1001/Diners Drive-Ins and Kree

Diners Drive-Ins and Kree
Date of Scene:	06 April 2020
Location:	Empire Diner
Synopsis:	A meeting to discuss xenolinguistics and Kree culture turns to an invitation to a Latverian Embassy.. are the Kree more dangerous than Von Doom!?
Cast of Characters:	Daniel Hastings, Valeria Richards

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Daniel Hastings has posed:
    Daniel had finished the primer in record time. It helped that he spoke three languages in addition to Kree and had a phd in Math. So the day after he'd promised it, he'd left a message for the youngest Richard with the promise of a root beer float as only the local diners can do. He doesn't need a car so he makes it to the diner in plenty of time to get a booth and settle in with one eye on the menu and another one the door.

Valeria Richards has posed:
This is not the time or place to show up in the flying car. Not when there are easier ways to get around the city. So there's no chorus of oohs and ahs to announce Valeria's arrival - just the soft ding of the bell on the corner of the door. In jeans, t-shirt, and a hoodie, she blends right in with the tourists and college kids as she scans the booth and waves to Daniel before heading over.

"Hey," she greets with a quick smile as she slides into the booth across from him. "That was quick. I'm impressed."

Daniel Hastings has posed:
    Daniel can't help but laugh as Val settles into the booth and compliments him, "I'll take that as high praise." He slides a thumb drive across the table to her but then sets his tablet to rest against the mini juke box for music selection with an interactive display on the screen. "It's a primer not a dictionary. I'll work on a larger vocabulary later. Keep in mind, I'm not a native speaker though I did learn through immersion and I honestly think that's the best way. It's how I learned German.. though I haven't spoken that in years."

    The waitress had been forewarned he was waiting on another so once Val is in the seat she comes over. "Ahh, two root beer floats. I'll have the double bacon burger all the way with the sweet potato fries." He looks to her, "Never would have thought to do that by the by. They're delicious." A glance and gesture between the waitress and Val suggests she order whatever appeals.

Valeria Richards has posed:
"Fries, please," Valeria smiles swiftly to the waitress. "Just, like...a big pile of them." She gestures with her hands in front of herself to the size of a full dinner plate. Some things are not eat at home things, and fries are one of them.

"Anyhow," she turns back to Daniel, "You don't need to be a native speaker. Actually it's probably better if you're not. Non-native speakers have to think more about syntax and structure, which means you're already in the right mode of figuring out where programming might naturally evolve from the language itself. Though the whole AI thing gives some insight into that as well."

Daniel Hastings has posed:
    "Speaking of AI. The whole language is remarkably standardized." And so Daniel begins scrolling through the interface, showing syntax and declension for various tenses, possessives and sundry. "Of course, in the slums, that goes down the proverbial crapper and there's jargon for all manner of things. It's actually quite intentional because there are cameras and recording devices on all official buildings, military vehicles, etcetera. If people want to talk privately while in public.." He gestures vaguely. "It reminds me of a few novels that I've picked up recently. Recommended by a friend."
    "Oh. Interestingly. The word for beautiful is very similar to the word for symmetry and perfection. Not surprising when you consider a machine intelligence guides their society. But. There are quite a few slang words and phrases that equate freedom to beauty as well. Your hair, for instance, would be referred by the latter since women's hair tends to be more reserved. Long flowing hair such as yours would be considered rebellious." He smiles.

Valeria Richards has posed:
"Not unusual at all," Valeria agrees, nodding along. "Although interesting that they'd share the preference for symmetry that shows up in humans. Then again, symmetry is usually an expression of genetic uniformity, which is a little more hard-wired into the survival mechanism," she starts to muse, watching the language scroll across the screen. "And if they're humanoid, then it makes even more sense."

It seems to take her an extra moment to process his latter words, looking over with a quirk of a smile. "I think the appropriate response for that is thank you," she laughs, propping her chin up in one hand. "So there's a marked underclass in Kree society, then? Or is it more like the US, where there's no formal division but there's still a definite sociological division?"

Daniel Hastings has posed:
    "Ahh so.. there things get interesting." Daniel's cheeks color a little at her thanks and he looks back to the tablet, scrolling again. "So they do have.. mm.. social diminutives and honorifics. Not quite the same as I understand Japanese to be but you see there are two Kree species.. the white and the blue. The white.. which strongly resemble humans by the by and happen to be how I survived.. outnumber the blue. BUT. The blue consider themselves to be.. pure.. Kree. And so while there's not a caste per se.. there is a certain degree of superiority felt by the blue as compared to the white.. as though the white are 'common' and 'beneath' the blue. Other species are considered to be.. subjects of the Empire. Yes they can hold businesses and the like but they're defferent to the Kree. Because if they aren't.. well.. the Kree make an example of them." He frowns at this and decides not to elaborate.

    Daniel decides to lighten the mood by looking back to her and smiling, "But yes. Your hair is pretty. It reminds me of flowing honey. Not that characteristics beyond shade would be ideal." And on that note, he's glad the floats arrive. He quickly begins stirring the ice cream into the root beer as avoidance of socially awkward moment.

Valeria Richards has posed:
"So, standard sociology," Valeria says, rueful. "I suppose it's somewhat comforting that some things don't change no matter how far you go." Her smile flickers again at the compliment, a faint flush coloring her cheeks as she focuses on the screen in turn.

"That must have been a fascinating adjustment for you," she says, sliding her float over in front of herself. "Not knowing the language, ending up on a strange planet." There's a pause and she tilts her head, suddenly looking back to him as an academic concern overtakes any awkwardness. "Do you have any idea what year it actually was when you were there?"

Daniel Hastings has posed:
    "Nineteen Forty Seven." Daniel replies easily enough. "My problem of course was that I only counted four of their standard years. Before then.. well.. there was a time that I wasn't counting. Delirious. Not at all sure where I was. Often hungry. Ill from eating things my stomach wasn't familiar with. Thankfully, I was only sick once since I avoided large groups of people. But still. And their years are quite a bit shorterer than a Sol standard year given the proximity of the planet. So.. I would say that was closer to three. That I counted. With.. a potential for another year or two that I didn't. So.. I'm twenty four.. plus.. three? Going on a hundred in June." He laughs at the twist of numbers then sticks the thick straw into his float to sample it.

Valeria Richards has posed:
"So you were on the Kree planet some seventy years in the past?" Valeria tilts her head, a slow smile curving. "Honestly, I know that can't have been a good time for you, but that makes it even //more// fascinating. Can you imagine running into anyone who knew you then? You'd be like- Well, like Captain America, coming back looking exactly as you did seventy years ago. Though I'm assuming that Kree have similar lifespans to ours," she muses, taking her spoon to carve ice cream out of the foam and the root beer.

"For all I know they live for ten years and then die, or live for three hundred and they'd find it perfectly normal for you to still be around."

Daniel Hastings has posed:
    "Well.. I can say that all of the older Kree that I saw seemed remarkably well preserved. I think that can be attributed to advanced medical knowledge though." Daniel muses as he sucks on his straw. "I didn't exactly try to download a Kree physiology into that crystal sadly. It wasn't a field of interest and it was a /lot/ of data to compile. On several galaxies I might add." Ahah! Food!

    Dan leans back as the plates are provided and his eyebrow raises at the plateful of fries. "Now.. do you /really/ like fries? Or is this forbidden fruit?" Either way, he's smirking a little as he takes two hands to his burger. Mouthful taken, he seems to regard her thoughtfully a moment. "Because you haven't lived until you've had poutine."

Valeria Richards has posed:
"Little bit of both," Valeria laughs, plucking a fry from the plate. "We don't exactly go out to eat a lot, and they're not something that you can make at home quite the same way as they do in a place like this. And it's a truth universally acknowledged that french fries are delicious," she adds, winking.

"I'd love to talk to some of them though. Eventually. I think we're running about fifty-fifty on relations with unknown races so far. Sometimes it works, sometimes they try to destroy the Earth. But hey, so far we're coming out on top on that last part. How long have you been here in this time, by the way?"

Daniel Hastings has posed:
    "You mean since my second mishap?" Daniel inquires with a laugh and does a little math. "Month and a half. That much I have been able to keep track of." He winks. "I haven't slept m.. well that's not true. The first few days that's all I did. Ate and slept. Since then, however, I've been hitting the books, Google, .. just.. trying to catch up on eighty years. Mostly of scientific principles. Most of which Stark or your family have managed to get to near Kree levels. I say that because we're still not interstellar and making fleet warships capable of defending the planet. Sadly, it looks like the major advances seem to be.. held in peoples' back pockets. Hoarded, if you will."

Valeria Richards has posed:
"That's one way to put it." Valeria scoops up some ice cream and root beer in a spoon, then drags a fry through it. Because you really ought to enjoy everything at once. "On the other hand, at least we're not dedicating //all// of our technological advances to weaponry and warfare. That's progress for the human race," she points out with a crooked smile.

"Stark and Uncle Victor have both been working on clean, renewable energy. Our family tends more toward exploration and understanding of the world around us and how everything works. The back pocket devices end up being...side effects of that sort of thing," she says thoughtfully.

Daniel Hastings has posed:
    Daniel nods pragmatically. "I can't argue that point save that.. well.. the galaxy has a lot of Empires in it and very few more.. mm.. benevolent sorts? I read some such on a Nova Corp but that was more an article that they had 'meddled in Imperial affairs' or some such. So I can't say if they're benevolent or just a foe of the Kree." He shrugs and takes another bite of his burger. "I truly wish we could focus our efforts on energy and food sources and cleaning up our atmosphere and medicine.. I just.." He sets his half eaten burger down and leans back in his chair.

    "I apologize, Miss Richards. If I keep bringing up defense and war and.. blood." Daniel looks down at his hands. That there's a dribble of ketchup on his fingers has not gone unnoticed by him. He licks it off then wipes his hand with a napkin. "I just.. can't bear to see Earth.. become.. well.. a subject to an empire the likes of the Kree. I fought that battle once. So many lives.. lost.. and.." There's a small shake of his head as he lets his hands rest on the table while his attention is lost to memory.

Valeria Richards has posed:
"You've nothing to apologize for," Valeria shakes her head. "We've fought off...three? I suppose three is the right number. Three interstellar attacks just in my lifetime. It would be impractical to pretend that it isn't anything to worry about. But that said, we're one planet," she points out with a small smile. "One small, very meddlesome planet. That's fought off those three attacks so far. Not an empire. Not even a unified planet, as you've pointed out. If we can do that much when we're divided, what could we do together?"

Daniel Hastings has posed:
    Daniel allows a faint smile and looks back up at her. "Just so. But.." And now he tilts his head. "Did we have that conversation?" Shaking it, he looks back to her. "I know I've had it before. That the UN is not nearly as influential as it should be. That there are many 'member' nations." Quotie fingers. "That actively oppose democratic states, ideals of equality and sundry." He sighs. "Baby steps, I suppose. I would have liked to think that if Earth has fought off three invasions that we'd be a little closer to unification.. instead.. we blow up a nation of mutants because they're 'different'." He takes a moment to massage his face. "Have you ever had the feeling that you're just.. running in place? This.. small effort with you recently is about the most traction I've gotten of late. With SHIELD.. well.. I know every action counts and that if Captain Rogers trusts Director Fury.. I will, too. Yet.. I feel like maybe I've grown beyond SHIELD."

Valeria Richards has posed:
"Parts of this conversation," Valeria nods, smile flickering. "But it's a conversation worth having. I don't mind having it again. It's a conversation that should be had more often, by more people, if we're going to make any of it happen."

She gives him a longer look as he speaks of SHIELD, arching a brow slightly. "Do you really think that?" she asks. "Or are you still adjusting? I can't really speak to what SHIELD is like," she admits, shrugging. "They know that we're pretty open about things, so we don't work with them much. Or if Dad does, no one tells me about it. They think I'm too young, probably."

"You know, just because something is hard or isn't working doesn't mean it isn't worthy. Sometimes things take time. They pretty much always take work. But it can be done. " She pauses, considering for a moment before she speaks again. "So, this might sound weird, but if you want, I'm supposed to go to the Latverian Embassy opening tomorrow. If you wanted to come..."

Daniel Hastings has posed:
    "Sorry. I just.. sometimes I wax on and I've been pouring so much.. stuff." Daniel makes an exhaggerated gesture at his head. "Into my skull.. that it's a wonder I've not melted down." The burger is picked back up and he munches away while she talks. "Nonsense. You're a grown woman with a keen intellect and I'm sure a sharp wit as well if they let you express it." He winks. "You should.. get out.. see the world.." He's gesturing with the last of his burger. "In fact, I'd be happy to take you wherever you'd like. No battles. No labs. Just.. to see it." The burger is finished off and he washes it down with a bit of liquified ice cream and soda. Yum. "Miss Richards.. I can tell you.. when I came back? /After/ I ate and slept myself back to being less than emaciated.. I went and saw.. everywhere. Just.. to see it. To truly appreciate our little blue speck. I saw some truly spectacular places that I'd love to share with you." His smile has returned and soon he's munching on fries.

    "Latveria.." Daniel muses on the word. "I can't say I'm familiar with it. New state? Since the war that is. But certainly, I'd be happy to come. Ahh.. is this black tie? Or more casual? Because I am most certainly lacking in a suitable tuxedo." Hmm.

Valeria Richards has posed:
"New to you, it would be." Valeria props her chin up on one fist, thoughtful. "Victor von Doom carved it out of the remains of the Soviet Union. He's...a controversial figure," she says honestly. "He's also my godfather. When I was being born, there were complications. Even Dad couldn't fix it. So he called Uncle Victor for help. On the up side, it did lead to a sort of...detante between him and the rest of the family. He's been gone for several years, but he's back now, and reopening the embassy."

"It's definitely black tie," she adds. "But if you want, I can set you up with something. Uncle Johnny's got an entire archive of suits that've only been worn once or twice. I think they could be altered easily enough. No pressure, though," she says quickly, a flush coloring her cheeks. "I just thought it might be a chance for you to...take in where some of the world is right now. In person, up close."

Daniel Hastings has posed:
    Von Doom. Now /that/ is a name Dan knows. From SHIELD threat files. Godfather? Phew. That's. Going to take some explaining. Assuming he mentions it. "Ahh." Yep. there's some recognition in his voice that recognizes the 'complicated' part of the equation. "Well. I wouldn't want to impose. A good suit would take.. that is.. are you sure he wouldn't mind?" He leans forward a little with his tone almost whincing at asking. "I.. I'm flattered at the offer. Truly. Thank you. And.. it would be nice to go as myself rather than as a SHIELD operative. Especially as a guest of someone quite so lovely.." Wait.. did he say that out loud? He coughs and looks to his root beer. Tasty root beer. Not at all the color of his cheeks right now. He scratches his forehead then looks back at her through his fingers. "Shall I just say yes then before I chew a hole in my leathers?"

Valeria Richards has posed:
Valeria's cheeks are pink as well, though she's a //little// better at covering it. At least better than her father would be. Baby steps over generations. Some day, there might be a genius Richards with impressive social skills. "That's probably the easiest way, yes," she agrees, smile crooked. "And don't worry about the tux, he won't even notice. Promise."

Clearing her throat, she uses the excuse of the tablet once more, taking out her phone to set it next to the tablet and tapping the screen a few times to initiate a data transfer. "Uncle Victor is complicated, but he //means// well," she says, taking another fry as she watches the screens. "He wants to save the world too. He's just...not the best with the methods sometimes. Or people."

Daniel Hastings has posed:
    This is the part where Daniel opens his mouth to speak.. then decides not to. She obviously is fond of her godfather.. but she just described every tyrant in the history of man. Still. Diplomacy. He was taught that in his officer candidacy program. He can smile. Right now.. fries. Fries are good. "Unfortunately, I've got no such luxury. Not if I want to keep my badge. So.. I'll be doing a lot of smiling and nodding I think." He gives her a pragmatic shrug. "And meeting people. Events like this are perfect for finding diplomats and heads of state that are.. sympathetic.. to our crazy notions about life." He smiles again and gives her a wag of the eyebrow as if to acknowledge they're both nuts.

Valeria Richards has posed:
"Precisely," Valeria agrees, giving him a quick, sidelong glance with a flash of a smile. She's smart enough to know what her godfather is. She's just optimistic enough to believe that someone can reach him. Probably her.

As it is, though, she has an entire plate of french fries and a glass of ice cream and root beer to finish before they're too hot and too cold. "Okay, so on to less complicated topics, I'm going to need to know what movies you've gotten around to watching," she grins, shifting the subject to something a little less volatile while they finish.