1130/First-Day Jitters

First-Day Jitters
Date of Scene:	12 April 2020
Location:	Stark Tower: Lambda Lab
Synopsis:	Peter and Aunt May arrive at Stark Tower for orientation.
Cast of Characters:	Peter Parker, Caitlin Fairchild

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Peter Parker has posed:
Peter and Aunt May stepped out of the Uber, Peter looking up at the Tower.
"My word, Peter...it's imposing, isn't it?"
"Yes, Aunt May. It is."
Aunt May squeezed Peter's hand. "You can do this."

They stepped into the large glass doors into the foyer. The two walked to the guard station, and Peter said, "Uhm, Peter Parker and guest to report to Dr. Fairchild for orientation."

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
There are two kinds of receptionists at the security station. The first is there to welcome people cordially and provide a calm, level-headed sort of efficiency to the process of moving people in and out of the complicated flow of personnel and guests visiting the tower.

The second is there to loom menacingly and glare with suspicion at anyone who walks up. Just to remind some that they are there being watched, and watched carefully.

"I'll page her right away," the guard says, and sends a message up. "She's available and on her way down," he says, and focuses his attention elsewhere for the moment.

Sure enough, the elevator *dings* open and Caitlin steps out. The redhead's wearing a modest purple dress with a knee-length skirt, and somewhat clunky black shoes that are no doubt selected for lab safety. The thick white lab coat she's wearing has some stains and marks on it-- well laundered, but obviously used for real work.

"Peter Parker, right?" Caitlin says on approach. She offers one hand to Peter, smiling down at him. "I'm Dr. Fairchild, it's nice to meet you. And this is your... mom?" she guesses, looking to May.

Peter Parker has posed:
Aunt May colors. "My word, she's rather tall. And apparently needs glasses." She chuckles softly. "I'm his great-aunt, but you can call me Aunt May."
Peter smiled wryly. She *is* tall, though. And very attractive. She's like a taller version of MJ.
"Hello, Dr. Fairchild," Peter began, sounding slightly nervous. "I...you'll have to excuse me. I...never thought I'd be here like this."

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
"It's swell to meet you, Aunt May," Caitlin says, and beams a smile at the elderly woman. "I guess I should have said 'legal guardian'."

"Don't let your nerves get to you. Everyone has them their first day," Caitlin says. She gestures at a photo scanner nearby. "Look here, we'll get your visitor badges." The camera looks, whirs, and *clickcliclicks* at them. Laminated IDs are dispensed to them both. "These will get you into the elevators, the commissary, and the lobby area," she explains. "So if we get separated, the only way to leave will be out this direction. The security station can help you. C'mon! Let's go do the nickle tour," she offers, and beckons the two along in her wake towards the elevator.

Peter Parker has posed:
Peter smiled to Aunt May, who smiled back encouragingly. Aunt May picked up a large cloth shopping bag, smirking to Peter as she does so.
"Sorry about the wait, Dr. Fairchild. Aunt May brought something to give to my supervisor. I swear, she's like a mob consigliere sometimes..."
"Excuse me, Peter?" Aunt May said as she joined them in their trek towards the elevator.
"Nothing, Aunt May."
"Thought so."

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
"Ahh... yeah, about that," Caitlin says, as the elevators slide shut. "I've only been in Ironworks for a month myself. I'm still kind of figuring out how the team structures work. It's pretty different compared to the rest of things on the Engineering side," she explains. "Pretty informal. Mr. Stark said 'Don't lose track of him', so for the time being, I guess I'm keeping an eye on you until we figure out where you want to end up." She shrugs diffidently at Peter, and beckons again as they exit into the Ironworks labs.

It's a remarkably complete facility, three levels high with a lot of glass, open air concepts, and every possible tool for research and development a person could wish for.

"My doctorates are in biology, and I'm a PE in two engineering fields," Caitlin tells Peter. It's said with no arrogance or condescenscion; like she's remarking about the weather. "So right now I'm working on advanced AI prototyping for remote drones. What areas are you thinking of focusing on?"

Peter Parker has posed:
Peter looks thoughtful, but Aunt May can see he looks less nervous. She knows this is a time to be quiet and let Peter "hold forth."

"Well, my primary focus for my degree will be Neuroscience. I have experience in Neurobiology, Microtechnology, Robotics...Virtual Interface Programming, Network Security..." He ponders. "...and I was interested in recent advances in prostethics and biotech fields."
Aunt May put in, "My hip replacement has been acting up and Peter says he has a better design."

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
Caitlin brightens. "Oh wow, that's great," she assures Peter, and smiles approvingly at Aunt May's chime-in. "And very noble of you. Biomechanics are huge right now. Injectable medicine, cybernetic augmentation, you name it. I don't know if you'll end up on my team," she cautions him as a reminder, "but that's an area of study I'm very interested in myself."

"Would you like a chair or something so you can sit?" Caitlin offers May, kindly. "And I can get you some coffee or tea, if you like, while I give Peter the tour?"

Peter Parker has posed:
Aunt May shakes her head. "Peter has a lab at home. I am sure yours is much grander, but I have learned how to coduct myself in such places. You must realize that this is a dream come true for him and for me, and I would be honored to see where he works, Dr. Fairchild."

Peter chuckled. "Best to let her come with us. Don't worry. After what happened when I was 12..."
Aunt May gave Peter a look.
"...Uhm, never mind. Lead the way, Doctor?"

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
"Sure, as you like," Caitlin says, and continues the sweeping path. "Okay. Well, top floor is mostly workrooms, offices, collaboration areas," she explains, and waits patiently for May and Peter to see their fill. "We're broken into three or four teams at any given time. People pursue personal projects or we tackle group efforts. It's all pretty loose; people who work up here generally have figured out how to deal with social structures without needing someone looking over their shoulder. Dr. Nakamura is the current section head. She's very stern but not mean," Caitlin says, reassuringly. "Also, Riri Williams is kind of Mr. Stark's protege, and she'll jump in on stuff pretty readily."

Peter Parker has posed:
Peter nods, looking around. "If I have a project I'd like to work on, do I bring that to you for approval? Because I have some...unusual designs. I wasn't sure it would be presumptuous to bring them the first day."

Aunt May chuckled. "He tends to err on the side of caution even since he blew out the basement windows seven years ago."
"Aunt MAYYYYyyy..."
May cackles.

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
"Caution's good," Caitlin grins. "I always wear all my proper PPE. I'm pretty sure anything that'd -hurt- me would blow the tower over," she conceds, "but it's still good to be in the habit."

She runs Peter and May through the rest of the tour without much rush, and they end up back at the lab entrances. "There's more of course, the comissary and whatnot, but I think that's good for a first look around," Caitlin tells Peter. "Once we have your badges done you can come and go as you please. Do make sure you talk to Dr. Nakamura or Mr. Stark, and let me know what your situation is going to be-- if you're not tackling any personal projects, it'd be swell to have you on my team. Any questions before I let you go?"

Peter Parker has posed:
Aunt May, who spent most of the time goggling at all the fancy tech, smiles and steps forward. "Actually, *I* have a question." She holds up the cloth bag, one with a wide bottom. "Do you like apple pie?"
Peter, standing behind him, shook his head with a wry look.
Without turning around, Aunt May said, "You just shake your head, Peter Benjamin Parker, and let me do the proper thing."

Peter's eyes widened. Maybe SHE was the source of his Spider-Sense...

Caitlin Fairchild has posed:
"I /love/ apple pie," Caitlin confirms with a beaming smile. "If you're trying to bribe someone, I'm afraid I'm the wrong person to try it on." Still, she offers to accept the container with both hands, careful not to spill it. "I'm only in charge of myself and my little work crew. I hope that includes Peter someday."

"But it's good to know I'm not the only one who'll be bringing in baked goods for the holidays," she says conspiraatorially, and includes Peter in her grin.

Peter Parker has posed:
Peter blushes slightly. "I...I hope that I prove worthy of the faith Mr. Stark has in me." He watches Aunt May smirking, and supposed she was entitled to that.

Peter looked around and took a deep breath. "Here we go..." he said quietly.