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The elevator doors open at the top floor of Stark Industries, and Shinobi emerges, smoothing out his jacket as he steps from into the room. Taking a moment to pause and take stock of the area, he lets out a very soft little chuckle to himself, as if he had just remembered a mildly amusing joke, and begins to walk toward the receptionist desk, his face quickly assuming a no-nonsense, businesslike expression. He steps right up to the desk, placing his fingers lightly on the surface, and clears his throat before speaking, perhaps to gain the attention of the woman manning the station, if she hasn't already noticed or acknowledged him. "Mr. Takeda, to see Mr. Stark," he says with some finality, as if the tone of his voice would dissuade a mere receptionist from attempting to sideline him from his goal here.
*
Of course, Pepper Potts isn't your every day dim, bubbly headed, pretty secretary. Pretty, yes, the redhead is really quite striking in her own cute way, even with her high as the ceiling bumped hair behind a white headband and matching white and pink mod dress. But she's not sitting there, cracking gum and filing her nails. A heavy ledger rests in front of her as she goes over the lines, piece by piece, her eyes flickering back sharp intelligence. She looks up towards the man, both brows arching as a smirk dances across her full mouth. "That's very nice, Mr. Takeda. I do believe you were told he had no appointments open this week. I hate wasting your time, but you should have called first." Her voice is steel.
*
Shinobi is not going to be spoken to like that by a /secretary/. His nostrils flare, and he clenches his hand into a fist, but resists the urge to show his anger so obviously. Letting out a long breath, he forces a smile, and takes a step back from the desk. "If my receptionist ever spoke to a man in that fashion," he starts, in his distinctly British tone, but then reconsiders finishing that sentence. "I made repeated attempts to arrange any appointment, and yes, my dear girl, was told, repeatedly, that there were none to be had this week. Or in the foreseeable future, I was given to believe. You'll understand, I hope, that I find that completely unacceptable, hence why I found it necessary to present myself in person. I /will/ see Mr. Stark, Miss. Today. I am certain you will be able to find fifteen minutes in his schedule."
*
One of those slender, perfectly shaped red eyebrows climbs up Pepper's forehead as he speaks about his receptionist, and speaking to a man like that. She just stares at him, perfectly patient and unyeiling, though a trace of distant amusement is cutting through her pale eyes. When he's finally stopped the long slew of words he's volleyed at her — no, not words, demands — she clears her throat and leans forward, folding her hands together and giving him a rather sugary smile. "…First, I'm not just a receptionist, I am an executive assistant. And I speak to anyone who is trying to intrude on Mr. Stark's time like that — man or woman. Secondly, you may call me Miss Potts, not girl. Thirdly, Mr. Stark is immensely busy and not even in the country right now. I am not in the habit of lying to people on the phone, so you really have wasted your time with this errand. If you have a business proposal, I will take it for him and pass it along for review. We will be in touch if we are interested."
*
Shinobi smirks. This woman has nerve, he'll give her that much. But it's not exactly a mark in her favour, in his book; he doesn't hate women, that much is true at least, but he certainly doesn't subscribe to these notions that a woman should have as much power as a man, particularly when it comes to business. In his company, he would never allow a woman to rise much past the post of secretary, regardless of her talents. But then, perhaps that is why companies like Stark Industries are simply head and shoulders above the level of Shinobi's own. "A fancy title does not change the fact, Miss Potts. You answer his calls, and manage his appointments. Executive Assistant, Secretary, one and the same," he says with some venom in his voice. "That he is unavailable due to an international trip is a fact that should have been made clear to me when I called in the first place, in order to avoid just this situation," he says, now apparently in the mood to lecture the obviously capable woman on the details of her job. "And I will not conduct my business through a secretary, no matter how inflated her sense of importance." Bitterness? You bet. You don't just brush off Shinobi Takeda and not get at least one scathing insult. "You will schedule me with the earliest appointment when he returns, which will be when, exactly?"
*
The sugar sweetness of her smile is now slightly faltering as Pepper's temper, not generally riled but once it is, well, she is a redhead, he is starting to poke at it. "It is not my job to divulge the location of my boss to strangers. In fact, it's sometimes a matter of security. Also, I told you, I am not just a secretary. I do handle business proposals and most of the upper level books for Mr. Stark, so you can have the option of filing a proposal with me or not having it seen at all. Tony won't actually look at anything I've not cleared first." That is a BIT of a lie, because he's out drinking and looking at random women all the time, but for a man's proposal who has been quite so stuffy, Pepper knows it's truth. "So, these are your options. And *you*, Mr. Takeda, are *not* my boss, so I have no reason to actually listen to an order about my boss' scheduling."
*
Now listen here, you little bitch.. Is what Shinobi is thinking, although with much stronger language in his head. He's far too controlled to let such words slip out though. Of course, not too controlled to show his growing anger at the redhead. "I wouldn't leave my proposal with you under any circumstances, Miss Potts. I do not deal with secretaries, executive assistants, or underlings of any kind. You would do well to learn your place," you know, as a woman. "Inform Mr. Stark that I wish to meet with him. I will await his call. If I do not hear from him by the end of next week, I will be back," and by his tone of voice, the next visit will probably be even less friendly than this one. "It was an absolute /pleasure/ meeting you, Miss Potts. It is always nice to know that such a charming voice belongs to such a beautiful woman, even if she proves to have few other redeeming qualities," he says, making sure to get one last barb in before he steps away. He knows, without a doubt, that he won't be getting that appointment. Pity. Stark Industries gets a place on his list, just below another prominent corporation which he intends to one day see in ruins.
*
The redhead stares at him, barely able to conceal her smirk. It's certainly in her eyes. And if his insults are bothering her in any way, she certainly doesn't show it. Her smile returns as the man seems to be turning to go. "I will pass along the message, Mr. Takeda. If you change your mind, you know the proper method to file a proposal in order for it to be seen. Otherwise, have a good day, Mr. Takeda!" She calls after him, overly cheery, like the bubbly headed idiot secretary she's SUPPOSED to be. It's clearly an act. There is not an inch of Pepper which is actually like that.
*