video; @star.lord

[nostalgiabomb]

[ INT. Shared Housing, Floor 13, Room 4 – Very Late Night.

We open on a shot of the living space in one of the many shared housing units. It's dark in the messy room, with a couple of red jackets tossed onto the backs of chairs. Nearby, soft snores are audible.

In frame is a small, wooden creature, his giant eyes squinting with concentration as he stares at the screen. An old, beat-up mp3 player and a Sony Walkman sit beside him on the coffee table. The little creature mumbles a tiny, irritated— ]

I am Groot?

[ —in the same tone of voice someone else might use to ask, “How the hell do you work this thing?” He pokes at the screen fruitlessly for a while, but soon enough, his eyes light up as he shoves his hand forward one last time.

Suddenly, “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” by the illustrious AC/DC shrieks over stereo speakers.

DONE. DIRT. CHEAP.

Sorry about your beauty sleep, Floor 13. And probably Floors 12 and 14.

The sapling yelps, scrambling and panicking to figure out how to stop this crazy thing, just as a sleep-tousled Star-Lord stumbles into frame, flicking on a light. Barely audible over the music, ]

Groot, what are you—?

[ Busted.

Peter picks up the device, sees that it’s recording, and he grimaces. ]

Oh, son of a—

[ Which is when the feed and the music both cut out. ]

Comments

@sparrow; audio

[flowlikewater]

[ The Zune makes Genji remember that he had a discussion with Peter on the network a long while ago, although the cute little plant being definitely takes precedent in his thoughts. ]

I think your little friend is in need of an upgraded music player.

video; @star.lord

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Peter will flick on the camera; he's currently sitting on the floor in front of the coffee table, and at his elbow, Groot is sitting on the table, facing away from Peter.

If Genji has never seen a tree sulk before, now is his chance. ]

What he needs is to ask for adult supervision before he messes with stuff he doesn't know how to use.

[ And while Peter doesn't see it, Groot silently mimics Peter's words with a sour look on his face. ]

Re: video; @star.lord

[flowlikewater]

[ Genji turns on his own video feed since there's no reason not to. He's sitting at the kitchen table, sans armor, with his plants all around him that he's been tending to, physically or with his newfound powers. It's good practice at least.

This little childlike plant is certainly interesting, not like anyone Genji has seen in the Quarantine yet. But he holds off his questions to be polite, just chuckling hoarsely at what Peter said. ]

I suppose that is also true. So you are his... guardian? Parental figure?

[ Don't worry Groot, Genji won't tattle on you. The things you can get away with when you're cute. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

I—

[ oh, that's a complicated question, and Peter visibly flounders for a second, glancing down at Groot who's returned to silently sulking. ]

I guess, uh. Guardian. [ That sounds like the most on-brand way of putting it, all things considered.

It helps, too, that it's the term that carries the least amount of baggage with it. ]

He's part of our team, back where we're from. Normally we all take turns keeping an eye on him, but it's really just us three right now, so...

[ A helpless sort of shrug. ]

[flowlikewater]

[ Well isn't that cute? Genji nods to that. ]

I see, that is quite commendable of you and your team then. [ He chuckles. ] Unfortunately I can't say I have any tips, my former team never had to look after children.

[ Which is a good thing. Blackwatch babysitting? Terrifying to even think of. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Peter huffs out a breath – something like a quick laugh – and rubs at his eye. ]

Yeah. Kids aren't usually a common sight on, like, a crime-fighting team.

[ Unless you count the Scooby-Doo Gang, who brought along Scrappy-Doo. Or Indiana Jones, who brought along Short Round.

Hell, even the Ravagers had hauled Peter along on jobs, and he was only eight years old – then again, they didn't exactly fight crime so much as they actively caused it. ]

We're, uh. Muddling through it.

[flowlikewater]

Generally not, no. But if he's causing mischief, then sure he's doing just fine.

[ Genji has a rather skewed view of childhood himself, being born into a crime family and all. Who knows what youth was supposed to be for plant beings anyway?

A look crosses Genji's face like he suddenly has a thought.]

You know, as things tend to happen in this place— I've recently developed these abilities in regards to... plants. [ He shifts and runs a hand across one of the plants next to him and it temporarily buds with flowers. ]

If your friend is ever in need of some kind of help, perhaps I could assist? I might be the closest thing to a 'plant doctor.'

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Peter's mouth tends to work faster than his brain, which is why he takes a breath to speak—

But his brain processes the words before anything can pass his lips, and he looks thoughtful for a second, watching the demonstration. ]

Is that all you do? [ Not that it isn't impressive, mind you, because Peter does look impressed. But— ] Or do you, like, make plants healthy and stuff?

[flowlikewater]

[ Genji doesn't take any offense from the question. He nods a little, looking at his hand. ]

This is still relatively new to me, but yes, I have found I can revitalize plants and help them grow.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ His gaze flits over to the kid, thoughtful and assessing, then back to Genji. ]

I appreciate the offer. Hopefully I won’t have to take you up on it, but I’ll keep you in mind if it ever comes up.

Any particular way I should get in touch? Text? Phone? Carrier pigeon? Smoke signals?