697/Hand and Fist

Hand and Fist
Date of Scene:	22 March 2020
Location:	Fogwell's Gym (New York City)
Synopsis:	Matt, Elektra, Danny and Jess meet to discuss the Hand, their plans, training, Tae-Bo and mystical Chinese whiskey.
Cast of Characters:	Matthew Murdock, Elektra Natchios, Danny Rand, Jessica Jones

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Matthew Murdock has posed:
Fogwell's was closed. Even the hardcore boxing heads having long since headed home. The building it was in was quiet, save for the usual creaks of buildings of its age, that and the sound of the odd mouse running through the walls that Matt and maybe Danny could hear.

The invites Matt had set for this meeting were sent individually by text, but said the same things.

> Meeting re Hand. Fogwell's at 10. Work clothes.

Which of course meant show up in costume, he didn't want to share anyones ID if they weren't comfortable with it. Not knowing his two guests had met already and at the same spot he chose for this meeting.

Matt is there sticking to the dress code, the red 'devil suit' on, it's high tech fabrics and ceramics wrapping his body in red an black. Arriving early, and opening with the door with the key (this time) he leaves the door ajar and slips inside, waiting by the ring for the others to arrive.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
Work clothes! And here Elektra was wanting to try out her new Italian shoes. But ah well, she will go with japanese instead, dressed in the black and red suit she uses when out for 'fun', the leather bracers tight to her arms with various tools of her trade embedded there. Around her dark red sash those two deadly sais she carries with her. Hair kept up in a warrior's knot and the mask covering the lower end of her face, leaving only her dark eyes in sight.

Close to 10 she arrives, a bit after Matt but not yet being 10pm. Which is a good thing, it saving her from having to break the door window to get in as she spots it open.

Her feet are barely heard carrying her through the floor, breathing and heartbeat even, not a touch out of place but recognizable nonetheless to those with the kind of heightened senses to note such things.

Her eyes are on the ring and she approaches, jumping up and then over the ropes to get in. "Here I am." she says, voice muffled under that mask.

Danny Rand has posed:
Danny Rand arrives fashionably late as ever. Though in his defense, Matt sent his text in the middle of his meditations. How rude! But, Danny decides to get out and about anyway. He is dressed in his yellow and dark green garb, with the facemask bandana and all. His hands are properly wrapped like he's looking ofr a fight and his model of footwear makes his steps surprisingly silent.

Or perhaps that is just sheer skill.

Nevertheless, he arrives, moving from the rafters and landing in just off to the side of the middle of the ring. He has the symbol of Shao-Lao the Undying on the front of his garbs, revealing his identity easily as the Iron Fist, even if the identity of Danny Rand in this instance is a secret.

"Here as requested. Whats going on?" He notices Elektra and he gives her a wave.

Matthew Murdock has posed:
There's a nod from Matt, when Elektra enters, emerging from the quiet like only she could. His attention follows her as he she jumps into the ring, a faint fond smile playing at his lips before it's put away.

There's not too long a wait before Danny enters, being very Danny with that little wave given to the new face, that gets a wry smile from Daredevil.

"Alright, I'll let you guys handle introductions if you want to do them, your identities, your choice," Matt starts off, "But the reason I called our little meeting is to share info on the Hand. Since except for maybe one other person, you guys know the most about them," he looks to Elektra. "I showed Danny the picture of the vase, he recognized it, and he knows this Black Sky thing is some sort of weapon," then to Danny. "We also found a ledger we can't translate, it suggests more shipments will be coming in like the vase, likely to do with this Black Sky."

Elektra Natchios has posed:
The amused look under her mask is almost palpable, those dark eyes dancing while she watches Daredevil. Until Rand drops in that is. She looks up just before that fall, a raised brow. A very brief moment of tension. This was the sworn enemy of the Hand afterall, and some habits were hard to break. Though at least there is no reach for the Sais, or a shuriken toss or any other way she might begin hostilities.

Not that she stoops as low as to wave back, instead she murmurs to the newcomer. "We might have met already. Perhaps." she studies the Fist's posture, thoughtful then she introduces herself. "I am Elektra."

Her arms wrap together, hip jutting to the side and she resting against the ring ropes. "A weapon?" a brow arching up. "What type of weapon?" her eyes go from the Fist to Daredevil.

Danny Rand has posed:
Danny gives a smile in return to Daredevil, though Iron fist nods softly to Elektra when she greets. "Oh yeah, I remember you. Danny." He gestures to himself. A friend of Matt's is typically a trustworthy one, since Matt doesn't make 'trustworthy' friends with a lot of people. But Danny seems relaxed all the same, like he doesn't know that Elektra is with the hand (undercover or no). He does notice the degree of tension though with Elektra, like her chi had been disturbed by some such.

Nodding to Matt, he looks between both of them. "The Black Sky is -the- weapon of the Hand. I don't know much more than that or what its capable of, but if the writings in K'un-Lun are anything to go off of...serious business. So, I vote we try and stop the shipments and see whats inside these vases." He does tilt his head at Matt though.

"Do you have the ledger with you?" Danny -does- speak an ancient language.

Jessica Jones has posed:
While not a frequent visitor to Fogwell's Gym, Jessica is enough in the know as a not quite card carrying Defenders member, that this is where Matt Murdock can be found if you literally can't find him anywhere else. Whether he's doing some reminiscing about his youth or his dead father, or doing Devil Boy stuff, now she needed him. Well, more like she was hoping she could guilt him into some help.

The Gym looks closed, but Jessica already knows that doesn't mean anything, so she tries the door and lo and behold, the Devil is in!

"Hey, Murdock," Jessica calls out as she walks inside, "I wanted to..." but then she sees the gathering and shuts up, her eyes growing a bit wide as she peers at everyone in their costume, at least Daredevil and Iron Fist are known entities to her. To varying degrees. The red ninja chick is a total unknown. "So...I've walked on the Annual Fogwell's Halloween Shindig, huh?"

Matthew Murdock has posed:
Matt's attention shifts between Danny and Elektra. "Wait, you two know each other?" he ask the pair of them, surprise plain in his voice. "If I knew that we could have done this at my place." Faint smile there.

Matt nods though at Danny's mention of the finding the other shipments and stopping them. "Yeah-"

He hears footsteps coming up and pauses a second before recognizing the person coming up. Someone who might be able to help run down this little mystery of theirs. When Jessica arrives, he nods, "Something like that, come on in and join us," he says before looking up to the woman in the ring, "Jessica Jones, this is Elektra."

He produces the ledger, a heavy thick tome with page after page of notes on shady dealings and a back section in some unknown tongue. "We're looking into the shipment of some artifacts, Jess, this is something Elektra and I found," slight pause at found. "That we think has the details of when and where the shipments are coming, we just can't translate the last part, I was going to take it to a friend of mine, but I can't seem to track her down." Likely because he was using the wrong name now. "Anyhow, feel free to take a look," he says to both Jess and Danny.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
There is this look Elektra gives Matthew, as if he should had expected it by now, followed by a roll of her eyes. "Did you expect me -not- to scout out who your other friends might be?" tone rich with amusement. "I like to know who I am dealing with." just normal Elektra things.

Her glance turns towards the entrance when someone unexpected walks in, her dark eyes sizing her up, thoughtful. Then the name. Jessica Jones. Ah, she knows who that is, another Defender.

"I can get you a costume if you wish to join in the festivities." she offers. So generous. But then she nods her head as if in acceptance to Jessica being here.

When the ledger is produced she dislodges herself from the ropes she was hanging against though, approaching the middle of the ring. A nod. "If this is such a deadly weapon as you say we should make sure they cannot use it." not that she isn't curious on what it is. Mmmm, if only she could get a hold of it! "We have discovered a rising presence of their organization here in this city. So they are taking this rather seriously." some refinement there on her accent.

Danny Rand has posed:
Danny looks at the ledger and starts reading through it, moving over to the turnbuckle to lean against it. "Looks like two deliveries are on route...as well as their location. They are shipping it in from one of the docks at the harbor, but it doesn't specify. Must be a specific dock that they all just know, but thats all I can grasp from it. Its a mixture of K'unlunquan and...something more ancient."

He looks up at Jessica Jones. "Hey Jess, lookin' great." Danny greets Jessica and tries to pay her a compliment. To Matt, he gives a nod. "Hope that helps. As for Elektra...we had a brief spar, nothing serious. Flirted a little, the usual."

Jessica Jones has posed:
"Elektra...how mysterious sounding," Jessica remarks dryly as she looks up at the woman inside the ring. "I'd introduce myself, but Matt is nice that way," she shrugs as she's introduced in return to Elektra. "Sorry for not being one of his rich friends," Jessica quips, as if expecting Elektra not to know anything about her, since well, she only looks out for someone's rich friends, doesn't she?

Jessica doesn't look overly amused at the offer of a costume, as she closes the distance from Matt and Elektra, though she doesn't climb into the ring. "I appreciate the offer, lady, really, but I'm not cut out for this superhero thing. It's too much headache, and dressing the way I do, media have no fucks to give about me. They want something flashy," she peers at Daredevil with a teasing grin, "like Devil Boy." But he's not alone in the teasing department, as she quickly turns her attention to Iron Fist, "or One Punch Man."

Jessica does put her game face on the moment documents are introduced, and a real problem is discussed, "so we're dealing with some smugglers?" Jessica asks, intentionally ignoring all the 'Hand' stuff that sounds a bit unsettling to her. Fuck Kung Fu Movie weapons. She'd rather deal with sensible Yakuza stuff, mob type smuggling, easier to handle when it's grounded.

"You're a sweetheart, Danny, but you don't have to lie to me, I know I look like shit," Jessica is ever the charmer. She does, however, raises and eyebrow as she looks between Danny and Elektra when Danny describes their spar/flirt thing, and instead of addressing them, she just looks at Matt and quips, "your friends are weird."

After another brief look at the ledger, she eventually remarks, "I can try and investigate this thing, see if I can find us an exact dock, and then we can try and show up with tea and biscuits, sounds like a plan?"

Matthew Murdock has posed:
There's a little shrug and a tilt of his head, as if to say fair point, though he does counter with, "Just didn't think you did preparation," he says wryly.
He nods about the Hand's rising presence in the city, "Yeah, Elektra and I dealt with a couple of their people a few nights ago, they were good, definitely not the usual muscle hired for this sort of thing."

He lets out a breath, "But yeah, we definitely need to shut this thing down before they get this weapon together."

Then on to the matter of the docks and the Hand. A nod is given to Danny as he translates the entries. "Do they say when?" he asks before moving on to the Hand. "They're a lot of things, but one of them is smugglers," he says to Jess, trying to keep this firmly in her world for comfort's sake. "They were working with a guy named Wollingsly, a big wheel at Roxxon in the city. Odds are good this dock has either his name attached somewhere or Roxxon's."

There's a 'heh' though at Jess declaring his friends are weird. "I've noticed, besides, Danny's your friend too," he says with wry humour in his voice.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"I do try, my dear." Elektra replies to Jessica, her gaze following while the other woman approaches the ring. A brief grin under the mask. "Yet I did not expect the PI Jessica Jones to assume I did not scout her too." seems she does know a few things! "But clearly not enough. Perhaps something to rectify in the future." almost as if it would be an offer. But she shrugs shortly after about the costume.

"Matthew here can tell you that I am anything but flashy though." a glance towards Matthew afterwards though, then to Danny with a smirk. "But I understand where you're getting at."

She focuses on the problem as well, frowning somewhat at the mention of those two deliveries. "Perhaps even a warehouse owned by Wollingsly." she following Matthew's line of thought with an approving nod. "But do not underestimate them. They should not be the typical smugglers."

Then a look between all of them. "And here I was thinking you guys were all used to weird by now."

Danny Rand has posed:
Danny chuckles at Jessica. "We both know I'm a horrible liar, Jess." Its....so...unbelievably true! He's probably the nicest guy of the Defenders and probably the most naive. Hard knock life hasn't hit him yet, probably. He does seem amused though when Jessica deems him One Punch Man, though he probably doesn't even know who or what that is.

...Unless Danny became an anime fan while he was abroad. Press X to doubt.

He does seem to nod at Matt. "Yeah. There's a shipment coming in about three days and six days from now at sketchy times. AM hours, betwen 2 and 3. Spacing it to look less suspicious. Says nothing about whats being transported though." He looks at Jessica and Matt. "The Hand is many things. None of them are good and all of them are deceptive." Danny hands the ledger to Jessica. "By all means, you're kind of our best detective."

He looks at Elektra with a smile. "You should meet Luke."

Jessica Jones has posed:
"I can work with smugglers, I helped the N.Y.P.D. solve a case in the past," Jessica shares, as she takes out her camera and snaps a picture of the ledger, "so...Wollingsly and Roxxon? I'll get you the right dock, thanks for the info, that's about all I need to get this done." She smirks at the reminder that Danny is her friend as well, and turning to look at Danny in appraisal, she tilts her head a bit and shrugs, "I'd say trusted colleagues at this point, the more mystic karate is mentioned, the less sure I am."

When Elektra makes it a point to show Jessica she knows more about her than she expects, Jessica scoffs, "I post ads, I have an awesome marketing campagin on Twitter," (because one good twit totally equates with marketing campaign), "pretty easy to tell I'm a P.I., I'm sure even Danny knew." Jessica at least has the decency to wink at Iron Fist, going the extra mile of actually letting him know she's not being serious. Must be because he generally is a good guy.

"Cool it, Elektra, just because I hang out with these two, doesn't mean I'm part of Karate Magic World..."

"There's no disputing that, Danny, you absolutely suck at lying," Jessica agrees, not realizing that she's essentially therefore accepting his compliment after all. That's the problem with Jess, she's quick to sting when the opportunity is there, not often thinking of the consequences. Even when they're as horrid as allowing herself to be complimented.

"Settled then, I'll investigate this thing, get us the correct dock, and we'll form a nice greeting party." She then asides to Matt, "it'll be just like Chruch."

Matthew Murdock has posed:
Matt let's the question of Elektra being flashy go by unanswered, but there is a faint smile at that. As for being used to weird? "There's weird and then there's weird."

There's a snort about Luke. "She's probably hired him by now," he says of Elektra meeting the bullet proof man.

She was checking up on all his friends it seems like.

"Okay, so early morning, random dock, likely Wollingsly or Roxxon related," he says running down the facts. "Think you can find them in three days?" he asks to Jess before turning his head around at the rest of them. "Figure that one we tail, see where it goes, then we hit the one three days later, maybe while some of us hit where they're taking these things."

As smirk then. "Yeah, just like church," he says dryly. "Sound good? And speaking of Luke we should probably get him in on this, the raid at least. I haven't seen the Hand use anything that can get through his skin."

Elektra Natchios has posed:
If anything Elektra doesn't seem to be the type to cool it, but right now she seems to relent, simply opening her arms to the side briefly as if in a sign of truce. She does take a step back when they seem willing to pursue this, a pleased aspect to her demeanor. She looks at Matthew. "Well, your friends are quite helpful, Matthew."

"And you have my thanks for it." In this at least she seems genuine. Be thankful when aid is freely given. A slight bow of her head towards both Danny and Jessica.

As for Luke .. "Maybe I have. And I will let you know I do resent you implying I just jump into things without a thought. What will your friends think, mmm?" Yet she somehow doesn't exactly seem the type that cares much on what others think of her. And there's that rather amused tone under that mask still.

Though when things go back to business she offers a sharp nod. "I will be ready." her tone gaining a dangerous undertone to it. Clearly there is something personal to her with this all deal.

Danny Rand has posed:
"So you agree that you look good today?" Danny tells Jessica with a grin, as if waiting to see if she can realize the circle she just walked in. He does chuckle a little bit with an 'ouch' when Jessica makes her implication. He seems to brush it off though, knowing that Jessica means well.

Though Elektra gets his attention for a moment then, nodding with a smile. "We're the good guys, we help each other. Free of charge, usually." he smirks. "Good. Though uh, now that we know that we're part of the shadow world as it were, where did you get your training?" He asks her curiously. "Because it definitely wasn't at the run of a mill karate joint."

To matt, Danny ponders a moment. "I can try and help Jessica get things sorted out. Chances are, if all of their information is in this language, she'll probably need the help."

Jessica Jones has posed:
"Three days is doable with assholes of this caliber, I'll get in Roxxon, put on the pressure, and get it one way or another. It'll be done," Jessica assures Matt, apparently quite confident in her skills. After all, she's gotten all sorts of guarded information from companies in her day to day P.I. work. Part of the reason Jeri Hogarth loved working with her so much.

"Oh don't worry about what I think," Jessica notes to Elektra, "that was determined by the ninja getup already." Jessica would say more, but Danny doing the rare bit of actually outdoing her in wordplay entirely distracts her. "What...?" She takes a moment to realize what just happened, before snapping, "damnit, Danny, that was sneaky..." she shakes her head at him before grinning, "fine, I'll accept it today." The offer of help, particularly for the language barrier, does get a spark in Jessica's eyes, "I can totally see Mr. Rand having a business meeting with Roxxon for this or that, and his 'good looking' PA could accompany him...that's a good in, Danny, I like it."

Matthew Murdock has posed:
Matt sits back and smiles a little as the meeting seems to run itself, the Danny and Jess working out their approach to running down these leads.

Which was good, he'd been running too little sleep lately, big cases, then this business on top of it made things hard to keep up.

He nods to Elektra, "Yeah, they are," he says a bit of pride in his voice. As terrible as the Battle of New York had been he at least came away with a decent circle of friends. Not that he'd use the F word with them of course.

When Danny asks after Elektra's training, Matt chimes in, "What was it you said, Tae-Bo tapes?" he jokes lightly knowing she said no such thing.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"Now, now.., let's not judge outfits..." Elektra replies to Jessica with a quiet tsk to her but doesn't follow-up further either as Danny and Jess then begin their banter. There is still some amusement on her eyes at the whole thing though.

The mention about tae-bo tapes just brings a -look- from Elektra. Not that she will ever confirm knowing what those are! Instead she says over to Danny. "I have trained where I can over the years. You know how it is, picking a technique here and there whenever I can." which is as vague as one can get. "I didn't expect to have left such a good impression on you when we sparred though. I am quite pleased."

Danny Rand has posed:
Danny smiles at Jessica and fingerguns at her. "Absolutely. As long as you don't mind spending more time around me, of course, since I might annoy you with compliments the entire time." He winks playfully.

Though his attention then shifts to Matt and Elektra as they explain her training. "Ahhh a citizen of the world, I like that, proves you really know your stuff."

Danny doesn't seem to ask further questions. This dude is WAY too trusting!

"Glad we have a bit of a team going again. I missed you guys."

Jessica Jones has posed:
"Didn't mean to judge," Jessica offers in as friendly a fashion as she can muster at Elektra, "it's just...hanging with these two," she thumb points at Danny and Matt, "I've discovered there's a whole world of ninja gals and karate guys, and it usually involves stuff from B-movies, and that's so not my thing." She taps Danny on the shoulder, and turns to leave, "I'll be seeing you guys, seeing as I actually run a detective agency, I'll need to shift around some things to make time for this investigation. Danny, just so you know, you have a P.A. named Daphne now...so if people from Roxxon ask, she totally made calls on your behalf."

Matthew Murdock has posed:
Matt can feel that look from Elektra and it brings an amused, smile to his lips. No comments though. He was no doubt going to hear about it later, better to save his ammunition.

"Me too," Matt says nodding to Danny. "We'll call Luke too next time, haven't seen him in ages."

Then there's a smile about Daphne, "I'm going to guess she's also got a cheery voice that has a slight undertone of derrision to it," he offers, before looking to Danny. "Might want to talk to her about it."

Elektra Natchios has posed:
That's almost ..., surprising. Elektra keeps her eyes on Danny for a few moments as he doesn't question her further. Fine enough by her! People that are too trusting are just a thing she enjoys. Not they enjoy the same in return when they eventually discover some truths about her. But all in due time. "I don't do things in half-measures, Danny." is her reply about knowing her stuff.

"You might want to get ready for some more of it though. Considering what we will be looking into." But she seems mostly amused about Jessica right now. The farewell brings a nod from her. "Maybe I will find you at Josie's.." she says in a manner of farewell.

Matt though, he just gets another look from her. Tae-bo.. The gall on that man..

Danny Rand has posed:
Danny looks at Jessica with a smile. "The great Daphne, making calls on the behalf of moi?" He looks taken aghast for a minute, but he does smile a moment at her. "Sounds like a plan to me. They'll probably either think you are in fact a P.A, or think you're a love interest and try and make you sign over the company. You'd be surprised the wolfpack thats in the boardroom." he whistles.

He looks at Matt for a moment then, before he nods. "Agreed. Should ask him how his bar and all that is doing. Definitely could use his help too with this one." He teases, before he looks at Elektra. "Fair enough, fair enough. But, I should get going too. I was in the middle of my meditations when I came over." He smiles, before he looks at Jessica, walking by her. "Need me to walk you home, or are you getting a drink first?"

Jessica Jones has posed:
"Hey, it's not my first foray, I'll be beliveable, and it'll work out fine, I'll get back to you when it's time for the meeting," Jessica winks at Danny, before calling out at Matt, "don't give away all of my secrets, Matt, besides, it's not my fault 90 percent of P.A.s are former cheerleading bitches who are ever so happy all the time." Jessica snorts, before adding, "and that's not a slight understone of derision, it's every bit as much as they deserve, those sluts." She would have been done there, but Elektra's quip about finding her at Josie's feels a bit unsettling, so Jessica just has to pause a moment, turn to look back at Elektra, and remark with a sincere sounding, "no offense, Elektra," and then she leaves. Classic Jess.

As Danny is walking out with her, Jess scoffs, "I never need anyone to walk me home, but if you want to introduce me to some mystical Chinese whiskey, let's go."