diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-go/buildstep/pull.go b/modules/mesh-build-go/buildstep/pull.go
index 7f55b158c..b811bb897 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-go/buildstep/pull.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-go/buildstep/pull.go
@@ -84,6 +84,10 @@ type Puller struct {
 	// deleted when the ask is refused at pull, and the start sweeps the keys of asks the stream no longer holds (Drop).
 	ForgetPause func(key string) error
 	PauseKeys   func() ([]string, error)
+	// WatchPauses follows the keys of the pauses state that key names (`**` for the rest): stdio.State(...).Watch in a module. The
+	// state is the module's, shared by every node that holds the seat, so a drop another node's holder wrote reaches the node
+	// that runs the ask (Drop).
+	WatchPauses func(key string, handle func(stdio.StateChange) error) error
 	// WatchConfig, when set, follows the module's config value `capacity` (CapacitySetting) as mesh-config resolves it
 	// for this node, and wakes the puller on each change (watchCapacity): WatchConfigServed in a module, a test's own
 	// double. Until it hands a value the puller judges by Capacity.
@@ -438,6 +442,7 @@ func (p *Puller) Pull(ctx context.Context) error {
 		p.logf("the pause of %s cannot be read: %v; pulling as not paused", p.Node, err)
 	}
 	p.sweepDropped()
+	p.watchDrops()
 	p.follow() // WatchConfigServed waits for Serve, which a module starts after its pull
 	go p.watchSettings(ctx)
 	wait := p.PullWait
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-go/buildstep/pull_drop.go b/modules/mesh-build-go/buildstep/pull_drop.go
index 0e6061a0b..b664802e6 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-go/buildstep/pull_drop.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-go/buildstep/pull_drop.go
@@ -10,12 +10,16 @@ import (
 
 	buildrun "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk/buildrun"
 	sdkstep "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-delivery/sdk/buildstep"
+	stdio "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go"
 )
 
 // **The seat's verb drop ends an ask its caller no longer waits for** (novox/hq ADR 0664 §5, issue 1748; research 086
 // choice 28's cancel). It writes the ask in this node's own pauses state under dropped.<ask id> (the part build-step), so a
 // holder that restarts still refuses the ask when the bus gives it again, and ends the step if it runs here: the step's
-// context is cancelled, its process ended, and its key is written refused naming who dropped it and why.
+// context is cancelled, its process ended, and its key is written refused naming who dropped it and why. The state is the
+// module's, shared by every node: any holder answers the verb, every node refuses the ask when it pulls it (an ask that
+// waits leaves the stream at its next pull, with no work done), and the node that runs it hears the key by its watch
+// (watchDrops) and ends the step.
 
 // DroppedKeep is how long a dropped ask's key stays: the start deletes older ones. An ask the seat's stream still holds is
 // younger than its stream's maximum age, which no contract this module reads states, so the bound is a generous week.
@@ -79,6 +83,35 @@ func (p *Puller) Drop(id, by, why string) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// watchDrops follows the drops written in the pauses state, by any holder of the seat: one for an ask that runs here ends its
+// step. An ask that waits is refused when it is pulled (take), on whichever node pulls it. A watch that cannot start is said;
+// the pull then refuses a dropped ask but cannot end a running one.
+func (p *Puller) watchDrops() {
+	if p.WatchPauses == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	err := p.WatchPauses(sdkstep.DroppedPrefix+"**", func(ch stdio.StateChange) error {
+		id, ok := strings.CutPrefix(ch.Key, sdkstep.DroppedPrefix)
+		if !ok || ch.Op != "put" {
+			return nil
+		}
+		var d sdkstep.Drop
+		if json.Unmarshal(ch.Value, &d) != nil {
+			return nil
+		}
+		p.mu.Lock()
+		cancel := p.cancels[id]
+		p.mu.Unlock()
+		if cancel != nil {
+			cancel(&droppedError{by: d.By, why: d.Why})
+		}
+		return nil
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		p.logf("the drops in the pauses of %s cannot be followed: %v; a dropped ask that runs here is not ended", p.Node, err)
+	}
+}
+
 // droppedAsk is the drop kept for the ask, nil for none (or no state to read it from).
 func (p *Puller) droppedAsk(id string) *sdkstep.Drop {
 	if p.Load == nil {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-go/buildstep/pull_seat_test.go b/modules/mesh-build-go/buildstep/pull_seat_test.go
index 4500d22a7..6a59c264b 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-go/buildstep/pull_seat_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-go/buildstep/pull_seat_test.go
@@ -89,8 +89,10 @@ func TestADroppedAskIsRefusedAtPullAndARunningOneIsEnded(t *testing.T) {
 		a := testAsk(sdkstep.AskDelivery)
 		started := make(chan struct{})
 		ran := false
+		var heard func(stdio.StateChange) error
 		p := &Puller{Source: src, Language: sdkstep.AskGo, Node: "shanks", Put: st.put, PausePut: kv.put, Load: kv.load, ForgetPause: kv.forget, PauseKeys: kv.keys,
-			Capacity: func() int { return 1 }, PullWait: 10 * time.Millisecond,
+			WatchPauses: func(_ string, h func(stdio.StateChange) error) error { heard = h; return nil },
+			Capacity:    func() int { return 1 }, PullWait: 10 * time.Millisecond,
 			Run: func(ctx context.Context, _ sdkstep.StepAsk) (any, error) {
 				ran = true
 				close(started)
@@ -107,7 +109,10 @@ func TestADroppedAskIsRefusedAtPullAndARunningOneIsEnded(t *testing.T) {
 		go p.Pull(ctx)
 		if running {
 			<-started
-			if err := p.Drop(a.ID, "mesh-delivery-builder", "superseded"); err != nil {
+			// Another node's holder served the verb: its write reaches this node by the watch of the shared pauses state.
+			raw, _ := json.Marshal(sdkstep.Drop{V: sdkstep.Version, By: "mesh-delivery-builder", Why: "superseded", At: time.Now()})
+			kv.put(sdkstep.DropKey(a.ID), json.RawMessage(raw))
+			if err := heard(stdio.StateChange{Key: sdkstep.DropKey(a.ID), Op: "put", Value: raw}); err != nil {
 				t.Fatal(err)
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/asks.go b/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/asks.go
index 2f2654ef2..415f217bf 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/asks.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/asks.go
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ func (m *Module) Puller(steps []StepTool, source buildstep.AskSource) *buildstep
 			return raw, err
 		}
 	}
-	return &buildstep.Puller{Source: source, Language: sdkstep.AskGo, Node: m.Node, Put: m.Steps, PausePut: m.Pauses, Load: load, ForgetPause: m.ForgetPause, PauseKeys: m.ReadPauses.Keys,
+	return &buildstep.Puller{Source: source, Language: sdkstep.AskGo, Node: m.Node, Put: m.Steps, PausePut: m.Pauses, Load: load, ForgetPause: m.ForgetPause, WatchPauses: m.WatchPauses, PauseKeys: m.ReadPauses.Keys,
 		Capacity: capacity, SettingsFile: settings, WatchConfig: watch, CoresPerStep: cores, BuildHours: hours, Logf: m.Say, Has: m.Has,
 		Run: func(ctx context.Context, a sdkstep.StepAsk) (any, error) {
 			if err := m.Check(ctx); err != nil {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/asks_test.go b/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/asks_test.go
index 7479b8015..c866703c9 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/asks_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/asks_test.go
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ func mustJSON(v any) []byte { b, _ := json.Marshal(v); return b }
 // the node's build capacity as a setting, with the builder's default; the seat's verbs are served as its tools.
 func TestManifestClaimsTheGoBuildSeatAndReadsItsCapacity(t *testing.T) {
 	m := readManifest(t)
-	if len(m.Claims) != 1 || m.Claims[0].Name != Seat || !slices.Equal(m.Claims[0].Serves, []string{"current", "pause", "resume"}) {
+	if len(m.Claims) != 1 || m.Claims[0].Name != Seat || !slices.Equal(m.Claims[0].Serves, []string{"current", "drop", "pause", "resume"}) {
 		t.Fatalf("claims = %+v", m.Claims)
 	}
 	if !slices.Contains(m.Reads, KeptState) {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/module.go b/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/module.go
index 9b2eae2aa..5fc8f74a2 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/module.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-go/cmd/mesh-build-go/module.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
+	stdio "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go"
 	"net/http"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
@@ -37,6 +38,8 @@ type Module struct {
 	ReadPauses StateRead
 	// ForgetPause deletes one key of the pauses state: a dropped ask's, once it is refused (the seat's verb drop).
 	ForgetPause func(key string) error
+	// WatchPauses follows the drops other holders write in the shared pauses state (stdio.State(...).Watch).
+	WatchPauses func(key string, handle func(stdio.StateChange) error) error
 	// Emit tells the bus an event (stdio.Emit); nil emits nothing. The guard emits toolchain.reported after each write of
 	// the toolchains key, so the indexer, which holds no timer, learns that the bucket exists (issue 1444).
 	Emit func(eventType string, body any) error
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-go/module.json b/modules/mesh-build-go/module.json
index d630360ce..b337cd644 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-go/module.json
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-go/module.json
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
   "runs-as": "mesh-build-go",
   "capabilities": [
     "package-manager",
+    "seat-settle-delay",
     "user-namespaces"
   ],
   "state": [
@@ -20,7 +21,7 @@
     {
       "name": "node-build-go",
       "scope": "node",
-      "serves": ["current", "pause", "resume"]
+      "serves": ["current", "drop", "pause", "resume"]
     }
   ],
   "consumes": [
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/asks.go b/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/asks.go
index 37c0e7fa2..015c25ab1 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/asks.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/asks.go
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ func (m *Module) Puller(steps []StepTool, source buildstep.AskSource) *buildstep
 	if m.ReadPauses.Get != nil {
 		load = func(key string) ([]byte, error) { return m.ReadPauses.Get(key) }
 	}
-	return &buildstep.Puller{Source: source, Language: sdkstep.AskImage, Node: m.Node, Put: m.Steps, PausePut: m.Pauses, Load: load, ForgetPause: m.ForgetPause, PauseKeys: m.ReadPauses.Keys,
+	return &buildstep.Puller{Source: source, Language: sdkstep.AskImage, Node: m.Node, Put: m.Steps, PausePut: m.Pauses, Load: load, ForgetPause: m.ForgetPause, WatchPauses: m.WatchPauses, PauseKeys: m.ReadPauses.Keys,
 		Capacity: capacity, SettingsFile: settings, WatchConfig: watch, CoresPerStep: cores, BuildHours: hours, Eligible: m.Eligible, Logf: m.Say,
 		Run: func(ctx context.Context, a sdkstep.StepAsk) (any, error) {
 			if err := m.Check(ctx); err != nil {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/main.go b/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/main.go
index efe965d29..82be8871b 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/main.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/main.go
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ func main() {
 		Pauses:      stdio.State(sdkstep.PausesState).Put,
 		ReadPauses:  readOf(stdio.State(sdkstep.PausesState)),
 		ForgetPause: stdio.State(sdkstep.PausesState).Delete,
+		WatchPauses: stdio.State(sdkstep.PausesState).Watch,
 		Ctx:         ctx,
 		Say:         logf,
 		Work:        WorkDir,
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/manifest_test.go b/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/manifest_test.go
index 548339b6e..f3c2cd6e2 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/manifest_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/manifest_test.go
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ func TestManifestDeclaresTheAccountTheCapabilityAndThePackages(t *testing.T) {
 	if home["type"] != "directory" || home["mode"] != "0700" || home["owner"] != "mesh-build-image" || home["place"] != "." {
 		t.Errorf("home = %v, want its directory at mode 0700 owned by the account", home)
 	}
-	for _, c := range []string{"user-namespaces", "package-manager"} {
+	for _, c := range []string{"user-namespaces", "package-manager", "seat-settle-delay"} {
 		if !slices.Contains(m.Capabilities, c) {
 			t.Errorf("capabilities = %v, want %s", m.Capabilities, c)
 		}
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ func TestManifestKeepsItsStatesClaimsItsBuildSeatAndDeclaresItsHealthTool(t *tes
 	if want := []string{"keys", MirrorWaitsState, "pauses", "steps"}; !slices.Equal(states, want) {
 		t.Errorf("state = %v, want %v", states, want)
 	}
-	if len(m.Claims) != 1 || m.Claims[0].Name != Seat || !slices.Equal(m.Claims[0].Serves, []string{"current", "pause", "resume"}) {
+	if len(m.Claims) != 1 || m.Claims[0].Name != Seat || !slices.Equal(m.Claims[0].Serves, []string{"current", "drop", "pause", "resume"}) {
 		t.Errorf("claims = %v, want the seat %s alone", m.Claims, Seat)
 	}
 	raw, _ := os.ReadFile(filepath.Join(moduleDir, "module.json"))
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/module.go b/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/module.go
index 5f77f5578..73558e4e1 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/module.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-image/cmd/mesh-build-image/module.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	stdio "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
@@ -32,6 +33,8 @@ type Module struct {
 	ReadPauses StateRead
 	// ForgetPause deletes one key of the pauses state: a dropped ask's, once it is refused (the seat's verb drop).
 	ForgetPause func(key string) error
+	// WatchPauses follows the drops other holders write in the shared pauses state (stdio.State(...).Watch).
+	WatchPauses func(key string, handle func(stdio.StateChange) error) error
 	// Ctx is the process's context, which a step runs under (the tool call's is cut at 30 s, the step's is not).
 	Ctx context.Context
 	Say func(format string, a ...any)
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-image/module.json b/modules/mesh-build-image/module.json
index fa94ba713..ac256f530 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-image/module.json
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-image/module.json
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
   "runs-as": "mesh-build-image",
   "capabilities": [
     "package-manager",
+    "seat-settle-delay",
     "user-namespaces"
   ],
   "state": [
@@ -20,7 +21,7 @@
     {
       "name": "node-build-image",
       "scope": "node",
-      "serves": ["current", "pause", "resume"]
+      "serves": ["current", "drop", "pause", "resume"]
     }
   ],
   "config": {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/asks.go b/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/asks.go
index 4c02dbcc5..93147db9a 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/asks.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/asks.go
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ func (m *Module) Puller(steps []StepTool, source buildstep.AskSource) *buildstep
 	if m.ReadPauses.Get != nil {
 		load = func(key string) ([]byte, error) { return m.ReadPauses.Get(key) }
 	}
-	return &buildstep.Puller{Source: source, Language: sdkstep.AskNode, Node: m.Node, Put: m.Steps, PausePut: m.Pauses, Load: load, ForgetPause: m.ForgetPause, PauseKeys: m.ReadPauses.Keys,
+	return &buildstep.Puller{Source: source, Language: sdkstep.AskNode, Node: m.Node, Put: m.Steps, PausePut: m.Pauses, Load: load, ForgetPause: m.ForgetPause, WatchPauses: m.WatchPauses, PauseKeys: m.ReadPauses.Keys,
 		Capacity: capacity, SettingsFile: settings, WatchConfig: watch, CoresPerStep: cores, BuildHours: hours, Logf: m.Say,
 		Run: func(ctx context.Context, a sdkstep.StepAsk) (any, error) {
 			if err := m.Prepare(ctx); err != nil {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/manifest_test.go b/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/manifest_test.go
index 71d61a1b1..06b8939d9 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/manifest_test.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/manifest_test.go
@@ -65,6 +65,11 @@ func TestManifestDeclaresTheAccountTheCapabilityAndThePackages(t *testing.T) {
 	if home["type"] != "directory" || home["mode"] != "0700" || home["owner"] != "mesh-build-node" || home["place"] != "." {
 		t.Errorf("home = %v, want its directory at mode 0700 owned by the account", home)
 	}
+	// ADR 0664 §1 (issue 1748): the delay a step given again waits is the tool runner's capability; the want waits on a node whose
+	// runner does not state it.
+	if !slices.Contains(m.Capabilities, "seat-settle-delay") {
+		t.Errorf("capabilities = %v, want seat-settle-delay", m.Capabilities)
+	}
 	if !slices.Contains(m.Capabilities, "user-namespaces") {
 		t.Errorf("capabilities = %v, want user-namespaces", m.Capabilities)
 	}
@@ -112,7 +117,7 @@ func TestManifestKeepsItsStatesClaimsItsBuildSeatAndDeclaresItsHealthTool(t *tes
 	if want := []string{"keys", "pauses", "steps", "toolchains"}; !slices.Equal(states, want) {
 		t.Errorf("state = %v, want %v", states, want)
 	}
-	if len(m.Claims) != 1 || m.Claims[0].Name != Seat || !slices.Equal(m.Claims[0].Serves, []string{"current", "pause", "resume"}) {
+	if len(m.Claims) != 1 || m.Claims[0].Name != Seat || !slices.Equal(m.Claims[0].Serves, []string{"current", "drop", "pause", "resume"}) {
 		t.Errorf("claims = %v, want the seat %s alone", m.Claims, Seat)
 	}
 	if !slices.Contains(m.Tools, HealthTool) {
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/module.go b/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/module.go
index c3828902c..a98ca9209 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/module.go
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-node/cmd/mesh-build-node/module.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package main
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	stdio "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go"
 	"net/http"
 	"os"
 	"sync"
@@ -51,6 +52,8 @@ type Module struct {
 	ReadPauses StateRead
 	// ForgetPause deletes one key of the pauses state: a dropped ask's, once it is refused (the seat's verb drop).
 	ForgetPause func(key string) error
+	// WatchPauses follows the drops other holders write in the shared pauses state (stdio.State(...).Watch).
+	WatchPauses func(key string, handle func(stdio.StateChange) error) error
 	// Emit tells the bus an event (stdio.Emit); nil emits nothing. The guard emits toolchain.reported after each write of
 	// the toolchains key, so the indexer, which holds no timer, learns that the bucket exists (issue 1444).
 	Emit func(eventType string, body any) error
diff --git a/modules/mesh-build-node/module.json b/modules/mesh-build-node/module.json
index 9d48c9104..0e84060bf 100644
--- a/modules/mesh-build-node/module.json
+++ b/modules/mesh-build-node/module.json
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
   "runs-as": "mesh-build-node",
   "capabilities": [
     "package-manager",
+    "seat-settle-delay",
     "user-namespaces"
   ],
   "state": [
@@ -20,7 +21,7 @@
     {
       "name": "node-build-node",
       "scope": "node",
-      "serves": ["current", "pause", "resume"]
+      "serves": ["current", "drop", "pause", "resume"]
     }
   ],
   "config": {