002 | Video

[modernmarvel]

[Tony flips on the video feed with a low groan, pinching the bridge of his nose. It's been awhile, Asgard. Who knew a verifiable genius could accidentally leave his bracelet... somewhere for long enough to go gray. This is why Pepper needs to get here ASAP.]

Anyone get the number of that bus or bilge snipe or whatever it was that trashed my workshop.

[Or earthquake.]

So, things I've learned this week. A) Don't lose your bracelet. B) If you do lose your bracelet be prepared to lose at least a month playing house with some of the natives. Not my idea of a vacation so far. I believe I was promised 72 virgins. Or was that another mythic paradise? I get them mixed up. C) I really can't be expected to keep up with that thing at all times. There has to be a back up protocol.

Anyway, you want help repairing the city? Then I'll need a few things:

[He ticks off a list on his fingers.]

A digital watch
A laptop or a cell phone. I'm not picky. As long as Steve Jobs didn't have a hand in its construction.
Welding gear and a soldering station.

...And a rundown of what I've missed while I was AWOL. Preferably over shawarma.

Comments

video;

[modernmarvel]

What hasn't that little shit done?

He threw me out of a window for starters. And raised an alien army to take over the world.

[He's not talking about the Asgard!Loki, clearly.]

video;

[pushesgently]

Ah. Not the Loki of this city, I take it.

[He'd have noticed the alien army.]

Did the one you speak of succeed?

video;

[modernmarvel]

Not as long as I was there to stop him.

[Well, and the rest of the Avengers.]

Still doesn't mean I trust him.

Re: video;

[pushesgently]

Nor should you, I expect, unless you wish to be a fool.

video;

[modernmarvel]

Thank you! Half of this city thinks I'm insane for not trusting the guy at first glance.

Hello, god of mischief?

video;

[pushesgently]

Perhaps they believe everyone deserves another chance.

[It's not a belief he shares.]

video;

[modernmarvel]

I'm not saying that people don't deserve a second chance. I just draw the line at attempted genocide.

video;

[pushesgently]

Many would draw it considerably before that.

video;

[modernmarvel]

I'm not most men. And most men don't know what it's like to need a second chance.

video;

[pushesgently]

Most men are lucky in that respect.

video;

[modernmarvel]

Too bad they don't know that.

[He laughs dryly.]

So, did I miss anything exciting?

video;

[pushesgently]

One or two things, perhaps. But we carry on, as ever.

video;

[modernmarvel]

How very stoic of you.

[He laughs, clearly the comment not entirely a compliment.]

video;

[pushesgently]

[It's cool, his feathers aren't easily ruffled.]

In any case, I doubt you'll have to wait long for further excitement.

video;

[modernmarvel]

You know, I have the sneaking suspicion you might be right about that. It never stays quiet long.

[A laugh.]

Now I just have to find someone who appreciates my tech. With the magic craze in this city, it's impossible to find good supplies.

video;

[pushesgently]

[Hmm. That catches his interest.]

I've never been a great fan of it myself. You're an engineer, then?

video;

[modernmarvel]

The best in the world.

[He's actually quite humble.]

video;

[pushesgently]

[He can tell.]

I find that sort of thing more interesting than magic, myself. The gods' powers can be taken away as easily as they were given; what we build ourselves has more lasting value.

video;

[modernmarvel]

[He nods.]

That is an interesting way to look at the situation. Who knows what these "gods" are and their real intentions? I wouldn't mind having a little insurance.

video;

[pushesgently]

Some of the best things we've accomplished here have had little to do with powers, if you ask me. Coming here has been quite an education, in any case. Many people come from times and places that have advanced a great deal from what I'm used to.

video;

[modernmarvel]

You must be used to the Stone Age then. I've not found one impressive piece of tech since I got here, except for what I built myself.

[He hasn't met the Tardis yet. That might actually impress him.]

video;

[pushesgently]

I've been told I'm a few centuries behind these 'modern' times, yes.

[Or, you know, a thousand years.]

video;

[modernmarvel]

[Either one.]

Interesting. So I bet you know that Da Vinci guy.

[Of course he would refer to one of the greatest minds in history at 'that guy.']

video;

[pushesgently]

[Go far enough back and the important thing is how much one can appreciate modern plumbing.]

I do. Leonardo is a friend.

[At least Tony's aware of Leonardo's gravitas. Altaïr just knows he's a highly intelligent ally/Ezio's gay BFF.]

video;

[modernmarvel]

[He shrugs.]

Guy invented some pretty interesting things. Designed some even more interesting ones.

He's a nice friend to have is all I'm saying.