“Gram,” Welp she noticed. “You aren’t getting yourself in trouble?” “No,” “But you’re sneaking out,” “Sneaking out,” it’s broad daylight, “in broad daylight, through the front door?” “You usually tell me where you’re going,” That’s true. Especially since he helps out during the day at the bookstore, stationed in downtown York. He thought that he could’ve left earlier, now he’s probably going to be late despite being early. “I am just going,” MIcheal responds. “When are you going to be back?” “Later,” Gram is staring at him. “Later, maybe not for a while,” Micheal scans the bookstore, staring at the shelves, “Bye.” He panics rushing out the front door. He doesn’t like leaving her out of the know, but in this case it’s probably for the best. She’d likely freak out if he told her what he was doing and there is always the risk that someone might try to use them to get to him. Get accepted into Tony Stark's team, suddenly thinking like a bigshot. Think your head is getting a bit big there Micheal. [color=f26522]Viral: I think your head is a little small[/color] “I mean getting an ego,” Micheal says out loud. He’s used to looking a little strange responding out loud to a conversation he can only hear. All he has to do is walk a few blocks and should be there. But now he’s definitely later than what he intended. Hopefully he isn’t the only one late. Making a good impression already. He hopes Gram and Gramps aren’t too upset with him flying out of the shop, honestly he got nervous. Explaining hero stuff to Gram and Gramps is kind of difficult and showing them VIral would be a nightmare. Viral’s a bull - well in a bookstore. [color=f26522]Viral: I am not a bull.[/color] [color=aba000]Micheal: It’s a saying Viral we have been over this.[/color] [color=f26522]Viral: I am merely saying your phrases are inaccurate[/color] [color=aba000]Micheal: Sorry. Showing Gram and Gramps a horrendously hulking, four armed, alien monstrosity in a bookstore will go well.[/color] [color=f26522]Viral: This is that Human thing when you say one thing, but you mean another[/color] [color=aba000]Micheal: Sarcasm[/color] [color=f26522]Viral: Sarcasm. [/color] He shakes his head. Speaking of Viral. He’s not sure how to introduce him to a team of young heroes. Taking out a cigarette. [color=f26522]Viral: Don’t worry our meeting will go horrible.[/color] Lighting it. Pausing. “Is that your attempt at sarcasm?” he ask with lit smoke in his mouth. A woman passes him a look as he walks. [color=f26522]Viral: I did well[/color] Is he flexing his four arms? He probably is proud of himself. Micheal sighs, taking a drag. Inhaling. Then exhaling. It’s a relatively calming task because the truth is that he doesn’t have nerves of steel. A young team of heroes, hopefully Tony Stark knows what he is doing, and hired who he thought was the best of the best of the young heroes. Finally here. That didn’t take long. But he’s definitely late, hopefully he can get to the elevator because 93 stories was a bit much. Snuffing the cigarette out on the lid of a nearby trash can. [color=aba000]Ready?[/color] [color=f26522]Viral: My nerves don’t quake[/color] He’s going to take that as a yes. Stepping into the lobby. Crap. Someone else is using the elevator. And apparently going up multiple floors? Multiple people then? It smells - medical in here. Reminds him of the hospitals in fact. Everything here is so sterile. Stairs it is then. 93 steps. And he was going to have to take it at a brisk pace, wasn’t he? [color=f26522]Viral: I could take the stairs for us. [/color] [color=aba000]I don’t really think that’s the best idea. [/color] [color=f26522]Viral: Why are you always so worried about how people will react to me?[/color] B[color=aba000]ecause I don’t know if anyone has been briefed and suddenly a large alien monstrosity walks into the room. It’s called tact Viral[/color] [color=f26522]Viral: Fear is also a tactic[/color] [color=f26522]And this is why you’re not going up the stairs or entering the room[/color] Sighing. This is going to take him a while isn’t it? Why did it take you so long? Oh I had to walk up a flight of steps. Why didn’t you take the elevator? Oh because it was currently in use. [color=f26522]Viral: Or you could let me have the glory conquering the stairs[/color] [color=aba000]Tone down the glory talk [/color] [color=f26522]Viral: Will they truly fear me?[/color] Micheal sighs. Crap. He’s being a bit too hard on him. He swears he sees a big black blur up one of these steps. “Sorry partner, I shouldn’t be so harsh on you,” he apologizes, “This is going to be difficult for the both of us. And you must be anxious too.” [color=f26522]Viral: I do not fear others judgements[/color] Trying to act tough for the both of them, isn’t he? He appreciates Viral's just trying to help and he’s lashing out. He shouldn’t have been so harsh. He’s been a bit too mean to Viral today. “It’s okay to admit it Viral, you’re a protector, but you cannot always be the one protecting, having vulnerability is okay too. It makes you stronger,” [color=f26522]Viral: Does that mean [/color] [color=aba000]Uh no. Let me explain first. Then can you introduce yourself? Okay? Please trust me.[/color] [color=f26522]Viral: You’re the only human I do trust, very well[/color] Just take it nice and slow Micheal. He's result to counting the steps to pass the time; 99 100 [color=f26522]Viral: Why are you counting? Is there a significance in this?[/color] [color=aba000]You’re going to make me lose track.[/color] 200 There are a lot of stairs. Why even have stairs? Why can’t there be two elevators? He hasn’t seen that figure in black since several floors below. 300 Okay he’s going to stop counting. It got ridiculous the moment he reached 250. 500 Why is he still counting? To keep his mind busy he supposed. He stopped being nervous about the situation two hundred steps ago. 800 He has to sit down and take a break. [color=f26522]Viral: What if I told you my nerves quake?[/color] “I wouldn’t view you any less,” Micheal responds, taking a sip of water in his backpack, “In fact I would appreciate the honesty and think that you are truly braver than most who wouldn’t be able to admit such a thing.” [color=f26522]Viral: Hmm I will have to contemplate your answer[/color] Break over. Where was he 800. Counting is the tortuous part. Standing back up. And starting it all over again at. 801 and go. 900 920 Sure he’s not nervous any more, but doubt is creeping in. Is he the right person for the job? Will Viral and him provide what the team needs? Will they be of any help? 1,000 Seriously this is going to keep going? This is not the end of the stairs? 1,300 Maybe he lied about not being nervous any more. Maybe he was trying to believe he wasn’t nervous. Maybe these steps are some kind of test. 1,500 When are these stairs going to end? The profound thinking of two hundred steps ago have vanished. Made it! 1,860 steps. There's a muffled conversation behind a door: "Go ahead, get Miss Triathlon a bottle of water, a coffee for Miss Lance, did I miss anything?" He’s probably very late. He walks slowly, leg honestly feeling like jelly right now. At least he didn’t run up the steps and simply took it at his own pace. Opening the door, oh that girl looks like she’s going to puke on the rug, doesn’t she? Did she run up here? She’s soaked in sweat. Maybe no one will notice he’s very late, as he tries to sneak in without being noticed. Like being late for class.