hugtopia | Video: CW: Language

[He breathed a laugh.]

Well.. you're cute, so I guess I'll let it slide this once.

[With only a bit of reluctance, he opened his arms to her.]

This is really nice and all, but you do know it's not smart to go running through the streets offering to hug strangers, right?

[ Oh thank goodness... Perhaps they'll be able to help each other dispel this pink-cloud marking together. She doesn't know how long they'll have to hug, or if just one might count, but she'll be satisfied.

And so, she walks right up to him for an embrace, respectful but firm with her arms around him in return, turning her head to the side to allow herself to speak unmuffled by the hug. ]

Shouldn't you tell yourself the same, accepting hugs from strangers? [ She jests, but after a moment of reserved quietness, she adds, more sincerely: ] ...Thank you.

[ Her body, he might note, is inhumanly warm, and the air isn't quite so chilled around her. ]

[His arms folded around her and it's hard not to think about who he doesn't have anymore. His wife and biological daughter, his adopted daughter and adopted sons, the idiot kids he fed that weren't his but kept bugging him anyway. It was a big loss.

He chuckled when she returned his warning. It didn't matter so much what happened to him. It never had. At least that's how it had been since he put on his suit and started to help people.

His thoughts were quietly shattered by the thank you and he blinked in surprise. He hadn't realized they'd been hugging so long.]

If I can ever be of help, Pyra, just let me know.

[Pause.]

How are you so toasty?

[ Whether by time or quality alone, the hug is just enough to satisfy the conditions for the pink cloud to lift off of her hand. The wisp of glimmering, rosy energy disperses into wind like petals in spring, absolving her of the hug-curse... Not that she can tell at this point, since her arms are still snugly fastened around hi,, and she's holding on just in case.

The question does cause her to pause, however. As it is, he's the first to directly ask-- and she's been here a year! ]

Oh... is isn't too warm, is it, for this weather?

[ She begins to pull back from the hug, angling her head to glance up at him. ]

[Tony was also feeling better. It was strange. He didn't feel quite so alone in this new place but whether that was really the work of the bear mind tricks or his own need, he didn't know.

He let her draw back, but gave her a smile and shook his head.]

No, of course not. I was just curious. I had a friend back where I was who would radiate heat. It came in handy a number of times. What are you? You don't look like an elf.

[ Elves can radiate heat...? Briefly, she thinks to two pointed-eared people she's met in Havenwell before her thoughts focus upon his new question.

And here, spotting that the cloud is gone from his cheek, she withdraws, although he'll certainly not be left wanting for warmth while she remains close. Her arms leave him, and one hand lifts to her chest, curling over, and blocking, the crystal set there. Her head inclines, causing the octohedron earrings to sway slightly. ]

Forgive me, I'm not used to being asked this question.

[ There's another pause.

And then: ] I'm not human. [ Saying such a simple thing, she watches his expression carefully, as if she expects something untoward to come from it. ]

[Yeah, he didn't understand it either. All he knew was Feanor and his family were powerful and old. And sort of idiots.

He watched with a slight frown as she pulled back. He found himself offering his hand again, but not pushing the issue. He nodded patiently and listened as she explained. The fact she wasn't human only barely changed his expression- perhaps more curious than before.]

That's alright. One of my best friends is a giant, green, rage monster with terrible fashion sense and I still like him.

[ Her eyes flit to the proffered hand, then to him, then to the hand again... And she takes it.

It's silly, she's being silly. She knows she's not the only human here, and she's been told by someone close to her that it doesn't matter if she's not human or not. She understands that-- and even in her world, most wouldn't bat an eye at assuming she's not human. Then again, what most think she is in her own world are wrong, too. ]

A giant... green... Rage monster?

Yeah great guy but you wouldn't want to invite him to any parties. He never brings a gift and throws couches, it's a big headache.

[His hand very gently curls around hers, not to hard that she couldn't pull away if she wanted to.]

So what are you? Are you going to tell me you're really a floating whale? Because I've seen that. Are you actually a machine made of nothing but bird wings? That one gave me nightmares. No, I got it! You're Lady Gaga. I knew it. Can I have your autograph?

[ Lady Gaga??? An autograph?! She flails for all but a moment, but here's the conundrum. Telling the absolute truth is out of the question, so-- does she keep on attempting to avoid the question, or does she give the standard of what she tells the people in her world? The latter is probably safer.

Guilt comes with being untruthful, yet ever-cautious and privately fearful, she dares not give more than that. ]

A... Blade. [ She responds at last, offering a smile with her answer. ] In my world, we're what you call a Blade.

Think of it-- like a... living weapon.

[ ....Her turn now, she decides. ]

What was that cannon? On your hand, I mean.

A Blade.. interesting.

[He was so about to ask more but she beats him to it. He grins and gives a light laugh, letting go of her hand.]

It's only fair.

[Abruptly a metallic suit of armor formers around his body seemingly materializing out of no where. Once the whole suit is on, he has the face mask open so she can see him better and he lifts his hand.]

If you're the Blade, then I'm the Gun. I'm known as Iron Man where I'm from and I'm one of team who fight to protect our world. What do Blades do?

[ When his hand releases hers, she's about to speak, but then she watches-- in abject, startled silence, as an entire metal suit forms about him. ]

We, ah, are wea...pon.... [ She repeats, absent-minded, as if that alone would give all the context needed because, right, yes, weapon.

But honestly, can she be blamed for being distracted as a whole suit forms around him?! ]

I.... incredible.

[ --Is what suddenly comes out of her mouth.

Why, yes, she heard him say that he's Iron Man. Why, yes, she saw him willingly be consumed by metal. But, no, she's never seen anything like it before, so as much as her awe comes delayed, there it is. ] You...

[ She steps up to him, eyes wide, and one of her hands lift up as if she might touch him again, only to retract quickly back to her chest, hesitant and demure. Her eyes sweep over him-- toe to head-- and then back down to the glowing module centered on his chest. ] And that...

[ She's at a loss for words. ]

[She passed the test, she was officially his favorite person here. She was admiring his suit! He might even be posing a bit. It was fortunately subtle and not the Heisman trophy or the body builder pose.]

This? This is known as an arc reactor. It's the power source for my suit. You can touch it if you'd like, it won't hurt you.

[ She's captivated for a brief, few more moments of awe before her lips press together (why, yes, her mouth had been agape for those few seconds she had been marveling at the suit), and after another moment, she steps forward, lifting her hand towards him.

Gingerly, she presses a finger to the glowing module at the center of his chest.

She feels a powerful but grounded energy, intelligent in design and its containment, brimming with the potential for so much more despite being held within a disk. There's something artificial about it, a pattern in the data that is light she can read, but what it is, she hasn't the mind to currently think further about. For all at once she feels its force: not a chaotic maelstrom, but instead a centrifuge of power, churning quickly and silently save for an audible hum of electricity, made stable only by the impossible quickness of its spin, like how all the stars remain contained within a thin disk of a galaxy...

Quickly she wretches her hand away, her hand going back to the crystal centered upon her own chest. While breathless, she's stable as she continues to marvel at him.

She has one question. Well, actually, many questions, but first and foremost: ]

...It... cannot be. That power.... It's man-made?

[She was getting close to his favorite person ever with how she was continuing to react.

He frowned concerned though when she yanked her hand away. He reached out quickly to try and help her stabilize, concerned she'd somehow been hurt.]

Are you al- man-made? Yes, me-made- er- I mean, I made it. I based the design off of some alien technology but I created this piece.

[ 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!

[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? ]

Video: CW: Language

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