5530/Tourney/Black Sky: When Two Fists Meet

Tourney/Black Sky: When Two Fists Meet
Date of Scene:	09 October 2018
Location:	Kairos Island
Synopsis:	Two Fists meet upon a beach, and lament that there aren't better answers. They both walk away to face another day.
Cast of Characters:	Elektra, Iron Fist
Tinyplot:	Tourney
Tinyplot2:	Black Sky

---

Elektra has posed:
When Saki had left her, Elektra had taken her time finishing her mediation, and then bloowing out what candles remained lit in the dojo. The incense had burned down such that only one of the sticks still sent out a thin spiral of reverence to the skies. She choose to leave the slat-windows open, intending to return before the weekend was over.

It was another of the things she was going to miss.

However, she had much to think about still. In particular, the bits that Shredder had revealed to her - the bits that didn't fit the narrative she'd already heard, and the pieces she'd added since taking over the Hand. And what he said did bear thinking about.

Mostly, what she'd learned had Elektra wanting to meet this man - this man who was prophecized to be her mortal enemy, at least in this iteration. She wondered if he even knew.

In the wee hours of the morning, she goes looking for him.

Iron Fist has posed:
Currently Danny Rand, the Iron Fist is sitting on the beach, in a meditative pose beside a raging bone fire. His hands are held upright by his knees in a tradtional pose, as he concentrates on himself and his surroundings. His mind is going over the last fight, and ways to improve his performance.

    It was a disturbing sequence of events, and this was something he needed to get through. After all, he very nearly lost. Hearing someone coming, Danny opens his eyes, and waits for that person to appear within the light of the fire.

Elektra has posed:
It was much as she'd expected.

While some were wont to be boistrous, or mingle and mix, others preferred the silences. And some, took their practice more seriously than others.

Given matters, Elektra expected Danny Rand might fall into that last sort. And as such she imagined he'd find a place of solitude to do exactly what it is she stumbles across him doing on the beach - a thing she'd indulged in herself not quite so many hours ago.

She takes her time walking through the shadows to the firelit area where he sits. Soon enough the sun will have risen enough that there won't be shadows to shroud in, but for the moment they exist. When she arrives at the fire, stepping into its light, he will see it's their hostess.

"The sea has always been a thing I've loved. I'm glad to see the beach being used. Though you are woefully alone this morning. I hope you don't mind a bit of company?"

Iron Fist has posed:
    As his eyes focus on Elektra, Danny regards her for a few moments, wondering how this was going to go. As she speaks, the Iron Fist nods along, and remains quiet until she finishes what she was going to say...to start at least. "I do not mind company at all, Elektra, and I have been anticipating this meeting for some time."

    Danny smiles, and waves towards the area opposite him in the sand by the fire. "IIf I would have known I would have guests, I would have dragged some driftwood over for you to sit on."

Elektra has posed:
"Hardly necessary," Elektra shrugs. "I'm not so breakable that sitting upon sand will harm. And were I to care overmuch, I could easy drag some myself." She smiles. "Or employ you to help me."

She gives a small, negligent shrug, and moves to the other side of the fire, where he's gestured, and much as she's said, doesn't break when she lowers herself to sit cross-legged on the sand, in much a similar position as his own.

"So, you're been anticipating this meeting, have you? I wonder, should I be afraid?"

Not yet willing to dive into the meat and potatoes of this meeting - at least not without knowing what he might be willing to give up beforehand.

Iron Fist has posed:
    "I would expect so, for a woman as infamous as the Elektra of legend. And the representative of the Hand." A pause. "I was curious to how long it would take you to come and see me." Danny tosses a new log into the fire, and watches as the sparks drift upwards to their inevitable heat death.

    "I do not think you will ever be afraid, Elektra. After all, the things you have seen and done...what is there left to be afraid of?" Danny smiles.

    "So, to what do I oew the honor of this meeting then? ARe we to go at it, and start fighting right now, you with your assassin skills, me with the Iron Fist, a duel to the death?" Danny says, quizzically.

Elektra has posed:
Elektra rests her hands lightly upon her knees. "Well, not everyone knows who I am. You're in a select group. I must admit, I've been rather more careless about it this weekend. Some few more are aware."

She sighs softly, and regards the man over the sparks and flames of the fire, the log having sent up a flurry of red and yellow and blue sparks, like fireworks.

"We can fight. I don't know if it is necessary. I confess, I'm now curious as to how I'd have fared." She inclines her head to him. "I've learned a few things about you, Danny Rand, this weekend. I'm curious if you're aware of the same matters I am." A small laugh. "The Iron Fist. And me, the Fist that Rules the Hand. Did you know, we were meant to meet as mortal enemies?"

Iron Fist has posed:
    "That tends to happen when a contest of martial arts champions comes together. People talk." Danny says, holding a stick into the fire, and watching it slowly get consumed. Man, what he wouldn't do for a marshmellow, or some s'mores right now...

    "I always prefer not to fight, Elektra. Fighting is a failure to talk, peacefully." Danny listens further. "Oh? Learned some things? Interesting." Danny chuckles. "I am not sure I am aware of any specific matters, but yes, I do know we were to meet as mortal enemies. Too bad, I think you'd be an excellent force for good." Danny watches the fire, and frowns.

    "You could leave all that behind, and become one of us. I happen to know one person in particular that has a thing for you...and would love you to join us."

Elektra has posed:
Elektra laughs, the sound soft and wry, "How is it that everyone by myself knew that? I only just learned of the matter myself. Though, I suppose if one went about advertizing one's secret weapon, it would be much less secret."

She nods.

"Black Sky. Did you know they have a name for me? Or what I was supposed to become."

*Was* Notably, was.

Danny is regarded for a moment. "You are such an innocent, aren't you?" She smiles, though the thing isn't truly a happy thing. It's almost amused, but not happy. "I was raised and trained by the Chaste. Against that end. I suppose in that version, we stand shoulder to shoulder and take on the world. Though I'm not sure. I was never told what was supposed to happen. Only that 'you are a weapon, child. This war depends upon you.' Except it turns out the Hand has an equal opinion on that matter. It might have turned out differently had anyone told me this when I could have done something about it."

"You really don't know why I can't leave this all behind, do you? You really believe it's possible. You and Matt, both. Even my Master understands what I must do now."

Iron Fist has posed:
    "That is true. Advertising can be so expensive, after all." Danny takes some of his newfound experience with Rand, his Corporation, and jokes about marketing. "Black Sky." That causes him to blink. "I have...heard that somewhere before." Danny frowns, trying to remember, but nothing was coming to him.

    "I don't know about innoncent. I play the game. I just happen to have a very limited education, that is all. Well, when it comes to all this stuff." His hands wave outwards, encompassing everything. "I wasn't quite educated as to why K'un L'un and the Hand were mortal enemies. I just kind of picked it up as I wnt along."

    "As for leaving things behind, I have done the same thing, leaving my home behind. Or adoptive home at least. You can do the same thing." Danny stands, and offers his right hand to Elektra. "We can help you. Matt. Me. Luke. Jessica. We can all be there for you, whatever you need. You just have to let go...so let go!"The last he says emphatically, and hard.

Elektra has posed:
"Black Sky," Elektra repeats. "A weapon of ultimate destruction."

There's a nod as he goes on. "I don't know myself. My understanding is I didn't display enough.. devotion to my role as the Fist. Certainly not enough to be let in on the plans. As it happens, I'm now aware that it's only ever been lip service that I held them."

She shakes her head and gives a short, derisive laugh.

"It seemed a very logical answer to the problem at hand. End a war, I thought. End this non-stop hunting one another down and killing.. and I jumped at the chance as an answer. I find now that it only ever was a ploy to keep me where they needed me until the time was right to make a move."

"If you haven't met her, Madame Gao is one to look out for. She'll give you politeness and seem nothing more than a frail, elderly woman far beyond these things, but don't be fooled. She's dangerous. And I believe she controls the Hand. Always has."

She gives a pained smile at his earnest offering.

"Danny, what would that solve? Spend the rest of our lives fighting them? Running from them? They'll always believe I'm available to fill that role. It won't ever end. And you'll drag everyone you love into an endless war." She lowers her head, shaking it. "You also overestimate the desire of your friends to help me. They're rather quite willing to let me lie in the bed I've made."

Iron Fist has posed:
    "I see. I don't think a person could be a weapon of ultimate destruction. Although I appreciate being referred to as a "weapon". AFter all, that is what I am supposed to be." Danny holds his hand up for a moment, stares at it, and drops it easily to his side.

    "Most times when a group of people are using another person to serve their own needs and wants, that person tends to be forgotten in the carnage." Danny says, channelling his inner wisdom. "You need to leave all this programming behind. Starting with this Madame Gao." Danny nods. "And than you for the warning. I am sure she is dangerous as the mosquito is."

    "If it takes the rest of our lives to fight them, and ultimately defeat them, then the answer is, swiftly and unequivocably, yes!" He says emphatically. "As for my friends, I can talk to them. I know Matt spoke of you fondly..." Danny trails off.

Elektra has posed:
"Ah, Matthew." She lets that thought drift before giving a soft sigh that does little to hide the reciprocal nature of his feelings. "Matthew is a fool who wants to believe that this is solvable by any other means than those I've chosen. There's an irony to that. He was meant to fight this war, and he walked away. Now, when it might have made a difference some time ago, he's chosen otherwise."

Elektra pushes hair behind an ear, then returns her hand to her knees.

"Things are in motion now, though. I'm not sure there's a way to stop them, even if I wanted to."

Danny gets a sympathetic look.

"You don't know that part, do you? You guard the doorway to K'un L'un. I kill you. They get to return. It's only ever been about that. So, you see why they'll never stop. Maybe you even understand why I chose to take on the mantle of the Fist."

"It will still take the rest of your lives to fight them. But I won't be part of that. I'm doing the one thing I have left that can sway the outcome of this battle. I'm removing myself from the playing board. If either side believes I am the answer, then neither will give up as long as the possibility exists I can be theirs. Your only chance - our only chance - is if I'm dead. Unusable."

And here she gives him the most solid of gazes, serious, and demanding in its unspoken forcing him to keep her gaze and listen; to understand the depth of what she is about to impart, and offer.

"If you so wish, I would do a thing that would break the bones of the Hand, perhaps irrevocably. It was pointed out to me, that of all the choices I could make to remove myself from the playing field, you would be the one to most devastate morale of the Hand in the wake of that."

"I want them destroyed, Danny. The offer is sincere."

Iron Fist has posed:
    "Well, I don't know if he is a fool, but he certainly has a soft spot for certain assassins." Danny smiles, and looks into the fire for a moment, before returning his gaze back to Elektra. "I don't think it is fair you should see him that way. He's an optimist, and would like to see the best in people. We have that in common."

    Danny kicks a bit of sand into the fire, and nods. "I would prefer if you didn't kill me though. I agree they will never stop, but with your help, maybe we can finally stop them?" Danny says, knowing the answer already.

    "Is removing yourself the right thing to do? I certainly don't want to see you dead. That would suck. Big time." Using words he heard people at Rand use, Danny feels a bit uncomfortable with the words.

    Listening to the final offer, Danny is suddenly struck speechless. He walks around the side of the fire, closer to Elektra, and says, "Ande what would that cost you then Elektra? If the cost is your life, perhaps the price is too high?"

Elektra has posed:
"Oh, he's a fool," Elektra says softly. Fondly. "I do love him. If things were different, if they'd been allowed to be different.." She drifts off. What can she say there? Matthew still couldn't see past her killing people, but at least they'd have had time to be together. Now, though? Not so much.

"If I'd wanted to kill you, Danny, we'd not be discussing things politely over a slowly dying fire. I'd have come across you and done the deed. Or, if I were feeling generous, I'd have offered you a challenge."

She shakes her head.

"No. I have no intentions of killing you. And I know you want to believe there are other answers, but it's already done, Danny. I'm already going to die. This weekend?" She looks about. "This is my last hurrah. After this, it's up to the rest of you to take what I've done and make it mean something. But you could strike a mighty blow for your side, were you to strike me down now."

Even as she knows he won't.

Iron Fist has posed:
"Love. Well. There is that." Danny says, with a smile. "That is certainly something worth living for ELektra. He has said as much to me." Danny says, maybe saying too much to the assassin across from him. "Things can always be different with a little effort." Danny follows up with a sigh.

    Danny chuckles at her obvious bravado, and he bows slightly, acknowledging her words. "You would have tried." Danny shakes his head in a perfect mirror of Elektra shakking her head. "And I have no intentions of killing you." Danny says, honestly. "And you won't die, if we can help it."

Elektra has posed:
Elektra rises from her seat, and offers her hands to Danny, leaning in to give his cheek a kiss should he allow it.

"I know you have no intentions of killing me. It's a generous thing you do, even knowing the enemies we should be. However, it's out of my hands now. And truly, I think it for the best. I'm giving you all the advantages I can."

She smiles, and wipes non-existant lipstick off of his cheek with a thumb.

"Look for allies in unexpected places. I've set so much in motion. And now.. I do what I must."

She moves to take her leave.

"Take care of Matthew. He deserved better than this."

Iron Fist has posed:
    Danny blinks, allows the kiss, and frowns. As Elektra leaves, Danny whispers, "He did deserve better than this..." Then, he goes back to his fire, his meditation, and wondering what the hell just happened...