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

un: n. romanov

[latrodectus]

Why do you need two of them?

[buildsomething]

One of them is the control group.

[latrodectus]

The next experiment should be haircuts.

I never thought I'd write this, but it's too bad Doom left.

[buildsomething]

...I'm not sure whether or not I should feel insulted.

[latrodectus]

I know, I know. Men are very fragile about their genius.

But he's also a wizard.

[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.]

[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. ]

[buildsomething]

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

[latrodectus]

Hopefully they'll see this.

[ Natasha has a very specific skillset, and magic is not part of it. The less spoken of that once incident involving Doctor Druid, the better. ]

I've gotten no compliments on my bedside manner.

[buildsomething]

You'll forgive me if I'm not shocked.

[From what he knows about his Natasha...]

[latrodectus]

[ She's not really being fair to herself. She can be very reassuring. Because she's a good liar.

But, that isn't who she wants to be. ]

I'll try not to be too insulted.

Your test subjects. They'll live?

[buildsomething]

I mean, that is kind of the point of this whole endeavor so I sure hope so. I'll run out of Barneses otherwise.

[Yes, he is actually worried about them. No, he isn't going to be upfront about it.]

[anotheroldsoldier]

He's the one who needs the haircut. I went to the barber last month.

[latrodectus]

I don't know why you ever let it get long.

[anotheroldsoldier]

I don't. Least not that I can remember.

[Barring that period of time where he had no choice in things like that. One of the first things he did when he got his head back was cut his hair, and at this point in time, he's kept it short.]

[latrodectus]

[ Awkward. Natasha hasn't really kept track of Bucky's haircuts, but she knows he's worn it long for the past while. ]

Well, you should keep it like that. It suits you.

[anotheroldsoldier]

[It only really got long after his life went even more to shit, probably due to a lack of fucks to give about his personal appearance, but back home, he's not there yet. Things were still... okay. As okay as they got.]

After looking at the back of Barnes' head for hours, I gotta agree. Someone needs to take a pair of scissors to his mop.

[latrodectus]

[ The thought makes her feel strange, just like seeing two of him does on the video. ]


Won't that ruin Stark's control?

[anotheroldsoldier]

He's good at adjustments. I think he'll manage.

[He's not going to actually cut Barnes' hair. Even if it's tempting. The fever is just making him a little delirious.]

[latrodectus]

[ No, she doesn't expect he would. Too much respect for other people's ability to make choices. Too much experience not having his own. ]

He hasn't made you sicker, has he?

[ She jokes, but she's worried. ]

[advanced]

We're not actually the same person.

[latrodectus]

Do you think I don't know that?

[ She has her own experiences with parallel universes. And also with being replaceable— part of a set.

But they haven't actually met. ]

[advanced]

Maybe, some people seem to have issues with it.

[Projecting their ideas about the other Barnes onto him, or visa versa.]

[latrodectus]

[ Hmmm. ]

What's your least favorite thing about him?

[advanced]

What the hell kind of question is that?

[And from someone who's practically a stranger, too.]