Mark I - ||video||

[the_mechanic]

[There's a close-up view of a well-manicured goatee, though there's a bit of blood around the lips, and as he adjusts the camera, it's plain to see that the clearly-attractive man has definitely been in a fight recently. Put mildly. And also that he's wearing some kind of metal armor suit thing, with the face-mask open.

He opens his mouth to speak, then closes it again. Twice. This is not a man accustomed to being at a loss for words.]

Please tell me there's someone in this sparkly-rainbow-nightmare than can get a full sentence out, with minimal KUPO, that can tell me what the hell is going on?

...please?

[The camera pans out just enough to show the komory bat perched on the top of the man's head, chittering away happily. Tony swipes at him half-heartedly, as if they've been through this a few times already, and the bat makes no motion to vacate his vantage point.

Tony looks pleadingly into the camera, and with a deep sigh, cuts the feed.]

Comments

[the_mechanic]

[Tony wipes a hand down his face as if he can drag the headache away with it. Of all the alternate universes, he ended up in a dream. Well. It's actually a hell of a lot better than his usual dreams. And that's kind of terrifying.]

Welp. Guess I have something to look forward to, then.

[He chuckles and shakes his head. His bat launches off his shoulder to resettle on top of the helmet, chittering his approval. He likes it better up here. Tony just sighs.]

[the_mechanic]

[Yeah, he kind of wants to die even more than usual, but, because the universe both hates and loves him, he'll live.

His lip quirks up, all the same.]

That'll be my next stop, sounds like.

Oh, belated stupid question: what's the currency around here?

[He's guessing the hotel isn't a homeless shelter, so they're probably going to want something from him. He's also guessing all his billions aren't exactly accessible.

He's been through the party favors the moogle gave him, and he's curious if some of the trinkets might actually be monies. But that might be pushing even his luck.]

[unrecovered]

No, I'm just the guy you keep accusing of attempted murder.

Though "attempted destruction of military property" would be more accurate.

[Oh, yes, he went there.]

Is there a reason you keep airing your dirty laundry to everyone you meet?

[unrecovered]

You could put it that way.

This place has a habit of pulling people from different...well, people say "worlds," but the best I can figure is different dimensions. There's different species, different levels of technology, different kinds of magic - a little bit of almost everything, from what I can tell.

Believe it or not, you get used to it.

Figured out a name for the bat? [Because it's pretty obviously sticking around.]

[lessabrasive]

The currency is munny. [Sounds similar enough to 'money' really, but her home city's currency are yuans. A gold and blue sphere is briefly lifted into view of the camera.]

The nightmares tend to drop them once they're destroyed - if you fight a lot of them, you won't find it difficult to stay in pocket. They also drop little dream pieces, a bit like the ones given by the moogles.

Apparently, it's possible to make more. There are a few people here with more than one companion.

[the_mechanic]

[Also something Tony is familiar with, though his experiences have been with people/armies coming to his "realm" on purpose.]

Yeah, for better or worse, it's not a foreign concept.

[He's actually terribly fascinated by the 'different technologies' bit and might truly be looking forward to getting his hands on it all. Just to see what might be relevant to his interests.

Right. This damned bat.]

Dingbat.

[As if it knows, the bat chirps and preens, fluttering its wings. Apparently it find the name satisfactory.]

...well as long as you approve. [Tony rolls his eyes but reaches up to scritch the bat underneath one of its wings.]

[unrecovered]

[Wait, what?]

You're used to people from other dimensions, but ponies and magic are still a shock. [That doesn't make sense.]

[He blinks, and Fang squeaks in surprise. Really? You're okay with that?]

Huh. [Wash shrugs.] Well, mine named himself too. This is Fang, and Melody is- [That's when Melody the Necho Cat jumps into Wash's arms, and he fumbles for a moment before he supports her.] -right here, evidently.

[the_mechanic]

Magic isn't a shock, I've just had really bad experiences with it, and no amount of dealing with Nordic mythos come to life or alien armies powered by a magical cube could prepare anyone for talking technicolor ponies. That is a whole new level of mindfuck.

[Not that at least one of them hasn't been absolutely lovely, another downright tolerable, and the third.... spastic as hell, but mostly harmless... just... no. He was not prepared.

Also, this is a guy who named his first creation Dummy and showers down verbal abuse out of affection. The bat got off easy. Dingbat chitters in approval. He got scritches out of the deal. Oh, another new friend! Hi hi!]

Huh. Yeah, I'm not the best at naming things, whatever comes to mind first just ends up sticking. He doesn't seem to mind.

[He shrugs, and the bat just preens.]

[the_mechanic]

[His eyes narrow a bit, since for all he knows, she said 'money', but hey, whatever. That looks familiar, and when he checks the bag again, sure enough, he's got a fair few to start off with.

...the nightmares shatter into money and magical Legos that make more dream eaters. ...fascinating. He can't wait to see this for himself.]

Huh, alright. That sounds almost too easy, but I'll go with it.

...but I'll probably just stick with one of these things, for now.

[He casts a glance up toward his bat, but obviously can't see past his eyebrows. The bat just chitters and preens. Tony sighs.]

[fearmylaserface]

Don't even start asshole. Fuck you.

[And that would be Epsilon ending the call.]

This guy

[fearmylaserface]

I'm Epsilon. And I'm now filtering to keep him out of everything I say.

[Yes, Epsilon was more than a little pissed about the military equipment comment. He knows it's true, but still...]

Anything else you need answered?

[allfunandgamesuntil]

You won't even let me be a little hypocritical, will you?

[allfunandgamesuntil]

If you need rescuing from your rescuers, just say the word.

[because what the guy needs is so clearly to have more people rushing to help.]

/sob

[the_mechanic]

[Yeah, staying waaaaay out of those issues, because damn.]

Tony.

Actually, I think you've cleared up a lot for me already. I'll be in touch. [He smiles and does that man-nod thing.]

[fearmylaserface]

See you around then.

[the_mechanic]

[Clearly.]

Raincheck?

But if you hear what sounds like the wailing of a rendered soul, feel free to step in, anyway.

[allfunandgamesuntil]

I promise not to take more than two minutes recording your agony before I help you.

[the_mechanic]

[Congrats, he's out-right laughing]

...fair enough.

[lessabrasive]

[Very dryly] You're stuck on what is essentially a decided non-lucid dreamscape with people from different worlds, and no means of return or communicating home. I'm not sure 'too easy' is the word I'd use.

A wise choice, honestly. Having more than one seems like a handful.

[unrecovered]

You wouldn't let me, so no.

[colorbymemory]

[IT'S LIKE MEDICINE, OKAY?]

Most of the others are nice.

Oh, good. That will help you get better, nothing to worry about.

[Meanwhile, her own (very green) bat peers from behind her shoulder. The new person has a bat, too! Hello, fellow bat!]

[the_mechanic]

[He shrugs, that weary resignation returning. He was mostly referring to the monetary state of things.]

[Quietly, tiredly, a bit cynically, but sincerely]

I'll find a way out. Eventually. Until then, I'm trying out this thing called optimism. It's new to me, but it might just keep me from screaming, for a few more hours.

[Or a few more minutes. Any time he can fend off the hysterics is time well spent.]

I can imagine.

[the_mechanic]

[THAT'S WHAT THEY USED TO SAY ABOUT COCAINE.]

Cool.

Yeah, I. Okay. Sure. I'll take the potion. Later.

[Dingbat (yes, Dingbat) peers down from his perch on Tony's head and chitters happily Hihihi!]

[video]

[the_mechanic]

[Tony kind of has the corner on the AI tech in his time, so he's more than a little curious to find out about these others. He's getting the impression he'll have the free time, here.]

I'm catching on, it's just... weird? [He tries for a smile and shrugs. Most people aren't running to him to help. They all want something from him. This is all overwhelming in the weirdest way.]

I'm Tony, by the way. [Having to introduce himself is also weird, but kind of nice.]

[raisethemoon]

Very well. I shall speak with thee later, Tony. Incidentally, if thou wishest to tend to thy injuries, thou canst doubtless get a room in the hotel. 'Tis never fully occupied, it seems. [No matter how many newcomers stay there. It's mildly baffling, but she hasn't deemed it worth concern.]