Bruce Banner

“That’s good to know, not that I’m surprised given just who is attending here as well as running it,” she replied.  “That many more to help those who can’t defend themselves so easily or who aren’t big enough to make so much a difference.”  Janet always felt a bit of both worlds.  Once she shrank, she was incredibly strong and of course she could fly as well as the stingers, but there were others wit far…. greater gifts.  She stepped through the door of the lab and it was like Christmas.  As much as she loved the lab at home, it was limited because of the space, but this was so much larger and the equipment was amazing.

“I’m sure he will.  He just needs to get to a point where the board can have a say greater than his.  I don’t even him, Tony, the job of having to deal with that.”  They moved around and she was more and more impressed with each thing he showed her.  “See I’m just the opposite.  I can sing but no real other music talent but I love all sorts of music.  Maybe we’ll have to trade and show each other sometime.”

“Well, that is kinda why most of us are here.” Well, that and the persecution faced in the outside world and being hunted by Hydra and not having any other place to go, but he tried to focus on the positive when he could. As he continued to show her through each of the labs, Bruce asked, “So, uh, if you don’t mind me asking... you kinda implied that you’re powered too?” At least, that was how he’d taken her comments.

“Yeah, we could do that,” Bruce agreed, never turning down the chance to admire someone else’s art or to play. He had less opportunities now that they were so far from the city and his time in the city was otherwise so occupied. “I’m sure Jenny would love to hear I found another excuse to take a break from the labs and the hospital too.”

“Well…” Calvin studied Bruce’s reactions to make sure he took all social cues. Even if he had memorized them, Cal still failed at them. He was mindlessly pulled in what seemed like a magnetic pull. He listened intently, hanging on every word. He rubbed his chin with the two progressing toward the one barrier between them and the outside world. Calvin’s eyes were veiled by his hand as he swept the curly locks from his forehead to keep cranial heat from concentrating in one spot. 

“I can’t say I belong here or not. Seems like everywhere I go, it’s not permanent.” He answered simply stepping beyond the doorway. He gracefully bowed his head, making sure he used the heel of his foot to keep the door propped open for Bruce. “I’ve absorbed enough mental ability from several intellects and I have reformed all knowledge in Biochemistry. I’ve learned all I could. I’ve studied. I’ve practiced. I’ve experimented. I’m still young in my wealth of knowledge but I am well versed.” He glanced over before shoving his hands into his pockets. “I hope that I can be a better…me. My slate isn’t clean. Far from it. From reject to neglect to criminal to murder…I’ve done it all. By force or by choice, I can’t deny who I am and where I’ve come from. I exist so I am. I am Mimic so Mimic I am.” 

“That’s a pretty common theme around here.” Bruce had heard it so many times he’d lost count. And sure, some people ended up leaving anyways but a lot of people found something here that they’d never found anywhere else. Even if Bruce still had his doubts about whether he should be here, he couldn’t help but appreciate what it had offered to him, despite the risk he posed to most every here.

Following through the doorway, Bruce continued to lead the way as Calvin spoke. “Absorbed...?” he asked, because that seemed an odd choice of words, all things considered. That list was also a little unsettling but then in his own way, Bruce fit all of those as well, didn’t he? He was responsible for the Hulk and the Hulk had most definitely killed - not to mention he’d destroyed years of government work and research. Sure, the bulk of the progress on that project had been his own work but there had been a foundation the Hulk had destroyed as well. Focusing back on the here and now, Bruce answered, “Well, we all have a past and given where some of us have come from, I don’t see you being judged for yours here.”

Janet smiled and nodded.  “That’s good to hear, I’m glad she’s okay.  Something tells me that she isn’t the only one who can defend herself very very well too.”  She couldn’t wait to met fore of the others either; from what she could tell it was quit t group of people now too.  She looked around as they walked, her eyes getting wider as she took more and more of it in.  It was pretty impressive, university or not.  

She made a face when he mentioned Stane’s name; she didn’t know him personally but her father had had a few interactions in the past as had some rather colorful language about him as well.  “I’m sure Tony would be great at the business regardless of how he i, good or bad.  He’s a genius, I think he could do whatever he set his mind to do too.  You’re a good friend to care so much about him.” she said and smiled.  “Oh yeah I suppose.  I always liked art when I was little and wanted to do that until I learned I liked science even more.  I think dad wished I’d gone the art route more than spending time with him in his lab.”

“There’re definitely plenty here who can,” Bruce agreed. There were mutants and super powered folk, heroes and legends. Still, stuck in the middle of all that were people who had no way of defending themselves. It scared Bruce even more than when he’d been at Armour in the middle of the city. But then, that was probably because among them was Betty. Pushing that thought from his mind, he held the door open to the lab for Janet to go in.

“He’ll get the company eventually. Legally, they can only hold him back for so long, but the board gets a say too and Stane is clearly the head of that board.” He showed her around the lab, the various equipment and supplies as he continued, “I was never very artistic, but I appreciate art. Music too, but I’m a little better with that than art.” Of course, Steve’s art in particular had been most of interest to him but that might’ve been bias on his part.

Of course. Anything for you. 

It’s just... after the attack, I know I can’t just hide from this.

The constant reminder were the countless tattoos that illustrated the length of his body and spread across the vast surface area. He glanced at the ground, hearing the steady contrast of friction causing the sole of his sandal to glide across the ground and the pressure of his weight pushing down the cushioned inserts. He gripped the tattoo on his right arm and rubbed his thumb across the ink. Though the scar was hidden from sight, he could feel it- the mended skin and the vivid feeling of the scalpel parting the surface. 

“I’ve built a tolerance to pain. I’ve been stabbed and shot before. Nothing like being introduced to temporary heightened metabolism to compare results to regeneration. I’ve had experiments done without anesthesia…” Cal didn’t mind sharing. Probably an series of oversharing but when he heard Bruce was the face behind the emerald Goliath. He swallowed hard, only fathoming the results of mimicking Hulk. The transition would be painful and even if he could almost instantaneously control the abilities, the transition would put him near death. “Well…I can’t fight with you in terms of IQ but I’ve studied the possibilities, without even knowing…perhaps when you’ve come to trust me and I’ve come to trust you, we can further explore the depths of our mental capacities.” Calvin smiled, nodding. He wasn’t afraid of him. Hell, he was more afraid of himself than The Hulk. Now nervous to see it expose itself? That was clear. “No pain…not any more. Just the pain of trust and betrayal reminding me all the time. You learn to smile to hide the hurt. And you learn to laugh to keep from crying.” 

As much pain as Calvin would have have had to go through - not even taking into consideration the regeneration they also shared - Bruce wondered if he’d eventually be able to change without the agony of transformation. Maybe one day; it wasn’t as if he had a shortage of those given that the changes had basically made him immortal. Still...

“Studied the possibilities...?” Bruce repeated, not entirely sure what Calvin was getting at. Then again, he’d been asking earlier about the labs so maybe that was what he meant by exploring the depths of their mental capacities and trust. He gave a little shrug and replied, “Could be.” That last bit resonated with Bruce on a deeper level than he wanted to admit. He could only bring himself to nod and open the door at the end of the hall, leading outside. Bruce continued to lead the way off campus and towards the diner. “Sounds like you definitely belong here at Unity. I think you’ll find more than a few you can relate to here.”

I will be offering personal training to anyone who wants to start training or improve their abilities. 

I know I’ve offered before, but in light of recent events it bears repeating. You can reach me at my office during hours, here on the network, or find me in the gym. 

[Switched to PM]

Does... does that offer still apply to me?

“Well…” Cal pondered, not really shamed or embarrassed by his abilities. He was often more freakish or fearsome to others when all of his permanent powers were active. It got worse when he traded one for a temporary one from one of the surrounding radius. He inhaled deeply as he glanced over at Bruce and rubbed his neck. 

“Well…I was experimented on. My father found use for several abilities he wanted to constantly push my limits with. It started out basic but I developed the mimicry of flight by growing wings and that is just the start.” Calvin continued behind Bruce slowly stepping in-line with the male. “I wish I could defy physics or manifest flight through self-propulsion. Well..in theory I should be able to attain it through telekinetics but I have wings. I don’t mind you asking. In fact, I am more intrigued by the others at the Academy.” He inhaled softly. “What is your specialty, not that it matters but I’m curious.” 

The mention of his father experimenting on him had Bruce wincing and struggling with something to say. He wanted to offer some sort of sympathetic notion but Calvin offered up the information so readily that it struck him that Calvin had probably long since moved past the origin of his powers. If it’d happened when he was young then Cal probably had plenty of time to come to terms with it, so that made sense.

“Wow, is it... Does it hurt? Growing them I mean?” Bruce asked, before thinking better of it. It was probably terribly rude but then Calvin said he didn’t mind being asked. “Uh, well, I’m a genius for one. IQ too high to accurately test, actually. But, that wasn’t really why they brought me in. I’m sure you’ve seen in the news, a giant green monster they’re calling the Hulk? He, uh, well, he and I sort of share a body.”

Calvin returned the gesture, smiling as Bruce confirmed his identity. He glanced down at his hand, calculating all the ways that this could go wrong but at the same time, he thought otherwise. Though it felt as if it were a slow progression, it was much faster than an average thought. He accepted his hand and shook gently. They were now eye-to-eye. “I generally do it when I’m in thought or trying to complete one.” He chuckled. 

“It is nice to put a face to a name. Easier to remember that way.” Cal eased his grip, allowing their hands to now fall to their sides. He pursed his lips, pondering if any of the mentioned food choices. “How about one of those urban eateries so that we can have choices.” Cal followed, progressing down the hall. “I can fly, if I need to. But I think it’s best I try to assimilate to normalcy. So I can carry you, as well.” 

Bruce shrugged. “Happens to the best of us. Definitely something I won’t complain about though.” After all, if Bruce could keep up when Tony started rambling on subjects of which only a handful on the planet could really keep up, he could handle Calvin’s rambling as well.

“Urban eatery? Not sure we have any of those in town, but there’s a diner nearby that has a whole book of a menu so lots of options?” Bruce offered, continuing toward the end of the hall. “You can fly? Like, superman magic kind of flying or wings?” he asked, curiosity now piqued. “I mean, if you don’t mind me asking that is.”

Janet nodded.  “I really don’t have family around anymore now so I can totally understand wanting her close.”  She watched him but it seemed talk of his cousin wasn’t a good thing.  “IS everything alright?  She was’t one hurt during the attack was she?  They headed to the elevator and knew from her brief reading of the school that they were likely going to the labs.  That got her excited as well.  She couldn’t wait to see them.  “It’s always easier to do science with the best stuff around, no question, and hey to those you help it is their world you’re changing; it can be a big thing.”  Janet smiled at him.

It seemed Tony Stark was ever allusive allover.  Not that she could blame him with  the news and rumors were true about him.  “Well that would take a lot of time.  I hope he’ll be here, but I  mean not just to meet him,” she said, laughing.  She wanted to meet him yes but she wasn’t some sort of brainless groupie for Tony Stark.  They stepped out in the sub floor and she followed him.  “Oh yeah.  Not s secret reveal, it’s sort of my hobby.  I’m a quasi-pseudo fashion designer, least in my own head.  If a notebook i have isn’t full of formulas and theorem it’s likely full of sketches.”

Bruce looked up, surprised when Jan asked about Jenny being hurt. “Oh no, no, she, uh- well, let’s just say, she’s more than capable of defending herself. Better than most people on campus, actually,” he assured her. He would have to check in on Jenny soon, ask all the questions he didn’t want to ask and she wouldn’t want to answer, but for now, he could focus on showing Janet around the labs. He nodded in agreement and added, “The labs here are incredible too. Not quite as over the top as SI but for a university, they’ve got a lot more than most.”

Wrinkling his nose, Bruce answered, “It’d take a lot less time if Stane would just recognize that Tony is more than capable of handling the company. I mean, sure, he can be reckless and a sarcastic ass but he’s a genius, much smarter than his father ever was and he graduated MIT top of his class.” Shaking his head, he pushed thoughts of Tony aside before letting it become too clear just how defensive of his best friend he was. “Huh,” he replied, still a little surprised to hear that. “You must be pretty artistic too then?”