[network] @ADMIN; Arrival

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Comments

@IAmLegend; audio

[definingfuture]

Everyone thinks they can be Beyonce.

audio

[thewarningafter]

I like to think I have a better chance than most.

[Does he regret this username? Of course he fucking doesn't.]

audio

[definingfuture]

Oh? What's your secret to success? I'd love some professional advice.

[Regrets are for losers?]

perma-audio

[thewarningafter]

Never, never, never give up.

[Solemnly delivered.]

[definingfuture]

Easier said than done some days.

You're Doctor Strange?

[thewarningafter]

Yeah. Is this the part where you tell me you know me?

[definingfuture]

Is that weird? A lot of people know you.

[thewarningafter]

It's a little weird when I don't know them.

Am I speaking to Tony Stark?

[definingfuture]

Oh, sorry. Yes, this is Tony.

You wouldn't happen to have a magical universe-hopping door on you, would you? Some quick fix we can use?

[thewarningafter]

Oh, naturally. I just thought I'd hang around here for a while first, do some sightseeing. I've never been to Alaska before. Gotta say, I like it better than Everest so far for weather, but the view from my hotel room is terrible. Two out of five stars, would not stay again.

[definingfuture]

I'm sorry to tell you that the food and transportation services aren't much better. Not nearly as nice as the brochures lead you to believe. But it was a vacation apparently granted to us by a lottery, so what can you expect?

So I guess you don't know me?

[thewarningafter]

I know of you. Ran into you once or twice at events.

You know, before.

[definingfuture]

Before. Before I disappeared? Before the world ended?

Before you changed your look?

[thewarningafter]

[He chuckles.]

Before I changed my look, let's go with that one.

audio > video;

[definingfuture]

Thought so. It's a good look. Not many people can pull that sort of thing off.

[He should probably get the real introductions out of the way. Tony turns to video.]

So. Hi.

audio > video;

[thewarningafter]

[Well, he already showed his face elsewhere before realizing he apparently has a twin. He hadn't intended to immediately tell everyone he's a sorcerer, either, not until he figures out a way around whatever block has been put in place, but those ships have all but sailed.

He turns on the video. He might not look exactly like the Stephen Strange Tony remembers, but the goatee is there in full force. So are a number of cuts and scrapes that have been cleaned up but haven't had time to heal.]

Hi.

You know, it wasn't actually modeled after you.

video;

[definingfuture]

[Tony notices those cuts and his eyes move over the image on the tablet quickly even though his expression doesn't change. He's alert and attentive, taking in every detail as soon as the video connects.]

I like to think everything was inspired by me in some way.

[He laughs a little as he says that, partly because he goes through fashion styles so often that this just happens to be the current one, and partly because he's trying not to show that those injuries concern him.]

Anyway, we can share credit if it makes you feel better. I like the look.

video;

[thewarningafter]

[He's fine. And the actual, serious injury is hidden anyway.]

Only if I get partial credit for yours, too. Call it inspirational temporal recursion.

[That's not a thing.]

video;

[definingfuture]

Extradimensional resonance? Theoretically we could both be causing events in each other's worlds. Sure. I guess hypothetically you could have inspired some part of my creation.

And I'm pretty sure suggesting that is pissing people off somewhere. You know, in my world, we aren't really that alike.

perma-video

[thewarningafter]

I don't think we're very alike in mine, either.

[Not like he really knows.]

I mostly just meant the beard.

[definingfuture]

It's a good beard. I like it.

Yours is actually nice.

[Yes, he is jealous.]

[thewarningafter]

Give it time. I don't suppose you've found any electric razors around here?

[definingfuture]

None, sorry. If you pick up a straight razor, I can help?

[thewarningafter]

[Well if that isn't an indicator that their version of him changed careers for the same reason, Stephen doesn't know what is.]

You can paint my nails, while you're at it.

[definingfuture]

Oh, I hope you like red and gold. I'm partial to those.

[At least they seem to be bonding over dry humor.]