xp_logs | Log: Billy and Miles, non-incognito (Backdated to May 30th)

Miles was too engrossed in finding something to update Warren's Twitter about to notice the oncoming figure. Only a quick ping from his spider-sense and an instinctive hop to the side saved him from collision. "Sorry 'bout that," he said, briefly looking up from his phone as he passed the other guy. He went a little further before he stopped midstep, turned on his heel, and walked back up to the stranger. "Wait, I think I know you. Do I know you?"

Billy sidestepped the boy, continuing on his way and his "mission" to make it to the front hallway without getting lost. He paused, though, at the voice, turning to study the figure. "Well, I can say I don't think I know you, but whether you know me, I couldn't say."

The voice clinched it. Even though the man's face had been partially obscured, he had no problem recognizing his voice. Miles's jaw dropped. "Asgardian! You're here, too, now?!"

Okay, so he did actually know him. Billy stood there a moment, stumped, trying to place the voice before he finally happened on the identity. "Little Bug!"

Miles's face briefly lit up in excitement. He hadn't seen the other vigilante since their impromptu team-up in the winter against the bank robbers. But then he remembered where he was and glanced around the hallway, fearful of passersby who could overhear them. "No one here knows. Well, that's a lie. A bunch of people know. But not that many and I'm kinda trying to keep it on the downlow, you feel me? But, like, when'd you get here? Why'd you come? What's your actual name?"

"Why would you want to keep it a secret?" Billy puzzled. "You're doing something good. Isn't this place all about doing something good?" He paused a moment, then added, "Oh, I'm Billy. Good to meet you without the mask."

"Because I'm a celebrity and I can't take the pressure of all the fame and adoration?" This wasn't a conversation to be had out in public, as far as Miles was concerned. To their luck, though, they were standing outside an empty student suite, so Miles stepped in and motioned for Billy for follow.

"No, it's just I wouldn't be able to do anything if too many people knew. It's hard enough going back home at least semi-regularly so I can go out and be all Spidery. I mean, you're not going to go telling everyone that you're Asgardian, right?"

Billy stepped in after Miles and closed the door behind them. "I hadn't really thought about it. I mean, everyone I know around here so far already knows. Seems like this would be the place where you wouldn't need to keep your secret identity...you know, secret."

"Maybe not, but there's already a team of superheroes working out from here, so might as well just join them, right? That's my plan, at least." Miles shook his head. "But never mind all that. How come you came here? Having mutant problems or just want to learn to control your powers?"

"A team of superheroes?" Billy queried. "Guess I have a lot to learn." He paused, pondering the question a moment. "I'm not exactly sure why I'm here just yet. I guess I caught the attention of this group SWORD, so I had to lay low a while. But it turns out the agent there is the brother of...out other night friend. The one with sensitive ears. Small world, huh? So I heard that this place might be able to help me help folks. Learn some more about what I can do. So I decided to check it out, and voila. Here I am."

"SWORD? That sounds pretty dangerous. How come they're after you? All you've done is lightning-blast some bank robbers. I don't have SWORD or SHIELD going after me and people actually know who I am," Miles said, pouting.

"Well, one of them took a shot at me," Billy admitted. "'Dangerous' isn't all that much fun. And I guess they took offense to my name. And maybe there was a bit more than lightning. A couple fires.... vanishing billboards... Bacon... Mostly my name, though."

"Well, I'm not actually a spider but you don't see anyone accusing me of appropriation. SAT word." Miles scratched his head. "Man, I've got, like, a thousand questions for you. I know all about DD's story. But, like, what about you? What do you do? Where do you come from? Why didn't you have a mask like the rest of us?"

"Slow down, slow down," Billy laughed. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm flattered, though not sure why I'm so interesting. Let's see, I'm from here. As in, the city. Lived here all my life. I'm still in school, though knock on wood, next year should be done. And honestly, I've never needed a mask before. Hoods have worked just fine, especially when it's dark out. Guess I was just so caught up I didn't realize I'd let it slip."

Maybe it was a little weird to be so inquisitive about someone he'd just met, Miles considered. But it wasn't every day he met another superhero. "So you just one day decided, 'hey, I'm a mutant, there's lots of dumb people in this city, so I'ma zap them?'"

"Not exactly," Billy trailed off, lost in a memory. He quickly shook it off. "I never thought of it that way. Maybe I am a mutant. I'll probably find out soon, I guess. All I know, is I can do stuff most people can't. And I wouldn't be here today if people hadn't helped me when I couldn't. Seems only right that I pass that on."

"Wait, you mean you don't know? Are you like me, but got bit by like a radioactive lightning bug?"

"A radio...wha...?" Billy eyed the kid confused.

"Ooh, origin story time." Miles climbed a couple of feet up the wall behind him and leaned back against it. "The tl;dr version is that Spidey and I both got bit by some spider. He says it was from some genetic experiments at OsCorp but I dunno, I've never been there. But that's how we became Spider-Men. I mean, I'm a mutant, too, but the spider is a big part of it all."

"Ok then," Billy said, as much at the tale as the demonstration. He circled around to Miles' side, studying the space between the boy and the wall. "So you got bit by a spider and now you can climb walls. But no, I don't think I got bit by anything. Besides, lightning is just, well..." He turned up a palm, and a small ball of lightning appeared. "Just a small part. Do you want an apple?" he offered, extending his hand as the electricity solidified into said fruit.

Miles's eyes opened wide. He'd seen a whole lot since coming to Xavier's, but lightning into fruit was something completely new. "How'd you even do that?"

"Like I said, I don't really know," Billy shrugged, tossing the apple to Miles. "Maybe it's magic, maybe I'm a mutant. I've heard a few theories. Think they're planning some tests...er....'exercises,'" he said, falling back to Scott's description, "to help figure it out. Don't be too impressed, though," he said with a laugh. "You could have been covered in applesauce just as easily. It doesn't always work like I imagine."

Miles caught the apple, sniffed it, and then cautiously took a bite. Crisp and sweet. He nodded gratefully. "So it's like the whole monkey paw story?" he asked around chews. "Wish for a thousand bucks, then get it as a payout after getting into a car accident?"

"Kinda," Billy said, glancing around for someplace to sit. He settled on the kitchenette counter, hoisting himself up. "Only usually not so...roundabout. More like Mack truck runs a red light, smashes into an armored car, and money flies everywhere."

"There's a name for that sort of thing. I've heard it before. I can't remember. The effect of, like, a butterfly here flapping its wings that creates a tornado in Japan that wakes up Godzilla." Or like that stupid board game about catching mice with an elaborate setup that only ever worked in the commercials.

"That sounds about right," Billy chuckled. "If you ever hear me wishing for giant lizards, you have permission to smack me. I don't even want to know how that would turn out."

Duly noted. Miles took another bite of the apple and eyed Billy suspiciously. "Hey, does that mean that the time we met, it was because you monkey pawed for some cash?"

"Ok," Billy squinted at Miles. "I'm not going to even pretend I know what that means. Monkey pawed? You're making me feel old, and we can't be that far apart."

"Bruh, I just said it. Twilight Zone? Simpsons? You gotta know what I mean. You wished for some beer money and poof! Bank robbery instead."

"Oooh, gotcha," Billy nodded as he made the connection. "Nope, that had nothing to do with me. At least that I know of. Sometimes stuff goes a bit weird even when I'm not wishing for anything. From what people here think, it might have something to do with chaos, which is I guess an energy, not just a description."

"You know, there's other people here who do magic. You could start, like, your own coven or something."

"I've met Amanda, but still need to meet the others. And speaking of..." Billy continued, glancing at his watch. "I need to run. Good to meet you in daylight this time. Let me know if you want some company next time you head out."