03: Questions and Nerd Parties! - Video

[hatestrashcans]

[ The video opens on Marco in a new bedroom. It's bigger than the one issued by government housing, but there seems to not be much furniture in it: Just a really nice king-sized bed (look, anything that helps Marco sleep is worth the money) and a set of dressers. The teenager himself is sitting cross-legged on the bed in a Star Wars T-Shirt and black jeans. ]

Hey, so...

[ He pauses. It's hard for Marco to ask for advice, much less public advice. He sighs and looks to the side. ]

How do you figure out what you want to do with your life? The point of it all?

[ There, he's asked. It's something Marco's been ruminating on the past few days. After he forces the question out, however, his face brightens. ]

In less existential news, Peter and I have found a place to live and we're working on making it bad-ass. And you know what that means: Geek Party II: Return of the Geeks! So far we've got our video games and a Star Trek watch on the docket- because I have missed out on a shameful amount of released Trek in the past 20 years. Any more requests and/or when's everybody free?

Oh yeah, this is an open invite, by the way. Just let me know if you plan on coming so I can get enough food for everybody. Peter and I should need like a week or so to get things ready - I will say moving stuff goes faster when you can be a gorilla!

[ And with Peter's super strength, but Peter's keeping the Spider-Man thing on the DL so Marco's not mentioning it. ]

Also, according to Peter I'm not allowed to drive the U-Haul anymore. Something about 'if you drive we're both going to die'. Is dating always like this?

[ There. He said it. It's still weird to talk about, but Marco knows that will normalize it. ]

Comments

[usaf]

"Dating?"

[ Way to zero in on one word out of that whole thing, Carol. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

[David is so jealous of your digs. But he laughs at the idea of all of this.]

Listen, I can cook, I can clean, I can build IKEA furniture. And most importantly, I can drive. So tell me where you need me, Marco. I could stand the distraction.

As for the other thing, I'll let you know when I figure out what choice I'm making. Mostly, you try and find something you love and you're okay with doing. Though I could go for some Star Trek.

[hatestrashcans]

Um, Yes?

[ The one topic that makes Marco an awkward teenager. Who's this lady? ]

[usaf]

This is Peter Parker we're talking about?

[ Don't worry, Marco, this is just Peter's not-aunt from the future-past. She cares a lot about Peter's safety and happiness.

Okay, maybe worry a little bit. ]

[hatestrashcans]

I can drive! I have a driver's license!

[ He really, really, really should not have a driver's license, Animorph or not. ]

But fine, it would probably make Peter feel better. 'I don't want to die in a car crash.'

How do you know if you love doing something?

[hatestrashcans]

Yeah.

[ He sounds happy. It's dorky and adorable. ]

Do you know him?

[helpdesk_hero]

Yeah, but clearly you can't drive well if Peter is concerned. And I only crash planes it seems.

[Oh man, that's a complicated question. And it looks like David is going to be life counselor again.]

If you wake up excited for your day more often than not?

[hatestrashcans]

Rude.

[ He makes a 'pffbt' sound, but then shrugs. ]

Um, I'm never excited for my day. Do people really feel like that?

voice;

[plentystrong]

So you're moving out? Good riddance.

[helpdesk_hero]

Yeah. We really do sometimes. I mean. I'm not feeling that right now, but I'm working on it.

[Still....]

Don't give out your address, okay? Not outside of private comments and the like. You know why.

Re: voice;

[hatestrashcans]

Already out. Enjoy being buried alive under dishes.

[Private video until further notice]

[mysterioisthetruth]

Peter and you.

Peter.

-- and you.

Dating?

[hatestrashcans]

Weird. I haven't felt that way since I was a kid.

Yeah. I know. Weirdly, that's actually standard protocol for me.

[Private video until further notice]

[hatestrashcans]

Yeah.

It's none of your business.

[helpdesk_hero]

What did you feel that way over?

[Good boy, Marco. Be paranoid for the both of you.]

[hatestrashcans]

A field trip to the planetarium, believe it or not. Mom - well, the slug, but I didn't know it, was chaperoning.

[ Yeah. Nobody here even knows his full name. Paranoia, he's got. ]

voice;

[plentystrong]

Nah, I'll have Lonnie take care of them.

video

[made_up_names]

It's true, though. You'd definitely kill us both if you drive again. And that'd be an accomplishment, given how resilient you are.

[ Also Peter, but powers, DL, etc. ]

[helpdesk_hero]

I believe it. So, what was it about the planetarium that you loved?

[Maybe he should be a school guidance counselor.]

Re: video

[hatestrashcans]

Oh, stop being a big baby. I have not once died because of my driving!

[hatestrashcans]

I thought space was cool and I got to spend a whole day with Mom.

Well, not Mom, but...

[ He sighs. All the memories are tainted. ]

Re: voice;

[hatestrashcans]

At least pay Lonnie for it. They're not your slave.

[mysterioisthetruth]

He has a girlfriend. Are you just trying to confuse him?

[made_up_names]

Pretty sure that's survivor bias.

[helpdesk_hero]

There are a lot of careers related to space. At all sorts of levels.