Biography | Quentin Beck

[Toy Store] - Saturday, February 22nd, 1976

Yesterday the two didn't really do anything. Tony's arm was hurting, but the doctor had told him that it would be normal. It apparently meant that his limb was healing, even though it didn't really make that much sense. Still, they had fun just staying indoors. Stane had agreed to order them pizza, but only after making sure Tony knew whatever happened next would be his consequence. That phrase really confused Quentin. What consequences are there to eating pizza? He had thought to himself.

Well, a few hours afterward, Quentin learned another fun, but not so fun fact, about his best friend. Tony was lactose intolerant... he also got to learn what that meant as a whole. Due to an under amount of enzyme in his small intestine, Tony can't properly digest dairy products. At first, Quentin was panicking, thinking his friend was dying by the way he was whining and clutching his stomach that night, to which Stark had to calm him down, explain how it wasn't fatal and at most, annoying. Afterward, he was back to his old, goofy, self.

It was the first weekday, Saturday, no school. Thanks to Stane being on them about homework and Jarvis keeping a close eye on the two when the other man wasn't, they had no responsibilities. 

"What should we do today?" Quentin asked, stretching and taking in the heat from the sun before looking back at his friend.

"I was thinking we go to town and see where the day takes us," Tony responded while he hopped off the front steps, "We should try riding your bike again."

"With your cast? No way, do you know how dangerous that'll be? What if we crash and... I don't know, you break your arm farther?"

"First of all, my cast doesn't stop me from wrapping my arm around your waist, which is what we always do. Second off, when have we ever crashed? If you said never, you're correct and third, you're an amazing rider, we won't crash. That answer your questions?"

"Fine, but, only if you go and get your helmet and pads." Quentin replied sternly.

"Alright, fine, I'll be right back." Tony said with a small pout. He wanted to ride, so he headed back inside to his room and came back shortly after all geared up, "Alright, let's ride."

-~-

Something did catch one of the friend's attentions as they were riding by into town. A decently large pop up toy store. It seemed to run the same way as a circus, otherwise known as a small event that travels by vehicle to place, to place. Quentin was excited. Tony on the other hand seemed to be against the idea from the start.

"Seems boring," Tony stated, trying to convince him to do something better, "I mean seriously, what's so fun about seeing a bunch of toys? We could always invent something better!"

"Yeah, but it's traveling by cart! Doesn't that mean it has to be just a little special? Come on Tony! Maybe you'll find something you like and we can play with that today!"

"That's what I'm afraid of." He muttered under his breath, Quentin turning to look at him.

"What?"

"What? I didn't say anything. You know what? Yeah! You're right Q-Tip, must be exciting if it isn't here to stay for long, right? How about you go inside, and I'll stay out here? Make sure nobody is out to getcha, you know?"

The shorter boy frowned. Clearly there was something on his friend's mind, no matter how hard he was trying to play it off.  And unfortunately, he had a pretty good idea on why. Hopefully he was wrong, and the real reason was being afraid of the crowds. That also made tons of sense because of it being a travel shop.

"If you don't want to go in, we don't have to, I don't mind. We can find something else to do!" 

Now Stark felt guilty. He didn't want to be the reason for Quentin to miss something that could be a one in a lifetime experience. Plus, he would appear weak, and he didn't want that for the obvious reasons. So, he pushed those emotions deep down, as usual, and per swayed his friend into entering with him.