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[made_up_names]

[ Hey look, it's another teenager! A totally and completely normal teenager that has managed to scrounge up some clothes that aren't just whatever the hell he was wearing under his suit. Looks like a hoodie and some kind of shirt that looks like it might be nerdy? He tried for a nerdy aesthetic, anyway, which is hard when he doesn't even know what nerd culture looks like here. He's seated outside in Nova City somewhere, trying to figure out what to do next.

Anyway. He. Waves awkwardly? ]

Hey, um. I'd ask if people really just introduce themselves online like this without making it like "Welcome to My Star Wars Vlog And/Or Podcast" but I went back and looked at a bunch of posts and I guess that's exactly what it is? Which is cool. But weird? I'm weirded out.

[ Focus, Peter. Maybe breathe a little. He looks incredibly awkward, which is still only 50% of the Awkward Peter Parker Experience. ]

Anyway, I'm Peter Parker! I just got here like. A couple hours ago? And I have one really super important question.

[ Pause. Try not to look too excited. Look incredibly excited. ]

Did I see something about Pokémon? Like, actual physical Pokémon? Is that real or is this some super convincing AR thing? Because I'm down with both but if it's the first kind I am literally going to explode.

Comments

[made_up_names]

What kind of skills?

[ It's true, Peter will absolutely use that information against him if things go south. But. For now? It's curiosity. The tentative foundations of an actual relationship. ]

[mysteryhero]

Well, they deal in robotics and what they term as 'life-enhancing technologies'. I was thinking of going for a position in their computer programming and computer engineering department. You can even do the work from home as long as you're being productive. But they do have labs there and all the latest tech this city has to offer.

I could do wonders with that. Think of it! Limitless possibilities. Combining their tech and my tech and fusing the best together.

[His rising voice has gotten more pretentious, as if he thinks he's giving an awe-inspiring speech, but he honestly is excited for this. Having his technology mean something and not be treated as a joke was something he'd long striven for. Tony Stark couldn't see the potential, but Quentin Beck could. He knew it was a great risk to tell any of this to Peter. It was his life's work and he didn't want to see it laughed at or denigrated again. But in the sense of fairness and that second chance, he exposed that vulnerability. But maybe there also was that arrogance. This chance was also a way to prove himself; that he could do great work.]

[made_up_names]

[ Yeah uh, that megalomania is concerning. Peter had done his research after the Mysterio incident - and found a decent amount. Turns out Stark had a whole file on disgruntled ex-employees given how frequently they tended to show up to murder him and/or other people. Unstable had been the label for Beck.

But. On the other hand. Dude's clearly a nerd, and Peter respects that. So his expression is conflicted but not like totally alarmed here. ]

So holograms and robots again. I mean, objectively awesome as long as you don't go on a rampage again.

[mysteryhero]

Are you mocking me, Peter?

[The look Beck turns on him is more intense; clearly defensive.]

[made_up_names]

[ Jeez, dude. He puts up a hand in surrender. ]

Look, man, I legitimately think your tech is awesome. You just also almost killed me with it.

[mysteryhero]

And that. Is in. The past.

[Yes, he does punctuate each of the words for clear emphasis.]

[made_up_names]

Tell that to my leg, dude.

[mysteryhero]

... Look, I clearly don't know the extent of your superpowers. Your strength. Your resilience.

You survived. That's what's important.

[He's back to the reassuring speech. As if isn't the one that Peter had to survive.]

[made_up_names]

I'm just saying. We're both sensitive about stuff that hurt us. Cut me some slack for being sarcastic and I'll try not to dwell on the fact that my leg's probably messed up for good.

[mysteryhero]

[He silently stares at Peter for a long moment. It might be unsettling. He looks like he's contemplating a lot of things but his expression is unreadable. Finally, he nods and speaks again.]

So what work did you have in mind to do?

[made_up_names]

[ It is unsettling. Peter can't quite manage to hold his gaze the whole time. Sooner or later, his eyes slip away. God, this dude still creeps him out. ]

Hell, I don't know. Try out a couple of different tech things, see if I find something that fits. Maybe chemical engineering.

[mysteryhero]

Maybe they could use your skills at Aster. We could be working together.

Aside from being a superhero team.

[In his way, Beck wants to keep an eye on Peter as much as Peter wants to make sure Beck causes no more harm.]

[made_up_names]

[ It's not actually a terrible idea. He could absolutely snoop on Beck's work and make sure it doesn't take a turn for the supervillainous. As for Pete, well. He's used to building stuff out of scraps with nothing but a soldering iron, so he can do all the really important stuff at his apartment. ]

All right, I'll ask. Maybe.

[mysteryhero]

Good.

Now, what about your living conditions? Did they give you a key?

[He could be crossing the line of being intrusive - or was it protective? In his fake persona the latter motivation would have been more easy to believe. As it was, all this concern may seem more like information gathering.]

[made_up_names]

[ Yeah, uh. Beck gets a flat look at that. ]

I've got a place somewhere. Yeah.

[mysteryhero]

Where?

[made_up_names]

None of your business.

[mysteryhero]

[Now it's his turn to hold up his hands in surrender.]

Fair. Fair.

We all need some privacy.

[made_up_names]

[ Fine, he'll make his hackles go down. A little. ]

Uh, yeah. I wouldn't tell any random middle-aged dude where I live, much less you.

[mysteryhero]

Do you think I'm going to break into your apartment during the night?

I'm not some common criminal.

[made_up_names]

You're right. A common criminal doesn't have elaborate backup plans that involve broadcasting all my personal information to the world.

[mysteryhero]

In that case, do you think it would be so difficult for me to find out where you live? Instead, I was asking you in a civil manner.

[He's really not helping his case of being less creepy...]

[made_up_names]

[ He really, really isn't. ]

Violating my privacy by asking nicely is still violating my privacy, okay. Also thanks for the extra paranoia.

[mysteryhero]

Peter, I underestimated you. You would be wise not to underestimate me.

I know what you're thinking.

... Not literally. But you think I'm trying too hard, don't you? To make this work. You think maybe I'm asking too many questions.

[made_up_names]

I definitely know you're asking too many questions. If you wanna find out where I live, do it the hard way.