mandalus :: the city of fates.

It seems it's that time of year. The story here is a bit different then what we celebrate at home, but the sentiment seems the same. I was thinking perhaps of hosting a party. Another fund raiser of course, with the procedes going to rebuilding what was lost in the recent fight.

( Private to family, Peggy and The Spine )

[Maria is entierly unaware that the video function has turned itself on. She's actually gathering things from her office to look through at home. As she moves a closck can be seen in the background. It reads 9:02.]

Right, is that everything then? The recording.

[She carefully opens a safe and pulls out something. She slips it into her pile of books and papers. A few moments later she gathers them all together and starts for the door, giving one last look around before turning out the lights.

As she closes and turns to lock the door she seems to jump a bit.]

That's strange ...

[Clearly she decides to ignore the shock and instead locks the door and pockets the key. She starts for her way home. Everything seems rather uneventful until suddenly all of Maria's things drop to the ground.]

I ...

[She doesn't have time to get anything else out before she's doubled over in pain from whatever is happening to her.]

Oh God no....

[There's little else that Maria can say before she's fallen unconcous.]

[As always, Maria is at work. She has a few bits of greese smudged over her face and is in a lovely pants set, also sporting grease stains. She's not even watching the video. Clearly it's just on so she can keep working and talk at the same time.]

Miss Potts, I assume everything is in working order again. If so we should engage in some dress shopping while we have a bit of down time.

Mr. Kahn, I was wondering if that offer of assistance in regards to your time's backwards scientific logic was still on the table. If so, I would like to take you up on it.

[Wiping the meat end of her hand against her brow, she causes a small line of grease against her forehead, then reaches for a wine glass to take a drink of her wine.]

Steven, I was wondering if you were free for that dance that's been talked about if you would be willing to be my partner. I'm afraid Mr Stark may have other things on his mind then escorting a breathtaking young lady to a dance.

[Maria's been strangely absent of late. Not only that, but absentminded as well. She forgets to do simple things like eat, and hasn't been going out nearly as much as she once did. This could, of course be attested to the loss of her best friend, if one knew her well enough, but in truth, it's more then that. It's the commitment that she made to Tony and Pepper to help with Pepper's issue.

It's also the blind wonder and curiosity of what Pepper's issue is. As a person who had been trying to pioneer artificial limb replacement, something like Extremis is a marvel. It not only regrows those limbs, but it enhances the human body to become more then the marvel that it already is. If only it could be perfected ... But that really isn't something that she has been dwelling on too much. After all, they've made it very clear that the samples are to be used to stabilize Pepper and only for that reason. It's a pity, but after learning what they went through it's an understandable thing.

When the device falls from her pocket and the video feed turns on, she doesn't even realize it. The feed shows Maria, still dressed to the nines, but wearing a pair of wide legged pants and blouse (she's clearly still preferring the sensible and modest look of her own time period.) with a pair of safety goggles on. Unfortunately the video doesn't catch what she's working on. Just a tuft of green leaves as they spill over the counter.]

If I....

[She shakes her head and frowns, moving and allowing the view to now become the ceiling of her clinic.]

No. He's tried that already. Oh! Maybe ...

[She moves back over to where the discarded decide is laying before adding something to whatever she is doing.]

Right.

[She leans over and starts to write in a notebook.]

Now to find out the result. Fingers crossed.

[She snaps a piece of what she was working on a steps back, stepping on the device.]

What are you -

[Before she can get anything more out there's a rather spectacular explosion and the feed goes black. Coughing, however, can be heard.]

Miss Potts, if I could see you for a moment. In private.

[The video starts with the world getting a lovely video of Maria's elbow. Clearly she isn't aware of the video being turned on. In fact, she's been missing for about two days (although she was sure to let the boys know where she was). When she's finally seen, she has a pair of goggles on her head and a welding torch in her good hand. Clearly she's been busy with fixing up the building even though she ought to be resting. The office has clearly gotten a fresh coat of paint and there is new bedding on the beds.

Oddly, there's a strange conglomeration of wires and metal on the ground. A crude attempt at a transporter. She's actually using her casted arm to stabilize things as she uses her good hand to weld it in place. When she finally notices that the video was on she moves to the camera and uses her good hand to take the video and offer everyone one of her brightest smiles.]


Oh, sorry, nothing's ready yet. You'll just have to wait a bit longer until the clinic is ready. Rabbit, Spine, I'll be home tonight. I'll be sure to pick up a few things for both of you and I want to do a complete diagnostic when I come home. Any messes the two of you made ought to be cleaned up.

[Yes boys, she's missed you both very much.]

Oh, and Anthony, I'd like to see you again if that's alright. I haven't anything planned this time. How about we make it your choice?

[With that she turns the off.]

[It's taken Maria a few days to let everything sink in and take care of her own injuries. She can't entierly hide the worry in her voice, although she tries very hard to. Maria has never had to deal with any of this before. She's been a sheltered woman who didn't realize that this is what the world was like.]

Do these things happen often here?

[The sound crackles and pops as if the phone is in terrible disrepair. Maria's voice, when it comes is breathy and ragged. Unknown to the listener Maria was caught in the explosion. She's hurt very badly but doing her best to hide that fact.]

Anthony, Rabbit, The Spine? Boys, tell me you're alright. If anyone knows the location and conditions of Anthony Stark, Rabbit and The Spine please let me know as soon as possible.

[There's a pause as she sucks in a tight breath. Hiding her worry when it's bubbling over this much isn't easy for Maria. Howard was always the good actor.]

Also, for those of you who don't know, my name is Maria Collins Carbonell, I have a decent understanding of the human anatomy and, should it be needed, I can sufficently double as a doctor.

[While Maria is clearly well put together today she has a bit of grease smeared on her cheek and when she moves them, her fingers are brownish-black with oil. Clearly she's gotten her hands into something. Her hair, while still having every hair in place his pulled back in a ponytail with tendrels of curls bouncing behind her. Maria looks extremely happy.]

For those of you looking for Rabbit and The Spine, I've accuired them. It seems the commotion a few nights back was due to a bit of a [She clears her throat.] glitch, but everything should be alright now.

[Really, Maria can't stop smiling even as there are sounds of crashing in the background and she covers the camera with her hand, calling behind her.]

Rabbit, if you're ruining my kitchen again I sware I'm going to tie you to a chir for the rest of the evening. [She doesn't actually sound angry with him. More amused then anything else. Maria thrives on life and vitality. Having the pair in her apartment has given her just that.]

I'm not entierly sure how long they plan to stay, but I'm sure one of us will let you all know when they've moved house again. Also, if anyone is in need of any sort of small repairs I'd be more then willing to assist. I'm also rather adept with robotic limbs and the like. If anyone is interested that is.

[Maria has clearly taken her time in getting access to the network. She's found the place where she's supposed to be living and inspected all the elements of it before doing anything; making a thorough investigation of the bathroom and the amenities within. To look at her in the video (all-be-it a bit too close to her powdered face) she seems to not look at all worried about the situation she's found herself in. In fact, she rather looks like a perfectly calm 1950's starlet. Maria's hair is slightly wavy, but pinned back and her lips are a devastating red. While the camera may be a bit too close it's clear that Maria has studied it thoroughly.]

Isn't this a handy device? Slim, compact, and it does exactly everything you need it to do. Now, what I need this handy little thing to do is find me someone who is willing to give me a bit of information on this place.

In order for this to work we're going to have to work on trust, now won't we? I'll start by telling you my name. I'm Maria; Maria Collins Carbonell. Now, it's your turn.