maskormenacelogs | (no subject)

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(no subject)

WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: Jeopardy -> Heropa
WHEN: Nov. 19
WHAT: A resolution and a swear-in
WARNINGS: Please label threads

Somewhere, in a place that is and is not Jeopardy, time has passed. To some, it may have felt like mere hours; to others, days. For time doesn't truly touch this place. Only fate exists here, for imPorts to change or allow to proceed as it will.

Somewhere, the sisters look into the hearts of those with the power to decide the fate of this entire world and know their choice. A blinding light grows, forcing even the strongest to close their eyes, and as they do so, a vision of what could have happened appears in their minds. A world wreathed in flames, fire and screams echoing ceaselessly as they depart; a peaceful world, healed and whole and well—and a certainty that another world has paid a heavy price.

And then there's the sensation of three powerful forces leaving, two taking an unwilling third with them to wherever they are going. This world will be left as it is now, and its future will be whatever the people here make of it.

MEANWHILE, IN HEROPA

One week into the mysterious storm that has enveloped much of Jeopardy, citizens across the nation are losing hope. The government continues to monitor the situation at a safe distance, but cannot enter the affected part of the city, though one SEAL team did make an attempt, only to become lost in the wind for hours before emerging without ever making it through. While the storm hasn't grown, neither has it shown any sign of changing.

The heroes who bravely charged into the storm have not officially been given up for lost, but with no news coming from Jeopardy, few believe they will emerge unscathed. To honor their sacrifice (?) and offer sorrowful natives a means of coping, a candlelight vigil kicks off outside Heropa City Hall at 4:30 PM EST.

Speeches are given. Commemorative t-shirts are sold. It is at this point that a large portal of light opens up in front of the building and deposits all imPorts who entered the storm, as well as a confused but unharmed Layla and Sally Clapp. A stunned silence falls over the crowd — followed shortly by an eruption of cheers.

Organized chaos quickly reigns over the occasion. Medical personnel are quickly called in to aid any imPorts who might need it, and government officials quickly descend, one thing on their mind: what the heck happened, heroes?! ImPorts are asked to state, for the record, exactly what they experienced — which leaves a lot of room open for the more creative among them. Just what each imPorts is willing to confess to or lie about is up to them, but there are other imPorts at hand to refute or support all statements.

While imPorts are technically free to go, all are encouraged to enter the building for a debriefing with government officials. Those who care to share their story begin to paint a picture of what happened, and a flurry of transportation begins to move between City Hall and the local porter outpost, as Jeopardy will certainly require some aid now that it is fully accessible. Reports begin to filter back that while there have been some casualties and collateral damage to the city, it is far less of a disaster than the government anticipated during the storm, no doubt due to imPorts' efforts. Additionally, news from other porter cities begins to arrive; with the dissipation of the Jeopardy storm, all dimensional anomalies elsewhere have ceased.

Following the briefings, ImPorts may go home and get some rest, although they may have trouble shaking off the crowds — which are largely ecstatic that the people who apparently saved the world are in front of them.

While imPorts were occupied with the post-disaster debriefings, locals have used the time to launch an impromptu celebration of their defense of this world. Local restaurants, breweries and nanas have hustled their finest wares over, and free food and drink are flowing for the homecoming heroes. A local party & events organizing company has strung up some lights and tents in the park across the street from City Hall, lending a festive atmosphere to the area. T-shirts being sold to honor the assumed-fallen heroes have been 'edited' with permanent marker, going from 'FALLED HEROES' (there was an error in the print run, given the notice of less than a week) to 'RISEN HEROES' and are, regretfully, being given away for free.

For those who stay, an impromptu party breaks out, and the occasion quickly becomes the latest swear-in, albeit with a more casual emphasis on the actual swearing-in than usual; a card table is set up with the usual seals and documents, but it's a bit haphazard.

Along with tasty libations, local musicians start jamming on acoustic guitars in the park's gazebo, setting up some cheerful background music—or maybe you're not too tired to dance? A local physical therapy school has rolled in multiple portable massage tables, with free sessions for sore heroes!

The locals who haven't dispersed yet are also around, likely to seek autographs from the world savers, while podcasters, BlueTubers and regular nosy nellies might lean in with a recording device, asking for the real story of what happened. For imPorts who become too intoxicated or exhausted to porter home, many locals are offering couches to crash on — although the pillows they use may later show up on ePay.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Normal, huh. Peter just looks even more exhausted for a moment. ]

What's that look like for us?

I meant the world. Not us personally.

[Beck eyes Peter as if making some quick and calculated decisions. Then he smiles, friendly, and opens his arms.]

I think after all we've been through this week, someone needs a hug.

[ He could use a hug. Not from Beck, which is sort of written on his face here, but. Ssssigh. Fine. The dude may be an asshole, but he’s from home. Peter accepts the hug, although there’s a distinct lack of the usual crushing strength that usually accompanies even his small gestures. ]

I’m glad you’re not dead.

[Beck gives him a decently warm hug, patting Peter reassuringly on the back.]

Likewise.

If something had happened to you... I don't know what I would have done.

[ A mixed expression, but softening. Even a shitty, abusive father figure is still a father figure, and he has to admit he likes Beck like this, even knowing it might be fake. ]

You wouldn’t have to put up with Spider-Man any more, I guess.

Look, you're not Spider-Man. I mean... it shouldn't define you. You know?

[He sounds insistent about that, encouraging, pulling back to hold on to Peter's upper arms for a moment and speak directly to him.]

You're Peter Parker and you're smart and you're kind and people should care about that. Not about you being a hero.

[ Oof. Surely Beck doesn’t know what happened between Peter and Clotho - nobody knows yet - so surely he can’t anticipate how hard this hits. He can’t quite meet Beck’s gaze, instead turning his head away. ]

Being a hero is important too. I mean - I tried to do the right thing? I don’t know if it was the right thing or not.

It must have been. We won, right?

[ Peter nods slowly. Exhausted, still, and kind of hollow looking. ]

Yeah. We won. I’ll take it.

[He grips Peter's arm, expression concerned.]

Is there something else?

[ Peter automatically flinches at that, pulling his arm away. Except. Well. He kind of can’t? If Beck isn’t holding on that hard then sure, maybe, but normally he’d just shrug Beck off with his super strength. That’s distinctly not happening here. ]

No, I’m fine. I’m not even injured or anything.

[That he notices, as he allows Peter to pull away but he realises that usually that would have taken the kid must less effort. Hmm... Maybe it was just exhaustion?]

You mean you're not physically injured...

[He gives Peter a meaningful look, thinking something else was going on here.]

[ Dammit. Of all people, Beck is the person he least wants to talk to about this. If he could get in contact with Marco and strategize this would be a lot easier, but... ]

I’m not. I was hurt, but Finn helped heal me.

[ There’s another hint. Usually his healing factor means he doesn’t need healers. And he certainly wouldn’t have bruises leftover, which he definitely has along his hairline and collar still. ]

[And Beck's clever enough to pick up on that.]

Yet you're still injured... Peter, it's clear that something's wrong. Physically and emotionally. What happened to you in the storm?

Not only what I can clearly see but you seem... distracted. More that just from what's going on now.

You don't think I can see when you're troubled?

[And he had been good at picking up on that in the past - as well as exploiting it to gain trust.]

[ Dammit. He never should have let Beck get close. He should have ghosted him right after that phone call, or at least given himself time to rest. In person, so immediately after getting back from Jeopardy... yeah. He should have figured he’d be too obvious. It’s too late to play dumb now.

So he slumps a little, looking even more tired and hollow for a moment. ]

I lost my powers. And I don’t know if I’m ever getting them back.

[Did he even hear that correctly...?]

What? What do you mean? Lost your powers...

Your strength? Everything..?

How?

Everything.

[ Well, not quite everything, but his spider senses are so screwed up he’d almost rather not have them. And he doesn’t want to get into that level of detail. ]

It was Clotho. She wanted sacrifices in exchange for helping people.

Oh.

Oh wow...

[He genuinely looks shocked, then sympathetic.]

I'm sorry, Peter.

[ Oh. That reaction takes him off guard. He’d expected some level of smugness about it, or relief, or other sort of positive emotion. But that genuine sympathy is... appreciated, honestly, despite the source. He sort of slumps a bit, blinking back a few tears. ]

It’s - it’s fine. I use my powers to help people, and it helped, and ... I’ll figure out a different way to be Spider-Man. You and Stark both managed to do things without powers.

That's right. You don't need them to be heroic. And like I said, you're smart.

The... offer to help with your tech still stands.

[He adds cautiously with a small smile, inviting. Yes, he is relieved in some way. It makes it feel less like Spider-Man has somethng superior over him. But he's got the supportive mode back on now.]

[ It shouldn't be comforting to hear that from Beck. He knows damn well how this guy operates, and he's seen through the mask enough times to know this spells trouble. But - just by sheer luck, Beck is the first person to talk to him about this. And he needs the comfort. It's good to hear it from someone, even if it is someone he really ought to hate.

He nods, helplessly. ]

Honestly? I might take you up on that. I don't know what to do next.

[Beck is well aware of how tentative this may be, and he hadn't been sure that Peter would accept the offer. There's relief when he does. Bitter as he is toward Spider-Man's actions, he had a soft spot for Peter and as he'd told him before - he'd never hated him. He had just felt he'd been in the way. Reforging some sort of friendship was important to him, although he wasn't aware of why it meant so much, He didn't want to think about it being about the lack of friends from his childhood. And finding a like-minded person with tech was enticing to him.]

Great! Look, I know we've had a few of these but since this was some kind of end of the world saving experience... what do you say we call this a new beginning?

[He holds out a hand for Peter to shake, smiling.]

[ It's tentative all right. He hesitates now, looking down at Beck's hand. This is a bad idea. Marco...

Marco might not be here to yell at him. And if he is here to yell at him, then Peter will be relieved to hear it. So he takes Beck's hand, shaking it lightly. Again, none of that crushing strength behind it. ]

Yeah. All right.

Good, good.

Now, you... really, you probably should get some rest. Do you need anything? Do you have somewhere to go? I could escort you if you're feeling too weak or tired.

[ He shakes his head at that. ]

I can make it back. Marco's probably waiting for me back at our place.

[ A little tremor of fear in his voice there. He still hasn't made contact. ]