tushanshu | Video;

[ The video begins with a dark-haired man centered in the middle of the frame. He’s got dark eyes, a precisely cut goatee, and hair that’s a little too styled to be naturally that neat. There isn’t a lot to see beyond his chin, he’s sitting too close to the camera, but what can be seen looks vaguely like a shirt of shiny red metal.

His brow knits almost immediately after the feed starts recording, his expression edging toward disbelief as his lips twist into a mild frown. ]

Look. I get it. In a time of crisis, rationing’s necessary to keep resources moving in the right direction. Perfectly understandable. You guys needed to save your turtle. What responsible citizen wouldn’t do their part for that noble cause?

[ There’s a slight hint f sarcasm creeping into his voice, as though he’s heard the whole turtle spiel already and not only hasn’t been impressed, but also doesn’t really buy it either. Not even after having spent half a day scouring the network for information about what’s really going on here before making this video. ]

But really? Twenty bucks?

[ The low, indistinct murmur of another voice can be heard, though what it’s saying and who it belongs to is anyone’s guess. Whatever it says, it’s enough to make the man roll his eyes. ]

Juulan. Whatever. Doesn’t matter. The point — [ Whether he’s talking to the camera or the unidentified voice is unclear. ] — is that it isn’t enough for a day, let alone the entire bogus adventure.

[ It isn’t so much the way he looks at the camera – his eyes have never left it – but the change of his tone, less querulous and more curious, that indicates that he’s talking to whoever’s on the other end of the console. ]

So really. Turtle propaganda aside. What’s a guy gotta do to get some decent money around here? Sell his organs? Hit the street corners? Scrub barnacles off the bottom of the turtle? What?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

And so modest, too.

[The both of them.]

That's me to a T.

[ Maybe in some bizarro world where he actually has some modesty. ]

Next time, we're making the race harder. FYI.

How? Flaming hoops?

We can start there. Suit's flame retardant. Can your magic do something similar for you?

[To her credit, she almost manages not to wince. Thinking back to the fires she and Jack had to forge through to rescue those trapped inside...and needing medical attention from smoke inhalation and burns after.]

I haven't quite made it to the fireproofing part of my training yet, no.

[ He can relate to not being fireproof. Outside the suit, he's as flammable as a bale of hay. ]

You want to? Maybe I could help you out with that.

How?

[And then, before he has a chance to answer back:]

And don't just say "science". I prefer to know what I'm volunteering myself for before people start setting me on fire.

[ Okay, she has him there. Switching tracks, he tries a more informative approach. ]

Special clothes. Fire-proof fabric. Specifically made not just to resist fire, but to not catch. The tech here's crap and it'll take me a lot longer to manufacture, but I can figure it out without the bells and whistles.

[Much better]

Okay, yeah, I could go along with that.

Maybe you could ask Mr. Wayne for help, if you need? I'm not sure how into science he is, but he's probably the best person to ask about resources around here.

[ He shakes his head. ]

Relying on others isn't really my thing. I'm kind of a do it myself kinda guy.

Unless you need a guinea pig to set on fire, right?

Technically, I'd try it on myself first.

...somehow, that sounds even less safe.

How is that less safe?

At least, if I'm the one on fire, you or somebody else would be nearby to put me out.

Who's going to put you out if you set yourself on fire?

I'll put myself out.

Like I said. It sounds less safe.

Don't worry. I'm a professional.

That's...not very reassuring.

At least promise you'll have Pepper or Jack around when you do it. Preferably both.

Why would I do that?

[ He shakes his head. ]

I don't work with an audience.

Because Jack's better than any working fire extinguisher here. And Pepper is...Pepper.

[That said it all.]

One, don't know who Jack is. Two, not interested in being nagged at.

[There's a moment when she very visibly frowns at this. She knew Tony didn't have his memories, but she would have figured Jack had contacted him by now. Because it was Tony. Still...it wasn't really his fault. Yet.]

Don't worry. You will.

And if you don't want to be nagged at, don't do stupid things like setting yourself on fire by yourself. Even I'm not that desperate for excitement.

See, I just skip all of that and don't put myself out there to be nagged at. It works.

I'll see about making you some kind of fireproof fabric. I need a project. That'll suffice.

Fine. Suit yourself.

But don't come complaining to me if you end up with third degree burns, or whatever.

(no subject)

manofiron - 2013-08-21 01:25 (UTC) - Expand

backwordscompatible - 2013-08-21 01:31 (UTC) - Expand