tushanshu_logs | Tomorrow morning when we wake

Characters: Pepper Potts, Marie Kreutz, Yami no Bakura and you!
Date: Throughout January
Location: Sky Sector, KPD Headquarters, and around Keeliai
Situation: Pepper is hanging out with friends and helping with storm recovery, enjoying the start of the new year
Warnings/Rating: None yet

A. Jade Dojo | Early January | Bakura

So they're still trying to figure out what exactly they are to each other and how this whole 'relationship' thing works, but Pepper is content with that situation. She'd worked with Tony to make a customized senet board for Bakura's birthday, but she'd left the pieces uncarved so he could make them himself and perhaps show her how to carve as well. Plus, she didn't really remember how to play, and Bakura had already proven to be an adept teacher. She stayed after the dojo closed, as had started to become habit, and wandered back towards his apartment.

B. House Spicy Iron Dragon | During the storm | Marie

Well, the weather is terrible. Pepper has seen the remnants of hurricanes that have petered out in New York, and a few really bad storms, but this definitely takes the cake. She probably won't admit it, but it makes her a bit uncomfortable. Between the weird weather and not being able to go outside much because of it, she needs something to do with her hands when she's not working. Marie had done some baking before she left, and Pepper asked if her returned housemate would be willing to spend time in the kitchen. It would be fun, and tasty, and hopefully give them time to get to know each other better.

C. Healer's Guild | Early January | Raine

As with Valdis' Shadow test, Pepper had been alerted to Raine's (albeit with a lot less urgency by Vee this time). She can't help but wonder what Raine saw - if it had the same sort of bone-rattling effect on her. Each test was different, wholly individualized, and Pepper is nothing if not curious. Raine might appreciate the comparison as a scientist and a mage, too. As has become something of a habit, Pepper brings treats along with her when she arrives at Raine's office, and knocks gently.

D. Around Keeliai | After the storm | Open

In the aftermath of the storm, there's a lot of repair work that needs doing, and once again Pepper's suit is perfect for the task. She can be seen wherever the worst damage is, pulling apart structures so waterlogged they would become rotten before too long, or helping with new construction. She keeps the faceplate open most of the time, even though the kedan have largely gotten used to the armor by now. Even though there's a lot of work to be done, she remains chipper and does whatever she can to help.

E. KPD Headquarters | Throughout the month | Open

Pepper continues to work diligently, though her schedule remains a bit erratic. She likes taking a variety of shifts. The early part of the month is fairly quiet, but she's preparing reports with Valdis and Gene to give to the Council as part of the push for laws and policies that has arisen.

After the storm passes, things get busier. In the wake of any disaster, there was potential for crime. When she wasn't out helping with repairs herself, Pepper was organizing patrols and doing logistics for aid parties, coordinating with other groups in the city like the Healer's Guild and the Council so they weren't reinventing the wheel.

F. Midnight Hotel | Beginning of January | Valdis

Pepper is still a bit worried about Valdis. Although she seems to have gotten her head on straight again in terms of immediate fallout from the failed Shadow test (and the fact that she survived was impressive), it must have left a mark. Pepper had passed, and it left a mark. Cookies in hand, she goes to see Valdis at the Hotel, sporting a smile but not trying to hide the fact that she's here for a specific purpose when she knocks.

(OOC: Feel free to make your own starter or let me know if you want something specific!)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Oh."

....Welp.

"Oh, geez, I'm so sorry," Pepper said anxiously. She had definitely not meant to lead them down this path and she's not sure if it's something she can fix or if she should and really she had no clue how to deal with what was happening.

Also Valdis killing people and apparently archangels was a Thing, but Pepper mostly already knew that and it can be set aside as a hangup until a much later date.

"There-- There was no way for you to know," she offered gently.

If that was all Pepper had to say on the matter, maybe it wasn't ad bad as it sounded. Except Valdis knew, deep down, it was far worse than it sounded. Meira had had no reason to lie to Pepper and Valdis already knew that Meira was who she had once been. But that didn't change the fact that she should have known. How could a magic be so powerful that it made family unrecognizable.

"He was trying to kill me," she said quietly, "So I killed him first."

That didn't help either. Michael must be broken. It was he who had given her the opening, whether he meant to or not.

It was, very clearly, quite bad. This wasn't the sort of situation where things could be okay, ever. Not really.

"Then... then it was self defense." Even that argument wouldn't make it better, but it did ease some of Valdis' culpability. Pepper got up, determination written across her features, and planted herself in front of Valdis. "You couldn't have known who he was," she repeated firmly. "I'm not saying that makes it go away or improves anything, but that is important. The alternative was dying, apparently, and he probably did know who you were and tried to kill you anyway; you defended yourself." She paused. "I'm-- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring all this out."

Valdis sighed heavily. It was a lot to process, but the shock was fading, although slowly, and she was able to meet the girl's determined gaze evenly.

"It isn't your fault Pepper. The only ones who deserve any blame are the ones who made me like this in the first place."

Amos and Fenrir. But Pepper was right. Her father had known who he was fighting. He had given up on her then, not like Michael. She felt like crying. Half out of sorrow and the rest out of relief or perhaps even happiness. She had real family back home, that had to count for something.

Pepper didn't say anything to that, just tried to look at Valdis without anything resembling pity. She'd rather her see support and determination and worry, but not pity and definitely not fear.

And then she reached out to Valdis and hugged her. "If any of them show up here, I'm going to punch them," Pepper declared, fully aware that that wouldn't do very muc to whomever they might be.

Pepper was doing her best to understand, and to do so without judgement, a fact Valdis very much appreciated. She even managed a smile when Pepper offered to punch her enemies in the face.

"I appreciate that, Pepper," She replied, "In fact, I'd love to see that, but I don't think either of them would be able to come here."

"Well, still," Pepper said stubbornly. "If they were here, I'd punch them."

That would make two people she'd promised that for - a pharaoh for Bakura and whomever had done this to Valdis. She drew back after a few moments. This was not at all how she'd expected this day to go. At least Valdis wasn't alone when she found out this information.

"Is there... anything I can do?"

"Maybe I'll tell you about them sometime," Valdis said softly, "I can't hide from my past forever...not if I want to find my ka. Isn't that right?"

If nothing else, the girl could listen.

Pepper quirked a smile at Valdis. "No, you can't hide from it." Although whether it would hide from her was a different matter. "I'm all ears, if you ever wanna talk about it. This is important to you, and that means it's important to me."

"Thank you, Pepper." Valdis said, picking up the sketch book again. She turned the page to look at the next sketch, she didn't want to keep looking at Michael and be forced to think about her family right now.

"Maybe I should try sketching again," she commented, "I'm apparently pretty good at it."

Tomorrow morning when we wake

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