⎊ [Video|Open] Back in Black (you can't tell me you didn't see this coming)

[narcissistictendencies]

[Yes, hello network! Fellow captives of Wonderland, a very intent face is greeting you a little closer than what one would call normal, but not so close that his face doesn't fit in the screen. He seems to be staring very, very sceptically at the camera, as if he isn't aware he's being filmed. Except, he's very aware he's being filmed.

More than aware, this is deliberate. And that much is obvious when he suddenly just smirks almost knowingly. The face pulls back, he lifts a single eyebrow then lets it fall back down again in a quick gesture, waves a the screen, and ends the feed without saying a word. The message would get across to anyone who knew his face, and the message was a simple one: Roll Call!

He's also fishing for attention from anyone curious enough to respond. He's confident in his ability to draw attention to himself without saying a single word.]

Private to Steve Rogers
[By the time he messages Cap, he seems to be settled in a room in Wonderland. It's taken on a design to his liking, such as the place does for its inhabitants. He has a mini workstation all set up already, visible in the background of the feed.]

Wonderland, huh? Funny, I'd say I didn't even know you were missing, but the brochure at the entrance was very informative. Looks like Pepper's work if I had to guess. So, anyone else we know hanging out in this Lewis Carroll acid trip?

[How did he find you, you ask? You do sort of stand out in a crowd, Captain Dorito.]

Comments

[Video]

[mindbend]

[Well-- that's not quite what she'd expected when the alert signalling a new message on the network caught her attention. Wanda frowns a little as she considers a response, her feelings concerning a certain entrepreneur still decidedly mixed-- but she can't sit by and say nothing.]

Stark.

[Hey. His name is something, at least.]

[Video]

[narcissistictendencies]

[Well, that's not a face he expects to see, but at least she did respond. Yes, that was something.]

Maximoff.

[Two can play at that game, missy. He really doesn't have a problem with her, but he knows she has a problem with him.]

Fancy meeting you here, little red riding hood. So, different timelines are a thing, apparently. You're not still out to kill me, right? No need to reinforce my doors and windows? Walk around with a tinfoil hat?

[video]

[actualwizard]

[Thats a semi familiar face. Made even more familiar by the smirk. Tony Stark. Billy is guessing it's not his Tony Stark unless he's wearing contacts and decided to shave differently. Probably Tony Stark from the other world that liked to pull Avengers. He was wondering how long it would take for him to show up, with everyone else from that Avengers team seemingly here.

He's tempted to say something but he stops himself last minute. All he does is raise his eyebrow back at Tony answering him with a faint smirk of his own. Seriously?]

[video]

[narcissistictendencies]

And we have our first challenger. I have a very important question for you, kid. One that could mean the difference between life and death, so listen carefully.

I need you to tell me,

[Smart ass meet smart mouth. Billy, he's pausing for effect, but he's about to troll you. Sort of.]

if there is anywhere around here that will serve me a decent cup of coffee.

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[araneidal]

[ Natasha simply... shows up wherever Tony is. It's less of an entrance and more the change in the air: of something else being present when a moment before there was nothing. Folding her arms, she looks at him up and down. ]

Stark.

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[narcissistictendencies]

[He's sitting in the dining hall, sipping a cup of terrible coffee--hey, it's caffeine, okay? Don't judge him. He'd been hoping for something with a bit more flavour, but all wonderland saw fit to do was fulfil his need for caffeine. Either way, he really didn't notice her entrance until she spoke and he jumped, sloshing the dirt-flavoured steaming liquid over his hand and on the table. He yelped, put down the cup with a mild curse, and spun around in his chair.]

Dammit, Romanoff! Make a little more noise when you creep up behind someo--You... What?

[Yes, that is a thoroughly puzzled look on the Man of Iron's face. Something was off. Not right, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.]

...look different.

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[krmvgivv]

[Have one very unimpressed adolescent.]

Really wowing us with all the personal details there. Are you always this chatty?

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[narcissistictendencies]

[Hi very unimpressed adolescent. Here is one very obnoxious adult.]

Always happy to wow the public. And as a matter of fact, I can be very chatty. I've even been told by some that I enjoy the sound of my own voice, but that's not the issue here, is it?

You want personal details? Tony Stark, born-raised-and-living in New York. I own Stark Industries, the world's leading technological industry--at least where I'm from. I work with a team and we have a tendency to save the world on occasion. I'm not subtle, or so I've been told, and I'm not shy. Is that enough personal information, kiddo? Or should I keep going?

[He forgot to add 'professional smartass' to the list, but he doubts anyone's taking notes.]

[Video]

[deadlystar]

[And here you have a green woman with a raised eyebrow.]

You speak into it.

[She says that like he's from a race so primitive he has no idea what to do with the communicator.]

[Video] (I am so sorry)

[narcissistictendencies]

Oh golly gee, really? Thanks ma'am. I never know what to think of this new-fangled sorcery.

[Oh-so deadpan. But really, he's not being very fair, is he? So he sighs, pinches the bridge of his nose and squeezes his eyes shut for a moment.]

Yes, thank you. I know how it works. It was--I was trying to garner the attention of my team. Not sure how many of them are here, but it seemed on the safer end of things, rather than demanding my 'captors' release me or bartering for answers. But man, I wasn't expecting lean, mean, and green. If only I wasn't taken. You're not a relation of the Hulk, are you?

[Video]

[hashtagging]

Heeey... you look familiar.

[ Loki studies the face on the screen with dedicated focus. ]

Like someone really famous. Like...

[ He snaps his fingers, grinning. ]

You're that Stephen Strange guy, aren't you?

[Video]

[narcissistictendencies]

[Oh, he's frowning at you, Loki. So much. See the frown?]

Who is Stephen Strange? I'm Tony Stark. Of course I'm famous. And you... [Sudden realisation] ...you look familiar too, actually. Like someone I really don't like.

[video]

[assembles]

[ Steve does tend to stand out in a crowd, that much is true. It also has something to do with the fact that he doesn't skulk around like some of his friends (read: Bucky and Natasha, though this Natasha doesn't count as a friend yet). The two of them say that they can set their clocks by when he goes for a run each morning, and it's true.

It's after Steve's taken said run, had a shower, and eaten a late breakfast that his phone beeps. He's expecting a text from Darcy or something along those lines, but instead he's faced with none other than Tony Stark.

There seems to be a pattern forming of people who have been long gone returning. First Jane, now Stark. Both of them are impressive scientific minds, and Steve had always suspected that their work in that area is what got them sent home. So why are they being brought now?

His response is delayed if only because he's busy thinking that through, but when he does reply he looks as put together as always. He's at the desk in his room, seemingly alone except for the puppy that's sleeping somewhere out of frame. ]

That's because it is Pepper's work. [ A beat, and then: ] It's a long story. There's a good number of us here, some from a parallel universe, but you probably read all about that.

It might be easier to do this in person. Where did you set up?

[ It's never a good thing for someone to be yanked back here, but Steve will admit that Tony is an asset. Maybe he won't want to be a part of the Avengers anymore, depending on where in the timeline he's from, but Steve figures he'll help them out one way or another. If only to keep himself busy. ]

[video]

[narcissistictendencies]

Ooof course it is. Pepp's here? [He's both simultaneously worried and relieved by this.] Yeah, came literally face to face with one of our not-twins, too. Romanoff scared the hell outta me. Is it just me or is she even sneakier than our Widow? And more obnoxious. [Oh god, yes, he might just be pouting about that one. A bit.]

Down the hall, buddy. [The camera shakes as he gets up and picks the phone up, walks to a wall with it and raps a knuckle against it three times. Steve should be able to hear it loud and clear from his room and put two and two together.] You're seriously in the zone when you go out for your morning run. I thought about calling, but I didn't wanna disturb you before you'd gone through your morning routine. It's like... Pepper before her morning coffee. I may be questionably insane, but not purely suicidal. [He smirks. Did you miss him, Steve?]

Shall I stop by or were you going to do the honours?

[interspatial]

[ jane's face scowls back briefly. she doesn't usually pay mind to her device, but when silence follows it's flicking to life, jane's interest is piqued. her scowl gives way quickly to surprise, and a curiosity borne of recognition. ]

...Tony Stark?

[ sure, she'd had trouble recognizing steve rogers, but tony's is a face you just can't miss. ]

[narcissistictendencies]

[Momentary confusion followed by raised eyebrows.]

Doctor Foster. Thor said you were in another country, he never mentioned you being in another reality. Can't he just rainbow bridge his way in and pick you up?

[Yes, yes he knows it's not that easy.]

There really are quite a few familiar faces here.

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[agentxthirteen]

[ Sharon stares at the face for a long, long time before responding. Part of her is curious, most of her is just wary. She knows about the Tony Stark in her universe, knows about how reckless and egomaniacal he can be. Most importantly, she knows what a huge pain in the ass he can be - particularly to people she knows.

But he doesn't know her.

That's what finally decides her. Information-gathering is fine, but knowing something the great genius, Tony Stark, doesn't know? That's something she might be able to have fun with.

He'd been a pain in the ass to some of her people, after all. Why can't she be a pain in the ass to him? ]

Stark.

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[narcissistictendencies]

[He'll just... raise an eyebrow. That didn't sound like an angry one-night-stand, but you never know. Better safe than sorry.]

Sorry, honey. I don't remember you, I was probably drunk, I'm really sorry, and I'm taken. Officially. ...now. I think that covers all the bases. Oh, and I'm taking no ownership without a paternity test.

[Video]

[wecandobetter]

[ Sam let's out a little chuckle at the ridiculous message. He still doesn't know Stark that well, but he did do a pretty awesome job at giving him back his wings. You know, before things got complicated back home. ]

Well, shit. There goes the neighborhood.

[Video]

[narcissistictendencies]

[Honestly, when aren't things complicated back home?]

Wilson? Careful, Grandpa Rogers'll put you in time out for that kind of language if he hears you. [He smirks.] You too, huh? They sure netted most of the team, former and current.

Been here long?

video »

[sorryitasedyou]

Tony! [Yeah, she doesn't even care about the whole awkward staring contest he had with the camera because honestly? That really just seemed par for the course.] Do you - no, you probably don't remember me.

[Another thing that could be added to being par for the course. So if she had two pars would she have- nope. Not important. Focus.]

Name's Darcy, we were like BFFs the last time you were here. [Eh, close enough.] You beefed up my taser to have a god setting and I supplied you with actual good coffee that didn't come from a closet in the science corner of the basement. We also did an experiment with the cupboards in the kitchen to see if we could stop one of them from producing stuff that led to booze-filled milkshakes and kick-ass nachos.

[Pepper also taught her a few tricks on how to wrangle Tony while she was here, but she wasn't about to share those particular deets.]

video »

[narcissistictendencies]

Darcy Lewis. Don't remember, but I've heard mention of you. Dr. Foster's tag-along. And sweetheart, if you are able to hook me up with decent coffee, I will give you anything you want. Within reason. I've already met with the magic dining room's idea of coffee and I'm not impressed.

[It was like she read his mind, not that that would be a first for him.]

That all sounds like a hoot. I'm actually a little annoyed I don't remember. But God settings? We're not tasing Thor, are we? I don't need to duck for cover if I see him, right?

[Darcy, please tell him you didn't tase Thor with something he made. He really doesn't want to spend his time ducking hammers his entire stay here.

But yes, best not reveal the tricks of her trade to him.]

Other than the successful meals, how'd that little plan pan out?

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[thebetterone]

Guess you're the newest recruit from parallel worlds that work like mine.

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[narcissistictendencies]

So I've been told. More than once. And you would be...?

[While it's not unusual for people to recognise him and for him to have no freaking clue who they are--he's a celebrity, it happens--this is just a whole new level of strange.]

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[assistanting]

[april is staring into the video feed, silently, judging. not saying anything. it's on like donkey kong.]

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[narcissistictendencies]

[Did he just unwittingly initiate a staring contest? Well, so be it. He'll stare right back.]

Sweetheart, I can do this all day.

[Video]

[beforeblue]

[Hi Tony, have a guy wearing full armour and a helmet.]

Wow. Eloquent.

[Video]

[narcissistictendencies]

Thank you, I try.

[Have a smartass outside his armour. Which... he doesn't have. Yet. He's still insisting he's retired.]

Nice suit.

video;

[nascensibility]

[You know, at this point, nothing should unsettle her.

Evelyn has known Stark - years ago he was kind enough to escort her to a formal Wonderland event for an evening - but it comes as no surprise that he doesn't remember. Few do, after this long away. She knew his father, too, albeit for a much briefer period of time.

Some things never change. To business, then.]

Presumably you've already been given explanations by your associates, no doubt you will direct a great deal of your queries there. If you have need for records and further information, however-

[She takes a breath, finding directness an easier pill to swallow in light of recent familiar faces.]

-I have six years' worth of material regarding the goings-on here, among other things, which you are welcome to peruse.

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[narcissistictendencies]

Six years? [Give him a moment to digest that. Whilst digesting that, he runs a few other loosely connected thoughts in his head. She's been here the longest of anyone he's spoken to so far. And if the others say he's. Been here before, then he almost wonders if she ever met him. That was a very forthcoming offer to hand out so readily to a stranger, but he decides not to ask.]

I'll take you up on that offer after I settle in. Does the helpful scribe have a name? I need to know who to ask for. I'm Tony Stark.

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[hugedork]

[ Bruce has more than a few frustrations with Tony, but that doesn't mean he isn't happy to see the man. Still, he tries very hard to look stern and even downright unhappy about it.

He fails. ]

Are you finished posing?

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[narcissistictendencies]

[Yes, hello Brucie buddy. He doesn't seem to notice if Bruce's irritation makes it across.]

Depends. You taking pictures? I can give you a few more.

[He gives Bruce a picturesque magazine cover pose for a moment then drops the sass to settle on a neutral expression--which, for Tony, was a contented look.]

Been here long, buddy?