Stark Industries, Sunday

[doyoufondue.livejournal.com]

The sign outside had been changed to something a bit more retro in the wee hours of the morning, leaving Howard only the process of organizing all of his things into something that he could work with.

Which he had been doing. Up until he found an computer electronic box in the back room that just begged to be taken apart to see what exactly it was.

Those poor, poor boxes were abandoned in the front of the store as he carefully set each part aside so he could place it back together in the right order. And he would, of course. He was a goddamn genius, after all.

[[Open, of course!]]

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[endsthegame]

Ender had no idea whether he still had a job - he'd figured he wouldn't be back in Fandom to work it again, and had left Rikku with no return-by date. It only made sense to check in with her and see if he could come back; he wasn't particularly attached to it, but it had been part of his schedule, and it had kept him busy.

He paused briefly at the changed sign. Had another Tony come back? He'd known multiple Lukes might show up during certain events, but would the island sustain multiple Tonys indefinitely--?

He walked in carefully. "Stark--?"

[doyoufondue.livejournal.com]

"In the back," Howard called, not bothering to move away from his destruction of the poor computer work.

[endsthegame]

That... didn't sound like Tony.

Ender stepped further into the store, easily navigating his way to the workshop, and... paused. "Tony Stark?"

[doyoufondue.livejournal.com]

At that, Howard did look up. And frowned as well for good measure. "Not unless you're referring to my middle name, no."

[endsthegame]

Ender's eyebrows went up.

"The wrong Stark, in other words," he said. "Sorry. I used to work for a Tony Stark the last time this place was called 'Stark Industries'."

[doyoufondue.livejournal.com]

Okay, that was more than just a tiny bit confusing. But it wasn't like Howard would let it make him lose his cool.

"Howard Stark," he said, stepping around the work top to offer him a handshake. "Who can reliably assure you that I'm the only owner this company has ever had."

[endsthegame]

Ender grasped his hand and gave it a firm shake. At eighteen, he didn't need to put in nearly as much effort to seem like an adult equal, he realised - though if this Stark was anything like the old one, that wouldn't matter either way.

"Andrew Wiggin," he said, "Longtime employee of the past two businesses that were established here, though I've been gone a few months. I had been hoping to check in with my old employer to see if I still had a job."

[doyoufondue.livejournal.com]

Howard's eyebrows went up for a moment as he glanced around for any paperwork left concerning employees. He hadn't really put too much thought into that since the war started, only assisting the military in picking the best minds for particular projects or being assigned to various positions himself.

"What sort of business did this place do, exactly?"

[endsthegame]

"Repairs for the local community," Ender answered, without hesitation. "As well as research and development."

[doyoufondue.livejournal.com]

Howard held his gaze for a moment too long for it to be strictly friendly before turning away, hand on the table as he moved around it again. "I don't think I'll be needing any research and development here," Howard assured him, smooth and calm once more. "But the rest would be swell."

[endsthegame]

There wasn't a muscle in Ender that twitched under that gaze; he didn't see why he should. "I can handle just doing repairs," he said, evenly, "If you're willing to keep me on."

[doyoufondue.livejournal.com]

"Sure, if you can explain what this is," Howard replied, waving over at the guts of the poor, poor computer. Somewhere, Tony was crying.

[endsthegame]

"That," Ender said, taking the necessary three steps to get close to the computer, "Is a personal computer." He glanced up. "This might seem like a funny question, but what year is it?"

[screwyoumarvel]

Steve had a sixth sense for Starks. Well, that and he'd been out for a run around town when he noticed the change in the sign and became suddenly...concerned. He stepped into the shop and called, a little tentatively, "Hello...?"

[doyoufondue.livejournal.com]

Howard was busy giving the so called 'motherboard' a very serious look when the new person arrived. So, instead of letting them wander back into his soon to be work room, he met them in the front.

Then paused. Because he almost seemed familiar. "What year is it?"

You know, just to confirm things.

[screwyoumarvel]

"2011," Steve supplied. "Welcome to Fandom, then," he said wryly. "You're not a Tony." The pornstache instead of a goatee gave it away.

[doyoufondue.livejournal.com]

You love the pornstache, Steve. Don't you lie.

"Howard," he confirmed like speaking to a small child. "And certain I've never employed someone named Tony Stark."

Well, mostly because he wasn't born yet.

[screwyoumarvel]

Well, that was different. "Yes, that would...that would make sense," Steve said slowly. "I'm Steve." Supplying his last name might be asking for trouble. "So what year are you coming to us from?" This was critical information.

[doyoufondue.livejournal.com]

The name did get him to look up a second time to stare at his face for a moment longer.

"One of my employees assumed it was my name," Howard said as if to explain. "Nineteen forty six."

[screwyoumarvel]

"It's a more reasonable assumption than you might think," Steve said. "We've had...a few Tony Starks around." One of whom was currently a student at the school. And an orphan. Oh boy. "So all of this must seem very new to you." He eyed the computer parts. "And exciting."

[doyoufondue.livejournal.com]

"A bit of a sink or swim, I think," Howard replied, staring still. After a moment, he shook his head and opened one of the boxes.

[screwyoumarvel]

Steve had actually met Howard Stark, but he didn't think it had been for long enough to warrant much notice. Or all the staring. "Yes, I know what you mean," he agreed. "Computers don't take up an entire room any more, they fit in your hand."

[doyoufondue.livejournal.com]

"No flying cars or space men." Ahahaha. Oh, Howard. "Looks just about the same as always other than the small things."

[screwyoumarvel]

"Not on the island, anyway," Steve agreed. "Or, well. I'm sure if you look hard enough you'll find some spacegoers around here somewhere."

[doyoufondue.livejournal.com]

Howard stared at him for a moment. "And, at the rate I'm going, I probably employ some of them."