driftfleet | arrival

Who: Bruce Banner + anyone else!
Broadcast: Yes
Action: SS Caprine
When: June 18

[broadcast; video]

[He's managed to make the transition to the Caprine without too much difficulty, but now that's he's "settling in", Bruce is realizing just what being on a ship long term means.]

So, this is it. We just play along with this show, act like nothing is wrong, and hope we eventually get to our destination? That's optimistic. How do you manage to live on ships like this for so long? I've never- This is... it doesn't seem like a good idea.

[He smiles uneasily. He has to resist the urge to pick at his own body, making him twitch a bit. At least he hasn't had any issues so far?]

The food isn't very good either.

[Action on the SS Caprine]

[At least he's used to lab work! Bruce is relieved that is assignment is something he's familiar with (although he did manage to fly a ship once...) and he spends a good amount of time poking around at the ship's equipment, testing both what it can do and what knowledge seems to come to him, because he definitely hasn't worked on a space ship like this before. Or worked around people this casually either. Not to mention the enclosed space makes him very aware of how tight it would be if he were bigger.

That's a great thought.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Kitty is sitting in the Twin Rose's lounge with her feet up and an open book splayed on her lap as she switches to the video. She looks to be in her early twenties.] You don't have to pretend for us. You can rage against this place every day you're here if you've got the energy for it.

[Even though logically he knows that people probably do know something about him, he's in a strange ship in space with nothing familiar outside of a few names. The sudden recognition is a shock.]

I don't. Want to do that.

[What a horrifying thought.]

[She doesn't actually recognize him on sight, but if she gets his name or he mentions the Avengers she'll probably remember him being referenced in passing by the others. She's just happy to fill some of her time with strangers in the same situation. She knows what it's like to be new to these places. Her word choice is just a fun coincidence spurred on by what seemed to be him critiquing their passivity to their captivity which falls somewhere between frustrating and understandable. She wants to be doing more too, but over two years in and sometimes you just want to relax and read a book.

As it stands, she's not entirely sure what to do with his reaction.]

Okay. Well, you don't have to. You just sounded like you weren't happy with the status quo.

(OOC: If I misunderstood just give me a nudge and I can revise!)

Edited 2018-06-18 15:38 (UTC)

[The moment passes and his paranoia manages to fade with a few deep, slow breaths. Bruce listens to the woman's next words and feels the tingling in his fingertips and down his spine start to fade.

She doesn't follow up with a comment about the Hulk. Or a threat. Or anything else that Bruce suddenly thought of in that thirty seconds of horrible anticipation. He breathes out, laughing quietly because he just can't hold it back.]

I guess I'm just not used to... all this. Sorry. It's a lot to process.

[His fear that he might just lose control, again, on a ship out in space, is far too forward in his mind. Bruce shakes his head.]

It's not that bad.

They took our freedom without any consent. It's not great. But I've defintiely seen worse too.

[She tips her head, looking at him thoughtfully. He seems like he's going through an emotional thing and while she doesn't get the nuance she knows this whole space abduction is a lot to take in.]

We were all new once. Maybe twice or three times for some of us. No rush.

...yeah.

[She's right that it could always be worse. The device attached to him doesn't really make him feel better about the situation, but at least so far it doesn't seem like anyone is trying to control the Hulk for some sinister purpose. Yet.]

What do you mean by three times? You mean that people...

[Actually, he's not sure what that means. It doesn't make sense to him.]

I mean this isn't the only multidimensional, time-displaced trap run by mysterious overlords game in town. I was in one other before this and I know at least a couple of people where this is their third.

It-it's not?

[What?]

Wait, are you serious? There are more of these ships out there?

[Well, now he needs to sit down.]

It's not. I am. And no. Or maybe actually. My last place was a prison. I've heard about cities, castles, um...places where you have to cuddle to save the world? And yes I know how that sounds.

[Maybe just lie down. Get some soothing music.]