1. video [upside-down]

[barefootbender]

[A video feed begins, displaying a small girl sitting on her bed in her apartment quarters. She's fiddling with the placement of her netbook as it records, but she doesn't seem to realize it's... filming upside-down. When she's erroneously confident it's pointed in the right direction, she crosses her arms and grins.]

Hello, everyone. My name is Toph Beifong! I'm a new person here, but if you're from my world, you've probably heard of me. Greatest earthbender who ever lived, pioneer of metalbending, celebrated war hero. Not to mention a wanted person for a while, too. And the star of a smash-hit play.

[she straightens up and tips her head, apparently pretty proud of all that.]

Anyway, I wanted to let everyone know that I'm blind, so I can avoid having to explain it to each of you every time we meet. But - don't think I'm asking for your help or anything either, I can get around fine with earthbending. Basically, just don't bother coming at me with any pictures or books or papers or whatever. I can't see them or read 'em.

[she pauses as if about to say something else, and then suddenly brightens.]

Oh! I was gonna say not to bother sending me text messages either... but actually, I was messing with this thing earlier and I found out it could read them to me! [As she says it, she waves her hands in the air excitedly.] I mean they gave me one with special buttons just for me, so that I'd be able to use it, which is so cool already, but I never thought it would read for me on top of it! How awesome is that?!

[very awesome, because she's all smiles now.] So, I guess that even though you basically kidnapped us right when we were ready to start relaxing... I should say thanks to you Initiative people, too. I can't really think of anyone ever giving me something like this! You know... something that I normally wouldn't be able to use, but it's fixed so I can. It's kinda nice.

Anyway, uh... nice to meet you all! [she reaches towards the camera again and the video ends.]

Comments

[barefootbender]

That kind of reasoning has got a lot people's butts kicked in the past, jerk! I'd like to see you try to dodge my earthbending even ONCE!

[barefootbender]

Uhh, I mean, I don't really miss it. I was just saying.

But, I could totally build you one to show you if you want. It's how we heat houses where I'm from.

[barefootbender]

No metal? So... what, just porcelain dishes only?

[that sounds kinda harsh. she knows the dishware her family had at home was pretty expensive...]

[barefootbender]

I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to add that much salt to noodles, but for street food, I liked it.

[barefootbender]

That's a good point. Up until the war was over, you couldn't really travel safely in my world either.

[barefootbender]

There is kind of a lot on this "network," isn't there. Is that all people do all day? Talk over this thing?

[barefootbender]

Pretty much. My bending was so good that the Avatar asked me to be his earthbending teacher. I got involved in the war after that and here I am.

[barefootbender]

Species, huh. That's right... I met a super amazing lady in the marketplace that have four hooves instead of feet... like a chickenhorse! I couldn't believe it. Are there a lot of people like that here?

[inparidelicto]

[He is. Because he's buying this one completely.] Then it must be very difficult to become a master of it!

[Now tohugh, he is confused.] Is the color helpful? Or is it simply a uniform. Uniforms are important!

[knightoflight]

It might be interesting to see, at least. Though I'm not sure we have the same heat tolerances.

But I'd love to learn more about your world. Particularly your manipulation of the ground.

[barefootbender]

Only if you tell me about your world, metal dude. That sounds like a way crazier story to me.

[barefootbender]

[oh boy someone to pull around]

Yes, it's extremely helpful. On my world, the trees have hot pink leaves, unlike the green ones here! The pink gi helps you blend in!

I always thought pink wasn't really my color, though.

[BLIND JOKE BLIND JOKE C'MON GUY]

[knightoflight]

I would love to, Toph. Anything you'd like to know.

[dusk_and_dawn]

The majority appear to be human or humanoid, but 'tis not unusual. I myself am Asgardian.

[galactically]

But your home has a better government now, right? Everyone deserves to live freely, after all.

[inparidelicto]

[Ishimaru's eyes are all sorts of wide right now. Hook line and sinker, here.]

How strange! Some completely different flora then. And yet, you look like a perfectly normally colored human, so is it only plants then?

[Wait. Wait his brain is turning now.] Though... I wonder if someone was playing a trick on you! I mean, if you couldn't see...

[Close, Ishimaru. So very close. But not quite there. Give him time.]

[migrates]

Perhaps you should get yourself a modern day guide.

[barefootbender]

Is that... a thing?

[barefootbender]

Tricked? Tricked...?!

[She very exaggeratedly strokes her chin.]

You mean someone would pick on a poor blind person like me?

[barefootbender]

Well, I think so. I mean, we only just won the war when we came here... but, Zuko and the Avatar are taking over, so it's gonna be better than what we used to have.

[barefootbender]

You sound pretty human to me.

[but so did the hooves lady's voice. hmmm.]

[dusk_and_dawn]

You could try picking me up. Asgardians are twice as heavy as humans.

[barefootbender]

Heh! I bet I could!

[with earthbending. but she could.]

[inparidelicto]

[Ishimaru blinks a little before nodding.

Then remembering not to only nod. He's really bad at this.] People can have a penchant for that sort of tricks! But perhaps it was simply friendly pranking! After all, it sounds like you're capable of more than most people who can see! [Yeah he's still missing the mark.]

[galactically]

That's great! I'm glad to hear that your home is safer for people to live in. [A beat.] Avatar?