Video;

[manofiron]

[ Finding out that Pepper's stocks in Stark Industries have been transferred to him - and because she'd been running it, he can only assume that it's the lion's share - and that that means she's presumably gone is not the way he wants to start the day. But it is what it is and there's nothing he can do about it.

He's wearing the suit, though the helmet's off, and the expression on his face is as professionally detached as the matter-of-fact tone of his voice when he speaks. ]

It's come to my attention that Pepper Potts may no longer be in residence in the city.

[ That covers that and he's not lingering on it. If he does, he'll wonder what that means, if some piece of her has gone back to the world she remembers or if she's dead and her body is being recycled or whatever it is they do with clones when they're gone. It isn't something he needs to worry about right now. Not in front of an audience. So he moves right along to business. ]

I've been informed that per her request, her interests in Stark Industries have been transferred to me. For those of you don't know, I'm Tony Stark, and if you work for SI, it means you're working for me.

[ May whatever aliens people consider gods help them all. ]

If you do, I want to know who you are and what you do for the company. If you don't, and you want to, talk to me.

And be prepared for change. It's coming.

[ What that change is, he doesn't know yet. But once he finds out what the company's been doing, he'll figure out the right path for it to take under his leadership. And this time, it's going to be a damn sight better than the last time he was at the helm. ]

Comments

video - 40% private

[agentx13]

Are you all right?

[ Two Tony Starks and no Pepper Potts? Not good. ]

If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to take a look around for her.

[manofiron]

[ Not at all. ]

Of course. Why wouldn't I be?

[ He should probably win an award for how puzzled he manages to sound over the question. ]

And yeah, sure. Go ahead. Knock yourself out.

[agentx13]

Why would you be so full of shit, you mean?

Do me a favor, Tony. Name five people you've met here. Five people you spend time with. Just five.

[manofiron]

Five?

Bruce. Clara. Hal. Willow. [ Jesus, five. Who's the fifth? Five, five, five—Oh! ] And Loki.

[agentx13]

[ Her expression is, at best, nonplussed. ]

Now name three of your closest friends here, Tony. Because I know for damn sure Loki isn't one of them.

[manofiron]

Loki proclaimed me the Iron God and Trickster of Midgard. We're totally friends. And Bruce and JARVIS.

[agentx13]

That is bullshit.

[ That she will ignore for now because she's already thinking of how to find Pepper. Natasha had said underground somewhere, but Sharon still hasn't found an entrance. ]

Tell me more about Bruce. Which Bruce, for starters?

[ If it's Bruce Wayne, then despite her behavior during their dinner, maybe she can ask him to check in on Tony. ]

[manofiron]

What do you mean, which Bruce? There's only one Bruce.

[ If there's another one, it better not be Dick. That guy's getting a punch in the face, Hulk or no Hulk. ]

[agentx13]

I'm thinking of Bruce Wayne. Who're you thinking of?

[manofiron]

Who's Bruce Wayne?

[agentx13]

He's-

Tony.

[ She has to run her hand over her face so he can't see her sigh. ]

He's something of a major player around here. He helps people get medicine, get jobs, and he's been keeping up with a list of other foreigners. He's been here the longest of anyone here.

What Bruce were you thinking of?

[manofiron]

Why would I know that?

[ Or care, but he doesn't say it, just thinks it. ]

So he's what, a friend of yours? Good to know.

[agentx13]

Right. Sorry I forgot that your world rarely extends beyond what only pertains to you.

And we're not friends. Not really. He just-

Who did you think I meant, then?

[manofiron]

Why are you so worried about it? If I'm not stealing your Bruce Bane or whatever his name is, it doesn't matter.

[agentx13]

Bruce Wayne. And no, I'm not worried that you'll steal him, I'm worried about-

[ She sighs and rubs the bridge of her nose. She gets the worst headaches talking to him, and she knows she isn't the only one. ]

I'm trying to make sure you have friends here, Tony. People who care about you. That you care for, too.

And if I have to go through every log available to find all the Bruces and ask them about you myself, don't think I won't. I will. I swear to God, I will.

[manofiron]

Bane. Wayne. Whatever.

[ It all sounds the same to him. And since he has no idea who this guy is, he can't really convince himself that it much matters, either. ]

I care about me. I'm here. You're talking to me. See? Proof that I'm here. You are neither my parental unit nor my legal guardian. Take a break. Chill out. Relax. Do something fun that won't stress you out.

[agentx13]

Tony. I'm trying to be-

I'm not trying to be your parent or your guardian. I just want to make sure you're okay. That you have friends.

[ It's so odd hearing Tony - any Tony - telling her to do something fun. It's so weird to hear anyone tell her to do something fun. She's Sharon Carter. She doesn't do fun things.

And she isn't sure she likes it, either, because... Well.

Shooting people is fun, right? Doing her job is fun?

Oh, God. She really doesn't do fun things. ]

[manofiron]

[ That's the thing. He doesn't have friends. Not really. Not outside his teeny tiny circle of five: Rhodey, Happy, Pepper, JARVIS, and Bruce. Who is, coincidentally, the subject of this whole not-quite argument.

He can't imagine why this is important to her. Though just because he can't understand it doesn't mean that he's able to stop being a contrary pain in the ass about it. ]

I'm fine. See? Right as rain. Even got the old ball and chain back. It's just like the good old days.

[agentx13]

All right, all right. Fine. You're fine.

So your friend Bruce. He a social guy?

[ I.e., will he mind when Sharon tracks him down and questions him about Tony's health and disposition? ]

[manofiron]

Maybe he's a vanished guy. People come and go here all the time.

[ Her continued interest in the Bruce mystery is throwing up warning signs left and right. ]

[agentx13]

Fine. Don't tell me.

Just... if you need anything, let me know. I know you aren't the same Tony from my world, but you're still Tony, and you still helped Steve. That makes you a friend in my book. I just... I just want you to be okay, okay?

[manofiron]

I'm fine. I have run a company before. For years. It isn't that traumatic.

[agentx13]

I meant with-

Never mind.

You know how to get in touch with me.

[manofiron]

Likewise. And hey, if you need a job, maybe I can hook you up with something.

[agentx13]

[ She... doesn't want a job. But she miiiiiiiiiiight need a job.

Oh, God. The prospect of working for Tony Stark.

It takes her over thirty seconds to swallow her pride. ]

Were you thinking of anything in particular?