( accidental video )

[archivy]

[ Ivy is sitting on a table surrounded by scrap parts of metal in a workshop— Stark's, for people who recognise it — her dress probably the cleanest thing in the entire place and her legs dangling. ]

That will not work. You're missing a variable.

[ At the edge of the video, Howard Stark's head is visible as he turns to say something, but the words themselves aren't picked up. ]

No. It is my purpose to preserve knowledge, not to impart it.

[ But she hops off the table and walks over to him, careful not to step on any bits of— robot (?).

And hugs him.

Her expression and tone both make clear that it isn't by choice. ] I did not want to do that.

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[latenightfondue]

[ Howard is about to continue, to charm the missing variable out of a small child, and on some level even he realises that this is probably wrong. But then again their situation isn't exactly normal.

The hug throws him, though, and if he were people-smart he might wonder if that was the point. There's an awkwardness in every inch of his being, but it doesn't stop him returning the gesture, seeking the comfort from it. ]

There ain't no one else in here, is there? 'Cause usually people don't do this sort'a thing.

[archivy]

[ She won't be charmed into telling him the missing variable, but she doesn't mind him trying.

She's just as awkward about it as he is, though, face the only thing revealing that she Does Not Want this even as she hugs him more tightly. She can't help it. ]

I don't want to hug you. [ She is sort of clinging to his leg, but not amused about it at all. ]

[latenightfondue]

[ He continues to hold on, bending down low with his arms around what he can reach, and she's smaller this up close and personal, and it's odd. He likes to think of her as his equal, she's got the intellect for an adult, better than most, so it's all very earth-shattering. ]

Can't say I'm that much happier, sweetheart. [ Except, he is deprived in the affection department, so there is a tiny part that enjoys it. ] If y'tell me the secret we could figure this out.

[archivy]

[ She is his equal if not his superior in terms of knowledge and intellect. Of course, she's also a child. ]

I am not going to tell you how to do it. [ Hugging him close and pressing her face against his shirt. She definitely doesn't want this. But hugs are, admittedly, nice. ]

[latenightfondue]

Can't blame a guy for trying, huh?

[ He's lowering himself into a crouch, wrapping her up properly, and he doesn't know what's possessing him because this is all kinds of awkward and unusual. But he's lifting her up and holding her close. ]

[archivy]

I don't blame you. It doesn't mean I will tell you, though.

[ She would tense up, except the curse means that she is only clinging back more tightly, arms around his neck and holding on. ]

Set me down. As soon as you can.

[latenightfondue]

I got it, I got it. [ If his hands were free, he'd hold them up in surrender. He knows he's not getting the missing piece.

He's trying to make his arms move, but it's as if his brain isn't sending the message. ] Trying to, but it ain't working.

[archivy]

A curse. [ And willing or not, she's putting her head on his shoulder. ]

[latenightfondue]

Gotta say, this is the first one to make me feel awkward.

[ But he stops trying to fight it, the effort getting them no where, and instead he rests his cheek to the top of her head. ]

[archivy]

Awkward is quite fitting a term for it.

[ Watch her frown-- oh wait, you can't, with your cheek on top of her head. Well.

All right. If they must cuddle. She relaxes against him. ]

[latenightfondue]

[ Following her lead, Howard stops fighting it quite so much, muscles relaxing, and he does it in the hopes giving in will make it dispurse quicker. ]

Gotta agree with you there, sweetheart, there ain't nothing else seems fitting for this.

[archivy]

[ It might, too, but for now the compulsion hasn't let up yet and she's still holding on to him. ]

This is a very long hug.

[latenightfondue]

Pretty sure there ain't no one hugs folk for this long. Think it's time to call for back-up?

[archivy]

It would not be of any use.

[latenightfondue]

Could be worse, could be someone we can't stand.

[archivy]

There are no such people here. [ She's a neutral entity. She doesn't hate anyone.

Except maybe Nicodemus, but he isn't here. ]

[latenightfondue]

Yeah, it's kinda annoying how likeable everyone is, ain't it? Need some bad blood to spice things up.