genessia | [Video]

[ Peter's also trying not to think about how traumatized he was last time. To that end, seeing the tech kind of helps? Geeking out takes over, at least; he can't help but be fascinated by what Beck's able to do rather than freaked out by what he's done. ]

So how's it work this time? D'you have those projectors again?

I don't have access to the same sort of drones or all the same tech, however I found enough equipment to simulate the necessary projections.

[Phone-like device now in hand, Beck presses the screen and he unveils to Peter what he hasn't to any other subject thus far. The room is not so bare at all. Yes, the chair is still the only furniture but the walls have been concealing many hidden items. A simple illusion to hide the technology to the casual observer. Not for secrecy as much as Beck didn't want people to be distracted by it upon entry to the room. The illusions had to be the star. There were small manoeuvrable projectors set into the wall at various key points and nests of small wires and circuit boards attached between them. It almost looks like the strange internal workings of a room-sized computer. There also actually was a window meant to look out of this room - but Beck has placed a board across it to block out any sunlight or view. It's all kind of makeshift, working with what he's got.]

It's a work in progress, which is why it all needs more testing.

[ Whoa. Peter jolts, startled; he has to concentrate to see through Mysterio's holograms, and this is no exception. He didn't see that the illusion was there.

He walks towards it, a bit awed, looking over the setup Beck has here. He's legitimately impressed. Even moreso by the fact that it's clearly makeshift. Look, he did everything with garbage and spare parts before Stark got involved, so he gets it. ]

Yeah, but this is a hell of a lot already. Do these move?

[It's likely this illusion was so benign that it didn't hit Peter's radar.]

They can.

[Beck fiddles again with his phone and the projectors smoothly turn this way and that, with a good range of movement.]

[ That too. He probably can't see through a harmless illusion even if he is concentrating.

Anyway, he watches them move, intrigued by them. ]

What kind of program are you running this on? And how about that motion? Do they run on motors or some kind of hydraulic system?

So many questions... You know, I can't give all of my secrets away, Peter. It would destroy the magic.

[He says with a twinkle in his eye. But Peter may notice there is some sort of motorised parts to the projectors. He'd had to borrow spare parts and some random items from Aster Technologies to put it all together.]

But the programming is all built on my previous work. I have my suit here. It wasn't difficult to patch it all in to the communication systems they provided us with. I can control all of it from here.

[He lifts his phone up to indicate that's what he meant.]

It's all now integrated into my systems.

Makes it easier, yeah... programming was always the bigger pain for me. So if you can just cheat off yourself that's so much better.

[ He considers one of the moving projectors for a moment, thinking. ]

Y'know what you could salvage to get better precision on these things? RC car parts. And if you set up a gimbal here you'd get really smooth projection. Electronics stores throw out pieces of 'em all the time.

[A slight look of annoyance at the 'cheating' remark abruptly changes into a curious expression of surprise.]

Are you honestly trying to help me with my work here?

[He hadn't exactly been expecting a sabotage but he also hadn't been expecting actual advice.]

[ Look, he meant it fondly. Peter cheats off himself all the time; it's just called being efficient.

Also, he looks a bit embarrassed. ]

Well - yeah. I am. It makes sense, right? I'd much rather you succeed at, like, the non-violent version of this tech. So why wouldn't I help?

[Beck can just be overly sensitive, especially when it comes to his work. But he got over it quickly as the subject moves along.]

You're a smart kid and I appreciate the help.

[It sounds sincere.]

[ He just sort of shrugs a bit. ]

I'm probably the most helpful at this state of things. I built everything out of garbage and spare parts before Stark came along.

[Beck crosses his arms and studies Peter a little more intently.]

What did you build on your own?

[He really does want to know.]

Everything, man. My webshooters, the webfluid, my suit, all of that. Don't get me wrong, Mr. Stark did a hell of a lot for me. But all the early stuff? That was just me and whatever I could scavenge.

Stark just had better funding.

[He'd taken advantage of that himself, hoping for greater results. He'd been sorely disappointed there.]

Right. Exactly. I'm not gonna turn that down without good reason.

I understand.

Well, you do have talent.

Now, do you have any more questions or would you like me to begin the testing?

I think I'm good for now.

Is that for or against a test run?

Oh - I meant I'm good on the questions. Ready to try it out.

OK, good.

[Beck chuckles and indicates the chair.]

Please, sit down and relax.

First, there will be a sampling...

When you're ready.

[And he waits a moment, standing back in the doorway, while Peter gets comfortable.]

Um, okay.

[ that was a little weird, but he obediently sits down in the chair. Not comfortable, but sitting. ]

[Looking down at his phone, Beck swipes the scereen and presses a few settings. Peter may now be more aware of when the illusion drops in from past experience but this one has 100% less nightmares. The scene that appears is a beautiful stretch of beach with the ocean just ahead of him. Seabirds can be heard above; the tide peacefully lapping against the shore. Where Peter is sitting it no longer looks like a regular chair but has turned into a lounging deck chair. Beck has vanished, as has the door. Peter is surrounded by the beach. But Beck's voice filters through.]

Visually perfect. But I'm working on more...

[Suddenly, there's the harsh sound of white noise static but it clears quickly.]

Now, try to touch something.

[And if Peter complies, it will feel as if the sand, a seashell or the water beyond is really there.]

[ The initial start of the illusion is enough to make him twitch - he still has nightmares about Beck's illusions, okay, and it's very hard to watch one spring into life in front of him. Even something as innocuous as this. He is, unfortunately, gripping a dent into your chair, sorry, Beck. But then that initial spike of fear passes; he forces himself to calm back down. Just a beach. That's all.

He carefully levers himself down out of the chair, genuinely impressed. And. Worried too. This is a lot of progress in just a few days. he can't help but try to open up his spider senses to see if he can even tell the difference between reality and illusion. (In this context? He gets nothing. There's no danger, so nothing to sense.) ]

Touch something. Okay, sure.

[ He leans down carefully, reaching out for a seashell. Sure enough, he can feel it. That's - yep, definitely concerning. But amazing too? He tries to pick it up, to see if it actually has weight in his hands. ]

[For a moment, the shell does feel weighted and real but it abruptly disintegrates, and the scene wavers. Once it settles again, the sense of real touch is gone. The visuals and audio are still as good as ever though.]

Still working through those bugs....

[ Huh. He tries touching a few other things, but. Yep. Just audio and visual. Which is still a hell of a lot but. ]

I'm impressed I could feel anything. How the heck are you doing it?

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