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?
[His response causes some light laughter from her.]
Oh, I think you have an inkling. But don't worry. I'm not trying to push your buttons on purpose. Things just slip out when I know the other person is aware of what I can do.
I'd rather not have you be haunted during our time together.
[ He doesn't look all that convinced, for a long moment, taking another pull from his water bottle – mostly for something to do with his hands, to occupy himself, rather than any real thirst.
With a bit of humor that he doesn't entirely feel, ]
Yeah, well. I've learned to compartmentalize.
[ Which is more true than he's likely to admit, and a smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.
Now that he's a little less caught off-guard, now that he's a little more in control of himself, he takes up a better position, leaning back against the wall and crossing his ankles. ]
Care to share any more info on your job? River didn't have very many details for me.
[Lucinda leaves it at that. She crosses her legs and continues.]
This job involves a group of outside visitors contacting me, or rather the Collective for my services. Normally, my job is damage control or apprehending persons of interest.
But every now and then, I do some medium-centric work. It seems like both people here and those who live beyond our stars still want to try to reach their loved ones and I can act as that bridge.
[Lucy smiles at Peter and points to him.]
If you come with me, you could help bridge any communication and cultural gaps with this group of aliens. Sound simple enough so far?
[ He listens with interest, and admittedly, it sounds— reasonably simple. A little like playing liaison. It's certainly not the worst thing he's ever had to do, which is probably why he's a little wary. ]
Simple, sure. I can do that. But I can't help but think there's more to it than just playing an interpreter.
[ Especially once he factors in River's earlier misgivings. ]
Possibly! I'm actually going in rather blind myself so to speak.
[Lucy takes another sip of water from her bottle as she goes over the job in her head.]
In my experience as a medium, many things can go sideways. For instance, the spirit is a nasty one that shouldn't be contacted. Or someone in the waking world doesn't want said spirit to be contacted and will try to aim for my life if I help them reveal unseemly information... That sort of thing.
Oh, and sorting out the family will is never fun. The patriarch or matriarchs tend to make things worse when it comes to distributing their wealth.
[She gives a little laugh as if this is all very funny.]
[ And he says the single word, if it can be called that, in the sort of tone of voice that says, "There's such a thing as taking it all in stride, but you may be striding too much, actually." ]
So part bodyguard duty, part negotiator, part cultural competency consultant? 'Cause god knows I'm not gonna help anyone from a legal standpoint.
[ He takes another thoughtful sip from his water, then, ]
If you end up with a poltergeist, am I even gonna be able to shoot it?
[ Because Peter is a relative newcomer to magic and all that it entails – not that he didn't know it existed in some form, because one of original Ravager captains had that sort of sparky magic that Professor Weird (or whatever the fuck his name was) wielded. Granted, he had only seen that particular Ravager captain from a distance for reasons that became clear only within the past decade or so, but still. ]
[She leans forward resting her chin on her hands. The light and dark pink peony tattoos across her collar are very prominent and upon a glance they do seem to... move.]
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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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At her comment, Peter breathes out a laugh as he's stepping out. ]
Yeah, he did. I might owe him a kidney for the favor.
[ Does healing magic require organ donations? Who know? Definitely not Peter! ]
He mentioned you had a job coming up. Anything I might be able to provide a hand with?
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[She has two water bottles (it seems like the right thing to have) and offers one to Peter. Might as well hydrate as she explains.]
First of all, how much did River talk about what I usually do? Regarding my abilities I mean.
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I think I remember him mentioning you could see and talk to ghosts.
[ Very generously, he refrains from adding the "people think you're creepy" bit. ]
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[Lucinda mirrors Peter, taking a sip of water before serenely remarking.]
Funny. I thought you'd have more shadows around you.
[Now that's not a creepy thing to say at all!]
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Ah. There's the creepiness he's heard so much about.
He makes an effort to continue the motion, to try to make it look as natural as possible, and once he's wet his abruptly dry mouth, ]
Not sure I catch your meaning.
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Oh, I think you have an inkling. But don't worry. I'm not trying to push your buttons on purpose. Things just slip out when I know the other person is aware of what I can do.
I'd rather not have you be haunted during our time together.
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With a bit of humor that he doesn't entirely feel, ]
Yeah, well. I've learned to compartmentalize.
[ Which is more true than he's likely to admit, and a smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.
Now that he's a little less caught off-guard, now that he's a little more in control of himself, he takes up a better position, leaning back against the wall and crossing his ankles. ]
Care to share any more info on your job? River didn't have very many details for me.
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[Lucinda leaves it at that. She crosses her legs and continues.]
This job involves a group of outside visitors contacting me, or rather the Collective for my services. Normally, my job is damage control or apprehending persons of interest.
But every now and then, I do some medium-centric work. It seems like both people here and those who live beyond our stars still want to try to reach their loved ones and I can act as that bridge.
[Lucy smiles at Peter and points to him.]
If you come with me, you could help bridge any communication and cultural gaps with this group of aliens. Sound simple enough so far?
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Simple, sure. I can do that. But I can't help but think there's more to it than just playing an interpreter.
[ Especially once he factors in River's earlier misgivings. ]
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[Lucy takes another sip of water from her bottle as she goes over the job in her head.]
In my experience as a medium, many things can go sideways. For instance, the spirit is a nasty one that shouldn't be contacted. Or someone in the waking world doesn't want said spirit to be contacted and will try to aim for my life if I help them reveal unseemly information... That sort of thing.
Oh, and sorting out the family will is never fun. The patriarch or matriarchs tend to make things worse when it comes to distributing their wealth.
[She gives a little laugh as if this is all very funny.]
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[ And he says the single word, if it can be called that, in the sort of tone of voice that says, "There's such a thing as taking it all in stride, but you may be striding too much, actually." ]
So part bodyguard duty, part negotiator, part cultural competency consultant? 'Cause god knows I'm not gonna help anyone from a legal standpoint.
[ He takes another thoughtful sip from his water, then, ]
If you end up with a poltergeist, am I even gonna be able to shoot it?
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[She moves her hand to gesture to the peony flower tattoos across her chest.]
I have friends who can give them the boot.
[And just very casual again because maybe she has too much chill.]
Technically, I'm possessed by three ghosts! You wouldn't think so looking at me, wouldn't you?
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I can't tell if you're messing with me or what.
[ Because Peter is a relative newcomer to magic and all that it entails – not that he didn't know it existed in some form, because one of original Ravager captains had that sort of sparky magic that Professor Weird (or whatever the fuck his name was) wielded. Granted, he had only seen that particular Ravager captain from a distance for reasons that became clear only within the past decade or so, but still. ]
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[She leans forward resting her chin on her hands. The light and dark pink peony tattoos across her collar are very prominent and upon a glance they do seem to... move.]
You're looking at one of them right now.
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