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

[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.

[stabbywheelfeet]

-- Without you?

[electrowhipit]

I'll catch up.

[stabbywheelfeet]

[Another light goes dark. But in the flickering instant, the heartbeat between light and dark, something moves between the darkened portion, and the next space of hallway.]

[A glimpse of flowing motion, like robes in the breeze. And a deepening scowl.]

... I don't want to leave you here alone.

[electrowhipit]

[ He casts a quick glance at Sideswipe. ]

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

[ He then turns back to the darkened end of the hallway, his stance shifting ]

Hey! Are you gonna hide all day or what?

[stabbywheelfeet]

I could say the same to you.

[When Jolt turns, so does he, his fingers flexing around empty air. Of course, this would happen when his toys were back in the room...]

[In answer to the challenge, the light above them dies. There should be light coming in from the rest of the hallway, it should only be a bit dimmer where they stand... but it's pitch black.]

[And something strikes at Jolt's legs.]

[electrowhipit]

[ Whatever it is will get a nasty shock for their troubles, but Jolt goes down all the same, swearing loudly.

Still, down or not, he lights up like a Christmas tree- blue light flares up around his whole being, sparks flying suddenly and violently. ]

[stabbywheelfeet]

[The shock sends ... him? ... reeling backward from Jolt. The attacker is difficult to see, even in the sudden illumination. It seems like someone in... a black robe. They pull back from the glowing man, arm up to shield their eyes.]

[Sideswipe meanwhile is groping around, trying to find either Jolt, or a weapon.]

[electrowhipit]

Sideswipe! It doesn't like light! [ whatever's going on, they're still in the hall, and he can feel the electricity coursing through the building around him- he draws on that, making his own light as bright as he can. He thrusts out a hand, sending a bolt at the cloaked figure ]

[stabbywheelfeet]

Oh! Great! Since we have so much light to work with!

[Because he can't see. At all. Jolt seems to be the only one of them who can -- well. Jolt and their attacker.]

[An attacker who shrinks away from the brightness and the bolt. Who makes a lunge for the floundering Sideswipe.]