a little magic and disaster [closed]

[mostqualified]

Date & Time: backdated to a few days ago or something ; 7PM sharp
Location: unit 504, pepper's place
Characters: jules [affections], tony [fe_male], pepper [mostqualified]
Summary: pepper makes a friend. time to meet the, er. well, you know.
Warnings: tony and jules sorry it's true


[ They're late. They are so very late, and that's inexcusable on her part because she'd told Tony specifically not to be - that he would or wouldn't be isn't a concern here since she could find him a little easier than back home - and now, she's going to have to deal with it if he'd, in fact, shown up on time. Meeting with Jules a few hours before shouldn't have turned into such carelessness, but it's something she's finding to be entirely new--having a friend. She can relate, and they help each other, so it's quite possible she actually hadn't given the time any thought until there'd been a moment, between food and the drink that had turned into more than one, where she'd felt inclined to tell Jules something that was somewhat of a private matter and that it was, already, several minutes after seven.

So, they're walking (rather fast) together, Pepper gripping the wine Jules had brought around the neck so tightly her knuckles had lost a little color. The anxiety doesn't actually affect her until they're in the right hall, close to the door, and she's keeping an eye on Jules even as she enters the apartment. The fact she'll have to explain through text rather than spoken word is a bit daunting in that the tone might be misinterpreted, and though the inner part of the place seems vacant, that really doesn't say anything at all. He might have been there already.

She turns to Jules then, lips thin and tablet presented in a way that clearly means she's not going to say anything else except: ]

We are never doing that again. [ And yet, somehow, she foresees this becoming another part of her life altogether. ]

Comments

[affections]

No, come on. This is fine. I never arrive anywhere on time.

( That might be a lie. When it comes to her father, she will arrive early, just to prove that she can. Besides, being late for important things back home, that could mean all manner of terrible things have happened. This, however, feels like a rather more relaxed occasion. )

You're worrying too much. And besides, I can talk my way out of any situation. At the very least, I can talk until the other side gives up.

( Come on, Pep! It'll be fine. She just hooks her arm through Pepper's and tugs her along a bit faster. ) If you're really worried about not going fast enough, I could carry you next time.

( She will do it, don't think she won't. As it is, she just presents the door (Pepper's door, to Pepper, yes) with a flourish. )

[fe_male]

[ No but really. Tony actually did arrive on time in a hilarious fit of cosmic irony, and while he happens to have found a way to sort of entertain himself in the meantime - no, he's just playing with his techball, and no, not like that - it doesn't mean that he's going to let them live their tardiness down at all, whenever they actually arrive.

But right now he's in the living area of her apartment, mostly talking to himself and bouncing the ball against the wall. Experimenting. Because he was on time. ]

[mostqualified]

[ Oh, they're certainly there. Pepper is simply debating the best way to approach this without things ending poorly. Eventually, she shakes her head at everything Jules has said and gives her a look - one which both says we should go in and please don't do that all at once - before opening the door to let them inside.

When she sees him there, of course waiting because nothing could ever be as simple as counting on him to actually be tardy this once, Pepper is immediately stationary halfway between Tony and Jules. Like she can't decide whether to work out an apology or introduce them. So, she does neither, waiting for the questions to start. If they even get that far anyway. ]

[affections]

( Lovely! This is absolutely great. She notices, but chooses to ignore, any and all awkwardness and indecisiveness on Pepper's part. No need to make this painful, hm?

And so, there she goes, just strolling across the distance between them, and very enthusiastically offering Tony her hand to shake. )

Very nice to meet you, Tony. ( And a glance at Pepper, over her shoulder. ) The picture really doesn't do him justice, Pepper. Would you mind terribly if I keep him?

( Julia Grumley: because being absurd helps in all situations. )

[fe_male]

[ Well it does at least have the effect of momentarily halting whatever remarkably clever remark he had on hand about how they were late and look he was totally here when he was supposed to be gosh it's hard work being the responsible person in a relationship. He catches the ball from its last bounce in his hand, glances at hers for a moment, and then passes it to her via handshake, because it can totally do that. ]

Clearly these conversations have been one-sided. [ to Jules, and then this to Pepper: ] You have a picture of me?

[mostqualified]

[ The entirety of that exchange motivates her into, well, not standing there watching them, and she's adamant about the way she places the wine bottle on the table before approaching Jules to assist in peeling the ball from her hand since wow, okay. Rude, Tony. This is one of those times that texting just doesn't seem useful at all, and even if she's giving him a displeased look as she finally does answer them, it's not entirely that. Mostly but also a very prominent be nice. ]

No. [ That's to Jules, by the way. Or maybe both for different reasons. Tony gets: ] I do. And I'm sorry for, that you had to wait. It won't happen again.

[ Because it's not like she's ever been late before. Once in never is allowed, isn't it? ]

[affections]

( There's a sort of spike, a brief stress reaction, when that thing is stuck to her hand. It happens sometimes, not a big thing, but for a moment she looks thrown, not quite so happy-go-lucky as she is the rest of the time.

She catches herself, corrects it as Pepper comes to remove it from her hand, replacing that momentary falter with a bit of a pout. )

You're so mean, Pepper.

( And as for Tony, he gets a light-hearted shrug. ) Quite possibly. I am a lady of great mystery. However, I did bring wine to pre-empt the need to apologise for making us both late.

( Jules that is the worst excuse. ) What is that thing, anyway?

( The thing that was latched onto her hand no it's totes fine she isn't worried )

[fe_male]

[ Well, he didn't mean to flip her out, he meant to give her a toy to play with, so he doesn't really feel bad but he's a little sad she didn't react to it correctly. That was being nice, Pepper.

Well. Mostly. No, it was mostly him showing off, but he can do both at the same time, right? He just wants to make a good impression!!! (He doesn't care about impressions.)

Apparently Pepper gave Jules some sort of negative, and Tony grins a little bit while he watches her get the techball off her hand, then holds his out like a catcher so he can have it back. ] It's mine. Little ball that can alter its own state of matter on command. Personally I think it's one of the coolest things I've ever invented, definitely in the top... twenty, but it's so astonishing I can't actually tell what to do with it yet. Since you both apologized though I guess I can forgive its less than esteemed reception.

[mostqualified]

[ She knows exactly what it was, which is why Pepper is tossing it back at him, into his hand, without even thinking about it. This is also why she dislikes the thing because Pepper realizes he's more interested in demonstrating what it does and what he can do with it since he made it. Of course he has to point that out too, and she's just frowning forever at him now. Sorry.

She does give Jules an apologetic look though. ]

You'll thank me later. [ Tony gets: ] Why did you bring that? You couldn't have been waiting that long.

[ Just assuming here. They weren't terribly late!! ]

[affections]

Oh. Really? ( With an explanation, it's suddenly more interesting and less horrifying than having something randomly sticking to her hand. Although, at the mention of invention, she is eyeing him a little. ) I always imagined inventors needing to have, you know--

( She absently gestures towards her hair. ) Something a bit more dramatic. Eccentricity chic, something like that.

( Anyway, yes there is a pout directed Pepper's way, but it quickly gives way to a grin. ) Well, if we are both forgiven, might be so bold as to suggest wine? To celebrate our redemption, I mean.

[fe_male]

[ Wow he's apparently just met the only person in the world who doesn't find his facial hair to be ridiculously self-serving. ]

Are you seriously saying I'm not eccentric enough to be an inventor? How many inventors do you know? [ Because while that's addressing things out of chronological order, it's certainly going in order of priority. Speaking of. ] Why wouldn't I bring it? It's cool. I like it. Any amount of waiting is a travesty; why do you think I'm nearly always late?

[mostqualified]

You're not nearly always late. You are always late. Usually.

[ Like she has to point out the difference between what he's saying and what's true, and there's a sigh, glancing at Jules once before turning her attention back to the wine she'd set on the table.

Without another word to either of them, Pepper excuses herself to retrieve glasses - since that's the polite thing to do - and hopes they won't try to one-up each other the minute or two she's gone. Maybe she already feels a headache starting too, but she's going to get through this without any causalities. It's just ridiculous anyway because they're adults, and she can trust them to behave. ]

[affections]

None, actually. My life has been a cruel, cold void lacking invention.

( A tragedy, truly, shaking her head at how truly terrible her life has been. ) Thankfully, I now have the company to make up for it. I actually haven't met many Americans, either, so you're both positively exotic.

( Not the elves, the dwarves, the various other beings traipsing about, but the Americans. She does glance after Pepper, though, briefly debates tagging along, but instead decides to just flomp onto a sofa, the very picture of elegance. )

Don't you think it's terrible that we can even be late when the entire point of this place is time travel? It seems so wrong. Surely they could spare us a few minutes here and there. ( Conspiratorially: Pepper need never know this villainous side of her. )

[fe_male]

[ he enjoys the mechanics. ]

Exotic? [ Hmm. okay. sure. ] Yeah, you'd think.

[mostqualified]

[ So far so good, right? Nothing seems to have gone wrong in the time it takes her to bring those glasses back, set them on the table. But she doesn't actually do anything beyond that just yet, glancing at Jules and the way she seems...relaxed (maybe?) before sitting next to Tony.

Look - she's not even going to say anything. Just listen because Pepper's a wonderful listener, and she wants them to, at the very least, tolerate each other. ]

[fe_male]

Although. I'm not sure that's actually how time travel works. You'd need a lot of energy to bend dimensions like that and to do it for a Kit-Kat break wouldn't really make sense. [ Yes, he's taking that as a legitimate topic of conversation. Yes, he's totally just having fun with it, but when you actually do live somewhere that time travel is possible - as she's so cleverly pointed out - it does rather legitimize time travel as everyday conversation. Almost rote, in fact. ] You sound like you want magic. I'm pretty sure Hermione actually is here now, I've seen her network ID. You should ask if you can borrow her time-turner.

[affections]

No, I rather imagine not. Although, the whole energy business, would that have anything to do with the random disappearances and things going wrong when people get deployed on these missions? It seems like a few interesting thing have happened.

( It's amazing, the things you can find out when you frequent shady bars and put the effort into flirting with people who have been here some time. And, usually, she can get a free drink or two out of the bargain as well. )

Although speaking of Kit-Kats... ( Her sugar craving is back, despite her very recently inhaling a shameful number of donuts. Hmm. She will, instead, placate herself with some wine, leading forward to poor it for her host. Hosts? )

I'm afraid I've simply no idea who Hermione is, and I have very little experience with magic, but consider me very much intrigued.

( And with the wine poured, she claims a glass. ) I... don't suppose either of you have an absolutely fantastic toast to propose?

[mostqualified]

[ Pepper immediately raises an eyebrow, curious enough to ask Jules what she might know about that sort of thing, but the thought is terribly short-lived the moment the other woman mentions candy and helps herself to the wine. Instead, she gently nudges Tony and mouths a very enunciated really? at him before following suit with a drink. It's mostly for Tony's benefit, if he wants it, lightly gripping the glass when she sits back so he can take it from her because she's most certainly not handing it to him.

She considers the question once and tries for a smile. ]

To the evening going just as well as it is right now. [ There may or may not be a hint of sarcasm in there somewhere. ]

[fe_male]

[ Aww, she remembered. It's been a year of having to buck up and more or less get over that peeve or have to explain it over and over again. He does indeed take it from her and then sit back himself. ] Yeah, that'll work. To that.

Magic's not as awesome as it sounds. It's usually just math with words as far as I can tell.

[affections]

Ooh, yes. ( And never could Jules be accused of lacking enthusiasm when it comes to drinking. )

God, really? Maths, always maths. We've never gotten along very well. Our relationship is positively turbulent, actually. It sort of takes the excitement out of magic, I have to say.

( It's quite possible that she still managed to consume too much sugar before turning up, despite Pepper's best efforts. )

I mean. Maths is brilliant. For some people. ( Like maybe inventors. ) Sorry.

[mostqualified]

[ Pepper is actually half listening to their conversation since it's the easiest thing to do considering. But there's the M-word, and she's trying to decide if Jules is making a jab at Tony or not with it, though it honestly doesn't matter since her hand is up in an attempt to hide the smile working its way across her face.

Also typing one-handed , leaning a little into Tony's side. She's not drinking with them for a reason. ]

Please, don't get him started on that. I think that topic is very much off limits for this evening.

[fe_male]

[ which m-word there were two that were almost equally buzzword-y as far as he's concerned

Tony totally is drinking, although he doesn't mind Pepper leaning into him and not drinking. She's totally allowed to do what she wants. ]

We'll revisit it later, okay? What's not off-limits tonight? What else can we talk about.

[affections]

Yes, absolutely. I am all ears for suggestions. Favourite topics. Favourite things! Like that song from that film. Tell me a few of your favourite things.

( Though she is amused by that leaning in, Pepper. She sees you with your Tony and your mutual affection.

It's gross, by the way. )