05 § video;

[definingfuture]

[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.]

Comments

[definingfuture]

[Tony's expression falls a little bit. It's not a huge change, but it's there. The answer is kind of depressing when most of your choices have ended up with terrible consequences.]

The choices we make or the ones we can make? Because if it's the former, that's not very flattering.

[Not that he really expects it to be regardless. It's another joke, that's all. But he seems to be processing Thor's response even as he answers. Fully understanding anything usually takes a little longer than Tony's initial retorts.]

You have choices.

[He lowers his voice a bit. It might be from sympathy, actually. As if Tony doesn't believe that someone who is his friend and fellow Avenger doesn't have the ability and inherent right to choose how he lives his life.]

[ofmyth]

Of a kind.

[Thor doesn't mind Tony's thinking out loud. It's a very Tony thing to do.]

In the time you have known us, have you ever known me not to be warlike and noble, wielding Mjolnir for those who need help? Or known my brother Loki to be cunning, planning mischief with deceit and sleight of hand?

[Thor has no qualms describing Loki as such, or even himself. This is how they are, this is what separates them from humans.]

[definingfuture]

[Tony hesitates, because he doesn't want to give Thor the answer he expects. Part of him is just stubborn that way, always trying to be contradictory to test the rules, and part of him honestly believes that what Thor is saying isn't true. It's a coincidence or a self-fulfilling prophesy. Avengers aren't bound by fate.]

You're a hero, Thor. You do the whole saving people in need gig and come from nobility. I kind of don't expect anything less.

[Partly- no, that's mostly true. And it's what he wants to believe.]

Loki's just... complicated. I know he's your brother, but you've got to admit he's got issues.

[This is starting to sound like an excuse, but Tony sticks with it anyway. He can make this work. Even gods can learn and grow. It probably helps that Tony isn't all that strictly religious.]

[ofmyth]

[He smiles. He sees what you're doing there, Tony.] That is true, for both of us.

It has been true since we were boys- and it will likely be true of us until we are ended.

[He does say "die" because death isn't the end, for them.]

We can change a little, but that takes time. But I could no more become my brother than he could become me.

[definingfuture]

[Shh. He's not lying. He's giving his friend the answers he needs without playing by the rules, that's all. He does it because he cares. He wants the freedom for Thor that Thor seems to think he doesn't have. This is what he does. He gives people what they need.

The last line is sad, though in a vague sense that makes Tony uncomfortable.]

Well, I... think that's true for everyone. We can't just become anything overnight. It takes a lot of work, and- and some things we can't get away from.

[That hits home. Tony usually avoids touching his spectacularly bad past record, the legacy he's trying to avoid, but he's got a point to make. It's not hopeless for Thor, even if he is tied to whatever ties gods to their roles.]

But there's always tomorrow.

[ofmyth]

You are correct, but I do not think you realise just how much.

For me and my kind- yes. There will always be tomorrow. Even when we die we will not end.

[And now Thor smiles. He doesn't think that Tony quite understands that it isn't a problem for Thor to be the way he is. Dissatisfaction is not in his nature.]

You asked how I go on? That is how. I go on because I must.

[definingfuture]

[It's a problem for Tony, because he isn't a god. He lives by choice, for better or for worse, and he holds on to that frustrating piece of existence pretty tightly. It may not always be pretty, but it's his.

Then again, unlike Thor, Tony is always a little dissatisfied.]

That sounds... Just like you.

[He gives Thor a fond smile. Of course. Leave it to the Norse god to sum up everything simply because to him it's all got clear definition. He's naturally good--that's part of what Tony admires about him--and he'll always be that way. Some people just have that in them. And he doesn't fully accept it, but he accepts that reality enough. On his terms.]

That's why we need you around here.