Bassoon Day 1- Evening, video

[runs_on_batteries]

[ooc- Tony's image appears on the ICPs, in the background they can see the dining car where he's been hanging out in. He has a warm, business-like demeanor in his posture and tone.]

Good evening, passengers, I hope everyone is acclimating to the train and the new group who boarded earlier. For those I didn't get a chance to meet, my name is Tony Stark and I came on board approximately a month ago with the first group of passengers. I have a couple requests that I hope you'll afford me.

[New Arrivals]

For those who are new to the Voidtrecker, I am someone you can come to if you're needing some assistance or have questions. I don't know everything you're bound to be wanting to know about this place, but I'll tell you whatever I do know.

In turn, I'm requesting you fill out a questionnaire about who you are and your world. My goal is to determine any patterns among those who have been brought here as well as be alert to any medical needs you may have. These questionnaires are confidental and I won't share with anyone else.

[Current Passengers]

[ooc: This is the IC post about my ooc ballot I mentioned a few days ago.]

For those who are not new to the Voidtrecker, we need to talk. As this train is getting more people, it might be wise that we find a way to keep order amongst ourselves. I'd like us to consider electing a council of either five or seven individuals who we would like representing us. I'll create a ballot and suggestions but we'll keep this democratic.

In addition, I've added two additional questions to my questionnaire . Please, add this to your original responses.

[Manabu!]

Lastly, Manabu, meet me in the baggage car. I have something for you.

Comments

[runs_on_batteries]

[He steps out and flashes Manabu a grin. He blows on the end of the gun barrel, even though there isn't really any smoke coming off of it.]

What do you think? Would it make your dad proud?

[siriusly]

[he lets out his breath, peeling himself off the door with a couple of heavy steps as he swallows his heart back down his throat.]

You, you scared me half to death, man! I almost thought it was another surprise like-- [hold that thought. his eyes fix back on the gun, needing this delayed double take to process.

his eyebrows shoot up.]

You...you did it! It works?!

[runs_on_batteries]

[He did feel a little bad for scaring the young man. He'd just wanted him to see the gun in action and it was Tony's nature to go way above and beyond what was called for- that wasn't always a good thing.

However, he hopes by the way Manabu figures out what he's holding in his hand makes up for the shock.

Spinning the gun on his finger, he turns it around and holds it out to his friend and nods.]

Sorry it took me so long. If it ever stops working, let me know. There's a piece or two that aren't ideal but there's what I had to use. Otherwise, she's as good as new.

[siriusly]

[his eyes wince to see it spin put the safety on first you crazy old man, and Manabu's mouth opens and closes wordlessly as he moves over to accept it, unable to think of a remark -- even one about proper gun safety.

he gives aforementioned safety a small test -- click and unclicking it, hearing the energy pack inside's high-pitched tone as it charges the next shot. it...it feels so...strange. this gun was dead. like his father. in a way, he was carrying old bones with him all this time. but...this old relic has life again.

Wataru never will, but this part of him...an extension of that will...]

J...Jeez, Tony... [it's a long lapse of quiet before he can say anything, and his voice is thick despite himself. he gulps.]

I never thought...this old thing would ever...be like itself again.

[would it make his father happy? it's a weirdly worrying thought, all of a sudden.]

When I first joined the SDF with this gun, I...I'd promised to be like it. To never hurt another man. [his mouth quirks for a moment.] It was a naive promise made by a naive boy. I learned that soon enough.

[now it's like this gun has finally caught up to the man he is now. how strange...what a complicated feeling to have tightening his chest and throat.]

[runs_on_batteries]

[Oh please, he laughs in the face of danger. Life a little, Manabu! Yolo, or whatever the kids are saying these days.

There. That was the look he'd worked hard to fix this gun for. All joking aside, it was for that. This was a piece of Manabu's history- of his father- and it was being restored for him. It made the engineer proud that he could have a small part in that.]

Perhaps, but it still speaks of who you are- the good man that you are. I'm glad I could help.

[siriusly]

Ha-- [he colors at that, ducking his head bashfully. getting choked up with an audience is embarrassing, okay!] This is. I mean--it's...a pretty big deal. I'm not really sure how I'm going to make up for this one...

[man, this guy better not do a heel-face-turn and pull a you-owe-me for nefarious reasons!]

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony laughs and shakes his head.]

Not at all, Manabu. Really. You don't owe me anything. Keep it out of reach from the kids though, hm?

[He patted the younger man's shoulder and headed out. It was always a good feeling to accomplish something and not have that accomplishment blow up the world. So.. don't do that Manabu. Ok?]

[siriusly]

Oh, that won't be a problem. This is not leaving my side for a second if I can help it. [and even then, safety on. just because Tony could shoot a clean little laser hole into the floor doesn't mean the rest of the train is so accepting of a shot!]

At least now I won't worry so much about being dumped on some hostile planet with just a flashlight and a notebook...

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony grins, pleased that this will be one less headache.]

It'll be glad too. It's not a good thing to have so many individuals onboard without means to defend themselves.

[Although if all of them had weapons, that would also be bad.]

[siriusly]

Yeah. Though, I guess if some people already have cool gadgets, or...or are seven or eight feet tall, that might count enough in of itself, huh? [no, Manabu is not going to get over how huge Dread is.]

[runs_on_batteries]

[He chuckles, knowing who had the cool gadgets and who was the size of a moose.]

That's true. Just about anyone from my world would take one look at his alien face and run the other direction.

[siriusly]

Even after all that your team went through? Geez... [it's not even a true admonishment, not just because of the tone, but because it's Manabu. his gaze trails back down to the gun in his hands, still held carefully in both hands.]

Next place we stop...hopefully has a place I can pick up a holster or something.

[runs_on_batteries]

I'm kidding.

[His eyebrows rose at that comment about the belt.]

Oh. I'm sure we can find something for that around here too. Let me see what I can do.

[siriusly]

A-- [he shakes his head, looking back up.] No, that! That's alright. You've already done way more than I could've asked for. And besides...this gun is my responsibility. I should be the one finding better ways to secure it.

[shoving it in his pants like a delinquent....is not ideal.]

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony gives him a funny look.][I.e. Tony do it but he'd let Manabu have some of the credit to make him feel less like a mooch.]

[siriusly]

[blink blink.

he frowns.]

...I said I will! [he juts out his chin with some stubbornness.] See if I don't. I'll figure it out.

[runs_on_batteries]

[ooc- uh, what happened to my tag? lol. It lost the middle part.]

I'm being overbearing again, aren't I?

[siriusly]

[a little flat:] More like not believing I can do what I said I will.

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony was taken back by that and shook his head.]

No, not at all. Manabu, I wouldn't hang out with you if I didn't think you were competent.

[siriusly]

So that means...you think Peter is competent. Despite the ragging you do.

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony wasn't sure what had brought this on. He glances down for a brief second, before meeting Manabu's eyes again.]

He's like.. my kid. He knows I'm joking with him. He's not scared to tell me if I get close to crossing a line and I'm the same way with him.

[He has to wonder though, what if he wasn't being a very good dad to Peter.]

Do you think it's coming off poorly?

[siriusly]

No.

[his posture relaxes out of the little bristle he'd gotten into defending his...honor? ability to buy belts? who knows.]

I get it better now, that's all.

[runs_on_batteries]

[If it had been from someone else, he would've blown it off as nothing, but there was still some worry on Tony's face. His stomach twists at the slightest chance he might be doing to Peter what Howard had done to him. No, that wasn't possible. Tony was actually paying attention to Peter. That had to be better, right?

Still, he couldn't just sit here and brood about this in front of Manabu. He pushes it back and forces himself to get his mask back in place over his emotions.]

Good. So. We're good?

[siriusly]

Of course. We weren't not good before, Tony. [he squints even as he smirks at him.] Were you actually worried?

[runs_on_batteries]

[Huh, so Manabu was similar to Peter. They both could get their boy panties in a bunch easily but could get over it almost as fast. That was helpful to know. Still, was he just treating Manabu as poorly as he was Peter? Did he even want to know?

He flashes a quick, forced smile that wasn't convincing in the least and turns towards the door.]

Right. Enjoy the gun.