15678/Sneaking out for coffee

Sneaking out for coffee
Date of Scene:	22 August 2023
Location:	The Coffee Bean
Synopsis:	Bruce slipped out of the mansion for coffee and met a Junior Avenger, Bunny. The two seemed to have a good conversation.
Cast of Characters:	Bruce Banner, Bunny Macleod

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Bruce Banner has posed:
It's not supposed to be the case. The man with the monster inside is not supposed to be out in the streets alone. That said, every once in a while he sneaks out anyway. It isn't really about rebellion so much as just getting away from side eyes and the occasional whispered comments.

He can't exactly go incognito either, but sometimes he just takes a chance and slips out,"One large coffee." he mutters softly and keeps his head mostly down and eyes away from meeting anyone's gaze for too long. How the mighty have fallen.

Bunny Macleod has posed:
    You gotta get away sometimes. Bunny can relate, although she's been utilizing the crash space at the Bishop Printing company the last few weeks and technically 'out' is entirely relative. BUt for now the peppy, up-beat Young Avenger skates into the coffee shop, all five foot of her, and gives a cheery wave, wearing bright pink denim shorts, a blue tank top, and Barbie Pink hair done up in a pair of pigtails.

    "Hey, could I have a mocha latte with double chocolate syrup, heavy cream, whipped cream and a little sprinkle of cinnamon on it? Largest size you got?" she questions brightly, placing her order and tapping her card for the payment.

    She glances over to Bruce Banner, and her head tilts a moment, lips pursing as she rubs the back of her neck.

Bruce Banner has posed:
While he isn't classically trained to fit in or anything, Bruce glances away from her to mutter something softly to a passing waitress and she indicates where he can find the restroom. He thanks her softly and continues to look in the direction away from Bunny and towards a piece of something that is meant to pass for art in the room.

Bunny Macleod has posed:
    It was a very impressionistic piece of the Statue of Liberty as Marilyn Monroe, in precisely the pose you'd think.

    Bunny gives a slight smile, and accepts her monstrosity of a coffee drink that's more sugar than coffee, and goes off to skate to find a place to sit, humming lightly to herself, helmet with the fancy Avengers A on it because, gosh darn it, they're pretty cool.

Bruce Banner has posed:
The large coffee arrives to him and he thanks the server softly, slipping them a few bills. He lost track of the skater and so he turns to look for a table and looks right at her, eyes tracking over the helmet before meeting hers if she is looking at him,"I won't ever make it as a secret agent." he mutters to himself. He finally raises his coffee towards her and offers,"Hello. Did you draw the short straw?"

Bunny Macleod has posed:
    "All my life, genetics, right down to the birthday." the girl replies with an easy smile, and raises her not-actually-a-coffee-drink to Bruce.

    "I've gotten used to the short jokes, just gotta make the best of it." she cracks with a grin, and then she pauses.

    "Why wouldn't you make it as a secret agent? Is the 'coffee, black' too obvious?" she questions, her eyebrows drawing up.

Bruce Banner has posed:
It takes a moment to realize that she thought he was making a joke at her expense. He frowns thoughtfully,"What?" escapes his mouth before he finally catches on to what was being said.

Inspite of himself, he laughs softly and shakes his head. Taking a drink of the coffee he indicates the A on her helmet,"I figured since I slipped out past the mansion security they were sending people out to find me. It wouldn't be the first time. Last time it was a SHIELD agent that found me."

Shaking his head he admits,"Most people know my face before I know that they noticed me. Hence, bad secret agent."

Bunny Macleod has posed:
    "... well I mean, you are one of the most brilliant minds on the planet, and a lot of us have pictures of you in science class in sixth grade next to the pictures of Einstein and whats-his-face who founded Apple, but uh... nope?" she trails off a moment.

    "I'm not a SHIELD agent. I'm on the junior league." she gives a bright smile "I figured you just wanted a coffee and not to be messed with. I'm Bunny." she introduces herself, and offers a hand for a shake.

Bruce Banner has posed:
It is hard to say how he feels about that. He doesn't agree openly, but he doesn't argue with her either. Finally, he lifts his coffee and admits,"It would appear as though I am in rare company at least." he comments.

"Usually if I am gone for very long at all points bulletin of sorts goes out to Avengers and SHIELD alike. Maybe I am doing better avoiding cameras." He takes the offered hand and shakes,"It's nice to meet you Bunny. Bruce, but you know that already."

Bunny Macleod has posed:
    "Yeah, but it's nice to have a real introduction." The girl's Brooklyn accent comes out clean, and she gives him a bright smile as she shakes his hand casually, and then wraps both around her coffee-adjacent drink.

    "Pretty sure the Young Avengers don't get bulletins like that. Then again the Avengers probably don't have 'pizza party socials'." she points out friendly-like.

Bruce Banner has posed:
After he withdraws his hand, he takes another drink of coffee. Considering what she says he nods,"Probably smarter that way. Most people don't think about how they approach and it can be...bad."

A soft chuckle and he sips his coffee some more,"I think you are your team are better off. Pizza and no walking weapon of mass destruction. Hold on to that for as long as you can."

Bunny Macleod has posed:
    Bunny pauses with that, and she raises her eyebrows as she considers the teammates on the Young Avengers.

    "Eh... you'd be surprised. Billy and Tommy are scary strong with their powers. Pretty sure our Hawkeye could destroy a city if she put her mind to it, and then there's me." sip.

    "I'm the least dangerous of 'em all."

Bruce Banner has posed:
"Hmmm." he replies. Not a thoughtful sound, more a disapproving one. Shaking his head slowly he explains,"Strong isn't everything. I know that sounds ridiculous coming from someone like me, but look at me." he explains.

There isn't anything impressive about him to speak of on the surface,"The other guy is strong, but so many things he cannot do that I can. Never underestimate your mind. It is a weapon of its own and potentially more powerful than raw strength..." he pauses,"...well most raw strength. It's hard to match raw power with something that's always mad and gets stronger the madder it gets."

Bunny Macleod has posed:
    Bunny gives a small smile, and she shakes her head "Nah, I mean, compared to some of the others? A highschool drop-out with some razzle-dazzle energy manip powers doesn't seem like I'd be on the A-List of the Big Leagues -- which is fine!" she quickly adds, "Not everyone's a genius, or has super-strength. I was able to hold up a building with my bubble though." the kid replies, and then rubs the back of her neck. "I'm kinda comfortable being the dorky party girl if that makes sense?"

Bruce Banner has posed:
"Never compare yourself to anyone else." he tells her,"Some of the least physically powerful members of the main team can be irreplaceable. I remember Hawkeye saying there was a time when he was about to give up and then the day came when he was the difference. One shot saved the day."

He takes a drink and whews softly,"Too many words. I'm not used to being the encouragement or talking so much at once."

Bunny Macleod has posed:
    "I get it. Our Hawkeye was keen to say she didn't have powers, but she still--" and Bunny's eyes go wide, her arms splaying out "KICKED SO MUCH ASS! Seriously we interrupted a jewelry store robbery and she's all 'Follow my lead' and I'm all 'cool but I got skates' and we slide into their operation and doin' the Close Quarters Combat thing and she's like 'POW, WHAM, CRACK' and honestly she is MORE than a LITTLE TERRIYFING." she whispers in admission to Bruce, n a serious and awed expression on her face before she settles back down in her seat.

    "And if you don't wanna talk, you don't have to. I do a lot of talking to fill in the increasingly disturbing void in my life due to the realization that like almost all my family wants me to take the mutant cure so I'll be normal again an' come back to them but really, who's the ones who are missing out? I'm AWESOME and a super hero and some day maybe people will be wearing swag with PRISMA written on the back of it and my face on wrapping paper and then who's gonna be the loser, Trixie, I'm gonna be *Famous* and *everyone* will like me!" she starts strong, but ends up muttering with her shoulders rising up.

Bruce Banner has posed:
Listening to her talk about the team's Hawkeye he smirks a little. Taking another drink from his coffee,"See. Everyone has a strength. You just need to play to yours." he explains.

He shrugs a little and adds,"I don't mind talking a little. It's just not something I do a lot of." he explains. A smile touches the corners of his mouth and he tells her,"You run with that. I hope to see you being the great hero that you have inside you." he offers. Not the best at it, but trying,"Don't let anyone decide what you are made up of. I don't know a lot about this so called cure and I would be wary about taking anything that has had so little testing."

Bunny Macleod has posed:
    "Yep. Bubbles, shields, prismatic planes made of solidified energy and bringing the party wherever I go. That's my strength." she gives a smile to Banner then, and then she looks around, and then withdraws from her backpack a very worn looking sketch book.

    "... would it be super awkward to have you sign my autograph book? I'm trying to get everyone."

Bruce Banner has posed:
Finishing his coffee, he tosses it into the nearby trash can. He laughs softly, more at himself than anything else. The request is fulfilled of course. Leaning down to sign the book he mutters to the air,"It took you long enough."

Sure enough, two SHIELD agents arrive to collect the wayward doctor. His writing is atrocious like any other doctor, but he does sign: Dr. Bruce Banner/The Other Guy. So she more or less gets both.

The agents wait patiently because they aren't dumb. He gives her a little smile and offers,"It was nice to meet you Bunny. I will see you around the mansion." With that, he turns and starts to walk with the agents back to the Avengers Mansion.

Bunny Macleod has posed:
    "Take care, Dr. Banner! Any time you wanna get coffee or tacos or I know this fanTAStic empanada place, lemmie know!" Bunny calls out with a wave, and settles back down to admire the latest autograph, and drink her Sugar Coffee

Bruce Banner has posed:
He nods to her once and then goes back to walking into the waiting streets. Credit to the agents, they don't say anything disparaging. They don't say anything at all. The three leave the building and walk back to the mansion.