"Wind manipulation from Kipinn, and earth manipulation from Faeren. Although I'm still working on more advanced skills, like freezing water and working with plants." It's a steady project, one meant to take time even if the skills themselves might not prove frequently useful.

"Is that something you start to believe if you say it often enough?" She says it gently, but with a hint of doubt. Those sort of feelings aren't easily brushed aside, although enough time has gone by that there might be some truth to Natasha's words.

Unlike the excuse Natasha offers next, which Pepper doesn't believe in the least. "Of course. So busy you've avoided all human contact whatsoever." She raises an eyebrow as she glances toward Natasha. "You know, it's okay if you let me in a little bit. You really don't have to keep everything secret from me. That's one of the benefits of being friends."