Tony Stark aka. Iron-Man

Tom had been listless in the Nexus, while he still had his research job back home he was semi-retired. There wasn't enough to keep his mind going. He had been reading until his eyes ached. He went for a walk, again, noting that places came and went regularly either by movement of the Nexus or the coming and going of inhabitants.

The workshop caught his attention and he entered. This was definitely more his speed and interest. He wandered in and started looking through the parts though he hasn't touched anything yet.

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Tony had just finished up welding a part to a new pneumatic arm he was creating. Possibly another prototype for a Dum-E design? He was thinking along those lines since he wanted to re-create parts of his original workshop here within the Nexus. The man entering his space caught his attention though, as he wiped some grease onto his work rag clutched in his hands.

"Hey. You here to tinker or look around? Feel free to do both."

The engineer eyed up the guy and realised he looked vaguely familiar to someone else in the Nexus. Or did he? Tony shrugged and pulled off his rather filthy tank top to replace it with his "Black Sabbath" black t-shirt. Always a favourite of his.

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Tom looked up at the voice. "Neither."

Tom smiled when he saw what the other man was working on. He had a pretty good background in the basics of robotics, especially in the construction, more so than the programming. "Aerospace and resource conservation research and engineering, among other things."

He's making his way through the shop toward the other man. "Retired astronaut with NASA and the UK space agency."

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Neither, huh? Then, was this guy just walking around to look at things? Sheer curiosity? Perhaps. Tony would entertain the fact that some people just wanted to check the new space out which was fair enough. But this guy? He was way more than the average Joe off the street.

"NASA and UK space agency? Nice. I can see why you'd want to check my pad out. Of course, it's not exactly mission control here so you'll have to forgive the mess."

Tony flung his oiled rag into a messy rag pile as he then proceeded to pull some more wires out of a huge chunk of metal. So far the robotic arm was giving him more trouble. His gaze lingered on the guy for a moment before he finally placed the hunk of metal down and walked over to Tom.

"Tony Stark. Past CEO of Stark Industries, Philanthropist, inventor, billionaire, Avenger and resident Iron-Man."

Wiping some more grease off with a spare rag, he thrust out a hand to the new guy.

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Tom was watching him work on the robotic arm and wasn't sure if he should offer to help or not.

"Major Tom Jones, assistant director of R&D at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center specializing in experimental flight design and resource conservation, first to do a solo space flight and space walk and, at least on my Earth, the only human specialist in alien culture and technology." Tom takes his hand shaking it firmly.

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"Major Tom? I have to admit I've not heard of you. Are you from an alternate Earth by any chance? I keep hearing that a lot here."

Did this guy beat Neil Armstrong to it? Who knew. Maybe there was another Earth out there in the multi-dimensional place he knew nothing about. Being in the Nexus just turned his own world on it's head. This Tom though, he seemed to know what he was talking about. The handshake was genuine as he offered Tom a smile.

"Nice to meet another science geek around here."

Edited 11/8/20 20:04 (UTC)

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"I've never heard of you, so I am going to say yes. I've learned of several Earths since arriving."

Tom's Earth history did diverge from several he's run into so far. The lack of Antheans was one, even for those who had been space faring. Tom also smiles genuinely as they release hands.

"My wife is one too. Biomedical, mostly."

He looks past Tony at the piece he was building when Tom entered. "What are you working on?"

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He'd never heard of Tony Stark? Well, that was a new one and it caused a curious eyebrow to get raised by the engineer. Several Earths was also a new one and something of a complex subject no doubt. All the time stuff? Yeah. Tony just wanted to focus on the here and now.

"She is? Keep it in the family, huh?"

As for what he was working on? Well, it was supposed to be a new robotic arm to replace Dum-E back on his own world. Yet, it was proving to be more difficult than anticipated.

"I'm trying to create a robotic arm to assist me around the workshop. I had one back home, Dum-E. He was a decent guy, even if he did have a fire retardant fetish. Used to enjoy covering me in it."

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"MY wife is unique." Tom was holding back on the alien part out of habit. "Our kid has the mind for it too even if they're a musician now."

Tom looks over at the work and nods. He's used a lot of robots and robotic arms to assist with missions and builds. "A fetish for fire retardant? It sounds like too sensitive or miscalibrated heat sensor. I've seen space flight assistant robotics throw the same kind of over use error in those situations."

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"Fancy that."

Tony moved to find a cup of coffee he had lying around the workshop, locating it near the door and picking it up, taking a sip. Eh cold coffee. It's not the worst thing that's happened to him. Oh, of course it isn't.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that. He's been attempting to spray me in it for days now."

Finishing his coffee, Tony placed the cup down and sighed. It would be much easier if he had access to materials from home. From Avenger's Tower. So far, he had to work with what he could find. As for Tom's unique knowledge, Tony was interested in that.

"Oh yeah? What kind of problems have you space boys had?"

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Tom felt like there was a hint of sarcasm in the comment about his wife and very flatly delivers his response. "She's from another species that's nearly extinct."

Even if he was a little sassy over the discussion of his wife Tom is still happy to talk shop. "My early career was mostly experimental space flights. I worked in a number of prototype craft outside the atmosphere, including one that completely shut down out past the moon and let me drift until I nearly died."

Tom sighs remembering some of his early work. He missed those days quite often. "When we were designing early internal fire suppression for space stations and long term flights we had some models that perceived any large mass of heat as a fire; person, control panel, engines, everything."

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Tony wasn't trying to come across as sarcastic, he just wasn't the type of man to delve into people's private lives regarding their wives. The man had quite the reputation back home and didn't want to seem too friendly with the ins and outs of Tom's wife. Still, he was going to be polite either way.

"Oh yeah? That must have been a nightmare for you guys."

His brow knitted together as he listened to Tom and the problems him and his space team had suffered in the early days. Tony could relate to that.

"I know how you feel, pal. The first suit I tried to design in my workshop? The propulsion jets on the feet fired me up too soon and I ended up crashing, causing a fire and wrecking some of my sports cars."

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Mantis wanders in, drawn by the air of great power and technical skill radiating off of the place. Some people truly had a presence that filled more than just the air directly around them in whatever social bubble they occupied. He kept his hands to himself as he ventured further in. Even with everything in pieces, you couldn't completely trust the nature of machinery.

"This is a fascinating workshop. What kinds of things do you tinker with?"

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The guy's features caught Tony off guard somewhat as he tried not to stare too much. So, the guy liked to wear a gas mask? Nothing wrong with that. In fact, Tony thought it was a good look and a practical one at that. He placed down a spanner and ran a hand through his grease-ridden hair.

"Thanks. I thought I'd start giving the Nexus folks' something back since it's only fair. That and I love to tinker. As for what I tinker with, that's a good question."

He lifted up a large hunk of metal which looked like some sort of engine and placed it on the workshop table, then ripping out a load of cables in the process. Tony had a reason to have so much junk and he hoped this guy would understand that.

"Mostly scrap metal, wires, advanced tech. That kind of thing. I'm into building iron armours for suits I wear. It's to do with the whole superhero thing I had back home."

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Not everyone has it in them to wear conventional clothing for conventional means. Mantis tilts his head watching Tony tearing out all the cables at once. Inelegant, but sometimes you had to break something down into pieces before you could make something useful out of it. He flicks a couple of fingers and floats a wayward cable into his hand.

"You can make armor... May I propose a commission for you?" The cable snakes by itself between his fingers. "With due compensation of course."

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Tony's eyes immediately snap to where the stray cable begins to float into the guy's hand. Ok, so he can use telekinesis now? Who was this gas mask dude? Not the strangest thing he's seen before since Wanda could use such abilities amongst other supernatural beings. This guy must have an ESP of a high magnitude.

"Neat trick. Telekinesis? Were you born with such powers or did you learn that?"

As for the promise of a commission, Tony's eyes lit up. This is what it was all about. He could finally start tinkering again.

"Sure. Hit me, Mask boy. As for money? We can worry about that later."

To be honest, Tony wasn't short of a dollar or two or whatever currency existed within the Nexus. He was in this business because he enjoyed it. Gas mask dude here wanted something done and Tony would do it.

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ESP is the least of what Mantis has going for him. He twists the cable around in his hands, letting it have a bit of apparent life and crawl around not unlike a snake. It gives him a focus point that he might keep his calm making the request at the front of his thoughts.

“Born. They developed when I turned eight.” And this man is not afraid of his powers! It gives Mantis some hope. Perhaps this man’s skills can work out for the greater good. “My name these days is Psycho Mantis. Feel free to pick which half of that you like better.”

The cable ends up coiled around his wrist and he takes a deep breath. “My gas mask is important, but it’s the only one I have. I was hoping you might be able to modify a new one to replace it, should the original become damaged. I don’t care much about the shape, but I would like clear lenses.”

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So, the kid had some skills obviously. Tony watched with a fascination at how he managed to make the wires do what he wanted. It was a little off-putting but nothing he hadn't seen before now he was in the Avengers.

"Psycho? Nice name. As for the Mantis part? Does it mean you have long arms that snatch stuff for food? Like the bug?"

This guy was certainly interesting. Why Psycho? Was he a bit off? As in did he have a reputation for killing people? Perhaps Tony shouldn't be asking such things at an early introduction. Or maybe a nickname? Possibly.

"Sure. Did you want me to improve those filters of yours too? I can make clear lenses in no time. Any optional extras? Night vision? Heat detection? UV protection?"

Tony was willing to go all out for this guy.

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Skills honed over a moderately short thirty years of life. Mantis doesn’t mind casual displays, especially when he’s garnering clear interest from those who are watching. Tony puts him to mind of Hal Emmerich and the many other engineers who have scattered across the timeline of his world.

“I grabbed people and destroy their sense of safety.” He smirks behind the mask. “I suppose you can call it ‘psychological warfare’ these days. I didn’t need to attack the body to make the enemy weak.”

The ‘Psycho’ half of his name had a double meaning, really. It referred to his fragile mental health at the time of getting his name and gave a hint to the nature of his abilities. And it sounded quite intimidating, which was the best part of it, in the end.

“Absolutely. I wear it a lot, so I need to make sure the air getting inside is as clean as possible.” He shakes his head at the other options. “I don’t need the mask to do anything other than letting me breathe comfortably and see clearly, but I do admire your casual way of naming such options. You’re used to military tech, aren’t you?”

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"Nice. I can see how you got your name there, pal. That's some strange stuff right there. You're not going to start probing my mind or throwing spanners at me, are you? That would be seriously uncool."

Tony watched Mantis with a wary glance, hoping the guy's military warfare days were over now that he was within the Nexus. Wasn't there some sort of anti-violence field to protect people from that stuff?

"As for your mask? Sure. I can do that. Also, yeah, I am used to military tech since I used to design it. Weapons, armour, yeah. That kind of kit."

Mostly weapons but Tony knew the things he created? They were used for wars and lots of innocents ended up dead because of his choices. If Mantis wanted a decent mask with clear eye holes and a good filter then he could do it.

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“I’m not getting paid to do it, so I’m not inclined to in this place. There are far more people here like me than there are where I come from. Even if I did read your mind, I can’t guarantee I’d find anything.”

There was an anti-violence shield, but self-control protected people from Mantis more than anything. He saves the anger for people who earn it now.

“What kind of tech do you specialize in? I’ve met a few scientists in my time, and they all do something a little different.” Something about how Tony looks and acts, Mantis can imagine he gets very deep into the design of his inventions. “If you can keep the base material for the mask black, it would help as well. It’s an aesthetic I picked up from my work, but I don’t have it in me to change that much about myself.”

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"Ok well....as long as you don't go all freaky on me that will be cool."

Tony was wary of the masked man but wasn't about to not help him just because the guy had a mask fetish. Hey, who was he to judge? This guy had some sort of telekinesis power and knew how to use it. Maybe he could help the guy breathe a little better with stronger filters. The possibilities were open.

"Mostly military tech but I can also design defensive armours and surveillance devices. AI tech is one of my geek fandoms too."

Geek fandoms. Hadn't he heard that before somewhere? As for Mantis' preference, Tony should be able to replicate him a new mask.

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"Believe me, I save the 'freaky' things for those who can handle them. You're a bit too normal for it to even be amusing, let alone satisfying."

Truth be told, Mantis did have a hard time breathing at times. Nothing that an inhaler could really fix, but enough that better filters would not go amiss. He waves a hand idly over a different pile of scrap and gets more wires crawling around his hand like curious snakes.

"Fandom. You sound like a scientist I worked in parallel with for a while. He had an obsession with video games and ended up building a massive bipedal tank."

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"Is that right? Believe me, buddy. There's a lot more to this old croc than meets the eye."

Was Mantis cocky? Sure. Yet, so was Tony and perhaps they would form a bond over time, who knew? Nothing wrong with voicing your view. In fact, Tony encouraged it. As for him being compared to some nerdy scientist back on Mantis' world? That got a small chuckle out of him.

"Oh yeah? Some nerdy video game loving scientist, huh? What was he like? As for the bipedal tank? Damn, that's some good stuff right there."

Tony was impressed. The nerdy guy obviously knew how to build.

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“I don’t doubt that, but given that we only just met, I’m going to wait to see what you make of my mask before adding to what I already think of you.”

Thus far, it’s a positive impression. He’s quite sure that there’s something about Tony that’s extraordinary. No one that confident in destroying a machine for parts leave things at a small scale. Something about Tony makes him think of large machines, something in the vein of what Emmerich did.

“He liked the Mario games. There were a couple of figurines he kept in his office. I think one of them was that green dinosaur, Yoshi. He had all the energy of someone who could build such a thing, but none of the appearance.”

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Aal blinks and pads toward the open garage door her groocey wagon with welcome baskets she's gonna hand ut when she finds certain folk and a few flyers she's gonna hang up later in it. She cautiously peeks her head in first. She makes sure to tug her hoodie hood a bit better into place for now.

She wanted to make a good first impression after all. "Ahem, Ello anyone home?" She calls out warmly and friendly in a soft tone. She wonders how much alike the Stark she semi knows or heard tell of is similar or different from this one. He seems a bit 'younger' in some sense least that's the vibe she was getting off the bat. Less world weary perhaps?

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"Yeah, over here."

A head popped up behind a huge engine wearing black welding goggles, sporting wild, messy hair, which was usually gelled into a distinct style. This time Tony Stark was working and that meant getting down and dirty. He pulled off his goggles, strapping them to his head, offering her a wave.

"Just working on this pneumatic arm, or trying to. He keeps whacking me in the butt though."

Was Tony Stark eccentric? Oh very much so. His latest invention, which was supposed to be a robotic arm much like Dum-E back home was coming on. Or, sort of. Glancing at the young woman he offered her an awkward smirk.

"Feel to come in and take a look around. Nothing bites."

At least he didn't think it did. Moving to greet her, Tony wiped a greased hand on his rag from his pocket.

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Her ears perk up under her hood in response as they slightly shift there shape to semi more canine and pointed. There's likely a couple of small bumps at the top of her hood if anyone was likely to notice such things.

She wiggles her fingers in response with a soft bemused wiggle. "Oh Ello. " She murmurs with a warm lopsided grin. She then blinks at the word trying to puzzle it out..Intresting. She pads carefuly toward him with a little jaunty bobbing of her head like she's reacting to some music inside her head for a moment.

She makes a slightly bemused sound trying not to snort..Ok that failed not loudly leastwise. Her lips twitch. "Bad robot arm." She murmurs trying to sound like she's scolding softly. She brings one of the baskets and a long plastic tupperware contioner with her letting her wagon rest just inside the door for a mite.

"Oh well that's good to know." She murmurs and softly laughs a small gleam in her eyes. If something did mind she'd likely swat it's muzzle out of instinct or some such.

She grins warmly and reaches out to shake his hand once he's able. "Nice to met ya, I'm Aalish, Mrs Aslish Ashlynn SinClair but most folks call me Ash." She murmurs warmly. "Unoffical Welcome wagon at yer service." She murmurs half warm half playful.

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A woman with a wagon now? Tony raised a curious eyebrow but welcomed her none the less. She seemed to enjoy offering the Nexus a service just like he was doing with his workshop.

"Nice to meet you, Ash. Ok if I call you that? Because we could be here all day if I have to call you Mrs etc...that each time."

He was joking, of course. Tony often liked to make a joke out of things and his friendly jibes were known throughout his friend circles and beyond. She seemed a down to earth kind of girl. As for Dum-E? Or Dum-F as Tony was about to call him, well, he needed work. His attitude was way off.

"Looks like I need to adjust his attitude controls."

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She grins, "Perfectly ok." She murmurs and then makes a soft bemused cough. "Sorry, ahem habit My folks always told me tis best to introduce oneself properly." She murmurs slightly sheepish but warm with a little shurg.

She had a fondness for nicknames and a good sense of humor anyways. Usually she was the one trying to give the former most times. But it was something people who were friends or wanted to be did after all wasnt' it? Ribbing villains and bad guys..Was like a whole other matter and tone then this though. Quips! yes that's what was. Quips were fun.

Aal tilts her head to the right like a curious puppy. "Oh?" She murmurs softly and peeks toward machine..possibly 'droid?' in question. "Does he? " Her lips twitch a little. "An Attitude adjustment eh?" She murmurs a small playful twinkle in her eyes. Ok maybe it was a corny joke or pun but hey if she was gonna try and hang with someone that were gonna have to get used to them. She liked wordplay.

She then lifts up the basket on her arm a little there was clearly a few homemade fresh blueberry muffins inside the clear plastic wrap. "I erm, brought ya a little something..a sort of welcome to the neighborhood Basket.Sorry, it's a mite late." She murmurs it was hard keeping track of everyone but then there were quite a few folks who welcomed new beings in thier own way as well. She wasn't a social butterfly but she did her best to help where and when she could..Or was wanted. Her semi furred ears droop under her hood her eyes soften at the thought.

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"You brought muffins? Oh. That's unexpected but totally welcome of course. Blueberry? They look so nice right now."

When was the last time he ate? Was it last night or the day before? Either way, his stomach was crying out for food and he wasn't about to deny himself now. This girl was precious. Welcome wagon indeed. Tony picked up one of the muffins and began eating it rather messily with crumbs spilling down his front. He always was a messy eater.

"Sorry--just hungry. This prototype had been causing me issues."

A hand went out to tap on the robotic arm's grabbing arm function. Had he even caught her name? Nope. Rude, Tony.

"I'm Tony Stark. Inventor, billionaire, Iron-Man etc. Avenger."

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"Aye." She murmurs with a pleased little grin. "And of course..ya probably been working hard." She murmurs with a understanding nod as she puts the basket within his easy reach. She then reaches for some napkins and then offers them with a slightly bemused but fond look.

"Tis alright, I've seen worse." She murmurs good naturedly. She listens warmly and rapt with a slight tilt of her head. "Ah, then sounds like you need a wee break then." She murmurs half more in statment and prompt then question.

"Maybe ya just need to strech yer legs or something?" She murmurs, stareing at something too long often could make one blind to things fresh eyes would see and catch off the bat.

She smiles warmly. "Ash, SinClair Mrs." She replies in turn before adding, "Former Healer, Part Time Bookseller among other things." She murmurs humbly but warm as she offer him a hand to shake once more now that it's more free to do so.

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Wiping his hands on a nearby rag, Tony shook her hand, swallowing the remnants of a muffin. Man, those were good. Licking his lips, his eyes drifted back to the wagon and then to Ash once more.

"You're a bookseller and a healer? Those are good qualities to have. Did you come around just to say hello or did you want something fixed? A wheel on your wagon kind of thing."

Tony wondered if her wagon did need any maintenance because he'd be more than happy to supply it. That in exchange for more muffins because he loved those. She seemed a really nice person and if she sold books, he wondered what kind. He hadn't had much time to read books these days but if there was something good he'd take it.

"What kind of books are we talking about here?"

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