selfhelp | [Voice/Action]

[Okay, so. Post-draft, he's given himself a few days of seclusion and bed-rest (apparently being infected with a zombie virus is exhausting), and even Billy can freely admit to himself that he's been pretty depressed lately, a fact for which he feels no shame considering that depression was well and truly earned. One can only spend so much time fretting, moping, and dwelling on one's own misery for so long, however, and today? He's decided that enough is enough. Billy will be going out today, limping around the village and visiting the people who were on the draft whose fate he's still uncertain of. The ones he can't find or has no reason to actually visit, he'll check with a light location spell, and he'll spend a few hours at Seventh Heaven people-watching out the window while he doodles in a book that Teddy had given him containing a series of patterns (much like this) that resemble inkblogs, and bit by bit Billy's turning them into something like this instead. It's been a tiring week, though, so you could always catch him napping on the table, instead.

At some point he'll attempt to find Peter, and when both a location spell and a teleport fails, he tries to teleport to the apartment he'd been staying at instead, finding it almost completely emptied. All he manages to dig up is a small cartridge that, after a moment of scrutiny, he identifies as a web fluid cartridge. His fanboyish glee at the discovery is tempered by the fact that the empty apartment means one more piece of bad news.

After his visits and window-watching is done, he'll return home to make the announcement, along with one more message-]

Hey out there... just wanted to let his friends know that Peter Parker went home. So... sorry. Yeah.

[Locked to Loki]

...We still on for tomorrow, or do you want to take a break? Because... you know. [Draft. Awfulness all around. He wouldn't blame Loki if he wanted to take a week off.

Later on in the evening he'll be over at Ben's barbeque, if anyone wants to bother him while he's there.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Mmm, I do not know. I would need to take a good long look at your bottom to be certain.

[Oh.]

Yeah.

[She gives him a smile that, if she were anyone else, would be accompanied by a hand on his shoulder.

...heck, she does it anyway, if briefly, so it's more of a pat than a hold.]

It's a standin' offer for mutants, ya know. Kinda drafted you, unless ya want out.

[Sometime's that pep is a carefully constructed front but today isn't one of those days.]

All sorts of things really. Sometimes, I bring up places from home and just sit there. Other times, I might curl up in the chair in my room with a book. I have my friends to hang out with too but it really all depends on what's happening.

What about you? How do you cheer yourself up?

[She's tempted to give Billy a little hint of that moment as she meets Tony's eyes, feels his fingers tightening around hers. But a meaningful look and silent certainty will do, especially since both eager to change the topic of conversation.]

Me too. Tony held out a good five minutes longer than I thought he would. [Pepper grins mischievously, at least until Billy threatens retirement.]

Oh please don't. I don't know how long his housekeeping phase will last.

[Hopefully not! It doesn't really taste bad, it just tastes like teenage boy cooking. Mind the overcooked bits and it should be okay.]

But we've all been injected with something he helped design. [Totally poisoned, all of them.] And everyone's okay with this.

[He manages an easy grin.] It was probably doomed before it started, to be honest. It's not exactly my thing - and I will happily concede that.

[Cherish this moment. It is not often that Tony admits he isn't perfect at something.]

...

[He smiles a little awkwardly and nods.]

Alright. Apology accepted. Let's forget this whole sordid business.

Better?

Mm... alright, I'm convinced. Maybe next week- I think most of the village will be back and feeling normal again by then, so I should be good to go.

[Unless Teddy demands less work and more recovery, but he doubts that. It's just a leg bite, not the end of the world.]

[He's well-versed in the art of subject dodging, but after a response like that, he's not sure if he's particularly inclined to pursue it anyway. He files it away for, perhaps, another time though.]

As much as I can, yeah- I mean, when there's time. I'm getting better. It takes less time to solve the puzzles now, though I guess knowing how they work now plays a part in that, too.

....I really should have seen that coming, shouldn't I.

[If the touch on his shoulder surprises him, he doesn't let it show; instead, a big smile finally crosses his lips, probably answer enough to the very idea of wanting out.]

Isn't the whole point of a draft that you can't get out of it?

Mm... books and comics for me, and spending time with Teddy. I've done a lot of drawing lately, since I've got so much free time. [He gives his sketchbook a little tap.] I used to do it out by the fountain, but it's too cold for that now.

[Cool, it tastes like his own cooking then. He can deal with this.]

...Well, I'm okay with not being a zombie anymore. If thanking Loki is the price I've gotta pay for that, then yeah, I guess I'm okay with it.

Much better. [Billy finally musters a smile in return and takes some coffee, sipping gingerly in case it's too hot.] Do I need to start writing you fanmail to get you used to being thanked all the time?

Even if he's got something worse planned?

[He's just going to melt into the seat across the table from Billy, don't mind him. It's not that he's tired or anything. He's just. Done with being vertical. That's all.]

[Wow, is he actually sitting with Robin eating and having a calm discussion?

He'll just quietly enjoy this while it lasts, okay...]

What's worse than a mindless, flesh-eating monster?

[Eating and having a calm discussion with a Robin who is also mostly out of uniform. Isn't that like nerd bingo for Billy or something?]

There's always something worse. Even if you can't imagine it yet.

Yes, that would be case. I've a few new ones you can work on. They're rather more complex. [The eyebrows go up.] Though the phrase 'when there's time' rather troubles me. Things like the draft, obviously, cannot be helped. But otherwise, I expect that you shall make the necessary time.

[He waves a hand.]

Demonstrate your progress.

Oh! Wait, I do know that name. I think Susan mentioned him to me before. So, uh... sure. [ A beat. ] I would like to talk to just you first, though. If you're okay with that.

[He'll totally whip up a card for this later.]

I'm sure you'll manage to imagine more worst-case scenarios than most of us can handle. How about I leave the worrying to you?

Definitely okay with it. Come over whenever you want, I'm just relaxing for a while.

[ ... he sounds suspiciously alright. she will have to investigate. ]

Sure. I'll be there soon. Want me to bring anything?

[Shockingly he had a good day, topped off with Teddy cuddles. It's an improvement on the last two weeks, that's for sure.]

Any chance you'll pass by the bakery? I've got a craving for something sweet and disgustingly unhealthy.

[ That -- startles a loud laugh from her, and she has to snap her jaw shut to try and muffle it. ]

You got it. Heart attack in a cake, coming up.

[Hee, he got her to laugh. He feels oddly victorious for this.]

My hero.

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[Action] Nope, I just forgot what we were arguing about

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[action] teach me this too

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[Action] oh okay nevermind then

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[Action] I'm assuming it's not important enough to scroll up about

[Action] not scrolling either 8D

[Action] we're so good at this

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[Action] we are also the best at space

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[voice] I thought you went to bed :|

[voice] i can't sleep :|

[voice] oh then by all means continue |D