Stark Expo Opening presentation (Toni POV)
This definitely looked like some kind of ego trip flying on stage with my high-tech armor. If it were up to me I would have walked out and just talked but this was for the public after I was tricked into outing my self as a superhero. Which I'm not but the company need a good public image and it didn't hurt that we got the Miami dolphins cheerleaders on stage when I landed.
I should be in the lab trying to stop the blood poisoning that is currently killing me but I'm on stage getting this nerd fair off the ground. Good thing I'm almost done I need to get more time and the only way to do that is the delegation of my work and I have just the people for the job.
"Thank you and now please enjoy my special guest my father Howard Stark to tell you what this is all about." Another thing PR thought would work was the old Stark expo introduction.
Walking out with Happy trying not to punch some of the many people shaking my hand I see some lady leaning against my car. This could only be trouble I really need to tighten up security if some random lady can get to my parking spot.
"Toni Stark?" She say like she doesn't know who I am which is bullshit.
"Yes what can I do for you?"
"This is for you, you have been asked to come before the senate arms service committee." Great I just got served and now I have to talk to a bunch of government idiots.
Senate arms committee next day (Toni POV)
"Order, I need order." Senator Stern yells over the crowd. this was stupid I know what this is they think there doing but I already got this covered.
"We are here today to talk about the advanced weaponry currently in possession of Ms Toni Stark." The annoyance of an man address me looking all important and not a shit stain he is.
"What about it?" I say in a prim and proper voice just to piss him off.
"We are here to ask you to turn over this weapon to the people of United States, to talk on this we would ask our weapons expert Justin Hammer to speak." To make all this even more stupid they bring this moron who probably couldn't put on his glasses without a manual.
The moron goes on about about Howard Stark, weapons and strangely enough Canada was in there somewhere but I do pay attention when Stern calls Rhodey in. I turn and see Rhodey walking up giving me a look that says he is not pleased to be here either he is asked to read a report he wrote about me and ouch it was not flattering but the was accurate. Then everyone's attention moves to me when I hit the table with my fist.
"I would like to ask general Belmont current chief of staff for the Air Force to please come up." Watching a older man in a dress uniform walk up and sit down next to me he just nods to me. "As the man in charge of the Air Force he can say why this is a spectacular waste of my and the taxpayers time." Belmont clears his throat.
"If this committee had bothered to ask the military office before starting this witch hunt, we would have informed you that Ms Stark already agreed with some conditions to make the Air Force a version of the weapon dubbed 'Iron Queen armor'." He informed them in a dry tone.
"Why was the senate not told of this deal?" Stern asked looking at Rhodey.
"It was supposed to be a secret until the press release in about a two weeks. But with you bringing legal charges against me it's not a secret anymore." I finished with a condescending tone.
"I can confirm Colonel Rhodes was under orders by me to not say anything until we were ready." The general helpfully added.
"So in summation you wasted my time, the military's time and outed a military secret prematurely good job senator Stern." That got a laugh from the crowd. " are we done here? Yes. Good have a terrible day senators." Was the last thing I said before walking out flanked by Pepper and Rhodey. When we were at the car I turned to them with a serious expression.
"Both of you need to meet me at the house tomorrow I have some news for you. Happy you come as well." They looked worried but that would be worse tomorrow.
Stark mansionnext day (Toni POV)
"Jarvis how goes production on BFF armor mrk 5?" I say drinking the Heath shake that tasted like crap.
"Mam construction on armor will be finished in three days." Came the reply of my British boi.
Looking into the fabrication chamber I saw the gunmetal gray armor with so many guns. When I asked Rhodey what he wanted for the armor his answer was a mini gun, grenade launcher, wrist machine guns and ten other things to stuff in this hunk of metal. Like any good friend I made his dreams come alive in the form of a flying armory.
"Mam may we please go back to looking for a replacement for the palladium core that is killing you." Jarvis has been running his code ragged trying to save me as fast as possible bless his virtual heart.
"Don't worry Jarv we are going to have plenty of time after I make some arrangements." I said popping the Arc reactor and slipping in a new core and throwing the burned one out.
"It's in my code to worry about you mam, may I remind you continued use of the armor is speeding up your blood toxicity." Ya that was bad, lifting up my shirt I see the lines coming from the reactor.
"I won't need to use it any time soon but not even I know the future Jarv." I say in a serious tone.
"Mam miss Potts, Colonel Rhodes and mister Hogan are here for the meeting you scheduled." Good time to clear the air.
Walking up to the living room I see there all here Pep and Happy are on the couch and Rhodey is standing behind them they look ready to interrogate me I guess being strait forward will work best.
"I'm dying." Ok maybe too strait forward because they start to yell looking for an explanation I held up my hand and silenced them.
"OK! Calm down. Listen I'm suffering from blood poisoning from the reactor in my chest currently there is no replacement for the palladium and I can't take it out or I die from the shrapnel in my body." I let that info sink in before I continue. "That's why I need some help." Now a look of determination came over them.
"Pepper your up first." She straightens up looking ready to fight a dragon, which were real on a planet close to Asgard but that wasn't important. "I have a job for you and I know you can do it, I want you to take over as CEO. Your the best person for the job and you'll be amazing." She shoots up and hugs me before I can say anything else looking ready to cry.
"You can count on me Toni."
"I know I can you whirlwind of a women now get off me." After moving out of her reach I Looked over to Happy. "Now Hap I need you to help Pepper to make this transition as smooth as possible." He just nodded a lot of people at Stark industry liked Happy seeing him with Pep would make things easier.
"Now Rhodey The armor will be done in three days I see you to take it and show it off to the military." With him taking the attention off me I can work in peace.
Rhodes was about to respond till an alarm started to blare and the blast shields covered the windows then Jarvis came on next. "Mam someone has destroyed the front gate and is moving to the front door!" Shit pulling up the security feed and holy shit my gate was chopped in half.
"Pepper! Happy! Into the panic room and Rhodey get the black and green suitcase from my workshop as fast as you can. MOVE!" They scrambled to there respective destinations.
Looking on the security feed some guy with long hair, no shirt, prison tattoos and an Exoskeleton with GLOWING LASER WHIPS currently burning twin trails down my drive way. I need to stall for time until Rhodey got back with the travel armor so time to improvise.
Turning on the intercom with a tap I just said the first thing that came to mind.
"Excuse me." That got his attention with a rapid turn to the camera out front. "Did you just fucking chop my front gate in half?" He just cocked an eyebrow but he did stop moving.
"Yes it was in the way." Even with just a few words he had a thick accent.
"And pray tell why?" I honestly wanted an answer to this.
"I came here to burn your life to the ground." Well that was ominous.
"What the hell did I ever do to you?" He didn't answer this time and just started moving again that when Rhodey came back the threw the armor over. Caching it and placing it down I just slammed my foot onto the case and immediately felt the metal covering my body. Just in time because my front door was doing no better that the gate as slash marks formed in the entrance.
Quickly changing a the chest laser letting loose a blast right as he stepped in, it hit him dead center and flung him back out. Following him to the front only to get wrapped in one of the whips and pulled over him slamming me into the ground. Getting back up and aiming a hand blast at him he responded by snagging my arm and pulling me over.
"Fine that's how you want to play. GET OVER HERE!" I wrapped the whip around my forearm and yanked with all my strength when he was close I kicked him in the nuts. He went cross eyed and fell hard not taking and chances I pulled what I assumed was a crappy version of the arc reactor from the eco skeleton.
Looking around my destroyed front yard I see Happy and Pepper walking up with Rhodey already standing there this was going to cost a crap load of money. I see Happy's eyes linger on the downed enemy. "What?" I asked.
"Not cool boss." He said with a wince of pain. "Did you have to go for his baby maker?"
"No but it felt better." It did and no amount of persuasion would change my mind.
"Toni. We have company." Pepper said pointing over behind me. A sea of paparazzi and cops came pouring in. The man was taken way by the cops he moaned in pain while the press were snapping pictures. Shit this was definitely going on the news.
"Rhodey the suit will be done in three days. Pick it up and show it off so the press has something else to focus on." He just nodded like a good bro.
Stark mansion workshop later that day (Toni POV)
"Toni I need you to sign something!" I hear pepper from what used to be my front door and now was just a tarp on my eight hundred million dollar house. She walked in with a another red head with legs for days This was a sexual harassment lawsuit waiting to happen.
"Hay Pep and haaaaaaay beautiful lady." I said with a wiggle of my eyebrows.
"Toni no she is from legal and you can't afford another lawsuit." Ah Jenna from our robotics division never was it so hard to believe a women was straight.
"You just need to sign this these documents and Miss Potts will be the new CEO." The smoke show said handing me a clipboard a thought came to me I do need a new assistant and this women ticked all my boxes.
"Miss Potts as your somewhat employee I am in need of an assistant and a person currently here would make a great candidate." Looking over to Pepper with a smile then over to the women in question. "What's your name?"
"Natalie Rushman, Ms Stark." She said
I immediately pulled up her file on my tablet and saw she had a impressive resume with modeling and fluent in four languages if she could do that she may be good help. "Ms Rushman how would you like to help me on an important scientific project?" She doesn't answer but looks to Pepper who only could release a heavy sigh.
"If your ok with this Natalie she does need an assistant and you appear to fit the bill. You will need to sign a new NDA if you work close with Toni." Pepper says in resignation.
"It will be my pleasure Ms Potts, and also a pleasure to be working with you Ms Stark." Good now I can focus instead of having to worry about the small stuff.
"Alright you got the job be here in the morning and be ready to work." With that they walked out and I keep reading the files I have open.
Stark mansion next morning (Natasha POV)
Fury was not happy with me when I told him about my new position or moving without any command but how do you evaluate someone without being close enough to see them. The original plan was to keep the job with Stark industry's legal department and asses from afar but this was an chance to get a feel for Toni Stark while helping to solve her blood poisoning problem. Shield needed Stark but Fury also wanted her as a possible leader if no one was available. They did have a very short term solution with the lithium dioxide that would help the symptoms of palladium poisoning but Fury wanted to use that as a way to get Stark in there debt but I thought that was a little short sighted.
Walking up to the makeshift door and going through I expected to see Stark waiting for me in a suit looking professional and ready to work but what I saw was different. There she was the richest women in the world in a huge T-shirt with sweat pants and socks slumped over the kitchen counter, she was chugging coffee like no tomorrow. I coughed to get her attention but she just held a finger up and finished her massive mug after that finally looking at me.
"Sorry but your a little early and I'm not myself without a gallon of coffee. There is a stack of notes on the table I want you to go through them and take out any with the words alternative power." She said sitting down on the couch.
With that we spent two hours pouring over the documents me occasionally handing her a the folders that could relate.
"Mam. Miss Potts has sent over a truck with things that were in your office." Stark's AI informed her she looked up to the tarp to see some moving people.
"Jarvis tell them to put it in the entrance hallway." She said not looking up.
"You probably have a few questions and we have plenty of time so shoot." This was a good opportunity to dive into the assessment.
"What are we looking for?" I'll start with a question I already know the answer to.
"We are trying to find an alternative power source for this glowing bit in my chest." Truthful but also keeping the real reason to herself.
"What's with the getup I always see you on TV in a suit?" Simple personal question to earn some trust.
"I hate wearing that crap but in this world if I wear anything else I don't get respect plus sweat pants are super comfy." Wow did not expect that but when people see Stark they see a women hard as iron and a no nonsense attitude. Here she was way more laid back almost like the business persona was a mask and I knew something's about masks.
She stood up stretching out her back and looked at me. "Ok let's take a break and move that stuff down to my work shop then we can tackle these notes with fresh eyes." Nodding to her I followed her out of the living room.
Stark mansion two days later (Natasha POV)
Watching someone have a meltdown after getting to know them for three days was not a pretty sight but after looking over documents for so long I could understand her anger. They found nothing that could help and contacting Fury was no help he just said to call if she finally hit a dead end and left the house. They had definitely hit the dead end now I was just waiting. This time Toni threw a chair at the wall getting it stuck just hanging half way in the drywall.
"I can make a decked out suit for the military, escape captivity in Afghanistan but this is what stops me in my tracks!" James Rhodes picked up his suit of armor early in the morning. He did try to see how Toni was doing but all be got was a yell leave.
"You know what I'm going out!" With that Stark walked briskly down stairs the next thing I heard was her Iron Queen suit fly away, time to call Fury. His response was to change into my spy jumpsuit and be ready for pickup.
Two hours later we pulled up to Randy's Donuts in Inglewood with Stark sitting in the giant donut on top. "Meet us inside in five minutes I want you to be a surprise." Fury said getting out of the van, great he was in a theatrical mood.
After the five minutes I walk in the back seeing Fury and Toni sitting across from each other and the first this I hear is Toni. "How the chest. Still bruised from the bean bag I shot you with?" I could not see her face but I could feel the smile she was making. Walking over and sitting down next to Fury I could see the surprise on her face.
"Sir the perimeter is secure but we should not hold it for long." I stated looking at Toni.
"This is Agent Romanoff." Fury said patting my shoulder.
"I'm a shield shadow once we knew you were sick I was tasked to watch you by director Fury." I said in a professional manner.
"I should fire you." She says looking me in the eyes and looked a bit hurt.
"You could." Was my response.
"Luckily I still need an assistant and I'm short on time." I did not expect that answer but I just nod at her.
"So what do you guys want I'm kinda in the middle of something here." She said taking a long sip of her coffee.
"We want to get you back to work." That causes Toni to just growl. "We want to help you fix your problem which does not look good." Fury finished while trying to have a look at the lines coming up to her neck only to have his hand swatted away.
"You don't thing I'm trying! I have been looking at every element that could possibly work and looking over notes for a while and nothing is going to work." Fury just gestured me to inject the lithium dioxide after jabbing Toni in the neck the lines start to move down.
"What the hell was that!" She yelled
"Lithium dioxide it will help with the symptoms." Her response was to throw the rest of her coffee at Fury which made him pissed.
Stark Malibu mansiontwo hours later (Toni POV)
Looking at the pirate with some coffee still on his leather jacket sitting in my living room he had some agents moving boxes into the room Natasha now sitting next to me.
"That thing in your chest is based on unfinished technology, Howard said the Arc reactor was just stepping stone." Fury said
"Ya a stone I already stepped on." What more was there sure I could use vibranium but good luck getting any.
"Your father was about to start an energy race that would make the nuclear reactor look like a triple a battle. He died before he could start." Ya Howard was many thing's smart was one of them.
"Was Anton Vanko helping him?" That name was on some of the early Arc reactor notes.
"Ya he helped your father at first but when Howard saw he was just in it for the money he had him deported." Yup that sounded like Howard if he had a problem get rid of it. "You meet his son not to long ago when he messed up your front yard." That explains why he wanted to kill me that was Howard for you still making problems from the grave.
"Your father said you were the only one who smart enough that could finish what he started, are you that person." Fury said looking straight at me.
"Howard said that. Really?" I could not believe that for a second.
"Ya he said it and if your that person you can solve the riddle of your heart." Wow that was some flowery bullshit.
"Listen the Howard Stark I knew was a grade A asshole with an obsession for tall blond men named Steve Rogers he never said he loved me or that he believed in me." My mother Maria Stark said that stuff on a daily basis.
"Then you didn't know him that well, here are his notes shield had in storage hopefully they can help you. I'm leaving Natasha will stay with you and keep you on task." With that he got up and walked out not before I got one last word in.
"Make sure to send the bill for the jacket I know coffee and leather don't mix." He only stoped for a second but keep walking now I turn my attention to the spy.
"Can I trust you?" She looked at me and nodded. "No I mean can I really trust you to help me in this very desperate time I'm in." I wanted to know because she spent three days with me and knew a lot about me now.
"Toni... I'm sorry I lied to you but I can say after spending time with you I can be trusted to keep you alive and help you with this." She said in what sounded genuine.
"Ok let's get to work."
Stark Malibu mansion workshop nighttime (Toni POV)
Going over the notes in the crates with Natasha proved useful but some of it was only half finished leading to blank pages. I had Natasha put up the projector to play the film reels that were bloopers of Howard doing the Stark expo intros.
"He sure wanted to get this right." Natasha said looking at the video.
"Ya he was a perfectionist to his core." Looking up and saw me as a little girl walk in. Howard immediately told me to leave to which I just threw a model tree at him and ran off this made Natasha snort.
"Little shit is what you were." I smiled at that.
"Still am just got bigger." Now the footage showed Howard addressing future me.
"Toni your to young to understand this but all this i built for you it represents my life's work I'm limited by the technology of my time but I know you can make it work. I'm not the best father and sometimes you scare the crap out of me but I love you." Wow those are words I never imagined him saying to me maybe I judge him to hard but he was always acting like a bastard.
"Wow that was touching. how do you feel?" Natasha said looking at me.
"Not sure how to feel. Was that model in the stuff Pepper sent over?" If I got Howard's message correct then it many be the key.
"Ya it was." She said standing up.
"Bring it down and help me set it up. I may have just solved the problem."
After we set up the model I saw what Howard was saying the blueprint for a new element was here in the center and after looking over it I see what it is synthetic vibranium. If I can make this it would be the biggest discovery in the twenty first century vibranium was so valuable and rare it was millions for just a little chunk. I could make tons of this and people would kick down my door for the opportunity to research the it.
"Mam I have analyzed the element. It will serve as a viable replacement for the palladium core." Jarvis cut in overjoyed.
"Natasha we have lots of work to do. I won't be sleeping will you?"I said looking over to her.
"I'll get the coffee." I smile as she moves to the stairs.
Workshop two days later (Toni POV)
It took all night to set up the Particle Accelerator and destroy my home to get it ready but we were so close I just need to make it level. Just then Rhodey walked in looking like a kicked puppy probably because last time I saw him I screamed at him to get out. Not my best look but at the time I was monumentally pissed off and frustrated.
"Rhodey I'm sorry I yelled at you I was under a lot of stress but that is no excuse can you forgive me?" He looked like he was thinking about it.
"Oh Toni I can't stay mad at my scary little sister." He said with a smile which I returned with a smile of my own.
"Toni what a about this?" I hear Natasha say holding up a wire frame replica of Captain America's shield.
"Perfect I lift you slide. Rhodey help for a second." With us lifting Natasha slides the replica under the tube it looks like we're finally ready to go.
Putting the level on the Accelerator seeing it's perfect I address Rhodey. "Oh Rhodey this is Natasha my assistant and spy that is watching me." Without a word Rhodey pulls a gun and points it at my assistant and she just stands there. "Honey bear clam down she has been helping me this whole time and may be a new friend." Natasha smiles at Rhodey as he lowers the gun.
"Toni why did you let a spy stay at your house?" Ya that was kinda crazy.
"She's a very useful assistant and good at conversations." He just looked at me like I'm stupid.
"Now stick around your about to witness history, put on some goggles." With that I boot up the Particle Accelerator and the room begins to shake while a beam of light shoots out. Pulling the handle on the top I move the beam over to the triangle in the center of the Accelerator cutting anything it comes into contact with after a huge glow i cut the power and see my handy work. A glowing triangle that could power a building for a year and make Iron Queen unstoppable.
"Mam synthesis is completed you have made a new element." Jarvis say.
"Awesome run test to make sure this does not kill me when I pop it in." Looking over to the two people that just saw me make history I could only say one thing. "Who wants victory Chinese food I'm buying."
Stark Malibu mansion living room four hours later(Toni POV)
"After that I dragged him back to our dorm room not before he throws up all over the deans car!" I finish the story with Natasha laughing and Rhodey looking embarrassed.
"Mam you have a call from a blocked number." Jarvis interrupted.
"Ok Jarvis send it through." I must be Fury looking to annoy me some more. "Fury I told you to not call me." Only to be very surprised when I hear the person on the line.
"Hay Stark how are you?" Ivan Vanko's Vance plays over the speakers getting the attention of everyone. "Our last meeting was over to soon." He continued.
Hitting the mute button I immediately try to trace the call. "Ya meetings tend to end when I kick people in the nuts." I say trying to keep the call going.
"That was not very nice of you but what can you expect from a Stark." He said probably not happy about the previous fight. "What your family did to mine for forty years I will do in forty minutes." So close to a location. "Hope your ready." after that he cut the call.
"Crap." Where was he going to strike looking in the news I saw Hammer was doing a presentation at the expo if he wants to hit me it would be there. "Natasha I need you to go with Pepper she is going to the expo and I think that's going to be his target." She nods and runs out the door. "Rhodey I'm going to need back up grab your suit and meet me at the Hammer presentation and come heavy." With that he runs out as well.
I run down to the work shop and see the new power core sitting there on the pedestal.
"Mam I would advise against this I am not done testing the new core." Jarvis says obviously worried what it may do.
"Jarv no time I need to be ready now." With that I slammed the new core in and it definitely works.
"Wow that feels weird! Why Do I taste coconuts!"
Stark expo night time(Toni POV)
Crashing Hammers presentation was fun but the ass load of drones bearing down on me was not. As soon as I landed and questioned Justin about Vanko he acted stupid which was not hard for him. Seeing the drones start to aim at me I take off into the night bobbing and weaving in the air with Rhodey taking out the ones on the ground. Pulling off some maneuvers that destroyed some stragglers I land in a garden area with Rhodes next to me.
"Alright the rest will be coming so let's set up a kill box with the big gun on the ridge over there." What pissed me off was he started to move with me. "Where do you think your going." I definitely belong up there.
"You said the big gun so I'm going over there." He said in a smug tone.
"No I'm the big gun so you stay right here." How was he not getting this.
"This is the last place either one of us should be this is the kill box were people go to die." Right as he finished saying that tons of drones land all around us.
Both of us start to destroy as many drones as possible but they keep coming kill one three take its place running out of options I use my trump card and tell Rhodey to duck. The laser cuts threw them like butter all I see is pieces falling over.
"You should lead with that next time." He says looking around.
"Ya that's a one and done honey bear." I say popping out the focus emitters on the gauntlets.
"Toni you got one more coming and it's got way more power than the others." Natasha says in the com.
just then a huge armor monstrosity lands before us the helmet retracts showing Vanko. "Hello Stark I made sure to putt a cup in this one." He says smiling.
Trying to surprise him I fire some darts at his head but his helmet goes back to fast. He pulls out his whips and charges at us we try to overwhelm him but he's good he eventually gets us on opposite sides of him holding us in place with the whips. An idea pops into my head if two repulsor beans hit each other it should make a big exposition.
"Rhodey aim at my palm!" He gets the message and our beams collide making a huge blast with Vanko in the middle but the shockwave pushes us back.
Standing up surveying the aftermath of the blast I see Vanko smiling at me not really sure why. "You lose." All the drones start to flash red, great self destruct flying out with Rhodey I see Pepper and Natasha walking out next the drones. Swooping in and grabbing them I take us to a roof top just in time to see the explosive drones go up.
"Well that was terrible. Don't die so soon ladies I still need you." Pepper runs up and hugs me and Natasha just smiles at me.
"Can you gals stop the hug fest it's strange." I hear Rhodey say off to the side.
"Way to ruin a moment honey bear. Now victory pizza at my place you coming Natasha." I say
"I've got time and could use a bite." She responds still smiling.
Shield debriefing room next day (Toni POV)
Sitting in the small room I was called to I see some news feeds on last night's event showing me as a hero and Hammer being taken away for aiding a wanted fugitive and mass scale destruction. Looking on the desk I see two folders one is an assessment on me and the other says Avengers initiative sliding that one over a hand stops me from opening it.
"Not sure that one pertains to you anymore." Fury says taking it away and picking up the other one. "And this one is of no use to me because you compromised the agent who wrote it." So Natasha wrote that one.
"Not my fault I'm better company than you." I say with a grin.
"She was supposed to write a non biased review of you but now your best buddies. Never should have left her alone with you." He was clearly not as mad as he should be but I don't care.
"Toni Stark acts impulsive and reckless often showing many emotional limitations. However once a friend can be a great help with a massive intellect and above average problem solving skills. Iron Queen recommended, Toni Stark recommended." Cool she will be a good friend to hangout with. "So what's the problem Fury." I finished looking up at him.
"That assessment is massively biased in your favor I can't use it." He lays down the file while staring at me.
"I would like you to be a consultant not a member of the initiative." He pushes forward.
"You can't afford me honey." I say walking out but I stop and and turn. "But I will think about it if Natasha is free for a few weekends." That got him thinking.
"I'll see what I can do." Was the last thing I hear him say as I closed the door.
Stark private island one week later (Natasha POV)
When fury told me I had vacation days I was confused the I got a call from Toni saying we were going to the beach so bringa swimsuit. Now I'm here sitting on the sand drinking some fruity mix drink relaxing with Toni, Pepper and Rhodes.
"Ah nothing like a getaway after a cluster fuck of a mouth." Toni said ordering another drink.
"You got that right." Said Rhodes standing up grabbing a surf board.
"Thanks for the invite Toni." I say making her look at me.
"No problem even secret agents me a vacation." She says picking up the new drink.
I'm not sure how this happened but it's a good turn of events to make friends with the kinda life I lead.