maskormenace | (no subject)

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[ So here's a new kid on the network tonight. Trying to find an angle that lets him hide at least some of his nervousness. Or at least lets him use it to channel his best impression of a Definitely Normal Team, No Superheroics Here Honest. He mostly just looks awkward and nerdy, which is … accurate anyway, so let’s go with that. ]

Hey - um, so I’m Peter. Peter Parker. And I just got here, and -

[ He’s read through what’s left of his files, he’s read through the last couple weeks of posts just to get a feel for things. After that, he has one incredibly important question: ]

Did I seriously just barely miss out on a Death Star being here? For real? That’s not fair. Please tell me it’s coming back at some point.

[ That’s probably an objectively incorrect thing to want, but. Look. That would have made his entire life. He could die happy. For the second time. Well, the second time dying, first time dying happy. Anyway, he turns reluctantly to the list of actual serious questions he made. Not enough time to ask them all (unless he just takes in a breath and rapid fire asks all of them in thirty seconds) so he’ll just pick one for now. ]

So, school. How is that working out for people who still hafta go? And can you like … argue with it at all? Because I’m all for finishing high school, but this is my third time going into sophomore year and I’m starting to feel like that movie with the Ghostbuster being depressed in Pennsylvania.

(( OOC: Spoilers for Far From Home are likely, but I can avoid them if necessary! ))

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Yeah. They do sound like a good group of people. Which is why I'm confused about why you're meeting with them.

[ There's a little less vigor in his arguments; Beck is making progress, however slowly. ]

Peter... I told you. I'm not the same Mysterio you met before.

I don't know if there's a way to prove it...

[Besides real powers. But he doesn't want to be the one to bring that up first.]

[ Fortunately for Beck, that's where Peter's mind is going. He could try EDITH, but if this guy really is close to Peter's alternate self, then he'd know about her already, right? Right. So -- ]

Meet me at the Nonah Porter. I'm gonna figure this out in person.

[He raises his eyebrows slightly but then nods agreeably.]

Alright. I'll see you there shortly.

[ Peter snaps off the comm and just. Takes a moment to breathe. He'd done some research on the comms so he knew there were some weird people here, but this? He wasn't prepared for this. How the hell is he supposed to cope with Mysterio casually being here? And - is it possible that he's from another world? Is that really something he has to consider?

He can at least research while he's walking, here. Soon enough he's heading for Nonah Porter, comm in his hand, scrolling back through as much history as he can safely digest in thirty minutes. And waiting for Beck. ]

[Peter was an unexpected face to see too, after such a short time of being here himself. He's learned that indeed the multiverse is real and that variations of people have existed in this world, coming and going. He knows that Peter can verify that much with others so it just makes his own story all that more plausible. Plus, he had an ace up his sleeve. Peter knows that his version of Mysterio was all fake but here? Here, this Mysterio has real powers. All that he'd claimed to have had miraculously been made into actual powers. He was still figuring out the extent of them and how they all worked - the only catch he was certain of is that they were tied into the suit. So if he wanted to show off the powers or use them in any way, he had to wear that damn uncomfortable superhero get-up. Why had he made it so flashy and with so many heavy layers? He was regretting that now. But he'd have to deal with it. He was fairly certain that through some magic of the Porter that the suit combining with his tech had made this possible. It was an advancement, for sure, and a welcome one which he would figure out. The important thing was that it did indeed work, and that he could show Peter. Mysterio was real.

He arrived a little later than expected, having to make his way from De Chima and he hadn't been sure of the distance. It was his first time visiting Nonah. But he took a mental note that this must be where Peter lived. Handy to know. He soon spotted his once-teammate and gave him a little wave and a smile. He's easily fallen back into the friendly, if also a bit serious, hero persona that Peter had first met. The trusted one. He'll keep up this charade for as long as he could.]

[ Peter absolutely can verify the presence of alternate universe versions. And unfortunately for him, there's a perfectly awful example waiting for him in the archives. He only has to scroll back a year to find himself on the network, and from there it's an easy rabbit hole to track down all of his alternate self's posts, which leads him to ... this one. He's watching that video in abject horror when Beck arrives, distracted from what he came here to do for a moment. Thank Tony Stark for his help on this one; he's making your case for you.

As soon as Beck arrives, Peter fumbles to snap off the video. Pale as a sheet, trying not to freak out. He needs to focus on the person in front of him, dammit, and not - not - god, he can't even parse this right now. He looks his enemy over from top to bottom, looking for any evidence of that mocap suit he'd worn. And trying to get his spider senses to start functioning properly. If there's any illusions here, he needs to see through them. Stat.

(In other words, Beck isn't getting a wave back.) ]

Hey. You made it.

Edited 2019-08-08 11:28 (UTC)

[ ~~OMG Poor Peter.~~ Beck's gotten most of his information by word of mouth and asking people directly. He hasn't thought to scroll back through the network mostly due to being more wrapped up in his own more immediate concerns - such as testing the new powers. As for Peter's senses, everything before him is real. The proper superhero suit, which before he did wear but not all the time. It had been easier at times to illusion it over the mocap version. But this one he has to wear for what he needs to do. But there were no illusions currently here. He still had access to that tech but he shouldn't need it today. He notices Peter looks a little shaken up and there's that concerned voice.]

Yes, I'm here. Are you OK, Peter? You look like... I don't know. Like you've seen a ghost?

[He thinks that's more about him than what Peter was actually being confronted by on-screen just a moment ago.]

[ A real outfit. No illusions that he can sense. That’s more points in favor of Beck’s argument - and Peter can’t help but respond to that concern too, if only just to answer his question. Goddamn this crazy place and - and whatever the hell is going on here. ]

You were right. There are alternate versions of people here. I’ve been here before.

[ That doesn’t grant Beck an automatic pass, but it means his premise isn’t bonkers, at least. Peter is prepared to hear him out. ]

Oh? And you have no memory of being here before?

[That was interesting. Somebody had told him they knew of another Mysterio but as far as he's aware, none have been in this world.]

Of course I don’t. And - like, this guy is me? But he’s also not me.

[ Way older for starters, but a certain distinction in his features too. Brothers, not twins. ]

So he must have been from another Earth. It makes sense. Like I told you-- Well, like I told the other you. The one I met.

[ Right. Back to business. Peter takes in a deep breath, trying to pull himself back together. ]

Then prove it. Show me your powers.

Right here? Right now?

[He shows some mild surprise but he'd been halfway expecting it. It seems a logical thing to ask him to prove.]

Yeah. Right here. Or - an alleyway, whatever. But I need to see them first.

[ And if they’re illusions, he’s done. Completely done. ]

Alright.

[He shrugs.]

I just don't want to start a panic if people think I'm dealing with a threat. Although... from what I hear, people may be used to seeing this sort of thing around this place.

[He's certainly not against putting on a show, of course, but he has to at least seem a little careful and that he's acting in the public's best interests. With that in mind, he does start walking a little further along, to a street where there are no people wandering around.]

Now I hope you're paying attention.

[Is there a little smugness there? Maybe, but it's fleeting and then his face is obscured as his round helmet covers his head. A flurry of green smoke forms around his feet and he launches straight up from the ground, trailing green as if its somehow propelling him. He soars upward, burgundy cloak flapping almost elegantly in the way he turns and hovers for a moment. Drifting slowly down again until he nears Peter's level. But he's still above the ground.]

Satisfied, kid?

[Yes. He's definitely flying. No tricks or illusions there.]

[ He can see that. From the first moment Beck lifts off the ground, there’s a physical weight to him that was absent from his hologram projections. The distinction is so clear, in fact, that Peter’s ashamed he was ever fooled in the first place. All of his senses tell him that yes, that’s really Beck in the air there, no trickery involved.

He should remember that everyone gets powers here - that it’s entirely possible that his version just ended up with powers that match his alter ego - but his own powers weren’t even touched, and that means he doesn’t actually know what a new power looks like. If it would be different at all.

But most importantly... he’s a little desperate for something good to come of this alternate universe thing. After watching an alternate Tony Stark strangle an alternate version of himself... yeah. He needs a little hope right now. Even for something as obviously stupid as trusting Mysterio. He swallows thickly, watching Beck hover in front of him. ]

You’re really flying. I can tell.

[ Is that enough? The flash of vulnerability in his face says that Beck’s almost got him. He wants to believe. ]

[Tony Stark gone bad in another timeline and Quentin Beck turned completely good. Anything was possible - even if, in this case, it simply wasn't true. He was still the same Mysterio - except with powers that actually worked. He is watching Peter closely, his face still concealed in the smokey fishbowl helmet. Maybe the kid needs a little more convincing... Beck glides backwards, hands outstretched and a glow of green energy forms there; the triangular symbols with their watchful eyes and a beam of green laser-light forms into a barrier around them, much as it had when they'd fought the fire Elemental. Right before Beck's 'sacrifice'; avenging his 'family'. He's hitting all the sentimental beats right now. This energy, too, is no illusion. It vibrates with power; in this case a protective one.]

Edited 2019-08-08 14:28 (UTC)

[ Beck knows how to play Peter too well by now. He’s hurting especially bad given what he just saw on the network; the reminder of Beck’s “sacrifice” makes him flinch visibly. It would have been kinder to stab him in the heart, probably.

But it’s working. Peter reaches out shakily, feeling that protective magic. Like with the flying, the real thing is unmistakeable; all of his senses confirm that yes, this is real. ]

[Beck glides closer once more, helmet retreating. His expression is stern yet softened around the edges as his gaze meets Peter's, as if in sympathy. He's very glad he'd had a head start on Peter's arrival and managed to actually try out these powers for days beforehand to make sure he looked like he knew what he was doing. Actually being able to fly and gather this kind of energy was at once exhilarating and terrifying - although he wouldn't admit to the latter. It had taken some getting used to and he knew he had to work at it, but this display was convincing enough to sell the confident hero Mysterio that had previously only flown as a projected illusion. The moves were there. He'd only had to adapt to the extra space; the open air. He lands and with a wave of his hands the barrier transforms into smoke that soon vanishes away.]

Do you believe me now? Your special senses don't lie, do they?

[ If Beck had flubbed any of that - if he’d looked inexperienced with his powers - then the whole would have fallen apart. But all Peter sees is someone who clearly knows what he’s doing, who didn’t just get these things yesterday. It’s enough. All of this together is enough to convince him... for now.

He sort of crumples in on himself, slumping with sheer exhaustion. He doesn’t know how to feel about this. Relieved? Maybe, but deeply uncertain. He doesn’t know this Beck or what kind of relationship they had. ]

No. They don’t. I believe you.

[ A hint of an apology in his tone. ]

Hey...

[He steps closer again, offering gentle verbal support when he sees Peter slumping.]

You've been through a lot. I can tell.

We should sit down and talk properly. Work this all out. Maybe get you something to eat or drink. You look like you need it.

[ It has been a hell of a day, coming off the heels of a truly awful couple of weeks. London is still at least a week behind him, but there are subtle signs of it still on Peter. Fading bruises on his face, a painful limp in his left leg. ]

Food sounds amazing, actually. Do they have pizza in your world?

[Those words bring a soft chuckle from Beck. He can see and recognise those injuries, yet even knowing he had caused them and knowing he was doing probably the one thing Peter didn't want - continue to lie - he wants to keep Peter close again, like in the beginning. It wouldn't be wise to have turn Spider-Man against him - again. He hadn't wanted to hurt him last time, but circumstances had forced his hand. Maybe, he thinks, this time it could be different. He likes the kid, even if things could quickly so sour and he wouldn't hesitate to repeat what had wounded Peter before. Right now though? He was amiable and he smiles. It looks very natural and convincing, even with no illusions this time.]

Of course. What Earth doesn't have pizza?

I haven't been on this one very long and this is my first visit to this particular imPort city. I don't suppose you know where the best place to go for pizza is?

A really shitty one.

[ Something still feels wrong here, but that voice in the back of his head is too quiet at this point; it's being overwhelmed by the part of him that just wants something good in his life. And the thought of there being an alternate Beck who really was everything Peter wanted him to be ... it's too tempting. He's setting this trap for himself. ]

Man, I have no idea. But even bad pizza is still good pizza, honestly.

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