somewhere inside a different light a different mind

[hacktivist]

WHO: Tony Stark (liverletdie) and Ghost (hacktivist)
WHERE: Tony's penthouse.
WHEN: Late last night, July the 2nd.
WARNINGS: Probably nothing!
SUMMARY: Tony and Ghost getting together for some after-school technical troubleshooting.
FORMAT: Quick :D



[He didn't entertain the notion he was good enough to move completely undetected through Tony's safeguards. Security was a moving target--superiority to it was a temporary thing. One thing Ghost was not was complacent.

But there were no alarms, and he hesitated in mild confusion, pondering his Illuminati-partner's motives briefly. He hadn't announced his visit, either. Their alliance of convenience was lasting--becoming something more. He was being invited in, and he was here for something beyond a personal risk he would have dreamed possible to ask Tony Stark to take.

What was worrying was how little he was worried about that.]

Comments

[liverletdie]

[ There weren't any alarms because Tony Stark was the kind of fellow who had his entire security system in his penthouse wired to the important parts of his brain. He'd fought Ghost too many times to not know the warning signs of his approach, and Ghost was lucky he'd decided to spend the evening alone tonight.

That would have been unfortunate.

But, he stepped out from one of the anterior rooms, the faint glow of a monitor still illuminating the darkened penthouse, all glass and modern and Tony Stark. It was complete with the expensive gadgets and things that he rarely used and never needed, but he did have them. He directed a thought to the internal systems of his penthouse, everything wired the way he wanted it because who was going to actually say no? The lights flared to life. ]

Ghost. What brings you here so late? [ A rhetorical question. ]

[hacktivist]

[He landed solid. The model of trust from the patron saint of distrust, gaze flickering up as the lights went on. Fingers splayed, fully evaluating the illuminated space before turning his full attention on the taller man--satisfied there was nothing in the shadows that escaped either of their attentions.]

The recent port-out of Avengers suggests to me a disturbing possibility. If--you leave, I will have lost considerable advantage on a technological level. Among other levels.

[it's not too late to back out of this. Yet. He hasn't made the offer, yet. And his brief hesitation served as the last vestige of his doubt before it was cast off.]

I need you to improve my security systems. You have ever been my primary competition in that field.

[liverletdie]

[ Tony was good at schooling his emotions, but not that good, and while he often denied that he had them, it was difficult to hide the look of surprise that passed his face as he crossed his arms, giving him something to do with his hands as he considered. ]

You want my help with your systems?

[ He had to repeat it, because he honestly couldn't believe it. ]

[hacktivist]

[Ghost glanced away for a split second, revealing in his posture his uncertainty at the response. The foundation of trust hadn't been laid--trying to kill him for years might have had something to do with that. But much as he now felt differently than he used to, he knew he wouldn't be able to make that peace with emotions. Petitioning with logic was a thing he knew Tony respected, and he hoped it was enough, if not to make amends, then to strengthen the swaying bridges of understanding between them]

Vulcanus concerns me. Your possible disappearance concerns me. If I am to go alone, I must be prepared for it. You are the-- [a beat. A couched calm.] ...you are the most qualified man in the City.

[liverletdie]

[ He watched with cool logic now, taking in the small signs of change, the uncertainty was not something he was used to seeing from Ghost. Paranoia, yes. Caution, yes. Uncertainty? No. Certainly not uncertainty like this. In his own ways he displayed this, silence instead of filling the room with sarcasm or empty words. The twitch of his head to indicate a train of thought, processing data and possibilities. Normally he hid it, with words and information, feigning the mannerisms and changes that showed just how far he was, but in his consideration, the small signs came out.

He uncrossed his arms, and started to move around his penthouse, heading for the couch. ]

That isn't really something I'd disagree with. [ He paused. ] Are you sure?

[hacktivist]

[Ghost moved forward like a sudden eddy in current, a slow but purposeful drift after.]

I have had adequate time to assess the pros and cons of this situation. The main con is giving you access to my systems. But I would sooner grant you access than grant them access.

[liverletdie]

And you're afraid they may find a way to get in without your permission, correct?

[ He leaned forward, lacing all fingers but his indexes together, instead pressing those tip to tip, a thoughtful gesture. He'd never had the need to break Ghost's defenses, and he was sure his former enemy, and wasn't that weird to say, knew he'd never tried. It said a lot that they danced around but he didn't try to break through that particular barrier. Now he was being invited in. ]

I suppose the lesser of two evils it is. [ It was added as an afterthought, already he sent the connection request. He didn't have anything to fear, and if Ghost hadn't figured it out yet, he was certain having Tony look at his systems would inform Ghost about his powers. It wasn't just the technopathy he advertised, after all. ]

[hacktivist]

[it takes him a minute of calculation, trying to decide if this is worth it or not, and then he decides it is, and adds.] I did not say you were an evil, Stark.

The past few months have induced me to ...reconsider past affiliations.

[He's trying, so earnestly, to fight against his own nature.]

[liverletdie]

I think our time here has probably shaped us all in that respect.

[ It's an odd, albeit roundabout way of saying "yeah, same", but the sentiment is there. ]

You ready to get this started, then? I work pretty fast, think you can keep up?