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

[motorvation]

[She's seen all the offers of assistance from others and concern for his health - and yes, she heard that little-girl shriek when Pinkie popped up, not that she can blame him, considering how enthusiastic Pinkie can get. Still, she has another offer, one that's slightly different.]

Do you need any help with your armor? Tools, equipment, a pair of hands?

[the_mechanic]

[He grins. Oh, if he were a younger man. And... not dating the most amazing woman in the world. *mental cough* Okay, anyway.

This is stuff he'll sorely need, and he's wondering what the catch is.]

That depends, yes, yes, maybe.

[His eyes narrow shrewdly, but he's still smiling.]

What's in it for you?

[motorvation]

[Yes, Tony, you're taken. And too old for her. And too cocky for her tastes. And she totally notices those eyebrow-flirts, and that makes her raise her own eyebrows a little in return. Not that she doesn't appreciate a compliment, not that she doesn't like that he doesn't actually say anything, but she can tell he was thinking it.]

Nothing, really - we're all stuck here, so it only makes sense to help each other out when we can, right? The moogles opened up the Gizmo Shop to me a little while ago, and there's a mechanic's garage over in Twilight Town, too, but it doesn't really have all that much in it. The Shop's equipment's a little weird, but it does work.

[the_mechanic]

[Thinking isn't illegal, c'mon, he's totally behaving. He's being downright boring in the name of behaving. His eyebrows have minds of their own, most people would kill for a face this fascinating. He's a flirt: make your peace with it now, Asami, he really can't help it and doesn't mean anything by it, anymore.

He takes all that in and files it away for future reference. A garage sounds downright homey.]

Hmmm... well, considering the state of things, that sounds a lot better than nothing. Once I've got a charge, things'll get a lot easier. [He raps a fist against the chest of the suit]

What kind of equipment, exactly?

[He'll fix it with rocks and sticks if he has to, but a hammer, wrenches, and screwdrivers would be helpful, to start. To say nothing of a welding torch.]

[motorvation]

[At least she's fairly used to flirts - and if she has to she can give as good as she gets. Unless she accidentally hits one of her crushes with a morotbike, but she doesn't have her motorbike here!]

[And it is a very literal garage, barely big enough for one satomobile. The Gizmo Shop is probably more what he's looking for, and she turns her communicator around to sweep the space around her. Everything is candy-colored, yes, but it's undoubtedly mechanical, with gears and levers and moving parts everywhere.]

Some things I'm not familiar with, but they do have all the standard tools here, and a forge and some other things. Materials are kind of scarce, but that's the only big problem I've found so far.

[If Tony's sharp-eyed enough of course he is, Tony spotted Galaga Guy, he might see her spare stun glove lying on one of the workbenches in the sweep, gutted with the components carefully laid out next to it and notes on papers beside the not-mess.]

[the_mechanic]

[Glad to know the roads are safe.

Okay, Tony might have squeeee'd a little on the inside at mention of a forge. That would be very useful. He recognizes quite of few of the pieces, though the colors are definitely off-putting. There are also a few things that are unfamiliar, and that's all the more interesting to him.]

It's a good start, and better than I was expecting. I'm going to need somewhere safe to keep things, this isn't exactly open-source material.

[Which is to imply that however tiny, a garage would still be nice, so as to remain out of the public eye while working. But he'll need a way to secure it, and will definitely not be leaving the suit anywhere he can't call it to himself in short order.

Also implying he's not going to discuss too much more about it on a clearly open network.

He catches a glimpse of the glove and his lip quirks just a bit. He doesn't mention anything, but he can recognize a kindred spirit, and potential.]

[motorvation]

[She's not entirely sure what "open-source material" means, but she gets that he doesn't exactly want to talk about everything in public. So she nods, then moves over to one corner of the room and tugs at a handle, which starts sliding out of the wall.]

They've got a heavy equipment cart, do you want me to bring that over?

[the_mechanic]

[He thinks about it for a moment, then smiles apologetically.]

Actually, there's already a bit of a welcoming party on the way, so, it's probably covered.

[He looks uncomfortable about the fact, but, he knows he needs the help.

Oh, and Thor's long lost sister the princess pony is gonna zap it, soon enough.]

[motorvation]

[Well, a bit of humility? That a nice thing to see from you, Tony.]

Okay, I'll leave the doors open for your party, then. It's at the end of the Second District, under the clock tower.

[the_mechanic]

[Stranger things have happened. Also, he's on good behavior 'til he gets his sea-legs. Or whatever.

He smiles, and it's soft, no underlying meaning, this time.]

Fantastic. No telling when I'll get there, but... thanks.

I'm Tony, by the way.

[motorvation]

Asami Sato. New head of Future Industries back home. [So yes, Tony, she does have some experience in this. They can play all sorts of fun little games together!]

We'll be waiting.