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]

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?

[animated]

[ He opens his mouth to reply, but his expression quickly becomes suspicious ] Has Kasumi told you about my name, because if she has I swear to God...

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He pauses again.

Then, he sloooooowly smiles. ]

Goto knows your full name?

[animated]

Uh.

[ well, crap ]

No?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He barks out a laugh. ]

Oh man, she does, doesn't she? [ Guess who's pulling out his phone thing? ] I'm totally asking her.

[animated]

Hey, no need for that!

[ guess who's trying to snatch away said phone thing? ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ PETER HAS THE HIGHER GROUND. On account of being taller. And possibly having longer arms. ]

You could just tell me what it is, and I won't have to bother her.

[animated]

Oh yeah, because you need more ammo aside from my height and my age.

[nostalgiabomb]

What's wrong with knowing your full name, bro? I thought we were friends?

[animated]

What's wrong? I know if I tell you, you'll never shut up about it.

[nostalgiabomb]

How 'bout I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours?

[animated]

... Fine. But you have to go first.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He doesn't even hesitate. ]

Peter Jason Quill. So now, you and the authorities in twelve systems know that info.

[animated]

[ dryly: ] Boy. You sure know how to make a guy feel special.

[ and after a sigh: ] Charles Oliver Maxwell- [ there's a slight pause, because he knows this is the part that he's going to get flak for. He usually does. ] -the Third.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Peter is silent for a long while.

'Cause, you know. No big deal. "Oliver" is a neat middle name, yep.

... but, nope, he breaks, snorting. ]

You're for real a the Third?