Communication Center | Video to All, Action to Charles

[notbuiltforthis]

[Pepper clears her throat as she begins the video broadcast, dropping her gaze from somewhere off-screen (a map she had JJ display on the large television) to her device before she speaks.]

Does anyone know how many of these monsters there are? If we had some sort of estimate it will be easier to gauge when it will be safe for everyone.

[She

Comments

[touchmorewisdom]

audio

[Colette doesn't want to call via video and show either of them just how distraught she is. She has seen a lot of things, but monsters are past her mark and she is sure that even if she's safe in her apartment, most of her friends probably are not.]

Pepper? U-um... [She doesn't know what else to even say.]

[touchmorewisdom]

If you're sure... [She nods once to her and gives her a worried smile.] Be careful, Pepper.

[And if nothing else needs saying, she's hanging up to pack.]

[notbuiltforthis]

[Pepper nods and collects her phone. She doesn't have a weapon, and she hopes that the monsters will leave her alone if she doesn't confront them. Charles gets no say in the matter. Colette shouldn't be alone.

The walk to Colette's apartment building takes far longer than usual, but Pepper arrives without incident.]

Colette. Are you ready?

[touchmorewisdom]

[Colette nods and hooks her bag over her shoulder, gripping Pepper's arm and hurrying out with her. She doesn't fancy waiting around at all for this sort of thing.]

[notbuiltforthis]

Try not to scream if we do come across a monster.

[That is, to be honest, for both of them. Pepper nods and pats Colette's arm reassuringly.]

Let's go.

[She opens the building's door and looks outside before leading Colette out into the open.]

[touchmorewisdom]

I'll try not to.

[Colette follows her, sure that they're going to be in a lot of trouble if they're not careful, but the monsters don't seem to be wanting to attack.]

[notbuiltforthis]

We'll be perfectly safe.

[Pepper squares her shoulders and pulls Colette through an alley.

She gasps quietly when a monster suddenly slides into sight as they pop back out into the open and tugs Colette back against the building.]

Damn it.

[touchmorewisdom]

[Colette leans around to look at it, frowning for a second and then tugging her bag off her shoulder.] Hold this.

[After handing it to Pepper, she tugs off her shoes, throwing one as a distraction for the monster, the second tossed at it's head, the heel hitting it right in the eye.] Run! Run now!

[And she's grabbing hold of Pepper's arm and running.]

[ironfail]

[And in comes Iron Man to save the day!!!

Actually he'd just been in the area when JJ informed him that Ms Potts and Miss Valois were nearby, and he arrived on the scene just in time to see Colette throw her shoes at a monster. Great. He lands in between them and the creature, ready to fight.]

Out of the way, you two.

[notbuiltforthis]

[Pepper had turned away from the monster to investigate their options when she registered the familiar sound of Tony's suit approach.]

Tony! What are you doing here?

[touchmorewisdom]

[Colette can't help being a bit startled by the approaching machine but Pepper talking to him is enough to ease her and she quickly realises it's the Tony that she's met.]

I think he's rescuing us. Should we run for the house?

[ironfail]

[If they could see his face he'd so be rolling his eyes at them right now.] At least Colette's on the ball today. Don't just stand around, get moving!

[The monster rears back, looking ready to strike, and Tony blasts it with a repulsor, hoping to scare it off so he doesn't have to deal with a fight right now.]

[notbuiltforthis]

[Pepper just thinks this timing is suspicious. And that is rude, Tony.]

This way, Colette.

[She slides Colette's bag up her arm and takes Colette's hand to lead her around the back of the building. Hopefully they won't have to run too far out of the way.]

[touchmorewisdom]

[Tony doing that thing with the light from his metal hand makes Colette jump and she's relieved to have Pepper's hand suddenly in hers and leading her along.

She doesn't say anything, but she can't help trying to look at what Tony is doing as Pepper leads the way.]

[ironfail]

[Tony's closing in on the monster, trying to get it to back up without having to physical punch it. The anti-freeze system on his suit's pretty good, but not good enough. He'd learned that the hard way earlier.

He's not careful enough, though, and a swing of the creature's tail sends Tony flying into the side of the building Pepper and Colette were trying to escape around.]

[notbuiltforthis]

Tony!

[Pepper drops Colette's hand to turn and run back to the corner again. She won't approach the monster, but she's staying close enough to watch the monster turn towards Tony and open its mouth.]

Tony!