hydrogen ☢ video.

[hyperkinesia]

[ Bruce greets the network with a bland smile, brief, shoulders hunched just so, tension lingering in the muscles there. The stance seems almost second nature to him, though, as if that's just the way he usually carries himself. ]

So, this all looks like fun. Too bad I didn't have time to pack. [ His words are as dry as the desert, and his attempt at easing into the video function is stale at best. He presses on anyway; he started it, so he may as well finish. ]

My name's Bruce Banner. I'm still a little green around these parts, [ ha ha ] and I figured this was the best way to get in touch with most of you. The other ImPorts, that is.

Out of mere curiosity: how many of you are familiar with powers or abilities, back in your world? What about heroes, or anything at all even remotely like the system in place here? Did you have any powers at all before coming here?

As for the registration process: I understand there are a lot of perks for those who choose to register. My question is, how difficult is it really to find a job or a place to live while unsettled? If you have the skills, would you say the hiring process is the same as in your world, or more complicated? Financial aid isn't important to me, and I don't mind if I don't get paid a lot or don't have money for any place too fancy. I'll make do.

[ Questions, always so many questions. He smiles somewhat apologetically at the camera. ] Sorry. Inquiring minds, all that.

[ Clearing his throat, ] If the acronym SHIELD or the word Avengers mean anything to you, let me know. I'm— [ He pauses, almost says something else, then just shakes his head dismissively. ] ... done, I think. That's it. Thanks.

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[flowerette]

[ Poor, Bruce! Well if he gets too distressed and wants to hulk out, she'll gladly watch and take notes from a safe distance. Scientific curiosity and all. ]

Let me see...

[ She takes a moment to search for the post before sending a link his way. ]

This is what came out about it. From the looks of it, they were apparently trying to recreate a porter. But it was sabotaged and messed with the personal timelines of many imPorts. The call for help came three days ago. I believe things should have returned to normal by now.

[ Hopefully. But Raina offers a faint smile. ]

Welcome to the imPort world where things are just as insane as they can be back home. We have yet to experience something akin to what happened in New York, however. So our world still has it beat by a tiny bit.

[hyperkinesia]

[ Yeah that's not going to happen. Not while he has a say in it, and not until strictly necessary.

He opens the post and gives it a quick look, though it doesn't tell him much. She fills in the blanks with an explanation, though, and while it's not a very technical one, at least it makes some sense of how the whole thing went down. Bruce genuinely hopes she's right, and that things have gone back to normal, but he'll still poke around and ask if he has to, just to be sure.

One way or the other, though, he'll be careful about this version of Tony. ]

Don't say that, or you'll jinx it. And it sounds like this place already has more than enough to worry about without an alien army bleeding through a wormhole in the sky.

[flowerette]

We do, unfortunately.

[ Raina sighs, the smile disappearing as her expression becomes grave. ]

The Russians declared full war back in February. And while we won the most recent battle, I have no doubt they're regrouping right now and thinking how best to attack us from here.

[hyperkinesia]

I know. I've been brought up to speed on what happened. It was a very general overview but I got the gist of it.

[ And he knows she's right. He has no doubt it's just a matter of time before something happens. He literally just got here and he's already waiting for the other shoe to drop in a rather spectacularly disastrous way. ]

[flowerette]

You are fortunate to have not ported in during February. I take it the events that happened then are what you were told about? With the occupation and mandatory convention geared toward reconditioning our minds?

[hyperkinesia]

Yes, that. And the whole thing with some imPorts getting taken and locked up on a submarine? [ He'd say it sounds crazy, but considering the world they come from... ]

[flowerette]

Yes. That is what really kicked things off with this war. The beginning of the year started on a high note. Fortunately, things have been a lot calmer lately. But I suppose if anyone, you know far too well about the calm before the storm and all.

[hyperkinesia]

Oh yes, I'm familiar with the concept. [ If anything he's surprised it's been so calm for this long. That can't mean anything good. ]

Guess we'll see how things go. It's not like we can do much for now anyway, is there? [ Mostly a rhetorical question, though if she has thoughts on that, he'll gladly listen. ]

[flowerette]

Unfortunately a lot is out of our hands.

[ She offers a faint smile. ]

Well, Dr. Banner. If you ever need anything, you can feel free to contact me. I do hope someday our research may coincide. I would love to work alongside a brilliant man such as yourself.

[ Is there a little bit of flirtation there? Yeah. Just a hint. Raina has always and will always be most attracted to minds. ]

[hyperkinesia]

[ And Bruce is and always will be a little too clueless, so the flirtatious tone more or less flies over his head there. Whoops. ]

I will, but thanks for your help so far. I'll keep that in mind. On both counts.