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 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 ]

I have a hunch Mister Jarvis would not appreciate being put into such a -- a delicate position while his employer was watching. [ she doesn't put it mildly. jarvis, she knows, tries to put on a very strong face for all of them. having to fight to maintain that face in front of both peggy and howard might be too much for the man.

and she can still remember the cracked and broken look on his face as he'd told her about howard's murder. no, if he learned about ana with howard present he might be tipped over the edge. ]

-- You're stumbling over how to say they can't have children, aren't you? I already know. That particularly nasty revelation is just about the last thing I remember before waking up here once more.

Oh. [ he keeps saying that. but what else is there to say? this is why he makes an actual effort to be scarce except when they need him, after all. apparently this isn't one of those times. so. ] I'll leave you to it then.

[ he has to laugh. it's a dull, mirthless breath of a thing. ] Thank God for that. [ bc he was really struggling. ]

He'll need you. [ ... ] Afterward.

[ simple. straight forward. ]

[ he smiles, an impossibly sad smile and not at all his usual. ] I'll be here. [ for him. he knows he has a lot of catching up to do here in that regard. ]

[ and with any luck, by then she'll have convinced steve rogers to do right by howard and tell him what needs telling. not an easy prospect, no. but better it be told by choice rather than at the atroma's whimsy. ]

He's carved himself quite the productive little existence out there in space.

[ that gets a better smile from him. ] So I keep hearing. I'm not surprised in the least.

Nor am I. [ there isn't anything false in her smile. ] Although he still finds the time to bring me supper. On occasion. Which is fabulously useful on account of I've only recently lost my ship's cook.

[ and being very brave abut it all, really. ]

Yeah... About that, Peg. I'm sorry about before. [ saying insensitive things is kind of his schtick but even so. ]

[ a short motion with her hand. it's a dismissal of sorts. ]

You've said worse. [ which is hardly forgiveness. but it's something. ]

I know. [ it's not an apology for those times like her statement isn't forgiveness, but he's aware that this isn't a new screw-up for him okay?? ] ...Also, I kind of dropped the ball on our tour. [ whoops. admittedly that's about all he knows of the ship so far. he's going to learn the rest tonight now that he's all self-conscious about it tho ]

[ so here they stand in the armoury. tour derailed, yes, but some important things said. some. there's more to it, of course. there's reams more to discuss. but perhaps this is enough, just now.

peggy clears her throat. ]

Might I suggest inviting me back up the galley for tea, Howard?

[ wow, don't make her do your job for you. what a lousy host. ]

[ oh, good idea. his expression perks up again just like that. ] An excellent idea, as always, Carter. [ he offers his elbow again, this time for the express purpose of her batting it away. with that accomplished, he leads her back around the other side of the ship and up to the kitchen. ]

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