Comforting Pavitr
Wendy: It sure is a lovely day here in Mumbattan. What did you bring me up here for? Was there something you needed to get right or something like that? I can’t be too long. Miguel will beat me up if I stay longer than I need to.
They were standing on top of one of the highest buildings in Mumbattan overlooking the whole city. The sun was nearly set in the sky and Pavitr was standing slightly behind Wendy as she looked over the edge of the building. Pavitr was acting more shy than usual. They had just been paired up as mentor and mentee and there was still so much to learn, but he had to know this one thing in particular. It has also been a month or so since his uncle died and he learned about the canon events. His uncle was supposed to die and he was wondering if Wendy had already experienced her canon event.
Pavitr: Not exactly. I wanted to talk to you about something more serious.
Wendy turned immediately, noticing right away that Pavitr didn’t sound like his normally peppy and glass half full self. When she looked at him, he had his mask off and his expression was sad and contemplative.
Wendy: Tell me. What’s been on your mind, kid?
Pavitr: Well…it’s personal. I don’t want you to get offended or mad at me since we just started being teacher and student and I didn’t want to rush you and-.
Wendy: You want to know about my canon event?
Pavitr stammers a little bit before settling on his words.
Pavitr: Yes, but how did you know so quickly?
Wendy: I knew it would come up eventually. And to be honest, I watch a spider’s eyes as Miguel shows them what canon events are and how they play into their lives. Honestly, that shouldn’t be part of the orientation. I wonder where he’s going with that.
Pavitr: Wendy?
Wendy: Oh yeah! Canon event. Sorry, I lost track for a minute there. But mine happened a long time ago when I was around 16.
Pavitr: Wait, you're not a teenager? You look so young!
Wendy: Mentors have to be at least 20 and have to have had a number of years as being a spider under their belt, but I’ll take the compliment. I’m 26. I’ve been doing this on the plus side of 11 years.
There was a silence as Wendy’s look becomes distant as she remembers things from her childhood she’d rather not repeat.
Wendy: I lost my cousin. Peter Parker. I was fighting a villain and he somehow got involved. Said he wanted to help. I didn’t know what he could do and I told him not to, but he did anyway. He fell and I stopped him…and I’m pretty sure you could understand how that turned out.
Pavitr’s eyes were wide.
Pavitr: Wow…that’s. Does it still eat at you even now?
Wendy: Every day.
Another silence ensues.
Pavitr: Does the pain and guilt ever stop?
Wendy sighed and closed her eyes shut for a good minute, scrunching them closed. How could she forget. Pavitr went through his canon event not too long ago. When she opened them back up, she could see as tears formed in his eyes and he was shrinking right in front of her. His strong facade had all but faded away and he looked like the kid that he was.
She walked toward him and wrapped him in her arms, squeezing tight and him squeezing tight back. They pulled apart after a minute or two standing there. She placed her hands on his shoulders and got eye level with him.
Wendy: I’m not Miguel. I’m not going to tell you that this is all how things are supposed to be like your pain means nothing. I don’t think the negative feelings will ever go away. But know that I and so many other spiders will be right there supporting you through everything. You are never alone in this multiverse even though it may seem like that sometimes. Okay?
Pavitr: Thank you Wendy. It means a lot.
Wendy lets go of his shoulders and stands to full height, hands on her hips.
Wendy: It’s what I’m here for. Now let’s get swinging a little bit before Mr. Seriousness comes after us, okay? Are you up for that?
Pavitr: Let’s go!