(no subject)

[arachnologist]

... okay, this is -- not okay. At all. This is -- you can't take me away from my dad's funeral and tell me I'm not -- not real, what is....

This is insane. This is the--

No. I'm not okay with this and I don't want to stay here. Do you understand that I have-- places to be? My family --

... no, okay. Fine. I can deal with this. If I have to, I will. So. [ DEEP BREATH. ] My name is Gwen. Gwen Stacy. If we're all -- fictional, I can only assume it's possible that people I know have been brought here too and told the same thing. So, iiiiif my name is familiar to you? Now's the time to say so. Otherwise?

[ DEEPER BREATH. ]

I'm. Going to go sit down. Somewhere. If anyone needs me, I'll just be. Yeah. So. Thanks.

Comments

[geminated_man]

Are you lost? Just arrive?

[arachnologist]

Mmmmaybe, and yes. Um. I guess this is probably a pretty typical response?

[detectivewonder]

Hi. Tim Drake. I don't think I've ever heard of you. I don't know if that's comforting or disappointing; a few people have heard of me and I'm still not sure how I feel about that.

If you want a place to sit and think a bit, I've got a coffeeshop that's usually pretty quiet between now and the lunch rush. I can text you directios if you'd like. Otherwise, there's a marina, a pier, two beaches and two public parks. And if this is like last year, they'll assign you a hotel room pretty quick.

[arachnologist]

It's not surprising. They must be pulling in people from all over. I can't even -- fathom what "all over" means in this case. Something big. Really big.

Um. You know what, that sounds -- amazing. The coffee shop. I'll take it. Please.

[detectivewonder]

[directions]

The New Brew. I know it looks like you're walking right into a sketchy warehouse district, but yes, that's where we are, and I promise you it's actually a very well-behaved neighborhood. Ask anybody.

[unbodied]

Gwen? Gwen, it's Kitty, are you okay?

... Wait, did you say your father's funeral?

Right. Okay. Time travel shenanigans.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I don't think we're friends yet in your point in the timeline, but I'll be here for you if you need me.

[unmasking]

... Kitty?

[arachnologist]

... yeah, I ... don't know a Kitty. You know me? You -- did you know my father?

[unbodied]

No, we met long after that. I'm sorry for your loss.

[everythingspandex]

[ YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO TALK TO GWEN YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO TALK TO GWEN YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO--

nope nope nope nope. can't do this. turn on the phone and-- no turn it off again. breathe. pace. this is so messed up. WHY.

okay we have to talk to gwen. extenuating circumstances allow for promise breaking right, yes? okay. ]

Where somewhere?

[arachnologist]

[ ... you. You didn't come. You didn't show up you weren't there I was on my way to your house to yell at you about it why weren't you there where were you-- ]

Um.

[ no no no no no no no no ]

Peter, I.

[ Focus, Gwen. Calm down. ]

... Somewhere. A -- a coffee shop -- look, does it matter? Are you -- are you saying you're going to come find me?

[everythingspandex]

[ can't do it. can't do it. this isn't supposed to be- ]

I-

[ arrgghthgh he wants to scream into something ]

-...Yes. Because... [ you promised but this is not a good situation this is the worst situation. is he supposed to leave her out of being kidnapped? ] --Yeah. Coming to find you.

[unmasking]

... Did something happen Gwen?

[She sounds ... nicer than usual.]

1/3

[arachnologist]

[arachnologist]

[arachnologist]

Also Peter? Peter number two? Alternate -- alternate reality Peter? You don't -- you look like him. But you also -- don't, I ... wow. That's remarkable.

[ PEERING AT CLOSELY, never mind the grief or the confusion or the absolutely everything. ]

You are Peter Parker, aren't you?

[unmasking]

Yeah, what I was—uh, sorry to hear your dad—

[unmasking]

You got it.

[unmasking]

I'm also Peter and you're also ...

[A Gwen whose dad died.]

I'm sorry to hear about your dad, Gwen.

[swordhappy]

[It's reached a point where Sif has started to feel genuinely sympathetic for how hard Midgardians seem to take this.]

Gwen Stacey. If I know you, I do not know of it. But I will ask you this, and it is the only thing that matters- do you believe that you are real, or not? Can you believe that the things that you remember, that you have touched and seen and felt, truly existed? Because nobody else can tell you whether or not it is so. You know. And if you do not doubt, this will all be a much simpler matter. Do not despair. It is not worth your time.

[This is the first time she's really tried to give anyone a pep talk on this; but she can try.]

[arachnologist]

[ Wow. Gwen takes this all in quietly, not entirely sure what to make of this talk - or this woman. Finally, she just -- smiles a little. ]

I know. I'm -- okay, I'm seriously not fine, it's just -- a shock, you know? I left the funeral maybe ten minutes ago. It's not -- it's a hard adjustment to make. And my family's going to be a mess, I just -- I need to be there right now.

[ Grief tugs at her, twisting her expression and squeezing her heart. Her eyes sting. But she takes a deep, steadying breath. ]

But I'll do what I need to do. And freaking out? Isn't going to help me do that. ... thank you.

this is sarcasm. NOT THAT SHE HATES YOUR OR ANYTHING it's just weird seeing your face but not

[symbioteclone]

Hi Gwen, it's Gwen. Nice to meet you!

[symbioteclone]

And look, if anyone knows what you're going through, it's me, so if you need someone to talk to... yeah.

1/2

[arachnologist]

nope 2/3 sorry

[arachnologist]

I feel like I -- shouldn't be surprised? But, no, I -- I really -- really am.

Hi, um, me. From another reality. You must-- er. Well, you might know the other Peter that's here? I have no idea if he's-- from where you're from.