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]

[ As the bartender comes by with the menus and drinks, Peter gives Charlie a quick salute. ]

What did you ever do without me, man?

[animated]

Flounder around aimlessly, I guess.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He huffs out a near silent laugh. ] You poor thing. Didn't have Goto to guide you along your path?

[animated]

Nah. Kasumi's a terrible influence.

[ he says it with obvious fondness, though ]

[nostalgiabomb]

Yeah? I can imagine. When we were running around as kids, she tried to get us to steal candy apples.

[animated]

I told her I wasn't allowed to move anything bigger than I was with my magic, and she immediately suggested I move the TV.

... Speaking of being kids, you were adorable.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Peter's expression sours. ]

Yeah, yeah, very funny. Most of that time's kind of a blur, but if you took any pictures, I am prepared to punch you for them.

[animated]

Considering I was also pint-sized, I didn't take any pictures. So, no need to resort to violence.

[nostalgiabomb]

Good.

[ He takes a drink from his beer, and then amends thoughtfully, ]

Also? I had no idea you could get smaller.

[animated]

What, did you think I just emerged into the world at five-foot-six?

[nostalgiabomb]

Sometimes, yeah. I dunno how wizards work, dude.

[animated]

Uh. Yeah no. We emerge into the world as babies, just like anyone else. We age normally until we hit our twenties then everything slows down.

[nostalgiabomb]

Damn. Was thinking it was one of those clam-shell-emerging-from-the-ocean situations, like Aprhodite.

Well. Learn somethin' new everyday, I guess.

[animated]

Oh, no. That happens. We're just babies when it does.

[nostalgiabomb]

Oh, yeah? Do trumpets play a fanfare in the background, too? And where does the stork play in for wizards, exactly?

[animated]

Well, when a mommy wizard and a daddy wizard are able to stop hating each other and the circumstances of their arranged marriage, they call up the stork and ask him to set up the whole "rising out of the ocean" deal. It's sort of like booking a wedding venue.

[nostalgiabomb]

Huh. Fascinating.

[ A pause, then a bit more soberly, ]

Arranged marriages, huh?

[animated]

Kind of? I mean, it's all politics. Magic is passed down from father to son, so the goal is always to further the family line, pass the power on. That kind of thing. You can still court who you want to court, to an extent. You know, as long as she's a girl from a prestigious family.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He makes a face. ]

So is it as romantic as I think it sounds? 'Cause, wow, that's sweet. The kinda story you tell your grandkids.

[animated]

I know, right? True love at its finest.

I mean, for what it's worth, my parents didn't hate each other. They just treated each other like business partners rather than actual spouses.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Peter nods, as though approving. ]

Sounds like a fine couple. Holidays with the family must've been fun as hell, right?

[animated]

I imagine they wouldn't have been, if we ever actually celebrated anything. But we didn't come here to talk about my childhood. Or lack thereof, as the case may be.

[nostalgiabomb]

Yeah? And here I thought the idea was to get to know each other better.

Guessin' you had something else in mind?

[animated]

Not particularly- well, I mean, not until later at least- but after a certain point talking about the good ol' days just takes a turn for the depressing.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ His eyebrow quirks at "later." And given Charlie's desire to avoid talking any more about his past, Peter latches onto it. ]

Why, Charles Mariah Reinhold Maxwell the Seventh, exactly what sort of man do you think I am?