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It's odd seeing the Financial District so close to the more artsy, Beatnik areas of Greenwich Village and SoHo, but it's part of the charm of New York; walk a couple of blocks in any direction and the neighborhood has a distinctly different feel. It's something Tony Stark actually enjoys, especially when the suits of Wall Street get to be too much. He's found a diner with some outdoor seating, even this late in the year, and has ordered a coffee and a piece of cherry pie. It might be his lunch.
Dressed in his own Financial District suit, he may seem a little out of place in such a creative atmosphere, but dark eyes are people-watching with interest.
*
It's a charm that still fascinated Greer Nelson at times, even after having been here a few years. It truly seems that New York has pretty much everything. One might include her in 'everything,' given her usual status, but at the moment she's got a bit of a lower profile than normal. Figurativelly speaking. Literally, her profile is the same as when in Tigra form, and as tall, but obviously sans fur and tail, and with black hair instead of orange. She's dressed comfortably casually at the moment, stepping out of the diner with a burger and fries on a plate in one hand, and a milkshake in the other as she looks for a place to sit.
*
Maybe it's the height of the woman or the fact that she's carrying a burger, fries, -and- a milkshake, or just the fact that she's a woman that the chair at Tony's table seems to be pushed out as an invitation. He glances over to her and gestures to the obvious empty chair and offers with one of his grins, "I don't bite."
*
The motion of the chair gets her attention and a curious eyebrow. The grin of invitation, and the identity of the -person- grinning get her interest. Greer can't help but be amused, and gracefully slides into the offered chair. "You don't?" she asks. "I've been known to, from time to time."
*
Tony clears his throat and amends, "Well, I don't generally on the first meeting, but talk nicely enough and I might be willing to do so." His grin widens as the conversation opens with this sort of banter. He half-stands from his seat and offers a hand, "Tony Stark."
*
Later she might feel aghast that she said such a thing. Right now, it was just too good an opening to pass up. She half-rises to take his hand in a warm grip. "Greer Nelson," she responds before sitting down. "I thought that's who you were. It's certainly a pleasure to meet you. I've read about some of your work. Not just your other suit, but your work in the sciences. It's very impressive."
*
"Now that's not a name you hear every day. It's memorable." Tony gives a lift of his eyebrows before settling back in on his coffee and cherry pie. "Have you? I'm sorry…it's all pretty boring. I mean, if I had my way, they'd do it up like a comic book or at least insert some humorous stories, but the editors always cut that stuff out." Which means he might have tried that before. "Thanks, though. You're into that sort of stuff?"
*
"I've never met anyone else with it," Greer admits after swallowing a fry. "And no, it wasn't boring, at least, what I can wrap my head around. I'm nowhere near your level, but I have a degree in physics. Some Day, I may finish grad school," she says with a wry smile. "Bottom line, what I can understand of what you've done is, frankly, amazing." And now she looks thoughtful. "You should insist, next time. Science written like a comic book, that could be a good way to explain it to other people. Help them understand what's going on. I bet you'd sell a bunch of them."
*
"A female physics major…who eats a burger, fries, and milkshake for lunch. It's -my- turn to be impressed. How'd you manage with the ol' Boys Club of a Science major? Is that why you didn't go back?" He seems a little more interested as he sips at his coffee, watching the woman. "Eh, see if I insist then I have to find the artist and the person to write it and I have to deal with even -more- editors and people…too much trouble, if you ask me. Besides, I don't -actually- write the papers. I have people for that. But the concepts are mine…I just don't want to have to explain them." That's what the other people are for.
*
"Well, I don't eat this every day," Greer grins. "But today seemed a good day for it. When it comes to the boy's club, well, part of it was simply not taking no for an answer. If you don't go away when they expect and want you to, it's amazing how much you can get done. Another part was having an understanding advisor, who also had had to deal with the boy's club." Greer takes a drink from her shake as she gathers her thoughts. "I left when I met my husband. He was a cop, and I wanted to give him some stability at home, thinking after we were established, I could go back." A sad smile, now. "He was killed in the line of duty, though. But that was some time ago, and I'm ready to rebuild, and so I'm thinking about physics again."
*
There's a littls look of disappointment when Greer mentions 'husband' but Tony perks right up when she mentions that he was killed some time ago. "Oh, I'm so very sorry." There's a quick wipe of his hands on the napkin before he reaches into a suit pocket to pull out a billfold. A business card is fished out and he goes back in to find a pen so he can write something on it. "If you decide you want to go back into Physics, give me a call. Or even…if find that you'd like a little company. Feel free to call either number but there's no promise that the office will actually put you through." Hint hint.
*
Her eyebrows go up at the offer, and it's hard to say which is more surprising. The card is definitely taken, though, and she glances at it to make sure she can read both numbers. "Oh, I'll definitely do that, thank you!" she tells him with a broad grin. "I'll definitely be looking forward to it." The physics or the company, who's to say?