9359/Monthly Checkup

Monthly Checkup
Date of Scene:	30 December 2021
Location:	Reed's Labs - Four Freedom Plaza
Synopsis:	Reed has Franklin in the lab to check his inhibitors. They have a small chat afterwards.
Cast of Characters:	Franklin Richards, Reed Richards

---

Franklin Richards has posed:
    It's Franklin's monthly check-up in Reed's laboratory. He's had them for as long as he remembers. He lays down on a cushioned operating table, and he lets his father run tests and scans, searching for abnormalities in his cosmic abilities or damage in his inhibitors.
    As a child, they served as one of the few times that Franklin had his father all to himself. His questions were endless, his excitement palpable. These days, his silence is only punctuated by sighs and the infamously annoying 'are we done yet?'.
    He's more bearable tonight, though. "How are things?"

Reed Richards has posed:
Old Man Richards smiles reviewing results, He's standing adjacent to where you are, in a holographic dispkay of the findings, "Well, it seems the universe ended and was reset just before Christmas. Ruined a number of sensitive experiments. There's a comet in the outer solar system cloaked in anti-time and my first remote probe should arriving at the source any day now. What's been going on with you, Franklin?"

Franklin Richards has posed:
    Franklin's eyes narrow at his father before he huffs and runs a hand through his dark hair. "Bonkers. You're nuts, you know that?" Sometimes he can be so much like his uncle Ben. "Makes sense about the universe resetting. I had the worst migraine the other day. Anyway, I meant how are things with me?"
    He avert his eyes, looking up at the lab ceiling. "I went on a date."

Reed Richards has posed:
Old Man Richards smiles, "You are hardly the first to suggest that, though your Mother might take exception. " Reed makes a few notes, "Interesting, that might be something with the residual entropic drop. I may have to recalibrate your inhibitors. Oh, other than the headaches you seem fine. Everything is functioning optimally all your scans are within normal parameters-" Dad stops and blinks grinning, "Date? That Fantastic. Anyone we know? Is it that cute coffee girl?"

Franklin Richards has posed:
    "You mean Kassidy?" Franklin frowns. "Um, no. I wouldn't want to wrap her up in our lives. Not sure if it's a good idea for anyone, really."
    He sneaks glances to his father, hands folded over his sternum. He's laying very still even though the tests are over. "He helped me out of a tough situation, though, so I agreed to the date."

Reed Richards has posed:
Old Man Richards smiles, his Son's kindness always reminds Reed of Sue. "That's very kind of you. Did you have fun?" He moves over to the bench taking his time. Reed also seems to enjoy these moments, this chance to make time for each other. He undoes the restraints which were only loosely attached, working with his hands.

Franklin Richards has posed:
    "Yeah, it was a good time," Restraints off, Franklin swings his legs off the operating table, so he's sitting. "It kinda made me realize how different we are from most people. Our battles...my powers. You don't know him, but we've had wildly different lives."
    He stretches, twisting his back until there's a soft pop. "I'm just unsure about it."

Reed Richards has posed:
Old Man Richards nods and considers, matters of interpersonal relations are not his strong suit. Matters of the heart even less so. But the one thing he knows is honesty. "When I went to stay with the Storms that summer, your Mother and I had almost nothing in common either. Just the experiences of living in that house in the moment. And then when she started working with me, we built our shared experience... If you limit yourself to those who share a lifestyle, that is a very small pool, enjoy the process."

Franklin Richards has posed:
    Franklin looks at Reed, blue eyes flaring. He isn't used to having conversations like this with his dad, but the advice is surprisingly insightful. He chews on his lower lip, then nods. "Thanks, Dad. That actually makes a lot of sense." Maybe not so nuts, after all.

Reed Richards has posed:
Old Man Richards laughs, eyes twinkling, "You needn't seem quite so surprised, your Mother is rubbing off on me. Same time next month but let me know if you have any world ending headaches,"