[ Ben learns something about Peter, watching how he talks his way through it, how he grows calmer once he can actually apply himself to theorizing and trying to solve the problem. So, perhaps not the type of person who would respond well to a distraction, after all. More the kind of person who needed a mission, a problem to solve, to feel they were taking steps. ]

And they were all people you cared about?

[ It seems he and Peter are thinking along the same lines, here. Having people from Hadriel included was a choice that showed whoever or whatever was responsible wasn't going for accuracy - trying to convince Peter it was all real. The intent was just... hurt. ]

So, psychological warfare. What cloudy junk?

[ He'd arrived too late to see any cloudy junk, hadn't looked back over his shoulder the way Peter had when they were retreating, because he'd still been looking for a concealed attacker. Ben doesn't have time to wonder more though because Peter is getting up right now and Ben sets a hand against his arm. ]

Whoa whoa whoa, let's slow down, okay? First of all, what're you even gonna put a sample in? And did you get close enough to it before you know it isn't gonna - I don't know, poison you or burn you? Maybe that was the idea, you know, hope you would reach out to touch those disintegrating people and then BAM! Acid city.

[ Ben lets go of Peter's arm, saying: ]

We can do this, we should just do it smart.