[ The gesture isn’t lost of him - yeah, she knows exactly how much of a dumpster fire the human race is when someone’s “different.” He nods a few times, slow deep nods that rock his shoulders as well. Obvious commiseration is obvious; water is wet. ]

The flamethrower is a new one for me. It feels like overkill.

[ Ric turns the weapon over in his hands. What could they be expecting that a gun, a sword, and mutant powers can’t handle? They gave someone they just enslaved a freaking flamethrower in a confined space. That’s how he knows he’s surrounded by evil lunatics. He could torch at least two people before they activated the collar. They fully don’t care. ]

And yeah, I know. We’ve all seen the badge. He had it in my face when he met me.

[ Why is everyone with a badge so eager to flash it at everyone? Here’s my badge, here’s my hot-knives, oi, I’m Pete Wisdom. Where’s Betsy? ]

So, you’re a spy, and “apparently” a superhero. Most people go around saying they’re a superhero are sure about it.

[ He assumes she’s an occasional Avenger, like Lila Cheney to the New Mutants, because Avengers get to use the word superhero. Who can keep track of the Avengers anymore? ]