The beach and other locations, very early Saturday morning

[vdistinctive]

Eliot was out for his morning run with Val, both of them enjoying the decided lack of blizzards and snow monsters as they went at an easy pace along the beach. This was Eliot's favorite time on the island, before just about anyone else was up. He liked company -- you didn't end up basically married to two other people if you didn't -- but there was always going to be a part of him that preferred to spend time alone.

Val skidded to a stop with a whine, her nose in the air, then pressed it into the sand. Eliot slowed beside her, frowning.

"Whatcha got, girl?" Val loved running. She wouldn't stop like that for just anything. "Show me."

Val started off again, nose pressed into the sand as she went, save for when she glanced back to make sure he was still behind her. The whole way, she kept up that low whine in the back of her throat.

So much for his nice, peaceful morning.

[ooc: for thems what know.]

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[vdistinctive]

That was probably for the best. Eliot gave the driver a hefty tip once they'd made it to Stark's, then hefted Jack in a fireman's carry, just barely managing to pick up the to-go coffee cup from the Perk without spilling. Good thing Val was there to handle the extra limbs. He made it to the door and frowned at it, his arms much too full to knock or ring the doorbell properly.

But hey, that was what feet were for.

Wake up, Tony! There was a grumpy ex-soldier holding a dismembered, unconscious teenager kicking on your door!

[imafuturist]

Tony had, surprise surprise, actually been sleeping for a change when JARVIS alerted him to unexpected guests. And not the kind that involved shooting. Which was nice.

JARVIS helpfully opened the door as Tony stumbled down the stairs to see them. "Good morning, Eliot--Jesus, bring him over here," he said, immediately jumping into high alert.

[vdistinctive]

Eliot grunted and headed after him. This kid was damned heavy, okay?

Once he had Jack set down, he held out the to-go cup. "Found him on the beach. Gather he got the Fandom special; sucked right out of his own world right when he was about to bite it."

Val set down the metal limbs, tail wagging. She'd done good!

[imafuturist]

No one was judging him. Well. Maybe Steve, but he was juiced up on science.

Tony spared a quick smile to the dog and a slightly awkward head pat as he took the coffee. "J, dearest. Scan our guest."

A blue light ran up and down Jack, taking readings and assessing his general state of health. Because of course Tony had that function. Of course.

"Huh. Steampunk cyborg." Well, that was just a simplified explanation for him. "Is this revenge for the ice ray?"

[vdistinctive]

"He's a dismembered teenage cyborg. What was I supposed to do, drop him at the clinic?" Eliot gave Tony a withering look. "But yeah, a little of that, too."

[imafuturist]

"At least you brought me coffee too," Tony said with a quick grin. He pushed his sleeves up to start examining where the limbs where supposed to be attached. "Did you get a name or anything?"

[vdistinctive]

"Jack," Eliot said. "And he asked me what side I fought on, so . . . that's not good."

But it probably explained how he got the slashes on his clothes and lost the limbs.

[imafuturist]

Tony's mouth flattened into a thin, unhappy line at that. Because wow, he picked two folks with issues there, huh?

"I can do a simple fix for now, but I'll need his consent for any alterations."

Improvements. Because Tony.

[vdistinctive]

Eliot nodded. "He passed out on the way over here. Pretty sure it was the pain. If he doesn't wake up in a couple more minutes, we might need to find an actual doctor."

[axe2grind]

Luckily, within ten minutes, Jack's eyes were opening again.

And staring around at the laboratory he was in, eyes huge. He'd thought that Jane's workshop was impressive, but this was... he didn't even know what this was.

Then he had a moment of panic, calling, "Eliot?" and patting down his chest just to make sure no one had added things to it. Since that was what happened the last time he woke up in a mad scientist's lair.

[vdistinctive]

"Still here, Jack," Eliot said. "I'd like you to meet Tony Stark. One of the local genius inventors."

The one who was less likely to have to hold back nausea at poor Jack's situation. Hardison would have lost at least a couple minutes freaking out before the physical exam part.

[axe2grind]

Jack calmed down a little. Enough to lift his head, and nod cautiously at the other man in the room. "Mr. Stark." Wait. "Doctor Stark?" Not really sure about that, but as long as it wasn't Your Majesty, he'd be able to cope. He swallowed hard. "If this is going to cost a great deal, I can... manage."

Right. Manage to put his leg and arm aback on, with only one hand. And without a screwdriver. Maybe he could borrow one?

[imafuturist]

Tony shot a sideways glance over to Eliot, but smiled reassuringly. "Just Tony and don't worry about cost."

Seriously. Don't. He was loaded.

"Do you need anything for the pain?"

[axe2grind]

"I don't want to be unconscious." Very much not. It was only a flesh wound! He'll bite your knee-caps off! Jack closed his eyes and added, "Side hurts. Where the armor joins at the hip. And my head." Was nauseous. "You won't--" How to even ask. "I can work. Once my limbs are on." To pay him back.

[imafuturist]

"If you want a job, that's fine. But I don't believe in people owing me for helping them out," Tony replied, not at all shocked about the response to painkillers. He'd probably say the same thing. "It might hurt to reattach your limbs. I've never seen augmentation quite like this before so I can't tell you it'll be easy."

He glanced up at Eliot. "If you're willing to help out with that, it might go easier."

[vdistinctive]

"Not a problem. I've done my share of field triage. And, uh, mechanics."

Not usually at the same time, admittedly.

[axe2grind]

Jack's face heated with the embarrassment of being helpless in front of strangers. Again. But at least they were trying to help. Throat tightening, he said, "Thank you. I-I don't know what to say." He let out a shallow breath, then added, "Most of my chest is intact. But, there was damage to the insides, and the armor is there for support. The limbs just-- screw back on." Although they were dented limbs now, after they'd been stabbed and shot. That injury had whirled him around when his arm caught a bullet, yanking at the muscles in his neck and shoulder in a way he could still feel.

[imafuturist]

Tony gave him an encouraging nod, clapping his hands together before going to find a wheely chair to bring over so he could stay at Jack's height for this. "I have JARVIS finding materials to repair these," he said, lifting up a leg. "Eliot, if you want to help keep him steady?"

[vdistinctive]

"Yep." Eliot moved to put steadying hands onto Jack's shoulder. "We'll get you mobile again, kid," he said. "Then you might want to make your way up to the school. There's a welcome picnic up there today, so you can get some free food. And I'm gonna bet that's where the island wants you in the first place."

Teenager shows up on the beach on newbie day? Yeah, it was a fair bet they were headed for the school, whether they knew it or not.

[axe2grind]

Jack glanced at Eliot askance. "That makes absolutely no sense." Although the food would be much appreciated. Dinner had been a day and a world ago. "Will there be someone there who can help me get home?"

He braced himself, swearing that he was not going to yell when they re-attached things. Not. Going. To. Nope.

[imafuturist]

"The island tends to be like that," Tony said, focusing on making this as smooth as he could. "Count of three. One--"

He pushed it into place before even getting to two so the kid wasn't completely tensed up for it.

[axe2grind]

Jack managed not to yell, despite the burst of pain that radiated up his spine. And he didn't pass out either. A new personal best.

He did groan and look like he wanted to swallow his tongue, though.

[vdistinctive]

"That's it, kid," Eliot said. "You're doing fine. Just remember to breathe."

Breathing tended to go right out the window at moments like these. Eliot knew from experience.

[imafuturist]

Tony looked at the armor around the kid's chest and mentally sifted through the readings that JARVIS had taken while he'd been unconscious. "Painkillers are still available," he said, taking the other leg.

Why Tony had those in the lab was certainly something.

[axe2grind]

Jack's face was beaded with sweat, but he shook his head, wincing. "Maybe... after." Or definitely, after, if he wasn't already passed out. "Get it. Over with." The clock was steadily ticking still, which meant he was still mostly okay. Right? Right.