℗ oo1. an elevator teeming with confusion

[quits]

[There's a redhead in the elevator. Barefoot and standing there wondering when ...]

Phil...? [She turns to look at Phil, but he's not there and the floors have definitely been reduced and renumbered. Plus, the elevator has changed and there's a book on the floor.]

Well, that's not right. [She goes to press the button for the lobby. The doors open and - oh. Nope.]

Clearly, something has gone wrong. Tony? [Where is the call box?] Okay, it's funny, but really what's going on? Is this payback for the elevator thing, because you know that wasn't really my fault. [Seriously. Where is the penthouse button on this thing and how did he manage to build an entire floor that looks like a castle without her remembering it?]



((ooc: step onto the elevator! talk to her through the journal on the floor! All she wants to say is FIRST to Tony!))

Comments

[sexyhitchhiker]

[and here's a teenage girl walking in, a set of headphones around her neck and a husky at her side. She doesn't give the woman a second look until the dog is straining against the leash, trying to get a better sniff at this New Person.]

Blitz, get back here. [and all he does is wag his tail. Natsuki sighs and keeps a firmer grip on the leash. At least he can't jump you and lick your face.]

[quits]

[And now there are dogs. Why hasn't she just gotten off the elevator? Probably because she figures that at least in the elevator she has doors that close and only one doorway to watch.

Out there? Who knows what this dream world will create.]

Is he.. she... nice?

[sexyhitchhiker]

Yeah, you can pet him if you want. He doesn't bite.

And after dealing with those kids, I can definitely say he's got the patience of a saint.

[quits]

Kids? [She'll reach down to pet him.]

[sexyhitchhiker]

[the dog wags his tail appreciatively, happily basking in the glow of attention and ear scratches]

Kids. The castle was overrun with them a couple of weeks ago. Happens every May.

[quits]

Any particular reason why a castle would get a child infestation? [This is not her subconscious telling her that her biological clock is ticking. This dream cannot be that blunt.]

[sexyhitchhiker]

It's like some kind of ridiculous home ec class. You usually get a partner and then you have to take care of the kid together.

[quits]

[Maybe this is a high school dream...]

Sounds straight-forward.

[sexyhitchhiker]

Sort of. [except for the part where the baby looks like you]

At least you managed to miss that.

[quits]

[She nods, trying to agree, but she's still fairly certain she's dreaming.]

The children are that bad?

[sexyhitchhiker]

I guess it would've been easier if you were used to it, but yeah. There were a lot of tantrums thrown and sleepless nights.

[quits]

[Oh, she's actually used to tantrums and sleepless nights. :|

Still, this just doesn't seem to add up.]

Sounds pretty typical of children.

[sexyhitchhiker]

You have kids?

[quits]

[She lets out an amused exhale as she shakes her head.]

No, but I'm very good at babysitting.

[sexyhitchhiker]

[She nods. She'll take that at face value 'cause she has no idea you're referring to Stark.

And once they get to the lobby, Natsuki steps out and. Glances back.] You coming? It doesn't exactly go to the basement.

[or whatever constitutes as the basement.]

[quits]

No... I think I'll just go back upstairs. I forgot something. [Because, clearly she doesn't want to run into anyone else.]

[sexyhitchhiker]

[she gets a puzzled look, but Natsuki nods. Her dog is already trying to pull her towards the lobby doors.]

Alright. See you around, then. I'm Natsuki.

[quits]

Pepper. [She even waves a bit, but she doesn't actually assume she'll ever see her again. Because... dream.]