Suits (Crimson Dynamo + Ask)

[razor]

Iron Man

"I am Iron Man..."

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Ah yes, the banquet life. Where all the people with big money and big egos go to swing around what they know they have. Big money and big egos. It was filled to the brim with super important people. The celebration was the New Year. While this year was most definitely a rough one, they were working on things. Everyone deserved a celebration. Arriving fashionably late as always was the man of the hour, the co-director of SHIELD, the Invincible Iron Man, Tony Stark.


He would exit the limo he was in with his SHIELD agent escorts. Waving to everyone there, he would make his grand entrance, though he needed no introduction. Everyone clapped and cheered, looking on at the man who had achieved so much. He obviously reveled in it. It seemed that Maria Hill wouldn't be able to make it today, which was understandable. He had tried to get her to loosen up and make her appearance, but she gave him the speech on how people die if you loosen up. While he agreed somewhat, he felt that she needed to master the ability to loosen up AND stay alert... He decided against bringing that up, because he was certain that he'd not hear the end of it for a while.


Normally, he would have went for the drinks in a situation like this, but he can't keep drinking himself into oblivion. It wasn't healthy. Plus he was many years sober at this point, so he was stuck making idol conversation with people that had absolutely no idea what they were talking about.
I mean, come on, everyone knows that the suit has an AC unit to keep him fresh. Why do they always ask him that?

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[shadejak]

When news had gotten out at the New Years banquet held by the elite of New York for the elite of New York, Galina had initially responded with an exasperated grimace. Spoiled by the world that sheltered them, sitting in the comfort of their gated homes while soldiers and actual heroes risked life and limb to make such a way of living even possible for them. A mission here and there had left her with plenty of money but some of it did have to go to Mason for armor repairs and fortunately he'd since finished. It was when further news on the matter of said banquet came up that she was once more in contact with the man.

That imperialist swine Tony Stark was going to be there. Of course he was. The man's ego was legendary and it should not have been a surprise at all that the man who'd been practically the face of the Avengers and probably attended events like this since he was in diapers would show up. She'd been to a few back in Russia, at least the ones in which the military or Winter Guard were honored, few and far between as they were, so she knew how to act and look, which brought her to the next part of her plan.

A few connections here, forged and untraceable credentials there, and the right attire, Galina had assumed the identity of a Russian model and submitted a few photos to a particularly eager elite who decided he needed more then one to show off when he came and lay on the charm, ensuring she'd be chosen. She was not disappointed at all.

Now, emerging from the limo alongside her man and the other model one from Sweden to her understanding but her vapid demeanor had made Galina lose interest fast, it'd been obvious the other woman's looks had gotten her chosen and thankfully that was all she needed as well to ensure her ticket in didn't try too hard to get to know her, Galina looked absolutely ravishing in her red dress that accentuated every curve she had, the side cut showing her toned legs as she walked and its neckline allowing a tantalizing glimpse at her ample cleavage her necklace lay atop. She'd given her hair a more auburn-red dying, letting some fringe reach her eyes in an alluring way that also allowed her to be less recognizable should photos be taken, makeup done to flawless perfection as she was meant to look not just good, tonight, but glamorous. The mercenary looked every bit the role she was playing to get the opportunity to meet the man of the hour as she followed inside.

It hadn't taken long at all before the man she escorted had introduced her assumed identity and the other model around before finally finding someone to brag to over drinks, allowing Galina to have freedom she'd patiently awaited once the hollow introductions were over. It took even less time to see the crowd gathering around Mr. Stark, who was being asked questions about his armor and other things as she approached, her ice-blue gaze watching him intently as she spoke, a drink in hand as he made his response about an AC unit in his armor that he apparently has given many times before. "You really do think of everything, Mr. Stark," she observed, going along with the crowd around her's responses.

TAG razor

[razor]

Iron Man

"I am Iron Man..."

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Stark was no stranger to women staring at him from afar and then also approaching him to talk about his specs... Yes, there was an innuendo there. No, he wasn't going to elaborate on it. The woman had mentioned that he had thought of everything. That was a lie within itself, he hadn't thought of everything. There were so many things he couldn't fix yet. The threats to the earth were piling up and he was still stuck on making a deep space armor. Obviously, that wouldn't register to someone who didn't know much about the inner makings of a suit, like this girl.


"Well, you kind of have to! Sometimes I've got to go save the world one moment and hit up a press conference in twenty. It's definitely something that has been a problem before, and it likely won't stop being an issue."


The woman was beautiful, but he wasn't interested. He was with someone, though no one really knew that. He had to keep some faces, but this wasn't one of them. The face he projected was one of not disdain, per se, but disinterest.

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[shadejak]

Stark's reply was glib, but it didn't particularly daunt Galina. She couldn't help but suspect he was dismissing her as some airheaded floozy fawning over his bank account, something she was certain he dealt with all his life which didn't bother her as she was not about to show her hand to him on who and what she really was and what she was capable of. Galina may have known what her own armor could do and had a level of expertise with all of its capabilities, but she wasn't an engineer so those tasks were left in Mason's capable hands. She was, however, a soldier and had been hand-picked for the Crimson Dynamo program back then in the Winter Guard so she still had plenty to brag about if she chose to, even if that relationship had since gone sour.

"And you've gained much reputation inside and outside the suit," she remarked. It would have been tempting to give the hint she was more then she appeared but that was a delicate line. Tony Stark may have been arrogant but he wasn't stupid and if she made him suspicious then identifying her would only be a matter of time. She was prepared if things went off the rails here, but for now she was here to observe him.

"To your evening and continued success, Mr. Stark," she said, raising her glass briefly her blue gaze lingering a moment before walking away to one of the food tables, in time for some random young suit who apparently had an incredibly lower tolerance then he thought and probably coasting on his parents' success to be here got too close.

"You know, that guy who brought you in, leaving a girl like you," he said, leaning against the table "...This place has a lotta spots someone could slip away to, so"

"Save your breath, in fact, hold it," Galina said, her tone precise, only for him to get closer.

"What, he's not coming back, ran off with that blonde broad, and I'm sure Mr. Stark's already found his marks, no need to go empty-handed..."

Galina's expression grew noticeably darker, dangerous, even, as this fool reached for her hand. It seemed so many of the elite were too used to getting their way rather then having to work for it. She knew she was an extremely attractive woman but she wasn't here to indulge spoiled idiots who she viewed as beneath her. Time seemed to slow down as many possible ways to respond flew through her mind all at once and many were violent ones.

razor

[razor]

Iron Man

"I am Iron Man..."

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Stark nodded idly while the woman walked away. Something seemed off about her, but he couldn't really place what it was, so he just left it. He'd go back to the rabble of people fawning for his attention. They were all faceless rabble that were keeping him from doing his work, but he'd obviously not complain for the facelessness of them to be a good thing. He wouldn't have to determine whether or not he hated them or some other moral dilemma like that.
This is why he used to like this type of scene a whole lot more, all the people there were just nameless faces to add to the crowd. He could flirt with who he wanted, scheme against who he wanted, joke with who he wanted, and no one would bat an eye. They would all disappear in the morning when he kicked them all out of his penthouse.


Now, things were different. People asked him if he remembered them, and he'd have to go through a catalog of people from his database just to keep a bit of face. Of course, this wasn't for everyone, but it was for those faceless ones. It'd help if he knew what this event was actually for, but that was beside the point. His mind kept going back to the woman he spoke to, when he finally found her at a bar being seemingly harassed. He'd break away from the group and place a hand firmly on the man's shoulder before speaking up.


"I believe you need to learn how to take a hint, yeah?" He'd say looking to the man before looking to the woman he was bothering, "Is he causing you trouble?"

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[shadejak]

Needless to say, the pesky and obviously somewhat tipsy suit backed off fast when Tony himself came over and shooed him away. Seemed Galina wouldn't have to use some of the methods she learned in the Russian military to resolve the matter herself, despite the limitations the attire she was wearing would have given her. When Tony asked her if she was alright after the suit had left, Galina gave a small sigh of relief. Genuine just not for reasons most would have assumed. Being a trained special operative in the Russian military Galina was very capable of handling herself, but doing so would have likely drawn negative attention on her. "He was, yes, but it seems he's gotten the hint," she said.

"So tell me," she said, helping herself to one of the party favors as she gave him a playful smile, an intrigued gleam to her blue eyes. "What shall I owe Tony Stark for a valiant rescue?"

Her tone was not condescending, or annoyed, or even seductive but rather merely as her smile, playful. As if she were indulging Tony to give her any response he wanted.

TAG razor

[Rift]

Stark smirked at her question. A few years back and he knew exactly how he would have responded. A bit of charm, a smidge of flirting, and the offer of showing her around town or taking a long weekend to Paris. Now though he had a very different request in mind.

"How about a chat. These shindigs are dreadfully boring, especially when you know everybody already, but you, I don't. Lets start with a name. I didn't catch yours. Recognize the accent though," he replied, his mind briefly flashing to the image of another beautiful Russian. "And of course we may as well take advantage of the overpriced food."

Face it Tony, you've done grown up. Didn't even hit on her a little. You are focused, committed, and responsible if not exactly completely respectable. Well that or hanging around the spooks at SHIELD has really made you start thinking like them, he thought.

The latter portion almost made him cringe, but it was true. Ever since he'd been sitting in Fury's chair he started to look at the world and the people in it a bit differently. As of where before he could afford to let people merge into a sea of faces he'd briefly see at some function, now he was taking note of anyone that seemed out of place or at least new. He was checking exits, potential sniper nests, looking for someone carrying themselves in such a way as to betray there was weapon in their suit jacket. The geeky guy chatting up the brunette across the way could be an industrial espionage specialist, the knockout blonde at the bar an assassin sent by Doctor Doom, and elderly woman with a few too many drinks in her Baron von Strucker in disguise. 

Crazier things have happened. Besides, it isn't paranoia when there are literal shapeshifting aliens playing invasion of the body snatchers. he thought. 

Tag: shadejak

[shadejak]

"Anastasia Volkov," Galina replied, citing her cover identity and giving Mr. Stark a pleasant, and amused smile of her own. "A model, brought in, and, as I feel now, grateful to be let aside by that suit who's already getting intimate with the other one. A pleasure to make introductions, and yes, the food is not a luxury I am permitted often."

Tony Stark was certainly polite, pleasant even, she could see why so many women fawned over him. He reminded her of those she worked with in the Winter Guard Up close like this even she... Galina buried that thought very quickly. She was stronger then that. No wonder Vanko and Dmitri respected him. It seemed though none of the reputation that surrounded Tony Stark was present in front of her, possibly from the years of what he experienced. Her blue gaze flickered downward, she couldn't help but relate a little from her own losses, though her situation was more severe being a fugitive from Russia for a little mistake she made.

She helped herself to some of the favors. "You're different then I imagined," she said, a look of genuine curiosity on her face. "A long history, I imagine would answer for it." Her words were impersonal, and not prying anything that an enemy could use against him, yet she felt curious rather then analyzing prey now.

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[Rift]

"Why Ms. Volkov, are you implying I'm boring or just old?" he asked, flashing another dazzling smile. "Terribly sorry I'm not living up to the reputation. It isn't that long ago that I'd have been proving those stories you've no doubt heard about me were...sanitized I guess is the proper term."

Signaling a waiter he quickly picked up some hors d’oeuvres.

"Wish I could say something profound like I finally grew up or I noticed that the road ahead of me is far shorter than the one behind, but it would be a lie. Truth is, much as I would like to say it is the hard work and patience of a beautiful woman not unlike yourself that has helped me see the light, that's not quite honest either. No, I guess it is just recent world events. No real Ah-ha! moment. I didn't suddenly have an epiphany. I just ended up being in a position I never expected, one where it had to be me or someone else who would have gotten it wrong. Well, more wrong than me at any rate."

This damn job is changing me more than anything else. As if the responsibility of my own inventions were not enough, now I have the countless agents depending on me making the right moves and seeing the patterns before they emerge. Oh and of course the whole SRA thing which has likely turned friends into foes and painted an even larger target on me by enemies who would love to get their hands on the identities of said former friends. Gah, I freaking miss being in the garage! Machines make sense. People, politics, and spies not so much, he thought.

"How about you?" he asked, changing the subject. "I've...known a few people in your line of work. Models might be even more cutthroat than politicians. Don't imagine it is easy despite your obvious qualifications."

shadejak

[shadejak]

Galina chuckled. "Not at all. Rather I'm pleasantly surprised. I grew up in Russia, after all, so forgive me if I've only been exposed to a rather divisive opinion on you," she said with a smirk. "Some would regard you a crude, imperialist swine who craves the cameras. Others would regard you a man worthy of respect who has done much for the world and does not get enough praise for it."

She helped herself to some party favors once they'd arrived.

"For anyone, the road ahead could be far shorter then the one behind regardless of how long or short the latter may be," she said, a bit morbid, perhaps, as she thought of the deaths of her parents and siblings at the hands of Bratva who decided where she lived at the time needed their 'protection' and wouldn't take no for an answer.

"...You refer to the political theater?" Galina asked, giving the industrialist an empathic look through her ice-blue eyes as she sipped a drink. "...Perhaps it is matters one in my chosen career needn't be concerned over, but I'm not a woman devoid of empathy, and I think Russia's history last century would tell you the risks," she said. If she were understanding his words right, Tony was attempting to keep those with more authoritarian intentions from taking advantage of the Superhero Registration Act she'd heard about. She couldn't help but be a little impressed, she was a soldier, not an officer, and certainly not a politician, either. Her job prior had been to do what she was paid to do or prior to that what a commanding officer told her to do. She'd have likely been helping enforcing it, and she wasn't sure who of the Winter Guard would have done what Stark implied he was doing.

Galina smirked, a bit flirtatiously. "I'm certain you have," she teased a little, with a another sip of her drink. "...Very true, perhaps there are similarities, da? You are judged, watched, and those just waiting for something to have you cast out for... my life can sometimes be a game of survival." Galina knew what she was now: A fugitive, a criminal mercenary who had turned to the latter life for that very reason: survival.

TAG Rift

[Rift]

Stark nodded.

"You said it sister. If people were out for my head back when it was just business and daring super heroics, at least it was...not gonna say honest, but it was to be expected. Dealing with the suits and ties in government though? It's increased those sharpening their blades and these guys are not the kind to come at you head on or build some super weapon to lure you into downtown for fisticuffs. No these are the type to drown you in legal paperwork, strangle you with red tape, and the knives will be going in your back. And that's just the folks that are allegedly on my side," he replied looking longingly at a shot glass being delivered to someone else. "It's definitely a game of survival, but even the fittest may not make it."

Realizing that talking work in a social setting wasn't appreciated even when you were Co-Director of S.H.I.E.L.D he tossed a smile her way.

"Of course, not nearly as dangerous as modeling. I don't have to wear high heels or walk a runway."

He reached out to take another mini-sandwich when he noticed some of his S.H.I.E.L.D escorts in the near distance give him the stink eye.

"Oh c'mon, what you want to taste it for me? Check for poisons? I'm not a king of yesteryear dear hearts, I don't need babysitters or hand-holding. Going to follow me to the john next? I mean I have scanners and sensors galore here, but there's not an auto wiper anywhere on me."

The agents frowned and tried to return to the miserable failure that was blending in with the elite.

Turning his attention back to Galina he shrugged. "I'm used to the limelight. Kinda welcome it even, but I'm not overly fond of being shadowed. I'm the one who does the protecting. But I get the sense you know something about that. Not wanting to be told what to do that is. Which is why I'm guessing you are not fond of most of this crowd. This is what, networking for your line of work?"

[shadejak]

Galina nodded in understanding. "Even those of us like myself who work to entertain others have self-appointed enemies who are eager to see us burned at the stake," she said, brushing back her hair. "...When you succeed, someone is jealous they are not, and wish to punish you for it, and then put themselves on a pedestal as the one who did it."

She chuckled a little from Tony's joke, giving a charming smile of her own. Galina knew how to turn on the charm while still making herself deeper and more interesting to talk to then the average model in an appealing way. "Wouldn't that be an interesting sight," she said, sipping her drink as her eye contact remained with his. "Being a model is all about presentation. A woman who can walk in high heels with perfect stride gives an image we stand firmly planted while still embracing her femininity... Therein lies your answer to why we wear them despite our complaints," she said with a playfulness. Galina herself knew plenty about presentation from her time in the Winter Guard, Russia did have a thing for posturing to the world, after all, especially a world with superhero teams like the Avengers to compete with.

She watched silently as Tony drove off the SHIELD agents, clearly either wishing to be seen and have everyone know of the security... security she easily bypassed by hiding in plain sight... or just very bad at blending in. She wasn't sure but she did not give them her attention, other then a small, feminine chuckle at their frustration. She knew prolonged eye contact or too much or too little would make her suspicious to them. Tonight she was concealing her identity with a different kind of 'suit', the beautiful model Anastasia Volkov.

Tony's assertion about her was certainly true, maybe not in the way he thought, but he was on the mark she wouldn't have to lie. "More or less," she said demurely. "Da, I do need to sell myself for opportunities, after all. The limelight is a double-edged sword for those often in it."

"Still..." she said with a smile again. "I know why I'm here but I... really appreciate having you to share conversation with." she explained, getting back into 'model mode' as she knew going too deep wasn't exactly something people here wanted from models unless humoring them for trying to hook up with them in one of the rooms.

TAG Rift