past prologue.

I'm reading the same papers you're reading. I see the shootings and the terror; I see the flash point, the fever pitch. And what I think we need, more than anything, is a minute to sit back and talk to each other. Everybody is afraid of what they don't know. Everybody casts aspersions when its all they have. But knowledge is a good, strong righteous right arm. And not everybody can stare truth in the face and with a lie on their lips.



A lot of intangible stuff up there, I know. But it's a formula.

You scared of something? Find somebody, talk about it. You wanna talk? I'm always going to be here to listen.

[SAM]

How's Mom? I got her a thing.

[TONY]

What's the news from DC?

[AVENGERS]

You wanna stretch your legs? Cause I think we oughta stretch our legs.

Text to Peter Parker:
>>How is your summer going, Peter?
>>Keeping up with your studies?

Tony Stark:
>> I am thinking of hosting a charity event for the refugees of Sokovia.
>> Would you be interested in joining me for this effort?

TEXTS TO TONY STARK

» I have a name for you.
» But I'm giving it to you in person, T.

( Text Message to Tony Stark in the Middle of Another Frustrating Meeting )

A lot of exciting announcements are coming down the pipeline here at SI. Stay tuned.



[Steve & Natasha]

Things are changing in Washington. Demands for more transparency are finally taking shape: they want the Avengers to answer to somebody now. A committee or council of some sort. I don't know who will be on it but I suspect it will be a mix of Congress, military, and whoever has enough money to throw around. Not so much WSC though, at least.

I don't yet know when it will be formalized. Definitely before the year's out, though.

Bruce's status needs to be kept a secret though. No one can know he's back on U.S. soil. They'll make him into a example.


[Cho]

I need your analysis on the chemicals HYDRA used to subdue Banner. Full work up. Our moonshot is finding a formula that can counteract a Hulk transformation after the fact, but we'll take prevention.

WHO: Tony Stark & various Congressional members
WHERE: DC
WHEN: Earlier today.
WHAT: Things in Washington are moving along at a swift clip for once. Unfortunately.
WARNINGS: Nah.
Status: Complete; narrative.

___


( Apparently, mutual hatred of Tony Stark truly was a unifying force. )

[Private to the Avengers + Tony]

I've been staring at this blank screen for hours, trying to think of how to begin. But I owe you all an explanation and an apology.

I left because I was overwhelmed. I didn't want to fight any more, I didn't want to release the Other Guy again. What happened in Johannesburg cinched it. Even though it wasn't technically my fault, my mind had been fucked up with, it was still me who caused all that destruction and the loss of lives. I could've killed Tony. And it could happen again.

So I ran. I admit, I'm a coward. It was a reflex reaction. Hey, it worked before, right? I managed to stay hidden for nine years. Or at least SHIELD let me think that way. It was a blissfully ignorant nine years, where all I had to worry about was myself and dealing with my anger issues, and helping other people as best I could. I hoped to return, or recapture, that simpler time.

The reason why I didn't didn't contact any of you - I've been asking myself that, because I know you'd be asking, too. The only answer I could come up with is that I was punishing myself. I'm a monster, I don't deserve kindness or friends or lovers. Anyways, I figured that since SHIELD knew where I was the first time I was hiding, it wouldn't be that difficult to locate me if I was needed.

Thing is, HYDRA found me first. And I always took it for granted that the Other Guy was strong enough to protect me, that he was invincible. But somehow they've come up with that drug to put the breaks on my transformation and knock me out. Now I'm even more scared, because I can imagine the damage they could cause if they could get a hold of my blood, sample my DNA, make clones or perform experiments to create other monsters, as bad as Emil Blonsky, or worse.

I'm sorry I ditched you guys. I really am. I don't know what else to say. I've learned my lesson that I can't run away from my problems, I'm here to face them. Or at least try to.

Whatever you guys decide to do with me, I'm fine with it. But this awkward silence is driving me up the wall.

who. Tony Stark & Steve Rogers
when. Backdated to approximately a month ago; or, rather, at least backdated prior to the rescue-Bruce operation.
what. Bros. Tony brought pressies.
rating. SFW.
status. Completed log.

***

( Rocks fall, everybody dies. )

[Locked to the Avengers + Tony Stark]

I have been using my resources to find Dr. Banner since he left, and I believe I must sound the alarm. I intercepted an encrypted message from HYDRA and I believe they have Dr. Banner. They are moving him to a secure location. I have traced the signal to what I believe is the current coordinates, but I think time is of the essence. If they drop off the map with him, I cannot guarantee I will find him again. I am giving you the knowledge I have at my disposal.

[ooc: he e-mails them all the original message and vague location he has at the moment of a a commercial freighter ship that's sailing across the South Pacific Ocean toward Chile. It has a helpful green signature on the map that Vision designed himself to be thorough.]

[Posted as NightNurse01]

If anyone wondered why amateurs should never be given fireworks, step by the ER on the 4th of July or before dawn today. Hopefully everyone else had a better day.

Every year I look forward to the Fourth of July -- not only because it's my birthday, which is nice, I like chocolate cake -- but also because I get the opportunity to remind everyone that the principles upon which this nation was founded is still rooted in all our hearts.

We have to remember that together, we're stronger. And when we fight as one, there isn't anything that will be able to stand in our way. So, if you got 'em on the ropes, remember I'm in your corner. And we'll fight those shadows back together.

Also, if you aren't doing anything on the Fourth, come to Alice in Wonderland sculpture in Central Park around 8:00 PM. I bought a lot of sparklers and ice cream for the kids.

[AVENGERS]

And tomorrow, it'll be 0700 in the courtyard, team.

Who: Natasha & Tony
What: Home Ec. Or late night restless cooking
When: Recently.
Where:Avengers Tower Kitchen

( Baking a hacksaw into that? Gonna poison it with arsenic? )

[Avengers, Pepper]

If you guys didn't see it already, my Congress interview did not go well. I thought they wanted information but they want to shut down my research and are suspicious of Asgard and another attack. I refused to answer when they asked about my relationship with Thor. I'd really not like to have to do that again but they threatened to try again with a subpoena. It was so bad.

[Thor, Sif, Warriors Three]

Every year at this time, an organization called the Girl Scouts sell cookies and they're delicious. I got you guys each two boxes of Thin Mints (green box) and Samoas (purple box). They're in the lounge.

[Thor]

I have no idea if you can be called into Congress but it wouldn't surprise me if they tried. It almost sounds like they want to blame you for New Mexico and London at least, probably for New York too. I don't want you to be surprised if the government starts looking at you.

And they asked about you and me. We're linked together now and that means there's probably going to be attention on us now. Media attention. Publicly.

Despite my best intentions, I always did like Valentine's Day. And it isn't for all of the young lovers married in secret (as the legends say) or Lupercalia generally, it's because any day that makes you feel like someone is thinking of you is a good day.

Also, I really like those little candy hearts.

[AVENGERS]

It's been a while since we've had a check in. Why don't you spend a little time telling me about what you've got going and how you're doing. Let's make sure we're all keeping our goals in common and helping one another along.

[SHARON]

All right?

Who: Clint Barton & Tony Stark
When: Today, afternoon.
Where: Avengers Common Room.
What: Videogame challenges (something Tony has a hope of winning!) and manly srs talk.
Warnings: Probably nothing more than the typical videogame violence, boys trash talking each other, and being emotionally constipated.
Status: In progress.
___

( This is what separates the men from the boys, the wheat from the chaff, the cows from the...other cows. )

Who: Tony Stark & Steve Rogers (& drop-in Clint)
When: Tonight.
Where: The Gym, Avengers Tower
What: A little hand to hand training and talking shop.
Warnings: A bit of roughhousing as these boys do.
Status: In progress.
___

( This wasn't Captain America the hero of World War II now. This was goody two-shoes Steve Rogers with nostrils of self-righteousness and a moralistic chiseled jaw. )

Who: Science Bros.
Where: Tony’s private lab.
When: After Tony finds out Pepper’s a bit more combustible than preferable.
What: Tony enlists Bruce’s help to find a cure for Pepper, and Bruce extracts a promise from Tony.
Rating: PG?
Status: Complete in gdocs
__

( You've got to promise me one thing... )

[Avengers, Pepper]

I've received something. It's not a subpoena but I've been asked by Congress to for my expert testimony regarding wormholes. Does this kind of thing happen a lot?

WHO: Tony Star & Jarvis, the original (as wonderfully npc'd by Gail)
WHEN: Spring, 1986
WHERE: Stark Mansion, Long Island, NY
WHAT: After the Starks' deaths, the prodigal son returns -- the first time.
WARNINGS: Some very brief sexual references, prostitution, and slavery. Howard Stark's A+ parenting.
___

( You carry on, the best you can. Some days will be worse than others. At times, the memories will haunt you. But it won’t always be this way. )

[Avengers]

We're seeing a lot more meta-humans coming up on the radar. It may be time to offer up training services. Think of it as a training academy, to help them control and focus their powers at the very least, and if they're interested in more, then they may make good candidates to support the Avengers as well. They can learn basic combat techniques for SGS personnel, but not how to deal with more unique challenges that could be provided by us truly. What say you, fellow Avergerites?