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

[text]

[scour]

how does it read words that aren't words




mn,nbnvbbm,nnmbnbvnbvbxzdryyjn

video;

[barefootbender]

[insert annoyed/horrified look here]

Augh!! What the heck was that?! Are you trying to make it explode!

[video]

[courageous_wit]

Hello, Toph. It's a pleasure to meet you. Would you be willing to demonstrate earthbending for me sometime?

[video]

[barefootbender]

Sure, anytime. Are you a beginner?

text

[migrates]

so your device can read this ??
｡◕‿◕｡

video;

[barefootbender]

Umm, it made another weird noise at the end, but yes.

[seriously, what is that.]

[audio]

[knightoflight]

...war hero?

[barefootbender]

Ohh, it's metal guy! Hi, metal guy.

Yeah, we just got done with a war before I came here.

video

[chittybang]

I don't think I got the chance to say this before, but I am so excited to get to know you. It feels like a history lesson's come to life, just in a totally different place!

video

[barefootbender]

[oh it's that lady again.]

Heh. Thanks. Asami, right?

[whomheloved]

That really was nice of them to sort things out for you like that!

Hello Toph, welcome. I'm Di.

[barefootbender]

Yeah, it was, wasn't it?

Nice to meet you.

[ video ]

[hostage]

That's awesome, them getting you set up like that.

So you settling in good?

[barefootbender]

Good enough, I guess. This place is pretty weird.

Video;

[gates_of_babylon]

And what, would you describe it as, is 'Earth Bending'?

[barefootbender]

Basically, I can kick your butt by throwing enormous rocks at you.

[Video]

[inparidelicto]

[Ishimaru is not the most tactful guy, so he's rather quick to announce -- because he thinks it's helpful, and that she certainly would want to know.]

You're upside down! You may be holding the device the wrong way up!

[But that said.]

I've never heard of anything called earthbending. It sounds mysterious!

[barefootbender]

[er. crap.

she sheepishly grabs the device and turns it right-side up.

ahem.]

........oh, it is. It's very mysterious.

[voice]

[galactically]

I've never heard of you before, but you're definitely someone interesting.

[She chuckles amiably.]

Exsilium needs more lively, headstrong people like you to brighten up the place!

[barefootbender]

Heh, thanks! I'm glad to help make this dump a little more fun.

[voice; anonymous]

[pixieboots]

You got it to read to you and everything?

[ It's pretty impressive okay. ]

[barefootbender]

Yeah! The buttons have raised shapes on them, and it makes noises to help me tell what I'm selecting. I'm still getting the hang of it, but it's really awesome.

[sleepingvalkyrie]

[ This is definitely one strange young girl. But Gwendolyn can't help but feel fascinated. ]

A blind fighter's tale would truly have captivated audiences in Titania, I am sure. But I know of no mummers plays bearing your name, I'm afraid.

What is this 'earthbending' you speak of?

[barefootbender]

It captivated audiences in my world, too. I forgot to mention I'm the reigning champion of the underground Earth Rumble tournaments in my hometown. Add it to my resume.

Earthbending is basically the ability to control rocks and earth. I use it to see by sensing the small vibrations of everything around me as they sit and move on the ground.

[Audio]

[strategic_guile]

That explains why the video is upside down. [softly laughs]

Good to meet you, Toph. I'm Blaine.

[barefootbender]

[h-hey ARE YOU MAKING FUN OF HER, DUDE?!

she quickly fixes it.]

......nice to meet you.

video because it would not occur to him that she can't see it

[dusk_and_dawn]

If your device can read to you, the library may be of some use to you after all.

Would you demonstrate your skills to me? 'Tis always a pleasure to see new fighting styles.

[barefootbender]

You're right! Do you think this thing could really work that way, too? I wonder how? One of the buttons?

[his second question is lost on her. being able to actually "read" things around her is way too exciting.]