selfhelp | [action / voice] backdated to the 16th

[Billy wakes up for the first time since the portal drama feeling nauseous, exhausted, and heartsick: sort of like waking from a long nightmare, only he can't recall dreaming at all. Instead of being at home in his own world and his own bed, he's still in Luceti, and what's worse is that he's alone. His magic doesn't seem to be working, either. Panic sets in, and... well...

After a bit of trouble-at-home, and a resolution that leaves him feeling even more weary, the reality of his (or rather, their) situation really sinks in: the portal didn't work. And while none of the people involved in the execution of said plan are in any great state of being today, he seems to be the only one who's up and talking and available to explain the situation to the general public (at least, to those who didn't witness what a spectacular disaster it was), and that leaves announcing it up to him.

Unfortunately.

He delays it as much as he feels that he can, perusing the journal in the desperate hope that someone else has done it for him, then wondering if it would be better to wait for someone more in-the-know to do it, until finally he steps up to the plate. Now or never.]

...Hey everyone. I'm sure a lot of you already heard, but for those that haven't, Tony and Jane's big escape portal didn't work. It kind of backfired yesterday, and...

[His voice trails off in the beginnings of a more distraught tone, so he pauses to compose himself.]

Nobody died? I mean, we've got that going for us. For what it's worth. But no one went home, either. The whole thing was a bust. No point in even keeping it a secret anymore.

One last thank you to everybody who gave up their mission points to get parts for it, though. I don't think it was a waste or anything - I mean, trying's better than sitting around and doing nothing, and something definitely happened, so we at least pushed a few of their buttons - but...

[Ugh, why did he think this was a good idea?]

...sorry it wasn't what we thought it would be. That's all.

[After that he really just wants to curl up in bed and pretend to be unconscious for the next several days, but that's not particularly responsible, so he'll have to settle for making it a few hours instead. It's the little things in life.]

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Thank you. [That Pepper hopes the same of course goes without saying, and is quickly forgotten in the wake of what Billy reveals next. She’d known—heard, at least, that he’d been knocked out, though Pepper herself had to be forced from the area shortly after. But while being tired is expected, the loss definitely isn’t.]

Your magic is gone? But how?

Well- okay, maybe not- gone, gone. It's probably temporary. But it's not working when I try to cast. I can't even feel it.

I think I just used too much of it at once.

When you saved them.

[Pepper had seen the light and heard Billy's voice; she knew what he had done for Tony and Jane.]

Is there anything I can do? I'm staying with Tony in the clinic for now, but maybe after...?

[After he wakes up. After he's home, and Pepper feels safe to leave his side.]

[His response to that at first is a vague noise to acknowledge her words; he doesn't much feel like he saved anyone, even though he knows it wasn't his fault that the portal didn't work. Honestly he's just glad that no one died or was lost in the mess. Though Loki's disappearance doesn't really bode well for any of them, since it's possible that whatever's coming to them will catch them off guard later.

He tries not to think about it.]

Don't worry about me, Teddy's here. Just focus on him, and yourself, okay?

[....]

How, um... how's he doing?

Edited 2013-03-19 04:49 (UTC)

Don’t. [There’s a lot conveyed even by that uncommitted noise, and Pepper is quick to warn Billy away from what she suspects he might be thinking.] You brought them back, Billy. You brought Tony back to me, like you promised. Don’t think otherwise.

[She’s glad to hear that Teddy’s taking care of Billy; she’d expect no less, after the support Teddy had shown her too. It helps her relax some, knowing there’s one less person to worry about when she’s already stretched so thin.]

He’s stable. [Which is as positive as the news gets, but unsurprisingly that’s the aspect Pepper tries to focus on.] He could wake up at any time.

[He's quiet for a long moment at that feeling an odd mixture of both chastised and praised. Maybe she has a point, though. Maybe he's allowed to feel good about what he did, at least a little bit. They still got hurt, and he still thinks he could have done more, but...

...he did okay. He kept his promises. That's better than nothing.

In the end he doesn't respond to it, not really, but he doesn't argue against it, either.]

Mm. Good. Knowing him, it won't be long.

[At this point, Pepper will gladly take quiet over arguments. She’s too tired for it, too preoccupied, and it shows in how easily she lets that lack of reply go.]

I hope so. He’s stubborn. [As Pepper knows and has been reminded.] And he really hates being stuck in medical facilities.

I think you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who likes being in one. Except maybe the doctors. I wouldn't even go in to get a check-up. [A pause, and then-] I mean, I would if I was hurt. That came out weird.

You have a gift for that. [Having things come out other-than intended, and Pepper manages a faint smile.] Normally this would be the point where I help you dig your hole a little deeper, but I think I'll spare you today.

[In truth Pepper doesn't feel up to it, but people are already worried enough without her adding to it.]

[Wow, she must really be worried. He can't blame her for that, though, and he's glad; he really is fine, so he'd rather she not fret about anyone else but Tony.]

Your mercy is greatly appreciated.

Do you guys need anything?

[Just for Tony to wake up.]

I think we're okay for now. You should focus on resting anyway.

What, I can't multitask?

[Admittedly he's relieved about the prospect of not leaving the house for a while.]

You should be careful not to wear yourself out, either.

If by multitasking you mean something along the lines of lying in bed and reading a comic book at the same time? Feel free.

[Then comes the advice she’s heard frequently over the past 24 hours.] Don’t worry. There are people here making sure that I don’t.

[Sob is that what she thinks he does.

...Well okay he probably earned that anyway.]

Guess I'll have to rely on them to worry about you, then. I'll try to visit when I can, though, so if you think of anything you need just let me know.

[Not what she thinks he does! At least not all the time. It’s more what she thinks he should be doing. Relaxing, recovering. Taking it easy.]

Would it make you feel better if I said one of them was Natasha? [There’s the faintest hint of a grin in her voice, a dry humor that promises that Natasha’s already had some success with that role.]

Thank you, Billy. I will. [She won’t, but not only because she’s worried about him. She’s actually been cared for fairly well by the visitors, and Tony’s doctors are exceptional.] If I get the chance, I’ll try and get by to see you too. [Though it’s unlikely, she at least wants to hope she’ll be able to—that Tony will wake up soon.]

Edited 2013-03-29 21:48 (UTC)

That does help, actually. I think she could get anybody to do anything.

[He kind of doubts that bit about visiting, truth be told- if their roles were reversed and Teddy was hurt, he wouldn't be offering to go and see her any time soon. Still, the gesture is appreciated.]

We'll see each other soon, one way or another. Whoever gets around to visiting first.

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