16850/Casual Conversation with the Avengers!

Casual Conversation with the Avengers!
Date of Scene:	09 January 2024
Location:	Avengers Mansion - Meeting Room
Synopsis:	Poker games always bring up different topics of discussion. This time, PR, what Nick Fury knows and doesn't know, and how good is 4 kings in hand?
Cast of Characters:	Natasha Romanoff, Bruce Banner, Steve Rogers, Pepper Potts, Wanda Maximoff

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Natasha Romanoff has posed:
It's time for one of those occasional meetings to review information. Mission results, budgetary issues, who's turn it is to make coffee, what explosions are Tony's fault vs Bruce's fault.. All those normal things. Jarvis handles most of them but on occasion it's good to review them. So meetings have an informal nature and come up as members are bored. This one happens to be over a game of cards.

Bruce Banner has posed:
Bruce Banner seems placid and fine on the surface, which is probably not a great thing. It means he's repressing. He is pleasant and kind and friendly. Even his usual social anxiety seems at least a little eased up. The stress of losing control a couple of months ago, of the destruction he caused - again - after a long period of greater control, has left him feeling untethered and uncertain.

"Cannabis is legal in New York, right?" he asks placidly, taking a sip from the coffee he's offered by Nat. He leaves his cards laying on the table. He doesn't need to check them. Memorizing five simple cards and their order fanned on a table is not difficult for a genius and he's found that this simple memorization trick somehow seems intimidating.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve Rogers turns back from the coffee maker. Though of course the mansion has whichever high end machine was selected for it, Steve often just sticks to the old fashioned coffee pot. And if others go with the caramel macchiato Colombian roast from the fancy machine, just means he gets to pick what goes into the glass pot.

Mug filled, Steve takes his seat at the table. "I couldn't say," he tells Steve. "Though it seems like people's views on it are changing from what I've caught in the news headlines. It wasn't really quite as much of a thing in my day," he comments, predating the war on drugs.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Budgets, PR and filings with the SEC tend to fall on the Stark side as SI has the machinery in place to deal with it. In fact, there is a side department that is set aside specifically for the budgetary line of the Avengers. They work hand in hand with Janet's corporation, and ultimately, at the end of the year, filings are made and on that end, the Avengers are still fiscally viable.

It's the meetings, the PR glad-handing and the calls for meeting with the various and sundry political figures that Pepper tends to focus on. So, while the card game is going on, Pepper is seated on an overstuffed chair with a tablet set on her lap and a small laptop placed on a coffee table just before her.

"It is, but not at a federal level," Pepper offers up distractedly. "So, state lines is still a thing." Finally, she brings green eyes up on the sometimes green Avenger, "Are you okay?" After all, cannabis is known for its calming effect- for some. For others, it can lead to psychosis, or anxiety.

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
Wanda would perhaps turn a nose at attending occasional meetings to discuss bureaucracy. Being a force of chaos and all that! Yet it's over a game of cards so ..., tempting.

Even if it may not be wise to playing for money with a Witch. They -are- known to cheat after all if left unchecked. Of course that she also has to compete with super geniuses and super spies who can flick a card out of sight as if it was magic. "It is legal." she announces with no doubt to her voice, joining her voice to Pepper's, before asking innocently. "Is four Kings a good thing?" she doesn't have four kings in her hand, but no one needs to know that. Yet.

Leaning back she takes a moment to take a drink from her coffee.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanova would glance over at Bruce, "Does it matter? I don't particularly think ayone is going to say something otherwise." Besides, that's why they have Jennifer on staff. That tends to make most things go away very quickly. There's only so much that the federal authorities will do when it becomes a hassle. "And there are other sorts of things that you can do as well to help you center yourself." She would look over to Steve. "Many things change over times and perspectives. For better and for worse."

As Pepper puts it, having the Avengers stay viable can be a jugglig exercise at the best of times. Nodding over at the questions to Bruce.

Bruce Banner has posed:
Bruce Banner tries to smile and he at least performs the basic function of it, the uptilting of the mouth, the slight exposure of teeth. He has all the technical details down. His eyes might tell a different story, of course. "I'm fine. Just always looking for ways to manage my biological responses to stress. Canniboids are highly researched and their being illegal was only an impediment in terms of supply. I'm not the kind of guy drug dealers are likely to trust. Let's face it, I'm a square. I look like a narc. Being able to buy from a legal dispensary is much more simple and won't require me attempting to find the right kid lurking around a college dorm with a bong."

He takes asnother sip of his coffee - decaffeinated. "Four kings, in life, sounds like a recipe for civil war. In poker, however, I believe it's quite potent," he says.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve Rogers checks his cards and looks at the others on the table, bookending a sip of the hot black coffee. He sets his mug down and then checks the bet and adds a few chips. "As long as it is legal, I imagine the medical staff could probably take a hand in keeping some available for you, Bruce," Steve offers. "In fact they might be able to assist with, dosage or whatever. I don't know if your own expertise extends into pharmaceuticals?" he comments to the gamma ray physicist.

"I'm expecting we'll probably be hearing from... well, I'm not sure who. Secretary of Defense, or Nick Fury, or someone. About the past incidents. It's definitely good that we've kept a lid on things since," he says, giving Bruce an encouraging look.

His eyes go to Wanda and her talk about four kings. "No scarlet hocus pocus now, Wanda," he says in a clearly teasing voice.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper has worked and lived with a genius enough to get an idea of 'tells', but Bruce isn't her responsibility, above and beyond making sure money is allocated for repairs or other bits and bobs for the research labs. She purses her lips, a soft 'mmm' exiting before her attention falls back on her tablet. "We have 4 outstanding requests for an appearance; one for a pop-up 'take back the night' meeting, and a few for opening not-for-profit community organizations in the City." Nothing yet in terms of angry politicians...

As for whether or not four kings is 'good'? Pepper doesn't play, and poker isn't Tony's 'game of choice', so she'll defer to the others who may be a touch more knowledgeable.

"Four kings is the third best hand one can have," comes from everywhere and nowhere, the English-accented JARVIS begins. "Called 'the four horsemen', it is an optimal hand, but can be bested by a royal flush or a straight flush."

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
A slim smile appears on ruby lips at Bruce's comment about Kings, "Always a matter of perspective, isn't it?" Wanda's eastern europe accent rather noticeable, "I think you are far from a square, for what it's worth." she assures the scientist. Even if she does not share what else Bruce may be if not a square!

"But more seriously, if you are looking for meditation techniques I can help you with some of mine." She isn't exactly the most stable person after all. In fact, she's downright unstable. But no one tell her that.

"Which past incidents?" Wanda then asks Steve. There were so many! And then it's followed by a, "No promises, Steve." this about the hocus pocus, just the faintest hints of red coming to her eyes before it disappears.

With Jarvis then joining in she grins, "Seems I am winning this one then." more chips to the table. "Thank you, Jarvis."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanova would let out a sigh, "Fury's attention in the matter will.. Be somewhat difficult if it does come. Hope it remains a federal level and that Fury's willing to defer to you on it." Because turf wars between SHIELD and Ross would go very, very badly. At least with just Ross they'd be able to confront the man face to face. And while Banner was a consultant for SHIELD.. He was still a very, very tricky one.
    Better the enemy you knew how to handle rather than having to deal wtih Fury's willingness to be.. Flexible in manners. And Natasha worked for him and very much appreciated the way he went about things.. But Bruce was a friend.

Bruce Banner has posed:
Bruce Banner pinches his nose for a moment, "Cap, I don't need anyone dosing me or making things available. I'm not a hospital patient and I know more about my condition than any of them, to multiple powers of ten. I'm not asking permission. I was simply musing, among my friends about an action I was considering taking. Some of you are just as square as I am, after all," he says.

He looks at Wanda, perhaps a little more gently. "I have tried meditating, at various times in the past. Sometimes it feels like it gets results. Sometimes my mind is too...noisy to center myself properly," he says.

He throws in a number of chips to match Wanda, "I'll call, at least. Helps that we're not playing with real money. Take my imaginary fortune, Wanda, I dare you."

Steve Rogers has posed:
"Squarer, Bruce," Steve amends, and obviously from his grin talking about himself there. He glances over to Wanda and rather than go into it in front of Bruce, Steve says, "I'll drop off the relevant reports to catch you up."

Steve takes a sip of his coffee and then check his next card. When the next bet is made he tosses his cards into the center of the table. "Too rich for my blood this hand," he says.

Out of the cards for the remainder of the hand, Steve turns his attention to Pepper. "Just let me know which you need me for," he tells her. He rarely turns down these things unless he will be away, picking up whatever else the rest of the team do not.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper is used to AI's making comments, though JARVIS is more apt to offer unsolicited advice than HOMER is. To be fair, the question was asked, and answered within the framework of the query. She chuckles softly, the only real outward show being a gleam to her eyes and a ghosted smile. Shifting in her seat, she crosses her legs and sits back, settling in.

"Will do. I'm hoping for getting two at a time, pairing up. I'll send everyone the dates, times and what the expectations are and you all can decide. I'll check once that's done and get back to the requestors." Pepper pauses before, "Mind, I may be doing it from California, where it's warmer, but all this is easy to manage online." Except for those times when she actually has to go and meet with people, look at the venue..

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
"Are we going to be talking geometry all night or actually play some cards?" Wanda questions Steve and Bruce battle for who is squarer than the other, touch of a smirk playing at her lips. At least she isn't as detached and 'by herself' as she used to be when she was new to the team. Leaps and bounds!

The request for appearances has Wanda mmm, "I am not exactly the best at social appearances but if needed I can..." she lifts her shoulders, "Steve is the one with all the charm though." she admits, knowing who's the poster child for this team. Besides Tony, of course.

"Are you going to join us, Pepper?" She then asks in way of invitation, casually placing her hand on the table, "Two pairs." Okay, it's not four kings.

The talk about Fury does make her sober up some though, lips pressing to a thin line, "Shouldn't we be open with Fury?" she asks Natasha, thoughtful.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanova is quite happy listening over and nod at Natasha, "Oh, Fury's already aware of what's goig on and has contingencies in place." That she's not aware of - mostly that the man seems ready for everything. So she tends to assume automatically he's spinning something. "I'm hoping that he'll trust us to handle this and not have to give it his personal attention." Becasue Fury might be on thier side.. But he's always ready to spin things for the greater benefit as he would see fit sometimes.

Which didn't necessarily line up wtih what the Avengers might want. Natasha was being truthful here. And where her own allegiance lie if both were to come to a clash.. Best not to ask.

Bruce Banner has posed:
Bruce Banner frowns, "I don't particularly care about Nick Fury or his personal attention. Quite honestly, I could do without it. Maybe it's just the 'spent years of my life hiding from my own government' part of my life. Or maybe it's the earlier only being able to get funding to make superweapons part," he says. He's never been entirely comfortable giving himself over. He sometimes feels as if he's in 'custody'. It's only his trust for the men and women of the team itself that have kept him from leaving the nest, so to speak.

"Two pair, kings and 8s. So I did kind of know the four Kings was a teensy bit of a lie. But that's okay. Everyone tells lies now and then," he says.

"I'm not very good for publicity, Pepper. People will start remembering the things I did. Or rather, the things He did," he says. "I'll sit out the media."

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve Rogers sits back, taking a sip of his coffee while he watches the hand finishing. "I don't know how to put it. Mostly open? Nick is... complicated," Steve says. "Though I am more expecting something from the government side. Not that they might not dictate to Nick and then we hear it from him," he says, adding a little shrug at the final part.

He glances over at the monitors that have the various newsfeeds, though nothing that looks breaking. Thankfully a quiet few hours for the team. "So Wanda, heard anything new about your father of late?" he asks. "Seems like he's been quiet. Or at least as far as we know."

Pepper Potts has posed:
While Nick Fury is a 'known', Pepper's never met the man and knows very little other than what she's been able to get from a few of her... contacts. And, well, Tony obviously knows the man and has a certain grudging respect for him, which is more than enough for her. "I think he still has a vested interest in the Avengers' success?"

Shaking her head, Pepper offers a grin towards Wanda. "I don't play. I'm horrible and I have no poker face." Probably not true at all, given her abilities in boardrooms and high-stakes negotiations. "I'll let you all play and I'll watch. It's nice sitting here, getting a few loose ends tied up and spending a little time with you all."

Bruce's response to her request gains a gentler expression towards him. "Not everything he did was bad. There are so many others that have done worse that have found their way back. I'm not saying that you should or shouldn't do it, obviously it's ultimately your decision, but good PR is a way to do it." Pepper can always find the most appropriate venue, regardless of member!

Wanda Maximoff has posed:
"He brought us together." Wanda says in agreement to Pepper and whether if Nick should be put in the know. "But I can settle with being mostly open. Nothing wrong with keeping some cards close to chest." this said with just a twist of a smirk considering the activity they are doing at the moment. To Bruce she says, "He made sure me and Pietro had a roof. We still owe him." not the Government though, rebellious Witch that she is!

With Bruce showing the superior hand there's a click of tongue from Wanda, "Seems you win this round, Bruce. I will get you next time..." she says, brushing red hair from her face, "Until Natasha swoops in and wins it all when we aren't watching."

Steve gets a look from Wanda as the man asks about her father. It's clearly a sensitive topic, "I have not. We haven't spoken." a beat, "He hasn't reached out." and neither has Wanda. Family is clearly a complex matter for the Scarlet Witch.

Bruce Banner has posed:
Bruce Banner may just be feeling embittered lately. Maybe he's just been reflective a lot. He's had a lot to reflect on. Being responsible for destroying the lives of other people - and he holds himself responsible, regardless of any excuses or understanding he's offered, Bruce is keenly aware that, in many ways, he did this to himself. His guilt, of course, is one of the most poisonous parts of his psyche, opening up bad doors that should probably remain closed.

"I have no doubt that Nat could clean us all out at will, if she chose. She's a superspy. I've seen Casino Royale," he says. "Multiple of them, in fact."

"Maybe I'll try something sometime. I just don't think a lot of attention and questions would make me feel very comfortable right now," he says more softly, finishing his cup of coffee and holding up a hand, "I'll refill myself, no worries," he says, getting up and going over to refill his cup.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve Rogers takes the cards as he is next up to deal, and begins shuffling them. "We have your back, Bruce," he says with a more serious nod towards Bruce Banner. Steve riffles the cards a few times, shuffles them twice more, and then begins dealing them out. "Seven card stud," he says as he gives each person cards and then deals one face up for each person. After reach round of betting he deals out the next one.

"So Pepper, any new innovations coming out of Stark in the near future? Devices I'm going to struggle to use while some teenager laughs at me and then shows me how?" he asks with a grin and in a more light-hearted tone.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper nods, acknowledging the fact that the door is certainly not closed in regards to Bruce, also meant to be supportive. Guilt and depression is understood as well, though that is definitely a more private part of her life. "Okay," she says finally. "Just let me know when you're ready."

The shuffling of the deck brings her attention around, and Pepper laughs at the ease in which he does so. "Are you a card sharp, Steve? I'm definitely safer not playing." The question, however, in regards to tech has the smile remaining behind. "I can set up special classes for you, if you'd like. Every time we have an update or a new bit of tech, I'll be sure that you get the instructions first?" It's a gentle tease, but a tease all the same.

"Tony's just working on communication systems for missions, being able to coordinate efforts without having to have an Avengers' com, or a EMS, Fire or Police com." Plus more.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve Rogers returns a little shake of his head to Pepper. "I just try to do well enough to not lose my laundry money," he quietly kids. He deals out more cards for the next round. "The guys played a fair amount between missions back in the war. I'd join mostly just for the camaraderie," he tells her.

Steve pushes a few chips into the middle after he gets a pair of fours showing in his cards that are face up. "Oh, I appreciate it, Pepper. Though Tony would probably find ways to drop in and I can already hear his comments about whether I brought an apple for the teacher today," he says with a quiet chuckle. "JARVIS helps get me through the worst of it usually. Very patient."