(no subject)

[scovillescale]

WHO: Pepper Potts.
WHERE: South Village Fountain.
WHEN: January 19.
OPEN TO: Locked to Tony.
WARNINGS: Language, canon violence & death discussions, FEELS.

---

While not exactly a stranger to abrupt and nearly unthinkable shifts in literal and mental reality, Pepper was in no way prepared for the sheer dissonance between discussing dream theory and closets of shirts in a park and waking up underwater. Whatever had come between those moments was nothing more than a blurry buzz at the back of her mind, not substantial enough yet to make any sense of at the moment. Instinct, however, didn't fail her, and Pepper promptly closed her mouth and started kicking. Hard. Breaking the surface moments later, before true panic set in and caused her to inhale two lungs worth of water, was an incalculable relief. Even hacking hard enough to make her chest twinge didn't diminish that, because it was certainly better than drowning.

Head above water and now breathing air, but feeling oddly heavier, Pepper had an immediate choice to make, even as she scraped a hand across her eyes to clear them of water and hair - the choice to be abjectly terrified, or to get pissed. It was surprisingly easy to choose the second, with a vengeance, but finding a target beyond the water was difficult, because she had no idea who the hell was behind this.

The moment the blurred sight of some sort of wall registered, Pepper headed toward it. Expecting to have to hoist herself over a barrier tall enough to drown a person, she was surprised to find the ground wasn't yards below her, and what more, she was carrying additional weight on her back.

"What the-" Another fierce coughing jag derailed further outraged statements or exploration of her burden, and Pepper bent over what seemed to be the edge of a pool or fountain, letting the hard surface and the weight on her back work in her favor as her diaphragm heaved. With one hand white-knuckle gripping the hard stone to provide a small sliver of stability in a world gone very wrong, Pepper yanked at the sodden hair around her neck that was half-strangling her. Wherever the park had gone, so too had gone her hair elastic, because of course.

WHO: Pepper Potts. (Nida. Bruce Banner. Thor.)
WHERE: Blacksmith building.
WHEN: January 20-24.
OPEN TO: Any character with some reason to be near the forge or seeking out Pepper! (Effectively ALL?)
WARNINGS: None at this time!

---

While you won't always find her in the midst of clanging and banging set against clouds of steam and the flickering of flame, Pepper can often be found in and around the forge her first week. You might find her outside, doing who knows what, but cheerful unless she's trying to chop wood (yes, she's going to try even that, okay), in which case you'll catch her swearing. You might find her inside, and chances are, she'll be flushed different tomato-centric shades if you've asked for her assistance near steam and fire, but she'll be absolutely game to help you with your task no matter how red and sweaty and semi-disgruntled she gets. If there isn't a project she can assist with at that time, it's almost guaranteed that she's locked onto anyone who hasn't taken a break in a while to get them to eat or take ten.

On the whole, however, the smiling redhead may just be the sociable face you encounter before you reach the forge boss, offering a welcome and introduction or bantering freely, depending on how well she knows you.

WHO: Pepper Potts. (Aqua. Anne. Betty. Frank.)
WHERE: South Village, public spot (outdoor or indoor) of your choosing!
WHEN: January 21.
OPEN TO: ALL.
WARNINGS: None at this time!

---

It was cold, yes, but the minute Pepper realized the afternoon had brought the sun almost completely out from behind the clouds, she had set out for some exercise and casual exploration, after reassurances that she wouldn't be gone long. Her lungs weren't exactly up for a long run in the cold (thanks, fountain), but a brisk walk was more than enough to feel like she was doing something active, yet also semi-indulgent because it wasn't exactly work. In exploring the community, she hoped to maybe see where else she could contribute beyond the forge, so that was why she had the walk in the semi-indulgent category, rather than full indulgence. Given the varying lengths of time of "residency" she had heard thus far, the most reasonable next step in her mind was to not only learn the village, but learn about the people in it and what someone new could contribute.

Comments

The Forge

[skyward_eyes]

Given everything with the change in status in relationship with Seifer and his friend's former annoyance that Nida doesn't come see him at work, well... Nida had come by today. He had plans to drag the guy off to have lunch at the inn together, connect more. The young man had every intention of going inside to bother his friend, but approaching, he couldn't help but pause. He'd spent a lot of time watching the forge even if he didn't show up often, he had figured out just who was associated with the place.

Which makes the red-haired woman outside, chopping wood. Well, trying to. For a few moments he stands there, considering the woman before stepping forward. He just can't handle watching her doing this like she is.

"Excuse me, ma'am, mind if I offer a few pointers?"

The Forge

[scovillescale]

Pepper was not a quitter. Rationally, at least. She might threaten it, in a moment of extreme stress, but she didn't just up and quit something because it was difficult to do. She definitely wasn't quitting in the middle of doing something useful, especially when that meant a healthy outlet for any resentment toward the Whomever or Whatever that enjoyed uprooting people from their lives. So she wasn't quite yet to the point of admitting any sort of defeat when a new-to-her individual entered the periphery of her vision.

Normally, she would have greeted someone immediately, but she was so close to the last swing in hacking this stupid wedge of wood into two smaller wedges - at least, that was what she told herself. Yet, staring down at the handle of the maul, instead of bracing for another swing to send the axe end into the wood before her, she had to acknowledge that stubbornness and a need to claim a job well done was doing her no favors. Maybe she could accept the pointers with grace - after all, he hadn't started with any attempt to insult her by offering to take over.

Turning a smile on him that was probably more teeth than someone would normally see from Pepper, she raised both eyebrows at him, huffing not from irritation, but exertion.

Re: The Forge

[skyward_eyes]

Wow, a bit sharp there, that look, the sheer amount of teeth to it. He raises his hands defensively at that look. Sorry, he just... he wanted to help. And given a portion of his day he offered over to splitting wood, he wasn't about to take this off of her.

Fact was, he often tended to be as inefficient about it as possible to get a better work out. Didn't mean he should encourage the same behavior in others.

"First thing, don't think of it as chopping. Changes the whole way you approach the situation and sort of makes you force too much of yourself into it. 'Don't chop wood, split it,' my mom always said."

And for half a moment, Nida freezes at that. Freezes and scrunches his brow like the words were something he never expected to hear. Which was true. Lack of memory could be a real bitch sometimes. Worse when he didn't even realize he was about to stumble over something. Oh well, moving on was just something to be done.

"First, you're standing too close. It's a pretty easy mistake, goes with the whole 'chopping' versus 'splitting' thing. Anyway, you want to stand far enough back so that, when the axe head is in the middle of the wood, your arms are straight, not bent. Spread your legs out a bit, and lift the axe back and over your head. You're using the weight of the axe as much as of your arm strength. Let the axe do it's part of the work. It's more than a sharp blade, it's a weight that is going to help you get leverage."

Re: The Forge

[scovillescale]

With a slightly sheepish look on her face to start (the defensive gesture made her feel instantly contrite for a distinct lack of greeting), Pepper focused all of her attention on him and listened, not for the sake of humoring anyone, but because anything that made this easier, or at least more efficient, would be great at this point. Wrong distance, wrong position, wrong technique, got it. Truly, she wasn't even going to take it personally that she was doing that much wrong, because she did still have some logs split already. Not tons, but still.

After sucking in a breath, Pepper's lips pursed into a determined line and she stepped back, stopping to tap a tip of the axe on the cutting stump several times, like a woman at bat, to get to a seemingly better distance, and then turned her gaze to her feet. After sorting her stance out with several nitpicky shifts of her feet, she shrugged her shoulders in an attempt to lengthen bunched muscles and took a practice swing. The only thing she didn't do from the list of proffered advice was bring the maul the entire way over her head, choosing instead to swing from over her shoulder. There were some things that sounded like an accident waiting to happen, proper technique or not, and dropping the axe side of the maul (or the blunt side for that matter) straight into her skull just sounded like something to be concerned about.

Determined and focused, she swung in earnest, and cheered when the axe finally split the wedge fully in two. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. After all, she had already been chipping away at the stupid thing, so there wasn't much left to go. But it was certainly much more effective than before.

"Look at that!" she said, this time aiming a nice smile in his direction, one that matched the lightly joking tone that voiced a lighthearted demand of, "now where were you an hour ago?" She dropped the maul to the ground on its head and faced him fully. "Thank you for that. I'm Pepper, and I say with all sincerity, it is wonderful to meet you."

Blacksmith - Jan 20th

[notsoangry]

Bruce had never been so happy to be inconvenienced in his life than when Pepper showed up at the house and he was on the couch. He didn't care, all he cared about was that she was there and alive. The entire ordeal was intense at first, so Bruce assured her they'd catch up the next day. Bruce being the pragmatic person he was used that time to come up with a plan, and started moving his belongings to the schoolhouse for now. He was not actually a pack rat so that was a very small amount of things in the end, hardly a problem. He knew what he planned on doing next, but first he was going to find Pepper now that she had a night to sleep on everything.

Bruce suspected she'd be at the forge and it was cold out so he walked in and put his jacket to the side, looking for that familiar red hair. She was close to the door, so he didn't have to wait long, and his smile was instant and very genuine. It knocked ten years off him easy, and Bruce opened his arms at her. "Too soon to ask for another hug?" He wasn't known for being physically affectionate outside of specific people, but to those people, he was practically a teddy bear.

He'd been gone from earth for at least two years, but Bruce lived in the Tower for longer than anywhere he'd been since the Hulk happened. Time to have his own lab, his own floor, and Pepper helped make that happen. After knowing how terrible the past few months were with Tony, Bruce thought this was whoever was in charge of the place doing something very right for once.

Blacksmith - Jan 20th

[scovillescale]

Having been taken from moments before Bruce had barrelled back into their lives, and literally their arms, Pepper had been shocked but beyond thrilled to see him again here. That pleasure wasn't likely to dampen any time soon, even with the massive combined weight of this entire situation here and the future knowledge of their world and lives back there. That was why he only beat her by seconds to a hug in greeting, because it was so good to have him back, and more emotionally still, the best possible way to remind herself that he was real in this mad new world.

"Never," she said with a laugh, wrapping her arms tightly around the man for a hug that was worlds away from perfunctory. "There's no such thing as too soon."

When she finally did pull back, her hands came to rest on his shoulders with a squeeze. "Just like there's no such thing as saying "it's so good to have you back" too many times."

[notsoangry]

Bruce hugged her back with gusto, because let's face it, they all needed hugs, and Pepper gave particularly good ones. He tried not to cling since seriously, they were all pretty certain something terrible happened, but now she was here and everything was balanced again. He smiled and put his hands on hers, squeezing them back. He was going to hurt his face from smiling if it kept up like this. Not a terrible problem to have.

"It's good to have you back. I've already been living a Pepperless existence for too long." Years, actually, more years than Bruce actually thought he knew about, but he tried not to think too much about that. Being trapped in a monster for any amount of time was pretty bad. "I see you've already found his new home away from home." Bruce was in the forge occasionally, but it was getting crowded and he spent more time in the schoolhouse these days. He was getting ready for a specific study.

"He has apprentices, it's very cute." That was something Bruce always thought Tony should have more of, but outside of Bruce himself he preferred to work alone in a lab. Time apparently helped on that end. "Can I steal you away for a walk and a catch up?"

South Forge - on the street between the Inn and House 53

[can_fight_ugly]

It's the time in Anne's daily schedule where she's out an about; checking in on friends, taking a leisurely walk around the village and making a note of newcomers, and newly empty houses. She has her jog in the morning, and now its just about connecting with the village.

It's a big difference from New York or San Francisco, where you can hardly expect to meet the same faces in the street day to day.

It's during this walk that she spies someone unfamiliar. She smiles as she adjusts her path to offer a greeting. As she gets close, however, she recognizes the other woman. It was years a go, there's a possibility she's wrong, but if she's right, then things ... could get a little awkward. She smiles as she gets close.

"Hi, Are you new to the village? I don't believe I've seen you around before."

South Forge - on the street between the Inn and House 53

[scovillescale]

The recognition was mutual, but while Pepper prided herself on remembering the names to faces, and the faces to names, she had to admit it didn't come to her immediately at a distance. There were several generalized "mental files" that Pepper could depend on in attempting to make a connection, but she rarely went straight for the Tony just because it was a woman. Though, honestly, would anyone have blamed her?

Upon drawing close to the woman, however, and listening to her speak, she realized exactly who the woman was, not because she wasn't in the Tony file (she was), but because this woman numbered among the rare few who had made a distinctly positive impression on Pepper. Very rare. It was only after Pepper decided on the woman's identity that she had to pause and remind herself of one of the many mind-boggling things about this place - namely, this woman might not even be from Pepper's own world.

"Two days new, in fact," she said, coming to a stop. Her smile was easy and friendly, but it didn't try to disguise a questioning gaze as she extended her hand. "I'm Pepper Potts. Your name wouldn't happen to be Anne, would it?"

[can_fight_ugly]

"Guilty as charged." Anne replies, giving Pepper's hand a shake. "And, I remember you, Pepper. I'm assuming if you've been here a bit you've already run into Tony?" She figured he would want to know if Pepper showed up, ASAP. As well, hopefully they can skirt the details of just how it is they know each other. Their interaction hadn't been unpleasant - quite the contrary, it had been refreshing after some of the insipid conversations with glory-hounds and star-seekers.

"I've got a couple months under my belt at this point; I may not have reached veteran status yet, but I can show you around or try to answer any questions. Do you want to get out of the cold? I've got tea or wine back at my house."

The Fountain

[nonstopnarcissist]

There are a few immutable facts of life in the Village for Tony. His days are full but there aren't enough hours (so not all that different from home), his flock is well tended and progress is chugging along, a routine is healthy, the fountain never freezes over and the forge needs water. No matter the weather every day Tony takes a few buckets and yolk to head to the fountain so they can top up the quench barrels. People tend to roll out of the fountain at odd hours but Tony hasn't been on newbie duty since the literal mess in the Bunker with the androids (a migraine and a half, right there)- so he's figuring, hoping, that nothing will come of it.

With some trepidation, he approaches. He fills his buckets in the empty fountain and there's no sign of movement, no sign of anyone new getting shuttled up. Good. Buckets full and yolk set across his shoulders he turns to start the walk back to the forge-

Of course that's when he hears the surface break and someone starts gasping for air. Whoever just arrived took a mouthful of the water when they woke up (most do) and Tony sighs to turn back and offer them the usual hand up. Not an ideal start to the day but its just a thing that happens in this village. He'd long given up on seeing any particular shade of red and assuming, but that voice?

"...Pepper?" It's instant and instinctual, shrugging off the yolk, water and wood clattering, splashing across the ground as he sprints for the fountain where she's soaked, shivering, and huddled by the stone. Months here have him lean and trim and tanned like he hasn't been in roughly a decade, though the same lines around his eyes and grey in his hair (no one to dye it, no reason to bother) show he's just the same as the man he'd been when he'd flown off to Titan. "Pepper!"

Trembling hands that are far, far more tentative than he's ever been around her, careful in his approach while thoroughly aware timeline bullshit is a thing- he stumbles to his knees next to her, hands settling on her shoulders to help her upright. Tony's eyes are dark and aching, his brows drawn down, his lips pressed thin, every fiber of him screaming to hold on and hold forever but that fear- Peter crumpled to nothing in his hands.

Would she?

Re: The Fountain

[scovillescale]

While she didn't hear the sound of her name the first time, Pepper definitely heard it the second time and immediately recognized it, and that made sense, because Tony had been with her before her attempted(?) drowning and subsequent floundering fish routine, so he was one hundred percent obligated to still be there. She sure as hell wasn't going to accept otherwise right now. It was the touch of his hands that drove home her recognition, because she would know that touch anywhere, even with all her other senses gone, that warm - no, that furnace hot - touch, and she had to be nearly numb with cold for his hands to feel that hot.

"Tony. God, what just happened? Did someone throw me in the Lake?" she demanded, furious and wet and only just now aware of how hard her teeth were chattering, interrupting her words enough to just make her angrier. The cold was scientifically not kind to redheads and she was starting to feel just that, waterlogged and cold and heavy because-

"And what the hell is this?" she batted angrily behind her, at the top of the backpack. "So help me God, if this is some kind of survival drill, I'm gonna-" Her throat, aggravated by the rapid stream of hoarse demands and threats, finally had enough and Pepper started coughing again. Hand to her chest, she raised her gaze to meet his, and what she saw there chilled her more thoroughly than cold water and air. He was afraid, and it didn't occur to her whatsoever that he was afraid of her, maybe afraid for her, or for the both of them. Environmental danger? Crazed maniac danger? She whipped her head and shoulders around to stare at what surrounded them and promptly started to tip over on limbs that weren't on board for abrupt readjustments at the moment.

[nonstopnarcissist]

And it's- it's her. It's her and she's here and-

She was here. Where the world didn't make any kind of sense on a good day, where winter was still rolling in and supplies weren't limited enough to be worrisome just yet but they continued to toe that line, where he couldn't protect her, where they got yanked around regularly by simulations or magic or aliens and he still didn't have a satisfactory answer for any of it-

Sam's question from not that long ago came to mind.

If you had the power to choose who arrived here- would you?

Even if he had, Tony never would have done this to her. No matter how much he missed her, no matter how desperate the ache in his chest where she lived- no matter how awful opening that box of ashes had been. "Pepper."

Like it was the only word he knew and at the moment? It was the only word that mattered. Low and raw and cracked on the edge of exhaustion (emotional rather than physical, for once), he slid his arms around her to hold her close. Bury his nose in her sodden hair and hold on until how solid, how shudderingly, viscerally real she was started to sink in. "God-"

Laugh or cry. He could laugh or he could cry and the first hitch of semi-hysterical giggling was involuntary more than it was him making any kind of choice about the situation, but at least a choice was made. She was here. She was safe.

south village inn

[aguidingkey]

It's midday when Aqua heads back out of the Inn. She's been inside for a while, helping with the daily meal. Now that everything is done, all the cooking and cleaning up complete for the day, she's back to wandering while she tries to figure out what to do with herself. She's gotten lucky, in that recently she found a box with a winter outfit in it in various shades of blue, so she isn't wearing that magenta color that clashes so badly with her hair. But she still doesn't really know what to do with herself.

She's a little preoccupied with her thoughts as she pushes open the door to the Inn to head back outside and almost opens it in someone else's face. "Oh! I'm sorry," she apologizes immediately, stepping back to hold the door open for the other woman. "Here. It's a little warmer inside and there's still food if you came for the daily meal."

She figures just about everyone here has been around longer than she has, but it never hurts to be polite and helpful.

Re: south village inn

[scovillescale]

Pepper's response was immediate and without any irritation. "You're fine. Honestly, I was looking behind me, not in front of me like I should have been."

Accepting the polite gesture with a smile, Pepper quickly stepped inside so the door could be closed and the warmth inside better preserved. She hadn't been actively hungry, but she would be lying if she said the idea of staying to eat, especially somewhere without the brisk cold that had been her constant companion on her walk, didn't suddenly have immense appeal. She gave the area inside a quick glance before returning her gaze to the younger woman.

"You said there's still food, but did I miss the scheduled meal time?" she asked. Pepper wasn't about to put anyone out by being late, but she was also perfectly willing to clean up after herself as well.

[aguidingkey]

Aqua had been intending to make her way outside again, but the prospect of staying in the warmth for a little longer to talk to someone sounds much better. And maybe it's someone just as new as she is. It's only fair that she try to help, like everyone else tried to help her.

"There's not really a specific time. It's just around the midday meal. It's free for everyone and they only ask that you help out by cooking, cleaning up, or bringing back food for the Inn." She glances towards the kitchen for a moment. "I haven't been on this world for very long, but I can show you where everything is, if you're hungry."

South Village, Near House 40

[chondrion]

What Betty's quickly discovered in the past few weeks is that she keeps seeing people she knows of, that while she thought she at least glimpsed all of them on New Year's Eve, it's clear that there's more than she thought. It shouldn't be a surprise, then, as she's hurrying back home to avoid an incoming cold winter rain, to see Pepper Potts. Except she's seen Tony, and she knows for a fact that Pepper wasn't here, if only because it seemed like Tony Stark was missing an essentially limb.

She must be new, and there's a part of Betty desperate to talk to someone almost as at a loss as she is. That's probably what's behind the bright smile. "Ms. Potts?"

Re: South Village, Near House 40

[scovillescale]

If Betty was seeking someone at a loss, Pepper was the absolute right place to come. It might have been two days already, but it was also only two days. It was a strange juxtaposition between what Pepper wanted to happen (a quick assimilation, so she didn't lose her mind) and what was still in progress (dealing with all of these impossible things - and there were so many - that could easily drive her nuts if she let them). Without actively acknowledging it, Pepper was seeking the same as Betty, a kindred spirit who was a little too logical, reasonable, and recent to have adjusted seamlessly yet.

So Pepper's smile was equally bright as she quickened her pace to reach the other woman faster. "Dr. Ross! Hello. It's so good to see a familiar face."

[chondrion]

Betty grins a little and pushes back her hastily tied back hair. The impossible things are overwhelming, and she knows that very well. It's funny, really, she thought she knew what impossible things made possible were, and if anything, she bets Pepper thought that even more. "You should call me Betty. I only make undergraduates and chauvinists call me Dr. Ross."

The first drop of rain hits her nose and she makes a face before pointing to the red house a little down the road. "I was heading in, if you want some tea?"

feel free to have pepper recognize him from the paper, news etc.

[oorah]

This might not be a familiar face Pepper Potts necessarily wants to see, but here Frank Castle is anyway. He looks pretty different from the newsreels with his beard and hair grown out, but if one were to look him in the eye his identity is unmistakable. He's at the old Schoolhouse library exchanging books and looking deep in thought. There's a dog lying by the shelf, a chill looking bloodhound who signals that he's probably been here a while if she's had time to get lazy. Or maybe she's just that way by nature. The book in his hand is How to Make Wine and he's studying the shelves for his next big project. Apparently, he feels he's mastered this skill well enough to pass it along down the line. The door swings open and he can't help it: he starts. A full-body jerk that ends in him dropping his book to the ground with a loud clatter which only further makes him grimace. Why does living have to be so noisy? It's been six months and he's still not used to it. Turning towards the door reveals his... eclectic dress as well, wearing a clearly handmade sweater under his given peacoat from the starter kit. His jeans and boots are normal enough, if ill-fit, but then there's the bright teal hat (also clearly knit by hand.) Frank picks up the book and lets his gaze slide over her face, another newbie, but there's something familiar about her. She's not anyone he knows from Reims or home, not that he can remember. But give it a minute and it'll come to him. In lieu of recognition, he offers a clipped greeting, his voice coarse like gravel crunched under someone's sole. "Afternoon, ma'am." Aretha (the dog) lifts one ear off her head, but seems to decide it isn't worth her time and settles back down on the floor.

[scovillescale]

When Pepper decided, after hearing about the schoolhouse slash library, that a quick (or not so quick) look at it was in order, she had hoped she might encounter someone there, because thus far her exploration around the village had been very successful in that regards. She hadn't intended, though, to startle anyone.

And apology was on the tip of her tongue, but she didn't voice it when he shifted into a greeting. He was familiar (and she'd already met familiar faces today, so it wasn't as surprising) and this time, she could connect the dots much faster. Not because he was a spitting image of every single image she had seen, as changes in facial hair or hair style could absolutely make someone look like a new man, but because his face beneath the blurring outlines of hair was unmistakable.

"Afternoon. I was just checking out the village and decided to stop in here." Castle. Frank Castle. "I hope I'm not disturbing you, or your friend." Her gaze dropped to the dog otherwise ignoring her, but her smile didn't change even when she looked up again. Even her body language didn't change into something less accessible, so there was really no sign yet that she had indeed recognized him.


[ ooc: I'm SO sorry this took so long! ]

[oorah]

The more and more he stares at her, he knows he recognizes her too and it's distracting him from the conversation. Even the people who do realize who he is have almost nothing to say about it, which was weird a year ago and now it's just... Frank's new normal. Maybe it's as simple as plausible deniability. He can get behind that. Not that he even realizes she's figured him out yet, a friendly smile slowly working across his lips though his gaze is still heavy and wet.

"Uh. No, ma'am." He puts the book on the shelf before turning to face her again. "Is there anything we can help you find?"

Forge

[assemble_the_lovbacken]

OOC: For the life of me, I'm like, not 100% certain Thor/Pepper have met face-to-face? I know he knows of her because Tony talks about her, but .. they've met, right? ... If not, I can totally edit this and change it LOL.

Thor likes to keep as busy as possible whenever he can, especially when it comes to the forge. Not only does it give him a great sense of accomplishment when Tony deems him ready to tackle bigger and more complicated projects, but it gives him a productive outlet for his energy that would otherwise be spent wallowing and treading through the mud of his thoughts. Thor's a cheerful fellow himself (the bright yellow scrubs he wears while at the forge a physical manifestation of his sunny personality), but even he has other feelings - and those are the ones he'd like to avoid for now, thanks.

He does whatever he can to be of assistance, and he enjoys getting to know the others who frequent the space, too. He likes being able to bond further with Tony, someone he considers a good friend, and for being able to see the fruits of his labor when he's exhausted his (pathetically limited and mortal) body. He also frequently likes to take on the task of chopping wood for the kilns and furnaces, and he finds the exertion required cathartic.

Axe in-hand, he makes his way outside to see an at-first unfamiliar face already steps ahead of him. And, by the looks of it, it seems like she's having a difficult go. He draws closer, axe hanging loosely (but safely) at his side, sharp side pointed away from them both. He watches the arc of hers come slicing down through the air, only to make the tiniest of cracks in the log before her.

"Perhaps the job will seem less daunting if there are two of us to complete it?" he asks, gesturing with his free hand to the pile of logs that need to be split. It's when he looks from the logs to the woman's face that the spark of recognition is set ablaze. "Hang on - Pepper? Is that you? When did you get here? It's so good to see you! Do you remember me? I'm Thor! Thor Odinson! One of Tony's friends!"

Re: Forge

[scovillescale]

[ ooc: No edits needed! My default assumption was that they know each other, at least by introduction (and know of each other by on-scene/off-scene talk between Thor and Tony, and Tony and Pepper). That said, I can't pinpoint an exactly place where they were first likely to meet, SO LET'S HANDWAVE? BECAUSE WE CAN! Woo, RP magic. xD If we need to get specific later, my best guess is going to be a first meeting between shawarma and Thor leaving with Loki? ]

Pepper is cursing very quietly under her breath right before Thor arrives, and every nasty word is being aimed at the maul in her hand. She would very much like to blame it for being dull (it isn't) or poorly balanced (she doesn't think so) or in some other way a hindrance to her efforts, but it would be a lie. She refuses to give up, however, and she was so stubborn about being able to handle it herself that she isn't about to show her face inside again without split wood to point to with at least some justified smugness.

Even if it takes all damn day.

Suddenly, with all the enthusiasm and cheer of a golden-haired dog (she's not sure which breed to pick), there's Thor, and she nearly jumps out of her skin, because she didn't hear him coming. That seems unlikely, because he doesn't strike her as the type to move more like a ninja than a warrior. He's-

Yes, there it is. The very reason she can't imagine him as a ninja, because his jovial commentary amped up considerably when it turned into recognition and greeting. She laughs, because somehow a grin doesn't seem nearly big enough to return that exuberant greeting, and settles the maul on its blunt top on the ground against the stump she was cutting logs atop, the axe side facing the back of the stump.

"Of course I remember you." Who could forget him? She extends her hand to him in greeting, still grinning. "It's good to see you too. Tony told me you were here."

[assemble_the_lovbacken]

[OOC: Right! That's been my assumption, too. HANDWAVE YES GR8 IDEA. That also sounds like the most probable, so let's roll with it!]

There's a flash of relief that crosses over Thor's face at Pepper's reciprocated recognition of him. Bruce, Tony, and the others had told him that it was possible to be taken from various points in one's life, just as Bruce is from Thor's future (still a strange concept he can't quite parse in its entirety). It's also possible, he's been told, to have been here before without any memory of the time, as it had been when he'd (re?)met Peggy at the Inn. She'd already known him, had had a friendship with him during his previous stay in the village, though he has no recollection of such a time. He's been mildly concerned that those he meets and knows won't remember him, or will remember something terrible the previous him had done, and he's grateful to find that neither are true now.

Thor considers her hand for the briefest of seconds before dropping his axe with little care for its destination and throws his arms out to either side of him, wiggling his fingers in a gesture for her to come in closer.

"Surely we are well beyond the informalities of a handshake upon reunion!" he exclaims, grinning brightly. "Although I would understand and would, of course, respect your decision should you choose not to engage in a hug. I would never force a hug on someone who did not otherwise agree to one." He also can't help but let his grin turn into one that's a tad softer. "Tony is a good friend; I'm glad he speaks well of me, even when I'm not around to hear it. It must be wonderful for you two to be together again." That reminds him, "OH! Jane is here, too! You can meet!"