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[sciencesquid]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, OCTAVIUS. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 015.03.020.15 *** OCTAVIUS has joined 015.03.020.15 <OCTAVIUS> You've reached Dr. Otto Octavius. Please leave a message.

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[heyunderoos]

["I don't care how old it is! It's a rat in my grocery store!"

Peter cringes a little, just holding onto the collar of Otto's shirt as the man shifts stance. Otto's reaction makes Peter feel better to some degree. Even if the teenager feels uncomfortable about the whole exchange. He's so used to what he's turned into, Peter has forgotten the fact most places probably don't want him.]

I can- change back to my normal form, if that's better-?

[The shopkeeper presses a hand against his face, releasing a frustrated noise. He finally seems to look at Peter, reluctantly acknowledging him. "I'd rather you leave. Your... friend can continue his shopping."]

[sciencesquid]

[Every so often, Otto forgets how rude people can get around this place. And perhaps that's their right, as unwilling 'prey' to the monsters who are dragged into this peninsula. Even so, he doesn't take kindly to it.]

Do you truly expect me to spend any money here after such disrespect? If Peter has to go, then I go, and I'm taking our business with me. [He expects the shopkeeper will be fine with that, but at least Otto will have stuck with his own principles. He's not about to send Peter out the door unaccompanied.]

[heyunderoos]

Otto, it's... not great, but I can always wait outside. [They had gotten pretty far with shopping. Peter doesn't want to cause any more of a scene. He's not happy about the name calling, but he's not mad, just embarrassed.

"I don't care, I just want the rat out." The shopkeeper says a bit sharply, irritated by the whole situation.]

[sciencesquid]

[Alas, Peter's remark falls on deaf ears and Otto's not-really-a-bluff is being called by the shopkeeper. It's on now.]

If you want him out, I'll take him out. But I won't be coming back in.

[And just to make his point clearer, he holds out the basket that's already full of groceries they'd selected. Go on, shopkeep. Take this stuff back and return it to the shelves if you're allergic to money. Otto dares you.]

[heyunderoos]

[The shopkeeper throws his hands in the air, releasing a frustrated sound. "You're making this harder than it needs to be!" The shopkeeper refuses to take the basket, just pushing it back at Otto.

Peter winces, moving to gently hop of Otto's shoulder and land on the floor. Between breathes he's back to his full size pooka form. It's not particularly tall at 4'10, but he holds up his hands in a placating gesture. He tries to get between the men the best he can.] Hey, look- I'm not actually a rat, rat, okay?

We're gonna leave, its fine.

[sciencesquid]

[Too late, Peter, the situation's already escalated. Otto's already frustrated. There's only one thing to do now.

He's just going to... lean forward and set the basket with groceries down on the floor, not breaking eye contact with the shopkeep even once. He's not even blinking. There it is, buddy, all that abandoned income right at your feet.]

Let's go, Peter.

[heyunderoos]

[Peter releases a sigh, nodding somewhat as he moves to Otto's side. There is no point in sticking around and shopping here.

The shopkeeper just smacks a hand against his face. "Fine! Get out of here! I don't want you freaks anyway!"

Peter winces a little. Not exactly thrilled by any of this.] Look, we're leaving, okay-? Just drop it. We didn't ask to be this.

["Cry me a river! I don't care!" The shopkeeper is apparently at the end of his rope as he grabs the basket from the floor angrily.

[sciencesquid]

[There's a hundred comebacks coming to Otto's mind, which he'd utter if he were a lesser man. But he's choosing the high ground as much as possible. No point in proving the shopkeep right by caving to anger.

So he takes Peter by the arm and begins to walk away, out of the store. There's other places that sell food, it's not a big loss.]

[heyunderoos]

[Peter falls into step with the tug, glancing back at the Shopkeeper who is just angrily slamming things back onto shelves. Peter's ears tuck against his head as he winces at the sound.

Peter oscillates between hurt, offense, and embarrassment over the whole thing. Sure, he's had people react badly to him being a rat pooka before, but... usually, they tend to accept it.

Once they're actually outside, he releases a breath. An apology feels easier than being angry. He was literally just a rat on Otto's shoulder in a grocery store.] Sorry, I guess... I shouldn't have just been lazy today.

[sciencesquid]

[Otto fumes all the way to the door and out into the street. He can take it if someone's rude to him, that's no skin off his back. But being rude to Peter? It's inexcusable. Once he hears that apology, though, he's quick to draw in a calming breath. He's still holding onto Peter's arm, so he'll give it a reassuring squeeze.]

You needn't apologize for something like that. He's the one with the irrational problem.

[heyunderoos]

I guess- [He glances back at the store, brows furrowing together as his tail droops and lashes across the sidewalk as well. The inclination to wait outside is a strong one, but he doesn't voice it in the moment.] We've been here before, I just...

[He shakes his head with a sigh. Trying to vaguely salvage the morning.]

There are other places we can go at least.

[sciencesquid]

There are more than enough other places. [One last squeeze, then he releases Peter's arm.] To be honest, I didn't prefer this store anyway. There was a funny smell near the frozen food aisle.

[heyunderoos]

[The comment about the funny smell does make Peter laugh somewhat. He lights up somewhat.] It kinda just smelled like that one bodega May banned Ned and I from going to when we were 12. Almost nostalgic in a gross way.

[sciencesquid]

Hah, it did reek of New York, didn't it? [He shakes his head, grinning.] Though, if we ever get that homesick, I'm sure there are better ways to stir nostalgia.

[heyunderoos]

It was just... so close, but still not New York either.

Honestly, the easier option is a bodega with a bodega cat. [He's honest about that much, cheering up a bit more visibly now.]

[sciencesquid]

An even easier option is to stop by OsCorp and ask Norman for one of those foyer hotdogs. I'm sure Mana made certain that they're as accurate to New York's junkfood as can be.

[heyunderoos]

If there is no one arguing with you about toppings, is it truly a New York experience though? [He has to joke a little about that much.]

[sciencesquid]

That's a good point. But I can argue about the toppings with you, if that'll help. [More salad......]

[heyunderoos]

[Peter laughs a little at that, tongue sticking out in a brief blep.] Lemme guess, needs more greens on it, huh?

[sciencesquid]

If tomato ketchup can go on a hot dog, then certainly, tomato slices would not be out of place.

[Is he joking? Maybe he is, maybe he ain't.]

[heyunderoos]

[Peter snorts at that.] You know people in Chicago eat hot dogs like that, right? Full huge tomato slices and pickles.

I'll revoke your New York citizenship if you try to sell me on a Chicago dog. [His accent becomes a little more obvious in the moment.]

[sciencesquid]

[Otto didn't know that, but you know what? He'll roll with it.]

Tomato slices and pickles don't sound half bad, actually. Toss in some lettuce, maybe. Some sauerkraut...

[heyunderoos]

[Peter's snout wrinkles in open displeasure at the thought of that much on a hot dog.]

Yeah, that's it, I'm revoking your New York citizenship! [He throws his hands in the air, tail whipping against the ground.]

[sciencesquid]

[Otto just laughs out loud at that exasperation.]

Go ahead, take it. I stand by what I said, so it's a price I'm willing to pay.

[heyunderoos]

Horrible, awful- [Peter is maybe hamming it up, trying to not laugh. This is such a goofy conversation to have after the confrontation with the store owner, but its a relief too. Something easier to think about, home, than what could have happen next.

His tail swishes across the sidewalk a bit faster now, tail tip hitting the concrete.] I can't believe my father figure would betray me like this!