Bruce Banner | 005 | Video

[greenisnteasy]

Hi there. Bruce here with your friendly news report.

[For someone who previously delivered all his news so calmly and with a jovial sarcasm, now that edge is obviously more tense, more brittle.]

So, first and most noticeably, don't go outside unless you want one of several Cujos and their feline companions to eat you.

[He's so past sugarcoating that. What is there to sugarcoat when Kobra went on the network bleeding and begging for help? Bruce would've gone, but the situation was taken care of, and so he just stayed quiet and stayed inside. Because if he goes out there and something jumps him? Yeah. They'd have bigger things to worry about than giant wolves. But on the upside, probably no more giant wolves...]

Even more unsettling than man-eating beasts, um, some people in lab coats definitely stole someone. So, uh, take the time you have indoors to set up some impressive booby traps. Nails on the floor, buckets of water over the doors, that kind of thing.

P.S., uh... anyone want to get on... looking into that? That's not my area of expertise, but surely... someone? [Anyone?]

Alright, and thirdly, that giant box. We've made enough progress to know that the tree on one side is... [He squints at his notes.] Yggdrasil from Old Norse mythology. I probably butchered that pronunciation, but the point is, big tree, and those eight globes must mean something. One's missing. All the others are made of a distinct material, like one's gold, one's some kind of volcanic stone...

Any takers? I can't get to the library without having my face chewed off, so let's powwow this.

[Not to mention someone's hogging the book, but Dean's brother was just creepily abducted by men in white coats, so Bruce is feeling a tad more lenient toward him right now. Except for where he was totally mean to Lydia.]

Comments

[thezerothlaw]

Hello, Dr. Banner.

[He doesn't know if/how he can weigh in on the puzzle of the box, but the other thing Bruce mentions catches his attention.]

I'm not sure what to make of kidnapping in the night, although it's very troubling. I'm not convinced traps will be effective against them, not when they're capable of harmlessly deactivating me.

[greenisnteasy]

No, but they are some kind of -- well, that guy got a picture, didn't he? So maybe they'd be upset if they stepped on a tac.

[thezerothlaw]

I suppose it depends on how closely they observe us. It might not be possible to install a trap without their knowledge. I agree that it might be worth a try.

[greenisnteasy]

Very true. Though maybe if we fill our houses full of carefully constructed traps, they won't bother coming in.

[He's only half serious at this point. Shit's getting real here, and it only seems to be getting worse.]

[beenunmade]

[ Clint is...on the roof like a badass. ]

Well, Freckles...I can offer security detail if you're afraid of getting your face getting ripped off. [ Even though he knows he shouldn't be afraid...but then the Hulk would make a bigger mess. ]

[greenisnteasy]

[Of course he is.]

Not actually a terrible idea, but I gather the book we need is being held hostage at the moment.

[beenunmade]

By those fuckers in the lab coats? Cos...if that's the case, then I'd just write it off, Bruce.

[primogen_vampirate]

If something is missing from the box, I imagine replacing it might be important.

Don't you think, darling?

[greenisnteasy]

I definitely agree. The only thing is, I don't know what goes there. Each of the eight spheres is made of something distinct. The ninth one must be made of something, but without that book, I don't know what it could be.

You're one of our Old Norse experts, aren't you? What can you tell me about these spheres? Any relation to this tree?

[primogen_vampirate]

Nine is the key. What are there nine of in mythology?

That's the real question.

[She scowls.]

There's something familiar about it.

[could_be_dangerous]

[Audio, Private]

Kidnapping is my area of expertise. One of them. I intend to investigate, though it would be far easier if I could access the crime scene.

[greenisnteasy]

[Sherlock, you're so creepy. Bruce likes it.]

Careful. Say that too loud and you might get your house searched for a spooky lab coat.

Agreed. I could maybe get you some cover in the form of an archer.

[could_be_dangerous]

Never bother with the lab coats. They don't suit my complexion.

Incidentally, if you mean our mutual, crossbow-wielding acquaintance I think I'll be safer without.

[porcelainpride]

Cats and kidnapping. Things just keep getting better and better.

Is there any other help that's needed? I'm going a little cabin-fever-ish.

[greenisnteasy]

Don't get eaten is a big one. If you're still in one piece at the end of this, then you win a badge or some points or something.

Honestly, I haven't been working on much beyond this box. How's your Norse mythology?

[porcelainpride]

Not nearly as good as my Greek.

I can provide food? As long as where you are is close enough for me to sprint from the diner.

[theshield_agent]

Thor sure would be helpful right about now.

[He sighs.] You know Rogers is missing, too, as far as I can tell.

[greenisnteasy]

[Private]

[He looks away, biting his lip briefly, trying not to picture Steve being carried off.] Let me know if you find out anything more about that.

And in more bad news... Has Clint said anything to you about what this box is doing to him?

[theshield_agent]

[Phil's face tenses. After Clint shooting Logan, he really doesn't know what else could go wrong.]

What did he do?

[happytobleed]

We are looking into it the best we can. If you or anyone has any information about Sam Winchester, we would appreciate it.

[His words are clipped, tone angry.]

I can move you to the library, if you so desire.

[greenisnteasy]

[He isn't about to poke at the anger.]

That might be helpful, but the book I need isn't actually at the library. [Hey, wait...] Actually, I think you know the guy who has it.

[happytobleed]

Who is it? If it's Gabriel, I'm afraid you're out of luck. [Somehow, he hasn't noticed that no one knows Gabriel's real name. Or he just doesn't care.]

[agentx13.livejournal.com]

Working on it, Dr. Banner, but not having much luck. There were no traces of them by the time I got there.

[What she wouldn't give for Nick to be here. Sharon had always been more comfortable as a soldier, not as a leader. Hell, she'd even accept Diamondback taking the lead if Rachel ever showed up here. Okay, maybe things weren't that bad, but they were certainly bad enough for her to consider it.]

Anything else I can help you with? I may be able to get to the library. The humans keeping us here might have the edge on me at the moment, but I can handle a couple Cujos.

[greenisnteasy]

Of course not. But they're starting to slip. They can't keep this up forever. [He hopes.]

Actually, getting me to the box and letting me have another look at it might be more helpful.

[agentx13.livejournal.com]

[Protecting him while he works will be harder, but not, she supposes, impossible.]

Give me some time to work something out. I'll be in touch, Dr. Banner.