Actuation

[in_extremis]

WHO: Tony and open
WHERE: Temba civics centre and hospital
WHAT: Figuring out what everyone else wants, figuring out how to stop wanting
WHEN: After the return from haunted space
WARNINGS: Tony's pretty suicidal, so tread lightly if you want to avoid that


a. civics centre
The city felt more empty than ever. All of the extra bodies, lively as they were, grinning and indulging, only contrasted the expanses of untouched land; the crumbling residential blocks and overgrown flood plains to one side, and the scorched, eerie compounds to the other. Hovering over the civics centre, where the noise of the Agrii poured over the roof to echo in the wells of the weedy alleys, Tony could see the rapid decay of activity like a perfect radial graph. He was harder to see himself, the pale gold of the new Iron Man blending into the hazy summer sky and rippling with sunlight, so he only had to raise a reluctant hand back at the few Agrii that were lounging long enough to notice him and wave enthusiastically. It was good that the ships hadn't returned from their journey just to find the population left behind in Temba slaughtered, it was, but it reinforced for Tony that they couldn't be trusted, drilling deeper that expanse of loneliness. These were the architects of their suffering, and Tony hadn't had the conviction to take the ships and fly away from this place. They had come back instead.

The vantage point was not meant to highlight his own isolation, though. He was meant to be looking for the outsiders; the Wanderer, whose posture had suddenly seemed familiar, or even a few Agrii who didn't look so eager to participate in the new grounded community, projecting their misgivings that could be utilized. He didn't expect to see the opposite; a more familiar face choosing to join in. The abductees, by and large, appeared to be put off by the Agrii, unenthusiastic about socializing with them when on board the ships. This had, admittedly, seemed less of a guarded caution than a personal distaste. So while Tony grew more distrustful, it looked like others were overcoming their reluctance, as someone came wandering along the pool deck. Iron Man dropped closer, still keeping his distance by gliding along the side of the building, a few feet from the eaves, following the he-row's path to ask, "Going for a swim?"

b. the hospital
It was a simple programming problem. Now that the Agrii were less aggressive, it would probably be easier to convince them to explore other ways to manage their impulses. It wasn't that any of them wanted to be impulsive and harmful; there was just an imbalance in the brain. Rational logic should be allowed to override those destructive desires.

Conveniently, for this purely scientific pursuit, Tony's brain was already programmable. In theory. It wasn't really something that he had done entirely on his own before, but it wasn't completely alien, either; he had reprogrammed his version of Extremis, after all, to better accommodate the Iron Man, and to minimize the more combustive elements. When it was outside of his brainmeat, it was pretty straightforward. Now that it was in there, he was going to have to learn some practical neurosurgery. It couldn't be that hard. The mechanics of the operation were clearly the more complex equation; drilling into the back of his own skull and remaining alert and focused while he learned to navigate the brain was, probably, tricky. Tony knew a few tricks.

The rig that would let him accomplish this was already a drain on his limited resources. He had to be a little pragmatic about it, and make use of some of the tools already available. Luckily, the hospital wasn't very lively. Most likely, he reasoned, the doctors were making use of their more robust, and sterile capabilities on board the ships, and he was free to search through the cupboards and closets for what he needed. There were scalpels and clamps, of course; delicate work that he was happy to avoid firing again so he could focus on building more specialized equipment. Sutures or staples--he'd figured out which was more correct in the moment, and added them both to the tray against his hip. The chemicals were a more valuable commodity here; solutions to sterilize, to clarify, and manage some of the pain. There had to be something written down to explain the full effects of the tablets and compounds that he could find, either in the surgery or one of the doctors' offices, or somewhere in their communications that he could find on the network. It was a careful balance that he had to strike, after all; he had to be awake and alert, and he couldn't take anything stronger than a Tylenol. Not until he had solved this impulse problem, anyway. And so he stood, loaded tray on one side, in front of an open cupboard, eyeing a bottle like giving it a shake and holding it up to the light would tell him the exact chemical compound that he was considering. It wasn't like anyone else would need to use the hospital while he deliberated.

Comments

Hospital - I flipped a coin on who you were gonna get

[buildingitsir]

York really doesn't like how the Agrii didn't seem to have a sense of boundaries with him. Maybe because he was so small by comparison or something. Either way, he's ducked into the hospital for a bit of peace.

Instead he hears someone tinkering around in one of the other rooms. Curiosity is a human trait, but after the ordeals they've dealt with for the past few months and thinking the worst, York decides to go with his own simulated curiosity and goes to investigate. Comm device in hand, he peeks into the room to see Tony doing his own investigation of a bottle.

"Looking for drugs? Didn't think you were that kind of guy, Stark."

[in_extremis]

He had gotten too comfortable on his search, and the unexpected voice made Tony startle enough to rattle the instruments on the tray he carried, undercutting the casual glance he threw York's way. He had swiftly tucked the bottle against his palm, then smoothly added it to his collection as he turned back to the cupboard to continue his assessment of the contents like his shoulders hadn't gone tense under observation, he was totally supposed to be here. "If you've got a better party invitation, I'm open to a change of plans," he replied. When he glanced over his shoulder a second time, it was with a look of skepticism, eyes tracking over York like he could see what he was hiding. "Doctor's not in," he reported. "But if you're just here to try out a humiliating human experience, I've been through a few checkups in my time, I could be convincing."

[buildingitsir]

York stands placidly as Tony rattles his tray and just meets the glance as easily. He keeps a decent distance this time, though takes a few steps into the room to free up the doorway in case the guy decides he wants to leave.

"Bold of you to think a little hellion like me gets invited to parties. Though that answer is definitely no, and I'd decline anyways because I think some of the aliens are still learning personal boundaries." He goes to take a seat on a chair, letting his weight roll it back a little bit.

A roll of the eyes. "Pass. Been through one of those and that's enough really. Didn't know anyone was in here so when I heard someone, I decided to check things out. Especially with all the bad shit that had been happening, who's to say something new hadn't taken it's place?"

Now he gives his own skeptical look. "You know I'm sure if you came up with a really good excuse, you could get stuff from Kaplan."

[in_extremis]

"What are you, six?" Tony asked, leaving York to determine if that was a hypothesis or a hyperbole. "I was already crashing motorcycles by your age. The ladies loved it. You're holding yourself back." He pushed the tray aside on the counter, partially so it didn't look like he was clinging to it so much, and another part so he could leave it behind where it couldn't be too closely scrutinized as he sauntered toward York, one of the mystery bottles in hand. The Billy suggestion made him suck his teeth in distaste immediately, giving York a half-lidded look of disappointment for even vocalizing the idea, making his casual approach much more judgmental.

"I thought you were about to tell me you were taking up a nursing position, taking an interest in the bad shit in here," he said. "Don't ask a wizard to do something so important. It's pretend. You can't guarantee that your guts won't all fall out the next time he takes a nap. D'you tell Reeve to just ask Billy when he's paving roads? Don't answer that." He held up the bottle, pinched between finger and thumb so York could clearly see it in the light, an offer for York to redeem himself and his nursing future. "You know what this one is?"

[buildingitsir]

"Did the aliens bring you a cactus and you sat on it?" York snaps back at the remark about being six and how he was holding himself back. Thankfully all of Tony's actions keep the android from looking over at whatever he was collecting and instead focuses on the human closing the distance between them.

Oh. That look of disappointment gets his own icy glare right back. "I don't exactly know what the limits of wizards are, just as I think they wouldn't know the limits of androids." There's only a glance at the bottle long enough to snap an image of it, then right back up to Tony's face. York does not look happy about that accusatory remark regarding Reeve.

"What the fuck is your problem today? I might ask Kaplan to magic up coffee if I'm out of my replicator ration things to make some for Reeve, but not to do the guy's job for him. And what does it matter if I know what's in that bottle? I wasn't even being fucking mean and you're being nasty? Do you need me to go get you some damn coffee?"

[in_extremis]

Before York had finished asking his eighteen questions, Tony was already talking over him, "Okay, great, so we agree about the magic, I shouldn't just get stuff from Billy, and, listen, you're doing it again, it's not a one to one comparison, androids make sense, we've got to work on the self-confidence." But maybe he should have waited it out and listened instead, because very rapidly he had to launch into, "What?" which made him sound now as snappish as York in return, so maybe he really did sound nasty this time when he insisted, "I was asking you. It matters because then I would know what was in the bottle. Christ."

a

[tempredmental]

Keith lifted his eyebrows in curiosity for a moment, and then shrugged.

"Yeah." It was good low impact exercise, perfect for someone who, for the second time already this tick, was recovering from injury. The bruising on his back was close to completely faded, swimming didn't give him a headache, and he didn't have to worry about having weight on his ankle too long without the brace since the walk from the deck chairs to the pool itself was short. Certainly better than risking the loose sand on the beach.

So he claimed one of the chairs by dropping his towel on it and then sat on the end to undo said brace.

"I'm not sure how watertight that armor is," he then added, referring to the Iron Man, "but I can't imagine it makes for a fun casual swim in a pool."

Keith wasn't a fan of crowds and recognition in general, so he'd probably understand Tony's situation more than Tony might realize... should Tony actually find a reason to share his feelings... unlikely as that might be. Or maybe he wouldn't because he preferred to avoid the spotlight in general and had never been the type to go seeking attention. He was more of an introvert.

[in_extremis]

Tony only risked getting a little closer to the building as Keith claimed his seat by offsetting the distance vertically, bringing him up almost overhead where he surveyed the pool. "Listen, now you've put me in an awkward position," he said, "and I'm not shy about a new position, but swimming in this is neither fun nor casual, you're right about that, a pool party should celebrate as much skin as possible, and, here's the problem, I can't have you thinking I do anything but impeccable work. Of course this is watertight. I'm something of an expert. You're not here to hear about that, though, you thought you were coming up to show off to one of the Agrii. Is it her? I think she likes you." Maybe the angle was meant to make Keith's head spin, making him look up then across the pool at Iron Man's gesture toward an Agrii with a wide, pointy grin shining their way.

[tempredmental]

Keith did look up for a moment, but Tony was almost exactly above him, and that did actually make his head spin. Between that the glaring sun, Keith had to force himself to look down, leaning forward on his knees for a second to wait for the dizziness to pass. He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. He really wanted to get some sort of exercise in today. He did not need bright sun and awkward viewing angles triggering his concussion symptoms right now.

"Okay, don't stay above me like that," he said. "And no... I'm not looking for a hook up. I just want to take a swim." Though, that stupid drive to be polite meant he probably should at least smile back. He gave at least a small one with a nod in greeting.

[in_extremis]

Normally, a direct order like that would be met with flagrant defiance. Keith really did look immediately queasy, though, already bringing Iron Man down a concerned few inches as Keith tipped forward, and Tony couldn't imagine how long it would take to clean the pool if Keith spewed in it. Tony still couldn't bring himself to be entirely compliant, hovering off the ground behind Keith's shoulder as he asked, "Is that a good idea right now?" It did leave him in a good position to tip the dusty shade umbrella forward, between Keith's back and the direct sunlight.

[tempredmental]

Good thing it was just dizzy and not nausea.

"It was before I tipped my head back too far," he said dryly. "It'll pass." He just needed a minute. He at least knew that triggering his symptoms was getting harder to do, which was a good sign in general. "I'll be fine. Just need a minute..."

In the meantime, because Keith hated having too much attention focused on him... especially concerned attention...

"Why are you here? Obviously not for the pool if you're all suited up." Considering Tony's banter about deciding between if the suit was watertight or if he needed to wear less to enjoy himself for real.

the hospital

[wearingthestars]

Billy wasn't looking for Tony, but when he found him and his current collection of supplies, he was definitely...concerned. That concern only grew when he caught hold of a familiar look in those eyes.

"...hey," he greeted carefully, joining him with what he hoped was a non-judgmental look as he added, "...Can I help you find anything?"

[in_extremis]

That was a very deliberate presentation, so it backfired, making Tony eye Billy warily for asking, then glance toward the door for some warning that the cavalry was about the burst in and put him on the ground. Maybe he should put the tray aside now, so he wasn't thrown down onto a scalpel when they did. He plucked up a surgical mask from the counter as he did, and said cheerfully, "Yeah, actually--do you have one of these in my size?" He held the loops around his fingers, and braced the heels of his hands on his hips where the mask was stretched across his fly, smiling at Billy innocently.

[wearingthestars]

"It's just me," Billy supplied with that look to the door, and he snickered, rolling his eyes as Tony tried his best to distract him.

"Oh, definitely not," he said, giving Tony his space while trying to get a look at what he'd grabbed all ready. What was he planning...?

"You're allowed to take whatever you want, you know. I promise I won't let Tae hunt you don't or anything."

[in_extremis]

Tony let the mask snap free of one hand with a bounce, making a show of replacing it so he could more subtly slide his glasses from where they hung at his chest and push them up his nose. The tray of scalpels, sterilizers and anesthetics were more difficult to hide. Tony had to reply casually, "Good, thanks, I was going to ask you before I left," with a wry smile and sidelong look. More genuinely, he said, "I didn't think she'd notice. You've got what you need on the ships, right? And she said the Agrii weren't easy to convince to treat, anyway. Honestly, it would be a good samaritan that gives you guys something to do."

[wearingthestars]

"We've got plenty. More than enough for a few disasters, but I think we're due for some time off. And if that's what this is- I'd rather be bored than stitching you up again." Stitching anyone up, but Tony especially. He'd nearly killed the man enough times, Billy wanted a long stretch before he needed to be worried he was going to lose him again.

"I meant it though, I can help you find stuff?"

civics centre

[winsomelosesome]

"Depends," Jan replied easily, "Are you going to join me?" She doubted he had a suit on under that armor, but since when had that been a problem for them?

It was good he was back in the armor, right? She hadn't sent him spirally further by insisting they take to the skies again, had she?

[in_extremis]

"And miss the show?" Tony answered, climbing a few inches where he could bend over and peer down at Jan. Couldn't get a vantage point like that if he was in the water, too. Trying to make it sound like an idle observation, he said, "I'm used to seeing you at more exclusive soirees. Not a lot of velvet rope here."

[winsomelosesome]

"A girl's gotta make do," she said with a shrug, swatting playful at Tony, and stripping off her cover up. She offered it up to him, if he was determined to keep dry. "You're not going to go back to living in that thing, are you? We gotta talk about work life balance, Darling."

[in_extremis]

He consented to landing so he could gallantly take Jan's things for her, holding up the cover up like he was assessing how it would compliment the armor. "A girl's gotta keep cool," he returned. "Fully environmentally controlled in here. I have delicate pores, you know." That wasn't a very convincing argument, but nor was hers, so Tony was quick to point out, "There are plenty of more private options. The pool on the ship, for example, beautiful place, I could watch you from the bar."

B

[ziedrich_bearer]

The cast was driving Gladio crazy. The loss of mobility was annoying, the getting clean with it on was annoying, and the way it thumped around as he walked was extra annoying. Which of course was why Gladio had come to the hospital. He was prepared to get into a heated argument with Dr. Takemi to insist that she remove the thing and they figure out some form of air cast for him, so he went less mad.

And of course that was also why he was following the noises to try and find her. Which wasn't going so well given he opened the door to see someone else entirely.

"Stark?" he asked, confused to see the man there with a bottle in his hand.

[in_extremis]

The heavy shuffling down the hall was hard to miss, though Tony only stiffened to listen, hoping the footsteps would pass him by. At the sound of the door, his eyes fluttered closed in resignation, and he crafted a lopsided smile as he tucked the bottle into his pocket and retrieved his glasses instead, so he was fully armored by the time he turned to greet, "Don't sound so excited." Immediately, he was letting his glasses slide down his nose to assess the sorry picture Gladio made over the frame. That explained the thumping. "You've looked better. New stylist?"

[ziedrich_bearer]

Well that was one way to make Gladio bark out a laugh. Stylist. Yeah, sure.

"Yeah. It's called dead planet storms. I don't recommend it though. Makes my leg all itchy."

And he was close to trying to cleave the thing off.

[in_extremis]

Tony gave him a brief, sympathetic smile, then turned back to the cupboard he was exploring, pushing around more bottles hopefully as he said, "Hey, you got out of there with all of your limbs still attached, could have been worse." A lot worse. That shuttle had needed a lot more work than a cast. "And, listen, I could do some fine work to replace it, if you had to leave the leg behind, but I doubt most people would appreciate it as much as your thighs. Morale would have been devastated. We're hanging on by a quad as it is."

[ziedrich_bearer]

"Yeah, it could," Gladio agrees, his thoughts turning to the one man he had known who had lost a limb and... and how bad it got for him. He wishes he didn't have to remember how much Ravus was pained even now.

"You're charming," Gladio chuckled. "They are good thighs. But they'll lose some tone while I'm in this damn itchy abomination."

Yeah, that got a bit annoyed and frustrated at the end.