VIDEO | un: p.parker

[webdesigned]

If you knew her, Gwen is gone. Transferred.

( that seems to be pretty much all he has to say on the matter, but what he isn't saying is clearly obvious on his face. he's upset, eyes red and a little dark, like maybe he hasn't been sleeping well. he hasn't been.

he knows she's not dead, and yet, considering that he might never see her again, it sort of feels like it. how long will he spend mourning Gwen Stacy? forever, probably.

he wishes he could point out Spider-Woman is gone, too. she'd made connections as both. but he can't — those who miss the masked version will have to figure out she's gone on their own. )

If there's anybody that cares, I could use some help with our little dudes. They're close to hatching, I think. It's better if someone is there to meet them when they do. ( he's talking about the squidges, and the observant will notice that's where he is — hanging out near the squidge park. he's been here a lot lately if one can find him at all. if you can't, well, he's probably somewhere on top of the castle where you're not likely to get to him. )

Comments

[assent]

I suppose it must be quite a daunting task. I do not mind, however, we have plenty of time here.

[ She says that when she's killing herself in the training room and studying medicine until her brain feels like it's pounding but sure... ]

Mm. I am sure we can figure something out. Though I am afraid I do not understand what you mean by "imprint on"?

[ She wasn't here back when the squidges arrived sadly ]

[webdesigned]

Yeah. Too much time. I'm not used to this kinda quiet.

( back home there's always something. a response on the radar to get to, or a siren to follow. here there's just a whole lot of quiet, and it's not good when he needs to keep his mind and thoughts Occupied. the squidges probably don't need as much attention as he's giving them, but it's at least something. )

It's ... when they see someone, they form a connection. It happens early on, after they hatch. Kinda like babies knowing their parents, but it happens way faster with a squidge. If they don't make that connection, then they're never the same.

[assent]

It is a lot quieter here compared to before. Is there anything I can do to help? I can yell from my window. [ That's a terrible joke, but she's trying to help him feel a little lighter as well. She never talks about people she misses, only once. ]

Does it have to be one on one or can multiple squidges imprint on the same person? It may make things more difficult if it is one on one, but I am happy to help with that as well.

[webdesigned]

( it's a good try, Sonia. honestly. it ears a twitch at the corner of his mouth, though not quite a smile. probably as close as he's gotten in awhile, though. ) You'd have to yell a whole lot to compare to the noise level of New York, but I appreciate the offer.

( as for whether they could successfully have more than one squidge imprint on the same person, that he isn't certain of. ) I dunno. Didn't work that way on Zeta 12, but I also didn't get close enough to any of the stragglers until it was already too late. Maybe? I'm not sure. ( he scratches his head with a frown. ) They really liked stuffed animals. Maybe we can make some kind of surrogate company out of those.

[assent]

You are from New York? [ She looks more surprised about that than other things, though it would make her offer rather redundant, wouldn't it? She tried... ] That would be very difficult to match up to, I am sure.

[ Though hmm... she hasn't heard of creatures that work like this, but it's quite endearing. If there's any way to help, she'll take it. ] Is there any way to acquire stuffed animals here?

[webdesigned]

Yeah. ( there's always a tinge of it in his voice, though the accent is harder to spot if you don't have much experience with it. ) You'd need about twenty more of you for a quiet day, and that's not even touching traffic sounds.

( he wishes he could think of an easier way. ) Riza got a bunch, once, but that was some weird reward from the guys upstairs. Making one is the only way I can think of, though there could be some around. Not sure.

[assent]

[ Well she's European and a Japanophile so her ability to know the difference between American accents is probably Low. ] That is quite true, I cannot do that kind of acapella by myself.

[ That isn't what he means but okay. ]

They do give some strange rewards, do they not? I wonder if anyone else has any... or at least the materials to make some. I can sew but I do not have anything with me for that kind of work.

[webdesigned]

I'd be pretty impressed if anyone could.

( no it's not but... i mean, she's not wrong. )

You're not kidding, and... ah, neither do I. Sorry. ( he does seem to look a little glum that he can suggest something that might help, and then have no capacity to put it in action. )

[assent]

And I as well, but I am sure there probably is someone with multiple heads in the universe who may be able to.

[ Well, given what types of aliens there were in the world... who knows.................. ]

It is quite alright. It is something to ponder, at least. [ She gives him a reassuring smile. ] If not that, perhaps we will think of something else.

[webdesigned]

I guess it's not... impossible.

( hey science could do some cray stuff. multiheaded sfx aliens? sure. couldn't be much weirder than being space kidnapped and meeting an alternate universe version of the girlfriend he'd murdered only to lose her all over again, right? right! )

If not that, something. I'm worried what'll happen to them when we ship out. I hope someone else is gonna keep an eye on them.

[assent]

It is a worrying thought, no?

[ THEN WHY DID SHE SAY IT... a good question. and look in her world there are killer robot bears, anything goes. ]

Will they go back to the planet you originally met them on, do you think?

[webdesigned]

I've had worse.

( he's good at those, don't even worry about it. when in doubt, he can make it worse. )

They'll have to when they get old enough. To evolve they'll need to return to the spring on Zeta-12.

[assent]

Mm. [ It's all she says in response to that though, a sentiment she shares all too well. Though either way, the bigger concern is what to do with these little ones when they hatch in that case. ]

Is ALASTAIR sending them back then? I am not certain of the timing but will we have left by then? Though I suppose this is a base for many groups... perhaps it will be there time to look after them when we leave. I... truly hope so.

[webdesigned]

I'd guess so.

( he's not an expert on the plan. he could ask a senior member, maybe, he might be curious enough for it. )

There's likely to be someone here, even if we're not. Hopefully they'll look after the little punkertons, if they do end up hatching before we ship out. We clearly can't take them along.

[assent]

I hope so. [ She can't recall if there was information provided on the squidges right now either. ]

But I imagine they will not be alone, but I do not know if any of the other teams will be familiar with their needs if it is Audentes that went ot their world. It would be a shame if they were left in careless hands. Perhaps an instruction guide to leave behind would be a good idea?

[webdesigned]

You think? Yeah, maybe. We were the ones on Zeta-12, we'd be the quote unquote experts. I can work on that, probably.

( because he doesn't have enough to do? he just seems to operate better when his head and hands are moving. less time to think that way. )

[assent]

Unless there are other worlds quite similar, it may be the case. Would you like me to join you now? I can watch them while you start. It may make things easier.

[ To be fair, there isn't that much to do here outside of training. ]

[webdesigned]

Oh. Right. Yeah, sure. Come on down, that'd be great.

( he's actually a little surprised by how many teammates have been willing to help him out even with unhatched squidges, but he will take all the help he can get. )

[assent]

In that case, I will be there shortly. Do you need me to bring anything?

[ Really she's an animal lover anyway... so it's easy enough to convince her to take part. ]

[webdesigned]

I don't need anything. You can, uh, bring something to help you with the eggs if you want? They like to be read to. And music. And blankets. And... well, that's more than enough.

( but as for him, no, he's fine. )

[assent]

I am able to bring a blanket... and I can sing if needed. I do not mind. It may make things easier.

[ Is this like this kind of fine though Peter... ]

[webdesigned]

I think they'd like that. Anything musical they seem to like, but unless we've got a piano I don't know about, I can't help there. I am not a singer.

( usually he'd throw a self depreciating joke there, but... ah. it's more like this lbr BUT HE'S FINE OK HE'S FINE HE'S TOTALLY FINE. )

[assent]

Yet you play the piano? [ She perks up a little at that, as someone who also has learned how to play it. ]

Though I do not mind. I can sing for them, I will try and think of something soothing.

[ That hopefully won't be Rihanna or Iggy Azalea or something just as unexpected. ]

[webdesigned]

Oh. Uh, yeah. When I was a kid, my mom really wanted me to learn.

( he's definitely rusty but when you go every week for years, some thing you just don't forget.

also look RiRi can be very soothing??? under my umbrella-ella-ey-ey ) The music app on our communicator might have some lullabies, if you need inspiration.

to action or ftb?

[assent]

You do not enjoy it? [ It is rather like riding a bike in that way! But ah yes... though Sonia's examples of RiRi in futuro have been "Bitch better have my money" and "Man down" ... though man down is a bit melodic, that's true. ]

I shall take a listen now while I get ready and will join to shortly.