ataraxion | ( 001

[ 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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[ Pepper takes in a small, sharp breath. She doesn't want to distress the boy any more, but she's not entirely sure how to handle this. Time to improvise. ]

Please, calm down. I don't know much about the workings of this place - it's space, after all - but I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation for whatever Tony has or hasn't done. [ Gosh this is a familiar sort of conversation, even if for once Pepper is fairly sure he hasn't done anything- but the next question catches her off guard a little. ] How old? Well, eight months older than he should be, really.

... Yeah. [James stops, brings himself back, closes his eyes for a second and rubs a hand against his mouth, counting to ten to try and calm himself down.] Yeah, I guess so.

Sorry, uh. I'm James. Should've welcomed you or something before flipping out. I just woke up this jump, too.

[Eight months doesn't really tell him what he's supposed to. But with two versions of the same people being here...

With how young this woman is, he kind of doubts the Tony that's here is the white-haired one he knows.]

It's all right. I'm new here too, so I can understand how you're feeling, to a certain extent. [ She pauses, thoughtfully, keeping to a subdued tone of voice. ] Do you need to speak to Tony?

[ Pepper still can't imagine for a moment why or how it is that this boy knows him in some more personal capacity. ]

[You mean Tony didn't make a habit of babysitting children? W e i r d]

It's... weird here, yeah. [He's thinking, though. If Tony's here, he had to have seen him, but... things just weren't lining up right. Things weren't making sense] No, I-... I think I'll just contact him myself after I settle in.

That's probably a good plan. [ She smiles at him, warmly. ] Don't let him give you any trouble, and if he does, tell me.

[ SHE'LL SORT THAT OUT. ]

I think I can handle him, but thanks.

[There's a long, awkward pause on his end of things]

Uh, do you need anything? I mean. I probably owe you something, now.

You don't owe me anything, but thank you for the offer, nonetheless. I'm just fine.

I'd probably yell at someone who freaked out on me as soon as I got here. [He looks amused, though. Amused and curious.]

How do you know Tony?

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