|
  |
There is no shortage of society functions during the holidays. They are a sort of competetive sport. Who gets more wealthy, influential, or famous people to attend. Who raises more money for their darling charity. Away at school for the last several years, Warren Worthington III has been able to escape most of them. BUt this year, with the recent death of his father and his steppping into a leadership role at Worthington, Inc, he has a had to put in a few appearances. Much to the delite of some. Particularly a few wociety matriarchs with elligible daughters. At the moment, Warren literally has his back to a wall , and has been cornered into a conversation from which he is desperately seeking a polite escape. He stands out in even the high scociety crowd around him, not only for his good looks, but for the smoewhat old fashioned (some would say classic) cuit of his attire. One rarely sees a 3/5 coat with tails any more. But with his upright posture he wears it well. Which has not escaped the notice of the older woman talking to him. Or her daughter.
*
While Pepper has been doing her best to not pester the mourning Warren Worthington, or even let her co-conspirators in this gala (Wilson and Vanessa Fisk) do so, as the curving redhead catches sight of the man in the corner, she finally decides he needs saved. Desperately. So, she makes a less than casual bee-line in that direction, still moving smoothly on her high heels despite it being quite so deep into the night. Her emerald gown moves around her like a second skin from the waist up, before softening into a classic, full skirt which makes her waist look even more tiny for the fullness of the gown. Red hair in soft curls drawn back off her face, make up heavy but artfully done, Pepper looks quite stunning for the night.
"Mr. Worthington! How *dare* you. You promised me a dance and have yet to fess up. I shan't stand it, I demand that dance right this moment. No excuses." The redhead huffs smoothly, diving in, scooping up his arm, and unapologetically helping flight him away from the vultures with only a momentary smile at the women. She immediately settles into proper stance with him, her voice dropping quieter, "You don't need to handle the whole dance, but we should probably, at least, get to the other side of the floor so the vultures don't start squawking again. I just… figured you needed to escape that headache."
*
Latching onto the opportunity, Warren addresses the two ladies (mother and daughter) he had been speaking with), "Sorry, but I did make a promise. You understandd?" And without waiting for a reply, he moves off with the redhead, mouthing, "Thank you." as she gets a glare from the youung brunette he just left behind. He moves into position to dance, though he makes sure her hand settles on his arm rather than his shoulder or back. THough he keeps a stiff posture, he is spurprisingly light on his feet, and leads the dance with some skill, but with the intent of crossing the dancefloor.
*
The redhead follows him quiet smoothly, even if it's just with the intent of making it to the other side of the room. Pepper wasn't actually that pushy, after all. This close, he might be able to tell that the artful, if heavy make up job is hiding some pallor under the surface, but anyone might be tired this late into the holiday season. She moves like someone who has been following a proper lead for years, even if his slightly strange holding — arm and not shoulder — gets a hint of a curious brow. "Of course. I am sorry about Mrs. Collins. She's… just gotten worse as the holidays came closer. And I was hoping you might just be able to relax and somewhat enjoy the evening, Mr. Worthington. I… cannot imagine this month has been easy." Pepper offers softly, true sympathy behind her voice.
*
Warren offers no explanation for the strange positioning as his feet move automatically through steps they were trained for. Knowing how to dance properly has always, after all, but a requisite of high society. He Hnods to her words, "That it has not." He shakes his head sadly, then offers her a small smile, "As for miss Collins, she knew my mother, and I think she's had her sights on me for Elaine for years. A shame I really can't stand the girl. You do have me at a disadvantage for a name, however."
*
"Oh…I am sorry. That's rude of me. I've… " Pepper's voice falters for a moment, not certain how to explain just how off her game she's been the last few days. Even if her off game is most people's quite competent, "I've been… a touch scattered with the holidays coming up." It's a lie, but a mostly smooth one, her red lips curving back into a warm smile. "Pepper. Pepper Potts. I'm with Stark Industries but… I've been taking a second in command seat to the Fisks with helping to build this new police force. God knows the city needs it…"
Her name might be familiar. She's been in the paper more and more concerning Stark Industries and has actually given a few press conferences in Tony's name. It's been quite the scandal, except for with Pepper a seeming second in command? SI has actually been running MORE smoothly. People are running out of things to complain about!
*
Warren stiffenss for a moment at the mention of the police force, but then offers a genuine smile, "An interesting cause to champion, I have to admit. And one I wouldn't mid discussing furhter. Though not on the dance floor? He leads the way off as the song comes to an end, the band announcing that the next will be the final of the evening. A moment for actual couples, and a good excuse to move away."
*
"That sounds like a… fantastic idea. I've never stepped on someone's toes, well not in years, but it's late enough I might just start tonight. Thank you for the dance, Mr. Worthington." Pepper steps back, giving him the smallest of curtsies — she's still respectful — but then she's leading the way back to the coffee and desserts area. "…A night cap before you go? I know I could use some coffee to get home…"
*
Warren flashes a movie star-quality smile. "My thoughts exactly. These things can be exhausting." He says that with a glance twoards the Collinses. Soon enough he has a coffe and a cordial along with a small puff pastry, andlooks for a relatively isloated corner to talk. "So, I'm interested in hearing your thoughts, Miss Potts. I hear you've been taking on some big roles lately, and handling them with aplomb. I could use some of that myself at the moment."
*
"Here… Advantage of being the organizer…" Pepper murmurs, seeing him looking around for a quiet corner. She has an entire side room, generally used for the other volunteers but everyone's working or gone so far. It's got a big glass conference table, but a lot of comfortable furniture around the edges and a huge french doored balcony over looking the city. She leads the way to the sitting area near the balcony, plopping down there with her coffee and slipping out of her high heels. "…I hope you don't mind." She admits with a slight laugh. She was not a woman playing to impress him right now.
"…And…I'm happy to share my thoughts but, the question is… about what? I know you just came into managing the business fully on your own. I… I can't imagine the stress that is. On top of everything else. I didn't even want to send you an invitation tonight… you didn't need something else on your plate. But it felt wrong to leave you out, also, considering your mother's support for so long…"
*
Warren watches her kick her shoes off and gives a chuckle. THe moment draws his eyes down and bcack up and when he looks her in the eye again, there is a light flirtatiousnes to it. When he sits, he perches on the edge of the seat, leaned slightly forwrd, rather than relaxing back into it. He jokes, in response to her first question, "Not at all. I'm forever grateful that men do not need to learn to wear those." He nods as she goes on, then answersher, "Very true, and I appreciate the thoughtfulness. To be frank, one of the great downsides of having "The third" in your name is that it invites an immediate comparison to the first two. Who, in my case, were business luminaries. I've been surrounded by people who are trying do decide whtther they wantto hang on to my coattails or jump ship."
He shakes his head, "But I'm sure I you could tell me more about the realities of running a corporation than the reverse right now. But, I admit, I'm more interested in what I hear you've been working on with Mr. Fisk. This new police force, using people with poers to combat and control people with powers. Fighting fire with fire, so to speak."
*
The flirtatiousness was *not* what Pepper expected. It's been a while since she bothered with anything like that and, with certain circumstances, people have been steering clear of her lately too. So, having a man as handsome as he is look at her like that, well, it actually brings a bit of heat to her cheeks. Where as most women would be jumping on it, she just clears her throat, looking down a moment and crossing her legs. That might not help, as it reveals her shapely, stockinged foot and leg up to her mid calf. She's just happy to be out of the shoes.
Fortunately, she's saved from flirting by business! Just in time. She looks back up to him, her expression a bit more serious now, clearly passionate about the words she speaks. "Yes, of course. Any questions you have, I'm an open book. It… it's really not complicated. This city is in danger. Great danger. And strong men are going to stand up and defend it no matter what — the police of this city have been putting their lives on the line against things ten times… a hundred times bigger than them. It's not fair, and we know they aren't going to stop. So… we're hoping to give them the kind of back up they need. Other good men and women, willing to stand up and defend this city in an organized manner. Not government. Not some mysterious team. NYPD grown and backed. For *our* city."
*
A small smile flits across Warren's face at the mention of a mysterious team, easily mistaken for more fliratiousness. He shakes his head, "Obviously I can't deny the ganger tou our city, nor the zsize of the threat. We've all seen too much of it lately. And I think a propor police uinit could be a step in the right direction. Not only for the protection of the city. But for the lessening of the overall threat. The public needs to see that not everyone with these sorts of abilities is a threat to them. Perhaps not the most recent thign we've dealt with… Giants from another world are a bit beyond the scope of what I'm talking about, but I think a lot of the superhuman crime we've seen comes down to desperation. Certainly there is no shortage of greed, but so many of these people see their powers as precluding a normal life. A man who is 8 feet tall with metal skin, for example, would have a difficult time landing a normal job."
*
"I…I couldn't agree more, Mr. Worthington." If it's flirtatiousness, well, Pepper is missing it. They are talking business now, and she's diving head over heels into the pursuit of business. These are far easier conversations for her, in compare to a personal life, which just tends to be a wreck of subject for the freckled redhead across from him. "The New York public needs to see that super human people *are* on their side. Aren't just going to ruin their lives or threaten their normalcy. What better way to do this than to parnter them with those sworn to serve and protect? It also takes better care of our boys in blue in face of such threats. Of course, we are planning a thorough vetting program, as it's a lot of power to hand someone and we must be certain they are stable… But I don't see any other downsides. Our city *needs* it."
*
Warren leans back, but only slightly. He's still literally on the edge of his seat. "I'll be frank with you, Miss Potts. And I'm going to tell you about an… aunannounced change I'm working on at Worthington. I haven't wanted to make large public statements for fear of coausing too much disruption too quickly, but I'm letting it be known that I feel that Worthington needs to advance with the teims, and our hiring practices are part of that. I am, quietly, letting it be known to our directors that new hires should be considered on the merits they bring to the table, and without regard to things such as appearance, or the color of their skin. Be it brown, yellow, or bright blue. Not every person with abilities would be suited for such a front-lines position. They need options, and there is no reason for us to shun what they can do."
*
That news actually makes Pepper smile. Despite the exhaustion in her eyes, looking more drawn as the evening goes on, more pale beneath her make up, the smile reaches all the way through her gaze. "Mr. Worthington… just… call me Pepper. Behind closed doors, at least. And I think that is… fantastic. I've been trying to do it with Stark Industries too but… I… don't quite have the pull there yet. So, I make changes where I can. Give people chances with opportunities come up… but we need more companies like yours taking such steps."
*
Warren smiles, "Pepper? Only if you call me Warren. My own situation is… delicate right now. On the one hand, I hold controlling interest, and when push comes to shove the board really can't gainsay me on much. ON the other hand, if I make too many waves, it shakes confidence in the company and in the leadeship of…" he clears his throat, "…The young upstart. But this is a topic I've given… a lot of thought to." He stands, and turns, looking out the nearby window, "I look and, well, "There but for the grace of God go I."
*
A gentle tilt of her head, the motion making several locks of red hair spill across her mostly bared shoulder. "Warren, then. I'm… honored. And trust me, I know. I feel like I'm playing the same damn balancing game with Tony and every time he goes off to do something crazy. People either love it or hate it, you never know until the stock market opens, and then it's clean up and adjustments… It's… it's madness. I don't envy your position. But…if it's something you really believe in and you are doing good in the world — and I DO think you are doing good — then it's worth fighting for. Everything else will figure itself out."
*
Warren glances over shi shoudler for a moment and nods. He turns to look out the window for a moment, but speaks, "I'd save my breath with Mrs. Collins if I were you, by the way. She hates to say "no" to a cause, but she'll run you in circles trying to get a dime out of her. Elainne prides herself on practically being a parrot of her mother, and I once heard her say how she thinks Elizaeth Taylor is," He mimichs a female voice, "Just Dreadful! What with those Unnatural eyes! I doubt she'll be much more tolerant of larger differences." He glances over his shoulder then, and his face turns serious. He asks the seemingly innocuous question, "Do you mind if I take off my jacket?"
*
A slightly deeper smirk comes when he comments on the Collins, and a small roll of her eyes. "I am…not surprised. But I'll let the Fisks know as well, I do believe they were from their invite list." Pepper, of course, is perfect! She'd never invite someone so annoying. Or so she thinks. Then that question comes and blue eyes just blink at him, a slight chuckle of amusement escaping her throat, "Warren, I'm sitting here in my stockinged feet. The least you can do is take off your jacket. Of course. Get comfortable. We can sprawl here until the hotel staff kicks us out, for all I please!"
*
With some sense of ceremony, Warren unbuttons his jacket and slips it from his shoulders. He folds it and draves it over oen arm. His back and shoulders have what at first looks like the decidedly odd fashion choice of a dense drape of long white feathers. ANd then the wings unfurl, stretching out for a moment until they'r show their full, impressive span, then folding lenatly, but not as compactly at his back. He gives a sigh of relief, "Much better." He givesw a fewmoments for things to sink in, then adds, "As I said… I've thought about this a lot."
*
That was the last thing that Pepper expected to see, in truth. He had kept them concealed quite so neatly and she can't imagine the pain of having them under a jacket, tucked away so tight. The redhead stares in abject shock, marveling quietly at the beauty of them as they stretch out into the room and then come back, not near so pressed as before. Finally, she remembers to breathe. Then words. Speaking. They were speaking. "…Warren… they…you… They're gorgeous." Pepper stammers out, really not able to find any other words yet. This is not a woman scared of that which is different.
*
Warren's smile is genuinely amused, and carries that same little flirtatiousness from before. He says graciously, "Thank you for the compliment." He stands much less stiffly now, with the wings exposed. Rather than a hindrance to his movements, they even seem to make his balance better. His body is built for them. He turns to address her seriously, "I'm trusting youbecause of the cause you've taken up, and because, as far as I know, Stark would have no interest in damaging WOrthington's interests. BUt I'm sure you can understand why my father always insisted we hide my…" He grimaces, "… Deformity."
*
Her mind finally catches up with the shock, even if he's still stunning to look upon, and Pepper resets in the seat a bit straighter than before. Her body language is now all respect and professionalism, small hands folding in her lap, partially to keep away the temptation of reaching out to touch those wings. That'd be rude, right? "…No, in fact, I suspect Stark Industries and your company could work together rather well, when you feel like making some partnerships. Tony… he's got his own differences and issues. Neither of us… we don't judge. As long as you're a good person. That's what matters." Her expression darkens at the word deformity, shaking her head slightly, "..and I'm sorry your father felt that way…I'm sorry the world is…so crazy about all this. I'm hoping we can start fixing it."
*
Warren nods as he faces Pepper, "I agree wholeheartedly. I feel I have been given a unique opportunity, despite the personal tragedy of losing my father. There are few, if any, other people so… different that have the resources I do, the position I do. I can do more the change the world with that than with these…." He gestures to his wings for a moment. He smiles, "So, for now, at least, my biggest difference to the public will stay my penchant for long coats in all weather."
*
Pepper seems about to protest his penchant for long coats, protective righteousness in her features for a heartbeat or two, but then she swallows it back. She is a business woman. She knows the risks. She studies him quietly for several long moments, exhaling through her nose. "…I'd like to tell you to let loose, to show everyone… be that kind of inspiration. But… I know that might stop you from being able to help in so many other ways. It's… sad but it's true."
*
Warren nods at that, "I'm not against the idea. I've considered it heavily. It's the timing that worries me. THere are enough reservations about me takinging over the company so young. I need to establish myself, have the business on solid footing. I want to change the world for people like me, Pepper, but I don't want to destroy my family's legacy in doing it, either." He pauses and smiles, "That and, well… I know some mutants get called monsters, but I ,well, people tend to go to the other extreme. The reactios can be a bit embarassing. Particularly among the religious."
*
"…Oh… oh god… I mean, no, not literally! Shit. I…can only imagine…" Pepper uses the coloquialism before she even realizes what she had said, but then stammers, correcting herself quickly with an embarrassed little laugh. She just shakes her head, "I…won't ever pressure you to show before you are ready. Knowing the market these days?…I think you're right to wait. As frustrating as that might be. Give yourself time to get established, to secure investor confidence… "
*
Warren chuckles softly, "I once pulled a woman off a burning building up in Spanish Harlem. She must have said "Ay Dios Mio!" a hundred times before I set her down. And half a rosary." He resettles himself, and unfolds his coat, "But yes, that is exactly my plan. Establish myself as a businessman to be reckoneed with, make some quiet changes at Worthington. Support certain righteous causes…" A long smile at Pepper there, "… and when the time is right, spread my wings for the world. And yes, you certainly have my support for your police force." He pauses, "Though… I would appreciate it if you left my secret as mine to reveal. I know your first loyalty is likely to Mr Stark, but I've only met the man in passing."
*
A slight chuckle comes about the woman in Spanish Harlem, Pepper so not doubting the story. She then reaches out, grabbing at her coffee cup instead so she can take a sip of the stuff. If he's very observant, he will notice her hands are just finely shaking, but she's managing to mostly hide it, just in little ripples in the top of the coffee. "We'll appreciate whatever support we can get for the force. Goodness, if… If you'd like to work with them, far down the line, hopefully things will be in full swing by the time you tell the world. But that is your story to tell. No one else's. Tony won't care… I'll keep your secret. I promise"
*
Those piercing blue eyes don't miss much. But that doesn't mean he comments on everything. And there are so many ways to interpret trembling hands. Particularly after a shocking revelation. "I appreciate it." He pauses, then changes the subject, "I'm sure your glad to have this gala done with. You look like you could sleep for a week after all this."
*
A faint smile and there is a strange trace of something behind her eyes — guilt? Shame? A mix of both? Pepper's gaze abruptly drops to her coffee, noticing the shaking as well, and she takes a deep drink of it before setting the mug down as to not keep giving herself away. "Yes…it's…been a very long few days. A good night's sleep and I'm sure I'll be right as rain." Pepper murmurs quietly, all of it a complete lie and, if he can read people, he can probably pick up mostly on that. But she is trying to keep it together.
*
Warren raises an eyebrow, but does not comment He's only just met her, after all, it's hard to press on something like this. He sighs and folds his wings tightly to his back again, moving to put his jacket back on, "I shoudl probably be going. The gala's ending, and I'm sure you'd rather people weren't speculating where I went with the pretty redhead."
*
A slight laugh and a wince to follow comes, realizing how this could actually look for both of them. "Yes, yes, of course. Well, here…" Pepper reaches down into her small clutch purse that she'd abandoned at her feet. She pulls out her business card and hands it in his direction. "That's my direct line. If you need anything…have any questions… just call. I promise, if I don't pick up, I will get right back to you, just leave a message with Cindy." Pepper's hands are clammy against his, as she presses the business card into his grasp, but her smile is still warm.
*
Warren makes sure his suit jacket is sitting properly, for a multitude of reasons. He nods to her as he takes the card, taking a moment to exchange it with one of his own. But he notices the clammy hands and comments, "Seriously, Pepper, take care of yourself, all right? You'll run yourself into the ground trying to do everything." He takes one more inventory of himself, making sure everything is in place to face the world, "But I look forward to seeing you around."
*
The smile on her lips is quiet and doing it's very best to be reassuring. "…Warren, I… I'll be fine. I promise. It's just been a rough week. But I will take care. You do the same. I look forward to the day we're working on these things together." She then escorts him to the double doors that lead back into the now slowly emptying ballroom, the gala over for the evening. She'll ensure that his car is right there and he gets off safe into the night.
*