IRON MAN THEME?

[stabbywheelfeet]

[This is the most exclusive ski resort in ALL OF SWITZERLAND. Or something like that. It's expensive, exclusive, and full of crazy-rich people. Including this one. Look at him smoozing around the bar one evening. He seems to know everyone here, and he's greeting them all. And he may or may not have a fantastic bruise on one cheekbone, care of a snowdrift that was hiding a rock. A few people give him sidelong looks, but for the most part, he's a familiar, and apparently popular, face.]

[... Really, he came up here to relax. With his secretary -- but no one needs to know that part. So far, everything's been quiet. It's a good vacation.]

[After making his routine sweep of the bar, he wanders back over to one of the huge couches by the fire. They're so big, they make their own sort of privacy screen. And he flops down onto one. And since this is in Switzerland, and the author is totally winging this, there's totally a box of chocolate open on the side table, next to some wine.]

I have the best vacation ideas.

Comments

[electrowhipit]

Works for me. Want me to walk away so you can make a bit of a scene?

[stabbywheelfeet]

Only a bit? Now I'm disappointed.

[But he's already reaching for the bottle of wine.]

[electrowhipit]

Just don't hurt yourself again, that's all I ask.

[ with that, he gets up and wanders away, pulling his phone out and pretending to take a call ]

[stabbywheelfeet]

As you wish.

[As soon as Jolt wanders off, he grabs the wine bottle, and clambers up onto the back of the couch.]

But... they're -- they're never -- They're never gonna take my freedom!

[He shouts this at the top of his lungs, "riding" the couch as if it were a horse.]

[Needless to say, every head in the room turns to gape at the apparently drunken man.]

[electrowhipit]

[ A few moments later, Jolt comes back, shoving his phone in his pocket. ]

All right, I think you've had enough.

[stabbywheelfeet]

[He waves his hands at him. Both hands.]

No. No, no no no. I got this. I got all of this.

[Some of the people laugh. Some of the people roll their eyes. And someone glowers. A little too much.]

[electrowhipit]

I'm sure you do. Regardless-- [ Jolt shoots an apologetic look at the crowd- he does catch sight of the glower-er, and that unsettles him a little. He moves to get between them and Sideswipe as he makes a grab for the wine bottle ]

It's time to go now.

[stabbywheelfeet]

Irregardless. That's the word.

[The glower-er's expression turns into outright scowling. And he shifts in place a little.]

But I don't wanna...

[Even so, he's sliding off the back of the couch, looking sulky as can be.]

[electrowhipit]

No, now. [ there's something urgent in the look he shoots Sideswipe. He doesn't like having his back to this guy, whoever he is. There's a subtle shift in the air around him, and a light spark of static from his fingertips. ]

[stabbywheelfeet]

[He blinks. His expression clouds, for a second. He sees the look ... ]

Fiiiiiiiiiiiiine. Killjoy. Joykill. Whichever.

[And he starts staggering for the door. A little quicker than usual.]

[electrowhipit]

[ Jolt is quick on his heels, looking every part the exasperated assistant, but the second they're out of the room and in the empty hallway, he whips around to makes sure they're not being followed. Electricity crackles in his hands for a brief moment ]

Let's get back to the room. Now.

[stabbywheelfeet]

What is it?

[The drunken facade disappears fairly quickly. He turns too, looking behind them as he... walks backward like it's nothing.]

[So far, they're alone.]

[electrowhipit]

I don't know, but something's not right.

[stabbywheelfeet]

... You know, when you don't know what's going on, it's terrifying.

[electrowhipit]

... Someone in that room legitimately looked like they wanted to kill you, okay?

[stabbywheelfeet]

And that's different from every other Tuesday... how?

[electrowhipit]

I'm being serious, okay?

[stabbywheelfeet]

So am I.

[He pauses in his backward strut long enough to sneak in for a quick kiss on the cheek. They're alone... right?]

It's okay.

[electrowhipit]

[ ... For the moment. ]

... Let's just get back to the room.

[stabbywheelfeet]

Your wish is my command.

[Time to resume marching! To the room! ... before their angry friend follows.]

[electrowhipit]

[ He follows! Constantly looking over his shoulder. ]

[stabbywheelfeet]

[The hallway looks completely normal. Totally normal.]

[... one of the lights back the way they'd come from flickers.]

[electrowhipit]

[ His electricity senses are tingling, and he pauses, staring back down the hall. ]

[stabbywheelfeet]

[He stops, half-turning.]

Jolt...?

[The lightbulb gutters. Then goes dark -- it didn't burst. Power is still flowing normally through the circuits...]

[It's just dark.]

[electrowhipit]

... Go, Sideswipe.