[ So! After several false starts, and after several attempts to rally himself, one (1) Star-Lord is heading down the stairs.
He does, thankfully, have quite a bit of experience of not looking as hungover as he actually is. A few years with a young, growing, and to varying degrees of overbearing Groot has forced him to learn how to maintain a certain equilibrium, has forced him to learn to show that, yep, he definitely has a headache, but he is not, in fact, two breaths away from puking, or crying, or curling up in a small ball.
Eventually, he outlasts the curious teen and equally curious child before he artfully collapses on the table. ]
I'm never going to drink that much again.
[ Which is a lie. He'll probably drink this much again next week. ]
[River Kwan, the optimistic healer, totally legal licensed doctor, and gym bro, greets Peter Quill with a bowl of hardboiled eggs with the shells still on. Thankfully, his two cousins, Simon (teen with empathy powers) and Emily Kwan (small child with future sight) are working diligently on peeling several of them.
And also thankfully, River walks over to Peter and hands him a mug of hot coffee he was holding with his other hand.]
Lucy and I did try to tell you to not underestimate soju, especially if they're the fruity kind. That's what lead to rum in the coffee pot after all.
[Which is why when Peter takes a sip, it'll probably still smell like rum so yeah]
[ With the offering of coffee, for a brief moment, Peter looks like River is probably the most generous, selfless person in the universe.
He takes a quick, fortifying sip, although his nose immediately wrinkles with the smell of it. Thankfully, the smell doesn't match with the taste, so Peter isn't too hesitant to take another swig of coffee. ]
When you said you had hard-boiled eggs handy, I didn't realize you meant you had a whole coop's worth.
[ Though even as he complains, he plucks one up and starts peeling it, albeit a little slowly, a little clumsily, and a lot bleary-eyed. ]
[They say to never meet your heroes but even 7-year-old Emily looks at the poor hungover Star-Lord with starry eyes and offers him a peeled egg. It is just a humble offering to one of planet Earth's saviors after all. River chuckles and gets to work on making some toast while Simon leaves egg peeling to Peter and Emily so he can make some instant noodles.]
It's easy and ready-to-go protein. Been busy these days so I like them to be within reach. Lucinda usually cooks for us but I don't want her to worry about my meals too much.
[ It's not often that Peter gets to leverage his fame, but he's at least practiced enough that he manages to dredge up a bright smile, manages a quick word of thanks.
He does, of course, immediately destroy it in two bites.
And he does everyone the courtesy of swallowing first before speaking. Remember, kids! Don't speak with your mouth full!
This has been a lesson in manners from your Uncle Star-Lord™★ ]
[Emily giggles at the quick consumption of the egg. River gives Peter a thumbs up and a headshake.]
I'm good, dude. I don't want you to feel like you should do something just cause you indulged in too much fun juice.
Oh, and are you heading back up into space later or are you hanging 'round Planet Earth for the time being? Just wondering since the kids might wanna see whatever spaceship you got.
[ Because these days, Peter is spending more time on Earth than not – maybe 98% of his time here, with another 2% dedicated to not-so random reunions with his friends. ]
The ship's nearby, though. I don't mind providing a tour, if I'm not already biting too heavily into your guys' schedule.
[The impression River got was that Peter was in and out of the planet doing whatever Guardians work there was out there. Outer space is a total mystery to most of the Esper Collective, himself included so there was an air of excitement and adventure whenever the younger psychics talked excitedly about it even after the tragedy and consequent celebration, pre and post-Snap.]
The kids are on summer vacay soon so if anything, a starship tour with a star hero is a great way to start off.
[Simon and Emily are grinning excitedly at each other at the prospect of! A real spaceship!! Wow!!]
Hell, you just hanging out with us, low-key and all, has been fun. Though I guess drunken karaoke's off the table in the future.
[ This, breathed out on a mournful sigh – mournful on account of all the brain cells that were likely killed off last night in the name of fun.
Probably better than his more recent modus operandi of drinking as a very unhealthy and only temporarily helpful coping mechanism. The less said about those days (months, years), the better. ]
Gonna give my liver a break, at least for a month or so, if it's all the same.
[ Still, he dredges up yet another showman's grin. Then, with a smidgen of false modesty, ]
Can't say it's gonna be too impressive a tour. I only have a smaller ship with me.
[(Fun fact, River Kwan, gym bro esper, graduated high school as valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA, the rare breed of academic jock)]
Anyway, just turn 'round and...
[When he faces Peter, River stretches out his hand with his fingers wide apart. He makes a pass over his forehead and very faint silvery tendrils of energy appear, seeping underneath the skin.
The sensation is odd, but not unpleasant. River's energy act like new threads that reconnect and repair the hurt within others and in seconds, Peter Quill is gonna feel a lot more refreshed.]
[ Peter, to his credit, was likely the smartest member of the Ravagers, but an academic he absolutely is not.
He does, at least, move as directed. By no means is Peter a good patient, but he at least ventures a few small attempts, here and there. It helps, too, that they're about as far from a hospital setting as humanly possible, somewhere homey and cozy instead of sterile and astringent.
It's nice.
Peter watches with interest as River literally works his magic, and it's neat. Obviously it's way more interesting than a parlor trick, and Peter feels the effects of it within a blink of an eye, but he observes it in that sort of way that someone else might see a geyser explode from a far distance.
"Wow. That was really something, huh?"
So River finishes up, and Peter reflexively puts a hand to his brow, and thankfully, his brain no longer wants to melt out of his ears. He lets out a long sigh of relief. ]
[Peter is probably one of the better patients River has served but that's neither here nor there. Energy healing isn't necessarily flashy especially when it's used on minor scrapes or migraines so he doesn't expect "oooohs or ahhhs" from a guy who's been on different planets outside of the Solar System and fought a big purple alien and his army.
(God those past few years were weird, even for him.)
He gives him another thumbs up.]
No problemo! I'm glad I could be of help. I feel like it'd be a real dick move if I made you leave the house when you're not ready to be steady on your feet.
Hmmmmm. [River hums audibly and crosses his arms, thinking.]
Not sure man. We're a chill household of espers so we tend to take care of our own business.
[But it seems like an idea has come up and the young man snaps his fingers.]
Actually, remember Lucy (luciole)? Well, you were kinda going wild last night, I don't blame you if you don't.
[Lucinda Huyen Tran, despite having a heavily tattooed body and an eerie prettiness, has a unique quality of being rather ghostly.]
She's gonna have a job soon and it might involve some spacy matters. It's a new one for her and while it was gonna be a solo-yolo, I don't have a good feeling about it. Might be a big ask just because I healed up your migraine though.
Source it, bro. Lucinda didn't give me a lot of details.
[Which is why he decided to bring it up to Peter in the first place. Lucinda would take on jobs with little to no complaints and it's something that always made River concerned for her. Ever since the Battle of New York and the consequent Major Events (TM), the Esper Collective were a lot bolder in sending their own to handle smaller crises that the Avengers didn't look at.
And with Lucinda, they made sure no one remembered it. She comes home looking more exhausted than usual but still smiles at her extended family brightly but at this rate...]
People tend to think she's kinda creepy. Which I guess, fair, she can see and talk to ghosts and all. But I think you'll like her the more you talk to her.
[ He huffs out another laugh. He thinks that if he can handle "bloodthirsty" and "can literally make you feel like you want to eat a shoe" and multiple variations on "95% of the way to deranged," he can probably handle creepy with aplomb.
Probably doesn't help to say as much, though. The family dynamic he shares with the Guardians, current and former members alike, is fucking weird. ]
How much work am I gonna have to do to convince her to let me tag along? She's not the "lone wolf" type, is she?
[ Because, admittedly, last night was something of a haze. ]
[ A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth with that confirmation.
Gosh. Working with people who are willing to accept help. What a breath of fresh air.
He pushes back from the table, spending one more second to scrub his eyes – more out of an attempt to wake himself up than any lingering after effects of his night of overindulgence. ]
Fine. [ And he sighs it out. Even if he sounds like the most put upon asshole in the world, there's definitely a heavy helping of good humor in his tone, too. ] But only 'cause you asked so nicely, and only 'cause you did me the favor of keeping my head from exploding.
Yeah. Appreciative as I am for the offer, let's both hope I don't cash in those hangover coupons too soon.
[ Because if Peter drinks that much again, He Will Die. Probably. Or at the very least, his entire body will be extremely cross with him, magical remedies or no. ]
[Lucinda Huyen Tran returns to the house with groceries on her motorcycle. River and Simon go help her with the bags and the former chats with her about their guest who performed the wonderful drunken karaoke in front of them previously and she hikes up an eyebrow.
But it's as River said. She agrees easily and waits for Star-Lord on the front porch.
River doesn't think she's creepy but there is something off about her. At least her smile is friendly enough.]
Hello. You look a lot more alive than you did at the end of the night last time. River took care of you, correct?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
giveaid;
[ So! After several false starts, and after several attempts to rally himself, one (1) Star-Lord is heading down the stairs.
He does, thankfully, have quite a bit of experience of not looking as hungover as he actually is. A few years with a young, growing, and to varying degrees of overbearing Groot has forced him to learn how to maintain a certain equilibrium, has forced him to learn to show that, yep, he definitely has a headache, but he is not, in fact, two breaths away from puking, or crying, or curling up in a small ball.
Eventually, he outlasts the curious teen and equally curious child before he artfully collapses on the table. ]
I'm never going to drink that much again.
[ Which is a lie. He'll probably drink this much again next week. ]
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[River Kwan, the optimistic healer, totally legal licensed doctor, and gym bro, greets Peter Quill with a bowl of hardboiled eggs with the shells still on. Thankfully, his two cousins, Simon (teen with empathy powers) and Emily Kwan (small child with future sight) are working diligently on peeling several of them.
And also thankfully, River walks over to Peter and hands him a mug of hot coffee he was holding with his other hand.]
Lucy and I did try to tell you to not underestimate soju, especially if they're the fruity kind. That's what lead to rum in the coffee pot after all.
[Which is why when Peter takes a sip, it'll probably still smell like rum so yeah]
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He takes a quick, fortifying sip, although his nose immediately wrinkles with the smell of it. Thankfully, the smell doesn't match with the taste, so Peter isn't too hesitant to take another swig of coffee. ]
When you said you had hard-boiled eggs handy, I didn't realize you meant you had a whole coop's worth.
[ Though even as he complains, he plucks one up and starts peeling it, albeit a little slowly, a little clumsily, and a lot bleary-eyed. ]
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[They say to never meet your heroes but even 7-year-old Emily looks at the poor hungover Star-Lord with starry eyes and offers him a peeled egg. It is just a humble offering to one of planet Earth's saviors after all. River chuckles and gets to work on making some toast while Simon leaves egg peeling to Peter and Emily so he can make some instant noodles.]
It's easy and ready-to-go protein. Been busy these days so I like them to be within reach. Lucinda usually cooks for us but I don't want her to worry about my meals too much.
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He does, of course, immediately destroy it in two bites.
And he does everyone the courtesy of swallowing first before speaking. Remember, kids! Don't speak with your mouth full!
This has been a lesson in manners from your Uncle Star-Lord™★ ]
Need help with anything?
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I'm good, dude. I don't want you to feel like you should do something just cause you indulged in too much fun juice.
Oh, and are you heading back up into space later or are you hanging 'round Planet Earth for the time being? Just wondering since the kids might wanna see whatever spaceship you got.
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[ Because these days, Peter is spending more time on Earth than not – maybe 98% of his time here, with another 2% dedicated to not-so random reunions with his friends. ]
The ship's nearby, though. I don't mind providing a tour, if I'm not already biting too heavily into your guys' schedule.
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[The impression River got was that Peter was in and out of the planet doing whatever Guardians work there was out there. Outer space is a total mystery to most of the Esper Collective, himself included so there was an air of excitement and adventure whenever the younger psychics talked excitedly about it even after the tragedy and consequent celebration, pre and post-Snap.]
The kids are on summer vacay soon so if anything, a starship tour with a star hero is a great way to start off.
[Simon and Emily are grinning excitedly at each other at the prospect of! A real spaceship!! Wow!!]
Hell, you just hanging out with us, low-key and all, has been fun. Though I guess drunken karaoke's off the table in the future.
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[ This, breathed out on a mournful sigh – mournful on account of all the brain cells that were likely killed off last night in the name of fun.
Probably better than his more recent modus operandi of drinking as a very unhealthy and only temporarily helpful coping mechanism. The less said about those days (months, years), the better. ]
Gonna give my liver a break, at least for a month or so, if it's all the same.
[ Still, he dredges up yet another showman's grin. Then, with a smidgen of false modesty, ]
Can't say it's gonna be too impressive a tour. I only have a smaller ship with me.
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[Also, be a better doctor River and don't offer soju anymore.]
And a smaller ship huh? Well, spaceship is a spaceship. If it's got space in the name, it's still gonna be cool as hell.
Ah, but anyway. Want me to give you a once over bro? I think I can get rid of the rest of your hangover migraine.
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If you can do that, I'll worship you as a god.
[ No, he won't. But still. ]
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Damn right! Up yours Asclepius!
[(Fun fact, River Kwan, gym bro esper, graduated high school as valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA, the rare breed of academic jock)]
Anyway, just turn 'round and...
[When he faces Peter, River stretches out his hand with his fingers wide apart. He makes a pass over his forehead and very faint silvery tendrils of energy appear, seeping underneath the skin.
The sensation is odd, but not unpleasant. River's energy act like new threads that reconnect and repair the hurt within others and in seconds, Peter Quill is gonna feel a lot more refreshed.]
There we go! Good as new!
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[ Peter, to his credit, was likely the smartest member of the Ravagers, but an academic he absolutely is not.
He does, at least, move as directed. By no means is Peter a good patient, but he at least ventures a few small attempts, here and there. It helps, too, that they're about as far from a hospital setting as humanly possible, somewhere homey and cozy instead of sterile and astringent.
It's nice.
Peter watches with interest as River literally works his magic, and it's neat. Obviously it's way more interesting than a parlor trick, and Peter feels the effects of it within a blink of an eye, but he observes it in that sort of way that someone else might see a geyser explode from a far distance.
"Wow. That was really something, huh?"
So River finishes up, and Peter reflexively puts a hand to his brow, and thankfully, his brain no longer wants to melt out of his ears. He lets out a long sigh of relief. ]
Thanks. I owe you one.
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[Peter is probably one of the better patients River has served but that's neither here nor there. Energy healing isn't necessarily flashy especially when it's used on minor scrapes or migraines so he doesn't expect "oooohs or ahhhs" from a guy who's been on different planets outside of the Solar System and fought a big purple alien and his army.
(God those past few years were weird, even for him.)
He gives him another thumbs up.]
No problemo! I'm glad I could be of help. I feel like it'd be a real dick move if I made you leave the house when you're not ready to be steady on your feet.
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Yeah, well, I can assure you that I've done more with worse. But thanks all the same.
[ He takes a breath, settling back in his seat as he draws a hand down his face. ]
Now, seriously. Is there anything you need help with? 'Cause I'll feel like a real dick if I just sit hear while you guys run around me.
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Not sure man. We're a chill household of espers so we tend to take care of our own business.
[But it seems like an idea has come up and the young man snaps his fingers.]
Actually, remember Lucy (
[Lucinda Huyen Tran, despite having a heavily tattooed body and an eerie prettiness, has a unique quality of being rather ghostly.]
She's gonna have a job soon and it might involve some spacy matters. It's a new one for her and while it was gonna be a solo-yolo, I don't have a good feeling about it. Might be a big ask just because I healed up your migraine though.
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[ He echoes it, but he sounds more amused than anything. ]
Like I said, I've done more with worse. Working while suffering grievous bodily harm is kind of part and parcel with what I used to do.
[ #Brag. ]
You know any of the details already, or should I go to the source?
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[Which is why he decided to bring it up to Peter in the first place. Lucinda would take on jobs with little to no complaints and it's something that always made River concerned for her. Ever since the Battle of New York and the consequent Major Events (TM), the Esper Collective were a lot bolder in sending their own to handle smaller crises that the Avengers didn't look at.
And with Lucinda, they made sure no one remembered it. She comes home looking more exhausted than usual but still smiles at her extended family brightly but at this rate...]
People tend to think she's kinda creepy. Which I guess, fair, she can see and talk to ghosts and all. But I think you'll like her the more you talk to her.
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Probably doesn't help to say as much, though. The family dynamic he shares with the Guardians, current and former members alike, is fucking weird. ]
How much work am I gonna have to do to convince her to let me tag along? She's not the "lone wolf" type, is she?
[ Because, admittedly, last night was something of a haze. ]
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She's not above accepting help.
[Lord knows, she of all people would know what it's like to really need it.]
If anything, she might be surprised that you wanna help her out. Pleasantly so even.
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Gosh. Working with people who are willing to accept help. What a breath of fresh air.
He pushes back from the table, spending one more second to scrub his eyes – more out of an attempt to wake himself up than any lingering after effects of his night of overindulgence. ]
Fine. [ And he sighs it out. Even if he sounds like the most put upon asshole in the world, there's definitely a heavy helping of good humor in his tone, too. ] But only 'cause you asked so nicely, and only 'cause you did me the favor of keeping my head from exploding.
Where can I find her?
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[River brightens up when Peter accepts the job.]
You get some free hangover healing sessions in the future man. As for Lucy, she'll be back from grocery shopping soon. You can talk to her then.
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[ Because if Peter drinks that much again, He Will Die. Probably. Or at the very least, his entire body will be extremely cross with him, magical remedies or no. ]
1/2
[River will continue to be a good buddy bro by keeping an eye on Peter's intake. Perhaps, he can tempt you with a protein shake instead?? Anyway]
Just hang out for a bit and she'll be back soon.
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But it's as River said. She agrees easily and waits for Star-Lord on the front porch.
River doesn't think she's creepy but there is something off about her. At least her smile is friendly enough.]
Hello. You look a lot more alive than you did at the end of the night last time. River took care of you, correct?
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