((OPEN)) Enjoy the calm weeks.

[hyperkinesia]

Who: Bruce Banner and YOU
Where: Meditation & training room, or anywhere else
When: Throughout the week, from August 4th to 10th.
Rating: No more than PG, I don't think!
Summary: Bruce goes about enjoying a peaceful week. Also meditation and jiu-jitsu sessions just as he mentioned on the network.
The Story:

MEDITATION & TRAINING;

[ Once that particularly shifting event's over and everything returns to normal - or as normal as this place can get -, Bruce goes about setting up a room for a few meditation and jiu-jitsu sessions as he'd arranged with a few people over the network. He finds an empty room right on the first floor, spacious enough, and paves most of it with foam mats, then sets up this really old-looking stereo where they can play a few calming songs if people happen to be into that.

Then, with the whole place looking about decent enough, he sends out quick messages to anyone who'd expressed interest, letting them know which room he took up, and that he'll be there during both early mornings until 10, and late evenings after dinner.

And, of course, if anyone happens to be walking past and the slightly cracked door gets their attention, feel free to take a peek inside. ]


ANYWHERE ELSE;

[ Other than that, Bruce can be found in the usual spots throughout the week. He spends a good amount of his time at the lab, with pauses to go to the kitchen for food, and outside for walks with Juno a few times during the day. Feel free to bump into him anywhere, or if you're seeking him out just come knock on his door! ]

Comments

[hyperkinesia]

[ Even from afar he recognizes her easily, and though it's not his intention to bother her, when he walks past and she looks up to greet him he stops for a while, returning her smile with one of his own. ]

Elizabeth, hi.

[ The puppy continues running happily ahead of him, taking a detour to jump into one of the bushes nearby. She doesn't go too far, though, so Bruce lets her be, not that worried with going after her and turning his attention to the girl. ]

How're you?

[ex_alighthouse135]

Fine, thank you.

[She closes the book on her lap.]

And you?

[Elizabeth glances after the puppy.]

Did you settle on a name for your dog?

[hyperkinesia]

Alright. Enjoying the calm days.

[ They almost seem too calm when they're between one event and the next, but he's slowly growing used to taking advantage of those lulls. ]

I did. Named her Juno.

[ex_alighthouse135]

[Calm days should be enjoyed while they can. Even if it's a simple form of enjoyment, Elizabeth likes to sit in the garden with a book. Things aren't quiet enough to read at other times.]

Juno? That's a sweet name.

[She smiles.]

I think it suits her.

[hyperkinesia]

It was one of the suggestions, and I liked it. It was getting weird just calling her puppy.

[ He smiles too as he takes a seat on the bench with her, gesturing at the book she's just closed. ]

What are you reading?

[ex_alighthouse135]

The Great Gatsby.

I like it so far. The benefit of being here is being able to read things that aren't even published in my time.

[She's been getting interested in all manner of books and music, thanks to their magical closet and library.]

Do you read fiction, Dr. Banner? Or do you stick with science?

[hyperkinesia]

Oh yes, I love fiction. It'd be pretty boring to just stick to science.

[ Granted, it's his life's work, but there's only so many volumes one guy can read about physics and chemistry and what have you until he needs a break. ]

Never read a lot of Fitzgerald, to be honest, but I did read that one.

[ex_alighthouse135]

It's tragic, isn't it?

[Though there's also so many flaws with all of the characters. None are perfect, but there are no perfect people.]

Do you have a favorite piece of fiction?

[hyperkinesia]

It is. Then again, I think that's the point.

[ He shrugs a little at the question, but he does give it some thought. ]

Alright, maybe it's not that special but I like sci-fi. Though I also enjoy a good mystery novel.

[ex_alighthouse135]

Both of those sound good. Mysteries are a lot of fun to read. Like the ones about the detective Sherlock Holmes. Are you familiar with them?

[hyperkinesia]

I am. His stories are pretty famous where I'm from. Much to Doyle's woe in many ways, I'm almost sure.

[ex_alighthouse135]

But so many people love them. I'm impressed every time I read them.

[hyperkinesia]

I know, they're great. That's why even though he no longer wanted to write any more Sherlock adventures, he kept doing so due to their popularity - even after he supposedly killed off the detective.

Funny story too, that's how he became one of the best-paid writers of his time. He raised the price of his stories, hoping that would dissuade publishers from accepting them. It kinda had the opposite effect.

[ex_alighthouse135]

[She smiled at hearing the story. It was pretty ironic.]

The harder to get it is the more people covet it.

Even if he didn't enjoy writing them, I hope they at least gave him a comfortable life.

[hyperkinesia]

Basically that, yes. Though I suppose if the stories weren't as engaging or the characters as charismatic, his plan would have worked out.

[ He nods. ] That they definitely did. And he also still got some good income from other stories, namely The Lost World.

[ex_alighthouse135]

I've never tried my hand at writing. I don't think I'd be nearly as good at it. I guess I have to stick with other hobbies.

[hyperkinesia]

If you like writing, I say go for it. No one's just born good at things, you learn with time. Besides, as it was once said - better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self.

[ex_alighthouse135]

Perhaps I'll keep a journal. Something for myself.

Sometimes you seem a little more philosopher than scientist, Dr. Banner.

[She just means to tease him a bit.]

[hyperkinesia]

[ He grins a little at her remark, then shrugs. ]

Nothing says you can't be both.

[ex_alighthouse135]

True. The scientists back home are always so very scientific.

[hyperkinesia]

A great definition. I guess we're very scientific too, just some of us happen to have plenty of room to be... well, other things.

[ex_alighthouse135]

I think that's good. Not being any one thing.

[hyperkinesia]

I think so too. Life would be pretty boring otherwise.

[ex_alighthouse135]

Indeed.

[Though some she knows probably prefer it that way. Living for one thing, not the boring bit.]

Is there someone special back home, Dr. Banner? A woman in your life?

[She's curious, is all. Maybe she shouldn't ask, but she asked Booker the same thing when she was curious about him and his life.]

[hyperkinesia]

[ The question is unexpected, and it catches Bruce by surprise. He tenses just a hint, but enough to be noticed, as he lowers his gaze to the ground and turns his head away. ]

No. [ Not anymore. But he doesn't say that, instead just shakes his head. ] There's no one.