revivalproject | Stranger in a Strange Land

WHO: Tony, Steve and Bucky? And everyone else!
WHERE: Some network nonsense, and skulking around the resort
WHAT: Tony's playing catch up, and doesn't have a good lead yet. This is also Tony's TDM thread, relocated to make more sense on Risa, so if you want to properly canon that meeting, here we are!
WHEN: Risa: After Hours
WARNINGS: Nothing scandalous yet!

The Resort
The amount of information that Tony had now was not helpful, and neither the tablet he had been carefully tucked into his new bed with nor the computers spread throughout the resort were properly calibrated to help Tony map this ever sprawling conundrum. He had no way to connect the mysterious '31' to apocalyptic storms on a planet he had never heard of to all of the information telling him he was currently in an episode of Star Trek. What he did have was: an already rockstar-trashed room, a new wardrobe, and a creeping sensation of truly disgusting self-pity eating away in the pit of his stomach that he was going to have to overcome very rapidly before it grew any more powerful. To do that, he needed answers. He needed Cap. No, he could do this.

If he was going to solve the problem, he had to be in control of how at the very least. So far, the market had offered Tony plenty of fun and fashion, but not anything particularly useful, and it was about time he experienced a childhood fantasy: the replicators. One of the staff members had helpfully directed him in a way that felt so reminiscent of suggesting the ice machine back on familiar ground, that when Tony was actually standing in front of the thing, his first impulse was 'computer: ice'. And the replicator just made it, just like that; and not even just ice, this thing was advanced enough to interpret this failure of a human communication, vague and directionless, and delivered the beautiful, mouthwateringly glistening ice chips in a delicate glass, a useful container for his bumbling desires. Tony could smell how crunchy they were. He stared at this gift for too long in wonder, before remembering that he was still in public and gave a glance up and down the hall, regrouping, trying to focus. It was late so the halls felt deserted, but anyone could be coming back from the clubs at any hour in this place. Current problem: Kidnapping situation. Problem for another time: solving world hunger. He collected his glass of ice, then tried again, asking for a set of precision tools and a soldering iron. Then, after holding all of this cradled in a hammock of his shirt pulled away from his stomach, asked for superglue (this did not work, Tony had to get more specific and got what he hoped he was looking for with 'Cyanoacrylate?'), then, duh, bandages. He should have brought a bag. "Oh. Computer, one more thing, sweetheart. Do you have a bag?" A Ferengi rounded the corner, looking festive in a Margaritaville shirt (would he get the reference?) but staring very seriously at Tony, clearly suspicious and unwilling to share this space with him at this hour. Tony wasn't eager to find out if the species was really as they were portrayed, and instead gave a courteous nod of acknowledgement as he slung his cleverly resort-branded cloth bag of goods over his shoulder and slid away, glass in hand, to find another station to test the limits of. It couldn't hurt to test out his new tools on one, just a little bit. He could solve two problems at once.

It was late, and the breeze flowed easily through the open-air halls of the resort, keeping the still-warm, tropical air from feeling oppressively hot and carrying the sweet smell of alien, fruiting flowers with it. It was the perfect time to case the joint.

[Video]
[A video message posted to the network of a man frowning down into the camera, chin propped up in one hand and looking equal parts bored and skeptical, but occasionally glancing up, just past the camera, possibly betraying his alert tension.
Tony is in his room, sitting with his back against the bed where he has clearly thoroughly tossed the blankets, a single pillow left in the middle of the mattress among the mess. He knows from Billy that this is the best way to get in touch with anyone who might be able to relate to his situation. It doesn't make him feel any less vulnerable.]

I'm used to having some, you know, guidelines-- hard to read the room here, hard to read the audience. Um-- Tony. [He quickly touches his chest, that's me, before holding his chin again.] Looking for: just some fun, nothing serious. Likes: long walks on the beach, particle physics, black coffee. Dislikes: The smell of bookstores. I know, you'll try to convince me, and it will be a very good date, because I've never had a bad one, but I still won't like the smell. What else goes on these things...? [He's looking past the camera again, like he's waiting for the response to come from out there. If this doesn't produce solid results, Tony's ready to take this thing apart and make it more useful to him.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Really? They seem very helpful to me. [He's grinning, watching Reeve carefully. Tony already knew he wouldn't appreciate a romp on a beach, but he could tell the Risans could be wildly accommodating, and so far no one he talked to had admitted to tasting the local fruit. Tony might have to be the one to do it, for science.] Not the computers, no-- check the database, this planet is called Risa. Look at the history. Are you near a computer? They stabilized the weather patterns, they stopped earthquakes from happening. This ecosystem is entirely processed, it's American cheese. Isn't that what you guys are trying to do?

[Well Reeve isn’t going for the low hanging fruit these people represent.]

What sort of cheese?

[He truly looks a touch confused. Which he waves off.]

If the Agrii can bring us here they perhaps we can barter for the text. But what have we of value trade.

[It is entirely possible this one is not from Earth, at least not one Tony would recognize, and this is a relief to figure out. It was a better explanation for why he talked like...that, better than just being a weird asshole. Less offputting.]

Do you think that matters? These people aren't really capitalists, I don't know if a barter is the move here. Maybe we could just...go check 'em out, see how the technology works.

[Oh yes, so far beyond possible that it's actively probable. And Reeve made no apologies for it. He had come to be friends with a few people from Earth, though. Like Leonardo Di Vinci. The man had been quite interesting to hang out with.]

I can't help but believe they are better for ignoring that particular failed experiment of capitalism. It can destroy a world. But yes, I would love to try and figure out how a system such as that would work. The issue is that my areas of expertise might tell me some of it, but I'd lack understanding of the whole complex issue I fear.

We'll tag team it. You can be the eye candy and keep security distracted, if it comes to it.

[Oh dear, he is absolutely flustered now. And it's obvious. He blushes just a touch, his eyes a bit away from the screen.]

That is a kind thing to suggest, but it is not accurate. Distractions tend to require confidence I don't possess in situations like this.

[Tony doesn't miss it. Answer carefully, Reeve.] Like what? The climate, or the kidnapping?

[Oh dear. Reeve sighs.]

I suppose I’m good with either of those. I have been kidnapped to a place not unlike this situation before. But I am more focused on restoring the climate in my world in another manner. I meant more distractions require confidence and self-possession I do not have, especially when using the methods you have alluded to.

Oh, no, I got that-- [Not the part about Reeve being a multi-kidnap victim, it wasn't like he had any kind of 'steal me' energy or something for Tony to pick up on. Potentially important information, remember to ask about these 'hosts'.] You were supposed to tell me about the last time you tried to seduce someone. Come on, my plan's fun, you're not giving me a better one. Here, in case you're still working on it: Step 1, crash course in sexual manipulation; Step 2, figure out where the weather machines are; Step 3, we probably just get to look at them anyway and I got to take suggestive pictures of you for no reason.

[Yeah, these Agrii very different from the Village. He likes technology thanks. And having his magic.]

Well, as my last two attempts fell apart with Alistair and with Leonardo, and as for Phyrne, she disappeared from the Village, I guess I don’t have a good story to tell?

[Suggestive pictures? Reeve blushes again.]

My my, Tony, you’re more forward than even Iron Bull.

[Those were terrible stories, Reeve didn't even get to the part where he screwed it up. How was Tony supposed to help him under these conditions?]

Is that a good thing?

I don’t know. The Qunari was interesting. Though I fear he would have been... painful to be with. And Leonardo would have been more interesting, being with an intellectual. Granted it could be hard to determine whether he would be painting or building or studying the science of the place.

[Di Vinci had definitely wowed Reeve. But in the end he had turned Alistair toward the man and supported that because Reeve didn’t really know how to do the whole relationship thing anymore.]

[Tony can only to think to take 'painful' one of two ways, and both make him laugh in surprise, so neither can be right and he's left chuckling against his fist.] You're going to have to walk me through it. What are you doing right now?

[Oh dear, this might be a very bad idea. But Reeve offers a nod and raises his phone to change the video to look around him instead.]

At a little cafe drinking something called civet coffee, black of course, and enjoying a light lunch. I think I can send you some location data. Hold on.

[It takes a few moments, but he definitely pings his location for Tony.]

Looks absolutely charming. Try not to get too excited.

Well, Tony, you might have a very lofty opinion of my reaction to your presence. I've things I'm working on.

[Here the camera pans down to a sketch of a robotic humanoid form. No reason. Just what he's working on.]

Stranger in a Strange Land

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

I'll start a new thread ↓ but I'll be a minute, if you want to jump on it first

no subject