[tony's house]

[anthony_e_stark]

Parties have always been Stark's thing. Since he'd been old enough to enjoy the attention showered on him, he's been fond of them. Can't get enough of 'em. Would throw them for anything. Special event? Good business deal go through? It's Tuesday? Time to party. Birthday parties are doubly so.

Not so much this time, though. Despite having been the lifelong life of the party this is exactly the last place he would like to be right now. That's not a sentiment much of anyone around him would believe - well, mostly. There's at least one person who might've backed him on refusing this shindig. Not that anyone else would listen, even if she yelled again.

Shame, he thinks, staring down at the spiderweb of dark veins radiating out from the arc reactor while his computer screen cheerfully lists his new and improved expiration date. Palladium concentration: 89%. Not like I'm gonna get another one after this.

Comments

[anthony_e_stark]

"Already?" Tony sighs a little theatrically, a little long-sufferingly. He thumbs the screen of the phone back off and tosses it to the table. "More like always."

He looks very sad at her slipping her legs from the armrest - and out of his grasp. Her idea's not a bad one, though. It's not something that Tony shouldn't have thought of on his own either. It's just Tony Stark is not really known for showing up to parties only briefly. He hadn't even considered that. "I could do that," He considers aloud. "Show up, make the rounds, call it a night early..."

Stark trails off a moment, expression going thoughtful. "Be ready to leave when I, y'know, bolt for the exit." He says as if he's going to be making some daring escape or something.

[lichfield]

Caroline reluctantly stands and backs out of the way enough to give Stark room to stand as well. She smooths the wrinkles out of her dress while he thinks aloud. "Will anything be exploding or on fire for that?" she asks. She's mostly kidding.

Hey, at least she's invited too. That's gratifying.

[anthony_e_stark]

Tony looks very disappointed when Caroline finally leaves his lap. He stands reluctantly, giving the watch collection the briefest of looks before picking more or less at random. Good enough.

"It's me, so..." He trails off, thoughtfully. "Probably."