couldn't get into division C, to really show off, and to fight those most worth fighting. Though... as he steps towards the sign-up line, he frowns slightly. Looks like a little girl coming to sign up for Division C. Not that he's foolish enough to consider children not-dangerous or not-interesting, but still. Unripe fruit are always the most appealing... and children are almost by definition those who have the most potential to grow.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    People are always staring in this place. Perhaps that is why Toph doesn't seem to notice the reactions people are having to Hisoka. Either way, it's her turn. As the person behind the counter calls out 'next', Toph isn't slow to step forward, a big and confident grin crossing her lips. "Oh, miss Beifong was it?" the man questions, blinking as he recognizes the little girl as he peers down over the edge of the tall counter. Most of the people working here to remember some of the repeat fighters, after all. "Are you sure you're not going to go back to bracket B this year? Last year--"

    The blind girl's grin fades somewhat, and she lets out a huff as she kicks her heel into the ground, causing it to rise underneath her feet so she doesn't have to stand on her toes to talk clearly to the registrar. "Why would I want to go back to that? I'm not looking for easy fights, buddy. Get the details written down on your little computer, will you?" The man sighs, then begins filling in information. "So... Toph Beifong... how old are you? Thirteen?" The girl almost rolls her eyes. "I'm fourteen now." "And next of kin is still Mister Stark and Miss Potts...?" "Yeah. And I have their permission to enter too," she adds, rummaging in her satchel as she pulls out an official looking paper that she hands over to the man. "Oh, could you also extend an invitation for an exhibition match from me to Jinx? She fought in bracket B last year." "I will do so. The official papers should be sent to your registered adress once your application has been processed."

    With that done the girl stomps onto the concrete block she is standing on, making it sink back into the floor before she turns and begins to head off, ducking underneath the large blade of the guy who is next in line after her, all before she continues on without seemingly visually aware of what's going on around her if her eyes is a telltale sign.

Hisoka (799) has posed:
    Not looking for easy fights. Interesting. Still, it's not like Hisoka has any reason to be NICE to anyone, competitor or rival or otherwise. He probably doesn't recognize Toph. He has no particular reason to have noticed her, and hasn't spent the time to analyze all last year's fights. He rarely remembers anything about anyone he's not actually interested in. But ... well, there's interested in and there's interesting. Her obvious annoyance with the registrar is definitely one of those.

    As Toph walks past Hisoka on her way out, he speaks up. "Might as well enter the C bracket. It's not like you're risking anything important when you lose." he says offhandedly.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    The moment the unfamiliar voice speaks up, Toph halts, not even turning her head. "Yeah, that's kinda the point. It's a fighting tournament, not a colosseum or a Battle Royale competition where only one person walks away alive," the girl points out with a slight snort. Just what is with this guy? Why did he say that? It's not like she can remember his voice, and she /never/ forgets a voice. Plus he's in the signup for the C bracket...

Hisoka (799) has posed:
    Seems Hisoka didn't annoy Toph by implying she only fought in the tough guy division because it didn't matter if she lost. No matter. If such a thing doesn't bother her, then he doesn't really have an interest in finding out what does. The point of being a jerk at someone is to make them more willing and interested in fighting, and if annoyance isn't Toph's trigger, he can probably find other ways of making her tick.

    Hisoka stretches casually, and a bit weirdly. "It's a shame that's the way the tournament is." he says agreeably. "So much more *exciting* when someone really wants to kill you. Or is truly afraid for their lives... or just *really* wants to win." he claims, grinning.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    It usually takes a lot more to annoy the levelheaded earthbender, and while she is proud, she can take a joke too. This guy... seems to not be joking. And what the hell is up with that stretching? And that comment for that matter.

    "Look," Toph begins, resting her hands on her hips, "these people want money. And they want the fighters to return year after year and help them make money. Not to mention it's exciting even without death and crud." Heck, her father would probably have a fit if she joined a fighting tournament where death was an actual risk. "If you have a death wish, then I suppose you could always go smash a nest of winged scorpions or something," she adds.

Hisoka (799) has posed:
    "Boring." Hisoka says, amused. Winged scorpions? Well, he doesn't know what they are, but they sound like deadly creatures. You get the thrill of putting your own life on the line, but you lack the thrill of your opponent knowing his own life is on the line. Of them reaching inside themselves to be the best they can possibly be. Scorpions, or ants, just aren't particularly interesting no matter how dangerous they are. "The tournament will do, I suppose. Better than nothing. But someone else can go fight the scorpions~"

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    The blind girl arches an eyebrow where she stands, listening to this guy talk. First he says this place sounds boring, and then he says the tournament will do...

    "What's your problem, exactly?" she asks rather directly, all while she reaches a hand up to point a finger directly at Hisoka's face. "The WMAT is kinda the biggest summer event in the entire multiverse, it's better than anything else going on."

Hisoka (799) has posed:
    "Really?" Hisoka asks lazily, sounding a bit sceptical. "We'll have to see, I suppose. I imagine this event is a big deal to the people who want to watch, and the people betting."

    He pauses, considers. "You wouldn't have any tips, would you? If I wanted to gamble a little?" he smirks. That too has its amusements. Usually he's pretty good at sizing up a fight, deciding who's likely to win. But for gambling, he prefers something more hands-on than betting on a fight.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    "Well, yeah. There's tons of sponsors, people show up for all the fights to cheer and have fun. And I do think there's some betting going on, dunno," Toph says with a shrug. It's not like she is doing this for the money, considering she is pretty low maintenace /and/ her adoptive father is a billionaire. Most of her allowance and Union earnings go into her savings account. Most of the stuff she requires she has, and why spend money to have fun?

    "If you want to gamble? Go to a casino," she responds rather matter of factly, her deadpan delivery perhaps stating that yes, she is indeed making fun of him. "There's many fighters, and people seldom remain champion for too long. Heck, you might as well bet on me, 'cause I'm in this because I intend to win."

Hisoka (799) has posed:
    Humour and pride. Oh yes, Hisoka's no stranger to both. He's also no stranger to hubris and arrogance... but there's no way to tell which of these might apply here. He grins however, studying Toph. "We'll have to see, won't we? If you're worth being here. I've known many people who thought they were strong enough to win..." he smirks. "But I can't remember anything about them worth telling you about~"

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    A loud sound leaves Toph, possibly a restrained laugh. "PFFFT! This is my third year here, of course I'm worth being here," she claims in a tone that suggests that Hisoka does not know what he's talking about. "I don't care about any of your friends, whoever you are. Besides, the main reason to fight here is so have fun. And I'll have fun this year as well. If you're bored you could always commentate as well, they often want fighters to commentate on the fights to get a better picture of it."

    She gestures to all the fighters around them. "Most people who fight here do it for fun, some do it for glory, some do it to earn money. You sound like the former yourself." Or possibly the one who does it for no real reason at all since there's nothing else for him to do.

Hisoka (799) has posed:
    Hisoka has some use for glory. Little use in it for himself, but he knows how others seek it and how he can make use of it for his own goals. Glory isn't a goal in itself, not for him. He beams. "Oh yes. It's GOOD to have fun." he says, possibly setting off a few warning bells with the creepy note that he doesn't bother hiding from his voice.

    "Third year, hmmmm~?" Hisoka continues, his voice going a little sing-song. Interesting indeed. "You might be worth watching. Tell me... do you think you're as strong as you'll ever be? Or do you still have a lot to learn?"

    The question SOUNDS casual enough, but there's something else in Hisoka's tone. A certain suggestion the question's not idle chitchat to pass the time while waiting his turn.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Immediately Toph blinks, hearing the tone of the man's voice. Just... what is up with this guy? She looks momentarily uncertain and confused even as Hisoka comments on her statement of this being her third year in the tournament. And his question strikes her as odd at first. "I was pretty powerful to begin with, but I've only become stronger for each year that I've been in the multiverse," she responds truthfully. "I /am/ the greatest earthbender of all time, though I can hardly be worthy of that title if I sit on my ass and don't get even stronger, now can I?" It's only logical! Besides, she needs to develop metalbending further, it's her duty to hone her skills even more. All of these words aren't bragging either. It's clear that the blind little girl is dead serious.

    This guy is a bit strange... but not giving him public information might not work either. "Why are you asking anyway?" she adds.

Hisoka (799) has posed:
    Hisoka licks his lips, no doubt thinking of the sour taste of unripe fruit. Sooo delicious in appearance, but so disappointing to bite deep into. "That good, are you?" he asks, not QUITE teasing, sounding like he might be actually taking Toph seriously. "I suppose we'll just have to see. Oh my yes." he grins. "Who knows? We might even end up fighting some time." he adds blandly. "In the tournament." he adds. As if there were any other reason to fight.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    It's a bit hard to know just what to think of this guy. His voice is hard to read into. "Look buddy," she sighs, "I'm not here to prove myself to you or anybody, I'm here to have fun. If you don't believe me, then yeah, you might get a surprise if we do end up having to face each other in the tournament." He is standing in the signup line for bracket C, after all. Still, she didn't miss the way he spoke.

    Her eyes narrow slightly. "I don't go around picking fights if that is what you mean, nor do I see a reason to fight you outside of this tournament, buddy. So whatever you're hinting at, you might as well bury that idea," Toph states firmly, crossing her arms across her chest.

Hisoka (799) has posed:
    Hisoka holds up his hands, a gesture of apparent surrender. "I was only joking." he says, not entirely sincerely. Not that Toph has anything to worry about. "I don't fight anyone unless they're interested in fighting me. Not seriously, anyways." he states, smirking. He DOES kill people that aren't interested in fighting him... but only when they're annoying, or in his way. Not when they're interesting. Not when they might ripen in fascinating and tasty ways. "If we meet in the tournament, I'll look forward to seeing what you can do~" he finishes, clearly amused.

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    Was he joking? It... she can't really tell whether he was joking or not. And that fact alone is rather unsettling.

    Perhaps it would be better to not meet this guy in this tournament at all. "You can see what I can do during my fights. at least most of it," she comments, then turns away once more. "There's also some recordings from my fights the previous years if you really want to see for yourself." Without further comment the blind earthbender begins walking off as casually as she can manage at the moment.

Hisoka (799) has posed:
    This is getting interesting, or at least amusing. Hisoka grins and waves lazily in Toph's direction as she begins to walk off. "Mmmm, I don't think I will." he says offhandedly. "I should at least try to see if you might surprise me~" he claims. "Otherwise it won't be as much fun!" he explains. If it were a serious fight, that'd be another story. This, however, is just a tournament. A tournament with a strict no-killing policy. He'll NEED any additional excitement he can get, so he doesn't worry about falling asleep mid-battle!

Toph Beifong (20) has posed:
    If Toph has heard Hisoka's parting words, she doesn't visibly react to it. Instead she reaches into her satchel and fiddles with her radio, turning it on. Okay, if she's lucky she won't run into this creepy guy again.

    Now to make sure the person she sent the exhibition fight invitation to accepts it!