tushanshu | 005 ◉ audio

[ Very blankly stated: ]

The Corps is moving its headquarters to WA-1A until further notice. [ a quiet, sharp inhale. It’s taking a lot of will just to remain calm, to say until I disappear too, more like. ] There are currently three active Lanterns in Keeliai and you can contact us there. We’re holding our usual community activities with the locals as per normal, so, if anyone needs a temporary room, or wants to join in, that’s still available.

Please direct your inquiries about the clinic to Mrs. Bianca Reyes.

[ Brief, but highly irritated, tapping on the desk. ]

And if nobody’s heard from them, I guess we have to add Terrence Ward and Rose Tyler to Mr. Wayne’s list.

[ A long pause, and considerably more resigned: ]

Also... after last week, to anyone whose house is now considerably more colourful... I apologise for the graffiti. If you’d prefer it was removed, I’ll do so.

[65% ENCRYPTED | PRIVATE TO: 616 TONY STARK, BACKDOOR FOR DAMIAN WAYNE]

Hi Mr. Sta— Tony. [ Awkward pause. ] Have you got a moment?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He can't tell if Tony's making fun of him or just being Tony or if it's both.]

[It's probably both.]

Uh - thanks?

[even more awkward. Right. He had a thing.]

I have a... bit of a sensitive matter to discuss, do you mind doing it in person?

[Can't tell if that was an intentional miss or Kyle is just that naive. There's a moment where Tony wants to push this and see just which one it is, but luckily Kyle distracts him with the promise of sensitive information.

That is so much better than testing his luck.]

Sure. You need to meet me now or do you need some time? Also, what list?

[Kyle's not really in the mood for anything except business, and plus, he doesn't feel that comfortable around Tony yet.]

This list.

[Because of course you'd want to give something like this to Batman.]

Now's fine.

[Okay, that's a little unnerving. Tony's smile fades when he follows the direction over to that exchange. Maybe he's paranoid (okay, not just maybe), but he isn't sure how comfortable he is about this list.]

Sure. Now works. Where do you want to meet?

[It's a list that goes to the Bat, everyone's got a right to be worried about that.]

[Kyle gives him a ping, of a small, secluded park in the Wood Sector.]

How's here?

[Tony doesn't know him, but he still doesn't like the way it's handled. Double standard, yes, but that's Tony's life anyway.]

Sure. Gimme ten. [He checks the location again.] Eight.

[He nods, and then turns off the feed, and instead takes his time getting to the park, dressed in civilian clothes. He could fly, but he doesn't feel like it. This path was the one where he'd first met Cassandra, and he likes to take it, sometimes, when feeling nervous.]

[When he shows up, he's in civvies, hands tucked into his jacket pockets.]

[Tony arrives in his armor. It's easier for him to fly and he enjoys it. When he sees Kyle, he lets the metal melt away and form normal clothes to match Kyle's civilian wear. It's a convenient trick, and one that never really gets old even to Tony.]

Hey. What's up? I guess meeting out here means that it's important enough not to share it with the class.

[Okay there's no way that's not cool, even if he does that with his ring all the time. He grins, lets his hands drop to his sides, palms facing Tony.]

Neat trick.

[A beat.]

This is more of a personal matter, didn't want any trace of it on the network. Can I rely on your discretion?

[Everyone when given can you keep a secret always says yes, but Tony trusted him enough to say the tech kept him alive, and that warrants a measure of trust.]

[He can't help being pleased by the compliment. He knows it's impressive, but it's always nice to get validation. That earns Kyle a smile.

To the rest, Tony nods.]

I know how to keep a secret. This wouldn't be my first.

[He realizes that he's admitting to lying in a roundabout way, but it sounds like right now that is what it takes.]

[There's an odd quality to that smile: it looks real, and more than that, it feels real. He's not sure whether it's a billionaire playboy thing, that they get so used to smiling for the cameras or for their employees, and right now he really shouldn't be overthinking such a throwaway gesture when he's here on business.]

[And lying doesn't bother him, not when it's for a good cause, like where secret identities are concerned.]

[He puts his hand in his pocket and takes out a small piece of paper, handing it to Tony. It explains that Parallax, a cosmic force, is currently on the turtle, and imprisoned, but he'd like it to be completely secured. A Plan B: a mechanical prison. And also that he wrote this down, since Malicant could be listening to everything they say.]

[Real is good. Tony tries to be real. Most of the time he is. He's usually honest, even when it isn't in his best interests to be, but... it's difficult to be open.

He takes the paper from Kyle and reads it, looking up to get an idea of the man's reaction. His expression is serious and focused. As much as Tony can act like a careless idiot, he does take threats to heart. He nods solemnly. Sure, he can build a cosmic prison. He's built incredible things all his life.]

We should hang out more. Get to know each other.

[Even if Malicant hears that, there's nothing he can do with it. And the message is still there.]

[Kyle appreciates the honesty. It's a circus act all its own trying to get people to be forthcoming and take things seriously, so while he wouldn't mind Tony being humorous about the situation, it would've lowered his opinion of the man significantly.]

Well, s'long as it's not in the creepy parts of each other's brains. I'm sold.

[And he stretches out his hand for Tony to shake.]

[Tony's used to playing the whole rich playboy game, but he doesn't do it so much out of tactical advantage as out of courtesy and an attempt to fit into the situation. So when he has a chance to be honest, he takes it.

And, really, he's still trying to live up to the Avengers Code of Conduct. Honesty is a big part of that.]

I'm kind of hoping that never becomes an issue, if it's all the same to everybody. I didn't have fun either.

[He takes Kyle's hand and shakes it firmly.]

My brand of fun is nowhere near the creepy parts of anyone's mind most of the time. I prefer more productive adventures.

[You know, like projects that shall not be explicitly named.]

005 ◉ audio

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