5634/The Hong Kong Job

The Hong Kong Job
Date of Scene:	18 March 2021
Location:	Hong Kong Branch Fantasticorp
Synopsis:	Family Harmony, FTW
Cast of Characters:	Reed Richards, Susan Richards

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Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards steps off the elevator from the roof and into the executive suite at the Hong Kong Fantasticorp building which is still under construction. The scene out side the windows is a fantastic (Hah!) view of the city skyline. Reed has set up that Sue's absence is due to her working on this project. He smiles to see his wife with her CEO hat on, he stops and watches her work for a moment before announcing his presence.

Susan Richards has posed:
     Over the years, with her children growing up, Susan had managed to get Fantasticorp running like a well-oiled machine. Most of the time, it still did. Thankfully, this was one of those days. Of course, one of those days often meant papers spread across her desk, phones ringing off the hook, and a whole lot of B.C.C. (Barely Controlled Chaos). "Thank god for interpreters," she mutters. "I knew I should have studied Mandarin at some point." But her voice bore no rancor; rather, it had a hint of a smile, which is echoed in her expression as she looks up. "Reed! There you are!"

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards smiles brightly, "ni hao, wo mei li de tian shi." He winks and moves through the chaos, in a combination of stretchiness and authority slipping up this his wife and wrapping her in a hug and kissing her cheek. "You're doing amazing work here Honey, I would not have recognized this place as the same from last week. It's truly a wonder. I thought we might catch a late dinner?"

Reed Richards has posed:
The translator, translates what Reed is saying out of habit, "Hello, my beautiful angel."

Susan Richards has posed:
     Susan sets down the blueprints that were in her hand and smiles, leaning back into her husband's embrace. "Mmmm, I just about understood 'ni hao', but that's it. You could have been cursing me out and I'd never know it." She laughs softly, crinkles at the corners of her eyes attesting to the many years of poking fun at her own foibles. Turning her head, she captures Reed's lips in a sweet, lingering kiss, savoring the moment. "That sounds... fantastic. Where did you have in mind, or are we ordering in?"

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards raises his eyebrows, "Well, there is a tasty little soup dumpling place around the corner but I'm here to make your life better, not worse. If you want to get out we can find someplace, or if your pressed for time I can bring it back? Johnny's museum unveiling went really well. I'm impressed." He smiles just a tad sheepishly, then twists his mouth, "Though, I think Franklin's drinking... " Reed sighs and smiles, "Children."

Susan Richards has posed:
     "What I'm pressed for is a little sanity," Susan replies, nudging the blueprints aside, and nestling further into her husband's embrace. "I wouldn't mind trying that little soup dumpling place. It'd be nice to get my back end out of this chair and walking for a little while." She grins up over her shoulder at Reed, reaching up to tap the end of his nose playfully. "Got to keep my girlish figure. It takes more work as the years wear on."

     As always, pride in the accomplishments of her family draw out a smile from her that lights up her whole face. She nods, practically beaming. "It did. But then, I didn't expect any less of him." However, word of Franklin's drinking... "Do you think we ought to have a word with him?"

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards grins and blushes just slightly, "You are as lovely as the day we met Sue and I am pretty sure your back end has only improved, though I do support regular cardio and a healthy diet as part of a healthy lifestyle and we should take the time to mirror these attributes for out fans, it is our responsibility."

     Reed runs his hand trough Sue's golden blonde hair, "I know and you were right." He frowns considering, "I don't think he's an alcoholic just yet... however, a conversation about responsibility might be warranted. He got wrapped up in glue by Trapster, it could have been much worse."

Susan Richards has posed:
     Susan nods, allowing herself to be soothed by Reed's fingers twining themselves through her hair. "I don't want to see him go that way, but at the same time, he is over 18, and I don't want to push him away, either. Maybe we ought to spend a little more time with him. Do something as a family with him. With all our children, if we can." The mere prospect of that does a great deal to lighten her spirits, the worry lines on her forehead smoothing themselves out.

     As for cardio, exercise, and diet setting an example for their fans? Susan giggles almost girlishly, nodding slowly. "Of course. In that spirit, a little walk around the corner and taking a break from work would only be a healthy thing to do. You're right, we do have to set the example." She smiles, chuckling softly to herself. "Even, and especially for, our youngest fans. There was the most precious little one at a shelter I was volunteering at recently...."

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards nods considering, he pulls Sue from the chair and holds her close. Reed knows she wanted more, they both did, but life is what it is and their family is enough. He moves towards the window, guiding Sue with him, he opens the window as his body becomes the staircase and his arm around her waist the railing, a short walk it is. "Nor do I. We should, that's a wonderful idea. it has been a while, since we used the time ring, perhaps the renaissance?" His head bobs along next to sue as she descends the stairs, "Sue, a stray thought, have you ever though about adopting? With our children grown... "

Susan Richards has posed:
     Susan's eyebrows loft, and she pauses on the Reed-case. She turns to look at him, her eyes searching his. "When did you come up with this?" she finally replies, after several heartbeats. Her voice is almost tentative, thin, as if she were reaching out for a dream that might evaporate at any moment.

     "There've been times it's crossed my mind," she finally admits. "Having Valeria almost killed me, and I knew after her, we couldn't have any more. We had to make a bargain with the proverbial Devil to make sure we both lived through her birth. Do you think we'd be able to start over again like that? What would our family here and now think? Would they be for the idea? It may be something I'd want, and it sounds like you as well... but I couldn't do it, if it meant destroying what we have now. This is something that'd take a lot of serious thought and discussion."

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards meets Sue's gaze, his warm brown eyes taking in her blue ones. "Just now, you've considered and never said?" Reed sounds a little sad but not hurt, he is your partner and seeing you go through anything alone is difficult. But the smile that forms is the same one you've seen in the lab or in a crisis that fierce determined smile, "What we have comes first but we can always build on this. Then we should get started thinking and discussing when the time comes." The Reed-case arrives at ground level, and as you step on the pavement, we're about half a block away from the restaurant. It's a warm and starry night even here.. and out clothes shift into something more casual, a nod to our celebrity an attempt at anonymity that would fail miserably in New York but might past muster here...

Susan Richards has posed:
     "I should have said something long before," Susan replied, reaching out to brush her fingers along the right side of Reed's face. Her blue eyes glisten as she gazes into his warm, cocoa brown ones. "For that, I'm sorry. I didn't want to risk losing what we have now. Even if it's only ever a dream, I still should have shared it with you. That was wrong of me to nto share it."

     As she steps out onto the pavement, she moves a short distance away to allow Reed a few moments to re-form. If the pair were going for anonymity, then a Reed-case was probably nto the best way to go about it! His gifts were just as famous as her own, making privacy on an outing together a rare luxury. She can't help a smile as she looks up at the stars, many of them sadly bltoted out by the brilliant lights of the city skyline. "We started all this together, and that's how it's going to stay."

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards reforms and slips his hand into hers, twining fingers in a way that almost completely normal, "I wouldn't have it any other way, you, Johnny, Ben, Fanky and Val. You're what makes it worth it." Reed nods and leads the way into the restaurant, the place is packed but it seems that celebrity has its perks as well as the two of us are able to get a table in the back and order a full pallet of soup dumplings. The formality of Asian culture works to our advantage as well as they watch but dare not approach without invitation, "Oh, Val and the GIRLS are building a space ship."

Susan Richards has posed:
     "You're joking. I thought that was a pipe dream of theirs. Didn't you warn them about what happened to us on -our- first trip out?" Susan frowns somewhat, the protective, doting mom coming out to the fore. "They're smart, brilliant, capable young women, but still, I remember what we went through and it was hard. It made us who we are, but still..."

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards stiffens at you words, "I did, and I've increased the shielding on all of your subsequent trips. I spoke with Val, gave her access to our data and will review their itinerary and the final design. I am excited for them, and yes they are, but... Birds have to fly, and she has friends as long as they pull together they can accomplish this. And... we'll be there when they need us."

Susan Richards has posed:
     "Oh, love... I'm excited for them too. But I'm always going to worry about our little nestlings. They have to fly, but... I'm always going to worry." Susan reaches out for Reed's hand across the table, squeezing it firmly. "I think I might be a wreck when launch day finally comes."

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards nods, taking your hand and squeezing it, "Knowing Val, she won't tell us until she is safely away to avoid our discomfiture, and not be embarrassed." He gives you wan smiles and eats a dumpling, "There are good!"

Susan Richards has posed:
     Susan smiles and nods, reluctant to let go of Reed's hand. "That would be like her, though at the same time I hope she'd want us there." She shakes her head and laughs. "Am I the only one appreciating the fact that we are talking about our offspring building spaceships, just as casually as most people might about their children building cars?"

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards snorts, and nods, "Too true, it is the little things. I'm not surprised, it's very one brand but yes, this is not a problem most parents deal with.

Susan Richards has posed:
     "Then again, whoever said we were most parents?" Susan chuckles softly to hereslf, and digs into her soup and dumplings with gusto. "Mmmm, you're right. These really are good. I think we may have a new favorite place to eat out while we're over here." She leans across the table to whisper something to Reed, her eyes twinkling.

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards grins and gulps down hard rather than spit taking soup. HIs own eyes are twinkling with mirth as he calls out, "qing jian cha!" Check please!