Wizard, Witch, Wolf and Lady

July 27, 2014:

Once again Pepper's office becomes the focal point of a number of curious beings, not all of whom are strictly speaking 'people.'

Stark Tower

Characters

NPCs: None.

Mentions:

Mood Music: None.


Fade In…

It's mid-afternoon, a few hours after Pepper and Dana Maddox had lunch with Fenris, Inara, and hyper little Cora. Pepper has been trying to avoid her office as much as possible all day, and not entirely successfully. Keeping her temper around others every time she's in her office is becoming more of an effort, and she's more and more wanting to take the stupid Book of Vices and chuck it off the roof of the Tower.

Hanging up from yet another phone call that is normally routine, she resists the urge to slam her phone onto her desk, but still sets it down more forcefully than is usual. GOD, that bottle of brandy over there should NOT be at all tempting. But it is.

*

Tony got tempted long ago. He walks in, rocks glass in hand, half filled with scotch. "Afternoon, Miss Potts." he says, with a grin, leaning in her doorway.

*

Pepper Potts looks up at Tony, seeming far more frazzled than the rather normal day would warrant. She looks ready to snap an irritable 'WHAT?!' but stops herself, takes a breath, and says much more reasonable tone, "Good afternoon, Mr. Stark. Everything all right today?" Her eyes flick over to her computer, where she had JARVIS put a small window showing the camera feed from the guest room in which Fenris is resting.

*

Tony Stark squints an eye, sips his scotch, "You know, I've seen that body language before, but it's usually following TMZ doing a piece on me doing a piece of someone else. You sure everything is ok?"

*

Okay, whatever just happened in Pepper's office sent the whispers buzzing so loudly that Fenris can feel them from two floors up. Unfortunately there are still people about and he can't just go walking around. However, he is recovered enough that a short burst of magic shouldn't tax him too much. There's a bright glow on Pepper's screen which coincides with a rend in time and space opening up in Pepper's office near the couch. Out of which an eight foot long black furred wolf limps through. Leg's still recovering, it seems.

"Miss Potts? Is everything alright. I sensed…" Fenris trails off when he sees that Pepper isn't alone.

*

Tony ends the sentence abruptly with, "Motherfucking Hogwarts?!"

*

Pepper Potts starts to nod and reassure Tony that everything's fine when Fenris makes a most timely appearance. Bad timely. She startles visibly at the flash of light, but strangely isn't startled or frightened by the appearance of the enormous wolf. No, instead her eyes go to Tony. Somewhat guiltily.

"Tony, this is Fenris. He's … requested sanctuary here for a couple of days. Fenris, this is my boss, Tony Stark." She stands and moves to put herself between the two as she speaks, though she seems unsure as to which needs to be protected.

*

"Mister Stark." The deep voiced wolf rumbles and gives an odd kind of half bow. "A pleasure to meet you."

Amber eyes cut back to Pepper. "Are you well? I sensed something amiss." Specifically the cursed book you have started shouting when your boss showed up. That seems impolitic to say though.

*

Tony Stark raises his glass, "A pleasure..Fenris.." he says, a little unsure of how to respond. He nods, "I guess we're on the same page. Feeling a disturbance in the force at the same time and all. So..what's going on?" he asks. Sip.

*

Once Pepper seems at least reasonably sure that neither of them is going to fly off the handle because of the other, Pepper moves to sit on the arm of the couch in her office, rubbing the heel of one hand against her forehead none too gently.

"Nothing, really. It's nothing." SO not nothing, if anyone else can 'hear' the even louder whispering of the magical book hidden in the bottom drawer of her desk. "I'm holding onto something for someone, and …" she glances at Fenris, then looks at Tony. "It's kind of causing an allergic reaction." Sort of. She's not sure how else to explain a magical effect to Tony when she doesn't at all understand it herself.

*

Saying 'actually you have an evil corruptive book of magic that it tempting you to make use of it' is not really the thing to say here. Or so says 2000 years of common sense to Fenris. And Fenris often listens. So what he does instead is climb onto the couch, taking up most of it, and recline as best a creature of his size is able.
"
How bad has it been? And is it just confined to the office?"

*

Tony Stark ponders this, "Allergic reaction? Well, that's nothing. I can stick it in the hyperbaric vault in the R&D vault and code it to my retina so no one can get it but me. When it's time to give it back, no muss, no fuss. Sounds like a simple fix to me," he says shrugging, he looks over, "Scooby?" he asks, in consultation.

*

Pepper Potts shrugs lightly at Fenris. "It's by far the worst when I'm in here, but it doesn't completely go away until I'm out of the building entirely." How does she know? She checked. Looking over at Tony, she shakes her head no. "If this thing's owner shows up to claim it and you're not here, I don't want to be stuck with it. I'll be okay for another day or two." Hopefully.

*

Fenris chuckles at the 'scooby' dig. "If I'm scooby, what does that make you and Miss Potts?"

Considering the vault he nods. "It's a good short term solution. The trouble is it will eventually corrupt the building itself unless proper steps are taken to siphon its energies away. And you wouldn't want to simply ground them. They'd need to be sent elsewhere."

The great wolf looks darkly at the desk. "What we really need to do is find that damned brit."

*

Tony Stark grins and likes the cut of the wolf's jib already, "Well, let's see. It'd make me Fred, her Velma, and Shaggy is somewhere trying to figure out how not to turn into the monster when he gets angry. Daphne is any one of the six-pack of A-list airheads I happen into on a week by week basis. Totally interchangeable. But you should see our Mystery Machine…" he says.

Another sip of scotch. He steps more into the office now, and goes Pepper's bar, digging into the back past the tea(huh?) and potpourri(wtf?!) for the bottle Johnny Walker Platinum in the back. He pours himself a refill, "So we're dealing with an energy seepage issue?" he asks.

*

Pepper Potts actually lets a bit of her twitchy irritability show when she narrows her eyes at Fenris but almost as quickly stops herself and looks away. "Not Daphne. She was vacuous." She can't help but huff a small laugh as Tony dubs her Velma — he's seen some of her seventh grade school pictures. Velma indeed. As Tony rummages through her credenza for the normally concealed liquor there (please don't spill the saucer of lemon and milk back there), she goes back over to her desk and unburies the battered and ugly high schooler-looking binder from the bottom of her desk, letting it land on the desktop with a thwack.

"This is it." She almost promptly steps away from it again, retreating back toward the couch. Heck, if there were enough room (though she's fairly sure that it wouldn't make a lick of difference), she'd hide behind Fenris.

*

Fenris would let her, it seems and as Pepper gets closer the sort of disturbing predatory air about him seems to drown out the whispers. Cause if you get too close, Fenris is absolutely more frightening than the book.

"Arcane energy, Mister Stark. Not a measurable wavelength, and it does things. But yes, the same principles apply. If you trap it, it builds up and eventually has to discharge. If you siphon it, it has to go somewhere it won't do any harm." Jokes aside, this man seems sharp. Lord of the House of Stark indeed.

*

Tony Stark takes a sip and walks over, "Got it.." he says, setting the glass down and picking up the book. He flips through it but doesn't read it. The effects it might have on him are unknown. He doesn't really believe in magic as other people do, the same goes for religion as well, and this might deal with both. To him, it's just another book.

"So we have to either build a capacitor for it, or find a way to ground it, or come up with some kind of arcane energy lightning rod for whatever is leaking out of this thing to go and dissipate uselessly."

He looks over to the wolf, "Cold wrought iron, maybe, or copper in some sort of glyph shape, something along those lines?" he comes up with off the top of his head. There are times he seems daft, and like he passes through life like a modern day Caligula of women and alcohol. Then there are times he pulls his mind out of the sheath of scotch and flesh it is usually encased in, and shows just how sharp it is. Is winter coming? Well, it sure isn't Indian summer on the horizon.

*

Pepper Potts actually prefers the hindbrain fight or flight reactions Fenris invokes over the twitchy, irritable, anxious urge to eat about six cannolis and wash them down with Armagnac. Just watching Tony open the book makes her cross her arms tightly, as if cold or feeling particularly defensive. Her eyes do flick toward Fenris briefly, though.

"I think cold iron won't work." She remembers the human version Fenris — or Wolfson as he was going by at that time — telling her her hairstick wouldn't be of any use in that creepy old house.

*

"Silver is the most easily acquirable metal with enough magical resonance to do the job." Fenris may not be much of a mage, but he's had two thousand years to study. "Platinum-silver alloy is better, if you can get it. Moonsilver or Uru are better, but good luck finding either here." Yes, a giant talking wolf is expounding on magical metallurgy.

"I could show you some glyph designs that would do the trick… though I'd have to scratch them into something. No hands." He smiles apologetically to Pepper. He can't really turn that off. Suppress it a bit,but not much else.

*

Tony Stark nods, "Okay, then." he says, smiling up at Pepper, then over to Fenris, "Plat-Silver alloy isn't an issue. We have a stockpile of that somewhere. Uru is a possibility." he winks, because he rolls like that, "I know a god who knows a god. We might be able to work something out." he shrugs and picks up his scotch glass again, "I can put something together so you can work on a virtual work station with your paws. I'm good like that." he sips his scotch and nods. It's good to know how to plan.

*

That makes the wolf chuckle a bit.

"Know a god who knows a god, hrm? You must know better gods than I do." Not that this is difficult.

"If you've something like that, yes, I can show you a design that will work. I just hope the place we send the energy is still unused. Otherwise that could be unfortunate. My apologies for my… appearance. Normally I don't look quite so… fuzzy."

Fenris dog-stretches and the scars on his flanks and neck and rear leg are quite visible as he does. "I did not mean to invade your sanctum, Mister Stark. I was wounded and have magic that takes me to a safe place. Which this, apparently, is." Poor Pepper.

*

Tony Stark grins, "Oh, this isn't the Penthouse, so you're fine. I assume you're less fuzzy away from the full moon, or something like that?"

"Ordinarily I'm as human as you. Well, slightly less human than you. But I'm recovering from some serious injuries and locked in this form until I do."

*

Penthouse? Ah yes, the Lords chambers as it were. Fenris chuckles. "No, we'd not think of invading your privacy like that." There's a short pause. "You're taking this rather better than I expected, I must say."

*

Tony Stark nods, understanding. "Well that's a shame, and don't take this the wrong way, but can I get you a bowl of scotch? Seems like you could use it. Sorry for the canine based jokes..Being inappropriate and crass is kind of my stock in trade. No insult meant - this is not the weirdest thing I've ever been a party too. That would've been the… after party for the opening of Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway. I don't remember stretches of time, but there was a LOT of weird shit going on there."

*

Fenris smiles broadly. "I would not mind a drink or two. I do not ordinarily indulge but this seems like a special occasion. I must point out that Fae beings are known to infiltrate the acting profession to sup on the adoration and energy. So it is possible your after party…" Was peopled by inhuman things. Which would explain weirdness. That or drugs.

"I do not insult as easily as my fellow deities Mister Stark. Side effect of being here for so long."

*

Fae. Crap. Pepper suddenly crosses the room to start rumoring through the credenza much like Tony did, though she instead pulls out a saucer that had a lemon slice in it and what likely smells to Fenris like soured milk. She discards the lemon, rinses the saucer and leaves it in the little sink there, then prepares a fresh saucer of milk with lemon that goes back into the back of the cupboard.

*

Tony Stark gets a bowl and fills it half way with the scotch. "A god as well? You're not one of Thor's pals, are you? All the Asgardians are here, it seems. Makes me wonder who's Asgarding on Asgard." he sits it before Fenris and nods, "To your health." and then watches as Pepper discards and refills things, "I didn't spill any in there." he says flatly.

*

Fenris leans down and laps up soem of the scotch. "Mmmm. You do get the good ones, don't you Mister Stark? To your health as well." He pauses and makes a sort of a half-growl noise at the mention of Thor.

"The Thunder God and I are not precisely friends." Or even sort of friends. He doesn't like really any of his fellows. "I left there to get away from them and their… expectations."

*

Tony Stark chuckles, "Don't worry. Neither one of us can hold ourselves to their standards. But we'll do alright." he says, warming to the diety.

*

"Their standards are unreasonable… And fueled I suspect by a great indulgence in mead." The black wolf shakes his head with a wry chuckle. "So how is it that you know the Thundering One? Is he prone to stop by?" Because that means Fenris should be on guard. Thor would probably react very badly to the world ending apocalypse wolf being here. Or anywhere but tied up in a cave, really.

*

Pepper Potts takes a moment to smooth her hair after the moment of frenetic activity. "I know you didn't, Tony. Fenris just reminded me of something." She then looks from wolf to human and back a bit confusedly. "Wait. Are you saying Thor's been by here to visit? Like, the Norse god of thunder Thor?" Why in the heck is she surprised, anyway? I mean, Fenris is RIGHT HERE.

Tony Stark blinks, "I thought you booked the appointment."

*

Pepper Potts blinks back. "When?" She starts toward her desk where her phone is sitting, then stops abruptly. Not going near that damned book again. Nope.

*

Fenris sighs. "Oh dear… well this will be fun. Let's hope it doesn't come up while I'm injured."
The great black wolf is reclining on the great grey sofa in Pepper's office, talking magical resonance and norse gods with Tony Stark and Pepper Potts… nothing unusual to see here. Nope. Not at all.

*

Pepper Potts sighs and rubs at her forehead again. If she's forgetting things because of that book… She's standing sort of in the middle of the room, her desk chair pushed away as if she's just abandoned it, and the Book of Vices there at her desk with Tony looking it over.

*

Tony Stark is still flipping through the Book Of Vices, "So.." he says, casually, as he sips a scotch. "Do I get bonus points if I've done all these already?"

*

Once again, as with a day or two ago, there's a light rap on Pepper's office door. Dana Hunt, a new folder under her arm with the final imagery decided upon from her last visit with the PA, peers around the doorframe to ascertain if she's intruding or not. The exposed Book, however, causes her to pull back with a wince.

*

Fenris smiles. "Back with those poofs already, are we?"

He's not going to invite her in. It's not his place. But he's fairly sure Pepper and Tony would like her. In an effort to make things more comfortable, Fenris swells in size a little, drawing on more of his divinity and filling the room with his predatory aura. Yes, he's trying to make things more comfortable by making everyone more frightened of him. Drink in the irony.

*

Pepper Potts recognizes that knock and turns promptly, but upon seeing that wince steels herself and steps over to pull the book from Tony's hands and, if he lets her take it, starts to rebury it in the bottom of her desk. "Sorry, sorry. Come in, Dana." Tony is probably aware that the two women have become fast friends since the first photo shoot, but still, better safe than sorry. "Tony, you remember Dana, right?"

*

Yeah, the increase in divine energy doesn't conceal the Book from Dana. It merely makes the room that much more overwhelming. However, the half-elf has been before overwhelming presences before now. Overwhelming and terrifying. It tends more to piss her off than cow her — but that's probably just a reaction to the fear. Rex, invisible and intangible, is far more settled than she, though he stays close enough for her to be aware of the hellhound's presence. Now that Dana's aware the book isn't in its drawer, she can squint her way through it.

*

"Final images," she tells the Old Wolf, metaphorically pushing her way into the room. Some glossies and a CD sit in the folder. "Lord Fenris. Mr. Stark. A pleasure to see you both again." She glances to Pepper. "I brought a bag for that. Wassea said it might help."

*

Fenris nods. When Dana produces the bag, his aura recedes.

"Dana, please, I am no lord. Not here, at any rate." Stark and Pepper both get sharp, wolfish grins. "Wassea…" The name sounds familiar but Fenris can't quite place it. It's just a cute saying for most folks to say they've forgotten more than someone else has ever learned. In Fenris case it may not be simple hyperbole.

*

Pepper Potts ohs. "You did?" She is SO going to get Wassea a gift of some sort for the help. Maybe her mother's snickerdoodle recipe. That would certainly put her at risk of being disowned, so it would be considered valuable, right? She stops with the burying of the book.

"Would she be offended if I gave her a huge hug next time I'm over there?"

*

The bag is fashioned of supple leather and etched with runes that should suppress the book's magic. At the very least it will dampen its aura. "Wassea keeps a way station," Dana tells Fenris. Indeed, the Silveroak is neutral ground and has been for centuries under the Lady's watch.

"She is friend to me." She smiles to Pepper. "I doubt she'd refuse a hug," she says. "I think, though, the favor was done more to me than you. Which reminds me, I think she might negotiate her molasses bread recipe with you, if you ask her nicely."

*

Fenris nods. "The Silveroak… ah. Yes. The name is familiar though I cannot remember having ever been." It's possible he has been and just doesn't recall. It's not something he's really gonna ransack his memory for right now.

"The hospitality of such places is legendary though." Then again it almost has to be considering who the clientele is.

*

Pepper Potts gets a shrewd look on her face at the mention of the bread recipe. "I just might have to abscond with my mother's snickerdoodle recipe after all, then." She leaves the book on the floor by her desk and goes to take the bag from Dana so the younger woman doesn't have the approach the Binder of Blegh. She then spends a few moments fenagling the binder into the bag. "Good riddance," she tells the thing as she closes the bag around it.

*

Dana smiles at the Wolf's assessment. "It is," she agrees. And, yes. The clientele does tend to help, from a certain point of view. But, at the end of the day, whatever her true name may be, the Lady known as Wassea is something of a legend in her own right among the Sidhe. The witch chuckles to Pepper, laying her folder down on the table for her.

"That's much better."

*

Even Fenris seems to have relaxed a bit and laps some more from the bowl of scotch. "Quite so. Perhaps your office will be less hostile now, Miss Potts."

The Old Wolf stretches and seems to regard Dana and Pepper a bit oddly. "May I ask if, if it is not prying, what the relationship of this place is to the Courts?"

*

Pepper Potts waits for several seconds, then actually breathes a sigh of relief. It's not perfect, she can still feel an undercurrent of twitchiness, but now it's at least ignorable. She shoves the bag-wrapped book under her desk and stands, dusting her knees off.

"I want some tea now. Who else would like some tea?"

Then Fenris asks about the Tower's relationship to the Courts, and she looks at Rune questioningly, because she honestly doesn't know herself.

*

"Tea would be lovely," Dana replies. But, then, it often is, here. She grimaces a little, glancing briefly to Tony before she replies to Fenris. "Formally, there is no relationship between the Courts and this place," she tells him. "But we are working on coming to an understanding that will encourage them to leave this place and its people well enough alone."

*

"Are you now?" That notion seems to amuse Fenris greatly, mostly because the Fae have a reputation across all the nine realms as meddlers. A well earned one at that.

"Is there anyway an old wolf might help that along?"

*

Pepper Potts nods to Dana and steps over to start a pot of tea brewing. It's the antique teapot she purchased, and that unique Russian Caravan blend.

*

Dana chuckles dryly. "We're trying to keep this amicable, for now," she tells the Old Wolf. "So, at this point, I'd say… no. You turning up to the negotiations speaks of outside threat, whereas we're trying to position Mr. Stark as at least a Duke in his own right." Perhaps a prince, though no one at the courts will buy he's a king. Duke, they can get away with most easily.

"The House of Stark needs to be seen as a capable power in its own right, for the purposes of being recognized as a legitimate party to treaty. Of course…" Again she spares a glance for both Pepper and Tony, "that doesn't mean allies won't be welcome down the road." Translation: if the negotiations fail.

*

"Very well. I imagine you of all people, Dana, would not have trouble finding me if you needed me." Fenris does not often involve himself in the politics of… Midguard's native magical creatures. But there are exceptions. This is one of them. He doesn't like to be often, but he's still more than capable of playing big bad wolf.

*

Pepper Potts looks between the two magical beings and can't help but feeling that this discussion will eventually lead to something … important. But for now, she just needs to calm her nerves and review the final images. She settles at the small conference table with the teapot and matching cups and reaches for the folder. She'd offer her opinion, but she thinks it'd be tainted by the book's influence. RIght now, anyway.

*

Dana inclines her head simply to Fenris. She can find him, if she needs him. One way or another. Especially since they keep bumping into each other, anyway. It occurs to her the Fates may have a peculiar sense of humor. "The CD has the originals, Pepper, if you want them."

*

Fenris leans over to look at the prints. He hadn't had the chance to see what they'd selected and Dana does have a flair for this kind of work. A god he may be, but that doesn't mean he's incapable of appreciating things like a picture well taken. Indeed, if anything, his time on Midguard has given him a unique perspective on art.

*

Pepper Potts looks up as she gets the very distinct sensation of Fenris … leaning. She fights back the urge to shrink away from him, and holds up one of the prints for him to see. "Are there particular colors you can't see while in this form, Fenris? I've kind of been wondering." For about five seconds, but shhh.

*

Dana takes a seat at the table, letting the others look at the photos. They're good, particularly for the magazine spread. Not the work she'd put in galleries, mind. But appropriate to the job.

*

Fenris looks over the print for a few moments in silence, apparently approving. "I see in a great many colors, though I cheat. My biology isn't… real. The appearance of it is good enough, yes, but were a veterinarian to examine me, he or she would find that while I appear to be simply a very large wolf, there are inconsistencies. Things that should not be there, or things that I can do despite not having the right biology. Like speak in English, for example.

*

Pepper Potts hms and tilts her head slightly in acknowledgement. "Okay, good point." She looks at the print as well. "These are better than the last, Dana. And when I saw those, I didn't think that'd be possible."

*

Dana chuckles. "I'd say it's magic, but my photography's the one thing about me that's not magic. So, thank you." It's not so much a point of pride that they're not done by magic as it as personal satisfaction.

*

"There is a… solace in not living in that world, if only in one part of your life." Fenris knows that only too well. It's why he's spent centuries as simply a wolf before. Straddling two or more worlds is exhausting. And sometimes, heartbreaking.

*

Pepper Potts smiles at Dana then looks up at Fenris. Again she feels that was something she can't fathom as a schmegular human. But, maybe it's best that she doesn't. Oh, and now that stupid book is making her feel maudlin. Ugh. She pours herself some tea and takes a sip to cover her reaction.

*

"There is," Dana concedes. "It is also the only way outside of some very terrifying visions I'll ever see this world without all the shadows and overlays that obscure it from me. So, it's worth the work."

*

Pepper Potts suddenly wonders if Tony's HUD display from his Iron Man helmet would do the same thing as Dana's camera, and if so, whether it could be modified into a very simple eyeglasses type of setup. As Tony still seems engrossed in the possibilities of siphoning the energy from the book using some kind of metal or other, she makes a mental note to bring up to him later.

*

Fenris chuckles and looks at Pepper rather directly. "Most would not endure such visions, Miss Potts. Most would have gone mad or blinded themselves rather than see what she must see. Your friend is very, very brave."

*

It doesn't occur to Dana that she's any braver than anyone else. Maybe just a little crazier, but that comes with the territory. But, no. She wouldn't wish her visions on her worst enemy. "Blinding myself won't make the visions go away. Just the overlays." And even that's not guaranteed, she's heard.

*

Pepper Potts looks from Fenris to Dana, clearly plotting something now. "Well, I for one am glad that you're here and not 'resting' in a mental hospital somewhere. And not just because you can take amazing photographs. Fenris, what are your and Inara's plans for dinner? I was thinking tacos and a movie for Cora." She glances back to Dana, silently inviting her as well.

*

"No plans. That sounds delicious. Are you going to join us? And perhaps Dana as well?"

Not so silent invitation now. The Old Wolf grins again and levers himself, slowly, into a standing position, opening a portal in a great tear so he doens't have to trek through the hallways and get stuck in the elevator.

*

Dana winces a little at the tear, sensitive to the Veil as she is. Not, mind, that she can feel it tearing or anything. It's just the principle of the thing. "Thank you for the invitation," she says. "But, if you're happy with the photos, Pepper, I should actually take my leave. I've got another appointment, this evening, I really shouldn't miss. And Wassea will want to know how the bag works, anyway." She rises, now, and prepares to leave.

*

Pepper Potts ahs and nods and moves to stand as well. "I completely understand, Dana. I hope your evening appointment goes well, and I will definitely want to go back by Wassea's soon to see about trading recipes with her." She has to keep herself from saying that she wants to thank the proprietress, and that's not as easy as it seems. Well, it's a little easier right now, but that's that damned book again.

*

Fenris nods. "I'll tell Cora you're coming then, Pepper? She'll be excited I'm sure. I do believe she's taken to you."

Dana gets a stiff canine bow. Stiff only because he's still hurting. "Dana. Do be safe until we meet again." And with that he turns and steps through the portal.

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