Peace and Love through Programming

Semi-hiatus Technopath. Hippy rebel. Yeah, I had an odd childhood... ((Independent roleplay blog for Marvel. I have no affiliation with Marvel or Jewel. No images are mine unless otherwise stated. Just send me an ask!))

[angelsinvestigations]

I mean, you like me well enough, and we get along, and… And then you go all stiff.

[binarymoonbeam]

Interview with a Geek

[agent0019]

binarymoonbeam:

“Okay,” Moon agreed. “Would you like me to call you Bobbi or Mrs. Murdock?” she wondered. 

“Well, as of yet, the computer is the main thing you will deal with. Your key card will be issued soon, if you don’t have it already. Jim will be happy to answer the rest of your questions, but if he is busy, you can ask me. By the way, some of the doors are on a three second timer. I want to warn you because some people wand the card and then stick it back in their pocket or purse and can’t figure out why the door won’t open,” she cautioned.

“Bobbi works.  I’m still not sure about Mrs. Murdock, it makes me feel like a landlady.”

Bobbi tipped her head, watching Moon quietly as she listened.  After a moment, she nodded.  “Okay.  Three second timer.  And if Jim fails me, you’re my girl.  I will make a note of all of the above.”

[binarymoonbeam]

“Bobbi. I will remember that. I imagine that being a landlady in New York would be very difficult work, but at least if you had trouble with any of your tenants and needed legal assistance you know a good lawyer,“ Moon smiled. 

Moon made sure to keep typing and moving the mouse, though as she thought more about her conversation with Bobbi, the less her actions lined up with what was happening on the screen. “That is correct. You will probably have better luck contacting me for the next week or so. They are updating the rest of the system. That is why they are so busy. I finished a large project last week, so I have time until my next one comes in for maintenance. You have the updated system now so you will not have to go through things twice. Do you need help with anything else? I could provide you with a small tour if you like, or I can leave you alone to unpack your things.”

[ruinedchildhood]

Everyone’s got somebody.

[binarymoonbeam]

startlingmetamorphosis:

[Text: Hunter, Moonbeam] It’s funny. The three of us have so much in common that it keeps making more and more sense why we all work so well together.

[Text: Hunter, Moonbeam] I’m sure she’d be relieved to hear it. Pepper knows how Tony is and knows he’s a good person deep down, he just has several personality quirks that tend to cause friction with most people. I’m glad I can help, this isn’t usually my area, but as I said I had a similar experience.

[Text: Banner, Bruce] I am not used to such an environment, but I do find the change to be pleasing.

[Text: Banner, Bruce] I have been told that I can be unknowingly insensitive. I try to extrapolate the most likely outcomes to situations, but I can only figure out the most common outcome, not the one that is most likely for the person I am addressing in their specific situation. This is why I don’t like guessing games with people. My answers and scientifically sound, but never correct. Also, people don’t commonly do a lot of research on subjects that other people find to be under the category of ‘obvious social norms’, so I am left to try and figure things out myself.

[binarymoonbeam]

startlingmetamorphosis:

[Text: Hunter, Moonbeam] The work is always more fascinating than a meal. At least that has always been my problem.

[Text: Hunter, Moonbeam] Well, I think it’s important to note that Pepper has worked with Tony for a very long time so she’s familiar with how he is. With her I just explained that when it comes to feelings I’m more like Tony than I am like other people. I don’t need someone to translate Tony, I need someone to translate me like he does. Pepper seemed to understand that.

[Text: Banner, Bruce] I agree. So long as my functioning isn’t impaired by a lack of food, I will usually continue to work.

[Text: Banner, Bruce] Okay. I will tell her that then if the subject comes up. I don’t speak with Pepper usually, but I like to be prepared for things. Thank you for the help.

[binarymoonbeam]

startlingmetamorphosis:

[Text: Hunter, Moonbeam] Tony is strictly into hardware. The only organic life you have to worry about is what grows when he forgets to throw out the food he doesn’t eat because he’s working.

[Text: Hunter, Moonbeam] That someone would be Pepper. Tony tells her everything and likely she chided him for not being more concerned about your welfare. He tends to forget things like that when he’s fascinated by something new and trying to figure out what happened. I’m similar. Pepper tries to help him deal with the more emotional sides of people. It took her a bit to figure out that it wasn’t necessary for me. I appreciated what she was doing and I understood that most people would respond better to that, but I didn’t really need it. You might have to give her a similar explanation.

[Text: Banner, Bruce] I have an internal clock to remind me to eat and I still ignore it when I am working, so I understand his problem.

[Text: Banner, Bruce] Oh. I have tried to have this conversation with people before and it has never worked. I usually get a list of statistically inaccurate stereotypes and lists of nonsensical rules, to justify their actions. I have resorted to nodding a lot and pretending that I understand. Do you have any suggestions for how to have this conversation? Or an outline? Or a recording?

[consulting-mechanic]

Contingencies and Loopholes

[binarymoonbeam]

consulting-mechanic:

Tony had the ability to read people and was a pretty good judge of probabilities when it came to their behavior based on various scenarios.  The only thing he was surprised by was that Natasha agreed with him.  Though he supposed the fact that SHIELD had been monitoring people with abilities and tracking possible threats for years meant that the kind of thinking Ross was doing wasn’t exactly new to her.  He was also well aware of the kinds of things she was okay with when it came to people she considered allies.  It meant as usual he filed her with a huge question mark.

Everyone else did as he had expected them to do.

He didn’t pull out his phone until he reached the jet.

[Text: Hex] That was actually kind of a hint.   I’m going to be there asap.

[Text: Hex] Would you mind getting some coffee ready it has been a long freaking day.

As the jet headed toward home Tony began making a few calls.  His German was still impeccable and the people he contacted were happy to assist him despite the fact it was very early in the morning for them.  By the time he landed all of the arrangements had been made, he just hoped that Moon would understand his position and what he was doing.  He had a backup plan, but he didn’t want to use it if he didn’t have to.  Moon was far too brilliant and talented to become a fugitive just because she happened to be born different.

He made his way to her workspace and put on a smile before he walked in.  “Hey, Moon, how’s it going?”

[Text: Kilroy] I can do that.

Moon had started the coffee as she had been asked, but by the time Tony got to her workspace, the area was completely covered in all of the aspects of her project. She wanted to get it done in case she ran out of time and that meant that she had a lot of math to calculate and pieces to mold into shape. She sat crosslegged on the floor with six tablets laid in front of her that seemed to work of their own accord while she used small hand tools to shape one of several dozen parts that were scattered around her. 

“I don’t know,” she commented without looking up at Tony. “I thought that was why you wanted to meet with me,” she pointed out without a trace of sarcasm in her voice. 

“Oh, unless you mean with all of this,” she realized, finally looking up at him. “It... it isn’t finished. I haven’t quantified all of it and I will still need to do some physical trials to gather needed data that I simply can’t get through my simulations alone,” she admitted. 

“I will be allowed to finish this, correct?” she asked hesitantly.

“Coffee’s ready...”

[binarymoonbeam]

Interview with a Geek

[binarymoonbeam]

agent0019:

“Fair enough,” Bobbi nodded.  “I’ll see what sticks.  Thanks for the setup.  Is there anything I need to know?”  Her gaze shifted from the screen to Moon’s face and she eyed the woman.  “As far as the computer goes, or any of the other tech I may be using.  Or is that something with which to hassle the nice yet elusive Jim?”

If his last name is Moriarty, I’m quitting.

“Okay,” Moon agreed. “Would you like me to call you Bobbi or Mrs. Murdock?” she wondered. 

“Well, as of yet, the computer is the main thing you will deal with. Your key card will be issued soon, if you don’t have it already. Jim will be happy to answer the rest of your questions, but if he is busy, you can ask me. By the way, some of the doors are on a three second timer. I want to warn you because some people wand the card and then stick it back in their pocket or purse and can’t figure out why the door won’t open,” she cautioned.

[binarymoonbeam]

startlingmetamorphosis:

[Text: Hunter, Moonbeam] Lol. Who knows. I know that sometimes Tony gets amused by doing things his own way. Maybe cats are the same way.

[Text: Hunter, Moonbeam] Oh. I apologize. I either forgot or didn’t realize that you don’t have to do anything for technology to try to connect with you. That sounds like it would be very painful and distracting if every bit of technology tries to talk to you all the time whether you want it to or not. I don’t think Tony would care much about your productivity if you got a nosebleed from his technology, he’d be more concerned about you. Though knowing Tony it would come out sounding like he was fascinated or curious about your reaction.

[Text: Hunter, Moonbeam] I only said it because it’s true.

[Text: Banner, Bruce] Tony has the personality of a cat? I accept this so long as no dead animals appear in the lab. I’m not good with organic things.

[Text: Banner, Bruce] Oh, he wasn’t upset. You are correct that he was fascinated. He gave me headache medication and a pad of gauze while he was fascinated so I didn’t mind it. I was worried that he would be scared or suspect that I had tried to do something to one of his suits, but he was calm. I suspect that someone said something to him about it since he gave a really weird apology later.

[consulting-mechanic]

Contingencies and Loopholes

[binarymoonbeam]

consulting-mechanic:

Tony let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding when he read her response. The last thing he wanted was for her to read something and panic. His mind was working as fast as it could through the haze of pain to figure out the best possible solutions to the problems he was trying to manage.

Then the next text came and he considered his response. He didn’t have long because they were about to land. Once again he rubbed the bridge of his nose and thought about what to say.

[Text: Hex] I had a meeting with the Secretary of State and he’s talking to the team in a few minutes. As soon as that’s over I’ll be on my way to you.

Tony sighed and shoved his phone in his pocket. This was going to be about as much fun as a trip to the dentist. If things went the way he expected it would be so much worse than that. When the jet landed he put on his game face and walked into the facility. He was uncharacteristically quiet and just flopped down in a seat while Ross explained himself.

[Text: Kilroy] Is that a no?

Moon waited for a reply, but after five minutes passed she was fairly sure that he was in the meeting. Normally, she didn’t think that would stop him from replying, but this sounded like a very important meeting and one where he would need to pay attention.

She tried to distract herself from calculating possible scenarios by going back to work on her latest project. She could usually find comfort in her work. Most of it was calculations and cold logic that were always constant.

She hoped she’d be able to finish her project. What was happening with Tony and the Secretary?

No. Project. She had a problem to fix and she was the only one working on this. Tony needed it and if she wasn’t going to be here to fix it, then she better hurry up and finish it for him now.

[consulting-mechanic]

Contingencies and Loopholes

[binarymoonbeam]

consulting-mechanic:

@binarymoonbeam

Tony rubbed the bridge of his nose trying to wish the headache he had away.  He knew it wouldn’t help, the pills he swallowed would only take the edge off which was the only relief he’d have from it for awhile.  The Accords were in simplest terms the sum of all the fears of the people who wrote them.  He couldn’t do anything about what the UN had decided to do already.

Three days, he had three days to move without violating the law.  More than enough time if she trusted him enough to do what he asked.

[Text: Hex]  Something is happening.  You’re going to find out about it soon enough.  I need you to trust me and stay put.  I will be there as soon as I can.

He took a deep breath after he hit send.

[Text: Hex]  Please.

If nothing else that would make her pause.  FRIDAY would confirm that the messages were from him if she questioned it.

He followed Ross silently feeling the pain of the headache start to gain in intensity.  If things went the way he thought they would he knew the next hour or so would be fairly awful.  As soon as that was over with he would go talk with Moon.

Please.

Moon considered the message for several long minutes. She couldn’t remember any time during her year while working with Tony where he had said, “Please.” It wasn’t that he was every ungrateful or demanding, it was simply a word that wasn’t usually found in his vocabulary. Why was it there now?

She chewed her lower lip while thinking. What would cause her to run? What would cause her not to trust him? She wasn’t sure what could do either of those things, but she knew Tony and knew that he wouldn’t ask her not to do either of those things if they weren’t a real possibility.

[Text: Kilroy] Okay.

She chewed her lip again and before she sent another message.

[Text: Kilroy] Can I get a hint?

[binarymoonbeam]

Interview with a Geek

[binarymoonbeam]

agent0019:

Bobbi’s lips quirked, then she broke into a grin, waiting quietly as she let Moon ramble.

“Moonbeam,” she said finally.  “My goodness, that’s wonderful.  Do you actually prefer Moon, or is it just what you’re used to?  Because I kind of want to call you Moonbeam.”

Yes, a joke, thank goodness.

Moonbeam Hunter.  Definitely a cupcake.  You sound a bit like you should be in a YA novel.

“It is what I am use to,” Moon admitted. “I don’t mind if you want to call me Moonbeam. That was what my parents always called me, but it school it was shortened to Moon and that name stuck.”

“Oh, I’m almost done with your computer. Now we are just waited for things to load through the system. You will be a fully integrated member in roughly... an hour and a half,” she told her, smiling.

[binarymoonbeam]

startlingmetamorphosis:

[Text: Hunter, Moonbeam] Who knows. Cats are an enigma. It’s entirely possible they know they’re are speaking everything wrong and it amuses them.

[Text: Hunter, Moonbeam] I am probably one of the only people that he’s shown the specs to so I know exactly what you mean about how much technology goes into one of them. He keeps improving them and upgrading them so be careful when talking to any future suits. Neither of us would want you to seriously injure yourself.

[Text: Hunter, Moonbeam] I’m sure he will. I highly doubt that you’ll give him a reason not to trust you.

[Text: Banner, Bruce] I want to say that it doesn’t make sense for a species that is so particular to decide to do something the same wrong way, but I think a lot of things about people make no sense so I really have no ground for my own argument.

[Text: Banner, Bruce] Oh, I wasn’t trying to talk to one, I just stood too close and wasn’t ready. Now that I know how chaotic it would be, I plan on keeping my distance. Having another nose bleed at work wouldn’t be very productive.

[Text: Banner, Bruce] :)

[binarymoonbeam]

Interview with a Geek

[binarymoonbeam]

agent0019:

What a marvelous entity.

“They are good people,” Bobbi agreed, and smiled.  For lawyers.  “After the M, comes marriage, I’m sure that will be difficult enough on top of remembering how to spell my name.”

Her arms folded lightly across her chest, she moved a step closer and shifted her gaze from the screen to the woman before it.  “On that note, what’s your name?  I think we skipped that part.  I want to know who to yell for when I forget how to copy and paste and try to do it with scissors.”

I’m kidding.  Please have a sense of humor and realize I’m kidding.

“I’m sure they are. I mean, I didn’t think you would marry one if he wasn’t a good person, not that I really know you well enough to know what type of person you like, but I know Tony and if you liked supervillains, he probably wouldn’t let you in the building,” she paused, considering marriage. “I don’t date, so I have no idea how difficult any of that is,” she told her honestly.

“Oh, you won’t be calling for me. I mean, you can, but I’m in a different department. Like I said, I’m in robotics so you’ll actually be calling for Jim. He’s... I want to say that he is nice, but he is very difficult to read. He’s difficult for me to read. Everyone else thinks he is very nice,” she assured her. “But why would you be... Oh! You made a joke. I like that one! That’s a new one,” she laughed. 

“I’m Moonbeam Hunter, by the way. And yes, that is my real name that my parents gave me. You can call me Moon.”

[binarymoonbeam]

startlingmetamorphosis:

[Text: Hunter, Moonbeam] Lol. I find this entire line of thought rather amusing. It’s possible that cats like doing it all wrong because they are cats and they’re not bound by rules of grammar.

[Text: Hunter, Moonbeam] Tony knows there’s a huge difference between what a person could do and what a person will do. I could give you several examples, but the most telling one is Tony himself. Each one of those suits is an arsenal in its own right. The weapons on it could be used to take down a small country. He could use it for many things and he knows it, but he chooses to use it in the way he does. Your character is why he did what he did.

[Text: Banner, Bruce] Perhaps we are looking at this all wrong. Maybe they aren’t speaking broken English. Maybe they are speaking perfect Cat language. Maybe a cheeseburger sounds very similar to another word to them. Or maybe that is their word for cheeseburger.

[Text: Banner, Bruce] Oh, I know. I talked to one of his suits and I had an instant migraine. So much technology goes into one piece of equipment. It was amazing.

[Text: Banner, Bruce] I hope he continues to trust me.

[binarymoonbeam]

Interview with a Geek

[binarymoonbeam]

agent0019:

Bobbi’s eyebrows rose, and she gave a slight grin.  “So you’re way too smart for turning it off and on again.”

Oh, you intelligent literalists, I will never have enough of you.

“Well, if Tony’s in charge, something is bound to blow up.  He’s TNT, dynamite, presumably I’m here to cut the metaphorical fuse before it all goes off.”  Pausing, Bobbi rubbed the back of her neck.  “You may have, I don’t know.  Murdock.  He’s a lawyer.”  Totally not Daredevil.  “The handy thing is, I don’t even have to change my initials, just everything after the M.”

Moon laughed at Bobbi’s joke. “Well, a lot of the times the problem with any software system is that it has been running for so long that things start to back up and cause lag, so turning it off and back on again helps to restart that slate so that things can run normally, so yes, I’m trying to prevent having to do that at all, or at least as much,” she agreed. 

“Ah, yes, Tony does have an... explosive personality. Not in a bad way, I mean, Noble didn’t mean for dynamite to be deadly, he wanted it to be a safer alternative to gun powder and nitroglycerin, and I’m pretty sure both could be considered HammerTech...” she frowned and then rolled her eyes. She wasn’t sad that that company was gone.

“Murdock... Matthew. Yes, he’s in a lot of newspapers from time to time. Of course, he’s in a lot of them right now. Anyhow, I’ve heard a lot about him and Franklin Nelson. I’ve never used a lawyer, but if I did I would want to have people like them,” she said offhandedly as she worked on the computer.

“Everything after the M won’t be so difficult. At least you won’t have to jump through the alphabet.”

[binarymoonbeam]

startlingmetamorphosis:

[Text: Hunter, Moonbeam] I think I can agree to that.

[Text: Hunter, Moonbeam] No problem. It doesn’t interest me in the slightest so I only know that vague part and I really don’t care to know more.

[Text: Hunter, Moonbeam] I don’t think a domestic can would lower itself to asking for anything, it would just flick rubber bands at its owner until they figured out what the cat wanted. Maybe their owners are dumb or gluttons for punishment.

[Text: Hunter, Moonbeam] Tony lacks a filter between brain and mouth or he shuts it off. Just take the fact he works with you as a compliment.

[Text: Hunter, Moonbeam] The cats could steal it as well. They are nocturnal so getting on a computer at night when their owners are asleep shouldn’t be too difficult. They wouldn’t even have to worry about not having thumbs to operate a computer.

[Text: Hunter, Moonbeam] He knows that I’m a mutant and he knows what I could do. I’m complimented that he didn’t make a restraining order against me. That happened a couple of places.