[for Chase and Pepper] The Troll's Speech

[daretodo]

Mary Jane's the one who nominated me for council last May. Seems like a lifetime's passed since then. I remember thinking she was crazy. That there was no way I'd ever possibly win. With great power might come great responsibility, but my powers weren't something I actively sought out. Fate tapped me on the shoulder all those years ago, and I've

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[apoorupbringing]

"That was kinda batshit, man," Chase said, falling into step with Peter as he headed so brusquely away from the scene. He'd been standing in the back, so it was easy once Peter had cleared the crowd.

"You got my vote."

[daretodo]

I'm not sure why it surprises me, that I'm being followed. Given the challenge I just issued -- as much to myself as any of the lemmings in the crowd -- it makes sense that someone, anyone, would want to have a word. Somehow, though, I don't expect it to be Chase, even if it makes a certain amount of sense that he'd agree. We've got a few things in common, after all, we established that much after he nearly got us all killed by not checking his math just last week.

"Ooh, my inevitable defeat won't be quite as crushing, then," I say, biting back a snort. I hold no hopes of winning, but then, that wasn't really the point of all that, anyway. I clap my hands together. "Great."

[apoorupbringing]

"I think you're counting out a lot of people who agree with you. Although the cancer stuff and the general air of going off the deep end might scare some people off. Uh, you okay, man?" Chase added, quirking an eyebrow but managing to keep up.

[daretodo]

"The people who agree with me are probably not the voting type," I point out, brows shooting upwards. "And I'm just peachy, thanks."

[apoorupbringing]

"Oh," Chase said, "good, cuz you seemed kinda... unstable for a minute, there."

[daretodo]

I have zero intention of stopping until we're out of the way, far from where anyone else might want to have a chat, and so I move quickly, just short of breaking out into a full jog, though I'm fast approaching that particular barrier.

"I'm not unstable, I'm-" I reply. It doesn't escape my attention that that's exactly what a crazy person would say, but I've had my share of mental breaks in the past, have really gone off the deep end, and this... This doesn't feel like that. I'm frustrated and angry, yes, and I just told off a couple hundred people, trashing whatever semblance of a good reputation I might've had, sure, but unstable?

No. But in trying to change the Island's status quo, I probably just shuttled myself off back to mine, only this time without the benefit of a mask to hide behind. Peter Parker: Menace. The various headlines start to flood my mind, and the echo of Felicia's words from weeks ago rings in my ears: Mary Jane deserved better than this

[apoorupbringing]

"Oh, nasty," Chase muttered, but then, space sharks would haunt him til the end of his days, so he didn't really think he could judge.

Wincing, he followed Peter over, leaving a few feet between them so he could offer the guy a steadying hand if he needed it, but letting there be a hefty bubble of personal space.

One that any follow up puking couldn't necessarily cross.

"Um, hey, it's okay, man. You vom that crazy right out."

[daretodo]

"M'not crazy," I choke out weakly, not yet straightening, though I do drag the back of my hand across my mouth. My forehead's drenched in a cold sweat, and I can't imagine I look much better, even if I did manage to find a reasonably respectable outfit for the day's proceedings. I've showered in the past 24 hours, at least, but I haven't shaved in the past few weeks. "I just-"

Whatever I am's lost in a dry heave.

[apoorupbringing]

"Are... realizing what a shit show that was?" Chase ventured, wincing and reaching over to pat Peter's shoulder, a little awkwardly.

"Hey, man, it coulda been way worse. I mean, at least there was a solid point in there. Under the... crazy."

[daretodo]

"Stop calling me crazy," I reply through gritted teeth, pressing both hands to my knees, now, to keep steady, when all I really want right about now is to keel over. "All I did... Was say something that needed to be said. But maybe assuming people couldn't do simple multiplication was pushing it a little."

[apoorupbringing]

"Ah, lots of those people are from medieval times or whatever. Not like the restaurant, either. They probably can't multiply." Chase leaned casually against a tree, hands finding their way back into his pockets.

"I'd offer you gum or something but we live on a magical island with no vending machines."

[daretodo]

"The thought's appreciated," I say, letting my head fall forward as I try to get some measure of composure. Mary Jane had had a bucket at the ready the first time I delivered a speech for the elections, and I made good use of it. But thinking of her at a time like this does me more harm than good, and I find myself wishing, not for the first time, that she was still here, that she hadn't left, because I don't know what to do without a reason to stop. I'll just keep pushing until something breaks, and it's a race to see if it'll be me or this damn island.

"...why did you follow me?"

[apoorupbringing]

The question caught Chase off guard, and he squinted at the nearest tree for a moment before shrugging.

"Was gonna beat you up, take your lunch money. You know."

[daretodo]

The first thought that crosses my mind is that I was right in thinking he reminded me of Flash. The second, though, I actually say, all the while flashing Chase a dubious glance from underneath my eyebrows: "I'd like to see you try."

[apoorupbringing]

"Heh." Chase ran his hand over the back of his neck and grinned a little.

"I mean, yeah, okay, I admit: It'd be tricky. Cuz there's no currency, sure, but I can be resourceful."