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[certaininequities]

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<DR_OSBORN> You've reached Dr. Norman Osborn.
<DR_OSBORN> Please leave a message: I'll respond as promptly as possible.

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Comments

cw: bullying mention, sexual harrassment based nickname

[heyunderoos]

[Peter nods a little at that, his large dumbo rat ears flopping a little with the motion. His usual embarrassment towards the bigger ears is sidetracked at the moment.]

Otto did say that was more stuff you could tackle. He and I talked about my spider-man equipment and my web formula. I was trying to refine it since it doesn't seem to be working here? So, I'd definitely like to learn from you on both fields. [Okay, back on topic, Peter, back on topic.]

Yeah, I quit Robotics along with Band initially because of the spider bite, and new superpowers. I didn't do it for really good reasons then, I thought I could be cool like Ironman, and I'd stop being called 'penis parker' by Flash.

Then, [His smile wanes just a little.] Ben died a bit after. So, my priorities changed again to less... selfish reasons. I never really picked either activity back up.

[certaininequities]

[his face lights up as though Peter had just called him 'Dad' or something. but then Peter adds something that confuses him, and two more things which just plain make him upset]

Teenagers are always going to come up with terrible nicknames. Sometimes I wonder if it's a rite of passage. ... I'm sorry about your uncle. The Peter I know lost his, too. I don't know much about it, only what Harry was able to tell me.

[he reaches out and puts a broad, warm, reassuring hand on Peter's shoulder] Y'must miss him every day. It was like that when I lost my mother.

[heyunderoos]

I can't really get too mad at him, Flash is kind of lonely. He's just lashing out at someone he thinks is an easier target. [Peter shrugs a little at the thought, but tries to brighten his wane smile at the reassurance. It's not perfect, but he's trying.

The offered comfort of a hand on the shoulder also helps.] Yeah, there are... a lot of days where its worse than others. May and I usually would figure out the bad days together.

[certaininequities]

Well ... for what it's worth, if you ever have one of those here ... you can come talk to me, or Otto. We've both lost family.

[heyunderoos]

[Peter nods at that, running a hand through his hair. He appreciates the sentiment, even if a small part of him feels guilty for possibly imposing on either man. It isn't logical, but most emotions aren't.] I- thank you, I'll keep it in mind.

[He blows out a short laugh, the sound is a bit too airy in an attempt to shift the mood back.] Sorry, I made everything super awkward. We were talking about you and I kinda derailed it.

[certaininequities]

Th' conversation was meant t' be about both of us, Peter.

[his reminder is gentle, even though he's smiling a bit, amused.]

Honestly, don't worry about it. Here, your turn to ask me something.

[heyunderoos]

Still. [No one wants to hear about dead family members. Peter is well aware of that much.]

Did you have any hobbies? Like, sometimes I did dance and stuff. You were probably pretty busy, but- still, feels like a good thing to know. You could pick up old hobbies here too.

[certaininequities]

[an odd look crosses Norman's face at the absolutely unabashed mention of dance. if he'd wanted to do that in high school he would have had the desire beat right out of him, and he's ... strangely jealous. but the feeling doesn't last long enough for him to properly register, as he has to think of a response]

Uhm, mostly I just studied in my spare time, tinkered around. Wrote papers for scientific journals, that sort of thing. I did yoga in the mornings - still do that here. Been thinking of checking out that museum everyone's talking about ... one of the few things my ex-wife left me that I still enjoy is an eye for art. I had quite a collection of masks from different cultures, at home. A couple of paintings.

[heyunderoos]

[Peter misses dance classes. His asthma had been too bad to really keep it up for long. He doesn't quite understand the expression that passed over Norman's features.] I mean, yoga has some similar stuff to dance. That'd be good to do if you were interested? I dunno if you can write for journals here unless you make one.

I haven't been to like an actual museum in like, forever. I was supposed to go to the MOMA but aliens happened. [His life is just like this.] MJ is more the artist than I am. I think its cool you have a really good eye for it, I feel kinda oblivious honestly.

look at these two dorks ugh my heart

[certaininequities]

[he hadn't expected Peter to encourage him like that, and a tiny smile touches one corner of his mouth]

I am taking a couple of lessons from Lanzhu for that gala thing in a couple'a weeks. Maybe you're right. But if I'm gonna do it, that means you should get back into it with me, yeah? Might feel a little less like a foolish old man if I have company.

[he huffs an amused sound, then smiles fully at the mention of the MOMA]

God, Caroline had annual passes to that place. It was incredible. If there's an art museum here, we could go. I'm no expert, but I can at least share what I know. We could trade, heh...

[heyunderoos]

[Peter if anything is happy to encourage Norman. He's not sure how long they will be here, so, using their time for new stuff seems like a good idea.]

I was mostly like doing ballet before I had to stop. I dunno if that'd even translate to real dancing. Much less translate with... all this. [He gestures at his very rat body for emphasis. He stretches his legs, wincing a little at the one he landed on wrong on patrol. He rubs at it absently.] Is Lanzhu teaching you like the waltz or something?

I'd like that a lot. I think it'd be cool to hear what you know, I mean.

[certaininequities]

Ballet? That's ... [he stuffs down his knee-jerk reaction and reframes it quickly] ... a lot of coordination and control. No wonder you were so good on those damn webs. ... But yeah, it's a waltz. Little more complicated than the box step I taught Harry, for sure... heh...

[he trails off: for some reason it feels odd, almost wrong to discuss his son around this Peter. he's not sure why]

Then we'll do it. One of these weeknights when it's bound to be less crowded.

[heyunderoos]

[Peter doesn't completely miss the hesitation, his brows pinch together but he doesn't comment on it as Norman redirects his line of thought.]

I had to stop pretty early though. Asthma didn't really work with a lot of activities I liked then. It made band pretty tough too sometimes. Carrying a tuba was like, the worst sometimes. [Peter says with a shrug. He barely remembers what it was like to be that frail. Even now as a monster he's hardier than he was as a kid or young teen.] I'm sure he liked learning box step with you. That was probably fun. I've never really waltzed before, I mean, where would I even do it?

[Peter nods a little, smiling at Norman.] Yeah, that'll make learning a lot less daunting.

[certaininequities]

It's a pretty debilitating thing in just the wrong conditions ... I'm sorry you had to deal with it. I always thought it'd be a hell of a thing to invent something that could replace an inhaler ... but drugs like fluticasone and formoterol do very poorly as time-release substances.

[he purses his lips, rolling his eyes a little]

There I go again, still making everything work, even when we're talking about hobbies. I'm sorry, Peter, this is a terrible old habit.

[heyunderoos]

I mean, if it's the way you've lived for a long time, it's gonna be hard to shake-? [The teenager is generous about that much. His whiskers wiggle a little bit with the thought.]

Ben had that problem sometimes. May usually told him work talk stayed out of the apartment. It kinda worked.

[certaininequities]

Hmm. No work talk in Hill House, huh? ... I think I could agree to that rule.

[they reach the sub shop and he gestures to the door with a smile]

Here we are, how's this look? Decent?

[heyunderoos]

I mean, you work a lot, so having home be separate would be good?

[The teenager brightens a little when he sees the shop. It reminds him so much of Delmar's in a way it eases him.]

More than decent, this is great. I didn't even know this place was here.

[He steps forward, ready to go in if anything.]

care to wrap this one?

[certaininequities]

Yaknow, home being separate from work wasn't ever something I even considered. Growing up, I was taught pretty early on that we couldn't have one without the other, so I always thought they went hand in hand.

[he opens the door for Peter, holding it with a smile]

Seems like even with two doctorates, I still have a lot to learn.

Yeah, we'll wrap it here!

[heyunderoos]

[Peter scrunches his snout a little at that line of thought as he steps into the deli proper.] Well, you deserve to not have to conflate the two anymore.

I guess, consider all of this a fresh start to try something new. Something like, less stressful.