[ 008 ] ✪ [ Video ]

[latenightfondue]

[ Howard is at home sitting on the couch in the living room of his apartment, the device set going on the arm between him and an empty cushion, the one in between covered with several photographs that he's looking down at with a thoughtful expression. His leg is jiggling, restless without work and pumped up on too much coffee, and he hates being without anything to focus on, so the pictures are a distraction. ]

What's with the photographs? Not that they ain't fascinating, but I don't get it.

[ He spreads the photos out, none of the pictures at the right angle to be shown on the screen. ]

Got quite a collection going on here, might make one of them album things - ain't that what people do? Wonder if I could get the pages to turn themselves.

Cap, Barney, Lena, Rhodey, Eleven, Tony, Pepper, Thor - there's ones here from all'a you, if you're seeing this. Interesting, too, I've gotta say.

Comments

[latenightfondue]

[ It's okay, he's not hitting on a minor, he flirts with everyone. ]

Ginny, huh? Pretty name. [ He shrugs. ] Seems a bit odd, is all. What d'we want with a couple'a photographs?

[hexuality]

It's short for Ginevra. But no one calls me that.

[It's okay, she'll be 20 in August, she can handle it. She shrugs in return.]

And some people like the memories, you know? Or the deities want secrets to come out. The usual.

[latenightfondue]

Met a Ginevra going through Europe, but that ain't a story you wanna be hearing. Think you're better off with Ginny.

Guess the secrets keeps things interesting, huh? Gotta say I'm glad none'a mine've snuck out there.

[hexuality]

I reckon I am, too.

[And then she chuckles.]

Sorry to say it, but you never know.

[latenightfondue]

You know something, huh? [ He's teasing, throwing in an eyebrow wiggle for good measure. ] 'Cause I ain't the most popular guy in town, I would'a thought I'd hear if something slipped through the crack.

[hexuality]

I know you met a Ginevra going through Europe, but I expect that isn't a story I ought to spread around.

[She smirks.]

Don't worry. I'll keep mum.

[latenightfondue]

I gotta say this, sweetheart, but I think I like you.

[ He doesn't remember to say these things often, so despite the way he says it this is actually a compliment. He's a Stark, it's not his fault. Much. ]

It's a good thing I've spent time in your neck'a the woods otherwise that might've been a terrifying thought.

[hexuality]

[And she will gladly take it as one, judging by the way her smile broadens.]

I often have that effect on people.

[Her twin brothers really are a terrible influence on her ego.]

Did you like England, then?

[latenightfondue]

It don't surprise me. You've got a charm.

[ That's okay, Howard finds it refreshing to see in a young woman. ]

What I got to see, sure, and the ladies there are something.

[hexuality]

It's the hair.

[Grinning,]

That so? What were you doing there?

[latenightfondue]

Top secret business.

[ There's a pause, and then. ]

I work with the US military, and we were busy trying to win a war.

[hexuality]

Seems like there's a lot of that around here. War, I mean.

Did you win?

[latenightfondue]

If what I'm told's true, we won not long after I got dragged in here.

Y'got war where you're from?

[hexuality]

[Oops. Ginny doesn't tell anyone about that if she can help it, but that's such a direction question that she isn't sure how to answer it beyond honesty. Bollocks.]

Yeah.

[And she'd rather not elaborate.]

Good that you won, though. It's a relief sometimes, isn't it, knowing the future.

[latenightfondue]

Always been a step ahead in that department, we were bound to win sooner or later, and we had the best weapon on our side. It's good to know for certain, though, you got me there.

[ Giving her a look. ]

You're on the right side, there's still hope for you.

[hexuality]

[She pauses, then smiles.]

How d'you know I'm on the right side?

[The way she says it, warm and amused, rather gives away that she certainly is.]

[latenightfondue]

Y'don't got the look'a someone out for blood, not without motivate.

[ With an attempt at charm, a wink. ] And you're too pretty to be one'a the bad guys.

[hexuality]

[That gets a laugh out of her, bright and loud.]

Tell that to my brothers and they might disagree.

[latenightfondue]

These brothers'a yours, they big guys?

[hexuality]

I'm the youngest and shortest of the lot, so I'm obligated to say yes, aren't I? Besides, it's not so much size and numbers—I mean, I've got six of them.

[latenightfondue]

Six's a lot to handle. Better be on my best behaviour, then, huh?

[hexuality]

I've only got one of them here. Don't worry. Besides, can't track you down if he doesn't know your name, and he won't get it from me—seeing as I don't know it, either.

[latenightfondue]

You don't? [ He didn't mention it? He really needs to stop forgetting that part of an introduction. ] Better change that.

Name's Stark, Howard Stark.

[hexuality]

Hello, Mr Stark. I'd introduce myself, but—right, I was polite, first.

[latenightfondue]

[ Chuckling, because, well, it's true, and he kind of likes her and her sense of humour. ]

It ain't personal, doll, I gotta thing for forgetting the rules.