Multiverse Crisis MUSH - User contributions [en]

3227/Meeting on Nar Shaddaa

2015-10-19T04:43:37Z

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{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/10/18
|Location=Faraway Galaxy <FG>
|Synopsis=Tony accidentally finds a Jedi in hiding and tries to recruit her.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=301, 892
|Tinyplot=
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:892|Jayale (892)}} has posed:'''     Nar Shaddaa was a place within Huttspace, a place controlled by the vast Hutt Cartel among others, and was in many regards one of the seediest places of this Galaxy. That being said, however, it was also a /very/ good place for business deals to happen. Mostly because anything at all could be found on this moon of Nal Hutta. The entire moon was practically a giant black market in a sense, massive tiered landscapes brought about by thousands of years of building further and further up due to lack of space around.     A black market where there was also a lot of refugees and criminals and in general bad things going on, but if one wanted a place to lay low, or simply run their business and not really have to deal with tarifs or the Empire - this was certainly a place to do such.     Especially considering the Empire was likely part of the Confederacy!     Those who happened to be on the upper most part of the moons districts, which housed the currently most expensive and accessible warehouse districts, bars, markets as well as various industrial complexes and such happened to be abuzz, thanks to a certain vocal, loudmouthed and flamboyant sorcerer who had created quite the commotion. It would seem the attack had spooked some of the Refugees and bums who were hanging out in the warehouse district, and rumors and gossip spread like wildfire about strange dead-lookin' things pouring out of the ground from evil-looking holes and explosions, lightning strikes, fire and exploding transport vehicles.     Though naturally no one got a really good look 'cause they were too busy hiding. And selling the contents of the scattered merchants wares they had vultured from the scene of the chaos after it was done, swooping in to collect swaths of various textiles and terribly expensive Lasha silks. Which is where Jayale was at currently, head bandaged and looking a cross between tired, and injured. Trying to sort out from the massive marketplace who had taken her silks and why, and where. Because quite frankly it was a delivery that was headed towards one of the Hutts and she didn't really care to piss off the Hutts and add to the injured head she had thanks to the attack. 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' In short, not the sort of place you'd expect to find a law-abiding citizen of the Multiverse, but then Tony Stark was never really much for following expectations. In point of fact he'd been contacted by someone claiming to be a neutral interest who wanted to meet and discuss the possibility of a rather large manufacturing contract without the Empire's involvement. Said meeting seems to have just concluded, as the human businessman/superhero/all around awesome guy steps out of one of the fancier dining establishments with a thoughtful look on his face. He's also not stupid enough to have come here alone. His bodyguard keeps pace a single stride behind him, in the form of a six and a half foot tall suit of powered armor, looking sharply around for any signs of potential trouble for the boss. Seemingly unconcerned for such things, Stark gives a prodigious stretch and looks around. "Whaddaya say we find a souvenir for the wife and kid," he suggests, eyeing the colorful possibilities of the marketplace laid out before him. "Unless I've missed something significant, sir, I don't believe you're actually married yet," the guy in the suit replies in a clipped Imperial -- which is to say British -- accent. "Tony shrugs. "Semantics. C'mon, Jay." And with that he strolls into the throng of mercantile chaos, glancing about cheerfully for... well, anything that catches his eye, really. 

:'''{{#var:892|Jayale (892)}} has posed:'''     His efforts would have him come across a relatively human-looking older woman who was standing in front of a vendor with her arms crossed. "Do not give me that poodoo, you and I both know that is a lie." The grumbly Toydarian complains, "It is not a lie!" in the drawn out tone his people often have, "You think I would be dumb enough to rob a Hutt? Funny lady." "No, but I think you are greedy enough to lie to the merchant delivering to the Hutt, thinking it isn't your problem. See, Seela, here is the problem. I know you are lying because I already spoke with the refugee who sold you the silk I was ferrying."     "He lies!"     "Seela."     "Lies, I tell you!"     "...you realize I am a Miraluka, right? I can see the fabric from where I am standing."     The Toydarian coughs and sputters, acting as if she just called his mother a Banthaa. "Why I never."     "I know you never bathe, I can smell you from here too. Cough it up, I already told you I would reimburse you what you paid the refugee."     "I barely paid him anything! You expect me to part with this silk for so little!"     "Yes. Or I will inform Tillu that you did not." The grumbling exchange between the two can be easily heard, the Toydarian loud and animated, the older woman less so. "Fine, fine, just take it. I... I owe him anyways. The hells does a Hutt want with Lasha silk anyways, whoeva heard of a Hutt wearing Lasha silk." grumble grumble. The pudgy flying alien finally unasses a MASSIVE roll of silk. Causing Jayale to hold out her hand with two fingers up. "Whaaaat? What you want now, there's your silk." "Miraluka, I can see the other bundles." grumble grumble, the other two shortly follow courtesy of his assistant droid, at which point her own droids pick up the remainder and start to place them on her hovertransport. 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' Stark pauses to observe the exchange, a look of amused curiosity slowly blooming to a full grin as it proceeds. Regardless of species it's always fun to see a con man get outmaneuvered. "Need a hand with that?" he offers, gesturing toward the remaining bundles. And because it's impossible for him to interact with any sort of female without making it personal, he gives a little jerk of his chin toward the Toydarian and adds, with an approving twitch of an eyebrow, "You handled him pretty well. I don't suppose you could point me in the direction of the /honest/ traders around here?" 

:'''{{#var:892|Jayale (892)}} has posed:'''     Jayale doesn't turn towards Tony at first, which may be a bit odd considering how most people interact or speak. Most people look at one another when spoken to, but she didn't. "That is okay. Thank you though. And I am going to assume you are not from around these parts, considering the... fellow in the armor following you around seems to be under your command."     The droids she had were handy enough to maneuver the rolls of fabric, even if she could have done it herself floating them around would cause confusion and worry. "He's a Toydarian, it comes in the people to act like that. It's almost instinctual to them, as much as breathing. Think not too much of it. Toydarians are actually quite honest, they tend to be a bit more defensive when cornered about fencing stolen stuff."     Now she smiled a bit as she turned. "Then again, this is Nar Shaddaa. Most things here are already fenced to some capacity. He was a bit more worried about having purchased stolen goods from a Hutt, hence trying to hide it. Right, Seela?" She turns towards the Toydarian who gives her a rude gesture before fluttering off back into his hole of a stand. "Depending on what you want, I can be more specific. I know most of the merchants in this region of Nar Shaddaa. I too am one, so I have to. I mostly deal in textiles and finer goods, though this shipment is already spoken for. I actually have several storehouses here though." she paused, and then asked rather bluntly, "Is it common for wherever you are from to encase ones self in machines? His are without... but yours are within." But how could she possibly see that, blindfolded as she was? Well, if he knew about Miraluka he might know, but otherwise it might be less obvious. 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' If he's taken aback by the sudden observation of his own hardware, concealed as it is under multiple layers of clothing, Tony only hesitates for a moment before quipping smoothly, "No. I'm special." Another beat, another amused twitch of his lips. "So is Jarvis, actually. --Most people notice my charming personality first, though," he leaves the obvious question hanging. Just how, exactly, did she pinpoint his rather unique pacemaker? "As for what I'm looking for," he continues just in case she doesn't want to answer that question, or perhaps just to reinforce the perception of his self-declared charming personality, "Oh, nothing in particular. Souvenirs. Something I can take home and gift wrap easily. As you pointed out, I'm not from around here. Don't get out this way very often. Or... ever," he admits with a shrug. "Thought I'd bring back something fun for the kid. Or maybe my cat." 

:'''{{#var:892|Jayale (892)}} has posed:'''     "I come across many within this Galaxy, and many different personalities and the beings attatched to them. I find it more personable not to simply call someone out on their personalities and simply speak to them as if they were another normal being. As for your searching for a gift..."     Jayale thinks about it a moment only to sigh and rub at her head, "Pardon, I received a rather hard hit on the head yesterday and it has left me just a bit forgetful for the moment. So much went on at once when that chaos broke out that I got a bit scattered. So, let us see..." She raised a hand and started pointing around the market district they were in, which was on a series of platforms surrounding a giant chasm into visually nothing, it was that deep. "Machines and gadgets can be found over there, parts for weapons and various droids from the slimy-fellow over there." she paused and continued along, naming off various wares, ranging from foodstuffs to rare bits and bobs, including one shop which she simply informed him, "And if you wish to gift wrap something illegal and ... relaxing, I am sure the one in the full-body cloak can help you. Though I would stay away from his stuff, I hear he cuts his spice to get more out of it."     "And as for myself, I deal in fine textiles and silks and the likes as well as more specific request and purchases. I carry a bit of building supplies but that's more just to make some extra funds when I'm in transit, among other things. I suppose I should ask - where are all of you coming from? I have traveled this Galaxy thoroughly for most of my life and in the last few days suddenly I have two whom I would bet credits on are not from this Galaxy. Is there some Wildspace planet that suddenly has a hyperspace route found to it?" 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' Tony nods as the particular vendors are pointed out to him, but his nose wrinkles at the description of the spice merchant's wares. "Yeah no thanks there, my body is a temple and all," he quips. "That would explain the copious amounts of wine that pass through it," his bodyguard remarks dryly. "...Yes, it would. Now then, something of the mechanical gadget nature sounds just up Toph's alley," he muses, smoothing a hand absently over his goatee. "I think I could throw you some business, too, maybe if you had something on the order of a nice deep green or blue." Pepper always loves it when he buys her dresses. Something custom tailored of extra-galactic silk would be just his style. "--And no, I'm from Earth. Milky Way Galaxy. It's a few warp nodes down the network. Getting here was kind of a pain in the ass, actually, but we ARE trying to expand the business into more Multiversal markets." He twists an idle glance back in the general direction he came from. "Though I'm not sure this particular contact is going to be the one." Evidently, he is assuming that she's aware of the nature of Multiversal physics, though he guesses she must not be the type to go traipsing off to planes of reality on a whim. 

:'''{{#var:892|Jayale (892)}} has posed:'''     That actually causes Jayale to laugh, covering her mouth as she does, seemingly caught by surprise at the joke. "That... that is new. I admit I have never heard that phrase though. I shall have to remember that. Follow me, then? It seems my droids have finally loaded up the remnants of my shipment. Even if some are still missing." That got a bit of a sigh from her as she started to wander away, waving the two to come along. "You can call me Flowers if you so wish, that is what most around these parts know me as. Not my real name of course, but none get to know that after all."     How she was processing the notion of the 'Milky Way' Galaxy, however, or Multiversal markets, wasn't apparent just yet. She was actually rather calm, going over such as she lead the fellow and his bodyguard that she'd just met through a series of alleyways and turns before coming to a series of storehouses. The droid-led hovertransport followed along and once it was there she said, "I will admit I actually do not know what those colors look like, so I will have to let you choose for yourself among my supplies. I am a Miraluka, we Miraluka have no eyes. And as a result, we cannot perceive some things that your types do for whom eyes are natural. No light, no color, no shades or tones, so forth. I know what they are, but not what they actually... mmph. Hard to explain. Still, come along." And the storehouse is opened once she uses her biometrics via a handscan to cause the door to open, the large warehouse having quite a copious amount of various silks and fabrics, though they aren't terribly organized by colors. In fact, they're horribly mixed up. They're sorted out in other fashions, though just what order might not be apparent to one who doesn't know what each type of silk is. "Take your time as you like, and since you offered to help me with this transit - I imagine you can get them out yourself?"     Her tone was a little teasing as she said that, though with the fellow in the armour... though now that she thought about it, and looked him over, it became more obvious that she couldn't sense anyone inside of it. ...huh. Still, there was a lot, a /lot/ of various cloths, from common to exquisitely fine here, and all the various colours one could want are present as well. Just a matter of him finding something he likes the feel of, and the color. 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' "Flowers," Tony repeats agreeably. "Tony Stark. Call me Tony." He has no such concerns about keeping his identity a secret. Quite the opposite in fact: everyone should know who he is. He follows along, the faint clank of metal footsteps of the armored suit a constant reminder at his back. Its helmeted head swivels one way and another, keeping a constant watch on the surrounding area. Stark actually smiles and gives a nod of understanding as the merchant explains her lack of color-perception. "My, uh, daughter's the same. No need to explain -- some form of seismic sense or sonar?" he guesses. As to whether he can get the bolts down for himself, he states simply, "Jarvis can." He moseys along the warehouse row, running a hand lightly over the fabrics as he goes, pausing ocassionally to rub one between his fingers, testing the texture. Eventually he comes back to one stack -- an extremely fine, liquidy silk, probably one of the more expensive options, as he seems to have a weird radar for that sort of thing -- and remarks, "I like this one." It's a sunny yellow though, entirely the wrong color for Pepper's complexion. "Jay, I think I see a couple of green ones up there. Bring 'em down, please." "As you wish, sir." And the repulsor nodes in the suit's boots and stabilizing back thrusters flare to light with a whine of power, lifting the armored 'man' straight up into the air, where he can reach the bolts in question. He slides them free with apparent minimal effort, and floats back to the floor so his master can inspect the goods. 

:'''{{#var:892|Jayale (892)}} has posed:'''     "Very well Tony." And when he starts to busy himself looking, she starts going about getting the recovered silks aside. "I suppose I should ask, since it directly effects me - you said something about Multiversal Markets. And a Milky Way Galaxy. I cannot say I have heard of these before just today. However, yesterday I was assaulted by a man with strange abilities, called up a terrible lot of seemingly dead and dead-like beasts. Quite intent on getting part of my shipment, how I got this injury to my head. ...should I assume this part of the Galaxy is going to suddenly become a lot more dangerous? I should also like to think the Hutt that he cost a fair bit of a shipment to would like to know a little more about the fellow who assaulted me than just his name and penchant for being upset at my efforts running."     As she spoke, Jayale wandered a bit further before pulling out something from a box near the back. A dress made of particularly fine cotton. It's not the most expensive stuff, but to the feel - it's actually almost air-light. "If you wanted something for your daughter, you are welcome to this, free of charge. If she is like me in that regard, perhaps she also has a taste for fabrics that are less obtrusive. We Miraluka care less for how things look than how they feel. And as for how we see, we can percieve something known as the Force - to describe such to those who are not aware of it, it is... something of an energy that all living things contain within them. Some of us can see a bit more than that too, other sorts of energy, but still - that is how we see." she paused at that and chuckled, "It is why I noticed the machine inside of you. I can see you are wearing clothes, but most of the time I hardly look at such things, clothes are for keeping warm, or comfort, and not something I often look at about others when it comes to how they look to me." she paused, "And now that I thought about it a bit more, when I looked over your protector... why I cannot seem to pick out anyone actually inside that suit. A droid, perhaps?" 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' Tony occupies himself for a minute or so holding up the slightly differently shaded green silks to the light, turning them this way and that to see how they shimmer, even stroking one against his cheek before he nods sharply and decides, "This one. Yeah. How much for ten meters?" It's more than should be needed for an evening gown, but of course he'd rather be safe than sorry. "Ah!" he suddenly realizes, "So you've only just Unified, then. It's okay, I was confused as hell when it happened to my world, too. Not -- necessarily, always -- more dangerous, but definitely more interesting. This guy raised the dead?" His brow furrows, as he searches his memory for a likely suspect. He hasn't had to deal too much with zombies; that's more Stadler's field and he tries not to step on that guy's toes. Unless this was more of a magicky kind of dead-raising, which might put it into Dresden's camp... he gives himself a little shake back to the present. "Definitely more interesting," he repeats. "But that's almost anywhere you go, if it's a big urban, travel or trade center like this," he makes a vague gesture indicating 'all of here'. He pauses, when Flowers takes out the dress. He walks over; reaches out to feel the fabric. "You know I think Toph /would/ like this," he murmurs. "You're right, she's way more about comfort than looks," he states with the hint of a fond chuckle at the back of his voice. "As long as she can /move/ in it -- but I couldn't take it for nothing. I haven't even saved your life yet or anything." At the observation of Jarvis, he glances back at the armor, standing patiently with the chosen bolt of fabric in the crook of one elbow. "...Kind of. He's an artificial intelligence piloting the suit for the time being. It's not actually his body. He doesn't actually have a body," he concludes, turning back with a grin. "Cloud processing, you know." This world is pretty high tech and he presumes they're familiar with the concept. As to the mention, again, of his own hardware, his hand floats up and rubs his fingertips distractedly over the hard, circular patch in the center of his chest, under his shirt. "'S.. just a pacemaker," he shrugs dismissively. And abruptly switches back to the original conversational thread. "I am an officer in the Union -- that's one of the Multiversal megafactions you'll be hearing about -- and I could hook you up with some introductory materials if you want. Multiverse is a big place. It can be a little overwhelming at first, I know." 

:'''{{#var:892|Jayale (892)}} has posed:'''     "Hard to say, I do not know of those types of... abilities. It was all rather new to me, fellow wanted a part of my shipment, then up and declared he wanted me too. Chanted his way into opening up what looked like holes in the platforms we're on and the things just poured out like mynocks out of a hole. Lezard Valeth." Jayale shook her head just a little and once again reached up to touch the side of her head, letting out a sigh. "Only reason I managed to get away is because I took advantage of him not paying attention and managed to make him fall off a platform. Still, I'm not certain about just... up and joining with anyone. But I will look at it?"     Her hand comes away from her head as she moves closer and touches the fabric, thinking about it, "Seventeen thousand five hundred six credits a tract, which is..." she uses her hands to unroll about a meter and a half to note. "I am not familiar with your measurements, but if you can draw up the math I will take your word on such. You seem honest enough. Plus with you telling me about the Multiversal Markets and all... I might be able to branch out and make a good bit of business there. It would be good to know about the governments and megafactions as you said though." 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' "Sir, Lezard Valeth is registered in the Union database as a known Confederate officer," Jarvis volunteers. "I can read you his profile if--" "No, thanks Jarvis," Stark interrupts with a wave of his hand. "The name does sound familiar." He frowns slightly. "Well anyway, I'm glad you're okay, Flowers. Oh, and, uh, no pressure to join up or anything. I did, because, well because I'm a superhero and that's what I /do/ -- but we can hook you up with just the basic informational dump for you to make your own decisions, if you've got a data port Jarvis can interface with." "Seven tracts then," he makes a snap judgement on seeing the visual estimate. "Jarvis, what's the current exchange rate for this planet in USD? Using Union credits to transfer." "Approximately 57 units of the local currency to one, sir." Tony does some quick math in his head. That works out to about $300 a yard, which is ridiculous but hardly something he's going to blink at. "Done," he agrees. "Would you prefer the funds be shifted electronically, or shall I have my man here go find the local money changer?" "Sir, I do not recommend sending me out of your immediate presence. You HAVE been warned of the recent local disturbances." Tony waves his hand impatiently. "Yeah, yeah, which seem to be mostly Confederate dickery. Fine. Would you prefer an electronic transaction or shall Jarvis /AND I/ go find a bank?" 

:'''{{#var:892|Jayale (892)}} has posed:'''     Well, in this Galaxy, things are rediculously priced. Hell, one of Leia's dresses cost about a third of a planets annual production in value. This is the cheap stuff by comparison! Not that she says that. It's just silk from a certain type of space spider, not the more pricey stuff like Vine Silk. She couldn't afford that if she WANTED!     "X-2, get the shears for me." At that a droid nearby whistles at her in what might be recognized as something similar to binary and rolls off before returning after a few with a pair of shears. "I will take whatever currency you have, I travel enough that I will find somewhere. That said, I do not actively use the banks within the Galaxy. The Empire is rather... stringent at times regarding sanctions and requirements of use of such and I tend to simply stick to credit chits and other such." a pause, "And just materials in general. A lot of my value is stored in materials."     Her hands move with a practiced motion and she cuts him the asked-for sections of silk, carefully folding it up and walks it over towards another pile of much, /much/ cheaper materials, some kind of linen-like stuff, folding it up within and using that to package it before offering it over. "I did actually intend to get off Nar Shaddaa quite soon however. Not really sure through what means you traveled here, but I have a cargo ship I use to get around. If you can supply me with the navigation data required it might be useful for me to try and travel out and find out more about what you are talking about. I have nothing pressing going on, trader and all. No family or any such." Her dealings with the Hutt Cartel would leave them to come into her storehouses and get the asked-for shipments for themselves. It was a working relationship. While it was a Cartel, they also wouldn't just needlessly screw over someone who works with them without good reason. And she'd been working with them long enough that she didn't actually mind letting them into her storehouses to get their own shipments. Made it easier, actually. Less dangerous on her part.     As for something to dump data into, Jayale points towards the astromech droid and whistles back at it, causing it to jab out a port of sorts. "Will that do? I can get it from him later. However, you mentioned Union and Confederate... if he is within whatever faction this 'Confederate' is, perhaps I will not be inclined to such. I suppose I will see from whatever information you provide me and I can garner myself. And as for the method of payment, just... hold onto it for now, hm? May not seem it but I am a good judge of people and I do believe I can trust you enough to pay me back sooner rather than later. If I find the banks of your 'megafaction' decent I may go about getting an account with them and allow you to put your funds there?" 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' Tony lets out a soft, frustrated sigh through his nose. Man, he'd never extend someone so much trust if they were buying from him. Well, not a total stranger anyway. One doesn't get to be one of the wealthiest men on the planet by being that trusting. Of course, HE knows he'll pay the woman fairly, so, "If you insist," he agrees reluctantly. A quick gesture of his fingers sweeping over the space between the suit of armor and the astromech droid is all the indication Jarvis needs to pilot the suit over connect via an interface device in one of the gauntlets. "Just a moment while I navigate your data transfer protocols," the electronic bodyguard states politely. "Ah -- there it is. A variation of the method employed by the Jedi Temple in a related universe. I have uploaded the relevant informational files to your droid, Miss Flowers. Including the most recently updated version of the warp gate network map. And Mr. Stark's personal CODEC frequency should you have further questions." Tony gives the armor a slightly startled look at that, but then recalls that he is after all kind of an official representative in that capacity, so he just draws in a breath and nods. "Right. Meantime--" he reaches inside his jacket and removes his wallet. Just walking-around money, no more than $20,000 but sufficient to make this particular purchase. He counts out $2100 and hands it over. "That's my world and nation's local currency, but you should be able to exchange it at any major Multiversal banking facility." And he feels better about that, than taking advantage of her generousity to put it entirely on credit. "Actually," he adds, "I'm finding more and more places will accept US dollars out of hand. It's a pretty common world iteration." 

:'''{{#var:892|Jayale (892)}} has posed:'''     There was a moment where everything was fine, where Jayale was reaching out to accept the currency, only for the remark suddenly to be made about the 'variation of Jedi Temple'. Was she truly so sloppy that a machine picked it out? She should have known better, should have known that someone who knew would know better, but this? There was that peaceful moment where everything was fine, before she suddenly stood back and said rather simply, "While I said I am usually a good judge of character, sometimes I have been known to be wrong. So, do be so kind as to answer me, honestly."     Her tone could easily be heard as worried as she asked, "How do you know about the Jedi Temple, or such things?"     A simple question, but perhaps if he knew anything about Jedi - he could assume they were either a) in hiding, or b) hunted. Possibly both. 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' Tony blinks, his head rocking back in surprise at the sudden shift in tone. "The... Jedi Temple?" he repeats, puzzled. He glances at Jarvis-in-the-suit. "Uh, well... there've been a few Jedi in the Union over the years... a few in the Confederacy too, I guess. I traveled to one of their worlds at one point to see about the feasibility of setting them up with an arc-- with a kind of clean energy reactor I invented. I don't think it was this particular universe but it was a similar one." Assuming THAT'S all cleared up, he continues blithely, "That's something you come across a lot too. Worlds that are almost exactly the same as your own, only with some minor but critical difference. Or on a different timeline. Hell, apparently there was another version of ME running around here, before I Unified myself." An alcoholic womanizing version that no one seemed to like very much. Not at ALL like him. Then a thought occurs to him and he lowers his voice suddenly. "Is there... some problem with the Jedi in this universe?" 

:'''{{#var:892|Jayale (892)}} has posed:'''     "Yes. There is. The Jedi, and any associated with them, were brutally wiped out nearly two decades past. I cannot say I know exactly what happened, I was on the Rim of the Galaxy at that point. Even still every Jedi in this Galaxy has a bounty on them simply for existing, courtesy of the Empire. Supposedly the Jedi betrayed the Republic and attempted to assassinate the Chancellor. I cannot say I believe it, but it matters little what I believe. Simply existing at this point means, for a Jedi, their death is sought after. As well as those associated with them, and those who assist them."     In otherwords, if the wrong types heard what Jarvis had just said, she was likely going to be hunted down and killed. "To think I was so sloppy that my modifications to this droids system were picked out... mmph." She still seemed a bit uneasy, though at the idea of Jedi being in his organization she was feeling a little easier. "...for all I know, there are no Jedi left in this Galaxy. The Jedi Order is gone." 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' Tony nods slowly, eyes wide. "...Good to know," he remarks. "Jarvis, make a note for this world. No ention-may of the edi-jay." "Noted, sir. I do apologize, Miss Flowers. I was unaware that the situation was quite so... dire." Tony lowers his voice even further. "But wait a minute. I mean I was just assuming it was a universal similarity thing going on, but what you just said... these droids used to belong to a temple?" 

:'''{{#var:892|Jayale (892)}} has posed:'''     The Miralukan woman sighed and looked the droid over, not really facing towards it before turning to walk towards the entryway to the storehouse they were in. She remained quiet as she searched her feelings about things and finally decided to try and trust him. He seemed decent, didn't seem to actually know what was going on and figured there was a chance he really didn't mean any harm. Holding out her right hand, she floated out from under the cloak of the outfit she was wearing a single lightsaber handle, igniting the weapon so he could see such.     "Yes, they were from the Temple. I have kept them with me for the last two decades as I attempted to stay in hiding and try to carry on. You said there are Jedi both within your organization, and within whatever the Confederate is? I suppose I will take the opportunity and trust you, because from what I can tell courtesy of the Force, you mean no harm to me, even now that such became obvious. As compared to the one calling himself Lezard, that you mentioned was with the Confederate, whom attacked me for a few Lightsaber crystals that I was smuggling into my possession."     The silver lightsaber turned back off and floated back behind her back to reattach to the hidden fastener on her back. 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' Things suddenly clarify inside Tony's mind. This Miss 'Flowers' is a Jedi on the run. Hunted in her own world. His memory suddenly and inexplicably flashes back for a moment to the enclosing rock walls of a cave in Afghanistan, but he shakes his head sharply to bury that. Why the hell would he think of /that/ now. "No," he agrees slowly, "I don't mean you any harm. And -- god, I'm sorry if my being here is gonna cause you any trouble." He flashes a guilty look toward Jarvis, who of course does not return it except to gaze calmly back through the blank, frowning expression of the suit's helmet. Then he strides briskly across the warehouse so that he can speak to the woman in undertone. Jarvis, still carrying the purchased fabric as well as the new dress in a box, follows him dutifully. "Okay look," Tony intones a little awkwardly. "I really, really don't want to sound like a recruiter or anything, or put any pressure on you. But I WILL say this. The Union has a lot of good people in it, and we watch each others' backs. We have a fair amount of diplomatic influence across world boundaries. We can probably offer you significantly more protection than you have hiding out here. So, if you read up on the stuff Jarvis just dumped into your droid, and you ARE interested, you can go ahead and contact me right away. Hell, I'd offer to get you off-world tonight, but," he makes a snorting chuckle, "I wouldn't want you to think I was trying to kidnap you." And anyway, he's sure she can take care of herself. She's a big girl. Well, she has a fancy sword. 

:'''{{#var:892|Jayale (892)}} has posed:'''     "I will be honest and admit I am a better judge of others in person. One aspect of being able to perceive the Force, and use it, is I can very well understand the intentions of others. Surface thoughts and so forth. Not to leave the impression I am reading your mind, I am not, but I can generally tell when someone means well, and they do not. And the difference between you, and the one who chased me down with the intention of who knows what, are vastly different."     Suddenly there was the sound of the keypad being used and Jayale turned towards the doorway, holding up a hand towards Tony as if telling him not to worry. The storehouse door opens and a thin, wiry-looking Twi'lek enters and sees them there. (Ah, I was not expecting you to be here Flowers. Tillu heard about the commotion that went on and wanted to make sure his shipment was... safe.) The word 'safe' leered out with a sharp-toothed grin that betrayed there might be a bit of menace behind such.     (As safe as can be expected, Vil. Some was damaged, unavoidable, and I was injured in the process. I recovered what I could after it was picked through by the refugees, and what I could not I will replace of my own coin, unless Tillu wishes to see it out of the hide of the one damaged it.) she replied smoothly to the Twi'lek, speaking his own language back at him. He nodded, and then announced simply, (I will be back later, then. Mark what is Tillus and we shall take only that. He shall decide the rest). And with that, the door shut again and they were left alone. At which she turned and smiled a bit, "Pardon. Tillu is a Hutt, the Hutts own this part of the Galaxy. The Hutt Cartel, which I ship orders to now and then, do not like having their shipments damaged. No one from this galaxy short of the Empire has the nerve to, which was my first clue that the fellow who tried was not. I think I shall take up your offer to go with you. I can always return I imagine if I do not like the offer, but I will take the opportunity and go from there. Besides, as generous as Tillu is, I do not wish to test the patience of a Hutt." she paused, then said in a rather snot-sounding voice, (Even if I did learn their language just to trade with them and be on their good side.) And then she whistled at her droids, causing them to quickly start moving things around and marking things. 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' Tony nods, somewhat surprised that she accepted his rather forward offer, but a little relieved too. It sure would suck to meet a new potential ally and have her get killed a few hours later because of a few careless words. "Okay then," he muses. "I /was/ going to fly back to the warp gate solo but I'm just as happy to have the company on the scenic route. Can set you up with some guest quarters at Njorun -- the Union maintains them for just this kind of thing. Even if you decide not to stay, you'll at least be able to pick your path on the warp gate network." So she doesn't HAVE to return here, where she's hunted, unless she so chooses. And that makes him feel a lot better about the whole situation. 

:'''{{#var:892|Jayale (892)}} has posed:'''     "Well, my ship will be ready in several hours, if you are well enough waiting that time? You still had other presents to buy I think, from the mechanical things vendor, so meet me back here when you're ready? I will take the opportunity to get some of my goods to liquedate once I get the opportunity in the Multiverse, to make sure I have some currency there to make ends with." A trader can't be without trading goods, even if they're a Jedi. 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' Tony nods again, this time with a grin and more of a return of his confident mien. "Sounds good to me. Jarvis, let's go, we've got some more money to blow." He needs to find some kind of interesting metallic gadget for Toph to squeal over and then take apart. 

}}

830/Two Fables Walk into a Bar...

2014-10-20T03:31:00Z

Smallcutepuppy: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2014/10/20 |Location=Bar and Grill at the Edge of the Multiverse |Synopsis=Snow White and Bigby Wolf meet some of their new neighbors. |Thanks= |Ca..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2014/10/20
|Location=Bar and Grill at the Edge of the Multiverse
|Synopsis=Snow White and Bigby Wolf meet some of their new neighbors.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=32, 41, 81, 151, 152, 585, 589, 600
|Tinyplot=
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:585|Bigby Wolf (585)}} has posed:''' Feeling somewhat mystified that Snow agreed to accompany him to a bar and grill -- nevermind that it is not, in any way, shape or form a /date/, just a business meeting with potential allies, that happens to include steak -- and moreover embarrassed at the ill-fitting state of his clothes (something the Wolf rarely worries about), Bigby nevertheless takes this opportunity to introduce Snow White to the warp gate network, and how one navigates it. The bar, of course, is easy to find as it always is for those who are looking for it. So it's not long before the very scruffy-looking Sheriff his holding the door a little awkwardly open for the much-nicer-looking Deputy Mayor to step inside. Oh god this is weird. The hand not holding the door jams itself into the pocket of his battered trenchcoat, gripping the pack of cigarettes there like a safety totem. 

:'''{{#var:32|Courier Six (32)}} has posed:'''     Beer and steak and meeting fellow Syndicates is always on the menu for the Courier. And thus the cowboy is here, yawning a bit as her futzes with his duster, trying to look mostly presentable, despite the fact he's spent the past week out in the sun and the dust and looking more than slightly haggard for it. 

:'''{{#var:600|Snow White (600)}} has posed:'''     Stepping inside the Bar and Grill, the deputy mayor of Fabletown takes the chance to look around curiously. By all looks and appearances it's not that different from some of the bars they have in New York. And they are used enough to non-humans to not handle this, right?     Be calm, Snow reminds herself. Bigby wouldn't have suggested this if he didn't know what he was doing. For his sake she hopes so, at least.     The woman leads the way over to one of the larger tables and peers around at the other patrons at the other tables before she picks up one of the menus and sits down, placing her purse in her lap. "I swear, it's almost as if we just left Manhattan..." she half whispers to Bigby. It's been centuries since they fled the Homelands, but the trip here did awaken some memories... But she shakes those away as she peers over the menu. They might as well eat while they are here and save some time. There's more than enough work awaiting her when she returns back to the office. 

:'''{{#var:152|Faruja (152)}} has posed:''' The good Inquisitor, after a hasty bath and donning his best silky red robes and clean cross, makes his way to the Bar and Grill. He's dressed formally, robes containing golden stitching decoratively about and his black and red cross hangs at his neck on a silver chain. At his arm is a taller lizard-like woman, the other arm leaning into a cane as much as he does Ainsley. Pausing at the door to the Bar, he holds it open for the woman after Bigsby has done much the same. "Ladies first." He smiles to the woman. When they're inside, Faruja peers about, rodent ears flicking and tail swaying even as he attempts to spot the woman and wolf of the hour. Finally spying one particularly well dressed woman, the rat takes a gamble. He clears his throat. Ahem! "Mayjor White of Fabletown? Sheriff Bigsby Wolf of the same?" He inquires, reluctantly relinquishing Ainsley's arm to dip into a low bow before the pair, only to straighten and cross the air before them. "Inquisitor Senra, at thine service. May Faram and the Holy Prophet protect and keep thee both, and thine home as well! Allow me to introduce Lady Ainsley, Mage and Historian of great talent and moral fibre!" He offers, eventually pulling out a chair for the taller lizardess. Gentlerat, this one. He makes no attempt to hide his affection for the woman. 

:'''{{#var:81|Chandra Nalaar (81)}} has posed:'''     Well. PEople were going out to a bar that /apparently/ you just have to think about and open a door to get to. It wasn't the bar itself, or the people that had caught the attention of the Pyromancer.     No, it was the idea that you could just open a door and then -- bam! Restaurant. For someone who was used to the Blinding Eternities, it was quite the novelty. So, with no plan beyond 'show up', the tall, red-haired woman with the amor pushes the goggles up off her face, and purses her lips.     It was all very... strange. A clean, brightly lit place (compared to her other ports-of-call) and not a hint of goblin in the air.     And Chandra pause,s turns, and pokes her head back out the door. T"... I'm impressed." she murmers to herself. 

:'''{{#var:41|Raven DeVanos (41)}} has posed:'''     The door to the bar opens, allowing for a short woman with long red hair to enter. Raven is followed shortly by a large-ass PANGORO, who's wearing raybans. The SOLDIER scans the bar quietly; upon noting Faruja and Ainsley, she deduces that the very normal looking people in front of him - Hm, scruffy looking nerf herder type gumshoe? And an obvious business woman, bluh. - must be who she was just speaking to. The SOLDIER clears her throat, before muttering something at the pokemon, and then starting for the table, waiting patiently for the religious zealot rat to make his greeting.     Then she steps forward. "Mayor White, Mister Wolf," She sas, formally, first half bowing, and then offering a hand to them both. "Raven DeVanos, Ma'aam, we spoke on the radio. I was just telling Mister Wolf here that I would be quite willing to offer my services in exchange for any fees if my money cannot cover them." 

:'''{{#var:585|Bigby Wolf (585)}} has posed:''' "Takes some getting used to," Bigby agrees in a low mutter. He hesitates, and then takes the seat next to Snow, but only because it offers a good view of the room and the front door. Reflexively, he starts to shake a cigarette out of the pack, then catches himself, glances at Snow, and consciously sets the pack down on the table and reaches for a menu instead. Steak, steak... he looks longingly at the succulent porterhouse pictured on the menu insert, but then he looks at the price, sighs and scrolls his finger down to the cheaper cuts. He does pause, in a slightly twitchy 'wolf wants to eat' manner, to look up and acknowledge the greetings as his would-be contacts file in. And he's as polite as he knows how to be, at least, returning the greetings with a brusque nod and a /brief/ handshake if one is offered. And he corrects Faruja with a slight smirk, "Bigby. No S." A beat. "Short for Big Bad." Maybe that will help him remember. 

:'''{{#var:151|Ainsley (151)}} has posed:'''     Ainsley does come in with Faruja, though the formalities do seem to amuse her or make her seem awkward more than get taken naturally. She doesn't really seem like a 'lady' like Faruja wants to treat her, but she seems to accept it easily enough. When she reaches the table with Faruja, she quietly looks at the table arrangement, and puffs a little sigh. She nods at Snow White and Bigby once, and finds her place to sit, not spending any time asking if it's okay to do so. After all, why would they get invited here if they couldn't sit down?     Ainsley folds her hands in her lap, regarding Bigby with a look of silent curiosity, and the Snow White with a /different/ kind of curiosity.     "Right..." She sniffs in and lets out a sigh. "My name is Ainsley. No last name. I am an Ally of the Union, and I am interested in assisting... Fabletown, was it?" She smiles inquisitively at them both. 

:'''{{#var:589|Princess Paladin (589)}} has posed:''' Princess Paladin already has something like glamour magic. Only it works in reverse, making her not just noticeable but able to influence the emotions of those around her, convincing them that she is a wise and mature magical girl, with knowledge and experience, and that she has true conviction on basically anything she says. Even when she gets into a serious fight, even if she is LOSING, she looks determined and courageous and in-control of the battle. Even if she is not. This is great for inspiring onlookers and unnerving enemies and even swaying some opponents to her side, but not so much for remaining hidden. So it makes sense that she would want to conceal herself somewhat for those instances where stealth is preferable, right? And glamour magic can possibly do that, right? But that is not why she is here, and not why she seeks glamour magic. And no one in the bar when she gets there is going to find out, hopefully. It would reveal Paladin's true identity as a scared teenage girl named Miko. The woman has braided, bright-pink hair, bright-pink eyes, and an outfit like a cross between knight's armor and a Japanese school girl's uniform, in a mix of white, pink, and silver. She strides into the bar confidently, gracefully, as though she is very familiar with this place that she has never been and barely knows anything about. And then she stands and waits, eyes scanning the area, while she seemingly waits to be noticed. Instead, the girl inside of her, the true person behind the magic, is just trying to see if she can even figure out who she is here to meet. Thankfully, she hears Bigby introduce himself, and begins to stride in the direction of the table with the growing number of patrons. She can figure out which one is Snow White easily enough. Interesting fact: For some reason Japanese school plays include things like Sleeping Beauty and Snow White and Romeo & Juliet. Miko Fujimoto has been in at least a couple. 

:'''{{#var:81|Chandra Nalaar (81)}} has posed:'''     Well. Don't mind if I do.     Chandra doesn't drop into line and file. She doesn't even reall y fit in. SHe just sort of flops into place, the tall woman sinking down into a chair and grabs at a menu and sits with a bunch of Terribly Interesting looking people who are all busy introducing themselves. "Chandra." she states, but doesn't acknowledge anyone else.     "Any reccomendations?" 

:'''{{#var:600|Snow White (600)}} has posed:'''     The entrance of the rat and the lizard catches Snow's attention, and she raises her gaze from the menu, looking at the pair. And while some might find a large talking rat a peculiar sight, it doesn't seem like Snow is bothered. Growing up in a fairy tale and with magical creatures as a common occurence does make some sights less of a curiousity and more part of daily life. His greeting does earn a polite smile from the woman, and she nods. "It's deputy mayor, Inqusitor Senra. The mayor of Fabletown is King Cole, though I'm afraid he himself has other matters to tend to." Not to mention that she is the one who basically runs Fabletown at this point. "Do have a seat."     The same offer is extended to Raven, whose voice is easily recognizable. "A pleasure, Miss DeVanos," Snow greets her, giving Raven a firm handshake. "We would be delighted at any aid you would be interested in giving our community. Unification might be a bigger deal in some worlds, I'm afraid..."     She glances at Bigby as he pulls a cigarette from the pack, narrowing her eyes. Though it seems he gets the picture without her having to point out that some people might not enjoy that particular smell when eating food. She herself decides on a dish pretty quickly, and as the waitress stops by their table she orders a small steak for herself as well as a glass of water. There's no need for fancy food, not today.     "Yes. Fabletown. A community we established some centuries ago when New York was still a fledging city, and---" Snow halts in her explanation as the other people arrive. And well, one of them certainly is eyecatching enough. And as the other person sits down at the table without an explanation, the fable woman can't help but blink, glancing at Bigby. Do /he/ know these people? 

:'''{{#var:32|Courier Six (32)}} has posed:'''     The cowboy over in the corner looks up again, after a number of moments of muttering at his radio and gesticulating a bit as he mutters at the person on the other end, before he sighs and looks over at the crowd of folks already crowded around the incoming duo.     The Courier sighs a bit and snort quietly. The Multiverse never changes. All the horrors and wonders of every possible reality and as always there's people falling over themselves to greet people. Ain't that how it goes.     The Science Cowboy stands up carrying a tumbler of something dark and whiskey-like as he nods to the Fables and salutes Bigby at least. "Mr. Wolf. I have to say you've caused quite a stir the last few weeks." 

:'''{{#var:152|Faruja (152)}} has posed:''' Two rat-ears perk, and Faruja looks briefly to Raven. Recognizing the voice, she too is offered a similar bow, and a few quiet words. "'Tis an honor to meet ye in the flesh, Lady Devanos. Hail!" The pokemon with her gets a look, and another bow! Best to be polite. Then, his attention is drawn back to Bigby. The offered hand is taken after a slight moment. Seems he's not used to the gesture. "Sheriff /Bigby/. Mine apologies dear Ser! I shall endeavor to nay forget the proper pronounciation." Smile! The rat's pouring on the graciousness like a proper diplomat. "What wouldst ye prefer? They serve this most wonderful honeyed ale, a mixture of Burmecia's local specialty with what I am told art holy-imbued honey bees. Shall such please thine palette, Sheriff?" Seems he's taking the 'buying you a beer' thing seriously. Unlike Faruja, Ainsley is far swifter to get down to business. His ears fold back, and he hopefully hides a blush in them. Cough. Ahem! The rat sits in turn as the Deputy Mayor offers it. "The Lady speaks truly. The Holy Church wishes to preach the Word of Faram to all whom wouldst hear it, and seek hale health to any whom wouldst accept our aide." Begins the rat. Isn't this just a bundle of errors? The large rodent flicks his tail, and mentally swats himself. "/Deputy/ Mayor Snow White. I shall endeavor to remember such." Pause, and the rat considers. He's distracted by the entrance of a certain Princess Paladin, single eye drawn to her. His head tilts. "God be praised, that His Light wouldst be offered so strongly." Mutters the rat to himself, before tearing himself away to settle on Snow White. "I shall spare ye both mine long winded nature, and aspire to Lady Ainsley's way with words. What troubles doth thine people face? The Holy Church is foremost in magical healing, and of course, wouldst offer spiritual guidance to any in need. So too doth we hath a number of charitable organizations for the poor and sickly." Offers the rat. When a waitress comes by? He'll offer to pay for Ainsley's ticket, and order the beer he mentioned to Bigsby for himself. 

:'''{{#var:585|Bigby Wolf (585)}} has posed:''' Bigby will just have to rely on the smell of delicious meat to drown out the other myriad of smells currently assaulting him. To say nothing of Snow's perfume at close range. He orders the biggest steak at the lowest price point he can find on the menu, rare, with a side of cajun greens with bacon. Extra bacon. Glancing at Snow with something of an 'oh shit' look as the Cowboy mentions him causing a 'stir,' Bigby then schools his expression into one of careful neutrality. "Have I?" Something in his eyes seems to say, 'play it DOWN, bro...' "Honey ale sounds good," he accepts Faruja's offer amicably enough. "I'm not much for Churches though. Wolves don't have much use for that sort of thing." Then he recalls he is, in fact, talking to a /rat/ and a lizard girl. "In... my world," he adds awkwardly. "Healing sounds promising though..." with a hopeful glance to Snow. See, making multiversal contacts isn't useless! 

:'''{{#var:151|Ainsley (151)}} has posed:'''     Ainsley cannot help but put a hand to her face and let out a sigh like she's had a Talk with Faruja more than once about the religious aspects of his help. She doesn't address it directly, besides the obvious negative reaction she has to it.     When it comes to ordering something, all she orders is a cup of hot tea. She doesn't seem to be in the mood for a lot of food. Rather, she doesn't want to gross out these two, despite what they may already be familiar with.     "I cannot offer the resources of an organization, but I can say that I am capable of reading or deciphering nearly any written work, and I can offer some healing of a different variety. I also have very good eyes." She reaches up to tap at the corner of one of her eyes, the blue in them shimmering with obvious magical glow to demonstrate what she means.     "Although I admit I was first interested in meeting the Big Bad Wolf." She smiles and nods at Bigby, a little embarrassed about it for whatever reason. 

:'''{{#var:41|Raven DeVanos (41)}} has posed:'''     Raven is not impolite enough t- well yes, yes she is, she grabs a chair from a nearby table, drags it over, and parks it at Bigby, Snow, Faruja, and Ainsley's table. Backwards. She sits down, leaning forward against the chair back, andlooking totally ungraceful and like the down home farm hick she claims to be. She smirks a little. The waitress approaching gets a grunt, and, "The usual for me. Root Beer in a pitcher and a shot of Sake for my friend here." A jerked nod to the Pangoro who continues to just stand there looking like several hundred pounds of 'CIA In Fur'. She adds, "And please bring me a platter of salmon and tuna sashimi with a side of soy and ginger," before she reguards the scruffy constable and his No Nonsense woman.     "As I was saying. I would like to see this, ah, world of yours, myself, before I make too many assumptions. I cannot say that my money will be enough for two glamours without knowing their price offhand, however I can easily offer an exchange; I run a chocobo ranch. Uh, Chocobo. Take an ostrich, crossbreed it with a cockateil, and give it the hunting instincts of a secretary bird. ... Basically, chickens even a dragon could get it's fill of." She smirks faintly. Then hns. "Anyway, I would be quite agreeable with supplying meat for those with low income who need food, or if given time I can hunt down supplies your, witches, need. I've got problems with the occasional dragon on my land, so I could easily supply some dragon scales, too." She says.     "Also, I'm generally... very good, with children, animals, and monsters. So if you need a hand in that area.." 

:'''{{#var:589|Princess Paladin (589)}} has posed:''' Princess Paladin pauses near the table where everyone is crowded, taking in the busy conversation with its numerous threads, turning her pink gaze upon Faruja when he seemingly comments to or about her. She smiles in a friendly fashion and nods her head to him. She has some idea what he is referring to, but the fact that some people can sense her aura is still unknown to her. She is, despite appearances, really, really startled by the variety of individuals she sees before her. When two of the most normal-looking people in the bar are basically living legends in a literal sense... A sense of unreality sweeps over Miko. Paladin keeps acting like this is all normal enough for her. But... Rodent people, and panda bears, and cowboys, and some sort of lizard woman, and someone who sits down and starts looking at the menu with barely a greeting, and... Actually that short red-haired girl might be sort of normal to. Athletic-looking, but that is still a far cry more 'mundane' than being a talking rat priest! Not that there is anything wrong with that. Paladin takes a moment to bow to the others at the table, particularly Bigby and even MORE particularly Snow White (the girl inside of her can actually scarcely believe this is happening. THE Snow White? Really?), before returning to standing up straight and introducing herself. "I am Princess Paladin. It is a pleasure to meet you all. I believe you wished to be purchased a meal, Mister Wolf? And perhaps one for Miss White as well?" Maybe Bigby will get that BIG steak he wants after all. Though it is hard to imagine where Paladin is keeping a wallet in that outfit. Still, if she is offering, she must have the money, right? "May I seat myself with you all?" she asks politely, though it appears as though she already knows what the answer will be. 

:'''{{#var:600|Snow White (600)}} has posed:'''     Yet another person joins them at the table, and Snow turns around slightly in her seat as she looks up at Courier Six. At his words however she turns her attention on Bigby, keeping her expression as calm as she can. Even when she notices reaction and the look on his face. What is this? "Is there something the matter?" Oh, you better have acted accordingly, Bigby!     Oh. A religious fellow. Snow blinks slightly, though she maintains her composure. "As long as you follow Fabletown's laws and regulations, then you are free to do as you like. Although you and your partner would require glamours in order to not draw attention to our community should you wish to visit it." The question regarding their daily problems? That is a simple yet complicated question to answer. "Medical help would be greatly appreciated, Inquisitor. Anything to ease the workload would help. I am afraid my workday mostly goes by handling as many issues I can personally and delegating the minor tasks."     The lizardlike lady strikes her as a scholar, and Snow nods. "I can imagine there might be paperwork related to multiversal activity that might need to get handled. I have enough paperwork as it is." But Ainsley's admission that she wanted to meet Bigby? That makes Snow turn her attention to the man sitting next to her. "Well... usually people avoid him because of his reputation..." This must be new for you, Bigby.     Raven's offer likewise earns a nod of approval from Snow. "We might have need of livestock to help out at one of our locations. Though I would like to know more about these... chocobo first, if you understand. Trade is welcome as well. Especially with rarer materials." Dragon scales... perhaps the witches would have need of that. There's only one dragon up on the farm, and she is sleeping.     When Princess Paladin approaches the table and addresses them, Snow looks slightly curious at first, but she does offer a faint smile in return. "No thank you, I am good. Do have a seat, Miss...?" Snow gestures to the table, indicating that the girl is free to sit down. 

:'''{{#var:585|Bigby Wolf (585)}} has posed:''' Bigby snorts, and picks up his unlit cigarette to juggle between his fingers at least, even if he can't actually smoke it in here. "Most people prefer to stay far away from me," he retorts with a lazy smirk that tries to mask his social discomfort. "Well, now you've met me. I hope it wasn't TOO disappointing." In his natural form, of course, it would be another matter. But he's never really felt 'himself' in this human skin. "We... have a lot of books in the archives that no one but Bufkin can read," he points out to Miss White. "Another set of eyes might be useful." At Raven's offer, his eyes glitter with interest. "We... have a farm upstate where we raise a lot of the meat that feeds the community. Cows, sheep, pigs, mostly. The non-talking kind," he clarifies, well aware of his storybook reputation with pigs. "How do these giant chickens of yours compare for difficulty in keeping a herd?" "Have a seat," Bigby echoes Snow's invite to Paladin, particularly at her offer to buy the food. Maybe he WILL just upgrade to the more expensive cut, if someone else is buying. 

:'''{{#var:32|Courier Six (32)}} has posed:'''     The cowboy snorts at the ruckus, before bowing, rather gracefully at that, at Snow White and Bigby. "There ain't been a wolf on my world for 200 years, or even an elementary school for the kidlets, but still people hear of the Big Bad Wolf and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Maybe not quite in the terms like that, but..."     He chuckles, and tips his hat. "Johnny Tallbranch, the Cheif Operatin' Officer of New Vegas LLC OBE and a bunch other acronyms, and I'm very happy to see another 'Statutorialy Neutral' place opening up. S'very comforting, actual like." 

:'''{{#var:152|Faruja (152)}} has posed:''' Bigby gets a knowing smile. "In thine world." Repeats the rat quietly. Two ears flick meaningfully. Then, beer for the pair of them, delivered almost at the same time. The nezumi takes a quaff, then raises the glass to all about, almost ceremonially. "Never a shortage of injuries or illnesses, though I pray it otherwise daily. Anything of particular import upon that regard? Plague? Other such illnesses?" Inquires the rat, both solemnly and worriedly. His whole body twitches, and he unconsciously crosses himself. He'd not wish such upon his worst enemy. Wince. Faruja glances to Ainsley, and smiles far more gently. It might almost look apologetic. The nezumi's nature shows throught, Talk or not. There's a slight nervous laugh. Oops. Deep breath, and a nod. "Keen eyes and literature art a sublime art between her fingers." Promises the rat. Smile! Raven gets a wince. How ungraceful! At least she's playing to expectations. Princess Paladin gets a look as she announces herself. A far longer one. The nezumi smiles towards her briefly, before tearing himself away. Just the sort he's always looking for. With a slight breath, he returns to the matter at hand, as Snow White offers them a seat. "I shall ensure that thine laws and mores art not violated, Deputy Mayor. Shouldst ye hath any concerns, merely forward them to mine office, and appropriate mesasures and punishments shall be meted out." Promises the rat. "White Magery, the school of healing, is a talent for we of Faith in general. I shall draw up the appropriate documents to ensure our human mages see to thine needs as ye wish." Promises the rat. "Or tutelage in such subjects, shouldst they prove...applicable to thine world's physics and metaphysics." 

:'''{{#var:41|Raven DeVanos (41)}} has posed:'''     Paladin is given an eying, but Raven manages to school her facial expressions. Given she keeps her eyes hidden behind (retro hippy ugh) sunglasses, it's easy. She turns then to Bigby, and nods a little, "The food grade ones are .. I'll admit a little hard to herd if they get spooked, but the last time I had a really big spook down was when a bloody dragon landed right in the middle of the field and started chowing down on them. They get along rather well around myother animals- I uh, I have a few prehistoric creatures, a thunderwolf, and uhm. A Grim, who live on my ranch, as well as fellows like my associate Mister Bubbles here," Shenods towards the Pangoro. "Once they get a ken for what can and can't be dangerous, they get easier to herd. I've got a count of some one hundred head right now, but I always get population explosions in spring, and I always get orders by the busload in fall and winter because, Thanksgiving, and Christmas." She smiles a little, pauses.     She fishes into one of her many pockets, and pulls out a tablet, turning it on. She swipes through a few things, then turns it over to show Bigby a picture of herself on a chocobo. It's easy to see the bird is roughly a little larger than a horse. "This is me on one of my best racing birds. The racers and riders are, different, from the game stock. More intelligent, almost sapient." She mms. "The biggest problem I've had with my game birds is... The occasional bird who's too stupid to know not to stand outside in the rain with its head up and it's mouth open." 

:'''{{#var:151|Ainsley (151)}} has posed:'''     Normally people avoid people like the Big Bad Wolf. Because they are predators, and scary creatures that prowl the dark. But Ainsley does not seem to think that disqualifies them.     "Even if you were the biggest, scariest creature in the most dangerous forest in the world, I would still want the story written about you. I am interested in you, as a person, Bigby, and what your story actually is. The soul of it. I simply do not care about how dangerous someone is... actually, sometimes it is a prerequisite. The scary ones rarely get talked to properly."     Ainsley would blush, if she was able. Mostly at Faruja's choice of words, partly because she rambled some, "I could help Bufkin, yes, if you allow me to. I would have to discuss it with Bufkin... if he is the only one who can read them, I would not want to step on his toes." 

:'''{{#var:585|Bigby Wolf (585)}} has posed:''' Bigby... winces at the mention of the Dwarves, and casts a sidelong glance to Snow to see if she's going to flip out. However the Courier's comment about /another/ neutral place is promising. "So your world's managed to stay out of the war, then," he half asks, half states, inviting further detail. "Any tips for us?" He picks up his free beer and raises it in a counter-toast to the rat before trying that sweet honey brew. "Oh, wow that's not bad," he has to admit. It's not just bears who like honey! "--No, no plagues that I'm aware of. We have a special wing at the hospital that we funded a long time ago... 'just for us,' y'know. And we don't go looking for trouble, so that's generally enough to keep up." But who knows what unification is going to do to the casualty toll, and even Swineheart has to sleep sometimes. 

:'''{{#var:600|Snow White (600)}} has posed:'''     That is indeed a subject to pursue, and Snow nods her head as she leans a bit closer to Bigby. "I will talk with Bufkin when I return to the office. He might be able to point out some books that we are comfortable with letting others read." There are some books that should be kept to Bufkin and Bufkin alone, she feels. But Ainsley does earn a nod. "I'm certain we can find a special use for your talents."     Somehow Bigby should easily notice how Snow goes slightly tense as Courier Six mentions how he knows of them. "I see that our tales are known outside the mundane world as well... A pleasure to make your acquaintance, mister Tallbranch."     It certainly appears that the group of people are interested in offering their aid to the Fabletown community, and that eases tensions somewhat. The picture of the chocobo does earn a curious look, though she will let Bigby handle that one for now as she turns her focus to Faruja again. "Healing is always useful. Other than the occasional bout of flu, we tend to not suffer from many diseases. Fables live longer than mundys, and we are more... robust, you could say. Some of us more than others," she adds with a glance to Bigby. Killing him... well, it would be a tough task. Which is reason why he's been appointed as sheriff, in addition to his reputation and how he handles people. Most of the time that is. "I appreciate your respect for our laws, Inquisitor. We do not wish to draw undue attention to ourselves, as we are not sure how well that would go with the mundys."     The waitress returns with the food and drinks, setting them out.. and behold, Bigby. You got your big steak after all, courtesy of Princess Paladin. Though Snow can't help but shake her head just slightly before she begins cutting into her much smaller steak. 

:'''{{#var:589|Princess Paladin (589)}} has posed:''' Paladin seats herself readily. "Paladin, Miss White. Princess Paladin." It is a loud bar with many people clamoring for attention. She can barely keep up with the numerous conversation threads herself. Some of the topics include a need for medical attention, research and decyphering of books, food, protection, and the pleasantness of neutrality, among others. She is trying to think of what she can offer that the others have not. But inside, all she can think is, 'oh my gosh, oh my gosh, I am sitting at a table with Snow White'. She successfully avoids blurting out, 'I played you in school' primarily by virtue of her magic. If she were to say it as Princess Paladin, it would have come out as a mature statement, perhaps slightly teasing. But Miko is not thinking about magic, or maturity. She has seen many strange things in the relatively short time since joining the Multiverse. Some of them have been very cool things as well. This? This right here? This is the coolest. After a while, she puts her thoughts in order, and says, "Forgive me for broaching what may be a rather serious matter at an informal meeting such as this... But might either you two, or Fabletown, have any enemies or a danger to you?" She raises a hand in a 'wait' gesture. "My magic contains both offensive and healing abilities, including the capacity to 'heal' inanimate objects - even buildings. I ask this question because I may be of service in either of these areas if there is a threat to Fabletown beyond - or perhaps including - the potential encroachment of other-worldly individuals or forces. If this matter is a sensitive one, I will find another avenue by which I may assist." Faruja seems to already know much of healing, so she is unsure if offering the same thing he is offering is a good idea. She certainly can not provide chocobos... Not without hunting them down and bringing their bodies back. Which she could do, but this is her first time even hearing of the things, and this Miss DeVanos seems more than capable of handling that without a grand quest. Protecting Fabletown from those who would violate its laws... She could possibly help with that. They might well need more than one person or even more than one group of people. But she has her own life - a civilian one. She is not on-call 24/7. Research? She is as scholarly as a school girl comes, but that is sadly not some sort of researcher into the depths of the unknown or a code-breaker, as Miss Ainsley seems to be. No, she only has one thing she can offer that the others have not. "But if there IS an enemy of yours whom you need to be dealt with... I am willing and able to seek their complete destruction on your behalf and that of the people you protect." 

:'''{{#var:32|Courier Six (32)}} has posed:'''     The gruff looking cowboy snorts quietly, and leans in. "The same way anywhere else does it these days. Talk with both sides like grownups, discuss your plans, offer a reason not to be invaded, and then politely keep your nose out of Multiversal politics."     Johnny grumbles at the last bit, and shuffles his own smokes out of his duster. A glance over at Bigby, and he pulls another 'pack' out. Though it's clearly a pack of homerolls on both accounts. He tosses the extra over and grunts at Paladin. "That ain't especially comforting, you know. Not everything's gotta be death an destruction. That's the problem with warriors, man. Everything's gotta be killin' and shit. No offense to you, but it's a mentality people got. Very rude." 

:'''{{#var:585|Bigby Wolf (585)}} has posed:''' To Raven, Bigby continues to give interested attention. "We might just have to put you in touch with the Farm. Some new good meat livestock would help out all around. I think we can probably work out some kind of meat-for-glamours trade too. Not that... I'd be in charge of that," he admits with another look of deferral to Snow White. "But it sounds promising. In any case I'm sure Johann would be delighted to get his hands on some new cuts to mark up on us." The Pangoro just gets a long, thoughtful look. Bigby hasn't had a ton of contact with Eastern Fables so a large panda person is worth a second glance. "I AM the biggest, scariest thing in my neck of the woods," Bigby returns to Ainsley boastfully. "Whatever stories you've heard about me are probably true. Unlike some Fables I'm pretty much exactly what you see on the cover of the book." He takes another swig of his ale. "...Well I was. But I've been on the side of the angels since the... well the exodus, and the General Amnesty." Princess Paladin's inquiry gets a particularly hard look. "We... might," he replies tentatively, again looking to Snow to take the lead there. Whether they really want to get into the mess with the Adversary and all now, on this first meeting... that's her call. 

:'''{{#var:585|Bigby Wolf (585)}} has posed:''' Bigby's eyes widen in appreciation as the large, rare steak is laid out in front of him, and his nostrils twitch as he inhales deeply. Oh man he hasn't had a meal this good in months. He starts to reach for the steak with his bare hands, but recalls that he is in company after only a second, and pointedly picks up knife and fork instead. 

:'''{{#var:152|Faruja (152)}} has posed:''' Bigby's words on the beer only have him swelling with Burmecian Pride (tm). Grin! "Naught but the best of nezumi grain and hops, Ser!" Comes the rat with more than a little national pride. He deflates quickly, however. Into something that's both utterly personal by his relaxation, and the releasing of utter terror. Give him Abyssal fiends any day, he'll take that over disease. "Faram be praised that thine home is not touched by such a horrid illness." He states seriously to Snow White and Bigby alike. His hand grips his cross, and he's silent for a minute or two. His muzzle mutters prayers of thankfulness silently. Faruja takes a long pull of his beer, and returns to warmth and political nicities. "Of course. 'Tis mine duty to assure both the Inquisition and all of the Church's arms comply with any mortal laws when they seek to spread the Lord's Word, and see to any whom require their aide. Hath thine town such services? I wouldst be /delighted/ to offer spiritual guidance to thine people. I know a most discrete and accepting Priestess to offer to such a task." Offers the rat suddenly. Faruja looks to Princess Paladin at her words. The Inquisitor smiles. He's heard that name through reports, and her words match such. The rat finds himself reaching into his pockets to find a business card. When he gauges others are not looking? He'll offer it to the good Princess. It has his name, address, and everything. He could use a woman who talks like that, after all. 

:'''{{#var:600|Snow White (600)}} has posed:'''     The question regarding enemies and dangers draws a solemn look from Snow, who nods. "Our Homelands were taken from us. That is the reason we hide in the mundy world," she explains, her tone a bit more quiet. "At the moment we can't afford to retake our Homelands, nor does it seem like the one we refer to as the Adversary is making a move into the mundy world. However, with the unification, we have to be prepared. I hope we do not wish offensive magic for a good while yet. It might be centuries until we can even think of returning. Your abilities might be useful however," she does offer, her expression growing neutral once more. But for what? Let's discuss that at a later time.     In general, this meeting seems promising. Snow takes a bite of her steak, chewing it properly before she speaks up again. "Chocobos for the Farm does seem like a viable option. I will consult our witches and see what they can offer in return. They are rather busy and have a lot on their plate already. Help with our library is also something we would welcome, with one single librarian he does have a lot tasks on his shoulders." Poor Bufkin. "Restoration is a skill few possess... and it could help us. The Farm has seen better days..."     Though really, Faruja's offer to preach? Snow's expression becomes more neutral. "At the moment I do not think we can focus on those matters, Inquisitors. The community at large wants information on the multiverse, and they want to know whether they are safe or not." 

:'''{{#var:151|Ainsley (151)}} has posed:'''     There's something of a happy smile on Ainsley's face. The smile remains warm and happy, like talking to the Big Bad Wolf at all was like a dream come true for her, but simply not in the fangirlish way. As if it were something to cross off her Bucket List. The smile remains strong as her tea arrives and she focuses on filling with it with far too much sugar for most anyone else to enjoy, and then sipping at it carefully.     Ainsley notices Faruja. She would gently reach out to touch his shoulder, her smile wilting into a frown only for a moment when she looks at him, only briefly looking at his face. It's a 'be careful' touch, the kind of subtle gesture that she might have done before with him. She does this when he hands the card over to Princess Paladin. Her eyes are really good to have noticed that, because she spotted it when she wasn't even looking at him.     She returns her attention to Bigby and Snow. "I imagine," she begins, "That there is some sort of reason that the books remain in an obtuse language that only one person in your employ can read. Information is powerful, right?" She is, in a sort of indirect way, making it clear she isn't in it to cause problems. "As for information about the Multiverse, I believe I can supply some /wonderful/ books on the basic ideas and concerns of the Multiverse. I've read enough of them that it should be easy to find the right one for your community. Once I'm a little bit more familiar with it, at least." 

:'''{{#var:589|Princess Paladin (589)}} has posed:''' Paladin nods her head reasonably towards Courier Six. "You are correct. It need not be death and destruction. Capture or non-lethal punishment are both also viable, if that is the purpose I set out with. The way that my magic works - what allows me to do what I do - is that I must have a clear solid goal in mind when I start my quest, one that I can believe in unwaveringly. That belief is what grants me my holy powers. As long as I hold my task and my role in completing it to be sacred, I remain able to wield my magic in pursuit of my quest." She is not sure she should be revealing so much of how her magic works to a bunch of strangers, but... Snow White! She feels giddy enough to be open. An amused smirk touches her lips as she sees Bigby's reaction to the steak set before him. But continues on. "This quest is then followed until either it is completed, by any means necessary, or I am slain in the process of trying. I can not break from my mission once I have set it into place. If capture is explicitly part of my quest, then I will seek that. Otherwise, making a foe never again have the potential to trouble Fabletown would be more readily accomplished through termination." She breaks off this line of conversation, however, when Snow White begins to explain. Bigby's reluctance is understandable given what is stated by the deputy mayor. 'The Adversary'. She will have to remember that. She politely nods, understanding, at least, that pressing on this matter is probably not desirable right now. Likewise, the comment about her talents being used for other things. She is not in a hurry to get glamour magic in exchange for services, but this is something she will approach Snow White about later. Perhaps somewhere more private. Because spilling the beans on how her powers work to a crowd of people she just met was totally dumb of her. She is already kicking herself mentally. When Faruja offers a card discretely, however, Paladin's eyes flick to the side and a gauntleted hand reaches out to pluck it from his rodent fingers. She twists her wrist and the card vanishes into thin air. She will look at THAT later as well. She nods minutely to Faruja, and then she twists her wrist the other way, and a jeweled purse is in her grasp. She withdraws cash from such so that can pay for the Sheriff's great big steak before she leaves. 

:'''{{#var:585|Bigby Wolf (585)}} has posed:''' "Yeah," Bigby agrees around a mouthful of steak and greens and bacon all crammed in at once. "I think everyone's more worried about THIS life than the next, right now. And I'd say most Fables are more into philosophy than religion. Does Popularity With the Mundies Really Make Me More Powerful, that kind of thing. Maybe after things are more settled with this Unification thing, and we know how the mundies are going to handle it." Nomf, nomf. Ooh, Ainsley does have a keen eye on her, doesn't she? "Kiiind of," he agrees conditionally. "On the one hand, we want everyone to have as much understanding of the magical artifacts we smuggled out as possible. In case we ever DO get a chance to use them in a reclamation attempt. But we also have to be really damn careful this stuff doesn't leak outside the community." 

:'''{{#var:600|Snow White (600)}} has posed:'''     The girl sees rather willing to talk about her powers... almost as if she is giddy. But it's useful information, and Snow pays attention as she eats, making sure to show more table manners than Bigby does. Instead she offers a polite nod, chewing her food as she cuts up more of the steak. Hmm, this place isn't all that bad, really. And these people seem earnest.     "The office is larger than you can imagine. And it's all filled with books that most people will never read. It is as Bigby Wolf says, we have records of our resources, and we would hate for them to fall into the wrong hands. However, we would not mind trading non-classified information for books that could benefit the majority of Fabletown. Please contact us when you have the found the right book, and we can circulate the information in that book to the fables." 

:'''{{#var:152|Faruja (152)}} has posed:''' Faruja manages to keep his light smile to the deputy mayor, though notably his brow twitches for a moment. His words are far more honeyed. "...Safety is relative, my Lady. Though I wouldst wish thine people without fear, both opportunity and risk art infinite within the Multiverse. Mayhaps ye aught take a word of advice? Focus upon those whom offer ye assistance, and the price they ask for such, at first. Meanwhile, inquire of all whom ye hath the resources to contact. Gently, of course. Caution is the byword when ye come upon the Multiverse." Faruja pauses, and nods meaningfully to Snow White. "Consider such a touch of advice, one diplomat to another. Faram keep ye. Ye shall require it, I assure ye." A long suffering sight to his fellow diplomat, and a smirk. Welcome to the multiverse. As ever, his lover his sharp-eyed and sharp of wit. Faruja smiles a touch wider. He mutters quietly, "...God bless thee. Caution." He offers vaguely. But his card is taken, and a swift nod to Princess Paladin and Ainsley alike. A deep breath. Ainsley is wise, and the Princess an opportunity. He'll need much prayer to sor this out. 

:'''{{#var:585|Bigby Wolf (585)}} has posed:''' See, Snow, Bigby told you it wasn't ALL bad news. There are allies out here. And it's... kind of like meeting with other Fables, honestly. Being able to be frank about what he is is a nice change from dealing with the mundy police. Some of them even buy you steaks. He just really hopes this isn't about to blow up in all their faces. 

}}

It's Been a Long Night (Bigby Wolf)

2014-10-05T20:06:43Z

Smallcutepuppy: Created page with "{{Cutscene Header |Date of Scene=2014/10/03 |Location=Fabletown |Synopsis=The world of the Fables unifies. |Thanks= |Cast of Characters=585 |Tinyplot= }} Just before midnight,..."

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Just before midnight, New York City time last night, a new warp gate opened behind a maintenance door under the Gothic Bridge of Central Park. Whether the defunct former portal to the Crooked Man's lair still had some kind of lingering magical resonance, or whether it was complete coincidence, no one in Fabletown could immediately say.

The Business Office was roused, however, to immediate, frantic action. The sudden appearance of a portal, and this close to Fabletown, could mean only one thing: the Adversary was finally invading.

While the administration scrambled to activate emergency protocols and rouse the populace for imminent battle, the community's intrepid Sheriff rushed by cab to the site to scout the enemy's forces. When he found nothing but a quiet park, and a couple of mundys strolling hand-in-hand over the bridge, he was brought up short, bemused and suspicious. With a scowl wrinkling his forehead, Bigby Wolf shook a cigarette out of the battered pack of Huff&Puffs in his coat pocket, lit it and puffed grumpily as he stalked toward the door. What was on the other side of it was... not the Homelands.

Hours Later...

"So that's settled then." Snow White flicked an ambivalent look between Bigby and the door. She raised a hand to rub wearily at her forehead. "Now that the Thirteenth Floor has masked the portal from mundy awareness, we ought to be able to keep this quiet. For a while, at least. In the meantime, Bigby will scout this... entirely new world and try to find out WHY there's suddenly a new portal to it in the middle of Central Park. John and..." she cast a distasteful look toward the tall, well-dressed man with the neatly-trimmed goatee, "...Bluebeard, will be in charge of keeping a rotating watch on this place until we know more. Otherwise," she sighed, "we prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Bigby, we're counting on you."

"Have I let you down yet?" the grizzled man in the gumshoe trenchcoat replied caustically. Then, in a lower, softer tone, he added, "Don't worry Snow. I'll always come back." Before the Deputy Mayor could so much as blush at the improper familiarity of that statement, the Big Bad Wolf turned, snuffed out his cigarette on the path beneath the heel of his shoe, and stalked into the Multiverse to see what could be seen.

Things Worth Fighting For

2014-07-24T02:02:49Z

Smallcutepuppy: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2014/07/23 |Location=New York-199999 |Synopsis=Tony Stark gives a speech. Goes slightly off the cue cards. |Thanks= |Cast of Characters=8, 20, 197,..."

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|Location=New York-199999
|Synopsis=Tony Stark gives a speech. Goes slightly off the cue cards.
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{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' No city can bounce back from calamity quite like New York. Only a little more than two years since aliens invaded and the world shortly thereafter found itself part of a much LARGER world than it had ever imagined, the city has rebuilt, bigger, better, stronger. Only it cost a lot more than six million dollars. No city remembers its heroes quite like New York, either. The memorial plaza has been designated in Midtown Manhattan, on the south side of Central Park and not far from the site of the invasion. The top part of Stark Tower is visible from here, a few blocks further south. An area has been cleared around the dedication site, the memorial itself covered with a large tarp whose edges flap in a light breeze, though anyone remotely local knows what it looks like, having witnessed its construction over the past weeks and months. The centerpiece is a circular reflecting pool, with a marble spire thrusting up from its center. The spire is itself encircled by a large meshwork globe meant to represent the solidarity of humanity in the face of extradimensional assault. But it is, as stated, currently all covered up. A set of bleachers have been set up for the presenters: several city functionaries, representatives of NYPD and FDNY, and of the local businesses that contributed to funding the project. An additional two rows of chairs are laid out for the guests of honor: the Avengers, representatives of SHIELD, the mayor. For the general attending public many more folding chairs have been arranged in neat rows radiating out from the presentation area. And it's a media circus, as might be expected from an event of this proportion. EVERYONE wants to see the Avengers, if nothing else. Trucks are parked all around the perimeter of the plaza for all of the major world news services and even a couple of multiversal ones. The press... press, as close as they can up against the barrier separating them from their quarry. The general public masses to find seats, hundreds more finding standing room along the edges as they wait for the ceremonies to begin. 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' And Tony Stark fidgets, sneaking a finger beneath his collar to tug at his tie as he waits behind a screen at the back of the whole calamity for the cue for them all to march out. He has his speech written out on index cards which he taps distractedly against the palm of his hand. He takes a peek around a corner of the screen and snorts. "You'd think this was a big deal or something." 

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''     "Backstage", Potts is wearing an earpeice, impeccably dressed in a somber gray suit with a crisp white shirt, her hair pulled back from her face. The Co-CEO of Stark Industries wasn't nervous -- it was in the malestrom that she was most herself, organizing, giving orders, assaging fears and commenting on the lack of teleprompting information that was frustrating people who wanted to tweet buzzwords and quotes from it.     Potts never did learn to like Twitter.     She pauses as Tony fidgits... and she calmly leans down. She brings her nible fingers up, brushing against his chin and cheek a bit as she straightens his collar out, and then fixes his tie.     "It's only the dedication marked with appreciation for the heroes wo stood up for the invasion and rememberence of who was lost." she states softly, and brushes a quick kiss against his forehead. How /he/ was considered one of the ones who was lost wasn't lost on her. 

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''     Perhaps this is all worth the hellish plane ride here. The city is one hell of a sight. Relatively speaking of course. But Toph's sensitive feet have no problems picking up the design of the memorial plaza. And as she's dressed somewhat nicely today, the blind girl might even blend in. Even if she's seated in one of the reserved seats up front, her bare feet just barely touching the ground where she sits on her seat.     "Man, how many people showed up to this thing?" she mutters under her breath. And sure, the yellow sundress that she got as well as the lovely matching hat aren't really her style, but hey. At least it's not scratchy. It is kinda boring sitting still for long though, and as she waits for /something/ to happen she idly plays with one of her metal bracelets, bending it into various shapes even as she keeps most of her feet on the ground, just so she can pay somewhat attention to what's going on around her. Without Tony and Pepper it's kinda boring... 

:'''{{#var:295|Bruce Banner (295)}} has posed:''' "Tens of thousands, easily." Doctor Banner states simply. The good doctor is dressed in a nice white shirt and black tie, a much more formal look for him than he would normally put on. This, however, was a special time, and the occassion to remember those that dealt with the calmity and paid the ultimate price. Banner remembers it with great somberness as well, having been his first opportunity to show that his other half was more than just a monster. Bruce stayed back a bit, hanging more with the SHIELD crowd, but more in an incognito manner than one of anti-socialism. While many of the military and strategical folks knew his seret, much of the general public of New York did not. And to bring the Big Guy to such an event would be risky at best, and unbecoming otherwise. 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' "Easy for you to say," Tony mutters; "YOU don't have to give the speech." He closes his eyes briefly at the touch of Pepper's lips, though, and conjures a cocky smirk. Since when has he ever been afraid of public speaking? He's going to nail this one and he knows it. Or at least that's the image he intends to present. "Okay everyone," the event organizer claps her hands to get the attention of the guests of honor. "Just like we rehearsed. We'll have the fire department go out first, then the police, then the sponsors. Superheros bring up the rear. Got it?" 

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''     "I could if I had to." Potts replies quietly, affixing a small pin to her lapel. It's not an American flag, that's way too politician. No, she's has a little Captain America sheild. Much more in tune with the theme of 'heroes' for the day. As she lifts herself up and away from Tony, straightening his tie one last time, she steps away, and the Shield's red white and blue melt into "I <3 NY". Best gift from a well-wisher she could have wished for. Unless it was an Iron Man helmet. But those sold out /very/ quickly. 

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''     "That many, huh." Toph sighs and shifts her feet a bit where she sits before she turns more towards Bruce. "We should have gotten some snacks. Just what is taking them so long?"     Patience is good, but seriously... they have been getting ready for a long while back there. But somehow she doubts that the people here are like pro earthbender fans who would join her in a stomp and yell display to get people on stage quicker.     It's a shame, really. 

:'''{{#var:295|Bruce Banner (295)}} has posed:''' Bruce situates his tie and stands over by the SHEILD agents and consultants, calmly awaiting his cure to march forth. "I think they're doing some last minute sound checks and well... ceremonial stuff. I was never one for pomp and circumstance exactly, though I certainly make an exception for this event." Bruce gives a bit of a half smirk. "I'm sure you can pick up a Hulk Fruit Pie from a vendor once things die down a bit. I'm sure they are well stocked." The doctor checks his watch, making a slight adjustment. His adjustment brings the watches senstivity into alignment, ready to give him warning at the slightest irregularity in his vitals. He also sets it to vibration alert to prevent interuption of such an important event. 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' A roar of applause goes up from the attending throng as the presenters and guests start to file out. Event crew are on hand to make sure everyone gets sorted into their appropriate seats. The master of ceremonies stands at the podium, tapping his own cuecards against the edge and waiting for everyone to get in place. This is a big deal. It's a... statement of triumph by the city over the forces of evil, or something. Everything has to go perfectly. When the guests are all seated, he taps the microphone attached to his collar to get everyone's attention, and the commotion settles to a dull roar. "Thank you all for coming," he begins. From there, it's a fairly tedious standard speech about the bravery of the men and women of the city, their resilience and pride and unshakeable tenacity. Finally, he comes to the interesting part. "...and now, to give a few words before the unveiling, ladies and gentlemen: Iron Man. Please welcome Tony Stark." The noise level explodes again. 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' "Kiss for luck?" Tony quips... not to Pepper, but to Steve seated beside him. 

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''     Potts is seated on stage with the sponsors. And she leans over with a smile, pressing a kiss quickly to Tony's lips, and then she lets him get on his way. She rises up, her face spread out in a serene, professional smile, but her freckled nose is wrinkled up, her eyes beaming with pride for Tony. Others behind her stand as well, there's some catcalling from the audience, she's sure, but the sound on stage is deafening. 

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''     "People always take such a long time," the blind girl sighs, bending her metal bangle into various small figurines that bear a striking resemblance to the various members of the Avengers. The ones that she has met, that is.     "I won't say no to some pie, though." Considering the fact that she didn't eat on the plane, and her stomach is rather empty right now. When Bruce checks his watch though, Toph blinks. "I can tell you if your heart and breathing starts acting up, you know. You're /fine/." Though she can understand him... but at least he's with friends now who won't let him do something he wouldn't want to do.     When the people start to file out though, she joins in on the applause. Finally!     The voice of the master of ceremonies is unknown to Toph, and she doesn't look as eager for what she imagines is going to be boring babble. But when her supervising officer is called upon, she joins in on the noise, clapping her hands together and letting out some loud cheers of her own. "WOOOH!" 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' Well, it's no kiss from /Captain America/, but it'll do. Now let's be clear: Tony Stark hasn't experienced anxiety over a public speaking engagement since he was roughly eight. This however is a little different. The world is watching. Multiple worlds are watching. This is the moment he made the sacrifice play for; the one he almost didn't come back for; and his palms are sweating. He rises, and lifts a hand toward the cheering crowd as he mounts the steps to the podium in front of the memorial, still shrouded in its heavy tarps. An 'Iron Man!' chant rises and falls in a wave, drawing a rakish smirk from the billionaire industrialist superhero, and after letting it go on for a minute or so he shuffles his cue cards pointedly before him on the podium, waits for a lull in the general noise, and begins to speak. 

:'''{{#var:295|Bruce Banner (295)}} has posed:''' "I know...I can never be too careful though." Bruce acknowledges before the crowd is led out. When Tony is announced, Bruce claps his hands in applause simply, not being one for flashy fanfare. Bruce does take a moment, however, to survey the crowd. So many people. Even with everything that goes on, it still amazes him what the city can doo when it pulls together for a single cause. 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' "I know it won't surprise any of you when I say that I'm mostly going to talk about myself, here," Stark begins, to an appreciative ripple of laughter. He casts a glance back at his teammates as if in wry apology, and then continues. "I'm not going to bore you with the tale of how I wanted no part of this Avengers thing when SHIELD first came to me, and I'm not going to get into the details of what happened that day." His cheek twitches, as if even mentioning the events in such passing manner is difficult. His voice remains clear and strong, though. "I'm not even going to talk about how we're not the real heros here. Those would be the guys sitting in those bleachers just over there." He points with the edge of his cue cards at the assembled police and firefighters, and gives a respectful nod in their direction. "No, what I want to talk about is more pretentious and abstract than that. What it means to BE a hero." He waits for a few pregnant beats. The crowd is silent now. The muscles in Stark's jaw work beneath the immaculately trimmed beard, as if he's manually setting his next words in place. "When I first joined this team, before we were really a team, I got into an argument with someone. This was a guy who was already a hero before I was even born. A guy my old man would talk about ENDLESSLY, to the point that I was kind of sick of all the hype. He's also someone I've come to respect tremendously, and he's sitting behind me now." He turns again to look pointedly at Steve Rogers, and gives the man another solemn, respectful nod before returning his attention to the audience. "Now this argument had to do with the worth of a man, his willingness to put his own life on the line to protect those behind him. I didn't think much of it at the time, but I do remember that he challenged me, said he didn't think I was capable of making the sacrifice play." 

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''     There is a slight sigh that leaves Toph before she reaches out and gives Bruce a light punch in the arm. "Relax." He should follow orders. Or perhaps she should give him a rock massage session to the back.     But for now Toph pays more attention to Tony who is /finally/ speaking. And Pepper better be right in the fact that he's not boring when he's making speeches. It starts out a bit boring though, but Toph bears with it. Even if she still is bending her metal bangle some, moving her right hand over her left wrist.     So... Tony argued with Steve? The mental image makes her smirk just a bit. Ooooh boy here he goes on about sacrifice.     She leans in a bit towards Bruce and whispers. "... I thought Pepper said that he made /fun/ speeches." 

:'''{{#var:8|Deelel (8)}} has posed:''' Deelel has not seen many user cities luke New York, it felt like a major one back home she knew or thought she knew. While it was far more dirty it was as big, lively and had muvch going on there. so much it could keep Deelel quite busy when the wandering program came over for a visit. So here she was caught up in this media circuits and she was quite enjouin herself. She glances over to Toph for a moment and replies quietly. "Could be he's getting the formal stuff out of the way but I see where he's going with this, I think." 

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''     Pepper is damn proud of Tony. The man she'd worked her butt off for thirteen years with, the man-child who once laughed whens he pointed out his math was wrong, who then went quiet and impressed when she was right. The man who came back was different than the one who left ... every time.     And she listened, giving small smiles at the appropriate parts. Laughing about the argument a little, giving a small smile over to Steve.     But when he begins speaking of his own willingness to put his life on the line, Potts goes silent, and her hands go cold. Her heart slowly begins to climb into her throat. She folds her hands into her lap, her legs crossing at her ankles. Her fingers curl around themselves as she watches his back, looking out to the dizzying array of people beyond him. 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' There's another, longer pause. "Well we all know how that turned out," he quips, drawing a titter of nervous laughter. Iron Man's suicide run at the Chitauri wormhole with a nuclear missile on his back has been WELL publicized, lauded as the most singular act of heroism of a day that spawned hundreds. Tony Stark does not take this opportunity to brag about it. Instead, he draws another deep breath and declares, "And I had this moment of extreme clarity. Where I knew EXACTLY what I needed to do, and why. I knew what I was fighting for. What made this world WORTH fighting for." Stark turns, extending an arm out to point at another of the guests of honor. "This woman, ladies and gentlemen, Pepper Potts -- Pep, stand up and let everyone see you, would you? --This woman," he repeats, louder, "had been my employee for some twelve years, and let's be honest, we all know who really ran Stark Industries for most of that time." This time the laughter of the audience is less nervous, more knowing. Stark's PR disasters over the years have also been well publicized. Of more immediate concern, he's gone off the cue cards... again. 

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''     At this point Toph bends her metal bangle back to its normal shape, though she does turn her head a bit when an unfamiliar voice speaks to her. "If anybody could predict Goldie, then that's a miracle," she responds with a wry grin.     But other than that, the earthbender remains quiet as she listens, her face still turned down towards her lap. 

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''     Pepper blinks, and she has the grace to keep her blushing down, and she stands, gracefully. She gives a wave to the crowd, letting her own anxiety wash away. She's quietly thinking the Litany of Fear. Followed by how she'll manage to kill Tony with paperwork.     She can't even mouth 'the cue cards, Stark!', because no doubt there's cameras trained on her face. 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' Tony Stark continues doggedly. "But more than that she ran my life," he claims loudly, over the confused gesturing of the event coordinators and Pepper's own embarrassment. "She ran ME. Every meeting I ever got to on time, every worthwhile cause I supported or good thing I ever did, you can be pretty sure she had a hand in it." "And I see this woman and I think, my god, I understand. I GET it. I know what I'm fighting for, and why I need to do this. Because she is /so much better/ than I will ever be. The world can live without Tony Stark," he admits, dropping his eyes briefly as if this is an admission of great difficulty. More laughter. "But I can't live without her." He steps down from the podium, turns and crosses the space back to where Pepper is no doubt feeling extremely awkward at this unexpected turn from everything written on his cards. He meets her eyes for a quick, nervous moment, and then deliberately lowers himself to one knee, reaching inside his suit pocket for a small, rather worn velvet box. The ring -- as can be seen in intimate detail by the dozens of media cameras that zoom in on it -- is rather less extravagant than might be expected from a man of Stark's reputation. A simple band of white gold; a large but not ostentatious diamond solitaire sparkling in an elegant, classic setting. It's not, in truth, even so fancy as the one that got mistakenly slipped into Pepper's dessert two birthdays ago. But it does have the unique distinguishment of having belonged to his mother. Tony holds it up, his hands visibly shaking and his jaw clenching to keep his voice level, despite the nerves, the adrenaline coursing through his body as if he were fighting the battle of New York all over again, and forces himself to raise his eyes to her face. "I love you," he states in a tone just short of cracking. "And I'm so sorry that I wasted so many years figuring that out. I don't want to waste any more. Virginia Potts. Will you marry me?" 

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''     Now we're getting somewhere! Even as Tony speaks, blabbering on and on, the blind girl seems more and more interested in the speech. Screw the cuecards! Even if this is kinda oogie.     True, Toph grins a lot. But both Bruce and Deelel should both be able to see the mother of all grind spread on the blind girl's face as she turns her face upwards towards the stage, and she even scoots out onto the edge of her seat, just so she can place her feet fully on the ground.     Somehow, she does not look suprised at all. And she's listening intently for what is sure to follow. And it better be the right response! 

:'''{{#var:295|Bruce Banner (295)}} has posed:''' In the SHIELD crowd, the doctor has been listening, taking it all in. He will not likely admit that he has checked his watch upon hear Tony actually utter the words he has spoken. But Bruce cannot help but smile, knowing that Tony has taken a big step, even if it IS in front of all of New York. No pressure there, right? 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' Tony Stark would not be Tony Stark if he didn't do something like this in a massively public venue. 

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''     The feeling of the deer in the headlights. The cow in the oncoming train. That floating sensation you get when it's your turn to say a nursery rhyme at kindergarten but you forget which one, and stop just short of puddling.     That's the feeling Potts gets when Tony sinks down to one knee. The entire world stops. She hears no cameras, sees no flashbulbs. No whooping of the audience, no gasps no hushes, the blood running in her ears and the look of the man in front of her, looking up to her, with the ring. The worn box with its faded velvet. He m ust have looked at it a thousand times, waiting for the right time. Waiting for the one moment where he could be at once himself, honest and true and naked in a figurative sense.     And it all comes down to this moment. How could she refuse him, in front of billions, when he laid it all out, bruised and broken.     The phone call two weeks after he disappeared. Seventy-seven flights of stairs in heels. The late nights, the early mornings.     Frozen in time. She tries to say something, but she can't talk. Her throat's tight, her heart pounding, and she reaches dwon with those long fingers, and brushes some of the hair out of his face, then raises her nervous hands to her mouth, steepling them, as tears threaten at those dark green eyes.     <Are those bullet holes?>     And she falls down to her knees. Her arms go around his shoulders, and she holds him to her, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. And speachless, she nods against his shoulder. 

:'''{{#var:8|Deelel (8)}} has posed:''' Deelel takes notice of Toph's action with the bangle with intres thtne replies. "I think I have to agree, Toph." She's still keeping her voice low as Pepper gets a shout out anf that just has her grinning as she sees where this is going. She gets what a marriage is and Tony just went big. Just think she's recored it first person just by being here. 

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''     Even from here Toph can hear it. How Pepper's heart is dancing wildly like a mad little drum. Too bad she can't see what's going on with the people on the stage. And Pepper is being too quiet! So after a few seconds she speaks up. "She better be hugging him and nodding her head now..." she asides to the people next to her. 

:'''{{#var:197|Steve Rogers (197)}} has posed:''' Steve is pretty good at being the strong, silent type when necessary ... and while he hasn't been entirely silent during the preliminaries, he's been quietly visible amongst the Avengers and allies, seated on-stage. A fair amount of his attention has been floating around the venue, watching out just in case some lunatic decided to make trouble. His attention sharpened a *lot* when Tony made his proposal to Pepper official - if anyone was going to try to steal the show with violence, that would be the moment. But it passes without incident, and Steve Rogers relaxes a little. "You called it," he stagewhispers to Toph in response to her speculation. "Hugging, and nodding. Can't see other than that." .... he might be able to notice more than he's letting on, but - discretion. 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' "No take-backsies," Tony murmurs humorously into Pepper's ear when she throws her arms around him. Mostly because if he doesn't crack a joke he's afraid he'll burst into tears himself. As it is his voice is raw, and he's shaking a little as he gets his feet under him and raises them both up with some difficulty, the hand not holding the jewelry box wrapping tightly around Pepper's back to support her against him. "Here, let me... put this on you," he almost giggles, dazed and slightly hysterical from the sheer RELIEF flooding through him. "I had it resized for you and everything... here. There." He stares in some disbelief as he slips the band over her finger. Then gives a big, boyish, happy smile and hugs her tightly back, both arms wrapping in a huge bear hug to lift her right off her feet for a second or two. "I waited two years," he gasp/babbles into her ear, still holding tight as he sets her down. "And I know, I picked the worst possible venue and I know it's a big deal and it's going to be /crazy/ but hey--" He draws back, just enough to give his new fiancee a grin and a teasing peck on the tip of her nose. "At least we get to tackle it together. Right? You okay?" 

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''     "I knew it," Toph grins, looking rather pleased where she sits. Now there's no more need to badger Tony, is there? And well, the two deserve it. Even if they both seem a bit shocked at it right now. Her hard work wasn't for nothing!     And she's so going to have to tell Pepper that she told her so later. HAH. 

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''     "No take-backsies." Pep agrees, giving a girlish, nervous laugh, and she draws upwards as Tony slips the ring onto her. It fits absolutely perfectly (because Tony doesn't do /anything/ half-assed. The adreniline's hit her, and her mind is going at a thousand miles a second. She gives a soft cry, laughing as he picks her up, and it registers that the audience is cheering.     "Oh my god." she squeaks. "Tony. /We're engaged/." she whispers, her arms wrapped around his shoulders as he sets her down, h er eyes glowing, cheeks flushed, and while she smiles, she leans upwards and whispers "Oh, you are /so/ going to get it later for this." 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' "I know, I'm a jerk," Tony agrees happily -- he must be high as a kite on endorphines right now to let that comment pass without a suggestive retort. Instead, he clears his throat, turns -- staying in the reach of Pepper's arms -- and lifts one hand high to wave to the crowd, briefly closing it into a fistpump of triumph. "Sorry about that," he addresses the audience and the cameras, switching his collar-mic back on. From the roar of approving cheers it would seem that no one really minds the detour from the purpose of the presentation. Nevertheless: "So let's unveil this thing already!" He touches a finger to his bluetooth earbud, murmurs a command to Jarvis -- and the huge tarp lifts off of the monument as several Iron Legion suits move into action and fly straight up, holding it by the trailing edges. 

:'''{{#var:197|Steve Rogers (197)}} has posed:''' "You're not sorry at all, are you," Steve murmurs - principally to Tony, although God knows if Stark hears the comment or not. He's grinning, though. Yes, the Star-Spangled Man With the Plan has a sense of humor, even if you'd think that's classified. He's clapping along with the audience, although he eases off the applause as Stark's suits move to unveil the monument proper ... partly to watch, partly in case any of the aforementioned theoretical troublemakers are planning to seize *this* moment instead of interrupting the proposal. 

:'''{{#var:20|Toph Beifong (20)}} has posed:'''     Yeah, let's unveil it for the seeing people. Toph is still grinning and clapping along with the crowds though. Heck, at least it seems that the others like the big show off that Tony is with his many suits as they grab the tarp. "At least people are going to remember this, huh?" she asides to Deelel. Okay, there have been speeches, Pepper did the right thing and said yes, can they grab some Hulk pies now and celebrate properly? 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' "Not in the slightest," Tony agrees cheerfully aside, his eyes on his suits but his arm firmly around Pepper's waist. 

:'''{{#var:204|Pepper Potts (204)}} has posed:'''     "He wouldn't be Tony if he was apologetic." Potts replies to Steve, leaning against Tony slightly as the memorial is unveiled. She watches the suits -- there... are way more than six now, aren't there? -- and she's all smiles. She knows her face is going to be plastered on women's magazines now. She knows that buzzing at her ear is the calls of people like Vera Wang and Chanel to start advertising their services.     And she's okay with ignoring it. All of it, to just sit in the glow of Tony Stark. 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' Oh, Tony intends to give the magazines a good cover or two. Preferably with him in the shot, pointing gleefully to the ring on Pepper's finger. "So hey, what are you doing after this?" he asks in a teasing tone. Because as anyone who /knows/ him knows, humor is how he handles stress. His fingertips dig just a little bit more securely into Pepper's side. "I mean we're done here, right? Monument unveiled, speeches given, tabloids appeased?" As if the tabloids are going to be anywhere NEAR appeased after this bombshell. "Whaddaya say guys, dinner at my place?" He glances over his shoulder. You CAN see Stark Tower from here. 

}}