Avengers: Altruism [N. Romanoff]

20. A Nail in the Wall

Busy New York streets were often difficult enough to pass through because of crowds, but an entire tech expo created by Tony Stark was definitely a lot more populated in Claire's eyes.

She pushed her collar up and passed another security guard with a clear-tailed earpiece and dark sunglasses, despite it being nighttime.

She jumped up the stairs in front of her, following the crowd of people attending as an audience for entrepreneurs and inventors to pitch their ideas to. Her eyes searched the people lit up with blue light for a face she would recognize. She hadn't been out alone in years, and now she was on her own mission created by her ill-experienced sister and oblivious brother-in-law.

"-Presenting Justin Hammer. His presentation will begin shortly in the main pavilion."

Claire heard the announcer call out, circling on the spot to try and find some signs around this place that could help her find the right place.

After sitting down with her sister and doing some searching, Claire realized Hammer Industries had booked their own slot to present an invention at the expo... it was no coincidence this had risen the same week one of Tony's suits had gone missing, not to mention the billionaire in question had disappeared off the grid. It was hard enough to track a suit; she couldn't find the man in it either. She only hoped that he was safe, if he survived the palladium infection first...

She knew Pepper would have to be here, being the face of the entire industry, but exactly where? Claire hadn't the damn clue, she couldn't find anything as simple as the sign to lead her to the main pavilion.

"'Scuse me, you lost?" someone asked her, putting their hand on her shoulder.

She jumped to turn around, praying it would be Happy, but it was another rich man. She stammered a little and stepped a few steps down to break the contact.

"Could you tell me where the main pavilion is?" she shouted above the music.

"Ma'am, you're walking right up to it. You need me to keep you a seat?"

"I'm fine," she awkwardly refused the offer, stuffing her hands into her coat pockets and rushing up the stairs.

Spotlights swirled across the blue and black sky, with children running around on the ground and adults running like children. It was easy to be so caught up in the moment, almost enough to make Claire wish she were able to enjoy being here normally. But, she had a message to carry out.