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[oohforeshadowing]

Let me get back to you, darling.

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[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."

[oh_no_matopoeia]

"Well, that sounds really cool. Princesses are generally great and I would love to help their alliance."

Says Miles, returning this stare, somewhat less dubiously.

[oohforeshadowing]

"Of course you would. I'm sure you would have had plenty to add about their rousing speeches regarding the power of friendship," Trouble sighs. "Unfortunately for them, they're now subject to an invasion from an alien force that will crush their kingdoms like so much floral, glittery garbage."

[oh_no_matopoeia]

"Are you... actually attacking an alliance premised on the power of friendship?"

Says Miles, who can't help but feel;

"You've gotta know that's not a good look."

[oohforeshadowing]

"Are you assuming I'm an alien from their perspective? Rude," Trouble tuts. "Anyway, when I said 'the power of friendship' I meant 'the power of friendship, and also an ancient superweapon they've found buried in the heart of the planet'. So as long as they stop squabbling long enough to actually use it, they'll be fine."

[oh_no_matopoeia]

"Then maybe they aren't going to shatter after all?"

He asks, a tiny bit slyly. Miles is on the princesses' side at this point.