IC CONTACT | Mask or Menace

[animated]

"Hey, you've reached Charlie Maxwell. Leave me a message. Or just text me. I might get back to you faster that way."

Comments

[nostalgiabomb]

[ For a moment or two, Peter just stares at Charlie, like the guy's grown a second head. ]

-- That's seriously it? You forgive me just like that? I tried to friggin' stab you, dude.

[animated]

Peter, I'm a wizard. I have to deal with demons and psychics and ghosts and all sorts of nasty shit. If I dropped my friends every time something that wasn't supposed to be in their heads got in there and messed with them, I'd be very lonely indeed.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ It takes a second, but Peter exhales a quiet laugh. ]

... Guess I know who I'm not gonna visit in their natural habitat.

[animated]

It's not all bad. Sometimes I actually have a day where I don't get interrupted with some kind of crazy supernatural occurrence that needs investigated or researched or whatever.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ The corner of his mouth twitches upward in a wry smile. ]

Oh, wow, a whole day? Don't let yourself get spoiled, there, Maxwell. You'll get lazy.

[animated]

[ He will admit, it's good to see Peter smile. Even if he's only sort of smiling. ]

I know, I know. Heaven forbid.

... So are we cool now?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Peter glances down at the counter again, hand going to the back of his neck. ]

I mean, that's mostly up to you, man, seein' as how you weren't the one who went all Norman Bates.

[animated]

[ He steps up to the counter and offers Peter a hand ]

We're cool.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ There's a bit of a hesitation on Peter's part before he takes Charlie's hand briefly before releasing it and nodding. ]

... Thanks. Not sure I deserve it, but-- thanks.

[animated]

Don't mention it.

Besides, without you, I'd have no one to make pop culture references with.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He actually laughs a little at that. ]

Pretty sure there's, like a world full of people you can pop culture at, bro.

[animated]

But you keep up so well.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He rolls his eyes. ]

Nice to know you're not after me just 'cause of my good looks, or whatever.

[animated]

Nah. Your good looks are just a bonus.

[nostalgiabomb]

Wow. Thanks. I'm pretty sure I've already told you I've got a personality, too.

[ For a second, he kind of-- looks at Charlie, frowning. Then, hesitantly, ]

-- You're-- okay, right? I know I got in a couple of good hits...

[animated]

Few bruises and a bloody nose, but I'm fine. I've had worse.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He nods, a little relieved -- still guilty, of course, for having caused the damage in the first place, but at least he hadn't stabbed the guy full of holes.

Small blessings, right? ]

Good to hear it. I mean-- that you're fine. Not the other part.

[animated]

What about you? I freaked you out pretty good.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Peter sort of-- squints at him. ]

Um. I punched you a couple of times, and then pulled out a knife.

I think scaring a guy who does that to you is, like, at least a little warranted.

[animated]

I wasn't trying to scare you, though.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ For a moment, he's not sure how to reply -- he tipped his hand too much, there, and that was a mistake. ]

-- It's fine. I mean, I'm fine. I wasn't the one who nearly got stabbed, right?

[animated]

I guess not.

[ if Peter doesn't want to go there, he won't push. ]

Oh, hey, offer's still open to do those enchantments for you if you wanted.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He laughs a little, self-conscious. ]

You want me to handcuff myself in a corner while you do it?

[animated]

[ He can't help the little smirk ]

I didn't know you were into that kind of thing.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He shrugs a little and runs with it. ]

As long as it's not the old school metal ones, you know? They chafe.