IC inbox for duplicity

[definingfuture]

Tony's Mailbox.

Comments

[captenacious]

I just had a couple questions, if you don't mind.

[definingfuture]

Should I call a lawyer? It might be hard to get them up at this hour, but I'm sure we could bribe them.

[captenacious]

Wait, why would you need a lawyer?

[definingfuture]

No, it was a

Nevermind. What did you want to ask?

[captenacious]

Bucky mentioned something about getting...memories put in his head or something. Have you heard of that happening before?

[definingfuture]

You mean like implanted thoughts?
I guess it's possible. I mean, they've messed with us before so I don't think they'd have any ethical issues with it.

[captenacious]

Good to know.

But no, apparently he meant actual memories. Originally he was from when everyone thought I was dead, and now he remembers more.

[definingfuture]

Are we sure what he remembers is real?
No offense, but there have been a few of us from all kinds of worlds.

It's hard to keep track.

[captenacious]

It's real. I recognized what he was talking about.

[definingfuture]

And you're worried that there will be more memories or events you miss?

I haven't really asked anyone about their lives recently. Did you want me to make some calls?

[captenacious]

Not worried, exactly. More just it got me to wondering about what other oddities this place might have.

What's the last thing you remember?

[definingfuture]

[Ah, shit. He would want to talk about that now.]

I'm not sure. Explosions.

[captenacious]

I hate to say this, Shellhead, but that doesn't narrow it down much.

[definingfuture]

I was on a mission. Kirikhstan.
It wasn't really a big deal. We got things cleared up, but you know how it goes.

I think I left the clean-up crew hanging. Maria's gotta be pissed.

[captenacious]

I do know.

I didn't think you were still working with Maria.

[definingfuture]

I know she would probably like it better if I didn't, but I don't really have a choice.
Who else is there?

[captenacious]

I...don't know how to answer that, to be honest. What was she helping you with?

[definingfuture]

She's Vice Director. What doesn't she do?
Unless that's supposed to be a joke. That's a bad joke, Steve.

[captenacious]

[ There's a pause. Maria hasn't been Vice Director of anything since.

Oh god. ]

Tony...are you still with SHIELD?

[definingfuture]

[ He feels the bottom drop out of his stomach. To him it sounds like judgment. ]

Not while I'm here. Trans-dimensional authority is for the cosmic defenders. Here it's just me. I think Strange might have some authority over something.

[captenacious]

That's not what I meant.

You know I'm not dead, right?

[definingfuture]

Well, I was hoping I wasn't just talking to myself this whole time. Then again, with people coming and going here, it's hard to tell.

[captenacious]

I'm serious. I wasn't dead then either.

[definingfuture]

They should give you an Oscar, then.
I was there.

[captenacious]

I got shot, yes. I didn't die.

It wasn't your fault.