tushanshu | 001

Entry tags:

001 - video

[He needs to stop thinking that he's incapable of being surprised. By the end of the Battle of New York, Steve thought he had seen it all. Insane technology, other worlds, aliens... What else could there possibly be?

The answer, of course, is a giant turtle in a realm outside the continuity of time. He had a long chat about nearly everything with the locals that helped him earlier, but it's still crazy, and he probably wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't seen some of the turtle shell himself.

Yet here he is. It'll probably all sink in over time; Steve's been overloaded with so much information over the past few hours and it's exhausting, even for him.

Getting on the computer hadn't been his top priority, but he's already gone outside of his new home and back. Steve's experienced enough culture shock for today. He might as well at least reach out and introduce himself to all of the other people who wound up here like him.

Once he's got the computer up and running, he accesses the network using the video function. He looks a little stiff and probably as exhausted as he feels, but that's the least of his concerns right now.]

Hello. My name's Steve Rogers. The kedin- kedan? - brought me up to speed already, but I only just arrived here a few hours ago.

[Maybe longer than that. He hasn't exactly been keeping track of time. In any case, it's really jarring to be talking to a computer screen and not actually know who's on the other end.]

I have a couple questions that I'd like to have verified. [It doesn't necessarily mean he'll believe whatever he's told, but second opinions are typically useful.] We're all more or less stuck on this turtle, right? But there's a way back.

[That's a question as well, but it ends up sounding more like a statement. It sounds like a reasonable assumption. There obviously isn't a rush since no time is passing back home; he just wants to know.]

The other question I have is about jobs. Since it looks like I'll be here awhile, I'll start looking soon. Does anyone know which places are hiring offhand?

[He pauses for a moment before adding a 'thank you.']

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If we know exactly how we got here, it can be assumed that the reverse could be possible.

[He shrugs, not having an idea of what that could possibly entail.]

I don't remember anything prior to waking up in a tub.

Well, that's the thing. We don't know for sure. In fact, that seems to be a pretty hazy topic when you start asking the ones who brought us here.

[Among other things.]

How much have you heard?

Surely those within the palace know. [Not that he got much out of the kedan he talked to.]

I haven't heard much outside of being here to help fight and that there are multiple universes. Nothing particularly useful in figuring out how to get out, though someone mentioned there being a person who had theories on how to get out. Didn't get a name, though.

Not necessarily. They know some. They know more than we do out here. But they might not know enough.

[He pauses, seeming to struggle with some internal debate. There are plenty of people that are close to this guy. He'll be fine. They can handle this as a team and- crap.]

Maybe we should talk somewhere in person.

[There's probably such a thing as stranger danger, but Steve recognises him and already knows there's two Tonys here, so there isn't the least bit of hesitation in his response.]

Do you know a good place?

Yeah. Swing by the Metal Sector. [He sends the location of the building in a text. Encrypted.]

There are some things you should probably know.

[He writes the out address on a scrap piece of paper and stuffs it in his pocket. He'll probably remember it without looking but it's better to have it just in case.]

Alright. I'll be there as soon as I can.

[Steve doesn't know how long it'll take to get there, but after a quick word of parting, he ends the connection and makes his way over. As for how long it actually takes? It's more or less what would be expected of someone coming from the Earth sector who's yet to be completely oriented with the city.

He's lucky enough to have not gotten himself in trouble during his trek over, and once he's there, he knocks on the door.]

[He answers the door wearing what appears to be a nice semi-casual suit jacket and smiles when he sees it's Steve. There's a bit of reserve in the expression, but there's warmth as well. No matter how many versions there are or what world he's from, Steve Rogers is a friend.]

Glad you could make it. I hope it's not too much trouble, but the network isn't secure.

[He steps back and makes a sweeping gesture with one arm to invite Steve in. Tony's apartment in the Metal Sector is nice. It's not as big as he's had, but it's also not a studio. He makes it seem smaller because he has entire sections dedicated to random projects--scrap metal and tools and various deconstructed bits set out--and there's a bit more lying around than the place should have. Potted flowers are taking up a lot of his window light. But it looks comfortable enough.]

Can I get you a drink? I don't have much, but there's juice and coffee and tea... lots of tea.

It's not a problem at all.

[It's providing another opportunity for him to explore the city more. Of course, Steve also has an interest in hearing whatever Tony has to say.]

What's insecure about it?

[Tony's talking to someone who's only had time to learn the basic functions of computers and cell phones.

He steps inside, looking around briefly as he answers.] Tea, if you don't mind. Thank you.

[Ever the gentleman, the reason he choose the tea is because Tony said there was a lot of it. He won't say as much, but he is surprised that liquor isn't on that list. Steve doesn't want any; he's just wondering whether that's a difference between this Tony and the one he knows from his world.]

Good. Glad you feel that way.

[He shuts the door and gestures to Steve, moving to the kitchen to heat up water for the tea. Thankfully, he can use a kettle without setting the place on fire. If Steve thinks that Tony forgot about the question, this is the exact point that the man speaks up again.]

The security isn't great. Everything you send out can be overheard by other people, and some of them aren't friendly. Even if you try to secure a line, people can crack it if they're good enough. Dangerous people.

[Tony speaks calmly, but his delivery is even and serious. He's not exactly giving an official report, but there's a note of that in his voice too.]

There's a lot more going on than just being stuck in a different city. You sure you can handle it?

[He pours hot water over a basket of tea leaves like some of the kedan have taught him. Tony's very much not an expert in this, but he does know enough to get the tea made decently. He slides a full cup over to Steve and pours another for himself, letting the information settle between them.]

I'll keep that in mind.

[Modern technology has its advantages, but Steve can easily get by not using certain aspects of it considering he went the majority of his life without so much of it. If anything, he'll just be more careful about what he discusses on the network, just in case.

Steve should also learn how to secure his connection as well, and makes a mental not of it. It doesn't seem as important as anything they're about to talk about so he's not too concerned about it yet.]

I'm already here; I don't see how I have any other choice. [He holds the cup between his hands, giving the tea a moment to cool before he drinks.] But yes, I'm positive that I can.

[Tony looks at Steve without speaking right away for a few moments, trying to decide just how to approach him. He really should be getting caught up from his own team. They should be helping him, but Tony doesn't know of that will happen. They seem a little loose, and he can't shake his obligation to Steve Rogers regardless of the situation. After taking a deep breath, Tony nods.]

Okay. So you know why we're here. The Emperor wanted us to fight a certain evil entity that's been creeping around trying to kill the turtle we're on. There's more to it--it's a long story--but they've tried to stop him before. Used other people. It didn't go so well. And he's made his presence known on the network too, so that's something else you'll want to keep in mind.

[Tony frowns. He really doesn't want to lay too much on him, not when they just met, but leaving him without information could be just as bad.]

The Emperor has said that if we manage to survive this, we'll be sent home. But there's no real verification on that being true. And there's a chance that they don't really have much control over who gets pulled in and out. Not as much as they'd like, anyway. And even if we could leave by some means... It's complicated.

[It's a lot to take in for sure, but Steve would rather know everything he can upfront and deal with at once- or over the course of the next few days, or however long it takes to get everything sorted.]

Do you know what it is, exactly? The thing we're up against. [He'd ask if it's an alien, but he realises that technically, they're the aliens here.

The second part definitely poses a problem as well. Perhaps the Emperor offered false assurances to keep people as calm as possible...] It wouldn't be the first time someone in a position of power has omitted details or stretched the truth for their own agenda.

Complicated isn't impossible, though.

[The first part is going smoothly enough. Steve is taking what he says pretty well, and he's actually listening to him, which is nice. Tony wasn't sure how this man was going to react to him. Tea and not punching is a good way to go.

But that doesn't make the rest easy.]

Pretty much. The details are foggy at best, and I'm not sure the current Emperor knows all there is to know about our situation either. But there's more than that.

[He takes a sip of his tea. Searching for the right words is always a challenge.]

You should probably talk to your team. Doctor Banner particularly. Apparently we're not really who we think we are. According to tests, we're actually clones.

[Steve takes a sip of his tea. It's partly out of need to keep his hands occupied, partly to give him an additional moment before speaking again.]

What kind of tests? [He's not as up to date on the scientific innovations of the twenty-first century; there's a lot for him to catch up on, but he at least knows a little about cloning.]

How can we be clones? I remember my entire life.

[That's not how it works, is it? He'll have to talk to Bruce about this later, for sure. The frustration with everything will rise, but not yet. But it won't be Tony's face that gets punched because of it; that'll be the fate of some wall somewhere later.]

Genetic tests. You can talk to Banner, he apparently had fun checking his own blood samples for hidden messages. The decoder ring was a little off.

[Despite what he says, Tony's voice is flat and even. It's not really a joke. This is serious, and a serious problem for all of them.]

Stranger things have happened. They could have copied our memories from the originals when they copied everything else. Or it could be made up--but that I don't buy. Too many consistencies to keep up with, and people of any universe just aren't striving for that level of over-achieving.

Look... [He shifts his weight, moving the mug of tea to the side in an unconscious gesture, a need to do something while he talks.] I should have probably left you to hear this from your people. But the networks aren't safe and I honestly wasn't sure how much you were going to get from them. If you want to forget I said anything, you'll probably be all right. Just be careful when you contact people.

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