14481/Britain's Best meets the Avengers

Britain's Best meets the Avengers
Date of Scene:	23 March 2023
Location:	Avengers Mansion - First Floor
Synopsis:	Captain Britain is introduced to the Avengers!
Cast of Characters:	Janet van Dyne, Natasha Romanoff, Clea, Steve Rogers, Brian Braddock

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Janet van Dyne has posed:
Visitor Days are one of the better perks of being an Avenger. It's a chance not just to meet someone new, but to grow the social network a bit. Heroes from all over the world come to Avenger's Mansion to make introductions to America's premiere superhuman team.

Janet's sitting with a few of her fellow Avengers in the lobby of the first floor room, feet kicked up on an expensive antique oak table with camel-hair booties that probably cost as much as the furniture. Black leggings and a green tunic with a broad black belt slung around her hips gives it a bit of a retro vibe.

"So this visit does raise the problem of naming conventions," Janet observes to the others while dithering around on her phone with her other hand. "This is the third Captain at Avenger's Mansion. I know the League's got a couple too. Can we put a kibosh on any new army-guy rank names?" she says, making it more statement than request. "No 'Major Muscles' or 'Colonel Kickass'. The word 'Cap' has lost all meaning at this point."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would be leaning over agaisnt the wall, her hands tapping over against her arm in light amusement at Janet's quips. "Someday one of them will have to be promoted. Perhaps we'll get a Colonel one of these days." Or wasn't that a rank that Fury had, once upon a time?

Natasha's in her normal combat uniform, batons over her back, Widow's Bites on her wrists, other numerous weapons at her sides.

"So is this a polite visit or a recruiting visit?" SHe would inquire over tO Janet with a sort of casual air to her while looking about.

"But yes, some shifting around of the ranks is in order. And we could tell some of them if they get trainees they have to start them somewhat lower on the military hierarchy."

Clea has posed:
Clea's been in and out of the mansion, but this time she's managed to be there when a visitor was supposed to stop by! The white haired woman is dressed in an over dress of deep purple and black body suit underneath. The sorceror-supreme of the Dark Dimension looks like she's taking the name to heart today. "Major Muscles, that would be an amusing nickname." she muses gently as she taps her chin.

"I'll be sure not to use any of those monikers though." she adds as she lets her hands drop and then clasp in front of her. Not wanting to upset anyone or make them feel uncomfortable with certain names.

Steve Rogers has posed:
One of the aforementioned 'Caps' is quietly grinding his teeth as his Quinjet comes in low for a landing on the mansion's rooftop hangar. JARVIS had spread the word in advance that his return from a mission in Albania was slightly behind schedule thanks to an unfavorable jet stream.

Steve looks down at himself, having changed back into civilian clothing while the plane was on autopilot. But only having had a sponge bath with wet wipes since he was last sprinting through the halls of an old castle, running down the arms dealers who had gotten their hands on AIM technology. "It'll have to do," he says to himself with a sigh, not wanting to keep anyone waiting any longer than possible.

He takes the steps down from the hangar two at a time. "Maybe we should have a fireman's pole," he thinks aloud of quicker ways to make the trip besides the stairs or elevator. "Though Clint would... well I don't know what he'd do, but maybe not the best idea."

The call of his empty mug and the coffee it could be holding is strong, but Steve resists that particular siren's call as he heads for the lobby where the others are gathered. He steps into the room, flashing smiles and nods about. "Apologies for being late. Thing in Europe ran a little longer than I was hoping," he says as he moves further in to see who all are here.

Brian Braddock has posed:
A long, long time ago, in a galax --

Wait, wrong universe.

A few years back, anyhow, one blond and British Brian Braddock had crossed paths with an up-and-coming Janet van Dyne. Both relatively new in their respective spheres of work interests, there had been a promise to stop through New York if the opportunity cropped up.

It's cropped up. Social networking means chartering a flight and arriving at the front door to the Avenger's mansion within a relatively short span of time (American-wise). Currently in full Captain Britain regalia, Brian clears his throat as he tugs the uniform jacket better into place on his frame. "So...I suppose I knock?" mutters he to himself before lifting knuckles.

"You may walk in, Captain," a hyper-proper AI voice prompts from SOMEWHERE. It makes Brian roll half a step back and look around. "I am JARVIS, sir. A number of the Avengers are waiting to speak with you in the lobby."

"Wonderful," the Brit murmurs with a faint note of long-suffering. "Thank you, JARVIS," he adds in counter-politesse. As such?

There's one Captain Britain stepping in through the front door, already looking just that -touch- out of place despite his generally confident air. "Good afternoon?"

Janet van Dyne has posed:
The reparatee with Clea and Natasha provokes a flashing grin of amusement from the Wasp. "Maybe we should just keep a list of taken ranks," she quips. At Steve's entrance Janet gives him a mostly-civil uplift of her chin and a finger-wiggling wave. It seems the hatchet's mostly buried at this point. "Good timing," she bids Steve. "He should be here any moment."

Speak of the devil: JARVIS chimes to let them know the Brit has arrived. Janet's brows perk up at the six-foot-six powerhouse strolling into the front door. "God, what do they /feed/ them over there?" she mutters at Natasha. The Wasp curls her legs in and stands smoothly, taking just a moment to smooth out her green tunic-style dress and make the belt hang with a fetching asymmetry on her hips. "Captain Britain, welcome to Avenger's Mansion," she says, and offers him her relaxed fingers for a European-style handshake. "It was a pleasure to hear you'd be joining us. Please come in," she invites, and steps aside so he can walk into the room. "I'm Janet van Dyne, of course; this is Clea, whose last name is something unpronounceable, and Natasha, our resident spymistress," she says. "And last, Steve Rogers," she adds, and gestures at Steve with a smoothly polite gesture.

"Would you care for something to drink? Eat? It's no bother at all, I promise," she assures him.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would give a low nod of amusement to Clea - a rare enough showing of Natasha's sense of humor. "I've read his STRIKE profile." The European branch of SHIELD, to some degree. Natasha would go to lean back against the wall while looking over at Clea in very, very light amusement at Janet's description of her last name.

She would nod at Brian at her own introduction, then going quiet over in thoughtfulness. Giving Brian an evaluatory eyes, comparing him to files, what she had read of OTherworld, and other things of association.

Her posture is casual but neutral. At least not defensive.

Clea has posed:
Clea gives a look over when Steve shows up and there's a dip of her head, along with a smile, "It's alright, Captain." she tells him. She then quiets as Janet introduces her and there is a slightly amused look in her gaze.

Then she speaks, "Welcome, Captain Britain. It's lovely to meet you." she states. "As for names, I don't carry a surname like those of Earth do, or if we're being formal it's Clea, Sovereign and Sorceress Supreme of the Dark Dimension. Though we don't seem to do that around the mansion, or so that is what T'Challa keeps reminding me of." she states with a grin before dips her head to the newcomer politely before she steps back and quietly watches things.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve Rogers inclines his head back to Janet's up nod of greeting. He looks to Clea and gives her a wry but warm smile. "Clea, good to see everyone back to normal," he offers to the sorceress as if in reference to some other recent events.

The entrance of Captain Britain pulls everyone's attention over to the man including Cap's. Steve waits nearby to let Janet be the first to greet the arriving hero, and when others have had their turn at the man, Steve moves forward then to offer a handshake.

"Captain Britain. Steve Rogers," he offers. "Heard so many excellent things about you. An honor to get to finally meet you," Steve says in his straightforward way.

Janet's offer of a beverage to the visiting hero causes Steve to look about for refreshments. "Yes, we could certainly get some coffee or another beverage," he suggests, perhaps as much hearing that earlier call of caffeine as he is playing polite host.

Brian Braddock has posed:
Someone paying close attention won't miss the additional stutter amidst the general mild awe that comes with meeting multiple defacto Avengers face-to-face. No longer names, now they're true personages, and the Captain returns Janet's handshake with a temporary little crunch of nerves. Whoops. At least the squeeze isn't terribly overstrong and he catches himself. It's true: the fashionista -is- an Avenger, which makes her The Wasp, and he needs to consider this amongst other things over tea this evening.

"A pleasure, Miss van Dyne," he greets, bringing up a socialite's bright smile. His blue eyes flick to the others present and he nods to each. Steve's handshake is returned as well, politely and firmly. "Miss Clea, Miss Natasha, Captain Rogers, a pleasure to meet you all as well. Please do correct me if I become too formal or informal alike. May I say in return that it is a great honor to be present amongst such peerage. The tales of your endeavors never cease to amaze across the pond." He then sighs and nods. "I would not say no to coffee despite being a professed tea snob. Is there a possibility of a mocha? It's been too long since I've had one."

Janet van Dyne has posed:
Janet's handshake is more polite than weak; in truth the socialite has a pretty good grip and Brian's flinch is met with just a minor twitch of her eyebrow. He walks past her to shake Steve's hand, and Janet gives him a flickering once-over before giving Clea and Natasha a flash of pursed lips that seems to say 'not bad'.

"A mocha latte? I wouldn't have pegged you for an NYU sorority girl," she teases Britain, and moves back to re-claim her chair. She sits down smoothly and crosses her legs at the knee, threading one ankle behind the other and resting her hands on her hips. "JARVIS, please buzz the kitchen to send up some charcuterie and cheese, and a mocha latte for Captain Britain," she directs the house AI.

"So how long are you here for, Captain?" she inquires. "And I have to ask, the rank-- is that a formal thing, or just part of the whole--' she gestures vaguely at his totality of being with splayed fingers. "Idiom?"

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would glance over, "And is the position of Captain Britain a.. Hereditary one or something inherent to the British Empire?" She'd heard a variety of things, most of which if not all of them were incorrect. It wasn't like she'd ever had more than a passing reason to research them beyond what few interactions she'd had with Constantine's wife.

Before then going quiet, "Nevermind." Now was not the time to interrogate him. There was this concept of 'casual time' which others appreciated even if Natasha didn't quite see the case for it. Looking over to Steve and giving a nod, and then over to Clea. "Sovereign of the Dark Dimension? I wasn't aware you'd gone up in rank."

Clea has posed:
Clea decides that she's just going to do her usual hovering.

Quiet literally. She just floats where she is. "I'm sure you'll fit in very well here. If there is anything that you should need while you're here JARVIS or others are probably able to procure it." she states. Like his Mocha, which Clea is still wondering why she's not tried one.

Natash's question makes her look the assassins way, "My Uncle is not the true ruler of that Dimension. He took it, as he has done with so many other things." she tells her. "I'll hopefully be handling that sometime." she states.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve Rogers never had to deal directly with things like marketing, intellectual property, or the vagaries of public perception when it came to receiving his moniker. Though as his own title came about as part of a marketing campaign for selling war bonds, Steve isn't without sympathy on the topic.

"JARVIS, if they could grab my mug," he adds along at the end of Janet's instructions. The AI that is just short of sentience can fill in the gaps as to what Steve would want within said mug.

"We're pretty easy going, Captain Britan," Steve tells him. "It helps in those moments we have to spackle over a few holes caused by flying hammers or big green fists," Steve adds. "And that's just talking about pizza night."

Crossing his arms, Steve asks, "So are you going to be staying in the States for awhile, basing yourself here? Or over for a visit?" he inquires, not having caught up on the latest about the hero.

Brian Braddock has posed:
"One lives every day, truly, but only once a lifetime. As such, one should not deny oneself simple pleasures such as a mocha," the Captain philosophizes back to Janet, his smile deepening in passing. He seems to gain a modicum of comfort and confidence now that initial greetings are over. Questions seem something he was expecting to field.

"Honorary," he replies plainly to Natasha as to his title. "And idiom. It was bestowed upon me and I treat it with care as well as the knowledge that it lacks militaristic truth. You have your Captain already." A nod towards Steve. The man in question inquires as to his future plans and knowing Janet had already asked, the Brit sighs. "I'm uncertain as to whether or not I shall be basing myself in America at this time. I did wish to get a better feel for our community while here, however, given I've the honor of being present as is. Perhaps...two weeks or so?" One broad shoulder shrugs within the confines of the suit. "I intended to see the sights, of course, given it's been some time since my childhood. Should I be wary of attempting to visit this Dark Dimension under discussion then?" A gentle tease aimed towards quietly-floating Clea.

Janet van Dyne has posed:
Janet's attention is distracted by Clea's floating. She scoots her seat over and reaches to give Clea's hip a few pokes, just to see if she can make the sorceress float around like an errant pool float.

"I don't think anyone but Clea can actually *get* to the Dark Dimension," Janet says with a wrinkle of her nose. "It's not like there's a secret portal buried on the grounds," she adds with a laugh, and looks at Clea. "...Right?"

"I'm actually curious about Natasha's question too," Janet tells Brian, overriding Natasha's retraction. "The Embassy told us you'd be here representing the Crown on a diplomatic visa, but they said there wasn't a name or title to go with it. Just 'Captain Britain'." She wrinkles her nose. "We're obviously pretty blaise about the whole 'secret identity' thing around here. Except for Natasha," she amends a beat later, and shoots the redhead a sly grin of amusement.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would lean back, "So is your visit here informal or for a greater purpose then if you're on a diplomatic dispatch from the embassy? Or is it merely as you do have a formal position within the British government?" So it's merely polite for the embassy to state as such.

At the smirk from Janet Natasha would give her a smile back. "Yes, it's true. Those whom want to keep thier identities to themselves often prefer the Justice League for such a reason."

Steve Rogers has posed:
One of the mansion's kitchen staff wheels in a cart with a tastefully arranged charcuterie spread, as well as some biscuits (as Brian would call them), two marked pots that contain the mocha coffee plus a more traditional Americano brew, plus mugs. And also a tea pot and teacups plus milk, honey and lemon.

"Thank you," Steve tells the man, giving him a smile and nod as he sets the cart in a good location for the Avengers and their guest to access it. "A secret portal? Would we even know if there was?" Steve replies to Janet, his tone lighthearted, though the other Avengers would know Cap is likely thinking about Pepper and Tony disappearing into another dimensional space not that many months ago.

Steve moves over to pour Brian his mocha and pass it over, then look to Janet and Natasha to see if they would like something, before he'll take care of his own coffee mug. "We usually reveal our identities to the public," Steve agrees. "Though I don't know that it's a hard rule. Not everyone is in a situation they can do as readily, we understand."

Brian Braddock has posed:
The particular line of questioning to come into immediate focus has Brian tucking his chin slightly and looking off to one side. Of course. As if it could have been avoided at all despite his hopes.

"Consider my visit entirely diplomatic in its informality," he decides as answer. "I intend to make no news of it until I come to a clearer decision as to whether or not I'm staying for longer than two weeks. It's of little difficulty to continue representing the Crown in the meanwhile...and I find it no task to separate my private life from my work in-suit." His little smile remains steadfast even if that statement has the mildly-bitter taste of a white lie. "Call it a habit of avoiding the spotlight. Or perhaps compartmentalizing -- ah, thank you, Captain." Taking the mug of mocha, Brian sniffs at it and sighs happily. It must be made to his liking. "I hear your stances, however, and I will take them into account. I assure you, I've no nefarious history to my name. It is merely personal privacy."

Janet van Dyne has posed:
"Slow down there, Nats, I'm not so sure I believe him," Janet says with a mischevious humor. "I've got my suspicions about anyone who keeps their ID under wraps. Including you." She winks once at the redhead and passes right between the two towering men with that effortless posture that projects a bubble of ownership of her immediate space. Seems things with Steve are on an even keel enough for her to be civil-- but she elects to get her own coffee rather than let Steve serve her up some.

"Half the fun of being a superhero is the celebrity, you know. Someone wearing a mask, always makes me think they're living some embarassing dual life." Janet retrieves her coffee and picks up a slender breadstick, turning to look up at Brian with no regard for his personal space. "Or even worse-- they're really into it just for the civil service. Which is noble, I guess, but not terribly..." she gives Brian a blatant head-to-toe once over, and snaps a pencil-thick breadstick off between her hind teeth. Cronch cronch. "Exciting?"

She turns her hips back to her chair and finally looks away from Brian for the return trip, retrieving her seat and promptly digging in her purse for a stainless steel flask to doctor up her drink a bit.

Clea has posed:
Clea's been quietly watching things and trying not to interject into conversations. She does give a look to Janet when she pokes her hip though and there's a moment taken to settle her feet on the ground. "Sorry." she mumurs. The floating coooould get distracting. "You'd have to have somewhere take you there and like Janet said, I'm the only one that can get there...unless another dimension hopper is around." she chuckles.

"And no, not a portal on grounds. I wouldn't want someone to step through that without warning." she admits.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve Rogers sees to everyone else before filling his coffee mug. "Clear, looks like they included some tea if you'd prefer a cup?" he offers. A piece of cheese from the snack tray is tasted as well, reminding Steve that he hasn't eaten since before sneaking into the Albanian castle.

"We understand," Steve tells Captain Britain as he speaks on his anonymity. "There are always different situations. And not everyone we face is above targeting others in our lives," he comments with a small frown and a tiny shake of his head at what he just spoke of.

Steve gets a sip of his coffee and lets out a sigh. Maybe another piece of cheese. "Well, we're glad to have you over for the visit. If you have any issues while you're here, I hope you know you can always call on us for backup," he offers to the British hero.

Brian Braddock has posed:
"What's unexciting about the betterment of mankind?" Brian obviously lofts a brow despite the fit of his costume's hood. "It shouldn't matter how it's accomplished, anonymously or not. Our abilities and powers should be used for the greater good and we should enjoy our well-earned private quiet when we have it," he lightly argues before taking a deep sip of his mocha. "Mmm. Absolutely wonderful. I'm in agreement with Miss Clea though. No thoughtless portals upon the grounds. One might lose a groundskeeper to -- "

There's got to be a story there, but the Captain pauses with a sudden tilt of his head.

"Bloody hell, I completely forgot about that." Setting down his mocha, he turns to give the collective a deep nod. "Should I have need while I'm here in New York or America proper, I'll call upon you all. Thank you kindly for your time and your welcome."

For all he arrived quietly? Captain Britain leaves quietly, suit and all. Does he sigh gratefully once he's outside and away from such prestige?

JARVIS surely catches it.