14142/A welcome home like no other

A welcome home like no other
Date of Scene:	19 February 2022
Location:	Penthouse - Stark Tower
Synopsis:	Tony gets home and is met by Yelena. They chat.
Cast of Characters:	Iron Man, Black Widow (Belova)

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Iron Man has posed:
Early afternoon in the City, or more specifically, Stark Tower. The sun is shining if only for the moment, though there is threat of a thunderstorm cells, coupled with a gale-force gusts later in the evening. Already flights are slowing at the major airports in anticipation. It's strange; the Penthouse seems to have a life of its own. The fire in the fireplace is lit and is cheerily giving off ambient light and heat to the room. The recessed lighting brings a warm glow, and every few hours a little cleaning robot/drone comes out to vacuum perceived dust, throw away bits of paper or garbage left over.

This is why the bachelor pad is so tidy, even if it's so... undecorated. Very little to showcase the personality of its owner.

The first indication tht someone arrives is JARVIS' voice clearly enunciating, <<Welcome home, sir. The evening's itinerary is uploaded and itemized for your perusal. Shall I go over it now?>>

The door only opened, revealing a travel-disheveled Tony Stark. Jacket is off, shirt is unbuttoned by a couple of buttons, and as he enters, he's pulling the tie from around his neck. "No, JARVIS, I don't." The first steps, of course, are to toss the jacket over the side of the couch, which is then tended by one of the larger robots in the room, and he makes his beeline towards the bar to start the first drink.. not of the day, or the evening, but of the time home since arriving.

"Put me through to Trevor in aircraft design. Let me know when you've got him."

Black Widow (Belova) has posed:
Yelena Belova is on one of the loveseats in the living room, asleep. Pepper is currently ensconced in Stark Tower with lots and lots of security even beyond her there and she was pretty much just told to buzz off so she washed her hands of it. Literally, as she took a much needed shower. She is in sweatpants and a long-sleeved shirt that says PROPERTY OF TONY STARK on it. She got it from the gift shop.

Slowly, she lifts her head up as she hears Tony speaking, sitting up, "Do not be frightened Tony Stark, it is only me. Everything is fine. Your Paprika is safe. You're welcome."

Iron Man has posed:
<<Yes, sir.>>

Tony stops pouring his drink the moment he catches another voice in the Penthouse; not something he's used to. And certainly not any female, other than Pepper of course. Any other woman is shown the door early, early next morning, and he's never around for the walk of shame.

Dark eyes look up from his progress and he espies the one speaking to him. It does take that moment before he nods, a quick smile is there and gone as he finishes the task at hand and stoppers up the bottle. "Great. How'd it go?"

With glass in hand, he begins the wander towards his work table where his computers are set out; not that he needs them, but they are a source of comfort. Technology.

His expression has the diffident air, even if his tones have that touch of concern that underscores the words, "How is she?" There's that smile again, there and gone, and he continues, "I'm sure she's fine," and he answers his own question, "She hasn't called so either she's fine, or she's mad at me, or she's fine AND she's mad at me. I'll take either."

Black Widow (Belova) has posed:
Yelena Belova sits up a bit, folding her legs under her. She stretches for a moment, lifting her arms up over her head and doing an exaggerated yawn. "I would say you were in big time trouble mister, except that Captain America Steve Rogers came and talked to Pepper like handsome old man with nice ass should and made her worry less about you being horribly murdered. He is very sure of himself. And very nice. Too nice. Is weird. I have never met such nice person. Makes my skin crawl a little bit."

"Did you bring me present from California? Oranges? Pass to Disney Land? Phone number of Idris Elba?"

Iron Man has posed:
Tony watches Yelena stretch, taking in the pose, the clothing.. 'Property of Tony Stark', that gets a brief, throaty chuckle before shaking his head. If what Natasha said was true? Well, everything she said and DIDN'T say, then..

"That'd be Steve. Good guy but he gets on my nerves sometimes. Too nice. Like, not only does he 'help little old ladies across the street' sort of nice, but 'sit in their parlor and looks at pictures of grandkids' nice." He shakes his head and takes that first swallow, taking half of the glass.

"If you want a pass to Disney, just ask. Mouse ears. The works. When this is over, I'll take you myself, how about that?" Brows do rise at the request for Idris Elba, and he adds in a sotto voice, "He's in England, I think. At least he was the last time I saw him at a party."

Finishing his cross to the worktable, he turns to lean against it, his back to the large plate glass that reveals a stunning view of the Empire State Building and the City. "What I do have for you is a little corroboration of your story, and an invitation to talk with Natasha." He pauses, and there's that fleeting smile, there and gone, and he raises his glass in her direction, "If you were being honest about wanting to come in from the cold."

Black Widow (Belova) has posed:
Yelena Belova pushes up for a moment and walks into the kitchen, her bare feet padding over the lush carpet. She gets a bottle of water out, along with what appears to be some cold pizza that she pops into the microwave. Her blonde hair is pulled back into a ponytail and she's definitely not saying anything at first quite deliberately.

Finally, she comes out, leaning against the door to the kitchen. "I am being honest," she says. "An invitation to talk to Natasha' sounds more like threat than opportunity. I have scars from last time she and I 'talk'," she says, making exaggerated air quotes. "I know she is blessed angel to you and Captain Steve and all others, big fat hero Natasha Romanoff with big fat hero butt. But I know her long, long time. And I do not trust her. She will definitely not trust me," she says with a snort, getting out her pizza as it beeps.

"But sure, sure, let us do meeting. Big slumber party."

Iron Man has posed:
Tony watches the lovely but deadly widow pad across the floor; exactly how does he get mixed up and involved in this again? Oh, yeah. He's Tony Stark. Lovely, deadly women are always near him. The rest of the top shelf scotch is sipped, and when she emerges from the kitchenette with re-heated pizza, he gives her the courtesy of being listened to, to get the snark out. Sometimes he's good like that.

"Yeah, well.. either Natasha is playing things really close to the chest, or she thinks you might be on the level and should be given the chance. She had her 'ah ha' moment, and she's not about to deny others theirs." Twisting around quickly, he sets the new empty glass on the table and starts a slow walk towards her, "I told her I left Pepper alone with you. She didn't yell at me, even when I asked if I should turn the plane around. She figured you were safe enough to leave someone I.. someone who is important in your care. And I don't care, but Steve's no match for you. I'm not blind, and I'm not stupid."

Stopping around the step near the galley, Tony's gaze doesn't shift, "I don't play with people's lives. You want it, I've got it. I'm your best chance. It's up to you to convince her."

Black Widow (Belova) has posed:
Yelena Belova gets a coy look when you admit that Cap couldn't protect Pepper from her, "Oh, Tony Stark, you are very flattering. Is true, I could have killed Yankee Doodle Dandy many times over, because he is sweet dunderhead who is trusting. He's so cute, though, too, it would be like killing little baby angel puppy man. Even I might feel bad," she sighs.

She flops back onto the love seat and eats a few bites of pizza, "Yes, yes, you are right. Whoopity doo, Tony Stark has good idea, big surprise. I never said you are stupid. Arrogant, yes, but most men are arrogant. Is testosterone, I think. Makes you all caveman rawr."

Iron Man has posed:
<<Sir, I have..>>

"Not now, JARVIS."

<<But, I thought you might..>>

"No." Tony's tones are dismissive towards the AI, and JARVIS' own tones sound almost human in their lilt and quality. He has a houseful of helpful machines; one is wheeling over on treads to grasp the glass from the table to bring it back to the kitchen. "Oh, hey.. D4, that goes to the bar. Remember?" In response, the little robot turns on its treads and makes its way to the bar instead, followed by Tony's attention.

Returning to the conversation at hand, he's got that 'now where were we' expression. Instead of joining her on the little couch spread by the fireplace, he wanders towards the window overlooking the City. "Just the truth. I see it when I catch Natasha and Steve sparring." A Black Widow and a super-serum supersoldier. "You're younger, closer to the program."

He smirks at the classification, and actually chuckles, "Let me guess. I'm on the covers in Russia, too. I know I am. Just held up as a 'what not to be'. Sorry to ruin any impression, but I don't recommend this life for anyone." His tones are light, meeting snark for snark. "And I know I'm right. Arrogance is just for fools who think they are." In his world, he has every right to be.

"I want you and Natasha to share intel. Where appropriate. She knows, too. Steve is out of it. No one else is in the game."

Black Widow (Belova) has posed:
Yelena Belova takes a sip of her water, "You should probably find out what robot butler want. Robot butler pretty smart. Probably only bother you if important. Again. Arrooooooooogant," she singsongs just a little bit.

"I will tell Natasha what she knows. I am very curious to know what Natasha knows back. Also, remind her that she owes me twenty CDs for a penny that we ordered from catalogue in mail back in Red Room. I never ever got my Neil Diamond Greatest Hits. Is very sad," she says.

"Do not worry, Tony Stark, I am suitably impressed by you. Everyone is."

Iron Man has posed:
"JARVIS.." Tony's not calling for him, only starting a sentence in an attempt to try and explain his creation. "I'll find out what he wants later. I could really use a shower and something to eat." There is that leftover pizza, but.. eh. "I'm in the mood for Chinese."

The acknowledgment and agreement, even if it may hold the hint of begrudging, is easily accepted. "I'm sure you'll be able to hash that out when you talk." Or fight, sadly without the mud or jello. "We still have to get you set up with a place to live, too. Place in the City. Pep lives.." there's a moment before, "JARVIS? Help me out, buddy."

<<Central Park West, sir.>>

"Right, thanks. I need you to look for places for sale or rent in the area."

<<Yes, sir. And shall I tell Mr Applegate that you will speak to him in the morning?>>

Thaaat's right, aircraft engineering.. "Yeah. We'll chat."

<<Yes, sir.>>

"Oh, and JARVIS," Tony glances at Yelena and he starts his cross towards his room for the shower, "Order some Chinese food."

<<Yes, sir. Will that be all, sir?>>

Tony sighs as he pulls off his shoes, tossing them inside his room. Beyond, it's a very large suite, but again, lacks any hint of Tony's personality within. It's stark without being Stark. "That's it."

Finally, he looks to Yelena again, his conversation with his AI completed. "Chinese. If you want anything special, tell JARVIS now or forever hold your peace." He hasn't forgotten nor has he ignored (or taken for granted) the fact that he's earned some respect from a Black Widow. High praise indeed.

Black Widow (Belova) has posed:
Yelena Belova considers for a moment, then pushes up, heading for the bathroom, "JARVIS, darlink," she says in her best Moose & Squirrel accent, "I will be needing wardrobe. Extensive wardrobe. Must be able to blend in with Pepper Potts on all of her special occasions and hostessing and business shindiggery. Classy, subtle, sophisticated. But with room for weapons. Lots of weapons."

"And also I want tickets to Hamilton. It is time I learn about America."