maskormenace | Ver 5.2

Ver 5.2 | Video

You know, we have a lot of really talented people here. Not that we didn't before -- us imports have always been pretty on top of things, but I think it goes without saying that without the talent and skill of everyone, there'd probably be a few of us that would be dead right about now. Or at least we'd have died. So, I don't think anyone's said it yet, but thanks, to everyone who helped get us out of there.

[ And there's a pause there, he's trying to be nice, and his ego is suffering. ]

I'd like to say we could have done it ourselves, but... well, you can't always predict for unpredictability, and getting us quickly could have been what saved our lives.

But, that's not the only reason I'm here. It's been a busy couple of weeks, not just from our unfortunate attempt to go to space, but for me personally. [ He indicates behind him, it's obviously an office, more strewn with metal and wires and parts than anything else. It's, frankly, an absolute mess. ] I got the loan a few weeks ago, but other than a few people I've gotten in on the ground floor, we haven't had much opportunity for hiring. Startups are always complicated.

But I'm happy to say, that if you want to work in tech and R&D, you should probably come talk to me. I can't promise high wages -- yet -- but I take care of my people, and with a few choice inventions, we'll be able to hit the ground running, and I'd like to see anyone with talent come talk to me. I promise, you won't regret it.

At least, you won't if you don't mind working for me.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ A miscalculation. As it turns out.

His lie is obvious, yes -- everyone in this conversation is aware, if they've been paying attention, that everyone else in this conversation has been seeing other people -- but that's not so much the issue here as the fact that he found that particular lie necessary. It's hard, she thinks, not to be insulted. As if she needed that kind of reassurance, as though she hadn't been simply playing just then (testing the waters, maybe, but it had been more of a game until now. Or -- a different game.)

Her smile in return is deliberate, a mirror of his own. More charm than affection. ]

Well. It doesn't look like I can get away this weekend. I so appreciate you understanding.

[ A serious miscalculation. He perhaps didn't know what Karla wanted, as well as he thought he did. What did she want? For him to reply airily? Out of character with every woman he'd seen? That was just insulting. Or did she want...

No, if she did, perhaps she wouldn't have played this game. Instead, it seems that the lie was too good, and not at all flying as he'd intended. A shame, but...

Probably for the best. He sighed, inflecting it with a touch of disappointment. ]

Alright, alright. Maybe next time, then. It'll be good for the company, for me to stay an entire weekend. Maybe go out to dinner Friday or Saturday night.

[ With someone else, it implied. A test of the waters. See what that did. Like a child, poking at an anthill. ]

[ The implication doesn't escape her. Nor does its corollary. He's (wrongly!) assumed her delicate feelings are in need of protecting; how could what he's just said not be designed to hurt?

Unsurprising. Hypocrisy is rampant among so-called heroes, isn't it? Of course, perhaps he doesn't do this with others. Perhaps this is the sort of thing people save for people like her.

Not that it matters, Karla reminds herself. His good intentions aren't a prerequisite for her to benefit from their arrangement. The connection is still there to be called upon, should she find herself in need of insurance, and he does make for an enjoyable diversion. Regardless.

Her smile broadens, accommodating. ]

At least it doesn't spoil your whole weekend's plans. I hope you'll let me make it up to you. I take it the CEO wouldn't get in trouble if I made him late to work some morning soon? For instance.

[ It's difficult, because he knows there's a problem to solve, but Tony Stark is unwise in the matters of love -- of actual affection and enjoyment. The surface is simple, and easy. The base interactions, the ones that nobody really pays attention to. The ones he has trouble with are when it comes to emotions, because he doesn't acknowledge his own.

He's treating Karla like every other woman.

A sigh. ]

Well, I always look forward to seeing you, but I suppose I can deal with a weekend alone.

[ He shrugged his shoulders, lifted his eyebrows, a mock-hurt, but his eyes don't really look directly at her. Odd, for a man so used to spouting everything he wants to, without even batting an eye. ]

What will they do if I'm late? Fire me?

[ That's not what it sounded like he meant before, a weekend alone. She brushes away the thought as soon as it enters -- could he be confusing her intentionally? -- because, again, not only does it not matter; there's also nothing to confuse on her end.

Another observation -- his dodging glance. Another reminder, on its heels, that whatever his behavior means isn't relevant. There is something off, though, confirmed-irrelevant questions aside.

She tilts her head, as if trying to see around him, to the office space. Still smiling. ]

Those few people you have gotten in on the ground floor. [ Lightly echoing his tone in the initial post. Not mocking, just being referential. ] Are they, presently, present? Over there? [ She raises an eyebrow -- goading. ] On, ah, any of the floors?

[ The smile he has for her is... well, it's that kind of smile of a guy who knows what should be coming, but there's an edge of hesitation there too. The kind of person who's just waiting for the other shoe to drop. ]

Right now? Of course not.

[ As if that were supposed to be obvious. ] I wanted to make sure everyone was home, just in case anyone decided to ransack me, just for good measure.

Or, if I had company.

To ransack you, or the office? I’m not sure I’m in a position to make guarantees about the former.

[ He is already headed where she’s going with this; that’s obvious. It’s also comfortable, and easy, falling back into this meandering sort of play. ]

How long would you say your commute is from your house here? Using the porter.

[ This exchange became difficult back there; sex is a viable fix, right?? ]

[ It's too easy, but he just smiled. ]

Oh, probably twenty minutes.

Faster if I fly, but I don't think anyone wants me going Mach 8 over their city.

Oh, I wasn't suggesting you go anywhere.

Mmm, well, I'm sure if someone were interested, I could tell them about a shortcut I know.

How long is this going to be a hypothetical? Sort of defeats the purpose of a shortcut if my departure's delayed waiting for it to make its way into specifics.

We can't have that, certainly. [ A beat. ]

After you get off the porter, flying's one option, but if you hit a straight left, and then a right at the [ expensive car brand ] lot, you'll find me two blocks down.

[ There's a beat on her end, too, as she sinks back in her seat, smiling in a mission-accomplished sort of way. ]

Better.

So, should I expect you sometime soon?

[ Can he be presumptuous? He can't even tell right now. ]

Well, I wouldn't be thrilled if you left now.

I wouldn't dream of it.

How do I find you? When I get there? Is there a code?

While you're working out the specifics of what you would dream of, about now.

Well, you could just walk up to the door, if you wanted, but...just punch in 68731-pound, and you can get in.

[ A pause. ]

As for what I'm dreaming about, it mostly involves you and me, my desk, and making sure I won't be able to look at it the same way again.

[ She's perfectly used to how this works -- she can ask, sure, but people dodge those kinds of requests with her. Offer to meet her up front, maybe -- not, normally, just give her their codes. He just gave her the code.

Not that her expression betrays the surprise at all. ]

I could be persuaded.

[ As if that weren't basically her own line of thought. ]

Well then, maybe when you get here, I can try that.

I'm sure I've got a few tricks to try.

[ Tony Stark doesn't even think of the consequences. Then again, Tony Stark has his security system hooked to his brain, and could reject an attempt at any time. ]

I'll hold you to it.

[ With that Karla disconnects the call.

Traveling by porter takes some adjusting to, which she hasn't, not completely -- there's a sort of sickening drop in her stomach when she steps out in De Chima twenty minutes later. The unsteady feeling's gone by the time she reaches the place. A soft light slides from head to toe, replacing her costume with the clothes she wore earlier (skirt, dark grey; blouse, black -- all more sensible than this rendezvous probably calls for).

She pauses out front. The place is small, comparatively -- much smaller than his facilities back home were -- but then, she was never invited to the ones back home.

The code he gave her does, in fact, cause the door to open with an accommodating click. She steps inside. ]

[ Tony's pretty much waiting the whole time. Oh, sure, he's tinkering -- working, or so he tells himself -- but the fact of the matter was that he wasn't getting any real work done. His office was spartan, all things considered, especially for him. None of the sharp, Feng shui flair, no plants, paintings -- no flavor that said spartan but chic, just plain.

It would come with time, of course. He had a worktable off to the side, and then a real desk. The worktable was strewn with work, but he was leaning back in his chair, when he heard the door, a familiar sound, and he stood, to poke his head out. True enough, nobody was there. ]

Karla. What do you think? It's a bit plain, for now, but... hopefully that'll improve with time.

It's, ah --

[ A few more steps, so she's standing in the middle of the office. Her gaze travels from Tony, around the room, back to Tony. His phrasing's more eager than usual -- he's quick to explain, nearly apologize for the unsettled state of a newly-rented office. That's not a solicit for opinions, she thinks, not in their usual way; there's desire for approval in there, too. It's understandable, for someone who places as much emphasis on his own business acumen as Tony appears to do.

Karla certainly hasn't come here to withhold validation. ]

I like it. You've barely had a chance to move in, but it's -- [ She runs her fingertips along the edge of the desk, as if studying it, and smiles. ] You have good taste.

Well, thank you.

[ The smile on his face wasn't earnest, but instead confident. Of course it was good. He was Tony Stark, right? Even if he didn't have a lot of money, he could make things look good.

Not wealthy, but good. ]

As do you. Did you have a good ride over?

The porting thing? [ She wrinkles her nose -- pickiness being the luxury of someone who could do that herself, once upon a time. Even teleporting by GPS-equipped swamp monster was more comfortable. Although. This system very much did deposit her in De Chima, and not some dystopian alternate future. Perhaps she shouldn't complain.

She shrugs, then looks up. There's a charge, there, when she makes eye contact, an intensity that wasn't present a moment ago. ]

I expect that'll improve soon, too, won't it?

[ The ride, she means, and cocks an eyebrow. In case it wasn't clear enough already that she's moved off the topic of teleportation transport. ]

Edited 2014-08-18 02:12 (UTC)

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