That, my dear, is an excellent idea! I knew I liked you for a reason.
[They could start it off as just games in the bar, then tournaments, then maybe an empire. He'd own this town before they could blink an eye. Sigh, if only. He chuckled.]
I'm kidding. I wouldn't really want to do that to people.
[ And compared to such a heavy topic from before, she laughs, well and truly, at the mirth they're sharing. It helps-- she hopes it helps, these moments of smiling and laughter despite all he may have been through or lost. ]
Because you'd beat everyone at poker?
[ Her lips curve upward, giggling again at she silly image this paints: ] What would one even bet, chips for hugs and kisses?
[ Sourpuss... Sourpuss... Her brow furrows for a moment, then understanding dawns on her from the other context he gives. ]
Oh, you mean Noct?
[ She smiles again, exhaling a short breath through her nose. Yes, she knows that Noct has his prickly moments. He’s still amazing to her, though, and by his smile she recognizes that Tony doesn’t mean the term in any harmful way.
Still, there’s a light blush upon her cheeks— not embarrassed, but happy. ]
[He'd thought maybe talking about Noct she'd say more, but even that topic was barely getting a sentence. He thought Pyra was a sweetheart, but she'd flunk his essay questions if she took his science classes.
He was quiet a moment as he thought over where else to lead the conversation. His eyes lit up and he gave her a smile.]
[ She cants her head, looking at him, her lips pursed as if attempting to provide more context to the names. Pepper and Morgan... More of his children? ]
I'm not going to say no, but... Who are they? [ She scoots more up next to him, giving his hand a squeeze. ]
My wife, Pepper, and my biological daughter, Morgan.
[This life could be so strange. He'd felt like he'd been doing nothing but talk about himself since Pyra got here and yet somehow the names of his family whom he loved the most and suffer the greatest heartache that they are gone hadn't been said. How does that happen?
His suit came back to him and from the helmet, a holographic scene started to play. The image has a bluish hue, but she can get the idea of what colors are supposed to be there.
The first is a beautiful wooden house in middle of a forest and the camera turns to a little tent and a figure huddled in some kind of blanket near it. A little four year old girl with long brown hair comes running out with a pink dress and fairy wings. Tony, who pulls a hood back, has a mask on of some silly monster and he playfully runs around the tent a few times before falling on the ground and getting 'vanquished' by the fairy queen. He, of course, has to be very overly dramatic with the death scene but the girl laughs through the whole thing. The scene fades and Tony tells Friday of another one to play.
This one is much earlier. It's evident by the baby being assisted walking along a quiet beach by a pretty blonde woman. Higher along the beach, Tony sits watching them. He's smiling, but he doesn't look like he does now. He's emaciated, has a glowing disc at the center of his chest, and has a picc line in one arm. Pyra can almost make out a wheelchair not too far behind him, but the 'camera' moves away from that angle fast and back to the baby and woman.
That image fades and Tony looks at Pyra.]
Sorry I should show you something more fun than these.
[ ...And this must be of the family he's left behind in his world, the one to which he might never know. She notes what the "camera" shows: his wife, his daughter, and his expression and behavior in both of those scenes as they play out. She also notes the difference in how he appears in either of them, where in one he appears as if he's recovering from something, the arc reactor seemingly implanted into is chest, and in another he's sturdier, able to walk and play with his daughter.
And as she notes his expression within the scenes, she also takes care to glance back at the Tony beside her, too, to watch him...
Her own expression is wistful for a moment, and she turns her head to face where the hologram had been. If she had to guess, he probably needed to see the scenes himself. ]
...Look... how happy they are. [ She comments quiet, respectful, and then pausing. ]
That's... amazing. [ She breathes out, as if in awe. ] It's amazing that you gave them that.
[ That happiness, she means, and there's no doubt in her mind that he's the reason for their smiles. If he can make a family like that smile, she's sure that whatever "family" he finds again, he'll be able to do the same. ]
[Pyra had a gift. She could say very little but those words were so impactful. Very few times did he stop and think about the good he'd done for his family. It seemed so pale in comparison to all the heartache his behavior or bad luck had brought them.
He looked back where those holograms had been and wondered, had he really given them anything he'd classify as 'amazing'? Sadly, he shook his head.]
No, that happiness? That's what they gave me. I... I don't know. I gave Pepper migraines and poisonous berries.
[His lip curled up despite the words. It was a bit of a joke between them toward the end.]
[ Is he being serious, is he joking, is he being cynical, is he doubting? The shake of his head, the "I don't know", makes her believe it's the latter rather than any of the former, which is--
She refuses to believe it. When she had seen the hologram, she had seen their smiles, their joy, their contentedness. She refuses to believe that he hadn't had any part of their smiles-- which means he's woefully diminishing himself. ] Mm... hey.
[ Pyra leans forward, lifting up her hand again from their sandwiched hands, and, after one moment, raises one finger and wags it, just a bit chastising. In the soft way, of course. ] Stop that.
That doubt, I mean. [ She smiles kindly. ] Play it again, and you'll see-- those smiles? Are definitely because of you, too.
[As gentle and kind-hearted as it was, Tony was shocked at the scolding. However, the surprise softened. His gaze dropped and.. was that pink on his cheeks? Please stop looking at him.]
I can't. It's a one time only v- okay, that's not true. I um..
[He struggled to find words for her, but he couldn't. No answers, no sarcasm, no jokes, nothing.]
[ With the hand still upon his, she gives his a squeeze. The light that dances in her eyes this time is just a little bit satisfied, as if to convey that she absolutely believes she's right.
Getting him to believe it-- or accept it-- is another thing entirely... Although from that soft color upon his cheeks, perhaps it's possible that he already knows it, somewhere in his heart. ]
[Tony finally looked at her and smirked. He gave her hand a squeeze back.]
Don't you have some other superhero to torture?
[It was a joke, back where he felt safe and could distance himself from where he felt weak. However, these moments he used to be when he'd hurt people the most. He'd say some wisecrack to get them away from his heart. He'd made progress and it said something about how he felt about Pyra that his tone was so soft and playful.]
So, you'll help me build the VR game and teach me code while we go? Is there anything else we need for that?
[ She'll let this be. For now. But if it ever comes up again, rest assured, she'll be quick to reassure him, for if it's one thing she's seen too often, it's when others do not believe they've made others happy themselves. Or that their presence and company is worth something.
Back to business, then. ]
The only things we might need are... the VR cafe itself and your brain.
I've got a sandbox program to assist with coding and learning it-- because, you know, isn't it best to learn by doing?
[He shot her a grateful smile as Pyra started in on their plans for coding. Tonight, she was the one who showed mercy. She was the hero. He didn't say it like she would've, but he hoped she knew anyway.
Of everyone he'd met here, Harmony the cat and Pyra were his favorites.]
[ From then on, still hand in hand, Pyra delves into the realm of Alleyn coding for his VR camping idea, beginning to teach him the basic principles of their virtual building blocks.
It will be a full day of learning up until late evening, when she bids him farewell and takes her leave. ]
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no subject
Parroting that playfully secretive tone, and also leaning in, she asks slyly, ]
Aah, are you looking to set up Havenwell’s very first gambling ring? Casino?
no subject
That, my dear, is an excellent idea! I knew I liked you for a reason.
[They could start it off as just games in the bar, then tournaments, then maybe an empire. He'd own this town before they could blink an eye. Sigh, if only. He chuckled.]
I'm kidding. I wouldn't really want to do that to people.
no subject
Because you'd beat everyone at poker?
[ Her lips curve upward, giggling again at she silly image this paints: ] What would one even bet, chips for hugs and kisses?
no subject
[He chuckles, but the idea of playing poker for 'hugs and kisses' has him leaning back and laughing a whole lot more earnestly.]
If there was a god of poker, they would track this world down just to smite us over that one. Blasphemy!
[After another small laugh, he looks back at her thoughtfully.]
So are you feeling better now, sweetheart? I know I dropped some really heavy things on you and I'm sorry for that.
no subject
No-- I mean, yes, I'm better. But no, for... Don't say sorry. [ With her free one, she pats atop his knuckles. ]
I'm glad you told me. You've been through a lot.
no subject
Maybe sharing about your life isn't all bad, right?
[He gave her hand a light, playful squeeze.]
One more question.. how did such a lovely, sweet girl like you end up with such a sourpuss?
[The tone is still playful. Whether Noct is grumpy or not, Tony likes him. Teasing was just one of his weird ways of showing affection.]
no subject
Oh, you mean Noct?
[ She smiles again, exhaling a short breath through her nose. Yes, she knows that Noct has his prickly moments. He’s still amazing to her, though, and by his smile she recognizes that Tony doesn’t mean the term in any harmful way.
Still, there’s a light blush upon her cheeks— not embarrassed, but happy. ]
Well....It’s very easy to love him, isn’t it.
no subject
Whatever you say.
[He'd thought maybe talking about Noct she'd say more, but even that topic was barely getting a sentence. He thought Pyra was a sweetheart, but she'd flunk his essay questions if she took his science classes.
He was quiet a moment as he thought over where else to lead the conversation. His eyes lit up and he gave her a smile.]
Would you like to see Pepper and Morgan?
no subject
I'm not going to say no, but... Who are they? [ She scoots more up next to him, giving his hand a squeeze. ]
no subject
[This life could be so strange. He'd felt like he'd been doing nothing but talk about himself since Pyra got here and yet somehow the names of his family whom he loved the most and suffer the greatest heartache that they are gone hadn't been said. How does that happen?
His suit came back to him and from the helmet, a holographic scene started to play. The image has a bluish hue, but she can get the idea of what colors are supposed to be there.
The first is a beautiful wooden house in middle of a forest and the camera turns to a little tent and a figure huddled in some kind of blanket near it. A little four year old girl with long brown hair comes running out with a pink dress and fairy wings. Tony, who pulls a hood back, has a mask on of some silly monster and he playfully runs around the tent a few times before falling on the ground and getting 'vanquished' by the fairy queen. He, of course, has to be very overly dramatic with the death scene but the girl laughs through the whole thing. The scene fades and Tony tells Friday of another one to play.
This one is much earlier. It's evident by the baby being assisted walking along a quiet beach by a pretty blonde woman. Higher along the beach, Tony sits watching them. He's smiling, but he doesn't look like he does now. He's emaciated, has a glowing disc at the center of his chest, and has a picc line in one arm. Pyra can almost make out a wheelchair not too far behind him, but the 'camera' moves away from that angle fast and back to the baby and woman.
That image fades and Tony looks at Pyra.]
Sorry I should show you something more fun than these.
no subject
And as she notes his expression within the scenes, she also takes care to glance back at the Tony beside her, too, to watch him...
Her own expression is wistful for a moment, and she turns her head to face where the hologram had been. If she had to guess, he probably needed to see the scenes himself. ]
...Look... how happy they are. [ She comments quiet, respectful, and then pausing. ]
That's... amazing. [ She breathes out, as if in awe. ] It's amazing that you gave them that.
[ That happiness, she means, and there's no doubt in her mind that he's the reason for their smiles. If he can make a family like that smile, she's sure that whatever "family" he finds again, he'll be able to do the same. ]
no subject
He looked back where those holograms had been and wondered, had he really given them anything he'd classify as 'amazing'? Sadly, he shook his head.]
No, that happiness? That's what they gave me. I... I don't know. I gave Pepper migraines and poisonous berries.
[His lip curled up despite the words. It was a bit of a joke between them toward the end.]
Morgan, I made the cookies.
no subject
She refuses to believe it. When she had seen the hologram, she had seen their smiles, their joy, their contentedness. She refuses to believe that he hadn't had any part of their smiles-- which means he's woefully diminishing himself. ] Mm... hey.
[ Pyra leans forward, lifting up her hand again from their sandwiched hands, and, after one moment, raises one finger and wags it, just a bit chastising. In the soft way, of course. ] Stop that.
That doubt, I mean. [ She smiles kindly. ] Play it again, and you'll see-- those smiles? Are definitely because of you, too.
no subject
I can't. It's a one time only v- okay, that's not true. I um..
[He struggled to find words for her, but he couldn't. No answers, no sarcasm, no jokes, nothing.]
no subject
Getting him to believe it-- or accept it-- is another thing entirely... Although from that soft color upon his cheeks, perhaps it's possible that he already knows it, somewhere in his heart. ]
What do you say, Irondad?
no subject
Don't you have some other superhero to torture?
[It was a joke, back where he felt safe and could distance himself from where he felt weak. However, these moments he used to be when he'd hurt people the most. He'd say some wisecrack to get them away from his heart. He'd made progress and it said something about how he felt about Pyra that his tone was so soft and playful.]
So, you'll help me build the VR game and teach me code while we go? Is there anything else we need for that?
no subject
Back to business, then. ]
The only things we might need are... the VR cafe itself and your brain.
I've got a sandbox program to assist with coding and learning it-- because, you know, isn't it best to learn by doing?
Wrap?
Of everyone he'd met here, Harmony the cat and Pyra were his favorites.]
Sounds perfect.
yup yup
It will be a full day of learning up until late evening, when she bids him farewell and takes her leave. ]