[Video | 002: Trade Negotiations]

[pepperspray]

[It certainly hasn't taken Pepper long to both find a desk and have it covered (neatly!) with papers. Although the backdrop is the overburdened hospital, and although her hair is back in the sort of no-nonsense ponytail that says there's been no time to properly wash it, she looks much more in her element: grave, precise and direct as she looks to the camera.]

The supply situation at the hospital is getting critical. We've managed to stretch things a few more days, but normal resupply rates won't keep pace with the demand in the wake of the fire. There's a settlement to the south of here where some trade has been conducted before.

Is anyone interested in a trade mission? Do you have any useful skills you can bring to bear for one? Travel is dangerous here, I've been told, so bodyguards as well as negotiators could have a role. You'll also need to be able to work with the local population -- this is a show they've been running a lot longer than we've been here.

Comments

[asecondfaster]

[Ian pretends to think about it for a second.]

Okay, fine, give me the list.

[not that he actually plans on going to any of those places. But if he can fool Headmaster, he can fool this lady.]

[pepperspray]

[Pepper, practised in the ways of innocent deception as performed by one Tony Stark, is more than a little skeptical. Still, despite the raised eyebrow, she rattles off a list.

It's not busy-work by any means, and runs the gauntlet from the hospital and practical nursing services to reconstruction work for the local community to finally]

"...And the fields and food storage will likely also need assistance with upkeep and security. I'd also suggest that if you really want to take a more active role in security, talk to Roni, as head of the local militia."

[She stops then, eyebrow still raised, and her head cocked slightly. Your move, Ian.]

[asecondfaster]

[he shrugs] It's probably what I'd be best at doing. Though I'm also pretty good at planning things, and leading people.

[pepperspray]

Leadership skills are nothing to sneeze at. [Pepper's in agreement on this point, at least.] What experience do you have with it? Large groups? Small groups? Mixed age or backgrounds?

[asecondfaster]

A small group, kids my age. Definitely mixed backgrounds.

[pepperspray]

That's promising. What sort of work were you doing, and were you interfacing with adults at all?

[Just at the edge of the screen, there's a sense of movement as Pepper takes notes.]

[asecondfaster]

It's...sort of complicated. But it involved a lot of planning. And there weren't adults involved, no. [he would explain, but he's not sure he wants to tell her everything.]

[pepperspray]

How are you at working with adults, then? And how are you at not being directly in charge? In situations where it's appropriate for youth involvement, it's probably not going to only be youth involvement.

[She pauses then, corner of her mouth lifting.]

And I get the impression you have some issues with authority.