Scene #3564:

Owner	Pose
Ainsley	Ainsley is seated outside a manor. This is her house, the one that she had liberated from a haunting. It's a two story building now covered in flowering vines, some sort of noble estate that ended up dilapitated. It has since been restored by the current residents. Most of the windows are stained glass, and the whole structure is red brick and wrought iron, with thick wooden doors. The chair that Ainsley is in is a metal fold-up chair. She's seated next to a similarly fold-up table, that has a tray covered in christmas-styled cookies. The kind with the sugary sprinkles and flavored frosting on top. She can't help but nibble on one while she waits. It's likely that she pulled up a chair or, perhaps, a pillow or three for Alden so that he could be comfortable. She would make sure the Gabumon was comfortable. There's another chair, with another pillow on it, presumably left empty for Toph. It's early morning yet it's pleasantly warm out in this region of the Multiverse. The morning light casts god rays through a few mountains in the distance. There's only a mild breeze and there isn't a single cloud in the sky.
Alden	Alden tries to help Ainsley to the best of his abilities, including sweeping, or helping with cooking! if helping means fumbling with random containers, threatening to drop ingredients, and barely being able to do simple tasks, give him time, he is new to this!. In any case, he smiles and sits besides Ainsley, lizardy tail wagging behind him as he admires the cookies, taking a lot of restrain to avoid doing anything beyond lightly nibble at one, "They are pretty good." he tells his new friend and host, smiling widely. "You are really good at cooking."
Toph Beifong	Trust the earthbender to not be quiet about her arrival. There's a rumbling sound far off in the distance as Ainsley and Alden sit outside waiting for their guest. The next sign is a dust cloud that seems to be coming closer and closer, and... there's Toph Beifong, riding an earthen wave in a manner akin to jogging, the very earth helping speed up her pace across the land towards the house. When she's about ten years away the girl kicks down into the earthen wave, and it falls down into the ground, leaving only dust as the five foot tall girl steps forward and raises her right hand in greeting, grinning slightly. "Heya guys!" After brushing off some dust from her clothes she sniffs the air. Hey, those cookies don't smell bad. Though she does look somewhat curious as she turns slightly towards Alden. "Huh. You're not big either, huh? I'm Toph Beifong, ensign in the Union, and the greatest earthbender of all time." He did get to see some of her skills just now, after all. "And it seems you've taken up quite a lot of baking lately, Ains."
Ainsley	"Toph, this is Alden. I've mentioned him a couple of times. Alden, this is Toph, as she mentioned. I'm her ally, though I'm not really very active this time of year thanks to all the cold weather." Ainsley makes gentle and expressive sweeps with her hand to the indicated subjects (mostly for Alden's sake, obviously), and comes to rest the hand at her mouth to pop the remainder of the cookie into her maw. Crunch crunch crunch. Gulp. "He's a dutiful little guy," she tells Toph, "He's been helping with chores around the house. It's good to have company around while Faruja is out on business." She adds, "And he's sweeter than these cookies. Nothing but pleasant words from him." She flashes a warm smile at Alden, her feathers floofing up.
Alden	Alden 's attention is drawn away from delicious cookies when the rumbling sound approaches!. The digimon jumps out of his chair and gazes at the distance, towards said source, "What is that?" he asks outloud, only to realize that someone was riding... earth?. He is somewhat confused, unsure how to react, and decides to wait to see if this person was someone dangerous or not. The small digimon finally smiles when he hears the familiar voice, and the introductions from his friend, tail resuming that wag, "Hello Toph!" he says, and moves closer, "Earthbender?, never heard of that, but I guess it has to do with controlling the ground?" he asks with a grin. "Yeah i am new to this multiverse thing, and Ainsley is helping me.". The praise makes the digimon blush quite a bit, turning towards Ainsley, "Only because you were just as nice with me." he says softly, he is kind of cute when embarassed.
Toph Beifong	Fortunately Toph is used to various Pokemon and Digimon before, and she's not of the mindset to judge somebody for not being human. Or for being small, considering she's rather short herself. "Yeah, Twitchy has been rather busy lately it seems..." Toph muses. "And I don't care how sweet you might be buddy, I'll stick with eating cookies," she adds with a clearly joking smirk. As for herself, Toph nods. "I bend the earth. Earthbender. And nobody can bend it like I do. Benders are common in my world, though not many of us are active in the multiverse. Been in the Union for over two years now." She picks up a cookie and flops down into the spare chair, clearly relaxed. "Good to hear you're getting along. The multiverse is big, so making some friends and allies isn't a bad thing." Perhaps Alden will notice how Toph hasn't actually 'looked' at him, and her eyes seem awfully pale with her pupils barely visible. And even though the cookies might be wonderfully decorated, it's not commented on. Instead she takes a bite of the cookie, and then talks with her mouth full. "Nice taste, Ains."
Ainsley	Ainsley smiles softly at Toph, despite her not seeing it. The nickname Toph has for Faruja amuses the lizard lady enough for it to show on her face. "Alden helped make them," she tells Toph, proudly, glossing over the war zone her kitchen has turned into after that baking session. "Right... Well, while you're both here, do you want to do anything fun? I... hmm. I don't know what Digimon do for fun..." She rubs at her snout uncertainly. "Maybe you two can spar a little?" she suggests, with a light shrug of her shoulders. "Play-fighting. Something like that." She remembers to mention, "I won't be joining anything like that, myself."
Alden	Alden nods a few times and chuckles, "Good, not sure I am really edible anyway." he says with a grin, moving closer and finally noticing at during all this time Toph never really glanced at him, "Wait, how did you know how I looked like and where I am if you never glanced my way?" he asks softly, curious now. He finishes the cookie he was enjoying, and flicks his tail, smiling a bit. "Well, I used to spar a bit back home, can be quite fun." he says with a rumble, and then adds, "I promise to help you clean the kitchen later." he says, but Ainsley knows that such help might end up being more of a disaster.
Toph Beifong	When isn't Toph up for something fun? The comment about sparring makes Toph smirk slightly. "Heh, wouldn't say no to that, the truce can get kinda boring when I can't butt heads with the Feds outside of the radio." When Alden comments on her disability without really knowing it, the blind girl chews the remainder of her cookie. "Maybe you'll figure it out when we spar. Come on!" With that she gets up from the chair. "How do you fight anyway? I haven't really fought against Digimon before." Well, she's fought along with Beelzebumon before, and seen him fight some of her allies. But it's not the same really.
Alden	Alden nods to Toph, "Well, from what I heard, I come from a different world than them, so it might not be the exact same anyway." he tells the earthbender, streetching a bit and smiling, "To be honest, to do my best I need a partner to help me, but I am not completely defenseless on my own..." he says, "Can you hold my belt and stuff Ainsley?" he asks to his friend, taking off the belt and handing both the D-arc and the deck box to the reptile girl before moving closer. "In general tho, we fight the same as anyone else, be beat eachother until one of us either gives up or is destroyed." he explains. "I don't want to involve Ainsley, so I'll keep it simple, I hope I won't dissapoint you much." he muses. He moves away from the table, to get some room, and suddenly, his body flashes brightly, "Digivolve to... Garurumon!". When the burst of light is done, the small gabumon was no longer there, replaced by a sizable quadrupedal wolflike beast (blue colored) with a striking resemblance to the wolfpelt that the gabumon was wearing.
Toph Beifong	"We're not going to be taking it that rough," Toph states as she cracks her knuckles. "And besides, my mom would probably be annoyed if I fought too hard today and got bruises for Christmas." But she seems to be confused when Alden speaks... and digivolves. The blind girl blinks, then grins. "Well, that's what I call a growth spurt!" she comments, then enters a wide legged stance, raising her arms up infront of her torso. "Tag attacks only, nothing dangerous." This isn't the Ring where they get healed up once they are done after all, and she has no reason to want to injure Alden either. He doesn't seem malicious either, and as always Toph is confident in her abilities. "Go ahead." As always she lets her opponent start.
Alden	Alden nods a few times, "Thanks!, you should see my other forms." he replies, the long, slender tail wagging for a moment before he tries to get serious, baring his fangs and begins to slowly circle the earthbender, perhaps hoping to get in a position where she might not see his attack!. (like that was possible). "Sounds good, I don't want to get too hurt either." he says. To begin, he tries a rather simple tactic, charging at the girl from the side, broad paws propelling him in a pounce. He is not sure just how tough Toph is, bodywise so will try to avoid blasting her.
Toph Beifong	"Wait, you have more forms...? Man, I really don't know much about digimon," Toph comments with a slight sigh. Though she remains still, 'watching' Alden as he begins circling her. Compared to what most people would do, she doesn't turn towards him, nor move unless he gets too close to her. If so she will move to get some distance between them. At least they both agree on not wanting to get hurt before the holidays, which makes it easy. Which is why she opts for something simple in dealing with the digimon as he charges at her from the side. Immediately she kicks her heel down into the ground, and the earth between them shifts, causing an earthen wall to shoot up in front of Alden!
Alden	Alden is stopped as a large wall appears in front of him!. He hits the wall with his forepaws, and manages to bounce back, making him blink and smile with all those sharp fangs, "That's very nice!" he praises, "So you can do stuff like that?" he asks curiously, almost casually as he considers the earthen obstacle, takes a few steps back, and rushes forward again, this time he is not jumping, he keeps his gaze fixed ahead, ready to move aside or jump any new obstacles.
Toph Beifong	It's easy to feel that her defense worked, as the vibrations carry throughout the earth as Alden bounces off of the wall. Though she lets out a slight snort when he comments on it. "A novice earthbender can do that easily. And I'm the greatest one there is, nobody can beat me at earthbending!" she claims with no small amount of ego. "I move mountains, I discovered metalbending when people claimed it was impossible!" And as she speaks, as Alden charges at her again, Toph throws her right hand forward, and in response the earth shifts right underneath Alden's feet, an attempt to slide him to the side without giving him a warning. Heck, it seems more like this is becoming a game of tag rather than a fight. It certainly looks like Toph is having fun though, judging from the grin on her face.
Alden	Alden nods slowly even as he moved, growling playfully, feeling the ground moving beneath him!. The digital wolf attempts a graceful jump to avoid being deviated from his course, but ends up triping on his paws, which ends with the wolf rolling on the ground forward for a bit, and end up laying down bellyup near Toph, "This close range approach is difficult." he says with a chuckle, "But I am having a lot of fun." he says, wagging happily as he tries to roll on his paws. "I appreciate you taking it easy on me."
Toph Beifong	Whoops! Toph can't help but snicker slightly when Alden stumbles, though she luckily doesn't push her 'attack' further. Instead she rests her hands on her hips as he rolls on the ground and lands on his back near her. "Well, I can fight in a variety of ranges, really. And it's pretty damn hard to do something that I don't notice most of the time, really." At least he sounds amused. "I don't see a reason to hurt you. If you were a student of mine it would have been different, I don't want any student of mine to be coddled and be a weakling, earthbenders are supposed to be tough, otherwise you're doing it wrong! Now get back up!" she says, then kicks the ground so it rises slightly, attempting to help roll Alden over. Then she throws her arms up, and the earth underneath her rises up in the shape of a tall pillar. "Let's see if you can climb!"
Alden	Alden has a sense of humor, chuckling some more nad accepting the help with a grin, shaking himself for a moment, "You can feel anything that is on the ground, can't you?" he asks, starting to piece things up, and smiling to her, "That's fair, i was just affraid to try my longer range things." he says. He eyes the pillar as it grows and blinks, "I'd say that's unfair, but it's amazing." he says, the large wolf walking around the pillar before he trots back. "I'm going to do my best!" he woofs. Suddenly he charges again, avoiding the other obstacles, and jumping! he seems to run vertically, the large claws digging into the ground as he works upwards, he seems decent enough at climbing!
Toph Beifong	"You got it," Toph nods. "I can feel the earth around me, I can sense it like nobody else." For now she seems happy to be seated on her pillar, and she even flops down on her ass... and begins picking her nose. "And nothing unfair about it, I could make it even taller if I wanted to." Let's see how well Alden handles this little problem. ... a little better than she expected, really! As the wolf digimon charges and begins running up the pillar, the earthbender blinks where she sits. Well, she can't let him catch her, now can she? So Toph swings her left leg, letting her heel knock into the pillar... which shatters into a myriad of dust and rubble! "Not bad!"
Alden	Alden was quite proud of himself as he climbed the pillar, growling happily!. Of course, he is surprised as the pillar is shattered, with him still running along the side!. He lets out a very... embarassing yelp as he loses the ground and begins to fall, but rolls mid air to land on his paws amidst the debris!. He once again shakes himself, unharmed even if debris falls on him from the pillar. "Maybe I should try to just tag you." he muses, trying to look around for her, "Hypothetic question, do you like snow, or ice?" he asks softly as he tries to figure out where she went.
Toph Beifong	Back to the ground they go! Toph herself lets out a brief laugh, though there's the sound of earth shifting again. When the dust settles however, the girl... is no longer there. When he asks his question and looks around, he might notice something though. Something /moving/ underground, away from him!
Alden	Alden perks his ears as he hears that laugh!. Cue furious sniffing from the canine, until he sees the ground moving away!. He finds that rather annoying, but he is amused regardless, and begins to walk his way to the moving earth, chasing it!. "Hey, come out!" he howls, heavy paws slamming at the ground.
Toph Beifong	When the paws slam into the ground Alden can hear Toph let out a slight yelp, and in response the earth shifts up into a small dull spike, aiming to bop him on the nose. "Make me!" Yes. The greatest earthbender of all time is really, really mature.
Alden	Alden is nosebump'd!. He barks at the challenge, biting and breaking the harmless spike as he bounces on the ground again, growling playfully and clawing at the ground, the big wolf beast starting to dig!. "I'm going to get you even if I have to dig you out of there."
Toph Beifong	"Maybe if you talked less and actually began digging I would be worried!" the blind girl responds cheekily from underground. But then he actually does that, and instead of there being less earth there between them, it seems to increase as the earth shifts. Luckily for Alden though, it seems Toph isn't too unsportsmanlike as the earth opens nearby, and she jumps up, landing on her feet before she does some quick martial arts motions with her hands, and the earth she stands on breaks loose before it begins sliding off, almost as if she were skating. "See if you can keep up!" she challenges Alden as she heads off to go around the mansion. Well, this is certainly one weird game of tag, and it's not likely to end anytime soon.
Alden	Alden is having quite a bit of fun! and he hopes to play more with Toph, perhaps even get a chance to hit targets with his attacks, but since he did not want to hurt her, just a silly game of tag worked just fine. Just as he manages to dig enough to sink his head in the ground, she emerges, causing him to yelp, jump out, and start chasing there, "Please, I can run really fast!" he calls, charging after the cheeky earthbender. "I'm going to catch you eventually!".