certaininequities | IC Inbox for Ryslig

Oh! Well, then, that just means that next time, I'll make sure there's something here you can have. Thank you for telling me.

[he smiles, though he'd had to bite down hard on an apology. he's found himself apologizing for so much lately that the words 'I'm sorry' are starting to sound ridiculous, even to him. Norman gets them each a glass of fresh ice water and brings them back to the little alcove]

Cheers. ... So ... where would you like to start? With all of this.

My God, this is really something.

[Norman gapes openly at the splendor, smiling, his eyes alight. There's a paper bag in one hand, spotted with grease, and he's wearing black shorts and a punny t-shirt. His hair is slightly damp, as though he'd sprayed it before combing it back to combat the effect the summer humidity has on it ... but the fluffy waves will eventually, over the course of their visit, refuse to be contained anyway.

also yes he is wearing sandals with socks, the Summer Dad Ensemble is complete]

Thanks for asking me over, Fiddleford, it's so good to see you.

Hm.

[he knows that little defensive edge all too well from years of talks with Harry, but this isn't about homework and video games. this is a little heavier. and he's got to go at this a much different way than he used to.]

Wasn't suggesting you weren't. I just remember that when I was your age, and things happened that shook my life around, a friend of mine used to have to remind me to get out and see the sun once in a while. Mind you, I think his exact words were usually something like "Goddammit, Osborn, pull your head out of your ass and come to this dumb thing of Allan's with me so I don't have to suffer alone".

[Was that an on-point if feeble J. Jonah Jameson impression> Absolutely. Still, he squints at Peter, smiling in that wily way]

Then again, I've been hearing some chatter here and there, on my errands. It seems quite a few people are saying someone named Spider-man has been keeping a few human hoodlums in line. Y'wouldn't know anything about that, would'ja?

[oh God, Norman, why did you wink, you idiot]

Maybe not since you turned into a Pooka.

[he laughs, his own nose wrinkling at the tail wiggle. the boy had already been impossible to say no to, getting exponentially more so didn't seem fair.]

I'm glad there's something that'll deter you from eating every edible ingredient on the counter. I'll hafta remember that. Maybe Otto and I will sacrifice our cardiovascular health for our grocery budget and start cooking more fried things.

[Peter snorts a little, the gesture just making his whiskers wiggle a bit more. Even with his protest, he's clearly amused.] It isn't thatbad!

[Though his mind per usual is jumping around.] Do you think monsters can get heart attacks? Or like high cholesterol, that kinda stuff?

[The impression earns a short exhale from the teenager, an attempt at a laugh. Not much of one.] Well, Chiaki helps me. You and Otto too.

Even Beck was being all... fussy I guess. [He loosely crosses his arms over his chest. His mind mulls over the conversation from the network when Norman announced their deaths. It still stuck with him sometimes.] So, I'm okay. People are looking out for me.

Well... [He fidgets slightly.] Yeah, I mean- someone needs to take care of Bavan, right?

Edited (words hard, brain empty) 2022-07-25 18:45 (UTC)

[Steven's been conditioned not to expect apologies to begin with, so he doesn't note the absence of one. If anything, he appreciates that Norman's prepared to take it into account next time. The ice water is welcome as well and he accepts it with a "cheers" of his own, even if he doesn't immediately drink from it. Instead, he just holds it with both hands, feeling the cold sting against his warm palms.]

I reckon... I should start by saying that Marc's not here. At least, I don't think he is. I haven't heard from him once since I woke up here and that's... It's not like him. [And it's probably easy to tell from Steven's expression that he's worried, though what that might imply to Norman is entirely up for grabs.] Could be that he's just been locked away somehow, but... Yeah. Don't expect him to jump into this conversation, is what I'm trying to say.

[It's true, everything has moved fast. Ever since that failed reactor demonstration, it's like a rock was sent tumbling down a hill, only for that hill to become a mountain and the rock to become a full-blown avalanche. Otto would like to think he's still in control of his own life, but all he's really doing right now is rolling with the punches. He's not the man he used to be before the incident; not anymore.

Needless to say, he appreciates the sentiment, as well as the hand on his shoulder. His own reaches upwards to cover it; a confirmation for Norman that it's okay.]

This is enough. Really, it is. Just sitting here and talking with you... It helps.

I'll sit and talk with you any time, as much as you like.

[he turns his hand under Otto's to hold it, briefly. he feels like this, at least, should be okay]

... I'm worried about Peter. Is it just me, or is he going out as Spider-Man more than he used to?

Edited (got this mixed up with the theater thread oops) 2022-07-29 14:50 (UTC)

Ya know, I haven't thought about it, but ... hopefully I'll be getting Dr. O'Deorain's research notes from Dr. Slys soon. She had a lot of genetic markers already tagged, shouldn't be hard to figure out.

[even heart attacks can't stop them, he thinks, but keeps that one to himself. it's a train of thought he doesn't want Peter to board.]

It'll be interesting to know what her notes say. Y'know, cause there is so much we just genuinely don't know?

[Peter has to muse about that as he helps get latkes arranged into neater piles, easier to stash into the parchment paper and storage bags Norman was grabbing.]

I would think it's not a one-spider job. Please let me help you however I can.

[the mention of Beck, though ... makes him remember he wanted to ask]

Our meeting in the Cube was pretty enlightening, you know. Quentin and I. ... I think he deserves the same chance you gave Otto and I. But it's... not gonna be easy.

I will. I'm just trying to cover as much of Bavan as a I can in an hour, its not what I want it to be but... [He trails off with a shrug not sure where to go with the thought.

Mention of Beck makes the teenager audibly sigh.] I want to offer him like... a truce, but I dunno if he'd even take it.

Exactly! [he points at him, grinning, feeling that same electric connection of nerdery he'd felt in Hogan's apartment. he's glad he has the chance to feel like this again: like a mentor. he knows in this moment that he's fortunate beyond measure. as he starts filling the bags, the two make a neat little assembly line]

She had already started work on trying to predict changes, so a lot of baseline factors should already be established. I need to figure out where I want to start, besides just the weaknesses ... I've been going through the volumes of that Spengler guide. Have you read it yet? Interesting as hell.

Then why don't you ask for help? I'm sure that there are folks who would be interested. There's a whole organization devoted to volunteering, after all.

[it's not a scolding, at all: it's a gentle encouragement]

People need support networks, Peter. You and Otto have proven that to me more than anything: I'm just reminding you of your own wisdom.

[he nods as they shift back to discussing Quentin: he is trying not to think of him as Beck, that seemed disrespectful now, almost dismissive]

I don't think he's ready yet, no. He can't lie anymore, so ... he admitted to me that he's looking for someone to connect to, who understands what he's been through and supports him. The trouble is, I do. My board of directors treated me quite like that Toby Stark fella treated him. [he holds up a hand, anticipating a reaction]

I know Stark meant a lot to you, and I'm not trying to undermine that just for Quentin's sake. But if anything, I also know everyone is imperfect, and business owners can get so tied up in details and tunnel vision that they miss things that matter, do damage they don't realize. I'd say he needs time to process things, but I'm just as worried that they won't process so much as fester.

[It's more than okay. It soothes Otto's nerves in a way he can't quite describe. Unfortunately, the change in topic is not so soothing.]

He's restless, I think. I've tried to divert his attention to other... hobbies, but he keeps going back to Spider-Man.

You, too, huh?

[he gives Otto's hand a little squeeze]

We had a little talk about it in the Cube, when he gave me this shirt ... I tried to tell him that being Spider-Man is fine as long as he doesn't do it alone. Said he was one've the people who showed me how important it is t' accept help ... and he should take his own advice.

If this helps him, if it's good for him, the last thing I wanna do is tell 'im ta stop, but ... at th' same time, I don't want him ta bury himself in it either. Like I did my work.

[he tilts his head at Otto, considering]

He looks up to you, listens. Maybe the two've us can brainstorm something that'll let him walk that line.

[The notion that Peter looks up to Otto- that he listens to him- is oddly reminiscent of something that Beck of all people insisted. That it's Otto's job to look after Peter now. But that's not right, is it?

He exhales deeply, squeezing Norman's hand in turn.]

We should, then. So he can listen to the both of us. [Because the way Otto sees it, the two of them are on equal footing where Peter is concerned.] Perhaps we can patrol alongside him. Or... find a way to keep in touch with him a little more, so he can reach out to us the moment he's in over his head.

Last time I worked on a team, it didn't go super great. [Oh Avengers, oh your folly.] I'll think about it? I mostly wanted to work with Chiaki, but I don't wanna just drop all that on her. I'm used to like... super hero-ing alone.

[Peter is just solidly torn on Beck, the man had tried to help Peter feel better as much as he yelled at Peter.

The mention of Tony makes Peter bristle a little on principle, especially since Beck is involved. What had Beck been telling people about Tony?]

His grudge against Tony is the reason he decided to kill people as Mysterio. He couldn't get over being fired and decided to take it out on everyone else. He built a team specifically for it too. [Peter had gotten hints about that much from Beck.] I'm sorry he had a rough time, I'm not going to write him off, but- I'm not going to be fine with what he decided to do because he was slighted.

I'm not going to believe him about Tony. You really shouldn't either. Tony wasn't perfect, but he helped me. He saved everyone from Thanos. He died, he died to save everyone.

[Some part of Peter wishes someone else had taken the gauntlet. He knows it's selfish, but it's a thought he can't always get rid of.]

You don't seem like the type to hold a grudge against a concept forever. Besides, if you do decide to start a team, it's yours, no one else's. You can take your time, vet people, you don't have to make any decisions right away. Especially if you have someone whose opinions you already trust to help - like, say, Otto.

[he's still a little hesitant to volunteer himself.]

But we don't have to talk about all that if you don't want to. ... I feel like maybe I should share what I know with you. I took it with a grain of salt, but ... he said he helped design some sort of holographic interaction interface, and it was meant to have widespread applications, but Stark appropriated it for personal use. Quentin said he got fired because he objected to that... mind you, he wasn't a fairy at the time, so like I said. Grain of salt. Might be worth asking him again how much of that was true, if you feel like it. But ... you're right. No matter how much of it is true, none of it was an excuse for him to do the things he did. He needs to work through all of that himself. The problem is that right now? He's in a place where he doesn't want to.

[he shakes his head, recognizing that Peter is still very raw. no wonder May's death hurt him so much - he'd already lost his uncle, and the man who he'd considered a mentor as Spider-Man.]

I'm sorry if any of that upset you, Peter. I really am. We always want to think the best of the people we love.

[he used to make so many excuses for his fath - oh. Norman winces, realizing he has probably just put his foot in it]

... And he was probably a bit like a father to you, wasn't he? Ugh - ! I'm so sorry, Peter, I wasn't thinking of the whole picture, just one piece where I keep trying to help and failing. This ... this little outing really isn't going the way I envisioned it. How can I make it better?

I don't know if patrolling will be a good idea for me, given everything else. At least, not right now. I'll be his R&D department - we're already working on recreating those web-shooters of his.

[he seems to be absolutely fine despite mentioning the Goblin obliquely - the hand-holding is definitely the grounding factor, and Otto gets a grateful little smile]

Ya know, when all that stuff started raining down from the - oh! You weren't here for that, were you? I always forget. Feels like you and Peter have been with me all along. Not long after I arrived, there was this strange interdimensional fluke where a bunch of items started falling from the sky - nothing newer than, say, 1988? But all kinds of technology and clothes. Like people's drawers just got emptied out over the city. Most of it wound up in the dump ... I bet we could find and repair some short-wave radios.

[he says, refusing to use the phrase 'walkie-talkies' because he is trying to sound like an authoritative, possibly parental figure here. please call him out on his ridiculousness.]

I'll think about it. Really think about it. [He means that much. He doesn't feel like he would be qualified, but, he can't be the only one trying to help Bavan or the people here.] I want to be sure before I commit to anything.

[He ends up crossing his arms over his chest, biting the inside of his cheek a little harder than he should. There is a relief there and he doesn't quite know how else to quantify it.

He wants to argue, so desperately. He wants to blame Beck as much as he wants to pardon the man. Peter wants to forgive as much as he can.

The conflicting emotions just boil over in his chest as he sucks in a breath.

The distant tang of cooper in the back of his mouth is enough to help him re-center.]

I want him to work on it. I really do, I- I don't want to hear him talk about it! I don't! I know what he's going to say. I don't need Quentin Beck's perspective on Tony.

Do you know how much people talk about Tony? How much they act like they knew him? I can't go anywhere without people telling me about Tony. How much of a hero he was or how much they hated him.

I feel like I didn't even get a chance to know him. I died for five years! I was at his funeral! Tony's wife gave me a- a picture he had of us- a stupid picture we took- I didn't-

[He clutches a little desperately at himself. He's angry as much as he's sad all over again. Fingers find their way into his hair as he closes his eyes, forcing himself to breath.] Its- its fine, I'm sorry, just- give me a second.

Give me a second. I'll be fine.

[He'll always be fine. He has to be.]

[the more upset Peter gets, the more Norman's face twists in guilt and concern, eyes wide]

Alright, Peter. ... I'm sorry. That was ... I shouldn't have brought up any of that. Not the time, and not even my place.

[he hesitates for just a moment before stepping up to Peter and gently disengaging the boy's hands from his hair, then pulling him into a hug. one arm goes around Peter's torso, the other to his hair, stroking through it to soothe him in place of letting Peter pull at it, himself]

You don't have to be fine. Not here. And not about any of that. It's alright.

[It speaks to how much Peter trusts Norman, that even now he doesn't seem to startle or shy away from the man's touch. The entire conversation so far had been rough emotionally for both of them, but Peter's trust doesn't waver.

There are so many other things Peter wants to say, wants to let drop out of him but it deflates as soon as Norman holds him.

He's fine.

He has to be.

He takes in a few breaths, just pressing his face against Norman's shoulder for a moment.]

Okay... I- Okay. [He doesn't believe that at all. Not even slightly, but he can pretend for Norman.]

Edited (code hard) 2022-07-31 17:52 (UTC)

[He just needs a minute to hold onto Norman, mentally just pulling himself back to the actual point. This was supposed to be for Father's day. He's just... ruined it so swiftly.

The teenager only draws back once he's feeling calmer. An awkward apology sits in the back of his throat, but he swallows it down. He rambles, his words getting ahead of his thoughts. Even as his gaze drops to the side.]

I... I have no idea how to actually like smoothly transition to- anything right now. [He shrugs his backpack off, moving to open it, digging through it for Norman's gifts.] I wanted to give these to you! I- I keep kind of forgetting, and that's like part of the point!

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