[video / action]

[actlikealady]

[the communicator flickers onto Sif's face, which settles into satisfied lines. she figured it out, this enchanted metal device, so now she can go back to what she was doing -- which is wrapping her free arm around a tree and casually hauling it out of the ground]

If we are to follow the whims of our captors -- which I'm of two minds on, myself -- we should at least begin by figuring out who is best-suited for what. [briskly]

So go on. [she drops the tree, also casually, and then goes to tear out another. she's not sure how much wood they'll need] I require knowledge of how many are here, and what skills you possess. We will want someone with knowledge of plants to forage, and someone with skill at fishing. We will need a source of fresh water, and likely vessels fashioned to carry and hold our supplies in. Those with strength or skill at construction who can put together the shelters, and those who might construct defenses around the constructs.

And those of you who are more accustomed to living in human cities, well... [a beat. trying to think of something charitable] We will probably need someone to -- gather sticks, and the like.

Comments

[onehotpepper]

I can make fire. [nonchalant, but if you look super closely and know her more than a little, yep, there's a hint of amazement at that. it still doesn't feel normal. nor does any of the other stuff Extremis has done to her.]

Probably take down some trees, too.

[possibly blow up if she's not careful, but she's careful, and there is a LOT of water around, so it could be worse, really]

[actlikealady]

That will come in handy. [you have approval] But why only "probably"? Don't you know?

[onehotpepper]

[got her there. the 'probably' was more about doing it without, you know, blowing up. there's always that lingering doubt.] I can. I've done worse things.

[things we are not going to think about, nope.]

I'll need to know which ones, though.

[actlikealady]

I can certainly show you. Though it seems we have many here who have strength, and fewer who have the skill to find food and water in the wilderness... I don't suppose you have any experience there?

/jack!

[cleanedslate]

Great, because she would much rather do that. The foraging thing. She was in the Girl Scouts. Tons of merit badges. In fact, I don't know why she didn't say that to begin with.

[ hi Sif hi Pepper you don't mind him butting in and deciding things for you and making up things about your childhood right? ]

ahahaha reading comprehension, i do has it i swear

[onehotpepper]

[Tony what the hell]

I was never a Girl Scout, and the only thing I'd much rather do is go home.

[plus, she's sort of itching to do something. being here makes her anxious. at least if she's productive, it'll take her mind off how hot it is here.]

[cleanedslate]

Really? Could've sworn. I bet you would've sold hundreds of cookies.

[onehotpepper]

[not funny, Tony.]

You're not helping.

[cleanedslate]

I'm being very helpful, actually. I'm helping you not volunteer to set things on fire or rip trees out of the ground.

[onehotpepper]

If I can put this situation to good use, I don't see why I shouldn't. I can't just keep it all inside.

[cleanedslate]

We get this fixed, you can put it to all the use you want. Good use, bad use, you can -- swat flies with telephone polls and roast marshmallows with your fingers for all I care.

[ definitely starting to sound strained here ]

As soon as it's fixed.

[onehotpepper]

Which could be forever from now. We're not home, we've got nothing to work with, and we have no idea if tomorrow we'll wake up here or in New York or in Antarctica.

[actlikealady]

...It doesn't sound to me like that would be her preference, Stark.

[cleanedslate]

Yeah, well, you have to listen to the words she's not saying.

[actlikealady]

How about if I don't?

[bitch you are not trying to exert your macho male power over your wimmen right in front of her, are you]

[cleanedslate]

[ SURE LOOKS LIKE IT ]

Sure, there's always that. Look, you don't understand the situation here. Which is not your fault. You're slightly behind the times and two or three galaxies over.

So just trust me. She shouldn't be on tree duty.

[actlikealady]

Then it is well that I am not making any decisions, and rather leaving it to someone who can make her own, perfectly informed.

[cleanedslate]

[ his teeth are set briefly on edge ]

Some decisions, you don't actually get to make all by yourself.

[onehotpepper]

Not as much, no. [small twist of her lips, would be a pout on anyone else, but it's more of an "oh well" thing with Pepper] But I wouldn't be opposed to going to look for water. There has to be some somewhere.

[actlikealady]

Even if there isn't, we can find a way. It may not be pleasant, but it may rain, or the morning will bring dew... [a shrug]

But finding it should be our first priority.

[onehotpepper]

Okay. [rain sounds good, standing in the rain with a container of some sort, the tropical heat dying down a little beneath the shadow of the clouds, in the cold raindrops -- that actually sounds fantastic.]

Well, I'd be fine joining a search party or such.

[actlikealady]

--Fortunately, I have just heard from one who claims to know where the water is. [smiling] So for now, you should feel free to use your strength to take part in the construction with the rest of us.

[onehotpepper]

[nodding, a little distracted as something comes to her]

Maybe I could look for coconuts. I know what those look like [a bit wry, that, because she figures most people do] and I hear the water is really good for you.

[actlikealady]

[as much as she wants to punch Tony in the mouth on Pepper's behalf] [delicately, because humans are delicate] Banner seemed to think he would know what kind of plants might be edible. I'm sure he could use more hands if you would prefer that.

[onehotpepper]

[Bruce is possibly the only person Pepper could stand to be around right now, after going from angry to scared so quickly. Sif, too, actually, because she exudes confidence and self-control, but she's going to do the heavy lifting, and Pepper--]

[she doesn't much feel like exerting herself right now. this entire day has been too draining already.]

That sounds great. I'll go find him. Thank you.

[maybe they'll get to be badasses together in a day or two. scary as the prospect of losing control is, Pepper wouldn't mind letting some of this out for a change.]