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stickseller) wrote2015-01-25 06:24 pm
stickseller) wrote2015-01-25 06:24 pm
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eachdraidh app
( PLAYER ★ INFORMATION )
NAME: Hanne
AGE: 25
CONTACT: justinhammer @ plurk
CURRENT CHARACTERS & LATEST AC: N/A
RESERVATION LINK: http://fairyfoes.dreamwidth.org/2216.html?thread=1197480#cmt1197480
( CHARACTER ★ INFORMATION )
DOES THIS CHARACTER MEET SKELETAL BASICS?
NAME & AGE:
CANON & CANON POINT:
CANON INFORMATION:
PERSONALITY:
One of the greatest young minds of the twentieth century, Howard Stark is no stranger to being watched and talked about. It started early when he proved to be something of a maths whiz from a young age, a prodigy, really, who breezed through school and graduated from college years younger than his peers, but with a vast wealth of more information. The fact that it was caught up by the media, first local newspapers, then ones that covered the state, and soon the nation helped him become accustom to holding himself in a certain way, one that would catch the eye of those who could help him further, as without a buzz around him, it would have been unlikely that he would have managed to build Stark Industries up from the ground at as early an age as he did, around his 22nd birthday.
Because of all of this hubbub Howard Stark is a very confident man, and has been for most of his life. He was never particularly bullied for his brains, but that was because he didn’t allow himself to become bullied. He always knew that he was going places, great places, and so if anyone should try to bring him down, he would simply ignore them, and the novelty quickly wore off. Even times where it earned him a black eye, he would simply take revenge by rigging some sort of trap for them where they’d get their comeuppance, and he’d be left alone. That has translated to his adult life where he for the most part ignores anything bad said about him – they’re just jealous, after all, why should he care what they think of him? They matter not in the end, though he does value a great deal what those who are close to him think of him.
He is a firm believer in the fact that the world has yet to reach its full potential, and that there is always something better out there to be sought after. For him, he wants to do what he can to help through building and developing within the technological field. Whether it be through flying cars, back massagers or (in the future) green energy, Howard wanted to create things that would make life better.
Weapon design wasn’t something that was originally in the plans for Stark Industries, but after the outbreak of war, that too came under the umbrella providing services that would make the world better, and improve the quality of living for those who inhabited it. It was only after the attack of assassins from HYDRA, the nazi science division that his assistance even came into question, through Colonel Phillips asking him to be a part of the SSR (Strategic Science Division), and he began to design planes for them after the attack on Pearl Harbour. His work truly began, however, after the rescue of Dr. Abraham Erskine, and he began to work closely with him on the continued development of the Super Soldier Serum, and Project Rebirth. He eventually was also recruited and worked as a crucial part of the Manhattan Project, which would go on to develop the atomic bomb that many would credit brought the end to the war completely.
‘Bad babies?’
‘Inventions too dangerous for anyone. Even my friends.’
For many of the greatest minds, their greatest asset can also be their greatest downfall, and Howard Stark is no exception to that rule. His mind is one that is in constant motion, always thinking of new inventions, whether it be new items entirely, or simply (and not so simply) ways to improve on already existing items. But the problem with that is that sometimes the things his mind comes up with aren’t just ones of inherent good. Sometimes they’re darker, whether it be the back massager that turned out to be so powerful that it could break bones and cause irreparable muscle damage, or formulas for chemical compounds strong enough where just a fistful could bring down a whole block. He could try to ignore them, but as often with things ignored, they would just grow and become more prominent the less he tried to think about them, so writing them down or building them would be the only way he could be provided with some sort of relief. But he did try to keep them under wraps. If he was the only one who knew about them, they couldn’t hurt anyone, and he isn’t the type to purposefully go out of the way to harm someone, at least someone who doesn’t deserve if. Cross him, however, and he won’t hold back, and he’s not ashamed to admit that. If need be, he’ll even take matters into his own hands, as is the case with the missing bad babies. He knows that there are few other than himself he can trust when it comes to his inventions, and so he’s not about to sit idly by as others try to clear up the matter. He’s always been hands on in all aspects of his life, and that includes trying to get that which was stolen from him back, even if that means he’s making himself seem more of a fugitive by slipping away from a court ordered appearance with US congress. He knows that there isn’t time for that, considering where it all currently stands, and he’d rather deal with that after he knows they’re all secure.
The fact that people even think that he would be willing to break into his own vault and sell dangerous weapons and inventions on the sly for a little extra money offends him deeply, especially when a friend also seems to think it a believable possibility.
One of the things most people don’t expect from Howard Stark is his devotion and loyalty to his closest friends. While the public see him as something of a womaniser, and those who he considers mere acquaintances or business colleagues often see him as nothing more than a social climber, someone who only does things for his own amusement, that’s not the case. Though the number of people who would consider a friend is small, to them he is fiercely loyal, and he would fight to the ends of the earth to ensure their happiness.
Steve Rogers, Captain America, is one of the clearest displays of Howard’s loyalty to those he considers to be good people, even if he doesn’t have a lengthy or extensive relationship with them. Howard didn’t know him long, just from his creation as the Super Soldier to his “death” upon crashing the Schmidt’s plane, yet in that short time they developed a close enough relationship to where Howard was willing to take advice from the man, and listen closely to what he had to say, and to help him out where he could. He willingly, and seemingly without much question, flew him into enemy territory without ever having seen him in an actual battle, simply so he could have the chance to rescue his friend, despite likely being aware that it wasn’t something that Colonel Phillips would have agreed to, as well as knowing the dangers of flying in over one of HYDRAs key facilities.
He is later seen, despite having created at least a half dozen different types of shields for the other man to wield on the field, ones that all have unique gadgets and gizmos attached, he is willing to give up the simplest of them, despite the likelihood that its value was probably far greater than all others put together and doubled. The simple shield was, after all, made of Vibranium, the rarest metal on earth, and the shield was made of all he owned. Yet still he gives it to him to take to battle, and when Steve has ideas for his uniform, he is willing to listen to them.
But the most prominent display of his loyalty to Steve Rogers is the fact that after he crashed the plane into the Atlantic, Howard tried to search for him. It seems unlikely that he thought it would be believable that the man was still alive, so it would rather be that he wanted to be able to bring both his friend and the symbol back so he could be properly laid to rest, something worthy of the great man he was. Even after he finds the cosmic cube, he keeps looking, as if finding it is just something stumbled upon, a pleasant surprise, much as a dollar may be while searching through your pants for your house keys. (Much later, of course, we learn that Howard’s loyalty to Steve continued until his own death. His son, Tony Stark, quotes: ’This is the man my Dad never shut up about?’, and it is my assumption that the continued search for Steve is funded by money provided by Howard through some fund or trust.)
Margaret ‘Peggy’ Carter is also one he considers himself close to, going so far as to stating that there’s no one he trusts more than her, at least when it comes to the affairs of his stolen technology, though likely in many other aspects as well. Howard and Peggy have known each other since before the war, as she was essential in the extraction of Erskine from the dungeon in which Schmidt was holding him. She accompanies him and Steve when they fly in over the HYDRA factory, telling Steve that Howard is one of the best civilian pilots she’s ever seen, implying that she has flown with him before. He’s also comfortable enough to joke with her, (’How about we stop over in Switzerland for a little late night fondue?’) without expecting her to be offended by it, nor take him seriously. Their relationship is one of pure respect and friendship, pals to the end.
This section will contain spoilers from Agent Carter S01E03
But it is Howard’s relationship with Edwin Jarvis that is the most telling when it comes to showing how loyal the man can be to someone he cares for, and the lengths he’s willing to go for them. They met likely around the beginning of the outbreak of the war, either just after or just before, (I like to, for head canon, think it was just before, while it was still a whisper, but not yet confirmed.) and became fast friends. He saw a man of value, of honour, and likely of a love he couldn’t quite understand for himself, but understood was deep and unbreakable. That is why, when Jarvis was tried for treason after stealing papers and forging his General’s signature in an attempt to get Anna, the woman he loved, out of a situation that would likely have lead to her death, there was no hesitation is using who he was, and likely what he had in his pocket, to convince the case to be dropped. The sentence for high treason in the UK was hanging, after all, and trying to save the woman you loved wasn’t something that a life should be lost over. The very fact that the general had refused to sign something for someone who was so loyal to him disgusted him, as he’s a firm believer in the payment of debts, and repaying loyalty with it in return. Alas, he couldn’t get Jarvis out of the dishonourable discharge, but he was more than happy to take him on as his own personal butler. He already knew that the man was loyal, practically to a fault, and could hardly stay with his head held high in England, and so offered him the position.
Jarvis is the man who Howard trusts most, more than Peggy, more than anyone else in the world. He knows of all of Howard’s deepest and darkest inventions, and Howard entrusts him with their protection (albeit it doesn’t go well, but still.). Jarvis is also entrusted with “assisting” in his personal matters, taking care of what must be taken care of, and in return, he takes care of him. A likely handsome salary along with residence on his property, his lawyers at his disposal if anything should arise. Jarvis is his right hand man, and sometimes his left, too, and truth be told, he’d likely be a little on the lost side without him. Hell, he can’t even make a decent gin martini without his help. How is he supposed to get along in other aspects of life?
Not entirely true, but close enough. Howard is a natural flirt, and always has been. Even things that aren’t meant as flirting are often taken that way due to the natural inclination of his voice, and the smirks that so often follow his words when speaking to the opposite sex. That, paired with rumours and reputation, mean that more often than not he’ll be accused of flirting when he’s not. But on the flipside, he’s also embraced the fact that much of what he says is taken as flirting regardless, and so he throws in flirting when he can. Whether it be because he intends to go down the potential path it could lead or not, he’ll at least play with it, and the truth is that often he will go down it, and he doesn’t have any shame in that fact. He has the mentality of what’s wrong with enjoying a beautiful woman, though he’s careful to make sure that those he does wander with know that it’s just a brief journey, and nothing that’s going to last, because he’s not on the lookout for a relationship. Even if he did find someone with whom he could potentially think that sharing his life with would be a viable possibility, he knows that at the core he’ll still always prioritise work above them, and he also knows that most women wouldn’t stand for that kind of situation. So instead he holds true to the ‘playboy’ title he’s been given, courting a different woman on a bi-weekly basis. He takes great pleasure in giving them pleasure, whether it be through a lavish dinner or holiday, or in the bedroom. He gets enjoyment from them enjoying themselves.
[…]
‘Well if it puts you at ease, this isn’t one of his primary residences. He uses this more for…private entertaining.’
Howard is also a very wealthy man, and makes no apologies on this matter. He isn’t the type who will rub his money in your face, lest you cross him and give him reason to, but he has it, and he’s not ashamed of it. When money can help (see: Jarvis), he will use it, and plenty of it. He also owns at least a half dozen properties, likely more, has at least a half dozen office, likely more as well, and a yacht or two. While he didn’t set off to build his company to become rich, it’s a bi-product of it he’s more than happy to enjoy.
(I figured I would include a brief note on minor headcanon things I play out with Howard, just little details that may come up at some point.)
Alcohol While later in life it becomes apparent through the words of his son, as of current time and place, Howard Stark is not anything close to an alcoholic. He’s in his late twenties, rich and handsome, and so of course he enjoys a drink, a glass of wine with dinner, and he’s not going to turn down a good party, but he is also acutely aware of his limits and knows when to stop. In 1940 he was attacked by HYDRA assassins while under the influence of alcohol, which was why his senses weren’t as sharp as they should have been. After that, he vowed that he wouldn’t consume more alcohol than he could control without being either in his own home, or with someone he trusts to get him there. He will enjoy a drink or two still, enough to get a pleasant buzz before he switches to water, straight or tonic. He wants to keep his head clear, as was said during the war: loose lips sink ships, and he’s all too familiar with that phrase to risk putting himself in such a position. He does, however, remain aware of it should any lips give information that may be of value to him. He is also quite good and pretending to be drunker than he truly is, as it seems to put people at ease.
Cigarettes Howard smokes when in good company, as was the norm at the time, and also while stressed. He doesn’t, however, allow for smoking in the lab, and has a special room with ventilation, and also food at the Stark Industries facilities for workers so they’re not tempted to do it just anywhere.
Dancing Howard is a total hepcat, what better way to impress the ladies than being able to swing them around on the dance floor?
Appearance He takes great care and pride in his appearance, the only time you’ll find him looking dishevelled is if he’s been working on a project that is grating him. Then he’ll have hair out of place and stubble, but other than that, he’s always very neat in appearance. Shaven, hair combed and parted, his clothes always neat and in the latest fashion, even when relaxing.
Flying Planes and flight and being able to do so were his passion since he was a wee babbin, Toy planes were always his favourite as a kind, and Charles Lindbergh was his childhood hero. He would read everything he could about him, and his father even took him to see him take off for the first solo flight across the Atlantic. That made him even more obsessed and he was determined to become a pilot himself so he could repeat the journey, and started taking flying lessons as soon as he could, at age 16. He took great pleasure from the thrill it gave him, which drove him to the sport of Wing Walking as well. If it hadn’t been for his mind being needed during the war, he likely would have joined the Air Force and become a military pilot, rather than just a civilian.
Guilt Howard Stark has, in some ways, the weight of his world on his shoulders. It was never his original intention with Stark Industries for it to become a company that produced weapons, but circumstances lead it to become just that. The Manhattan Project too was never something he had intended to work on, something as big as that, it wasn’t what he wanted. He didn’t want to cause so much death in the world, but again, it was something that was caused by the circumstances. And it’s not that he regrets doing what he did, but in some ways he regrets the outcome of it, all the civilian lives that were lost, especially when it comes to the after effects of the Atomic Bomb. He knows that without it, and without him, it’s unlikely that the war would have ended when it did, but still, the lives lost of those who weren’t involved were ones that weighed heavily on his mind and shoulders. He doesn’t like blood on his hands.
COURT ALLIANCE & REASONING:
Howard is someone who believes change is almost always for the better, that the world is in need of constant development, and that if it stagnates everyone loses. You can’t dwell on the past, even if you do look back on it to help figure which way to go as you move forward. He doesn’t believe in limitations for inventing and testing things out, even if he does prefer to be able to control what he comes up with – he doesn’t want anyone telling him what to do and when or how to do it. What he does is always going to be his own choice, and he doesn’t want the government or anyone else telling him that he’s supposed to do.
While he is also a firm believer in loyalty, he doesn’t do so blindly. His loyalty must be won first, and it isn’t something that comes easily. Trust has to be earned, and it isn’t done so easily. In the end, he would rely on himself before anyone else, even his closest and most trusted friends who in all other situations he would turn to.
While he has traits that would also allow him a place at the seelie court, loyalty being the most prominent of them, I feel that in most other aspects unseelie would suit Howard best. He would thrive with people of like minds, who wish to forward the world, though it would be unlikely that he would trust them, and doubt that they would trust him, too.
ABILITIES:
• Inventor
Howard is, more than anything, at heart an inventor, both for better and worse. He has a mind that is always in motion, constantly flowing with ideas. Give him an item, and in ten minutes he can come up with at least five uses for it other than its intended purpose, and/or improvements that could be had. His genius isn’t solely technological either, it ranges from technology to advanced chemistry and most things in between and beyond.
• Engineer
From what his mind comes up with, he then likes to make the items a reality by building them. He isn’t shy about getting his hands dirty when it comes to working on something new, and he takes great pride and pleasure in tinkering, even just with small items, thoroughly enjoying taking them part and putting them back together again to discover how they work. Reverse engineering his favourite way of learning about new items, especially those of competitors. Not to steal their ideas, but simply to learn how they’ve put together whatever it is.
• Businessman
Howard established Stark Industries at the young age of 22, and quickly brought it both fame and fortune with his creative ideas. He knows how to play his cards, who to talk to and who to schmooze, and through that he was quick to build up his company until a multi-million dollar corporation.
• Pilot
Being a risk taker isn’t something that only applies to Howard’s life of business, but also to his personal, off-the-clock life. He’s an adventurer, always the one to try new things, and flying a plane was a natural choice. The fact that he was quite good at it just came in very handy.
INVENTORY:
1 pair light brown slacks
1 dark brown v-neck sweater
1 burgundy tie
1 hollywood jacket
1 pair Aviator sunglasses
1 Rolex Oyster watch, black
1 Mont Blanc Meisterstück Diamond Classique Fountain Pen
1 Silver cigarette case with 16 cigarettes, monogrammed with HWAS
1 Silver lighter, monogrammed with HWAS
2 Moleskin journals, black, unlined, 1 with notes, 1 blank
( WRITING ★ SAMPLES )
NETWORK SAMPLE:
It was technology that was still years away from where he was, he had only recently managed to install a telephone in his car (and promptly sold the idea for a handsome profit), but even it had been quite an ordeal, there were a dozen wires, it needed a long and thick antennae to work, and if you weren’t careful it could drain your battery in a heartbeat if you weren’t careful, but it was technology that he felt had promise. Adding the ability to view the person on the other end of the line was something he hadn’t even thought about trying, let alone making it so small and portable. He was intrigued by it, though, a fascinating idea (one he wished he had been the one to come up with), and he didn’t hide his impression. He didn’t dare attempt to pop it open, however, lest he not be able to put it back together. While the faeries had been kind to him thus far, he wasn’t sure how well they’d take to him breaking one of the gifts that he had been given.
For the time being he would leave it as such, but eventually he might ask if someone knew just how they worked. Just for the sake of curiosity.)
So I take it this place doesn’t take too kindly to technology of any kind, huh? Even one as simple as a battery. (He raises his wrist to show the watch on his arm, it had stopped when he had arrived, and though it was currently useless, he couldn’t take it off. He was too used to wearing it and would feel naked without it.) Is there anywhere around here where they sell watches you wind? Or parts so I can convert this one?
(There’s a pause, he takes his hand down again and shrugs his shoulders lightly.)
Anyway. Good morning. My name is Howard Stark, and back home I was an inventor of sorts, so I’m not entirely sure why they’ve brought me here, unless it’s to update this place somehow. My company’s goal was to build a better and brighter tomorrow, and it looks like this place could use a bit of that. It’ll be like going back in time with what I have to work with, but I’m sure I can manage if that’s what’s wanted.
So, tell me a little bit about yourself, mysterious person on the other side of the magical locket. What makes you special?
Unseelie Locked
Who’s in charge of your weapons division? Back home, right before I was brought here, we had a war that ended, and I worked in weapons on the winning side. I can’t imagine that’s a coincidence.
LOG SAMPLE:
Swagger? Check. Doing what he wants? Check. Sneaking out? Check. Good job, Howard.