Just a reminder that you can take all the time you need to deal with any ghoul-related issues or injuries.

[ Pepper's looking down as she walks and texts, so she almost misses the tall, decaying man who steps out in front of her. ]

Miss Pottsss...

[ She freezes midstep, long enough to look up, see Obadiah Stane, then trade her device for something else in her purse: the lighter and can of aerosol hairspray she's been carrying around ever since the deities mentioned the ghouls could be taken out by fire. ]

Oh no you don't. [ She lets rip with the makeshift flamethrower and Stane goes up in flames. Dusting herself off, she pulls her device back out and continues her text. ]

I would personally suggest either carrying some kind of weapon on you at all times, or travelling in the company of someone who does. I usually would not condone or support the use of weapons, but desperate times call for, well, you know.

Stay safe everyone,

Pepper Potts, CEO

City Solutions will be throwing a Winter Wonderland themed Christmas party on Saturday the 22nd. All proceeds from the event will be going to local charitable organizations, such as the Welcome Center, so we'll be needing volunteers to help cater, decorate, entertain, and work security. All interested parties should RSVP to me directly.

Thank you.

Ow! Howard, my ear, watch it please!

It's harder than it looks to operate this beautiful piece of technology with just the one hand, doll.

[ The shuffling continues a moment as he tries to hold onto and poke at the device with one hand, the other unable to stretch out without pulling Pepper over and himself with her. ]

There, that...should do it.

[ Pepper swears under her breath ] Ugh this is mortifying. Okay. I’d help but I’m right handed.

Got it. Right. What was the point again? Oh! We got ourselves a situation here - it's quite fascinating, don't you think? - okay, maybe not that fascinating, but - the point, right. No one should go out alone. Scratch that, everyone should stay in. And keep a weapon handy. That cover everything?

In other words, the circus is abducting more than just its audience members; they’re taking people indiscriminately off of the streets. Please everyone, be careful. Also, someone send help? I should think that message is high on my list of priorities right now.

[ ooc: Pepper’s head is sewn onto Howard’s shoulder. From a distance it looks like they’re sharing a sentimental moment, but really they’re in agony. In some cases more than just the physical kind. ]

No changes will be taking place at City Solutions just yet. I will continue to be CEO until such a time as Mr. Stark decides whether he would like to take over, though to be honest I doubt that will happen any time soon. He and I have some business of our own to take care of.

Thank you.

Fantastic weather today. So beautiful out, I decided to grab lunch downtown rather than in the cafeteria. Anyone care to join me?

[ ooc: She'll be hard to miss, wearing an oversize sweater belted at the waist, tight black spandex shorts, sneakers with neon socks, and multiple layered necklaces plus cross earrings. Holy Gangnam Style, Batman! ]

Ugh, that’s unpleasant. What-- [ She stops suddenly, recognizing the telltale sign of a curse as her voice comes out sounding not like her own, but instead like that of her friend ] Charlie?

[Charlie’s curled up on the couch, eyes closed tightly. She’s not willing to face the day, just yet, even though she had to. She had a business to run, people to train. Her eyes opened at the sound of...her voice. What?]

Huh? [Oh, that’s not her. That’s not her at all. She sits up, pushing hair entirely the wrong color out of her face and examines hands not her own.] Pepper, the City’s screwing with us again.

Yes, Charlie, I can see that. [ And oh, is it strange to see herself speak. She’s seen herself on TV before in press conferences, but she’s never seen herself like this, freshly woken up and just the slightest bit crumpled. She gets up from her own spot curled on the carpet and heads for the nearest mirror, poking at prodding at the face she now wears. ] So we’re switched bodies. Okay... I can handle that, I think.

You’ll be fine. [Meanwhile Charlie, who’d followed Pepper to the mirror and was looking herself over, sounded anxious.] I feel cold. Apparently my ability didn’t go with so do what you can to stay calm today, alright? All day. Just keep calm.

[ Pepper notes the anxiety in Charlie’s voice and turns to look up at her. ] You mean I could... [ She trails off, instead pantomiming a mini explosion, complete with sound effects. ]

[Charlie just nods, scrubbing hands over her face for a moment and taking a couple calming breaths. It helps a bit and she finally looks at Pepper.] You can. You’ll be fine, though. It’ll be over at midnight, right? All will be normal then.

[God, she hoped.]

Okay. Midnight. No problem. I’ll just stay in. Get some paperwork done. Although, on the other hand, maybe not.

Take a mini vacation? [Charlie offered this with a small shrug before her eyes widened again.] Oh, crap.

[And her eyes closed tightly.] I have people to train at the Dragon. Like...really have to. We reopen on Monday. I can’t not do this.

[Her device is out a moment later and a message typed:]

[Filtered to Jasmine Dragon Employees.]

It’s one of those weekends, apparently. I’m body-swapped with someone but training is still on. I’ll see you all later today.

[end filter.]

[And then another thought occurs to her.]

[Filtered to Merlin]

If you see me today, it’s not me. Pepper and I swapped bodies. I’ll be home when I’m me again.

[end filter.]

Yay, adult responsibilities.

[ OOC: If you see Charlie this weekend, it's Pepper, and if you see Pepper, it's Charlie. ]

[Pepper comes into the kitchen with Mindy’s jacket, which she drapes around the chair by her backpack.]

In the pantry, but you’re not putting them in your lunch, young lady. Not unless you also pack a fruit.

Oh, come-- [Nope. She’s not arguing. She’s not about to argue. Not with her mother. Instead, she opts for one of the golden delicious apples on the counter, washing it and drying it and setting it in her backpack. It wasn’t a very big apple but mom didn’t specify.] I gotta go. I’m gonna be late.

[Before she can run out the door, Pepper kneels down and straightens Mindy’s backpack straps.] You be good, okay? Call me if there’s any trouble. [Not that there would be, Mindy’s a very responsible girl who can take care of herself, but it’s a mother’s job to worry.]

[Mindy smirks, sounding a bit smug for a moment.]

When am I ever not good?

[...wait.] Don’t answer that.

[And Mom gets a hug before hurrying out the door.]

[ooc: d’oh! they’ve been family day’d. mindy is purple, pepper is orange.]

What--? How did that even-- That is private!

[ Then, when she realizes it's still recording, ] …And I did not write that!

I've noticed that a lot of people seem to be struggling with their footwear today. So, I'll be holding some lessons in the lobby of City Solutions for whoever's interested. We'll start with the basics: posture, walking heel-toe, standing and crouching; then move on to more difficult things like running and stairs. Drop in whenever you can, no charge!

Any ladies out there-- or gentlemen, I wouldn't want to judge-- who want to lend their expertise are more than welcome to come help out.

So that's it! Heels 101 at City Solutions. Today only, though anyone who wants help walking in heels in general can certainly ask me on any other day.

I'm afraid in my time here I haven't yet had the opportunity to try any of the bars. What would you recommend for a quiet night, possibly alone?

[ Pepper's voice sounds frantic as it rushes past the device, which has been left on some surface or another. ]

Oh my god, oh my god, how did—? But my heart is fine, I swear it is. But then if I've got— then that means... oh god Tony.

[ The sound of drawers being slammed shut and closets being flung open stops suddenly with a 'clang'. ]

No way. No. Way. No way! Whenever he hinted, I always told him there was no way I'd let him put me in one of these things, but... well now that I look at it, it doesn't seem so bad. JARVIS?

Yes, Ms. Potts?

Is... is this one for me?

It seems to be built to your specifications. Would you like to put it on and test the fit?

I don't know that I... Is Tony okay, is his heart still working?

Mr. Stark's arc reactor is functioning normally. It would appear that the one in your chest has spontaneously appeared, independent of Mr. Stark's.

Good. That's good. In that case, I guess it wouldn't hurt to just try it on.

[ There is the sound of metallic shifting and a few scattered gasps and giggles from Pepper. The noise subsides, fading into two final 'cthunks' that sound like heavy boots stepping off of a platform. ]

Oh. [ Pepper's voice sounds mechanical and somewhat muffled. ] Oh I like this.

[ The recording ends with repulsor engines powering up, and what sounds like some substantial property damage. ]

[ooc: if you look up at the sky this weekend and you see a red metal suit shooting by, chances are for once that it's not Tony Stark. replies will be from redheadrescue]

This is a notice to inform you of some minor redecoration that will be taking place at City Solutions today. Rest assured that no labs or offices will be changed without their owners' permission; all changes will be focused on public areas such as the lobby, break rooms, and cafeteria. Anyone interested in participating or giving input is welcome, so feel free to contact me via the network.

Thank you for your cooperation.
Pepper Potts, CEO

[ ooc: Pepper is taking advantage of the curse today to make some changes around the office. Unfortunately, she doesn't realize that all her hard work will have been for naught once midnight rolls around. All City Solutions employees or frequenters of the premises are welcome to run into her as she's working-- she'd love to meet any and all employees she hasn't met yet! ]