[network] @IAmLegend; video; Day 182 [open]

[definingfuture]

In case anyone hasn't spoken to a friend for obvious reasons, we seem to have all cooled off. I know now might not seem like the best time, but after what happened it's more important to keep in contact with each other and stay with people.

[Tony really wishes Steve were here. It should be him making this kind of announcement.]

What happened the day before wasn't an accident. It was something, the town maybe, trying to reach out and assert its influence over all of us. And if we react by dropping the work everyone has done so far? It wins. It gets exactly what it wants, because all of us break apart, making us easier to pick off. Or we give up. What we should be doing is pushing back and finding out who the prophet really is. We need to try to figure out what they intend to do for our own safety.

If there's anything I can do to help the rest of you, I still intend to do that. I'm not going to stop. I want everyone to be safe. And the best way to help each other is communication. Like the man said yesterday, don't shut down. He's a good guy.

So, on that note, my name is Tony Stark. I'm considered a superhero on the Earth I come from. We handle organizations that want to endanger the world, the occasional intergalactic threat, and... Things like this when they happen. Some of you might consider that a police force, but we're more of a general emergency response solution. I just want to give you a fair idea of who I am.

[He's holding the tablet up so he can address them properly, and raises his off-hand to gesture.]

Also, I have questions. First, how are your eyes? If you are still showing signs of change, I'd like to know. Do you feel different? Secondly, if you are alone right now and weren't with someone when this started, please check in. Let us know everyone is still here and no one is stranded without help. And if you have questions, today I'm going to be completely open.

Comments

[rubikscomplex]

preeeeetty sure everyone met him when you were like
"i am not tony stark
i am iron man"

people think i do stupid things all the time
you want in on the results on the experiment, then?
it'll probably break your tablet
but you can find another one easy

[definingfuture]

Okay, I guess that's true. But my name is actually Tony. And I don't think Iron Man has much point here.

I can sacrifice my tablet.

[rubikscomplex]

what was the point of him before?
apart from playing your superhero alter ego
anything?

i'll loop you in

[House isn't going to readily admit that this had helped on some level. Wilson's death is still too close for him to do something like thank Tony, but it's on House's mind.]

[definingfuture]

He was my second chance.

[Simple as that. Iron Man has been a new life for him. The escape from himself Tony really always sought.]

I look forward to it. I'll keep the tablet ready for whatever you've got in mind.

[rubikscomplex]

second chance at what?

[definingfuture]

Meaning.

[rubikscomplex]

in life?
you're not the one who got ecks asking me what my meaning of life is
are you?

[definingfuture]

I don't think so? Was she asking you about the meaning of life?

I almost died. Before that, I wasn't contributing much good anyway, but someone still decided I was worth saving. He saw something, and I built the Iron Man on that idea.

[rubikscomplex]

the near-death redemption arc?
ugh
spare me the rest

and yeah
i told her there wasn't any meaning
you live
you die
you do crap in-between
that's it

[That's all it should be, anyway. Here... here, everything is FUBAR.]

[definingfuture]

I wouldn't call it redemption. I was living off of inherited wealth and doing nothing with it. And I just felt empty.

It was a way to fill the void. To be someone, anyone but me. The crap in-between wasn't doing it for me.

[rubikscomplex]

you just did different crap
it doesn't ascribe any grand meaning to life

[definingfuture]

That's not what I'm saying. Life is what it is.
I just want mine to matter.

[rubikscomplex]

[That, he can understand, at least.]

fair enough
did it work?

[definingfuture]

Better than anything else I tried. And I've tried a lot.

He actually makes a difference.

[rubikscomplex]

you realize it sounds like you have identity issues when you refer to yourself in the third person?

[definingfuture]

I think more people have said that in my time here than in my entire life since I started volunteering him out.

[Oops.]

He used to be my bodyguard. Tony Stark's bodyguard.

[rubikscomplex]

i used to pretend to be my own body guard*
ftfy

[definingfuture]

Okay, sorry. You know, people don't usually complain this much about how I put it.

Yes, I used to say Iron Man was someone I employed. They were different lives. And I'm not the only one that's ever kept a secret like this. Or the only one that's referred to Iron Man as a separate person.

[rubikscomplex]

you're the only one doing it now
maybe you should consider talking to a shrink
i hear it's fun to mess with them

[definingfuture]

Well, that's... People respect Iron Man.

I've talked to psychiatrists. Believe it or not, Iron Man wasn't much of a topic for them.

[rubikscomplex]

you seriously have a complex, dude
you are iron man
that means they respect you

i don't respect either of you
if it helps

[definingfuture]

Well, I don't have to be jealous of myself. That's nice.

They really don't. Trust me. But it's nice to have that perspective. I can rest easy knowing that I'm no worse than anyone else in one person's eyes at least.

[Such a charmer.]

[rubikscomplex]

well, i know my opinion is what matters to you most, babe

[definingfuture]

You always say the sweetest things, darling. That's what I like about you.

[What a brat.]

Why did you become a doctor?

[rubikscomplex]

that's kinda a personal question, sweetie
why do you care?