Who: Emma Frost & Pepper Potts When: Mid January Where: A social function What: Catching up Ratings/Warnings: Low Status: Complete/Partner Thread
The world of corporate business wasn’t an entirely broad one. There weren’t a multitude the world over, the point was to dominate in your field and own the most, bigger profit margin, best quality, that sort of thing. Being that Emma had built her own franchise in investments, absorbed her father’s company in transportation and then bought out a communications business in San Francisco for her brother to run, she had been circulating for a while now.
Sure, she hadn’t been the top of the game for very long, but a name like Frost opened doors, and Emma’s tenacity made it all the harder to close those doors. Her business major aided her in running her own company, although her COO Mr Deveny was a wonderful assistant to run things with.
Controlling to the end of course, Emma made a point of attending what she could herself, especially silly brunches just following the New Year in some bid to network business contacts. Still, Emma found herself at the function, sipping an orange juice from a champagne glass and watching the people mill around. It was a conscious effort to keep her mental shields up, blocking out the noise of thought for the time being.
All in all, not the worst way to spend an afternoon, watching men in suits try to outdo each other.
Pepper was used to being at these sorts of events on her own, Tony could rarely be bothered which she didn’t blame him for. His expertise sat in R&D not talking nice with a bunch of other CEO’s. Though she did miss him sometimes, he always had some amusing comment or two to say about people. And right now she could do with that, sometimes these things were entirely too dull.
Spotting Emma Frost from across the room she smiled and made her way over, “Do you suspect they know it’s like a sport for us? Watching them one up each other I mean” she said as she followed Emma’s gaze.
Raising a conspiratory eyebrow at the redhead, Emma offered a small pause for thought, “I believe they think we’re in awe of their masculinity,” when really it was just laughable. “They’ll puff up their chests like peacocks and show off for us women folk.” It was really just ridiculous, but then the men that loitered around here to boast of their wealth and power were just that ridiculous.
“How are you, Ms Potts? Managing to avoid propositions from lesser men?”
Pepper laughed, “Silly displays that only truly serve as idle amusement” she nodded.
“I’m well thank you. Luckily this manages to dissuade most unwanted personal remarks” she said gesturing with her engagement ring, nobody truly wanted to piss off Tony Stark by making comments to his fiance. “And yourself?”
“Yes, with half the world run on the basis of technology, I don’t think anyone would be looking to rub Stark the wrong way.” And pissing off Pepper Potts was likely to do just that, wasn’t it. There were numerous degrees of stupidity, and thankfully these men seemed to know that was just a little too far.
All in all, Emma wasn’t despising the whole afternoon. “I’ve made a bet with one of the bartenders, it’s making this dull affair entirely more enticing.” Emma, after all, did not wager money. “Although, if I have to listen to one of my father’s old associates wax poetic about the merits of my selling to him one more time, I may make the evening headlines.”
“Indeed not” Pepper agreed, mostly people were smart enough and those that weren’t soon learnt their lesson.
“Oh really? Somehow this doesn’t surprise me” Pepper smiled as she teased her friend a little, “Try and keep your cool Emma dear, after all it only encourages them when they get a rise out of you. Half of them expect things simply because of old business deals and it takes a while for them to realise that isn’t the way things are done anymore.”
“You’d think they were the mob,” the way they tried to keep things as ‘the old days’, everything kept in families and associates, all very male orientated. Emma would sooner stab one of them with an ice pick -just like the mob used to do, strangely enough. “Of course, some of them have the rotundness to be in a Godfather movie.”
And that was saying something, wasn’t it. But no, they weren’t ‘mobbed up’ and this wasn’t New York in the late 70’s either. “Still, as far as entertainment goes, I’m sure the growth of the company speaks for itself, but I do think that’s enough shop-talk. How are things coming along, Pepper?” The Tony Stark Pepper Potts wedding might not be the sort of thing magazines were splashing everywhere like it was a Kardashian affair, but it was practically a royal wedding in their world, and Emma was ever so glad for them both.
Pepper laughed, “That is definitely true. Though they really are far less impressive than any mob” she said, looking around the room.
“They’re coming along well actually, in fact everything is sorted out and we’re on track. Part of me is still worried that something will go wrong but hopefully that’s just my paranoia” she smiled, considering it was in February Pepper was very relaxed but that would no doubt change.
“A Pepper Potts production? I highly doubt even the universe is brave enough to throw anything at that.” Weddings were complicated affairs, Christian’s had been an utter farce, mostly her mother showing off and Christian putting up with it. But a lovely affair all the same.
“I’m sure everything will run smoothly,” or at the least it would just be a small hitch in plans. “There’s always alternatives available though.” Like if the weather went loopy, or if Cupid fell from the sky with heart clouds or something. It was always possible here in Orange County after all.
“Let us hope the universe shares your sentiment” Pepper said with a smile, her own wedding was going to be as far from a farce as possible. The ceremony would be close friends and family and then the reception would be a larger affair - naturally.
“Oh yes, I have those all set up too. Just in case” Back up caterers and florists as well as venue practicalities for the weather. Sorted as soon as the snow had arrived over Christmas. Pepper wasn’t the sort to leave things to chance.
“Is there a reason you haven’t thought of running the country, dear? I’m almost sure you could get everything sorted out before midway through your first term.” A small joke at Pepper’s excellent organisation skills, but partially true.
There appeared to be a commotion towards the far end of the room, two gentleman comparing sizes most likely, but Emma opted to just ignore it than find out just what the hell was going on. “It’s almost like being at the zoo.”
Pepper laughed, “Too much paperwork and not enough power to change” she replied, “I’ll stick to bossing around Tony, at least he mostly listens” she joked in return.
Rolling her eyes Pepper nodded, “It is rather. This is the downside of being successful, I’m sure half the time these things don’t have much influence but still it isn’t worth the risk of not attending”
“On the plus side, they are far too busy arguing with each other that they don’t notice when we leave.” And Emma did intend on leaving early, she was not lingering around these sad excuses for men and risking their horrid little thoughts bleeding through to her mind. “I warrant another half hour or so and slipping away with very important business won’t be terribly difficult.”
“How true, thank goodness for small mercies” Pepper replied, “I think you’re right, another thirty minutes or so and we will be safe to slip away. But a little more mingling may be needed, as long as most remember we were here then there should be no cause for objection when we leave”
Emma wasn’t the sort that people forgot speaking to, if not because of her stunning charm, wit and looks then because she insulted someone with a smile, she did like to leave a lasting impression after all. Pepper, Emma doubted, was the same. Far too nice to people who didn’t deserve it. “I believe I should go and boast to a few people, rile up the natives, stir up a commotion before I leave.” Had to do it in style after all.
It was true, Pepper was nice to practically everybody which could be good but in business wasn’t always the case. “I have no doubt you will do it wonderfully. It’s been good to see you Emma, we should catch up away from here sometime. Before the wedding” she added.
“Oh absolutely,” for one thing, Emma would be interested to hear all about the wedding plans, and catch up just in general, without work looming so constantly. “We’ll arrange something. Now, I know a telecommunications tycoon that I haven’t infuriated for a few days, I really must go catch up with him. Reject his proposals a few more times.” Emma just finished her drink and gave Pepper a wide smile. “An absolute pleasure as always, Ms Potts.”