[Audio]

[nerdylilspidey]

[It's been a day or so since Peter got set up in his suite. He's not entirely sure. He'd been exposed to total information overload when he first showed up, and he needed the time to sit and let it all process. Not that doing so allowed anything to really make sense. But still. And of course with the way his body had refused to cooperate with even the simple task of listening to someone, he'd been in desperate need of some actual rest. But when he next woke up and really felt aware of his situation, only one thought really resounded.

They told him that this was an "In-Between." But Peter wasn't fooled.

Eventually he pulls himself out of bed (with a wince) and makes his way over to the console in his suite. It doesn't take long for Peter to figure out how it works, and as soon as he's got it running, he's turning on the audio feed. He's sure he's still looking pretty beaten up and he doesn't want to alarm anyone, after all. This doesn't feel like a good time for sympathy from total strangers. And "In-Between" or no, keeping his identity a secret was second nature. When he speaks, he's trying to be slow and careful about what he says-- and at the same time, there's a nervousness in his voice along with that slight strain caused by his injuries.]

Um... Hi, everyone. I, uh-- Not to sound ungrateful to the- the people who brought me over here and explained everything, but. Uh. Just wondering if there's somewhere I can go for, y'know, fresh clothes. And.. And maybe some clean bandages...? Or ice packs... Y'know, just-- any stuff like that, that would actually be awesome to get...

[There's a brief pause, during which he can probably be heard fidgeting awkwardly.]

And I... I get that I'm-- we're all stuck here. For like, forever. But-- [He stops again, breath catching. Somebody just level with me. Seriously. Just admit that this is-- some kind of after life and that's why we can't leave.] ... Never mind.

Clean clothes would really help me out a lot, thanks.

Comments

audio;

[nerdylilspidey]

[Whoa, hey. He recognizes this face.]

... Tony?

[definingfuture]

Probably. [He is so helpful.] Do I look familiar?

[nerdylilspidey]

Uh- Yeah. Like, y'know. Tony Stark.

[definingfuture]

Well, you're sharp. Congratulations.

More importantly, did you get those clothes?

[nerdylilspidey]

Well, no, not yet. But I will in a little while...

[He thinks.]

[definingfuture]

Give me twenty. I'll run some over there.

You'll need to give me the "there" though.

[nerdylilspidey]

Uh-- Metal Sector?

[ ...Wait, what? ]

Wait... What?

[definingfuture]

What? You want to go shopping without clothes? Up to you, but people might have a few things to say about that.

[nerdylilspidey]

I... [Shopping with Tony Stark. All arguments have now fallen to the wayside.]

'Kay.

[definingfuture]

See? That's a much better answer. What's your room number?

[Being forcefully helpful is still being helpful, right? Right.]

[nerdylilspidey]

[It helps when Peter has too much respect and admiration for Tony to turn him down. And besides, Tony know who he is, right? Right?]

Um- ME-1C.

[definingfuture]

[That answer is full of complications. Tony grins at the console display though.]

Right. Sit there and I'll see what I can find. No promises on style.

[He doesn't wait for an answer. Peter is going to be accosted by Iron Man bearing some quickly bought clothes from the kedan marketplace. Because he can do that.

But at least he knocks.]

[nerdylilspidey]

[Peter had spent a minute or two trying to figure out if Tony was serious. He'd stayed put just in case he was. So he's still surprised enough when he hears the knock on his door. He pulls a blanket over his shoulders (not that doing so really hides the tights or anything) before going to answer the door, peering around it at his visitor.]

Hi.

[definingfuture]

Hi.

[He's young. Wow, he's young. Tony had heard it in his voice over the network, but seeing Pete in person drives that point home. Tony looks surprised for just half a moment before he smiles and offers over a small bundle of folded cloth. The design is Asian in style, but not quite familiar.]

I hope they fit. I just kind of guessed on the size since you didn't give me much to go on.

[nerdylilspidey]

[Peter's not sure what the look of surprise that passed over Tony's face is supposed to mean, but he puts the thought aside. He's offering clothes to him, which Peter accepts just as soon as he pulls the door open much wider.]

Yeah, I-- Sorry. I'm sure they'll be fine.

[He takes a step back as he turns the clothes over in his hands.] Thanks for this. Seriously.

[definingfuture]

[It's not a bad thing, really. He's just young. And there's nothing wrong with being young. It's nice to see Peter looking somewhat happy.

Or bewildered, really, but that works too.]

Seriously, don't thank me until you try them on. I was winging it, because I didn't know how tall you'd be. But you're welcome anyway.

[nerdylilspidey]

[He looks up at Tony from the clothes and… for a moment, he's confused. Tony seems… different, somehow. He can't place it. He's not sure what it means.

Turning his attention back on the clothes he moves to put everything down somewhere so that he's not trying to do too many things with his hands at once. He shakes out a top and holds it out at arm's length to get a decent look at it.]

… I think they'll fit… [Which immediately prompts him to simply pull it on over his tights, blanket falling from his shoulders. It's a little loose, but it's nothing Peter can't deal with.]

[definingfuture]

[Well, that's... open of him. Tony's eyebrows raise, and it's not because he's utterly shocked by the visible tights beneath the clothes he pulls on, but the casual way that Peter lets the blanket fall. Tony moves slightly, blocking the doorway with his body just in case someone happens to burst in (which they won't), and raises his hand to his chin.]

So. [Make this as easy for him as possible, Tony. Don't do anything stupid.]

Ultimates? Or am I way off?

[nerdylilspidey]

[He's pulling the pants on when Tony speaks again, and the question makes him pause. He looks over at Tony with a look that clearly says "You've obviously lost your mind, Mr. Stark." What a weird question. What else would they be called?]

You of all people should know I'm not one of them, if that's what you're asking.

[definingfuture]

Actually, I shouldn't. [Wait.] Well, I should. I'm smart enough to figure things out, so, yeah, I should know. But not personally. Not first hand.

[Focus, Tony.]

I'm not from your world. Mine is similar, but it's not quite as-- Cap's not President. Someone told me that once. Anyway, our team is different, and you're in it, but kind of as a second string. But overall it's close enough that I can recognize you.

[Oops. That came out less than gracefully.]

Don't panic.

[nerdylilspidey]

[The clothes start getting pulled on much more slowly now, while Peter listens and stares at Tony in confusion. Not from your world.]

I'm... not panicking. [Or is he? He can't even tell right now.] But I, uh... I am confused... When did Cap become President?

And you're... not the Tony that was supposed to help train me...?

[definingfuture]

Train you?

[Well, that's new.] I wasn't, but I can. I mean, I guess. What was I training you for?

[He can't answer the questions as well as he'd like, since he's only picked up what Wanda and a few others have told him, but that's okay, right? He's got most of the important stuff. Like the fact they have different team names.]

[nerdylilspidey]

Yeah... The, uh. The head of SHIELD said I had to learn how to not do a ton of damage to the city while fighting.

[Kedan clothes now more or less on, Peter tries to figure out how to make them not as baggy.] You guys decided I needed training.

[definingfuture]

Were you doing a ton of damage to the city?

[Tony doesn't look nearly as worried about that as he might. Whoops, collateral damage. Ah, well. Things happen. Mostly he's amused by watching Peter try to make the kedan clothes fit right.]

Okay. So we train you. Safe Superheroing and You. It'll be fun and you can earn merit badges.

[nerdylilspidey]

I guess...?? But I mean-- It's not my fault that the guys I'm up against have superpowers or crazy weapons that rip the ground up or whatever.

[These pants are not cooperating. Maybe if he gathers enough material on both sides and then ties them together...]

"We"? You mean like, you and the rest of the Ultimates?