capeandcowl | 2.0.5

What you're seeing is what I'm seeing.

[ And yes! The video is an aerial view of LA. Sure, there were camera crews, and all that, but Tony decided to stay behind. Every now and again the screen flashes with a red redicule or target zeroing in on something or the rather. The text flashes across the screen, but much of it crosses and leaves the feed in the blink of an eye. Essentially, this is a bird's-eye view of the destruction, and there are spots of fire every now and again still dying down. ]

I've ordered similar destruction before. I know the cost it leaves on a man's conscience. Whatever reason, I don't think he would have ordered something that would leave this kind of devastation without weighning the consequences.

That doesn't make this right. [ Doo de doo, still a slow, leisurely flight around the HIVE territory. It's really like video with voiceover. ] Those of us who came, we swore we'd do our best for LA, and we did. We should all be proud of the lives we've saved. We did our best, and there are camps everywhere filled with people who now realize why they were being woken from their beds at 3 in the morning to load up what they could of their posessions, and leave.

That's the worst of it, is that these people don't have a home to go back to. In the City, the people left are used to what happens, the supervillains, the conflicts, the people here were just trying to get on with their daily lives, and look what's left for them. I've already seen enough people on the network touch on the tragedy of the dead, but--

[ He trails off, head swerving as if he saw something, and as he zooms in, it reveals a small squad of military soldiers, and the view zooms back out, and to the landscape. ]

There's another tragedy here, and that's for the people who're left. I hope many of you will join me in ensuring that we continue to protect the people we saved.

The job isn't over yet.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Are you still looking for survivors?

That and--

[ He trails off. ]

I think you can guess.

The suit?

Yeah.

I don't know why, I just owe it enough to at least give it a proper burial.

You should have destroyed it, Tony. You really should have.

I know that it saved you, but...[ she sighs ]...either way, I hope that you do find it.

I know, I know. The pieces I had though, they weren't a part of what they needed. Those are still in StarkTech.

You didn't hear some of the last conversations I had with it. I think it was trying to be better.

Better? From a crazy homicidal robot that wanted your undying love?

You don't say.

[ as always, her sharpness is a defense mechanism. Seeing L.A. that ravaged is difficult ]

Do you think it could have survived?

Yes. I know it's not much, but it did save my life. Despite the flaws it had, and the thing with Ultron, there was a time when it could have improved, I think.

I doubt it survived though. Look at this place.

I'm seeing it. I wish that I wasn't, but I see it.

It's going to take a lot of time and effort and energy to rebuild. How much of a hand can StarkTech have in it? I'll start moving things around.

I want as much of a hand in it as we can provide. I've started talking with some people on the ground, but the business end needs to move fast as well.

I can juggle some resources and get things rolling. You've been here long enough to set up a fairly sound financial backing---not as much as back home, but still more than enough to foot the bill for some serious relief effort.

Not to make light of a terrible situation, but the response---and the speed of the response---from people in the City looks really, really good. This might help us in the long run. Substantially.

I hope so. I hate it, but it would be nice if at least something good came out of this. I've been keeping the news open, so I've seen most of what they've been saying. I guess they aren't too displeased about seeing so many refugees.

I don't like it either, but ignoring the fact that it may tip things in and of the media toward us instead of against us is childish. I'm all for calling a spade a spade in this situation and moving on.

[ she pauses for a second, then sighs ]

Not to alarm you, but I'm going to be staying at your place until you get back. I feel safer there. Probably because I am safer there.

You are safer. If anything comes by, there are backup suits in the garage that I'll be able to control.

I'll be fine. Promise.

I worry.

You have more important things to worry about, Boss.

I have the capability to take care of it all.

I know. But I'd rather you focus on this first.

I'm a big girl, Tony.

That's what I'm doing, isn't it?

Exactly. But you don't need to spend any spare worrypower my way.

[ A little sadly. ]

Of course, Pep.

[ her tone is gentler than usual ]

Just save the worry for yourself and come back home safe. It's more productive.

I don't think that's going to be a concern. There isn't much left to be a threat out here.

2.0.5 :: Video

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