Encouraging? Maybe it- Maybe not, but, well. I only mean-
[ think Gwen think ]
There's just- other stuff? On the ship? That might need looking into. Things that are way worse than the Spider-Man problem. Things that you could definitely being doing that- aren't talking to other people about Spider-Man.
[ aka: please don't tell anyone about Peter, dad. he's not even there on the ship. ]
...What kind of stuff. [He frowns] Tell me at least your writer sent you somewhere with a security team, or a police force, or a night watch group or whatever people have that acts as a substitute for the NYPD?
There isn't a police force, really, but- There's security? There is definitely a security team. [ not that she's been there long enough to witness the SCARY stuff herself, or the security team in action, but. she's heard things. ] I just know they would benefit from having someone like you on board, helping them keep everyone safe. [ and now she's looking that way, just away for a second, because; ] Though it would be kind of nice if you took some time off, away from that. If you end up there on the Tranquility with me. Just for a little while? [ considering how things went at home. God, the idea of something happening to him again... ] Just a thought.
...A security team? And how big is the ship? [One security team. And he's looking over all the reserves and just...stopping. His hands in front of him before looking away himself.]
Hey, [And he slides on the bravest face he can.] I can take whatever people dish out, you know that. Besides who's going to protect my little girl?
The ship? Oh, it's huge. It's kind of unbelievable, actually. It's not glamorous and it's not perfect but it's- kind of like a dream. The good parts, I mean, the fact that we're in space and the ship is so huge. It's the kind of technology we're only barely grasping right now in our world, and here it's all a reality. The ship can travel up to- I mean, we're not even in the same galaxy as Earth.
[ only this seventeen year-old would find that fascinating instead of horrifying. now that she's over the whole... you know, kidnapped-from-her-home-in-Queens part of it. but the thought of her father 'taking whatever people dish out' that... definitely sobers her up from the nerdtalk again. ]
I know you can. I know you can do anything, I do know that. [ nodnodnod ] But having you not be at the center of it, just once, just- just for a little bit, would that be so bad?
[That makes him smile. It's not the first time he can recall Gwen coming back with some fascinating new bit of Oscorp technology or scientific device that had half the family tuning out over dinner. There was a lot that he could follow but the geek talk?
His smile doesn't fade when she asks him, point blank-not to be at the center of everything.]
[He'll gladly follow someone like Gordon, or even Blake. He clears his throat.] ...C'mere kid. [he holds out an arm. Come give your old man a hug]
[ hugs! hugs she can do. absolutely. especially because it's been a month, almost a whole month since she's seen anyone from home, since- since the funeral. instead of thinking about it she's just going to nodnodnodnod again, yes, daddy, because her father is smiling at her again like nothing bad ever happened, or would happen again, and Gwen's rebellious in some ways, but in this? when her father's asking her for a hug, she's going to damn well do it, no questions asked.
her arms hold on tight around his middle when she moves in to hug him, eyes screwed shut too. it's not mature, running to and holding onto her dad like this, it's probably not very mature or very adult of her, in fact, the whole thing probably de-ages her by a decade but she doesn't really care, not now. nope! she'll even press her nose to his chest and breathe in, the same as she always did whenever he was out for days at a time, tracking someone down or keeping away from the house for his family's own protection during a tough case. it's a little overwhelming, getting to do this after having time to accept that she never could again, but it hasn't exactly sunk in just yet. it's too good, too real, to ruin with that thought right now. ]
[It honestly hasn't sunk in for George yet either. He always thought he'd die by gunshot, die by knife wound. Once in awhile on a good day he entertained getting to walk down the aisle with Gwen, pass her to a nice senator's son or a businessman and hold his own grandchildren in his arms before falling into Madeline's arms at the end of a long day.
He dreamed of peace.
He did not dream, did not expect a giant lizard. the idea still didn't feel real and for all he knows Gwen being spirited away saved from whatever Connors had spread. Whatever had infected his men with because he'd seen it-the news reports and the infected bodies and cops writhing and people mutating..
His grip on her tightens.]
...Listen. [He frowns.] I'm not going to do anything stupid. I'm prepared now. There's very little that can phase a guy after a stunt like that.
It's like home, Dad. The monsters- I haven't seen them, but I've been told they're a product of cross-species genetics. Just like home. [ just like Dr. Connors. which is terrifying on a number of levels. she doesn't know what they look like, or what caused the mutation, but the fact that people have had to fight them off to get to certain places on the ship- yeah, of course she's interested. and worried. but also pretty determined to get to the science labs herself to try and figure out if the evolution of those monsters was anything like how Dr. Connors accomplished it at home. ..not that she'll tell her dad that. ]
It's-- a lot to handle all at once. Things got so crazy at home, and then I ended up on a spaceship. I'm still getting used to everything, although the people there have been understanding. They get that we're not all from a world where space travel is common or even available to everyone. And like I said, I've only heard about the monsters, I haven't actually seen them myself yet.
I'm okay though, yes. There are times I wish I was back home with mom and the boys, but I can't change it, so. It is what it is, I guess.
...What? Howard had the show on. The new one with the guy your mom wanted to go see do Macbeth on Broadway. He takes after you. God knows where you two got it from.
[Never mind that this points out that A-he was paying attention. B-he knows the difference.]
I am perfectly alright with Howard's excellent taste being a direct reflection of my own, thank you. [ hm, hm! smug smile. and yes, she's still trying to figure out how to answer the question 'how are they' ]
When I left home, it was only a week after- [ wow we are not saying the words ] - it was a week after everything. The house was just really quiet, you know? You know how they get. [ when they're angry or sad or anything negative at all, really. maybe it's a Stacy quality, they know better than to react outwardly, know that especially after something like this, a cop's family is thrown right in the public eye. and Captain George Stacy's death? it came with a lot of public attention. so they were quiet, mostly. even when they were together it was very quiet. ] I haven't seen them since then.
Grown-ups happen. Sadly. Trust me if we could all stay kids we would. [George no. He likes being an adult and going through the stage this kid is apparently-judging by appearance in-he'd eat his gun.]
[George is quick on the uptake-and there's a note of pride which colors his response. These guys clearly speak his language.]
Buddy, if you have insects-you call an exterminator because you never know if you're gonna wake up with bugs in your cereal or cockroaches crawling on your daughter's bed.
[Blake nods.] I don't doubt that, sir, but I have to say - Gotham PD has had a bat problem, and it's... less of a problem to just let it hunt a few rats if that's what it wants to do.
[It's hard to disguise the scorn in his voice.] Let nature take it's course?
You know-bats...I've seen them in Central Park-they attack small animals, drink blood not just rats [George no bats drink blood what are you talkinga bout] it can't change it's nature. They're needed but how the hell do you trust something that could go after a rat-or your pet dog or cat?
[There's just the briefest hint of a smile across Blake's face, and then it's gone.] Bats mostly eat fruit and flies, actually. And even the ones that drink blood, almost never kill.
In the end, it is just trust. And yeah, trust has to be earned. But if there's someone you can trust, who can work outside the system, that might not be such a bad thing.
...My writer feels insanely flattered and I'm still a little lost as to who this commissioner guy is. I appreciate it though. My father-in-law wanted me to shoot for commissioner but I was happy being Captain. I never had the stomach to kiss up to politicians and after four kids I've had enough of wiping asses.
[He extends a hand] Captain George Stacy. It's...nice to see New York's not alone with infestations.
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[ B L I N K ]
I'm pretty sure this is a thing you really don't have to do.
At all.
[ pleasepleaseplease. ]
Really.
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Plus it's not particularly encouraging to hear you saying things like that.
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[ think Gwen think ]
There's just- other stuff? On the ship? That might need looking into. Things that are way worse than the Spider-Man problem. Things that you could definitely being doing that- aren't talking to other people about Spider-Man.
[ aka: please don't tell anyone about Peter, dad. he's not even there on the ship. ]
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Hey, [And he slides on the bravest face he can.] I can take whatever people dish out, you know that. Besides who's going to protect my little girl?
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[ only this seventeen year-old would find that fascinating instead of horrifying. now that she's over the whole... you know, kidnapped-from-her-home-in-Queens part of it. but the thought of her father 'taking whatever people dish out' that... definitely sobers her up from the nerdtalk again. ]
I know you can. I know you can do anything, I do know that. [ nodnodnod ] But having you not be at the center of it, just once, just- just for a little bit, would that be so bad?
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His smile doesn't fade when she asks him, point blank-not to be at the center of everything.]
[He'll gladly follow someone like Gordon, or even Blake. He clears his throat.] ...C'mere kid. [he holds out an arm. Come give your old man a hug]
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her arms hold on tight around his middle when she moves in to hug him, eyes screwed shut too. it's not mature, running to and holding onto her dad like this, it's probably not very mature or very adult of her, in fact, the whole thing probably de-ages her by a decade but she doesn't really care, not now. nope! she'll even press her nose to his chest and breathe in, the same as she always did whenever he was out for days at a time, tracking someone down or keeping away from the house for his family's own protection during a tough case. it's a little overwhelming, getting to do this after having time to accept that she never could again, but it hasn't exactly sunk in just yet. it's too good, too real, to ruin with that thought right now. ]
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He dreamed of peace.
He did not dream, did not expect a giant lizard. the idea still didn't feel real and for all he knows Gwen being spirited away saved from whatever Connors had spread. Whatever had infected his men with because he'd seen it-the news reports and the infected bodies and cops writhing and people mutating..
His grip on her tightens.]
...Listen. [He frowns.] I'm not going to do anything stupid. I'm prepared now. There's very little that can phase a guy after a stunt like that.
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Monsters? wait so, there are monsters here?
...and there like your boss's science project. [disbelief, shock, then annoyance. Oh he has to come now. He lets go and looks her in the eye.]
...Do you still have the can of mace I gave you?
...
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No, dad, I do not have the mace you gave me. The only things I found in my locker were clothes, and my OSCORP things. ..and hot chocolate mix.
My mun has a terrible sense of humor.
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Are you all right?
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It's-- a lot to handle all at once. Things got so crazy at home, and then I ended up on a spaceship. I'm still getting used to everything, although the people there have been understanding. They get that we're not all from a world where space travel is common or even available to everyone. And like I said, I've only heard about the monsters, I haven't actually seen them myself yet.
I'm okay though, yes. There are times I wish I was back home with mom and the boys, but I can't change it, so. It is what it is, I guess.
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...I suppose...asking how they are. That'd violate some kind of prime directive or something right?
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Wait, what did you just say?
[ WAS THAT AN ATTEMPT AT NERD TALK, PADRE? ]
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[Why do all of you kids interrupt him when he's trying to make a point and try to point out his flaws. Seriously. George squirms]
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[ ... HEHH. lips pressing shut tight, yep, this girl is not going to laugh, she is not going to laugh. ]
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[Never mind that this points out that A-he was paying attention. B-he knows the difference.]
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When I left home, it was only a week after- [ wow we are not saying the words ] - it was a week after everything. The house was just really quiet, you know? You know how they get. [ when they're angry or sad or anything negative at all, really. maybe it's a Stacy quality, they know better than to react outwardly, know that especially after something like this, a cop's family is thrown right in the public eye. and Captain George Stacy's death? it came with a lot of public attention. so they were quiet, mostly. even when they were together it was very quiet. ] I haven't seen them since then.
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Quiet usually means you kids are keeping up with your schoolwork. And at least they weren't lizards.
[This was a legit concern of his.]
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Great, more grown-ups.
And why do so many people hate spiders? [He dun get it bro]
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...I don't hate them.
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My sympathies to him.
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Buddy, if you have insects-you call an exterminator because you never know if you're gonna wake up with bugs in your cereal or cockroaches crawling on your daughter's bed.
[He frowns] NYPD can handle it.
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You know-bats...I've seen them in Central Park-they attack small animals, drink blood not just rats [George no bats drink blood what are you talkinga bout] it can't change it's nature. They're needed but how the hell do you trust something that could go after a rat-or your pet dog or cat?
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In the end, it is just trust. And yeah, trust has to be earned. But if there's someone you can trust, who can work outside the system, that might not be such a bad thing.
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You and I are going to have to talk about this more. Because while I see the reasons behind letting nature take it's course, with our...problems-
[Anxious look]
I don't even know the proper etiquette for this beyond Tell no one personal details, but that's the first thing a guy learns doing this kind of stuff.
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I'm Blake, by the way. Detective John Blake.
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[He extends a hand] Captain George Stacy. It's...nice to see New York's not alone with infestations.