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

[manofiron]

Thanks, man. Normal people working is tough, but I've done it before. I can probably do it again without losing my hair.

[ He knows that the sympathy isn't directed toward his having to actually do work for a living, but considering that that's a travesty to him, he's interpreting it that way anyway. ]

[purpledaggers]

[...WHAT. He meant-- ahh, nevermind. The other conversation would have made this more sappy and sad anyway.]

I am sure JARVIS would be more than happy to assist you were things to become too overwhelming.

[manofiron]

JARVIS refuses to be secretary. I've already tried.

[ A beat. ]

You know JARVIS?

[purpledaggers]

I suppose JARVIS remains consistent throughout alternate realities.

[That really should surprise him more than it does.]

... A few more things seem to stay consistent as well... [Such as Pepper Potts.]

[manofiron]

Huh.

[ That makes him smile. Of all the constants in the multiverse, that's one of the best as far as Tony's concerned. ]

I'll let him know. See what he thinks of it. You two friends where you're from?

[purpledaggers]

I wouldn't quite use the word "friends" but we have spoken on a few occasions.

I have also spent some time studying his AI as well. [As in he kiiiiind of knows Stark Tech inside and out. Or rather he knows the Stark tech in HIS world inside and out. With all of these alternate realities and worlds, he's not even sure for here.]

[manofiron]

[ That raises warning bells whether he means them to or not. It's like knowing the ins and outs of the arc reactor, too potentially dangerous to just ignore. ]

What're you doing studying how he works?

[purpledaggers]

Before joining the Avengers in my world, I took the liberty of studying some of Stark Industries technology. I figured the knowledge would be... beneficial in future circumstances.

[Whoa what do you mean, BP is totally legit! ... Even if he comes across as completely not.]

[manofiron]

Studying it. He let you study Stark tech?

[ Tony's not buying this. Not unless the guy was a part of Stark Industries, and even then, no one touches JARVIS' code. ]

[purpledaggers]

No he did not. Now I am sure he would, but I am already familiar.

[T'Challa you are not making yourself look good at all.]

[manofiron]

[ This guy is quickly making his way to the top of Tony's list of suspicious persons. ]

So what were you doing messing around with it when you weren't authorized to do it?

[purpledaggers]

You have to understand that Wakandan technology is years ahead of what the United States generally has to offer.

[Super advanced armor aside.]

Before I was a member of the team, one of my first acts was breaking into the Avengers Mansion. Your sensors did not even detect that I was there. [His suit is awesome like that.] Finding out concealed information, was hardly an impossible thing to do.

[Not easy by any means, but doable.]

[manofiron]

[ The implication that his tech, even a him who is not in fact him, is somehow deficient puts him on the defensive. Like hell anything's getting by his sensors. And then there's this whole business about infiltrating his servers and stealing information about JARVIS and that is just not going to fly. ]

I don't know what a Wakandan is, but my tech isn't the United States tech. It's beyond that.

[purpledaggers]

You are right. Stark Technologies are far beyond that that of anything the United States offers.

In fact, in some cases I would even say it could compete with Wakanda. [Oh shots fired. Actually, its playful teasing, but with his plain tone, this could be very hard to tell.]

[manofiron]

Nice try.

[ This is like Justin Hammer all over again. Not quite as obnoxious, but still just as full of shit. ]

No one has better tech than me.

[purpledaggers]

Perhaps in your universe...

[He was sure that there might even be some versions of Wakanda that were less civilized and didn't have near the amount of tech that his did. All it would really take was the meteor of Vibranium not crash landing into the country. Though he finally realizes he's not really making any friends with all of the teasing and what not.]

Regardless. While it is true that I have done some questionable things in the past, I am an Avengers now. [More or elss.] You have nothing to fear. Your technologies are safe.

[manofiron]

Damn right they are.

[ He doesn't trust him. That isn't very surprising. Lately, he doesn't really trust anyone. But after hearing all of this, his ability to trust is nonexistent. ]

For starters, you're not getting your prying little hands on them again.

[ And he's going to beef up his security. ]

[purpledaggers]

[He realizes that trust is something that must be earned, so he doesn't mind starting over from zero. It's not as if he himself has had the easiest time trusting either after the Skrulls invaded.]

Do what you must, Stark. But like I have stated. I have no interest in your technologies.

[manofiron]

[ Despite the reassurance, Tony doesn't warm up to him. He just nods once, short and sharp, and his voice remains clipped. ]

Glad to hear it.

[purpledaggers]

You are free to think what you will.

But I am not afraid of earning trust a second or even third time. It is the only reason why I informed you. I could have easily kept it to myself.

[manofiron]

Or maybe you're just afraid I'll find out eventually, what with these alternate dimensions and all.

[purpledaggers]

[There is a pause here before he can't help but break into a small chuckle at that.

He has one Tony here who seems to have the utmost faith in him, and another who has completely lost all trust he had. It's amazing how these alternate dimensions and timelines work isn't it? Even if the outcome of this conversation was mostly (ttly) his fault.]

I suppose I will have to leave that in your hands to decide.

[manofiron]

Yeah. Guess you will.

[ And privately, he thinks he already has the answer to that little mystery. No. This guy's suspect through and through. Anyone who talks about JARVIS and his tech so cavalierly would be. ]

[purpledaggers]

Heh. Until then, Stark.

[And he's going to go ahead and end the feed there. It was just as well. Since the Skrull invasion he had been a little.... cautious about anyone who came from a world similar to his. At the very least, Tony's anger helped eased his mind that this one was indeed the real Stark.]