| Pepper Potts |
 |
| Name: | Virginia 'Pepper' Potts |
| Gender: | Female |
| Place of Birth: | Unknown |
| Age: | 29 |
| Aliases: | Pepper |
| Origin: | Human |
| Present Location: | NYC |
| Occupation: | Tony's Personal Assistant |
| Team: | Team Stark |
| Alignment: | Support |
| Significant Other(s): | NA |
| Powers and Abilities: | NA |
| Portrayed by: | Gwyneth Paltrow |
I do anything and everything Mr. Stark requires… Including occasionally taking out the trash."
Childhood
Virigina Potts was born to modest means and a simple family. Her father was a lawyer, but he struggled and wasn't always successful. Her mother stayed at home to help raise her and her two brothers, leaving the family with one income. She was in her early teens when her mother was taken by a car crash, and Virginia stepped up in her mother's place to help take care of the house and her brothers. Ontop of all that, she still managed her school studies and even excelled with excellent grades. She was a smart girl and very academic, though as she grew older, she took to the focus of making a better life for herself. She wanted to succeed, she knew she could, and she wasn't going to let anyone hold her back.
As soon as she graduated high school at 17, she applied to colleges and was accepted to one in New York City. Her schooling focus was business and marketing, accounting- and she gained multiple degrees in those areas.
Stark Enterprises
When Virginia first applied for Stark Enterprises, it was in the reign of Howard Stark. She joined the secretarial pool and worked hard. She quickly learned the day to day runnings of the business and a few years in, Tony took over the company. It was shortly after that she found a critical clerical error by one of the accountants- something that could cost them millions. Taking this, she went boldly to Tony's office, only to be stopped by his bodyguards. Trying to make them understand how important it was she needed to see him, she threatened them with pepper spray (even though she didn't really have any). Hearing the commotion, she was allowed in by Tony by sheer curiousity and was dubbed 'Pepper' therein. Realizing her value in catching the mistake, she was hired as his personal secretary on the spot.
Tony Stark
He is as frustrating as he is a dear and close friend. She's spent many years now in his employ and service, doing anything he requires. Including handling a large portion of his responsibilities- and helping him run the company. She's spent those years also fighting for hard-won respect. Being a woman in this kind of business industry is a hard task in itself, and proving herself capable has taken time and a lot of effort and hard work. She has taken the board members to school more than once and has no problem standing in for Tony in certain affairs, including the beginnings of the Justice League.
Stubborn
On a good day, when Pepper is sure of a course of action, she will hold to it. This is mostly shown when she has to be stern and firm with Tony, either calling him out when his ego gets in the way of him doing what needs to be done, or making sure he is where he needs to go. She can be unrelenting in this aspect and can also be attuned to confidence in many situations.
Organized
Managing Tony's life is a very involved affair and takes a lot of organization. Almost to the point of OCD. She is constantly updating and managing his appointments, meetings and other events and venues he has to appear at, as well as her own schedule in the mix. If you were to see her apartment, the OCD spills over there as well. Everything in its place, everything organized.
Workaholic
She is constantly busy. Even when at home and 'off', or out and about, she could easily be caught on a business call or reading work for the next day. She very rarely really takes a vacation, because lets face it- How long would Tony last without her? She however enjoys her work, even taking out the 'trash'.
Driven
From a young age, she's been driven in the business field and even moreso now that she is Tony's personal assistant and helps with his company. She doesn't back down from a business deal and can hold her own in a room of men. She refuses to let her gender be a liability and is determined to earn the respect she deserves for her hard work and skills in the industry.
Motivation
She has a love for Tony, and through everything he's put her through, it is likely a golden reason why she is still in his employ. Regardless, she keeps it to herself and remains a close friend as much as his employee. She wants to see him and the company do well, but also wants to see him remain safe in his time as Iron Man.
Goals
There is always plenty of work to be done. Business deals to be struck, meetings to attend and organize and a CEO to manage. This she has all intention of continuing as long as Tony will keep her in his employ. It is a busy lifestyle, but she wouldn't trade it for the world.
Protective
Pepper is very protective of those close to her, this includes Tony, Rhodney and others that are in their tight inner circle. Those that win her friendship earn a fierce loyalty and she will always try her best to take care of her friends.
Stark Industries
Whenever Stark Industries is named, it's a reflection upon her. It is a powerhouse to be reckoned with, and with the backing of her place of employ, she does have a great deal of clout. It's a weapon that is wielded carefully and politically. Never would she invoke it directly. Ever. One of the benefits of Stark Industries is her access to its amenities, such as the Corporate Jet, it's satellite offices, its communication systems…
Personal Wealth
She's a Business Admin graduate. Every penny has been invested and wisely, giving her something of a nest egg for her probably never happen retirement. It certainly does aid in giving her a nice wardrobe! While not reaching the heights of her employer, she is well rewarded for her dedication to her work.
Tony Stark
Her employer. Someone that she considers 'friend'. His name carries a great deal of weight in the circles in which she must live and work. Over the years, she's been discovering that the knowledge that she works so intimately with Mr. Stark that she is immediately taken seriously.
** Business Contacts **
When one deals with multi-billion dollar company, one makes contacts. Who to call for a part, who to call for RFPs (Request for Proposals)? Government officials to help pass through pesky regulations are on a first name basis, and families are usually asked after.
JLA
Having been present at the beginning of the formation of the JLA as Tony Stark's proxy, Pepper does have some small ability to request their aid in matters for which they'd be suited. She has access, as Tony's proxy, to their building, has a presence in their meetings, and, when Tony is absent, a vote.
Business
She holds several degrees in business and marketing and has spent close to a decade putting those skills into practice. She's been at Stark Industries for a long time and has made a name for herself in the industry.
Computer Skills
Being a Secretary to a genius engineer in a tech heavy company- you've got to have computer skills. While she is no hacker and programmer, she knows how to use a variety of Stark Tech in terms of operating systems that spans from her PDA to her computer. The holographic technology she is still getting comfortable with, but she's getting there.
Communication
Communication is one of her strong points. She can be very outspoken when need be, from being blunt and upfront with Tony when he needs a harsher word, or simply being clear and concise when it comes to business. She has no problem in various forms of communication and getting her point across; be it email, phone or face to face.
Listener
She is a great listener, from just being a good friend, to paying apt attention to detail in a meeting. She is good at filing away mental information for later recall as you never know what might come in handy later on.
Negotiation
With her business degrees, she knows how to hold her own in negotiations. She's more than once negotiated a tough contract for Stark Industries and rarely loses.
Mathematics
Accounting and balancing she has plenty of practice with and this comes with quick mental mathematic skills. Pen and paper or a calculator is always a quick fix, but she can process mental problems with a great deal of accuracy on the fly. As long as they aren't heavy algebraic complex.
Tony Stark
With the good comes the bad. While the name 'Tony Stark' holds a great deal of clout, there are many who would seek to target her simply for her association. She is the 'gatekeeper', and there are many people who would love to see her removed so they have clear and full access to the multi-billionaire playboy. Some will say that she wants him for herself and others are even less kind.
Plain Jane
Human, Absolutely nothing powered. It's not her desire to play in the world of superheroes other than to run in support of her boss. She's more than happy to help, and will do so with a smile, but she is -only- human.
Stress
Keeping Stark Industries running well, or rather, the head of Stark Industries running well is difficult in the best of times. It's not only his schedule but everyone else's around him; she is doing a delicate balancing act, and there are times when the stress is just a little too much and she explodes.
A place to install your character's public reputation
Relationships
IC Events
| Pepper's Logs |
(2014-11-26) Planning Session (2014-11-25) PAIN Ruins a Holiday Event (2014-11-14) The Elephant (Art) in the Room (2014-11-09) Southern Discomfort (2014-11-08) New Friendships (2014-11-07) League Financial Wizardess (2014-10-13) Coincidence 3 (2014-10-11) Coincidence 2 (2014-10-10) Coincidence (2014-05-01) A Day Unlike Any Other ... |
December
November, 2014:
- Pepper visits the Watchtower for the first time
- Veteran's Day activities take the entire day. Dignitaries, Unscheduled and quiet visit to a VA hospital, Blacktie dinner culminating.
- Dr. Henry McCoy hired as a Molecular Geneticist.
- During a food kitchen fund drive/food drive at a local mall, was interrupted by PAIN agents that kidnapped both Power Girl and Miss Marvel. Power Girl made it back first, and Miss Marvel returned 2 days later. (After an apparently unneeded meeting with Black Knight and Tony to discuss rescue.)
October, 2014:
- Pepper returns to the employ of Stark Enterprises.
