fade rift. inbox.

[propulsion]

"You have reached the life model decoy of Tony Stark."

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[propulsion]

It's not a lot different from a normal pen. Unless kids these days do all their schoolwork on their phones. Come in, pull up a,

[ and he's already moved on from that sentence, gesturing to the angled chair on the opposite side of his desk as he dips into a drawer. Pulls out some pages. ]

But we can do this, you know, verbal. And up top? [ A look back to Peter. Maybe it's normal for a new guy to look like he's gonna vibrate out of his skeleton. It's kind of a big deal, going from New York to all this.

And he's long since given up on asking earthers if they know who he is. So; ] Coming from earth and knowing stuff about gravity or thermodynamics or space or other basics you got in elementary school you can feel smart explaining to the locals does not actually mean Research is the place for you.

So why do you wanna join, uh—name?

[heartstumbles]

Well, last time I was in school, we still used paper and pen. [He tries not to think about Midtown if he can help it. He tries not to think of the graduation he missed, or the senior year activities he also missed. He tries not to think of MJ and Ned receiving their acceptance letters to MIT and how they'll both go away to school without him. He tries not to think, and the thoughts pile up on him anyway.

He considers how to answer Tony's question about why he wants to sign up for Research. It's a fair question to ask, after all. He considers for a few moments how he wants to reply. He's still debating about joining Scouting too, after all.

Tony asks for his name, and Peter's...almost relieved. He must be from a point before he and Peter met, he thinks. That oddly helps take some of the pressure off of Peter. He feels guilty about feeling grateful for Tony not recognizing him.] Peter, Peter Parker.

[He takes another moment before continuing to answer.] I want to join Research because I feel like it's where I can be most useful. I'm good with research and I'm good with my hands. I used to build computers out of scrap parts I found in dumpsters and I know how to work with chemicals.

[He wishes he could explain about creating his own webfluid but that's a delicate line he doesn't exactly want to cross right now.

He pauses before continuing his answer.]

I think Research is where I can apply what I'm best at to help with Riftwatch. I want to help.

[Another pause, and, like old habit, Peter's youth slips out in the tiny smile that cracks across his face.]

And I think it's Forces division that works with them but I also really want to see a griffon.

[propulsion]

[ Peter Parker, and the kid momentarily has Tony's undivided attention.

It might be easy to miss. Tony can, sometimes, pin just about anyone under a confronting stare down, all unswerving analysis and hyperfixation, and this isn't so much unlike that for the time it takes Peter to get to I used to build computers as he diverts his focus down onto some piece of paper in front of him.

Thinking fast, replaying the last few seconds hastily while some other part of his brain continues to listen and take note. ]

They're not exclusive, [ he says, looking back up. ] The catbirds. Don't let the jocks have the monopoly. How long ago did you say you'd rifted in?

[heartstumbles]

[For a moment, Peter feels as though Tony stares at him intensely for a moment, but he blinks and Tony is looking down at a piece of paper. Something in Peter's chest tightens as he considers whether or not that was a moment of recognition; he tells himself to breathe and focus. He can't afford to mess anything up that might affect back home, or negatively impact Tony here in Thedas.

And then Tony calls griffons catbirds, and Peter almost laughs at that description.] Catbirds? Really? Do they purr too?

[Maybe some part of him that remembers bantering with Tony peeks out from where Peter has all but buried his younger and more carefree self for just a moment. He feels a distinct sense of nerd pride at Tony calling Forces jocks, too.

He asks about Peter drifting in, and Peter has to think for a moment to make sure he has it right for how long he's been here.]

It was a few days ago. I know about quarantine, and that I can't leave the Gallows for...awhile?