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

[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?

[animated]

[ Ah. There it is. ]

Remember the whole "build a legacy, pass down the magic" thing I mentioned?

[nostalgiabomb]

Yeah, but I didn't realize wizards were so busy that they couldn't at least come up with some new names.

[animated]

[ He gives a shrug ] I think it was more for the purpose of like... brand recognition than anything.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He snorts, but he has the good sense to not ask anything further. ]

Man. I remember you bein' a kid, and that name was way too big for you. What age did you finally grow into it, anyway? Twelve? Thirteen?

[animated]

I'd say twelve-ish. That's when wizards start to study their Specialization, so I had to sober up and "act like a Maxwell".