Indictment

[in_extremis]

WHO: Absolutely everyone.
WHERE: The diner.
WHAT: A decision has to made about threats to the community.
WHEN: After an attempted murder, a chaotic rescue, and an awkward reunion. Now.
WARNINGS: Nothing yet. Mark it if something comes up because...
NOTES: Structurally, this is a mingle, so you can decide what part of this is actually important to you. What you talk about in here doesn't have to be directly Beck-related, but for details about the incident, further organizing, and if you want to determine what your characters might have done/seen/heard in the meantime, this post is still good!

[NETWORK//text @ everyone]

Come to the diner. We have to talk.
If you don't show up, I'll assume you agree with me because you're incredibly intelligent and graceful. The city of Temba thanks you for your contribution to our justice system.

This was the last thing Tony wanted to do. The diner at least felt familiar, neutral--somewhere he could be in control, without having all of the attention on him. Being able to bask in the attention would have been so much easier. As it was, that felt like he would be inviting everyone to really examine the cracks in the armor. They were here because he had already lost control.

As if that didn't already feel enough like an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, Tony found himself standing in a circle of seats that he had arranged, the tables pushed up against the walls, and couldn't honestly say how much that had been intentional. He raised a lip, and looked to Felwinter as though he would have any illuminating insight about productive interior design. He seemed like he wanted to be here even less than Tony did. Beck was his charge for the time being, though, and as awkward as it was to stand in his stupid chair-circle with the pair of them, Tony did appreciate having Felwinter there to keep an eye on their...problem. Even if having witnesses to his restless energy made it all the more humiliating. Felwinter couldn't sit on Beck forever just to make sure he didn't lure anyone else off the edge of a cliff, so they were all going to have to survive a little humiliation.

"I think the coffee's done," Tony declared, with absolutely no idea what state the coffee was actually in and readily moving toward the kitchen regardless. "Do you want one? I'll get you one. Do you do that sort of...?" He was still talking, and what Felwinter did or didn't eat and drink might have otherwise been something Tony pushed him about, but he was already mentally in the kitchen and trailed off as he went, flapping a hand to wave off any refusal of his offer or explanation about Felwinter's digestive situation. Maybe he would just stay in the kitchen and listen, let Beck hang himself.

Tony took a deep breath, pushing his sunglasses up his nose and squaring his shoulders, readying himself for a performance.

Comments

[itsamysterio]

"Who else got hurt?" Beck asked pointedly. As far as he saw it, if Tony had just stayed dead everything would have been fine.

[tyrants_son]

The Exo's eyes fell upon Beck again, as if wondering if he was serious with the question. He nodded towards where Peter sat. "Harm is not relegated merely to physical injury."

[itsamysterio]

Beck followed Felwinter's nod and rolled his eyes.

"The Kid? He's fine. I took care of him. I never wanted to hurt Peter."

[tyrants_son]

"Clearly you are blind, deluded or more dangerous than anyone may have originally thought."

[itsamysterio]

"I wouldn't have hurt him unless he got in the way. You're the one who put him in danger."

[tyrants_son]

Felwinter's optics narrowed as he rounded on Beck. "Listen to yourself. A man truly concerned and innocent would not say such things."

[itsamysterio]

"If you're so concerned about justice why don't you do something about it then?" he challenged.

[tyrants_son]

His tone never quite breached anymore than the barest hint of emotion, his next words calm, quiet. "Is that a request?"

[itsamysterio]

Beck played out the scenario in his head. It would certainly paint Felwinter in a bad light, and Beck thought it was almost worth it if that was his last act. But there was the curious fact that Stark was alive. More or less unharmed.

"You'd have done it by now if you were going to," he concluded, glancing around pointedly at all the *innocents* who would have to bare witness.

[tyrants_son]

"I would rather spare them the sight. The boy has already said he has seen too many die," Felwinter said. "Killing you here would not do him any favors."

[itsamysterio]

"You're really too easy, you know that? I could read you like a book," Beck mocked.

[tyrants_son]

"You know nothing about me," the warlord said, only thankful he sounded as confident as he did. He did not linger, stepping away to give the illusion of space as the talks began.