driftfleet | 001 } Can't keep my eyes from circling skies.

Entry tags:

001 } Can't keep my eyes from circling skies.

Who: Howard Stark & You
Broadcast: Network
Action: SS Bishop (cockpit)
When: Right meow!

( OPEN BROADCAST )

[ howard has been here a few days, enough to suss out that something has happened. it's caused a bit of disquiet among his crewmembers already since apparently their captain died or something?! whatever. he's finding it disturbingly easy to fall back into this role. peggy told him how long it's been and who else is among them, but in usual peggy fashion: not much else. it's left him bereft and even a bit listless which is very uncharacteristic indeed.

he sets his communicator on the control panel so he can record as he flies. as a result, the feed is much more low-key and features a cool, collected version of howard those who know him might not expect. howard nods his head once to show that he is in fact recording on purpose. ] I hope my Huntress is in good hands. Though I guess... she isn't mine anymore. Forgive me, I'm usually not so bittersweet when saying goodbye to a lady friend. [ something of a wan look shadows his gaze, but it's quick, just a glimmer really. ]

Howard Stark. Ace inventor, innovator, pilot, and now director. [ a bit of a lopsided grin begins to spread across his lips, his mustache twitching with the movement. ] I'm also usually pretty charming if you can believe it. I would say you all missed me, it's been so long, but the turnover in this place is something else.

[ he hesitates over this next part, but he needs the intel. he knows questions will follow, but right now he doesn't care. later he'll be annoyed with himself, naturally. ] And if any of you used to know a Tony Stark or are holding his research... get in touch. [ tightly: ] Please.

( ENCRYPTED TO EDWIN JARVIS )

Hi-de-ho, old pal. [ a warm smile is reserved for his closest friend, even if he doesn't always treat him that way. or most of the time. whoops. ]

( ACTION SHENANIGANS )

Howard has been more-or-less just going through the motions since being assigned to the Bishop. He was actually a bit releaved to be off the Marsiva and have something to occupy his time with, truthfully. But with their captain MIA and everything more than slightly hectic, he's thrown himself into the work full on. He can really only be found in the cockpit or in his quarters for maybe two hours a night/morning. Even trips to the galley are extremely short-lived and involve toting snacks to the pilot's seat. With that said, he will be outspoken when matters of the ship come up that the captain would usually handle. It's easy for him to become attached and though he doesn't know these people yet, he feels responsible for them.

He hates responsibility.

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[ he would reluctantly come running, but honestly... he grows all too attached to these things far too quickly. he was scarcely here before and he already considers the huntress something he's abandoned. and he wasn't even the sole pilot on that ship, but third chair. it feels good to have something of his own, even separate from those he holds dearest. and as always, he assumes he should keep distance of some sort for their sake as if he's somehow lethal in heavy doses. ]

This is my favorite room. [ unsurprisingly. all the knobs and turny buttons. !! he shoots her an offended look he knows two whole names so far -- be impressed. ] Our engineer is pidge. [ he's like 85% sure she's a girl. it's hard to tell okay, thus why he leaves off the gender. ] And the lawyer fella is... Matt. He's from Hell's Kitchen. [ take that peg!!!!!!!1 ]

Matt.

[ from hell's kitchen. now, things are getting suspicious indeed. peggy tugs on an ear; she performs casual and innocent. ]

Did you catch a surname?

[ he only remembers bc it sounded like a villain's name TBH and also it's on the guy's door. ] Murdock.

You know him?

If he's who I've got in mind, then he was here once before.

[ she taps her temple, as though indicating her eyes. ]

Blind, isn't he?

[ he nods ] ...Yeah. You're scaring me.

I didn't realize he was once again among us. [ good to know. peggy's steps slow -- she sets her attention more firmly onto howard. ] I never knew him well when he was here last. But he seemed a decent sort.

You had me thinking we had another Whitney Frost on our hands for a minute. Don't do that. [ he holds a hand over his heart like it's racing. ] I thought he seemed... decent myself, but you were always a better judge of character than me by a fair shot.

[ there's that damn self-awareness thing creeping up again. he turns towards the cargo hold and promptly screams like a girl when he sees the giant monster head staring back at him. ]

[ if her heart-rate leaps, it's only in reaction to howard's screech. the sight itself is new but not so odd after years in the fleet. even so, she clutches first at her chest and second at her compatriot's elbow. ]

The lungs on you, man. [ a huff; a curse. she hauls him backward. ] What the dickens is that? I thought you said you knew this ship.

I mean... sure, I know it. In a... I haven't checked the cargo hold yet kind of a way.

Cutting corners. [ tut! tut! ] I'm disappointed.

[ she's also still trying to catch her breath. although the next wheeze might be one of laughter. ]

[ he laughs too now that he's calmed down again. but wow that thing is gruesome. he steps out of her grip to get a closer look. ] Think I should stuff him and mount him?

-- What you're really asking is whether I think you should have Jarvis do it. [ a curl of her lip. ] And therefore the answer is a resounding no.

[ he relents that point and shakes his head, leaving their buddy behind for the moment. onto something he thinks she'll appreciate. the armory. ]

Admit it, my ship is sexy.

I'm captain of mine. [ a small smile. god, he takes to it like a duck to water doesn't he? certain and buoyant with bravado. if only she didn't know in her heart how much of a front it all was. ] And so my affections will always turn that way. Sorry, Howard.

But we have shiny weapons. Take a look. [ he takes a spin around the room himself, it is pretty neat. he pictures maybe sparring with her here one day -- and totally getting his butt handed to him even in a demo. it's still a nice thought. ] If I wanted to be captain, I could be captain.

I'm already at my cap cap if you catch my drift.

[ god help her, she humours him. ] Oh, yes. They're terribly shiny. That's what I always look for in a pistol: its gleam.

[ but she peruses the collection (because why shouldn't she?) and only eventually turns back to face howard. ]

But -- Howard. There is something we ought to discuss.

[ he's glad to be humored even if it's only for a moment. he visibly stiffens when she rounds on him. ]

May as well do it now, then. [ sound more excited about it!!! actually, hurry before he starts sweating. ]

[ -- it's not as bad as all of that. although she supposes it might be. peggy scrubs a hand along her cheek, thinking of how best to ask the obvious. ]

...Are you still in Peru?

[ for some reason he wasn't expecting questions about home -- though he should have. ] Of course you don't remember... [ but he trails off, a hand darting up to rub at a temple in frustration. not with her, but just this whole big headache before them. ]

Have you gone back at all since the last time I was here?

I'll take that as a no.

[ no longer in peru. peggy huffs a breath. she knows she needs must tread carefully, here. ]

Last month I remembered a few new things -- just a few days, really. We put that gamma cannon of yours to use. Samberly built it. Somehow. [ she waits. she won't mention ana until she's certain howard knows. ]

Of course not. You think I'd abandon you two in your time of most need? [ well... yes, he might actually. but still. he crosses his arms across his chest. ] I returned just in the nick of time, as per usual.

[ he nods about samberly and the rest. ] You never know when you might need a gamma cannon, I always say.

You're further along than I am.

[ a verdict. a nod. she doesn't rush in to ask for details. because... ]

More importantly, you're further along than Jarvis. [ peggy wets her lips. she saws a hand through the air. ] Howard, I haven't told him. Not yet. Not about...what happened to his wife.

...Oh. [ fear fills his gaze as he stares back at her. ] What should we do? [ he just cuts through the pretense and volleys it back to peggy -- he sure as hell doesn't know the right move here. but nor is he 100% confident in his ability to keep a secret of this magnitude from the other man. so here it is back to WWMCD ]

We should wait and let me find a good time to drop that particular bombshell, I think. [ which makes her look queasy for a number of reasons. ] Not that there's ever a good time.

[ there's alarm and concern in peggy's eyes. only now does she reach for howard's elbow. ] How's Ana doing?

You want... I mean. Don't you think I should be there? [ or not??? is this something he's screw up :( he's making faces over here, very conflicted. ]

What? Oh! She's just fine, Peg. She's going to be... just fine. [ howard swallows. how to say this next part... ] She just... That is to say-- I mean. She and Jarvis, they. [ um!!!??!? help ]

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