Log | The Multiverse Is Weird

[heyunderoos]

Who: Peter Parker & You
When: December 13th and beyond
Where: Around the ADI building and downtown Gloucester
Summary: Peter tries to understand why, who, how and what all at once.
Warnings:claustrophobia, spiders

A. Well, This Is Awkward - OTA - cw: claustrophobia, spiders

[Falling into a vent when one had been previously walking away from a bar in Prague was sure a thing. A time even. Peter can't even really process what happens before he lands heavily on his stomach with a loud metal thunk. He grunts in surprise, clutching at his side with a wince. The Night Monkey costume does a decent job of cushioning some of the landing.

He looks around, just staring at the darkness. It takes him a moment to actively put together that he's trapped in a vent. The musty smell and metal walls surrounding him just make him guess that anyway.]

...Why am I in a vent?

[Peter's active confusion is why he isn't panicking. Normally an enclosed dark space would freak him out. Right now he's too baffled to actively panic. His grip tightens on the straps of his backpack as he forces himself to take a breath. Peter bites the inside of his cheek as he opts to just start crawling forward. The best way out is to find an opening somewhere. He can do that. Just focus on that, not the oppressive feeling of being inside of a vent.

Anyone below him will hear him moving around. Peter focuses on his breathing as he goes, grimacing when he bumps into something.

Why is his life like this? Why?

The spider drops on his face and he yelps in surprise, recoiling back. The sound of something jolting around in the small metal space is very hard to miss.]

B. Its Free, Actually! - OTA

[Actually getting a chance to walk around Gloucester feels freeing. A little nice even after going through all the weird introductions on base. Its definitely not New York by a long shot but it's pretty nice all the same. He's gotten the warning to avoid Dogtown, whatever that is, so, he's sticking with something kind of normal so far.

Peter is trying to not freak out about all of this and focus on anything else. Start small, build up. He can do that.]

Okay, so, in theory, I could start around here. Clothes, shoes, a flip phone, maybe. [He slows to a stop on the sidewalk, mentally trying to figure out just store to hit first. People drift by him, absorbed in their day to day lives, Peter is barely a footnote in their lives. He's fine with that. He wants to be normal, unnoticed for a while longer. That was what his whole summer vacation had been about until Elementals showed up. He couldn't help but worry about home given what he had been dragged away from.

Thankfully, Mr. Beck had it handled now. He had E.D.I.T.H, he could help Mr. Fury with Avenger stuff until Peter got back. So everyone was in good hands. He would worry about that later.

He lets the thoughts drop out of his head as he dug his hand into his jean pocket, tapping his fingers against the surface of his wallet. He had been given some money to get some new clothes and necessities off campus. It isn't a lot of money, but it can get him started somewhere.

He frowns a little debating with himself before releasing a sigh. Dumpster diving would save him some money, even if he would have to sort through everything he found.

Peter ducks between two stores, walking down the alleyway until he ends up somewhere behind an electronics store. He waits to see if anyone comes outside before approaching the dumpster. He flips the lid open carefully, picking over the array of electronics thrown inside. Older computer consoles, broken phones, keyboards, monitors... There is a lot to go over in here.

He shifts his backpack off his shoulder, unzipping it and already grabbing a few smaller components to stash away inside. He turns his attention back to the dumpster, frowning thoughtfully now.

Peter for his part is rooting around for anything useful, his attention focused a bit too intently on the finds within to notice anyone who could have found him amidst his crime.]


C. Survival Of The Fittest (test drive meme based prompt) - OTA

[Peter is definitely out of his depth here. After the lengthy introduction process, some mass confusion and strange conversations an ADI agent strongly suggested he take one of the training courses. Thus, Peter wound his way to the underground gym.

Peter stares at the various stations. He knows logically, he probably should learn some kind of self defense, but the idea of it makes him uncomfortable. What if his powers come back? Would a better punch hurt someone worse?

He just shakes his head before looking at his fellow drafted ADI agents for some idea of what to do.]

Uh, any... recommendations? I kinda have no idea where to even start.

[Will you help him, oh stranger?]


D. Wildcard

[Got a different idea? Want to go apeshit? Hit up this prompt.]

Comments

[neonleon]

Wouldn't now.

[About the moms. He just shakes his head and goes back to digging around. Finds a button down that looks..................... not 100% nerd, but nerd enough and tosses it to Peter.]

See, that already sounds better than mine. What if I just hang out with you huh?

[heyunderoos]

I guess I'm talking more from Aunt experience, but kinda close maybe?

[Peter opts to let that comment go beyond that, well aware not everything has 'typical' parents. He sure doesn't. He just shrugs, laughing a little at the tossed shirt. He throws the glittery shirt at Leo. Even with the shedding glitter, it is a nice enough shirt, loose but comfortable looking.]

I think that'd be cool. [Peter really never made friends that fast, so this feels nice.] Pretty sure we'll just be comparing notes on different New Yorks while I work on stuff.

[neonleon]

[It helps that Leo's just Like That TM once he's sure his creep-dar isn't going off.

But he catches the shirt lightning fast before he even looks at it.]

Jeez, I think this place was trying real hard for the wrong demographic.

[heyunderoos]

[The fast catch makes Peter blink, wondering just how he was so fast.]

It makes me wonder what the store actually sells if this ended up in the dumpster. [Peter muses in turn.

He finds a plain dark grey tank top, but the cut is a lot better than some of the other clothes in the dumpster. Peter offers that up in turn.] I mean, this one looks way better than some of the stuff towards the bottom.

[neonleon]

Right? Half tempted to go around and go inside.

[He won't, but the thought is there. He looks up at what Peter's got and nods.]

Yeah, that's at least basic. This other stuff is just. Reject pile.

[heyunderoos]

If we can disguise you enough, maybe. [This has once again become a 'we' problem to solve. Peter hasn't completely noticed that yet.] I mean, we get a little money from the ADI, so, we could buy a few things if they're not completely awful.

[The mixture makes Peter wonder if another clothing store shares space with this dumpster or what.]

[neonleon]

[They have to. They have to share space with the shop next door. There's no way this is all from the same shop.

But he definitely notices that's become a 'we' problem to solve. Leo isn't gonna say anything.]

Honestly I haven't spent any of what they gave me since I haven't gone out at all. But sure.

[heyunderoos]

[The more they go through the dumpster, the more comical it seems with how mixed everything is. Peter hasn't even picked up on the 'we' that slipped out, still focused on doing something.]

You could save it up then, for something you really want too. Depends honestly on what is even around here.

[So far not much feels like the answer.]

[neonleon]

Could.

But yeah, without knowing what's around here....

Ugh I don't think we can even get delivery. [A CRIME.]

[heyunderoos]

I guess it gives any of us a reason to explore, and maybe see what's going on. [The existential horror will likely get them at some point. For now, Peter is just focused on a bit of practicality.

Peter pauses at that, blinking as he looks over at Leo.]

Wait, are you being serious-? [He had not even thought of that.]

[neonleon]

[He sort of just flops over the side of the dumpster boneless.]

I haven't seen any since I got here. And like - you really think big brother private ADI is gonna let randos get on site? Ugh.

[heyunderoos]

There have to be places you can order something from, and then pick it up from. It's Massachusetts not... [He's drawing a blank on somewhere more out of nowhere.] Iowa.

Its not perfect, but, you should be able to order, pick it up and go back to eat at the dorms?

[neonleon]

[Looks at him and gestures to his face under the hood like Vanna White showcasing a new letter.]

I haven't been outside ADI before today.

[heyunderoos]

[Peter opens and closes his mouth, teeth audibly clicking together.] ...Right. Sorry.

[He had actually half forgotten mid-way through the conversation.]

I think it's safe to say Massachusetts kind of sucks.

[neonleon]

It suuuuuper sucks.

[Just boneless and annoyed but whatever.]

You're right though. I could just get it myself and take it back. [It's not the same.]

[heyunderoos]

Not sure if it'd be better or worse if we ended up in a dinkier state. [Peter muses with a brief scrunch of his nose.]

It's gonna be about the best that can be done. At least until this place figures out how take out works.

[neonleon]

Here's hoping.

[He grabs a pair of gray sweatpants for himself and climbs back out of the dumpster, stuffing the pants and everything else into the backpack Peter handed him.]

Where else?

[heyunderoos]

[Peter hums thoughtfully.] Do we wanna try a different clothing store's dumpster? Or do we wanna call it?

Maybe we can grab food- [He pauses, correcting himself.] we figure out a place and I go inside to get the food?

[neonleon]

[Leo lights up at that under the hood.]

Yeah... Yeah! Sure. I'm down for anything.

[heyunderoos]

[Seeing Leo light up just makes Peter smile a little more widely.] Do we even wanna chance the pizza here or try our luck on like a deli?

[neonleon]

Deli first.

Let's test the meat supply situation before we risk being disappointed on something we actually want.

[heyunderoos]

Deli works for me. It's generally pretty hard to mess up on a sandwich. [Peter has faith, it will likely be shaken when they actually find a local deli and are grandly disappointed by the options.]

[neonleon]

Right? Unless they like. Burn the bread beyond all recognition or something.

[Gathering up everything into his bag and starting to poke at the mouth of the alley.]

Gotta be something around here, c'mon.

[heyunderoos]

Even then, you can peel off burned bits. Depends on desperate you're feeling that day. [Peter easily falls into step with Leo, ready to duck out of the alley to see if there is any kind of local deli nearby.

The downtown isn't exactly busy in the way a New Yorker is used to.]

[neonleon]

Right right right exactly.

[Hmmmmm.... No, it's not busy, which means it's harder for him to be undercover.]

Have to let you go inside. I'll wait out here.