16878/So. You're Not A Skrull
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So. You're Not A Skrull | |
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Date of Scene: | 11 January 2024 |
Location: | Living Quarters - Four Freedoms Plaza |
Synopsis: | Kenesha explains to Johnny who and what she is and lays bare some things. A serious conversation becomes more light hearted and moves along... (Caution: Himbo Flirting) |
Cast of Characters: | Johnny Storm, Kenesha
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- Johnny Storm has posed:
It's morning in the Plaza, and with Kenesha having stayed the night, Johnny wanted to make her breakfast the next morning. So while she cleaned up, he had gotten dressed and came into the common area. When Kenesha comes out of his room, there's the smell of bacon fills the air as Johnny is working on making a small breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast, fresh juice and fruit already set on the table for the pair.
Dressed in his pajamas, a grey set with the Four logo on the top, he's humming along to some aimless tune -- that he's totally not good at humming. "Making bacon pancakes, making bacon pancakes..."
He's not making bacon pancakes, right?
But his thoughts are occupied. Yeah, they moved fast. And he knows so little about Kenesha. So he's hoping that they'll get a chance to talk this morning. Without getting distracted by each other. Again. Finishing making the plates, he brings them over to the table and sets them down before he takes a seat to wait.
And glances to the TV. Is SportsCenter on? No, focus Johnny!
- Kenesha has posed:
Having not brought her Tesseract Tote with her, Kenesha doesn't have a change of clothes with her. So once Johnny has headed out to start breakfast (it's own little debate as Kenesha tries to counter-offer cooking for him before agreeing to let him do the very nice thing he wants to do), she raids his wardrobe. Or at least, some of it. She finds some undershirt tanktops, snagging one in black and pulling it on, making sure it keeps her 'decent' by pulling the excess material to the small of her back and knotting it there. Then comes a grey pair of sweatpants that gets rolled at the waist under they aren't falling off her.
Having showered and brushed her teeth and at least finger-combed her short hair, she wanders out into the common area. Smiling at the sight of Johnny cooking, she moves to snag a banana and a glass of orange juice, winking at him before scooting to take a seat at the table he's set. The banana is demolished in record time, her stomach letting her know that she's gone too long without eating and needs to get food. So, good thing that Johnny offered to cook after all!
"So.. not to distract you but.. I figure I owe you a bit of an explanation about just what type of alien I am."
- Johnny Storm has posed:
When she comes out in his clothes, Johnny feels his heart skip a beat. Fine, so, he can totally get used to this. Sure, she should probably have her own clothes, but the fact that she is wearing his and looking so damned cute in them. Smitten kitten much?
"Hey, morning again, sushine." he offers to Kenesha as she comes over and starts in on the banana. That looks oddly familiar, but he hides his blush as he brings her plate over and sets it down in front of her, before he moves to take a seat across from her. And then she brings up exactly what's on his mind. "Are you a telepath, too?" he asks curiously. Or is he just that transparent.
Probably the latter.
Taking his seat, he considers her and reaches to squeeze her hand before he starts to tuck into his meal. A bite of eggs and bacon, and he's able to focus again on the suggestion being bandied about. "I have so many questions, but yes, that's the number one I've been afraid to ask, because I'm afraid to find out." he admits.
"That, and what do you do, and your favorite things, and everything you ever want to tell me or want me to discover for myself, because yeah..." he rubs the back of his head. "We kinda cart in front of the horse totally. But I wasn't going to let you get away."
- Kenesha has posed:
Smiling at his blush, she leans forward and brushes a kiss across the corner of his mouth. Straightening, she picks up a piece of bacon and takes a bite, then chuckles and shakes her head, "Not psychic. But you mentioned an ex-wife that was an alien, but it was all lies and deception. So.. in the interest of full transparency, I want you to know exactly what I am and what you'll be getting into." She pauses to take a sip of the juice.
"I am Kheran. Or Kherubim, the terms are largely interchangeable. We're an offshoot branch of ancient Kryptonians. Which means highly advanced technology, powers that are considered superhuman, and a nasty history that some of us are trying to overcome." Kenesha flickers a faint smile before continuing, "My people, they're conquerors, colonizers. When they need resources, they spread out to surrounding planets and come in with superior force or technology, and take over."
Pausing to let that sink for for him, she adds, "Those of us that are here, on Earth, are here because we crash landed while trying to run down an enemy ship full of Daemonites. I'll get into who and what those are in a bit. We crashed here roughly around the dawn of man.. ah, homo sapiens, that is." She flashes a quick grin and lifts a shrug, "So, safe to say, when I say we're old.. we're very, very old. We've come across a lot of species across our lifespans. We've done a lot of travel. Made a lot of advancements. But. Those of us that are here? We're not trying to conquer Earth. The last time we went back to Khera, our homeworld, things had changed so much, they lied to us, manipulated us, even tried to make a martyr out of my mother."
Sighing softly, she murmurs, "We have a terrible past, and our people have let things get out of hand. So we returned to Earth, made this our home. And we protect Earth against the threats we know are out there. Daemonites, even other Kherans, alien species that are just as invasive and horrible as the Kherubim are. We're looking to help."
- Johnny Storm has posed:
"Yes. She was a Skrull. And tried to be in my life at least twice after we annuled the marriage." Johnny admits. "So I was a bit concerned for a moment that you might be... but you are very much different than her, Kenesha. I trust you." he comments to her quietly as he returns her kiss and continues to work on his meal.
"Reed probably knows more about it than I do. And I didn't see anything saying anything about you being a threat, so I assume that you're at least being on the up and up with me on that." he comments, considering his words seriously as she explains herself.
"I know we had the talk about your age... and as I said, if you want me around for what part of your life I will inevitably be a small part of, I would cherish it." Another bite taken, a shrug of his shoulders. "I know, many humans, they want to be the dominant species and all that. But with all the adventures I've gone on with my sister and Ben and Reed? I've been more than humbled. Alien worlds, world devourers, every manner of species, friend and foe. I'm glad you are a friend though." A lift of his eyes to hers. "A very good friend." he offers slyly.
"So now that you are here, what is it that you do? I know you're in SHIELD, which if you got Fury's stamp of approval, you must be on the up and up a little. What is your job? What things do you do in it?" Can he be a part of it is left unsaid. "Wait, your mother is still alive? Wow. Is she on Earth as well?" Is he going to have to meet her?
- Kenesha has posed:
"Ugh. Skrulls. A pain in the ass, they're almost as bad as the Daemonites. Less... ravenous. But still very annoying," Kenesha shakes her head, then looks back to him with a smile. "That said, congratulations on being able to spot them. It's not at all easy." She lets out a breath and chuckles.
"What don't I do? After a life as long as mine has been, I think I've actually done a lot of everything. But, what I do currently.. archaeology. Think of me like a modern day Indiana Jones. I don't teach, but I do guest lecture now and then. Mostly, I seek out relics and items of power, or magic, and make sure they don't end up in the wrong hands." She flashes a grin at him, "So if you ever want to join me, you're welcome to."
Motioning to the Tower around them, she adds, "But I could also keep up with Reed in the science department, and potentially even show him advances that this world hasn't been able to reach yet. My people have a very, very long history of biology and genetics. For example.. I am... 18,238 years old. Until the euivalent of April 1st. Most of my people don't bother to count the individual years, more just.. milestones and accomplishments."
There's a laugh at his question as she nods, "Oh yes. When I say my people are long-lived, I mean that we are biologically immortal. No Kheran has ever died of 'natural causes'. Which is also part of why our fertility is so low. Now, there has been some evidence suggesting it's higher when we breed with other species, but it's still.. well. As I said last night. We would have to be very actively, dilligently, trying to have a child." Pausing, she smiles, "You can meet her if you like, but you are under no obligation to do so."
- Johnny Storm has posed:
"Yes, well. It's more... she slipped up and I figured it out." Johnny admits. "I mean, we married because she told me she was pregnant. That was a lie, by the way. Then tried to be someone else and get close to me. Then tried to kidnap me. And I think there was one more time. It's been a few years, so you can imagine when we first met, I started to wonder... but I'm glad I was wrong." he admits.
"I wouldn't mind trying something different." Especially if it means he gets to be close and spend time with her, as he nods. "You teach college? Or just like... seminars and such?" He takes another bite of his food as he considers her, and then folds his eggs and bacon into a piece of toast to make a sandwich.
"Oh, I'd love to watch Reed's head explode when he meets you." he admits with a small smirk. "Which, in case you weren't sure, I want you to meet my family. Which is no small thing. I mean. Introduce you as a potential girlfriend." But there's a pause as she tells him exactly how old she is, and there's a slow whistle, "You don't look a day over 18,200, babe." he points out with a wink. But he does make a note of her birthdate, so he can remember to get her something nice.
Another bite of his food as he considers and glances down, they had talked about the whole thing with a child. "I already made it clear that someday I want a family... if we get there, I doubt we'll be practicing no harder than we already are." There's a small smile as he drinks from his coffee. "If you want to introduce me, that's fine. I'm not going to make you."
- Kenesha has posed:
Blinking as Johnny lists off all the ways his ex tried to trap him into a relationship, Kenesha finally just shakes her head and mutters, "Skrulls..." Letting out a breath, she adds, "Actually, I'm sorry, no. Not *all* Skrulls are that terrible. I should make that clear. There are Skrulls that I've met that are, well, like me and mine. Just trying to distance themslves from the actions of their people." Reaching over, she squeezes his hand gently, "If it helps, you can run me through whatever scanners or tests to prove that I'm not a Skrull."
Flickering a smile his way, she offers, "It's not always super exciting work, but I love it. I love hunting and finding the lost pieces of Earth's history. It helps that I know places that most humans would never think to look, or could get to easily." Kenesha shakes her head, "I don't teach regularly, but I get invited to guest lecture. Colleges, seminars, whatever. Sometimes I have to decline because of whatever is going on.. but I like to make those speaking engagements when I can."
She watches him, smiling as he makes a sandwich out of his breakfast. She leaves hers separate, however, using fork and fingers to slowly work her way through the food. Laughing softly, she shakes her head, "I'm not trying to make him upset. But I can certainly hold a conversation with him on most any topic."
The mention of introducting her to his family has her smiling softly, "I'd like that. You.. don't want to meet my parents. My mother is... difficult. We have a difficult relationship. And my father.. we don't really talk anymore." She glances aside, her tone loaded with the baggage in that final statement. There's a story there. Looking back to him, smiling, she grins, "I know, I'm so well preserved. Like I said, if you want.. we can extend the time we spend together. It doesn't have to be as short as it normally would be. If we get to that point."
Then Kenesha is chuckling softly, "That's what you think. If we're actively trying to start a family, you can be guaranteed that I will be happily exhausting you each and every day."
- Johnny Storm has posed:
"Yeah, let's no alien-ate them all." Johnny comments with a wry little smirk as he considers. "I know, you probably have seen them all, but Reed's pretty good with making contact with new aliens and different species, so I've picked up a few things here and there. I can order a beer in Czarian, which is apparently an insult, because who would drink that weak-willed pee water, as he put it. Or ask where the bathroom is in Taurian."
"So, here's our first divergent point. I'm a bit of a thrill-seeker. Fishing? Hiking? Suuuure, can do that. But I like doing new and challenging things. I drive for the Four's F1 team sometimes, for instance. But it's hard finding new thrills when well..." He makes a little flame on the end of his finger, before snuffing it out and glances across to the woman sitting there. "You're probably the biggest thrill I'm going to be in for a good long while." A wink.
Then a bite of his sandwich and he realizes. "Oh no, not looking to upset him! Just the way his brain kinda goes... pop... when he meets a new species, rock, whatever... and suddenly, he's all locked in for a while. Man, at least Sue's used to it, or she'd be pisssssed with me." A sigh and shake of his head.
When they move to her family, he pops the last of his sandwich into his mouth so he can chew on it and think. Multitasking! "So. Difficult mom. Don't meet her. Mmmhmm." he murmurs, taking cliff notes. But something may tell Kenesha he wants to do it anyway, just because. "And apparently, there are issues with dad. I soooo get that. My mom passed away when I was young. Pops tried raising me and Sue, but he sucked at it and turned to the bottle. He was sent to prison when I was fourteen, Sue took over raising me, which is how I ended up as a tagalong in an unsanctioned, untested rocketship when Reed wanted to impress his girlfriend. Except it was more Sue wanted to make sure Reed didn't blow himself up, I think."
Though her last words have him blushing, but... "Then, Kenesha." he comments to her, lifting a brow to accept her challenge. "We should probably get to working on building my endurance and stamina to your exacting standards."
- Kenesha has posed:
Kenesha lets out a groan, leaning back even as she chuckles and shakes her head, "Terrible. I've heard so many puns and that was still just terrible." Waving a hand at him, she smiles and shakes her head, "As old as I am, there are beings that are older. Space is *vast*, Johnny. So much bigger than most humans have ever imagined. Supposing I don't get killed, I suppose I could potentially have the time to meet them all, but there would be a LOT of time spent in stasis, just travelling." Pausing, she grins, "Czarnian liquor is terribly strong, even someone with my immunities."
Lifting a brow at him, she chuckles, "Divergent? What I do isn't just.. digging in the dirt and camping in tents. I enter ancient temples, hidden wizard's towers full of magical traps. I am routinely chased by fellow relic seekers, angry monsters and magic users. Flying through space to visit alien worlds, meeting entirely new species. Uncovering advanced technologies buried deep in the Earth's most forbidden places." Kenesha leans forward and curves a smile at him, "Believe me, Johnny Storm, I am not content to simply sit back and let the world pass me by."
Laughing softly, she nods, "Ah, I see. Well then, I'll look forward to meeting him and the tidal wave of questions that's sure to follow." She flashes a grin at him, "And maybe I can offer a few technological advances that will free up more of his time for Susan."
Laughing softly, she shrugs, "You can meet her if you like, I won't stop you. Just.. don't go in with expectations." The mention of her father has her eyes shuttering and her features turning stony, "My father, after learning that he was my father, determined that he was going to make a 'new Khera' here on Earth. Part of his plan included kidnapping a few Kheran females, myself included... keeping us locked up until he could artificially impregnate us with Kheran DNA to force us to birth more Kherans." She lets out a sigh, "I have to give my mother that much... for all her selfishness, her lies and deceit.. she has a strong code and she follows it. That was the second time she saved me."
Clearing her throat, Kenesha murmurs, "Unfortunately, he's also every bit as strong as Superman, without the weaknesses against magic or kryptonite." She looks back to him and smiles, "So we'll just endeavor to stay off his radar completely." Then he's blushing and she's rising up, taking his hand to draw him along with her, "In that case... the common room probably isn't the best place to start, hm?"
- Johnny Storm has posed:
Johnny can't help but to feel a sense of accomplishment for making Kenesha groan at his admittedly terrible pun. And she's smiling, so she liked it and can put up with his really horrible sense of humor. "Oh yeah, I'm well aware of how minute we are and if I wasn't, Reed will make sure to remind me. Oh, you think Czarian liquor is rough, try Thymescarian Wine or Asgarian Ale sometime... oof." A small shudder.
"I was teasing just a little. I've seen enough Indiana Jones films to know that it's not all action adventure good times though and I have the attention span of a herd of squirrels in a Mr. Peanut factory." he admits. Setting his utensils back on his plate, he glances over to see how much of her meal she has left.
"I doubt the world could pass you by even if it wanted. Even I had to take a double take and come back." he points out casually, quirking a quick smile before he chuckles. "Sue may just enjoy having a new friend more than a undistracted Reed." he admits, as she starts to go into her father's plans.
"Okay... yeah. That? That's some creepy sounding wrong fun that shouldn't even exist in the darkest corners of the internet. Man, I thought my dad was a shit for getting himself thrown in prison, even if it was self-defense." He needs something to cleanse the palette after those thoughts, and well... she just offered it to him.
"Definetly not." Johnny agrees easily and glances towards the door of his room. He gives a languish stretch, all the more to show off for Kenesha as he rises to his feet and gathers his dinnerware. "I suppose..." he continues in that teasing tone, "...I should get ready for a vigorous exercise." And with that he heads to put away his stuff and saunter towards his room.
- Kenesha has posed:
"I've had both. Remember, whole of human civilization. I was here with the Asgardians were playing Gods with the Norse. My mother actually taught some of the Amazons the ways of the Coda." Kenesha winks at him and chuckles, "Sadly, unless I completely overindulge, neither can pierce my natural toxin immunity." She lifts a shrug, "But every great once in awhile, I'll tie one on and give it a try."
Quirking a brow at him, she chuckles, "Are you suggesting that sharing a tent or hotel or sleeping bag with me while we chase after hidden treasures and relics, fighting off monsters and traps... won't be enough to keep your attention?" She curves a small, sly grin at him.
"I'll be glad to make friends with her, if she doesn't mind my being a bit of a thrill-seeking nerd." She doesn't comment about her father beyond that point, merely scoops up her plate and utensils to carry them off to the kitchen... before getting a shoulder into Johnny's ribs and hefting him up as if he were made of paper, starting to cart him off towards the bedroom with a laugh.
- Johnny Storm has posed:
"That must suck... the whole thing with being unable to really dig into a good drink now and again." Johnny is responding, but really using it as a segue. "Clearly there must be something that you want to indulge in..."
It's him. It's totally him and he knows it and he's in full on himbo flirt mode.
"It takes a lot to keep my attention, I'm sure you'll find a way to keep up." He comments with a small teasing lit and a small toss of his head to cast a wink over his shoulder at Kenesha.
"I'm a thrill-seeking nerd. She'll probably be thrilled that I found a kindred spirit and whoooa!"
Hefted into the air, Johnny laughs out-right as Kenesha carries him off to his quarters. Just as planned.