004 | Tony Stark | Video

[manofiron]

[ Although he’s not exactly smiling, Tony’s expression is blandly neutral, relaxed, and his voice is friendly. ]

Normally I’d have my assistant – I guess technically she’s my CEO now - handle the whole public relations thing, but she’s not here so I guess that leaves me doing it myself. Unless I have a volunteer from the audience? No? Didn’t think so.

[ He glances away from the camera for a second, almost like he’s looking at a list. ]

Stiles, I got your bow and arrows here. Any time you want me to stop by and get them, feel free. Alternatively, I can be persuaded to play delivery guy.

Sharon. You wanted some new toys? I got a couple for you.

Party Poison. Not to be confused with the lovely Poison Ivy. We have a bet, right?

[ Twisting his wrist, the video blurs and comes into focus on a large sabertooth tiger reclining on the living room floor like he owns the place. At the attention, he lifts his head, flattens his ears, and lazily bares his teeth. The video blurs again, coming to rest on Tony’s face, who’s utterly unfazed by being threatened by hundreds of pounds of formerly extinct cat. ]

Meet Stanley. And start the countdown.

[ Flashing a smile, he starts to lower his wrist, then pauses and lifts it back. ]

Oh, right. And one more thing before I forget.

[ Anyone who knows Tony might know better here. Might realize that he wasn’t going to forget and has in fact been building up to this the entire time he’s been talking. ]

“Hot Hands.” [ He even makes the air quotes with his free hand as he smiles, like everything’s all friendly like. Much like Stanley, though, it’s really a baring of his teeth. ] Listen. If you touch Bruce again, I’ll break them. And then my big green friend won’t have to show up to beat your ass into the ground. Capiche?

Comments

[Video]

[bostonhowler]

Big green? That man in the woods is a friend of yours? Is he okay?

[manofiron]

Tall guy? Kind of pissed off? Yeah. He's a friend. And he's fine. Kind of shook up, but we talked and he's okay now.

[bostonhowler]

Yeah, that's him. I ran across him in the woods and talked to him for a bit.

[He called her puny.]

I was worried about him. I'm glad he's okay.

[manofiron]

Yeah? You guys talk for a while? What'd he say?

[ He can't help being curious. ]

[bostonhowler]

[She can't help but smile a bit. Brigid was amused.]

He called me puny. I offered to keep another cat away from him.

[She's not saying how, either.]

Not much more than that, really.

[manofiron]

He does that. It's nothing personal. He calls me puny all the time.

[ Despite himself, he smirks at that. He's short. He knows it. ]

Was he getting attacked by Stanley's brothers and sisters? Do I need to stage some kind of intervention?

[bostonhowler]

[She giggles softly. She isn't offended.]

Well, compared to him, I'm really short.

[She shakes her head.]

When I came across him, I was running from one. I hung around to make sure it didn't bother him.

[manofiron]

Me too. Curse of being vertically challenged, right?

[ Woe is them, for they are the short of stature. ]

Did it bite you? Do you need medical attention? I know a doctor who could help fix you up if you do.

[bostonhowler]

I'm travel-sized and efficient.

[The rest are just oversized and inefficient. Or so she tells herself.]

Oh, no. I got away, it's fine.

[She got scratched, but... healing.]

[manofiron]

I'm probably going to steal that line eventually. FYI.

Glad to hear it. We've got enough trouble without an outbreak of rabies. Or whatever else you can get from cat scratches.

[bostonhowler]

Feel free. My family never believed it, though, unfortunately.

[She nods.]

Cat-scratch fever, or just an infection. If your friend would like to talk again, I wouldn't mind. Would you please pass that on for me?

[manofiron]

I'm guessing you're not talking about the Ted Nugent song, huh?

Don't worry. I'll tell him.

[bostonhowler]

Sorry, was always more of a Muse and Placebo fan.

Thank you, I appreciate it, Mr - I'm sorry, I don't think we've been introduced. My name is Brigid Finn.

[manofiron]

Tony Stark. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Finn.

And hey, thanks for helping out my friend back there. I know he can take care of himself, but it's good to know he doesn't always have to.

[bostonhowler]

It's nice to meet you, Mr. Stark.

It was my pleasure. Helping others keeps my mind off of things here.

[manofiron]

Yeah, I hear you there. Helps me too. Sometimes.

[bostonhowler]

It was nice talk to you, Mr. Stark.

[She pauses.]

Oh, what's your friend's name?

[manofiron]

You too.

Hulk. His name's Hulk.

[bostonhowler]

[She's a little surprised at the name, but she decides not to pursue it. What would be the point? Her name is strange to some too.]

I'll keep an ear out for him. That way if he needs to talk, there'll be another hopefully friendly face.

[manofiron]

[ This time, his smile's warm. ]

He'll be happy to hear that.