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[He stretches a little, tail lashing against the bed as he moves to investigate the soup Otto brought for him. Peter's whiskers are at least moving their usual pace, showing his interest in the meal.

He carefully picks up the tray to rest in his lap.] Me too, it would've been nice to actually go through together, but I don't regret my choice. I wish none of us had to get so... enmeshed with this to even survive or feel safe.

I want there to be peace here for everyone. No brainwashing or hurt from either side. I want home to feel safe, you know? [He's decidedly determined now, even with how tired he is. It flickers slightly as he picks up a spoon to get get a spoonful of soup. He blows on it, going quiet. He gets the first spoonful down, obviously hungry since he goes for another spoonful even if it burns his mouth.]

[It's vegetable soup! He would've added chicken, but they didn't have any in the house, so that's unfortunate. There's some noodles in there, at least. It's sure to be easy on Peter's stomach, and it's thankfully not hot enough to burn.

Otto listens to him talk, and really, it just makes him feel helpless. Wanting peace and safety, that sort of thing was already impossible back in their own worlds. There's no such thing as a place free of conflict, he's sure. Even with what he's been told about what Felfri was like before the Fog, he doubts it was as grand a utopia as everyone believed.]

... I know you do. So we'll make it feel safer. We'll do whatever we can. [Otto will do whatever he can, anyway. Even if it means signing on with the 'lesser evil', if it'll help Peter, that's what matters.]

[The teenager for his part is taking his time to eat. Wary of going a bit too fast after coming back to life. His last few experiences with death at least taught him to take it a bit more slowly in recovering.]

I guess I need to get W.E.B reorganized and work on the smaller stuff, and then focus on the bigger problems where I can. [Unsurprisingly, Peter is already formulating a rough plan of what he wanted to do.]

After living like that in Felfri, I kinda realized something though. [He frowns down at the soup, avoiding meeting Otto's eyes for now. Guilt sharp and uncomfortable in his chest.] I kinda... wanna stay in Ryslig. I know its bad, but... I don't want to be alone in New York.

[The 'working on the smaller stuff' bit is like music to Otto's ears. One step at a time, easy problem-solving first, that's the way to go. And in a way, he hopes Peter never gets to the bigger problems at all. That last sentiment has him fall silent for a moment, though.]

But Ryslig is... It isn't the best place to be either. Even if you have a family here, there's far too much needless suffering and death. You still have a home to return to. One where you aren't forced to kill for your own survival.

[Though even as he says it, he can just about taste the error in his words. People like Beck died for Peter's survival, didn't they? And more might die in the future, just as Otto and Norman died fighting their own Spider-Man. Even if Peter didn't mean for the fights to end that way, they still did.]

[Whilst Peter is Peter and intends to get himself involved in bigger problems where he can. He can't just pretend everything is fine when it isn't.]

Yeah. [He says quietly back, his gaze dropping to his soup. Withdrawing a little now. Feeling stupid for admitting as much.] Sorry.

I can guess you and Norman still wanna actually go back home. You have stuff to do, lives to pick back up on. [He manages a thin smile back at Otto.]

Not this.

[Well. This is a problem. Otto's returned to being a Faerie, and so, he can't lie to Peter about this. He could dodge the topic entirely, but... Considering how open Peter is, that wouldn't be right. He needs to be truthful about this.

So he hangs his head, shaking it a little.]

... No. No, I think that... even with what you've done for us, the moment we return home, Norman and I are destined to die. Being cured won't allow us to avoid the fates that were set in stone for us, I think. It certainly wouldn't change a thing in my situation, in any case.

But... I.. [He had assumed Otto and Norman would be okay. That they could go home safely. This future version of him had actually helped them. His expression just falls into something anguished and shocked all at once. His voice is very small when he does speak again.]

I thought... you'd be able to just go home and be okay.

[Otto hesitates for a second, then places a hand on Peter's arm.]

If I were to return to the exact same moment in time from which I was taken, the outcome would be the same. The reactor I built was already going out of control. It's for the best that it's drowned in the river, and since that's what needs to happen... I would need to drown with it. I've thought about it quite a bit over the months, but I can't see any other way out of that.

[That does not comfort Peter. Not even in the slightest. He clicks his teeth together uncertainly. His expression if anything is crushed by that sentiment.]

I... didn't know that. [Not particularly eloquent, but he's reeling.]

[He squeezes Peter's arm lightly, hoping that it brings the boy comfort. It's a difficult topic, one he would've liked to avoid if possible.]

Don't worry. I've made peace with it. Even if I were to survive, there isn't much left for me, in that world. It's better that I just make the most of the time I have here.

[For all the maturity and responsibility Peter tends to carry on his shoulders, he's still a teenager. A teenager reeling from the fact someone else he considers family is going to die.]

But... you could just stay here with me though?

[Oh Peter... That's heartbreaking in its naivety.]

I would like that, but... Staying is not up to me. Or to you.

[He's been through the emotional wringer, and it's only getting worse. He drops his gaze, staring down at the soup.]

Yeah... I guess it's not.

[He doesn't want to be stuck in a future he can't change, especially if it means Norman and Otto suffer. Nor does he want them to just die because that's what is supposed to happen.]

[Otto sighs, taking a proverbial step back to look at the bigger picture of the conversation. Ryslig is his last chance, but it's not for Peter.]

... No life is destined to stay the same forever. It can always change for the worse, or for the better. There's no telling where you'll be five years from now, or even one year from now. There's no telling who else you'll meet. Perhaps, even if you do manage to go back home, things won't be so bad. [He pauses, forcing a smile.] Your world has actual magic, after all. It may still allow you to fix quite a bit.

[Peter just nods, his expression just tired as he tries to actually pick back up on eating the soup. It's still hot to eat, but he's hungry enough to just push through it.

Eating also gives him an excuse to just not talk. He doesn't know what to even say. What is he supposed to feel about any of this? He doesn't want Otto or Norman to die. He doesn't want to lose them.

He already lost Ben, May and now them. Parker Luck was something wasn't it?]

Yeah, it might get better. Dunno what else will happen. [The lie comes easily, far too easily for Peter Parker. But, a pooka is woven of lies and mischief, so it fits perfectly.

He even frames it with a smile. The smile is believable even if its tired.

A pretty lie for a rat.]

IC Inbox | Ryslig

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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.