tushanshu | [Video]

Entry tags:

[Video]

[And it's a somewhat exhausted Pete greeting you all, looking somewhat bored out of his mind.]

So, now that I'm officially out of a job, I don't suppose anyone out there's looking for lab assistant by any chance, are they? It doesn't even have to be a paying position, since the rationing's handling the necessary stuff. I just need something to do, and hopefully working around a lab'll get my mind off things.

Since there's not really anyone else from my home around, I can't really provide references, but I did work for a few months interning under Dr. Conners at the ESU genetics lab, so I'm familiar with the basics. And with how to handle dangerous lab specimens, if there's a chance of that coming up.

[A beat.]

Also not panicking when a revenge-crazy supervillain created by some of those specimens happens to show up, but the odds of that one happening again are probably lower.

[Electro was a bit of a fluke, from what he was able to tell. It was impressive enough he survived at all, and compared to that the superpowers part was actually a bit less surprising.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Before I answer this. Uh.

What do you mean by revenge-crazy supervillain? Do you have... experience with those?

[Bruce may or may not be extremely interested in anyone that could feasibly not get crushed to death by the Hulk in three seconds. He would especially like this trait in a potential lab assistant.]

There was an incident a while back. I wasn't there to see it, but one of the technicians nearly died due to some problems with the eel enclosure.

When he came back, he'd picked up some electrical powers and was threatening Dr. Connors for a cure, and the rest of us if we tried to leave. He hasn't bothered trying again since Spider-Man stopped him, but he's still a problem back home. He just goes by "Electro" now.

That's. Insane. [He shakes his head.] But I guess I shouldn't talk. [Given his circumstances and everything.

In any case, Bruce is disappointed that it wasn't him personally who'd taken him on, but that was probably too much to expect. In light of the fact that he's intentionally trying to participate in society more, he says tentatively,] I might have a job for you. And I might be able to pay you-- I'm not sure. I'd have to speak with Stark.

I'm a physicist with some training in biochemistry, and I've been trying to look into the sickness. The cause, and things we can do to mitigate it. I work at Stark Industries.

[Insane. Right. Oh the stories he could tell. But Peter Parker's not supposed to know the ins and outs of supervillain motivation in New York City, so he'll have to bite his tongue for now.]

Last I saw him he was in protective custody. And still shouting that his name was Electro, like his previous identity is some sort of separate person. So, I guess "insane" works.

[Still not crazy on Stark being involved, but he'd try to play nice about it.]

Working in a lab again would be great though, with or without pay. Probably even enough to tolerate Mr. Stark's occasional bad behavior.

[...okay in his defense, he was only committed to trying to play nice. The attempt was made, it just managed to mitigate the hostility was all.]

[Really, Bruce should have a much higher tolerance for insane, but he's pre-Avengers so he has limited exposure to supervillains. Most of what he's had, he wasn't conscious for, and only has fairly traumatic flashbacks about. So Peter's story is still flabbergasting.]

They have protective custody for that where you're from? How do they stay contained? [He's legitimately interested, because he's always wondered what happened to Emil Blonsky with a stomach-sinking sense of trepidation.

And despite liking him himself-- are they friends? They're probably friends, he thinks-- Bruce can understand that Tony is a lot to swallow for most people, and isn't offended.] He's... well, he actually contributes a lot. Personally. [Not just his money.] But I think you can slide by with a minimum of interaction if you want. I don't talk much, either.

Bruce Banner, by the way.

However they can, really. And based on why they need to be in there. Electro's just not well, so he's just kept locked up under observation and treatment, and in a suit that contains the electrical discharge.

The more dangerous ones are in specialized cells, either at the Vault or Rikers. It just depends on whether or not they've got special powers, and how much of a threat they are. I don't remember where all of the others wound up, but I know Rhino's back at the Vault.

[Because it was a regular celebration whenever that guy was off the streets.] And Mr. Stark still does help out, we've got portable phones now. I know it doesn't sound like much, but considering the only other means of communication were in-person or immobile stations, it helped a lot. Especially during the mainland explorations. It's just his ego that's the problem.

[Oh, right. Introductions. That he'd totally forgotten to do, despite the entire network post basically being a job application. Way to screw up, Parker.]

Oh, right! Peter Parker. Aspiring associate in alliteration, apparently.

Edited (Typos B|) 2013-04-26 14:39 (UTC)

Wow. That's... elaborate. [He sounds reluctant to admire it, though; Bruce is the sort of person that idealistically wishes none of that were necessary, despite knowing better.] From what I know now, we probably have something like that at home, but it's-- the public isn't privy to it. Things sound a lot more open where you're from. [If some random teenager knows the details of each supervillain's imprisonment, then...]

Portable phones? I should... get one. [This is what happens when you avoid as much social interaction as possible: you miss out on things that everyone else already knows.] No, it does sound like a lot. I've been plenty of places without internet access at all. [Intentionally.] And I think the ego is, uh, unavoidable. [He doesn't apologize for it because he doesn't think Tony needs apologizing for, but he doesn't sugar coat things either. It is what it is.]

[Bruce himself is still getting used to the fact that he can give out his name. The joke he doesn't even know what to do with; he's not nearly witty enough to respond in kind.] Nice to meet you, [he settles on.] Can I ask... how old are you? Just out of curiosity.

They used to all just get dropped into Rikers, but when a whole bunch of 'em broke out at once, the city decided to build a more specialized one. It's worked so far.

[Kinda.]

And I'm sixteen.

[The way he says it, it seems like he's just waiting for you to try that "you're too young" thing Wayne did, Bruce.]

I guess if they're going to be a regular problem, they have to find some way to cope.

[Don't worry, Bruce would be the last person to say anyone was too young for something. Age had never prevented any of the tragedies of his life, and he'd always been far too intelligent for his own good. He understands.] And you've already worked in a lab? You must be good. I didn't get my act together until college. [He'd been kind of angry in high school. Just a little.]

Ugh, you have no idea. They don't even take the holidays off!

[Just leaning back in his chair and...well, venting, really. It's like he traded constant stress at home for a different kind of constant stress here, he just wanted a vacation from it.

But he should probably be sure to cover for what just came out of his mouth.]

Christmas was days away, and I still got called down to Times Square to get photos when a bunch of them started terrorizing everyone. And before that, the Green Goblin was trying to settle scores on Halloween!

[Which, in hindsight? Probably the most appropriate day for that particular nutjob to go out on the town. Though he may have managed to lose track of the compliment, Bruce. Since, y'know. Venting.]

[Wow, this was way more reaction than he was expecting. Bruce raises his eyebrows, but doesn't interrupt. He's a good listener, much moreso than he is a talker, and though he's almost pathologically incapable of venting himself, he doesn't begrudge it in other people.]

Why were you taking photos? Isn't that... dangerous? [You might be capable and intellectually respectable but you're still a teenager and shouldn't be doing dangerous things. Not that Bruce has a hidden protective streak or anything. He's just going to sit here and mildly egg on more venting.]

[He doesn't even think of repeating the compliment, because he doesn't assume anyone else would care about his opinion on it. Yeah.]

The internship wasn't the paying kind. I had to take up work for the Daily Bugle as a photographer just to help make ends meet.

[To be honest, he was less upset at having to take the job, and more upset that Supervillains had the remarkable ability to start committing crimes right in the middle of his social life. It was like they had their own special version of the Spider-sense, only it was incredibly rude. "Parker's enjoying himself, quick let's rob a bank."

Also, it was the photography that was the dangerous part. And nothing else :|]

Considering half of them are certified ego-maniacs, I don't know why I'm the one who winds up having to take the pictures, either. The way Mysterio talks about himself you'd expect the guy to have his own press corps.

[Made up entirely of the little red imps, assigned a bunch of tiny cameras, fedoras, and notepads.]

Working makes sense, but-- didn't they ever notice? And attack you?

[Seriously, Bruce is questioning the wisdom of this career path. Unless Peter is some kind of adrenaline junkie, but he's not presenting it that way, and picturing a teenager throwing himself into the line of fire of supervillains on a regular basis is concerning.]

Not really. They were usually busy dealing with Spider-Man or terrorizing people. And I haven't run into one yet that didn't want pictures taken. They probably enjoy the media attention.

[see: ego-maniacs]

Edited 2013-05-02 19:10 (UTC)

That's. Yeah, okay. [Rubbing at his forehead a little bit, but Bruce really can't pretend he has some kind of right to say what is or isn't safe.] I guess I could buy that.

Hopefully things will be less exciting in our lab. There's actually... somehow, a couple others your age with mechanical experience that want to help. [It only just occurs to him that they might not all get along, in which case Bruce has no idea what he'll do. Gently kick them out? He's not a babysitter. But they all seem pretty mature and work-focused so he's pretty sure it won't be an issue.]

Huh. Well, I guess that's good though, right? At the very least, I might actually make a few friends in my age range. There weren't exactly a lot of people with similar interests back at Midtown.

[Because high school.]

Yeah, I... know how you feel. But I don't mind; I know your age doesn't indicate everything. I was a little ahead of my age range, too. [And by a little he means a lot.]

[Maybe at this point Peter will remember that compliment from earlier? Maybe.]

[Ooh, supervillain talk. Ava could ask on the network, but Pete looks bored anyway so she figures she'll head next door and ask in person instead. Knock knock!]

[Well, it's definitely unexpected, considering Pete's never really had visitors while he's been on the turtle.]

Oh, hey Ava. What's up?

[Because "DID YOU NEED SOMETHING?" is a little too blunt even by Pete's impressively low standards.]

[Well, to be fair Ava's pretty much in Pete's space because she's bored and that's about it.] I can give you a reference if you want. Who's this supervillain who attacked? Was it Doc Ock? [Her mouth twitches a little as she says that name. Too ridiculous for her, but she doesn't know what else he could be called.]

[Because no, 'Doctor Octopus' is not better.]

Huh? OH. No, it was Electro. Doc Ock came later. Much later. Electro was one of the first that Spider-Man had to deal with.

[Yeah, you may know he's actually Spider-Man and everything Ava, but you're also currently having this conversation within earshot of other people.]

[Well then Peter could turn the stupid console off now couldn't he.] Really? How'd it go? Since I don't think Spider-Man is much of a solo act. [Yeah she knows this Pete gets along fine but he can't say that within his ridiculous earshot space now can he.]

[Yeah he's actually more concerned that the conversation's happening on his doorstep, which is why he steps aside to let Ava through.]

He is where I come from. The biggest problem seems to be making sure the bad guys he locks up stay locked up.

[And telling Mysterio Bots apart from the real Mysterio, because man that guy's a headache.]

What's a genetics?

[A hundred-and-eighteen years old she may be, but Mavis has been sheltered.]

"A genetics"? I don't un-oh.

[Well, this. Could be difficult. He's tutored people before, but that usually involved building on a base level of prior knowledge. With Mavis, he doesn't have the first clue what she does or doesn't know.]

Well, genetics is basically the study of, well, genetics. The genetic code that makes up all organic life.

[...he hasn't seen a robot show up yet, but he's basically chalking that one up to "only a matter of time" at this point]

The biological stuff that makes you, well, you.

[That-- WHOA. Does he mean?]

You mean that I have genetics too?

Well, as far as I know we don't have vampires back home to confirm it with, but probably. Pretty much every living thing has them.

Though, the right term would be genes, not genetics. That's just the study of it.

Holy rabies, that's so weird!

[For the record? Mavis is looking at her arm and poking it, even waving "hi" to her genes.]

Wait. Living? [Her tone turns bummed.]

[ Cue a certain someone getting pinged by science. Hello, stranger. ]

If I had a lab, I'd hire ya, dude. Or- if I still had one, I guess.

[ Headscratch. Cause, y'know his got lost due to this place's shenanigans. ]

So, intern in a genetics lab?

Or remembered meeting me in the first place?

[Yeah he'd held off saying anything for as long as he could, then just decided to tackle that particular problem head on.]

...

[ He headtilts. The meaning of that doesn't go over his head, like it might for some people, even with how straightforward it is. He shakes his head. ]

My friends say the last time I was here, it was from a point in my future. However that works. I don't remember anything about that, though. [ Maybe he just got amnesia. ]

Same way anything here works--in whatever way the Emperor doesn't feel like telling us about.

[Something that had been frustrating him to no end, really.]

If it makes you feel any better, you're now eligible for being a case study. You're the only one I know of who's been here, left, and come back. So, whatever happened to you can probably be expected to extend to the rest of us under similar circumstances.

But as far as timelines are concerned-- if you were pulled here from a point in your future, why would you remember something that, theoretically, hadn't happened to you yet?

[ Oh joy, a case study!

Flat look. ]

Guess I get to be special somehow. [ Grumble. ]

Maybe I'm brainwashed or something. [ He snorts. Too much science fiction for this one. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

Re: [video]

[video]

Re: [video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

[action]

audio

audio

audio

[audio]

[audio]

video

video

video

[video] oh god such a late tagback

[video]