[ It's not really dealing so much as it is just putting it off, though, and she knows the difference very well because she's done both. Mostly the putting it off one, really. Primarily that one. Which she thinks means she's in a qualified position to point out that the results frequently really, really suck.
Fixing, maybe not, but - improving it, hopefully. At least somewhat. She takes that small twist of his hands and slides hers into his, twines their fingers and holds on. She'll keep talking forever if it's going to keep having a calming effect on him. ]
Yeah? Sounds like a good project. It must be hard to keep the mobility and make it resistant enough. [ But yeah, that's not hard to guess why he's making a suit that can withstand space, not with what she knows from past incidents about how he feels about space. She changes the subject and keeps going. Later, maybe, once he's recovered more, she'll bring that up again. But not until then, because she thinks it would be almost useless to bring it up now. ] Have you eaten yet today?
[ He allows that as well, the interlocking of their fingers. His grip is still somewhat loose, but that's simply because it's a steady grip. If it feels like she's going to pull away, that grip will instantly tighten.
He did like her talking though. Something to focus on without too much thinking over his own. Not that the thinking doesn't help either, because it does, it helps him organize his thoughts.
There's a sort ot stiff-shouldered shrug. ] Difficult but not impossible. Discovered an alloy that would work for it a bit better. [ Waiting until later's probably a fantastic idea in general though.
With that question it's hard to tell if he looks like he's actually trying to figure it out or just wasn't expecting it. It turns out as a few moments pass and the look changes a bit, that he's trying to remember. He's fairly certain he ate yesterday, and she's going to try and make him eat if he says the wrong thing, but he just... After a while he just sort of shrugs disinterestedly. ]
[ She's fine with loose, so long as he's showing enough presence to either accept or reject it one way or another. And currently he seems to be passing that test, which is a really nice thing.
She makes a noncommittal noise to his answer about the alloy, because more and more she's quite convinced that that's a subject she doesn't want to touch until whatever point he's back in a much more coherent and normal state of mind, one in which reminders of what's been bothering him are less likely to start something all over again. So she moves on, considers how he responds to the question about food, and then starts talking. ]
Maybe a smoothie or something would be a good idea later, once you're feeling better. [ But she tries to make it clear in her tone of voice that it's nothing more than a suggestion, something she thinks would be a good idea but she's not going to push. ] I mean, there's only a 50% chance of it being uncontaminated but Dummy would probably welcome the chance to try, he's been in time out a lot lately. [ Nothing that requires an answer if he doesn't want to give one, just easy pauses if he wants to interject before she keeps onwards. ] I think maybe you should get cleaned up first, though - wipe down and change clothes. [ Not shower. Maybe a bath, maybe, but not somewhere tight and enclosed and full of water. That she knows more than enough to know is a very bad plan. ]
[ He's pretty good at tests in general. He's always tested well. Mostly.
The smoothie suggestion seems to be entertained at first, but then he is quickly turned off the idea. His stomach twists with the suggestion, and he decides that the whole not eating idea has been his best one in a long time. Eyes shut again, he just shakes his head once, and then fairly calmly replies. ] Yeah, you know, maybe later, we can do that. Has he? [ Been in time out a lot? Tony feels like that's his fault. Bad parenting. ] A little later. [ And a little louder, since he's been quiet. ] Dummy, buddy, in an hour. Best of three, okay?
[ With the last suggestion though, he does open his eyes again and glance down at himself, apparently surprised by the lack of clothing and the oil. Or he's just still kind of out of it. One of the two. ] Yeah, okay.
[ This is not the usual sort of test, though. For one she has a few other ways of determining whether he's okay than other people might.
To her it feels like a lot, but who knows how the two of them are really getting along at any given moment. Always well enough, despite how much insistence that Dum-E is about to be turned into a wine rack happens. Mostly right now she's just throwing out things to add into the conversation, give her more reason to keep talking because she doesn't want to put him on the spot anymore, just let him sit and listen and calm down. ] I'm sure he'll be thrilled.
[ Maybe a little of both, even. He was barely breathing what seems like far too little time ago, but it does seem like getting out of this space for at least a little bit could be a good idea. She rests a hand on his knee, leans forward a little. ] Do you think you can move with me, or do you want to sit still for a little longer? We can do either one.
I can already hear him twirling his claw with anticipation. [ It's kind of comforting, in a way. One that he probably couldn't describe even if he wanted to try doing so, for lots of different reasons. He loves Dummy - Dummy was his first baby, the oldest of his boys - and yeah, undoubtedly, Dummy's a little special sometimes, but Tony really only puts effort into insulting things he cares about. Sort of. Point is, he'd never actually give Dummy away. Or dismantle him. Hell, he hasn't even been able to bring himself to fix the bot's more unusual glitches.
He considers that for all of a couple seconds before he nods a little. ] Yeah, yeah, I can move. It'll be fine. Totally. Let's go to another room.
He's probably already planning exactly how much oil he can get away with putting into it. Or the most efficient way to do it. You know. [ Light and easy, amused. She likes the robot pretty well, and she likes him most of all for the fact that he makes Tony happy on a regular basis. Anything that makes Tony happy is good in her books.
And okay, that agreement was a little fast for her to actually put a great deal of faith in it, but after a moment of evaluation she stands up and holds out both of her hands to him. ] Then let's head upstairs. I think there's probably a little bit more natural light up there, too.
I've never really... [ Ooh, breathing is still sort of a thing. Okay. ] Been able to tell if he thinks I need motor oil or if he just can't tell that I don't. But damn if he doesn't try.
[ Oh, right, he agreed to that. Like, two seconds ago. What was he thinking. But okay, okay. She stands up, and he already wants to follow her, so the hands and the standing, that goes fairly smoothly. He's a little shaky on his feet, his thighs are full of adrenalin that hasn't gone anywhere, been used for anything, so he's a little wobbly and jittery and it's all to do with the adrenaline. Nothing else, no sir. ] Okay. Ready. [ She's clearly picking where they're going, and he's fine just so long as she doesn't walk too fast and doesn't let go of his hand. ]
[ She stays still for a long moment after he first stands up, moves close enough that she can take most of his weight easily should he need her to, waiting for him to get his balance and center of movement under him. For the moment she won't comment on it, but it's definitely on the list of things that she's going to have to talk to him about because this - this is not improving. ] We'll take the elevator. [ Because that seems like the best idea, here. nd there's no way she's going to let go of his hand, her grip quite firm. Nor is she planning on walking at more than a pretty slow amble, moving backwards so that she can stay watching him. ] Can you drink some water, or would that be too much?
[ He leans on her a little bit but mostly he's trying to move of his own volition. It's nice that she's here; he appreciates it. He's not always sure what to do with her, but right now he doesn't even care. He willingly holds on to her hand, leans a little more on her than he probably would if he weren't still dealing with so much from the attack. ] Uh, yeah, okay. Elevator. [ Elevator works. ] Just no stairs.
[ He considers the water question with no small amount of pause. Tries not to make a face. ] I probably need it but I don't know. It might be. Might be just what I'm craving. We can try it.
[ She moves as if he's not putting any weight on her, doesn't mention it at all. Whatever he needs to do she's willing to help, and sometimes help can only be taken if it's not acknowledged. ] Stairs are boring anyways. [ Lightly, easy. She refuses to try to make it into a big thing, because the bigger a deal it is - knowing him, he'll feel like it was his fault or something he did, and it wasn't.
She nods, considers. ] Then we'll get some water and just sit down for a little bit.
[ She's just so damn smart. It's unreal sometimes, her intuition. Or just how quickly she thinks in terms of knowing how to do things to the point where it looks like intuition. He considers them to be the same thing. ]
Yeah, boring. [ She's doing a good job. He's leaning on her a little more as they keep moving, as well as a little more whenever water is mentioned. ] Yeah okay. Sounds like a plan. Maybe a bottle? From the fridge. Not a cup. Dunno why. Just a thought.
[ It's probably about half and half, and certainly the longer and better she knows him the more it becomes just intuition because she knows him and therefore knows what might work.
She presses the button for the second floor, by the kitchen, and glances over at him, nods. ] Or juice. Juice boxes are always amazing. [ She can guess what it is he's been thinking about, if he's avoiding open water, but that's not due to be brought up yet. Not quite. He needs to be settled first. ] How was your morning?
[ He takes the opportunity to lean a little more on the side of the elevator than on her, because he's just realized how much he was leaning on her, and no. ]
We have juice boxes? I'd -- really go for a juice box. Yeah.
[ Thinking back over things, skipping over the obvious. ]
Of course we have juice boxes. Juice boxes are amazing, I love them.
[ It's cool, she'll just casually lean back against the elevator too, stay with an arm looped around him and ready to support any weight he might need her to support. She doesn't mind. ]
Oh, you know, same old same old. I was reading about quantum mechanics because it sounds interesting, then I went shopping, you know how it goes. [ As the elevator doors open, casually slipping back into an upright position and keeping on talking as she takes any weight he puts on her. ] I think we have apple and tropical and maybe grape. Not sure about grape. What do you want?
[ He goes back to leaning on her about as much as he was before, almost immediately, because he needs to and just isn't going to acknowledge it.
Nodding a little bit as she talks, although not a whole lot because he feels like too much movement's gonna make him fall over or throw up or something like that. ] I want grape. Shopping for what?
[ She's fine with that, because seriously. Supporting him is no problem, and she wants to do whatever he needs.
She does angle them for the couch by the kitchen instead of the kitchen proper though, because she feels like he might need to be sitting down again somewhere comfortable and soft so he can relax. ] Grape it is then. Just some basic stuff here and there. Errands that needed running, you know how it goes.
[ Thank god for her thought process. He's very happy for the couch, falls off of her and onto it, just for a little bit, he thinks. Just, you know, long enough to catch his breath and stuff. ]
I've never run errands in my life, I have no idea what you're talking about.
[ She waits until he's settled and then heads into the kitchen to retrieve juice boxes, talking the whole time so that even the moments she goes out of sight he can always tell she's there. ]
Well, just because you're ridiculous. It's errands, come on, haven't you ever needed to pick up a different wrench or just some food that isn't in the house? There can't have always been someone around who would go get it for you. [ And holding out a juice box for him - she's taken the straw out of the plastic because that's a pain, but she's pretty sure actually sticking it in would look pretty patronizing so she's left that to him, sitting down beside him as she sets to work on her and presses against his side, warmth and solidness. ] How are you doing?
[ I'm not sure how deeply he would have actually thought about whether or not she put the straw in the juice box or not given his current state, but it's nice of her to be thinking about things like that anyway. ] Nope, not me. Never gone to the grocery store or the hardware store or anything. Always somebody around. I have an army of minions and each one is stationed at most stores I would want something from so all I have to do is ask and they'll bring it here. [ Max can you tell he's being sarcastic. It's predominantly to cover the fact that he isn't going to answer your question. That and how much he's obviously using the couch for support. ]
[ She thinks about everything she can consider, when she's trying to take care of someone. Sometimes she thinks of almost too much and misses out on the obvious.
Also evasion is not nearly as successful a tactic as he apparently thinks it is, especially when someone is already on the lookout for it and you're trying to evade the answer to a question she finds it pretty important to get answered. Very important. ] I'm sure. No wonder your personal budget is so high. [ But she'll wait, say, five minutes. And then she's asking again, if he hasn't taken the suggestion of her steady gaze and answered it before then. ]
[ He makes it about a little under two minutes into that steady gaze and breaks. ]
I'm barely keeping down a juice box, my legs feel like they belong to somebody else, the reactor weighs about three times as much as it usually does, and I think if I stand up too fast I'm gonna pass out. How do you think I'm doing? [ When evasion doesn't work, go on the defensive! He's more than irked that this is even a problem - normal people don't have basic functionality problems like this. He's even more annoyed that she apparently had to become privy to the issue, as though it were something he'd really have been able to keep from her. ]
Not too hot, sounds like. [ But her voice is calm as she leans forward, presses the back of her hand to his forehead to check if there's any fever going on. Just to be certain, and then she takes another sip of her juicebox and presses closer against him, offering as much support as she can. ] Do you know what it was?
[ He only flinches a little bit when she puts the back of her hand to his forehead, and he isn't even sure why. He feels hot but he doubts that he actually is by this point. He probably was earlier, but now he's calmed down too much believe it or not. He's going to feel hot again though, if he can't calm down more, with her lying against him. He can't calm down all the way and he can't figure out why. ] I have no idea what it -- Do I know what what was?
[ She can take a guess as to why he can't calm down entirely, and another one as to why he felt like this in the first place. It's not one that he's going to enjoy her making, she thinks, but she has fairly significant experience with PTSD, both in herself and in the others around her. ] I think you had a panic attack. [ Watching him carefully, still evaluating. ] Going from what I felt when I got back.
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Fixing, maybe not, but - improving it, hopefully. At least somewhat. She takes that small twist of his hands and slides hers into his, twines their fingers and holds on. She'll keep talking forever if it's going to keep having a calming effect on him. ]
Yeah? Sounds like a good project. It must be hard to keep the mobility and make it resistant enough. [ But yeah, that's not hard to guess why he's making a suit that can withstand space, not with what she knows from past incidents about how he feels about space. She changes the subject and keeps going. Later, maybe, once he's recovered more, she'll bring that up again. But not until then, because she thinks it would be almost useless to bring it up now. ] Have you eaten yet today?
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He did like her talking though. Something to focus on without too much thinking over his own. Not that the thinking doesn't help either, because it does, it helps him organize his thoughts.
There's a sort ot stiff-shouldered shrug. ] Difficult but not impossible. Discovered an alloy that would work for it a bit better. [ Waiting until later's probably a fantastic idea in general though.
With that question it's hard to tell if he looks like he's actually trying to figure it out or just wasn't expecting it. It turns out as a few moments pass and the look changes a bit, that he's trying to remember. He's fairly certain he ate yesterday, and she's going to try and make him eat if he says the wrong thing, but he just... After a while he just sort of shrugs disinterestedly. ]
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She makes a noncommittal noise to his answer about the alloy, because more and more she's quite convinced that that's a subject she doesn't want to touch until whatever point he's back in a much more coherent and normal state of mind, one in which reminders of what's been bothering him are less likely to start something all over again. So she moves on, considers how he responds to the question about food, and then starts talking. ]
Maybe a smoothie or something would be a good idea later, once you're feeling better. [ But she tries to make it clear in her tone of voice that it's nothing more than a suggestion, something she thinks would be a good idea but she's not going to push. ] I mean, there's only a 50% chance of it being uncontaminated but Dummy would probably welcome the chance to try, he's been in time out a lot lately. [ Nothing that requires an answer if he doesn't want to give one, just easy pauses if he wants to interject before she keeps onwards. ] I think maybe you should get cleaned up first, though - wipe down and change clothes. [ Not shower. Maybe a bath, maybe, but not somewhere tight and enclosed and full of water. That she knows more than enough to know is a very bad plan. ]
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The smoothie suggestion seems to be entertained at first, but then he is quickly turned off the idea. His stomach twists with the suggestion, and he decides that the whole not eating idea has been his best one in a long time. Eyes shut again, he just shakes his head once, and then fairly calmly replies. ] Yeah, you know, maybe later, we can do that. Has he? [ Been in time out a lot? Tony feels like that's his fault. Bad parenting. ] A little later. [ And a little louder, since he's been quiet. ] Dummy, buddy, in an hour. Best of three, okay?
[ With the last suggestion though, he does open his eyes again and glance down at himself, apparently surprised by the lack of clothing and the oil. Or he's just still kind of out of it. One of the two. ] Yeah, okay.
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To her it feels like a lot, but who knows how the two of them are really getting along at any given moment. Always well enough, despite how much insistence that Dum-E is about to be turned into a wine rack happens. Mostly right now she's just throwing out things to add into the conversation, give her more reason to keep talking because she doesn't want to put him on the spot anymore, just let him sit and listen and calm down. ] I'm sure he'll be thrilled.
[ Maybe a little of both, even. He was barely breathing what seems like far too little time ago, but it does seem like getting out of this space for at least a little bit could be a good idea. She rests a hand on his knee, leans forward a little. ] Do you think you can move with me, or do you want to sit still for a little longer? We can do either one.
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He considers that for all of a couple seconds before he nods a little. ] Yeah, yeah, I can move. It'll be fine. Totally. Let's go to another room.
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And okay, that agreement was a little fast for her to actually put a great deal of faith in it, but after a moment of evaluation she stands up and holds out both of her hands to him. ] Then let's head upstairs. I think there's probably a little bit more natural light up there, too.
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[ Oh, right, he agreed to that. Like, two seconds ago. What was he thinking. But okay, okay. She stands up, and he already wants to follow her, so the hands and the standing, that goes fairly smoothly. He's a little shaky on his feet, his thighs are full of adrenalin that hasn't gone anywhere, been used for anything, so he's a little wobbly and jittery and it's all to do with the adrenaline. Nothing else, no sir. ] Okay. Ready. [ She's clearly picking where they're going, and he's fine just so long as she doesn't walk too fast and doesn't let go of his hand. ]
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[ She stays still for a long moment after he first stands up, moves close enough that she can take most of his weight easily should he need her to, waiting for him to get his balance and center of movement under him. For the moment she won't comment on it, but it's definitely on the list of things that she's going to have to talk to him about because this - this is not improving. ] We'll take the elevator. [ Because that seems like the best idea, here. nd there's no way she's going to let go of his hand, her grip quite firm. Nor is she planning on walking at more than a pretty slow amble, moving backwards so that she can stay watching him. ] Can you drink some water, or would that be too much?
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[ He considers the water question with no small amount of pause. Tries not to make a face. ] I probably need it but I don't know. It might be. Might be just what I'm craving. We can try it.
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She nods, considers. ] Then we'll get some water and just sit down for a little bit.
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Yeah, boring. [ She's doing a good job. He's leaning on her a little more as they keep moving, as well as a little more whenever water is mentioned. ] Yeah okay. Sounds like a plan. Maybe a bottle? From the fridge. Not a cup. Dunno why. Just a thought.
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She presses the button for the second floor, by the kitchen, and glances over at him, nods. ] Or juice. Juice boxes are always amazing. [ She can guess what it is he's been thinking about, if he's avoiding open water, but that's not due to be brought up yet. Not quite. He needs to be settled first. ] How was your morning?
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We have juice boxes? I'd -- really go for a juice box. Yeah.
[ Thinking back over things, skipping over the obvious. ]
Fine. How was yours?
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[ It's cool, she'll just casually lean back against the elevator too, stay with an arm looped around him and ready to support any weight he might need her to support. She doesn't mind. ]
Oh, you know, same old same old. I was reading about quantum mechanics because it sounds interesting, then I went shopping, you know how it goes. [ As the elevator doors open, casually slipping back into an upright position and keeping on talking as she takes any weight he puts on her. ] I think we have apple and tropical and maybe grape. Not sure about grape. What do you want?
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[ He goes back to leaning on her about as much as he was before, almost immediately, because he needs to and just isn't going to acknowledge it.
Nodding a little bit as she talks, although not a whole lot because he feels like too much movement's gonna make him fall over or throw up or something like that. ] I want grape. Shopping for what?
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She does angle them for the couch by the kitchen instead of the kitchen proper though, because she feels like he might need to be sitting down again somewhere comfortable and soft so he can relax. ] Grape it is then. Just some basic stuff here and there. Errands that needed running, you know how it goes.
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I've never run errands in my life, I have no idea what you're talking about.
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Well, just because you're ridiculous. It's errands, come on, haven't you ever needed to pick up a different wrench or just some food that isn't in the house? There can't have always been someone around who would go get it for you. [ And holding out a juice box for him - she's taken the straw out of the plastic because that's a pain, but she's pretty sure actually sticking it in would look pretty patronizing so she's left that to him, sitting down beside him as she sets to work on her and presses against his side, warmth and solidness. ] How are you doing?
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Also evasion is not nearly as successful a tactic as he apparently thinks it is, especially when someone is already on the lookout for it and you're trying to evade the answer to a question she finds it pretty important to get answered. Very important. ] I'm sure. No wonder your personal budget is so high. [ But she'll wait, say, five minutes. And then she's asking again, if he hasn't taken the suggestion of her steady gaze and answered it before then. ]
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I'm barely keeping down a juice box, my legs feel like they belong to somebody else, the reactor weighs about three times as much as it usually does, and I think if I stand up too fast I'm gonna pass out. How do you think I'm doing? [ When evasion doesn't work, go on the defensive! He's more than irked that this is even a problem - normal people don't have basic functionality problems like this. He's even more annoyed that she apparently had to become privy to the issue, as though it were something he'd really have been able to keep from her. ]
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