finalflight | OPEN POST; [MILES MORALES / SPIDER-MAN (GAME)]

[This is definitely a texting misfire.]

Hey!

So, what do you think? Purple and green, right?

[ Huh.

Well, she has no idea who this is, but she'll text back. ]

I think orange and red would be better!

[That’s fine, Miles can remain blessedly oblivious for a hot minute.]

Orange and red? You think so?

Didn’t know you were putting that much thought into the design. Why the orange + red combo, then?

Because doesn't it just make you think about fire? Fierce and powerful and fast!

That sort of thing.

Okay, sure, I can see it. Going for something eye-catching.

Though to be honest with you, I thought purple/green would be a nice nod to Uncle Aaron? In a subtle way, without... you know, being too obvious about it.

Idk, maybe I’m thinking too hard. Red/orange might be just fine.

Okay, so... what about a compromise? Green and red would just be like Christmas, but you could do purple and red and I think it would still look amazing!

[ Tsuruno still has no idea who this is, but anyone who wants to dedicate at least part of something to their family is fine by her. ]

Getting into the holiday spirit? I like the compromise, but it’s not only going to be seen during the holidays.

So I guess that means purple and red is the winner?

Purple and red!! I can't wait to see it!

You'll show me, right?

I hope so! Lol

You said you’d help, remember?

Sure, I don't mind!

But you should probably know, I think you've been texting the wrong number this whole time.

Stop messing.

[Yeah, you’re real funny, Genke — this is what Miles thinks as he pulls the phone back to check the name of the contact up top, only to see that—

Oh.]

Woah, sorry.
Why didn’t you say something beforehand? Talk about embarrassing. You always just go with the flow with a text from a stranger?

Well, yeah. Aren't all friends strangers at first?
I was curious to see how things would go.

[ And now she knows he loves his uncle, that's nice! ]

[?? Okay, that’s some logic that he can’t... really argue against, but he can poke holes in it.]

You don’t even know what you were agreeing to help with! What if it was some big, evil scheme to take over the city? What then?

Then I'd defeat you, of course!

[ Duh. ]

[Pfft, okay.]

Yeah? How? You’ve already given me too much information to use against you: purple and red. No going back now.

What kind of evil scheme involves color choice?

And I refuse to be defeated by purple and red!!

I can’t tell you that. What kind of villain reveals their color-themed scheme at the drop of a hat?

Someone who's not a villain!

Touché. And also, good point. I’m not very good at pretending to be what I’m not, anyway.

So I’ll tell you the truth. I’m talking about mural space on the upper east side, part of a community clean-up effort for the holidays. Street art isn’t as glamorous as a super villain plot to take over the planet or whatever, but at least it’s a healthier outlet for… well, anything. You can still swing by and help out if you want?? Faceless, nameless stranger.

I have a face AND a name! It's Tsuruno and for such a good non-villainy thing like that, I'll definitely make an appearance!
Don't worry, with my help, it'll be the mightiest street art of all!

Can’t fault you for your enthusiasm, lol.

I’ll be there all this afternoon. Still a lot of work left to be done.

[Barring anything, you know, coming up. Miles sends Tsuruno a pin, marking the location on the map.]

But it’s the fun kind of work!
Oh I’m Miles btw.

Miles, got it! I'll be there soon!

[ Tsuruno, for all of her exuberance, is pretty fairly competent once she puts her mind to something-- it doesn't take long to toss on a pair of old overalls and find this site, just a teenage girl with one long side ponytail trotting his way and glancing from side to side with an eager expression. ]

[This deep into the holiday season proper, the weather’s gone chilly to match. It’s enough to make his breath form as curling wisps in the air, enough to whiten rooftops and sidewalks with the tinge of last night’s light snowfall. But it isn’t even close enough to dissuade those who want to be out — all it takes is warm clothing and a mission to get something done.

He’s dressed in jeans and a dark red hoodie, loose on his form, and spotted with color; the reason why is directly behind him, a large unfinished mural which stretches from one end of the street to the other, worked on by a handful here to help out. When he spots a stranger approaching, an undeniable enthusiasm in her step, Miles makes the assumption—]

Hey. Uh, Tsuruno, right?

Miles!

[ Tsuruno brakes quickly, windmilling as she rocks forward, then back onto her heels. For all that she seems to have forgotten a scarf or a hat, cheeks flushed from the winter chill, she still looks as though she's in good spirits and at the very least, she has a jacket (unzipped). ]

I'm here to work! Where should I go?

[Whew, she sure is as enthusiastic in person as she is in her texts, he thinks. Miles' smile goes from curiously polite to something a little wider, trying to hold back a chuckle.]

Wow, you're really getting into it, aren't you? Are you a big fan of art or were you just looking for an excuse to get out?

[Also-]

Aren't you cold?

I've never seen a mural before, but I always thought that was a really cool way to show art to the public!

[ So she's all for endorsing it. ]

But also I really love trying things and helping out! I can't even feel the cold when I'm all fired up!

[ How fortuitous, that he'd accidentally texted her instead. ]

[Very fortuitous. Who knew a mis-sent text was enough to snag A) a new volunteer and B) a possible new friend(??).]

Okay, well, that’s great, buuuut if you do start to feel chilly, just let me know and we can get you a scarf. It’d be a shame if you went out all this way so you could catch a cold or something. Then who’s going to help me paint?

[Never mind the other volunteers here! They don’t count.]

Anyway, you’re right, though. Street art is like getting to see a painting without having to pay the price of admission. It’s a great way to show off the heart of the community. And it’s easy, too, because the hard part’s already done. See, look.

[A gesture behind him at the half-finished mural in question. One that’s bright with colorful, stylized flora stretching across the wall from one end to the other. The unfinished bits are outlined, only in need of coloring in.]

You just get to pick a color and fill it in. Remember — red and purple?

[And there is indeed a blooming flower, partly filled with color, transitioning from a crimson red to a vivid, popping purple. Guess who’s been working on that.]

[ He'd better believe he snagged himself a new friend. Tsuruno doesn't know how not to befriend people, whether they want her to or not.

She nods amicably to indicate that yes, she'll let him know if she gets cold (which she doesn't think will happen, she'll just paint vigorously) and bounces in place. ]

I wonder if I could convince Dad to let me do something like this for the restaurant...

[ But then she gives her head a quick shake and offers Miles a grin. ]

I'm gonna grab the purple, then! I'll help fill in our newfound friendship!

[ And. You know. The flower. ]

[Closer to the wall, she’ll find an assortment of paint—outdoor and even a few spray cans—resting on the concrete, used and ready to be used even more. Miles won’t stop her, of course; she’s more than welcome to go crazy, because even if he was working on that flower, he lays no real claim to it. It’s a community effort, after all.]

New friendship, huh?

[Well, that was easy. Miles laughs lightly and moves closer to the mural, crouching down to grab another color that isn’t purple.]

You dad owns a restaurant? It’d turn some heads for sure.

[A fresh mural, he means.]

[ The purple is hers now and she's lugging it closer to the flower, pausing to grin at him over her shoulder. ]

Yeah, it's a Chinese restaurant! It's been in our family for ages but I think we'd get a lot more clientele if we spiced up the outside, too.

[Miles shuffles around for a green color; bright, light to match the vivid tones of the mural. Spring green, he recalls the name on the can.]

Then you should do it. I mean, if your dad says it’s cool.

[A shrug, coupled with a little wave of the paint brush in his hand.]

But if you sell it like that— That it’s something that’ll bring in the business, how can he say no?

I don't think he will! I'm usually the one who comes up with ways to bring customers in, anyway, so I think he's got enough faith in my methods by now.

[ Well. The restaurant is still open, anyway. But Tsuruno has always fought tooth and nail to make that happen and she huffs emphatically now as she begins adding more violet to the flower. ]

What other methods do you mean?

[Something about that wording is amusing, like she’s a good-natured schemer in regards to her family business, but Miles can’t criticize. It just means that she must care quite a bit.

Miles takes his place next to her, painting long strokes along the stem of the flower.]

Like... mascots, or something?

Well, I did dress up as a reindeer to promote our Christmas menu once... but also things like organizing scavenger hunts and giving coupons to our restaurant as prizes! Or yelling from the rooftops that it's buy one meal, get one free! Or--

[ Yes. ]

OPEN POST; [MILES MORALES / SPIDER-MAN (GAME)]

for tsuruno.

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