6485/A Fantastic Houseguest

A Fantastic Houseguest
Date of Scene:	07 June 2021
Location:	Living Quarters - Four Freedoms Plaza
Synopsis:	Hank Pym visits the Reeds for breakfast, and gets a little more than he bargained for.
Cast of Characters:	Reed Richards, Hank Pym, Susan Richards

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Reed Richards has posed:
It is a quiet morning at the Richardses, Reed sits on a stool, at the expansive island of the gourmet catering quality kitchen, double ovens, full size freezer and refrigerator. Next to the fire exinguisher found in every American kitchen is a an odd intricate device, Hank would recognize as a quantum regulator, a nod to Reed's recent culinary adventures. Reed sips coffee and is reading from a tablet, "Who in the multiverse would make an attempt on Victor's life?"

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym had rolled out of bed. Literally. The ants wanted their breakfast and didn't care about his recent late night activities. So he fed them. Then he proofed a few systems on the new armor. Heat dumping was still a problem. Maybe an open cycle coolant for peak activity. He finally decided not to reinvent the wheel. Reed had done a load of similar systems. After all Reed comes to him if he needs Pym particles.

He set the ants about their duties, cleaning mostly, put on his new gear and shrank to fit his new catapult. He set the location for the FF Plaza and gritted his teeth as the magnetic accelerator fired him across town.

Meanwhile, the girl, Lucinya by name, was exploring again. Walls were not an obstacle. She was likely to shrug off defensive screens as well. At one point she stood in a plasma accelerator giggling as she wound her way to where Soo-san was. Soo-san was a marvelous person. She appreciated a good hug and kisses. Males were wierd about it. "Soo-san? Rheed? Zhoony? Behn?" More to let people know where she was. She seemed to see through walls as well.

Susan Richards has posed:
     Reed's culinary misadventures were the stuff of legend. Thus it was that the only thing that remained as a reminder was the aforementioned quantum regulator. Susan, on the other hand, might not be a gourmet chef, but she could at least manage a decent breakfast. This morning, she's puttering about in the kitchen, making some bacon, eggs, and French toast. Her hair is tied back in a ponytail to keep it away from her face and the food. Over her jumpsuit, she wears an apron with 'Kiss The Cook' emblazoned upon the chest. The sizzling of bacon, and the accompanying aroma, fill the air. "Someone with a death wish, I'd imagine. He won't forget it."

     She's distracted from further musings on the likely identity of whoever would make such a foolish effort, by the sound of a young voice calling for her. Her lips curl upwards in a smile that goes on for miles. "Lucinya? We're in the kitchen. Are you hungry?"

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards smiles and puts down the tablet, "No, he will not, and undoubtedly innocents will be caught in the crossfire." Reed sighs but he smiles as Sue's face lights up with the arrival of their ongoing guest. Reed, himself, is reserved but he has never withheld affection from his children and he does not with Lucinya, acquiescing with grace and aplomb to kisses and hugs. Though her penchant for wandering into sensitive experiments is worrisome, he has dealt with its like in the forms of a son, who could alter results on a whim or a fervent desire and a daughter who was questioning his experimental methodology only a week after learning to talk.

Hank Pym has posed:
And Lucinya walks in. On the ceiling to get a good view of the food cooking. She slowly re-establishes her personal gravity in the more conventional direction of down, giving Sue a peck on the cheek. One does not interfere with cooking, she has learned.

Rheed, kwantoom... noooo." She shakes her head. She grabs a piece of bacon from the tray and sits down demurely. She does lavish Reed with her attention before floating through him to her seat and laying her head on his shoulder, chewing her bacon, which she offers to share.There might even be a halo over her head.

Hank is used to having a cushion of helpful ants to assist his landings. No ants this high up. He does have boot jets that flare to arrest his forward motion. He doesn't crash into the window before him but he lands with little dignity. Next time he'll take Bo.

The tiny scientist says a few bad words then comms for the FF to come let him in.

"Hello Fantastic folks. It's the Astonishing Pym. I brought muffins."

Susan Richards has posed:
     The peck on the cheek is appreciated, Susan's eyes lighting right up as she accepts the gesture of affection. In kind, she takes a moment to draw Lucinya in for a hug. "Breakfast will be ready shortly, sweetheart." She chuckles softly, seeing Reed become the target of a hug attack this time. "That's right. Reed stays out of the kitchen. No quantum regulators here."

     The comms go off and she grins, shaking her head. "Sometimes I swear you can smell my cooking clear across town, Hank. Reed, would you mind letting him in? I've got to finish this batch of bacon."

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards takes the proffered bacon and munches, "Tastes fine to me... is that maple?" He stretches an arm out opening the window to allow Henry into the space, deactivating any perimeter security. Since the attack there is an additional layer of protection on the building and specifically the living quarters. "Ooh, muffins. You will enjoy muffins, somewhere between cookies and cake." This observation is for Lucinya. Once Hank is inside, Rheed closes the window and re-initializes the security system. The drones buzz away back to their perimeter surveillance. Rheed hugs the affectionate girl back firmly and smiles at his wife, lips stretching out for a quick kiss.

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym enters, nearly getting clothes lined by the lips. "Sheesh, Reed, the woman is making bacon. Give her some room." Of course he does give Sue a kiss. Then he sets a gift wrapped box in her reach on the counter. "For you. I missed Mother's Day. And for reed For Father's Day." He hands Mr. Fantastic a box very obviously containing a tie or belt. This all gets a puzzled look from Lucinya.

Well first things first.

Moving through the table and breakfast food she plants on on Hank's lips.

"Nonono! Not on the mouth... we're not hippies, on the cheek! See?" He taps on his cheek. Lucinya follows suit, tapping on her cheek and assuming an adult sort of manner. Hank goes to give her a peck to demonstrate she is indeed correct and Lucinya turns her head rapidly to kiss him on the mouth again. Batting her eyes at Hank she drifts back to the safety of Reed.

"What the hell was that about?" Hank asks reddening as Lucinya continues batting and smiling, snuggling Reed.

Susan Richards has posed:
     It's all Susan can do to not laugh hysterically at the situation Hank finds himself in. But he is an old friend, and their guest after all, so for his sake, she hides her smile behind her hand. "Awww, Hank, you shouldn't have! Thank you!" Mother's Day and Father's Day would have to be explained to Lucinya at another time, perhaps. "Lucinya's been a joy to have here with us. Perhaps she might work on not wandering into the middle of Reed's lab like she does, but at least no experiments were running. She's such a sweetheart."

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards smiles and shugs, gesturing at the apron, "I am merely following instructions, the apron cannot be denied." Reed looks at Sue, his eyes dancing but he hides his own mirth in his cup of coffee. Shrugging unhelpfully when Lucinya looks toward Reed for clarification on the behavioral paradign. "No, but the lab is dangerous even in the resting state. Her impermeability is impressive, and her defensive use of her powers is also quite well developed."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym decides to laugh it off. The gift box proves to hold an antique bacon weight. In case you enjoy flat bacon. He wags a finger at Lucinya.

"Listen, little girl, have some respect for your elders. I'm spoken for in any case, though flattered..." He gets a finger wagged back at him and a very bad Hank Pym impression speaking nonsense. Then batbatbat again. He sets his bag of muffins down and produces a scrambled Rubik's cube, handing it to Lucinya. "Something to keep her entertained. Maybe she will stop kissing me. Also a fast IQ assessment." Lucinya falls to it.

Susan Richards has posed:
     "Fast IQ assessment, ha! Those things are the invention of Hell. I've never been able to solve one yet." Coughing, Susan, laughs, turning back to the stove to finish cooking the bacon, which is already past the point where the bacon weight might have done some good. "At least, not without moving the stickers, but that was when I was a little kid."

     Hank is given a light smile, and she tilts her head to one side. "What about Lucinya's family? Were we ever able to find out if she has any surviving?" Her voice is a little softer, perhaps a bit thinner-sounding even, as if she were reluctant to let go of their guest--but prepared to do what was necessary when the time came.

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards smiles, easily, with a sly chuckle, "After the Rubik's test we can hit her with the Banner test." He eye shifts towards Sue, that subtle couples language. He gives her a supportive smiles as he reaches for a muffin, a plate, butter and a knife in rapid succesion. "Yes, have you had any luck. Hank? You know her interest might be more scientific than we believe, toss me a size changing canister would you?"

Hank Pym has posed:
Hank Pym reaches into his belt. He pulls out a couple print outs and passed them around. "The old fellow was Professor Gunnar Halbstrom. He's been missing twenty odd years. She might be his daughter. He's still not making any sense, but things are looking up for him. I'd like to bring her to see him at the Happy Harbor Hospital. That will involver her wearing shoes..." Hank gets a puzzled look but pulls out an emergency cannister and holds it to Reed. Lucinya looks up from rearranging stickers with a interest.

Susan Richards has posed:
     Sue laughs lightly, seeing Lucinya doing the very thing she had when she was so much younger. "I see some solutions to old puzzles truly are timeless." But she keeps mostly quiet as she listens to Hank, and his description of the Professor. Breakfast is plated and served out, the stove turned off, with the matriarch of the Richards family joining her husband and their dear friend for their repast. "Perhaps bringing her there might help with his improvement, if they are family." She glances over at their young guest, looking at her. "Is Gunnar Halbstrom your parent? Your father?"

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards takes the printouts with a wry grin, and flips through the pages looking for information on a daughter, "That would make her mid twenties at least? Unless you suspect some sort of time dilation effect? Reed takes the canister and sets it for enlarge, giving the Rubik's cube a quick spritz, causing it to double in size in Lucinya's hand. He smiles at her and shakes his head, glancing at Sue, "High intelligence and certain disregard for the rules."

Hank Pym has posed:
Hanks smirks. "Or Halbstrom could have hooked up in his travels or she might be his granddaughter... the man looks like hell honestly though that might have been from lifestyle." Lucinya looks at the cube and then at Hank, then at Reed. She giggle and again floats up to wrap an arm around Hank's neck and pul her feet up, floating in a sitting position, like a princess carry though Hank is not doing the carrying. He wriggles a little in fac t as she lays her head on his shoulder.

"Pro-fuss-Orr Halmstrom. Frrrrriend," she says pointing at his picture. Then she makes an irritated little female sound and wiggles impatiently waiting for the carry.

"Now see here... this girl is like a cat. She runs to the one with the least interest is what she does. Look sweetie, I have a daughter your age. Open your eyes... I have... I just started seeing someone. It may be serious. Go chase Franklin. Ohhh." Feeling her weight increase to something normal Hank does indeed princess carry her. Lucinya sighs.

Susan Richards has posed:
     "Lucinya, come on now. Leave Hank be and come have your breakfast." Sue finally gets that 'mother' tone in her voice, the one that is--hopefully, at least--universally understood. Her arms are crossed over her apron, the spatula still in her hand and ready to be wielded to great effect if need be. At the same time, she does her best to wipe the smile of amusement off her face. "I know he's a nice man and you like him, but he has said no."

Reed Richards has posed:
Reed Richards smiles and works on his muffin. "Lucinya, you best do as she says. Hank will be here after breakfast for you to amuse and molest as for now it is bacon time." He smiles. "We need to learn boundaries, no means no."

Hank Pym has posed:
The reaction is an impatient "Pfft." Lucinya slowly unwraps her arms and floats out of Hank's arms. Giving his cheek a stroke as she returns to her breakfast.

"There will be no molesting later on. ... you think the spatial distortions Pym particles cause interest her? Perhaps her phasing has a dimensional origin? That'd fit with where we found her. I'll avoid using the things if she lets me alone. She is very... affectionate. But..." Hank wipes at his forehead with a napkin.