Bruce Banner | 009 | Video

[greenisnteasy]

Update on the mysterious packages. Sherlock and I did some science, and we figured out that for the ones that made people go blind and mute -- those were the only samples we got -- there was some kind of toxin on the items inside. It penetrates the skin very easily, but its toxicity window is small after being exposed, so there weren't any secondary infections from the same box. Unfortunately, I can't say much more than that, unless anyone opens a package and finds a fully stocked lab.

Probably you've already been able to guess as much, but here's the kicker. I have a box here that controlled someone's mind, altered their behavior, and made them obsessed with someone else. That toxin isn't present in this box. As far as I can tell, there's nothing wrong with this very lovely sweater featuring a moose and a tree.

I'm out of science to do here, so I'm wondering... Some of you guys out there know a thing or two about... magic, for lack of a better word, right?

Any takers?

Comments

[manofiron]

[ Well, if there's been some form of mind-control involved, Tony can definitely see why the victim would confidentiality. ]

Seriously? We have to worry about mind-control now too?

[hung_garian]

Magic? Pfft, everyone knows magic doesn't exist.

[He says, snapping his fingers to make a lollipop materialise in his mouth.]

[Video]

[laevisilaufeyson]

I seem to recall having read about it once or twice, yes.

[greenisnteasy]

[He was bracing himself for Tony's reply, but it still isn't easier to force the wall up. At least it makes his smile actually look forced.]

Seems that way, unless the sweater actually is coated in Love Potion #9.

[greenisnteasy]

Right. What was I thinking? [He smirks.]

You want to give it a look just in case? It doesn't have any candy inside, though the moose is pretty adorable.

[greenisnteasy]

Oh, then do you think you know enough to help out? I don't know; it might be pretty complicated.

[That's mostly genuine teasing, with no venom! Progress.]

[hung_garian]

If it's gonna turn me into a Swimfan ripoff, I think I'd rather leave it in your capable and medically-gloved hands.

[manofiron]

Okay. So there's...

[ Mind control's a little out of his league here, but Bruce looks upset, so he's going to try to make an effort. ]

Look, if it can be done in the first place, it came be counteracted. So we just figure out how to do that. Before the whole space whale invasion, I was—It was very rudimentary and I really wasn't out of the hypothetical stages yet, but maybe—Brain waves are energy, right? And energy can be manipulated. If something is doing that, we could build something to correct it. Somehow. If we can find the parts, this place is a dump.

[greenisnteasy]

So far I'm okay -- at least, I don't feel particularly obsessed with anyone after handling it. [No more than he did before... And that's not really an obsession either, okay.]

My assumption is whatever this is was designed to affect only one person too, like the other packages.

[laevisilaufeyson]

Perhaps I shouldn't. Might embarrass myself.

[greenisnteasy]

[Work conversation. That's okay, right? That's allowed.]

The patient's better now, for the record; it seems to have worn off, like your blindness did, but you're right. We need a way to counteract these things once we notice them happening.

-- wait, before the space whales, you were -- with brain waves? [Wait what? Tony was researching mind control?]

[greenisnteasy]

Don't worry, I won't tell. I'll even promise not to laugh. [He holds up two fingers.] Scout's honor.

[Private]

[thezerothlaw]

[It takes a little while for Daneel to decide to speak up. This is his secret, after all, but he knows about these things, and Lydia won't cooperate with him. Still... if he can help, he must. He doesn't want this news spreading, though. He can prevent that, but not over the network like this.]

Dr. Banner, I may be able to offer some insight, but I would prefer to speak in person.

[manofiron]

Possibly.

[ He waves the question aside. That's some seriously classified information that only he and JARVIS know about. Mostly because he's pretty sure Pepper would kill him if she realized what he was trying to do. ]

Okay, so let's—Can you give me the information without divulging personal details? The makeup of the toxin that you did find and the, well, anything useful you came up with from the other patient?

[hung_garian]

Well, you know what they say about assumptions, and my ass is fine as it is.

[Or maybe that isn't what they say about assumptions.]

Is that sweater the only one like that? You sure it's not a coincidence and someone just thought it'd be a funny Christmas present?

[greenisnteasy]

[Wow, Bruce is mega suspicious, and he isn't letting that one go. He'll come back around to it, and his Expression of Relenting shows that.]

The toxin is like DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide. Without a good lab, it's hard for me to really break it down, but the properties are similar enough to make me think it modeled after that. It isn't the same, though.

As for the Love Box, I mean it -- nothing. I tested for that toxin, and for everything else I could. It's a knit sweater, 80% wool, and vaguely ugly.

[video]

[rigging]

Nothing wrong with the sweater? I dunno, I think it depends on how hideous it is.

[greenisnteasy]

It's the only one I've gotten, but the patient isn't likely to lie.

[It's Lydia's "present," and he trusts her completely. -- Then he rolls his eyes.] Not unless there's mind control, but that does seem to have cleared up.

Why, were you sending out "funny" Christmas presents?

[manofiron]

Okay. Wait, hold on.

[ It's not like he really needs to take notes, but since there's a possibility that thoughts can't be trusted, he's not taking a chance. Finding a piece of paper and a pen, he scribbles down a few notes. ]

DMSO. Like it, not actually. Got it. There's a library here, right? I'll head over there in a minute. As for the sweater...

[ He can't help smirking. Or asking. ]

Is there anything funny going on with this moose and tree? Everything PG?

[greenisnteasy]

Sure thing, Daneel. Come on down to the clinic.

[Bruce had expected some private consultations. He's not really that ruffled.]

[greenisnteasy]

Too true. [The video shakes as Bruce holds up the box containing the sweater, and then shows it to the communicator. After a few seconds, he puts himself back on.]

I guess we can be grateful it didn't make the patient fall in love with a moose. Or horrible knitting jobs.

[laevisilaufeyson]

Generous of you. Too generous. I would.

[He smiles thinly.]

Well, I suppose I could pop by, in any case. Give it a go. Just a moment.

[No, really. Just a moment. That is Loki knocking on your door.]

[greenisnteasy]

[No, Tony. Stop. Don't make him miss you more than he already does. Finally, though, Bruce smiles a real smile and ducks his head.]

It's safe for work, just not for anyone with good taste. So it's a good thing you're not around.

[Haha... It's great.]

Yeah, there's a library. Do we still have that scientist around? Maybe we should ask him.

[greenisnteasy]

[Jesus. Bruce jumps, then answers the door.]

It took you so long; I was getting worried.

[He nods at the table.] It's that one there.

[manofiron]

Excuse you. I have excellent taste. I would not wear your tree-loving moose sweater.

[ His nose wrinkles at the mention of the scientist. ]

Uh, yeah, no. That's not my job. That's someone else's job. I don't do the interrogation thing.

[ Ever. He's trying to stay as far away from what's going on there as possible. He doesn't need more nightmares. ]

Are you still going to be at the clinic in a few hours? I'll drop by after I'm done at the library.