（ ＭＡＲＫ ＩＩＩ ； ＶＩＤＥＯ ）

[revokes]

[ this video is going to start in a disorienting way. the device is moving and rather rapidly, at that. ]

so three things.

[ and then, a loud thud as iron man lands. the mask is pulled back and beneath is - well. you're all used to tony stark by now, right? ]

firstly, these guys -

[ he looks back - the robots of the iron legion are flying behind him and out of view ]

are still off limits. if you see them flying, don't engage. they won't stop. they have one route of patrol and then they're come back to the mansion. I've seen some of you trying to talk to them. it's pointless. I haven't programmed them to answer back.

[ seems useless, really. robots having lengthy conversations. ]

secondly, the war thing. big fun. I love the whole preparation thing we have going on. if you need anything, shout. I'll see what I can do.

[ oh and - ]

thirdly. I'm running a little behind schedule but despite the weird paradox of time and space, my aunt had her birthday this week and she really would love a few hearty 'happy birthdays', presents, songs. she loves songs. adores music. her name's peggy carter, you know, about this height, dark hair, British accent.

[ he's still moving as he talks ]

cake and soda in the kitchen, guys. no alcohol though, she's only seventeen. gotta keep to the rule book.

[ and then to add insult to injury, you might catch a quick glimpse of the kitchen and the stuff on the counter before he logs off. ]

Comments

Re: action!

[directed]

[Speaking of the color of the sky—that's a bit obvious, isn't it? Tony's attempt at a hasty exit, beckoned off by one of his bots. It would be quite a simple thing to leave it be, but—there's a reason Rip keeps talking to Tony. More than one, honestly, because hope supposedly springs eternal.

Even when dealing with him.]

You know, I'd like to believe that at some point, you and I might find some common ground, Mr. Stark. [There's the obvious reason, naturally; the woman they both have in common, Tony as an aunt, Rip as—something quite different. But beyond that, Rip recognizes something in Tony that's rather good to see in a person. Qualities and potentials that lead him to think Tony would be a good ally to have, should he ever decide Rip warrants such a chance.]

[revokes]

Why?

[ it has to be asked. it's one of those things, these people aren't partial to the stark legacy or to who tony stark is. it leads to all these - small-talks, conversations, offers. he dodges most of those at home - they get to pepper, they get his answering machine. but now without any of those right now, he's stuck. ]

I don't share common ground with anyone. Not a people's person. nothing personal.

[ his connections can be counted on one hand and none of them are here. ]

[directed]

[Being a "people person" is equally something Rip's never been accused of, and perhaps that mutual trait is all the more reason why this might all turn out to be a lost cause. Still, he's seen more stubborn sorts comes together for a common good. Misfits and outcasts, turned to Legends--

--even if in the end, they had ultimately failed.

Still, there is no Spear here. Merely a fragment, and Wonderland's machinations rather than the Legion of Doom's. A different brand of hopelessness, and the question of why at least presents Rip opportunity to state his case.

Words that must be chosen carefully; Tony's never really shown much appreciation for what Rip has to say.]

Because try as we each might, no one can do this entirely alone. [The terms are vague but no less true, Rip thinks, for it. Enduring Wonderland at all is an exercise in will, and Rip's had the past year to learn just where the cracks in his are. He'd nearly gone mad, and would've no doubt been in far worse shape without Gideon there. As it stands, even her presence hadn't stopped him from devolving into a drunken stupor, periods of unconsciousness broken up by meaningless indulgences into baking to try and keep his mind from snapping entirely.

And getting a hobby had been Gideon's suggestion too.]

--and equally because we both consider Peggy Carter to be important. [He glances down briefly; the rest is rather easy, honestly, oriented to the mission, to escape this hellish world, or at least put an end to it's manipulations. But a deeper honesty might be the key here; Tony doesn't trust him, and that's fair enough. So then. Cards on the table.] I'd rather not be at odds with one of the few people she's openly expressed fondness for.