video | un: iron.man

[buildsomething]

[Tony's in his workroom, look surprised. His expression is deadpan, but there's something almost pleased underneath it. An almost imperceptible loosening of the tension that's always there in the set of his shoulders.]

So I know we're all well aware that this place is weird as hell, but does stuff just like. Turn up sometimes? Your stuff, I mean. From home.

[As he's talking, a metal arm pops into view behind him. The claw at the front of the arm clicks together once, then starts slowly creeping forward like it's trying to peer at the camera over Tony's shoulder. It's about the least subtle thing imaginable, considering the robot's sheer size, but Tony seems to be quite comfortably ignoring it.

At least until the claw nearly knocks right into the camera and Tony has to move it out of the way like he's holding it out of the range of a toddler. The robot arm is still taking up most of the image now, though. When Tony's voice comes again, it's more than a little resigned.]

'Cause this definitely mine. Unfortunately.

Comments

Video

[worldsaway]

It's surprisingly charming for something you've created.

[buildsomething]

...what do you mean 'surprisingly'?

[Yeah, that's Tony's offended face. Not a very serious one, but still.]

[worldsaway]

As I recall, the last one tried to strangle me to death.

[buildsomething]

[Some of the brightness fades from Tony's expression at the reminder.]

Yeah, well. Some projects go badly.

[worldsaway]

I know that better than most. [He senses that dejection, Tony.] As the old men say, there is no success without failure.

[buildsomething]

There's failure and then there's...

[He just sighs.]

Nevermind. Dum-E was built long before that was an issue. And you know JARVIS.

[worldsaway]

I do know JARVIS. He's a good man... robot. I'm not sure what the term is.

Do you not think the name Dum-E is a little hamfisted?

[buildsomething]

AI, technically. But he and I both get the gist.

[Everybody's got something to say about the name. Tony sighs.]

I didn't actually name him that. He decided he was going to respond to it.

[worldsaway]

I suppose he'll be the next one with an infinity stone.

[buildsomething]

That is a terrifying thought, thank you.

[worldsaway]

I don't know. I hardly know him and I trust him. It's worked well for me so far.

The true test depends on whether he can lift the hammer.

[buildsomething]

And what'll you do if it turns out he's worthy? Does he get to be Prince of Asgard?

[worldsaway]

It would be rude not to offer. It will enable me to take vacations from time to time- as if this has not been one long vacation already.

[buildsomething]

That's the spirit. You'd have a well-oiled kingdom, if nothing else.

[worldsaway]

There is quite a bit of ancient machinery in Asgard. I feel he will be a beloved ruler, unafraid to make the tough choices.

[buildsomething]

At least until he gets himself stuck in a corner until he runs out of power, sure.

[worldsaway]

Some of the greatest kings have the most tragic deaths. Almost five thousand years before his time, Asgard will mourn for weeks.