Scene #3461: A Bad Time for Trade

Owner	Pose
Toph Beifong	Normally Pepper Potts should be used to communicating with a lot of different people from around the multiverse, considering she is the one effectively running Stark Industries. But it's been a long time since her radio was contacted by a specific frequency, a radio that Tony had given to somebody from another world that they hadn't been to in quite a while. It had been Lao Beifong himself, and he had kept it short and to the point, which might have made it easier to deal with if Pepper had been surprised. A simple request, by all sounds of it... an invitation for Pepper to visit the Beifong Estate in Gaoling for a business proposition. All in all the man had sounded sincere, more sincere than most. Even if it's nearing winter, due to Gaoling being in the far south of the Earth Kingdom it's a rather mild climate here, and as a result there's no need to wear heavy clothing. Sure, the gardens of the estate aren't as bright as they usually are in the spring, but they are still bright and lavish compared to the rest of the town. When Pepper arrives the guards let her in, no questions asked as they show her the outmost formality a guest could expect. And as she is escorted to the southern building, the familiar figure of Poppy Beifong can be seen, standing there at the door and greeting her along with some of the servants, who bow low. Poppy herself offers the other woman a polite nod of her head, and while she is smiling, the woman does look somewhat troubled. "Thank you for coming, Miss Potts... I trust you and Mister Stark is doing well? And... Toph too?" Of course a mother would worry about her child.
Pepper Potts	Potts arrived as non-descript as she could under the circumstances. Non-threatening, her skirt appropriately long for the winter chill, her hairstyle modestly and elegantly curled up in the back of her head in a simple french twist. Her mouth was set in a thin line when he contacted originally -- she was suspicious. She'd not had any dealings with Lao in the months after she would have punched him the hell out for what he did to Toph. But she found the calm to make it out. She gives a nod to Happy, letting him know that it was all right... and of course, without even any behest from her betrothed, RESCUE remains on standby. She stepped into the Beifong residence with confidence and grace, her head held high, heels tapping against the stone floor. And there, at the door, was Poppy. Pepper gives a warm smile to the other woman, and gives a tight bow of her own -- in respect to Toph's mother. "Thank you, Mrs. Beifong, we are all..." she reaches for her phone, and shows off a picture of Toph that she took, practicing her earthbending out in the yard and /throwing boulders at Iron Man/ surrepticiously to the other woman. "Including Toph." she gives a smile.
Toph Beifong	The technology from the multiverse is still a marvel to Poppy, and she blinks as Pepper displays the image on the phone. "... she's grown taller," she comments with a slight sigh, the smile tugging at her lips somewhat. What other thoughts the woman has is not expressed further, and she nods before she gestures to the hallway. "My husband is waiting for you in his study, Miss Potts." And it seems like Poppy herself will escort Pepper to said study, a place where the woman has been before when dealing with Lao in the past. As always the manor itself is kept in a pristine shape, and the study is no different. The scent of tea and refreshments is in the air as a servant slides the door open, and Poppy gestures for Pepper to enter. "Please... I know things could be better," Poppy begins, her expression solemn, "but he is trying." With that she offers another nod to Pepper before departing. Inside the study Lao is seated at his desk, which seems to be overflowing with paperwork aside from the various items set on the desk. To the side there's a tray with steaming hot tea, dumplings and dried fruits. And as Pepper enters the study he looks up from his desk. While he is dressed neatly as always, the man looks somewhat tired as he rises and offers Pepper a polite nod of his head. "Thank you for coming, Miss Potts. I... was worried you wouldn't be willing, considering our previous meeting." To be honest, the last time he met Tony was far more tense. And perhaps that is why he reached out to Pepper, considering she seems more reasonable.
Pepper Potts	Pepper follows Poppy. "She is." she confirms. "She may even pass me in height... when... I'm not in these shoes, in any case." Potts replies quietly. "She boistrous, and popular with nearly everyone -- she has a lot of friends, gets into a little trouble -- typical teenager trouble, like 'out too late' or 'not studying enough'." Potts explains -- all too happy to give a little news on Toph's growth. "I'm hoping to... perhaps convince you and Lao to join us during our winter holiday sometime on neutral ground. It's important to me, at least, that she keep up some contact. It wasn't easy getting to re-learn my family, once." Potts replies, taking a look around the pristine manor and... missing, surprisingly, the dirt footprints everywhere in her own home suddenly. And as Poppy gestures for her to enter, Potts gives her another bow. "I know." she replies softly, and gives a sm ile to the woman before she enters the study. She looks to Lao a moment, studying him. She notes the strange sense of tiredness about him -- though, the last time they met... she came out of it wanting to extract the teeth f rom his skull one by one, while making him write 'I will not sell out my daughter to spirits'. In blood. But not his own because that would be way too weird for Potts. She gives a momentary bow of her head, one more standing for equals (because take /that/ patriarchal society!). "Considering our previous meeting," Potts replies evenly, "it occured that someone of your standing with my family would have great need to resort to contacting me." she replies, but there is a cold edge in her voice, but she takes a deep breath, and exhales it. She gives a slight smile, her business smile. "How can Stark Industries help, Mr. Beifong?"
Toph Beifong	It doesn't seem like Poppy will need any convincing to join the Starks for the winter holidays, not judging by the expression on her face. For now all Pepper gets is a careful smile. There are some other people who might be harder to get on board with that suggestion. It's clear that Lao doesn't treat Pepper like somebody below him, as he does know the mental fortitude the woman possesses. And she hits the nail on the head when she aptly describes the situation. The man nods his head once when Pepper speaks, and he gestures to the chair in front of the desk when she asks for what reason she was summoned here. "Please, have a seat." Why, the man even picks up the tea pot and pours some tea for the both of them, taking one of the cups for himself before testing the temperature of the drink with a careful sip. "It is as you say, I am in great need of assistance. And... not just from Mister Stark's company. It... is the Union's help I'm in need of." It seems to take a great deal of pride for the man to admit to this, and his expression is serious when he looks Pepper in the eyes. "Ever since the war ended, there have been civil unrest all over the Earth Kingdom, especially along the western coast. A great deal of Fire Nation colonies have been settled there, some nearly a century old. There is a lot that needs to be done there, and I have seen an opportunity for business there. Except... it didn't go as planned." A heavy sigh leaves the man, and he leans back in his chair, reaching a hand up to rub at his temple. "I entered a trade agreement with a town there, where we wish to establish a foundry, except the caravans sent there never arrived. It... appears that they were ambushed, and the consequences have been dire."
Pepper Potts	Potts sits, and accepts the tea. She tests the temperature and flavor, and finds it to her liking. She settles the cup in her hand, supporting the base on her long, elegant fingers. She also accepts Lao's respect -- in honest, she feels bad. Even though there's still residual teeth-punching she wants to do. Grr. Protective mom. She gives him a look of mild surprise as he explains that he requires the Union's aid... which leads her to think the situation must be pretty dire. She looks him in the eye as he talks, gauging him. Any tic of his eyes. Any lean back of the head, any talking down... but it didn't seem like there was any there. Fire nation colonies settled, business deal, shipment went south. She's familiar with that vein... Obidiah's lies... but she watches him as he rubs at his temple. "Are there any details about the attacks?" she inquires, gently.
Toph Beifong	Trust the Beifongs to know quality, and well... it does look like Lao does his best to show Pepper sincere hospitality. And he does his best to explain matters to her, to explain why he contacted her today, why he needs the Union's help after what happened last year. Even if he has donated money to the WMAT this year as well without being prompted to, even if he did promise Faruja Senra that he would indeed work to make amends for his deeds in the past. "There are few survivors from the attacks," Lao begins, then gestures to some paperwork. Sadly it's all written in Chinese and probably doesn't make much sense to Pepper. "But those who have survived has said that there are benders. And not just firebenders, though they are are in the majority. There are also many earthbenders, as well as a few waterbenders. The shipments have been stolen, people have been killed, wagons and beasts of burden destroyed..." Another sigh, and Lao forces himself to take another sip of the tea, as if seeking a way to calm his nerves. "It's pretty much clear that sending a regular escort is too dangerous, and more people will die." Here he looks at Pepper again, swallowing not only his pride. "We... need Elites to ensure the safety of the workers, the cargo and the future of the Beifong family." There is more weighing on his chest as he continues talking. "Seeing as Toph is in the Union, that she is my daughter... I was hoping her friends and colleagues would be willing to help, even if I have done things I horribly regret," he finishes, his voice steady but heavy with emotion.
Pepper Potts	Pepper doesn't mind being handed things, but she's always had to reach out and take things in. She reaches for some of the paperwork, and draws her eyes over it to see if it will translate... when it doesn't go easily, she pulls her Stark Phone from her breast pocket again, and holds it over the reports. "JARVIS, please translate." she asks. Right away in front of her, a holographic readout appears, translating the Earth Kingdom script to English, detailing the road attacks. Counts. Reports. The types of benders. And Potts takes a very grim face as she considers... sitting up in her chair. She reaches for her tea, and takes a sip, reflecting. "I can't promise anything." Pepper replies quietly, and she sets her cup in her fingers, supporting it between them as they neatly steeple. She closes her eyes, and remains sitting ramrod straight. "You didn't endear yourself to the Union in general. Ordinarily, I would suggest putting a line out to The Syndicate for... mercenary work..." she dryly levels her gaze at Lao. She wants to see him squirm. She wants him to know that no one in the union likes him... including, maybe, her. "However." There's the softest of clicks as she sets the cup down, voice soft as a spring breeze -- and carrying with it the same chill malice of a spring snow at the same time. "I can understand your reasons behind what you did. I will find you protection for your caravan... on one condition."
Toph Beifong	Lao doesn't stop Pepper from taking some of the paperwork, though he does look a bit curious when she pulls out her phone and asks that weird man in the phone to translate the writing. But he will let her take the time she needs to look over the paperwork. Though he seems unsettled at the grim expression as she seemingly considers the situation. And when she initially begins giving her response to it all, Lao doesn't appear to be reassured. No, he knows the Union probably doesn't think highly of him. The Syndicate is full of mercenaries, that he knows, even if he has never been in contact with them... While the man doesn't visibly squirm in his seat, the expression on his face, the look in his face should indeed say quite a lot for whatever Lao is thinking at the moment. All in all, he appears to be somebody who at his wit's end. Before he can speak up she does however, and while he doesn't dare be hopeful, he does dare take a deep breath again. "I know that what I did can't be undone, and that whatever I say or do won't easily make up for it, Miss Potts," he says, then nods his head. "What is the condition you require of me?"
Pepper Potts	"In addition to a moderate sum for the services rendered transfered to this charitable foundation -- I will include a translation and deposit guide if you need --" she begins, picking up a card case from her breifcase, the redhead snaps it open, and slides over a card for the Children of Annu, "... that you and your wife join Mr. Stark, Toph, and I for a meal sometime in the next month." she states, simply and without any flare or cockiness to her voice. She's quite serious. "And I will personally oversee the safety of your caravan."
Toph Beifong	There's obvious surprise in Lao's eyes when Pepper lays out the condition for the Union's help. A donation to charity... and a dinner. The man sits still in his chair, holding his tea cup between his hands as he blinks twice, looking down at the card that doesn't mean much to him considering he doesn't know how to read English. It's the latter part of the condition that really gets his attention, however. It almost looks as if he is still reeling from the fact that Pepper's condition was far less than he probably expected that she would demand. "Of course, Miss Potts," he finally manages to say, nodding his head firmly. "Once this entire matter is dealt with and the business transaction is dealt with safely, just let me know where and when you wish for me and my wife to meet you, Toph and... mister Stark." No, he's still not comfortable around the other man considering their previous interactions, but it should all be worth it for the sake of his company and to meet his daughter again.
Pepper Potts	"Agreed then. I will handle the security detail and the dining arrangements. Please give me a few days to clear any conflicting schedules." Potts states, and then she pauses, and looks up at Lao. "In time, Toph might be able to see what you did for what it is... an act of desperation." her face softens. "I want you to know that I can empathize with her in this situation, but now I understand better the 'why' of your choices." she exhales. "Do you have any questions for me, Mr. Beifong?"
Toph Beifong	"Very well. There will be some time needed to prepare the next shipment as well, as well as reassure the workers that they will be protected from the danger that befell the others," Lao readily agrees, lacing his fingers together as he leans back in his chair. It looks like a massive weight has been lifted from his shoulders where he sits, though he still looks somewhat tense. When Pepper brings up the topic of what Toph might be feeling about what transpired last year, the Beifong patriarch sighs softly for himself. "I won't pretend that things can be easily forgotten, Miss Potts. Though... I am glad you and the Union were able to save her." He pauses before he closes his eyes and shakes his head. "I have no questions at this time. But if you could bring my regards to my daughter, then I would be eternally grateful. Even if she might not wish to assist me with this task. I do suppose it would be prudent for you to bring my regards to mister Stark as well. If you have any instructions for the caravan and its preparations, let me know and I will see to it myself. I can't afford to have another ambush and more people to be harmed in such a matter." With matters settled and done, the man rises from his chair. "Thank you for your time. And for your willingness to assist the Beifong family in this dire matter."
Pepper Potts	Potts rises as well, elegantly, and she reaches over to offer a hand to shake to Lao Beifong. "It won't be forgotten. It's not completely forgiven... but I recognize you're trying, Lao. That means something to me, even though both Toph and Tony are... extraordinarily bull-headed sometimes." she offers a smile. "And for your understanding of my conditions, Mr. Beifong. I look forward to hosting you and your wife during the holidays." she gives a small smile. "And I shall pass on your regards to Toph and Mr. Stark." she gives a small smile. "
Toph Beifong	When Pepper offers her hand to shake Lao reaches out to accept the gesture, shaking hers somewhat carefully back. The fact that Pepper is understanding seems to reassure the man if only a little. "Yes... she is, isn't she..." he confirms with a sigh. Stubborn, not exactly the way he intended for his daughter to be along with all of the other traits that seem to define the young earthbender. Lao shows Pepper to the door of his study, sliding the door open. "I will let you know when the caravan is fully prepared, Miss Potts." With that he instructs the servants to show Pepper out, even if she is probably more than capable of remembering the way out herself.