Time to think

[Iron Man]

Tony - in his Iron Man suit - flew around the waterways along the east coast of the United States. He had to clear his mind of his troubles, and it was usually quite peaceful around the later hours of the day along the water, and the Statue of Liberty would be closing up for the night, making that a good place to sit, and clear his head, all the while being relatively undetected with the rest of the metal that composites the statue.

After a few additional rounds, he flew up alongside the side of the structure, and landed on the torch's viewing platform, and shut down most of his power, retracting his helmet and sighing heavily. " Damn.. It's a good thing this place is still standing. " he muttered to himself.

[Blink]

As Tony sat on the head of the statue, there was a bright pink flash of light behind him and Blink fell through a portal. She looked around and jumped a little as she saw Tony sitting there. Who was this guy? She was interested in the outfit. What exactly was he? A hero? A villain? Just in case, she took a javelin from her quiver and charged it up, slowly walking over to him.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?"

She watched him silently, holding the javelin so it was obvious she wasn't threatening him, just on her guard. She had no idea who he was and didn't know just how odd that would be for him. That's what happened when she spent her whole life underground.

[Iron Man]

Tony looked up from where he was sitting 'Damn it' he thought, as his mask was back. Luckily, his ears were still covered, allowing for data to be verbalized to him by Jarvis as his suit analyzed this new person. At the same time, he couldn't help but admire her glorious figure she had. Slowly, he started to stand.

" Well hello there miss. You may call me Iron Man. I'm here to clear my thoughts. What, may I ask, brings someone as lovely as you here? " Tony was, after all, relying on his undying ability to try and charm women, regardless of the situation. Usually it helps... Usually.

[Blink]

She watched him silently as he stood, taking a step back and guarding herself just in case he was going to attack. But he started talking. She had to admit, she was a little drawn in by his charming looks and his gentle tone, but she stayed on guard, not trusting any of the surface dwellers. He asked why she was there and she lowered her hand, figuring he wasn't a threat.

"I came to be alone. So much for that, I guess."

She powered down and placed the javelin back in the quiver, flashing her leg at him for a moment as she did. She crossed her arms over her chest and watched him as she spoke.

"So what are you supposed to be?"

[Iron Man]

Tony watched as she flashed some leg to him as she put away her javelin. 'Nice!' he thought to himself. " What am I supposed to be? A hero, of sorts. Protecting the innocent, beating the bad guys, and people hating me for things I didn't do. You know, same old, same old. " he said as he flashed a smile again.

[Blink]

She listened to him and raised an eyebrow as he gave her his job description. She rolled her eyes and shook her head a little.

"I will never understand people like you. Why save these people? They're nothing but animals. No, they're worse than animals, animals only kill for food. Tell me, why protect these drones when they repay you with suspicion, anger, and a demand that you do more than you can? These people will turn on you in half a second if given any kind of chance to. Are they really work protecting?"

She watched him intently, deciding that she was going to get an answer whether he liked it or not.

[Iron Man]

Tony looked at her. Yes, in his darkest times he wondered what the point was of protecting these ignorant people was, but in some instances, they did not know what had threatened the world that they - and he - lived in. As well, he couldn't help but recall that some of the evil in the world was - in essence - allowed to exist because of his company. Sighing, he searched for an appropriate response for her question.

" Granted, they may not know any better. However.. I have a sort of... obligation to do what I can to protect them, however ignorant they are to my efforts. " he said, adjusting his stance. " But, aside from that, I didn't get your name miss...? "

[Blink]

She watched him for a moment, able to see on his face that even he considered this angle now and then. But even then, he still fought the good fight. What was it with people like this? He started talking about why he did it and mentioned an obligation. She frowned a little and raised an eyebrow. Then he asked her name and she shook her head.

"You haven't answered my question. Why do you protect them."

She crossed her arms over her chest, refusing to give her name until she knew just what his deal was.

[Iron Man]

" Why? Fine.. I'll tell you why. Because I know.. that people make mistakes. Those people out there hate me, love me, maybe hate me again, and they have their reasons. And maybe that's something that some people can't deal with, but I've done the same thing, changing my mind about things - making bad decisions. Hell, the reason some of the terrorism... some of the tyranny existed in the world.. was because of my company. I didn't take more care.. more interest.. in how things were being done, and that was my fault. So, in ways, I'm still atoning for those past mistakes. "

[Blink]

She stood by and watched as he started talking, describing just why it was he felt he had to protect them. And it all came down to atonement. She closed her eyes and shook her head, turning and looking out over the city.

"I'll give you something to atone for. Every day hundreds of people live underground in old broken down subway tunnels because they're different. I never saw the sun until I was eighteen. I only came up to the surface at night and even then I was done up so tightly you couldn't see an inch of skin. We live in terror of the surface and there is nothing we can do about it. We can't even try to show people that we don't want to hurt them because the second they realize what we are, they go on the attack. So you want to do some atonement? I suggest you start with the every day shit and not just the stuff that looks good on camera."

She turned back and glared at him as she spoke, then turned and walked off, heading for the torch side of the statue and sitting down on the edge, staring out over the ocean.

[Iron Man]

Tony stood there for a moment, stunned. sure, she was different, but he wasn't treating her any differently. Granted, he knew that didn't mean EVERYONE would be like that, but still. She made a good point though. That was an injustice, and should not be tolerated under any circumstance. Surely he might be able to do something to help her.. them... whomever suffered from this. He walked over slowly, and stared out toward the ocean. " I'm.. sorry. I didn't know of this injustice. I would like to help in any way I can.. " he wasn't sure how this offer would pan out. Hell, she might even get more pissed at him, given her previous reaction. Though he had to try.

[Blink]

She stood silently and stewed a little as he just reacted with stunned silence. Then he stepped forward and spoke. She glanced over at him for a moment, then back out over the ocean. She knew many of the Morlocks would never go to the surface, much like her, so making conditions better up on the surface would do anything for most of them. So after a moment, she knew what she wanted from him.

"I can't make any decisions for my people. But we always need food and bedding. If you can find some way to get us a steady supply of both, including tents or something to provide shelter, then I can talk to the woman in charge."

She looked over at him and waited for his reply. If she could get them a steady stream of supplies, then she would have a permanent place in the Morlocks as the liaison to Tony and his company.

[Iron Man]

Tony mulled over her offer. Certainly, it was simple enough for him to set up with his company's assets. Still, he wanted to ensure that for one, equal treatment was given, and that their shelter was something... more permanent than tents. " Alright. I can do that. However, I'll need a bit of time to set everything up. I assume that your people would still wish to live underground? If not, I have the means above ground too. " He said, looking to her, with a small smile on his face, and his hand extended. He liked her, and knew that any funds used could go toward a charity he would establish, though the name for it, he was still thinking about.

[Blink]

She watched him for a few moments as he mulled the offer over, sighing a little as he asked about living underground.

"They go underground to avoid people. Can't really get that above ground."

She looked down at the water for a moment before speaking again.

"Just know, she hates anything to do with the surface world. Honestly, I can almost guarantee she'll refuse. I'll be right back."

She opened a portal and hopped inside, disappearing. She was gone for a few minutes, then another portal opened and she dropped back onto the statue beside him, sighing a little and shaking her head.

"She refused. No deal. And believe me, even though that was a short conversation, it was definitive. She almost never changes her mind."

[Iron Man]

Tony waited for this mystery girl to come back from her impromptu departure for a meeting. He sat there, and monitored the area, as well as played with trying to track her portal, to no avail. Perhaps if it was open longer... he might be able to analyze it and replicate it.. Perhaps.

Then, with a small flash, she reappeared beside him. Damnit. No chance to analyze it. Oh well. The important thing was.. The deal was a no-go. Not too uncommon, though there was no counter-offer. Tony held his hand to his chin, and thought about this response.

" Listen.. I know this.. leader refused the offer, however I still want to help out your people. Perhaps she and I could have a meeting? Maybe.. you could teleport me there with you? If you can, that is.. I don't know if you can. Hell, I still don't know your name. All the same though, maybe she'd reconsider, as I would be on her territory. "