"this ship is taking me far away from the memory of the people who care if i live or die;"

[alloys]

Who: Tony, Jane, Loki, and select invitees.
What: Fun with portals
When: Friday, March 15
Where: House 49
Summary: After months of painstaking work, Tony and Jane are finally ready to test their machine. Things don't exactly go according to plan.
Rating: PG-13 probably???


So here's how things are going to go down: This log will be split into three sub-threads. There will be preshow thread for everyone to tag into before things start to go down. Then, there will be a main thread for Tony, Jane, Loki and Billy for the actual portal testing and immediate results. Finally, there will be a postgame thread for anyone to tag into with their reactions.

A bit about the set-up in Tony’s workshop for you spatially-minded people: the portal itself will be near-center in the room, with all the other tables and equipment (including his armor) moved back against the walls. This will leave plenty of spectator space and clearance room for potential backfiring. But that surely won’t be a problem, because this is going to work, right? Of course right. Ahaha.

That’s it! Refer to this OOC post if you have questions or if you're wondering if your character would be there or not. We’ll be happy to clarify. Enjoy the fallout!

Comments

[handing]

It wasn’t funny.  It wasn’t, because for all Pepper knew those things could happen.  But she laughed anyway, because otherwise the heat in her eyes would turn into tears.
 
“Stop it.”  He was horrible, absolutely terrible, and Pepper saw right through what he was trying to do.  Banter to make light of things, and yes, that Pepper would do.  Tit for tat, tease for tease, they played the game in hopes that it might ease their more immediate fears, even for a short while.   “Anthony Edward Stark, you are awful, and I will love you even if you come back without your precious beard.  Which wasn’t a bad look for you, by the way.”

[alloys]

He attempted to muster a dismayed look. "Wow. Did you just pull the full-name on me? You're not going to try and ground me, are you? It's a bit late for that."

He quickly glanced over at the others in the room, before pressing a finger lightly against the corner of her mouth. "And be careful what you say. I'd hate for my reputation to get ruined now, of all possible times. What would my undying-ly devoted fans think?"

[handing]

“Only because you deserved it.”  He didn’t quite hit dismayed, but whatever Tony did manage was pretty amazing anyway, because this time when she laughed it was genuine.  It was a temporary peace brought on by distraction, sure, but it was still real, and Pepper savored those precious few seconds for however long they could make them last.
 
“Since when is it too late?  We’re still going to be together after this.  I have plenty of time to send you to your room.”  Whether it be in Malibu or House 49, Tony wouldn’t escape the metaphorical doghouse and he wouldn’t lose her.  She wouldn’t lose him.
 
She wouldn’t.
 
The corner of her mouth turned up under his finger, Pepper grinning at Tony’s concern for his PR.  “It could be worse.  I could show them the pictures.”

[alloys]

He was glad she fell in step with his playful demeanor, regardless of how short-lived it may be. It took some of the immediate pressure off - his thoughts weren't swarming so extensively, he didn't hear his heartbeat in his ears.

"Now you're just being mean."

[handing]

"No, mean would be not warning you first." They both needed the release, and Pepper jumped on the opportunity for something so normal as this. She noticed him relax too, glad that something in him eased with the banter, and she moved her hands to smooth out his collar, as if preparing him for a camera.

"And you know what they say about not being able to take the heat, Mr. Stark."

[alloys]

"And what do they say about it, Miss Potts?"

They needed to get started - he knew that. Putting it off wasn't going to do anyone any favors. But he could get away with letting this last a moment longer.

[handing]

"That you shouldn't take dares from seven-year-olds."

Soon now. So very soon, he would have to pull away, and walk into a portal that held either salvation or ruin. Pepper knew it with the same certainty Tony did, It couldn't be delayed. It had to be done. She had to let him go.

But not yet. Just one moment more, and she kissed him again, lingering this time, trying to convey nothing she hadn't told him before, but everything she desperately wanted to say again.

[alloys]

He let the kiss linger, reminding himself that when this was over, he could come right back and kiss her again. They could walk out of this place together. They could go home. And -

He'd worry about what came next later.

[handing]

She appreciated that; all too soon they would be wrapped up in later, which stretched on endlessly. The moment they had now was much more fleeting and precious, not to be given over to a future that already had so much easily. But time demanded, and far too soon Pepper was forced to pull back, breathless when she broke the kiss.

Soon. Now. But Pepper didn’t want it to be now yet, and she didn’t speak. Maybe they could banish that a little longer with silence. Please.