video + action || the first

[speedboat]

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?

Comments

[speedboat]

[ gj kaworu this is much easier to focus on than steve rogers and whatever the fuck happened to bucky barnes. ]

Nerv. I'm guessing this Eva program - didn't deliver on its promises? [ he might know a thing or two about that. ]

[paraclete]

Even now, sir, I think that Eva can radiate hope. However...

[There's a queer expression on his face. It's not quite regret. It can't be regret; he can't afford to have regrets.]

It's true that things weren't what I envisioned.

[speedboat]

And what exactly -- did you envision? If you don't mind me asking. [ though he's still not wholly sure what this evangelion project does, color him intrigued. ]

[paraclete]

Peace and happiness. A chance to rebuild. [Maybe for humanity, but mostly for one sad boy. To say that Kaworu's got tunnel vision is an understatement.]

[speedboat]

How... idealistic. [ a beat. ] And how exactly was this to be brought about?

[paraclete]

Eva's proposed purpose was to kill the Angels. I piloted with that in mind.

[What he says is true, but it's not the entire answer to Howard's question. Admittedly, Kaworu can be worse than evasive.]

[speedboat]

I take it we're not talking fire and brimstone. Where'd these 'angels' originate from? [ he can tell kaworu is trying not to answer anything head on, but seems too polite to head him off altogether thus far. so howard will just keep trying. ]

[paraclete]

Indeed, it's very mysterious. [It's partially a refusal to answer — Kaworu would rather not air out his family business to strangers — but also, he doesn't actually have a wealthy knowledge about his own kind. He mostly manages not to look sad about that, though.]

[speedboat]

[ well that was clear enough. howard nods, accepting the non answer for now even if it makes him grumpy. ] Quite.

I'm Howard. [ in case you wanted to know ]

[paraclete]

[It's probably a good thing Howard got the introductions going, because deapite the familiar air with which he greets people, Kaworu's been known to hang out with someone for the length of a day without going, 'Hi, I'm Kaworu.' He doesn't have much tact.]

My name is Kaworu. It's a pleasure to meet you, Howard.

[But he says it so warmly that they might as well have known each other for years.]

[speedboat]

[ he isn't accustomed to such sincerity, but he's taking it on its face for now. until proven otherwise at least. ]

Same to you, pal. [ his tone is light and nearly lofty by contrast, but nor is there anything unfriendly about the words or his demeanor. ]