video | un: iron.man

[buildsomething]

[The video opens on a very nice view of a warehouse ceiling, at least until there's a muffled curse offscreen and it tilts to reveal one Tony Stark. He's practically vibrating with the kind of manic energy that means he's been working for possibly too long, all hair standing on end and a few dark smudges on his face, but he looks pleased at least. Just behind him is a glowing blue hologram picking out the lines of something circular, spinning lazily like it was hurriedly abandoned.]

So hey, you all know those power plants out there in yonder abandoned wasteland? Sure you do. I know there's one working, but I've got some ideas for how to give the other ones a good kick. Thing is, I could use an extra hand.

[The metal arm that's been slowly rolling along behind him suddenly straightens and twists in Tony's direction, claw at the front contracting. Without looking back, Tony just snorts.] Not you. [The arm droops, somehow giving the impression of looking disappointed, but continues his trek to wherever he thinks he's going.]

Anyway, yes. Manpower needed. Preferably the kind that knows it's way around a welding iron, but I'll take what I can get. Oh, and a metric shitload of palladium. So if anybody's got a spare catalytic converter or twenty, let me know.

[He reaches for the phone, then pauses, something slightly sardonic flicking across his mouth.]

Or if one of you magic types wants to straw-into-gold me up some, I'll take that too.

Thanks in advance.

[Looking much more satisfied, he reaches the rest of the way to cut the feed.]

Comments

[livingsymbol]

[Aha. Sometimes he does pick up the hints.]

Tomorrow, then? I won't make it too early.

[buildsomething]

Sure, sounds good. JARVIS'll let you in if I don't hear it.

[Or if he's, you know, sleeping or something. It could happen.]

[livingsymbol]

Jarvis will?

[Wait, he thought this Tony only had robots.]

[buildsomething]

Yeah? [He blinks at Steve's confused look.] He can control the lock and everything.

[livingsymbol]

[And the confusion only gets stronger when Tony acts like this is something he should know.]

When did he get here? I haven't seen him around.

[buildsomething]

[His eyebrows lift slightly.]

He's an AI, Steve, what exactly would you be seeing?

[livingsymbol]

An- You have an AI named after your-

[Wait, wait, maybe this is all just a coincidence.]

Did you know a man named Jarvis at one point?

[Subtle.]

[buildsomething]

I. Yeah.

[Another blink.]

Wait, when did you meet him? Did Dad introduce you?

[livingsymbol]

Tony did.

[Well, this is uncomfortable.]

Edwin Jarvis works for Tony. He helps keep things in one piece, as far as I understand it. He's got a lot of patience. Put up with things I'm sure weren't originally in the job description.

...Do you live alone?

[buildsomething]

...oh.

[Well that's. A thing.]

My Jarvis died a long time ago.

[He's reasonably sure that's the question being asked.]

[livingsymbol]

[ It isn't, as Steve has gotten from Tony's reaction that he must not have a living butler at this point, but now he's concerned that this Tony Stark doesn't have anyone else keeping him company. Maybe he's overreacting, but it reminds him of waking up for the first time, feeling disoriented and alarmed by everyone around him. ]

I'm sorry. [ He wouldn't have used the name if it hadn't affected him. ]

What about the Avengers? Where are they staying?

[buildsomething]

[Tony's mouth opens and then just closes again.]

That's...complicated.

[livingsymbol]

[He frowns slightly, eyebrows creasing.]

It's not good for you to be alone, Tony.

[buildsomething]

[For a moment or so, it looks like Tony genuinely has no idea how to answer that.]

I manage fine.

[livingsymbol]

I'm sure you do. I just think being alone all the time seems pretty hard. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

Especially when you have a team to back you up.

[buildsomething]

That is...also complicated. It's a long story.

[And not one he particularly wants to talk about on an open network.]

[livingsymbol]

[He makes eye contact. Even through the network, Steve is locking in on him.]

I'll visit you tomorrow. Do you like pie?

[buildsomething]

Sure?

[There's a half second where Tony wonders if he should be regretting this. Too late now.]

See you, I guess.

[livingsymbol]

See you tomorrow, Tony.

[He is absolutely going to fit this man into his schedule now.]