hugtopia | Video: CW: Language

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Video: CW: Language

[A disheveled middle aged man's face appears on the screen looking incredibly over it. Whatever 'it' is, he's been done with it since Friday and there's no end in sight. There's a large smear of chocolate running from just about his ear on his left side down his neck and along one side of a red hoodie he's wearing.]

Dammit! Damn this place and those creepy bears from god-knows-what! Where the hell am I? Voidtreckers, if you can hear me, my communicator isn't connecting me to the train!

Of all the f-

[Tony's cut off as he spots another bear gang down the street and moves quickly to an alley out of sight.]

What is this place?

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[ Not only man-made, but he made it-- what?! It's a good thing that he's reached out to stabilize her, because she nearly stumbles back. Holding onto his hand, she shakes her head-- first in disbelief, then again to clear her mind-- only to snap her head back up to look at him.

And then she grins in delight, even blushing from her excitement. ] T--tony, is it? [ That's what Gladio had called him on the network, so. ] Iron Man. [ She continues, smile bright and brimming. ]

What you made.... [ Uh-oh, here's her other hand, going to make a sandwich out of his, during which she gives his iron-clad gauntlet a squeeze. ] It's one of the most incredible things I've ever seen! When did you-- how did you-- [ Yes, sure, the suit is its own marvel, but this arc reactor is the crown jewel. ] It's-- so powerful, and so stable, I--

[ A short, breathy laugh escapes her. ] Based on alien technology or not, what you have here is... it's like a piece of a star itself, right there on your chest!

[One might certainly hope, yes. But there's only a shrug as if to say 'yeah, probably' before Emet turns to the other topic at hand.]

A moment or three of physical contact is typically sufficient to provide an income, albeit a somewhat limited one.

[And it does also require be willing to do so, which he understands not everyone might be (as he himself is generally not, outside of a few very specific exceptions.)]

As for my areas of expertise... aetherology, aetherochemistry, magitechnology, sorcery, illusionry, engineering - both architectural and otherwise, and military tactics and strategy. [A pause.] Ah, and an unparalleled ability to see into the Lifestream itself, plus some not insignificant experience with the political structures of my world.

[He rattles the list off as if it's nothing particularly out of the ordinary, despite that fact that - at least in so far as can be told via the video feed - he doesn't seem to be any older than about his mid-thirties.]

Cuddle cubs. [A blue-grey haired young man answers after a bit, watching other answers coming through.]

They're harmless, if annoying. It's the beasts outside the walls that are a problem though the wall has been secure for a year or so now.

Welcome to Havenwell though.

Oh yes, when I first came here there were hanging plants that trapped people and made them have to kiss or confess a secret! It was so awkward it...

Uh... what?

[Aerith's cheeks darkened and she couldn't help laugh.]

I uhm... well I'm still new here so I'm not too sure about that. I think the natives believe they're being helpful! At least that's what I've heard...

[The level of excitement and.. he wasn't sure, reverence almost?, wasn't something he was used to. He was glad she approved and knew it was powerful, but she was almost too amazed (and that had never seemed possible to him before).]

How are you able to sense all of that? Is that related to how you are so warm?

[ Well... at least on this subject of energy-sensing, it's a power most others know she has, what with her making the crystal prototypes to help explore outside the barrier, and posting about it on the network for all to see.

She nods an affirmation for an answer, but her head cants slightly to the side after. ]

Oh... Is it-- you've never met someone who could sense the energy from this reactor before?

[ Surely he has! And if they have, wouldn't they also be impressed? Or were they ignorant, not knowing what it was, or that it was man-made, already adding to its magnificence? ]

[It was flattering, is what Tony should've been thinking. He was used to taking compliments over the superficial or being excessively braggy, but real compliments those were harder. Those were what he was getting from Pyra and it was humbling. It would require some thought.]

I've met a few who can, but they are usually very unique people, like you seem to be. So tell me, Blade, what are you scared of? That I'll judge you? That I'll try to use you? I know you don't know me but those aren't who I am. I'm a protector. I'd like to be on your side and help protect you, if you'll let me.

[ Her lips part as if to give some sort of immediate answer (a denial, perhaps, instinctual and visceral), but then she stops short. Scared— she’s come across as fearful? Of all the things she’s trying to conc—...

Hesitation mars her expression, but then relief replaces it. ]

Iron Man.... [ She raises a hand, a palm upward, a universal sign for pause, or to allow a moment, a respite, and then lowers it. He’s a quick talker. A quick thinker. Witty and observant, too. He wants to try and dodge compliments? Well, unfortunate (fortunately?) this declaration of his has just given her another reason to compliment him. ] Tony.

To say that you would protect, when we’ve only just met...

You really are a hero.

[He breathed a laugh. How did she do it? She lobbed such unfair accusations at him! She almost got him to blush on that one.]

I told you you were cute, what better reason is there than that?

[Don't think he didn't notice what you didn't say there.]

And thank you, Pyra.

[Anyway, moving on..]

May I walk you home? We can't be too careful with these crazy bears running around.

[ And with that, she offers her hand. ] Is this something all superheroes do, walking people home...?

[ He might be the superhero, but she has no such capabilities of saving any world besides the opportunity this one gives: through touch. As much as she shouldn’t be here, she’s grateful for the opportunity to both help... and hold another’s hand at all.

Despite these sentimental thoughts, she keeps her tone light for the sake of conversation. ]

B-but really, I’m amazed by your suit, and that you built it. Is it... how it comes together so quickly— is it autonomous?

And here I thought I was doing something special.

[He could easily have flown her home instead, but he could benefit from a walk and he didn't want to rush through his conversation with her. If he spotted anymore bears though, he was changing his mind.

There was one superhero who would've walked her home without a thought. A friendly, neighborhood superhero whom he wondered if he'd ever see again. He pushed that emotion away so he could focus on something easier to explain, the mechanics of his suit.]

Mostly, yes, but we're also connected. All life forms have a certain level of electricity within them, as I'm sure you can sense. There's specific frequencies that distinguish one person's energy from another's. I used to use a headpiece that would read my brainwaves so I could command my suit at will, but that became burdensome and not exactly stylish to walk around with a piece of machinery on your brow. I was able to sync my brainwaves and the AI in my suit. There's a multitude of security protocol as well, but all I have to do is think and the AI will do whatever I'm asking it to do.

[He was quiet a moment then he looked down at her.]

Tell me why you don't talk about yourself.

[ It takes a moment for she's facing forward, eyes set ahead but not quite looking at anything as she turns over his explanation in her mind.

Then she looks up at him in turn, first in awe because of his explanation, only to that to be followed by a grimace. She sighs through her nose-- not out of frustration, but of some awkwardness. ]

Ah, well, there's noting too interesting to say. And between the two of us, you do know that I'm not the one who's wearing suit whose AI is synced perfectly to his mind....

[ Can she really be blamed for wanting to talk about him instead? ]

[Tony looked down at her, unsure what it was she was hiding.]

What does your crystal do? The one on your chest. You've put your hand to it a few times so it has to be a source of power. Let's try that. Can you tell me yes or no if I'm correct on that assumption?

[ Her expression falls at that.

Their hands remains joined, but here she stops and raises her free one to place it softly upon his forearm, turning slightly towards him. ] Anything about technology, anything about this world, or about what I know of it, I can answer. But... [ A moment passes in silence, and then she raises her gaze to meet his. For once, her smile remains dropped. ]

Tony... please.

[ There's something both earnest and... pleading in her weakened tone, mixed with guilt and an unsaid apology.

She knows. She knows she doesn't speak of herself a lot. She knows she asks more of others. Of what he asks of her, it's as if there's something terrifying preventing her from saying anything more, a hold that's not so easily undone in one conversation.

And so, she's asking for mercy. ]

[Tony stops when she does and it just sucks. Her plea tugs on his heart strings and he couldn't push any harder than he has already. At least not without a really good reason to be that cold, which he doesn't have.

He thinks for a moment and tries to come up with a compromise.]

Tell me one fact. One thing about you. Anything you'd like. Surely you can tell me something. Can't you?

[She looked like his daughter, of course he wasn't going to be able to keep pushing on this if she still refused, but he'd like her to. Okay, he doesn't even make her answer that before relenting even further.]

Think about it. Okay?

Is it really 'cuddling' if they tackle you to do it?

[He glances toward the wall, curious now that it was mentioned.]

The wall hasn't always been here?

I wouldn't call it that myself but that's what I've seen them called on some of the merchandise.

[He follows that glance but shakes his head.]

It's been here for as long as I have but there was a breach in the wall my first year. Monsters from outside were able to infest the city and we had to rebuild it. Although, it has expanded further out since then as well. A result of our efforts here, we're told.

[He really did hope. He didn't remember how long ago he'd seen the sun or pleasant weather. Time had been difficult to measure where he'd been.

He was mulling over the comment on the income until what's-his-face started listing his credentials.]

I'm sorry, I wasn't listening. Did you say librarian?

[He makes a face at plants requiring what these bears are basically wanting. Weird.

Although, it did snap him out of some of his foul mood to get her to laugh.]

Perhaps, but.. why the confession? If these marks on our skin is to make us 'cuddle'..

[He loathed to use that word]

And that causes the physical contact their gods need, what's the point of the secret telling?

Hmm, well if I had to hazard a guess... [Her head tipped to the side, her free hand lifting to press a finger to her cheek as she smiled thoughtfully at the screen before her.]

A secret shared could bring two people closer together. Perhaps they hope the confession is something like "I like you." or "I love you" and so gaining more cuddles from forcing people to be more open with their feelings?

Though since the confessions are general, you get people confessing to the silliest of things!

[ Moments ago he had warned her not to hug random strangers on the street, yet now he seems sincere in wanting her to open up. She's caught between been seen as naive and closed-off-- both things she accepts, because she cannot bring herself to speak of herself so readily, even if progress has been made.

...Still, he seems earnest, and both his expression and tone are meaningful. He's learned that she can sense energy. She's learned that she's called a Blade, both things that she hopes he won't repeat to others anyway.

"Think about it. Okay?"

Her hand leaves his forearm, but the other stays with her palm kept in his. Unfortunately, this is the most she can give at the moment. Visible relief appears in her eyes when he stops insisting, and she appears grateful for his patience. ] Saying something like that... Thank you. You really are a hero. [ --Not in the traditional fighting sense, but that he is encouraging at all. ]

And you're helping this world already, you know. [ She gives his hand a small squeeze. ]

Mmmmmm, no.

[He doesn't, entirely, sound offended. Perhaps a little put out, but not much beyond that.]

Although if you were having difficulty comprehending any of what I said, I should be glad to repeat it.

Edited 2021-02-25 05:01 (UTC)

Merchandise? Dear god.. are you saying these damn bears have souvenirs for sale somewhere?

[He's rather amused at that idea! It would be a definite waste of money, but he just might buy one.]

These efforts are the increase of touch that then make the gods stronger, yes?

[Such a strange world he's found.]

I'm Tony Stark, by the way.

[That managed to get him to laugh this time.]

And what would be one of those silly confessions you might tell someone if caught by these bears? You look like you're the type to have a few cards up your sleeves.

[Again, her compliment cuts through any armor he had and goes straight to his heart. He could be getting completely manipulated, but he had a weakness and she'd found it.]

No, it's how you deserve to be treated by a friend.

[He said, though he wasn't all that sure why he kept deflecting. And for the record, he definitely could be a hero in the fighting sense!]

I'm glad. But.. how about you tell me if you have roommates? I'll let the armor be just between us for now, sound good?

[Okay so maybe he was sort of 'forcing' the one fact thing, but he was also just curious who they might meet as they walked up to her house.]

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Video: CW: Language

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