apocalypsehowcomm | Network

Well as we science people say there are infinite probabilities, and science is always right whether you believe it or not

Outcome is always determined by variables, and there are infinite combinations of those. So I guess if the right conditions are met then sure, but it's got a snowball's chance in hell of happening naturally

There's such thing as self-fulfilling prophecies though. Science people got a term for that too, the 'placebo effect'. Like you read on a mommy blog that your fermented-cabbage-juice cleanse will work so you feel an effect even though it's doing nothing but giving you gas probably

You must forgive me as you speak with some learned words that I do not fully understand. I have learned something of Science here, and it seems a fine god to find yourself an acolye for.

[Yep. Science the god.]

Though, I understand that most would not call it as such. What does Science say of prophecies that seem to have no personal impact on a person? Coincidence? One future said I would simply see a particular pair of birds performing a particular act in a particular place. And so I saw them later that same day. It is a most extraordinary coincidence, if it is only that.

[ Science is a 'god' he's an 'acolyte' for, huh? That's...new. Ok so clearly this lady is some kind of religious wackjob, but she seems harmless enough, so Tony won't give her a hard time. For now. ]

It could be a coincidence sure, but what's more likely is that whoever or whatever showed you this 'prophecy' engineered that thing to happen

In this case they must have used some kind of magic or tapped into whatever spooky mojo jojo makes things tick around here

[ People on this network are inevitably learning that the 'typing...' never seems to stop with him. Sorry, but no matter what method of communication you're using to talk to Tony Stark, he's going to talk a lot. ]

While I accept that there's a lot about this place that defies scientific explanation it's like I said, outcomes are determined by variables and the number of possible combinations of those variables is infinite

In other words predicting the future is impossible

Perhaps you would join me in looking upon the tablet and telling me what you see, then? The sight of eyes outstrips the sight of the mind in at least some cases. And your Science would have you make a study of this object, yes?

That’s usually how it goes yeah. Though poking around a petri dish in a lab coat is more my buddy Bruce’s deal

I’m an engineer - which is formally defined as ‘Someone who solves a problem you didn't know you had in a way you don't understand’

[ She’s not going to get your lame inside jokes from MIT, Tony. Anyway...]

But sure I’ll bite. Where am I headed?

It is the castle to the east, overlooking the sea. A section of the museum seems to have opened up. The tablet is one of the items there. I would accompany you to learn your engineer craft, if you would allow it. I like helping others and fixing problems.

Sounds great. I gotta warn you though, engineering is something most people pay tens of thousands of dollars to learn over a period of several grueling and ramen-fueled years. Not everybody can pick it up overnight like I did.

[ Look, it's objectively true! He isn't just patting his own ass, though he is definitely doing that too. ]

But sure I can give you the Cliffnotes version. Meet you there in what, an hour? Gives us both a chance to make ourselves pretty. [ That, and he's not traveling as fast as he used to. Ugh. ]

Edited 2022-02-16 16:07 (UTC)

I look forward to making your acquaintance, sir. I shall be wearing a white scarf over my hair.

[And it's about an hour later that Mercy is positioned outside of the museum, waiting for her mysterious, scientific companion. She's a tall girl, standing at 5'9", dressed for the weather in a thick, colorful coat. Her boots are oddly out of place in this modern setting. Well-worn leather in a rather medieval design. She sees someone approaching and simply smiles at them, uncertain if he's another visitor or the one she's here to see.]

[ It's Tony's nature to arrive fashionably late to most things (because of course it is), but it takes him even longer than usual to make his grand entrance to this particular outing because he needs to take a few beats to square his expression first. The discovery that his Iron Man suit has lost most of its functionality where communications and artillery are concerned had been an unpleasant one for sure, and Tony has been smarting about it ever since, but the realization that it can no longer fly has cut him far more deeply. Tony needs to fly. He needs it like breathing and the fact that he has to forgo it (in favor of public transportation no less) is more painful and anxiety-inducing than he'd like to, or will ever, admit.

And he's certainly not about to wear his feelings on his sleeve in front of a complete stranger, that's for sure. Especially not while his health is still so obviously, visibly poor. He can only tolerate looking so pathetic after all, so...fake it til you make it, right? It's worked out pretty well for him this far.

So anyway...he's a little late, but he gets there. And if Mercy's feeling at all worried about looking out of place in her fancy boots, she's about to be a little less alone; Tony sticks out in that way only people who are attempting to hide themselves do, rather underdressed in just a too-big-for-him-hoodie and joggers that shrink his painfully thin frame even more, hood pulled up over a ballcap that's pulled down over a pair of dark sunglasses. He is decidedly not tall, but Mercy's height on him doesn't seem to bother him much as he sidles up next to her without much hesitation. ]

Well Lord have mercy, it's Mercy. [ Oh hey, would you look at that. Tony's proud of himself for managing to turn on the charm without his teeth chattering, but it's a close call; as it turns out, having a way-skinnier-than-normal frame makes one significantly more susceptible to cold weather. Who knew! ] I'd shake your hand but I'm pretty sure my fingers will freeze, necrotize and fall right the fuck off if I pull 'em out my pockets, so-- sh-shall we go inside? [ Ah, damn it. ]

[This man is not dressed for the weather and that's concerning. He also looks a bit ill from what she can see of him.]

Right you are, sir. [Her accent is absolutely nothing like her written messages. There's a distinctly country twang to it, but nothing that seems easy to place precisely.] They got heating inside like there's a fire lit in every room.

[Mercy motions before ushering her new companion inside.]

Think you got me at a disadvantage, though. What'll I be calling you?

[ Yeah that is kinda odd; Tony was expecting some sort of Ye Olde English type deal, judging by the words she'd used. But hey, people talking one way via text and another in real life is nothing unheard of, so he's pretty quick to dismiss it. ]

'Freezing', until we get inside.

[ Once they do Tony lets out a grateful sigh, shaking off the chill. Yeah, note to self, bring a coat next time. Idiot. Oh right, she'd asked a question... ]

Okay, less freezing now. I'm Tony. No 'sir' necessary. Nice to meet you in the fleshy world. [ He glances around the space, taking in the sights. ] Huh. Spooky. Definitely someplace you'd expect to find a creepy magic fortune-telling tablet, if ever there was one.

Edited 2022-02-23 08:04 (UTC)

Hmm...

[She unwinds a scarf from around her neck and offers it to Tony.]

Here. Your hands look fit for cooling drinks on a warm day. Tablet's over there, but why'd you go walking without putting on anything decent?

[ Tony doesn't realize he's still shivering until Mercy pointedly hands him the scarf, and he accepts it with an air of sheepishness that not many can say they've witnessed. He can hear Pepper's voice in his head scolding him now, the sound sneaking up on him, but he just as quickly muffles it before it can travel to his heart and rip it to shreds more surely than any piece of shrapnel could. ]

Uh, negligence, actually. [ He says this in the same startlingly frank way he'd threatened a demigod once. ] I'm used to traveling in a...more temperature-efficient way. Time-efficient too. Everything-efficient, actually.

[ Translation: He'd tried revving up his suit again, failed again, realized he was late, then took off without grabbing a coat. Ahem. Tony winds the scarf around his neck and also kinda buries his hands in it like it's a muff. He must look ridiculous. ]

Not to mention that I'm usually, uh...working with more insulation than I've got currently. [ Translation: He skinny. And look, he's never been a big guy by any means, but he had muscles damn it! Muscles he had worked hard on! Sure he isn't quite as deathly thin right now as he'd been when he first arrived, but this getting-his-health-back shit is taking way too long. ] You wouldn't happen to know if there's a gym around here, would you?

[ Tony starts meandering in the direction of the tablet as he speaks, still warming himself up. ]

Edited 2022-02-26 01:21 (UTC)

[Mercy follows along, her concern for the man only growing. Why are there so many malnourished people here? It makes her think too much of Mr. Thomas, or little Crystal when she'd first been brought to the Abbey.]

Aye, they got one at headquarters. I been down there to practice fighting. You been eating enough at the canteen? I can see about writing you a note from Medical if they're being stingy about extra helpings. Especially this time of year, you need more for the cold.

[ Tony can’t help but wince at her words, even though he’s fairly certain they’re coming from a genuine place. He’s been rapidly finding himself growing more and more tired of people’s insistent commentary on his health situation, possibly even more than the situation itself. He considers telling her that Medical has him on a specific diet and that’s why he hasn’t been scarfing burgers to his heart’s content like he usually would, but that would just prolong a conversation that he’d really rather be over with quickly. So he just gives her a strained sort of smile and a bony shrug instead. ]

Buying me lunch after we’re done here is a far easier and more practical solution. See? Engineering 101. [ Time to change the subject. ] So what’s the deal with this tablet thing, wanna show me the ropes?

[She radiates concern, but has sense enough not to press a conversation he clearly wants done. She'll buy him food later. And then maybe try to track him down at ADI to make sure he's eating properly.]

It's over here. [Mercy takes the lead, showing him over to a fancy wax tablet placed behind a very imposing velvet rope. There's a sign that indicates no touching.] When you look at it, it just- Oh! Look! There it goes.

[Mercy stares at her next prediction:]

'You will fail to notice that someone loves you.'

[That gets a pause and a few blinks.]

Well, that's... huh.

[ Tony noticeably relaxes when Mercy abandons the subject of his well-being for the moment, finally tugging his hands free of the scarf and removing his glasses so he can get a better look at the object. He stands a little farther away from it than she does, perhaps betraying his skepticism toward the thing, though he shows no other sign of changing his stance where its mystical powers are concerned. ]

Well that's typical, isn't it? Unrequited love is all too common. I used to get all kinds of love letters from hopeful guys and gals, emails, unsolicited gifts ranging from cute to potentially dangerous... Comes with the territory for attractive brunettes like us.

[ He gives her a nudge, aiming to cheer her up, but the comparison doesn't really hold up; Mercy doesn't seem like she was the celebrity type back where she came from, whereas he was a household name. But what the hell does he know? ]

[Mercy tilts her head slightly, then quirks a smile as she picks up that he's joking. He's clever and quick with his words like Ms. Tawnie always is. It's a little harder to keep up with this man, though, when he uses strange words that hang her up. Emails. Right. Those are- Yes. Right.]

Don't reckon there's much sense getting someone you fancy something dangerous, 'less you're planning to save them from it? [She huffs quietly.] I'll have to have a think on that. I'm the one usually pining after boys as ain't looking at me the same way.

Here. You see anything for yourself?

[She tries to motion him closer to get a look at his own potential future.]

Oh bless your heart. Look, the key here is that they don't think it's dangerous. But there's really only one way to shake it when some lady sends you her unmentionables and you know damn well they ain't new.

[ And that's about as far as he's willing to go with her on that. As for that other thing... As soon as Mercy motions for him to step forward, Tony takes one tiny step back instead. It's instinctual. ]

Uh, no thanks. I mean, not that I believe it works or anything, I just. I'd rather see what else it comes up with for you, yeah? [ God, it sounds lame even to his ears. And he used to fancy himself quite the gifted bullshitter too. Embarrassing. ]

[It takes Mercy a long moment to parse that 'unmentionables' are something risque, then that they're clothes, then that they're undergarments, which is why there's a much-delayed raising of her brows and blush. But it's there. Give her a few extra seconds to catch up on all this modern vernacular people use, please. Luckily, she doesn't have to really comment on that, as there's something else to focus on.]

You don't gotta be scared, sir. I'll protect you walking home. Don't you worry. Think they got a gift shop here, too, one with soft and warm clothes. We'll buy you something from there before leaving, yes? Quality ain't great, but better than freezing yourself down to the bone again.

Network - 03

text; @stark

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

>action

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject