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[ The video feed clicks on to show a now relatively calm Pepper, even if her mouth is set in a fairly thin line of mild discontent. Her hair is scraped back and tied in a neat bun, with her fringe still plastered a little wetly to her forehead, but at least she's clean now. She's been making regular use of the showers since arriving, just to make sure that every last bit of blue hideousness is washed away from her. For now, at least. ]

Now that everyone's had at least a bit of time to recover- [ herself very much included, even if "recover" is something of an overstatement ] -I might as well introduce myself, though from what I've been told, it appears some of you may already know who I am.

I'm Pepper Potts, an associate and coworker- [ this is still new, Tony, don't complain] -of Tony Stark's. [ The next words are a little practised, ones she's gone over in her mind and made sure that they're absolutely clear before speaking them. ] Not the same one from before, though. I have absolutely no memory of having been on this ship before, even though apparently I was, and I'm sorry to anyone that I might have met previously.

[ She pauses, briefly, before going on. ]

I just wanted to clear that up before any confusion took place. I think some of us have more than enough of that already, what with being on a spaceship and everything. [ The thought still makes her want to shudder a little. ] Thank you for your time, and I hope everyone's successfully washed off all of that awful blue stuff.

[ With a good natured, mild smile, Pepper shuts off the feed. She realises it's a rather mundane sort of addition to the network, but she'll leave revelations and interesting matters to Tony. She still isn't sure if she has the entire picture here - Tony has a curious understanding of what he should and shouldn't tell her, she knows this from experience - but god knows she will have it, one way or another. ]

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[ Oh god. ]

No, we- I'm his partner in business, and we're, uh, seeing each other as well- [ Pepper didn't realise she'd have to put whatever it was she and Tony were doing into words for other people quite so soon ] -but we're definitely not married.

[ WHY IS THIS A CONVERSATION THAT IS HAPPENING ]

[ southern starks clearly do things differently. ]

He's made you no offers?

[ ~~Enough...~~ ]

As well as I can, I think. Space isn't something that even working with Tony Stark can prepare you for.

No. [ She's losing her cool. Just a little bit. It's translating into a certain pinkness in her cheeks. ] It hasn't exactly been a long-term thing.

I'm sincerely hoping it won't come to that.

Thank you. Do I get a name?

[ THIS IS WHY YOU HAVE A TOWER. ]

Lady Pepper is of House Potts, Your Grace.

I don't blame them. I wonder how many of the clever people here are necessarily used to these surroundings. [ She nods a little. ] I'm sure there must be some way of getting home, yes - it's probably just a matter of the clever people finding out.

[ It kind of makes Pepper wish she was one of those clever people who could figure it out. ]

I think it's his way of saying "sorry, you're in space, but here's a list for you to learn to give you a head start". [ Her smile is telling enough. ] Let's just say it's quite a... varied list.

[ She nods her head to the other woman. ]

No reason to claim you'll be bored. You're welcome. And for what it's worth -- good luck.

[ This time, meant sincerely. ]

[ Pepper hadn't thought that she could inspire a bit of hope with this, but if she'd known, she would have been glad for the effect. Hope is one of the best things that people have, the way she sees it. ]

Agreed. [ Children, teenagers, Pepper is already seeing too many of them here for her liking. ] You too, Quinn.

Edited 2012-07-15 21:29 (UTC)

Exactly. I have a new number and everything, but try as I might I don't remember anything from here.

[ There's also the matter of different timelines, but Pepper doesn't want to bring that up. ]

It's a nickname - but I guess it's a little strange, yes.

Well, if you need anything else, feel free to ask. I haven't been here as long, and I'm a bit... behind Bruce and the others, but I'd be happy to help.

I'm not counting on boredom at all, not for a moment.

[ Space + Tony = lots to do. ]

Thank you. I think I might need it.

Thank you. At least everyone I've met here so far has been incredibly helpful and welcoming, as far as they can be. [ What Betty says next, however, definitely catches Pepper's attention. ] Believe me, I know the feeling - I'm behind, too.

What is a woman's real name?

[ She feels vaguely guilty for being relieved, but... well, she is. ] As awful as this may sound, I'm glad it's not just me.

Virginia. I haven't been called that in a long time, though.

[Still a strange name in her book, but it's not like she can judge. 8|]

Why?

That's strange that your memories would be taken coming here— I didn't think something that would be possible.

Don't feel bad, I am too, a bit. [ Pepper is equally a little relieved. ] I won't say no a little solidarity.

Neither will I. [ Another smile. ] At least I won't be the only one asking questions.

[ please someone kill him where he stands right now. ]

We're- Robb- we're not from the exact same time. [ never mind wife. ] We just started officially courting from where she was pulled onto this ship.

[ tony, that's not going to help. ]

[ Pepper knows about Alayne's situations, dying and not dying, she knows that Tony went through the sickness, she has gone through the process of freaking out and then quite gladly accepting the fact that Tony is now safe. She wonders, though, how Alayne does it. The girl has been through more than enough already on this ship, and Pepper can't imagine what her home must be like, and she's still so young. It's astonishing. It also makes Pepper's feelings on the ship itself a little less kind - not that they were particularly positive in the first place. She hates the thought that such young individuals have go through these things, that they have to learn to grow up so fast. ]

So I've been somewhat informed. Who'd have thought that people would be able to find common ground like that in a place like this, pulled from such different home? [ Sometimes Pepper can only roll her eyes when people speak well of Tony, because sometimes it's admiration of his sillier qualities, sometimes it's general arse-licking, and other times it's sarcastic, but so far, people here have spoken of him in a way that can only make her smile. ] He's good at that, keeping your attention whether you like it or not.

We might have some amount of space travel where I come from, but I'm not even slightly familiar with it myself. You and I are in a similar position, Alayne, so you don't have to worry about me losing patience. I doubt that I would.

[ It takes Pepper a moment to continue, because she's weighing up her answer carefully. She doesn't want to sound contradictory, but... she's glad to be here with Tony, at least. It would be harder without him, and she would feel guilty if he was here alone. Well, he's never alone, not really, because he knows people here and because he has his ways of always keeping himself surrounded by others, but- all the same. ]

I am too, in a way. This isn't ideal, but- it could be worse, I think, and I'm glad it isn't.

[ For the time being. ]

It's a bit of a long story, but ever since I was first called "Pepper", it just seemed to stick, and eventually I gave up on trying to go back.

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