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

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

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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?

[ Steve really didn't intend to accidentally get any hopes up, and his face falls for a moment before he shakes his head. ] She used to be. So did you, actually. But Wonderland has this thing about wiping memories. [ Steve ignores the complaining about the other Natasha. He hasn't made his mind up about her either, but getting off-track isn't going to do any good when there's so much to cover.

All Steve can do is blame the thick walls for not having heard Tony before now, but the knocking comes through loud and clear. It's enough to wake up Dodger, who jumps to attention and eyes the wall with confusion before Steve signals that everything's fine. It's particularly weird, though, since that had been Tony's room last time too. Some sort of lingering inclination, a memory that couldn't be entirely erased? Interesting.

Steve sighs and glances back to the video screen. ] You could have interrupted, I wouldn't have bitten your head off. [ But it's a moot point, and he stands from the desk and starts for the door. ] I'll be right there.

[ Literally. He's knocking on Tony's door a few seconds later. ]

[He's not sure how he feels about that. This seems to be a common theme today: mixed feelings on everything ever. Pepp was here, but now she's not and he used to be but he doesn't remember? Nice. Something more obnoxious and worrisome than being kidnapped is being released without memory of it. He nods anyway, though.]

Yeah? Why don't I believe you? [But he's smirking just lightly under the usual expression if you knew how to read him.

Steve knocks and the door opens almost before his knuckles leave the wood. He swings it open wider, gesturing for Steve to enter his 'humble abode' which yeah... looks more like his workshop and less like where someone would sleep. To be fair, the bed tucked in the corner isn't cheap looking in the least. Now, whether he'll ever actually use it is another matter. Pepper isn't around to make him sleep...]

So. We're in person. Am I being debriefed or is this a casual visit? [He shuts the door behind Steve when he does enter and hooks his ankle around the leg of a rolling stool at the work bench, sliding it to Steve while he leans against the counter.]

[ Steve isn't the least bit surprised by the setup that Tony's put together for himself here. The last time Pepper had been with him, so she'd insisted that their room be an actual room and not a workshop with a bed attached. Steve raises an eyebrow as he steps in and takes a look around, then takes a seat on the offered stool. ]

There's a whole lab down in the basement that Banner works out of. I think Dr. Foster's probably going to be down there a lot now too. It's got a lot more space.

[ That isn't going to stop Tony from having his own work space, though, or so Steve guesses. He isn't going to belabor the point, but it's something Stark should be made aware of either way. ]

And I'd say it's more like a briefing than a debriefing. [ If they're going to use that kind of terminology. Steve tilts his head up and checks Tony over. He looks to be in good shape, at least. ] I assume you have questions.

I'll check it out. [Which means he'll poke around, fiddle, but still probably get lost in his own workshop a great deal of the time. He's used to working with Banner, but he's not sure how he'll handle someone a little louder than Bruce.]

Whatever. I was close. [Steve, you can take the civilian out of the city but you can't take the... where's this thought going? Either way, he rolls his eyes just a bit then nods.]

Yeah. I dunno, isn't this a little too Pleasantville for a mass inter-dimensional abduction? And why am I covering my mirror? [He points at the mirrored surface on the wall that seems to be angled just right so that he can see behind him, and at the door without turning around to actually look. Except now it has a bed sheet tacked over it haphazardly.] You're seriously telling me there are little gremlin twins of us on the other side?

[Those are obviously the most important questions. At least he didn't ask about decent food accommodations.]

[ Steve figures that Stark will like the lab more than he might think right now. Being surrounded by other genius-level minds who can keep up with his rapidfire thought processes will probably do him some good.

The fact that Tony is a civilian doesn't bother Steve until he tries to act like he knows better about certain things, but it's something they can move past in this case, a tiny issue of semantics and nothing more.

At least Tony's picked up on the warnings about the mirrors. He can poke fun about it all he wants right now, but he'll probably be singing a different tune once he's had a run-in with them. ]

They're a lot more dangerous than you make them sound. [ Steve crosses his arms over his chest and shakes his head, glancing at the mirror himself. ] Some twisted opposite of each of us, loyal to the Queen of Hearts that lives on the other side. It might sound ridiculous to you now, but you shouldn't underestimate them.

Twisted opposite? Like, what're we talking here? Does yours run around with a little Snidely moustache, clasping his hands menacingly as he plots to tie people to train tracks? [He snaps his fingers with an idea.] Banner's mirror must turn into a fluffy, pink kitten. C'mon, Cap. You need to be a little more specific, because that description can really go anywhere. And isn't the Queen of Hearts the one obsessed with decapitating her enemies?

[Oh, Steve, Tony doesn't underestimate, he's just overly confident.] Fine. Mirror people are bad, I get that. I promise I won't go poking at any mirrors or scanning them for spacial anomalies that may indicate windows into an alternate reality, or a portal of some kind. Well, I promise the first one. The second one is up in the air.

But okay, evil twins aside, a serious question: Just how long have you been here, Rogers? You seem... comfortable. It took you a while to get this at ease after you woke up in the 21st century. [No, he's not concerned, shut up. He doesn't care how you're holding up being stuck here with, from what it sounds like to him, people coming and going on a regular basis. Leaving him and showing back up with no memory or not showing back up at all...]

I wish they were like that. [ Steve allows some weariness to show through, more than he would usually because he wants Stark to get a real idea of what they're dealing with here. He rubs at his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose. ] Mine gladly works as a Hydra agent, and from what I've heard, Banner's is some perfect amalgamation of him and the Hulk. Where they work together instead of against each other.

[ Thankfully Steve hasn't made actually contact with Bruce's Mirror, and he'd like to keep it that way. He realizes that there's nothing he can do to keep Tony from running his tests, but he can make sure he's prepared for whatever trouble his curiosity lands him in. ] And yeah, that Queen. I haven't seen her take any heads off yet, though. [ Which doesn't mean she won't, but they don't actually get much interaction with her. Probably for the best.

Most people end up asking him how long he's been here, and Steve can guess why. It takes him a while to feel at home anywhere, and he still wouldn't ever call this place that. It's a prison, pure and simple, but it's a pretty cushy one and there are people here with him who he has no chance of seeing back home. So there are pros and cons. He straightens a little in his seat, not quite defensive but edging toward it. ] It's been a year and a half now. But I also took a trip home somewhere in between -- sometimes that happens and the memory loss is only temporary. I remembered Wonderland the second I got back. [ Which had been disorienting, to say the least. ]

[He gets the message loud and clear, his expression mellowing out a bit more. Everyone else had been somewhat optimistic about this place, or seeming to be, but that right there gave him what he needed to know rather quickly. Steve was somewhat comfortable here, but there was real danger, as well.] So, not Pleasantville, then. Great. Eeeeh, I guess that explains a thing or two. And the real reason the sheet's over my mirror.

[Tony crosses to the mirror and lifts the sheet up partly to reveal the rather distressing 'Cut off one head...' scrolled in red lettering, written backwards so it appeared properly through the mirror.] I'd ask if that was your other half, but I know that handwriting. Intimately.

[He rubs the back of his neck and lets the sheet fall back down again.] So, to recap, these Mirrors are maniacs that worship the Queen of Hearts, she doesn't take off heads that we know of, this is, in fact, Wonderland, memory loss is a thing I should learn to accept and deal with while I'm here, avoid Evil!Banner at all costs--and Evil!You for that matter, some of us are tethered here while others aren't? Oh, and magic. Yeah, I'm not buying t hat. Magic is just science I don't know yet.

Okay, so. Different timelines. My next question: What's the last thing you remember? We need to be on the same page here.

Edited 2015-10-21 16:32 (UTC)

The Mirrors only make trouble every once in a while. It's the events that'll really throw you for a loop. [ Tony can ask for some clarification on those if he needs to, but Steve doesn't launch into an explanation right away since he knows Stark had already read the pamphlet.

Of course, it's not in Tony's nature to ignore the thing that he's been told is dangerous, so Steve isn't surprised when he decides to take a peek behind the curtain. He isn't entirely prepared to see the writing there and leans forward when he spots red lettering on the glass. Steve's mouth twists to the side as he rests his elbows heavily on his thighs. That probably means that he and Stark's Mirrors will be working together. Not good.

As Tony recaps, Steve nods along, relieved that this particular teammate doesn't require much hand-holding. The next question Tony asks is one that Steve usually poses to any newcomer, so he doesn't hesitate to reply. ]

I guess the first thing I need to know is if the name Ultron means anything to you. [ Here's the part where they tread onto shaky ground, but Steve's gaze doesn't falter from where it's fixed onto Tony's face. ]

[Tony didn't like the idea of someone with presumably his face running around toting the hail HYDRA attitude, but there wasn't much he could do about it except ignore it and pretend it doesn't exist.]

These events are short though, right? A few days to a week, tops? Memory-based. It sounded like a real headache. [Tony's good about doing the reading, if nothing else.

But he does still at the mention of that name. He debates a poker face, but he's sure that his hesitation probably already gave him away.]

I might be familiar with it, yeah. He's not my biggest fan. Feeling's mutual, by the way. So, you're at least caught up to me. Anything later than that I should know?

Yeah, they're short, but sometimes a few days feels like a lifetime. [ It may only take a day or two to really screw with someone's head, Steve knows that all too well. He could cite the HYDRA event as an example, but there's a selfish part of him that would prefer if the new arrivals never learned about what he did, even if it had been against his will.

It's true, Tony's hesitation is a giveaway all on its own. Steve would rather Tony be from after the fight against Ultron if only so that he can learn from that mistake going forward, rather than possibly repeating it. ]

We made a new Avengers facility in upstate New York. You retired, something about running a farm with Pepper... [ And really, Steve wishes Tony all the best. But there's something they need to settle between them right now. He tilts his head at Tony and lets out a sigh. ] Look, just -- promise you won't try to make any fancy AI systems while you're here?

[ A repeat of that mess is the last thing they need. ]

[Yeah, he already knew that's where this conversation was headed as soon as Ultron was mentioned. His irritation spiked if only because Steve thought he had to enforce that thought. Treating him like a damn child, when he was technically physically older than Steve. He tried not to act on the bristling.]

The Vision is my last big artificial intelligence project--which, might I add, he turned out beautifully. Even Thor approved, and he doesn't even like me.

[He was still fairly certain that Bruce was the only one that did seem to actually enjoy his company. The rest tolerated him at best.]

And anyway, seems we're from the same timeline. I'm retired. I'll still be your tech and upgrades guy. Hell, my pocketbook is still yours, but I don't think that'll do anyone any good here. But Iron Man's hanging up his helmet. Despite what the Avenge-kid and Romanot seem to think. They both assure me it won't stick.

[ Of course it's going to be a sore spot, but there's no way that Steve could have glossed that over. Not when Tony's hubris, his insistence on toying with something he didn't entirely understand, almost got them all killed.

The remark about Thor causes him to raise an eyebrow and sit back, though. ] Thor likes you. [ You know, other than the strangling. But who doesn't want to strangle Tony at one point or another? ] He said he'd miss you, didn't he?

[ It helps that Tony makes his role in the Avengers clear without Steve having to ask. ] That's fine. Bruce does the same thing -- consulting. [ Although Steve really wouldn't be surprised if Billy and Natasha are right about Tony. It seems unlikely that he can stay away from the suit for long. ] If it makes you feel any better, it's pretty rare that the Avengers actually have to suit up and fight anything here. It happens, but not as often as it might back home.

[ They still keep themselves in shape, though, training together whenever they can. One can never know when another disaster might strike Wonderland. ]

He said he'd miss our talks, not the same thing. [But he does smirk slightly. Steve, you're a big sap, you know that? He appreciates it. He is aware, however, that he's pretty sure everyone has had the urge to strangle him at one time or another. Some probably more often than not...] He did say I couldn't be explained. I'll take it as a compliment.

Consulting. And that thing where he's consulting things with his big green fists. I'm--I refuse to build a suit. No suit, no fighting. [So he will tell himself until he actually builds a suit, which is pretty much inevitable.] That's a relief. And it looks like the team's pretty big here. Bigger than back home, anyway.

So, on that note, the Training Centre--Maximoff brought it up--I've been brainstorming ideas since she mentioned it. There are new team members now, different skill sets and powers, I think I can add a few upgrades. I promise, none of them will try to take over Wonderland or wipe out humanity. Simple upgrades.

[ James fully understands that most people knock, or at least allow themselves to be noticed when they enter a room, but there's no challenge in that. In a way, this is his idea of fun.

He's nothing but deliberate in slipping in to join Steve and Tony, taking advantage of small distractions like the way Tony moves to the mirror, and Steve's gaze follows. Tony himself is an excellent distraction, constantly speaking while James moves silently past his blind spots like a shadow.

He's settled onto a stool with his chin propped up on his closed fist, watching the conversation proceed for a while before he decides to speak up. ]

That's not a bad idea. We need more practice working as a team, and it can be hard to find a challenge on that scale.

[ Steve could list off the entire team for Tony, along with everyone else who's here from either their world or the parallel one, but he also figures that most of them will be responding to the attention-seeking broadcast he made over the network.

He's surprised to hear that Wanda reached out to him, though. It's no secret that there's a lot of resentment there, and Steve can't imagine that Wanda's completely put that behind her. But she's clearly making an effort, which is good news.

Better news is the fact that Tony wants to help improve their facilities. Steve's ready to launch into a description of some of their new members and brainstorm ideas, except that's right around when Bucky speaks up.

Steve's startled for a heartbeat, shifting in his seat and going on the defensive until everything registers. Bucky sure knows how to make a first impression, doesn't he? Well, this may take some explanation. Steve sighs and gives Bucky a slightly admonishing look. ] Didn't your mother ever teach you to knock?

[ Natasha's a bad influence on him. ]

[Hey, Steve's not the only one surprised that Wanda had decided to reach out to him. But it wasn't a bad surprise. He didn't hold any resentment towards her mental attacks or the fact that they'd been enemies for a hot second. Not that that compared to her view of him in the least, but it meant he was willing to work through this with her if she was.

No, what he wasn't willing to do was continue to have minor heart attacks when certain creepers keep sneaking into his space and scaring the hell out of him. Because that's what just happened. Again.]

Shit!

[Tony jumps, bumping back against the work bench, hand landing on a tool that he quickly grasps as a weapon at the sound of the unfamiliar voice, not registering the words right away. He whirls to face the figure and the words sink in about the time his eyes land on the assassin. Followed quickly by Steve's familiar tone and he stops himself from reacting further.]

Rogers, [That's his 'explain now' tone, because he's still trying to figure out what the hell's going on. That's not a face he knows.] Friend of Romanoff's? That damn spider pulled the exact same stunt barely an hour ago! At this rate, I'm gonna need a new heart. Again!

[Ignore him, he's whining. He's fine.]

Knock next time or I'll set up countermeasures for creeps and arachnids. Second thought, countermeasures sound like a really good idea.

...so. You want me to set up something to aid teamwork? I can do that. Easy. Will that room of yours hold up under team scenarios?

Didn't your Major ever teach you to watch your back? [ He favors Steve with a rare grin, obviously not the least bit repentant even in the face of being scolded.

He watches Tony jump and flail a little bit. At least he armed himself. Their reaction times aren't bad, all things considered. Too bad he's the second one to pull this stunt today.

Mildly: ] I knew she'd beat me to it. [ He shrugs. There's enough of his shoulder left for the gesture. ]

Countermeasures are a good idea, yeah. [ Was that supposed to discourage him? ]

And the rooms will accommodate whatever you need. We didn't break anything last time, but you might want to get some of the magic users to stress test it.

Edited 2015-10-22 22:33 (UTC)

[ Given that Bucky doesn't actually mean any harm, Stark's reaction is pretty entertaining. For a second there he'd looked ready to clock the sudden intruder over the head. At least he had reacted on the defensive.

Bucky doesn't actually employ his manners to explain who he is, and so that falls on Steve. He returns that grin of Bucky's for just a second before glancing back to Tony, already the picture of calm after that brief scare. ]

What he's conveniently forgotten to mention is his name. [ Possibly because that's something of a confusing topic for Bucky these days. ] He's a friend of mine, actually. Bucky Barnes. You may have heard the name. [ If not from the history books, then from Howard himself, though there's no way that Steve's going to bring that name into the conversation.

Bucky might have even been able to pass as his wartime self, with the cut hair and everything, if it weren't for his currently missing arm. Steve's willing to explain it all, but he figures he should ease Tony into it. ]

Why do I feel out of the loop on the inside joke? Is Stark-Startling a new sport I'm not aware of? [Tony's eyes narrow, but not threateningly. He's just huffy at being startled.] Then countermeasures are absolutely going to be taken. I'll keep you spooks out of my room one way or another. [And now there's a hint of amusement in his eyes at the challenge.]

Magic users... there's more than one now? Wonderful. Why not? [He's a man of science, okay? This whole magic thing is driving him up the wall already. He'll call it magic, but dammit, there has to be governing laws to it, and he's determined to figure it out!

Tony was setting down the tool when Steve spoke, brows drawing together as that name did ring a bell, even before Steve said it should.]

Yeah, Barnes... why do I--James Buchanan. [His gaze darts back to Bucky with intent focus, studying his features.] You're a little out of your era aren't you, Sergeant? But that tech-socket grafted into your shoulder-- [Tony goes quiet, eyes narrowing further. His lips form a thin line and he stops that right there. He won't ask further and he won't press either of them for answers that they probably don't want to talk about if he's right.] Is someone working on repairing the arm for you or do you need a new one?

[Don't mind his half spoken thoughts. His mouth doesn't tend to keep up with his brain and he answers his own questions before he can even voice them fully. You'll get used to it. Also, look, Bucky's not the only one without proper etiquette. But then, he's pretty sure Barnes probably already knows his name.]

[ It's been a long enough time since he got to share an easy laugh with Steve, so his stare lingers a little too long before returning to Tony.

He hadn't actually meant to skip the introduction, he just forgets about it easily. It's something of a habit that's fallen out of use. James deliberately ignores the first question Tony throws at him. He seems totally willing to play ball, which isn't something James had necessarily expected, but definitely something he appreciates. He cocks his head just a little, enough to convey I'd like to see you try to keep us out. ] Good to meet you, Mr. Stark.

[ He'll let Steve field the magic questions; it's his team roster after all.

He drops his gaze when Tony says his name, and remains mostly still under the scrutiny. He shrugs, apparently indifferent about the fuss. ]

It's a long story. I've got the arm covered, I just need some time. [ He doesn't look at Steve, but what he says next is meant for him: ] It's fine.

[ A part of him realizes that Tony is offering to help, and isn't asking some of the questions he must have. While he appreciates that too, he doesn't know Tony the way he knows Rocket or Maxine. Even Steve's vouching for him wouldn't help that. He knows he could tolerate it if he had to, but the idea of a virtual stranger tampering with his arm again makes his skin crawl. ] Don't you have a suit to build anyway?

[ Tony Stark is no idiot. Quite the contrary, in fact, so chances are that he's already started to put some of the pieces together about Bucky. Instead of outright asking about it, though, he fixates on the arm. That's as unsurprising as Bucky's response to the offer. There's no way Bucky would let someone he doesn't already know anywhere near his arm. Steve wouldn't have expected that for a second, and since Bucky already has something else figured out, he isn't going to push the issue.

Besides, he doubts that either of them want to explain how Bucky lost his arm.

If Bucky eventually wants to tell Tony about his history, or if he wants Steve to relate it to him at some point, they can figure that out later. Steve doesn't intend to overstep any bounds during this particular conversation.

Besides, Bucky gives an opening to change the subject, and Steve latches onto that. ]

He's retired from the whole Iron Man thing, after Ultron. [ Steve already told Bucky all about that, so he doesn't need to elaborate. He eases back in his seat again and rests his chin on his palm. ]

As for the magic-users, there's... a lot of them scattered around. If you want to make yourself crazy figuring out how what they do actually has a scientific basis, knock yourself out. [ If anything, it should keep Tony occupied, which is always a good thing. ]

It's a pleasure. Heard dad mention you a time or two. Not like he went on about Rogers, but you were brought up occasionally. [Still bitter? Not really, but he's not going to elaborate further than that, even if asked. Heck, Bucky probably even knew Howard better than he did.

Moving on from that, he points at Steve, confirming that what he was saying about being retired was exactly what he'd been about to say. It still floored him that Steve was the only one that believed him.]

I need to focus on projects that won't try to destroy humanity. And Pepper deserves more attention than I've been giving her lately. [He claps Steve on the shoulder in a friendly gesture, standing beside him now that he's not worried Bucky's going to kill him.] And this guy's got a good team. He won't even notice I'm gone. Much. You tell any of them I said that and I'll deny it.

[Then his attention's actually on Steve instead of about him. He wasn't going to press them for information on the arm or who was fixing him up. If it wasn't his business and he really didn't have a reason to make it his business. For now, he'd let it go.]

Great. Magic users everywhere. I'll figure it out--how their magic works. On a related note, a list of the kinda skills we're dealing with would be nice. I'll know what I need to install. It should be interesting. We can work on aligning strengths and weaknesses to keep everyone covered in case something tries to exploit a weakness or a blindspot. I can come up with tech-fixes for any weaknesses we might need covered... [He'll just keep rambling unless someone stops him.]

[ James inclines his head. There's something there he wants to pick at, like any good hunter wants to lay into a wound, but they've only just met this time around. He knows better.

Retired isn't something he expects Tony to be for long, either. Though he doesn't say as much, he raises an eyebrow, skeptical. ]

That's a shame. I really wanted to see that suit of yours sometime. [ Which as the truth, because flying armor is still sort of a novelty to him. But if Tony is really retiring, he supposes they'll have to respect that for however long it lasts. ]

That's my cue. [ He stands, moving over to head back out again. Tony isn't a threat to Steve, so he fully plans to leave Steve to deal with the rambling all on his own. He does brush by to give Steve a pat on the shoulder on the way past. ] Have fun, fellas.

[ He stops by the door and turns back, remembering something. ] Hey Stark -- how is Pepper? Back home, I mean.

Edited 2015-11-02 20:25 (UTC)

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

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