10243/Meal and a show

Meal and a show
Date of Scene:	22 February 2022
Location:	Avengers Mansion - Labs
Synopsis:	Tony and Pepper assist a victim of a strange magical curse.
Cast of Characters:	Pepper Potts, Tony Stark

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Pepper Potts has posed:
There is always something going on at the Avengers' Mansion, some remodeling, some changing around, some.. upgrading. There aren't masons on the ground, there are no carpenters; just a man down in the lab doing who knows what.

And above, Pepper has most things under control. The coffee pot, which apparently was a little too loud as it brought others for a cup; she did manage to get one, and have it still be warm for when the Chinese food arrived. After sorting that on a plate, and having an interesting, if not actually civil conversation with Natasha, the strawberry blonde has mug and plate in hand, negotiating the steps towards where she fully believes Tony would be..

The labs.

"Tony? Tony. I have your dinner, and a coffee. Do you know how much longer we're going to be?"

Tony Stark has posed:
"Perfect timing, Pepper. I'll take those... thaaaank you," Tony says, meeting Pepper a bit abruptly in the doorway as she navigates down to the lab area. He manages to not get splashed by coffee, though. He actually pauses just a beat, to look at the coffee and the contents of the dinner, as if evaluating, and takes a big drink from the coffee -- while moving his head in a 'come this way' tilted motion for Pepper to come with him into the lab.

There is a strange sight there - a young blonde woman with a blanket hugged tightly around her, looking starved and shell-shocked, curled up with her legs up, in one of the armed lab chairs.

"Miss Amber was a squirrel for a while, and I got her loose from animal control custody to get her here," Tony asides matter-of-factly at Pepper, while setting the dinner on the table next to her. He keeps the coffee.

Looking at Amber's unstable quality, that may be the right call. "She just got back to humanity, had a nap, and woke about five minutes ago. We're glad to have her."

Pepper Potts has posed:
One thing Pepper is //not// used to is being met halfway; usually it's she not only delivering food, but almost standing over him to actually eat something. Truth be told, however, as time moves on, and the pair move on, there is more than a little care and concern, and she's trying not to be too, well, trying to make sure he has more space to grow. She's not about to leave his side, however, and always makes sure the option for food is available!

"What? Okay," She hands over the food and drink, following him downstairs, "Is this more of the butterflies?" That's what they did the last time they were, she was down here with him. The reason is revealed, however, as she walks across the threshold into the lab and gets an eye- and ear-full. "Oh, Tony.." She shakes her head, and looks back between the pair, Tony and the young woman, Amber. She looks back at the obviously shocked woman, but her words, at first, are for Tony, and out of courtesy, at a whisper as if Amber couldn't hear her. "A squirrel? How? When? Why?" All the questions of the rainbow, but the poor thing in distress is just.. just worries her.

She doesn't have any of the food, Tony has that set at the young woman's side, but she approaches slowly, her words softly spoken, "Hey Amber," make sure there's a smile, Pepper, even through your own fear and concern, "you're safe, do you know that?" The smile, meant to be comforting, flickers again, and she glances back to Tony, mouthing, 'Animal control?' Horrified, that's what she is. When she turns back, however, her expression looks as if it hasn't changed. "I'm Pepper. We have some dinner for you, if you'd like to eat it. If not, there's fruit upstairs."

Tony Stark has posed:
Tony extends his smile to Pepper, and it carries a slight flare of eyes, that's all. A quiet agreement of 'yes it's terrible' in a very subtle, silent way, when Pepper aimed the hammer of questions at him about what's going on.

"Looks like the 'when' was well over a month ago. Amber was a missing person, but we're fixing that all up for her. Some calls need to be made, though... think you're up to chatting with her family overseas and handling getting her home?" Tony questions Pepper, hopefully. He's leaning on her a little on this one, and does in fact physically lean in to brush her shoulder and smile briefly.

"I'll handle those other questions, though."

Amber nods a little and unearths to start eating the plate of food brought to her, looking still very shell-shocked over it all. "My phone's gone.... I just want to go home," Amber says, starting to eat more quickly. She's dirty and skinny, but seems present enough mentally, if a bit tortured.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper reaches back with a hand to touch Tony's; her fingers looking to enwrap his, if only briefly as he leans on her, giving her that contact. It's brief, but for her, still so very meaningful. Her attention falls back on the young lady, and as Tony outlines some of the things he feels need to be done, Pepper nods her head, her ponytail bobbing in the gesture. "Yes," she says. "Family, a wardrobe, we'll get her cleaned up. A think a bubble bath," and she offers another smile to Amber, though it's one that seems.. a little lighter. She's eating.

Pepper reaches to make sure the blanket stays in place and crouches at the young woman's side. "We are going to get you home," and she glances at Tony before returning her attention to Amber, her tones lilting, conversational, "You are one very lucky young lady, do you know that?" She doesn't bother waiting for the 'why' that usually comes; instead, she forges on and taps on the plate, "Thor didn't get to the food first."

Pepper still crouches next to Amber, and sets green eyes back to Tony, "She was reported? Oh, that makes things so much easier." Relief, most definitely relief resides in those eyes. "I'll make the call, I'll go upstairs and find something for her to put on for the time being. Then, after a bath, she'll probably be ready for sleep," Pepper's attention moves back to the young woman who is finding her footing, her appetite, "Won't you. I can't imagine that you're not exhausted from all of this."

That, and there are so many questions she wants to ask Tony, but not in front of the girl.

Tony Stark has posed:
Tony has a lot to say as well, lots of information, but he's wisely holding back on talking about the girl right in front of her when she's been through a very weird experience. Even if there's curiosity about it, after all!

"Right. We've already gotten in touch with the authorities about her case, so everything's moving great. Hospital was the next suggestion, though we've already gotten you checked over here, Amber," Tony supplies. He's not terrible at this, but he's not a doctor either, and his bedside manner is a bit upbeat and teasing, not serious. Still, that might be fine in a case like this one. He's only got good news to give, after all.

"A phone we definitely can do, I...." Tony pauses, checking his mobile device. He skims the message. "Wow, okay, great news. Your dad is actually in the city. We'll get you reunited right away. Clothes and shower while I sort out logistics. I'll get him here," Tony assures, proud, and self-satisfied that he and Pepper could rally to get her helped!

A clear plan can be in motion!

Pepper Potts has posed:
Hospital, in Pepper's mind, would have been a little problematic. Not that she doesn't trust them, but to check a girl in for a history of being a squirrel? Granted, stranger things have happened, but...

Pepper straightens up and looks down at Amber. "Well, that sounds like good news, doesn't it?" The smile has gotten wider, her tones more encouraging. "If you can walk, we'll get you upstairs and find a pair of sweats or something." Something from Janet, perhaps. She'll explain to her friend tomorrow. "Told you that you're in good hands with Mr Stark."

Pepper is most encouraging if not a little insistent. "We'll get you more of that dinner after you get cleaned up, I promise. Let's go. I know. Believe me."

Should the young woman accept, Pepper will absolutely walk her up the stairs, though the redhead does look back, her expression one of pride, and affection. //He's such a good man.// It's not long, however, before she finishes her trip upstairs to get the young woman ready to go home to her family.

Tony Stark has posed:
Amber nearly bursts into tears when told she'll see her dad soon. "Yeah, I think I can." She really wants to go home, and the relief of that is evident! She really scarfed the food during the discussion, and she unfolds at the offer of a shower, getting up. She looks at the plate.

"Take that with you, go for it," invites Tony, sensing the uncertainty about the remainder of food. He fans it away, still drinking the coffee, and takes a seat nearby at one of the lab terminals. He won't pressure with his presence.

Amber seems to be 18 or 19 at the oldest, her youth is more obvious when she gets up fully, some of it being her attire under the blanket helps show her age bracket as teenagery.

As Amber moves to follow Pepper with the food in hand and a soft 'thank you' to Tony, Tony flashes Pepper an appreciative smile and thumbs-up at her expression. Go team!