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[ Finding out that Pepper's stocks in Stark Industries have been transferred to him - and because she'd been running it, he can only assume that it's the lion's share - and that that means she's presumably gone is not the way he wants to start the day. But it is what it is and there's nothing he can do about it.

He's wearing the suit, though the helmet's off, and the expression on his face is as professionally detached as the matter-of-fact tone of his voice when he speaks. ]

It's come to my attention that Pepper Potts may no longer be in residence in the city.

[ That covers that and he's not lingering on it. If he does, he'll wonder what that means, if some piece of her has gone back to the world she remembers or if she's dead and her body is being recycled or whatever it is they do with clones when they're gone. It isn't something he needs to worry about right now. Not in front of an audience. So he moves right along to business. ]

I've been informed that per her request, her interests in Stark Industries have been transferred to me. For those of you don't know, I'm Tony Stark, and if you work for SI, it means you're working for me.

[ May whatever aliens people consider gods help them all. ]

If you do, I want to know who you are and what you do for the company. If you don't, and you want to, talk to me.

And be prepared for change. It's coming.

[ What that change is, he doesn't know yet. But once he finds out what the company's been doing, he'll figure out the right path for it to take under his leadership. And this time, it's going to be a damn sight better than the last time he was at the helm. ]

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[ That would have to be a mighty big tree. Certainly not something he would ever want to decorate. It makes him think of that old Norse myth. Yggdrasil. Maybe Balthazar's the kind of angel that goes on top of Odin's tree. ]

That depends. How does the vessel give permission if he doesn't know what he's giving permission for? I mean, it's not like you can manifest in all of your Willis Tower glory and say "hey, you wanna be touched by an angel" right?

[He chuckles at the 'touched by an angel' comment. He likes this guy.]

I know how silly this may sound, or horribly convenient, but vessels are special. We can speak to them, often through technology, and explain to them the situation. The vessel will not burn up in our presence when we wear their meatsuit. And I say explain, but some are not known for kindness in obtaining a vessel.

I believe the name Lucifer should ring a bell. Fabulous liar, that one!

[And Odin's tree would just look absolutely stunning with Balthazar atop it.]

Lucifer was the bad angel, right? Liked to party, break the rules, didn't do what daddy said?

[ Not that Tony's down with evil, but he does have a certain appreciation for the rebellious sorts. It's those who refuse to be led, that go their own way, that he likes the most. ]

To be fair, I can't imagine why any of you would ask at all. I mean, if people are just, what was it, meatsuits to you guys, does it really matter if you're kind?

[ That bit rankles. It's kind of Loki and Thor all over again, believing themselves somehow inherently better than people just because they come from a different world and have fancy powers. ]

You've read the good book, haven't you? You sound like an expert on Lucy already! Well...the basics of it anyways. You never really know the whole story. I am one of many of his brothers after all....more like a baby brother.

[The Bible does have a few details correct.]

It's a lot more than just being rebellious. If I am to be honest with you though. I never really got behind anything having to do with what I was supposed to be doing.

Look...if it means a thing to you, I promised my vessel the life of luxury he had before. Very similar desire for a lavish lifestyle. He could have said no. He didn't.

[Not that he has much of an opinion on humans that leans towards the side of positivity, but he never forced this meatsuit into servitude.]

[ He hasn't actually read the book. He did, however, watch the Ten Commandments once and he'd seen a few horror movies that suggest that Lucifer isn't the nicest angel in the flock. ]

Nobody ever knows the whole story about anything. And since he's the black sheep of the family, if I've got my facts straight, I bet most know even less.

[ It's not sympathy for the devil - Tony doesn't usually have sympathy for anyone - but it is a hint of understanding about the way things generally work in dysfunctional families. He had one, after all. ]

Far as your wardrobe's concerned, as long as the family reunion doesn't come to town and nobody starts looking at the people I know as accessories to wear to the cookout, I don't have a horse in that race. I'm just thinking meatsuit isn't going to help you make many friends.

[Balthazar wonders if this Tony Stark is relating to the outcast brother in some way. In truth, he would hardly hold that against him. That is yet another point he left Heaven over is the ability to choose and not go with the norm because somebody tells him to.

That doesn't mean he will be sympathizing with Lucy and all, but he does know his family and the height of their dysfunction.]

I'll leave it to you to decide how to feel about him. It's as you say: You don't know the whole story. If he does show up though and since I find you to be one of the few here I find the most interesting to talk to, watch your back and keep him at arm's length...further if necessary. That's my basic, educated suggestion.

[For Balthazar to warn a human at all is rare enough. He chuckles though, back on the more amusing side of this conversation.]

I'd rather be myself. If somebody doesn't like my vocabulary then to each their own. As I said though, I will not go around wearing your friends for Halloween or whatever holiday they might celebrate here.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[ He doesn’t tend to take warnings well, but he’s willing to take this one a little more seriously than most. It had taken a lot to defeat an alien who styled himself a god. He can’t imagine what it would take to defeat an angel on the warpath, provided they are as powerful as people claim. ]

Probably something turtle-related. If turtles even have holidays. Probably something to do with swimming. Or whatever thing they’ve eaten lately.

[ Which does beg the question about what Asti eats… ]

Don't mention it.

[Considering that Lucifer destroyed an incarnation of Odin where Balthazar comes from, it is indeed best to heed his advice. No need to get into it more than this though.]

Picturing what a turtle festival would be like is rather amusing. I just hope that comes with a mandatory expectation for all to dress as turtles. I'm sure swimming and food would be included.

I only hope it will not be also turtle centric. Their diet is not the most exciting.

[He chuckles.]

This may be one of the strangest conversations I've had in decades.

Really? Am I that strange? Freaking out an angel?

[ He smirks, not sure if he really buys the whole angel thing as the literal truth. That implies actual gods, not just aliens with special powers that humans think are gods and that's just inconceivable. It's easier, and less existentially jarring, simply to view Balthazar as being considered an angel in his world, whatever that entails.

And if he does that, he finds that he can talk to him without feeling the least bit awkward or self-conscious. ]

I'm not sure whether to take that as a compliment or not. I think I will. Doesn't happen every day, that's for sure.

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Apologies for missing Ps...that key on my keyboard is messed up

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