capeandcowl | 001; video

What? What’s going—?

[Pepper has so many questions right now. Questions that need answering. The expression on her face right now is a mix of confusion and annoyance, because she had things to do back home. She’s pretty sure Tony can’t even pick out what he’s wearing for the day and make it match without her around. And right now, that’s exactly where she is. Or isn’t.]

I’m getting used to weird things happening in my life. Random explosions? I can handle random explosions now. I’m even starting to get used to the occasional person going into a psychotic rage and deciding to kill everyone because, I don’t know, apparently that’s a thing now, a thing that happens that my boss has to go take care of, but this? I don’t even know how to start with this. What is this? This isn’t one of those things that just happens.

[It really, really isn’t. And if she’s gone for too long, who knows what might happen in the meantime at home? Let's face it, things have been more than a little crazy lately.]

Could someone please point the way to Malibu? I’d appreciate it. More than appreciate it, really.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A while ago. [A long while ago.

Wait, why do you sound sort of familiar, and like you know where she lives, and it's not Malibu?]

Do I know you?

Sort of. It's complicated.

[ It switches to video, although the screen reflects what looks like a professionally done video, even over the comms. There's just a black backdrop, perfect sound, everything like that. ]

If you'll look at the name attached to the message, it might make a little more sense.

[Oh, look. There are names on this! She's still figuring all of this out, okay.

Leave it to Tony, any version of him, to have a perfect video.]

Complicated is a good word for it.

Complicated is what this City excels in, actually.

[ A pause. Oh boy. ]

It also excels in making things equal parts dangerous and awkward.

Awkward and dangerous. Right.

[She's no stranger to both of these things.]

So you're Tony.

The one and only. [ A pause. ] Or, I suppose, the one of many, if my suspicions are correct.

I'm suspecting the same thing about myself.

You'd be correct. I've seen it a few times already. It's just a matter of figuring out the differences, and compensating accordingly.

That can wait, though. I'm sure you have questions.

I'm not sure where to start. I've picked up a few things already. There's no way back, for one.

[She pauses as she tries to sort her thoughts out.]

What can you tell me about this place?

You're right about that one. There's no way back, at least no way to go back of your own volition. People return often enough, but it's when the porter wants, not when they want. [ A pause, because dammit he hates admitting that. ]

Now, this is essentially New York City, but since you said you're from Malibu, I'll forward transportation information to your communicator, along with some of the local fare.

[ Another beat, this time he's considering. ]

In my world, you liked your shoes, is this one true from one to another?

[Tony, you're just giving her more questions.

But she does really like shoes. Some things never change.]

Yes, it's true. But what's the porter, and how can it essentially be New York?

[ Then there are also shoe shops. Heh, like he can resist being a creep, even a little bit. ]

The porter's the thing you arrived in. The machine in the room. It's an AI, but unfortunately, it's neither friendly nor easily duped. As for the City, it's New York, but it's not. There are some difference, most of it's been caused by us, but it's called the City, which apparently means that when they first started settling the area, they must've thought that was better than New Amsterdam at some point.

[Tony, you creeper. But you're a helpful creeper.]

Well, they won't be getting any points for creativity.

So, is the AI in charge around here?

I don't think it cares enough to be "in charge", necessarily. The government's in charge.

Is the government made up of the locals that hate us?

That depends on what level. We have an import Mayor.

So at least it's not entirely people who hate us.

Hey, there's no place where you can find all people who hate us.

Besides, this just means there's a hell of a challenge.

Which means that if you're anything like the Tony I know, you've been enjoying yourself.

I wouldn't put it exactly like that. It sounds so insensitive to the situation we're in.

Well, to a certain extent.

Is it actually that bad?

It can be. Just wait about a week, you'll see what I mean.

I can't say I'm looking forward to it.

Oh, don't worry. It's another day in the life after a while.

I don't know if I'll ever get to that point.

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