cross the roofs

[doctopoda]

Who: Otto Octavius doctopoda
What: June catch-all
When: June, pre-Kaijuu
Where: Excelsior
Content Warnings: none



i. excelsior, day, out and about

[Now that he's gainfully employed, Otto's starting to fall into something more like a normal routine.

You may see him out getting coffee at what's become his regular place, or doing some shopping. It's getting easier; the longer he's lived here, the more people in his neighborhood have gotten used to the sight of him.

Ever since the incident at Balthier's shop, though, things have gotten a little weird. There's been outcry against metas. He knew it existed out there, but he's only lived in Central City and here, where such things are less common; this is the first real anti-meta sentiment he's seen in person. He even passes a few little protest groups outside of the Guild buildings, his own home and the others near it. Yet somehow, he himself is excluded: he's a product of science, not natural-born, not magic. 

A ridiculous distinction. Otto knows as well as anyone just how dangerous a rogue scientist can be. 

Mostly, he does his best to ignore praise and protest alike. If he sees anyone nearby who seems upset by the crowd - or, god forbid, anyone who's getting yelled at by them - he'll go over to them, actuators curving protectively, though not too close.]

Come on. They're just looking for attention - don't give them the satisfaction.

ii. excelsior, night, guild housing

[Peter staying with Otto has been rather nice, actually - at least in Otto's mind. He spends most of his days at work, and Peter's often out on his own business at other times, so they don't see too much of one another. But when they do, it's nice to have a bit of friendly conversation. The place has felt empty since Norman left.

Even so, there's still evenings when he's left to his own devices, or nights that drag on as sleep eludes him. So there's also nights when a tentacled shape can be seen swiftly crawling its way up to the roof of one of the Guild-owned apartment buildings.

Once up there, he leans against the perimeter wall, lights a cigarette, and smokes it while looking out over the city. It's an awful habit, he knows; he went some thirty years without it. But then - as with so many things - but then there was the accident. He quit once. He can kick it again. Just...later, maybe.]

iii. wildcard

(( hit me up on lluosogrwydd if you want to do something else! or just go for it, idk ))

Comments

[portolan]

That's no small feat. [ Balthier says it with real enthusiasm, and a hint of jealousy. He sighs at himself. ] I should have gone to university. Still a chip on my shoulder -- being disowned cut the legs out from under that dream. Seems we switched fates in our coming of age.

[ He chuckles at Otto's scandalized disappointment at social media and the Alliance, though. ] Never did trust an organization claiming to be good to be rational.

[doctopoda]

You still could someday! Learning's a lifelong journey - you're never too old. [Otto smiles.] Especially not at your age.

[He's not gonna be pushy about it, though. Otto enjoyed school, obviously, but it would certainly be a commitment.

At the rest, he just snorts. Trust in grand organizations isn't exactly where he's coming from here.]

That's true enough. Things were just very different in my world. We had one super-hero - Spider-Man. I have a hard time imagining him ever doing anything the Guild gets up to. [In point of fact, he's pretty sure none of the ones here have joined the Alliance. He is probing a little here, but he manages to keep his demeanor neutral as he adds:] I'm sure you've seen some of them around. My world's version isn't here, but we've got several others like him.

[portolan]

[ Balthier chuckles. ]

Maybe at home. I've absolutely no desire here. Besides. I have the internet and a wealth of books. I'm learning plenty.

[ He knows he's too far past being able to listen to authority or suffer fools for that to be fun, but the support is sweet. ]

I've met several Spider-Men, in fact. Generally an agreeable bunch with poor self-preservation. [ Balthier's just as neutral. One of the first things he learned about Peter was how wary he was of anyone finding out he was Spider-Man. Even if Balthier thought that meant he was a circus performer.</small. ]

[doctopoda]

[Otto snorts.]

They are that. Very nearly kind to a fault.

[It's admirable, of course. But...hell if it doesn't get them hurt. Hurt by Otto, at times.]

He'd been active for a few years, in my world. There was some merchandise, things like that, but I doubt he ever saw a penny of it.

[portolan]

[ Balthier barely covers a smile with his drink. They are clearly talking about the same people. ]

So we can agree that even if money was available for said merchandise, they'd find a way to refuse it, be flustered, and still be sleeping on someone else's couch eating cheap greasy food and not sleeping enough.

[doctopoda]

[Otto grins as well, looking away for a second. It sure sounds like they are on the same page!]

Yes, exactly.

[But he's not willing to say it out loud still, not without an okay from Peter. Balthier doesn't seem to be either. Respectable, in Otto's opinion; they may both know, but that doesn't make it their secret to talk about.]

He saved my life, you know. Quite possibly more than once.

[portolan]

I believe it. He's saved mine at least once too.

[ He's not sure he's repaid that. ]

Was yours here, or from before?

[doctopoda]

Before. I told you I was meant to die, in my original timeline.

[This time, without the stress of the reactor and the river and the days of fear, Otto says it calmly enough. It's a simple fact. It does still bother him at times, but...not in ways he thinks he ought to unpack with Balthier.]

He's the reason it didn't happen.

[portolan]

[ Still, it's a lot to carry. ]

I'm glad it didn't. Frankly, I'm glad a lot of us were brought to this world. Solved some impossible situations. [ And some impossible aches. ] But maybe that's just the opportunist in me.