Chapter 19: Playing the Game #19
The man approached Ororo and Evan's table with a smug grin. He spoke with a hint of mischief in his voice. "There you are, Mr. Shepherd. I must say, you're not an easy man to find..."
Already familiar with the man's antics, Evan rolled his eyes in response. "And yet here we are... you never fail to impress, Mr. Stark," he said, his tone tinged with a mix of sarcasm and amusement.
The man, Tony Stark, grinned and said, "I always aim to please." His eyes shifted to Ororo, and he addressed her with an air of familiarity. "And you must be the famous Storm," he remarked, feigning innocence. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything?"
Ororo's intuition warned her that Stark's appearance was no coincidence and that he didn't come with good intentions. She maintained her poise, nodding politely. "I prefer Miss Munroe when I'm not in uniform, and yes, you are interrupting," she replied with a firmness that conveyed her annoyance.
She turned to Evan, a smile returning to her face as she tried to redirect their conversation back to their previous topic. "We were in the middle of an important discussion..."
"Then I'll be sure not to take too much of your time, Miss Muntroe..." Unfazed by Ororo's response, Tony Stark shamelessly grinned and took a seat, much to Evan's amusement and Ororo's chagrin.
"You'll find that Mr. Stark is quite persistent," Evan remarked as if offering an explanation for Stark's audacious behavior.
Even then turned his attention back to Stark, his curiosity piqued. "So, to what do I owe the pleasure of meeting you today?" he inquired, genuinely interested in the reason behind Stark's unexpected appearance.
Stark tapped his finger on the table thoughtfully. "I got anxious... waiting for the day you'd suddenly show up and ask for my soul is very taxing, even on the mind of a genius," he quipped, his eyes narrowing.
Evan couldn't help but chuckle at Stark's witty remark. "You make it seem like I'm a devil of sorts," he said with a mischievous glint in his eyes. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms playfully. "But asking for your soul, huh? I wasn't aware it was on the table."
Stark scoffed, a playful smile on his lips. "Please don't get any ideas," he retorted, tapping his finger on the table. "Besides... when someone suddenly shows up and offers to solve your problems in exchange for a blank check... it's only natural to assume they're the devil."
Unfazed, Evan replied calmly, "I assure you, I'm just as human as you are." He couldn't resist adding a touch of humor to the conversation. "Besides, even a devil would not find your soul delectable, tainted by hubris as it is..." He shook his head with mock seriousness. "Believe me, I would know."
Stark's grin widened, clearly enjoying the banter. "Ah, all the more reason to be arrogant, I suppose," he quipped, raising his glass in a mock toast.
Ororo watched the exchange between the two men with amusement, seeing how effortlessly they played off each other's words. She had to admit that she was impressed by Evan's ability to hold his own against Tony Stark, a man known for his quick wit and sharp tongue.
Shamelessly downing the glass he took without permission, Tony Stark smirked at Evan, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "So, Mr. Shepherd, what is it that you really want?" he inquired, his tone both curious and probing.
Evan smiled warily in response and turned to Ororo, amused by the recurring question. "A question I keep hearing as of late," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of irony. Ororo returned the smile but remained silent, understanding the situation well.
Evan had been anticipating Stark's eventual arrival, fully aware that someone of Stark's tenacity and resources would track him down sooner or later. So, when the man suddenly appeared at his and Ororo's table, he couldn't feign shock or surprise.
In truth, Evan had a good grasp of Stark's persistent nature. He knew that once the billionaire inventor set his sights on something, he wouldn't easily back down. Though he didn't expect the man to appear at such a time, he wasn't surprised either.
As he observed Stark's smug grin, Evan couldn't help but acknowledge the man's resourcefulness It was clear that Tony Stark relished the thrill of the chase, and Evan's elusive nature had likely intrigued him even more.
Despite Stark's intrusive entrance, Evan maintained his composure, not wanting to give away any vulnerabilities. He knew Stark wouldn't go away and would continue to pester him until he received answers, and Evan was ready to throw him a bone to get rid of him for now.
As the conversation with Stark unfolded, Evan remained guarded. He decided to reveal just enough to pique the man's curiosity while keeping crucial details concealed. He knew Stark wouldn't take no for an answer, but Evan had his reasons for playing his cards close to his chest.
Turning back to Stark, Evan replied with a hint of mystery in his voice, "What else would I want for a prodigy in physics and electronic engineering...?" Before Stark could respond, Evan continued, "To build something for me, of course... but that's all I'm willing to disclose for now..."
Stark raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the enigmatic response. He paused for a moment, seemingly deep in thought, before finally saying, "I suppose that's better than nothing..."
With that, Stark stood up from his seat, his charismatic charm still on full display. "I was ten steps ahead of S.H.I.E.L.D., but if I can find you, so can they," he remarked, his voice tinged with a mix of pride and caution.
Evan shrugged nonchalantly, showing a level of acceptance. "I expected them to find me sooner or later," he admitted. "Though I imagine you'd find me way sooner..."
Stark chuckled at the remark, but there was a flicker of irritation in his eyes, suggesting that Evan's comment might have hit a nerve.
Nevertheless, he maintained his composure and smiled. "Well, it's time for me to take my leave," he said, raising his empty glass in a mock toast. "Thank you for the drink."
After Tony Stark walked away and was out of sight, Ororo couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. She leaned forward, her eyes locking with Evan's, and asked, "So... what was that all about?"
Evan raised one finger, signaling her to wait a moment, and started rummaging under the table. His agile fingers retrieved small electronic devices, one after the other, which he promptly crushed, rendering them useless. Ororo's eyes widened in surprise as she watched him, realizing that Stark had planted bugs all over the table to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"Stark is too clever and prideful for his own sake," Evan explained, his voice calm and measured. "His intelligence and ego make him rather predictable." He glanced at the crushed devices on the table, emphasizing his point.
Ororo couldn't help but shake her head, partly in disbelief at Stark's audacity and partly in exasperation at herself for not noticing the surveillance devices. She knew Stark's reputation as a mastermind, but seeing evidence of his intrusion firsthand left her feeling uneasy.
But then, something caught her attention. Evan gestured toward the last listening device, and her eyes followed his motion. It was nestled among the roses inside the vase, deliberately left intact. He winked at her, hinting at his motive.
Evan purposely left it there, knowing how fragile the ego of a genius can be from personal experience. If Stark believed he had succeeded in planting a bug, he might not resort to more extreme measures. Ororo didn't understand Evan's intentions, but she decided to trust his judgment and ask him about it at a later time.
As they continued their dinner, Ororo leaned in with a curious glint in her eyes. She wanted to know more about Evan's encounter with Tony Stark during the battle on Norco. Evan obliged, recounting the incident with a sense of ease and confidence.
"It all started when Pepper Potts found herself in danger," Evan began, his voice steady as he delved into the details. He explained how he had come to her aid, utilizing his combat skills and the unique abilities of his Greed Crystals to stabilize her powers. He carefully omitted any mention of the crystals' limitations or their finite number, knowing that Stark's inquisitive mind might latch onto such details.
As he spoke, Ororo listened attentively, captivated by Evan's account of the events. The Greed Crystals sounded fascinating and mysterious, and she marveled at the idea of powers being stabilized and absorbed by such a peculiar device.
Evan, ever the tactician, knew the art of strategic storytelling. While he revealed enough to satisfy Stark's curiosity, he skillfully steered clear of discussing the origins of the crystals. Some secrets were better left unrevealed, and Evan was keenly aware of the need to guard certain aspects of his past.
Although the Greed Crystals were a significant secret, Evan knew they weren't entirely unheard of in the world of Marvel. He played it off as if they were just one of many unique artifacts that existed out there, acknowledging the vastness of the Marvel universe and the countless extraordinary items it contained.
Ororo nodded along, taking in every word, her mind buzzing with questions and intrigue. She appreciated Evan's discretion and understood the weight of carrying such secrets. After all, being an X-Man meant grappling with the balance between transparency and the need for protection.
As the conversation flowed, they delved into other topics, discussing their experiences, the challenges they faced, and the hopes they held for the future. It was evident that their bond was deepening, strengthened by their mutual understanding and trust.
As the evening drew to a close, they left the restaurant with a sense of closeness and growing affection.
...
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