tushanshu_logs | Event | Landfall | Bresilyk

Event | Landfall | Bresilyk | Markutte

Characters: Any and all!
Date: December 3 - 11, 2013
Location: Markutte, Bresilyk (landfall)
Situation: Tu Vishan makes landfall at the winterbound republic of Bresilyk!
Warnings/Rating: Please include warnings in comment subject lines

OOC Post | Approved Items | Special Gifts
Aihsohlow | Phorezton | Markutte | Countryside

The commerce town of the tried. Temperatures within the dome are kept at a lofty 18C (62F) year round and the population of Markutte dresses less in furs and more in linens obtained through trade. Their long hair is frequently shorn short in the current fashion and they are, on the whole, less hardy than their kin in Phorezton and Aihsohlow, but even more friendly as they are currently in the throes of the Harvest Haul, a festival that concludes their rare growing seasons and agricultural bounties.

Trade. That's the foundation of Markutte and there are three town squares that are home to transient stalls and merchandise from the country and all surviving areas of Konryu. Many kedan have made their way here and occupy the occasional stall space, selling their wares and exchanging gifts with the citizens as they grasp the nature of the festival underway. Once again, visitors that make the trek here are expected to donate a gift that will be regifted at random, earning access and a stamp of their tin visa that resembles the oblong crystal coin used as currency in this realm.

Police are on the lookout for financial crimes here and will demand visas of any they suspect to be committed fraud, short-selling merchants, or thieving in any way, shape, or form. There are three vistas, one in each market square, upon which heralds stand and announce the crimes and punishments noted of the previous day. Minor theft is common and the punishment is a brand upon the criminal's neck; major theft results in a loss of a finger for each item stolen; fraud here is punishable by death, but only twice will there be an announcement of an execution during the landfall.

The auctions here are quite lively and characters can expect a minor bidding war to obtain their items, but each item is in pristine condition and provided to them wrapped within a thin set of furs as a thanks for their purchase.

Customs | Settlement | Auctions | Harvest Haul | Other

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[This is just a stroll. A little diversion from his usual activities. But Tony recognizes Kyle attending a cart, and he has to go over. Curiosity is part of his core being, so when he examines the paintings with an almost exaggerated attention, giving them a good appraisal like the prospective customer he's playing.]

Well, you're a man of many talents. Kind of makes me wonder how you ended up picking up your other jobs.

[The last time a Tony Stark came near Kyle's artwork, it involved a lot of yelling and broken easels. This isn't even the same one, but Kyle's initially wary nonetheless, and he relaxes as he watches Tony study all the pieces. It reminds him of how Bruce sometimes looks at things, like an ordinary person.]

Believe or not, an alien showed up in an alley and said "Surprise! You're now the sole protector of the universe!"

[He thinks it's funny now. Back then, it was terrifying.]

I'd ask if you were kidding, but I know someone who's had a similar experience.

[And if they wanted to be vague enough, he knows a good number with similar weird experiences. That's kind of the hero situation most times. "Hey, nice shoes, kid, now you're a hero." Tony's own change was one of the more normal circumstances out there. He remains at ease, looking over Kyle's paintings without any sense of awkwardness, because this really is an area he feels at home in.]

So it took an artist to save the day, huh? I'm not surprised. People who create do tend to have an advantage.

[There's a little pause, and Tony chuckles.]

Or maybe it's just that artists make good leaders. You have more heart than the rest.

[bluescreen.gif]

[He trembles, almost imperceptible, mouth hanging open slightly.]

[Way to throw me a curveball, he thinks, and pulls himself together quickly.]

[No matter how much Jim's said it over the past few months, or Damian's affirmed it, or any number of people have offered it to him - unconditional approval is something alien to Kyle. It's easy, when people think he's worthless and he can go out and prove them wrong. Fulfilling expectations, and that too satisfactorily... the entire notion is bizarre.]

Planning to feed my ego?

[It's almost too cheerful a comeback. He needs some time to deal.]

[Tony catches the pause, but it could just be because Kyle isn't sure whether to trust his judgment on that. He doesn't know Tony well, and Tony knows what it's like to have people flatter him just for the sake of sucking up. Maybe it's that self-consciousness they all seem to carry with them. The pressure of being a "hero"--whatever that really means--brings out insecurities in everyone. Even the best of them, and he's seen that too. He decides that the best way to dispel the notion that it's just flattery is to gently make a point that Tony Stark doesn't need to suck up to anyone.

He offers Kyle a smirk, almost challenging him with it.]

You're not really my type. If I were going to feed your ego, I could come up with a much better method for it. I have people to vouch for me.

[He lets that settle between them before easing up again.]

You're a good artist. I've seen talent. You wouldn't need to do this if you didn't want to, and that makes all the difference. Someone made the right choice, because here you are out of your world and still showing up to work. That's just simple math.

[He inwardly heaves a sigh of relief - Tony misjudged that lapse there and Kyle isn't interested in exposing that particular weakness in public, or indeed, in front of anyone he doesn't trust implicitly. Sure - Tony's a superhero, a great guy and Kyle likes him so far, but nice doesn't mean good, and they've never fought side by side. Kyle can only extrapolate that much before his more pragmatic side kicks in and says do not assume.]

[It's easy enough, then, to fall into the pattern of teasing. He's got no real need to one-up Tony at anything. He suspects they're both amongst the best at what they do, but there's no harm having a bit of fun.]

Tony, you're a nice guy and I have a lot of respect for you, and some day, you're gonna meet somebody special.

[Smartass #1, meet Smartass #2. Now, he just grins at the compliment.]

[Ah.]

[Well, he did ask for that. Tony's expression doesn't really falter so much as stick. He still looks relaxed and easy, but maybe the smile is a little out of place. It's a front that belongs to someone who spent far too many years making small talk with people who weren't really listening to his words, and if anything it seems a little too loose rather than too tight.]

I hate to burst that bubble. Really, I do. But I'm a little past that point now.

[And the next second he's grinning again. Almost like he's struck by something funny and not just perking up again. Moving on from failed attempts at having a real life gets easier reach time he does it. Maybe that's a bad sign, but it's really the only comfort he has. No matter what happens, there will always be a tomorrow.]

What? You mean you really don't want to see how good I really am with my mouth? If you really want to break my heart after we've come this far, though, I guess I can find someone else to console me. It'll be hard, but I'll put my best into it.

[At least Kyle seems to be taking the conversation well. He's still getting used to these other heroes, so he doesn't know what to expect from them yet.]

So, I never did ask. What do you do? The, uh, uniform isn't standard issue, right? I've only seen one.

[Tony's loose smile is so brief Kyle at first wonders if he's just imagining it - the expression of someone who's used to being talked at, and never listened to, no matter how much the rest of him shouts to be heard. He'd have missed it - but Jim and sometimes even Bruce use it, when he's playing the part of billionaire instead of Bat. Even Kyle's had it, though he knows he's far less subtle about such things.]

[And they are past that point, he supposes. How many times has Tony not been able to live his life as he wants simply because some psycho keeps showing up? Kyle knows he can't expect anybody to try when he's not even in the same galaxy three quarters of the time, but there's other factors with Tony. Probably. (How many times has he tried, and failed, and tried again out of sheer stubbornness?)]

[But then, Tony smiles as though saying let's move on from that, huh? and Kyle internally shrugs, follows, only too happy not to overthink.]

Tony. Tony. If I wanted to break your heart I'd be a whole lot more creative about it, but - gimme another chance, huh?

[See? Everything's fine.]

Me? I save the universe. ['or die trying'.] Uniform's customisable, as long as we're all wearing the symbol and keep to the same general colour scheme. Capes seem to be popular. Dunno why, never liked 'em.

[The point of no return is miles back in his life. Even before the hero existed, really, because Tony Stark would always be a name that attracted trouble. He had thought at one point that he could quit. Quit being a hero; quit being Tony Stark; quit being known and just start over.

Even here, part of him is still trying to start over. But the rest of him, the practical side, knows that he can't quit. And that he never will, even when given the choice. He can't outrun it.

But he can sure as hell make the most of it.]

Oh, really? [There's a glint in Tony's eye as he dares Kyle with that question.] You think you can surprise me with your creativity? Now, that I'd like to see.

[This is his game. This is where he feels at home. It's just a joke, of course, but he still likes to push and see just how far he can get.]

I guess that means we're kind of in the same line of work. I wouldn't say universe... at least, that's not my usual. Sometimes we have to jump in. Usually I work local. That's enough to keep me busy.

I can't say I ever considered a cape. Don't those get in the way? Although, I like the sound of customizable style. Bet you could make something really interesting.

[Tony. Oh Tony. Green Lanterns suffer from a chronic inability to reason when issued a challenge. Kyle's better at sorting than say, Hal or Guy, but he was affected by the general attitude.]

I'm full of surprises.

[If there's one quality he knows he possesses in spades, it's unpredictability. It's what makes him a formidable opponent: channeling his impulsiveness into quick-change constructs.]

Like I said, I'm kind of the Nuke It option, it's usually a sign of desperation with a side of the world's already gone to hell that I get the call. [but he still did, because there was always something that needed his attention.] Capes do get in the way even if they're good for a dramatic entrance. And hey, if we're going to fight crime we might as well get comfortable. Lycra chafes.

Funny, so am I.

[Tony certainly isn't going to back down from a challenge he initiated. Now that Kyle's picked it up, he has even more reason to keep things going. He smirks with a decidedly suggestive turn of his head, something he's used to doing with a different goal in mind. Still, he's well-practiced and it comes easily enough to him.]

Well, I'm all about comfort and style. I admit, my look usually runs to something a little harder, but I guess if you like the idea of that much drag, it could be impressive to put on that much cloth. Although that's more information than I needed to know about your particular choice in protection.

Armor works a lot better, by the way. Just tossing the idea out.

We could make a club.

[Why one-up somebody when you can preen with them? Everyone could use that little ego boost. So thinking, Kyle grins back at Tony, though it's less suggestive and more simply superficially teasing. He's taken, after all.]

You would pick armour. [Hey, he can appreciate something practical, and he's seen Tony as Iron Man, if only briefly. Very cool, when it's not smashing a hole in his wall.]

[He hehs softly.]

Lack of capes must be a generational thing - most of the older members of the League have had one — I don't use lycra anymore, jeez. It's all ring-powered now.

Now that would be a club to rock the entire city. I don't think Asti could take it.

[Tony raises an eyebrow. What's wrong with armor? Armor works, and his armor is the best. Even compared to the others. He's confident in that much.]

Ring-powered? Now that sounds sophisticated.

[Actually, it sounds terrible. He doesn't flinch, though. Tony has at least a good enough Poker face not to reveal how much that concept turns his stomach. It's not Kyle's fault he phrased it that way. And there's no way that he could really mean what Tony thinks he means, right? He's being paranoid.

God, he just can't escape it.]

What's wrong with a little practical? I do wear clothes when the armor isn't enough. You know, having something to fall back on when things aren't giving quite enough helps a lot.

Also, it's better than ending up naked. [Just saying.]

"This town ain't big enough for the two of us" ?

[He grins. Armour is the best, just look at his giant robot constructs sometime - it's just a bit, well, obvious that Tony'd choose that.]

Although showing up naked would be a nice surprise for the supervillains - and the papers. [He's not volunteering, though. His uniform is already skintight, k.] I just go with whatever I happen to be wearing.

[He holds up his right hand, the ring distinctive.]

This takes care of the rest.

The two of us and our egos, don't forget. You start centralizing that kind of thing and it compresses only so far before it's got to go somewhere.

And, just for the record, naked isn't that much of a deterrent against evil. I kind of wish it was. That'd make my life a whole lot easier.

[Tony's expression when Kyle display the ring is similar to that of a guy who just bit down on a lemon and wants to save face. He's trying to smile, trying to look calm and relaxed, but that sudden show still brings back the instinct to be on guard. It's supposed to all be over now. But it's never over. Still, that's not Kyle's fault. He can tell at a glance that this ring is different, and that is some relief.]

Nice bling. So that's the prize they're giving out these days, huh? The universe must have a tight defense budget.

Edited 2013-12-19 04:30 (UTC)

Hey, I didn't even have an ego until five minutes ago.

[He's about to laugh, and the look on Tony's face utterly wipes that away. He's seen it on Jim, sometimes. Bad connotations. It's not his fault there's a trigger, but he intends to tread carefully now.]

It's a lot more than it looks; don't knock it til you've tried it. [A pause.] Not that you can - no offence. Recruitment's highly selective... and kind of inscrutable, to be honest.

Edited 2013-12-19 04:44 (UTC)

Seriously? Man, are you missing out on life. We need to fix that for you.

[Tony's eyebrows quirk at Kyle's explanation of the ring. He's aware of his limits and how "choosy weapons" can be painfully specific, but that doesn't stop him from taking up the challenge.]

Try me. You never know. What do I have to do? Sign a waver?

You're keeping me, are you?

[He smirks, fleetingly.]

Sure? Green rings are pretty finicky, even more so than other colours.

[People who've got something to prove, upon being told there's a selection process for the ring, usually ask for it to be tried on them. Jim'd done the same, despite Kyle knowing that he didn't have the right mindset at the time.]

[But hey, if Tony wants a go, what's the harm? Kyle takes it off and hands it over.]

You planning on resisting?

[He figures Kyle won't. And that's really all there is to say about that. The mention of other colors gets a twitch out of Tony. Really? Is that a power ring trend or something? He mulls over that as he takes the ring from Kyle and puts it on.]

Taste the rainbow, huh? [Ugh. The brush against his mind is eerie. He frowns and slips the ring back off again.]

That's seriously clashing with my look. I'm sure it works for you, but I prefer something a little more eye-catching.

[He suspects Tony's the same way Jim is - liking and needing challenges to keep going. So here he goes.]

Wouldn't want to make it too easy for you.

[— Let's not ever talk about DC's emotional spectrum.]

Green is my colour. [He puts his ring back on, flexes his hand, and relaxes visibly as he senses its presence at the back of his mind.] You can't miss me in a fight though. I go in with style.

[Like so.]

Edited 2013-12-19 08:55 (UTC)

[Kyle's assumption is right on the mark, and his answer gets a smirk from the engineer. Challenges are good things. Even when they get to be overwhelming, even when he says he'd rather not have them, the truth is that Tony will take interesting over boring any day.]

I wouldn't want you to make it easy. Or get lost in the crowd. That would just be a waste of good talent. What is it supposed to do?

[Tony nods at the ring on Kyle's hand, letting that act as a transition. It's probably telling how easily he focuses his attention toward what interests him, the mechanics of the ring, but he also assumes Kyle should know it would make people curious.]

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