2381/Brewing up a (Johnny) Storm

Brewing up a (Johnny) Storm
Date of Scene:	08 July 2020
Location:	Fantastic Four Inc. - Four Freedoms Plaza
Synopsis:	An interview within an interview, like minds!
Cast of Characters:	Johnny Storm, Meggan Puceanu

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Johnny Storm has posed:
Four Freedoms Plaza is one of those buildings on the NYC Skyline that stands out, one of those buildings that one sees but rarely visits. The reality of the building though is that much of it is infact not used by the Fantastic Four, it isn't until one gets to the upper levels that one enters the domain of the superhero group.

Focus in on the 71st floor, the level that serves as the reception area for the Fantastic Four, complete with robotic receptionist to greet all new arrivals. The interview will also take place on this floor, in a corner conference room that Robert, the aforementioned Robotic Receptionist, would have directed Ms. Puceanu to, and it isn't too long after she's been sent to the room that Johnny Storm arrives himself, clad in a slick tailored three piece suit, complete with '4' tie pin, stepping into the room with a slight smile upon his lips.

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
Skyscrapers with fancy names and famous appearances in television are known even to Europeans. Though after a few months in the Big Apple, Meggan might be picking up on the terminology a bit more naturally. The Empire State over there, Stark Tower in the front, those clusters of pokey ones in Manhattan's Financial District. She has, at least, taken the effort to dress up for the visit to Four Freedoms Plaza. Not that she has an abundance of choices; students losing their entire life in Hell might lack for some basic necessities. But a pair of clean sandals laced around her ankles and a long sundress with a light scarf are about as heavy as the weather allows. Besides, they look nice, in a slightly Boho chic way. All this time spent to say when she shows up, it's with a glitter of excitement in her eyes and possibly a once-over from a receptionist. Security is a modest matter as it goes, for the robotic receptionist doing whatever scanning it will might find her... odd. Unsurprisingly in a city of metahumans.

Seventy-first floor, show's own. The blonde is already seated, small tablet, pad of paper, and pen all she's thought to bring other than a transit pass and wallet. Dire disappointment awaits if he thinks she's catering, but as soon as Johnny steps in, she pushes back the chair and stands on the balls of her feet. Habit, being up on her toes. "Oh, hello!"

The unvarnished accent: English, without fail. But there's a bit of a Celtic lilt in there, one of the Gaelic languages no doubt. "Mr. Storm." No questioning who he is, of course.

Johnny Storm has posed:
"Good afternoon Ms. Puceanu." Johnny says as he crosses over to the table she's sat at, moving over towards her as she rises up to greet him, flashing a smile towards her and extends a hand to greet her, "Did you need any refreshments, water, anything?" he asks, gesturing towards the chair she just rose from, "Please, make yourself comfortable." He says as he moves to sit down as well. "So, I missed it, but what publication are you writing for?"

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
Hers is a devious last name. Probably Welsh, all said and done. But smiling, she leans a little inward to take his hand. Her own slips easily within, though she's got definite solidity behind a light shake as is the American way. Short of bringing an apple pie anyway. "Oh, don't let me be any bother. Being inside the air conditioning is plenty enough for me," she insists. "It's a delight to meet you."

Once more she takes her seat, drawn back a little and arranging her skirt around her legs to fall just so. She doesn't immediately grab a pen or pencil. "Freelance," she explains. "But with a combined total of about twenty million followers across main platforms of social media, give or take. I can show you Instarkgram or Twitter if you like, which combine to about twelve on their own. Snap, LexBook, Weibo, Greenspace amount for the rest." She pats the small tablet. "Marketing statistics here. Interested parties right now include several broadcast media groups, several dailies, and a broad range of online platforms. I'm more leaning to Vox."

She takes a breath, smiling. "You're popular."

Johnny Storm has posed:
"It's a delight to meet you as well." Johnny says rather easily as he reaches to unbutton his suit jacket as he settles himself into the chair as he looks over towards her, laughing softly, "Oh no need to go over any marketing stuff or anything." He says with a little wave of his hand, "And thank you, it sounds like you're rather popular as well." He says with a quirked grin towards her, "I love the rise of these independent media sources, social media, blogs and all that. They do some fascinating things when used for responsibly." He says, "Is this your first time to Four Freedoms Plaza?"

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
Meggan smiles to the tips of her ears, currently mostly hidden under her wealth of golden hair. She wears it mostly loose, braided towards the bottom, which guarantees any sudden tilt of her head is going to display them one way or the other. "All right. I wanted to confirm my bona fides just in case. I gather you're all quite detail-oriented about here, and I wanted to respect that." Her hands clasp in front of her, the girl's wide eyes a tranquil enough blue. Though they don't keep that shade, necessarily, but certainly for the moment. Listening intently to Johnny, she shakes her head to the question. "I came through on my own to see the plaza. It's quite impressive, isn't it? But never inside. I haven't had reason to, yet."

She tucks her bangs back with a sweep of her hand, habit. The grin earns one of its own in return, but being an empath has its advantages. Good moods can literally be infectious. "Social media can be life-changing in a way. We see platforms given to people who historically haven't been represented at all, or if they have, only marginally so. Citizen journalism and telling stories from unknown corners gives important insight, doesn't it? Someone can talk about how their whole community changed from a tireless effort of a few people to pick up trash from a beach, or convince some swamp monster not to come barreling through their gardens. Has it made a difference for how you go about being a high profile hero? "

Johnny Storm has posed:
"Well, I'm sure your Bona Fides have already been looked over - and despite my best efforts, business and all that have never been my strong suit." Johnny says with a laugh as he lounges there, "And we've been strong advocates for freedom of speech globally, universally even. People being able to tell their stories is something I whole heartedly support." He nods, "I'm an big proponent of social media platforms myself, and I think it absolutely does make it easier to connect with people - I've been in the limelight for most of my life, all of my adult life really, and it's changed immensely how we can interact with the community as a whole."

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
"Many people must ask about how you adjusted to being in the limelight all your adult life. To always being watched, but those are not so much fun as questions, are they?" Meggan shakes her head, smile still in place. "Or they maybe get into what your favourite charities are, what makes you worry the most." An opening is left for Johnny to dissuade her otherwise, but she can be direct, for sure. "Freedom of speech means a lot of things, especially to Americans. Those outside your country see it in different ways. So how would you answer those people who say it's a good thing mutants were taken from New York? There's been some evidence that graffiti and crimes against mutants have been committed in New York and other cities. Is that something you think free speech must allow? Even when the things written or spoken are hurtful?"

Johnny Storm has posed:
"Well, we get all manner of questions." Johnny asks with a laugh, "I will say that being able to turn into fire and fly away has always been a great way of getting my own time, but I personally really embraced the limelight, something I took to naturally." He says, though as the questions turn to more serious questions he moves to sit up a bit straighter, "Well, I've been extremely vocal coming out in support of mutants, and an even more vocal opponent of the Mutant relocation act a few years ago. People have the right to speak their mind, but they have no right to commit crimes against people for who they are. You can go back to the ACLU's defense of the right of the KKK to march, despite being one of the larger opponents of the hateful message. Freedom of speech goes both ways, even if we don't agree with the other person speaking it."

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
"Being able to fly away /does/ have an advantage," Meg agrees with a bit of a laugh, though it's soft. She picks up her tablet and it's already prepared with the zigzag of her finger. Immediately she starts taking notes and, true to any Millennial or Zoomer, she seems to be able to do it without actually looking down much. "Is it right to be able to shout you hate someone from a street corner, though? Especially at children? That's something that kids in Mutant Town faced every day. They would go to their school or move through Bushwick, being treated very poorly by those around them. Some were told they couldn't enter stores, go to school with 'human kinds,' and other racist statements. Now a whole neighbourhood is gone and some have come out to say it's not the government's responsibility or a taxpayer's price to go rescue them. When you hear things like this, how do you respond to it? Especially as you were responsible for a key role defending the city several years ago from the last invasion, do you find the lessons of a decade or less lost or growing?"

Johnny Storm has posed:
"Do I like that that happens? Not even a little. I took the government to task publicly when they proposed the Mutant Felon Resettlement Act, and I've continued to use my platform. Everyone deserves the right to be themselves, express themselves, be free of fear and want and all of that." He says with a little gesture, "This nation's gone through many civil right's issues over it's history, and the hateful rhetoric continually comes out on the wrong side of history as well. I personally can use my platform to condemn hateful rhetoric, and I do that."

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
Meg takes careful notes as Johnny speaks. The text floods in details, snaps and bits of it coming together pretty quickly. She sketches out a gesture with her hand. "You were an advocate of the MFRA. Have you been subjected to any particular backlash for holding that stance of late? And do you plan on responding to this Brainiac putting the earth on standing alert?" It's almost a pat question, though she's got a slender point to make behind it, but there's time to load and wait.

Johnny Storm has posed:
"There have been tensions between us and the government, but we built this plaza to embody some core freedoms, and we stand by them. It's why we're generally universally respected, we wear our values on our sleeves and don't back down when they're threatened." Johnny says with a dry, perhaps humorless chuckle. "As far as Brainiac, I can't comment on any specifics as you can probably understand, but the Fantastic Four stands ready to defend Earth with our allies, and I personally still stand as a reserve member in good standing with the Justice League, and will be there any time I'm needed."

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
"Having seen the problem firsthand, and having fought with some of his drones, I can say it's not a risk that police or most of the military is probably fit to handle," murmurs the blonde. Her head drops slightly, her gaze leaving Johnny and being lost somewhere in the middle of the table. Maybe she's studying any knots or shine on it, or seeing little of that. "People right now feel insecure, afraid, and uncertain. Even here. They're looking to others to take up the mantle and protect them, but that has to be awfully heavy as a burden." She crosses her legs lightly under the table, blinking and pulling herself back to the present with a faint smirk blown away in a moment. "You agree he's a serious threat, then? That he hasn't been calling our bluff for a different point?"

A deeper pause, and then she says softly, "Some would ask why it took until now rather than Genosha to act."

Johnny Storm has posed:
"The simple answer is that I wish I could be everywhere, every time there's a major threat to be battled." Johnny says, "But the difficult truth is that we can't be everywhere, we have to trust that others will rise to the challenge when we aren't there, like the Avengers did two years ago. That's the hardest part of the job, trying to decide where you're needed most."

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
"Aye, there's that. Some are definitely frustrated that Genosha seems forgotten, even called a mutant problem or a third world, developing world issue. But with this on the front step, it gets attention." The girl doesn't sigh but she holds the weight of those words on her shoulders all the same. "So what's next for you, Mr. Storm? In general, beyond just this immediate threat? Surely you have goals beyond being the man of fire blazing through the skies."

Johnny Storm has posed:
"I think the dream is that we never need to be in a position where a choice like that has to be made." Johnny says, "But it seems like there's always a new more dangerous threat over the horizon." He says, "So, I suppose until that happens, there isn't really much more than a man of fire blazing through the skies."

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
"Indeed? Then why do you need an assistant if it's a fiery man in the sky?" asks Meggan, turning that table with an elegant turn of the table, and a raised fingertip as she stalls the written material on her phone. A gesture of amusement, if nothing else. "It is rare that someone of your stature wants for any help."

Johnny Storm has posed:
"Well, that's not entirely accurate." Johnny says, "Especially with all the interviews and appearances I have to do, being a fiery man in the sky keeps you shockingly busy." He says with a little laugh at that, "And if I have someone to help manage that side of things, I can focus on the more heroic business a lot easier."

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
Meggan pauses for a moment, head tilted. "So you would say your phone is burning up with all the interest?" A quip flung into the void by that west English accent is probably bound to sound odd, but she isn't without a sense of humour! Or a lot, if she isn't trying to suppress it to at least appear polite. "You need yourself something like a Pepper Potts, then, but less about running the business. More about time management. It's not lost on me that /I/ am interviewing you and those appearances are time consuming. I've done a few myself, aye. But the heroic business is where it's at for you and the sky is the limit on that? Or do you have a pet cause that you haven't been able to give attention to the way you want?"

Johnny Storm has posed:
"Let's just say it's a good thing my phone's fireproof!" Johnny says with a grin cracked at Meggan at her little joke, "And I've had different management firms over the years, so it's not a new thing to me, and I don't mind making the time for these sorts of meetings." He says, pausing for a few thoughts, "Pet causes, hmmn, I don't know, I think really I don't hesitate to be vocal about any causes I believe in, there are probably things I'd like to be able to give more attention to though, but I struggle to name a specific."

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
Meggan shakes her head again and chuckles. "Da, with Doctor Richards, you probably have something better than asbestos cases for your phones. Maybe like a little black box with a better signal. Though they've got signal to the bottom of the sea, so that might have to be proven." Her nose wrinkles in thought for an instant, showing a little through the professional veneer, or as much as she can summon before that smile cracks it totally in two. "It leaves the question what do you believe in, with such a passion? I think it's clear what some of the other members do, but you're more accessible or approachable in some ways. Maybe also harder to pin down because of it."

A beat, two, three. Her pause swirls around and she gestures. "Do you have any questions for me so far?"

Johnny Storm has posed:
Johnny Storm just offers a wry little smile at the comment on Reed's tech, "Well, I think maybe it's that like a fire my passions burn fierce, but are always changing?" he says with a shrug of his shoulders, "That's always a difficult question to answer, I suppose if anything, this flying fireball thing is my main passion, and all that it brings?"

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
"That's the nature of fire. Changes, scorching hot. Lights the way, runs out of control maybe," agrees Meggan with a curiously chill nod to that. "The fire goes deeper than the skin, doesn't it? Have to imagine maybe it influences you or you influence it. Regardless, it gives bit of an impression?" The grin is sunny and bright. "Being a flyin' fireball isn't a bad thing. It would be a pity if you didn't enjoy yourself."

Johnny Storm has posed:
"Well, I think my history has quite the record of me enjoying myself." Johnny laughs at that, "I don't think I could deny that accusation even if I tried, could I?" he gestures a little over towards Meggan, "So, what sort of message do you want conveyed with your journalistic work?"

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
Meggan sits back with a concerned look, her teeth sinking into her lower lip. It scales with how long she's quiet, eyeing up Johnny sidelong rather than directly with her blonde bangs falling over her face. "Who says it's an accusation? Have I given you that impression?" A genuine question, it really is. Her hands spread slightly, long fingers stretching out. "Not that I meant to say as such. Not meant to upset you, quite so. Though, based on your question..."

She stretches back in her seat, a little more casual but not by much. "Me? That's pretty clear: change behaviour that hurts the world, damages it."

Johnny Storm has posed:
"Sorry, it was more of a jest, not that you were trying to entrap me in anything." Johnny says with an offhand dismissive little gesture at that, "I was generally interested in what sort of goal you have in general, not with this interview in particular." He explains, nodding his head at her answer and giving a slight hmmn.

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
"Oh! In that case, all's well." The empath's not perfect, especially when it comes to trying to keep herself in check and not pry. Though Meggan can no sooner fully cut herself off from the flow of emotions and feelings around her than a river opt to flow up to the moon. "It's just that. My goal in general is improving that viewpoint. Look outside, tell me you do not see a world in crisis. Much of it by our habits and behaviours that cause harm. Not everything has to be an alien trying to steal away chunks of a city. Small changes, small adjustments, can go an awful long way."

Johnny Storm has posed:
"That's always been one of the driving goals of this institute." Johnny agrees with a nod of his head, "Finding ways to help alleviatesome of these problems, Pollution, hunger, energy demands. I bet if you were to go through Reed's labs, nine out of every ten projects he's working on are aiming to tackle one of these problems in one way or another. I obviously can't talk any specifics, that would be a Reed arena to go into. I'm far from the genius that he is!"

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
"It comes down to what people do, so much of it. Corporations and governments need to listen, it's not something that could be done alone. That's rather the problem. Waiting for others to start acting, hoping they will take the lead and open a path. Maybe believing it's another person or place's job to do. All kinds of stasis, but very little to get the ball rolling." Meggan quirks her lips. "Plenty of problems and projects out there, I grant you I'm no good at the science part of it like Doctor Richards would be. Just my lane, the climate bit. But that's where I make my stand. Callin' out the organizations or people that need to be told, like Roxxon. I tell you, they don't like me plenty."

Johnny Storm has posed:
"Well, I can see why we're talking then." Johnny says with some thought as he listens to her response and he nods his head, "That's one of the most important things, I think, that people can do, circling back to an earlier question you had, and that is hold officials and organizations accountable for what they do. Especially those in a position to help make changes for the better."

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
"You sometimes have to make space for yourself. Climb up the ladder, don't just wait for it to show up." Meg's agreement is a light, somewhat amused thing, her lips elevated again in another of those soft, slightly dreamy smiles. "If it comes down to it, I am willing to take the brunt of that attention if it means I might happen to get a voice out there others hear. You do that you can, no? You're right that accountability is the hard part. When they get a pass, they don't have to make changes or hard choices."

Johnny Storm has posed:
"I think that frustration is what drives many otherwise decent people into a path of villainy that ultimately hurts their purpose." Johnny says with a nod of his head. "Do you have any more questions for me?" he asks curiously as he sits there, "If not we'll probably have to bring this meeting to a bit of an end."

Meggan Puceanu has posed:
"'Tis a sad thing, to lose such hope that you feel your only recourse is on the other side. I understand the pain of the air being poisoned, the land despoiled. Seeing refineries or pavement taking over places that used to be beautiful, or thinking the city swallows you whole." Meggan's expression softens a little, and she shakes her head. "I hope that they can find a different way. And I think that roughly covers the questions I had for you, for the most part. Was there anything you wished to say t'me?"

Johnny Storm has posed:
"I can't think of anything else to say at the moment, other than I've had quite a fun time having this conversation with you. I suspect your publications are going to be quite an interesting read once I get to them!"