15155/A unexpected encounter!

A unexpected encounter!
Date of Scene:	16 June 2023
Location:	Southern Mountain Range
Synopsis:	Hulk gets a surprise wellness check from Lara. While SHIELD gets the boot, she gets permission to explore the ruins. What will happen? All I know is Hulkanda Forever!
Cast of Characters:	Bruce Banner, Lara Croft

---

Bruce Banner has posed:
The Savage Lands, located near the mountains, is a region teeming with activity. Dinosaurs roam both on land and in the skies, lending an air of danger to the area. However, a peculiar silence prevails where the jungle meets the towering mountains. Flying dinosaurs circle above, moving with a sense of purpose as if acting as scouts. Drawing closer, one can catch glimpses of a small town enclosed by a metal wall, constructed from salvaged materials torn from a crashed spaceship, serving as protection.

Not limited to dinosaurs, the region surrounding the town acts as a sanctuary within the Savage Lands, harboring beings that are part-human and part-animal. These hybrid creatures, such as Zebra people, Horse people, and various other animal-human hybrids, embrace a primitive style of clothing befitting the name "Savage Land," yet paradoxically utilize futuristic devices with ease. The area surrounding the town is home to numerous other curiosities, all hidden in this secluded patch of land not far from the Shield outpost.

Interestingly, this town finds itself strategically positioned between Shield and the site of the recent destructive conflict that resulted in a nuclear detonation. Those curious enough to venture into the region might stumble upon this hidden enclave while exploring or investigating the aftermath of the battle. While not entirely concealed, the town is renowned for being the realm of the new king, whom anyone challenging the kingdom must face head-on.

Lara Croft has posed:
It had been a busy year, but this Savage Land place, deep within Antarctica had been quite a gem within it.

Lara Croft had been tasked with helping with the Brood infection by finding sources of informatin that could yield key locations where the power regulation levels were being kept at a certain ceiling across the Savage Lands themselves.

Those power ceilings had been discovered within ancient computers, and they'd been turned off prior to the nuclear event.

Now, some time out from that event, Lara was simply a research expert amongst the SHIELD officials stationed nearby.

And she was arriving at this strange village, township, via a gas powered Jeep. It likely stands out to the locals, but SHIELD has been rolling around in such vehicles of-late. Here and now, Lara's rolls up to the town and kills the engine. She steps out of the vehicle moments later, wearing a black sleevless top, a pair of dark brown hiking trousers, and a black belt with a gold buckle. The pants tucked in to black leather boots, and Lara's hair tied back in a ponytail she looks the part of a Human adventurer. Taking a moment to sort her gear out, Lara pulls a backpack out of the Jeep, then starts to pull it on her shoulders as she turns to the town and begins to strut her way toward it, taking confident strides as her eyes roam the landscape, and what lies upon it. She smiles to those who may look upon her, not wishing to give off any negative vibes to the locals.

Bruce Banner has posed:
Approaching by jeep, the journey remains smooth until she reaches the walls, where a long, flat area has been carved out to create a makeshift road leading to the entrance. There are a few notable observations, some positive and others potentially worrisome. On the bright side, there is a diverse array of individuals, ranging from cyborgs to mutated humans, who despite their usual conflicts, appear to be working together. While occasional disagreements persist, their interactions, for now, seem to involve nothing more than pointed words.

Many of these inhabitants are engaged in planting and harvesting various plants outside the walls. Technological levels vary, with some relying on primitive methods such as utilizing a large dinosaur harnessed to a broken piece of metal, yet they manage to perform their tasks. The majority of people within the village wear metal bands around their necks, though it appears these are not forcibly locked in place. Only a small number of individuals outside the walls are seen without such bands.

As she approaches, a nearby mutated human looks up, offering a polite nod but refraining from speaking. As a boundless, having chosen her own path, the mutant human acknowledges her presence and utters a word for peace. Curiously, they don't seem to run or display fear, but their attention is drawn to the fact that she lacks the metal collar-like object.

Standing in front of the gate are two imposing figures, half-human and half-Gorrella, donning bent metal armor and wielding jungle wood spears tipped with metal. As she nears, they cross their spears, fixing their gaze upon her. One of the guards initiates with an aggressive tone, demanding, "What do you want!" in an attempt to intimidate, only to be swiftly reprimanded by the other guard, who delivers a firm blow to the back of his head. "King said no yelling... Do you want to be smashed?" he warns before redirecting his attention to Laura. "Name... Purpose," he states, while subtly stepping aside to allow another individual wearing a metal collar to pass without question, casting a worried glance at Laura as they go by.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara made eye contact with the mutated woman who seemed a bit put off by her being here, but Croft just offered her a even smile, and a light single nod in return. She'd been to many places where she was reacted to as such, and it really wasn't that worrisome to her... in fact this is far superior to some of her past interactions with villages in far away places.

On her approach to the large Gorilla Guards, Lara hooks her thumbs under the straps of her backpack on her shoulders, coming to a stop a handful of paces away from them as the exchanged between them takes place. She sweeps her brown eyes toward one, then the other, her dark bangs flowing in loose tendrils against her forehead.

She clears her throat softly. "Greetings." Lara says in her calm British flavored voice. "I'm Lara, Croft. I'm an explorer and a member of the SHIELD Unit that has setup in the region to aid with the Brood infestation situation. I've.. come to, well, offer a connection to the SHIELD outpost in hopes of sharing information, goods and services. Mutual friendship. I was told that nobody has been buy this location yet... so we are hoping to extend a friendly hand."

She's playing the diplomacy card for now, as she's really seeking information about the area and potential exploration locations in the nearby mountain range.

Bruce Banner has posed:
The corrected guard fixes her with a single eye and sniffs, remaining silent as he contemplates what to do. Meanwhile, the other guard appears somewhat surprised. "Wait... Shield. King said shield," he says, exhaling a huff of air. He reaches into his loincloth and retrieves a metal collar. "If you're here to fight, you can go in. If not, wear this," he explains, attempting to convey its purpose. Although it carries an unpleasant odor, the collar appears relatively clean. Both guards step back, granting her passage and revealing the interior of the walls.

Inside the walls, several metal buildings stand, though their construction appears rudimentary, clinging to the mountainside with dug-out holes leading further in. The craftsmanship is sufficient to prevent collapse, with ropes and ladders connecting various pathways. Some individuals fly about, others swing from structures, and a few simply float. Behind the buildings, metallic spires emit an odd, sparking energy. Passing by, one can glimpse the energy spheres they likely retrieved from elsewhere, prompting speculation about the number of casualties incurred in acquiring them.

The village itself is not overly large, and a straight path leads to a figure seated atop what seems to be a chair fashioned from dinosaur bones, though the bones appear larger than normal. This colossal green figure is none other than the Hulk. Presently, he engages in conversation with three individuals: a child-like figure adorned with arrows on their head, a lady who appears more robotic than human, and a regular-sized human who pales in comparison to the others, dwarfed by their presence. None of them seem to be wearing the metal collar.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara hesitantly steps forward to take the collar. Her eyes drop down to it, and she does lift it up to inspect it a little more closely. She even sniffs it, as it must be giving off some odor...

"This means I don't wish to fight?" She asks, with a bit of uncertainty in her voice. Metal collars generally don't have a good reputation throughout history... But when they grant her access, Lara certainly doesn't wish to fight anyone here, so she quietly thanks the guards... even offering a small smile as she starts to move in to the township.

She pulls her hanging ponytail out of the way as she goes too, and slips the collar over her throat and back around her neck to let it hang down uncomfortably against her collarbone. Her fingers fiddle with it a few moments as she strides in to the village.. eyes roaming as she walks at a casual clip rate now.

"Wow." Lara quietly states to herself as she takes in the sights and sounds of the place. She sees the various structures, observes the source of what appears to be some kind of electrical system, then glances back to the guards over her shoulder. "Someone from SHIELD is here?" She asks... mostly herself now as the guards aren't seemingly coming with her. She'd been told she was the first to come to this place...

It doesn't take her long to realize what was going on though, when she looks forward again, rounds a corner and sees the Hulk on a throne. This causes Lara to stop. She knows him, she knows OF him at least.

She'd interacted with Dr. Banner a number of times at the Triskelion and at Avengers related events, but she did NOT have a lot of experience with him in this form. This form, was very intimidating, after everything she'd seen of him in action.

"Oh shit." Lara quietly says, again mostly to herself.

She starts walking again now, quite out in the open for him to see her should he look in her direction, but her eyes go from him to those around him as she just sidles up toward them and waits to be seen... waits to be acknowledged.

Bruce Banner has posed:
Walking with the collar around her neck, which can be easily removed with a simple tug, Lara observes the ongoing argument between the three figures in front of Hulk. However, as soon as Hulk locks eyes with her, he pays no attention to their quarrel. Allowing it to continue for a brief moment, Hulk eventually waves his hand in the air, signaling an end to the dispute. "Enough! Hulk says you're the strongest in town. If we need land, we take it," he asserts, then directing his gaze toward the robot. "If we need parts, we find them." Shaking his head, he dismisses the others, commanding them to leave. "Go... Now!" Hulk leaves them to figure it out, displaying a surprising lack of hands-on involvement. Despite this, he gestures and points in specific ways, becoming the focal point of the group. Quietly seated, he locks his gaze onto Lara. Although Bruce may have met her before, Hulk has not, yet it is evident, even in the Savage Lands, when a refined lady presents herself. Hulk himself is adorned with a loincloth and a fur wrap around his upper body, his overall appearance wild despite the semblance of organization around him.

As Lara approaches, it is peculiar that no one obstructs her path, and there is a notable absence of guards around Hulk. Everyone seems preoccupied with their own tasks. Laura may not be aware yet, but the structure within the community is such that as long as someone, including Lara, does not wear a metal band, strength determines their position. Killing is not a requirement and is generally discouraged, but if someone can defeat Hulk, claiming victory over him grants control of the entire area. Although no one has succeeded thus far, a couple of stains on the ground serve as reminders of the two failed attempts.

Hulk rises from his bone chair, his face sporting a hint of a smirk, as he gazes down at her. "You're from Shield? Why do you come to Hulk?" he asks, slowly approaching. He attempts to appear less intimidating during his approach, but his towering green figure casts a shadow over her as he stands, peering down.

Lara Croft has posed:
The argument that Lara had caught the tail end of did sound interesting to her, but she clearly wasn't meant to hear it as the trio was sent away by their... King?

Lara knew that Banner had gone missing after the battle, but that was not that long ago. Had he conquered this place? What had he done to its former ruler? Odd questions, unsettling insinuations.

She just stood there in her fine modern clothing and equipment, save for that crude metal collar hanging around her neck now, resting beside that jade pendant that hangs by a leather shoelace around her throat too.

She watches the 'King' as he rises up and starts to descend his throne down to greet her. She doesn't get intimidated, and instead stands her ground. she does look up at him, having to crane her neck some as she offers him a respectful bow.

"Sir... Hulk?" She asks, unsure of the exact relationship between him and Banner, though she has heard a bit about how it works from the scuttlebutt around the Triskelion. She knew enough not to call him Banner, as there was apparently often a feud between the two minds and the feud was not something one was supposed to ignite.

When Lara straightens again, she tilts her head ever so slightly. "I am Lara Croft, an... Agent of SHIELD, but more-so an avid explorer of untamed lands. This... is why I've come here, I'd come to establish a connection with this place, in hopes of exploring this region... I... however, had no idea you had become the monarch of this place."

Lara spares a quick look around their immediate surroundings, before she looks back up at his face. "You have ... certainly had an impact since coming here, it seems." She says with a hint of amusement touching her otherwise soothing voice tone.

Bruce Banner has posed:
Hulk stands there, silently observing Lara as she speaks. His expression remains stoic, resembling more of an angry face, which is often his default expression. When she addresses him as "Sir Hulk," he interrupts and says, "Hulk is Hulk... They call Hulk 'King Hulk.'" He attempts to provide some explanation while keeping a watchful eye on her. Although he doesn't particularly like the whole "King" title, everyone around here insists on calling him that, and he can't exactly smash them for it. His time with the Avengers has taught him a few things, but in this place, those leasons seem to be hulked out.

After a brief pause, Hulk scratches his head and tilts his head, attempting to comprehend her intentions. "So you're not for Hulk. You just..." he trails off, repeating the word he heard her say, "explorer."

His voice grows tighter, and he turns, smashing the ground to the side. While some onlookers, including the three individuals who were conversing with him earlier, glance in their direction, many others don't seem too alarmed. This kind of outburst appears to be quite common. Hulk growls, "They hit me with a big light from the sky and left Hulk." He moves swiftly, pointing at her with anger in his eyes, but keeping his distance. His gaze falls upon the collar around her neck, and he clenches his fist, growling before striking the ground even harder, resulting in a loud cracking noise. "You... not fault," he finally states through gritted teeth. "You wear collar, show you non-fighter." His anger begins to subside, and strangely, his size seems to have recently increased but is now returning to normal.

Hulk's voice becomes calmer as he continues, "Speak thoughts open. No one hurt." He takes a deep breath, attempting to regain his composure, and scans the surroundings. "Previous people were bad," he says, trying to find the right words. "They tried to hurt Hulk, like they hurt them. Hulk smashes... Others are smart." He points towards the other three individuals who are now looking at Lara with a mix of panic and relief. They had collectively agreed that no one should harm those wearing the collar, and they honestly believed Hulk was about to disregard that agreement. Their faces relax slightly as the worry dissipates, but there was a brief moment of intense concern.

Lara Croft has posed:
The smashing to the ground does get Lara to take a pair of steps backward. She's a confident woman, a strong fighter in her own right... but shit, he's the damn Hulk. She steps back, then just looks back up to him before she glances toward the people watching them.

"I uh... I am with the WAND division within SHIELD. I'm not a active Field Agent, and I didn't come here for you. This is just a chance encounter, you could say." Lara tells him in her calm voice.

She keeps her hands at her sides, and does glance down at the collar around her neck, not that she can really see it from where it hangs upon her form. Her eyes dart back up to his though, and she takes a step back toward him then, before stopping once more.

"That being said..." The British woman starts again. "I do think it'd be wise if you did return to the SHIELD Outpost with me, if just for a short time... to check in with the Agency. There are many there who are worried about your well being, and would rather love to hear about..."

She motions to everything around them again before regarding him once more.

"All of this." She adds with a small smirk. "You've been busy, clearly, and if you've run out 'bad' people from this place, I think SHIELD would be happy to hear about this as well. But..."

Lara pauses for just a moment.

"If you'd like. I can simply inform them that you're here, and ask some of their people to come to speak to you specifically, about it all." She draws in a light breath then, and nods her head once. "I merely came to ask permission to explore this region, and to ask for suggestions on potential sites within the mountains, and nearby jungle, which might be worth an expedition to."

Bruce Banner has posed:
Hulk grunts and ponders, his brows furrowing as he turns to face Lara with a serious expression. "Hulk no fight Shield. But no more come," he growls, his voice deep and rumbling. He jabs a massive finger towards the gate, his anger palpable. "You go tell them. Hulk won't smash alone."

He stomps back towards his bone chair, radiating an aura of raw power. "Shield okay, but Hulk send someone when ready," he declares, waving his hand dismissively. His words carry a weight of authority, leaving no room for negotiation. He wants her to understand the consequences of crossing paths with him.

As he settles into his chair, Hulk raises a colossal hand, his voice filled with an undercurrent of warning. "Wait... You have permission. Follow rules," he grumbles, fixing his intense gaze on Lara. His gaze then shifts to the other three, making it clear that he expects their compliance as well. The boy with arrows on his head interjects, "But if you find relics, we want first look. Cultural artifacts might be there, important to different races. We want to keep some for our meager culture." Hulk's anger simmers for a moment, and then he grunts in agreement. "Fine," he gruffly concedes, his eyes narrowing to emphasize his point.

With a final sweep of his hand, Hulk dismisses her. "Go... Return. Hulk not do bad things to Shield without reason," he declares, his voice resonating with restrained power. He watches her depart, his massive frame a testament to his indomitable strength. While he knows he must find another village to release his anger upon, he is content with the progress made. Unbeknownst to him, these people thirst for his leadership, craving the spark he provides. The structure they have established could either flourish or crumble, but for now, Hulk's presence keeps the embers burning.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara's head tilts ever so slightly again as the Hulk turns to lumber back atop his throne. She watches the chair creak under the massive green man's weight, then just nods softly twice to what he says. A look is sent to the trio of people who indicate interest in what she might find out within the jungle's mysterious corners, but that debate will be held should anything even come up. Lara just affords them a polite smile and a light bow of respect. "Of course." She says softly.

Once more she regards the Hulk as he bids her farewell, or orders her to leave.. it's hard to tell.

"Right. Of course. I shall head to the SHIELD Outpost on the double, and relay your message." She tells him as she takes a step back, but lingers a moment. "Thank you, Hulk." She tells him, not using the title and instead addressing him as he indicated he prefered. "Should I find anything that I think might interest you, I shall see to it that you are the first to hear of it." She adds before she shows a polite expression to him next.

Lara turns then, and once more adjusts her backpack on her shoulders, then touches that collar around her neck... as she starts to leave the village. On her way out, her eyes wander around it again, and as she passes through the gate she removes the collar, and tosses it toward the Gorilla guard who gave it to her. "Thank you." She tells him. "I'll be back." She adds on a striding course toward her Jeep that sits on the grassy stretch of land out beneath the shining sunlight.