12728/A gift in the dark

A gift in the dark
Date of Scene:	09 September 2022
Location:	Stark Tower: Penthouse
Synopsis:	A gift in the dark is //not// partner swapping!
Cast of Characters:	Pepper Potts, Tony Stark

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Pepper Potts has posed:
The weather is quickly turning cooler with the onset of Fall. Pumpkin spice everything is out, and the neon lights of the city are turning slowly to green, orange and blacks. Halloween candy and costumes are displayed in the store windows, pushing out the 'Back to School' sales that had begun in late July. Cool, clear, and the night is perfect to have windows open, or rather, sit out on the expanse of balcony with a lit central fire.

Pepper is doing just that. She's dressed down, jeans, long sleeved emerald colored shirt that is covered with a button down that is a few sizes too large, and decidedly of a 'male' cut and design. Barefoot, her legs are tucked up and under her on the outdoor couch, and a long stemmed glass of white wine is on the small table before her. Red hair is down, and as she leans, she has a laptop in one hand, and her cellphone isn't far away, sitting on the side of her thigh.

Next to the couch, DUM-E is acting as 'butler', a plate of fruit held in his three fingered grasp, and a towel draped over the the extending arm.

"I don't understand what is taking so long. JARVIS?"

Talking to the Stark Industries AI is very much like talking to just another normal human being. At least it is for her.

"Ms Potts?" The clipped English accented voice appears from everywhere, and there are some who would naturally look up to talk. Not Pepper.

"I would have expected a result from the coroner's office last week?" Pepper is paying more attention to the laptop, catching articles here and there, moving quickly, saving and discarding.

"They are so very busy. At least that is what I am told..."

Tony Stark has posed:
"You know, we can get the parts fresher if we just farm them ourselves." Tony appears from inside, wearing his own version of lounge wear - a pair of sweatpants and a white tank top. He must have been working on the car again.

He crosses over towards her and leans over to give her a kiss on the cheek before walking around the couch. "Please tell me you have a good reason for trying to get supplies from the coroner's office." He does not come to join her on the couch just yet, choosing instead to lean back and watch her. "Clearly it's not a new personal lobby, because Pepper Potts would never use Stark resources to bodysnatch."

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper leans to get a celery stick from the tray held by their faithful robot, and as she pulls her hand in again to nibble, Tony arrives, bringing a smile to her face. The celery stick is only half-heartedly chewed on as she laughs and shakes her head. "No.." That's such an easy word for her, and she continues. "I am not farming for parts. The last thing I want is for any of your creations to look lifelike. I still have a hard time working out which is you in the suit and which is a drone, though..." The last bit is said with a slightly considering tone, but it's not in any way meant to be serious, and she dismisses it with a shake of the celery-clutching hand.

The kiss on the cheek has her raising her head for the offrance, and the smile turns amused, "You'd be surprised what I can get on a Stark Industries budget line."

Moving her feet down gracefully, Pepper is making room for him on the couch, should he have the time to join her. "How's the car?" Could that be in the budget line? Nah. "I was very surprised that you didn't program some engine noise, just because the boys were playing with theirs." That's right. 'Noise'.. and 'boys'.

Tony Stark has posed:
"I'm not sure if that is an insult to my personality or a compliment to my creative genius." Tony plucks a piece of celery from the tray as he passes. "I'll choose the compliment." He leans down to brush his lips against hers befor eturning to drop down next to her on the couch.

"If you buy one more handbag factory by mistake, we're going to cut off your allowance young lady." He pats her on the leg as he settles into the couch.

"Car's good. Right on schedule. Pretty sure it can beat the others right now, but I want to be _completely_ sure, so I have to find a wayt o reduce the drag coefficient." He nudges her on the shoulder. "So why are we raaiding the morgues? Are you looking for Abby Normal?"

Pepper Potts has posed:
The smile so easy on her face creeps into a fond smirk as Tony muses about insult vs compliment. "Good," is declared and Pepper shift-bounces slightly, getting comfortable again on the couch. The fire in the chiminee gives off a nice healthy glow, the warmth cutting through the hint of chill in the air.

The celery is finished with a few quiet crunches, and with a quick wave of her head, her hair falls away from her face slightly, her hand rising only to set the rest behind a single ear. Lifting her head for the kiss, the smile remains through it, and she softly murmurs, "Leave my handbag factories alone and I'll leave your cars alone." Pepper ends that with a soft 'mmm' with the kiss before watching him come around to sit on the couch with her. She doesn't have handbag factories! That'd be Janet. She does have enough handbags FOR a factory, however!

As he settles in, Pepper is moving again to get comfortable, and she sets the laptop and phone to the coffee table, lifting her stemware with what's left of the wine within. "We have a month for the car, Tony. Did you find a driver for the races yet?" He //is// going to use one of the drivers, yes?

"I'm.." Pepper chuffs a breath and nudges Tony at his joke, "I'm looking for information on those board members. It's nothing. Not really." Behind those green eyes, however, there is something.

And that something is actually something //else//. "Oh.." a swallow is taken of the wine, but it is shortlived as she leans forward to set that onto the table as well. "I have tickets to a dinner. For us, for Janet.. anyone else who wants to go, really. It's called 'Dinner in the dark'. A very nice restaurant on the West Side serves dinner in total darkness. The thought is that if you can't see it, or anyone else, you have to rely on your other senses." She actually sounds excited about the experience!

Tony Stark has posed:
Tony settles comfortably on the couch, sliding an arm around Pepper's shoulders and drawing her closer to him, as he leans in. "My cars save the world. Your handbags save your receipts." He gives her a gentle nudge.

"Well, yes, a month, but there are a lot of improvements that I can make in a month." He considers her question. "Yeah, of course we have a driver. I don't have the time to make them truly self driving. Maybe next year's model." He turns to look at Pepper and grins. "Only one model I can think of where next years is not better." He leans over to nuzzle his lips against Pepper's ear. "So, tell me about the dead guys."

As she leans forward he sits up a bit, hand falling to run down along her back as she stretches out. "Sounds like a great concept for a place whose food looks and tastes messy." He laughs. "Who all is joining us?"

Pepper Potts has posed:
"They help accessorize you," Pepper responds easily. How's that for perspective? He looks good, so she has to look good.. and that does mean accessories, so they both look good. She's not above playing with his ego, making what benefits her into a boon for him!

With his arm snaking in, Pepper leans in that other direction, leaning on him. The air around them is cool, the city's lights casting their glow from below, and the Empire State Building shining seemingly only for them.

The sweet words have their effect, and her muscles relax in the warm, comfortable enbrace until..

Pepper's lips press together in a tight, amused line, and she turns her head to look at him, deep into those dark eyes, and finish, "You really do know how to talk to a woman, don't you." She can't help the smile, it reaches green eyes before she exhales in a sigh. "That's just it. I don't know much about the dead guys. Other than the fact it was a full Board, and they all died within 2 days of each other. //That// is why I'm curious about the coroner's report." Okay, more than curious. A little concerned. "It doesn't seem natural."

Pepper leans again, and can feel his hand draw down her back, the path leaving a pleasant heat behind. "Mmmm.." she begins again, "I think it'll be good. It's not ordering in, and we get to spend the evening with friends and food."

Tony Stark has posed:
"I really only need one accessory, and it is far more useful than just as an accessory." Tony sighs softly, giving her another squeeze as he settles against her. He starts to turn towards her, his lips moving towards her neck. And then she talks about dead bodies again.

"You're right. But why are /you/ looking into this? Don't you think some sort of body is, already? What do es it have to do with us?" Not that he doesn't care, but he assumes there is some connection.

His hand runs idly up and down her back. "I mean, that's nice, but if we aren't /seeing/ our friends..." He pauses for a moment. "Is this one of those make-out parties where you go in and they swap you partners, and you end up with someone mysterious, but when the lights come on surprise it was your partner all along?"

Pepper Potts has posed:
Tony is being sweet, which is not something too many people see. Even Pepper is a touch dubious as to what is going to fall next. Is it that he wants to go to Dubai? The house in Malibu? The fashion shows in Milan are done until next month, when they bring out the spring collection, and what, with those scantily clad models flirting with him, and his preening like a peacock? Granted, hasn't happened in some years, but..

Brows rise as she looks at him, tilting her head up to meet those eyes of his. "Entire Boards of Directors don't die within 2 days of each other. And it was a tech company. Their stocks are nosediving, and who knows what is happening. I mean, I could be cold and say, 'Oh, it's a great time to take it over', but it is somewhat concerning." Pepper chuffs a soft breath and settles back down, pulling at his arm to wrap about her, his hand falling in front of her. She's nestled there in the crook of his arm.

"And it is //not// one of those make-out parties where we partner swap." Rolling her head back, Pepper's eyes search is face and she continues, "And you're not getting out of it. I already have the tickets."

Tony Stark has posed:
There is a few moments of reflection on that, and then Tony needs. "Feed it all into JARVIS. Let's see if there are connections we don't realize about these companies. Or their boards. Get him working on pattern recognition."

He looks at Pepper and laughs. "Damn, and here I was thinking I'd finally get a chance to try Cap's special." He even prepares himself for the swat that is about to come. "Sure. I'll not see you there." He grins.

Pepper Potts has posed:
"Did."

Pepper knows how the game is played. She's got the AI working on things that she doesn't have access to, readily or not. Ever wonder how Pepper knows things that she's not supposed to know? It's not just JARVIS. The woman is smart, savvy, and knows when things aren't right.

Still, she's not Tony. She doesn't have his reach, his contacts or his ability to find things out by other means. They do make a good team.

It should be a dead giveaway that Pepper is going to move, what with the tensing of her back muscles, and in twisting around, she makes to actually give the man a playful swat. "Is there something about the two of you I should know? I mean, I'm more than willing to step out with America's sweetheart.." Is she really? Not in a million years.

"But, I won't." Pepper turns back around, her head resting the side, laying lightly and gently on Tony's arm. "Rather step out with mine."