7657/Learning to Dance

Learning to Dance
Date of Scene:	02 September 2021
Location:	Near the Milano Landing Site, Halfworld
Synopsis:	After spending the day blasting rocks into pieces, Ava listens to Finley's theories about how she might be able to improve.
Cast of Characters:	Ava Starr, Finley Ellison

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Ava Starr has posed:
Dust covers Ava's suit as they walk back from a field that is now pretty much devoid of rocks and boulders. She's tired, but not in a bad way. Her cheeks are flushed. The small hairs around her hair line and the nape of her neck are damp. But her energy level is high. And she no longer gets thrown all the way across the field when she fires.

"Did your scans show anything interesting?" she asks Finley as the Milano comes into view, the white domes of the village gleaming in the sun beyond it.

Finley Ellison has posed:
Finley tries to think of an not alarming way to say 'cool death ray machines on your wrists.' And can't. So she says, "You're really starting to refine the power draw. Which is, um, good."

She smiles. Ava's improvement over the last hour has been remarkable. And seeing her flushed and excited, almost makes Finley blush. "But, um, I still think you can refine and focus the blast."

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava can't really argue that. "I think it's the amount of power," she says, considering what Finley says. "I'm not used to it. But I'm starting to feel like there's another... I don't know. Factor." A beat. "Will, almost. I don't know." She shrugs again and looks at Finley. "Maybe there's an AI or something in it? But if there is, I haven't figured out how to activate it."

Finley Ellison has posed:
"Maybe Captain Marvel's fancy bracelets are like that. AI or super computer, or whatever," says Finley. "But I think yours are a a little more--" she wiggles her fingers in a mystical fashion -- "WAND-y."

She looks down at her tablet's readings again. "Okay, maybe this is a dumb question, but, well, what do you think about when you use them? Do you visualize something, or...?"

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava purses her lips slightly. "No. Mostly, I just feel it. I mean... before... without the bands, that's what it's always been like." She stops and grabs for Finley's hands. "Do you feel this?" she asks. She presses her palm against Finley's and closes her eyes. A hint of quantum energy tingles across her fingers and tingles against Finley's skin.

Finley Ellison has posed:
Finley giggles and grins as the energy prickles her skin. "Yes, I can feel it," she says softly. "It tickles."

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava grins a little in response to Finley, but nods, nonetheless. "Mm. So, when that tingle isn't errupting into fire and pain or trying to pull my atoms apart, that's what I feel when I try to be tangible. And when I hit someone with it, I can just feel it move through me. A bit of thrust, I guess."

She lets her hand fall away and gives a mild shrug. "So, I guess that's what I kind of expect when I'm using the bands, too. But... I think they're not really working like that."

Finley Ellison has posed:
"Okay, let's try this." She gives Ava's hands a squeeze, before letting her go. After looking around for a moment, Finley darts away to pick up a fist sized rock. She gives it to Ava. "Now before I tell you my idea, what does the blast cannon energy feel like? Or how does it feel different from the tingle?"

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava cants her head as Finley scoops up the rock. "It's a bigger tingle," she says after a moment. "At least, it starts that way. Then, it's just sort of a rush... You know, like when a stiff breeze blows up. It kind of sweeps you along."

Finley Ellison has posed:
"So point the bigger tingle at the rock. But gently. Like, um, like if you were showing me. Show the rock the bigger tingle. Don't try to do anything else. I just want to see what happens when you show the rock." Finely bites her lip. And looks to Ava with an encouraging sort of 'go ahead' expression. She takes up the tablet again to record the experiment.

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava frowns faintly. "Show the rock," she repeats, a brow rising skeptically. Still, if she's just pushing a little energy at the thing, and not trying to destroy it, she's in less danger of hurting Fin along the way. She reaches out her hand and 'pushes' a bit of energy that way -- quantum energy mainly, though the bands do respond to her intent. At least a little.

Finley Ellison has posed:
The rock moves gently in Ava's hand, wobbling back and forth. "Hmmm." Finley looks at her data. "Okay that's mostly you. And what you could do before. The bands are stabilizing and augmenting your Ghost abilities. But your cannon blast has a different particle signature. So there's something else that's different."

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava nods slowly to that. "You said show the rock. If you wanted me to use the q-bands on it, it would probably be vaporized like the others." She considers Finley's words, however. "But... I'm not totally surprised. I don't think the bands are pulling energy *from* me." She gives a wry smile. "Maybe Captain Wannabe was right. Maybe they are pulling from something... or somewhere else?"

Finley Ellison has posed:
"Well you said the vaporization was like a bigger tingle?" Finley says. But she nods her head. "I think you're right that he's probably right, though. If the bands were pulling energy from you, they'd burn you out."

She smirks just a little when Ava calls Vance Captan Wannabe. She can't help it. "I'm trying to discern how the quantum energy and q-band's cosmic or quantum zone or alien super juice is different. For you. So we can talk about it and understand each other."

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava wrinkles her nose at that. "Well... Being the Ghost is... intrinsic to me. It's what I am, not just who I am. A living ghost." A beat. "Sort of." It's almost apologetic, since she knows how bleak that might sound. Though, in her mind, it's very true. "But the q-bands are outside of me. It's almost like they've got a mind of their own and... I don't know. Maybe there's a translation problem. I don't speak alien very well." She huffs a little as she says it. "But that's what I mean when I say the bands are like the wind pushing. But my own energy is kinda like static build up inside."

Finley Ellison has posed:
Finley brings up another program on her tablet. And then she grins like she's clever and to pleased with herself. She beckons to Ava. "Put down the rock. Come over here."

https://youtu.be/90M60PzmxEE starts playing. Finley opens her arms. "Dance with me."

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava tosses the rock aside and arches a brow. She crosses over toward Fin, but as the music begins she blinks mildly. "Dance with you..." A wry smile touches her lips. "What makes you think I can dance?" Not that it stops her particularly. She steps into Finley's embrace, arms encircling her loosely. "I take it the experiments are over for now."

Finley Ellison has posed:
"No," Finley says grinning, pulling Ava into a loose partner frame. "This is still part of the experiment. Put your hand on my shoulder." She places her hand on Ava's waist. "I've noticed you don't do so well with 'outside forces.' But you trust me --" Finley pulls her closer -- "So let me lead."

Letting the the points where their bodies touch create a silent conversation, she guides Ava, gently swaying in time with the music. Finley's hand on Ava's waist pushes her into a spin out and then pulls her back in. Still slow and easy. "Good," she whispers.

Ava Starr has posed:
Still part of the experiment? "See," Ava says softly, "no other scientist I've let work with me ever suggested dancing as part of an experiment." So, her curiosity is piqued, anyway.

She spins out and winds back in as Finley guides her, though she'd privately admit to feeling a little out of her depth in that moment. It's not so hard to let Finley lead, given Ava really never has been much of a dancer. Light on her feet, yes. An acrobat and gymnast. So, not entirely out of the wheelhouse. But this is new.

Finley Ellison has posed:
Since Ava responds so well to the simple spin, Finley guides her through a more complicated sequence --an open frame into a promenade, then a spin out and back to frame. Her eyes sparkle. Even without words, the directions Finley's hands give Ava's body seem easy, instinctive. "Having fun?" she asks.

Ava Starr has posed:
"Sure," Ava replies, having to concentrate some not to stumble over her own feet as things get a little more complicated. But Finley's hands are there to catch her and redirect her on occasion, so she doesn't break away. Yet.

"But, I know you've got a point," she says, letting a hint of a tingle tickle out from her palms. "What is it?"

Finley Ellison has posed:
Finley pulls her close again and says softly in her ear, "I'm an outside force. And you're listening to me. Maybe try dancing with the q-bands, rather than letting them sweep you away."

Ava Starr has posed:
"But you do sweep me away," Ava says softly, before she pushes back a little in response to her own forwardness. She lets out a chuff of air. "I mean... I can read your body language. And your face. And if I misread a cue from you, the worst that happens is a stubbed toe or maybe a bit of a tumble." She looks again at the shackles about her wrists. "With these things, I could blow you up accidentally."

Finley Ellison has posed:
"I trust you. You won't blow me up." Finley kisses Ava, grinning like a fool. "Although I suggest that with the bands, you do the leading. But first you have to learn how to dance."

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava returns the kiss warmly. But she pulls away a little to smile wryly at her. "It's like dancing with a rocket. You realize that, right?" Her? Or the q-bands? Perhaps both. She slides around behind Finley and pulls her back against her. "Tell me how you always end up finding a reason to get me into your arms? Even when we're trying to work."

Finley Ellison has posed:
Finley still doesn't let go. She keeps swaying with Ava as the song plays on the tablet. "Maybe it's because the first time we met, I could only order someone else to scoop you up and carry you back to safety. -- I say order, but they were only listening to me because I could track your unique energy signature.--

"Maybe because I spent months with you when you were barely tangible and in so much pain and I couldn't hold you then, much as I wanted to. Maybe," Finley smiles, "touching you just feels good. You are nice to hold, Ava Starr. And I'm going to do it every chance I get."

Then, momentarily becoming mock stern, Finley says, "But this is very important scientific research. And I think my theory of interaction will help you with your future discoveries." She smiles again. "Also, I like dancing."

Ava Starr has posed:
Leaning her chin on Finley's shoulder, so her expression is hidden, Ava's eyes and jaw tightens slightly. "Do the readings help you?" she asks, still moving a little with her. "All the recordings, do they make a difference?" There's a subtle tension in her body as she asks.

Finley Ellison has posed:
"They help some," Finley admits, although she is almost loathe to as she feels Ava stiffen in her embrace. "I can't feel what you're feeling, Ava. I can't experience it the way you do. And I can't actually see most of what you're doing, even if the results are obvious and impressive. So the readings help me see what's happening. Of course, you're the one who actually needs to understand what you're doing and how it works. I just don't know any other way to help you."

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava nods faintly in response to Fin's reply. "Okay," she says, accepting that for now. She wants Fin's help. So, she'll put up with it for a little while longer. "I wonder if the fight Phyla had with Thanos is affecting them." It's an idle thought. "I can't tell if they store energy like batteries or if it gets channeled in from somewhere else. But it feels rather like they're cycling, maybe."

Finley Ellison has posed:
"That could very well be," Finley concedes. "So we can give research a rest for today. Wouldn't want you to run out of juice." She kisses Ava's shoulder, right above her collarbone.

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava leans her head against Fin's gently. "I won't run out of juice, I think," she assures her. "I just... sometimes I feel like I want to cut loose without all the equipment and attention. I don't know what these things can *do*, but I know that I don't want anyone to get hurt by them while I try to understand them."

Finley Ellison has posed:
"You can, you know," Finley says. "If that's what you want. If you think it'll help." She runs her fingers through Ava's hair, stroking her.

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava nods, forehead rolling against Fin's. "I've spent all day killing rocks," she says finally, giving her friend a bit of a weary smile. "Let's stop for now. Find something to eat. I don't want to work any more."

Finley Ellison has posed:
Finley's hand comes to rest, cupping the back of Ava's neck. She smiles. "You've done a lot today. Good progress. Many dead rocks. You should be rewarded. So where can I take you to dinner? Do you think the skunk runs a cafe?"

Ava Starr has posed:
Ava looks at her skeptically. "Do you trust food made by a skunk?" she counters. "For that matter... It's occurred to me that we're broke, as far as these space people are concerned. We don't have any 'units'." Whatever the hell those are. "And I doubt they take greenbacks or quid."

Finley Ellison has posed:
"You don't think they'll feed us in advance payment for fixing their robot problem?" Finley asks. "Well we can always go raid the kitchen on the Milano. Although,--" she wrinkles her nose -- "I might be more inclined to trust the skunk."

Ava Starr has posed:
"Skunk it is," Ava says decisively, agreeing with her entirely about the Milano kitchen. "No harm in trying, anyway." It really can't possibly be worse. Can it?

Regardless, she backs up enough to take Fin's hand. "Let's go."