2418/Finding the elusive time!

Finding the elusive time!
Date of Scene:	11 July 2020
Location:	Pepper's Apartment, Upper West Side
Synopsis:	Chat in the apartment turns into.. more of a chat.
Cast of Characters:	Amanda Sefton, Pepper Potts, Thor, Loki

---

Amanda Sefton has posed:
It was a long night. And the morning after hasn't been any shorter. That said, Amanda has been home long enough to catch a shower and flop uncerimoniously on the couch. Her hair is still damp. She wears a light tee and loose shorts and is seriously torn between a cuppa strong tea or faceplanting on the nearest throw pillow.

Tea wins out... but only by a smidge. Thus, with a groan, she drags herself to her feet and plods into the kitchen to plug in the kettle and find one of the biggest mugs she can from the cupboard.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Keys rattle in the door, lock after lock opened, and in the next moment, the door to the apartment is opening, with a tired looking Pepper walking in and closing the door behind her, complete with locking the door. (Manual locks, heh..) She's wearing a lightly colored business suit, obviously from the day before, and this is her version of the 'walk of shame', only she's been working.. and sitting guard.

The purse is dropped onto a small receiving table in the front landing, and she immediately pulls her shoes off, setting them to the side before she looks up,

"You too, huh?" It's a laughed question, but it's a fair enough one.

Padding across the floor, crossing the distance she wanders into the kitchen, and side by side of her friend, works on making the coffee. It's companionable, to say the least.

"How're you this morning?" A chuckle escapes the redhead and she looks over her shoulder, "Sun's coming //up//, right?"

Amanda Sefton has posed:
Yeah, in Amanda's books, a walk of shame only comes after a failure -- not a success. And maybe by 'playa' standards Pepper isn't even in the minors, but by accomplishment? No shame there.

The blonde witch looks up, brows disappearing into her hairline as she registers the redhead stumbling in. She laughs in response. "Indeed," she says, answering two out of three questions with the one word. To the other, she adds, "I think I'm going to spend the day in a coma. Are you? Or is this just a crazy pitstop on your way back to the carosel?"

Pepper Potts has posed:
"God, I wish," comes out low and slow as she moves around the kitchen. It's nice having someone here; even nicer that Pepper isn't one to mark her 'territory' when her best girlfriend is around. It's easy, no pressure, and just.. nice. "It's a crazy pitstop." Mugs are pulled, hers anyway; it's an old 'Happy birthday' mug that looked to be from a florist's arrangement. "Meetings with the contractors, updates with the mayor's office, and the quarterly reports are due by the 15th." There's that smile, albeit tired, "No rest for the weary."

Pepper turns to lean her hip on the counter as she faces her friend, "Tell me you're going to coma for the both of us. Right? At least I'll feel better knowing I got some rest by proxy."

Amanda Sefton has posed:
Nope. No pressure. Amanda pulls out the leaves and strainer she prefers and prepares them, hanging the strainer over the mug. But, while the water boils, she sits... because standing takes way too much effort.

"Mm," she says. There's a dry tone to the response. She rather thinks the quarterly reports can wait. Though she might concede to the utility of the contractor or mayoral meetings. "Because that will entirely make a difference."

She chuckles softly, then, fully aware the comment will fall on deaf ears. Instead, she rakes a hand through damp hair. "I suppose the night was a success," she says slowly. "In the final accounting, anyway." In other words: People were saved. Maybe not everyone. It seems to never be everyone. But enough to tip the balance.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper smirks with her friend's response, and as Amanda goes to sit down, she turns back around and starts measuring the grounds for her cup of life, dumping it into her coffee pot. No 'keurig' for her... she needs stronger stuff! "It's Monday somewhere," is returned wryly. "And the Tower has to get back into shape so we can get a good portion of the workforce back in." They furlough with pay.

Once the water is poured into the reservoir and that little switch is pushed, Pepper turns back around, her back to the counter, and her expression is one of tired pride mixed with that compassion.

"They did everything they could, 'Mands. They saved everyone they could. I heard they got the areas back; the neighborhood and people, but now we have to figure out how to really return them." Brows rise and her head dips slightly before, "But you didn't hear that from me."

Amanda Sefton has posed:
Amanda nods faintly, understanding the message there. "Hear what?" she deadpans. A beat. "Still, it's a start. I'll help how I can." Which will probably mean under the radar, in a quiet way. Her touch can heal bodies... not minds or souls. That's a greater magic.

"How's your boss?" She has picked up on a lot of things Pepper doesn't say about Mr. Stark... as well as what she does. So, she knows there will always be a button to press there, though this time she's not tormenting.

The kettle starts to whistle and she pulls herself back to her feet with a bit of a sigh, moving to attend to her ready cup.

Pepper Potts has posed:
"I'll tell you when they have a good idea on how to progress. Your friend Kurt," Pepper gets that //look//, the kind that says 'he's cute' under it, "could probably help with moving people." She doesn't know lots of teleporters! "Then, if you want, you can help me with coordinating with the Red Cross to make sure they have what services they need. I have a budget set aside from the Foundation to help, so there's that too." The PA of Stark Industries seems to drop easily into work mode. It's been a long time since she's had anything resembling a personal life outside of work, apparently!

"As for Tony?" There's a moment when she chuffs a soft breath and shrugs with a single shoulder. "He's.. Tony. He was hurt when all this started," not a lie! "And is currently laying on a hospital bed." Her expression is one of concern but shifts easily to that tired determination. "THAT isn't announced yet. I have to prep the Board for that one and explain that he's fine. Iron Man. That whole thing."

Amanda Sefton has posed:
Amanda lets out a snirk and rolls her eyes. "Yeah. Have fun with that." She might not have ever met the man face to face, but observing and listening to Pepper has given her a modicum of insight. Not enough to remotely think she knows the man, but enough to know his public persona may not be as accurate as might otherwise be believed.

"I'll call Kurt," she promises. "We'll help however we can." No question there. "Be glad to." Mutants do, after all, hold a soft spot in both their hearts... for obvious reasons.

She swirls the strainer in the water she has poured into her cup, and then leaves it to steep, carrying mug and strainer both back to the table to sit once more. Yep. She thuds a little when her backside hits the chair. Because... Tired!

Thor has posed:
    After the madness of the day before, after the wild tumult of events, everyone assuredly has their own fatigue that plays upon them. Their own sense of weight that bears heavily upon the shoulders. Everyone also handles it their own way, only some less obviously so. Tea, coffee, rest, recovery. All ways that aid to bringing a small sense of normalcy to the world even in repose.
    Though for the Asgardian that is not entirely his way. It has its place, but when several comrades are down and recovering, when the world collectively has had time to take a breath he finds himself moved to make sure everything is at its ease. Which includes finding those he holds in some esteem and making sure that they are safe.
    Which, in a roundabout fashion, led him here. The address given to him by a perhaps hesitant JARVIS, there is no fanfare in Thor's arrival. No great flash of lightning nor crackle of thunder.
    There is, at the moment, only the short thumping rap on the door which might come as a surprise to those within.

Pepper Potts has posed:
The way Pepper talks about Tony, the unspoken part, yes.. there is definitely more to the man than what he projects to the world. Either that, or Pepper simply likes working for jerks?

Probably the former rather than the latter. In school, Pep was never one for the jerk jocks.

"Thanks," she returns ruefully as she pours her newly made coffee. It's hot but she still takes the tentative first sip as she crosses the short distance for the other chair to simply sit for a moment. "Boards hate it when their CEOs are flying around, saving the world," is given with a touch of bemusement. "They'll be happier when they hear about the repairs of the Tower and the projections for productivity." And not about the lab that is going to be expanded so Tony can fit more suits! They won't be hearing about that...

The knock on the door brings Pepper's attention around, her brow creasing as she looks between the door and 'Manda.. and back. "One second."

Padding across the distance in bare feet, still in business suit from the day before, Pepper checks the little eye-piece before she breathes out and looks behind her. "It's Thor." As if that's the most natural thing ever? A Norse Thunder god?

*click*

*click*

Pepper unlocks the door and opens it, her coffee still in hand, "Thor," is said with a smile, albeit a touch on the weary side, "Come in, please."

Amanda Sefton has posed:
The thump on the door draws Amanda's attention, certainly. "Who the hell...?" would be foolish enough to bother them at this hour? Or, really, at all, given how often Pepper //isn't// home. It's not like anyone calls on Amanda here. Not even Kurt. (Yet.)

Still, someone must know Pepper's not at the office, which means there's only so many other places she could be. So, Amanda supposes it makes sense. Still...

"Thor?" The Thunder God. Ok. Yep. Pepper runs with an elite crowd alright. But Amanda knows that. Anyone remotely familiar with a) Stark's status in the corporate world and b) the Avengers roster would figure that out. Which means pretty much anyone in the whole world.

So, as Pepper fiddles with the locks and pulls the door open, Amanda pulls herself to her feet. "Shall I fetch another cup?" she asks congenially.

Thor has posed:
    The door opens revealing the man, tall with his hair pulled back in a pony tail. No armor nor helmet, garbed more in his usual fare for when out and about in Midgard. He's wearing brown work boots, blue jeans, and a gray hoodie that hangs loose upon his large frame. And when she glanced to see who it was, the man looked not quite enthused and more touched with trepidation as he pondered his surroundings, looking up and down the hall.
    The door opens and there he is, and there they are. A quirked eyebrow is given at first then his features resolve towards ease as his smile lights his expression, "Ah. I have the right place. I bid you greetings, Lady Potts." His eyes flick toward the inside then back to her. "Forgive the unheralded calling upon your home."
    It's at that point that he accepts her invitation with a nod, and once far enough into the apartment to realize she is not alone he will offer a nod as well in Amanda's direction. "I had merely sought to assure myself as to your well-being."

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper looks back to Amanda and nods, "Coffee, please," before she steps aside to let the incognito Thunder god in, closing the door behind him. She takes a couple padded steps in, encouraging the newly arrived to follow towards the kitchen. That is what 'home' is.. meetings in the kitchen.

"I.. am fine." Pepper begins and ends. "I sort of lost track of you last night, but while you all were saving the world, I was on the phone." See how she downplays? "So the question is, are you okay?" Asking Thor if he's okay after a battle?

A little surreal, maybe.. but she's honestly concerned.

"Tony is okay. In the Medbay if you want to visit. I'm sure he wouldn't mind a different face. He's probably getting tired of seeing me." Fuss/not fussing over him.

As she moves further through the apartment, introductions are necessary.

"'Mands, this is Thor. Thor, this is probably one of my best and only girlfriends, Amanda Sefton. Lately of London."

Amanda Sefton has posed:
Amanda returns Thor's nod with a smile, well before Pepper introduces them, and reaches for another sizable mug. She crosses and pours a cup of coffee from the pop Pepper has prepared.

Bringing the cup over to them, she greets the Thunderer, her accent certainly suggesting her European heritage. "Thor. A pleasure, sir. Would you care for some coffee? Pepper assures me it's the elixir of life, though I prefer a stout tea, myself."

Thor has posed:
    The Thunder God follows along after Pepper, his boots clomping a bit upon the floor. He nods as he listens to Ms. Potts and tilts his head to the side as she mentions losing track of them as if that were to be expected. But at the query about his health he holds a hand up as if to stay such concerns as he replies. "I am well, better than the previous battle." Though which previous battle that was might be hard to discern.
    Then the mention of Tony and /that/ causes that trepidation to return. "I am glad to hear of it. I spoke to several that I thought should have some insight but none had any to grant me and one even declared that I was not family thus could not be so informed." Which seems to still cause a measure of displeasure in the Asgardian's features, his nose crinkling indignantly.
    But then his attention turns to Amanda and he smiles a gentle apologetic version of a smile and lowers his head in a hint of a bow. "Lady Sefton, you enjoy my thanks. One who holds claim to Pepper's esteem is fine enough for me to call friend." As he accepts the cup of coffee, "I do not drink tea, but this bitter nectar fares well."

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper finds another chair easily and pulls it close for the table; a silent invitation to sit and join them, even if for a few moments. It's nice, it's homey, and actually gives Pepper the illusion that she's got a something of a normal life. She's not crazy enough to believe that for long, however. THOR is in her kitchen.

As Thor mentions that 'previous' battle, Pepper nods both her understanding and her agreement, offering the man a quick, tightlipped smile before she settles into her chair again, and Amanda's got that coffee mug in offrance.

"I wasn't happy about that either. They wouldn't tell me until Tony said it was okay." Not like he's got immediate family around! "Bumps, bruises, and I think a couple of fractures." She makes a face, one of those 'digging up information' sort of expressions, "Ribs, I think? Either way, he's going to be sore when he's finally out of bed. He actually agreed no saving the world again until he feels better." Not in so many words, mind!

Amanda Sefton has posed:
In other company, Amanda might make a light-hearted crack about American Heathens and their coffee addiction, but Thor isn't any more American than she is. And she doesn't know him well enough for such jests.

Instead, she passes him the cup and inclines her head graciously to his compliment. "Likewise," she says. "Pepper has never suffered fools gladly." Ergo no one in this apartment may currently be labeled a fool.

She retreats some, now, to return to her tea and the chair it sits beside.

A brow arches as she listens to Pepper's report of Stark's injuries. "Iron Man? Out of commission for as long as it takes to heal broken ribs?" She doesn't know much about him, but even she thinks that's a load of... malarkey.

Thor has posed:
    "Then that is good to know," Tony's condition and current state, though Thor does make a small face of displeasure, likely still remembering the features of the nurse who so wronged him. Yet as quick as that he takes a breath and it is forgotten, bright blue eyes turning to the women before him and then the indicated chair. He steps around and rests a hand upon its back, perhaps testing the structure before he settles into it with a faint creak of dismayed furniture. Yet it supports him at the least.
    At Amanda's words his smile grows a little, a chuffed exhalation coming from him that might be a laugh had it been given more strength. He settles in with that mug in both hands as he looks between the two. "Indeed, likely his recuperation will be a working one. The man rests but little."
    A sip is taken of the coffee and his eyebrows climb a little in appreciation. He lifts the mug just a touch higher as if to signal his thanks both to their offering and as to the quality of the beverage.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper looks sympathetically towards Thor; she was just as annoyed, certainly! But, it was remedied as quickly as possible, and she repeats to the Thunderer, "He'll be glad for the company."

A softly chuffed laugh comes from the redhead as she pulls at the ponytail now that was holding up her hair, letting it fall naturally around her shoulders, albeit briefly until she has to go back out into the wilds. "There's company line and reality," green eyes gleam. "We all know that. But, let me hold on to my hopes just a little longer, okay?" She can't help but laugh after that, and it's obvious that she's fond of her employer. "We all know that if he thinks he can solve a problem, he won't rest until he does." And if Amanda didn't know that, Pep's pretty sure all that can be gleaned. "Just like everyone else at this table." Hint. Hint.

Nope, Pepper doesn't suffer fools gladly. Nor does she spend time with the lazy.

Pepper takes a swallow of cooling coffee, and looks to Thor again, "Amanda and I were friends from University. So.. no asking her the embarrassing questions about me, and we'll be fine."

Amanda Sefton has posed:
Amanda chuckles at the broad hints. "Indeed," she murmurs. Not lazy, no. But she still doesn't consider herself half the workaholic her roomie is. Still, her expression grows pensive. "The city's in pain," she notes, a shadow behind her eyes as she does. It might be taken as fatigue, but the truth is she has a special affinity for New York, despite being so recent a transplant. It's almost like she can feel it. "Recovery won't be quick for anyone."

But it's New York. Nothing keeps New York down for long.

So, Amanda shakes that off and leans back in her chair to take a sip of her tea. "She'd counterattack with stories about me," she tells Thor. "Completely fabrications, you understand." Her eyes dance. Yes, she's kidding. She'd never sleight Pepper so in earnest.

Thor has posed:
    "Oh?" Thor asks briefly as he tilts his head from Pepper to Amanda and back again. "I have heard of such," And perhaps seen some of what Midgard's culture has informed him about University life. "A sort of rite of passage in many ways I am told."
    His smile eases, given just as steadily but more naturally as if put more at ease subtly. "I know but little of it." He tells Pepper as he looks at her with an almost cherubic glint to his expression before he tilts his gaze back to meet Amanda's eyes.
    "So assuredly if I were to ask the truly embarrassing questions, I would need a suitable advisor to point me true. A task of no small effort. And here I am left with much curiousity."

Amanda Sefton has posed:
Amanda reaches out automatically to pat Thor's arm -- a casual familiarity that comes from spending too much time with a certain fuzzy blue bamfer. Her sense of personal space isn't as reserved as some. "I'd be honoured to help clear up any questions you may have," she says. "We all know how busy Pepper is. She'd not really have the time, and it would be a shame to inconvenience her needlessly."

Yes, her eyes still dance. She glances at Pepper for the inevitable reaction, still teasing.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper chuckles ruefully at the thought of Uni life in London that seems ages ago. "Definitely," she agrees. "And, that's all I'll say on the matter." Green eyes gleam with that amusement, however, looking between her two friends. The cup goes down, and she sits up a little straighter, her expression shifting to that laugh, "Hey now.. stop that." She actually does laugh out loud, and her head dips to look between the pair. "I have a reputation to uphold. I'm that horrible kill-joy, and I enjoy it." It's true, if one was to listen to Tony, anyway.

Staaaaahp!

That bit of amusement really does help clear the air of heaviness; even if Pepper isn't attunded to New York, she lives here and can feel the city in that 'normal, New Yorker' way.

"So.." she really needs to steer //that// particular bit of conversation away to something a whole lot less embarrassing to her. Like.. "I think when Tony gets out, we'll have to have a backyard gathering at the Mansion." Pepper levels that green eyed gaze to her girlfriend, "You're invited, but.. mum's the word."

Thor has posed:
    Expression so benign, Thor gives a companionable smile to Amanda as he nods his thanks for such a kind offer, "That is very true, and very understandable. Would be terrible of us to inconvenience her so." As he says that he gives Amanda a small wink, sharing in that brief moment and perhaps for now allowing some of his trepidation about the world to ease. Considering that indeed. Midgard breathes easier tonight.
    Yet when his eyes slip back toward Pepper he smiles wryly meeting her gaze with his own oh so innocent look. "Your friend is very kind, Pepper. To help me in this endeavour to merely understand more of your culture."
    Yet he is not without mercy for when Pepper starts to adjust the course of the conversation away he follows along easily enough. "I think, however, that the celebrations after all the efforts of the recent past will be many, and elaborate." He nods to Amanda, "And indeed, assuredly your presence would be welcome."

Amanda Sefton has posed:
Amanda's brow arches at the invite and mimes zipping her lips. "I promise," she assures her friend. Mum's the word. She smiles at Thor. "And thank you. You're very kind." She actually suspects she'll feel a little out of her depth in a house full of Avengers, but don't expect her to ever show it. She can perform with the best of them.

And does. Regularly.

Another sip of tea. She considers. "So, what sort of party is this going to be, Pepper? BBQ and shorts or something spiffier?" Because, you know, that might require a shopping trip.

Loki has posed:
"I will keep it a secret," comments a slippery voice from the vicinity of Thor. It might be a shoulder-angel.

Well, shoulder-devil, really.

The presence is perhaps confusing at first, before a beautifully patterned emerald green snake shows itself from Thor's hoodie's hood, curling up gracefully near the blonde hair at Thor's ear, serpentine tongue flicking out elegantly. The snake lacks expression, but in body language, seems entirely expecting to linger and drape there. "Primarily due to BBQ and 'shorts'." BAH, /humans/.

Pepper Potts has posed:
"Low energy BBQ with the crowd." Like, Captain America, Hawkeye, Tony, Thor.. those guys. Pepper is teasing Amanda with not name-dropping while name dropping in silence. It's a wider grin, however, that her friend gets and adds, "Pool party. I think Steve will have gri-"

Pepper is interrupted with the voice, and she blinks, the words silenced in her throat in absolute confusion that is so clearly evident on the redhead's face. A glance is given to Amanda; not her thing, not her style, but more looking for direction. A hint?

It's a snake.. a snake? A talking snake? Uh... whu?

Thor has posed:
    A talking snake is but one of the many gifts possible when being blessed with the friendship of Thor. The little emerald creature is given an abrupt side-eye and with little preamble the Thunderer's expression darkens. The coffee is set aside abruptly with a faint ceramic click upon the tabletop and then a large hand reaches for the little creature.
    "Loki! Is it too much to ask to have one moment's respite, one instant's peace, one bare sliver of time without your..." And as those words are offered he grasps, twists, reaches back until /finally/ he has his prize. The little emerald snake in hand as he squeezes it and glares into its beady little eyes. "You trespass unbidden. And in such times. Have you no shame?"
    A small shake is given, enough to perhaps make the creature's eyes aggity back and forth then tosses it to the side and away from the trio having their polite conversation.

Amanda Sefton has posed:
Now, see... Amanda is a sorceress of some skill and small reknown. And a snake emerging from the Thunder God's hoodie is, frankly, cause for alarm in her books. Before she registers Thor's reaction, her hand flashes up. It's an instinct and a reaction born of battle training in some pretty rough mystical neighbourhoods. The magic that flares from her palm is defensive in nature, however, not immediately offensive. (Mainly because the big blonde god beside her is probably a whole lot more capable of whooping ass than she is... and might whoop her ass if she shoots a magic bolt at him.) Magenta energy swirls as she pushes to her feet, putting herself between Pepper and harm, solidifying that energy into a dome-shaped sheild around them both.

Finally, however, she //does// register Thor's words. "Loki?" she echoes. She glances at Pepper. "As in //the// Loki?"

A grimace. And spoken only in her mind... 'Scheiße...'

Pepper Potts has posed:
-Loki-?

The moment the name is mentioned, it brings all those //emotions// to the forefront. The battle of NYC, the fact that Tony almost //died// then, too, and she was stuck in DC.. and.. she's so not privy to all that has passed //after// those events. She's not looking very forgiving right now, and even less comfortable as she's the only one in the room that is totally //not// superpowered.

There's a prickling of her skin as the shield sort of coalesces around her, and the redhead is on her feet as well, as if bolts of electricity appeared under her. Does she even have to answer that question? She does anyway with a quick nod, followed by.

"Yes."

Green eyes watch the interplay with Thor, however, and the way he's handling the snake. Any other time, she might find it amusing, but this is her home, dammit! And that.. god.. man.. Asgardian.. GAH!

"Thor?" A statement and a question all rolled in to one. Exactly what she's asking or saying? That's up in the air!

Loki has posed:
The magical snake appears to be flung towards the counter, which splinters into a huge mass of snakes all over the counter. They hiss in warning and alarm, many of them toppling off the countertop in a frothing, ropey mass of danger-ropes.

"Always so immediately /violent/," sniffs Loki-snake, with a very put-upon tone of hurt. He's not particularly insulted, he set up the situation to fall rather as it did. "Violence is not always the answer, you know, particularly when I come with //magnanimous// offerings."

The snake is somewhere amidst the mass. Or it is the mass. Magic users in the room may easily sense a pulsing response of magical presence; it's illusion woven with summoning. There's probably some real thing there, but it may or may not be snakes.

"Or did you intend to beat the city into repair, my brother?" Loki inquires from his snake-pit. They're starting to fall onto the floor even more, some of them liquid black and venomous...

"Are you going to shoot me with that?" That's at Amanda, and seems slightly chiding.

Thor has posed:
    Rising instantly from his seat, Thor turns and gives his back to Amanda and Pepper, stepping before them both as if to double the protection offered he extends a hand out to the side sharply with a severe motion...
    And from out in the hallway there is a low /whum/ as something stirs for an instant. A rush of movement might well be heard...
    Only for Thor to furrow his brow and lower his hand just as quickly as he frowns, but then his voice lifts. "Bide, brother. I bid you peace. Peace here in this dwelling of one who deserves no ill will on either of our parts. You rarely come without purpose, I would ask you speak what you wish and share what you will. But again. Peace."
    Those words offered there might actually be a slight thump at the door. It might even sound a little disappointed. But that might well be imaginary.

Amanda Sefton has posed:
Amanda's eyes take on a soft glow, responding to the sense of 'illusion' that pervades the area. In her mind, there's a litany of Romani and German curses... none of them magical in nature. Most of them about anatomic impossibilities.

She voices none of them.

Instead, she backs up, still keeping herself between Pepper and the illusionary mass, still letting that shield energy swirl around them.

"I rather hope not to," she tells the Foundling Prince of Asgard. "But you will not harm my friend." Somehow, her tone has taken on the same formal cadence as theirs... not that she means to. But, you know. Magic use and dealing with Outer Planes and Otherworldly types lends itself to that.

She glances to Thor as he interposes himself between Loki and everyone else. Truthfully? This works for her. She knows she's not up to taking on a god. But she figures she can 'port Pepper out of here in a pinch.

Still, as the blonde Asgardian speaks, the sorcereress watches the mass of snakes, seeking to see past the illusion to whatever is summoned there.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Snake flinging? In her kitchen? Pepper takes a step back in a slightly different direction. The hissing, seething mass of snakes, including those that look particularly venomous isn't something she's really all that keen on and is more than happy for the interposing of Thor, coupled with the shield from her friend. This is //not// something that normally happens to her.

The gentle *thump* at the door gets her attention, and Pepper certainly knows enough to know what that was. There's a bit of relief to know she doesn't have to replace the door (immediately, anyway) once a HAMMER flies through it to reach the Thunder god's hand.

"I thought you were gone?" Okay, she's got some voice there, even if she'd tried a couple of times to actually //speak//?

Loki has posed:
The snakes suddenly surge, frothing like liquid black and green tentacles into a central location, and Loki forms out of it. He did not bother with Midgard attire; he is dressed in sleek black leather and mage finery, vest edges detailed in beautiful golden runes that slip and move in way equally mercurial to his moods and magic.

Suddenly the magic around him drops away. It is as if suddenly no magic were there: yet that can't be the case. It's more that Loki is showing off in a different way - showing one of his primary abilities: that of cloaking what he's capable of. It's probably SO MUCH WORSE than if he'd created a giant feast of dragons, in a way. Because it's harder to do.

"'Peace' you say, yet all aggression comes from you," Loki says, with a deep sigh of pure DISMAY, and a purposeful diva toss of hair. "I removed a selection of humans from the city before they could be killed. I merely thought you might want them back. I'll hang onto them for now, I suppose." Loki lifts a shoulder, and then starts to.... fade away.

Thor has posed:
    "Indeed," Thor says perhaps accepting this bit of crow to be eaten before the others, "I reacted abruptly and without thinking." He straightens up and rests his hands on his hips when it seems violence is not so close in the offing.
    Drawing up to his full considerable height, he looks across the way at his brother. "And if that is so then I am thankful, brother. We should return them at once." That said he turns to the side and gives a nod to Amanda and Pepper, eyes tinged with concern as he looks between them then another nod is given in farewell. "Perhaps another time, Lady Sefton. Lady Potts."
    He rounds back toward Loki and then gestures. "Come brother, we have much to discuss as well as those mortals to see to."
    He moves toward the door and once near draws it open, but awaits for Loki to precede him should he so wish.

Amanda Sefton has posed:
Amanda relaxes only when the Asgardians have gone. Then, and only then, does she lower her shield. She grimaces to Pepper. "I'll... set up some better wards," she tells her, resignation in her voice. Because, seriously, how does one create wards against that?! "And..." she adds, a hesitant speculation in her tone, "call a snake exterminator." A magical one. Just in case.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper doesn't even feel like she's breathing for the time it takes for Thor and Loki to depart. When she does, the redhead looks pretty much on the verge of a nervous breakdown... because that's ALL she needs right now. Loki. And.. and..

She's trying to be calm, she really is, and once they're out and presumably gone, she glances towards the kitchen, searching to see if there is any snakes left.. any vestiges of the other Asgardian's presence. "Oh god..." is finally breathed.

"I can't.." and she shakes her head. "No.. just.. no." She looks at her friend, and her shoulders drop, "I am so sorry.. and I am so glad you were here." She stutter-nervous-laughs and shakes her head again. "Welcome to my life?"

Amanda Sefton has posed:
Amanda laughs at Pepper's nervous laugh and crosses over to give her a hug. "No worse than mine, Ginny," she says. "No worse than mine." She backs up, holds Pepper at arm's length and adds, "So, don't apologize."

Then, she lets go and takes a look around.

"I'll do a more thorough sweep of the place while you're at work and let you know if I find anything. Don't worry. It'll be fine." Somehow.

She just hopes the landlord is amenable to her 'hypnotic charms'. Because the perimeter of the property's gonna need some work, too.

Pepper Potts has posed:
Pepper is more than happy to take that hug, and she squeezes her friend briefly. "Oh god," she says again. "'Mands, I really am glad you're here, and not just because of," once she takes step away, she gestures in that general 'all of it' way. "And if that's your life too?" She gives that relief, chuckled laugh, "You are just as amazing as I remembered."

There's a scuffle in the kitchen! Hissing, scraping. A thump, some beeping. ....and then the small STARK cleaner-droid trundles out towards the group, beaten and roughed up with bite-marks on it's side, but clearly victorious in the death-match it just had against the venomous snake it encountered. It rolls towards Pepper and angles faceplate up at her. "Beep," it says tiredly.

Pepper looks back at the little cleaning 'bot that she, honestly, either forgot she had, or it had been dropped off one day and she never knew about it. She simply stares at it for a few heartbeats, completely confused once more before she just laughs. //Tony.//

Amanda Sefton has posed:
Amanda spins at the sound in the kitchen... and shakes her head as the droid appears. "Well. Mostly like mine." Maybe Lockheed would like to visit? That could be an interesting mix.

She gives Pepper a gentle push towards her bedroom. "Go get changed. Shower. Nap, even. Then go thank your boss for the roomba. I've got this."

And, three washed cups and a few magical tomes later... she does.