open | it's not the finding, but the searching

[hypoxic]

Who: Doctor Fitz and OPEN
Where: All over, but increasingly in 600/602 on the first floor.
When: August-September
Rating: PG, will warn for higher. CW for a general species-ist perspective in his narrative text though
Summary: A catch-all log for the doctor poking his fingers into things. This cycle: Lab nonsense, Hydra-ing up the gaudy unused shield HQ, trying to build up some alcohol tolerance, and making some moves about this infestation of powered people because THIS PLACE CAN TURN EVERYONE INTO BIRDS KILL IT KILL IT WITH FIRE. I don't mind making more specific starters for people who aren't already in his social circle, so please come at me here or on plurk if you want to hash something out.
Also, if you want Monika before/instead of Fitz, just drop it in the subject line and we'll make it happen for you.
The Story:

[ Sixth floor bar ]

[This is, ostensibly, the only bar with any class and dignity. As such, the doctor will patronize specifically this, sampling proper Earth liquors and pounding shots when appropriate. Perhaps his tolerance for harder drinking isn't quite what he recalls, but that's all the more reason to sit there for long stretches. Everything requires endurance training now and again, and it's important for a man to have a strong drinking ability.

If there are others available to join him, he'll acknowledge them with a nod and a tilt of his glass. Drinking is always better when it happens in a social environment. It's how bonds are forged.]

[ First floor, SHIELD HQ ]

[He tells them that it's necessary for safety purposes. If he's going to build the portal up from scratch, he won't repeat the mistake of preparing it in a populated space. It's an excuse to divorce himself from the general group of people who know their own Fitz, who want him to smile and keep his head down and work on fanciful dalliances that lead nowhere.

How could anyone have the energy to do something like that, after what's been going on? After they've had their very humanity torn away from them like some kind of game? This is unhealthy. It must've already driven the rest of them mad. He won't let it get to him. He can see right through the truth of it. The magic-users and the powered people are subhuman trash trying to dilute the human race, and the humans are happy to let it happen. It's disgusting. They're all infected. And if the need arises, they'll all have to burn down with the rest of it.

They can have their food festivals and their social events. They might be able to forget what was done to them. But Wonderland has actively declared war, and Doctor Leopold Fitz did not get where he is by lying down in the face of conflict.

Throughout August, he'll be adding pieces to the massive supercomputer there, as well as framing the base for something big enough to fit human life. And sometimes, visitors might be greeted by a bright feminine voice while he's in a back room occupied with something else entirely. Feel free to say hello to Monika while you wait. She's perfectly sweet and innocent. Really.]

Comments

for monika

[hypoxic]

[The system can handle it. It's full of Stark tech, but nothing that breaks the mold of the designs he's already familiar with. Stark always preferred to work with an AI, which means there's a seamless integration for assistant software. He deposits Monika's device into a holding slot, soldering brackets in place and connecting wires never designed to have been pulled out. And when he's done, he'll step back and switch on the monitors.]

Monika? Can you see properly when you're docked in this unit?

[255000255000255]

[ The Doctor's zeal for change has always been intense, but something about the past few weeks have been intensifying it to a fever pitch. She's not entirely sure why the events have been affecting him so deeply. If anything, they've been pretty fun! Having a body always is! She knew better than to argue with him, though. So she'd nodded and agreed with him whenever he was upset, vowing to help him when he needed it the most.

Apparently that started today.

Even if the process of moving was intensely uncomfortable, once it's complete, she can hardly contain her excitement. Monika steps through the new opening she senses in her surroundings. ]

Oooh!

[ She's still off screen for a moment, then her head peeks out. She giggles with glee and steps fully into view with a spring in her step. A new vantage point! More space! Something new! ]

It worked, Doctor! Ahaha, not that I didn't have faith in you~

[hypoxic]

[The events have been an invasion. They've been a pox on the sanctity of the human condition. They have to be stopped. Whatever's responsible for it needs to be ended.

He watches her with an unmoving expression, well aware that she has nearly a 360-degree view of him if she adapts to utilizing her monitors and cameras simultaneously. Let her look. She might learn some things.]

Of course it worked. And it's much more suitable for you than that dark little bedroom. You're integrating painlessly, I assume?

[255000255000255]

[ She dips her head briefly, flattered at his deep, heartfelt concern for her well-being. ] You're so good to me.

[ With a few curious noises, she spends a few moments taking some exploratory steps around, disappearing out of view. There's a little "oooh!" once she finds a camera and plays around with it. Finally, some more control!

Oh, right. Talking. ]

The pain's pretty much faded now! Small price to pay, really. [ There's a sudden gasp of excitement. ] I can finally see the back of your head!

[emojis]

[And they'll have a tray of shots at some point, with Drizella drinking him under the table because wow, you totally talked up Scotsman and just did not live up to expectations, my dude. We're going to start this scene where they're already a little wasted, because why not.]

So what's your opinion on drinking games, by the way?

[She's just curious.]

[hypoxic]

[This. Should not have gone this way.

He's a man of discipline and tolerance. He's been pounding shots with his father since he was tall enough to see over the bar. And here he is, holding on to the countertop after just a few shots. This is humiliating. It can't be allowed to continue. He'll just have to keep drinking until he comes out victorious on the other side.]

I think that drinking is its own game. [He means it to sound charming, but he's already slurring words together, cheeks flushed. It's already unacceptable.]

But I'm listening if you've got something in mind.

[emojis]

[What a light weight. Drizella is amused, but she's not gloating, just trying to see how much she can get out of him before he becomes useless.]

Something like Never Have I Ever but with ... actual facts about ourselves? The game is kind of boring if you don't know the person well and can't say things to get them to keep drinking, but what if we do things we have done, and the other person drinks if they have too?

[A beat, because that was a great big dance to say:]

So Never Have I Ever, minus the Never.

[hypoxic]

So a less exciting version of Truth or Dare? I'm in.

[And he'll slam another shot down to punctuate himself. He needs to learn.]

Earned my second PhD when I was seventeen.

{Play the game the way they taught you to

[itchtokill]

[There's rather little for entertainment in Wonderland, so Kol frequents the bars here often. He changes up which one he drops into at random, and tonight he just happens to be at the one on the sixth floor. He recalls a run-in with this bloke in the halls shortly after he'd shown up. He hadn't bought the 'because magic' explanation Kol had given him and Kol hadn't thought much about him since. But he was here, and he was by himself and that just seemed pathetic. Clearly, he needed company.

Kol slides up to the bar to join him, taking a spot next to him, his own drink already in hand.]

You slamming those shots for any particular reason, mate? Or are you just bored?

[hypoxic]

[He can't seem to get even a moment alone. This was supposed to be time for himself, to let his insides burn while he contemplates the intricate game of chess he's playing on a daily basis. He gives the newcomer a stare out of the corner of his eye, thoroughly unimpressed by the company. Wasn't this bar supposed to be the "nice" one?]

I didn't think they let your type into the more upscale establishments.

[itchtokill]

And I'm guessing by 'my type', you don't mean ravishingly handsome. [He doesn't care that the guy is instantly repulsed by his existence in his space. If anything, that in itself probably encourages him more to stay.] So, what is it, then. You're jealous of those of us that are superior to your baseline human existence?

[hypoxic]

Yes, jealousy. That must be it.

[The animals always delude themselves into thinking they're something precious and important. It helps them think they matter. They're so easily seduced by their own fantasies.]

SHIELD HQ

[revokes]

[ Tony might be one of the only people who work just as hard. He maps Wonderland, he checks the terrain, he looks for power sources, portals, anything. It's not just about going away, it's also about keeping Thanos out.

He also scans through Wonderland for threats. His drones, small and clever, fly and climb and scan and take pictures. Imagine him seeing the work that's beginning to happen at space on the first floor. He walks down, pocketing the drone and looking around here. When he's greeted by an AI, he rolls his eyes. ]

Can you believe it?

[ you're not the only one who needs help managing his space, boss' ]

She's got nothing on you, Friday.

HIIII

[255000255000255]

That's really rude, you know.

[ Monika crosses her arms on the small screen that she's greeted Tony from--and it had been a very polite greeting, she might add. Nothing worthy of an eye roll!

Hmph. Her lips pucker into an annoyed pout. She'd heard plenty of talk of Mister Metal Man from the Doctor, and it's been nothing but accurate. Go figure he'd be the first super nosy person to stop by. The level of sass is already too dang high!

Okay, time to try this again. She breathes out and puts her smile back on. Happiness and cheer! ]

Like I said, the Doctor's not available right now. If you want me to relay a message, I'll do it for you. But only if you say it nicely~

[revokes]

[ He laughs, actually downright laughs. This is too much. ]

I don't even know where to begin. FRIDAY, I hope you're filing this under 'severe mental breakdown'

[ opening new folder, boss ]

Yeah, hey, I'd like to leave a message. Sure - uh - tell - the doctor -

[ cue air quotes ]

That Horse Head said hi. You know what, scratch that, I've gotten what I wanted.

[ a look. for now, that will do. ]

[hypoxic]

[It's good of Monika to be doing as she's told, but she's not the only one with access to the system in the hall.]

It's fine, Monika. Let him in.

[And there might be some pouting from the girl in the entryway, but the doors will hiss and part without complaint. Come on in, Tony. It'll be fine.]

Bar

[twirlier]

[Misty is still adjusting to this place, and while she has claimed a room for the closet mostly, she finds herself not always lingering in the building provided to them. That evening she's come in to gather some supplies and sleep since she hasn't gotten anything in the woods where she feels comfortable to sleep.

That she finds herself in the bar is a lot of her trying to adjust to being alive, to not being in Hell, and pretending that months in that living Hell for months did nothing to her.

Alcohol before trying to sleep is helping with that.

Perched on a stool, pretending that she isn't fearing rest as she sings softly under her breath and enjoys a drink or two. Three maybe. Certainly faking cheeriness, and if she cheats and uses telekinesis to retrieve a bottle from behind the bar, well so be it.

Pouring another whiskey for herself, setting the bottle down and settling in to watch others curiously.]

Never heard of this distilleries, but then I guess I was assuming there'd just be mason jars with hooch.

[hypoxic]

[He'll watch her use powers to cheat her way into drunkenness, teeth clenching as she draws his focus. They're everywhere. They're infecting everything here. No wonder there's no law here. They let subhumans crawl out from the algae and pretend to be People. They let their society be invaded by parasitic entities.

There needs to be a purge.]

You have powers. And you use them so openly?

[twirlier]

[Misty startles at the question, kind of caught up in her own thoughts. For a moment she just looks back at him, a bit wide eyed before offering a shaky smile.]

Never did before. Not in public places. Everyone here keeps assuring me though that this isn't like home and I don't need to worry. It's kinda remarkable in this world, I admit. Really such a different place. Never though I'd know somewhere like this.

[Except in the coven house, she's never known the freedom she has here without answer for it.]

[hypoxic]

This place certainly is unique in that sense.

[It's populated with the worst of the worst. It's a cesspool.]

And is that all you can do? Would you be interested in demonstrating more, for an audience?

for Steve

[hypoxic]

[Training takes time and routine. A little every day, and then eventually he'll be able to handle a lot. That's the point of liquor. And that's why he's six shots in when he notices Steve settling down, and squints to make sure he's seeing properly. It's a little like having Abraham Lincoln join him for brunch.

But at the same time, if Peggy Carter can dig herself out of a grave and become a flesh-and-blood nuisance, then why not other ghosts?]

... Captain America. [A nod of acknowledgement. The stock footage failed to capture his facial hair. Or, alternatively, he's pushed himself harder than he thought and his vision is playing tricks. That's also a valid option.]

[captain_america]

[ Steve is starting to develop a bit of a routine here, and stopping by the bar for a drink or two seems to be something he’s been adding in in the last few weeks. It’s a good way to meet people, he’s seen most residents filter in and out of both bars in the mansion.

He’s not exactly expecting someone to call him that when he sits down though and it makes him pause. He hasn’t been Captain America in two years, and even before that people would address him as Captain Rogers.

Still he’s looking over to the man next to him with a nod. ]

Please, call me Steve.

Bar

[morethan084]

[With the seat next to him open, Daisy sees that as her opportunity. Which is why she moves from her seat further away and sits down on the stool.]

Hey. What are you drinking?

[Maybe giving him space hadn't been the right call, so she's trying to make up for it now.]

[hypoxic]

[Ugh, inhuman garbage. And here it is once again, arrived to nosily intrude on his affairs. And here he'd been hoping it would be a quiet evening away from the facade.]

Just a bit of Scotch. It's my father's favorite. Reminds me of home.

[morethan084]

[Daisy can't remember a time where Fitz has ever talked to her about his father. In fact, she doesn't know a lot about his family in general. Unlike him and the rest of her former teammates, who know far too much about hers.]

Are you missing it? Home I mean.

[Daisy doesn't touch her drink for now instead turns all of her focus on to him.]