starboy

SCANNING…IDENTIFICATION COMPLETE. 

ENTER ROBERT “ROBBY” QUILL-RIDER,  CHILD OF RICHARD RIDER AND (BIOLOGICALLY) PETER QUILL. 

CODENAME: NOVA.  A 21 FIRST YEAR ENROLLED IN THE AGENT TRACK. INTEL SHOWS THEY ARE COURAGEOUS, BUT CAN ALSO BE ROWDY. ABILITIES INCLUDE THE NOVA FORCE AND XANDARIAN COMBAT TECHNIQUES. FACIAL RECOGNITION MISTAKES THEM FOR NAM JOO-HYUK.

❥ 

Almost immediately, Sloan pulled herself together, relaxing her stance and launching into a long winded explanation.“Oh no don’t be silly. I was totally hogging the room. I just didn’t think anyone would be around at this hour. Probably should have reserved it or something.” Her blush deepened, and she shrugged a bit, his compliment the culprit this time. “But thank you. My mom says I could dance before I could walk. We always used to— ” Sloan cut herself short, realizing that she was rambling as she crossed the room to lower her music. “You know, you are more than welcome to join in. I promise there is plenty of room for the both of us.”

It never crossed Robert’s mind that there would be preferred times for different hobbies. He grew up in space for the majority of his life, only visiting Earth on occasion to see family. It wasn’t until making the decision to attend the university that he made this planet his home. He’s still learning all the different customs, but Robby is a quick learner. It’s starting to feel like he actually fits in.  “You’re welcome!” Robert wont pry, never been one to force someone to talk about their personal lives if they prefer keeping those memories private. “If I’m honest … I’m not much of a professional dancer. I’m interested in learning a thing or two, but I don’t even know where to start. Do you have any advice for me? I’m Robby, by the way.”

It was the tone of awe and wonderment that had caught Rocky’s attention, drawing his eyes away from his comic book as he looked up, catching the other’s eyes. Usually when he was approached it was ‘Rocket Quill? Hands behind your back’ or something to that effect before he would make up an escape plan on the fly. This was new to him, however, and it would have almost been nice if he wasn’t too busy trying to figure out how this complete stranger knew who he was. Oh. 

“I don’t have a brother, I think you might have the wrong person” flew out of his mouth before Rocky could really think about it, the information still processing in his head. Just as he’d feared, it sounded like his father had left and started a real family. One that he wanted to keep and stick around for. “Sorry”

In an instant any amazement and wonder has disappeared from his eyes, replaced by embarrassment and something more somber. It’s his own fault for getting his hopes up and not doing more research first. All the information Robby had brought him here but it’s the wrong person. “Oh.” He nearly stumbles over his words. “I’ve made a terrible fool of myself.” The search isn’t over after all. “I’m the one who’s sorry … I really thought you were Rocket, so that’s my mistake.” 

Pull yourself together, Robert.  Everybody makes mistakes!

He doesn’t want to make this more awkward than it already is after making an awful first impression. “If you see him around by chance, could you let him know that I’d love to meet him? I know that’s asking a lot but my family would really appreciate it. I’m sorry again for the misunderstanding … I’ll let you get back to what you were doing.” He quickly turns away and begins to venture down the hallway. This embarrassment settles in more as Robby turns around a corner; stopping to reflect on what just happened. “I can’t believe I did that.”

location: stark robotics lab status: closed | @rocketingnova​

“Oh thank god you came!” Lacey perked up the moment she noticed Robby walk in. “Scooter is getting a software upgrade and he’s thinks he’s on his death bed and wanted to see you.” The girl rolled her eyes fondly as Scooter began to wax poetic about how he would never want to go out without seeing Robby. This is what her dad must feel like with Skeets is doing the same about her pa. It’s all very dramatic. “Scooter I told you it’s just a software update it’s not even a repair!” She tries to tell the little bot but he just beeps sadly from where he lays on the table unable to fly until the update is complete. “He needs you here for moral support and I need you here so he stops being dramatic.” 

You have an older brother. His name is Rocket.  I’m going to search for him and bring him home.

Those words have replayed through Robby’s head over and over since his father first said them. He remembers being disappointed whenever he came back empty-handed. Maybe too young to understand at the time but once Robert was a little older, he joined his father in searching. He made a vow to never stop looking, carrying this into adulthood. You can imagine the excitement and surprise finding out they’re both enrolled at the same university.

Robby is approaching him slowly. This is the moment he’s waited his entire life for. “Rocket Quill? Wow … hi.” He can’t help looking at the other with eyes full of wonder. “My name is Robert Quill-Rider, but you can just call me Robby. I never stopped looking for a way to reach you …. I’m your younger brother.”

location: cafeteria  status: open | @lkustart​

“You know…” Jett says in-between bites, popping another chip into her mouth, “I’ve been here four years and I still feel like they’re missing an opportunity for power based meal plans. I mean — I pay enough in food costs to deserve a speedster meal plan right?” Jett chews thoughtfully for another few moments. “Like… I can’t be the only student around here who thinks that, right?”  

open starter | @lkustart​

Sloan couldn’t help the loud, dramatic sigh of relief that escaped her lips when she entered the Fine Arts Center to find the dance studio completely empty. It was her statuary of sorts, the one place in all of campus were she felt completely safe, as if all the uneasiness from a failed homecoming could just melt away while she was holed up within its mirrored walls. She got right to it, pulled her hair into a loose bun, and synced up one of her playlists allowing herself to get lost in the music. Somewhere in the mist of pirouettes and countless eight counts, it became clear that this was no longer a solo performance, and Sloan slowed to a stop, toes still pointed in perfect turn out.

“Sorry,” she regained her bearings, a subtle blush lightly adorning her cheeks. “I wasn’t expecting any company.”

Dancing isn’t really something Robby has a lot of experience with, truthfully he doesn’t know where to begin. He’s not completely clueless on the dance floor but it wouldn’t hurt to actually learn some new moves.  He doesn’t go out enough to justify paying for lessons but there’s plenty of video tutorials online that Robert is planning on giving a try. Once finding out about there being a dance studio at the university, he knew there was no better place to practice. He actually has a free evening for once without any homework or prior commitment to the sport teams he’s on. So why not start a new hobby? However, after stepping inside the space, someone seems to be already occupying it.

“I’m the one who’s sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you!” He apologies several times and lingers in the doorway. It’s obvious he’s way out of his element here. Was this a bad idea? “You’re really good from what I managed to see …”

robby ✦ musings with