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

[action]

[the_mechanic]

[Tony absolutely does not shriek like a little girl. Does. Not. Not like anyone could hear him over the sound of WHAT THE HELL IS WITH THE PONIES Jesus God, this is the nightmare to end all nightmares. If he ever wakes up from this he is never sleeping again.

Tony tries, really, really tries to keep a logical head on his shoulders, but he has no idea how to process this. This is like a 6-year old princess's wildest dream come true. He's in hell.

But hey, free baked goods. Let's just go with this. The worst it can do is kill him. LIVE DANGEROUSLY, TONY. TAKE THE CUPCAKE.]

Okay, for the record, don't ever sneak up on me when this armor actually has some juice.

You're forgiven this time because you brought me a cupcake.

[Oh, you're an observant one.]

Yeah, I kind of figured...

[Meanwhile, the komory bat has launched itself from Tony at his not!shriek, and was currently hovering nearer to Pinkie Pie, chittering away in greeting.]

[action]

[sailorlaughter]

You can put juice in that? What kind? [Pinkie peers curiously up at the armor, especially that glowy part on the chest, before blinking and refocusing. She's not usually good at focus, but blood is important.]

Here, you can wipe it off with this! [Honey, that's a streamer. With the other hoof, she holds a second treat out to the bat.] Hey, do you want a cupcake, too?

[action]

[the_mechanic]

[Tony wipes a hand down his face to keep from letting any number of knee-jerk responses pass his lips.]

The electrical kind.

[He smiles slightly and puts up a hand to say no thanks to the streamer. He'll just... keep the blood, for now.

The bat squeaks happily and bobs up and down in what it hopes is a very much yes please! sort of way.]

[action]

[sailorlaughter]

Here you go! [She hoofs the cupcake over to the bat, then tosses the streamer in the air in a celebratory fashion.]

Would it help if you got struck by lightning?

[action]

[the_mechanic]

[The bat does its best to swallow the cupcake whole. Omnomnomnom.... Tony actually cracks a smile at that. What a bizarre creature.]

Uh. In theory, yes.

[sailorgenerous]

[This is about when Rarity trots up, holding a Nightmare Hebby Repp in her magic. She tosses it casually to Spike, the Pricklemane bouncing along behind her, who makes quick work of the dazed lizard, and then tosses him a cookie out of her saddlebag when he's done.]

Thank you, Spike. You've been very helpful.

[Spike squeaks happily and chows down on the treat, and Rarity turns her attention to Tony.]

There you are. And I see you've met Pinkie Pie. I hope she didn't startle you too badly. [Read: I hope she didn't pop out of anywhere that you wouldn't think physically possible.] Though she does make wonderful cupcakes. Now, have you had that potion yet?

Pinkie, be a dear and see if Steven has anything to help with repairs, will you? [Because she can do minimal metalwork, but it's all in the pursuit of jewelry. Whatever he's wearing is utterly beyond her.]

[sailorlaughter]

Sure, Rarity! HEY, STEVEN!

[The nearby Moogle looks up involuntarily at the name...and then, seeing Pinkie, takes off in the opposite direction.]

Huh. He must not've heard me! Be right back, guys! [And off she bounces, like a certain cartoon skunk.]

[action]

[the_mechanic]

[Oh god(good?) it's the other one. And... that must be one of the Nightmares. Interesting. And oh hey, that was violent. ...huh. He'll just... log that experience away for later.

Tony's bat zooms over to meet Rarity's pricklemane, chittering happily. So many new friends!]

Haaah, yeah, she sure knows how to make an entrance.

Okay, what's the deal with the potions? I've put a lot of questionable stuff in my body over the years, I won't lie about that, but just the fact that it's called a potion has me a little reluctant, here.

[sailorgenerous]

[Rarity watches Pinkie go - that could be a while - before turning back to Tony.]

That's not all. You should see her parties.

The potions are magic - they heal wounds. [And because there is no tactful way to say this:] You do look like you could use that right now. Here. [She magics a potion out of her saddlebags, the bottle hovering in front of Tony.] Drink that.

[Spike squeaks back at the bat. Hi! New friends are great!]

[earthshatter]

[It's at this point that Aeleus arrives. He doesn't bat an eye at the technicolor ponies, but then again, it's fairly clear that he's been around for a fair while and that probably has something to do with it.]

I would agree with Rarity.

[The panda behind him waves hello, although it's hard to tell if it's at Tony or at his new bat.]

[the_mechanic]

[And oh hey, it's muscles. Good.

Tony sighs, deeply, but it's clear he's finally resigned. God, what the hell. He snags the potion out of the air and uncorks it.]

Na zdorovye.

[And chugs.

And holy shit if that isn't the weirdest feeling ever.... but... he feels a lot better.]

...okay. That. ....I'm an idiot. I'll just drink the potion next time. [because with him, there's always a next time.]