touchscreens | video || 0001

[Surprise, it's Tony! He's in his apartment, having hooked up devices of some kind to the network. Also he's wearing sunglasses. Yes, inside. Maybe that's to hide the lines under his eyes and overall weary, strained look, because after months of insomnia he's fraying at the edges.

Maybe it's just because he's Tony. The world may never know.]

Okay, so, granted, our benevolent huggytime captors are apparently goddamn psychopaths, since shadow demons and evil snowmen count as "no big deal" for the science department. Yeah. You got a lot of 'splainin' to do, Lucies. But come on, seriously, who really thought this was a good idea?

[he jerks his thumb behind him at two industrial robot arms in the background with chassis labeled U and DUM-E. The one labeled U spins its claw in apparent confusion, while DUM-E just makes a quizzical mechanized hum. Tony makes a disgusted face that is far too exaggerated to be sincere.]

Two most useless robots, ladies and gentlemen. Anybody want 'em? They're good for, ah... well, nothing. I dunno. Dummy's pretty good with a fire extinguisher. Aren't you, Dummy? [he glances back at the bot, which tilts its claw, then wiggles its arm up and down enthusiastically in its approximation of a nod. Tony turns back to the camera and shakes his head sadly.]

God, it's like having a kid that never grows out of the idiot phase.

[U, meanwhile, has rolled slowly out of view of the camera. Shortly after, there's a loud crash from elsewhere in the apartment. Tony jerks in surprise and bolts out of his chair.] You! I swear, I'm going to sell you to the highest bidder, give you to that magic dragon kid, let him use you as a cape rack, wand holder, whatever the hell magic people use.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Aah, yeah. Unfortunately. [he heaves a long-suffering sigh]

In my own defense I built Dummy when I was a stupid kid.

...You built Robots as a child, who are able to respond to verbal commands, and make basic decisions.

[Okay, Naoto is definitely intrigued. What year was this guy born in?]

That would mean unless you've been completely ignoring these skills, you've progressed in creating robotics that are leaps and bounds above these two, is that correct?

Edited 2014-01-20 00:10 (UTC)

[Tony screws up his face like he's considering] Eh, more or less.

Got into the weapons scene for a while, had a quick overseas vacation slash intervention slash detox, and now I make suits of armor. Sometimes I even save the day. It's a gig. You know.

[Weapons and Suits of Armor? Naoto was reminded of Sentai shows and Kamen Raider from her world, but this gentleman was almost painfully American; so that was unlikely.

If he was that deeply involved, he must have made a fortune as a weapons manufacturer, but changed his mind and moved onto more defensive oriented inventions. And if she hadn't already noticed the nature of the people coming to this world...]

...So what you're saying is, you're a genius with technology, most likely extremely wealthy and now work as a Super Hero due to your life altering experience. Is that what you're getting at?

[Painfully American is one of the best descriptions of Tony ever.]

Spark Notes version, but yeah. That's the basic summary.

I see...

[Tony, are you feeling that piercing gaze she's giving you from across the network feed? Because she's scrutinizing you. Every last detail.]

So then... I suspect you're not taking the transition to Saeng Seong well at all. Someone like you needs to keep busy and constantly have a challenge to work towards, and it's so realitively peaceful here it must be driving you rather up the wall, Mutant Snowmen aside.

[She tilted her head, her eyes looking at Tony's sunglasses.]

Not to mention, that event turned you from someone who creates weapons to someone who protects; and without the people you care about to protect...

[Was she getting warmer, Tony? But then she smiled slightly]

Still, Dume and U must be providing at least some comfort to you.

[The insomnia is more due to a traumatic experience involving aliens and flying into a wormhole with a nuke strapped to his back and no idea if he'd survive. But since he has literally zero intention of mentioning that, and he does miss his CEO/girlfriend/center of his universe something fierce, he'll definitely accept her explanation. It's close enough.

To his credit, Tony doesn't flinch at that piercing gaze. It's just not as intimidating when it doesn't come from a guy with an eyepatch and a leather duster. He tilts his head to look over his sunglasses at her.]

So what you're saying is that I'm bored and I like the people I like. Hey, yeah. Good job. You're absolutely right.

[He makes an overly perplexed face] Is seriously nobody else here bored as hell?

[Hmm, so he was a tougher nut to crack then she thought. Good enough. But she had some feeling she could learn some interesting things from the gentleman.

Also goodness; he looked exhausted. Maybe...]

I'll take that as a compliment.

[At his question, her expression turned somewhat bemused.]

I would say perhaps you're right, if I didn't find ways to busy myself. Thankfully, I've found enough interesting things in Saeng Seong to keep myself occupied.

[A pause. Now, how to word this...]

...I'd be willing to discuss these with you, if you'd like; over coffee sometime once I establish my Detective Agency. Perhaps you'd find something that will pique your interest.

[Tony squints at her through the camera before making a face that can only be described as FML.]

Sorry, uh, is... is a 10-year-old asking me on a date? [10... 16... same thing, really.]

Because, gotta say, not okay with that. One, I'm taken, and I actually do value my life. And two? I don't want to go to prison.

Also, side note. Can't really tell if you're a chick or a guy, and, ah, that kinda matters.

[What the hell is with all these kids trying to befriend him?]

[That... actually caused a crack in her otherwise calm demeanor. D-damnit, she is NOT a child! Why do men always go after that point, that she looks so young?! And she nearly voices that to Tony--]

I-! ...

[Before sucking in a breath, and letting it out slowly. Come now, Naoto, you've dealt with worse. Besides, a -date-? How poor was he at being able to distinguish interest? ...Then again, perhaps how she worded that wasn't ideal...]

...Please do not flatter yourself anymore than you normally do. I am not romantically interested in men who are old enough to be my father.

[Having steadied herself, Naoto looked back up at Tony.]

If you must know, I'm 16 years old. I've been a detective since I was a pre-teen, and have 26 major cases under my belt. As for my gender...

[A soft sigh, and Naoto pulled off her hat.]

...It's not unusual for most to be uncertain of that; I disguised myself as a boy since I started working professionally. Sexism in Japan, especially with the Police Force, is worse than the States in many ways. I felt it was a necessity, though now it's more of a habit.

[As for why, Tony? Probably because you have the emotional development of a teen yourself.]

The invitation was more about not wanting to have this subject recorded on the Network. I'm sure you can appreciate that.

video || 0001

no subject

[Video] (Whoops forgot to say this...)

[Video] (IT'S COOL)

[Video] (okay ;w; )

[Video]

[Video] (He is the most painful American)

[Video] (he really is :'|)

[Video] (But that's why we love him! Just don't tell him that.)

[Video] (Can't have him getting a bigger head than he already has)

[Video] (Yet it's such a fragile Ego...)