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"I am going to be just fine!” Peter pouts looking at a sceptic look on his uncle’s face. “It's just a part of New York"
"And you are twelve" Uncle Ben crosses arms on his chest.
They are standing in the living room of Parkers’ small apartment. In the background rather common New York sounds are buzzing – the cars honking, people shouting in the streets. The TV adds to the noise, some talent show has been playing for some time now. In the kitchen Aunt May is trying to cook dinner, but Peter knows that she is far more interested in their argument than in the cooking.
"I can handle myself!" the boy says, lowering his voice a bit. It took him some time to find courage, to decide to actually go and talk to someone who may understand, who may answer the question that has been flooding Peter’s brains for days, weeks.
Now, though, the plan is about to crash because Uncle Ben refuses to let him.
"I have no doubt” the man sighs. “But New York is different from your camp, Pete"
"I can handle it!” Peter huffs in response. He knows he does not look like it, but Uncle Ben, who knows what is going on, who knows almost everything, must understand that Peter is more than capable of getting across the city, right?
“I just don’t understand why I can’t go with you” the older man sighs again, sounding defeated. He gives Peter a pleading look, but the boy refuses to fall for it.
“I need to do it alone, Uncle Ben! It’s just a couple of metro stations away” Peter looks away, continuing on the edge of whisper. “I have led a quest, we went across the whole country, alone"
"And one of you died," Uncle Ben cuts in, sounding alarmed. He looks in the direction of the kitchen, making sure that May does not hear him. “You got cursed, Peter”
"And that’s why I need to go," Peter states, remembering the last few days at the camp.
Suspicious glances and constant whispers. Pity in Chiron’s eyes, mistrust in the actions of others. The campers he could handle, but his own siblings looking at him like he is the scariest thing they have ever seen? Peter shivers thinking about the time he had to spend in his own cabin, when his siblings flinched at the very sight of him. He cannot blame them, of course not. It’s in their blood – the fear of spiders. But it still stings. Still seems so unfair, so…
Peter takes a deep breath. At least Percy and Annabeth have not changed their attitude. If not for them, Peter is not sure what he would have done.
“You think this trip is going to help you get rid of your curse?” Uncle Ben sounds skeptical. As soon as he has managed to get Peter to share what happened, what changed so much during such a short summer, he has been reading everything he could find concerning Greek mythology.
“I.. I know it won’t” Peter sighs, his voice trembling. “Chiron said the curse is here to stay. I doubt there is a safe way to get rid of it”
“Then I don’t understand, Pete, help me out here” the man says.
“I need to do it” the boy states, voice hard. He is not sure the trip will help, is not sure he will even get the chance to talk to that mysterious son of Themis. But he feels deep in his soul that he needs to try, at least try. For Morgan, if not for himself. He tells his uncle as much.
"I don't want you to die, Pete" Ben replies, whispering. He sounds concerned, worried. Peter feels almost guilty.
"I am going to be really careful” he tells the older man. “And besides, Percy is going with me"
Uncle Ben still looks unconvinced, but the mention of Percy gets him thinking. For some reason Percy, who is just a year older than Peter and way more unexperienced in terms of Greek stuff, looks much more reliable in Uncle Ben’s eyes. Peter thinks it’s ridiculous. Annabeth has told him to use it to his advantage, anyway.
“I am not going to be alone” Peter mutters.
"Okay, fine” the man finally caves in. “But you will need to call me and Percy’s mum as soon as you get there, you understand?”
The building they are standing in front of looks… old. Its grayish color, dirty windows, rusty door… All of it does not look especially presentable. Well, all of it, but a rather shiny signboard near the door. ‘Nelson and Murdock’ it says. ‘Attorneys at law’.
“Do you find it funny that a son of Themis is an attorney?” Percy asks him, looking at the sign.
Peter cannot say he is surprised. Themis is the goddess of law, divine order, and justice. It is no wonder a son of one would be compelled to choose such a career as lawyer. The boy is more surprised that this particular man chooses such a career path. According to Chiron’s rather short explanation, he got a curse because of his mother. And yet he still chose to work in her domain, support her, use his heritage.
“I mean, it is as if you decide to become the local Ariel” Peter shrugs. “I doubt anyone would be surprised”
“You think the most appropriate career for me is what, being a mermaid?” Percy looks amused.
“Sure” Peter smiles, forgetting about the depressive side of his own thoughts. “You know, like those in Oceanariums. Swimming all day, blowing bubbles at the kids on the other side of the glass”
"Oh, shut up! I am not gonna be the local attraction!” Percy laughs.
“You would be prefect at it, though!” Peter laughs as well, glad that there is a way to distract himself from the upcoming meeting. “Just think of it, you don’t need to resurface all the time to get air. The kids will be delighted”
"Well, at least you don’t need to finish middle school to become mermaid, right?” Percy shrugs as if agreeing. He shoots Peter a funny look and mutters. “Mum’s going to be thrilled”
Peter snorts. The next second they enter.
The office is actually nice. It’s bright, despite rather grim weather and lack of sun. The harsh autumn wind is not able to find a way to cool down the room, so, it’s rather warm and overall welcoming.
They are greeted with a curious look from a young woman, sitting at the reception. Peter assumes she is a secretary or a manager of sorts. She definitely looks like one in her tidy white shirt.
“Hi” she says. “My name’s Karen. Can I help you, boys?”
"We are looking for Mr. Murdock?" Peter says a bit hesitantly. “I called yesterday”
“Oh, yeah, I wasn’t in, but…” she starts to look around her desk, lifting piles of paper.
That second the door to their right opens, revealing a man. Peter does not flinch, but Percy turns to the source of the noise immediately. He relaxes as soon as sees a man that appeared. The newcomer looks a lot like a lawyer, Peter thinks. He is a bit plummy, not really tall, but is wearing a well-fitting suit. He gives them a curious look and then yells.
"Matt! It's for you” he turns, looking at someone inside the cabinet. “It's a couple of kids. Those that called yesterday"
It must be Foggy Nelson, Peter figures. It was he who answered the phone yesterday, when Peter decided to make an appointment. He seemed nice over the phone, even if he was super confused why some random kids need to talk to a lawyer. And not just a lawyer, but a very specific lawyer.
"Let them through" the voice replies. It sounds a bit rough, but not threatening. “And I do believe we would require some privacy”
“Fine, I am going to hang out with Karen” Foggy replies, rolling his eyes.
Peter and Percy share a look, trying to suppress amused smiles. The atmosphere here is not as serious as they expected.
"Actually, can I hang out with you, too?” Percy asks, looking at the man. “I need to make a call and let mum know we made it here. And Uncle Ben"
"Of course, sweetie" Karen replies with a smile. “You need a phone? You could use ours!”
"That would be great, thank you!” Percy smiles at them looking his most innocent self.
Peter hopes he won’t cause trouble. After all, Percy does have a talent in that sphere.
The room he enters is nice, if a bit cluttered. There are two desks, a couple of cupboards, and a pot with a flower that needed to be watered at least a couple of days ago. The room is bright and, in Peter’s humble opinion, rather cozy for an office.
Behind one of the desks a man sits. From the first glance he looks ordinary. Dark hair, pale skin, a gray suit. He does look like someone you might imagine when you think of a lawyer. Apart from one, rather huge detail. Peter swallows nervously, rapidly understanding the curse the man fell under. He wants to be surprised, shocked, but cannot bring himself to be.
After all, what kind of curse is more suitable for a son of Themis than blindness?
"I am Peter, Peter Parker” the boy says, coming closer. He is a bit hesitant. “Chiron has given me your address?"
"You don't sound sure" the man says with a small smile.
He looks in the general direction of Peter which makes the boy wonder. Is the man fully blind? Does it affect his other senses? How can he survive the monsters? It does not seem appropriate to ask.
"I mean, I guess, I wasn't expecting…" Peter mutters, feeling embarrassed.
"Becoming an attorney seemed appropriate" the man shrugs. He gestures at the chair in front of his desk, offering Peter a sit. The boy obliges.
"Yeah, sure, no, I mean, it's just...” Peter bubbles nervously. “With the curse and all, it must be hard..."
"It is, Mr. Parker” Murdock states with a sigh. “But I wouldn't let it stop me from living a life”
"I am sorry if I sound insensitive, but…” Peter takes a deep breath and asks the question that has been haunting him for days. “Chiron said you got a curse because of your mother. Why do you choose to work in her domain? How do you not hate her for what she did?”
“A part of me does,” The man says with something sad in his voice. “But I am good at what I do, and I am not going to stop doing it simply because it is a part of my heritage, and my ancestors are jerks"
"It's just... seems unfair, does not it?" Peter sighs.
He has been thinking about it for a while now. If his mother had not asked him to lead this quest, did not initiate the quest at all, Morgan would have been alive, and he would not have gotten a curse which made everyone flinch at the sight of him. Why is it them who have to complete all these quests, die during them? He has never actually met his mother, but has to risk the lives of his friends to fulfill her wishes?
Peter would prefer to help the little guy, to protect the camp and train younger kids. He would prefer to help demigods survive, not let them die or get cursed.
"Unfair?" Murdock tilts his head, as if not really understanding. “Life is rarely fair”
"But it’s so unfair that our own parents, who are supposed to protect us, help us, can send us to death, can have us cursed for something as small as an old cup!” Peter mutters angrily. He takes a deep breath. “My friend died and it’s my fault and everyone is scared of me now because I didn't die but got a stupid curse instead"
"You are alive, that's what matters” Murdock states, voice hard. “In our kind of lives, that’s what matters"
"But..." Peter is not sure what he is about to say. He knows that the lawyer is right. After all, most demigods do not survive long enough to go to college.
"And curses may be a blessing in disguise” the man continues. “Mine has given me a chance to protect the innocent. Better than I could before"
"I...” Peter suddenly feels the urge to sob. The face of Morgan, young cheerful Morgan, flashes before his eyes. “I wasn't enough to protect her and instead..."
"But you can be enough now” Murdock cuts in, shifting in his seat. He clearly feels uncomfortable at the sight of a rather upset almost-teenager. He still tries to sound reassuring. “You can improve. Your curse, what is it?"
"I got spider powers” Peter says. He quickly elaborates, seeing a confused expression on the face of Murdock. “Super strength, hearing, strange sixth sense thing..."
"It's not killing you” The man cuts in. “but gives you much more opportunities to protect yourself and those who need it”
“I guess” Peter nods.
“The war is coming” the lawyer states which makes Peter shiver. “I may be far from the center of our world, but even I heard of the son of Poseidon. Who is hanging out with Foggy and Karen now. Why again?”
“Yeah, my uncle thinks that I am safer with Percy for some reason” Peter mutters in response.
He knows it’s usually not the best idea to visit another demigod, who is clearly trying to lay low, with Percy who attracts monsters like a lightbulb attracts moth. Or Thalia, for instance. Not that Peter actually interacts with her.
Murdock snorts. He regains a serious expression in seconds.
“Perhaps, your curse is a way to survive this war" he states. “We both now it’s going to be brutal”
Peter nods, thinking for a minute. He knows, feels in his bones that the war is coming. He feels that despite Thalia’s return, her miraculous survival, it’s Percy who is the hero of prophecy. Peter cannot quite explain it but knows it almost for certain. Annabeth, who is even now head over heels with Percy (which is evident for anyone who has eyes), will be in the center of all of it, right at Percy’s side.
Peter knows that he will be there as well, at his sister’s and friend’s side. He will fight, fight to survive, fight to protect those he loves. And perhaps Murdock is right, his curse may help him to do it.
"You are right” Peter states, determination shining in his eyes. “It's still unfair, but well…"
"Gods are never fair” Murdock says darkly. He looks almost scary that second, voice low. “But they are better than those who were before them"
"I am not going to join Luke or whatever” Peter mutters in response. “Thay are family even if a shitty one"
"Exactly” the man nods. “Treat the fact that you are not killed as an opportunity, Peter. Live, fight, make sure to go to college"
"I... Thank you" Peter replies with a faint smile. He does feel better, surer in himself now.
"You are welcome” the lawyer states, clearly showing that the conversation is over. “Please, tell Chiron that I am not his pocket psychological support for demigods when you see him next time”
"Okay, I will” Peter laughs. The dark, gloomy, heavy atmosphere of the conversation quickly fades.
“Now, you may come find me if you need a lawyer” the man states. “But not for any other reason. You need life advice, go to someone else"
"Okay, sure, no problem" Peter snorts once again, getting up. He can clearly hear a rather animated talk from behind the doors and is almost ready to leave, when Murdock starts speaking once again.
"Keep away from Hell's kitchen, kid,” he says. “Make sure to survive whatever is coming"
"I have no choice” Peter replies with a sad smile. “I owe Morgan that"
“Good” the man tells him.
"Can I ask a question through?” Peter turns around once again, curiosity burning in him.
Murdock gives him a nod, looking like he has just rolled his eyes. Peter swallows and asks without hesitation.
“Are you Christian? How does that work exactly?"
He looks at the cross around the man’s neck. Now, Murdock clearly rolls his eyes.
“Get out of here, kid"