[ it's an ordinary sort of day. tony stark is avoiding his problems in favor of work, as usual. flying above wonderland, mapping the different areas and looking for power sources. on his way back, he considers, re-considers and eventually flies through her window, landing at the center of the room, talking all the while. ]
-- really shouldn't leave your window open. it's like asking peter pan in. or. me, if I'm around. I was around - oh my god, you're not decent.
[ it's the hair curlers. he actually looks at the wall. all mockery but still. ]
[ so! ray and sarah are getting married, today. and although she'd been grateful for the invitation -- given in the heat of a particularly rough event -- peggy hasn't been a hundred percent certain on attending. it didn't feel within her wheelhouse. and after everything that's happened...
well. she suffers from a real and present instinct to stay holed away from the festivities. but in the eleventh hour (that is, this morning) she decides it might be nice to celebrate someone else's good fortune. tony catches her in the lengthy process of getting ready. contrary to his snark, she is decently dressed -- albeit still casually while her intended outfit hangs from the bathroom door.
peggy, meanwhile, is seated at her desk-turned-vanity while waiting for her nails to dry. her hair is indeed pinned up in waiting curls. there isn't a lick of makeup yet on her face. and yet her frown is just as sharp and dramatic without the lipstick to frame it. ]
You know, you could still knock. Just because it's a window doesn't mean you shouldn't. [ peggy turns in her chair. ] To what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Tony?
[ a mild hello if there ever was one. she fixes him with an impatient look. ]
[ there's not a lot of intimidation that can be done while one is waiting for polish to dry. but peggy holds up open palms, gives them a bit of a waggle, and at least manages to get a good stare on before she opens her mouth. ]
Now, that's a bit of an overreaction. [ she feels no drive or urge to explain herself when tony is so clearly on the wrong side of this no matter which way it's sliced. ]
[ -- she rolls her eyes the moment he slumps onto her bed. no boundaries, him. just like his father, him. but she knows better now exactly why she should keep that thought to herself.
maybe the way in which she doesn't banish him immediately says enough. ]
Not a date, [ she answers the former question to dodge the current one. ] So you can untwist your knickers on that account. Not that it's any of your business.
[ it's almost cool but it's never really there, is it? just like Asgardian sass. god. ]
F.R.I.D.A.Y, take it home.
[ as the suit departs, tony stretches his arms behind his head. ]
Not a date. you're going to a party. that's fun. some would say it's healthy. I'm just happy that you're re-discovering what keeping a social life is, aunt Peggy.
If you must know, [ and she assumes he must because he is who he is. and peggy actually know a thing or two about insatiable curiosity. ] I've been invited to a wedding.
[ maybe that's why she'd been so hesitant to say anything. voiced aloud, it sounds almost ridiculous. doesn't it? a wedding! here. in the company of someone uninvolved with the nuptials, she finds her more cynical nature getting the better of her. ]
And because this is Wonderland, and not anywhere passingly rational or useful, it's rather difficult to come up with reasons to refuse such an invitation. I can't exactly beg off on account of being busy, can I?
[ but she is putting effort into her appearance. so perhaps she's not quite so vexed to attend as she'd like tony to think. ]
[ that's a colossal bad idea in tony's humble opinion. a pocket dimension isn't a stable thing and so nothing can remain stable within its borders. logically, it's almost like asking for trouble. but then, these things aren't really logical and he's only able to be unromantic about it because pepper left. ]
[ she tests the tackiness of her nails -- only to find herself satisfied when they prove themselves dried. peggy holds a hand back from her body, examining the paint and colour before flicking her attention back to stark. ]
I'll admit, it's -- unorthodox. [ but peggy once knew a great many young couples rushing into marriage before deployment. is this any different? hell, she nearly took that path herself... ]
[ every choice they would make would be unorthodox, maybe. these circumstances aren't forgiving, they elicit a different reaction from different people. it's almost comforting. ]
well. the dress is nice.
[ he admits. ]
and again. food. open bar. there are perks.
[ ... ]
oh and being happy for other people, there's that, too.
Ah, yes. [ she gives her head a little shake. ] Being happy for others. Always a bonus.
[ there's a touch of honesty in place. peggy sits up straight and begins the laborious process of pulling pins out of her hair. she starts with one, easing the curl into shape as she does so.
and she stops herself from huffing that of course the dress is nice. she's got taste, hasn't she? ]
[ it's not every day that tony stark is genuinely surprised by something. he'd like to think he's smart enough to know what's coming in most given conversations. and yet. he crosses over to the table, picks a small compact and peers at it. ]
[ -- she doesn't know whether it remains terribly gauche in the 21st century to go to a wedding alone, but what she does know is that howard stark could always be counted upon to play her plus one when the occasion required and he was in town. not that peggy ever asked much of him beyond that initial arrival. after that, he was free to go and charm as many bridesmaids as he'd like. ]
Sarah Weller and Ray Palmer. [ a beat. ] So now you at least know their names, which is only marginally less than I know about them.
[ well, that's a lie. but it's one she'd like to keep fostering. ]
[ he might have heard of ray palmer and forgot. he sniffs at her powder, poking a finger and looking at the stuff with an arched eyebrow. he'll never understand some things about women. ]
I don't have a gift for them and I'm pretty convinced we've never met.
[ he warns; he should have liked to bring something but - ]
though I guess buying things here is besides the point since we don't have any value for money. Carl Marks would have something to say about this.
[ she pulls another pin free, adding it to the first already sitting abandoned on her desk-turned-vanity. marx gets a snort of derision -- but then again, her decade certainly does inform her doesn't it? the red scare is already spilling over the horizon back home. ]
They're not expecting gifts. I don't think. [ just as well, or else they'd be sorely disappointed with peggy. ] So you're off the hook on that count.
[ she doesn't want to outright tell him she's minus a plus one -- because then that lets him know he's doing her a favour. ]
-- Do refrain from sticking your fingers in my powders, however.
[ ...is he genuinely asking her to explain cosmetics? with only a few curls released, she leans forward and claims the pot of powder. rolling her eyes as she does so. ]
It's generally not the done thing to turn up to these things alone. [ which peggy most assuredly will be if tony doesn't deign to agree. besides, nearly everyone peggy actually knows with any kind of confidence is involved in the ceremony itself. ] Wear a suit, show up, eat dinner at the same table. And then you're welcome to duck out.
Ok, just so you know, tons of people go to these things alone in my time. it's a dating thing. singles go out, walk out drunk and possibly pregnant.
[ but that's not the point. ]
you're being seriously kind, giving me a bit of freedom after all of these demands. is this how you ask someone to go with you in the 40s? I know it's not an English thing.
[ oh for heaven's sake. her nose crinkles -- not with the implication, exactly. but with a dozen other problems. peggy won't push it if he wants to refuse.
nor is she keen to explain herself. so! instead: ]
Look. Are you in or are you out? [ she'd like this to be a simple transaction. yes, no, or perhaps she'd be just as relieved to be told to bugger off. but after that last event -- after deciding that if tony is as good as family then it's a connection she wants to cultivate -- she wants to at least try and spend time with him outside of his boisterous visits. ]
You're a very weird person. I just feel this great need to let you know. Very weird. and I'm eighty-nine percent sure there's something about this whole thing that you're not telling me.
[ -- she turns her nose up at his lounging once again. why shouldn't she? it's obnoxious. she conceded and put chairs in here and he still insists upon sitting on her bed. wanker.
peggy pulls the next three pins out in quick succession. ]
Only if you'd like to. [ match, that is. ] You'd be going as a friend. A plus one. Obviously.
[ they aren't dates at a bloody high school prom, for heaven's sake. ]
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-- really shouldn't leave your window open. it's like asking peter pan in. or. me, if I'm around. I was around - oh my god, you're not decent.
[ it's the hair curlers. he actually looks at the wall. all mockery but still. ]
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well. she suffers from a real and present instinct to stay holed away from the festivities. but in the eleventh hour (that is, this morning) she decides it might be nice to celebrate someone else's good fortune. tony catches her in the lengthy process of getting ready. contrary to his snark, she is decently dressed -- albeit still casually while her intended outfit hangs from the bathroom door.
peggy, meanwhile, is seated at her desk-turned-vanity while waiting for her nails to dry. her hair is indeed pinned up in waiting curls. there isn't a lick of makeup yet on her face. and yet her frown is just as sharp and dramatic without the lipstick to frame it. ]
You know, you could still knock. Just because it's a window doesn't mean you shouldn't. [ peggy turns in her chair. ] To what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Tony?
[ a mild hello if there ever was one. she fixes him with an impatient look. ]
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[ hold on. he takes a look at the dress and then at her freshly painted nails and the hair curlers. ]
seriously?
[ he peeks at her face, almost as if he can hear her talking and then - ]
--- you're going out somewhere. is it a date? it's a date. who is it? F.R.I.D.A.Y, upload database.
[ 'yes boss' ]
get the missiles ready. I'm listening.
[ he's kidding. mostly. ]
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Now, that's a bit of an overreaction. [ she feels no drive or urge to explain herself when tony is so clearly on the wrong side of this no matter which way it's sliced. ]
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[ he steps out of the suit and simply lounges on her bed. ]
what is it. where are you going. I won't tell.
[ who will he tell anyway? he's a notorious lone these days. ]
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maybe the way in which she doesn't banish him immediately says enough. ]
Not a date, [ she answers the former question to dodge the current one. ] So you can untwist your knickers on that account. Not that it's any of your business.
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[ it's almost cool but it's never really there, is it? just like Asgardian sass. god. ]
F.R.I.D.A.Y, take it home.
[ as the suit departs, tony stretches his arms behind his head. ]
Not a date. you're going to a party. that's fun. some would say it's healthy. I'm just happy that you're re-discovering what keeping a social life is, aunt Peggy.
[ look at the shit eating grin. ]
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[ maybe that's why she'd been so hesitant to say anything. voiced aloud, it sounds almost ridiculous. doesn't it? a wedding! here. in the company of someone uninvolved with the nuptials, she finds her more cynical nature getting the better of her. ]
And because this is Wonderland, and not anywhere passingly rational or useful, it's rather difficult to come up with reasons to refuse such an invitation. I can't exactly beg off on account of being busy, can I?
[ but she is putting effort into her appearance. so perhaps she's not quite so vexed to attend as she'd like tony to think. ]
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[ that's a colossal bad idea in tony's humble opinion. a pocket dimension isn't a stable thing and so nothing can remain stable within its borders. logically, it's almost like asking for trouble. but then, these things aren't really logical and he's only able to be unromantic about it because pepper left. ]
Well, I mean, it's already a themed wedding.
[ so that's done. ]
and they don't need a cater. enjoy the open bar.
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[ she tests the tackiness of her nails -- only to find herself satisfied when they prove themselves dried. peggy holds a hand back from her body, examining the paint and colour before flicking her attention back to stark. ]
I'll admit, it's -- unorthodox. [ but peggy once knew a great many young couples rushing into marriage before deployment. is this any different? hell, she nearly took that path herself... ]
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[ every choice they would make would be unorthodox, maybe. these circumstances aren't forgiving, they elicit a different reaction from different people. it's almost comforting. ]
well. the dress is nice.
[ he admits. ]
and again. food. open bar. there are perks.
[ ... ]
oh and being happy for other people, there's that, too.
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[ there's a touch of honesty in place. peggy sits up straight and begins the laborious process of pulling pins out of her hair. she starts with one, easing the curl into shape as she does so.
and she stops herself from huffing that of course the dress is nice. she's got taste, hasn't she? ]
I don't suppose you'd want to go.
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[ it's not every day that tony stark is genuinely surprised by something. he'd like to think he's smart enough to know what's coming in most given conversations. and yet. he crosses over to the table, picks a small compact and peers at it. ]
I don't even know anyone who's getting married.
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Sarah Weller and Ray Palmer. [ a beat. ] So now you at least know their names, which is only marginally less than I know about them.
[ well, that's a lie. but it's one she'd like to keep fostering. ]
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[ he might have heard of ray palmer and forgot. he sniffs at her powder, poking a finger and looking at the stuff with an arched eyebrow. he'll never understand some things about women. ]
I don't have a gift for them and I'm pretty convinced we've never met.
[ he warns; he should have liked to bring something but - ]
though I guess buying things here is besides the point since we don't have any value for money. Carl Marks would have something to say about this.
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They're not expecting gifts. I don't think. [ just as well, or else they'd be sorely disappointed with peggy. ] So you're off the hook on that count.
[ she doesn't want to outright tell him she's minus a plus one -- because then that lets him know he's doing her a favour. ]
-- Do refrain from sticking your fingers in my powders, however.
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[ that's so weird, he taps his finger against his palm and frowns. this is all very, very weird. ]
So is this your distant, English way of asking me to come with you? is that you asking for my company?
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It's generally not the done thing to turn up to these things alone. [ which peggy most assuredly will be if tony doesn't deign to agree. besides, nearly everyone peggy actually knows with any kind of confidence is involved in the ceremony itself. ] Wear a suit, show up, eat dinner at the same table. And then you're welcome to duck out.
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[ but that's not the point. ]
you're being seriously kind, giving me a bit of freedom after all of these demands. is this how you ask someone to go with you in the 40s? I know it's not an English thing.
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nor is she keen to explain herself. so! instead: ]
Look. Are you in or are you out? [ she'd like this to be a simple transaction. yes, no, or perhaps she'd be just as relieved to be told to bugger off. but after that last event -- after deciding that if tony is as good as family then it's a connection she wants to cultivate -- she wants to at least try and spend time with him outside of his boisterous visits. ]
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[ but! ]
I'll be there.
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What could I possibly not be telling you? It's only a wedding.
[ -- nevermind that the very nature of that question is suspect. if he knew, then he wouldn't need to be told. ]
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[ can he lounge back on the bed now? he flops down and eyes her dress. ]
I'll need to match this, you know.
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peggy pulls the next three pins out in quick succession. ]
Only if you'd like to. [ match, that is. ] You'd be going as a friend. A plus one. Obviously.
[ they aren't dates at a bloody high school prom, for heaven's sake. ]