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[oohforeshadowing]

Let me get back to you, darling.

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[oohforeshadowing]

Trouble responds to this, but only on their own behalf, getting clear of the thing's trajectory. Maybe if they're very lucky, it'll knock Miles out cold and spare them the rest of this nonsense exercise.

[oh_no_matopoeia]

No dice. He's bouncing around after them, tossing out a couple of more strands of web to try to foul the spinning blades keeping thing up.

[oohforeshadowing]

"I remember being a child and finding this sort of thing fun," Trouble laments. A discus spins their way and they hop over it, tail whipping out to catch it on the flat side and send it hurtling off-course.

[oh_no_matopoeia]

"It's fun for adults too."

Says Miles, with utmost authority, snapping a web at it and using its' momentum to smack it into another one.

[oohforeshadowing]

"If that's what you've been told, I have something to tell you about adults and honesty that you might find upsetting, darling."

They crouch down near a fallen drone and prod it lightly.

[oh_no_matopoeia]

"I know lots of cool adults."

Defends Miles, now a tiny bit breathless, jogging up behind them and wincing at the clacking, clicking legs sticking out of the thing.

"Yikes."

[oohforeshadowing]

"Indeed. Do you know a lot of robots back in Brooklyn?"

It sounds like they consider it a reasonable question.

[oh_no_matopoeia]

"A little bit. I once had a huge fight with a lady in a robotic suit that had a whole bunch of extra arms."

That's about the closest he comes;

"And on my team was a girl who was operating a huge robotic spider, but I never really got to see how it functioned."

[oohforeshadowing]

"Your team," Trouble echoes, looking up from the drone now. "Your team of...spider people?"

[oh_no_matopoeia]

Miles shrugs, in pretty much direct confirmation of that.

"It's a whole thing. It's nice not to be alone out there."

[oohforeshadowing]

"And yet you chose to be alone out here," Trouble notes, straightening up now, advancing on Miles as their tail rolls left and right. "Why is that?"

[oh_no_matopoeia]

"I need my deal."

He answers, straightening too, looking out past DT's shoulder, getting their back, and then turning to head towards the treeline.

"I can do a lot, but I can't bring back the dead."

[oohforeshadowing]

"Ooh, a tragic backstory! Don't keep me in suspense, darling."

They follow along after him, at least...somewhat engaged, at this point?

[oh_no_matopoeia]

"Well, I lost my uncle."

Says Miles, losing some of his bounce in his step.

"He was trying to keep me safe, before I really knew what to do with my powers."

[oohforeshadowing]

"...I see. I'm sorry."

In their best all-joking-aside tone.

"Keeping you safe from - what? Whom?"

[oh_no_matopoeia]

"His boss."

Says Miles, putting one foot in front of the other now.

"I didn't know this, but he worked for a pretty bad guy. I don't think he was a bad guy- but I guess he probably just got all caught up in it."

[oohforeshadowing]

"Mm. We don't all have the luxury of choosing who we get caught up with, but I'm sure you've worked that out by now."

[oh_no_matopoeia]

"I had to do what I thought was right, and that pissed off the guy uncle Aaron was working for- so the guy told him to kill me. Uncle Aaron was wearing a mask to do his job, and then I was whenever I was doing more-"

Spider-personing? What is even the verb?

"-more work, so it was awhile of him chasing me, trying to hurt me, before I realized- and then by the time I figured out how to tell him... his boss shot him for what he wouldn't do to me."

A lot of the fun has suddenly gone out of this obstacle course.

"So here I am."

[oohforeshadowing]

"So here you are. Teaching someone to behave themselves doesn't feel like much in exchange for all that, does it, darling?"

[oh_no_matopoeia]

"Except I'm not at all here to teach you how to behave yourself."

Answers Miles, glancing up from his shoes- seldom one to be down for long.

[oohforeshadowing]

"No?"

They tilt their head as they move closer, positively towering over Miles.

"Then enlighten me. Tell me what to expect from this partnership of ours."

[oh_no_matopoeia]

"I'm here to help."

He explains, with a shrug.

"However you end up needing. I don't think you need to be controlled, but I do think you need someone around."

[oohforeshadowing]

"That has absolutely never been the case up to this point, but I'll indulge you. What would I need someone around...for?"

[oh_no_matopoeia]

"We're gonna find out."

Says Miles, gamely.

"Company. Emotional support. Sober second thought. Comedic relief."

[oohforeshadowing]

Trouble just stares at him for several moments.

"Ugh. You're so....earnest. They would have loved you in the Princess Alliance."