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[lasergrenades]

"Hi, you've reached Pepper Potts. For some weird reason I'm not here right now, but leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible with as many messages as it takes to get in touch with you!"

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[redlightgreenlight]

An envelope will be slid under the door to Pepper’s home on the 25th. Inside is the sketch that Meira did of her in the armor on the roof. Thank you for your kindness. May it ever be a bright light in the darkness. -Valdis

[lasergrenades]

Not long after the sketch is delivered, it's framed and displayed in full view on Pepper's wall.

10 February 2017; radio;

[ruinsprofessor]

Pepper, may I borrow you when you have some free time? Something's come up which could use your expertise.

radio;

[lasergrenades]

Sure! I'm dragging Bakura to Hatal today, come hell or high water, but I don't have any plans yet for tomorrow. What's up?

[ruinsprofessor]

[The response takes a few moments, like Raine has to think about what she's saying.]

I... believe it may be appropriate to acquire a new dress?

[Nothing fancy, they'd said. But Raine actually doesn't have much of her own that even vaguely suits the occasion.]

[lasergrenades]

Shopping! Excellent. You have come to the right place. Is this for some kind of special occasion?

[That's basically the only reason she can see for the hesitation - that Raine is uncertain what the event calls for.]

[ruinsprofessor]

Yes. I--

[Raine can't help but smile, and it's plainly audible.]

Solomon and I plan to marry.

[lasergrenades]

[Raine may have damaged eardrums because Pepper shrieks with joy.]

Ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh that is super mega uber amazing congratulations! Oh my god you're asking for help to pick out a wedding dress?! This is, like, the best thing ever.

[Now would probably be a good time to swear her to secrecy, before she's too coherent to know any better.]

[ruinsprofessor]

[Raine holds the radio a little away from her until Pepper is done shrieking. In retrospect, perhaps Raine should have expected this much excitement.]

Yes, I am. This isn't something we're making a large fuss over, but something special to wear seems appropriate.

[And then, because Raine can very clearly see where that excitement might go:]

Would you mind not telling anyone else, yet? I'd prefer to inform our friends myself.

[lasergrenades]

Oh my god I'm putting this on my resume someday. I don't even know where but it's going on there. I will absolutely totally definitely go wedding dress shopping with you.

[Raine's request makes her pause - which is probably a good thing because she speaks at an almost human speed next.]

This is simultaneously the worst and best thing to keep my mouth shut for, but I can do that.

[ruinsprofessor]

Thank you.

[A beat.]

I... also need to find a ring for him.

[It's a bit of a relief that Pepper's slowed down.]

It's not a secret, per se, but in most cases it is news that should come from one of us. Thank you, Pepper.

[lasergrenades]

Jewelry and a wedding dress? I am so there. Do you need a wedding planner?

[She's trying not to vibrate into the ceiling.]

I solemnly swear I won't spoil the big reveal for anyone else.

[SO MUCH GRINNING. How is she supposed to take Bakura out like this? Effort. Lots of effort. Keeping quiet about this is already hard.]

[ruinsprofessor]

A... wedding planner?

[Raine knows what it means, but it hadn't occurred to her that she might need one.]

I don't think so. We're keeping things relatively small.

[lasergrenades]

Oh. [Don't be disappointed Pepper, this is already awesome enough to make you fall off a chair, possibly even more than once.] Small is nice - scratching trains off the list of dresses then.

[ruinsprofessor]

[The thought of a dress elaborate enough to have a train has never even occurred to Raine as a possibility for a thing she would wear. Her brief bout of staring at the radio is almost audible.]

...yes, that would be best.

It isn't as though a lot is going to change, after all. It's simply a formalization and a change in terminology.

[lasergrenades]

[Pepper may not have spent all of her time designing her dream wedding, but trains were not something you got to wear very often and weddings presented one of those opportunities, but it's not really Raine's style.]

It might only be a small technical change but it's still a pretty big awesome deal, if you ask me. Ooh, did Solomon ask you or did you go Sadie Hawkins and ask him?

[ruinsprofessor]

There was an equal-sided discussion of possible benefits.

[Raine considers for a moment, reviewing the discussion.]

In the end, Solomon left the decision up to me, but presented a formal proposal once we'd agreed.

[lasergrenades]

[Now it's Pepper's turn to stare at her radio.]

Okay, you guys are like totally adorably annoyingly pragmatic.

I'll keep that in mind while we're dress shopping.

[ruinsprofessor]

[Raine laughs quietly. Almost rueful.]

It does sound a bit cold when I put it that way, doesn't it.

It makes logical sense as a course of action, certainly, but the final decision was an emotional one, on my part.

[...that's not helping, is it. Raine taps her forehead with her palm.]

...but you're correct: we do, on the whole, favor the practical.

[lasergrenades]

Hey, if it works for you guys, it works.

[Pepper might prefer a little more flair, but not everyone appreciates a big show.]

We'll find you something that'll knock Sol's socks off, even blind.

[Because there are things that go under the dress as well. Her's is an evil grin.]

[ruinsprofessor]

[Raine can hear the evil grin. And, she finds, she agrees.]

Excellent.

I have some idea of what holds his attention already. With your expertise I'm sure we can find something more than suitable.

[lasergrenades]

Rock on. No one said practical couldn't be totally fun.

[Now she's really going to have to go full poker face the rest of the day.]

[ruinsprofessor]

If something practical happens to be fun as well, then so much the better.

[Multipurpose things are excellent.]

You said the day after tomorrow, perhaps?

[lasergrenades]

Any day that isn't today - I have a reclusive dojo owner to extricate from his apartment with the promise of street food.

[ruinsprofessor]

All right. Later this week, then.

Have fun.

[She'll catch up to Bakura later. It's good for him, to get out with friends.]