ataraxion | ( 004

[ Pepper switches on the video, rather chilled out and calm seeming. Space life hasn't been treating her awfully since she came back, so everything's quite rosy. So far.

She offers the network a mild smile. ]

Is it kind of bad that I miss running a company? I think it's a bit bad. Especially since this is a company that has, over the years, been almost as frustrating as it has been rewarding. It's true that they say you don't know the true value of something until you've lost it. [ A little laugh, knowing she's being a little bit ... geeky? Maybe? ] I mean, the whole trading system of business makes sense here, I don't think we could set up a spaceship economy even if we wanted to, but...

[ She shrugs, waving a hand dismissively. ]

I guess I miss having something to do. For all the stress, it was good to have a way of filling up my time, and I don't have that here. Not that most of us have anything like what we're used to back home, of course. What I wouldn't give to have to sit through a board meeting or two every so often! If I ever said the same back home, I'd sound ridiculous.

The obvious answer to all this is "get a job", but - well, unless anyone has any suggestions, I don't know where I'd necessarily fit best. I've spent so much time organising things and orientating myself around business models and now I don't see where to apply these skills here.

[ A pause. ]

Well, now is as good a time as any to start picking up new skills.

[ She finishes with a still pleasant smile and a reassuringly positive note in her voice. ]

( ooc: SORRY FOR BEING A BUTT ABOUT REPLYING omg i'm on it now i swear )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

What fields are you interested in exploring?

[ somewhere on the ship, tony just got very afraid and he doesn't know why. ]

[ Pepper already likes where this conversation is headed. ]

Anywhere at all, if there are willing tutors.

I might know someone. [ spoken dryly, but with a touch of playfulness. ] There's a few skills you could benefit from learning, especially while we're still aboard.

I hear you there.

[She just shrugs.]

Being used to living a fast-paced life myself, yoga isn't enough to keep me occupied here.

[s i g h]

If you come up with something, I'm open to suggestions myself.

What did you do before you were brought here, if you don't mind me asking?

I'll be sure to keep you posted - though if you want some company for yoga sometime, I'd happily volunteer myself.

Not at all. I was a legal assistant to a corporate lawyer myself.

[aka a babysitter of a man with a big ego.]

But that would be wonderful, actually. I'll definitely let you know and drag you along. Company for yoga is always appreciated, especially competent company.

I've had much the same problem since I arrived here. Too much time, too few places to base jump. I'd probably take a board meeting or two, too, come to think of it.

I definitely wouldn't suggest base jumping here, though I'm sure there are enough holes that go down far enough... at least off a building or a cliff you usually know where you're going to land.

No, you see. I like to be able to assess the risk, too. Jumping into a hole that you don't know where it leads is the same as buying shares in a company because you like their name.

I'd rather run the risk of bankruptcy than death, myself.

They come with similar risk. Similar thrill.

If you felt any warm, fuzzy feelings about comms, we'd be grateful to have you. We took a bit of a hit last month.

You did? [ She wonders, for a moment. ] I'm not sure how much I know about them, specifically, but I'd be happy to lend a hand in any way I can. Or can be taught, at least.

It's not really that hard once you get started. Do you know Stark's lab on 001? Communications is just down from there.

I'm pretty familiar with the lab, yes. In that case, I think I'll come by, sometime, see what I can manage with you guys.

I'll look forward to seeing you around. Send a short text when you're at the door and someone'll let you in.

There are only so many times you can pace up and down the same set of corridors, huh?

[Jim grins; he's going to be seeing more of Pepper, he figures, since Tony mentioned any reports coming up from engineering would go through her. he knows she's something like a secretary to Stark, but paperwork was pretty boring to begin with— at least to Kirk— and he can't imagine having that kind of job himself.]

Pretty much. Playing Tony's-workshop-roulette on the first floor also gets boring when you're pretty sure you've found them all already.

[ Of course Tony's reports are going to go through Pepper first, god only knows what Tony might write in them otherwise. Besides, it's still something to do, and Pepper likes to be busy far more than she likes to be straight out bored. ]

You're telling me. I'm not sure which doors are safe to open anymore.

Thankfully I've found most of them are safe, though most of them don't make sense. There's so much stuff in some of them that I can't possibly understand what Tony could do with them.

[ She says this all quite fondly, though. ]

[his mouth quirks, because the affection is clear there, something more than an exasperation of working with someone. it isn't that he's unaware of their relationship, but sometimes it's more obvious than others.]

Good thing you don't have to, huh?

This does stop feeling like a bizarre vacation when you run out of things to do.

[nice contribution there, Andy. Moving on.]

Like being sent to the exact summer camp you never wanted to go to. [ This boy is such a cutie, he really is. ] You more cheerful than when we last talked, though.

[There's a pause. Not that he... needs to explain himself, but he does anyway.]

My wife is here.

[Is it bad that he considers it a good thing? Selfish, maybe. But she's happy to be with him too.]

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