Summary:
June 30, 2014: Visiting Hank down in his lab, Nancy and Hank talk about self esteem issues and dental plans.
Xavier Institute
Downstairs in Dr. McCoy's lab.
Characters
NPCs
- None
Mood Music:
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbUNLowTlo4]
Nancy O'Neal has been driven. Which isn't too unusual for her. Usually it's her music that drives her and though she hasn't stopped practicing that, it's something else that has gotten under her skin to push herself. And so, she walks down to Hank's lab, wanting to show off her progress. Okay, she can't keep it up if she isn't focussing on it, but she has managed to bring her aura to its resting state by her will alone. She *tries* to sneak up on him, get him within her usual 10 foot radius so he'll see that he is still not pink. But, with his senses, will she really manage to sneak up on him? Doubtful.
*
As usual, the door to Hank's Lab/Office is closed, with the sign to 'Please Knock'. He can't really keep the door locked, so this is the next best thing. Even if no one knocks, however, no doubt he will hear the door opening…or footsteps…or smell their scent as they approach.
At this moment, Hank isn't at his desk or one of the worktables. There is equipment and experiments going on, but nothing seems to be actively bubbling or smoking. Indeed, Hank is seated in a little couch area with a book in hand, reading. Or, he was.
Without looking up from the book, he offers, "Hullo, Nancy…a knock would have been nice, but what can I do for you?" Only then does he look up over the rims of his glasses before they're pushed back up on his nose.
*
Nancy O'Neal smirks as she sees Hank lounging on the couch. She keeps her breathing slow, focussing on that feeling of otherness that she's associated with what seems to be her aura of nothing. Due to her focus, she is not nearly as impish as normal, even her body posture is different. Slower, her actions taking determination rather then the flow of impulse. "Well, for a starters, you can stay blue just a little bit longer. I think I might be able to rein this in just a little more if I try. Just don't move."
*
Beast's eyebrows lift, but he closes his book and sets it down on his lap and doesn't move…as requested. "I'll do my best…this is very good progress." He's been working on some sort of device that might dampen her powers, but it's not quite ready as he's been somewhat distracted. "Have you been meditating?"
*
Nancy O'Neal nods her head to the question, still seeming to be looking into the distance. She may be here physically, but her mind is elsewhere. "I was talking with Jamie the other day and I actually managed to get it down far enough that he could multiply while sitting on the other end of the couch. I did it once. I can do it again." She takes a slow step closer, smiling. "At this rate, I may get to hug your furry self before the end of the summer." As she jokes, her control starts to waver and ripple, making Hank shift between blue and furry and pink and smooth. "Sorry. Got to focus."
*
There's a wince at the shift back and forth, but Hank otherwise manages to remain composed. He does stand, though, and move a few steps out of the aura, not exactly sure why she'd want to hug his 'furry self'. "I've been working on something to help you with this, but right now, I'm trying to finesse the ability for you to use it when you need it…otherwise, it would be dampened. If that's what you want."
*
As Hank walks out of her influence anyway, she relaxes with a sigh. "Phew! That is surprisingly tiring!" Now that she isn't focussed on her own control, her usual body language returns, the cock of the hip, her arms folded over her chest. "Well, a dampener would be useful. I mean, I'm not looking at this thing like a huge pain in the ass anymore, but I know how some of you guys still are. So, I can wear a dampener when I'm not practicing my own control, sure." She goes on her tip toes to look around the room. "Is that all you're working on? Nothing all super science-y?"
*
"The dampener would be so that fewer mistakes are made," Hank points out. "Imagine, in that Jungle fight we were in, what could have happened if one of us got too close to your field while we were fighting? If we lost our abilities and the others hadn't? It's not a crutch for you to rely on, but sometimes powers need tools to help them. Like Scott's glasses." Since it's an easy example. "Please don't touch anything. I'm working on many things…whether they're 'super science-y' or not, I couldn't say."
*
Nancy O'Neal reaches down to get a lollipop. "But," she points out. "If not for my power, that guy that snuck up on me would have been at full power. It was my power that slowed him down. His uncertainty. But, if it's something I can use like Scott's glasses, I guess it's alright." She holds up her hands. "I promise not to touch. And please, everything you work on is super science-y."
*
"It's still in progress. Scott's powers, we know, come from his eyes. Your's…seems to be an aura." It's hard to dampen an entire aura that seems to come from all about her. He doesn't stop her from looking around, not yet, and he sets the book back on the couch. "How do you manage to still have teeth with all of those lollipops that you eat?"
*
Nancy O'Neal smirks over at Hank, who she is coming to still think of as Hank in spite of the fur. The differences are there, but so are the similarities. "Yeah yeah. I know. I have a huge sweet tooth. I should probably stop, but … I never get around to it. Hopefully this place has a dental plan?"
*
Beast tilts his head, "A dental plan? Well…" he thinks a moment, "Not really. At least, I haven't seen any benefits…" although there might be something on some books somewhere for tax purposes. He doesn't want to think about how Xavier handles Employment Benefits. "Do you do it because you're nervous?"
*
Nancy O'Neal dips her head down as she smirks. She shakes her head, smiling. "You're cute when you're as dense as me too. But seriously? Leave the stupid to me. It was a joke." She leans on one of the tables, taking the lolly out of her mouth to regard it. "I don't know why I do it. I have always had a sweet tooth. And then with my mom's drinking, it was a cheeky way of getting rid of her booze without just pouring it down the drain. But yeah, sugar in my coffee, on my breakfast cereal, dessert with every meal. I just like the sweet things in life." She shrugs her shoulder. "Why? Let me guess. Worried I'm gonna go diabetic on you and die?"
*
Hank leans carefully on one of the counters, his bare feet curling some on the floor in his own nervousness. "Well, diabetes is a concern, but I'd be more worried that you'd be stricken down by cavities and tooth decay first." He considers the girl for a moment, "You enjoy the sweet, but you seem to like being caustic in many situations. That's an interesting dichotomy."
*
Nancy O'Neal thinks about this and chuckles, nodding her head. "Think maybe if I stopped eating sweet things, I would be nicer? Tell you what, if you promise me a kiss, I'll promise no more sugar. Deal?"
*
Beast tilts his head some at the offered deal. There's a long pause before he points out, "If I said that to a woman, I'd get my face slapped…or worse." It might not be the answer she was looking for. "I'm flattered by the flirting, but forgive me if I'm not quite able to return the attention or accept it." He maintains his distance still, trying to stay out of her aura. "It's not fair to you or any sort of relationship right now."
*
Nancy lets out a long sigh. "Didn't think that would work, but I figured you might surprise me." She pops her lolly back into her mouth and walks over to one of the stools to sit down on. Hopping up on the stool, keeping Beast out of her range as she nods. "You don't like being all soft and smooth one moment and all furry and tough the next. I get it. Being near me isn't a bed of roses. And who said anything about a relationship? I wanna hang out and have fun with ya, not marry ya."
*
"It's not about the physical changing, Nancy. It's…psychological. I'm well aware of that and it's my issue to deal with. That being said, pushing my boundaries isn't going help the situation." Hank pushes his glasses back up his nose, "We have very little in common, you know…you're much more of a free spirit than I am and right now, I'm not comfortable 'hanging out' outside of the mansion. I can't imagine it's very fun for someone as vibrant as you."
*
"Pushing is what I do. Boundaries, tempers, what have you. But okay, I'll stop. Or, okay, I'll *try* to stop. But, that said, don't think I'm forgetting or giving up. I still think that you're more fun then you give yourself credit for." She pulls one leg up onto the stool and hugs her knee. "And hey, opposites attract, right? Think of me like the north pole on a magnet. YOu can be my south pole."
*
"Or opposites oppose…which is sort of the root of the word," Hank points out. "My idea of fun is doing research…" it might be a bit of an exaggeration, "Or fiddling with programs or equipment. Most don't feel the same way. I appreciate your faith in me…" he just doesn't have it in himself.
*
"Well, I've never been one for research, but maybe you can show me how fun it is? I have to warn you, I barely scraped by in science and maths." She looks him over and shrugs a shoulder. "Hey, I took care of my mother for how many years. I'm used to being told to go away. And just like her, I have faith that you'll find your way. Yer too smart to let something like this stump you. And if you need help, I have an awesome bikini."
*
"I know that it's not for everyone…I never really got into the study of music. I tried…picked up the guitar a few times, but now," he looks at his clawed hands, "I might slice the strings." He then looks back, "I appreciate that you have such faith in me. I just…have a lot to think about. I'm not entirely sure where those thoughts will lead me but…" he doesn't even know how to put it. Hank gives a sigh, "I never fit in. I was the odd one out all through my life until I finished my doctorate. Even though I was still younger than most, I wasn't seen that way anymore." Maybe that's part of the issue? "Then, just when I was beginning to fit in, -this- happened," due to his own experimentation, of course. "And I don't fit in anymore and it still chafes. I'm not the rebellious type who seeks to stand out."
*
"That's the funny thing. If our situations were switched, being all blue and furry wouldn't bother me. Hell, I'd rather that then being hunted down and having to stay here. I'm going nuts in here, as nice as it is. I want to go out, see things, do things. Don't suppose you got a fancy gadget that would just switch our powers, do ya?" She smiles over to him, looking at his claws and fur. "You put too much stock into fitting in, Hank. You are a wonderful person. And anyone that can't see that, that is their ish, not yours. I would drag you to the mutant equivalent of a Pride Parade if I could. Cause you are perfect just the way you are."
*
"See, I don't know why anyone would want this," Hank gestures to himself. "I'm not ready for any sort of Pride or Parade. Like I said, there's a lot of reflection I need to do." As for a fancy gadget, he shakes his head, "No. No gadget. I don't think anything physical could do that. If you wanted to be disguised though, I don't see how that would be so hard. I was working on some sort of dampener, if you wanted it."
A hand lifts to rub at his face, disturbing the glasses, but they're soon set right again. "Thank you, Nancy. That means a lot to me to hear."
*
"Why would I want it? Because it would be an in your face sort of mutation. It's the sort of mutation that people would have to accept or prove how far they are behind socially. There is no denying that you are a mutant. And once a person puts aside the looks and actually gets to know the person with that appearance for the person they are, then they realize we are all the same. It's like saying how gay people and people of other colours… we all bleed the same colour." She pulls out her lollipop. "You know, I could find an instrument for you to learn if you really wanted."
*
"It's definitely 'in your face', but I'm not entirely ready for the world to know that I'm a mutant." He's fairly certain that he might lose any sort of credibility. "I do realize that I'm a bit of a hypocrite, which is what I need to work on. How can I truly promote mutant acceptance if I don't accept myself?" At the mention of an instrument, he almost smiles, showing some sharp canines. "I'm not really a percussion sort."
*
"Well, if there is ever anything I can do to help you accept yourself, you just let me know. Cause from where I'm siting, you have nothing to be ashamed of. And no, this isn't the fact that I wanna get in your pants talking. This is me really being honest and saying that you are this totally amazing person. And I loved that childish innocence you had when you first wanted to bring me here. It was sweet. And kind of endearing." She shakes her head. "I wasn't thinking percussion. I was actually thinking brass. Your claws won't get in the way. Just gotta teach ya how to blow. And I'm sure that Cal would love to hear that I'm teaching you that."
*
Beast lifts a hand to tap at his teeth, "These might get in the way. It's the same with reed instruments…I'd probably end up snapping the reeds. That said, French horns are rather nice." At the mention of Cal being amused, he just shakes his head. It's a good thing he can't really blush when he's blue. "Thank you for saying all of that. It's very kind of you."
*
Nancy hops off the stool. "It's not kind. It's true. I don't pull punches, Hank. I say what's on my mind. You will always know where you stand with me because I will never lie to you. That said, if you don't like what I have to say, that's not my problem. It's like a mirror. If you don't like your reflection, then it's not the mirrors fault." She starts walking to the door, keeping herself out of range of her friend. "Listen, you have a lot of soul searching to do, and it's not gonna be easy. But I'm not the only person here that sees you for what you are. You just need to see what we see. And when you finally get there, you owe me a kiss that makes my toes curl." She waves and heads out of the lab.
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