IC inbox for duplicity

[definingfuture]

Tony's Mailbox.

Comments

[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.

[definingfuture]

Okay, who are you really?
What do you want from me?
It can't be influence. There's no influence or money to gain here, and there are plenty of other useful, willing dominants if that's what you're after.

[captenacious]

Tony.

Crossbones shot me on the Red Skull's orders. Unless you've turned into either of them when I wasn't looking, none of it was your fault.

audio

[definingfuture]

[He can't take it. The device switching to audio automatically.]

What the hell do you want from me?

[captenacious]

[ There's a pause before Steve's audio clicks on. ]

I want you not to feel guilty for something you didn't do.

[definingfuture]

[He wants to found threatening, but he's trembling and mostly coming off at the edge of hysterical.]

You know no one believes that, right? You don't believe that.