video | un: iron.man

[buildsomething]

[The video flicks on to Tony's tired face, though he actually looks pretty good, considering that he's still mildly sick. He grins at the camera, though, the pleased look of someone who's managed something.]

Hey, so. For anyone still caught with this plague thing, I've got a...well, not a fix. A work around, maybe. A focused EMP seems to deactivate the nanities long enough for some of the symptoms to fade, at least for a little while. It doesn't get rid of the things entirely, but it should give you a nice break from feeling like shit.

I'd like to thank my lovely assistants for working with me on this.

[The camera pans across the workroom to focus on the couch, and the two bodies sprawled on it. The eagle-eyed might recognize one (or both) of them as Bucky Barnes, but the way they're both just kind of slumped in a heap makes it kind of hard to tell. It's not that large a couch.

One of them twitches slightly, and there's a snort as Tony turns the camera back on himself.]

That's it for now. I'm still working on a more permanent solution, but magic is really not my thing. Someone else wants to have a crack at that part, be my guest.

[A sudden crash comes from what seems like the vicinity of that couch, and Tony gives the screen a sardonic look before the feed cuts.]

Comments

[buildsomething]

Good as they can be? They say they're feeling better.

[Would either of those men lie about their health?]

[livingsymbol]

All right.

[He's not so comfortable with this whole thing, but if Bucky is doing better, then he can be patient, right?]

[buildsomething]

[That does narrow it down a little, actually. Tony glances briefly over his shoulder at them and shrugs.]

Long as they don't kill each other or wreck my workroom, sure.

[buildsomething]

A fair amount, yeah. A lot of that is research from Junior. Er-- the other Tony. But there's only so much that's good for when the other component is magic.

[Goddamn magic. Does Tony sound frustrated? Because he is.]

[seeingscarlet]

[Well, she's fixed worse...and if electricity stops it, it may have more in common with her abilities than at first glance. Not that she's going to just broadcast that kind of weakness over the network, of course.]

If someone is willing, I will try. Maybe I can see something you can't.

[hititwithacrowbar]

Right, those seem like pretty heavy orders man.

[ He tried to sound serious but, he figured that means their fine.]

[wingedman]

Don't write me off just yet, Stark.

[There's a certain fondness in Sam's smile that maybe only Tony can read. (Maybe even Tony doesn't catch it. It's possible.)]

Seems like you couldn't throw a rock without hitting a wizard for a little while there. And now half of 'em are gone, just when we need them. [A beat, and then:] The Strange from our world went back home.

[buildsomething]

Doesn't mean he'd be willing to help.

[Well. Maybe. Tony will admit he doesn't actually know that much about the guy. But the other other Tony hadn't been too impressed with him, so that's what he's working with.]

[buildsomething]

I can't fit them all in my workshop. And I don't think detonating an EMP over the whole city will earn me any friends.

[buildsomething]

[Tony's smile widens just a hint before it settles back into something more thoughtful.]

Yeah, I know. We talked.

Seems to me that you've got a fairly good relationship with a wizard, though.

[buildsomething]

Don't know about these guys, but seems like you've got no shortage of possibilites.

And if nothing else, you can try it on me.

[Is that Tony's awkward way of offering an olive branch? Maybe.]

[buildsomething]

[One of Tony's eyebrows lifts a little.]

Something wrong?

[latrodectus]

I think he would have been. He was reforming. It's something bad guys do.

[ Which doesn't mean she trusts him, or did, but she trusts getting the chance to be a hero would play into whatever his motives were. And if it helps people not be sick— well, she doesn't mind giving the bad guy PR. ]

private

[wingedman]

Do I?

[Sam just raises an eyebrow, although a smirk plays around the corners of his mouth.]

The two of you finally compared notes?

[buildsomething]

What, not acting like five-year-olds? Imagine that.

[Look who's talking. But apparently Tony gets to be the adult today, god help everyone.]

[buildsomething]

Well. Moot point now. There are a few magic types still around, someone can probably help.

private

[buildsomething]

Don't know about that. We got drinks.

[Somehow he manages to keep a straight face.]

[wingedman]

Oh, man, now you're gossiping behind my back.

[Sam looks amused, though. And he has to tease Tony:]

Just drinks?

[buildsomething]

Wouldn't you like to know.

[Yeah, that's a smirk.]

[wingedman]

[Since this is private, Sam feels free to waggle his eyebrows shamelessly.]

You know I would. But I'll just settle for imagining it instead.

audio un:pnwsalex

[11calls]

Are they okay?

video

[buildsomething]

Who, them?

[He jerks a thumb over his shoulder at the Bucky pile.]

Sure. Don't they look it?

un: TheStrandInstitute

[nobasisinfact]

I assume they're still breathing.

[buildsomething]

Judging by the amount of bitching, I'm gonna say yes.

[nobasisinfact]

Have you thought of gags for that?