The Young Avengers Initiative
- Thread starter Wightraven
- Start date
Silvereagle21
Soaring through the Sky
- Location
- United States
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
[X] Codex
- Location
- Everywhere, Anywhere, Nowhere.
A bit late to the conversation but I agree we need better armor, hopefully something lightweight that will allow us to move quickly.
Before we decide on weapons I think we should talk to our teacher and see what weapons they could teach us to use. Both a ranged weapon and melee.
Before we decide on weapons I think we should talk to our teacher and see what weapons they could teach us to use. Both a ranged weapon and melee.
004 - And in the Darkness, Bind Them Q
- Location
- The Trash Pile
Winner: Some sort of enhanced taser that could be dialed up and and down in power to deal with enemies entering melee, even if they have superpowered toughness.
- Possibly some sort of projectile function to the taser
Ballistic vest/fabric for costume for bulletproof/protective functions
Number of voters: 3
"I dunno," you hadn't really thought about it, honestly. "Something non-lethal, obviously. With... maybe an adjustable setting in case I'm up against really tough bad guys?"
"That makes sense. Keep an eye on that hill, there's-- oh, you got him. Nice!"
"A ranged projectile would be good, too. As an option... and a stronger costume. Getting shot was not fun."
"Oh, shit, speak of the devil," Peter mourns, "sorry, Vilina."
"I'm not torn up over it, Peter. Sorry I wasn't more help." Being dead means you don't have to play Fortnite anymore, and as much as you enjoy playing with Peter... momentary reprieve from a game you don't care for is welcome.
"Nah, you're good. Uhh..." he zones out for a second, focusing on the game, "YES! Um, the costume thing shouldn't be too hard. Just expensive. You got anything saved back from your patrols?"
"I have a lot saved back from my patrols." Not having much of a social life does have its perks.
"I'm pretty sure you guys got access to uh... a sub-division of S.H.I.E.L.D. R&D for uniforms and repairs and stuff. Talk to one of your Deans, they should know how to hook you up."
"Oh, right!" You did know that; it was part of the brochures. You just forgot because you didn't really think you needed it. "Thank you!"
"No problem. Um... as for weapons... ah, gosh, man. I'd really like to help you out but I just don't have a lot of time to do that kinda stuff anymore. The web-shooters... those were before I met Mr. Stark, an'... he's improved on the design a lot. Like, I know how to make stuff, I just don't really have the free time right now."
"No, I understand. I wasn't asking you so much to do it for me, but... you have a technical mind, y'know? I thought maybe you could think of something really useful."
"I'd talk to Mr. Stark," suggests Spider-man. "Schedule a meeting with him, go through official channels. It might take a while, but he'll respect it, I think. An' then tell him your ideas, an' you can go from there!"
"Sounds like a plan," you agree, and resume your game night.
Tony Stark, as it happens, is not available until well into the second semester; late February. But you have a meeting, and by the time you return from winter break you should have a new, more protective uniform waiting for you. You're proud of your productivity and accomplishments, and it helps you enjoy your time off with family that much more.
OOC: Tomorrow morning's post begins the new issue, picking up in mid-January. There's a plot element I thought could be fun, but I want to get feedback from the player base on this before going forward or "springing" it on you. So, Vilina would be aware of it at the very least due to Kitty and Robbie, so she'd know to make plans in any case. There will be a Valentine's Day event organized by the school events committee. No matter what you choose, there will not be negative ramifications other than this being or not being a plot thread we explore. Choosing a date does not somehow 'lock' you into a romantic relationship with someone. You could conceivably choose to go with a friend AS friends and it not become anything more. But I don't want this to seem like I'm pushing what I think is interesting on you guys so I wanted to get this out the way now before getting into the issue proper.
What Is Vilina Planning?
[ ] Don't attend.
[ ] Attend without a date.
[ ] Attend; look for a date over the course of the issue.
- Possibly some sort of projectile function to the taser
Ballistic vest/fabric for costume for bulletproof/protective functions
Number of voters: 3
"I dunno," you hadn't really thought about it, honestly. "Something non-lethal, obviously. With... maybe an adjustable setting in case I'm up against really tough bad guys?"
"That makes sense. Keep an eye on that hill, there's-- oh, you got him. Nice!"
"A ranged projectile would be good, too. As an option... and a stronger costume. Getting shot was not fun."
"Oh, shit, speak of the devil," Peter mourns, "sorry, Vilina."
"I'm not torn up over it, Peter. Sorry I wasn't more help." Being dead means you don't have to play Fortnite anymore, and as much as you enjoy playing with Peter... momentary reprieve from a game you don't care for is welcome.
"Nah, you're good. Uhh..." he zones out for a second, focusing on the game, "YES! Um, the costume thing shouldn't be too hard. Just expensive. You got anything saved back from your patrols?"
"I have a lot saved back from my patrols." Not having much of a social life does have its perks.
"I'm pretty sure you guys got access to uh... a sub-division of S.H.I.E.L.D. R&D for uniforms and repairs and stuff. Talk to one of your Deans, they should know how to hook you up."
"Oh, right!" You did know that; it was part of the brochures. You just forgot because you didn't really think you needed it. "Thank you!"
"No problem. Um... as for weapons... ah, gosh, man. I'd really like to help you out but I just don't have a lot of time to do that kinda stuff anymore. The web-shooters... those were before I met Mr. Stark, an'... he's improved on the design a lot. Like, I know how to make stuff, I just don't really have the free time right now."
"No, I understand. I wasn't asking you so much to do it for me, but... you have a technical mind, y'know? I thought maybe you could think of something really useful."
"I'd talk to Mr. Stark," suggests Spider-man. "Schedule a meeting with him, go through official channels. It might take a while, but he'll respect it, I think. An' then tell him your ideas, an' you can go from there!"
"Sounds like a plan," you agree, and resume your game night.
Tony Stark, as it happens, is not available until well into the second semester; late February. But you have a meeting, and by the time you return from winter break you should have a new, more protective uniform waiting for you. You're proud of your productivity and accomplishments, and it helps you enjoy your time off with family that much more.
OOC: Tomorrow morning's post begins the new issue, picking up in mid-January. There's a plot element I thought could be fun, but I want to get feedback from the player base on this before going forward or "springing" it on you. So, Vilina would be aware of it at the very least due to Kitty and Robbie, so she'd know to make plans in any case. There will be a Valentine's Day event organized by the school events committee. No matter what you choose, there will not be negative ramifications other than this being or not being a plot thread we explore. Choosing a date does not somehow 'lock' you into a romantic relationship with someone. You could conceivably choose to go with a friend AS friends and it not become anything more. But I don't want this to seem like I'm pushing what I think is interesting on you guys so I wanted to get this out the way now before getting into the issue proper.
What Is Vilina Planning?
[ ] Don't attend.
[ ] Attend without a date.
[ ] Attend; look for a date over the course of the issue.
- Location
- United States
[X] Attend without a date.
Silvereagle21
Soaring through the Sky
- Location
- United States
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
[X] Attend; look for a date over the course of the issue.
005 - Those Who Watch A
- Location
- The Trash Pile
Winner: Attend without a date.
Number of voters: 4
It doesn't take long to get back into the swing of things when you return to campus. A number of days you were at home, you actually woke up in a small panic, trying to figure out where you were and how late for class or running with Gwen you were going to be. Still, it was good to see your mom and dad, good to have a reprieve from actual stress for a little while. It's part of what makes you feel even more strongly that you chose the right path; studying for exams, writing papers, and preparing for patrol are where you're most comfortable, and by the end of break you're really looking forward to getting back with your friends, and back to making progress on your life goals. There's a small reminder from your mom that you'll have to choose eventually... a career in medicine where you might stop a crime every once in a while... or a career as a super-hero, where you'll use your knowledge to help the team. But you don't have to think about that right now... so you don't.
Your new uniform is waiting for you when you get back. It looks phenomenal; not much different from the original design but just overall more... sturdy. More like a working hero's symbol than a young woman's costume. It's stiff in places where the leather needs to be worn around your joints, and it's heavier than the old uniform... but you're sure there's not really any getting around that. It breathes better than you expected, which isn't much of an issue in the dead cold of January, but will be welcome news when June rears its fiery head. Part of you wants to wear it to work out in... but the threat of overheating again is too much. Plus you'll look a little silly, nobody else there wears their gear. You'll have time to get used to it on patrol; things are... different in the winter. It's less about muggers and fights and big crime (though that still happens) and more about responding to car accidents, keeping people trapped outside in the snow warm, or otherwise helping your fellow man. Your medical knowledge comes in handy more than once as you're able to provide assistance before EMTs can arrive on scene, and that puts a little feather of pride in your cap.
There is... one thing that doesn't sit well with you, however. There's... a man. He's not much taller than you, with disheveled black hair and a perpetual five o'clock shadow. You might've mistaken him for homeless, but his clothes are too nice, too well-kept, and he changes them too often, except for that beat-up, old, brown motorcycle jacket he's always wearing. Sometimes he's drinking coffee, sometimes he's having a smoke, sometimes he's just observing. Sometimes he wears a low cowboy hat or a knit cap, and other times he braves the cold bare-faced, though it doesn't seem to have much of an effect on him. He wouldn't be very threatening if it weren't for the fact that he keeps turning up while you're out on patrol, or shopping, or any other activity beyond the campus. It doesn't seem to matter where you go... he eventually turns up. The two of you have locked eyes more than once. He... doesn't react when this happens. Most civilians' eyes will either... light up with recognition or look away as though they've been caught doing something they shouldn't. Some come closer, others smile and wave... he does nothing. Even a predatory animal reacts when their prey moves; their eyes dilate or their muscles tighten as they ready to pounce. But he just... doesn't react. It's kept you a little on edge, and you're wondering if there's anything that can be done about it. That seems unlikely; this seems like the sort of think a super-hero just has to handle if it becomes a problem... but inaction feels so... inadequate.
As was the case after everything that happened with the Marauders, you're seeing a lot more of Quentin around the dorm. He occasionally leaves to visit with Maggott, but part of him seems a bit... lost without his former comrades. He doesn't say anything, but he spends a lot of time just... sitting. As though he's not sure what to do with himself, what activities to get into, who to talk to... you wonder how the winter break was on him, but with your schedule it's hard to find time to ask. Even though you feel much more comfortable studying a little bit instead of constant cramming, doing the research and taking the time to test out of some of the other classes so that you have more opportunities next year has basically just replaced that chunk of your life. It's a welcome replacement, but even you have to admit a little more free time would be nice. Rage got a virtual reality headset for Christmas and that's basically been the crux of his existence ever since. He's obsessed with this new battleground game; Murderworld. From the way he describes it, it reminds you of a hybrid of PUBG and Let It Die, but apparently it's really immersive? He doesn't get mad as often as he did with Overwatch, which is nice, and he seems to be really enjoying it, even if he looks a little goofy while he plays with the giant black VR headset on. Kitty and Robbie are still doing well, full of new-couple energy and living largely in their own private bubble no matter where they are. You don't talk to her as much as you did before, but... that's sort of relative as every conversation with Kitty is still jam-packed with Kitty. Her enthusiasm for life and every conceivable thing in it has not diminished in the slightest. Roxy you see much less of. In fact, Quentin seems to have taken up her usual haunts of staring out the faux window or scrolling through his phone while on the sectional and Roxy is... not around much. She seems to be in better spirits than she was before.
Finally, you have an abundance of free-time on the weekend of January 19th. It's Saturday morning; you're dressed, fed, caffeinated, and the world is your oyster. There are a myriad of possibilities open to you...
What Do You Do?
[ ] Check up on Quentin.
[ ] Try to talk to Elvin.
- May be difficult; he's almost always playing his game.
[ ] See what Gwen is up to.
[ ] Check in on Felix.
[ ] See if Peter is free.
- Peter is rarely free.
[ ] Try to find Roxy.
- You generally have no idea where she is.
[ ] Hang out with Kitty and Robbie.
- You will be a third wheel.
[ ] Write-In
OOC: Write-in is encouraged here, I just didn't want to leave the choices completely empty. I left a few potential plot hooks sprinkled into the text over the last few updates, and there are plenty of things from the past brought up by both the player base and myself that could be explored. Reminder that your meeting with Mr. Stark is in late February and he is not available right now.
Number of voters: 4
It doesn't take long to get back into the swing of things when you return to campus. A number of days you were at home, you actually woke up in a small panic, trying to figure out where you were and how late for class or running with Gwen you were going to be. Still, it was good to see your mom and dad, good to have a reprieve from actual stress for a little while. It's part of what makes you feel even more strongly that you chose the right path; studying for exams, writing papers, and preparing for patrol are where you're most comfortable, and by the end of break you're really looking forward to getting back with your friends, and back to making progress on your life goals. There's a small reminder from your mom that you'll have to choose eventually... a career in medicine where you might stop a crime every once in a while... or a career as a super-hero, where you'll use your knowledge to help the team. But you don't have to think about that right now... so you don't.
Your new uniform is waiting for you when you get back. It looks phenomenal; not much different from the original design but just overall more... sturdy. More like a working hero's symbol than a young woman's costume. It's stiff in places where the leather needs to be worn around your joints, and it's heavier than the old uniform... but you're sure there's not really any getting around that. It breathes better than you expected, which isn't much of an issue in the dead cold of January, but will be welcome news when June rears its fiery head. Part of you wants to wear it to work out in... but the threat of overheating again is too much. Plus you'll look a little silly, nobody else there wears their gear. You'll have time to get used to it on patrol; things are... different in the winter. It's less about muggers and fights and big crime (though that still happens) and more about responding to car accidents, keeping people trapped outside in the snow warm, or otherwise helping your fellow man. Your medical knowledge comes in handy more than once as you're able to provide assistance before EMTs can arrive on scene, and that puts a little feather of pride in your cap.
There is... one thing that doesn't sit well with you, however. There's... a man. He's not much taller than you, with disheveled black hair and a perpetual five o'clock shadow. You might've mistaken him for homeless, but his clothes are too nice, too well-kept, and he changes them too often, except for that beat-up, old, brown motorcycle jacket he's always wearing. Sometimes he's drinking coffee, sometimes he's having a smoke, sometimes he's just observing. Sometimes he wears a low cowboy hat or a knit cap, and other times he braves the cold bare-faced, though it doesn't seem to have much of an effect on him. He wouldn't be very threatening if it weren't for the fact that he keeps turning up while you're out on patrol, or shopping, or any other activity beyond the campus. It doesn't seem to matter where you go... he eventually turns up. The two of you have locked eyes more than once. He... doesn't react when this happens. Most civilians' eyes will either... light up with recognition or look away as though they've been caught doing something they shouldn't. Some come closer, others smile and wave... he does nothing. Even a predatory animal reacts when their prey moves; their eyes dilate or their muscles tighten as they ready to pounce. But he just... doesn't react. It's kept you a little on edge, and you're wondering if there's anything that can be done about it. That seems unlikely; this seems like the sort of think a super-hero just has to handle if it becomes a problem... but inaction feels so... inadequate.
As was the case after everything that happened with the Marauders, you're seeing a lot more of Quentin around the dorm. He occasionally leaves to visit with Maggott, but part of him seems a bit... lost without his former comrades. He doesn't say anything, but he spends a lot of time just... sitting. As though he's not sure what to do with himself, what activities to get into, who to talk to... you wonder how the winter break was on him, but with your schedule it's hard to find time to ask. Even though you feel much more comfortable studying a little bit instead of constant cramming, doing the research and taking the time to test out of some of the other classes so that you have more opportunities next year has basically just replaced that chunk of your life. It's a welcome replacement, but even you have to admit a little more free time would be nice. Rage got a virtual reality headset for Christmas and that's basically been the crux of his existence ever since. He's obsessed with this new battleground game; Murderworld. From the way he describes it, it reminds you of a hybrid of PUBG and Let It Die, but apparently it's really immersive? He doesn't get mad as often as he did with Overwatch, which is nice, and he seems to be really enjoying it, even if he looks a little goofy while he plays with the giant black VR headset on. Kitty and Robbie are still doing well, full of new-couple energy and living largely in their own private bubble no matter where they are. You don't talk to her as much as you did before, but... that's sort of relative as every conversation with Kitty is still jam-packed with Kitty. Her enthusiasm for life and every conceivable thing in it has not diminished in the slightest. Roxy you see much less of. In fact, Quentin seems to have taken up her usual haunts of staring out the faux window or scrolling through his phone while on the sectional and Roxy is... not around much. She seems to be in better spirits than she was before.
Finally, you have an abundance of free-time on the weekend of January 19th. It's Saturday morning; you're dressed, fed, caffeinated, and the world is your oyster. There are a myriad of possibilities open to you...
What Do You Do?
[ ] Check up on Quentin.
[ ] Try to talk to Elvin.
- May be difficult; he's almost always playing his game.
[ ] See what Gwen is up to.
[ ] Check in on Felix.
[ ] See if Peter is free.
- Peter is rarely free.
[ ] Try to find Roxy.
- You generally have no idea where she is.
[ ] Hang out with Kitty and Robbie.
- You will be a third wheel.
[ ] Write-In
OOC: Write-in is encouraged here, I just didn't want to leave the choices completely empty. I left a few potential plot hooks sprinkled into the text over the last few updates, and there are plenty of things from the past brought up by both the player base and myself that could be explored. Reminder that your meeting with Mr. Stark is in late February and he is not available right now.
Silvereagle21
Soaring through the Sky
- Location
- United States
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
[X] See what Gwen is up to.
[X] See what Gwen is up to.
- Location
- The internet
Well Fuck. That's not going to end well.
I think Roxie might have found a girlfriend though, so that's good.
[X] See if you can get info on how Herman is doing.
That directed sonic weapon Scotchtape suggested could use some of Herman's work.
DevilsAdvocate
Always follow the golden rule.
[X] Check up on Quentin.
- Location
- California
- Location
- The internet
Sure! It's probably the start of Arcade being on his bullshit. I mean it might just be a fun reference, but given that it's having some fairly serious effects on its users (Elvin is obsessed with it, which by itself might be normal, but the guy who's codename is 'Rage' is getting less angry at a game called 'Murderworld' than other previous games?) I don't think this is something that ends with sunshine and rainbows.
005 - Those Who Watch B
- Location
- The Trash Pile
Winner: See what Gwen is up to.
Number of voters: 7
Gwen rules and every moment you spend away from her is lamer in comparison.
OK, maybe not exactly, but it's been a while since you guys have done anything but run in place next to each other and engage in light conversation. You decide to head up to 2H to see what she's into today, and see if you can be a part of that goodness. You shoot Gwen a text to let her know you're on your way up, and by the time you get there, she's at the door. Gwen's outfit for the day is black tights, a pink plaid skirt, a black cami and a sturdy white half-jacket. The jacket looks a little overdressed, but even climate-controlled, the Philip J. Coulson Memorial Academy hangs out at the 'a little chilly' end of the spectrum. You feel a little bit underdressed in a pair of white drawstring sweatpants and a jersey-style top, but it's Saturday and you could not possibly care less.
"Hey! Figured I'd wait out here to let you in," she smiles.
"Thanks! Uh... Mac isn't around, is she?" Miss America Chavez has never really liked you, and your increased time spent with Gwen hasn't done you any favors on that front. She makes a point to leave whenever you're around, but not before making it incredibly clear she'd rather you not be there.
"Nah, she's gone for the day. No doubt off judging people somewhere, and finding them wanting."
You roll your eyes at America's behavior, because who has time to be that mean about everything? Gwen opens the doors for you and you follow her inside to find Other Gwen leafing through a comic book and Dexter scratching at a sketchpad. Other Gwen makes you feel dolled up; she's wearing fluffy pink pajama bottoms and a... T-shirt with Spider-man's mask in a heart on it?
"Hey, Gwen. Cute shirt, did you get that on Etsy or something?"
"No, I--yyyyes. Yes I did. Eeeeeetsyyyyyy..." She steeples her fingers and leans forward so suspiciously you're forced to ignore her, assuming she's making some kind of in-joke you're not a part of.
"Hi, Dexter, I haven't seen you since before winter break. How was your holiday?"
"Good! I stayed on-campus and basically had my run of the place. Only a few other people here. No ghosts of Christmas-anything this year, that's always a plus."
"Glad to hear it!" You give him a smile and a thumbs-up, because you're not sure how else to react to the revelation that there are ghosts of Christmas. ... or was that another joke?
"Think I mighta figured out some new capabilities of my powers, too. I'm hopin' I can figure out how to use 'em before the year is over... maybe actually be useful on patrol for once."
Gwen sighs and begins to encourage Dexter, but you just sort of tune them out. It feels weird to be party to a conversation you can neither contribute to, nor really feel as though you should be listening in on. Instead you take a look around the dorm you're becoming more and more familiar with. As much as you've been here, you still haven't managed to meet the sixth member of their team; Vance. But you've been over for movie nights, fun with the Gwens, pre- or post-exercise cooldowns, and other visitations. It's become like your second dorm; somewhere familiar, yet different. All of the dorms are the same basic setup, after all, but the squad in 2-H has done a fair sight more decorating than your team has. For example, there's the papasan chair where Dexter is currently chilling, a bunch of different pillows of various sizes and shapes on the sectional, and a-- corkboard leaning against the wall full of pictures and lengths of string? That's not usually here...
"What is--"
"Stacy's conspiracy board," Other Gwen certainly jumped to a conclusion on what you were asking. She wasn't even looking at you, that you can tell... but it seems to have been an accurate answer.
"It is not a conspiracy board!" Gwen insists.
Other Gwen shrugs. "It's a board where you put pictures and yarn trying to figure out how stuff connects based on the idea that a bunch of secrets are keeping these facts from being public knowledge. It is so a conspiracy board. If it said "PEPE SILVIA" in the middle in crazy-person scrawl, you'd be entertaining millions right now."
"Okay, but I'm not crazy, I'm just trying to figure something out!"
"That's what I said, but they still kept me under observation~!" Other Gwen responds in a singsong voice. Gwen just rolls her eyes and sighs.
"There's just... some stuff that's been running through my head lately," she turns to explain the board to you specifically, "I've had a few... ... hunches I've been following up on, and nothing's really coming together. I feel like I'm missing a piece. Or... a lot of pieces."
You take a longer look at the board, though admittedly there's not much you recognize. A grinning older man with string running toward a charming-looking guy your age, and strings leading both of them to an outside shot of the Oscorp building. A man who appears to be in his thirties wearing dark red glasses connected to Wilson Fisk and a fun-yet-awkward looking guy, with more string leading to what looks like a ninja Hallowe'en costume and a blurry picture of a male figure with a gun shot at night. There are more pictures, more string, and a few newspaper clippings, but you're having a difficult time making sense of all of it, especially since you're not sure who a lot of these people are.
"Have you... come to any conclusions?"
She shakes her head, genuinely disappointed. "No. Sometimes I feel like I'm wasting my time, but... eh... it's just a personal project." Gwen picks the board up and carts it off to her room, returning shortly with a clear desire to move on to something else. "So! My day is crystal clear. Did you just wanna hang, or did you have something specific in mind?"
"I vote for whatever means I don't have to put on real pants," shouts Other Gwen.
"I vote for that, too, and I'm already wearin' real pants," adds Dexter.
What To Do With Gwen?
[ ] Talk about the mysterious man.
[ ] Ask her opinion on weapons and tech.
[ ] Inquire more about the conspiracy wall.
- This will likely frustrate Gwen.
[ ] Discuss Dr. McCoy.
[ ] Just hang out.
- Plot significance is minimal; it's just nice.
[ ] Write-in.
Number of voters: 7
Gwen rules and every moment you spend away from her is lamer in comparison.
OK, maybe not exactly, but it's been a while since you guys have done anything but run in place next to each other and engage in light conversation. You decide to head up to 2H to see what she's into today, and see if you can be a part of that goodness. You shoot Gwen a text to let her know you're on your way up, and by the time you get there, she's at the door. Gwen's outfit for the day is black tights, a pink plaid skirt, a black cami and a sturdy white half-jacket. The jacket looks a little overdressed, but even climate-controlled, the Philip J. Coulson Memorial Academy hangs out at the 'a little chilly' end of the spectrum. You feel a little bit underdressed in a pair of white drawstring sweatpants and a jersey-style top, but it's Saturday and you could not possibly care less.
"Hey! Figured I'd wait out here to let you in," she smiles.
"Thanks! Uh... Mac isn't around, is she?" Miss America Chavez has never really liked you, and your increased time spent with Gwen hasn't done you any favors on that front. She makes a point to leave whenever you're around, but not before making it incredibly clear she'd rather you not be there.
"Nah, she's gone for the day. No doubt off judging people somewhere, and finding them wanting."
You roll your eyes at America's behavior, because who has time to be that mean about everything? Gwen opens the doors for you and you follow her inside to find Other Gwen leafing through a comic book and Dexter scratching at a sketchpad. Other Gwen makes you feel dolled up; she's wearing fluffy pink pajama bottoms and a... T-shirt with Spider-man's mask in a heart on it?
"Hey, Gwen. Cute shirt, did you get that on Etsy or something?"
"No, I--yyyyes. Yes I did. Eeeeeetsyyyyyy..." She steeples her fingers and leans forward so suspiciously you're forced to ignore her, assuming she's making some kind of in-joke you're not a part of.
"Hi, Dexter, I haven't seen you since before winter break. How was your holiday?"
"Good! I stayed on-campus and basically had my run of the place. Only a few other people here. No ghosts of Christmas-anything this year, that's always a plus."
"Glad to hear it!" You give him a smile and a thumbs-up, because you're not sure how else to react to the revelation that there are ghosts of Christmas. ... or was that another joke?
"Think I mighta figured out some new capabilities of my powers, too. I'm hopin' I can figure out how to use 'em before the year is over... maybe actually be useful on patrol for once."
Gwen sighs and begins to encourage Dexter, but you just sort of tune them out. It feels weird to be party to a conversation you can neither contribute to, nor really feel as though you should be listening in on. Instead you take a look around the dorm you're becoming more and more familiar with. As much as you've been here, you still haven't managed to meet the sixth member of their team; Vance. But you've been over for movie nights, fun with the Gwens, pre- or post-exercise cooldowns, and other visitations. It's become like your second dorm; somewhere familiar, yet different. All of the dorms are the same basic setup, after all, but the squad in 2-H has done a fair sight more decorating than your team has. For example, there's the papasan chair where Dexter is currently chilling, a bunch of different pillows of various sizes and shapes on the sectional, and a-- corkboard leaning against the wall full of pictures and lengths of string? That's not usually here...
"What is--"
"Stacy's conspiracy board," Other Gwen certainly jumped to a conclusion on what you were asking. She wasn't even looking at you, that you can tell... but it seems to have been an accurate answer.
"It is not a conspiracy board!" Gwen insists.
Other Gwen shrugs. "It's a board where you put pictures and yarn trying to figure out how stuff connects based on the idea that a bunch of secrets are keeping these facts from being public knowledge. It is so a conspiracy board. If it said "PEPE SILVIA" in the middle in crazy-person scrawl, you'd be entertaining millions right now."
"Okay, but I'm not crazy, I'm just trying to figure something out!"
"That's what I said, but they still kept me under observation~!" Other Gwen responds in a singsong voice. Gwen just rolls her eyes and sighs.
"There's just... some stuff that's been running through my head lately," she turns to explain the board to you specifically, "I've had a few... ... hunches I've been following up on, and nothing's really coming together. I feel like I'm missing a piece. Or... a lot of pieces."
You take a longer look at the board, though admittedly there's not much you recognize. A grinning older man with string running toward a charming-looking guy your age, and strings leading both of them to an outside shot of the Oscorp building. A man who appears to be in his thirties wearing dark red glasses connected to Wilson Fisk and a fun-yet-awkward looking guy, with more string leading to what looks like a ninja Hallowe'en costume and a blurry picture of a male figure with a gun shot at night. There are more pictures, more string, and a few newspaper clippings, but you're having a difficult time making sense of all of it, especially since you're not sure who a lot of these people are.
"Have you... come to any conclusions?"
She shakes her head, genuinely disappointed. "No. Sometimes I feel like I'm wasting my time, but... eh... it's just a personal project." Gwen picks the board up and carts it off to her room, returning shortly with a clear desire to move on to something else. "So! My day is crystal clear. Did you just wanna hang, or did you have something specific in mind?"
"I vote for whatever means I don't have to put on real pants," shouts Other Gwen.
"I vote for that, too, and I'm already wearin' real pants," adds Dexter.
What To Do With Gwen?
[ ] Talk about the mysterious man.
[ ] Ask her opinion on weapons and tech.
[ ] Inquire more about the conspiracy wall.
- This will likely frustrate Gwen.
[ ] Discuss Dr. McCoy.
[ ] Just hang out.
- Plot significance is minimal; it's just nice.
[ ] Write-in.