[VIDEO: Seeking Sailors]

[pepperspray]

[Pepper's feed has her at a bit of an odd angle, the communicator knocked askew by something after she's turned it on. One hand reaches down, adjusting it and blocking the camera's field of vision for a moment with a close-up of the knit sleeve of Pepper's sweater.]

...There. Stay down now.

[The order delivered to something off screen (There's a skittering sort of scrabbling noise that transmits), she smooths her hair, sets her chin and begins again.]

With the plague dealt with for the Old City, I've made arrangements to try and help spread the treatment beyond our immediate surroundings. As a result, I need a small group of people who are willing to take a minimum six week round trip, largely by sea, to work on distribution.

You should be willing, able and safe to work your passage on a sailing vessel, so either knowledge or a certain level of basic fitness is a must. I've been advised that having some skill at arms would be good, and if one of our researchers or someone with enough basic knowledge of science and biology to parse and explain their notes could volunteer, that would be perfect.

In addition to the humanitarian aspect, this is also a chance to explore areas beyond the Old City. I'm of almost no use on a sailboat myself, have actually sunburned on a cloudy day before, and I don't really want to be gone from here so long, but I'll accompany any group as far as the port town. You'll be leaving as soon as I have word from my con--

[The source of the skittering reveals itself to be a flash of silvery tabby fur as a paw looms huge in the field of view and knocks the smartphone flat. There's a view of Pepper's apartment's ceiling before her hand appears and straightens the camera back to a view of Ms. Potts, now with a smug and wriggling half-grown kitten in the crook of her arm.]

Well, I'll get word to you when I have it. I'm available for questions.

[The feed ends.]

Comments

[pepperspray]

[Pepper's wry expression turns to a bit of a smile, still wry but paired with a lift of her chin.]

Or I heard about it, and have also noticed a distinct absence of Loki manipulating everyone into raging at each other.

But I don't think this will be too heavy of a project. More of a catch-up on the state of science. It's Maria Collins Carbonell who'll be looking for you.

[Pepper pauses, waiting politely to see if this name rings a bell with Bruce or not. The maiden name of Maria Stark is, after all, not really daily fact.]

[tiptoeing]

You have a point. Still, if anything did happen, a boat wouldn't be a great place for it. Better safe than sorry right now. [he isn't sure how much he trusts his level of control]

The name doesn't ring a bell, but I'll keep an eye out for her.

[pepperspray]

Maybe they could get you... a raft, for future trips. Something to tow behind any boats.

[It's weak, and not really a joke, but Pepper tries for it anyway before her expression skews a little odd as Bruce doesn't blink over the name. Well, now she's got to figure out how to approach that... She settles for relocating the problem elsewhere.]

Tony could tell you more about her. She's a scientist, and my impression is that she's still finding her feet, and I think, given that she's from somewhere in the 1950s, she's a bit hung up on radiation.

[tiptoeing]

[he makes a face at that] I think I'll just stick to land as much as I can.

Radiation? Now I know why you directed her to me. I'll see what I can do to help, though I make no promises on it turning out very well. [He doesn't exactly have the best luck with radiation.]

[pepperspray]

Yeah.

[After a moment, Pepper decides to just go with it -- it's the sort of demographic data that a Bruce lurking around Stark Tower would probably encounter eventually anyway.]

She's also Tony's mother. Or, um, will be in another decade and a half or so.

[tiptoeing]

[Bruce doesn't really know what to think about that, considering his family isn't something Tony's ever brought up. He doesn't know much about the Stark family as a whole beyond their inventions and advancements in various fields.]

That must be awkward for Tony. But it doesn't surprise me, considering how many people from different points in time we have here.

[pepperspray]

He's... handling it with his usual approach to awkward interpersonal situations.

[Which is to say outrageous rudeness to get them to go away, followed by ignoring it. Pepper looks dry, but unsurprised.]

Be patient with her -- she's young, and while she doesn't have the full dose of the Stark ego, she's definitely sure in her convictions. Which, given 1950s science, may or may not be correct. But I'm sure you've got practice with the care and feeding of grad students and postdocs, Dr. Banner.

[tiptoeing]

Of course. [Bruce isn't the best at handling personal things either, albeit in a different way. So he's not one to judge.]

I understand. And I do have plenty of teaching experience. [he looks a little embarrassed at her emphasizing his title like that] I offered to teach Steve some things, awhile ago. [Bruce is starting to realize that Steve simply isn't there anymore, and he tries not to think about it too much.]

[pepperspray]

On that note, if you run into anyone who could use a refresher in the more arts-related subjects, send them to me. I started out humanities before switching my major to economics.

[For... reasons of economics. Pepper doesn't go into them, but her smile is wry.]

[tiptoeing]

Economics might actually be more useful here, considering the system that's currently in place.

[pepperspray]

There's not really a huge amount in common between a barter economy and the modern global marketplace... but I can definitely try, if people are curious and Edmund is too busy or too annoyed by them.

[tiptoeing]

It might be an interesting discussion topic, if nothing else. Languages might be another area to think about, considering the variety we have from the ship alone.

[pepperspray]

Absolutely. I'm afraid I've only got basic business levels when it comes to things other than English, but shared knowledge...

[She trails off, smiling at something gently.]

If you end up running an impromptu university here, I'm going to be both impressed and amused.

[tiptoeing]

[Bruce looks away for a moment, but he's smiling a little too.] I'm not really the type to run a whole university by myself. Or anything, really. But I'll admit I've had the idea for awhile...I might put up some sort of announcement, asking if anyone's interested in something like that.

[pepperspray]

I'll keep an eye out for it, then. Take care, Bruce, I'll check in later -- I have the usual twenty seven thousand replies I need to deal with right now.