001

[housepartyprotocol]

Who: Tony Stark and anyone!
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Still on The Marsiva
When: Now

[ The video feed crackles to life, and on the screen is a man looking equal parts composed and annoyed. He settles into the frame and smiles wryly.]

I'm not going to waste time here asking where we are, since I'd like to think we can all recognize space, but fair warning: you've got about [ he looks at his watch ] 2 minutes before I start taking this place apart. Not a threat, just making you aware that without a pretty impressive explanation, I will cannibalize your lovely and expensive ship and fly myself home.

[ He smiles briefly and with no humor before sitting back in his chair and tapping his watch. ]

Comments

[notmutantbutmiracle]

It seems the two of us can find something to agree on then.

[housepartyprotocol]

I notice you don't seem murderously unhappy to see me at least. Can I assume we both come from a place in time where we've made a truce?

[notmutantbutmiracle]

[Wanda cocks a wry eyebrow.]

You can assume, yes.

You helped save the people of Sokovia. Even if it was your fault that their lives were endangered in the first place.

[That last part may have the bite of some lingering animosity.]

[housepartyprotocol]

Um, harsh. And that's a matter of interpretation.

[ His tone carries a twinge of defensiveness, though. ]

[notmutantbutmiracle]

[Wanda cocks an eyebrow. Indicating that she is not too keen about possible "interpretations" of whose fault Ultron was. Still, knowing the part that she had played in helping that monster, she cannot bring herself to completely put all the blame on Stark. Not that she would ever give him the pleasure of knowing that.]

Just do us all here a favor. Don't go creating any more genocidal robots.

[housepartyprotocol]

[ Gives her a short smile, not interested in defending himself right now. ]

I'll see what I can do.

[notmutantbutmiracle]

[No attempt at a smarmy retort? Interesting. It seems Stark truly did feel guilty for his part in what happened. Wanda eases off in her accusatory tone, her next choice of words sounding more like a tease than a threat. She doesn't smile back in response, but she does nod her head, acknowledging perhaps an olive branch between the two of them. At least, for now...]

I will be keeping an eye on you.

[housepartyprotocol]

You and the rest of the universe, apparently.

[notmutantbutmiracle]

I would have thought you to be used to being on camera by now.

[housepartyprotocol]

I'd say untold galaxies is a little wide than my usual viewership. Or maybe not. Maybe the only people watching are in a control room eating intergalactic beef jerky. I'm not really convinced either way.

[notmutantbutmiracle]

Aw, you sound almost disappointed by that.

[Her expression and tone are dripping with obvious sarcasm.]

[housepartyprotocol]

Disappointed that our kidnapping might not even have the silver lining of having a point? Yeah, I'm a little disappointed.

[notmutantbutmiracle]

[She cocks an eyebrow for a moment, shrugging her head to the side. She had to give him that one.]

I suppose that makes two of us then.

[housepartyprotocol]

My bet is more than two. Anyone here ever met anyone involved with this 'show'?

[notmutantbutmiracle]

No. None of us have any "proof" that we are, in fact, on a show. We have only Atroma's word, and the occasional gifts that arrive from our "sponsors," so-called.

[housepartyprotocol]

Well, at least it seems safe to assume that's all bullshit, and we're being monitored, but not universally recognizable. So it's all pointless, but probably escapable.

[notmutantbutmiracle]

You already have a plan then?

[housepartyprotocol]

Other than "escape"? [ Shakes his head. ] Nope. But I will. Sounds like there are a few kinks to work around first.

[notmutantbutmiracle]

I will it to you then to come up with our brilliant escape plan.

[Can you taste the sarcasm Tony?]

[housepartyprotocol]

No one gets on my escape pod with that attitude.

[notmutantbutmiracle]

Oh? So you would actually make it with more than one seat then?

[housepartyprotocol]

[ Shrugs. ]

Why not.

[notmutantbutmiracle]

[Wanda softly scoffs.]

You still have much to prove to me Stark.

I have no desire to make things difficult for either of us here. But do not think I will forgot the debt you owe me and the people of Sokovia.

[housepartyprotocol]

I hope your intention isn't to blame me for what happened. That's not a argument you want to start.

[notmutantbutmiracle]

I have reason to blame you for plenty of things.

[Her tone starts becoming a little more serious, a little more darker.]