Chapter 31: Chapter 31
"Just a few more tweaks, and it'll be as good as new," Tony chirped with an ear-to-ear grin, standing there beside his nearly restored suit.
Jamie sauntered over and eyed the sleek silver armor with interest. "So, what's the deal with this thing?" She pointed at it and fired off a series of questions. "Can you pull off some magic with it? And how does it work? Is it alchemy?"
Tony's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Alchemy? For real?" His eyes widened at the thought. "Can it actually turn stuff into gold?" He hadn't expected Jamie to bring up alchemy, and for a moment, he entertained the whimsical idea of using his suit for some transmutation experiments. The thought was ludicrous, but it made him chuckle.
Jamie fought the urge to facepalm. She shook her head and retorted, "Seriously Tony, what have you been learning these days? I remember getting you a bunch of books that cover all this stuff. Good thing you're not stuck in a magical school; you'd be the class clown by now."
Tony's cheeks flushed, a mixture of embarrassment and chagrin coursing through him. He hadn't been slacking off exactly, but there was so much to learn, so many paths to explore. He scratched his head, sheepishly smiled, and muttered, "I've only been at it for a week, and I got so wrapped up in learning spells that I haven't gotten to this part yet."
Jamie couldn't help but roll her eyes dramatically at Tony's lackadaisical attitude. "Well, it's ultimately your decision whether you study or not. I'm not your mom, after all. But here's a little reminder for you: alchemy isn't a walk in the park." She sighed, shaking her head.
Knowing Tony like she did, though, she had a sneaky suspicion that her words might be going in one ear and out the other.
She pressed on, feeling the need to clarify further, "See, alchemy ain't just about turning rocks into precious metals; it's all about that fancy thing called 'equivalent exchange.' And it's not something I can explain in two minutes, either.My knowledge of alchemy is basically limited to those books over there. If you're still interested in it after reading 'Alchemy Basics,' I can help you track down a proper teacher."
Without a word, Tony made a beeline for the brand-new bookshelf that had recently found its place in the workshop. A quick scan, a bit of shuffling, and he triumphantly pulled out the very book Jamie had recommended. Eager anticipation danced in his eyes as he skimmed the preface and introduction, his fingers flipping through the main text with a frenzy of excitement.
Jamie watched, bemused and slightly forgotten in the wake of Tony's newfound enthusiasm. "Is he always like this?" she muttered to no one in particular, her incredulous expression on full display. "Did he just completely forget we exist?"
Yinsen, standing nearby, pushed up his glasses with a resigned look on his face. "Seems like it," he replied with a nod.
The portrait of Maria, displayed proudly in its frame on the wall, seemed to weigh in on the matter as well. "Oh, my dear son," she said with a mix of pride and exasperation, "he's brilliant in every way, but he can be a tad... preoccupied with knowledge, wouldn't you say?"
Jamie shrugged, realizing she might as well make her exit. "Well, looks like this isn't my problem anymore. I'm heading out. It's been one interesting night, that's for sure."
She stifled a yawn and turned to Yinsen, who was meticulously placing Maria's portrait on the one clean spot available on the cluttered table. "And what about you, Yinsen? You heading home too?"
Yinsen met her gaze and nodded with a faint smile. "Yep. It's getting late, and I've got the shop to tend to tomorrow."
With their farewells exchanged, they both left the room, though it was unclear whether Tony had registered their departure at all, given his intense absorption in the books.
Hours later, when Tony finally managed to pry himself away from his reading material, the first rays of dawn were already filtering through the windows. "Mom? Where'd they go?"
Maria sighed, her frustration evident. "Tony, do you even realize what time it is? You've got to stop these late-night binges. It's not healthy for you."
But before Maria could finish her admonishment, Tony quickly raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, Mom. I got it. No more late-night study sessions!"
Maria, observing her son's antics, struggled to contain her frustration. She considered herself fortunate not to be around anymore; otherwise, Tony's antics might have driven her to the edge sooner. "Well, go get some rest now. I need a break," she said before vanishing from the portrait.
Tony glanced up at the ceiling, which bore a conspicuous hole, and asked nonchalantly, "Jarvis, what time is it?"
"It's five o'clock in the morning, sir. The weather forecast looks promising for—"
"Alright, cut it out!" Tony interrupted Jarvis's report. "Do we still have materials left for Mark 2?"
"Yes, sir, we have enough materials for two Mark 2 suits."
"Perfect, start with a basic one. Paint it red and gold. Skip the fingers and wrist armor for now. Oh, and is there anything on my schedule today?" Tony inquired, making gestures on the screen that was being shown from the hologram projector.
"There's a charity ball in your name tonight, sir, but it appears you haven't received an invitation."
Tony's brow furrowed in bewilderment, his eyes fixed on the glowing screen before him. "Why haven't I received an invitation to my own event?" He scratched his head, leaning closer to the monitor as if expecting it to provide an immediate answer. "Remind me to get to the bottom of this. I need to know why I can't attend my own event!"
"Of course, Mr. Stark," Jarvis responded smoothly.
Tony quickly dealt with the technical glitches plaguing his system while multitasking on his latest suit project. A quick jaunt through the Floo network brought Tony to the Oak Bar, where Pearson was polishing glassware behind the bar. Tony engaged in a casual chat with the bar owner, savoring a few moments of normalcy, before saying his goodbyes and venturing onto Enchantia Avenue, the bustling wizarding shopping district nestled within New York.
As he strolled down the magical thoroughfare, Tony scanned the shopfronts, squinting to read their eccentric names. "Let me see, I think it should be around here," he mused, eyes darting between stores. Then, like a lightbulb flickering to life, he spotted his destination. "Aha! Found it!"
Tony halted in front of a shop adorned in vibrant red hues, gazing up at the sign that declared, "Weasleys' Alchemy Workshop."
It was still early, well before six, and the shop's door remained firmly locked. Tony rapped on the door with uncertainty, calling out, "Hello? Anyone here? Mr. Weasley?" The silence seemed impenetrable.
"I doubt anyone's inside," a mild voice interrupted his inquiry from behind. Tony spun around to find a wizard standing there, a man who appeared to be his contemporary. Tall and slender, with a shock of red hair and a notable absence of one ear.
"Hello, I'm George Weasley, the owner of this shop, and I'm British," George introduced himself with a warm smile.
Tony reciprocated with a grin of his own. "Hello, I'm Tony Stark, and I came to..."
Before he could finish his sentence, a deafening bang pierced the air, accompanied by a billowing cloud of white smoke that left Tony blinking in astonishment. In place of a billionaire inventor stood a huge canary, its beady eyes locked on the red-haired wizard.
"Chirp chirp chirp?" Tony squawked in confusion.
George couldn't contain his laughter, his mirth echoing through the empty street. "Hahaha! New product! Canary Gloves! When you wear them and shake hands with someone, they turn into a giant canary! Just five dragots a pair, good for two minutes of avian amusement!"
Two minutes felt like an eternity as Tony experienced the world from a bird's-eye view, but with another explosive bang, the white smoke cleared, and he stood once again at the shop's entrance. He cautiously patted himself down, ensuring that nothing had been added or taken away in the transformation, and breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, that was...different. I'll take a set of those gloves, actually."
George couldn't help but let out a hearty chuckle, his mischievous grin stretched from ear to... well, no-ear. "You, my friend, are the kind of customer I've been waiting for," he mused, his eyes sparkling with a touch of whimsy. He leaned in a little closer, almost like he was sharing a secret. "You know, I once had grand dreams of opening a joke shop right here in New York. I mean, who wouldn't want a good laugh, right? But, surprise, surprise, the people here seem to have forgotten how to crack a smile. "
His shoulders shrugged in mock disbelief, and he shook his head in mock exasperation. "So, here I am," he continued, gesturing dramatically to his surroundings, "a guy with a penchant for pranks, stuck running an alchemy workshop. It's a bit of a head-scratcher, don't you think? I mean, this is America, after all!" His tone held a blend of amusement and incredulity, as if he couldn't quite fathom the lack of humor in the wizarding world here.
As George rambled on, he tapped his wand on the shop door, causing it to swing open effortlessly, revealing the warm and inviting interior, bathed in soft light. "Step on in, my friend, and let me know what tickles your fancy."
Tony shot a cautious glance at the shop entrance, half-expecting another prank, before stepping inside. He appreciated George's mischievous spirit, but that didn't mean he wanted to be on the receiving end of his inventive jokes.
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