14784/What did you buy THIS time

What did you buy THIS time
Date of Scene:	26 April 2023
Location:	Stark Tower: Penthouse
Synopsis:	Friends come together to talk of victories, virtual and otherwise.
Cast of Characters:	Pepper Potts, Natasha Romanoff, Thor, Tony Stark

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Pepper Potts has posed:
Hot, cold. Rain, sun. The weather is properly spring-like in NYC. Warm and sunny in the day, dropping to just above freezing at night. Seems a good enough reason, then, to have a fire in the central fireplace.

It's an end to the day; the sun's gone down, the lights of the city are up. Work has (basically) been completed for the day, minus a few phone calls that have to be made in the early hours of the morning due to time zones. So, one of the occupants of the Penthouse (Pepper) is dressed for staying in; hair is down, a warm set of pjs are worn, though they're much more like sweats than pjs. A cup of tea is in hand as she sits on the couch, her legs crossed and there is a book in hand. An actually PAPER book. A finger is licked, a page is turned, and a sip of warm tea is taken.

Life is good.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
And Natasha is there to try and check up with Tony on the 'alien supercomputers protecting Brood infestation' that SHIELD and the X-Men are dealing with. It's made for a thrilling routine and a change of pace. It's nice of the universe finding ways to mix up on the constant extinction level events that Earth seems to be consistently struck with.

So, down below at the penthouse she's going to key the entrance code to be eprmitted to go up..

Thor has posed:
    The alarms that likely recognize the approach of the figure in the sky are likely alarms that haven't been set off in some time. Not that they're loud or staggeringly raucous. But they definitely send out a message of the approaching figure and perhaps even shares that intel with the people there. Only a bit of time until that same figure then darkens the balcony, long shadow passing over it. Armored, half-cloak flapping in the wind. The man who would be known as Thor lands upon the edge of the rooftop, holding and waiting... letting those systems gauge him.
    The he raises his voice and those inside might well hear his words as he calls out, "Stark?" A single word that dances across the distance. But his lips curve up slightly and he adds, "I would have words with thee."

Tony Stark has posed:
But alas, Tony is not home. At least, not yet.

Coming in hot from a small repair project up in Canada, Iron Man comes soaring towards the balcony landing. The voice of Tony clearly coming out from within.

"Look out behind you!" he nearly shouts. Not that there is anything behind Pepper. Or Thor. Or Nat, most likely. He follows up quickly with a statement that seems to provide some context. Maybe. "One of the ones without eyes are right there!" Dropping down onto the moving platform, Tony slowly disassembles from his Iron Man suit, although he keeps the helmet on for the moment. "Badger, your left! No, your other left!"

Pepper Potts has posed:
<<Miss Potts, Ms Romanoff is downstairs and is due to arrive in the Penthouse in 1 minute, 28 seconds.>> It's a voce that isn't completely familiar to all and sundry; it's HOMER as opposed to JARVIS. What he lacks in nuance, he does make up for in attentiveness and a little less snark.

Green eyes don't even lift from her book as she makes a sound in acknowledgment, only to lift the cooling tea to her lips once more. Pepper just wants to finish that last paragraph, and so far? She's read the same sentence twice now.

<<And, Prince Thor...>> Now, if it was JARVIS, he'd be keeping something of a dry humored count of visitors, but it's not. It might just seem that way.

At Thor's name, however, and the defining bellow of said Asgardian, Pepper does set the tea down on the coffee table, though not without spilling a little of it on herself, and puts the book on the couch beside her before rising to her feet. A wide, happy smile is on the red-heads face, and as she approaches the glass walls that look out on the balcony, the familiar streak of gold and red flashes by and lands.

<<"And Mr Stark.>>

Okay, maybe HOMER has a sense of humor after all.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
The elevator 'dings' as Natasha arrives and she's face to face with Thor in a non combat situation for the first time since he's returned. "Odinson. Good again to see you. I'm sorry about Doctor Foster. And I take it that you've settled affairs with your brother?" Yes, for the duration of things SHIELD was on 'play nice' wtih Loki.. But that doesn't mean that now Natasha can't enjoy a bit of the trickster having a taste of some traditional medicine now.

And now she's waiting for Tony who's going on about badgers and.. Apparently a mushroom?

Thor has posed:
    The arrival of the Man of Iron is met with a warmth of a smile as Thor stands there near that gangplank where the suit divests itself of its passenger. The Asgardian is tall as he ever was, though his hair is short and his armor dark. That crimson cloak hangs from one shoulder and he does have a strapless eyepatch over his right eye. Of remark however... might be the axe upon his shoulder, though the ancient hammer Mjolnir hangs from his hip as well.
    "Stark, I see that you are busy. I shall not take up too much of your time." The Prince of Asgard smiles a little. Then he turns and there is Pepper.
    His arms widen as he steps toward her, offering an embrace perhaps 'accidentally' stepping a little ahead of Tony but clearly not trying to be rude. A brief and gentle pat pat on the back, then he steps back and catches sight of Natasha. "Ah, Lady Romanoff."
    The mention of Jane causes his lips to thin, the smile remaining though a touch saddened, he gives a nod and murmurs, "My brother is well. I shall tell him you asked of him."
    He steps back and clears enough room so he can see them all.

Tony Stark has posed:
    As Thor begins to speak, Tony lifts up a finger, as if to forestall his conversation. "One sec." he says quietly.

    "Hey team, I have to go, Thor is here and that probably means I have to do something responsible. You all show these zombies who's boss!" He tilts his head a bit. "Friday, disconnect." A pause. "And send the team $50 worth of whatever that cash store gems are. And send me the report on the company."

As FridayImInLuv fades out from the sawmill, hopefully not too much to the consternation of the team (Tony really was not that good, anyway), he reaches up and removes the helmet, placing it on the stand as he looks over towards Thor.

    "No, never too busy for my favorite Asgardian." He glances over towards Pepper and winks at her. "Don't let Sif know." And then he turns back to Thor, shaking out his head for a moment as if clearing the visuals of zombies from it. Game face on. "What's going on?"

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper twists around when Natasha enters the Penthouse, a warm smile gracing her lips, but truly it's Thor that gains her attention. "Thor," is given with a great deal of affection, and the hug is happily given. "It is so good to see you. I thought you..." but she simply can't say it. Instead? "It is so good." There's a pause before, "Oh no.." the eyepatch?

Tony's arrial gains Pepper's attention, obviously, and once she's finished with the hug, she's looking back at Tony and can't help the smile of the happy news. Moving towards Tony to stand beside him now, her arms cross and tuck across her chest. She looks back at the gamer, and brows rise in inquiry. There's that silent, 'What are you talking about?' look.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would glance over at Tony, "Team?" Never mind, it's probably something she doesn't want to know. "Thank you, that will be appreciated." Oh well, it at least might mess with Loki a little bit! But, it's lower down the priority list.
    "I was wondering if you might look into some things for SHIELD over in the Savage Land. Remote work, you wouldn't have to fly down there yourself."
    An amused glance is given to Pepper - why was she one of those few that Natasha actually seemed tos how actual emotion with?

Thor has posed:
    The Asgardian prince gives a warm smile to each. As Tony draws near he raises a hand and for a moment one might imagine a heavy thump might be in the offing. But he seems to check that hand and instead just slowly... gives a small pat-pat. Very brief, very quick. Then he looks back to the others, still smiling.
    "I was just informed I was being remiss. With mine friends, those I hold dear. I had returned and selfishly... well, focused upon myself."
    Then his lip twists, "And I felt clearly I should make myself available, travel to their humble abode unannounced, and then avail myself of their food and drink."
    His grin shifts a little wry. "Though yes." A fingertip touches the ridge of that patch, then he shrugs slightly. He turns back to Tony.
    "And you? I see you are busy as ever."

Tony Stark has posed:
    Slipping away from the suit, Tony nods to Thor and then to Nat before making his way over towards Pepper. She gets a different manner of greeting, an arm slipped around the back and a brief kiss on the cheek. "Hey Pep. We're buying a video game studio."

    Then he turns back to regard Thor. "Mi casa su casa, please, make yourself at home. We're well stocked since the last time you drank us out." He flashes the Prince of Asgard a smile. "But truly, do not feel obligated. You're our friend, and you have matters to attend to, of course, it is fine for you to do that. We know you'll see us when you can." He nods towards Nat. "We all have things that take up our time. That's wwhat heroes do."

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper turns her head as she continues conversation with their friends, and shakes her head ever so slightly as she puts out a hand to rest it on Thor's forearm. "It's okay. It's not selfish at all. I heard you were back, and.. well.. " other things, because she has her contacts, "It's just really good to see you."

Natasha, in turn, gains Pepper's attention, and with a quick return kiss, she breaks away to pad towards the kitchen in her usual bare-feet. "I have some fruit," she calls out, "Some cheese, and I'm sure I can find a good wine to pair?" Though, Natasha's words, or her offer of work rather.

"Remote work?" In her book, it's a whole lot better than having him in the middle of war and danger.. "Promise?"

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would laugh softly, "Yes, it's something he can do from the home and comfort of his own.." She would search her mind for the right word.. "Armor." Attempting to make a joke - a rare and rare thing, but something in the last years that she had gotten a little more relaxed wtih.
    "IT's good to have you back, Thor."

Thor has posed:
    "Then it is decided, we shall drink, we shall eat, and then tales will be told." The Thunderer unslings the heavy axe from his back, a weapon that is... much larger than Mjolnir, silver of blade and with twisted wood as its haft. He sets it, with a faint _whom_ against the wall. Then he turns back to the others, resting a hand on Natasha's shoulder briefly.
    "I shall go first, for I feel I have left you all someone without my company and so best I give you it in abundance!" His lips twist up, a warmth in his eyes... thought here's a touch of something within that has him take a breath. Hold it.
    Then he eases and says, "It started... when I awoke after Malekith's spell struck me soundly... I found myself in the bay of a great ship that I would come to know...
    He pauses and walks with them toward a lovely place to sit where they can spend the rest of the evening together...
    "The Eclector."
    And with those words the tale begins.