tushanshu | 05 § video;

[Tony starts out sitting in front of the console. He's a little slow to start up what he wants to say-there's an awkward pause beforehand like he's just sizing them up through the video itself.]

So, I've been busy lately. And I've gotten a little distracted by other things, but-

[Something catches in his throat and cuts him off. Tony clears his throat and tries to look casual and calm. He's distracted and maybe in need of some sleep, with his attention wandering from the feed, but he's not going to drop the flippant tone. Especially not now.]

But apparently there have been some strange disappearances lately, and those people might actually still be around.

[He seems to want to say more, but his heart isn't in it. Maybe he should be offering to try to help those semi-disappeared people. Probably. Unfortunately he can't make himself do that.]

That's not what I want to talk about. I need... [Don't finish that, Stark.]

I need someone who knows how to take care of flowers. Horticulture isn't my thing and I have some and I have to make sure they, they don't die, so if you have any advice, I could use it. That or animal counselors. I'm sure those exist out there somewhere.

[ooc: cw for mentions of child deaths and violent arguing.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I think they're more complicated than that. And I probably won't remember to water them.

[At least he's honest. The follow up makes Tony scowl, though.]

Do I? I've looked worse, I'm pretty sure. This is nothing.

[The exaggerated way he says that makes it seem like it should be a joke, except Tony isn't smiling.]

[Hal knows when he's unwanted, unfortunately he doesn't care. Side-effect of being a Lantern possibly, when your jurisdiction was the whole universe you didn't have much time for individual laws. The same applied to people.]

I've seen worse too, but it doesn't mean I'm going to just let it slide.

Well I want to let it slide.

[Great. Even strangers can tell how upset he is. No wonder people are coming out swinging. He runs a hand down his face and takes a deep breath.]

Look, I appreciate the tip. I'll try to keep my face out of the picture if that helps. Just let me get my answers first.

[He mutters 'if that helps' under his breath. No Tony, that does not help.]

Keeping your face out of the picture would only mislead people. Are you really going to lie to your friends and pretend everything is alright?

[This is the most hypocritical line ever. Hal would do exactly the same thing with physical injuries, although he's a little more willing to seek help on other matters.]

[Ouch.]

I'm not lying. [Mostly.] Things are fine, I just don't know what I'm supposed to do with a bunch of magic flowers!

[Yelling means he's fine, right? He's so fine.]

You really think any of my friends are going to worry about that?

[Calmly.]

Most people don't start yelling about a bunch of magic flowers either. If any of my friends reacted like that I'd be concerned.

[Damn it, Hal. Why won't you let him wallow?]

Well, those are your friends. And I'm not yelling.

[Totally yelling.]

...Damn it.

[Because he's already got the manpain facial hair.]

You might want to try that again if you want to convince anyone otherwise. It'd be a lot easier to just admit what's wrong.

[Leave his facial hair alone. He likes it!]

I'm having a bad day. Everyone has them.

[He's not even trying to hide his feelings now.]

Got a hangnail. I'm sure I'll get over it.

[Raising an eyebrow.]

Bad enough to yell at a stranger?

[Still calling bullshit.]

I'm not yelling. At you.

[Instead he seems to be sulking now. It's been a hard week.]

Trust me, if I really felt like yelling, you'd know.

[Unfortunately he has demonstrated that so it's a moot point. Tony Stark, genius hero.]