Video: 002

[hatestrashcans]

[ Marco's sitting on his bed in his room in cross-legged style because he's short enough that his feet don't reach the floor if he sits with his legs out. ]

So are we going to do anything about the park monster? It's really ruining my commute: I'll be flying out to get pizza or a burger or something and BAM I get a bird eyeful of that thing and my entire appetite just flies out the window. And dropping random stuff on it is only fun the first 20 times. And the bath bombs did not help it smell better.

Other question: Who here is good at math? I was going to say 'is there anyone here who's good at math' but come on, you're all geniuses so that's a stupid question. Namely statistical analysis of large datasets.

Private to Thor (but viewable by Peter Parker:)

Hi, Thor, so you either don't or barely know of me. I'm Marco and I'm a friend of Peter's. There's nobody from my timeline here and I was wondering if you'd be my legal guardian? Honestly, I just think you're really cool and I just... feel weird being all alone here?

[ See, it's not that hard, Parker. Also, sorry Thor, you've gotten dragged into teenage bickering. Also Marco manages to say the above with an entirely straight face. ]

Private to Quentin Beck:

Hey. Asshole. Stop manipulating my friend.

Comments

[Private]

[helpdesk_hero]

Raise your hand if you're surprised that I can handle statistical analysis of large datasets.

It should be a nice relaxation project to work on between tutoring session and when I'm settling down to sleep.

[And the video of David has him with a completely straight face. He's not even kidding, he considers that sort of math to be relaxing.]

But I do recommend asking several people. Analysis can be a bit of an art, and having multiple people look at it and run the numbers can mean you can average their results to come up with the most likely fit to your data.

Re: [Private]

[hatestrashcans]

[ Marco, being Marco, reaches his arm down to indicate he is the opposite of surprised. He even wiggles his fingers in a wave.

He's not judging, his dad thought that kind of thing was relaxing too. ]

Okay, cool. I'm mostly looking at financial market stuff. If I'm going to provide loans, then I have to be able to make sure I have a sustaining way of investing the returns to cover the risk and things like that. I should be good for startup money, but it needs to be sustainable.

[Private]

[helpdesk_hero]

Interesting. I've never actually applied my skills to market analysis. I mean, technically that's an entirely different subset of math. Luckily the person that I picked up the math I've retained also taught business. So I might be able to help out. Definitely insist that you should get additional people to help out.

Re: [Private]

[hatestrashcans]

Yeah, you're right about getting more people, and I definitely will. I'll get you all uniformed pocket protectors and you can walk about being nerds about ROIs and stuff.

[helpdesk_hero]

Yeah, I don't wear pocket protectors. I just get quality pens.

[Private Video]

[mysterioisthetruth]

I beg your pardon?

Re: [Private Video]

[hatestrashcans]

'Oooooh, Peter, I feel so bad about my family life, my father sucked, let me be a good adult for you or you're denying me the chance to be a better man.'

[ His voice is mocking. ]

And nice on the manipulating him into feeling guilty for doubting you when it's a rational reaction, you dickhead. Turn on the emotions, turn off the logic, and short out the suspicion.

[Private Video]

[mysterioisthetruth]

[The look on Beck's face at the realisation that Marco somehow knows what was said between himself and Peter privately is one of pure fury.]

Were you spying on us?

Re: [Private Video]

[hatestrashcans]

No. Technically I was only spying on you. Peter knew I was there.

[ Shapeshifter, asshole. ]

And you pulling that crap was exactly why I was.

[Private Video]

[mysterioisthetruth]

[There was the other possibility that Peter had said something. Either way, Beck is furious. And he does get that Marco was likely some creature out of sight. He's even kicking himself that he should have seen this coming and better checked the area.]

What's between Peter and myself is none of your damn business, Marco. This is a severe breach of privacy.

Marco-Thor Video (also Peter)

[thepowerofthor]

Hello, Marco! You are Peter's friend, yes?

[ Have a flattered and confused, but smiling Thor. ]

I would be honored. [ Much smiling! ]

I do not know much about how this world is supposed to work, Midgard or Earth, but I would do my best.

How does one do this here in this world?

[ How does one guardian in this oh so odd world? ]

Re: Marco-Thor Video (also Peter)

[hatestrashcans]

[ Dude, you're not supposed to say 'yes'! Have a completely gobsmacked kid, Thor. The icon is accurate. ]

Uh, well, you weren't supposed to say yes.

...

Should you say yes to things if you don't know what they are?

[ He's confused and intimidated enough to make that a question. ]

A guardian is someone who basically acts as a minor's adult. So for most kids here, it'd be crap like feeding them if they needed it or keeping them in school or whatever.

I wasn't serious. This was just...

I was proving a point.

Marco-Thor Video (also Peter)

[thepowerofthor]

Why not?

[ Thor is very confused, here and now. ]

Why not? How else will you learn about them? And I know what it is like in Asgard. Surely it cannot be too much different here. But Midgardians are always so fussy about the differences, so I thought I would ask.

[ Thor cants his head to the side, listening. ]

I can do all of those things, yes.

[ He nods, then considers Marco's words. ]

Then you do not need a guardian, ah.

[ A pause. ]

Did you prove your point? What was your point?

Re: Marco-Thor Video (also Peter)

[hatestrashcans]

Uh, because I'm some random guy you don't know asking you for something? Why would you say yes to that?

[ Marco is a suspicious little person, and he can't imagine just being that trusting. ]

No, no, the asking is good, I ask a lot of questions on other planets. I get that part it's just.

Yeah, no, I'm good. I've taken care of myself since I was 11. I'm cool by myself. I'm not a kid.

[ Says the 17 year old who looks about 15. ]

I think so. That you'd be easy to ask and talk to about this stuff. That was my point.

Marco-Thor-Peter Video

[made_up_names]

[ WELP. He's pocorning most of this. Also looking kind of embarrassed. ]

... That was super easy.

Marco-Thor-Peter Video

[hatestrashcans]

Told you!

Private to Peter only:

Uh, so don't be mad but I have to tell you something.

private

[made_up_names]

Well that bodes well.

Permavid

[governorkang]

Every time we kill the damn thing another one seems to pop up. All we can do for now is keep killing them and try to prevent any more deaths.

Re: Permavid

[hatestrashcans]

Can we trap it in anything?

[governorkang]

It's just smart enough to be annoying, so if we did find a way, it'd have to be quick. I have a spell that'll keep it in place, but it wears off after about an hour and a half.

No wonder these things are spoken of only in horror stories at home.

[hatestrashcans]

Isn't there a guy who makes portals?

Could we just... portal it to the bottom of the ocean and let the pressure crush it or something?

Wait, you know what it is?

video;

[youarespecial]

You fly out to get pizza?

[Yes, that's the part Kurt's choosing to focus on.]

Re: video;

[hatestrashcans]

Yup.

Then I don't have to worry about bus fare or traffic. And I can poop on assholes. It's win-win.

Re: video;

[youarespecial]

[Kurt just stares at Marco for a moment, looking like he just stepped in something nasty.]

Humans are disgusting.

Re: video;

[hatestrashcans]

Actually, I'm a bird at the time.

I assume you're Mr. 'Doesn't Like Cars Don't Stick Me On This Backwater'?