[open] so don't worry about tomorrow

[buildsomething]

who: Tony Stark and Open
what: Amnesia Event; Tony forgets everything since just before his Afghanistan trip.
when: 8/12 - 8/16
where: All around
warnings: none at the moment


i. wandering

Tony was not having the best day. Waking up in strange places with no idea of how he'd gotten there might have been old hat, but opening his eyes to what looked like -- the hell, was that a dorm room? -- was a new one. He'd been in Vegas, he knew that. Was pretty sure there had been some sort of stupid award involved and that Rhodey would be turning up to bitch at him over it any second now.

Except Vegas was a lot of things, but it definitely did not look like this. Stumbling out of the building and into a completely unfamiliar place had not helped. He didn't have to be a genius to tell that he wasn't in Kansas anymore, but it helped. If this was a joke, it seriously wasn't funny, and if this was some sort of weird kidnapping then it was the dumbest one Tony had ever heard of.

He mostly found himself making his way cautiously through the streets, half trying to find anything familiar and half just trying to get his head together. And despite the obvious suspicion and wariness in his expression, his entire posture seemed lighter than usual. He stood straighter, held his head higher, and almost visibly seemed less tired for all that he hadn't actually changed at all.

And every so often, he found himself staring up at the sky with an expression of deep skepticism. "Okay seriously," he muttered, more to himself, "is this some kind of weird VR thing or what?"

ii. drinking

Once it had become clear that this was both not a trick and not somewhere he was going to be leaving any time soon, Tony had done the only natural thing and gone to find a drink. Or two. Or a dozen. If the choice was between the lack-of-privacy suite and the truly pathetic excuse for a workshop he'd stumbled across, Tony would very happily install himself in any of the bars he could find and stay there instead.

It wasn't calming, exactly, but it was at least something he knew how to handle. So he smiled and flirted and bought drinks at random. If he couldn't find a party, he started his own, spilling out across tables and corners. He was loud and obnoxious and if not drunk, then close to it. If you had to be stuck in some random-ass place, might as well make the best of it. Right? Right.

Comments

[buildsomething]

[Tony turns slightly to face the new voice with an arch expression, but it's just the air of a man very used to being addressed by strangers. There's no tension, no suspicion. Not even a glimmer of recognition as he shoots the man a sharp smile.]

That sounds exactly like the kind of thing an NPC would say.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki blinks as he tries to puzzle out that term with context. Inevitably, he gives up. ]

I have no idea what that is.

[buildsomething]

[There's a moment where Tony waits like he's expecting a punchline. When nothing comes, he rolls his eyes extravagantly, making no attempt to hide it.]

Besides the point. Don't worry about it. Can I help you with something?

[dothelokimotion]

Can you?

[ The tone of amusement is clear. ]

Considering you're stumbling around in the dark, I'd be surprised if you can help yourself.

[buildsomething]

[Oh good, an asshole. There's always someone who decides they need to show off to him.

And somehow the thought comes with zero self-acknowledgement. Apparently this version of Tony is much better about ignoring his own hypocrisy.]

And I'm guessing you do?

[dothelokimotion]

No, actually. That would imply a certain amount of concern and other feelings I don't particularly subscribe.

[ Mostly he's here to point and laugh. And get popcorn, if he knew what that was. ]

Have you figured out the mystery to your missing memories or this location yet? I like to see a genius at work.

[buildsomething]

[That gets Tony's eyebrows going straight up, every other thought momentarily derailed.]

Missing memories?

[And okay, yes, there is the question of how he'd gotten to this place and not realized it, but considering he's on a moon of all things, it hadn't been out of the realm of possibility that it had just pulled him in his sleep or something else. Apparently not, going by the smug expression facing him.]

And how exactly do you know something is missing?

[It's slightly suspicious, but in a way that someone might have for a random stranger being vague at them. Nothing that says Tony actually suspects him of something. Or anything.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ That . . . unnerves him a little. Loki is a defensive creature but he can be easily taken off guard when someone wanders off script. He squints at Tony briefly before he replies. For once it's not particularly caustic, merely delivered with quiet logic. ]

You found yourself in a strange location without any subconscious memory, thought or instinct to lead you here. Is that not the first conclusion you should reach? A total absence is telling. Suspicious.

[buildsomething]

[And in return, Tony gives him the most deadpan look he's capable of and gestures vaguely to the sky above, presumably meaning to indicate the planet they're currently orbiting.]

We're on a moon. A habitable moon. Orbiting an unknown planet. So once you get all the impossibilities there out of the way? No, memory loss was not my first thought.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki tilts his head, considering that. ]

I suppose not. But I would have thought you would be more . . . excited. To tackle impossibilities.

[buildsomething]

Uh, why?

[Okay, so Tony might like finding out new things and he might be a little fascinated by the whole concept of other planets, but not enough to distract him from all the things he should be doing. Obi keeps telling him he needs to keep his head in the game, and well. He's not wrong.]

Impossibilities are impossibilities for a reason. I'm just cooling my heels until someone tells me I can get home and get back to work.

[dothelokimotion]

Is that all?

[ Loki sounds almost disappointed. Perhaps the memories have robbed the man of much more. It's not a reassuring thought. As much as Loki is enjoying some of this, the effect it has left of Riverview has him tired and hurting. ]

I suppose you are not quite Tony Stark yet.

[buildsomething]

[And Tony pauses, eyes abruptly narrowing.]

What's that supposed to mean?

[He's heard a lot on the subject of disappointment when it comes to himself. He's not going to just take it from some weird stranger.]

[dothelokimotion]

It means nothing to you.

[ Loki tilts his head absently, a flicker of princely manner. ]

Good day to you, Stark. Perhaps you will figure things out, as they say.

[buildsomething]

Yeah, whatever.

[For a moment, he considers actually being offended by the brusque dismissal, but Tony deals with a lot of assholes. He can already tell that this one isn't going to actually answer any questions directly, so what's the point? Some people just get off on being smug.

Too bad. The view is nice, at least. It might be why he can't stop himself from tossing out one last thing.]

Come back when you're done with the mysterious act, yeah? I'll even buy the first round

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki stills before staring at Tony, baffled. ]

Come again?

[buildsomething]

Uh, drink? Like, alcohol?

[Who knew that would be the thing to break the high and mighty act. But Tony's too busy being confused in return to feel victorious about it.]

You seriously know what that is, right?

[What kind of place is this?]

[dothelokimotion]

I know what — [ Loki cuts himself off, not wanting to act out even if there's a petulant twist to his lips. ]

Why would you buy me drinks?

[buildsomething]

[Tony cocks an eyebrow at him. How hard is this to understand?]

Why not? You might be less irritating with a few drinks in you.

[It works for Tony, after all.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ It is hard to understand on several levels. While Loki has always been vain and appreciative of his looks, the undercurrent of self-loathing and his own personal identity often makes moments like these hard to reconcile. He purses his lips, not disguising his confusion. ]

The alcohol here has little to no effect on me.

[buildsomething]

Well christ, no wonder you look so miserable then.

[Tony has barely been here at all and he already wants as much alcohol as he can get.]

So maybe you'll be less annoying with a few drinks in me.

[dothelokimotion]

[ This is . . . surreal. That was the only word Loki can find for this situation. ]

I . . . suppose? I'm still baffled as to why you would want drinks with me.

[buildsomething]

Seriously?

[Tony snorts and shakes his head. If this was playing coy he probably would have gotten bored already, but it doesn't feel like a game. Or well, not that kind of game.]

It's a drink. I'm not trying to marry you.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki shoots him a flat look. ]

Who would?

[buildsomething]

How should I know?

[There's probably someone out there who likes them tall, dark and mysterious. And unable to give straight answers.]

So, drink? Yes, no?