1 ☆ Video

[baniichan]

[Well. Barnaby has certainly Seen Some Shit, but this easily takes the cake for the most ridiculous. Still, he can't argue against what's in front of his very eyes, even if he's still skeptical about a lot of the explanations he received earlier.

The only option is to proceed to the best of his ability, which is why he turns to network of people who have already been in his shoes. He wears a neutral, polite expression as he address the public.

By the way, he pretty much looks like a pink Iron Man, though he has the sense to show his face by lifting his face plate up when addressing a large group of people for the first time.]

Hi, my name is Barnaby Brooks Jr. A couple of things:

First, has anyone seen a Japanese man with a dark complexion, a beard, and in his late thirties/early forties? We were together before I arrived here, and I would like to confirm his whereabouts if possible.

Second, as I understand it, we're expected to find employment. My question is, does anyone here work at a bar? My prior work experience was as a hero, but I'm under the impression there isn't much money to be made from that here, so I'm considering becoming a bartender.

Also, I heard there were a lack of clothing designers here. Tailoring and sewing aren't my expertise, but I did create my own clothing line back home. Is there a demand for that sort of thing here, or would it likely be on a strictly voluntary basis?

I'd appreciate any assistance.

Comments

video 1/?

[oyaji]

[ Okay, Kotetsu is just going to gape for a moment. ]

video 2/?

[oyaji]

[ Just let it happen, Barnaby. Accept it. ]

B-Bunny?!

video 3/3

[oyaji]

Are you real?

[ Usually his dreams about you aren't this elaborately plotted.

You know, detailed new world. A monarchy under duress and a epic problem that needs a heroic solution. Yeah, no, usually it's just him and Bunny and someone snatches a purse and Kotetsu just makes a seriously awesome move to neutralize the thief. And then Kaede comes out of nowhere to tell him he's cool. That sort of thing. ]

[baniichan]

[He doesn't show it because this is a public channel, but Barnaby can immediately feel some of the anxiety in his chest loosen the moment he sees Kotetsu's face.

Safe. He's safe...]

As far as I know. Why? Do you think this might be some sort of illusion?

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[oyaji]

Illusion? I... eh, well... I was thinking more along the lines of a dream. Like, Hero Wild Tiger saves the turtle from complete annihilation!

Pretty good dream, right?

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[mightythinice]

You made money being a hero? How does that even work?

[she scrunches up her face in thought, trying to think of all the stories she knew about heroes. As it were, heroism didn't get much rewards back home. It was more likely to get you killed than anything...]

Were there lots of kisses or something?

Re: video;

[baniichan]

[Because of how much impact the hero industry has had on not just his life, but society as a whole, it's a little difficult for him to switch gears and assume most people here won't know much about it.

He still speaks in a measured, patient way when he responds, though. Maybe it's because the girl is probably around Dragon Kid's age, but he gives her a flash of a smile that doesn't quite meet his eyes.]

Not quite. I was authorized by the government to protect our city's citizens. Money doesn't grow on trees, though, and things like the suit I'm wearing aren't free. That's why I receive financial backing from certain companies. In exchange, I help promote their business. It's pretty straightforward when you think about it.

Re: video;

[mightythinice]

[upon clicking the link, she realizes this is yet another world that is completely divergent from her own. A place that was happy, and not falling apart. But that doesn't show on her face, as she scrutinizes the suit]

So... were you Bandai-man? Is that part of the whole promoting thing?

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[baniichan]

[Bandai-man? Please. Like he'd tarnish his brand with a tacky name like that.]

It's true that I wear the names of my sponsors on my suit, but since sponsors can change from season to season, heroes generally don't name themselves after them.

Although, personally, I've never had any use for an alias. Everyone knows me as Barnaby whether I'm on the job or not.

[bacondivination]

[ Loki peers at his screen even as he starts his reply, scrutinizing. It's a rather serious expression for what looks like a thirteen year old boy. ]

Just tell me you're not some fruity alternate universe ally of Iron Man. Fashion Fun Iron Man? Mixes drinks by night, designs clothing by day, superheroes when the Hel ever? If you are, I'm done. Done one hundred percent. Done and gone.

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[baniichan]

[Part of him wants to tell this kid that he is just so he'll quit and take these nonsensical questions along with him, but Barnaby doubts he'd get the desired result.]

I'm not. The clothing line was a business venture, and bar-tending can be lucrative under the right circumstances. I've never even heard of Iron Man.

[Not that he's trying to defend himself. Barnaby can be quite unapologetic about himself when he feels like it. But facts are fact, and those are best when trying to clear up any headache-inducing misunderstandings.]

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[bacondivination]

Oh, cool, because one version of him is a douchebag.

[ Helpfully: ] You totally look like a knock off, though. You might want to work on your image and brand recognition around here.

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[baniichan]

[He's not sure why this kid is telling him all of this, but he'll roll with it in case it becomes relevant later down the road.]

Thanks for the input, but the important thing is that I don't look like a knock off back home. As long as I'm here, brand recognition isn't exactly on my list of priorities.

[Image is a little higher up there, but that's mostly because he would rather get into people's good graces in case he needs something later. As things stand now, though, no sponsors = no need to market himself.

In fact, he wouldn't even consider himself to be on the job now, and is a little resentful that there are people here who apparently expect him to help solve their problems.]

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[escarabajo]

Uh, I was under the impression that superheroes were supposed to be a non-profit kind of thing.

[Booster Gold doesn't count.]

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[baniichan]

Why is that?

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[escarabajo]

Why?

Why should you need, or even expect, a reward for helping people?

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[baniichan]

[Oh good, one of these. Back home, he probably wouldn't bother giving someone like this the time of day since this way of thinking flies in the face of reality. But, they're on the back of a giant turtle, and it feels like most of the people here know what's going on better than he does. That's why Barnaby is feeling remarkably patient with ignorance today. To do otherwise would be pot calling kettle black.]

Maybe because people need money to eat and pay their bills? Personally, I'd never expect the engineers who maintain my armor, much less the doctors and nurses who care for my injuries, to forgo a paycheck just because I happen to be a hero.

Besides, it's unrealistic to expect most heroes to be able to pay for any property damage if no one's even sponsoring them. They also ought to be held accountable by someone if they do break something.

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[shorttempered]

[Did he just say his real name is his superhero name? Jeez, didn't anyone teach him about secret identities? Thinks the kid who can barely keep his.]

What's with, uh, the corporate sponsorship?

...How exactly do superheroes work where you come from? [Means "work" as in function, but "work" as in occupation would also work...]

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[baniichan]

[Oh dear. This is going to become a Thing, isn't it. Well, it's probably his fault for mentioning it at all, although he has to admit he wasn't expecting so many people to have a completely different idea of what heroes are.

Still, if he wants to at least try to start off on the right foot with the people here, he's going to have to cooperate on some level.]

Generally speaking, not just anyone can become a hero where I come from. If you don't first receive approval by the Justice Bureau, you'll lack the government's support, which means you won't get very far.

But before you can even be considered by the Justice Bureau, it's on you to find someone to sponsor you. This is for several reasons: 1) a hero is expected to work full-time, so you'll need someone's financial backing if things like rent, food, and clothing are at all important to you, 2) corporate sponsors can help pay for any property you might have accidentally damaged while on the job, while also holding you accountable for any reckless actions, and 3) they also help pay for any equipment or medical expenses you may need.

In addition, a live television program keeps the public updated on what heroes are doing at any given moment. This is also costly, and would be impossible without sponsors.

Each hero is affiliated with his or her respective company, which in turn operates its own Hero Division. When we're not on the field, we're either training at the gym, working in the office, or doing a little extra promotion for our sponsors in some way.

Does that answer your question?

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[shorttempered]

[Well that certainly sounds like a cross between what Eve came up with and a NASCAR driver.]

I guess. I've just... never heard of going into the hero business for the money.

...Or producing a live TV show.

[Strokes his chin as he ponders this.] What if your superheroing goes against your sponsors best interests?

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[baniichan]

And I can't say I've ever heard of going into the hero business for free. It seems like the only way you could make that work is if you're either rich enough to not need a paycheck, or you manage another job on the side. Neither of those scenarios sound very desirable if the public expects a diverse team of heroes to be on call 24/7.

Personally speaking, I've seldom been at odds with my sponsors. They're happy to let me do my job as long as I don't damage their image with a sloppy performance or unnecessary property damage. That's not to say there aren't scandals, but those tend to involve the companies that directly manage the heroes and the show, rather than the sponsors themselves.

[manofiron]

[ Someone else with a suit. That, coupled with Loki's comment, compels him to respond. ]

I'm Iron Man.

[ He tips his shoulder in a shrug. At the moment, he's not wearing the suit and looks like a regular guy. ]

When I'm wearing the suit. Right now, Tony Stark suffices.

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[baniichan]

[Ah, so the mysterious Iron Man shows himself. Of course, Barnaby has to admit he wasn't exactly expecting a middle-aged man with a beard. Still, Barnaby manages a polite smile.]

I see. Pleasure to meet you.

[Well, not really, since he didn't want to come here in the first place, but...formalities.]

Although, if I may ask, why the alias if you're open about your identity?

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[manofiron]

[ That's a good question. Luckily, Tony has a good answer. ]

It was a press thing. You know, they see something new in the sky, don't know what to call it, in a fit of creativity, they call the metallic guy Iron Man.

[ It's not the most original thing in the world, but he doesn't really mind it. ]

We tried the whole secret identity thing once. It lasted about, I don't know, three seconds? I'm not really into all that cloak and dagger crap.

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[baniichan]

[That...actually makes a surprising amount of sense. The media loves to give celebrities all sorts of names. Barnaby has a few himself, although they're more epithets than anything that could be confused for an alias.

Barnaby gives a small quirk of his lips.]

Secret identities are a bit old-fashioned anyway.