17707/The Sun! The Moon! Positioning! (It's about the eclipse)

The Sun! The Moon! Positioning! (It's about the eclipse)
Date of Scene:	20 April 2024
Location:	Lobby - Four Freedoms Plaza
Synopsis:	April O'Neil, daring investigative journalist investigates SCIENCE! And also assures Johnny Storm he is not, in fact, a dinosaur.
Cast of Characters:	Johnny Storm, April O'Neil

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Johnny Storm has posed:
    The time: The PAST! (For us observers. For Johnny Storm and April O'Neil, it is the present! It is in fact... the morning of April 8th, 2024!)

The place: Four Freedoms Plaza

The event: The countdown to one large ball of rock and dust getting in between the sun and a larger ball of rock and water.

For what isn't the first, last, or really, even a countable number of times, Johnny bites back a sigh and pinches the bridge of his nose, rubbing gently, taking a slow steadying breath. "Just remember... just... remember the script. Reed printed off that entire script and... and it's just an eclipse! It's just... the moon getting in the way of the sun... just... it's not that big of a deal, right? Right. Right."

For all his bravado and confidence, this is the worst part of being part of the world's foremost iconic super science family and costumed adventuring team. The science. Not even the super science. Super science is easy. You just babble some half-reminded Star Trek stuff and everyone nods and follows along because none of you are Reed Richards or Victor Von Doom.

But this is like... science science. Johnny's not made for this. He's not a Science Guy. His name doesn't even /rhyme/ with Science Guy.

Which is definitely a requirement for being a Science Guy. He's seen the show. But still, it's almost over. Just like four hours of public events, and this TV interview. He looks down at that pristine blue bodysuit and sighs out, "I swear... next time I'm /letting/ Janet van Dyne design our outfits... past me? You are a dummy."

And so it goes, Johnny talking to himself like a crazy person, eyes drifting about keeping an eye out for the reporter. Which would be so much easier if he'd like... actually looked up what -The- April o'Neil looked like.

April O'Neil has posed:
For April, it was just another day on the job. Solar Eclipse? Sure, that's cool... but she's seen full grown Ninja Turtles fight a man in a bladed Samurai outfit on a dark rooftop, only to have the Samurai get hauled off in the back of a garbage truck. she's seen some stuff!

She has also been here before, to the Four Freedoms. She's met Sue and Reed before, though it was some time ago. She's attended a number of public events here too, however.

Today, April is brought in by a family business personal assistant, shown to where Johnny was. Johnny was a member of the Fantastic Four that April, of course, knew of, but she had NOT ever met him face to face.

Dressed in a pair of black slacks, a white blouse, with black leather boots, and her signature yellow leather jacket-- that she is known for in local celebrity styles-- April is carrying a messenger bag at her side, and offers Johnny a happy smile when she appears. Approaching him, her hand extends out toward him. "John?" She asks. "April... Channel Six News." She introduces herself, a grin playing across her youthful pretty facial features.

Johnny Storm has posed:
Once April's been guided over, there's a brief moment where Johnny swears he's seen her before. And then another moment where Johnny mentally kicks himself because she's a TV reporter. The /entire point of her career/ is that he has seen her. She's probably on a Billboard somewhere RIGHT NOW.

But there's something there, some tingle in the back of his head that he's like... /seen/ seen her. Still, once she's on approach, he reaches out to take that offered hand and smiles brightly. "Oh, please, you can call me Johnny. John is..." He goes just a little blank faced for a second. "Well, me. But it makes me feel like a dinosaur. But it's a pleasure to meet you."

He looks just a touch pensive and glances up towards the sky, "So... like, what's the plan? Easy little puff piece about how the Moon's gonna get in the way of the sun? Discuss all the other little science exhibits they're putting on today? I mean, if it's supposed to be detailed about like... how often these things happen and stuff, I am uhh... boy did they pick the wrong guy then."

April O'Neil has posed:
Point of fact, April first came on to the scene at Channel Six about 5 years ago. She had first shown up as a model on a bilboard FOR C6 News, wearing a full bright yellow jumpsuit, with a microphone and poofy red hair. It'd been a throw back ad campaign to the go-getter news reporters of the 1970s, and it had gotten April a lot of attention... There are still images of it floating around on her social media, with some creative fan versions of her in less than professional alterations of the outfit. Nevertheless! April had adapted to just using the yellow leather jacket as a throwback to her breakout bilboard ad from back then...

In the now, she's smiling at Johnny, and nodding her head. "I'm a big Cobra Kai fan, so calling someone Johnny is kinda fun." She tells him, showing off a charming grin before she bites down on her bottom lip to hear him ask about the interview itself.

With a look around their area, she puts her blue eyes back upon him. "Well, puff piece is what it would be labeled, and probably what you're hoping for..." She grins once more toward him. "But I wouldn't mind asking a bit more indepth questions too. I promise I won't make it wild or anything."

She smirks faintly before she shakes her head quickly to dismiss those thoughts. "Do you have a place I can setup a camera to grab us both for editing the footage later?"

Johnny Storm has posed:
Johnny brings his hand to his chext, face taking on an expression of playful shock, "Oh! If I'd known you were going to ask hard hitting questions, well... okay, I'm glad you don't plan to make them /wild/ questions." He shrugs his shoulders and tosses a wink, "I mean, honestly? I haven't done anything wild in..." He trails off for a second, "Okay, I'm going to stop thinking about my lack of entertaining tabloid disaster social life events recently and uhh... science! We'll focus on the science or whatever."

He grins again, and... dang. Those blue eyes are arresting. It's probably a good thing that he only half plays up not paying attention to FantastiCorp's company secrets, because if anyone could get Johnny Storm to spill secrets, he's got a feeling it's this daring reporter. Fortunately there's no secrets about the solar eclipse he's aware of.

Of course, part of him has to ruin that momentary light hearted thought and remind him that this also means if the moon goes in front of the sun and turn sinto a giant space portal of doom, it's going to be a surprise for /him just like everyone else, and that's actually a bad thing.

He nods his head and laughs out, "Oh! Yeah, I mean, we can steal one of the company meeting rooms, the living room upstairs in my place, rooftop... I'm sure we can find you whatever you're going to need to get the most out of this story."

He snickers softly, "And tell you what? If the solar eclipse seems a little dry and boring, we can come up with a way to throw in whatever wildness gets you some ratings. I mean, seems a little unfair to make you drag all your stuff down here and not help out to the best of my abilities."

April O'Neil has posed:
April's hands move to the black nylon strap of her messenger bag over her chest. She holds on to it idly as she listens to what he states, showing him a pleasant smile at his casual nature. At his offer of locales for the interview, she just gently shakes her head side to side. 'Whatever makes you most comfortable, is what I would choose. So if you really enjoy the meeting room chairs, or your place here has the beste lighting to make you feel most confident on camera..." She shoots him her own grin. "I'm at your direction. Lead on, and I shall follow."

After another smile is given, she'll indeed move to follow along with him, her eyes roaming over the building's interior. "Has it been hectic around here for this silly Solar Eclipse?" She asks, shooting him a sly grin, apparently not being a huge fan of the event herself!

Johnny Storm has posed:
Johnny laughs and shakes his head, "Oh god no, definitely not the meeting room then. They have these ergonomic chairs, supposed to be good for your posture if you're working at a desk all day, but I think it just means they're actually uncomfortable for EVERYthing else." He grins a touch wider, "But I guess we can use my living room, I've got plenty of time before anything else is supposed to be going on."

He falls into an easy pace, heading through the lobby towards the bank of elevators, "Oh, it's pretty hectic, they're doing a bunch of science displays with museums and I think even some sort of NASA astronaut display later. You know, cover the eclipse, tie it in to space in general, give the kids a bunch of stuff to look at. I think I'm supposed to like, light a model sun on fire?"

He hits the call button for the elevator and glances sidelong, "I'm assuming 'model sun' is fancier than what I'm picturing which is like... a basket ball covered in oily rags?" He shrugs his shoulders helplessly. Hey, he's not going to worry about it. That's the Johnny Storm way. No worries, only vibes.

April O'Neil has posed:
April is right there standing on Johnny's left side, her phone buzzing inside her messenger bag's side pocket, which causes her to take a second to pull it out of its little pouch, glance at it, before silencing it and stuffing it back in to its spot in the bag. She watches Johnny press the lift call button, and puts her blue eyes back up on his own. She grins again.

"You got some kind of big parties at your place later?" She asks in a moment of boldness, since he seems to be the easy going guy that he's known for on the internet. "How come I've never gotten any invites to these? Worried that I'd start asking questions after everyone got a few drinks in them?" She chides him, playfully of course, but Sue might warn Johnny about people like April... and that she might be after more than she puts on. Or. She's just nice. Who knows!

When the lift arrives, April will step inside of it, letting her eyes roam over the assuredly high-tech nature of it. "Well, you know, with Earth's first Lunar Colony opening in a week or so, it's quite a month for the Moon, if you think about it in that regard..." She says, as her hands go back to press lightly on the railing behind her, as she stands up against the back wall of the elevator carriage.

Johnny Storm has posed:
Johnny laughs and perks his eyebrows up, "Oh, nothing planned! I mean, it's not as wild as it used to be. Swear to god back around like 2005 there were times there was a party going and I wasn't even in the state. Now they're usually not /that/ wild. I leave that to the professionals and just attend parties out at clubs for big events. You know, Halloween and the like."

He perks his eyebrows and grins wider, "And hey! Wait, why does this sound like you trying to talk me into a party for you to get to ask some of the movers and shakers questions away from their PR teams and legal advisors?" He pauses for a moment and mumbles, "God, and why am I thinking that's probably a great idea?"

Still, once the lift arrives, Johnny gestures grandly for April to step in first before he steps in, and the touch screen lights up with options that didn't appear a moment before. He gives a sheepish little shrug and grins, "Sorry, I mean, if I'd realized we were going to be going up, I'd have made sure they added you to the access list." And then he's hitting the button for the family residence level and the lift is wooshing into motion far more smoothly than most New York elevators. Plus, all the lights work! Really, the Fantastic Four have it all.

April O'Neil has posed:
While Johnny steps inside the lift too, April watches him key up the panel. She's seen a lot of high tech lift displays in modern Manhattan, but this one certainly does seem to top some of the charts. She grins at his response to her, and shakes her head gently once. "It is surely best that I get left off of access lists. Otherwise I'll sneak back in here some time, in a disguise of course, and exploit that granted access. Gotta keep up the nosey reporter reputation, right?" She questions him.

A light laugh comes from the young woman then, as she puts one hand on the strap of her bag, while the other remains on the railing behind her hip. "Hey, if I put the idea of a great party in your head, filled with all the most sought after interviewees, well... don't consider that a classic reporter trick, okay?" A sparkling smile accompanies those words, as she watches him pick the level.

Her eyes roam over the lift when it noticeably begins to move, creating that little vertigo sensation inside one's equilibrium.

"So what do you enjoy about this place most?" She asks him, because her curiosity cannot be contained. "Nice view of the city, I assume?"

Johnny Storm has posed:
Johnny side-eyes April thoroughly and just lifts one eyebrow in a well-practiced display of skepticism. Literally well-practiced. He's not The Rock, he can't just... /do/ it all the time. It took a lot of training. "I mean, I feel like if you manage to sneak in in disguise and fool whatever tomfoolery and smart robots Reed has running the security? You kinda deserve the gossip or whatever you find. Like, you deserve a scoop /and/ an actual trophy. I kind of feel bad I haven't really got any awesome dark secrets to give you now."

He laughs and shakes his head slowly, "Ms. O'Neil, something tells me that classic reporter tricks only become classic tricks /well/ after you've done them because you're daring and on the cutting edge of news gathering techniques, leaving the competition in the dust!"

He clears his throat softly, "Oh, I mean, the building does have a fantastic view. Also, the balcony's convenient. Really helpful for if I want to go for a little flight. Also we're kind of a tourist destination, so there's usually at least one decent hot dog cart down in the plaza."

As the elevator begins to slow he shrugs his shoulders with a little grin, "Oh! Also, the building doesn't go into a full lockdown every time Reed has a little incident in his lab. That's uhh... that's super convenient, honestly. Science involves a lot more blaring alarm klaxons than they told me about in high school."

April O'Neil has posed:
April just casually leans against the railing with her other hand on her bag's strap. She keeps her eyes on Johnny as he talks, and lets them wander here and there at the screens in the lift, playing little videows to accompany their rise through the building's interior.

"You're a flyer." April says, her stare back upon the older man. "I'd forgotten that. I don't know why... I guess because you're... you know, all fiery when you're doing it, right?" She asks, sly grin showing as she hesitates for a second, as though she is unsure if she wants to over-share. "I uh... had a poster of you guys when I was a little girl. Your sister was a big influence on me." She says, all on-the-job-charm replaced with some soft honesty, either that or she's really relaly good at her job. "You and... Reed, both super hot. Pun intended. The rock guy? Kinda scary, but I dug him too." She shoots the corners of her mouth up in to a closed-lip smile toward him.

"But, I figure you've heard crap like that for a long time now. I told myself I wouldn't bring it up... but, there I go. Big mouth is also a reporter thing."

She straightens up then, pulling her hand from the railing to move it up to utilize fingertips through the bangs of her dark auburn hair. Her eyes go to the lift doors when the voice announces their arrival to the designated level.

April clears her throat a little, and looks back toward him. "Home sweet home?" She asks.

Johnny Storm has posed:
Johnny grins and snaps his fingers, just enough to cause a brief little flame, a bit better than a zippo, "Oh! Not all fiery. I mean, not all the time. I've been practicing, so like... I can control /where/ I'm fiery, but it does take a fair bit to get me to fly. And yeah, I mean, it's pretty... easy to forget, like, if Superman turned green or something when he used his powers, people'd probably forget about them when he was all... just some guy."

And then he's laughing out softly, "Yeah, I uhh... oh thank god, you remember all the merchandise, uhhh... so like, listen, I'm /not/ an egomaniac but..." As he feels the elevator slow, he groans softly, "Listen, if you see like, one of the old lunchboxes laying around, it's just because I get a kick out of them."

And then when the doors open, Johnny's sweeping his arm as he steps out, "But please, come on out and set your stuff up! And see? If you steal any secrets and run off, now I can just tell Sue that's it /really/ more her fault because you were influenced by her. And I'll double down and say you were so influenced you went invisible."

He shrugs and hums softly, "I mean, /I'd/ believe me. And yes, welcome to my deluxe apartment in the sky." He groans softly, "God, even /I/ thought that reference was old..."

April O'Neil has posed:
What Johnny says has the young woman smiling as she departs the lift, striding out beyond it with both of her hands back on the strap criss-crossed over her torso. "I'll be on my best behavior." She fires back. "And I did have..." She stops herself, as she turns around to face him a few steps out of the elevator. "I still have... a Fantastic Four lunchbox back home. My mother... she used to run an antique store, back before she passed away when I was little. I live in an apartment above it. But my lunchbox is still on a shelf in the store. It's been down there for... gosh, over a decade and a half now?" She slightly shakes her head side to side. "If you're a collector, I'd be happy to donate it." She tells him, showing off another playful expression on her pretty features.

"But yeah, nostalgia is a powerful thing." She starts to turn around again, but continues. "I've always wanted to ask you, if when you're in fire form if it hurts. I mean it couldn't possibly hurt, right? But like if it doesn't hurt you, if I touched you while you were all... flamed up... would it absolutely burn me to a crisp?" She asks, casting her eyes over to her left now where he is.

"Little questions I've had for a long time, bouncing around in my brain... More I'm sure you've been asked like a billion times." She smirks, as she nervously wrocks on her booted heels for a moment.

Her head shakes. "And if I had your sister's power of invisibility... God, I would absolutely abuse that power to a terrible degree. Sadly, though, I'm just me. Nothing fancy. I mean, I can draw pretty good, but that's about it."

Johnny Storm has posed:
Johnny's skeptical raised eyebrow game gets another workout as he eyes April while she adjusts that strap and promises to be on her best behaviour. Is he going to question that claim? Of course not! He's a nice guy! Although he does narrow his eyes slightly and sighs out, "So what I'm hearing is... the lunchbox is not a big mover, huh? Well, at least it's got sentimental value for you! I can feel proud and fulfilled about that." And then he's shaking his head, "Oh no no! You keep it! But maybe I'll drop by the shop. See if I can blend in with the rest of the antiques and surprise you."

As Johnny lets April turn to take in the tasteful modern design of his place, his eyes are locked on her, not really appraising, but... well, okay, he's trying to get her measure. She's smart as a whip, he's figured that out so far. But also, clearly not some tabloid journalist looking for a smear piece.

And then she's asking how it feels to be on fire, and for a brief moment, memories threatening to surface, because while flaming on doesn't hurt, he did spend an extended period of time in his fiery form in the Negative Zone. Dying a bunch.

But hey, why worry about that? Why even think about it? Suppressing memories is fine! Who would say it's a bad idea besides trained therapists?! But that brief moment passes and he grins. "Oh, yeah, I've been asked, but no, it doesn't burn or anything, it's... I'd say it feels electric, but I don't know if it actually feels like what electricity does. But it's... intense. Enjoyable."

Again he lifts an eyebrow, though this time it's both eyebrows as he laughs out. "I mean, it's... if someone touches me it definitely feels really warm. Or so I've been told at least." His eyes narrow and he murmurs out, "Okay, got it, if Sue ever says she got in a lab accident with a cute reporter in yellow and now she can't turn invisible, I'll assume there's now a crafty, sneaky Ms. O'Neil out sneaking around using her newfound powers for mischief and investigative reporting."

April O'Neil has posed:
A second is taken to stroke a few strands of loose hair out of her face to keep them from tickling her nose, as April watches Johnny, grinning at some of what he says. She gently shakes her head from side to side, idly adding in a soft tone. "Antique store has been closed since my mother passed. Everything is just kinda collecting dust now. I've recently sold a couple items, just to get a little blood flowing through the place's veins, but I'm still holding back. It was her place, ya know?" She shoots up a quick smile that comes and goes swiftly from the features of her face.

Slowly she nods her head a few times. "I'll remember that if I ever pick up smoking, you'll be a great resource to save on lighters. Sadly though, I can't stand cigarettes." A lopsided grin is given to him then before she turns to survey their new surroundings.

"So this is your place?" She asks, casting a glance over her shoulder at him. "Where should we setup?"

Johnny Storm has posed:
There's a slow nod from Johnny and another little boyish grin, "Ah! So you /would/ notice a new fossil gathering dust. Fair enough. Fair enough." He makes a low, thoughtful grumble, shoulders shrugging, "I mean, the couch works, or the kitchen table I guess." And then he's rolling his eyes with a laugh, "Hey! I'm /also/ great for cozy nights by the fireplace, authentic wok-based stirfries, and popcorn. See? I'm a man of many talents."

He sighs out as he strides towards the couch and the coffee table next to it. "I mean, provided all those talents involve applying heat. Kinda like how Ben's talented as long as the talent involves being rocky, or punching people, or... being bad at poker. He'll say he's great, but don't believe him. He just /cheats/."

April O'Neil has posed:
April reaches out to put a hand on the side of his arm. She smiles up at him. "You're not an antique." She tells him in an earnest voice. "Not yet anyway." She gives his bicep a squeeze, then drops her hand back to her side. With the sofa selected, April moves toward it, her messenger bag coming up over her head to deposit it upon the table. What follows is the reporter removing items from it with a rehearsed precision. Cameras set down, angles selected, and her phone used to check the feeds.

"You're a nice guy, Johnny. I'd been told you were a bit of a flirt. You seem stable to me though." She states, with a grin sent his way.

"Okay, I think we're just about set to go. You good with your outfit? This will go up online later today, to get the full Solar Eclipse hype views. We got a few more hours before the big event, gotta capitalize on it before the world inevitably moves on to the next big story..."

April adjusts her hair just a little before she looks toward him, and beams him another smile, now seated on the edge of his sofa.

Johnny Storm has posed:
Johnny grins and narrows his eyes at that touch as he murmurs dryly, "Retro then?" Still, that bicep /is/ fit, sure, maybe not the equal to some younger heroes, but Johnny's got no problem admitting that. He's got fire powers, not super soldier serum in his blood. Plus, let's see Batman talk to a reporter about space and stuff! Nah, Johnny knows he's got his niche, and he's happy to stick to it.

And then he sighs out and laughs, "Hey! I am /still/ a flirt, Ms. O'Neil, but I'm a professional flirt. I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to make sure we nail the interview, and then it's the after-interview coffee and editing where I show off my charm, right?"

And then he settles in and heaves out a little sigh, "No kidding, right? Like, if we don't get this ready to air by tonight, it's gonna be overshadowed by a giant crocodile or Doctor Doom's coffee shop robot attacking pedestrians or something.

And in Johnny settles for another interview in his long life of interviews. But his first time with April O'Neil.