appt. 1: video

[didknowthat]

[Well hello there, residents of this fine barge. What you'll find on your screens, is a rather tiffed redhead, looking only just a little like she might be trying to bite her tongue. Without actually puncturing herself.]

Hi- Hello. My name is Virginia Potts, and I've been asked to come and .. work on this ship. [It's only a partial lie. She'd sought it out herself.] That being said, I've come as a warden, and am here to help.

[There's a moment of hesitance, her mouth opening to continue. But then it shuts. ... And she tries again.]

Is there a Tony Stark on the barge?

Comments

[Private]

[didknowthat]

[She looks confused for all of a minute; Chittauri? That's what those alien creature things were called, wasn't it? So she nods, one hand pressed to the side of her face in mock-sooth for a headache that wasn't quite there.]

There just wasn't time to wait any longer.

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

[Natasha let's the conversation lapse, for just a few seconds. Stark, putting his life on the line, doing what had to be done. And she, apparently, would do the same.

It made no sense, she was a spy, an assassin, not a soldier, and by two accounts she was going to wade into an out and out war, in the open. No assassinating the opponent leader behind the scenes, just battle. It was almost ridiculous.]

Where did the nuke come from?

[Private]

[didknowthat]

[Here, she shakes her head. She doesn't know exacts, unfortunately.]

Someone higher than SHIELD, I think. Some part of the government, I don't know. They wanted to clear the damage- the entire city was in ruins. Still was, for the most part, before I came here.

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

[The World Security Council, but she doesn't tell Pepper that. She isn't surprised that their decision was nuke it and see what survives. If there was a portal - well it sounds like they would have just kept coming.]

Loki was behind it all?

[Private]

[didknowthat]

[Confusion! Weren't they talking about the nuke a second ago? Jeez Nat.]

I-I don't know. Maybe, I never met him or spoke to him. It's just second hand knowledge, and while I might have great clearance, I don't have all of it. But it .. looked that way.

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

[Sorry Pep, conclusions were made, time to tackle the next subject. but the fact that Pepper doesn't know, that she probably only watched all this on the news, makes Natasha pause. She shouldn't be interrogating a civilian for info.]

All right. Look-- [Wait.] What have you told Stark?

[Private]

[didknowthat]

[Really Nat?]

Everything I know.

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

[Well shit. B| HOW CAN SHE SALVAGE THIS (you can't, Nat, just give it up pls)]

Okay. [Damn damn damn.] It sounds like the Captain's the only one from your time. I was at the expo before I came here, when Vanko attacked. [She doesn't bother pointing out that Tony is two years behind her, too, because that's probably awkward and, well. She figures Pepper knows, if she's talked to him.]

[Private]

[didknowthat]

Yes, I figured that out pretty quick. Both Tony and you are .. behind, then. [Wow. Weird to say that out loud.]

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

That's right. [Oh it has been weeeeiiiiird to hear about, too.] Is there anything else I should know? Do you have questions?

[Private]

[didknowthat]

No, I think I'm covered. For now, at least. Thanks, though.

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

Welcome to the Barge, Ms. Potts. [There is a teensy bit of dryness in her voice, if she's listening for it. Natasha's just going to replan things.]

[Private]

[didknowthat]

[Don't you just love that she fucked up all your plans, 'Tasha? Cause Pepper might actually feel bad if she found out. Really. You were her favorite and only PA she ever had.]

Thank you.