video; user: i.m.ironman

[amelioraate]

[ When the feed click on, Tony manages to look annoyed and impressed all at once (you know, those emotions that he manages to bring out in other people pretty much all the time). He is sitting at a desk, the communicator propped up against something, and he has a small screwdriver (the micro kind) between his teeth as he speaks.]

So just how much shit am I going to get in if I try to take this apart and merge it with my Stark Phone? Not that I really care about how much shit I get in, but-- I mean, it is shiny new alien tech and you just gave it to me, you gotta know I'm gonna try taking it apart.

[ And figuring out ways to hack it. And make it better. And--

He takes the micro screwdriver out of his mouth and flashes a sharp smile.]

Also, as far as kidnappings go, this has gotta be one of the nicer ones, so no complaints here. Though I gotta know; anywhere I can get my hands on some more tools? Maybe a spare communicator, or three, or maybe an interface with the ship's core navigational systems...

[ That last one is said with only the slightest hint of 'I'm kidding' (because he isn't kidding, he is going to look for one no matter how much he has already been told 'NO', that's just like taunting him ok).]

Oh, and where might I find alcohol? Is that a thing in this section of space? I hope it is because I really don't want to try distilling my own shit again, that was a disaster the first three times and I really don't think I have managed to get better.

Comments

[amelioraate]

[ LOOK HERE YOU you do not get to go around flashing shiny pieces of beautiful technology like that. Tony doesn't care if it's space, you are seriously compromising his ability to be polite.

well, as polite as Tony ever is. ]

Please tell me that is a fully functioning robotic appendage and not just some kind of fashion statement because, if it is, you are officially the coolest person that I have met thus far on this floating space prison.

[ wait. he means hi. ]

Also, how about in the name of science we sacrifice one communicator for the greater good, since you clearly know what you are doing.

[ p a u s e.

he scratches his head.]

Um, I'm Tony by the way. Nice arm.

[agenda]

[ HEY this is genuinely the nicest someone has been to him in years, and maybe the only time "cool" has been used to describe him since college!! His grin widens. ]

Why not both? [ Robot fashion. Rhys positively preens, carding his robotic hand through his gelled hair. Show-off. ]

Fully functioning cybernetic arm. [ He flexes his hand as if to demonstrate. ] Hyperion brand. Matches the eye.

[ Suddenly, his left eye glues blue, alight like a computer screen as he activates it. And if he tilts his head at just the right angle, Tony might catch sight of what's essential a usb port on his left temple. How much of a cyborg is he, anyway? ]

I'm Rhys, and I definitely know what I'm doing, so. [ ah, ego. ] Ready when you are, Tony.

[ a nerd friend!! ]

[amelioraate]

[ that would be highly worrisome considering that Tony is very rarely considered 'nice', but then again. you are part robot and therefore a million times cooler than most humans, so. there is that.

the preening totally just makes Tony laugh though, eyes following the gleaming gold. he made a suit of armour gold and hot rod red, he gets the in your face colours okay. he leans to the side, his suit, all red and gold and in your face, sitting on the floor.] Both is always better I agree.

Also match-- no way.

[ y u p. you are his favourite. come sit with him at the nerd table somewhere where they can talk robotics and engineering and everything beautiful and forget about this sad reality that they are stuck in.] Please tell me that is completely neurally activated interface that you have in your eye, please. Because I have had so many ideas about that but no one ever lets me experiment that far on myself.

[ when they know about it at least, he has gotten away with more than enough when no one is looking. ] And pleasure to meet you Rhys, I think we are going to have some excellent conversations. And possibly be able to figure out just what the hell is going on here.

[ pause. ]

How are you with AI's?

[agenda]

[ Rhys can only assume Hyperion conducted the necessary...experiments on the less fortunate before he spent his bonus on shiny body parts. He doesn't think about it, even now. You have to step on others, if you want to beat them to the top.

His eyebrows shoot up at the sight of the suit.

Question one? Easy. Rhys goes all in on fingerguns. ]

One-hundred percent neurally activated. [ Question two? Loaded. He swallows. As it happens, the AI in his systems chooses this moment to interject. Not on your life, pumpkin. Right. Keep it on the DL. ] And I know my way around an AI.

[ The AI Handsome Jack would beg to differ, snorting loudly, though only Rhys can hear it. His smile tightens. ] Why do you ask?

[ Does Tony know? Are he and Jack famous because they took back Hyperion? ]

[amelioraate]

[ the look of pure excitement on Tony's face right now.

you just-- yes. you have made Tony's day, you don't even know. he is nearly vibrating.]

Okay, so that means we are going to have some really in depth conversations about that because I have questions and I have ideas and here is to hoping that you can help with both of those.

[ run while you can, Rhys. run.]

Awesome, my AI is with me, FRIDAY. Well, uh... [ he looks at the phone. ] I think I am going to have to keep her uploaded in the suit for a while, what with making this work the way I want it to is probably going to take some time.

[ he notices that tightness, the tell-a-tale signs of lying, but he doesn't touch it. not now. he has time.]

Basically just wanted to make sure you wouldn't treat her like shit or something. Some people have no respect for non-humanoid life, it's ridiculous.