everybody's starstruck in june.

[mucked]

Who: starstruck crew & visitors
Broadcast: n/a
Action: aboard the ship
When: june

[ another month; another mingle. but there are changes in the air! the starstruck has some fresh crew to boast of, as well as a spiffing new lounge. things have been difficult, lately -- the common area might make for a great place to decompress and socialize with your fellow starstruckers.

after all, it seems the captain's gone and requisitioned max's record player. for the first week in june, it'll be returned again and again to the new lounge. good luck hiding it from her, rockatanksy.

ready steady go! ]

Comments

[outstandingbalance]

We don't know we'll have no way of verifying them. It's possible we would be able to find sources in the systems we visit, and there's no way of knowing what future opportunities we'll run into. The intel might not be useful in the short term, but going forward...

[Natasha leans back, but her gaze remains fixed on Peggy.]

That's the thing, isn't it? We just don't know. And without any idea where to start, the best we can do is get as much information as we can. Anything we can get our hands on.

[mucked]

-- And to that end I don't think I've left the communications console for longer than a quick kip or a cuppa.

[ and, to that end, she pours herself a mug of brewed tea. ]

[outstandingbalance]

Is that a hint? [A pause, because this has been something on her mind lately. And she still can't say where her final decision might lie.] I figured by now you would have convinced someone else to back you up in the job.

[mucked]

Oh, no. I've been far too busy poaching everyone else. Haven't you heard?

[ she suspects natasha's learned a thing or two about that already. peggy smiles over the rim of her mug -- preening, possibly. proud at how she's been able to fill the ranks once more aboard her ship. ]

[outstandingbalance]

I may have heard a thing or two about that. Wouldn't rule out that you had other projects on the side, though.

[Natasha would never rule out the fact she doesn't know something, especially about Peggy.]

Not holding out for a particular person to fill the role?

[mucked]

I know any ship will be stronger with you on it. Better. [ perhaps the social atmosphere might change; secrets become trickier. but that's a price one might willingly pay to have the best on their roster. ] So perhaps it's not fair to deprive the Vanquish of your service. Or any other ship you might prefer, for that matter.

[ -- almost an implication. peggy draws back, quickly, and doesn't let it settle for too long. ]

I'm not holding my breath, Natasha. You'll make your decision when you're ready to; I'll abide by it. After all, I only asked you to consider the possibility.

[ she's not allowed to feel disappointed if she's refused. ]

[outstandingbalance]

I realize that. And believe me, I am. But there's a lot to consider.

[Natasha considers if she should say more about the matter. It's been on her mind, and there's a part of her that might be hoping that Peggy will dazzle her with some compelling argument in favor of changing ships that will minimize the arguments against.]

It'd be easy to say yes, but in the long run... I can see it causing problems.

[mucked]

Stark-shaped problems, [ she guesses. it's not a difficult line to follow now that she knows a bit more about what happened. not every detail; far from it. but she knows enough to be recognize where certain lines must be drawn and other lines negotiated. ]

I suppose I can appreciate your foresight. Yet another enviable skill, destined to serve well whatever ship has you.

[outstandingbalance]

That is one of the biggest. If he comes back... There are optics to consider.

[And Natasha's own perspective. Keeping a little distance would be the easiest way to make sure she didn't lose sight of the big picture.]

[mucked]

One might argue that considering those optics too slavishly will only give them both a crutch to keep on bickering. [ the balance must be tipped -- at some point or another. ]

[outstandingbalance]

One might. It's not always that simple, though.

[A pause while Natasha considers if she wants to play out that argument. She's already been over the sides in her head, though, and the ways that both of them might be hurt have impressed her more than the potential of tough love to help Tony or Steve see reason.

So instead, she says:]

Has one considered she might not have quite as much privacy as she's used to with me underfoot?

[mucked]

[ aha.

one certainly has.

peggy's answer is as careful and curated as ever: ] I doubt I've got any privacy aboard this ship to begin with. I'm not too worried.

[ off the ship, however? well. that's another story. ]

[outstandingbalance]

You say that now. [She sounds amused by it, and perhaps not entirely convinced.]

Well. It is still under consideration. I do like my privacy too.

[mucked]

And you're concerned I might prove myself a bit too prying? [ a smile. ] I suppose any defense I tried to raise for myself would sound a bit hollow at this point.

[outstandingbalance]

Prying might be the wrong word. Maybe just too perceptive.

[mucked]

[ that so? her smile sharpens. ]

I hope you're not suggesting my powers of perception worry you, Natasha.

[ -- it's all in good fun. ]

[outstandingbalance]

[It was said in good fun to start with. That and to lighten the conversation, keep the topic of her possible transfer as noncommittal as possible.]

Your powers of perception are a factor to consider.

[mucked]

Perhaps I could use the practice.

[ she's getting rusty out here in space; she knows it. things are comfortable, recent defeats not withstanding. ]

[outstandingbalance]

So you're saying I should join your crew to keep you sharp?

[mucked]

That depends. [ her head tilts. ] Would it work?

[ to convince her; peggy already knows it'll keep her sharp. ]

[outstandingbalance]

Couldn't hurt. Whether or not it would help...?

[Natasha shrugs. Maybe she likes being a little less sharp—but her instinct says that's not a good thing.]

[mucked]

I suppose we wouldn't know until we tried. Is that correct?

[outstandingbalance]

You're not wrong about that. I guess we'll just have to see.

[mucked]

-- There isn't any rush. [ she reiterates. ] It's not like we haven't got our own little influx of fresh meat to contend with, just now.

Best to let the rookies get settled.

[ before they might have to cope with living alongside both peggy and natasha. ]

[outstandingbalance]

[Maybe Peggy should ask the crew before inviting Natasha over. That really is a lot of spy to deal with.]

You'll have to tell me how they do.

[A half smile, amused and mock impressed.]

I noticed you poached Sam off the Heron.