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First Shield: A lack of unstable molecules...[Action/Voice]
[Action]
[Early in the evening of July 9th, Susan Richards wakes up in a very, very strange place, an unfamiliar couch. In YOUR living room. She blinks and looks around, extremely confused. When this strange, blond woman sees you...her eyes go wide she disappears, clothes and all. Astute listeners may hear the sounds of her feet as she gets up and moves away from you and the couch.]
Wha! What on Earth?! WHO are you and WHERE am I?
[Susan's voice is pretty demanding for an invisible person who just woke up in your house, and it seems to be coming from all around you, her powers distorting it.
Maybe you could help talk some sense into her? Explain the situation? Perhaps you're feeling pretty mad? Break time, go nuts! This isn't locked to anyone!]
Voice
[Much, much later, Susan's voice will appear over the journal after she's collected herself and gotten out of whoever's house she wound up in]
Hello everyone. This is Susan Richards of the Fantastic Four. If there are any members of the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, the X-Men, or even anyone that just recognizes my name I would appreciate it if you would get in touch with me. Hell, even if you are just feeling helpful and are willing to share information, I'd really appreciate it. I've just arrived and I need help getting my bearings. I don't want to impose, but I really need some answers.
Also, if anyone comes across a blue jumpsuit with a 4 on it, I'd ask that they not touch it, its made of highly unstable molecules that can react oddly to anyone that isn't me.
[Her voice isn't terribly upset, more confused. Its not like she's never woken up in strange places or been in rough situations alone before. Thats...sort of what the Fantastic Four do!]
(OOC: Feel free to break time with the action portion of the post! I've got nobody in particular who needs to find her so she can wake up in anyone's living room that wants an Invisible Woman)
[Early in the evening of July 9th, Susan Richards wakes up in a very, very strange place, an unfamiliar couch. In YOUR living room. She blinks and looks around, extremely confused. When this strange, blond woman sees you...her eyes go wide she disappears, clothes and all. Astute listeners may hear the sounds of her feet as she gets up and moves away from you and the couch.]
Wha! What on Earth?! WHO are you and WHERE am I?
[Susan's voice is pretty demanding for an invisible person who just woke up in your house, and it seems to be coming from all around you, her powers distorting it.
Maybe you could help talk some sense into her? Explain the situation? Perhaps you're feeling pretty mad? Break time, go nuts! This isn't locked to anyone!]
Voice
[Much, much later, Susan's voice will appear over the journal after she's collected herself and gotten out of whoever's house she wound up in]
Hello everyone. This is Susan Richards of the Fantastic Four. If there are any members of the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, the X-Men, or even anyone that just recognizes my name I would appreciate it if you would get in touch with me. Hell, even if you are just feeling helpful and are willing to share information, I'd really appreciate it. I've just arrived and I need help getting my bearings. I don't want to impose, but I really need some answers.
Also, if anyone comes across a blue jumpsuit with a 4 on it, I'd ask that they not touch it, its made of highly unstable molecules that can react oddly to anyone that isn't me.
[Her voice isn't terribly upset, more confused. Its not like she's never woken up in strange places or been in rough situations alone before. Thats...sort of what the Fantastic Four do!]
(OOC: Feel free to break time with the action portion of the post! I've got nobody in particular who needs to find her so she can wake up in anyone's living room that wants an Invisible Woman)
[voice]
[She notes the politeness, and it IS appreciated. Pepper and Susan had never been particularly close.]
[voice > action]
[At which point Pepper closes the journal. She leaves a note for Tony, although chances were good he'd see the conversation anyway. Either way, it's not a bad habit to establish.
She and Tony don't live far away from the plaza, although it's still likely Susan will beat her there. Either way, Pepper heads to the fountain, keeping an eye out for someone who looks like the pictures she saw in the journal.]
[action]
Hello Ms. Potts.
Re: [action]
[Pepper turns at the sound of the voice, offers a hand to the other woman. It's appropriate for someone she's just meeting, even if the introduction is only true on Pepper's end.
The New Feather dress, though--Pepper has all too recent memories of being stuck in that outfit herself, and how eager she was to get rid of it.]
Are you sure you don't want to wait a bit for this? Considering what you're still wearing, that is.
[action]
If you don't mind directing me to a shop, I'll have no trouble finding something more suitable. If my jumpsuit is there, it won't take long.
[action]
You'll find whatever clothing you need in there. And I don't mind waiting a few minutes.
[It's nothing new, considering how often she waits on Tony in one fashion or another. She settles on a bench beside the fountain, and busies herself with her journal, pulling it out of the bag she carries.]
[action]
Thank you for waiting Ms. Potts. Its better that this didn't get taken by someone else.
Re: [action]
Yes, you mentioned that. Something about unstable molecules.
[Which makes the outfit unique for more reasons than its appearance. But that's more Tony's department than hers, so she'll turn toward the opposite side of the plaza.]
The teashop is this way. They also serve coffee, if that's your preference.
[Action]
[She follows your lead and turns towards the teashop]
That's fine. Tea, coffee. Something strong.
Re: [Action]
At the mention of something strong, Pepper pauses.]
There's also a bar, depending on the sort of strength you're looking for.
[That much, at least, Pepper can relate to.]
[Action]
[She laughs that off. A stiff drink wouldn't be BAD but not the best idea right now]
Oh, right. You wouldn't know would you? My family. The Fantastic Four? We were in an accident, exposed to a unique sort of radiation during a space flight. It changed all four of us. The suits adapt to the changes.
[She holds up a hand, and suddenly its invisible]
Re: [Action]
She listens when Susan talks about her family, the exposure to radiation. Bruce Banner went through something similar (though not in space), so Pepper's at least willing to hope the effects are--contained.
She has to take a second look when the woman's hand disappears, though. Pepper's eyes go wide, and she stares at what looks to be open air.]
Oh. That's...convenient.
[Action]
[And she catches a sense of your worry]
Don't worry, the radiation isn't catching. It was a freak accident. We've tried but it cannot be duplicated.
Re: [Action]
When Susan offers reassurances, Pepper lets out a quiet laugh.]
Well, I'd hope so. You are walking right next to me. [Otherwise they would have a few issues to address.] I was concerned, though. Accidents involving radiation usually don't have good results. [On the environment or on people.]
[Action]
Re: [Action]
[Pepper pauses then, long enough to open the door to the Welcome Center and head in. She leads Susan to the staircase, then up to the second floor.]
This is it. We can sit anywhere; do you have a preference?
[Action]
Re: [Action]
So. I think you left whatever you wanted to tell me at "It's complicated."
[Action]
This may take a while. I hope you had nothing planned for a while.
[When the drinks arrive, Sue gratefully accepts]
I mentioned the SRA, right? The Registration Act. Its something that the US Government and SHIELD came up with. The first thing to keep in mind is that Maria Hill is the current director, Nick Fury retired after a good sixty-plus years of service.
A group of rather irresponsible young people with powers caused an accident that destroyed a large part of a town, killed a lot of children. It was a tragedy. So the government proposed this bill in response. It seemed reasonable, at first, until it became what it is. Basically, the bill forces powered individuals to register with the government, whereupon they are deputized as Agents of SHIELD and are mandated to take orders from the government.
You following me so far?
Re: [Action]
[Certainly slow compared to the fast pace of Pepper's life back home.
She leans forward, listening while Susan talks. The first part is simple enough; just a changing of the guard.
What comes next is harder to take. News of tragedies is never well received, and Pepper grips her coffee cup a little tighter. The government response isn't surprising in that light, considering how many bills have similar history. And the hidden motive involving SHIELD--well. Pepper's heard tales of that in her own world too.]
So far so good. [Pepper takes a sip of her coffee, then nods so Susan will continue.]
[Action]
This...act, it divided the superhuman community. Mutants, like the X-Men, were exempt because a Mutant Registration Act was ruled unconstitutional. However, for people like my family, or the Avengers, it was put very, very simply: Register with the government or be arrested as a criminal. It also meant going public with hidden identities, a prospect that would endanger many families of superhumans.
[Now comes the hard part. She'll leave out her side just yet]
Two camps formed within the community. The Anti-Registration movement was lead by Steve Rogers, Captain America. He and a lot of others disliked the idea of heroes being used as a means to fight wars. They also disagreed that identities need be public knowledge, to protect families.
The Pro-Registration movement was...well...it was headed by Director Hill and Tony Stark. Iron Man. And my husband, Reed Richards. They want to preserve law and order, and protect the innocent from accidents like in Stamford.
[Sue swallows]
The Pro-Registration movement started locking people in a special prison designed to hold superhumans. There have been battles fought, my own brother is in a coma, and people have died. There are rumors that Tony and Hill have started using mind control drugs and nanites on former villains to force them to help fight this...Civil War.
Re: [Action]
It's harder to take, when Susan talks about Steve and Tony being on opposing sides. She likes both men--more than likes, in Tony's case. More than that, she knows just how important being an Avenger is to Tony. That sort of division would hit him hard.
But all of that doesn't compare to what Susan talks about next. An actual war, with prisoners, and brainwashing done by Tony? That makes Pepper's eyes go wide, and she shakes her head, horrified by what she's been told.]
My God. [She needs a moment to process it, and Pepper uses the excuse of taking another drink to give herself that time. She slowly puts her cup down after, folds her hands in her lap, and looks back to Susan.]
I'm very sorry you're going through all that. It sounds terrible. [And she means it, honestly. But her eyes are calm, because as horrible as it all must be, there's also one vital truth involved, and for the first time Pepper wholly embraces the theory of alternate worlds.]
But while I understand your concerns, Mrs. Richards, I'll ask you to keep something in mind: that's the Tony Stark of your universe, or however you want to put it. The Tony Stark here is from mine, and he hasn't done anything like that--and he never would.
[Action]
She resists the urge to comment, she knows its not welcome, and she doesn't KNOW this Tony. Its not outside the realm of possibility.]
Ms. Potts. Pepper. That isn't my intent at all. I'm telling you this so that you can understand my...well...my surprise at learning Tony is here. The Pepper Potts I know would never let some strange woman doubt Tony Stark without a reason, so I'm offering you the same courtesy I'd offer her.
If you are curious and in the interest of full disclosure, I sided with Steve against my husband and Tony. I have my suspicions that the Tony working with Director Hill may well be an android, a Skrull, or under the effects of brainwashing. That man is not the Tony Stark I knew. Something is not right with the situation at home.
Also, believe me when I say this: This is not the first time I've met people I know from home that are from different realities. I have been to worlds where my own brother was a mass-murdering dictator, and I've seen worlds where my family's nemesis was the world's greatest hero. When I learned you and Tony weren't from my world, my thoughts immediately went from 'Oh God Tony! to 'This is good. A familiar face.' Anthony Howard Stark is one of the faces I am never unhappy to see. He's saved my family's life more times than I care to count, and I've returned the favor. In more than one reality.
If he's anything like the man I called friend, then I'll be more than happy to become reacquainted with him. And you as well, Pepper.
[Sue takes a sip of coffee before continuing.]
Re: [Action]
I appreciate that, I do. But for future reference, I'm also going to remind you that I'm not the Pepper Potts you know.
[Because suddenly, the idea of being treated differently because of the existence of an alternate version of herself leaves a bad taste in Pepper's mouth.
Susan keeps going, details her side and her reasons, and it's comforting to hear a similar faith, even if it comes with at least one term she doesn't understand. Susan's personal experience also helps ease some of Pepper's fears. Still, she has definite concerns, and after a moment, she lets out a soft sigh.]
Alright. Thank you, for telling me. But I'm hoping you'll agree not to share this story with other people here. Tony and I aren't the only ones here from our home. So's Steve Rogers...and Howard Stark.
[Action]
[Susan's eyes flicker for a moment at the mention of Steve, and of Howard Stark. THAT was a strange thing to be sure. Howard had died when Tony was young, she knew that much. Surprising. Unexpected. But somehow not worrisome.
But she nods all the same, a spoon floating off the table and stirring absently]
Yes. That's what I had intended to do. I briefly spoke to Tony when he contacted me on my way here, but when the SRA didn't ring a bell I dropped that line of questioning. He doesn't need to know. Or at least, he doesn't need to hear it from me. I trust your judgement there.
Billy Kaplan is from the same reality I am, however. You may want to speak with him on the matter of keeping it silent. Rest assured, I won't tell Steve, or Howard, but Billy is young, and has been deeply hurt by the events of the war.
Do you have any questions about what I've said? I know I've bombarded you with a great deal. And I've only got more questions, so fair is fair. Your turn, Pepper.
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