and though the truth may vary

[motherofnemesis]

Who: Regular Max & tiny Tony.
What: Quite unexpected
When: Tonight.
Where: Tony's workshop.
Warnings: None that I can think of yet.

[ She hasn't actually checked the network since she got back, aimlessly walking around as she tries to figure out what to do next. Back here is more familiar than the old West, at least, but it's not too great, and she does miss the sun. She's restless, and irritated, and wandering around in the cold damp grey really isn't helping. It's always better for her to have something to do with her mind and hands.

She finds herself outside the workshop almost by accident. It's really just about the last place she'd meant to go, given the slip she'd made in front of Tony with her empathy, but she's here and it's not like she can't lie. She's good at lying. (She just doesn't want to have to, to someone she considers worth getting along with.)

Regardless, she had a project underway before they were called away, and she should check on it. Should, or wants to, or wants the excuse. Which one's the real reason is something she's not looking into too closely. She slips in through the side door she generally uses, whistles as she strolls into the main area in a casual warning of her approach. If he starts asking too many questions, she can duck out again, or lie, or whatever. Finishing work will be calming, and she could use calming. ]

Comments

[nanite]

[ He's lying, but because telling people how old he is actually tends to make them all get weird. He's about seven, but the answer he gives is ] Ten.

[motherofnemesis]

[ Looking down at him a little skeptically. ] Yeah? You don't look it.

[nanite]

I don't act my age either. I don't know why I have to look like it too.

[motherofnemesis]

I don't know, does anyone act their age? But most people look it.

[nanite]

I'm special. Where are we going?

[motherofnemesis]

Well, I see that's one belief you didn't acquire upon growing up. [ Amused, though. ] Just halfway down this block. The store with the green banner.

[nanite]

[ No he probably would have decided he was special even without the childhood and adolescence to prove it.

He looks away from her to spot the destination in question, then immediately runs over to it and tries really hard not to bounce while waiting on her to catch up. ] Aren't you hungry? Come on.

[motherofnemesis]

[ Things she had forgotten kids do, and she lengthens her pace to catch up to him and push through the door, holding it open with her shoulder for him. ] Not as hungry as you are, I think.

[nanite]

[ He doesn't care who opens the door, but he swoops in under her and looks around for a table, regardless of whether or not they're supposed to wait to be seated. He's not even paying attention, and he picks one out and starts moving towards it, assuming she'll just keep following. ]

[motherofnemesis]

[ Boundless energy of the youth. She moves more slowly, shrugs at the waitress. It's practically empty regardless, and she hands him one of the menus as she places her own order, even if he already knows what he's ordering. ] Still sticking with the same thing?

[nanite]

Yeah, the same thing. [ He glances at it, but having just seen the thing, there's not much interest there. ] What do people even do here?

[motherofnemesis]

That's a good question. Hang around and try desperately to find a way to keep themselves not bored, mostly. Inbetween being sent on dangerous missions and getting invaded.

[nanite]

We get invaded? What is this, superspy island? Who'd want to invade here?

[motherofnemesis]

The guys we're fighting. They're not happy about us being around, so at one point apparently they sent in some troops to try and take care of everyone.

[nanite]

You're all still here though, so they must suck.

[motherofnemesis]

Well, either that or we're very good. Maybe both. I don't know, I wasn't actually here for that thing. Just read the afteraction reports.

[nanite]

If people on this side are randomly turning seven, I bet we're sort of winning more because the other side sucks than because we're actually good.

[motherofnemesis]

Well, that logic's pretty sound. But this isn't a regular thing. Or at least, it hasn't been while I've been here.

[nanite]

[ His logic is usually sound when he's actually making a point. ] Yeah I'd already figured I wasn't usually seven here.

[motherofnemesis]

But just in general, such massive fluctuations - it's not normal.

Anyways, regardless, you're kind of stuck here for the time being. Do you think you have everything you'll need?

[nanite]

[ He considers. ]

I've got these clothes and stuff to work on. And apparently there's food around here. That other lady gives us money for food. I'm good.

[motherofnemesis]

If you're not, at some point, you can come find me. Or text me. Or - yeah. [ Agh she's bad at this. ] I can figure stuff out.

[nanite]

Yeah you seem like it. [ Sorry Max it's not personal he's just not possessed of the same 'adults know everything' mentality that most children have. Benefit of being blindingly intelligent. ] But, thanks.

You can stay. I mean, you're in the notes sometimes. You're here a lot too. [ You sound like you're leaving. ]

[motherofnemesis]

[ She wasn't actually leaving at that moment, just making sure he knew that, but the fact that she's in the notes sometimes gets her to put her water down for a moment, a little surprised. ]

Am I in the notes? Huh.

But I'll likely be around at least a little anyways, yeah. I've got stuff I'm working on.

[nanite]

[ Apparently future him didn't tell her that so Tony's just sort of gonna let that one slip for now, since. Just because. He feels like it. ]

What are you working on?