maskormenace | (no subject)

[ 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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[ For the first time in this conversation, that earns Peter a smug, pleased smirk. ]

Sometimes the Porter gets things right.

Though being to crawl up buildings probably isn't so bad, given the right context.

It'd make you a hell of a firefighter.

[ Ah, well. He's had to take on firefighting duties a few times as Spider-Man. Those were some pretty depressing nights. He keeps his expression light though. ]

Look, I'm just happy to have any powers at all. I've been idolizing superheroes since I was seven and Tony Stark saved me from a killer robot.

[ That makes him pause, an eyebrow raise. ]

No shit? You're from his universe?

Didn't really know him well but apparently he kind of left a mess and a half when he ported out, recently.

Saving a kid from a killer robot is a pretty good turn, though. So I can get that.

[ Wait. Wait. Peter abruptly looks stricken? He tries to mute that reaction, but given everything that's happened he can't erase it completely. Hope - grief - both. ]

Tony Stark was here? Alive?

Uh... [ Huh. That he didn't actually know. ]

I mean, he was alive here but that doesn't mean much. Plenty of people get ported in from after their deaths, so... Can't give you confirmation on that.

[ He feels a little guilty for talking about the guy's death so casually, considering that expression on Peter's face, and he grimaces. ]

Sorry.

But yeah. He was here for years. One of the longest running imPorts, if I recall correctly. Had a huge company and everything.

[ He's not sure if that makes it better or worse. The fact that Tony was here, alive, that he could have been here after his death, and that he'd been here years as well - and Peter just barely missed him, apparently.

Focus. Poe said something else that he has to ask about, or else risk history repeating here too. ]

You - you said he made a mess when he left? What happened? Who has his tech?

Not sure. I've heard some rumours, but I don't know how true they are.

What I do know is that he basically set a dead man's switch on all his assets. Whole company folded up after he ported out. Wish I could tell you where his tech went, but I don't have that info.

Jacob might know? He tends to have a better idea than anyone else.

Jacob. Okay, I can probably track him down.

[ Deep breaths, Peter. Maybe Tony Stark was responsible and made sure that no one got anything stupidly dangerous. Like, say, a teenager randomly being given the keys to an orbital defense platform. ]

Sorry. I just - I was close to him back home.

Jacob Taylor. If you search through your comm registry, you should be able to send him a private message. Or you can send something to him through Aegis.

[ He lets out a breath and gives Peter a sympathetic look. ]

... I'm sorry.

The Porter kind of has a hell of a history, for doing that to people.

But maybe he'll come back.

[ Does he want Tony to come back? Of course he does. Is he ready? Hell no. Maybe it's for the best that he's hearing that Tony was here but isn't here any more. Safely dead, still, but with the hope that he's alive...

Peter blinks, surprised to see a few traitorous tears escaping from his eyes. He hastily swipes at his face. ]

I - yeah. I'd really like that.

[ Ah, this poor kid. Even though from everything he knew about Tony, he's pretty sure the guy was a dick, it's hard to not feel bad for Peter anyway.

But he decides not to draw attention to the tears. Probably doesn't need it pointed out. ]

I'll let him know, if I hear about him coming back. Promise.

[ Tony was kind of a dick in Peter's world too, just. Well. Less so. Mostly. Anyway.

He swipes at his face a few more times, grateful not to have them called out. ]

Thanks, man. I really appreciate it.

[ A pause. ]

And - I wanna help clean up his mess too. If that's possible.

Don't mention it.

Well- that I'm not even sure how to go about, but no one's going to turn down help. I'm sure Jacob can figure out a way for you to do that.

I'll ask him then. Thanks.

Good luck.