entranceway | 001 [video | action for the basement]

[While it's obvious everyone is oh so busy doing Disney on Broadway with each other, this, however, is entirely more important than whatever the hell it is you people are doing.

There's a squelch of feedback over the communicators, before you all get treated to this lovely little one-up. Everyone else is bragging? This pretty much settles the argument of the best, right?

But it's the actual Black Sabbath recording, not Tony, and for that...Well, it's up to you whether to feel grateful or not. For all you people know, he has a great voice (spoiler: he does).

And it's loud, and only fades to background noise when the video feed cuts on. In it is someone some of you might recognize from movies...Or fifty years worth of comics or...Having to deal with his pompous ass numerous times in that whole saving the world gig. Tony's leaned against a table covered in various power tools, a sledge hammer propped beside him, and there's evidence all behind him that he's been hard at work. There are gaping holes everywhere, wires and cables trailing all over the floor, blinking lights...The works. And he does look mighty proud of himself.]

So I get that we're stuck here, and there's no just demanding to go home. And I get that this is some Tim Burton-envisioned version of Alice In Wonderland. [He leans back and picks up something off the table, which is proven to be one of the pamphlets. Where'd he get it? Don't ask silly questions.] And I get the closets, the dying thing - which, for the record, is entirely messed up - the people from fictional worlds and other times and whatever else was in this thing.

So basically what you guys are saying in this thing- [He taps the corner of the pamphlet, before tossing it behind him.] Is that we're probably trapped in some kind of wormhole. If not a wormhole, some kind of extra-dimensional black hole pocket or something. Seriously, is there no one here that's considered that? Is this place pulling the best of the best from places or just grabbing you guys randomly and so no one's had this thought rattle through their head? I mean, that was my first guess, minute one.

Anyway, since we're stuck here. And since that pamphlet is just informative enough to either piss someone off or confuse the hell out of them, I got some questions to anybody that can answer them. Fill in the blanks a little better, if someone who actually knows what's going on has the time.

[He moves to cut the feed, but pauses a second, before leaning back once more.] Oh, and guys, if any of you happen to be here - highly doubtful, but worth a shot - basement.

[And then he finally cuts the feed.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yeah, giving up isn't exactly one of your strong suits is it?

[Something she's grateful to have here, to be perfectly honest.]

Maybe they didn't have the resources or understanding to take it further than where they have? [Or this place really was inescapable unless it decided otherwise, but she wasn't giving much credit to the word 'impossible' here.] Or they've been here long enough they've run out of new ideas to try.

Digging again. Can't I leave the dirty work to the rest of you?

Hey, out of the two of us, which is the guy in the suit and which is a spy. [He won't say as much, of course, because it would be dinging his pride and that's just not going to happen, but she's by far better at playing the part of being nice, friendly, and open than he'll ever be.

Tony Stark is an abrasive asshole, and he doesn't necessarily see that as a bad thing.]

Besides, you do that, and I'll get with Jane Foster and...Maybe between it all is the solution. They may not have the resources, but we do.

[She just laughs at the look he gives her and slides down off the desk.]

I'm only poking fun, Stark. I'll keep interrogating everyone I come across, don't worry. Anything that keeps me out of all the science babble will make me happy, but I'll be sure to pass on everything I find, just in case it's important.

Do that. I'm thinking maybe once I get up and running, we can...I dunno, compile a little database, keep track.

[It's better than sitting around and moaning about it, anyway. Doing that might actually give them what they're looking for because he, for one, doesn't plan on making this an extended stay.]

That would be helpful. [He gets her easy agreement on that one.] A central place where we can put the facts we gather into some semblance of order. Maybe we can start figuring out where these puzzle pieces are supposed to fit together.

Well, that's the plan. Make sure you take good notes.

[Because he's pretty sure she's well aware of how things just kind of slip past him if he doesn't deem it immediately important.]

I'll let you guys know when I'm done down here. Once the walls are up, and cable's laid, it shouldn't take me too long.

I always take good notes.

[She might be a little aware of that, yes. Time as his PA had certainly taught her a few things. She didn't envy Pepper.]

I look forward to what you can come up with. Yell if you need anything?

Well, you know what they say. The difference between being a nosy and being a scientist is writing it down. Will do. Shut the door on the way out, would you?

[A laugh riot and a hal, really, since the door - and the wall around it - has been demolished in Tony's attempt to claim the space for his own.]

Being a nosy? Is that a thing I am now?

[He's a laugh and a riot all on his own. She heads for the stairs, lifting her hand in a careless wave.]

Careful what you wish for, Stark. The mansion might give you what you want and then you'd have to start tearing things down all over again.

001 [video | action for the basement]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

Re: [action]

[action]

Re: [action]