expiationlogs | a return (forward dated to 11/11)

Entry tags:

a return (forward dated to 11/11)

Who: Gwen Stacy + open
Where: around Aldrip
When: 11/11 and onward
What: Gwen is back from her canon update and trying to reacquainted with Aldrip
Warnings: TBA

i: a return

[Needless to say, it was a bit disorienting to wake up in a strange place after being away for well over a year, with no memory of any of it until she woke up. Memories and feelings flooded her brain, then came the confusion of the tablet not working, as well as the apparent full-time darkness?? What in the world did she miss? Thankfully she's able to find her dark web device pretty quickly and that seems to be working.]

un: spider-woman

so apparently the universe said it was my turn to go home for a year
anyways i'm back now
if i'm remembering right it's only be a week??
what happened?
not sure how i feel about the creepy mood lighting

ii: patrols

[Okay, so constant darkness? ✅ Practically zero working electronics? ✅ Uptick in monster attacks? ✅ Being back in Aldrip was already so fun.

At least being in a different dimension isn't nearly what it was when she was here before, but she doesn't like being trapped, not when her friends desperately need her, but since she can't exactly take out her frustration on Miguel and the Spiders helping him, she's going to take it out on some monsters. Per usual, she's out patrolling, fully suited up in her Spider-Woman gear, though those that know her might notice to subtle differences in her suit design.

And looky here! Some razorfins are harassing a shopkeeper. Yeah, that broom the Aldrip local is using is not going to be enough.]

Wow. And here I thought New York City's rats won Most Mutated. [Perfect, the razorfins are looking at her now, but she's conveniently perched on the nearest roof, out of reach.]

Here, sharky-sharky! Pay attention to me, not the nice shopkeeper that definitely won't taste good.

[She's got this under control for the moment, but who knows how long that will last. Lend a hand?]

iii: stem club

[When punching monsters isn't a good enough distraction, surely diving into science will be?? Gwen's missed the STEM club people, which is saying something, since she didn't even remember them until she arrived back. But she was honestly really glad to be around her friends here again, even if the freedom to come and go from dimensions was taken from her. She's not happy about that, but maybe she has a way to work around that.

It was months ago in this place's time that she found the web-watch in her room, but at the time, she had no idea what it was or what it could mean for them escaping. But now? The possibilities are endless. It took a few days to figure out where she even threw the thing, but once she found it, the first place she went was STEM club.

She set the device on the table in front of her, then stepped back, crossing her arms.]

Would've been nice is Hobie left me a user manual right about now, huh? [She's mostly talking to herself, but anyone else hanging around STEM would easily be able to hear her. She's not exactly trying to keep the web-watch a secret, but she...has no idea how to make it work.]

iv: wildcard

[Feel free to come up with any fun ideas for interaction over the rest of the month or for the event! You can hit me up by DM or

crystallium to plot!]

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[It would've been too easy for Peter to be home when she woke up back here, wouldn't it? And it would've been way too convenient for the tablets to be working so she could call him. But nope! No, she had to get out and search the hard way, when she had no idea where in the city he could be.

Actually, that was a lie. It honestly didn't take her that long to figure out where he went. If he wasn't home, and he wasn't at STEM club, then...

He was at their favorite spot.

Well, one of their favorite spots, anyway. Considering they couldn't exactly leave the city thanks to whatever the weird mist was surrounding the border, which meant it had to be one of their spots inside the city. And it wasn't hard to figure out which one. All spiders had thinking spots-- the tallest spots in their cities, with breathtaking views and plenty of isolation.

It still wasn't an easy trek to get there, but Gwen made her way up the tallest building in Aldrip, hoping she was right about where Peter had disappeared to. As she drew closer, her spider-sense told her she was right. She cleared the rest of the distance to the top, landing a few feet away from...him. Thank god, it was really him.

It felt like a lifetime ago, that she was here. That she was crying over losing him, only to disappear and go live her life away from this place too. Apparently it wasn't for as long as he was gone, either. Just a week in the time here, even if it was almost a year and a half in the time she lived. It was so...weird. And confusing. Because those memories were back. She remembered their time together, all the kisses, all the things she felt-- still felt, somehow. If anything, maybe this put them back on equal ground.]

Hey, Peter. [She's suited up, because of course, but the differences should be immediately apparent. Her suit is different, even if it's fairly subtle-- the patterns on her arms were around her hands now, and instead of ballet slippers, she was wearing converses. It was something the average onlooker probably wouldn't even notice, but as much time as they spent together, especially suited up, it would be unmistakable. It's...been a while.]

Edited 2024-11-13 00:55 (UTC)

What do you know, that happened to me, too. It's been about two years for me. The lighting change is new. Careful if you see anybody you think you know, including me -- there's some pushy doubles around.

so that makes me, you, and peter
that's weird, right?
three of us from stem
wonder if it has anything to do with the reset

oh great!
love that for us

I don't think so. There's not that many of us here overall and it happens regularly anyway, right? Randomness includes clusters like this. She is annoyingly persistent, I'll give her that much. My double.

(he couldn't ever lose hope. he left for a month, and he came back, which means there's precedent for longer waiting times. she'll be back eventually, she's fine, he has to believe or else what else does he have? she'll be back, or they'll see each other again somehow.

it doesn't mean he's not missing her to the moon and back. he already lost so much, did he have to lose her, too? he needs some time alone. some time to think and get his head in place, because there are things to be done, and he's too upset to do them. she'd not want him to be like that, he thinks, but he can't just push all the time. he needs to breathe, and the air will help blow away the doom, at least for just a second.

but then he feels something approach, and his heart nearly drops. who-- she. how long has it been-- not important, he can't help the speed he stands to come see her.)

Gwen, you're okay, and you're back! I was-- Man, I was hoping so hard that you'd not take long, are you okay, actually, you seem okay, but are you okay?

[The way Peter races to her brings a laugh out of her. She heard his heart pick up when he sensed her, which only filled her with more emotions about this moment. She couldn't help but clear the distance left between them and threw her arms around him. It felt like forever, since she was here. Like a dream that was suddenly coming back to her. It's confusing, to go from one second to the next, and suddenly remember months of a life you had forgotten.

But she definitely remembers how she felt towards him. What they had together. How important he became to her. She is not going to cry, but damn is it hard to not be emotional about finding a love like this again.

She finally pulls herself away from him, and it's only then that she finally tugs off her mask. Her hair falls from the hood-- longer, and more pink, which she brushes out of her face, so she can rub her wet eyes.]

Yes. No. Maybe? Things were...not great, at home. [She blinks hard, avoiding looking at him for a moment, partially to hide her own shame. She's frustrated beyond belief, that she would get pulled back here in the mere moments before she could rescue Miles, so now she's in limbo, unable to help.]

I...messed up. I really hurt Miles, and now the whole fabric of reality is in danger. You know-- just another Tuesday for us.

has it though?
peter was the first time i heard of it happening
if it happened before it hasn't happened often

i can only imagine
mine would be so much fun
guess i'll be playing keep away

Yes, it has. If anything, with the reset, we have reason to believe the system is working as intended. If you see me in a business suit, feel free to shoot me. I don't think they really ever die. At least, I haven't figured out how yet. I'll keep trying!

i guess that makes sense
we fixed it so now it's doing what it's supposed to
doesn't mean it's any less annoying

yeah i still don't do guns
i'd be happy to web her and text you her location if i run into her though

(as soon as she embraces him, he lifts her to sit on his forearms, a smile as big as his face allows once she is finally in it. the anxiety never leaves in this place, but her not returning and the fact she could take even longer than he had was not helping him mentally, and it all dissipates once she's back with him. thank god for gwen stacy - there is no other way of putting it, she has a way to make even the worst things feel light, and it's simply because she exists around him that he finds a little extra strength to push forward.

and well, she can definitely hear how his heart skips once he takes a look at her, she's-- she's his age? he can't tell, but he likes the look, keeping one arm supporting her with ease as he moves his free hand to wipe away the salt on her cheeks.)

-- The fabric of reality? You too? Wait, what happened to Miles?

[Gwen didn't expect to suddenly be pulled into his arms, but she certainly isn't going to object. She laughs, wrapping her arms around his neck and just watches the way he looks at her. She remembers how it felt, when she was the one waiting for him to return, how relieved she was, and how uncertain he felt. She gets that now, big time. She's a little uncertain, but less so, as she listens to the way his heart is skipping.]

Almost a year and a half. That's how long it was for me, back home. [She knows he's wondering. She looks different, so it's obvious a good amount of time had passed. And yet, here she was, looking at him and feeling the feelings just as strongly for him as the day she left.]

So much, Peter. God... I don't even know where to start. [She ducts her head, avoiding looking at him for a moment, out of her own guilt. Things hadn't been fair to Miles. It wasn't her fault, but... could she have done something different? Definitely not gone back to see him, but she had missed him so much. And without remembering Peter, he was the only connection she really and truly had and missed.]

So, um. I guess, first off. You and Dr. Strange really pissed off the Big Guy. There's a whole society of Spider people with the goal of protecting the multiverse, and at the top of it all is Miguel-- he's like this ninja-vampire spider guy from the future-- Anyway, we kinda pissed him off too with the whole collider thing, but.. it started with Miles. He's the first anomaly. The spider that bit him was from another dimension, which means.. there's a universe that needs a Spider-Man, and doesn't have him.

It is making me wonder why it happens at all, if it's an intended part of the program. Right, sure. Do you have extra strength webbing? Use that.

[Usually, even the more dangerous days are fine for the spiders. But this long ass nighttime that they can't seem to escape has been awful. She's not been able to patrol nearly as long, either from getting ganged up on by the insane amount of monsters out, or just from running out of webbing.

Her and the Peters have been trying to go out more together for back up purposes (strength in numbers and all that), but she got separated from them in the chaos. With her webbing dangerously low, she ducked into the first Chosen business she could find, knowing they were doubling as safe areas these days, only to realize...

A bar. Huh.

She's still masked up as she walks further into the establishment. Like all the other safe areas, it's busy. People that would usually be elsewhere, like their homes, or even just on the streets, are huddled in this safe place. There's a corner that's been turned into a makeshift first aid spot too, but it looked like they had everything handled.

There aren't many empty seats, so Gwen slips into the first empty chair she spots at the bar, sets her backpacks on the countertop, and starts going at her webshooters with a screwdriver. Changing out the webfluid is no big deal, but it's usually easier in the lab, not on the fly at some random bar. Oh well. She'll get back to the others soon enough, once she handles this.]

(the hand that pushed her tears away also tucks a strand of golden and pink hair behind her ear as he laughs, because she knew exactly what he had been thinking. she definitely changed much more than he did for a similar amount of time.

she's pretty like this, too. he doesn't think he can look at any version of her and not think that, but those thoughts of devotion soon change to concern when she stops looking at him.)

Hey, who is the big-- oh. Wait, that sounds really bad. Wait, he sounds like an ass-- no? Kinda? How does that even work now, with the anomaly? Isn't he going to get sucked by the fabric of time and space?

[Gwen closes her eyes Peter tucks the strand of hair behind her ear, enjoying the feeling of his fingers brushing against her skin. She relished in the sound of his laugh, something she didn't even know she missed.

It was so weird, to think about the fact that she knew of him, and still didn't remember any of this. It took coming back into this world to remember everything they had been through, and felt, together.]

Oh, he's definitely an asshole. But he's been able to keep the "Arachnohuminoid Polymultiverse" from crumbling, so. There's that. [She's mocking Miguel just a little bit, there. Seriously, Spider-Verse is a much better name.]

According to Miguel, every one of us has these "canon events", and they have to happen. Such as Uncle Ben dying, and me losing Peter-- or a police Captain or mentor dying, like Peter losing his Captain Stacy, or you losing Tony Stark. Or.. Gwen Stacy, dying. These things happen to all of us, always, in every dimension a spider-person is in. We can't avoid it, and if we try to, then... our worlds can crumble and die. [This is a lot. It's something they kind of new, before she left, but she's just validating it and upping the stakes.]

The thing is... I wasn't supposed to go see Miles. He's not supposed to be Spider-Man, so I-- I was supposed to stay away, but I couldn't. I missed him. He followed me, and he interfered in a canon event, and now a world is dying, and-- He realized this means his dad is going to die. [She pauses, taking a deep breath. There's an implication there, too, because her dad is also a police Captain. Or was, anyway. It's not easy to talk about this, because she still feels like she really failed Miles. She fucked up, big time, but she was going to fix it. Just...whenever she got out of this place again.]

The thing is, I don't think Miles is wrong. My gut's telling me he's right, that we're supposed to save people, and do the right thing, no matter what, but-- if Miguel is right, then helping him means we're dooming his world, and maybe every other. I've seen what happens when the canon is disrupted, I've had to live with knowing this means I can't save my dad, and I still-- I don't know. I don't know what's going to happen now. I was getting our friends and going to help him, but then I woke up here again, so. I guess it'll just have to wait until I get out of here again.

maybe it's giving us a chance to put what we've learned to improve back home?
then bringing us back if it deems us still in need of it's rehabilitation?
and the ones that don't come back passed?
idk
that's the best i can come up with

what, do you have superstrength now too?
but yeah
totally do
me and peter made some months ago when we needed to catch spock

It could be testing us at different points along our lifetimes, seeing if there's a window of opportunity to intervene before we fully commit to our lives of crime. Or it could just be an error in the original code. Sadly no. I'm just really wily and my double heals really fast. I think they all do. Does Spock have super strength????

[ This month has been...a helluva month.

Jim's sentencing put him on the back foot for most of the month. Spock had successfully argued to keep him (mostly) confined to the house, or under some kind of supervision, and Jim can't rightfully disagree - not after The Kitchen Incident. Just...don't ask. Ultimately, he'd had to concede the point - and moreover, after how the bond had affected Spock when Jim disappeared to the courtroom...well, quite simply, he hadn't had the heart to argue it further. He never wanted to feel such acute distress from his bondmate ever again, and if that meant sitting through his month of court-ordered kid gloves time, so be it.

The effects are beginning to wane, or so Jim hopes. Ish. It's fine. He's fine. He's letting Spock take the lead, and that's been helping. Today, he managed to convince Spock to take him to STEM, and even better - that he'd be fine for the twenty minutes it took him to run over to the Library. Fifteen, probably, if Jim knew Spock but - well, after The Kitchen, he gets it. Especially with all of the fire hazards around STEM on a good day.

But Gwen is here, so at least he has that going for him. She can stop him from getting into too much trouble ~~if they don't enable themselves into a Situation.~~

Still. Fifteen minutes. What's the worst that could happen? ]

Who left you a what now? [ Jim wheels over in his chair, spinning idly as he bumps up against the workbench Gwen is working at. He's not allowed to touch anything besides his computer (fair), but he has eyes. He can live vicariously, and Gwen has a...Jim doesn't know what to call it. It almost looks like a futuristic version of one of the webshooters? ] What is that?

[ If this is reminiscent of the afternoon just before his sentencing, well, he's not going to mention it if she doesn't. ]

[ Peter's starting to hate Aldrip.

May has always said hate is a strong word, but Peter feels like a strong word is warranted. It's been nothing but nonsense ever since he arrived, and every time he feels like it can't get any crazier - no that is not a challenge, why is the universe taking it as a challenge?

First, the whole world-glitching, doomsday scenario. They managed to make it out to the other side, but not without casualties. Not without Peter getting used as a pincushion, and his counterpart...not making it back. It was a different kind of devastation from Gwen, in the month that followed; a quiet grief, unresolved. They didn't know what had happened to him, for sure, and in some ways that made it worse. Not knowing whether he'd been returned home - if there was even a home to return to, given the last memories the other Peter had shared, about disintegrating into nothing - erased from the system, or some other unknowable fate. Peter did what he could, but he knew he was an unwelcome reminder of - God, so many things. This was not his Gwen, and he was not her Peter - neither of her Peters. There was only so much his presence could do for her.

And then Peter was back, as if nothing had even happened. The win lasted about a week - before Gwen disappeared. Jeez, could they ever catch a break? ~~And was he next?~~

Now the city has been plunged into darkness, like some knock-off version of the purge, crime popping up left and right. He feels like he's playing the world's worst game of whack-a-mole, flitting from one incident to the next - like he's working overtime on Halloween, ugh. Peter's swung up to a rooftop, listening for the next crisis, when his senses SCREAM at him and he narrowly rolls out of the way of a blackened fist. It cracks the concrete where it impacts and suddenly, Peter's starring in his very own purge-esque crisis.

His attacker is a black blur, difficult to see in the dark. He's pretty sure it's another enhanced person, though they're clad in black from head to toe, tracking him along the rooftops as Peter tries to swing to get away. It's only when the person swings after him that Peter realizes it must be another Spiderperson.

Shit.

He tries talking to them, but they're weirdly silent, not responding to any of his quips or interjections, relentless in their pursuit. He blocks hits that rattle his bones, pivots and swerves, tries to lose his assailant in the narrowest city streets he can find. This isn't New York, a city he knows backwards and forward - but it becomes apparent after a few dizzying punches to the jaw that this isn't a fight he's prepared for. When he finally swings out in a wide arc, bursting out of an alleyway and onto a busier street - his assailant disappears, melting back into the shadows.

Well, not for long.

The wraith follows him, appearing where Peter least expects them. Toying with him or being scared off by the presence of others, it's hard to say. It's starting to grate on his nerves, but what else can he do? If he tries to give chase, they disappear - or beat the hell out of him, until he's forced to run. They're strong, and Peter can feel the anger in their hits - and still, silent. So unnervingly silent.

He needs help.

No one responds to his message on the STEM comm, but frankly, it's to be expected. He's sure everyone is equally busy with the craziness, and the regular network is down - so to the streets it is, in the vain hope that he finds the other Peter, or one of those alien dudes from the future.

It's after one such encounter - getting the wind knocked out of him when he's thrown into a brick wall, scrambling to fight his way out when the evil Spiderperson grabs him by the throat and nearly crushes his esophagus - until a wild punch Peter throws connects, and frees him, leaving him gasping for air - that he barrels out into another street and runs straight into a white and pink something. Peter coughs as he falls on his ass, fingers shaking as he pulls his mask up and over his nose so he can suck air into his abused lungs. Yeah, no, he hates it. Aldrip sucks and - ]

Gwen? [ Peter croaks, squinting up at her as his vision finally resolves. Naturally, no one follows him out of the alley. He feels like he's going insane. Maybe he is. ] Gwen?

[It's been an adjustment for Gwen, returning to this life that she forgot. Not only having to grapple with memories and feelings of what almost feels like another life, but relationships too. Friends, people she cared deeply for, what felt like forever ago.

Jim...doesn't look the greatest, but who would? She remembers how she struggled through her own sentencing, but she also thinks it's good that he's here at STEM again, trying to get back to some sort of normal. Which is kind of hard, given the moon is literally hanging over the city as a semi-permanent feature, so. Yeah. Fun times. She's remembering just how annoying this world could be.]

It's a webwatch. It's a device for traveling across dimensions. Andddd it doesn't work, like most things around here right now. [Well, maybe that was an odd thing out, because things that they brought from home, or had made here worked, but the watch still wasn't functioning. She's pretty sure it wasn't functioning when she found it months ago either, but she's also not sure if that was just because she didn't know what she had even found.]

My friend Hobie made this one. I found it here, months ago, but I didn't know what it was at the time. Now that I'm back, I actually know what it is, but. Like I said. It's not working. If it was-- maybe it's a ticket out of here? But that's a big Maybe.

[Gwen is still trying to wrap her head around returning to Aldrip. She thought she was crossing the portal to Earth-42, and instead, here she was, back in the simulation she had completely forgotten about. Disorienting was barely touching how she felt.

And she reappeared just in time for chaos to happen, apparently. She's barely gotten into town when her spider-sense started screaming in her ears that something was going down. She can hear the familiar swooshing of web slinging-- multiple people, even, then definitely some fighting?? She's not really sure what's happening but she's following the noise the best she can, finally landing in a random alley close to where she thinks she needs to be. She's proven right, quickly, because someone sure crashes into her moments later. Said blur was on his ass before she could even do anything, and Gwen blinked down in surprise at an all too familiar red and blue suit.]

Peter? Oh my god, it's really you! [She drops down to crouch next to him, unable to help herself and pull him into a hug. He was such a lifeline, the last month that she remembers here. It feels like forever ago for her, but it really wasn't that long ago for him, was it? This is all so confusing. Especially now that she's aware of his dimension and knows more about his world. About what happened.

The embrace only lasts for a few moments, before she pulls away and looks from him, to the direction he came from, feeling the familiar unease of her spider-sense again.]

What's...going on? I thought I heard fighting. Was something chasing you? Is-- is Peter with you? [She definitely swears she heard two spider-people, but....she doesn't sense the other Peter now. Was she just dreaming it or something?]

[ Gwen pulls him into a hug before he can blink, and Peter wraps an arm around her, tight with both surprise, and an underlying tension. His gaze is caught between the shadowed alley behind her and her, returned, back in the flesh. She starts to pull back, and Peter nudges her, shifting to put himself between her and the alley. Wow, yeah, there's a lot happening right now. ] You're back - where the hell do you guys keep going? Glad to see you, like really glad to see you because no one is picking up my calls, but uh - yeah there's a bit of a - situation. Whole town's in chaos, what else is new -

...and then there's him. [ Peter's skin breaks out into awful goosebumps as the Spider-person slinks out of the shadows, finally, punctuating Peter's nervous rambling with their presence. ] You can see him, right? I'm not going cuckoo for cocoa puffs? Very intimidating with the whole black night-suit thing going on but uh - he doesn't like me very much. If you can't tell, from all the - you know, beating the crap out of me.

[ The Spider-person tilts their head at the pair of them, deathly still. Peter twitches, with half a mind to grab Gwen and haul ass. Never too late to run, but then, it's not like Peter's going to get any piece with this nasty surprise lurking around most corners. ] He doesn't like to talk.

...Gwen? [ Alright, looks like the dark Spider-person just loves to prove Peter wrong. His gaze flickers back to Gwen, before Peter locks onto his assailant - though his hand does tighten on Gwen's arm, betraying his nerves. What? You try getting choked out and see how jumpy you are! ] ...Do you know this guy?

(perhaps there's a little bit of him that is... relieved that she went home. if she wondered how he felt when he returned, how he felt once he saw her all over again - now she knows, and it makes a world of difference to experience rather than to be told.

he doesn't love that he thought that way. but it matters, whether he likes it or not. everything else is a lot and he is following as much as he can - ... so it was known? that stark would die? and... peter's gwen? and no one... did anything? his gut also doesn't agree with it. it feels... wrong, to deliberately let someone face their demise if it can be helped.)

... Gwen, breathe, breathe in, okay? Hey, listen, I also don't think that this is right, it feels... Wrong, and I... I don't know, right, I wasn't there, but it just doesn't... I don't know. Do we even know what that Spider-ass knows? Like, does he know everything? And well, if Miles is a Spider-man from a place where there isn't one, wouldn't there just be another Spider once there's a loop? See, there are other things to consider, but hey, you know it freezes, right, because we came back, so, for now, it should be fine, right? I mean, if I can, I will even go help.

oh that's not a bad point
but i honestly wonder if the error has more to do with it too
cause the whole crime thing is bogus
most of them don't even make sense!

oh
you didn't know that?
yeah vulcans are like super strong
higher muscle mass and all that

[Gwen's trying not to get emotional as she tells Peter what happened. Something about him is calming, and even if her eyes feel damp, he still brings out a laugh from her at his new nickname for Miguel.]

That's the thing, his Peter Parker died, and he wasn't supposed to. Because Miles was there, it threw everything off track, and now Earth-42 is suffering without the Spider-Man it was supposed to have.

[She appreciates his encouragement, and him wanting to help. God, she loves him so much. How could she ever forget this feeling. She cups his face with her hand, beaming up at him with so much love and adoration.]

Oh, I would love that. My webwatch is here, somewhere. It's how I was able to jump dimensions before. I found it months ago, before you even left, but I didn't know what it was at the time. If we can get it working, maybe that's our ticket out of here? On our terms, this time.

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a return (forward dated to 11/11)

closed to peter 1

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iii

iv, taking a ride on the wild side

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