driftfleet | video + action || the first

Entry tags:

video + action || the first

Who: Howard Stark and YOU (I'm sorry)
Broadcast: Video Transmission, Fleet-wide.
Action: The Marsiva
When: Now

[ howard begins by painstakingly peeling himself up off the surface of the deck. this is a familiar position for him so he's not overly worried, smoothing back his hair as he rises unsteadily to his feet. he blinks heavily a few times, expecting his eyes to be heavy and for the customary knock in his head to follow. nothing happens. he feels remarkably alert, actually. wait a second...

the hairs on the back of his neck raise up, triggered by that eerie feeling of being watched. ] If this is a ransom demand, you're going to be sorely disappointed. [ it's not directed at anyone, scarcely above a mumble, he doesn't know anyone can hear him yet. howard steps towards the viewing ports, sticking his hands in his pockets and wondering what form of trickery this could possibly be. very advanced and very clever, surely, but just as frustrating. ]

I must admit, I'm impressed with your holographic technology. I could almost believe I were really in space... if we weren't at least a few decades off from such an advancement anyway. [ unless, they aren't. that disquiets him, smugness dropping from his tone as he continues to look around, but his voice only grows smaller. ] ...Hello?

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[ -- it's a strange feeling, this mixture of consternation and relief. although she's certainly gone months and months without so much as a peep from howard, it took the threat of treason charges to have truly pushed him off her map. ordinarily, he's only a phone call away. reliable, in his own unreliable fashion. but on more than one occasion, she'd noted his absence within the fleet. ]

Week? [ her displeasure is a sharp note. ] Try months. I've been here ages, Howard. You're late.

Months. [ oh he gets it, she's messing with him. he gives that warm, robust laugh she's quite familiar with by now. it isn't wholly sincere, but when is he ever? ] You almost got me, pal. I like to be a little fashionably late, sure, but I wouldn't miss a party as your plus one.

Do be serious. [ does she have to put on her legit face? because she'll pull that one out of the bag'o'tricks. if she must. ] It's something of an intergalactic kidnapping. Welcome to the Fleet.

[ ok obviously he knows this isn't actually a joke. or a dream. or a hologram. but the urge to remain blissfully full of denial is so there. ]

Alright, where's Jarvis? We need a plan of attack.

You'll have to do without Mister Jarvis, I'm afraid. [ although her tone begins in a place of snark, peggy takes a moment for careful reflection. he isn't the only one put at a disadvantage in jarvis's absence, and so she adds on a gentle concession: ] We both will.

[ without... but no! that's not a thing. he looks suitably horrified. ] Okay, but... How?

[ ...howard. ]

I'm certain you'll find a way. [ or a patsy. ] In the meantime, make the best out of the Marsiva. As things stand, it might be your last opportunity to have some space to yourself. Things are mighty crowded on the ships.

[ distraction acheived. ] How crowded? [ one eyebrow goes sky high ]

We're two bodies over our allocated billets here on the Starstruck. [ ... ] Which is where I'm assigned. Heaven knows where they'll put you.

[ no but if he has to live in these terrible conditions they can't separate him from peggy. that's cruel and unusual. ] ...And what exactly do they want us here for? I mean I know we're great, but I feel like this is a little presumptuous for starters.

The party line is entertainment. We're like a sort of dramatic travelling sideshow, but those keeping us here have the technology to broadcast our images to -- somewhere. Haven't sussed that part out yet.

Well, at least it's a noble pursuit. And I am quite entertaining if I do say so myself. [ but the rest he doesn't like, obviously. he's just trying to come to some sort of acceptance while he works out a plan. ] I always said you could be in pictures, Peg.

[ -- ugh. her belly instinct is to roll her eyes and undercut his ludicrous suggestion. except howard is new, here. and there is some vibrant part of her that is terribly glad to see him, in spite of all else.

so she changes the subject -- and how! ] I should tell you. Steve is here.

[ and she doesn't call him merely 'steve' to just anyone. ]

Sergeant Barnes informed me. [ which is still, uh???? he's reeling to say the least. ]

Which ship is he on? [ steve of course. howard wants to talk to him right away. his whole being is clawing for it. but then he remembers himself, peggy must have felt just this way when she first arrived and now he feels guilty all over again to have missed it. ] ...And how is he? Do you two... fondue?

[ the old joke is tacked on at the last, but he isn't really asking about their physical relationship so much as how she's coping with it. ]

He's on the Bloodsport. [ and just like that, her tone resumes cordiality. sentimental as she is about steve, peggy's not prepared to parade that sentiment over the network. she doesn't care for the atroma taking pleasure in the ups and downs of her love life. ] And you'll find it's Captain Barnes, now.

[ -- not a word about fondue, thank you very much. ]

[ he catches on, narrowing his eyes. very well, peggy. he'll follow your lead for now. ]

Bloodsport. Of course it is. I'll see what I can do to influence my assignment. What else is N-T-K?

We've got two Barneses. And a handful of individuals who hail from a future some seventy years in the making. You and I are antiques, Howard. Assuming...

[ well. this is odd. her nose wrinkles. ] What's the last thing you recall?

A Russian knockout with a killer left hook. [ his lips twitch into something of a smile. ] Thanks for getting me out of that one, pal.

[ she'd say anytime, but peggy's concerned he'd take that literally... ]

Thank goodness. [ they sound nearly on par, then. perhaps howard doesn't even realize what jarvis had done with steve's blood. ] That's not so far off from myself, I imagine. Time can be tricky here. You'll adjust.

That does seem to be the takeaway from the day. [ really he could do with a nap. ]

...Two Barneses. [ that's the only thing he can't quite work out. different times and universes were one thing, but alternate versions of the same person were a little much. he's not even going to ask yet. ] You're my last hope, Peg. Tell me you've got something to drink over there.

I've got you covered. [ there's a bustle. the video feed seems to shudder a moment, and peggy gives a wider angle view of her modest quarters. over her shoulder is a grey-coloured locker, and when she reaches backwards to open it up she nods towards a half-empty bottle of something suspiciously amber-coloured. ] The very minute you're off the Marsiva, Howard. I'll pour one for you.

[ she's shockingly welcoming, really. almost as though she's missed him. ]

[ there may as well be stars in his eyes when he spots the bottle in frame. ]

Bless you, Carter. [ he's desperate, but even without jarvis he's glad she's here to band with. like she says, they're relics here. he needs someone in his corner. ] I suppose all that's left for me is to wait. [ bc he's always been so patient. ]

Shouldn't take more than a week. A few days, perhaps.

Don't wait up for me, Agent. [ he winks, feeling slightly better about this now that he knows he can see her whenever he needs to, even if he doesn't end up on her crew. ]

[ -- and then there's the problem of tony. but peggy keeps that under wraps, for now. she isn't keen to inundate the man with impossibilities.

instead: ] Back of your neck, Howard. Have you found your augment yet?

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