14127/Contact Point: Hour 31

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Contact Point: Hour 31
Date of Scene: 14 February 2022
Location: Helicarrier ODYSSEY - Hangar
Synopsis: The Respite of the Helicarrier raises questions better left unaired.
Cast of Characters: Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow (Romanoff)




Iron Man has posed:
The flight home is a courtesy flight, really. Well, that and the carrier is the one in the air that will be taking those involved in Stage Two of the mission back, just to keep everyone together and on the same page. It's not that Tony actually needs to hitch the ride, thanks to his suit, but he's got Pepper as well. Again, however, there is the private, sleek black SI helicopter sitting on a helipad. It just doesn't have the distance that the 'carrier has, and, let's face it, the Odyssey is cool.

Tony's in a jacket, collar up, even if it's unzipped, showing off his t-shirt and the soft blue glow beneath, and hands in his pockets. The Quin that is currently parked there is being looked at, studied as he walks around it slowly. Consideringly.

Captain America has posed:
    Steve Rogers is a little more bound to the carrier considering his only other way home might be to hitchhike and then get a job in the Merchant Marine. But he's perhaps more used to making use of the facilities there as he emerges from the elevator that leads below decks. Wearing the blue fatigue pants and boots of a SHIELD operative for a top he just has a white t-shirt, though around his shoulders is a towel that he's using to rub the back of his head with, trying to get dry even as he emerges.
    He'd been planning to head over o the secondary elevator and continue up to the bridge, but it doesn't take him long for him to spot Tony, however, which causes him to take a small detour. After a minute Stark might spot the man, or hear his footsteps, or then finally his voice raised.
    "Hey, Tony." He stops at the front of the Quinjet, hands in his pockets now as he looks it over. "Figured you'd be long gone by now."

Iron Man has posed:
Lost in his thoughts? More like lost in computations, engineering and redesign. After all, SI is the architect of the 'carrier and the Quins. He just built them FOR SHIELD.

Twisting around when he catches voice rather than movement, Tony nods his greeting. "Heya." Still, he's a little distracted, but it's only for those few seconds longer before he gives the man his full attention. At least as much attention as he can do 'full'. "Good work down there, by the way."

Tony shakes his head and gives something of an offhand shrug. "Pepper's never been on one of these things. She's having a lot of fun, ordering junior agents around." A smirk rises and he adds, "And they're jumping."

Pulling a hand from his pocket, he reaches out to lean on the Quin as he talks, "It also gives her a day or so off before getting back to work." Vacation? Isn't he nice?

Captain America has posed:
    At the compliment Cap waves it off with his usual aplomb, just a lift of a hand and a slight tilt of his head. Most would leave it at that but he says politely, "Thanks." Since to not say that would be rude.
    Though when he hears of Pepper's adventures and escapades upon the Heli-Carrier he smiles a little, "Well. They are impressive. Nobody'd blame her." For her reaction and marvel. Though after he says that he takes a turn considering the Quinjet that is under Tony's scrutiny, as if he might be able to puzzle out what has the inventor's attention.
    "Though if you try to get away with telling her this was a vacation you might get a little static for that." A beat, then he adds, "And perhaps rightfully so." He pulls the towel off his shoulder and tucks it under one arm as he nods as he perhaps imagines the talking to that might result from such.

Iron Man has posed:
"Kidding?" Tony's looking back at the Quin, walking it slowly, pacing it out. Of course, he has it all in blueprints to be called up at any moment, but there are times when just walking and looking at the finished product is better. "Anyone can go to the Riviera, or Monaco." Or the house in Dubai.

"This is a vacation. Starting tomorrow." After all, Tony's got a list of instructions. So many surveys! "It's fine."

Captain America has posed:
    "Well," Steve crosses his arms over his broad chest, "If anyone could transform a several billion dollar warship into a party venue, or holiday retreat... I'd put my money on you, Tony." Though his gaze does still follow after Stark as he moves around that Quinjet.
    Until finally he gives a nod, "Anything I can give you a hand with here, or just considering some modifications?" He asks as he steps forward, moving after Tony's circuitous route. Then furrowing his brow as he looks at the fin number on the Quinjet's tail.
    "This was the one that deployed us the other night..."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
A figure was approaching the duo near the quinjet. Natashaha changed out of her costume by this point. Dressed in a pair of black pants, a red t-shirt, a lightweight black leather jacket. But being her, she had a belt with a holster, that holster attached to her left thigh. One of her Glocks was in its place there. Not that she expected there to be trouble but experience had taught her that was no excuse for not being prepared.

She considered the circuitous route the pair were taking, looking at the quinjet. Moving into a line to intercept them, she paused as she looked from them to the quin and back.

"Should I ask what's so interesting?"

Iron Man has posed:
"I can easily reoutfit the workshop," Tony muses. It could either be a threat or a promise. "Nice idea, there, Steve."

He gives the other man a quick smile, the kind where anything can happen, and usually does. "Really, though, I'm always looking to improve. This is a few years old now, and after riding in her, I think I can make things a little better."

Tony stops a little short, absolutely theatrically, "Everyone's so suspicious," he begins, the humor in his tones evident. "I'm looking at upgrading. We have new metals, new electricals, new power sources. Put my stuff in with others that I can reverse engineer and pick out what would work for us? I'll just start writing my Man of the Year speech now."

Captain America has posed:
    At Nat's question Cap just points at Tony in a way that with anyone else would likely seem to say, 'he did it.' Though his is perhaps a little more good-natured considering his face seems to also register that he doesn't really have that much of a clue as well.
    But he's brought along with Tony's line of thought, giving a nod as he stops circling the craft and folds his arms over his chest. "Last time I spoke with Colonel Rhodes he had some thoughts about us utilizing a more robust or armored version of the Quinjet since we often deploy under a lot of fire." Which, can be a bad thing, though it's also expected for them since they're the Avengers.
    A glance is given to Natasha as he adds, "We have access to some strong materials, maybe not enough to bulk up the fleet, bu enough to create a vanguard?" As he says that last he turns to look at Tony with a question in the tilt of his head.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
She was about to claim she wasn't being suspicious. Then she realized that was never going to be believed because--well, she was being suspicious. When Tony was looking at things that way, it didn't bode well for the item to remain intact very long. The explanation made sense and she reached up to pat the side of the quin almost affectionately.

"Probably at the least do something for the Avengers that is more advanced. Then make the pitch to SHIELD to update a vanguard unit for them. These still do the job for most of the SHIELD level assignments."

Iron Man has posed:
Tony crosses his arms in front of him and turns to look at Steve fully, his expression filled with amused disappointment. "Have I taught you nothing? 'Bulk' nothing. Even my suits haven't gotten bulkier, they've gotten slimmer." Well, other than the specialized suits, BUT! "I'm going for strong and sleek. Like, well.."

The genius inventor gestures towards Natasha, "Will you explain it to him, please?"

His attention floats between the two of them now, and he smirks. "Rhodey is just mad because I didn't upgrade the suit he stole." He moves down the craft again to the gangway up, and he takes the first steps in, eyeing the interior. "Man, I'm amazing. Hard to improve on this, but.." Vanguard?

"Sure, we'll go with getting the best toys for us first. We'll make them go through the standard Purchase Order. We get the prototypes."

Captain America has posed:
    "I know to some it'd be like gilding the lily, but with things being as they are it might be good if only to keep up with the occasional incursions we get." From space and elsewhere. Which has Cap frowning a little to himself in reflection.
    "Though I heard a bit of scuttlebutt that Richards might be working on a similar craft. Do you guys get along?" Steve asks Tony, not knowing where the Avenger stands with the leader of the Fantastic Four.
    Though when Tony references Natasha, however, it does remind him of something which has him snapping his fingers and pointing at her. "Oh, right. Got your mail." Which has him giving her a nod as he takes that towel from under his arm. Then he adds with little insight, "No."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"I think you just did," Natasha said to Tony's request. He is seeking strong and sleek versus more bulk and had motioned to her. She fit the example well. She might be petite but she had hidden strength that most didn't realize. Until she was beating their asses. Then they caught on.

"But pretty sure Steve gets it." She was surprised at mention of Richards. After all, the man already had created plenty of crafts that his team used, the unstable molecule suits that he just allowed other heroes to have access to, and so many other things.

At mention of the emial, she smiled a little. Until he followed up with the answer. "You aren't even listening anymore, are you? Just have decided no is the answer without even giving the suggestion an opportunity."

Iron Man has posed:
Tony comes the few steps back out of the rear of the Quin, and he's looking between the pair. "There's this strange vibe I'm getting off the two of you. Something you want to talk out? I'm great as a mediator." He gestures towards the front of the hanger, the doors that lead back into the belly of the beast, as it were, "I can get an office, and we can talk about childhoods?"

He points at Steve, looks as if he's going to answer in the affirmative, but ends up with a quick, "No. See, I don't like to share.. it was a thing all through school, too. 'Doesn't share well with others'." He smiles quickly, tightly and claps his hand on the side of the aircraft, "Besides, I don't like unstable. It's inherently, well, unstable."

Captain America has posed:
    "I'm listening," Steve says in Natasha's direction, albeit a little defensively, "Just since you signed me up for that dating website using my actual birthday, I've lost a smidge of confidence." When he says 'smidge' he emphasizes it faintly with two fingertips.
    There's a pause as he rests his hands on his hips, "Though, to be fair, Ethel makes one heck of a peach cobbler."
    But at that point he turns to Tony and gives a nod, "Since I've been back doing field work, Ms. Romanoff has felt it part of her duties to see that I have an active social life." Then he looks back toward her pointedly, "For some reason."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"We are not discussing my childhood. Ever," Natasha says in a lighthearted tone, even with a laugh. Just as if she is dismissing the suggestion from Tony. But under that is the truth. That is just something people don't need to know or hear ever. Besides, she liked her secrets as much as Tony liked his toys.

She waved a hand at Steve. "He is just going through with the motions. He's not /living/," she explained. "Trust me, I know and understand it. But there is more to life than just the work."

She did look over at Steve then, unapologetic. "I am surprised Ethel didn't have a heart attack when she saw you. That's the exact opposite of what happens on most dating sites. Usually it is a pic of someone like you and the person that shows up is more like someone your actual age should look."

Iron Man has posed:
See, Tony totally understands not talking about childhoods, because if one was to think of it, he too is VERY quiet about his childhood, other than the fact that he was at odds with his father, and sent to boarding school. All the best for little Anthony Edward, except a home life, that is. Irony, thy name is Stark.

The news, however, about.. "What?" The smile grows, "Seriously?" Looking between the pair, he barks a laugh and the grin remains behind. "Ethel, huh? Talk about walks in the park back in the day? Climbing the old apple tree?" As if Tony knows anything about such things?

"That," Tony points to Nat, the grin still playing on his face, "is great. I'm a little disappointed I didn't think of it first." Though.. the Widow's words trickle down into the actual hearing cortex' of Tony's brain. "Wait.. wait. Natasha. What did you just say?" He peers and walks slowly towards the Russian assassin, "'More to life than just the work'? Who are you and what have you done to Natasha?"

Captain America has posed:
    Steve's response to Tony is a mildly wide-eyed look as he says, "Don't you start." But his tone is jovial, accepting his role in taking a bit of grief on this topic. Yet he does defend the good Lady Ethel, "She was a very kind person, and had some very lovely and interesting stories about her grandchildren."
    Then he's looking back toward Natasha and as quick as that he's shoulder to shoulder with Stark as their consideration and critique goes from primarily aimed at him. Back toward the Russian spy. "Exactly," He adds to reinforce Tony's inquiry about the /Real/ Natasha Romanoff.
    "Something is up that your perspective seems to have shifted a little, Nat."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
There is no stopping it. Natasha laughs despite herself. "That's what I've been told!" she protests, trying to keep things light. She starts backing away as they are approaching, holding up her hands in front of her as if to hold them off even though she is maintaining distance between them.

"I'm me. The real me. I swear." When she realizes that might not be working, she adds. "I have a gun. I will use it."

Maybe that will make them stop the approach. "It's not that weird. I mean I love the work but I have actually taken some vacation time from SHIELD in the past year. Even spent some time on the beach. Without killing anyone." Since that might be important.

Iron Man has posed:
Tony exchanges glances with Steve, and as the pair square off, shoulder to shoulder, as they advance, Natasha retreats. It's honestly all in fun. "Next time you get that cobbler, Rogers, you'd better share," is given in a sotto voice before the actual, much more important topic is addressed.

Natasha and 'real life'.

"Okay," and he pauses in his encroach. "Threatening to shoot us actually makes me believe it's actually you. But, c'mon. Taking vacation time? On the beach, even?" It's the 'without killing anyone' that he has a hard time believing.

"Tell me the truth. You were sent to St Tropez, or somewhere, for a mission, and just stayed the weekend. I can't begin to believe you booked through a travel agency."

Captain America has posed:
    Drawing up short, Cap's got that look on his face. That look that one can see so easily when they find a parent just... /so/ disappointed with their child. And he pulls that look off so well. Shaking his head he makes a very slight tsk sound, though the hint of a smile in his eyes might rob it of any true criticism.
    "I'm just curious why it's suddenly very important for me to have things to do on the weekend." A look is given to Tony as he mentions, "Last time someone was so adamant about it, they were mainly looking to have someone to round out a double date." Which, is true. Though that double date was a good eighty years ago.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
It was strange. She'd seen that look before. From Ivan back when she was a child. Before..everything else. She still remembered it all these decades later. "Don't do that, Steve." Because it really isn't fair to use that in a fight.

As Tony makes his suggestion for what it had to really be, Natasha threw her hands up and shook her head. "It was not a SHIELD mission. It was a vacation. Quinjet used and taken to a private little island I have as a safehouse. Only two people on the entire island. And no, I have no interest in double dating. I've done it before. Triple as well. It just turns into a big social event." Which probably gave away a bit more information than she liked so she quickly made sure to turn the conversation.

"Tony, help me out here. Steve needs to stop sitting around mourning the loss of his barbershop quartet. Oh, we do have those in this time too by the way so you can get a new quartet going."

Iron Man has posed:
"Ooooh, wait." Tony puts a hand up and takes a step back. "Okay, done. Done. Maybe you guys do need a therapist. I am not the person to go to about healthy, interpersonal relations." Just ask Pepper.

"I think I've learned something about myself, and I have you two to thank. I think I'm going to go back and work on the new redesign of the Quin and let you both slug it out." The genius, alcoholic playboy takes another step back towards the aircraft. "Agent Romanoff, I'm glad you're vacationing at your safe house. That doesn't count, by the way. You have to vacation where there are people. And Steve? Get out. I'll introduce you to a few young ladies who would love to hear your stories. And they're not named Ethel."

Captain America has posed:
    As Tony starts to extract from the sticky wicket that is relationships, Steve at least has the wherewithal to let him go as he says simply, "See you around, Tony."
    Not exactly accepting the advice given, but at least parting on decent terms as he folds his arms and looks off in the direction of the retreating technologist. It's only after Stark's made his way back toward the Quinjet that Steve adds...
    "See, you scared off Tony."
    A shake of his head as he looks back at Nat. So disappointed.