step one

[bolder]

Who: Toph and YOU!
Broadcast: Everyone ever
Action: That too-- Hospitality Deck!
When: Before the 6/14 shuffle

[ACTION AND VIDEO]

[For whatever reason, it's eerily quiet, and the sound of two bare feet hitting the metal floor of the hospitality deck can be heard. (it's really for dramatic effect, who are we kidding) The owner, a small girl of fourteen, stares into space (ha!) as she takes a few slow, deliberate steps. After a moment, she crouches down and places her hand on the floor, pauses, then speaks. Or yells. Whatever.]

Hey!! Someone tell me what's going on! This isn't another weirdo spirit thing is it? I'd hit my quota for the month already!

[She huffs in annoyance, straightening up. Now she's quieter, talking more to herself.] What's with this weird place?

Comments

[bolder]

[Now that's not over a broadcast system! Toph turns towards the direction of the voice, a slight scowl in place.]

Maybe when you stop whining!

[summerschild]

I was asleep!

[He's not being fair - that was him yesterday, shouting and confused. But he's been stuck in a bed in a strange hunk of metal for the past day, and he's a Mood.]

... And it's not a spirit. It's a stupid ship.

[bolder]

Good for you. [She's not not interested in your life story, jeez.]

Wow, really helpful. Thanks for that. [Toph just sits... on the floor.]

[summerschild]

[Bran just watches her, wary and on edge.]

I just got here yesterday. I don't know much more than you.

[bolder]

Wow, even more enlightening. [She huffs, and then lays down, "staring" upwards.]

[summerschild]

[Bran watches her for a moment, still irritated but feeling a bit like an ass for his replies. When it's clear to him that she isn't trying to fall asleep, he leans forwards onto his elbows.]

... We're on a ship called the Marsiva. Not a ship that goes in the ocean, but one that goes in the sky.

[He points over at the large window, unaware that she can't see it.]

[bolder]

[Toph's apparent line of sight doesn't change as she continues to keep looking upward.]

Great. Can we get down now?

[summerschild]

No. They won't let us leave.

[He follows her line of sight, unsure how he feels about her strange, crass attitude.]

[bolder]

[A snort.] Did anyone try asking nicely?

[summerschild]

Some people have been here for months. Do you think they wouldn't have tried everything?

[Or so he's assuming. Part of him just wants to be contrary.]

[bolder]

Do you think they would have? [And there begins the nose picking.]

[summerschild]

[He tries really hard not to grimace. This girl has no manners!]

If they want to go home!

[bolder]

[Welcome to Tophland. Population: 2. Deal with it.]

Your logic is astounding. How could I ever doubt it? [So dry.]

[summerschild]

You're being rude.

[Tell her something she doesn't know, Bran.]

We've both been captured, we're on the same side.

[bolder]

No, you'd know if I was being rude. And if we're on the same side, why did you start things?

[summerschild]

You're the one who stomped in here and woke me up!

[bolder]

I didn't stomp anywhere! [Now she's getting annoyed. Toph stands up, facing the general direction of Bran's voice.] I woke up here with no idea what happened, and then I have this kid whining at me! You'll know when I'm stomping!

[summerschild]

[He immediately comes up with several retorts, ranging from "I'm not a kid!" to "I wasn't whining!", but he bites them back. Arguing isn't going to solve anything, and there's no telling how long they're going to be in this situation. Bran takes a deep breath, trying to sit tall and channel his brothers.]

... What's your name?

[bolder]

[She makes a hmph sound.] Why do you want to know? Gonna whine some more?

[summerschild]

We're stuck here together. I thought I'd at least ask.

[Be a lord, Bran. You're a lord. Don't argue.]

[bolder]

[The not arguing pays off! Toph pauses, then sighs.]

Toph Beifong. You?

[summerschild]

Bran Stark.

[He pauses for a moment, suddenly awkward in the lack of aggression.]

Where are you from?

[bolder]

Gaoling, in the Earth Kingdom. [So very matter of factly.]

[summerschild]

I've never heard of the Earth Kingdom.

[He's starting to get over the disappointment of people not being from his world, trying instead to think of the excitement.]

I'm from a place called Westeros.

[bolder]

No, since it's apparently in a different world or whatever.

[For no real reason whatsoever, Toph stands, and walks towards Bran's voice, only stopping once she reaches the bed, and sits on the floor again, still facing away from him.]

Is it to the west of something?