video;

[ifhebeworthy]

[The screen of their communicators flickers to life with a fluorescent glow. Initially, there's only a hint of someone there-- thick red fabric, chain mail, a hammer.]

I had prayed to come to good tidings. Greet friends, and assuage fears. To bolster thy strength with mine own.

Instead, I come here haunted by past misgivings I thought requited, by a name all too familiar to me. If you know him as well, I would like to speak to him.

[It doesn't sound like a request. The image swings up high to a broad faced man with long blonde hair. A winged helmet. His eyebrows are drawn down across a brow rigid as though it were carved from stone.]

To my friend.

Comments

[incogneto]

...Who is he?

[ifhebeworthy]

Tony Stark.

[incogneto]

[ Ah, okay. ]

Yes. But this is not a short story.

[ifhebeworthy]

For him, I should hope tis a good one.

[incogneto]

If you want a good story, you might want to hear him tell it.

[ 'Cause otherwise... ]

[ifhebeworthy]

Oh, I intend too. If he sees fit not to speak to me, I will find him nonetheless.

[incogneto]

Just curious, what was your relationship at home? How long did you know him?

[ifhebeworthy]

He wast one of the first mortals to welcome me on Earth, and together, with others, did we form The Avengers.

[There's a pause.]

I have known him for... many years.

[incogneto]

And what have you already heard?

[ifhebeworthy]

Only that innocent people have suffered at the hands of a man I call friend. His words will either absolve him or condemn him, but I will hear them, whatever they may be.

[incogneto]

For sure, they will not redeem him. The Tony Stark from the future... he's extremely unreasonable.

[ifhebeworthy]

You may be disappointed to find that the one I know is not so greatly separated from that. Once it was a virtue, now I cannot be so certain.

[incogneto]

It's almost a relief to know he is consistently that way.

Has he pulled a stunt like this before?

[ Since. The de-masking. ]

[ifhebeworthy]

Not so boldly, I admit.

But Tony Stark is a man who does not act lightly. Whatever brought him to this, he must have believed it was the right thing to do.

[incogneto]

Oh yes, he was vehemently sure it was the right thing to do.

[ Despite Erik literally being like dude I've been there, don't go there. ]

Is there anyone he listens to?