[ 001 ] ★ [ Video ]

[latenightfondue]

[ A solemn looking man with a serious expression appears on the screen, an impressive fountain in the distance behind him, and the sounds of rushing water carrying over the feed. He's wearing a white turtleneck jumper with a suede coat, brown hair looking flat and dark circles ring his eyes. ]

There goes the search for Cap. [ He sounds defeated, which rarely happens, but he says it with a sarcastic tone, masking the weight he carries with him for so far failing to find Steve in the wreckage.

He fiddles around with the device as he looks directly at it, now, rather than at the surroundings around him. ] So, anyone out there gonna fill me in on what the hell's goin' on 'round here or do I gotta figure it out for myself?

Comments

[primrosella]

You're looking for a friend of yours?

Well, I suppose if there's any day when you might have a chance at it, it's one like today, what with all the visitors. It seems as though everyone's come to the City today, really!

[latenightfondue]

Something like that. [ But he sounds distracted, eyeing up the image on the screen with interest.

Curiously. ] So I ain't the only one stopping by today, huh?

[primrosella]

Oh, no, there are quite a few people about today! This sort of thing happens sometimes, all the visitors coming to call--which is why you stand a good chance of finding your friend, I should think, since there are more people around today than there usually are, and one never knows who might turn up!

[ video ]

[yourbestguysgun]

[ Great. Another Stark. At least Bucky knows Howard, at least there's a familiarity about it. ] Steve ain't that easy to miss, Stark. Don't know how y'think you could lose him.

[ A grin this time. ] What's the matter, one too many late nights?

[ video ]

[latenightfondue]

[ Bucky? Howard pokes at the screen, eyes inspecting every inch, and the he jabs it again. ] Never mind Cap, how the hell you doing that?

audio

[entangles]

You're in a place called the City. It's a pocket dimension inhabited by people kidnapped from different worlds, purportedly by a group who call themselves "deities."

audio

[latenightfondue]

You telling me I've been snatched up by some power crazed gods and got myself stuck in another dimension that ain't even all that?

[ His voice carries more excited than disbelieving, very little panic in his tone. ]

[punchedhitler]

Howard?

Howard!

[latenightfondue]

Steve?

[ He sure wasn't expecting to hear that voice here. ]

It can't be.

[shall_yield_us]

Now, now, I'm sure someone ever so tall, dark, and handsome can but manage.

[latenightfondue]

That so, sweetheart? If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were tryin' to flatter me. And just so we're clearly, it's definitely working.

video from The Jasmine Dragon:

[charring]

[This man looks alarmingly familiar.]

Welcome to the City. It's likely you'll be sent back wherever when the weekend is over. And don't worry, you'll be sent back to the exact second you left so whatever you're doing, you'll be able to get right back to it.

video from The Jasmine Dragon

[latenightfondue]

[ If Howard was at all worried before he perks up as soon as he sees her beautiful face filling the screen. ]

Why hello there, gorgeous. So you telling me I ain't the only one to land themselves here without warning?

[ironmanic]

[He doesn't check the comments. Why would he? He's not some weird sparkly stalker. This is a guy like any other only with a fetching mustache!]

Unless you're an acclaimed expert on inter-dimensional travel and magic, figuring this out on your own's going to be a little difficult. But you happen to be in luck-- in addition to being the universe's most oppressed, best example of the invisible hand, it's also a city of goodwill and kindness and all that crap.

[latenightfondue]

[ Oh. What a handsome fellow. Howard likes him already. ]

Not made it to that level of genius yet, pal, but there's still time. [ The face he makes is evidence enough that he's going to struggle with goodwill and kindness. ] As much as I'd love to stop and chat, I got somewhere to be. So, where's the way home, huh?

voice;

[duplicities]

Cap?

voice

[latenightfondue]

The one and only Captain America. You seen him around here? [ Muttering. ] Wherever here is.

[threeolives]

[ SI is still a somewhat traditional company. There are photos of its founder around the offices, including some of him in his wartime days. So Pepper recognizes the man in the turtleneck, though she isn't sure what to do with that information... ]

Mr. Stark...?

[latenightfondue]

Oh, you, stop that. Mr Stark was my father. But you, beautiful, you can call me Howard.

[warmachine]

[ Rhodey recognises Howard for the same reasons as Pepper does: pictures.

He also recognises how tired the guy looks, which, okay. He wants to hate him on principle for what his parenting has done to Tony - because for all his blustering, Tony is painfully obvious sometimes. Middle-road it is, then. ]

Captain America's here and well.

[latenightfondue]

[ Someone who actually knows what it is he wants to know. Howard approves of this. ]

That a fact, pal? And where's here exactly 'cause right now I'm having a little trouble remembering how I got here.

(video.)

[godofabs]

I wonder if all of your questions have been answered.

(video.)

[latenightfondue]

Not sure about the questions, but my dreams sure have. [ He whistles, impressed, with an eyebrow wiggle. ] Look at the guns you got there.

[captainfuckingmagic]

Who're you looking for?

[latenightfondue]

[ Hang on a minute...

Blinks. ] Either you took the quickest shave ever, or you're that other guy's twin.