gourmetburgers | [peterfel] ride or die

[peterfel] ride or die

It had to be ninjas. No weird otherworldly aliens. No crazy Nazi zombies.

[ They were such a headache. At least the other ones were what they were on the tin: ninjas were lurking in shadows, blending in for their own espionage. Felicia was pissed she abandoned her evening, where glitz and glamour of the New York Elite allowed her to move through the crowds while she tried to hunt down a sold painting her Father once owned. When she gets a text, it takes her a bit to stop and read it.

Her ex.

It's always her ex, and she would move the whole damn island to help him.

God, she needed to get a blind date. ]

Don't worry, I got you.

[ Peter makes it clear what's going on: Matt's favorite body part, the Hand, seems to have some operation in Brooklyn under the guise of a construction demolition. Blahblah, something about an ancient relic and unless Felicia can appraise it? The morally grey former thief isn't too concerned with the repercussions, right? ...That's what she keeps telling herself as she reads more of Peter's messages for her. No one knows the area like Felicia, no one knows infiltration like Felicia. There's reasons he reaches out – it's business, and she was a fool for always tying the personal side back to it.

Her cocktail dress was gone before the elevator reached the rooftop, replacing it for leather and fur easily and gave her the freedom to scale the rooftop like a cat out on the prowl. It wasn't a record to get to him – he wasn't on death's door or anything, so by the time she sees a crouched form on the building south of the construction, she had time to stop for her supplies.

A ceremonious toss slams her bag into the ground next to him and Felicia makes herself known in the most typical way possible – a damn crawl on the ledge down to him. ]

One day you'll send me a text asking me for a coffee date instead of getting my hands dirty with Daredevil business.

[ But.. that's the thing about Peter that Felicia grew to love – far past her own infatuation with a masked arachnid. He cares about his friends, would die for them, and this was no different. Bitterly, she wonders if he'd still go to this length for her? If she was an insecure 20-something again, she'd think not. But, there's fondness in her eyes and a small, cocky smirk. ]

Some things never change, though. What's going on, Spider?

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I don't know, Cat. I'm pretty happy about this situation, all things considered. Ever heard of The Monkey's Paw?

[ There was clearly more to their conversation than that, but that was something Peter had to say in response to the mention of aliens and zombies. He can't count a single dull moment while on the job these past few weeks, so the prospect of fighting just ninjas feels like God's throwing him a bone. And sure, it started out more Matt's problem than his, but that's the thing about responsibility. Peter believes in Matt. Hell, he keeps wanting to believe in Felicia. And perhaps their helping hand - so to speak - will resolve all this before, say, an entirely different villain with an entirely different agenda blows up a bank or something.

For a second, Peter imagines what it would've been like if his spider-sense went off right before Felicia's bag hit the floor. It's just been that long of a day that he's now captivated by his own intrusive thoughts, but he's got enough presence of mind to nod at Felicia's words. Coffee, huh? ]

We'll have to find place worth checking out for that to happen. I've had almost every mocha in town at least once.

[ Never mind that he just finished and disposed of a cup of coffee before she got here. The less she knows the better? ]

"The Monkey's Paw" is a story, by the way. Not the relic. A tale of the "careful what you wish for" variety.

[ Because if any of these ninjas turns out to be a Skrull or an agent of Mephisto or something, Peter's gonna lose it. ]

What's actually at stake is some kind of ancient decorated egg. Anthropologists chalk it up to a long-extinct species of dinosaur, but I bet one trip to the Savage Land will change their minds.

Also, yeah. The Hand wants it, Daredevil doesn't want them to have it. All I need to know.

Other than the fact that a reproduction is what's on display in the museum across the street from the construction site.

I have a theory the Hand are making some kind of secret tunnel through the sewers connecting their little front to the museum. The place's got a sublevel containing the genuine articles of their rarest finds... which I'm sure you already know.

[ She is Felicia, after all. And much more than "careful what you wish for" at the moment, Peter can't help associating her with "old habits die hard." How can he be certain she won't just abscond with his coffee?

Facetious thoughts aside, he points at her in warning, though the gesture's about as severe as ever. Which is to say, it totally isn't. ]

This'll be a goldmine for you, but promise me you'll stick to the egg.

[ Of course, she took easy lit classes, learning about the history of cult classics – of short stories and cautionary tales people never listen to. The irony isn't lost on her and she knows it. She harps as much as she teases, making things one long-lasting headache for the webhead, but what cat didn't? It was in her nature, if they were sticking to animal motifs and all. The idle texts did continue back and forth, sure – but she was already digging through her bag to slip her goggles into her lap idly. ]

Without me? I'm hurt. Wounded.

[ Half-attention, she nods every so often to him after the briefing begins. Even after all these years, she could shut her eyes and enjoy the exposition of nerdiness – be it something science-related, justice-related, or... well... heroics. He didn't need a hero now. No Avenger or even a Hero for Hire – she hung that up long ago. He needs a thief, and she was born to be one. Gazing back up to him, there's a coyness in the way she laughs – like he should have knew better. ]

So, if that's the game we're playing... we break into the museum – which, trust me, isn't bad – and cut them off. I... may have... taken a Latverian sword to pay for my down deposit of my first condo? I doubt they upped the security. Never even set the alarm off.

[ Felicia's pulling out a tablet soon after, the Tinkerer's latest gift to her – wanting to expand past weaponry and simple costuming. It was the equivalent of a Window's Vista but... it works. It lights up, her eyes wincing shortly after with an annoyed tone. ]

And if this fancy egg, which going to go ahead and rule out Wakanda and put it more on the mythical side if the Hand wants it, is where I think it is –

[ A few dull taps and he'd find a nice little map, a 3D rendering of the museum. Maybe from 4-5 years ago, but – ]

It'll be easiest to go through this vent after we cut the A/C unit on the roof.

[ If he can nerd out, so can she! Infiltration! Using her powers and skills for good! Woohoo! Felicia looks absolutely beaming, like she jumped into the fire with no questions asked. It was Spider, after all, and ... well, she bends her priorities a bit for him. ]

Guess you'll have to keep those buggy eyes on me to make sure I'm on my best behavior, then.

[ Nerd that he is (that being a curse more eternal than any symbiote), Peter wishes people paid more attention in class. Surely Ultron wouldn't have happened if the whole "Monkey's Paw" thing stuck a little more? In any case, Peter's all too familiar with the willful disregard for any cautionary tale. He sees it all the time, and not just with Felicia. Wade rings a bell, and Peter's silently relieved nothing here calls for Deadpool's expertise.

Finesse is what's required, and Felicia has it in spades... for all the headaches that may bring.

Time to forestall the one about coffee: ]

I dunno, you're not missing much. Half those mochas had a cardboard aftertaste.

If this goes well, we're hitting one with high ratings on Yelp.

[ Then he listens on as she speaks of a past break-in, and almost scoffs at the confession. But he does realize the admission is better than it sounds: it means the whole operation is doable. Sure, the perpetual tug o' war between them - a push and pull of "will they or won't they" - keeps Peter coming back, all of it motivated by the things they do have in common, the things they both can understand without it all being compounded by secret identities. But there's this, too-- when it matters, he can count on Felicia to take them where they need to go, come hell or high water.

A double-cross when they get there is a different story, and Peter's certainly been burned before, but. One thing at a time. ]

Something of Doom's, then? I-- oh, dammit. I think I'll cut you a break for that one.

[ He can't believe he's saying it, but that can't be doing Doom favors in the long run. The antique sword being gone might also prevent Doom from terrorizing the area for it. So, dear god... ethical theft? Peter wants to perish the thought before he gives himself a bigger migraine. More pressing matters, anyway, as he hears Felicia appraise her own schematics. ]

Got it, Cat. Lead the way.

But understand, I will be watching you. Closely. From behind.

[ And he reads into his own words because frankly, he's kinda down bad. ]

But not like that. I just mean keeping vigilant!

[ She was more into history than the sciences, so there's some slight common ground there – she's just careful to make sure it isn't quicksand. The last thing she needs is to go gabbing about the history of a dead civilization and how much lost treasure was out in the world. She has to keep her cool-cat persona ready, you know? ]

It's a date then. Your treat.

[ If he even has a job right now? That boy gets messy. Of course, there is the lingering awkwardness by how casual Felicia is. Too casual. There's something about the girl that seemingly acts before thinking – but it was the furthest thing from the truth. This wasn't a glamourous job, but it's what she does best. A slip of the tongue and a cup of good coffee was not too terrible of a price to pay.

If she gets daring, maybe she'll grab a diamond or two while they're down in the vault. There's that double-cross!

The tablet was zoomed in around for a moment, a brilliant green gaze memorizing the older museum, fond memories of some of her first few practice heists certainly outshine everything else about college. Everything.

She doesn't linger too long, instead packing away the tablet and instead pulling up the goggles to her face. Sorry, she left her contacts behind so it's back to cliche spy gear. ]

It pre-dates you, Spider. You can't web me up for something long and gone!

[ Probably some rich swinger couple resides in her first condo, but alas – that was the first time she lost her stash. Now? She's building things up and certainly more closer to good than evil. The favorite thorn in his side that's lasted longer than all the rest.

She's up, a grappling hook sailing across the distance with pinpoint accuracy. It barely makes a nose when the cat-like claw latches to the side of the ledge and before he can even stop her, she yells out without any regard for their cover – ]

Keep telling yourself that!

[ I mean? The view was always good with Felicia. File that away in the ol' spank bank, Parker.

For now, she makes it to the rooftop of the museum, quick to find a familiar electrical box near the A/C unit humming to life. She isn't subtle – with a tool kit pulled from her cleavage ( which seriously is canon ), she begins to work, all until the fan sputters to a stop. ]

Think you can help a girl out and pry the cover off?

Edited (hit enter) 2021-05-14 21:48 (UTC)

No problemo. But I keep the punch card!

[ Generally, it'd only be right to be footed the bill, so he's also got no reason to complain. Not that he's very liquid at the moment, but the silver lining is that he's still getting himself some good coffee. And rewards points. It's not that he's grown to be caffeine dependent or something (another animal-themed vigilante has earned that reputation for no apparent reason), Peter's just... needed more pick-me-ups lately.

As he watches her work, though, the need for a pick-me-up becomes less imminent. Even with a mask on, he's having a hard time hiding his fascination as she runs through her schematics and produces those goggles. He looks away before she can notice him staring for too long, but the risk is minimal.

She's already on the mission, after all, grappling into the air. Spidey slings a web in pursuit, keeping pace right behind her. ]

Yeah, yeah. As long as Doom's inconvenienced, I'm not complaining.

[ They land in unison, like utterly synchronized dance partners. Peter hovers over her in wait, not selling shade as he's not standing in the way of the moonlight overhead. He's also trying really hard to pretend he wasn't staring at her ass the entire way here. But then the cleavage action just has to take place, leaving Peter with more to pretend he can ignore. He's gonna crouch like a spider as he tends to, but even more purposefully this time... if what it can do is hide any involuntary response to the sight.

But then her questions snap him back into focus. Though still crouched, he looks on at the fan and readies his webshooters. Then he stops, and motions forward to plant his two hands on the cover and yank it right off its place. Spectacular spider-strength, indeed, but not too much-- he gently places the thing on the floor to maintain some commitment to stealth. ]

What can I say? Don't wanna leave enough evidence to get another headline from the Bugle.

[ Though it's often a vain hope for Peter to think this won't be spun as "Spidey did it!" sooner or later. ]

[ Look, Felicia doesn't make it easy. Even doing something out of the goodness of her heart, it wasn't purely selfless. She liked the feeling of being needed, of being wanted. Liked knowing that when it was all said and done, Spider could depend upon her. Peter could too. She doesn't change how she acts around him, even if he may or may not be tangling with a certain redhead. He knew by now how she was, after all. ]

Ha! Either that or one of his butlers is probably missing a family heirloom.

[ They can literally shittalk the biggest baddies in the 616, no worries. It's just the two of them.

Her request was simple, but she keeps tinkering. With the vent's easily accessed through the A/C vent, there would be a few security systems to deal with. She loves him, but no way does she trust that Spider Sense. Felicia's no hacker, but she knows how to run wires. Pinching her lines tighter, diverting the alarms – it takes by the time Peter brings up the Bugle for her to finish and he'd earn a soft golf clap. ]

Oh, you're getting better at this whole stealth thing! I'm proud. [ Electrical box was closed up and fortunately, the alarms were disconnected and all they had to worry about was security guards and a spare camera or two. With the cover off, Felicia was home wedging her hand into the dangerous ass fan blade to fumble and – click – it comes off with ease, leaving a nice tight shoot for them to drop down to. ] If it's not this, it'll be you stealing hot dogs from street vendors. One day you'll stop caring about what people think of you.

[ Go back to black suit, Peter. She's biased.

Before he can even protest, she's seated on the ledge, swinging both legs into the hole and looking back with a smirk. ]

20 foot drop, then we're in the vents. Follow.

[ And, bye bye, she's sliding down like it's a literal waterslide. Wee. He'd hear a thud letting him know she's good and the soft movement of her crawling away – great power, great responsibility, webhead. ]

Whatever gives Doom a headache, Cat.

[ God knows how many headaches Doom's given him. How many times has that guy menaced him, especially back when Peter's living situation was a shared apartment with his Amazing Friends?

When Felicia does her thing while Peter's doing his, he's once again curious about all her tinkering. He might not know the ins and outs of espionage, but he likes to think he knows his way around tech. Then again, any enthusiasm or curiosity on his part is kind of killed by the remembrance of Parker Industries. Sure, he sacrificed all that for the greater good, but it sure as hell went under in a spectacular fashion.

And then Felicia's gone before he can get a word in edgewise. He's not far behind her, taking the plunge by the time he can hear her graceful landing.

He lands on the vent in his own deft manner, minimizing the impact and thus, the sound. This could all be a lot worse, but on the bright side? He's still following her from behind, and it's her behind that's the first thing he sees. After catching up without much difficulty, he tails her closely and clears his throat. ]

Look, I get it. You're not a fan of how I do things, or... why I do them.

[ Yeah, even while on the defensive, he can't not weave in a pun. ]

But if I could vent for a moment, you know there's a lot I'd have done differently if I was only in it for myself. It still freaks me out to imagine. Hell, it still freaks me out to remember.

[ He's punning because she struck a nerve. For one thing, he remembers just how much he hates symbiote stuff (at least Eddie's on the mend, now). For another thing, he remembers what he's been driven to do when things became too personal, and his personal interests became more immediate. Norman, Fisk, the Kravinoffs... all of them driving Peter closer to a line he won't cross. Whatever waits on the other side, what kind of Spider-Man he would be at that point, is something he never wants to see. ]

I don't wanna have to bring up the Monkey's Paw thing again but, y'know. Monkey's Paw.

Also, stealing from hot dog vendors is just mean!

[ Vents were the worst part about the job. They were beautiful access points, often underlooked and underutilized. The cleaning crew maybe does a run through the vents once every three years and trust her, it looks like they're long overdue. She fights off spiderwebs (what else is knew), dust, and allergens with no complaint. She didn't mind getting messy so long as the job was done.

They speak in hushed words, moving with a softness of their knees and palms to the metal. Felicia's luck isn't always good, so she plays it safe – stopping right above a grated opening below that housed a hallway. ]

Are you seriously trying to have a heart to heart with me in the vents? With puns? Second guessing my help right now...

[ Sure, she can play the role of annoyed ex, feeling as if his way was the most boring and nerdiest way to live his life – but she envies him. He's good, so good that it strikes even Felicia's own insecurities, how low they were. He's the guy who would forgive and forget, the one who saw hope when others saw tragedy – and Felicia would never know that.

She's petty, she's a realist, but the trait they share is their loyalty. It was why she came here without any questions, regardless of her own selfish wants. ]

I'm not a fan of what you do – [ She repeats out loud, but silently because I'm not good at it. ] – but that doesn't mean I'm stopping you. Just offering you the voice you need to go to the 'morally grayside' every so often. It's pretty fun.

[ Party Hardy always had to tempt him. :/

They wait in silence for a few moments, her ears listening for footsteps or doors closing. With nothing there, she carries on – eyes on the prize to reach an elevator shaft. If they planned it right, they'd leave the hacking stuff for the professionals and just scale downward to their destination. Just like... 6 stories, that's easy enough. ]

If you keep bringing up the stupid Monkey's Paw, you'll be dealing with Cat's Claw instead.

[ The serious talk was nearly dropped, mainly because Felicia isn't going to bite her tongue on a lot of things with him – but with her hangups? It takes a lot to address them. ]

So long as you aren't cramping my style or sticking your stupid tracers on me – you can do whatever you want. I'll even say it: I'll support you, but ugh, I don't have to like it!

Edited (Sorry I didn’t mean to cut the pun game cold turkey ) 2021-05-15 18:38 (UTC)

[ Peter's just happy the mask was something he thought of before becoming Spider-Man in the first place. Historically, navigating vents with a mask on has spared him from a sneeze fest that would kill any hope of stealth. How else could he listen in on the machinations of mooks who never think to check the vents? At least tonight, nobody seemed present to listen for the hushed exchanges between Peter and Felicia, who hover over a grated opening. ]

Your help? I invited you.

[ There's a hint of amusement in his voice, and he can't help it. He can pretend all day that he's begrudgingly dragging Felicia into these kinds of missions, that this is all a drag that'll inevitably raise his blood pressure, but there's an undeniable thrill Felicia brings to everything. Peter sometimes wishes he could embrace that attitude, cut loose in his own way, but he always worries that'll lead to the kind of road he'd never return from - the aforementioned temptations never more saliently embodied than by the Venom symbiote. ]

Tried gray before. Doesn't beat the red and blue.

[ Though with that, he's just making a dig at the Spider-Armor he put on one time. What? It was just super tacky in hindsight. But yes, he's deflecting the issue of morality here - what Felicia's trying to do by being the most morally gray Jiminy Cricket - by instead taking it literally.

He flips down onto the floor and follows Felicia to the elevator shaft, anticipating the necessary trip into the museum's sublevels. ]

You saw those flips, right? 'Cause I am the pinnacle of style, so just worry about yourself.

But if you support me, I guess I'll support you... even if I don't like it.

[ He steps ahead of Felicia, feeling no need to announce what he's about to do. Sinking both hands between the elevator doors, he then pries them open with ease. Despite the show of spectacular spider-strength yet again, he exercises great care to do so as quietly as possible. What his actions reveal is a dark descent to their destination, but nothing either of them haven't seen in their time. In acknowledgment of the drop, Peter extends an arm to Felicia, while his opposite hand points a webshooter towards the shaft's ceiling. ]

Grab on? Though to clarify, this is not something I don't like.

[ But he clearly won't admit outright to saying he'll like it. ]

Didn't mean I'd automatically accept. Could have got my drink on and left you on read. Yet, here I am.

[ To her credit, among the groans of moral compass and sticking by some clear red tape – she's still down. Always down. There's an ease of Felicia that makes even her annoyance take a back burner to being an asset. They had a job to do, no matter what – even if the Hand could already be breaching the defense of the vault by now. Downside, that she keeps to herself? With the alarms down, it was an invite for the Hand to get away. Hopefully they're not good diggers. ]

You had a car that drove on the wall... don't talk about style.

[ She can dunk on him with the sweetest look on her face, finally scooting next to him with that curious cat-like tilt of her head to him. Sizing him up, thinking of if they're going to going solo down the creepy elevator shaft.

His request makes her chuckle a bit, eyes down to her boots kicking shyly. As if she had to play that role. ]

Don't sound too excited.

[ She's use to this – shifting her weight against him... just not in the way she would pref. Hooking one arm around his neck, her eyes keep from looking in those buggy eyes, her manners impeccable for a girl still carrying a flame. She swears she can hear his heartbeat, but keeps it to herself, bracing for the inevitable drop. ]

When we reach the bottom... as fast or as slow as we do – room should be past a hallway. Pray there's no laser grid tonight. I didn't do my stretches.

And that means a lot to me. Thank you. Coffee really is on me.

[ Once again, there's a hint of amusement in his contributions to all this banter. It's like he wants to be pushed back against, wants to test his own commitment to the very attitude and morality that he's always defending. This is never like talking Wade down from making a fool of himself, or talking Logan down from stinking up the place with his angry... Wolverine-ness. Peter will never say it outright, but the friction here is fun. ]

Are you saying that wasn't stylish? Maybe it was a little redundant, and... y'know what? I'll give you that one.

But the Spider-Mobile was aesthetically pleasing to me. And it really stretched the meaning of "all terrain!"

[ C'mon ppl the Spider-Mobile is valid :"C ]

Huh. You can do all the stretching you need to along the way, right?

[ Despite Felicia being so up close, Peter doesn't know what he's implying till after he says it. He prays to Uatu she doesn't use that for any material, but that's ignoring the Parker luck. ]

Not long before we reach the bottom. Obviously no elevator below us, and it's still pitch black down there. The lights in that bottommost hallway must activate when detecting motion.

Tell me you've got one of those fancy superspy sprays that reveal lasers.

I’ll get a large, just to stress that wallet then.

[ Coffee wasn’t why she was here but it keeps their banter light. Felicia liked a challenge - both with morals, end goals and apparently her company. The few times they did end up on the opposite sides of the line they drew wasn’t enough to make her come to his aid. The prospect of being down in the renovated vault area where cryptic treasure and old history? That tempts her more than a text from her ex. She wonders if the supposed bracer of Princr Namor was on display or one of the last Arthurian armor set.... but she wasn’t a nerd and doesn’t let it linger.

What does linger is her grasp on him, holding on as they prepare for a descent down. ]

Nah, left the goods up top but you know me. I’m all about making the best out of what little leeway I have. A smoke bomb should work too. Hey - maybe you can get the spider buggy down here...

[ Sorry, one last jab! ]

We can work with whatever’s thrown at us, you know. Kinda comes with the latex at this point.

[ Even if her voice was succulent and hoarse, there’s honesty there. A youthful tease — ]

You want me to go first when we get there?

You mean what's left of it by then.

[ He sighs, telling himself the free drink that comes with a completed punch card will make everything worth it.

Upon hearing more about the Spider-Mobile, he scoffs at further blasphemy in its name. ]

You joke, but somewhere in my suit's a little switch that'll summon it right to us.

[ Crashing through walls and all. Yeah, there won't be a single good time to use that thing. ]

Hey, improv's fun. You know I resort to it all the time. But I like having a plan when I can help it.

For instance, yeah. You lead, I follow. Motion-sensing lasers don't really register to my spider-sense as a threat.

[ While speaking, his feet finally touch the ground. He's not happy to let go of Felicia when his arm had been wrapped around the small of her back this whole time. He's not too sad, either, but a certain emptiness makes itself more distinct the longer Felicia's not at his side. For the time being, that's definitely something to repress into the recesses of his mind, even if doing so isn't actually good for him.

As soon as the two of them approach the hallway at this bottommost sublevel, lights flash on. Though they detect motion, that doesn't suffice to trigger an alarm or anything-- otherwise, someone who has clearance on the other side of these lasers would be getting into trouble for no good reason. The lasers themselves remain invisible without the influence of Felicia's tools, but she and Peter both know that. ]

Alrighty, Cat. Do your thing!

[ She missed his stupid quips and one-liners.

She hates to admit it, hates to think back about how she thought they were pretty lame and Peter more than they were the daring Spider her initial infatuation came from. So much had changed since they were young and more at home in their costumes, chasing the moon across rooftops... but that? She can rely on it, even in the most inopportune times. He may catch a glance of those emerald greens looking to him with less judgment and more amusement – but it was fleeting, brief. ]

Plans are a luxury not even I can always afford. When I got dressed today, I didn't think it was mixing lace and leather.

[ Visualize that, Spider.

When they hit the ground, she unhooks the a small cannister from her wrist, hidden under white fluff. The metal orb rolls between her clawed grip, weighed down until it settles into her palm. The motion-sensor lights make her whistle a bit – squinting at the view. ]

No pressure or anything, jeez. If luck is on our side, this will be easy.

[ Did she jinx herself? Luck was, in the grand scheme of things, not kind to her – but that's why she wields it. She stands there looking across the hallway, no camera blinking to life – she must have diverted that power with her initial hacking. That was good. He calls for her, encouraging her and she'll take a knee carefully. Her claw pierces into the smokebomb – a billowing hiss of gray smoke pours out soon after. One hand covers her mouth and within seconds to not breathe it all in, but at least now they can see the grid of tight angles of infrared light. ]

Ugh, totally like a spy movie. Take the ceiling, I got it down here.

[ His job was easy, hers was the more difficult one. She doesn't have actual sticky fingers – so through an opening between red beams, she rolls the gas bomb like rolling a strike. With the precise skill of a trained gymnast and typical white girl yoga enthusiast... she'll just spend her time crawling, ducking, stretching, and reaching across the hallway until she reaches the other side with a slide onto her knees. ]

You good?

Edited 2021-05-17 00:13 (UTC)

[ Peter used to think of his double-life as this impermeable binary, like being Peter Parker and being Spider-Man were just destined to be mutually exclusive. But while perishing this way of thinking hasn't changed his "Parker luck," it's certainly improved his ability to roll with the punches. Whatever Felicia sees in him is as much Peter as it is good old Spider... but that also took Peter a long time to see, too. Because of this understanding, he hardly begrudges her for it: the clear frustration she carries (in more ways than one) that helps motivate all the tension between them. ]

Uh, not the worst mental to image to have right now. Not by a mile.

[ Also not a complaint, as Felicia's bound to realize. At least she has some time to think about it while she's doing her thing. ]

Dang. Remind me to get myself one of these.

[ He's geeking out over a fancy smokebomb while clinging to the ceiling, which he does with the ease of a spider (who'd have thought?). While Felicia performs a Mission Impossible routine through the laser grid, Peter maneuvers without nearly as much care. He can't help being distracted by how graceful she can be. Not to mention... limber. And she's taking the lion's share of the infiltration, here, but she sure as hell makes it look easy. He drops down onto the floor beside her when he makes it across.

Further distraction beforehand and Peter would've crawled straight into a laser, for sure... and the mask is really the only thing allowing him to save face, because underneath, he can't help a bewildered expression. It almost takes him a minute to even process her question as a result, and his answer sounds abrupt after such a delay. ]

Yeah, good! Very. Well done, Cat.

And now it's a cakewalk to the egg, which we hopefully haven't been beaten to.

But considering everything else in there... behave, and we'll make it two dates.

[ He'll see even less of his wallet in the process, but at least he'll be one holepunch closer to a free drink! ~~Also, he's totally not making the offer simply because of what he just saw.~~ ]

Not the first time you've taken that memory home.

[ She can quip back too! Even all of the times they fought, now they were here... It took a long time to get here too. Felicia hates being wrong, but she can admit when her and Peter were together... she ruined bits of it. As much good there was, rooftop getaways, optimistic tries of heroics, and an infatuation that ran deep? There was bad too. Inadequacy, jealousy, disinterest in the mundane maskless photo.

Felicia didn't really see until their relationship was buried that she could have prevented it. He isn't purely innocent, though – and on their back and forth on spicier nights where Felicia was tempted to leave marks on him in the most unsexy fashion ever? She lets him know.

They both know and it was just life takes them down different roads, but they meet up from time to time. Like tonight. It makes it easy to tease him, selfishly drop those innuendos to get him frustrated. She doesn't need Spider Sense to know she does.

By the time the smoke begins to disappear, dense and all that remains is the shell of the bomb itself – Felicia was standing up with a curtsy in a mocking way. ]

Thank you, thank you. Not bad for being three weeks overdue for a chiro appointment. And – yeah, those smokebombs work wonders for getting out of bad blind dates.

[ What was that about stretching? Felicia beams up to him, like a stupid college-girl she feels good with the praise, even if she acts above it. The mention of dates has her chew her bottom lip and instead make her way to the door – a digital panel on the side. Instead of the screen lighting up, it was dead. The power gone and on the other side of the door – a low, mechanical hum. Kind of like machinery... ]

I have some bad news, Spider. Just our luck.

[ Felicia's voice does breed empathy, but more-so annoyed at the time being. ]

First, may need to save the dates until I can follow good with my word. Second, I think... we have company.

[ That they can't get into the sliding doors without some spider strength? That's another point, implied by how she gives a shrug to him in regards to the door panel. ]

They're ninjas, not thieves. They don't know the right vibration to shatter the glass of the Vault's relics. It took me four months to figure it out –

[ Which would explain the machinery trying to do its magic... What's next, webhead? ]

Edited 2021-05-17 01:33 (UTC)

And from what I remember, it wasn't always just the memory.

[ Why is he saying this? He knows Felicia's gonna eat that one up, then they're gonna do the same dance they always do until circumstances suddenly necessitate their separation. But maybe there's always just a chance, the hope that for once, something can change... and permanently. And sure, that's a lot of hope invested in a vague pass he just gave, but Peter knows it's all symptomatic of a want. It's really just a matter of calling it what it is.

But he supposes it's his turn to say it to himself, and not to Felicia. "Old habits die hard." ]

Blind dates, huh? The only other occasion in which secret identities are socially acceptable.

[ Well, there's probably more venues than that. Like Omegle.

But the silliness can't continue, because there's some interference on the other side of the sliding doors. He paces towards it, appraising the space where both doors meet. For said doors, he readies the same old spider-strength treatment that he gave the elevator, then sinks his fingers into the slit before spreading it wide open. ]

For some reason, I felt dirty doing that.

[ Not the best thing to say when, upon opening the sliding doors, an entourage of Hand ninjas stand in wait. They heard that too, but don't seem to care much. All are posed for battle, anyway, with blades of all varieties at the ready in each of their hands. In the split second before all leap towards the two intruders, Peter and Felicia can at least see that several more are manning a large drill in an attempt to bore it through the glass containing the egg. ]

Egg! There's the egg!

[ Peter's pointing to it with one hand while he catches a shuriken meant for Felicia with the other. He's too nice to throw it back at a ninja before the dude can catch it (and thus, stabbing him), so Peter drops it on the floor and just springs forward to knock that ninja out in a single punch.

The others will try not to go down as easy. ]

You sure weren't the star of this show, now were you?

Because, y'know. [ He manages to find the time to glance at Felicia to gauge her reaction... if anything. ] Throwing star?

[ Because there's a certain high they both chase. There's few heroes (or costumed morally conflicted individuals like her) that understand it. Then again, there's few heroes that feel the responsibility that Peter does. Being Spider-Man was a part of him, it was rooted and webbed into his very being. Felicia was one of the few people that accepted the Spider before the boy. Even years later... she offers him acceptance and a sense of fun that makes that burden a little easier to bare.

And he helps make her feel like she can do better, even if she doesn't want to. Their little back and forth keeps a flame burning, but they are both careful not to get burned. It comes with age. ]

You'd be surprised that not many guys or girls can live up to a spandex-clad Spider swinging around. Their pick-up lines are weak in comparison.

[ Was that a compliment? Genuine in nature? He goes ahead and opens the door so they don't linger on that – and hello. The Hand was clearly not the sight she wished to see. Silently, she curses to herself when she can't scope out the rest of the treasures lining the walls – but that comes crashing down when – ]

I see the egg, Spider!

[ She has eyes! But, what she doesn't see was that shuriken. Her heart sinks for a second. It was close, but, – ]

Okay, that was hot.

[ Sorry, internal dialogue slipped out there but – she didn't need to doubt him. He was there for her, she was there for him. Wouldn't be the first time he was at her bedside and she at his if things went south, but there was an understanding they were professionals. They didn't let it get that far nowadays.

Felicia groans when her form takes a running start into the room. A handful of Ninjas was far more annoying than a single one – like, infinitely so. Ugh, you had to watch you back, had to dodge ninja stars, had to keep an eye out for swords or sais... Headache, she told you! But, Peter gives her the biggest headache of all with that star-struck quip when she leapfrogs over one ninja to send a harsh kick to the temple of another. Her form twists to catch a right hook against the frog'd ninja, taking a slice from a sai against the collar in the process. ]

I take it back. Hot meter.... dropping...! Gonna hate me, but can you keep them busy –

[ The machine still hums and radiates, alternating vibrations as if it was the background to the fight. They had to get that taken care of. Felicia was good in a scrap, but she likes to avoid it – sliding behind a large statue of ........ Dr. Doom, chiseled in gold and crystal. They can't escape him. Biggest cockblock ever. She barely registers the small gash, too pre-occupied shooting one of her grappling hooks towards the machine, letting the tense rope secure and if she can get the strength – while Spider is busy, mind you – she could wedge the machine free. Hmmm.

What would Peter have to contend with? Eight. Not including the two desperately trying to get the machine to work. ]

Edited 2021-05-17 15:39 (UTC)

Well actually, the shuriken's pretty cool to the touch.

[ Oh, he's just being even more facetious now. He even says it more like "well ackchyually," mocking those who butt into conversations they're unqualified to contribute to. There's nobody like that in their midst, of course (though Peter can't speak for every ninja in the room), and Peter's facetiousness only serves to deflect one immutable fact: he likes that he can still impress Felicia.

No more of that now, though. At least that's what he tells himself when he snatches a ninja's sai with his own webbing before leaping to dropkick that same ninja into a wall. It's a good thing all the artifacts are encased in superbly reinforced glass. At his angriest, Peter can break the stuff with his own strength - he's certainly done that once by smashing Logan through an equally reinforced window. But from just a roundhouse kick or straight up picking up and throwing a ninja, their bodies subsequently colliding with the glass displays isn't enough to break them and compromise the artifacts.

It's that kind of understanding that gives Peter the leeway to cut loose, but not by too much. Though highly skilled, these Hand personnel are still people, and just because they can make themselves come back doesn't mean he's just gonna kill them. A disarm and knockout will always be preferable to him, and that's precisely what he does, combining his spider-sense with every tidbit of kung fu that he picked up from Shang-Chi. Anything adequate to countering every move the Hand can throw at him, he mines from muscle memory more than his spider-sense. ]

If hotness is what you want, Cat,

[ A katana-wielding ninja leaps towards Peter mid-speech, but before the blade can descend upon him-- ]

How about this?

[ --he catches it between his two palms, and with a powerful twist of his upper body, shatters the blade in two. The ninja can only stand there speechless, beside himself at the realization that Spider-Man also knows martial arts. ]

Glad I haven't forgotten the Way of the Spider.

[ And with that, he leaps further into the fray, utterly preoccupied with holding off all the remaining ninjas. Of the two still manning the machine, one eyes Felicia securing her grappling hook to it. "We'll have none of that," he says, producing a gas pellet to obscure his next move. Like any competent ninja, he then throws several shuriken through the smoke, hoping that'll keep Felicia busy long enough for him to draw a katana and sever the grappling wire.

Stuff's tougher than it looks, though, and whatever Felicia does next, she'll find the ninja still trying to saw it apart. ]

[ It's been a long time since she battled puns and quips as much as ninjas. A low profile for Party Hardy doesn't necessarily go together, but she's been working – all in the shadows, all under the guise of good intention to regain a lost collection taken from her in the past. It was mostly noble, but she feels out of practice. Caught up in the blur of ninja strikes, hand-signs and of course, throwing stars. Her eyes don't go to him – she knows he's okay and he's handling things well. She's busy trying to improvise with her typical strength, using her foot onto the bottom of the oversized Doom statue to try and pry the machine off the glass with her grappling hook. No big deal.

She gave Spider the hard part, to juggle ninjas like they were webballs. Seemed simple enough in her head. She handled the whole infiltration thing, so she takes a breather in the form of – well, trying to accomplish their goal of getting that egg before the Hand. ]

Oh! I'm swooning! You're showing off for lil' ole me?

[ She's not, especially when she watches that katana come close to slicing him into minced spider. The blade clanks to the ground and he's in one piece. That's good. It was enough of a distraction for Felicia to nearly have her own issues with more stars. She ducks at the right time, face first into Doom's crystal ankles. The shuriken impale into the statue and there's a bit of annoyance that she has to disconnect her grappling hook, wrapping it around the the statue. The ninja may have to deal with a tough son of a string – but Felicia's already literally bounding up the oversized, 15ft statue of Dr. Doom. His noggin makes a nice balance for her before she kicks off of it, sending it tumbling back to it's side and yanking the machine clean off the case – because, uh, it shatters the glass.

It's one of those cool slow-mo scenes – Felicia mid-jump, claws sharp and catching the light as she slices down across the cheek of that poor ninja and his katana that put his focus elsewhere. But that egg – Felicia's impulsive move sends it flying from the momentum to of the toppled statue. ]

Spider! Hail Mary!

[ If he doesn't catch it......... she'll never hear the end of it. ]

No, Cat, I'm doing this for all the ninjas' approval.

[ Spoken as he decks one in the face, knocking him unconscious. ]

Except for him, I guess. And everyone else I knocked out so far.

[ He ducks into a flipped dog pose like he's in the middle of some yoga, dodging the horizontal slash of a ninja's katana-- something meant for the side of his stomach. As he subsequently rises to stand upright, Peter webs the edge of the katana's blade to snatch it from the ninja's hands. Wielding it for himself, Peter begins parrying the strikes of other ninjas' blades, though his movements resemble Chinese swordsmanship more than the Japanese that the Hand would better recognize. Carefully, he responds to every attempted blow by merely swatting ninjas' faces with the flat of his blade. He occasionally strikes a ninja somewhere - the abdomen, the thigh right above the knee, etc. - with the butt of his sword's handle. A non-lethal yet nonetheless efficient approach made clearing the room even easier for Spidey, but he's got two ninjas left to take down before a massive ancient egg starts flying his way. ]

Alley-oop!

[ Deftly, Peter discards the sword to dart forward and catch the egg before it could land. It's so big he needs to embrace it with both arms, but to him, it's certainly not heavy. The two remaining ninjas leap in his direction at once, but he jumps to kick both of them with each leg-- another thing he picked up from Shang-Chi. A single strike to each doesn't knock them out, but the impact from flying into reinforced glass displays sure does.

Clutching the egg in one arm now, Peter sets his webshooter to fire a larger web ball from afar, all to web down the last conscious ninja in the room: the one who'd been manning the machine, both initially protected by the ninja Felicia's now scratching up. ]

Glad it really was just ninjas this time. Was Daredevil seriously too busy for this?

[ "Something something Kingpin." That's the best that can be articulated from Peter's vague recollection of why Matt's not even here. ]

[ Ninjas may have them beat in numbers, but did they snark like the dynamic duo? Did they have the same style as them? Often imitated, never duplicated, etc. It was one big battle royal at this point and the smart thing to do is to try and avoid taking more nicks than she has. Spider called her to help with the egg, so that's what she focused on. It was a lot to deal with, but hey – eyes on the prize, baby.

Every so often, between Cat trying to get more on the line of extract and go, she catches Peter's work. How he manages egg-caretaker and being on the offensive? It was cool and she smirks to herself while striking one of cat-scratch Ninja's bestie who comes for support. She's no boxer, but she remembers something clear: lessons from her father on how to throw a good punch. Peter's been on the receiving end of that too.

Catscratch ninja wasn't down and out, however – he rushes Felicia, sai in hand and pounces. It takes her having to drop back, using his momentum to kick him off of her in a pure WWE-style move. The sai impaled into the ground, the numbers were thinning but she figures it'd only be time until back-up was called. ]

He's too busy brooding! That guy has worse girl problems than you!

[ She would know. 😉 Felicia's light tease was met with her scrambling to her feet – ready for the next round? Or an escape? Either or, but – damn it, she wants to know what treasures are still around... ]

[ Good thing Peter's cleared many a criminal hideout by himself. Typically, such places had worse to offer than what the Hand's currently throwing at them, so imagine his relief knowing all the ninjas have been knocked unconscious. Yes, Peter made sure of that himself, but he's still quite eager to count his blessings. Without any further distractions, and just to be safe, Peter carefully surveys his surroundings, making sure every artifact's where it's supposed to be. It's not that he doesn't trust Felicia--

Well, okay. He does, but he doesn't. It's complicated, alright?

In any case, Peter scoffs amusedly at Felicia's remark, the dig at Matt being well-taken. There are some things worse than Parker luck, for sure. ]

If we look hard enough, we just might see him curled up on a church spire later.

[ Now, he happily carries the giant egg in both arms, and turns to make a beeline for the exit. ]

Now how about you and I vamoose on out of here? I'll just go ahead and trigger the motion alarms, then we can go out through that hole the Hand made for us.

[ Triggering the sensors is probably the most efficient way to alert museum authorities to the Hand's presence at the moment. If he receives no alternatives from Felicia, Peter does so only to return to the artifact room and make another beeline for the entrance drilled open by the Hand. Might be a funny image, witnessing Peter in his tights running back and forth while carrying a large, ornate egg. ]

This thing better not have ancient chocolate inside, or something.

[ The only caveat of the convenient escape through that hole is having to navigate the sewers. Fortunately, it's a straightforward path back to the construction site, from which Peter and Felicia can safely ascend to the New York City rooftops.

That's only if they're lucky, though.

The Hand couldn't have been counting on just these ninjas, but Peter tells himself it's too soon to say. ]

[ Felicia's use to quick snatch and grabs. She's use to plans formulated as part of some grand heist. A last minute call from your ex gave her little room to prepare. Not totally out of the element (and she loves the challenge and thrill of it), but this isn't how Felicia would do things. The Egg would have been long gone and safe in one of her penthouse hideouts by now.

But, ya gotta deal with the cards you're given or learn to play a wildcard.

Felicia doesn't do anything cruel – even with one final shuriken thrown her way, she was quick to just... well, use the poor smuck she just tossed as cover. He's impaled in the shoulder – where she mutters "twinning", baring the same blood on her collarbone. Disposing the injured one, it seems like this was all coming to an end. Simple enough. ]

Let him know I'm not answering his calls for a month if you see him!

[ Thanks, Matt. Real pal.

Either way, this mess was easy to clean up. Overeasy, if you will. Felicia lets Peter take lead, the plan makes sense – gives the authorities enough distance away from her. The last thing she needed was the infamous Black Cat being wrapped up in, well this. Felicia lets him take lead – tailing behind to throw a few rough punches to one of the final ninjas abandoning their fight with her to pursue Peter.

What happens next? Well, it's simple, my dear webhead.

She doesn't follow behind. While he was too busy hauling a thicc boy in his arms, Felicia... well. Fancies herself to a quick second look. It was mostly trash – a few pieces from Medieval times and Arthurian legend – what, did she look like she went to RenFests? However, something shiny catches her attention... something part of Italian royalty, so to speak.

A Maggia heirloom, featuring 26 oval-shaped pigeon blood Burmese rubies with weights ranging from 1.27 to 5.38 carats. Each ruby is enhanced by a cluster of pear-shaped and white marquise diamonds. She remembered reading about how a Maggia's wife worked a jeweler's fingers to the bone to get the perfect necklace. A little morbid... but it was her favorite shade of red and she could feel her skin goosebump at the thought of wearing it.

About 3 minutes later, Felicia's catching up to Peter. The necklace hidden away against fluff and leather – and she has a few scrapes to at least look believable. Sorry, Spider – what was that about habits...? ]

Why are the last few always the most annoying?! Hope you didn't miss me too much.

[ Why would anyone miss her in a sewer? Either way, it's distracting small talk. The duo end up at an intersection in the first part of the sewer, her hand covering her nose instinctively before nudging towards the egg. ]

No cracks in it or anything, right?

[ And all the while, Peter - utterly transfixed by his desire to get the egg to safety - carries on into the tunnels without stopping to check a second time that everything's where it's supposed to be. The rush of triggering the alarms and escaping before the authorities can arrive compels him to be oblivious to such considerations, as both he and Felicia traverse the sewers. They're effectively crossing the street to the construction site, in what might qualify as the smelliest shortcut ever. ]

Way to save yourself. I was just about to text you "I miss you" with a winky frown.

[ I miss you ;(, Peter would say... in a worse continuity. Maybe the Ultimate one?

Then Felicia asks about the welfare of the egg, probably relieved to see Peter so hyperfocused on the mission. He hardly suspects she's copped anything. But if he knew she disregarded some of the more antiquary stuff, things he actually finds kinda cool, there'd be hell to pay. ]

None that I can tell. If there really is any chocolate, it stinks too much in here for me to catch a whiff.

[ They're not even wading through the sewage, but Peter knows he's gonna have to wash the suit. Is he gonna suggest hitting the showers after this, too? God, he's thinking about it. And the more he thinks about it, the harder it becomes not to think about it. Would Felicia say yes? He already knows the answer, and the idea hastens him through the sewers. Because the sooner he can get this egg get to safety... ]

Hey, there's the ladder to the construction site.

We should take a moment to give the egg a look. Then after, we can stop by the Sanctum Sanctorum to get it appraised?

Because I know we technically stole it from the museum, but it's probably worth asking where the museum stole it from.

[ Seems implausible there'd be a who in all this. It's not like whoever laid this egg is gonna come crashing down demanding custody over it, right?

Peter steps aside and offers the ladder to Felicia. ]

You go first. I'll climb too slowly carrying this thing in one arm.

[ He initially thought of wrapping it in webbing and strapping it to him like a backpack, but what if he falls? What if he can't fit through the manhole cover at the top, and the attempt to squeeze through breaks the egg? Totally not justifications he's rehearsing in his head, in case he's ever accused of wanting a front row seat to Felicia's behind.

Then again, she hardly complained back in the vents. ]

Awww. Means you can send me it later tonight while you're nursing that egg like a mother hen.

[ Did they just become parents to an egg? Yes. She can make the joke after they had the frantic ninja fight they just did – she's still catching her breath from that. They had little time to stand around, so moving things along quickly ensured they'd keep their schedule. Felicia didn't know what Spider wanted to do until he brought it up, her face scrunching up a little bit at the suggestion. He knows she doesn't run with the magical crowd or those worthy of paling around with the Avengers – but he's right. If there's a string of truth to her theory about it being mystical, that's the guy. ]

Sounds pretty boring, may leave that part to you. You didn't ask if I wanted to take a trip over to Greenwich. [ She's teasing, a wry smirk on her face as she scoots past him. She's already thinking of her list of contacts – art sharks, procurers of ancient goods, and ... the ones willing to pay the biggest price for it. Silently, of course, she plays by his game. By the time they make it to the ladder, she's already one foot on the railing, tugging herself up. ] Sensing a trend here.

[ Of course, she knows deep down, she likes when his eyes were on her. That was a rush that was too hard to ignore. Makes her think of old time – and how chasing each other across rooftops landed only one stolen thing between them: their feelings for one another.

It was hard to deny that even when they're at odds, they make a good team. She climbs, maybe a bit slower than usual so he can practically see the tension of leather giving way to the shape of her thighs – but, by the time she gets to the top... she uncovers the manhole, scoots up and immediately lowers her hand. ]

C'mon, I got you.

[ There's another trend. ]

[ The worst part is that Peter can tell she's taking her sweet time up the ladder, and he's knowingly accepting that. He feels stupid not complaining, but he knows he'd feel even stupider to complain. No, best to go with the flow, here... however much of that happens to be the intoxicating shapeliness of Felicia's ass. ]

Look, I can get it appraised myself later on. Doesn't have to be right away.

Still gotta contact Daredevil and hear back from him, anyway.

[ Best part of his sticky hands and feet is not having to worry about falling off the ladder the moment his free hand separates from one of the bars. It's almost a leap of faith, letting go of the ladder to take Felicia's hand... and Felicia actually does take his. Who'd have thought, right? Well, it would be a waste to go through all this effort and let the egg get destroyed that easily. The notion stops Peter from outright swooning, though he wonders if Felicia can tell he's smiling beneath the mask. ]

Thanks.

[ As they both ascend through the manhole, Peter clambers back into civilization with the egg in tow. He slides the cover over the hole and gently places the egg on the floor, then sits down cross-legged right in front of it. Keenly, he inspects the surface with his gloved hands, careful not to desecrate the ornate, sculpted protrusions decorating its surface. It's all some evocative dragon imagery, not unlike what comes to mind when Peter thinks of places like K'un-Lun. If this actually is from K'un-Lun, retrieving this just might make Danny's day.

Peter and Felicia tampering with it just by lugging it around, though? Not so much. But taking it was far more preferable to letting the Hand have it... for whatever reason.

Yeah, Peter regrets doing the favor without asking Matt enough questions. Now he's too curious. ]

So what do you think this thing is, Cat?

As much as I want to believe it's got chocolate inside, this ain't a perfect world.

Maybe it's just purely decorative. Seems to be too heavy to be anything else but some kind of fancy stone.

[ He has half a mind to examine the materials with his own lab equipment, but there's an eeriness to it that really does call for Strange's expertise. ]

If it is a literal egg, surely whatever's inside it has to be long dead... right?

[ Felicia and Peter aren't aware of it yet, but live reports in international news stations detect unusual movement across the Atlantic ocean. A consistent force had emerged from the waters of the East China Sea, passing at uncanny speeds through the coasts of Southeast Asia towards the Indian Ocean, yet still persisting further westward. Reports disclosed that the most visible sightings of this unidentified submerged object happened early on, as it passed Madripoor. Notably, experts' estimations of its considerable mass dwarf descriptions of the Loch Ness monster.

Freeing the egg seems to have triggered something. Compounded, no doubt, by the efforts of the Hand.

But what? ]

Yeah, yeah, and DD takes forever. Guy has a "steady" 9 to 5 and is too good for the rest of you costumed kooks.

[ Teasing, light – she hoists him up with only a slight difficulty. No joke about him packing on a few pounds because of the egg this time. The constant back and forth will definitely leave them thinking about the wildness of the night – it always happens. Wanderlust? Nah, too hipstery. Maybe it was just right, like the stars aligning or some big dragon being summoned. Who knew.

She takes a knee next to him, leaning over as if trying to parse anything she may have picked up in her years of thievery. The colors... the patterns... the decor? Nothing seems familiar – it looks too organic, too.. ]

Well, if my Valyrian is still fresh, it's not a dragon egg, so don't get any ideas to yell Dracarys. [ AHAHAHAHAHA. Oh how wrong she is. ] But it is expensive. Anything that goes into that vault has to be worth over a million, easily. I just... wonder how long it's been down there and why it's never been up on display.

[ She removes her gloves – those bare hands pressing into the side of the egg to feel the texture. Stone? No, it's still malleable with the right amount of force. ]

Maybe? It's ... not stone, there's give. You got any idea, science geek?

[ Whatever the hell is going on is so oblivious, she takes a moment to grip his hand and press it down onto the side. Her hand pins his down, palm to the siding of the egg. With all of the craziness, maybe they both didn't notice. There's no warmth, but the texture... hm.

The movement causes concern already, reports being sent to military units to prepare for an attack – toting something from Prince Namor, since the relationship was rocky at best right now. But, too bad they don't have any idea. ]

I was joking, by the way. So long as you make it three coffees, I am thoroughly invested in this cliffhanger now. I don't mind tagging along.

Wish I could say he had better job security than me, but I'd be lying.

[ Matt's so damn easy to roast. But he laughs at the rest of Felicia's teasing, having embraced his own kookiness long ago. You don't come out of getting buried alive by Kraven, getting confused about who's actually who amongst your own clones, and wearing a costume that turns you into an asshole then moves on to an even bigger asshole... only to remain the picture of sanity. But at least he's not Deadpool. ]

I heard the last season sucked, so excuse my illiteracy in all things "Thrones."

Must be that whoever brought this egg into the museum knew what it's all about. We may need to tie that loose end later.

Hell, I doubt Matt even knows the full story, and might have gotten a vague tip from the Chaste or something.

[ Peter joins Felicia in further palpating the egg's surface. He'd already been doing that, but now removes a glove to avail himself a more precise touch. ]

There's give, alright. And I'm no eggspert, but it's still firmer than any ostrich egg, not to mention bigger.

Don't ask me how I know that.

[ He knocks on the egg now, to discern from the resulting sound and sensation if there's any hollowness. There's not. ]

Maybe it was cooked sometime before it was painted over. There's Southeast Asian boiling methods that could have led to solid gel protein forming inside. In other words, rock hard egg white and yolk matter.

That would also mean the embryo is still intact, but surely calcified by now.

[ He knows that's still all speculation, though. What he doesn't know is how quickly the unidentified submerged object is advancing through the South Atlantic Ocean, careening northward. It's become such a point of concern that S.H.I.E.L.D. is now monitoring its movements, and it seems like it won't be long before it reaches the Eastern Seaboard. Fury's already confirmed that Namor has nothing to do with this, that the Atlanteans are equally mystified by this strange presence.

Time will tell what this has to do with the egg. ]

If I wanna make one of these dates a breakfast, please say yes. I hate to admit it but I'm kind of craving eggs.

[ In the words of Forrest Gump: they went together like peas and carrots. She piggybacks off his joke, making sure she jabs her own like the petty kitty cat she is. ]

I don't even know what your day gig is anymore. [ Or even much of their lives outside of costume. Not that she minds it now that she's older... wiser... and still having a special place for him in that hot/cold heart of hers. They just don't cross paths (unfortunately) enough in this busy city when the leather and spandex were off. ] But, apparently you don't even have time to binge a season or three. Typical.

[ They were onto business, though. Puns and all. Eggcelent puns. ]

...You learned that from Trivia Night, didn't you?

[ Or Facebook, one or the other. Either way. She's curious on something – why would something that was seemingly not an expensive jewelled egg or piece of art be here? It had to have its place in history and it frustrates her that she doesn't know off the top of her head. Felicia leans back on her legs a bit, silently musing over the options. In reality, it's just luck being unkind and giving them some more reason to stick around here – for, y'know the inevitable. There's no sirens blaring, no crazy sense of urgency. They were two NY heroes, usually hating dealing with the mystical and more along the lines of crime and stupidly animal-themed baddies.

Not including them. ]

Sounds plausible enough. So long as whatever is inside doesn't become a facehugger, I think we're okay. Could just be the fact this is still around that makes it worth something. Lots of things get lost to history. An old Mayan fork sold for close to half a million a few months back... people like the novelty.

[ Ugh, she preferred fine art and jewels, but hey – she doesn't shame.

She gives him a glance through the corner of her eyes, a smile on her face isn't so easy to hide. What is it with cat burglars liking breakfast? ]

Making it sound like old times. Are you still into wheatcakes or are you hoppin' on the keto trend?

[ A light tease, but... they can take a break for a few moments of eggvestigating. ]

Yeah, and what of it?

[ He wasn't gonna let Logan win trivia night. Though he was surprised to learn the depths of Wolverine's knowledge in a disturbing number of categories: nothing even this narration can willingly disclose. ]

My attachment is probably misplaced, but I'm not about to let this egg fade into obscurity.

It'll be worth it, seeing it restored to its rightful owners.

[ It wasn't what he was expecting to take away from this experience, but he feels like the egg represents something big. Something important. It has a value he's not equipped to appreciate, but it has value to someone out there, and that's all that matters.

When it comes to lost or stolen artifacts, especially those kept in museums where they don't actually belong, Peter's got the principle of the matter down pat. But he's going to learn very quickly that it has little bearing on the actual matter at hand. The encroaching presence that's touched down on the shores of the Eastern Seaboard has made waves on the edges of Manhattan-- quicker, in fact, than anyone at S.H.I.E.L.D. was anticipating. Faster than anyone could mount their forces and respond to.

So then came a boom. It began to rain. Drops of water pattered blocks upon blocks of Manhattan's streets.

Something had burst out from the waters, soaring to the clouds high above New York City. In its velocity, the massive object brought a ton of water with it.

When the rain eventually stopped, and all was clear, the figure blotted out the sunrise.

Peter's spider-sense was debilitating. He collapsed briefly before he could speak any further, then instinctively rose to stand in front of Felicia-- to stand between her and whatever was hovering above the construction site. He can see it high in the sky, making direct eye contact at him. ]

Fin Fang Foom.

I was off about this whole thing.

[ He sounds like he's repudiating himself for not suspecting. The dragons inscribed on the egg looked familiar enough, but Peter really wanted to assume plausible deniability. Anything, after all, but Fin Fang Foom. ]

This is his egg, Cat.

We need to lead him out of the city. I know a way.

[ After putting one of his gloves back on, Peter feels around a thin utility belt lined in his suit-- the same thing that allows him to cast a spider-signal in dark places. Instead of that, he presses a button that triggers something, but he neglects to say what. ]

Just give it a minute.

[ A minute they might not have. Fin Fang Foom, roaring thunderously at the sight of the egg, begins his descent towards the construction site. ]

A minute, I said!

[ But much sooner than that, the Spider-Mobile arrives, windshield opening automatically for access. ]

Hop on! I'll need you to hold the egg for me!

[ It's good that they do manage to get inside and drive away from the grounds of the construction site, Peter passing the egg to Felicia in the process. A second slower and they would've been caught in Fin Fang Foom's collision with the place, levelling the entire structure. As Peter begins his escape, he starts driving the Spider-Mobile across the walls of buildings, making a slow ascent to (hopefully) divert Fin Fang Foom from rampaging on the streets below. ]

Now I just need a way to make him target us without jeopardizing all these buildings.

What Foom needs... is a distraction.

Can you take the wheel?

What else is new? Your moral compass is leading you to the biggest headache, but... at least you have company this time.

[ When he talks about rightful owners, she scratches at the side of her neck a bit awkwardly. The fluff of her costume tugs up against her cleavage a bit more, as if trying to better hide the necklace smuggled away. Oh, come on, Felicia. It's not like you stole Aunt May's necklace! He'll live, he'll be fine. But would she? There's doubt there, even as she has her thoughtful few seconds of guilt – she doesn't like lying to Peter more than she had to. This...? She didn't have to. This was just because something pretty caught her eye. Whatever, she doesn't linger.

She didn't have time to even deal with her back and forth. The boom happens - sure, if they weren't busy maybe they'd have reacted quicker. Not Quicksilver quicker, but more than having Peter interject himself between her and certain ~~doom~~ Fin Fang Foom. She isn't stupid, but she feels it. Of course, she was wrong. ]

Okay, not going to ask – how it's his egg – but we were both wrong. It is a dragon egg.

[ At least Peter isn't alone in the miscalculations. It was a little too on the nose – to really suspect a dragon inside or to suspect it was anything but decorative or historical if collecting dust in the dark. The fact she gets an answer doesn't settle well with her – because now they had to deal with this.

She's waiting, thinking he'd call in the big guns like maybe one of Stark's auto-pilot suits.. maybe a favor from X-Men? The guy had contacts but then again... he also had – ]

Seriously?!

[ Felicia doesn't have to argue with him, he can totally anticipate her roasting him for a week after bringing this from storage. It's less buggy and more savior at this point. She pulls her weight, fumbling to pick the heavier egg up and getting herself safe and tucked away – just in time. That could have been bad – but fortunately, it'll get authorities to the area quicker. The disturbances were causing quiet a scene. As they begin to ascend, Foom has to contend with that SPEED, boy. He gets a gain on them, zipping forward as if to block off the buggy.

Felicia isn't one to let them fuck their insurance up. Her hands grip onto the wheel and tugs it harshly to the left, sending them shooting up over the side of the rooftop and coming crashing down into another one – wallriding was not as fun as it seems? They dodged Foom, though. ]

Whatever you're doing, hurry! No less than 15 coffees for this!

[ Her thighs are thoroughly clutching this fucking egg right now and regretting not buckling it up, she is owed coffees. ]

[ And so, Peter hurries. He slams the side of his fist on a button that disengages the windshield, allowing him to leap right off the cockpit. On his way out, he yells to Felicia, ]

HIT THAT BUTTON AGAIN!

[ He has no time to look and see if Felicia does just that, slinging his web to once again get in Fin Fang Foom's way... for all that it's worth. The beast utterly dwarfs him, making Peter feel what it's like to have the proportionate size of a spider. Or as certain journalistic outlets might put it, "the experience really makes you feel like a spider." 7/10 too much water ]

So what is it, Foom? That your egg?

Do you want it back??

[ Peter's heart is racing. For all his gifts, he's not sure if he can meaningfully hold off a heavy hitter like Foom. While speaking, he's swung to a building's wall and burst into a run to scale it, then firing webballs directly at Foom's face. Each kind of patters onto him like droplets of rain, seemingly failing to catch his attention... until he ceases his forward movement and flaps his wings in place, stationary and suspended mid-air as his eyes gravitate towards the puny Spider-Man.

Now, Spider-Man has reached the top of the building, commanding Foom's attention from its edge. ]

If it's yours, Foom, it's only what you deserve.

We're trying to mitigate civilian casualties, here, property damage... so if you can calm down and explain yourself, you'll get what you want!

Everybody wins.

[ This is the most Peter's had to project his voice, and it's honestly more exhausting than all his quipping. He can expect to his throat to be sore from exhaustion before long.

But Foom, despite appearances... is listening. Even huffs in contemplation, seeming to heed Peter's words. He glances onward, though, at the Spider-Mobile distancing itself further and further away from the fray. ]

That's my friend, Foom. She's taking your egg to a rendezvous point, if you can believe me.

Do you believe me?

[ He receives, telepathically, a message from Foom. Foom understands. But the moment he even suspects a double-cross, like the forces of S.H.I.E.L.D. coming to take him away, he will eat the Spider and do to New York what was done to Atlantis. The Great Cataclysm of old, though-- not anything Namor's done with the place recently. ]

Okay. Good. Thank you.

[ Peter's entire posture, initially taut with the tension of averting an apocalypse, utterly slumps. He relaxes before pulling out his phone. ]

Chill, Foom. I'm just texting my friend. The one I was talking about.

[ So, then-- ]

Felicia, if you're getting this, you can stop running. I'm sending you coordinates to the nearest pier.

Drive the Spider-Mobile there. I'll lead Foom to you.

We need to give this thing back to him, and hopefully he'll return to his hidey hole. He really just wants what's his.

[ Peter cringes at himself for not just offering the egg from the start. But then again, Foom did give them no choice, looking ready to eat them and the egg along with it, back when he swooped down from the sky.

Before Peter's done, though, he raises his hand at Foom. ]

Now I need to make a call, Foom!

[ Foom rolls his eyes. But someone needs to tell S.H.I.E.L.D. to hold their fire. Then hopefully someone at S.H.I.E.L.D. will tell the Avengers to do the same. ]

Damn it!

[ She didn't want to play driver. This wasn't her speed, but sometimes it's nice to add to the resume, at least? Felicia hits the button, the Mobile secure and she's left trying to slide carefully over so she can step on the gas and properly keep her and Eggbert from crashing. Yes. It has a name now.

This was far from the craziest not-date they've had – and like usual... Felicia is ready to get out of the hot-zone. She works best with no sense of impending doom or stress breathing down her neck! Her mind is going a mile a minute as the stupid vehicle makes itself a home across apartment buildings, office spaces, and even another construction site. The egg is sturdy enough, but Felicia doesn't have her Class SM license for this terrain – it is pretty damn rocky.

She trusts Spider, but the sense of concern still rushes over her. She shouldn't text and drive – so the message goes ignored for a few minutes. The goal was to try and get the egg away from the very bad dragon (://///) wasn't it?

He picks up where she would fail. She didn't think she'd be able to have a heart-to-heart with a drunken Rhino, but this was in its own league. The joyride was cut short when she finally answers her text, cursing under her breath. ]

We were just bonding! Darn.

So, you mean to tell me, the second we touched this egg, that's when he got territorial and was ready to Kaiju us!? Pretty sure the news choppers are about six blocks over, but – I'll get there. We may just have company.

[ But. She has him. There's a little bit of learning, but she pops into reverse and peels out – launching the vehicle on the clearest path towards the coordinates near the pier. ]

Y'know... as stupid as this is... Thanks. Better way to spend my night with good company. [ A pause. ] Sorry. Him, not you. No offense.

[ And there's some silence, her forehead nearly hitting the steering wheel as she pools from the side of a building onto the road leading down to the pier. ]

Really has me talking to a damn egg...

[ Whatever!! She'll pull her phone up: ]

Siri says 2 minutes and I'm there. Hurry up!

[ Peter sees the notifications from Felicia when he's still got Cap on speaker. He can't say for certain if the sounds of his phone, even then, can be heard by Fin Fang Foom in all his enormity. Hopefully the thought counts, here. In any case, at the very last possible minute, Peter succeeds at getting the Avengers to stand by. After ending the phone call, Peter gives Felicia's texts one last look, but remains unsure it was precisely them seizing it that triggered Foom's awakening. It's very possible that before now, the egg was being transported quite clandestinely, passed from one organization to the next through illicit means. Might be worth knowing later who all the museum's donors are. The Hand, Hydra, A.I.M., the Hellfire Club... Peter can name more than a few who might be interested in this egg-shaped curiosity, if it clearly has some special significance to Fin Fang Foom.

But these speculations remain half-formed in Peter's mind while adrenaline courses through him. Knowing exactly where he set the coordinates, he leads Foom away from downtown, relieved to look over his shoulder and see the beast hovering over New York's buildings instead of, well, bulldozing them. Eventually Peter reaches the edge of the city, dotted with piers. Beyond them lies only water, obviously, and it's above the water where Foom hovers while tailing Spider-Man. ]

Thank god he's cooperating...

[ Peter mutters to himself, not as much in a quipping mood as he wants to be. Fortunately, every excruciating minute is made up for by the distant sight of Felicia, reaching the designated pier in the Spider-Mobile. She'll get a phone call through the Spider-Mobile's speakers, Peter's grating voice blaring through the inside of the car. ]

You probably see him coming, Cat, but this is a courtesy call. Do you mind taking the egg with you to the edge of the pier?

I'll sweeten the deal. Double what you said, okay? 30 coffees.

[ He knows he's asking a lot of her. She really didn't have to stick around for as long as she has, putting up with all of Peter's... eggscapades, but here she is. Peter knows that must mean something; hell, he sure wants it to. But even now, with a giant monster who could swallow him whole at any time looming directly behind him, Peter wants to ensure Felicia doesn't feel like she's being used. That she's not just an extra pair of hands Peter's dragging around for his convenience. ~~he's got wade for that~~ ]

Be seeing you!

[ He ends the call pretty quick, though, not wanting to yell too much and risk confusing Foom. Felicia will find the two of them careening towards the three (make that four including the egg)'s shared destination. For all intents and purposes, she and Peter are preventing the wholesale destruction of New York.

Just another Tuesday, then. ]

[ It was good that Spider-Man handled the costumes, she handled the paparazzi. Word was that the construction site was where Foom was last sighted, sending choppers and newsvans driving the opposite direction. The thief has a big enough lead to get to the pier first – to let tempers settle or Spider the time needed to distract. She's fuzzy on the details and the concern she has for him to be hurt is there... she trusts him.

When she got dressed tonight, slinked into her sexiest gown – low-cut and overflowing to the ground in her best, uncomfortable heels... she didn't expect to now be eggscorting something to the piers. Felicia has a habit of bringing bad luck, but this? Takes the cake. She isn't clued in on all the tech in the mobile, still annoyed she has to learn to drive it – she's a New Yorker, so driving isn't her specialty. When the tires on on a typical road, things smooth out – but the sudden incoming call across the speakers of the car makes her groan. She peers through the rear view with a confirming nod to herself. ]

Yup. I see the big, annoyed dragon. Not sure how he's not breathing fire and burning the city down, but – [ No, she holds the Game of Thrones reference about him being the Spider of Dragons. It's too lame. ] 35. Final deal.

[ They hang-up without another word. Nothing else was needed. Felicia was a ride or die, one willing to get messy when the time came to it. Messy right now was comedically pathetic. No bullets, no warfare – literally just a pissed off dragon. The vehicle comes to a stop at the end of the pier next to oversized crates for shipment, the buzz of a helicopter zipping by too focused on going more towards Peter.

Doing what she's told has never been a thing with her, but she listens. The egg was transported with care, hefty and weighed down but it reaches the end of the pier where the flicker of dying pier lights show how nasty the surrounding bays were. Felicia was left babysitter, sure, but she sets the egg down with the care as if it was her own. Crouched down next to it, she looks down the portway – awaiting the view of a very fast moving dragon and faster spider? ]

[ Yeah, S.H.I.E.L.D. was one thing. The Avengers were another. But the free press? Never to be underestimated. Especially when it's the Big Apple's very own Daily Bugle on the hunt for more reasons to call Spider-Man a menace. What's the headline gonna be this time, Peter wonders? "SPIDER-MAN USES BAD DRAGON: HAVOC IN MANHATTAN." Importantly, no "k" instead of a "c" in "havoc." Can't have Spider-Man and X-Men slander mix. ]

Wallet's gonna regret this, but I don't care. I have a responsibility to this city, and a responsibility to Felicia.

[ Having hung up, Peter's just muttering to himself at this point. But Foom somehow caught that, and telepathically asks him what he just said. ]

Unrelated, Foom. Just some coffee stuff. Mostly.

[ And then Foom actually asks what is coffee. At least that's all that caught his attention. ]

You like spending a lot of time in some deep slumber, right? Then let's just say coffee's not for you!

[ Peter's got his eyes on the prize, still, swinging ever closer to the edge of the pier. But his commitment to making progress towards the rendezvous point means he isn't looking back over his shoulder. Because then he'd see that for all the rage Foom promised to rain down upon New York... he looks a little sad.

Are you sure you will not tell me? ]

Look Foom, we can have this conversation after you get your egg. And preferably when you're further out in the Atlantic Ocean.

[ The dragon is pleased. ]

Finally!

[ Indeed, one last swing and Peter lets go of the web at the apex of his momentum, backflipping as he descends to the side of the Spider-Mobile. After landing on his feet, he goes ahead and sprints to the end of the pier, though with his spider-endurance it feels more like a light jog. Foom, meanwhile, descends into the water just in front of the edge of the pier, where Felicia and the egg happen to be waiting.

Foom looms. With his feet on the floor of the river, he is only knee deep in it while standing upright. He crouches to not absolutely tower over Felicia, but creepily, he doesn't break eye contact the entire time. Eye contact with Felicia? Or--

No. The egg.

Placed beside you is something of mine, Foom says. Though directed at Felicia, Peter can somehow hear it as he's making his way to the edge.

When Peter finally reaches Felicia, it becomes quite easy to imagine his relief beneath the mask. He sighs, not from the sprint, but from the blissful understanding that New York just might live to get attacked by something else another day. ]

Cat-- thanks for holding on to that. I really really owe you.

[ So then he turns to beseech Foom, looking up at the colossal dragon as he stands on the edge of the pier. Peter had also reached down to pick up the egg, and now holds it high like its destiny is to rule Pride Rock. ]

Well, Foom? Take it! It's yours!

[ And so... Foom does. Foom reaches down with his inestimable hand to collect the egg between the tips of his thumb and index finger. Delicately, he lifts the egg away from Peter's hands, only to take it to eye level, carefully appraising the artifact. ]

Nothing but gel protein and a calcified embryo. That's my theory, Cat, but--

[ Foom just throws the thing into his scaly maw. Starts chewing. Choppers that have converged, even key Avengers personnel now waiting by the Spider-Mobile, are all present to bear witness alongside the Cat and the Spider.

The pleasure this brings to Foom releases a telepathic signal everyone in the vicinity can hear in their minds. The first sound is almost too loud in everybody's heads.

Aaaaah... aged to perfection since the twilight of the Qing dynasty, mystic preservatives cultivated by the finest artisans in K'un-Lun... this is everything I have ever wanted, and more.

THE FINEST CHOCOLATE! ]

[ Add talking to a dragon to her checklist of weird shit New York City has offered her. There's almost a flicker of a maternal instinct when she scoots slightly in front of the egg, as if making sure the speed of the approach didn't knock the thing into the pier. Then they'd both be in trouble. Peter had somehow managed to defuse a ticking timebomb of a dragon, a skill he can certainly add to his resume, but Felicia is still on guard. The whole picture wasn't so clear to her, but at least she knows how to drive the stupid Spider-Mobile now? ]

Take better care of it next time! It's been collecting dust for who knows how long!

[ She had to at least sass back, only Felicia would, but hey. At least the Foom was less fuming. The thief stands up as Peter takes the damn egg and offers it like Rafiki to the dragon. She's left watching things unravel – her mind already trying to parse if she'd need to zip away if this was all a ruse to get closer. Bad habits, etc.

What comes next has her feel uncomfortable. Too much attention – the rip of choppers through the sky, the sirens joining in from street-level patrols... the Avengers personnel wasn't appreciate either. Some people don't have the same appreciation Peter has for morally gray costumes, okay. The scene unfolds with not a reunion, with no happy ending – it was shattered ....... with something almost rage-inducing. Science can't beat culinary in this instance and she's left with a scrunched up face in disgust. ]

Oh... ew. You're kidding me!

[ She wasted her night for this?! For a midnight snack? She shoots a glare worth a million words to her Spider, good grief. ]

[ As Felicia fires her glare at Peter, she'll find him utterly beside himself in shock. Bewilderment. FRUSTRATION! What did he just see? The object that was of enough significance to Matt, to the Hand, and presumably the Chaste... was just a fancy snack Fin Fang Foom was saving for a rainy day!? All that worrying for the welfare of the city, all that Foom's inestimable stature threatened to destroy, all that fighting just to secure the egg in the first place-- for this? It's so absurd that Peter starts to chuckle. Cackle, even, with both hands on his forehead as his expression beneath the mask remains a mystery. But it's still obvious, isn't it? How does he really feel?

The laughter proves to be a mixture of mirth and relief. The fact this all amounted to a wild goose chase over something as trivial as chocolate is actually a good thing. But fortunately, it's not like Peter's lost it. He only laughs for a few seconds, enough to really absorb what he just witnessed, before falling to his knees. He's exhausted, stressed like he's had to take his SAT while juggling on a unicycle over hot coals. That, to him, represented the enormity of potential failure if Fin Fang Foom actually bothered to level the city. Something, it now seems, that the mere presence of ancient chocolate made a difference in averting.

It might be kind of pathetic, seeing Peter beside himself like this. Wouldn't be the first time Felicia's seen him come undone, though. Maybe Matt's been more embarrassing in general, but Peter's stomaching enough embarrassment for both himself and Felicia. ]

Cat, I want a coffee date, like... stat. For my sanity.

[ As he speaks, Fin Fang Foom doesn't even thank him. Doesn't even address the looming presence of the paparazzi, the Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D.... no. They're all too small for him, now that he's had his snack. He simply turns around, Godzilla-like with his unreadable intentions, drifting away from the pier. He spreads his wings, flaps them a bit, and flies - flies until he's nothing but a featureless speck in the sky, taking the danger that came with him to a distance beyond sight. ]

I have literally never been more enthusiastic to treat someone.

Least of all myself.

[ He decides that's enough moping and gets back on his feet, turning to briefly regard Felicia before facing the entrance to the pier. There, he sees Daredevil. Wolverine, too. Other Avengers seem to have left already, but of all people, Logan wants to hear it all directly from Peter.

Peter, though, is dead set on not inviting either of them to coffee. He sighs deeply, perhaps more than he did at anything Foom had done today, at the possibility of having to interact with those guys. With his heightened senses, how can Daredevil stand to be beside Wolverine? ]

After we deal with those two... mind if we still use the Spider-Mobile?

[ He shrugs a tad sheepishly. ]

It's got a lot of mileage left.

[ Peter got roped into Matt's mess. Felicia got roped into Peter's mess from taking over Matt's mess. It was one big circle of chocolatey mess, apparently? It was enough to warrant a high-alert, enough to garner too much attention from costumes and badges alike. Felicia wanted to yell, to curse out a giant dragon without restraint. She's forward – raising her fist in the air and jaw dropping. Before Peter starts laughing. Starts losing it in the most subtle way possible. She gives him a concerned glance at first, knowing that her street cred wasn't the only thing being lost at the moment too. ]

Sounds like you need decaf.

[ And to go to sleep after this. Felicia closes the distance between them, even if they have a little bit of an audience by now and gives him one of those lingering gestures – a pat against his bicep to calm her own annoyances down. He had no clue... she had no clue... made sense that their luck combines was some Captain Planet-level misfortune.

She lets her nails drag down the texture of his costume's arm, indicating that it was fine. She got him in debt to her, so not all bad! And... heh, that necklace tucked away between the best cleavage New York had to offer? Don't forget that. They can address that later.

For now, they have the one final piece of their follow-up – until Peter mentions that damn mobile. She'd hate to admit it, but it had its charm at times. Maybe, someday, there will be a rare occurrence when bringing that baby out would yield him massive swag points. Not tonight, though. But – what the hell. ]

You just don't want the battery to go dead. [ Teasing, she'll be waiting by the mobile while he deals with the fallout. She walks backwards, her eyes on him and even after all this, she smirks that confident little grin of hers. Not the only thing with mileage, she wants to quip back to him but... that's pretty forward for the first coffee date. ] Hurry up, I need a cat nap after this too.

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[peterfel] ride or die

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