The Start of the Day
I was inspired from the world premiere of Moon Knight and a video clip of Oscar Isaac gushing over a little child dresed up as a very accurate Moon Knight costume. And it fits how Steven Grant is a friend to kids and that neither Marc nor Jake would ever want to hurt a child.
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Stephen wasn't expecting much for the convention. Just a few people in costume, some booths that sold merchandise, some food, maybe a few meet-ups.
But to Marc, it's like he just ventered into Wonderland.
There were other enthusiasts of Tomb Buster just like him! During the times that he was allowed to front, he was talking on the forums and the Tomb Buster Seddit page, giggling like a schoolgirl gushing about her favorite boyband or celebrity crush and being glad to express his joy at finding people finding out about this lost treasure.
{I don't get it.} José remarked. {It's just an old movie. Why do we have to go through all of this work for the costume and the spare snacks and water and -- }
It's not just an old movie! Mark snaps as he went to the nearest bathroom to doublecheck if he had everything ready for today. White shirt, vest, khaki pants, brown shoes and black socks, along with a heavy duty flashlight ("For you to always light a path and to fight your way out!" Dr. Grant recited when he showed it to his sidekick, Alemayehu when they first met) that is strapped to his side. And of course, never ever leave without a trusty backpack for all your adventuring needs! Without this movie, there'd be no me, there'd be no Steven, and there'd be no you either.
[He's right about that!] Steven says through the reflection on the large bathroom mirror. Steven then proceeds to turn the faucet on and splashes his face with water. [Besides, this is also important for me too! My first time writing a book and showing my love of Ancient Egypt to the world -- ]
{In a book that was mostly about Aztec/Mayan mythology} Jake interrupts.
[But Dr. Steven Grant had a degree in Egyptology, remember?] Steven reminded the surly alter. [And with how much our knowledge of Ancient Egypt has changed in the last forty years, then it was great to really get everyone with the times.]
{Oh, I had no idea...} Jake rolls his eyes as Marc gets some paper towels to dry his face. {I thought that was more to embellish how Steven Grant of the Gift Shop was so looked down by his peers and how "his" boss could barely give him the time of day and constantly kept calling him "Stevie" while snapping putride purple grape-smelling gum...}
[Well, I had to make our protagonist likable....I mean, i can handle supervillains but I really can't handle supervisors]
Marc leaves the bathroom as Steven fronts and he looks at the text messages from his publisher, detailing where he needs to go to get his name-tag, schedule for today and where the signing for his book would be. All in all, nothing could go wrong!
Not even the stupid pigeon that stands in the middle of the hall is going to turn his frown upside down, no siree!
...
"So, your name really is Steven Grant?"
Steven smiles at the young boy dressed up as a budding archaeologist with his own flashlight and compass adorning his neck on colorful lanyards. In the boy's hands was a copy of Tomb Buster and the Obsidian Warrior. "Yep!" He then proceeds to do some punching motions. "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee! My name's Steven with a 'V'!"
The boy's mother smiles as she pulls out her phone. "Do you mind if my son get a photo with you, Dr. Steven Grant?"
"I prefer Author Steven Grant," Steven corrects, showing off the lanyard with his nametag. "Or you can go by my former title of 'Steven Grant of the Gift Shop.'"
"Oh you used to work at a musem like Dr. Steven Grant did?"
The boy proceeds to stand by Steven's side and both wave their flashlights into the air like swords. The mother takes a few photos before she thanks Steven for the trouble and leads her son away to the first showing of the original Tomb Buster film for the day.
"Bye then, 'Steven with a V'!" The kid cheers.
"Bye then!" Steven waves back. Marc chuckles.
Cute kid. Reminds me a lot of Randall.
[Yeah, he does...] Steven sighs. He then looks at his watch. [So then, what do you wanna do first?[
{Maybe get some breakfast first?} Jake suggests. {We only got some coffee and a crumpet with Marmite. I'm curious to try one of those English breakfasts.}
"A brave archaeologist, a true gentleman, must always prepare a proper breakfast in the morning with tea," Marc says allowed with his best imitation of a British accent ever. "There should be a food court nearby where we can get something to eat. And then we get to see all the exhibits~"
{I'll do anything right now to make you not use a British accent all day!} Jake groans.
[Does this include you being the bottom for tonight?]
{...okay maybe not that.}
Marc is still grinning from ear to ear as he goes to the food court where cosplayers, casual fans, and families are all getting ready for the day. In fact, he's so happy that he immediately orders for a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich and imagines himself waking in the morning like Dr. Steven Grant before he heads off to one of his famous conferences in regards to historical preservation.
However, he's so caught up in his daydream that he doesn't hear his other alters talking in worry as the cashier with her hair in a ponytail and a dour look had the sleeves of her shirt rolled up slightly while making his order.
{Mierda.} Jake curses.
[What is it now?] Steven asks.
{Don't tell Marc, but let's just say that our lives now hang in the balance.}
From the display case of delicious pastres, Steven can see a glimpse of the right arm of the cashier as she prepares a cup of coffee for Marc and blanches.
[Oh bollocks.] Steven mutters, knowing that scales tattoo anywhere.