tushanshu | [Console/Video]

(She stares into the device to make sure it's recording. Her expression turns from something kind of serious and deep in thought to one of relief. "Oh good. Not much different than that other place..." Marie then tries to smile, of course she looks a bit more concerned than anything else.)

Uh, uh...hi. I'm Marie. Um...let's see here... I think I'm good with what's going on. I mean, I get it. At least, I have a map...and I've been without a lot less before... it's a long story...

(Marie finds herself beginning to ramble - to the outsider it sounded like some "adventure" or a not very thought out plan she had when shew was younger, but she quickly stops herself. It's definitely better to not get so personal, not yet anyway. She glances down for a moment.)

Ah, uh..right. I'll just shut up now about that. It's not very interesting.

(Then she pauses.)

Um, by the way...has anyone seen....

(She lets her thought trail off and she debates in the middle of her question about asking if someone else might be wandering around. Only slightly taller than her (and she's a tall girl herself), square headed, overly serious looking... potentially over his head in trouble within moments of setting foot in a place?)

She woke up alone now that she gives everything some more thought and then she glances at the ring on her hand. )

Um, well, uh...it's not that important. So, um, I'll be here for a little while....

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(Marie is about to try to apologize or even just reassuring him that everything is okay...she isn't quite so sure how to react to his getting misty-eyed at first, but then he speaks.)

Just a little bit, yeah. I don't know nearly close to everything, but enough to know it was hard.

(She pauses and then allows a little soft smile to show through. It definitely (at least Marie believes as much) sounds like Tony gets it. The German woman is happy she doesn't have to try to sit someone down and explain it. He's already done the job better than she could ever hope and dream of doing.)

Well, speaking from experience, it's ever exactly easy but it's still worth it in the end. But, you have to try.

(Marie can't help but chuckle a little bit and softly at the comment about not a lot of people being on their side. That one hit home a bit.

The whole world disliked her and Jason.)

Who cares about other people? (She grins now.) If they really mean anything and they really understand how you feel then they'll just learn to leave it alone or accept it. If they don't? That just means that when you can work through everything and not just - whatever it is you have is just going to be stronger, I think. It's a good test in working together.

[Well, when "people" includes the military and the government and SHIELD...

But Tony smiles. He appreciates the sentiment anyway.] You know, I think you're right. We're stronger together, because of what we've been through. [Not in spite of it.]

You should come meet Gene. He'll definitely want to hear... everything you just told me. [Even the sappy parts. Maybe especially those.]

Do you have a place to stay yet?

(Oh, she would understand that much. Though it was the CIA and probably everyone else who would ever have to answer to them for any reason ever.

Marie can't help but let herself smile - and she manages a huge smile - at that.)

Sometimes I have my moments, but it's...well, you can tell I've had to learn that lesson right? I guess learning is not the best word in my case...well, no wait, I guess it would work just fine. But, we had to learn how to work together in a sense...

But still, you're both stronger together than apart and because of everything. YES. Yes, you got it.

(She stops when Tony suggests that idea.) Are you sure about that? I, mean, you believe what I'm saying, but he might not if he doesn't exactly know who I am here. (It's not as if she wouldn't tell him all of that, especially the sappy parts. She would anyway.)

(The woman shakes her head at his other question.)

No, someone told me about the hotel. I was probably going to try there...

[Tony laughs, and his smile is wider and more relaxed now.]

Yeah, I'm sure. He needs to hear it even more than I do. [Tony at least has something to go back to, if they return and lose their memories. He has Pepper, and a family who loves him, and a future. Gene...

Gene will have nothing. Nothing but that sliver of hope that Marie carries with her from another universe.]

Besides, if you were friends with us in that other universe, we'll probably be friends in this one, too, right?

The Hotel's in pretty rough shape, but we've got a house in the Sky Sector, if you wanted to stay with us for a while. I'll have to check with Pepper, but I'm sure she won't mind.

You think so?

(She frowns giving it some thought. It's funny how things like that tend to work. Not really funny but she always runs into people who need all the reminders in the world of things. Good things.

Marie nods. If it would be something to keep him going when he goes back, if he does, then she knows that she has to make sure Gene has that shred of hope.

He was one of her closest friends in one universe and even if they haven't met in this one, he still is one of her closest friends in her mind.

But without knowing exactly what's happened in this place? She can't be sure he would be so trusting of her words.)

I mean, I can and I want to, but what makes you think he'll believe me? He might not, at least not right away.

(A pause.)

And we were all friends in that place, yes, so maybe...maybe it'll be the same here. I'd like if it was...

I, mean, I'm not afraid of staying in a place that's seen better days, but you should probably talk to her and anyone else you live with first...

(She doesn't want to be that person - the one who just goes and invites herself into someone's home. Well, she had a history of doing just that without any real shame, but she's grown up some from those days.

Marie had to grow up. in order to survive this long.

The woman shakes her head.)

I, mean, that really would be nice, but I really couldn't do that unless everyone there agrees to it. I've stayed...in some questionable places before, I'll be alright.

Why wouldn't he believe you? Seems like a weird thing to lie about.

[Look, Tony, someone wrote 'gullible' on the ceiling! In all seriousness, though, he can't see any reason not to believe her. She'd known about Gene. All she'd gain from lying would be a place to stay, maybe, when there's already plenty of housing available to any Foreigner. What's the point?]

It's just me and Pepper and Gene right now. I'll ask them. You don't have to live in the Hotel or settle for some dump - even if you don't want to move in with us, the whole Sky Sector is full of places that are reserved for Foreigners.

Well, yeah, you're entirely right. (She has to admit that she sees his logic. For such a wary little soul, she is awfully gullible when it comes to certain matters.) It would be a weird thing to lie about. But, come on, most people wouldn't be so accepting of what I have to say. Especially if it's something that might be very personal.

Uh, sure... (Marie isn't quite so sure. She, however, is used to staying and settling for dumps. But she also knows that she only has the little bit of money that was given to her. She wasn't sure that settling for anything that wasn't a dump or the hotel was wise until she got a job or something to help with expenses.

She almost goes pale at realizing how much she had to change since she was really in this kind of spot.)

But, only until I can get a job or something. (And be able to keep it, Marie wasn't so good at that unless it was her own business or something where she could change the rules on a whim.)

[Tony snorts, and his smile turns wry.] When you've been here as long as I have, you'll be pretty accepting of weird stuff too. And that's definitely not the most personal thing someone from another universe has known about me. [Being multiverse famous gets pretty uncomfortable sometimes, honestly.

But on to more practical matters.] You don't need a job right away. There's no rent, we all just chip in for household expenses. But it's not too hard to get work, especially at a Foreigner-run place. What kind of job are you thinking about?

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