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Summary: Tony tells Caleb that all of his worries are for naught.
Date: July 4, 2010
Log Title Changing Perspective
Rating: PG
NYC- Avenger Mansion
The Avenger Mansion was strangely quiet on the 4th of July. Most of the staff had been given the day off to go be with their families and enjoy the various events going on around the city. Those Avengers that lived and worked in the mansion had either gone off to do something together or were hanging out around the pool side. It was around mid day without a cloud in the sky. The perfect weather for a National Holiday. Tony was still all business, even on a day where people relaxed, and enjoyed the celebration. He had sent out a message to Caleb, the Barnes student, to have the young man stop over because it was about time some things got ironed out.
So basically a normal sunday morning, wake up, shower, brush teeth, get dressed, get breakfast, but oh wait, a message?, for me?, ok…, he's been call to the AVENGER MANSION!, wow. Fast forwards a couple of hours and he's standing in the foyer, dressed in blue denim cargos, a black superman t-shirt, black airwalk trainers and his violet eyes are glowing faintly as is the yellow stone on the silver wristband on his right wrist, "Errm , hello?"
Jarvis, the Avengers butler, answers the door when Caleb arrives. He shows the young man into the foyer then off towards the parlor where Stark is waiting. "Mr.Stark, Caleb is here, sir." Tony sets down the book he had been reading on the couch, "Thank you, Jarvis." He rises from where he's seated to walk over to Caleb. "Come on in, make yourself comfortable."
Yeah like that's gonna happen, Caleb's in the fecking Avenger Mansion, it's kinda hard to relax knowing that, all the same, he walks over to a chair and sits down, "Hello Mr. Stark".
"I know this is rather piss poor timing, and I don't want to eat up your holiday," Tony begins as he rounds the couch to sit back down. "I thought that with your concerns, as they are, that it would be better to inform you as soon as I had come to a understanding of life over at Barnes." Even in a pair of worn jeans and a t-shirt he appears very much a master of his domain. Cool, calm and clearly detached from any of his usual frivolity.
Caleb shrugs, "It's cool, i'm Irish so we don't do the forth of july thing anyways", here it comes, time to hear the worst i guess, "Ok, what did you wanna tell me, sir?"
Leaning back into the couch to get comfortable, Tony reaches out to pick up a glass of water that had been sitting on the table just behind the couch. "I've done some looking into things over at Barnes. Information gathering as it were." Tony sips from his glass as he organizes his thoughts. "I see nothing out of line in what they are trying to do. I may not agree with some of their methods but they are not out to cause harm to anyone."
"They're not doing anything wrong?", Caleb is actually shocked, from what Bruce said and them always knowing where he is, and the questions, he was sure they're up to something.
"They're a military organization. Their methods are a means to an end but I gather from my contacts that there is nothing duplicitous going on. Strange, unorthodox maybe but nothing to cause any alarm." Tony sets his glass of water down to regard Caleb seriously. "I can't speak from experience but the military run a tight ship. I think its even more so in their case due to the fact that they are having to deal with people with exceptional gifts. As you mentioned, they knew your weakness and used it to stop a fight. I may not like what they did but it was a way to diffuse the situation so that no one came to any lasting harm."
Caleb had set himself up and prepared to find out that Barnes is up to no good, he doesn't know what to say now he's been told that they're not.
Tony seems to continue talking, because whatever he has to say has taken over his ability to notice Caleb's reaction to this news. "I am loosely tied to the school through contacts. Teachers, administration, and others such as yourself. I've seen nothing since I began searching into things. I will, however, be keeping a finger to the pulse of that school. I would bore you with details but there isn't really a need. You are safer in their militaristic scheme than you are out in New York." Tony gestures in front of himself as if to say /all is well/. "You may even learn something. Grow to understand the bigger picture. It may seem oppressive and confining but that's just the way something like that works, Caleb."
Caleb has been wandering New York, avoiding the other students, teachers and basically avoided setting up any kind of life since he got there, and now he's being told that there was no reason to?, the most the teen can manage is, "ok".
Tony folds his arms across his chest, "Out with it, Caleb. What are you thinking? You don't seem all that thrilled to find out that they're not using you for nefarious ends."
Caleb sighs, "I've avoided every thing that could start me having a life in New York, and Barnes is doing nothing wrong, i've fucked up the last few months of my life for no reason".
Tony breathes out through his mouth slowly. "People make mistakes, kid. Don't beat yourself up too badly. You've got to learn to take some setbacks and move on with your new found knowledge. See things in a different way."
Caleb looks down at his feet, "Yeah i guess, thanks for telling me this Mr. Stark, i guess i can move on now, and start working with Barnes", well, he'll try at least.
Tony isn't all that great with trying to boost people up from whatever hole they've sunk into . He does however try to get Caleb to turn around and see some positive in this. "Barnes aside, Caleb. You've got to cut yourself a break. Walk out the door and try to experience, 'whatever,' in a different way. Find out why you shorted out, ya know? I have experience with shorting out. Trust me, you don't want to spend too much time like that."
Caleb looks up and attempts to smile at Tony, "Thanks for trying to make me feel better Mr. Stark, but i know how to turn my life around, i've done it before, i just need a new focus, and i'll build the rest around it", what he's gonna focus on, not sure what yet though.
"You'll figure it out, I'm sure of it." Tony rises from the couch to help see Caleb to the door. "If you ever think somethings going on over there that's out of line, don't hesitate to send me a message. I'll take it seriously."
"Well thanks for taking me seriously Mr. Stark, even though i was wrong, and i will let you know if somethings wrong, i just won't go looking for it", Caleb gets up and walks out with Tony, "If i can ever return the favor, i don't know what i can offer, but if i can help with something, feel free to ask".
Tony smiles across his shoulder at the young man. "I'll keep that in mind, Caleb." Tony reaches the door opening it so that Caleb can go off and enjoy the 4th. "Take care of yourself, and seriously.." he casts a glance down at the Superman shirt. "Get a Batman shirt. Wayne's a much better hero."
Caleb laughs, "You only say that cos basically he's you, but i'll look into it Ironman", he waves and walks off into New York, down whatever road this new knowledge will take him.
