002: Video

[hulkbusted]

[It's Saturday morning and Bruce's NV is propped against something to show him seated with a cup of something (tea, considering the string and tag hanging over the cup's lip) in the foreground. People move behind him, some holding cups of coffee before they take seats out of the camera's view. Looks like he's at an outdoor cafe. It also looks like he's found a charity that offers clothes to the poor and/or new arrivals because he's wearing a slightly dingy pale green button-down shirt with the cuffs rolled up over his forearms and a couple of buttons left open at the collar.]

Hiring in Siren's Port doesn't go the way it does most other places, does it? I couldn't give the panel at Siren's Port University my CV and published papers for examples of my work, but a few days of filling white boards with equations seems to have done the trick. It's much faster than hiring back home, too, but I guess there's a lot of turnover around here.

In addition, I'm offering my services as an after hours tutor while the days are long and until I go home, whenever that may be. If you need help with math or science up to the post-graduate level in most disciplines, contact me [he leans forward and swipes his fingers over the display, and a link appears at the bottom of the video screen] and we can make arrangements.

In the meantime, I'm at Cafe Bijan, and there are a few people who have been helpful to me since I arrived that I would happily buy a coffee. [He smiles, and the humor is meant mostly for himself and maybe one other person.] Unless you don't drink... coffee.

Comments

[symmachy]

[Oh believe me, there are plenty of places to hide a weapon on a body.

The redhead takes a seat across from him, secretly thankful for the umbrella. He was certainly a gentlemanly kind of guy.] Have you settled in alright?

[hulkbusted]

[His teacup is upside down on the table and he slides it closer to his side as she sits down before he takes a seat across from her.]

I have a roof, a roommate, and a job. It's almost miraculous.

[symmachy]

[She does notice said teacup, but doesn't think it's particularly strange to have it upside-down. Maybe he was just done with his tea.

In spite of herself, Scatty looks impressed.] All of that, in just five days. You're making your way in this world, Mister Banner.

[hulkbusted]

To give credit where credit's due, I only have the roof and roommate because of a Bruce Banner's reputation in another world. The job was all my doing.

[A server comes to take Scathach's order and makes a move to collect Bruce's cup, but he puts a hand over it to keep the guy from taking it.]

[symmachy]

[Why he wanted to keep the cup was beyond her for the moment, but she wouldn't ask yet. Instead, she ordered peach tea.]

It's always useful to have... notable counterparts.

[hulkbusted]

[Bruce asks for a glass of water and waits for the server to go.]

I'm not that man and I don't want anyone to mistake me for him.

[symmachy]

[She inclines her head slightly.]

Understandable. [Scathach knew what that was like.]

[hulkbusted]

[A shrug]

I got the job on my own merits, without that other Banner's reputation. I'll put a roof over my head with a little time to get rent together. The kid I'm staying with is a good kid, but it's kind of a small place for the two of us. [And the Hulk and Kevin's power.]

[symmachy]

[She raises an eyebrow.]

You're living with a kid?

[hulkbusted]

He's maybe 16, 17? That's a kid to me at least.

[symmachy]

[A small smirk.]

That's how old most of my students were.

[hulkbusted]

I assume you aren't talking about your once and future dojo?

[symmachy]

Why wouldn't I be?

[hulkbusted]

Because you used the past tense.

[symmachy]

[She dips her head a bit.]

Ah. I didn't even notice. [A small smile.] Funny what dimensional travel does to the head, sometimes.

[hulkbusted]

I've been noticing that.

[He waits while the server brings Scatty's tea and his water.]

Maybe 16 and 17 wasn't a kid once, but these days they should be worrying about getting a driver's license and whether their favorite band is breaking up. Not... [he shakes his head] Not what's on his plate.

[symmachy]

[A nod. Life definitely didn't get easier as time went on, but there was no reason for a child to have to be subjected to this.]

Who is he?

[hulkbusted]

[Not much point in being coy, but he dropped his voice a little, mindful of what Kevin had said about SERO.] His name is Kevin Ford.

[symmachy]

[Scatty takes the time to lean forward. Not that she needs to be closer to hear him, but because it makes her feel very conspirator-like.]

Is there a reason we're whispering about this?

[hulkbusted]

Because he's... [something scratches under the teacup] ...in SERO's bad graces.

[symmachy]

[If possible, Scatty leans further across the table.]

Ah. And why is your teacup moving?

[hulkbusted]

[Bruce drops his hand on top of the cup.]

It's my teaspoon.

[symmachy]

[Bruce, honey. No.]

There are like, a hundred better excuses than that.

[hulkbusted]

It's true. It's my teaspoon. It just happens to currently be a scorpion.

Loki dropped by before you did.

[symmachy]

[Oh.
Well.
Her nose wrinkles, and she leans back in her chair.]

Still a brat, no matter the universe.