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

[directed]

[She keeps her expression carefully schooled, giving away nothing as Rip implies the seemingly cruel choices possible in the protection of time. But perhaps the absence itself is a sign; Peggy sees no need to ask what kind of hard decisions might be made, how having help could complicate things.

The simplest reason not to question is when one already holds the answer--and with her background, Rip could easily see how Peggy already might.

Ah, but what she does inquire gives him reason to hesitate. Up until now he's been largely honest, if one doesn't consider the set of years between his tenure as a Time Master and his presence aboard the fleet. The single event that changed all that, that changed him, is easily defined and described.

He'd never forgotten it entirely. Even when his memories had been altered, when he believed himself a student, he held the tragedy in his mind. He simply hadn't understood that it wasn't imagination, but terrible truth.

Now it's his turn to wish that he hadn't finished his tea so many minutes before. All he has to look at to avoid her gaze is the table between them.]

Nothing that will affect the fulfillment of my duties aboard this ship, I assure you.

[She would recognize the evasion for what it is, perhaps be all the more curious for it. In the end, however, there are parts of Rip's past he would keep to himself; not even an order would compel him to speak it.]

[mucked]

[ peggy would even hesitate to call it evasion. it's a brick bloody wall -- and it's guarding something. he's right to wonder whether it inspires some prickle of curiousity; how could it not? but peggy doesn't follow that urge. after all, this is a kitchen not an interrogation room. and she, for her part, doesn't want to invite the sort of incisive reciprocity her question might inspire in turn.

so, instead, she offers him a firm nod -- although he doesn't look at her to see it. ]

So long as you say so. [ her answer gives him rope with which to hang himself. in the end, if it does prove a liability, then she can point back to this very conversation. and yet in the interest of being at least a little fair, she adds: ] It's not like the rest of the ships roster plays well with others. Not all of them, at least.

[ whatever happens, she doubts he can be more uncooperative than max. ]

[directed]

[He does indeed say as much, and while Rip recognizes the potential pitfall he's rather not concerned. The circumstances that had led to such a drastic alteration have been forever changed, and more to the point, cannot be unchanged.

He should know, given how many times he'd tried.]

Yes, you've mentioned as much. Your pilot in particular, as I recall. [Max, although Rip has yet to run into him. It's no doubt a matter of time now.] Have you made him aware of everything you recruited me for? I'd really rather not wind up shoved off the pilot's station if he's under the impression that I'm not supposed to be there.

[Not that Rip knows if Max would, but—Peggy had described him as somewhat territorial when it came to the cargo bay. It's not impossible to think that might extend also to the bridge.]

[mucked]

It's, ah -- a work in progress.

[ she's not about to describe her plan to rip. however, her antics with the record player are a little bit vital to that mission. not only do they help dispel a great swathe of her own preoccupations, but those same antics will draw max out from his little castle. ]

He'll know before the week is out. You'll understand, I hope, my need for delicacy in telling him so. It's not the sort of thing you muddle through over breakfast.

[ a wan smile. not unironic, given what they've managed to muddle through in his conversation alone. ]

[directed]

Unlike the introductions.

[Dry commentary aside, however, Rip does understand. Moreover, making the concession puts him in a good position to request one of his own.]

Speaking of delicacy, I hope you'll understand my request that you tell no one of the true nature of my work. I'm aware that the circumstances we're under may make the effort unnecessary, but I would prefer to err on the side of caution.

[The work of a time traveler was best done in secret; too many people knowing who he is could present innumerable complications, particularly if they somehow were set free and retained memories of their time among the Fleet.]

[mucked]

I would prefer for the First Mate to be informed.

[ her wording is careful. kind, even. because it makes no demands on him but merely provides an outline for what peggy would like to see happen. very possibly, should he put his foot down, she wouldn't argue the point any further. ]

Should anything happen and he's left with the helm? I would want him to know who and what he's working with. What he can expect.

[ and perhaps her own defensiveness in telling when she's quick to explain what shouldn't need explaining. being sentimentally entangled with her second-in-command still doesn't sit right with her; she tries too hard to stress how above-board she intends it all to be. ]

But beyond him? Well -- I'm not so terrible with a secret myself.

[ her lips are otherwise sealed. ]

[directed]

[She's a fair point; Rip's already learned of the pitfalls that might overcome any of them, from glitches to seemingly spontaneous comas, and that's without considering unique scenarios present on any given system or the journey between. Yet it's easier to have told her, after a set of in-depth conversations, not to mention a new awareness of her particular profession.

He's not entirely opposed to the idea--but reluctant, for the time being.]

It's an understandable position--but I've as of yet not had as much opportunity to talk with him myself. [There is trusting the judgement he can make based on his own observations, and then believing that of someone else. Peggy is likely right, but she is also arguably biased.]

Grant me time, if you would. You're free to tell him what I told you at first in the meantime: that I was a spaceship's captain. [It had covered enough to satisfy her, so it should do the same for Steve, and would on the whole provide a plausible enough cover in regards to his background.] As I said, it may prove an unnecessary precaution entirely. I would like to determine that for myself, however.

[mucked]

[ his response is more than reasonable. and so it draws a nod -- grateful and thoughtful both. peggy's not surprised that his short time aboard the ship hasn't opened him up to more chats with steve. her first mate has been (of late) a bit of a recluse. unhappy with the results of the heist and hurting after the twins' departure, she's noticed how he's withdrawn from strangers even as little has changed between the pair of them. he still gives her his smiles; she notices how few he has remaining for others. peggy's not pressed him on the matter. not yet. perhaps not ever, given how ill-equipped she feels for those sorts of conversations. so much between peggy and steve remains unsaid.

and to that end: ]

Take all the time you need. [ within reason is implied. ] Regardless of how much I may trust Steve, I'm never keen h to tell him someone else's business.

[ -- or even her own business. at times. ]

As he's well aware.

[ which is to say that she doesn't fear any conflict or repercussion for keeping this from her partner so long as she needs to -- rip is free to cling to that secret a bit longer. what matters is that she's made her preference known. ]

[directed]

I appreciate your discretion. [Particularly because Rip knows the difficulty of keeping secrets from those he has grown fond of. Fortunately, such largely need not have been the case with Miranda, who had undergone so much of the same training as him—yet he cannot honestly say that he told her everything, nor Gideon, nor anyone else in his life, ultimately.

Such is one of the many burdens he's faced as a Time Master, former or otherwise.

Assured then that it wouldn't be an issue (at least not so long as he did make an effort to put his own concerns to bed), Rip glances back towards the stove.] If there's nothing further, Miss Carter, I should finish cleaning up. It's a bit easier if I keep up with it as I go along.

[Especially since Rip's still learning just who might wander in when.]

[mucked]

[ his appreciation garners a nod. nothing more; nothing less. discretion doesn't ask for anything beyond itself and so she offers no further comment. either he will manage to find a way to explain his situation to steve, or it will go unsaid until it needs saying. peggy prefers for her first mate to have all the details but she knows well enough that steve wouldn't begrudge the man his secrets. so if it takes a while? so be it. peggy has always been the one more likely to turn sour because of some piece of hoarded intel.

but then he goes as far as dismissing her -- from the conversation, perhaps, but not the kitchen. she won't have him thinking she'll leave just because he implies she should.

friendly enough: ] Of course. How diligent of you.

[ but thereafter she lapses into silence while she drains her tea and pours herself another cup. in the meantime? well, she's gracious enough to wash her own plate and fork. he cooked, after all. and she's not afraid to roll her sleeves up and throw her weight behind the tidying.

only then, some seven or so minutes after their conversation had officially 'ended' does she breeze out of the kitchen as easily as she'd breezed in. ]