driftfleet | April System Mingle

[Ah, how marvelous. They've managed to agree on something.]

Rather a lot to pay for a grease rag, isn't it? [No, he hasn't looked at the price, but given the look of this place? Rip feels it a comfortable enough assumption.]

Certainly, provided I can't negotiate it a little lower. [ there's a moment where she seems to almost consider pulling at a loose thread, thereby sabotaging the garment. ] I tried looking for something on one of the other asteroids, but it seems the sizes don't run quite so -- small.

[ rather, the other asteroids seem to sell larger garments that are then intended to be taken in at home. ]

Have you tried the children's section?

[No, he's not asking that as a joke--not entirely. Of course Peggy is free to negotiate as she wishes (and honestly, Rip pities the poor fool who is to be subjected to her haggling), but it seems there's a simpler solution, particularly as he's sure Peggy doesn't mean to buy this garment for herself.]

[ -- her eyes lift. her explanation is curt, but not unfriendly: ] I'm not buying it for a child.

[ so either a child's size would be unsuitably fitted for other reasons, or there's no reward in bringing someone a child's shirt. she doesn't outright say that she'd rather avoid insulting someone by such a purchase, but it can most certainly be inferred. ]

No, but if you need a smaller size, you'll likely have to resort to either that or taking it in yourself.

[And in either case, Rip cannot find justification in spending the amount she's no doubt bound to on something of obviously poor quality. Yet it is Peggy's choice in the end, so even with that said? Rip starts to shrug off the long duster he wears.]

But if you still insist, then yes, I can hold it up.

[ true love is a strange thing, captain hunter. and some services have no price limit: namely, aiding and abetting steve rogers in feeling good about getting dressed for the ensuing mornings. not after the credits he's blown in return. ]

Tell me, then, [ she counters as she tosses the top into his hands. ] Wouldn't you feel more than a little miffed if someone brought you children's clothing to wear? Would you welcome a pair of knickerbockers?

[He catches the top, but doesn't raise it up right away. Instead he takes a few steps to the side, just far enough to lay the duster carefully down and still keep it in sight. The last thing he needs is for that coat to suddenly grow legs, given it is one of the few precious things he has that are truly his.]

Fair enough. [Now that he is holding the shirt, he takes a look at the price--dear lord.] I'll take it this mystery man is rather important to you, then.

[Said as he adjusts the garment so she can get an idea of it's size when compared to his.]

He's -- [ my first mate. but she swallows the words. normally, it's the easiest thing in the world to downplay her relationship with steve rogers. to pretend like it's only professional because the strangers of the world needn't know what they are to each other. they haven't the right.

but he's registered his disappointment with her reticence. and, more so than on most days, now it's important to claim him as her own. exactly as he is. rain or shine or serum or none. so peggy puts her loose fists on her waist and eyes the slim construction of the shirt held against rip hunter's frame. ] To me, there's never been anyone half as important as him.

[ a bare wince. it's not easy for her to say it. it sounds saccharine and sentimental in her mouth. she doesn't like it. and she regrets the revelation (but not the words) almost immediately. ]

Edited 2017-04-17 19:35 (UTC)

[It's fascinating to watch Peggy work up the will to say the words after that aborted attempt. That she's the kind of person to play such things close to the chest comes as utterly no surprise--which only makes the revelation of that truth all the more potent. Indeed, the way she winces after the words come out almost makes Rip wonder if it had hurt on some level for her to say.

But he doesn't ask. If Peggy looks up at the right moment, however, she will catch sight of a genuine grin on Rip's face. Small and temporary thought it might be.]

Then in that light, I suppose I can avoid giving you too much hassle. [As much as it galls him to see such price-gouging.] How far off in size are we? I'm sure there's a changing room if you need me to try on a thing or two.

Edited 2017-04-17 19:49 (UTC)

Currently? You've got a good, oh, seven inches on him. For one. [ it's easier to speak in specifics. in numbers, measurements, and plain truths. better than discussing matters of the heart, or of why she'd go to such lengths to provide for someone regardless of how important they might be.

she cards her fingers impatiently through a selection of curls. ]

He's narrower. [ lighter, too, she'd reckon. ] But he's narrower than just about anyone. Hard to find a point of comparison, really. Not many match his measurements. But I should be able to account for the difference once I see it on you.

Edited 2017-04-17 20:02 (UTC)

But only currently. [It's the second time that she's implied as much in their short conversation, and despite his promise of just moments ago Rip does have to bite his tongue a bit. It's really galling what they expect people to pay for such workmanship, period.]

Then by all means. [He pauses long enough to retrieve his coat, then gestures for Peggy to proceed, easily falling into step with her.] I'm sure you're rather eager to get back to him.

[ oh, he could have the kindest of intentions and she would still find that last statement thoroughly galling. peggy pauses, offering a half-shake of her head. ]

We're not attached at the hip. [ her temper gets the better of her. she takes a breath, steadies herself, and swallows the worst of her proverbial bile. ] This week has been a bit more trying than most, that's all.

Nor was I attempting to imply that you were. [Defensiveness once more; shocking.]

Because of a glitch? [Might as well at the opportunity to confirm his suspicions. Winn had left it vague beyond grown adults being turned to children or falling into comas. Having someone suddenly shrunk falls into the bounds of limitations unknown, he thinks.] You realize there is absolutely nothing wrong about being worried for someone you care about. Most people would consider it quite normal, in fact.

[Just saying, Peggy.]

[ oh, for heaven's sake. she doesn't hide her frown in the face of a lecture. this conversation had been barely stomachable from edwin jarvis; it hardly goes down any smoother with a man who's mostly a stranger.

but there is (at least) an imperative to warn him of the pitfalls to come: ] Because of an augment glitch, yes.

[She truly doesn't know Rip well at all if she thinks this is a lecture. Just some unasked for advice at worst.

She opts for the safer topic regardless, and Rip lets that sink in as they find someone to actually assist them. He asks after the dressing rooms, then turns to go in the direction the helper points.]

I got a bit of warning about those. Including the part where the effects are meant to be temporary and do no lingering harm. [Perhaps it's not an aspect he's strictly wanting to confirm, but it feels relevant to the conversation.

Especially since Rip can't imagine that Peggy isn't worried, no matter how many frowns she might throw his way whenever Rip tries to imply it.]

[ she's hard on his heels -- and although she's not speaking about steve's current glitch, she supposes it's important to clarify: ] Quite the opposite. They can cause plenty of harm. About a year ago I was laid up in bed with a few broken ribs thanks to someone else's glitch -- although it's true enough that the glitches themselves don't leave any lasting harm on the person who's been changed.

[ not physical harm, at least. she's certain barnes is still coping with the mental fallout. ]

[Well, isn't it good to clarify.]

Technically that's more of an indirect result of the glitch--but I do see your point. [Rip's gaze turns downward then, his steps perfunctory as he considers the implications of such an alteration.

What he wants to know now is likely personal, which means Peggy will be unlikely to answer.

But Rip needs to know.]

Do you know the nature of the glitch that caused that person to do you such harm? [By accident or otherwise.]

I do. [ almost intimately -- and in a way, it's tied directly to her desire to see a future that's more malleable. changeable. ] And I'll assure you, at least, that it's not the sort of glitch that can happen to just anyone in the fleet.

[ suggesting that further details might not be so forthcoming. it's not that they're secret -- just that she might be a little too close to the events. ]

[He huffs out a soft sound at her attempt at reassurance. She sounds so confident of her conclusion, and yet--

There are too many moments Rip has not forgotten. That he cannot, nor should he be allowed to.]

You seem rather sure about that.

[ -- well, might as well go whole hog. ]

Not many people arrive with such a particularly nasty piece of programming still stuck in their brains. Although I'll readily admit his situation may not have been unique.

[ there's no coming back from this -- no pretending she's an office worker, or a civilian, or anything but someone with a professional stake in these matters. ]

[He's a little surprised she gives him so honest of an answer from her. But then again, they are speaking of someone else. Perhaps not a friend of Peggy's then; not that Rip can really know for sure either way.]

This person had undergone some form of mind alteration, then. [There are many names for the process that Rip has heard throughout time. Memory manipulation, cognitive intrusion--brainwashing.]

And that programming led him to go after you?

Not specifically. [ she's quick to clarify -- that had never been a part of the problem, although she's more than once asked herself whether the opposition forces in the future ever try to use the winter soldier against her. ] I was a roadblock. An obstacle. That's all -- I was in his way.

So he did what was necessary to remove you from his path.

[With cold efficiency, Rip wonders, or some brand of sadistic glee? He remembers the night all too well, the utter joy he found in the moment when he aimed the gun, pulled the trigger and looked upon his work with satisfaction because she no longer meant anything to him.]

You said the programming was in his head still. You're sure of that. [He doesn't want to hope, but he also needs to understand, to know how likely this might happen again.

If it might happen to him.]

[ she's said enough. at least, enough to go without exacting some kind of revenue from what she's divulged. the problem of the shirt is momentarily forgotten, and peggy sizes up his worry. ]

It was there when he arrived. It mightn't be there still. [ how is that? well, that's what she's keeping to herself before she gets a better read on the moment. ] Why are you so curious about him?

We've all got these augments in our heads, don't we?

[She has told her half-truths and kept her secrets, even as Rip has quietly (or overtly) pried. But what Peggy Carter perhaps has not realized is that for everything she's left unsaid, something from Rip has gone untold as well.

This he does not mean to tell. Even though he doesn't look at her--has not for the pace of several steps--and that might make it clear enough.

He still has no desire to admit that whole truth.]

Without understanding how they work, who's to say that we can't all be suddenly reprogrammed in such a fashion?

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