[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/310568770764537869/936847645647962182/text-1643427177991.png[/img][/center] 93 stories? It’s not like Stark handed out RVSP invitations, on the nice fancy paper with written instructions: [hider= Niel's Imagination][center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/310568770764537869/936847625100091442/Justice_League_Meeting.png[/img][/center][/hider] 93 stories seemed like a daunting task. He didn’t really understand why Tony Stark picked him out of the bunch. There were plenty of B-role heroes to choose from. Truth is, he’s nervous as hell, even if he wasn’t going to admit to that Chie. Whipping his head around, pointing to the elevator. “Coming?” he asks. She gives him one of her playful smiles, “How about we race?” “You want to race up 93 stories? You’re a track star, you’re not a track alien,” “Scared you’ll lose,” “More scared you’re going to lose your breaklunch,” “Sure,” Chie is already heading towards the steps. He’s not sure who she is challenging, him, or the machine. “Pretty sure you’re just going to make the building mad at you if you think you can beat it,” “Better hurry or you’ll lose!” Crap. And she’s run off. Who else is he going to deflect to now? It’s just him and the elevator now. Wonder if any of the rumors are true and that there is an actual talking machine. Stepping into the elevator, wondering if there is a way to rig this thing to play hype music? “I don’t know if you can hear me or not, or I am talking to myself, but take your time getting up,” because he’s totally nervous right now. And getting there before Chie while she’s still several stories below him didn’t sound like a good time. He hits the 20th floor, knowing full well where he’s supposed to be going. But now alone, he had to sit with the thoughts that had kept him up all night. Wow, how dramatic of a thought to conjure up right now? “Okay Niel,” he walks himself through it, staring into a blurry reflection from a metallic part of the elevator, “Let’s walk through this, introduction thing.” Especially not to look like a total nutcase. “The elevator opens up, and you say,” he’s talking out loud to himself and he knows it, that or he’s being eerily watched by a machine, “Sup. I am Ace of Knaves.” Sup? Sup? Have you been asked to give an interview before a hit rap music video? Ace of Knaves, you’re not even a masked vigilante. In fact you’re something much worse than a masked vigilante, you’re a private investigator. Way to go you perpetuating the heroism of the police force. You really outdid yourself on that one. Let’s try an introduction that isn’t as try-hardy as that one, please. Just something normal. Cool, well not like cool the way people perceive the word cool to mean. “Sorry, got lost on the way up, you’d think someone was compensating for something, am I right, Nathaniel,” That is worse. And what a cliche joke. Like, get an original joke. And that’s two dick jokes you’ve made since waking up. Is there something you’d like to tell yourself, Niel? Oh shut up. That’s not even funny. “Niel, we have to make a good impression,” he says to himself, attempting now to talk out loud, to wrestle with his anxiety. “Yeah I got that, but talking in the elevator to myself isn’t helping, what if they hear me?” “I doubt anyone will care whether or not you’re talking to yourself,” The elevator stops moving. This is the 20th floor. He laughs nervously, looking down long, sterile hallways, “Oh wow would you look at that wrong floor. Oops.” he presses the button for the 27th floor next. “I just need a non corny, introduction,” “How would Robin introduce himself,” He stands up straight, “I am Robin, it’s a pleasure to meet you guys. I am a natural born leader, who likes to take charge of everything and micromanage just like my Father. Okay Niel tone it back down this is getting bitter.” Pretty sure he’s going to get turned down if he keeps this up. Pretty sure if the rumors are in fact true about the A.I. Tony Stark will definitely know about the guy freaking out in his elevator. Maybe they’ll say that this guy is too much, and send him off to get his mind flossed. He’s pretty sure this isn’t a normal reaction to anxiety, like some burning itchy, maddening rash. You just have to come up with a single fucking introduction. Why are you spinning yourself around? In so many damn circles Niel. It’s an introduction, not your whole entire fucking backstory. What are you going to do join the Justice League and treat it like group therapy and trauma dump on them every sad story about yourself? Oh what’s your superpower Niel? Trauma and angst. Can you be normal for once? The elevator stops at the 27th floor. “Wow weird, how this keeps happening,” He presses the button for the 35th floor. Just get your shit together Niel. They probably don’t know who you are. Yeah, that’s the spirit. See you’re sounding like Chie already. How would she introduce herself? Probably bust through the door, and scream, “Hiyah. I am Shuriken, ready to be your sword.” he does a karate chopping motion in the air. God it's bad when he’s trying to imitate her. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Feeling sorry for myself is like my default though. That or irritation. Then get irritated. I have nothing to be irritated by. Ugh. My head is the worst place sometimes. This is why you couldn’t sleep. He wonders where Chie is. Should he have left her alone? Make up your mind on where you want to argue with yourself about. How did this go this far? All he wanted to do was practice an introduction. Instead he’s let his anxiety wind him up like a ball of yarn. His anxiety is like a cat bent on destruction, by knocking down the yarn roll, and you begin to watch as it careens in the living room and you’re desperately trying to stop it from unraveling. Way to be dark and dramatic, Again! You’re really going to earn yourself the academy award for: Best use of Trope. Emo “Hero” The elevator stops at the 35th floor. “Crazy, how this keeps handing, all these floors look the same,” Niel jokes out loud. He goes to press the 44th floor. Realizing he can’t hit the buttons any more. Crap. No. Is he locked out from hitting any more buttons. He furiously hits the 44th button, but the display screen shows 93rd. “Fuck you, I wasn’t done having my anxiety attack!” he shouts at the ceiling. He sort of mashes all the buttons together at once. Fuck you elevator. Furiously pressing the 44th floor, but the display continues flashing 93. “You piece of shit! This is why machines shouldn’t have a mind of their god damn own, I am sitting here trying to fulfill my mandatory mental breakdown!” The machine still won’t listen despite him trying to get the elevator to stop at whatever level is next. “I AM GOING TO DISMANTLE YOU! AND SELL YOUR FUCKING PARTS!” He tries the emergency stop button. It won’t work. “THIS IS ILLEGAL!” He’s resorted to kicking the control panel, “I HATE YOU. YOU STUPID ELEVATOR. I WASN’T READY TO GO IN YET. I WAS HOPING SOMEONE WOULD CHANGE THEIR FUCKING MIND AND SEND ME FUCKING HOME. BUT [b]YOU[/b]. [b]YOU [/b]RUINED IT. YOU ELECTRONIC KIDNAPPING PIECE OF FUCKING TECHNOLOGY. I HOPE THAT YOUR WIRES SPIT OUT OF YOUR MECHANICAL GUTS!” Shit, the door is open. Isn’t it? Room is full too of people, he waves, casually while clearing his throat “Hi guys.”