5258/BlackSky/Tourney: Respect Your Elders

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BlackSky/Tourney: Respect Your Elders
Date of Scene: 28 August 2018
Location: Unknown
Synopsis: Madame Cao pays Elektra a 'friendly' visit to make certain that the younger woman knows where she needs to stand. Elektra pitches the Tournament.. and ponders her very uncertain future.
Cast of Characters: Elektra, Daredevil, Madame Gao
Tinyplot: Black Sky
Tinyplot2: Tourney


Elektra has posed:
The opening of the Hugo Building was going swimmingly, and while the attendees were enjoying the guest of honour - Mason Steele's - performance, Elektra sneaks away to the office to finish up some last tidbits of paperwork, and to secure several of the donation boxes. She hadn't missed Bruce Wayne's little sleight of hand with the cheque, and given that the evening was heading towards a close, it only made sense to deal with some of those things sooner rather than later.

And truth be told, Elektra was looking forward to a few moment's respite to herself. She'd been on the go for what seemed like forever between the building's opening, and dealings with her own business concerns, and Stick, and Matt, and Claire, and the increasingly belligerent factions of the Hand... All in all, she hadn't had a moment to herself to think in ages.

She pours herself a small measure of sctoch from the bottle she's squirreled away in the office for just such occasions, and sits at the desk, going over paperwork, pleased with herself and how the evening has gone.

Daredevil has posed:
Madam Gao had watched the opening with curiosity, but now that the singing had begun, she made her way to the Hugo building and dismissed her guards coming in alone, and making her way to Elektra's office.

Finding the Fist there imbibing, she smiles, "A night worthy of celebration," she declares from the doorway. "May I come in and offer my congratulations?"

The words were spoke as though they were truly a question.

Elektra has posed:
Elektra is surprised to see her guest, but not startled. She inclines her head and gestures at the desk. "Madame Gao. Do. Come, please join me. I was just enjoying a small drink while finishing up the paperwork. I hadn't expected you, but seeing as you are here."

A second tumbler is pulled from the desk in anticipation that she might be joined for that drink.

"So. Tell me, to what do I owe the pleasure? Curiousity?" Elektra gives a faint smile. "I can't imagine you've come to get your face painted. Or to enjoy the floorshow."

Daredevil has posed:
Madam Gao inclines her head when the invitation is extended, walking into the office with the help of her cane. A glance is sparred for the office, an assesment of the place and the little bits it gave away, though what is gleaned is kept locked behind the Gao's dark eyes.

"Thank you," Gao says as the tumbler is produced.

Then leaning on her cane beside the desk, her lips pursing a moment. "Curiosity," she agrees. "You've put a great deal of effort into this building, I felt it was only appropriate I should come and see it now that it is completed."

A slight 'hm' of amusement follows. "And no, I am much too old for any of those things."

"What about you? Are you satisfied with tonights achievements?"

Elektra has posed:
Elektra sits back and considers her answer to Madame Goa's question. She was, without a doubt, proud of her achievements here, but to admit such was an act that gave away much about herself. Or could. Though to say it was merely a nothing was equally a statement, and Elektra had no doubt that the older woman would know it for a lie.

Truth, it seemed, was the safest bet, even if put across very carefully.

"I wanted to see if it could be done. Something of a challenge. And, yes, I am proud of what I've accomplished here. There were times I wasn't sure if the project was going to get off the ground, let alone be completed."

The older woman is given a faintness of smiles. "I didn't think you were much for the performance outside. Neither am I as it happens, however, it brings much needed publicity to the occassion, and by the reception I think it was a good choice."

Indeed, as Elektra had introduced Mason, resounding cheers had gone up.

Elektra pours Gao a measure of the scotch, as much a courtesy as expecting the woman to imbibe, and pushes the glass across the desk.

"But you didn't come here to discuss my satisfaction." It isn't a question.

Elektra waits.

Daredevil has posed:
There is a faintest of nods from Gao at Elektra's reply.

"It is good to challenge one's self," she replies as she picks up the scotch, examining it as she would a tea cup then imbibing a healthy swallow.

"Mmm. Excellent," she allows. "I shall have to send you a bottle of Maotai, I think you would enjoy it."

There is a smile there, a flash of something human in the woman for a hearbeat before it vanishes again, and the chaos begins outside. Gunshots. Screams. Audible even here.

"No. I did not. I have come here to give you a choice."

Elektra has posed:
"Maotai? I confess, I'm not as familiar as I suspect I should be. I enjoy a small drink from time to time. Enough to remind myself there are pleasures in this world."

She looks to say more, but there's the obvious signs of an altercation outside. People running out of the building to begin with, and then into it. All looking distressed. Elektra makes to rise from her seat, then stops herself, realizing that this - this is why Gao has come. A point is being made, outside, at Elektra's opening.

"I see." Elektra's lips press along a thin line momentarily, then she pours herself another small measure of the scotch. It's more than she might usually imbibe, but she's safe here. As safe as she can be made with whatever is going on out there.

Madame Gao's presense has made certain of that. And, truth be told, Elektra is making a statement: she knows, and she doesn't care.

"A choice. Well, I suppose since you've gone to all this trouble I may as well hear you out."

Daredevil has posed:
"A worthy reason to drink. Maotai is a brand of Baiju, very popular in my adoptive home," Gao says. "And very good for celebrating life's pleasures."

As one might suspect. Gao does not act surprised by the noise, she only frowns at it and has a drink.

"This is not my work, but I have allowed it as an example. The Hand is split by your leadership, as your role as our leader has split you. Some follow you eagerly. Others," she turns her head towards the noise.

"It is past time that a course was set to deal with those who disobey."

Elektra has posed:
Elektra nods ever so slightly, trying, and failing, not to frown herself. "So, not your work. I take it that I'm to let it happen as part of this lesson?"

Elektra picks up her tumbler and considers the amber liquid within. "Ah, yes, Baiju. Literally booze. I see my education was left lacking in some regards."

She looks up, eyes falling calmly upon Gao.

"It has come to my attention that there is some... dissension in the ranks. I've made some examples. You're suggesting it's not enough."

Elektra knows it isn't enough, but at this point the only examples she can make are to wholeheartedly turn to the Hand, and she's equally aware that there is something else brewing beneath the surface that has little to nothing to do with her leadership. It's that which has stayed her hand.

"That isn't all, though, is it? But of course you're not about to tell me, are you."

Daredevil has posed:
"Your involvement now would put you under too much scrutiny. You must play the part you have chosen tonight, Elektra Natchios, socialite, saviour of the needy. Their punishment belongs to the Fist that Rules the Hand," Gao explains taking a seat, resting her thin bamboo cane against her chair as she does so.

"Then I shall send you a bottle and complete it," she says kindly of her education. "It will be an enjoyable lesson."

As to the examples. "Clearly not," she says. "Or else they would not challenge you here, this place that is so important to you."

"No, there is another matter, one that is related to your leadership but at the same time separate."

She gives no further details.

Elektra has posed:
"No. Tonight is neither the time nor the place." Elektra's words come with the barest and faintest hints of both bitterness and acceptance. She nods to Madame Gao, and sips at her drink. "So this is both a lesson and a message. To watch my step, or there will be more times and places where Elektra Natchios will need to sit back and see what she cares about fall."

Again with the statements that are not questions. Merely voicing the things that she knows she is to have gleaned from this occassion.

"And this other matter, am I to be educated? It would only seem fair considering."

Daredevil has posed:
"No. Not watch your step, but take action, become the leader we require. Not the one you might wish to be. The Hand respects strength, and I believe you have that strength, but you hold back, because you are conflicted."

This is perhaps more words than Gao has ever spoken to Elektra all at once. The woman sounds sincere.

"All of our members are willing to give their lives for the goals of the Hand, but how can they be expected to follow one who will not even give up their old life to lead it. And this,' she looks around at the Hugo Building. "As I told someone once, you can not be both savior and oppressor, light and dark, one must die for the other to live. It is time for you to make that choice or those who pretend to serve you will see both the light and the darkness is snuffed out forerver."

Elektra has posed:
Elektra mulls over Madame Gao's words.

"And yet, it's all a diversion, if you will." She does not remind Gao of the point she made with the ones who continued to traffic in the lives of children when she set her rules down saying it was no longer acceptable. Gao is right, though, Elektra has been playing both sides of the fence, unable to commit fully and completely to that which she has spent her entire life fighting against. That, and every time she looks at Matt, or thinks about him, there is a twinge of regret that says she knows she is not being all that she can be.

"I have brought us fully into the new age. Our profits are up. Our business practices are streamlined and better protected than they ever have been. We are more that death in the shadows, Madame Gao. Will all due respect, I the leader you need."

It takes all of her schooling, but Elektra maintains the facade taht hides what bravado there is within her as she says those things, knowing full well that she is calling an ancient bluff, and that her position is only at the pleasure of an uneasy truce. So many things could tip the balance one way or another should her assertions not be enough.

Daredevil has posed:
There is a nod for it being a diversion. "The ones you have punished are dead, those who see profit in their work have simply gone underground or moved their holdings to third parties and continued to reap rewards from the activities you've banned," Gao explains.

The argument for her changes are met with a nod. "Indeed, and those are the reasons we are having this discussion," she says meaning both why Gao was here and why Elektra had lived long enough to attend in her part as well. "The Hand is ancient and slow to change, your changes have dragged us into the future. I believe they were needed, but others disagree. This is where strength, committment and my help is needed if you wish to live long enough to see the Hand become what we wish it to be."

The smile she offers then is sympathetic, befitting her grandmotherly aspect, "You have made a choice there is no turning back from. It is difficult to accept, but trust me, once you do, things will become easier."

Elektra has posed:
Elektra is very calm as she regards Gao, asking, "Is that a threat? Tow the line, or more pointed lessons will occur? Against those you've rightly ascertained I may care about?"

She downs a swallow of her drink.

"I won't deny that. Not to you, at least. I suppose that measure of respect is due. However, I've made it clear that I'm the Fist, not some wayward youth with unexpected dreams and unwanted emotions. You made that decision easier, as it happens. I understand the price of their safety. What I don't understand is what you think is lacking."

"Do you think I'm unaware of those who secretly flaunt my rules? And what makes you think I'm not allowing those indiscretions for purposes of my own. You realize letting them believe I am either unaware, or can not police them, that they become bold and careless. There is time to make my displeasure know."

Elektra considers the remainder of scotch within her glass. "I would have thought you'd appreciate that, letting them tighten their own nooses about their necks. Doing the bulk of my work for me."

Daredevil has posed:
"It is a statement of fact," Gao offers in return. "I do not need to threaten your friends, if you understand what it takes to rule the Hand you will sever those connections yourself, permanently."

The old woman lets those words hang there.

"For now, I have added to their protection, so that these others might not interfere," she says as though it were a gift.

"I do appreciate it. If that is your strategy. When do you think to move against them?" she asks her gaze resting on Elektra.

Elektra has posed:
Elektra allows her lips to bow over a smile. "I have been.. cultivating some interest outside our little... organization. I was thinking a little communal gathering might allow some steam to be blown off, and provide an opportunity to take count of just where we are in matters. Allow those with questionable loyalties an opportunity to reconfirm their allegiences."

She shrugs. "After that, we cull those who will not be brought to bear. Simple."

Daredevil has posed:
Gao's expression is always hard to read, but there seems to be curosity in it as Elektra mentions her plan.

"Oh, and what sort of gathering is this?" she asks. "A simple meeting will have the others on their guard."

The remark isn't a rejection, indeed, as Gao sips her drink she does indeed seem curious.

Elektra has posed:
"A martial arts tournament. Something of a way for those with skill to strut their stuff, and for us to easily check out the competition, and possibly venues for recruitent."

Elektra shrugs again, and finishes her drink.

"There are advantages to having private islands at one's disposal."

Daredevil has posed:
Gao finishes her own drink to give her time to consider the proposal.

"Interesting," she says. "There are many of us proud enough to be lured by such a thing. The rest would see it as a chance to demonstrate our strength to the League, the Foot and others."

She nods. "Yes, I can imagine. When do you propose to host this tournament?"

Elektra has posed:
Elektra allows herself to look vaguely smug. "Indeed. Just enough to be interesting to those we would normally not have such a chance to glean information on. And, as a private citizen, I have leeway to do such a thing. A thing the Fist that rules the Hand doesn't have the liesure, or the safety to do so. Given I'm not known in circles to be who I am, I thought it might be interesting. And late September."

Daredevil has posed:
Gao nods deeply, "Excellent," she says.

"What if anything may my people contribute to this event?" she asks. "And what will follow it."

The glass is set down then, though Gao remains seated.

Elektra has posed:
"Invisible support and security. A few participants to keep things kosher. I'd like the event to occur without mishap." A knowing look to Madame Gao. "It would be very disappointing to me to have thigns go awry, or worse, glimpses of what should be unseen.. seen. We can hardly surprise our competition with what we've learned of them if they're aware that we're present."

Daredevil has posed:
Gao gives a slow nod. "That should be easy enough to provide, let me know the numbers and the skills you need and I will provide suitable volunteers," she says.

"As for competitors, I have a few champions that should provide sufficient amusement. Are the fights to be to the death?" she asks as if it were a mere curiosity rather than something to cause her to remove her champions. "Regardless, I hope the prize will be sufficient to warrant fierce competition. The more diverting the fights the better they will draw the other's attention."

Elektra has posed:
Elektra arches a brow. "Hardly to the death. While I realize we don't concern ourselves overmuch with legalities, I'm certain our competitors and those we might with to recruit may think twice should there be death matches offered."

She shakes her head. "Besides, Elektra Natchios would hardly entertain such a notion. As it is, this will merely appear to be a whimsical fancy for her. And something of a vacation for others who may care to come dabble. Competitors have been begun to be solicited. There are wild card entries. Transportation and all amenities will be provided."

Daredevil has posed:
Gao gives a nod. "Yes, that would be perhaps too extreme," she allows of deathmatches. "And out of character for a bored but benevolent socialite."

There is a faint smile at the description, an acknowledgment of it's proven inaccuracy.

Gao rises then with the help of her cane. "It is an excellent plan, I shall look forward to witnessing it coming to fruition. Until then, swift examples and my assistance should bring disturbances like tonight under control until then. Still, do not be complacent, you will be watched and your comitment to the cause measured. It would be wise to provide them with what they are looking for."

Elektra has posed:
Elektra inclines her head to Madame Gao, acknowledging her retreat. "My pleasure, and my thanks for your time. It has been most enlightening."

She watches the older woman leave and then exhales a long, frustrated breath. Much as Gao hadn't threatened her in so many words, they both knew what the visit was.

There were things Elektra needed to set in motion. Now. Before it was too late.