tushanshu | 05 § video;

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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.]

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[Her own smile wavers for a moment, there, but she keeps it up, anyway.]

Would it even work if I pulled punches? A shower means you don't stink, but it doesn't do anything for your eyes looking like they're being sucked back into your head, and bruised, to boot.

[Not letting go. Nope.]

[Though she does purse her lips.]

I don't know what was wrong in the first place, so I can't tell if it's... actually helping or just masking it up, but I think better. I'm totally going to be making at least one meal a day include you, now.

[And the set of her jaw says 'and you can't stop me!']

We haven't had a chance to spend so much time together in years. It's like, despite everything, things are all right again. And that's a little scary. But I'll take it.

[He's totally fine. It's not like he doesn't know what he's dealing with here. So what if they are clones, right? It's not like he was much better before. There are still people there that he cares about and he has to look out for them. Having people disappear should cement that fact, not distract him. He's a hero. With Cassie in front of him, part of Tony actually believes that.

The rest of him thinks that it makes a great joke.]

It can be hard to adjust. But I'm sure with you here he'll be fine. Masks don't cover things like family.

[He really does believe that this is good for both of them. Having Scott and Cassie in the city where they can't be sure they're real is troubling, but they're making it work. If it has to happen, at least it's happening this way.]

You should probably check on him.

[Cassie nods to the first part. Real or not, this is better than the alternative, and, yes. She does think it's good that they're together.]

[But she pokes at him gently with a finger.]

He's not the only family I have, here.

And you haven't even shown me the flowers, yet.

[Tony looks startled by that one. They have history. Of course he hasn't forgotten that, but he hasn't always been that great at keeping up with his friends either. Cassie just bumped that up to the next level without prompting.]

I... I guess I haven't.

[He steps back and lets her make herself comfortable, not exactly denying what she just said about family, but not sure if he should agree either. It's easier to address the flower question]

I just put them over here. I don't really have a place for them.

[And, true to his word, they are in pots pushed against a corner of the room.]

[She'll take no denying, right now. It's enough. And her step is almost bouncy as she follows him. And then. She looks up, with a really, really surprised expression.]

Okay. I know you said you know nothing about plants, but it's not possible to not know what they need to photosynthesize? Right?

[You're a genius, Tony, it's inconceivable.]

Like, you know, light?

So if you keep them away from it, they're likely gonna just... starve?

They're by the window. Kind of. [He can't even make eggs, Cassie. Why would he be able to raise flowers?]

I watered them. And they're still green and not wilting or falling apart. I didn't have that much space for them, you know.

[That's because he lives a cluttered life in his suite. Genius or not, common sense is not a strong point with Tony.]

They look okay...

For now they are! It'd take anyone a bit of time to starve. Ummm.

[She looks around, yeah, it kinda is cluttered, but.]

We'll clear a bit of place by each window. A few of them at each one shouldn't make all that much of a difference, space-wise. But you won't be allowed to stack things in the pots, sorry.

Though if you make coffee, you can dump the stuff from the filter in the pots. Without the filter itself. And, um, um. Don't water them too much? They need water, that's true, but not all of them need the same amount, and since these don't come with instructions, it'll take a bit to know which ones only need a little.

[Beat.]

... what? I've been house-sitting, now and again.

It doesn't look that bad, does it?

[Tony looks completely honest when he asks Cassie that. He's been a little haphazard lately, but most of his collected parts are in order. Probably thanks to getting bored earlier and arranging them (and rearranging them) to pass the time. It's a rhetorical question, though, and as she moves on, so does he.

Cassie gives him some good plant care tips and Tony has to smile at that.]

House-sitting, huh? So that's how you became a plant expert?

Well, no. There are no places where I feel like walking by will make things fall on my head, so, it's not that bad.

[It's said easy, light. She's not judging, more like... reassuring.]

It looks like you're doing a thousand projects at once, maybe a bit more than usually. It's all right.

[And that, she's not unused to, after all. Then she smiles back.]

Well, people leave instructions for their plants. After a few times, it's not difficult to see the logic behind them.

[The fact that Cassie is being so understanding about his stupid tantrum makes Tony feel worse. She's genuinely trying to help him out and all he can think about is how upset he is with this place taking people away.

And it had better not take her too. He won't allow that.]

Yeah. I... needed to kill some time.

[Which is really an apt way of describing how Tony functions in general. He got restless and needed some projects. Then he needed more projects. He does feel a little bit better now that she's there, though. Having someone to focus on always helps.]

I couldn't get you to take one, could I? It won't take up much room. And I've got a lot to spare.

[Of all things, Cassie brightens even further, bouncing a little.]

Take one? Oh, may I? May I!

Take a few. They'll probably be better off with you anyway.

[Oh, Cassie. Tony can't help but smile at her enthusiasm. She's one of those good things in his life--a source for decent memories--that he can count on in times like this.]

Yay!

[ Quick second hug, right there. And then she flits off to examine the flowers, deciding which ones to take. ]

I will, though not all. It'll be good for you to keep some, too. Though I will remind you for daily care and will come to check on them!

[Tony's still not quite sure how to accept the hugs. He smiles, gently putting his arms around her in return even if he is awkward about it.]

Heh. You can remind me, but I can't guarantee I'll be any good at it. Maybe I should just give them to someone else.

[ She's fine with awkward. Her life is awkward, right now, and she blatantly ignores that. Besides, it's only a quick hug. ]

[ She does raise an eyebrow, anyway. ]

Uncle Tony... they were given to you for a reason. And I'll help. You can manage them.

[Oops. Caught. Tony does look a little embarrassed at trying to get rid of the plants, but not that much. After all, he's not the best choice and this is for the good of the flowers too, right?]

Okay, okay. I won't give them all away. For now. But if they start dying, that's not my fault. I tried to warn you.

[ Cassie crosses her arms and gives him a mock-irritated look. ]

Just don't try to kill them on purpose. It'll be all right.

Now, shoo. I'll take a look at them and arrange the ones I'm not taking around. You don't have to remind me how bad an idea it is the entire time.

[ The most cheerful and light-hearted shooing to ever be shooed, there. ]

Yes'm. [Tony raises his arms in surrender. He knows better than to argue with her.]

And I'm not trying to kill them. I just think they're trying to die on me.

[That said, he can at least try to help.]

Juice? I have juice. Don't know what kind it is, but I was told that it's good.

Give them a chance. They may surprise you, yet!

[ And she's already kneeling by the flowerpots when she registers his question. ]

Umm. Sure. But you have some, too.

[ Smile over her shoulder. ]

I've heard it's good for you, for some reason.

Are you trying to make sure I stay hydrated?

[It sounds like it should be a joke somehow. Tony goes to the kitchen and returns with two glasses of strange colored juice.]

I haven't actually tried this yet, so this is my disclaimer if you don't like it.

[He smiles a little. Tiredly, but it's there.]

You don't have to stay here, you know. I'm pretty sure I'll survive.

Well, I was thinking about vitamins and such, but, now that you mention it, I'll include reminders for you to stay hydrated when I remind you to water the flowers. Oh, just look at this one!

[ It's tender, almost orchid-like, in a deep blue/purple color, the blossoms almost hidden behind the two taller plants in front of it. Cassie gently cups the bloom in one hand, not quite touching the petals, and smiles as Tony brings in the juices. Then dusts off her hands, and is up on her feet, taking the offered glass and drinking thirstily. Then she chokes, because strange flavor. ]

Ummm.

[ She licks her lips, thoughtfully. ]

Not bad, actually. And, I'll be off your hair shortly. Really, just gonna do what I came here for, and I'm out. Okay?

[Tony's weak smile actually grows when he sees Cassie's reaction to the strange juice. It's a simple thing, but somehow it does make him feel better.]

You can take them all. I'm telling you, they'd probably be better off.

And you're not in my way, Cassie. I just think you should spend time at home.

[The two Langs need each other. Tony knows that. And he wants their family to be happy, which is something he's working to achieve in his own way. He takes a drink from his glass, making a face as he tastes the liquid inside.]

Eh. Maybe I should have asked for a sample first.

[ She grins; they were just over that, with her taking all the flowers and all, but she won't repeat herself. And she's just about to say that, yep, she's going right home, after, when he makes that last comment, and she narrows her eyes at him. ]

... how much did you get?

[Oops. Tony looks a little bit guilty, as if he's been caught stealing cookies he shouldn't have been eating.]

Ah... you know. Enough. [It seemed like a good idea at the time.]

[ Oops. Cassie just. Stares at him for a moment, then bursts out laughing, hard and long. After a bit, she tries to take a breath. ]

Sorry, sorry. That just sounded... so...

[ Normal. But she can't say it, because she's laughing again. ]

05 § video;

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