bigapplesauce | [OPEN] HULK NOT LIKE GIBBERISH

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[OPEN] HULK NOT LIKE GIBBERISH

Bruce is in Central Park, taking notes on the rift and comparing to some data he brought with him, when it happens. There are people nearby, but they are ignoring him. After all, there isn't much to see, just a blandly dressed, professor type, reading from a stack of papers. He blends in well enough, something Bruce is grateful for. There are two, pretty ladies nearby, wearing exercise gear and talking about cameras on their cell phones.

Except, suddenly, the two ladies are either talking gibberish or in a language Bruce is unfamiliar with. He looks up, puzzled, and sees the ladies eyeing each other in confusion. One of them asks something, based on her tone, but the other shakes her head, frowning. Bruce shakes his head, since it isn't his business, and stares back down at his data sheets. They are meaningless. What was perfectly clear English moments ago, now looks like something typed by hitting buttons randomly on a keyboard.

"Excuse me," he calls out to the women, hoping one of them will be able to understand him. He gets up, taking a cautious step forward, but the women both back away, staring at him and each other warily. The taller woman turns and begins running away, putting distance between them. Bruce swallows, his heart rate rising quickly. If language is breaking down and no one can be understood, even writing...

Bruce moves down the path to an area where there are signs, posters and bulletins he read with easy disinterest earlier in the day. They are nonsense. Bruce tries to imagine what is happening, but nothing comes to mind, save someone might have drugged him! That is not good, though the breakdown of communication would be utterly worse. He shudders, feeling the Other Guy wrestling for control. Bruce fights.

Bruce might have won the conflict, but a man comes up to him and begins shaking him, speaking at him in a quick, pleading tone, his eyes wide with terror. Bruce shoves him away, but the man keeps coming towards him, his voice raising, becoming faster and harsher, until he is screaming. Bruce shakes his head again, tries to tell the man he can't understand him. The stranger grabs Bruce's arm roughly and that ends things. Bruce shoves him hard and moments later, it isn't Bruce. It's Hulk. Hulk roars and pounds the ground, waiting for things to start making sense again. The man is already gone, fleeing when he saw Bruce transforming.

[OOC: Sorry for length. Any and all are welcome.]

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It's mid-morning when Daine, Edgar, and Almondine enter the park. She manages to buy some sweetened almonds, though she has to figure out which bills to use by the men pictured on them and not the numbers, which are nonsense. She notes the vendor checking them the same way, though the other woman is doubtless more familiar with American money and can do it at a glance. It's just as well Daine's visited the stand before, otherwise she would have had no idea how much the snack cost in the first place.

They're hurling nuts into the air for the crows to catch when Daine feels a surge of alarm from some of the People farther in the park. Something has them nervous, though they can't specify what, thanks to the rift. Daine frowns, then motions for Edgar to follow her as she heads towards the source of the commotion.

Edgar follows Daine without question, aware from her expression that something is clearly wrong. She leads him and Almondine farther into the park and it isn't long before they come across the source of Daine's alarm: a very big, very green, very angry source of alarm.

Edgar gapes at this new face and shares a glance with Almondine who appears more curious and confused than concerned, which comforts Edgar a little.

Hulk hears puny humans approaching and turns, roaring at them in anger and frustration. Humans are always confusing to Hulk and few ever bother trying to talk to him. Usually, though, Hulk can at least tell what the puny humans are saying to each other!

Now, nothing is making sense and Banner is frightened and worried, more puny than usual, and Hulk HATES PUNY. Hulk slams his fists into the ground, snarling.

Oh. Oh. It's Bruce. Or the Other Guy. Daine takes a step back, heart pounding, as the Hulk smashes his fist into the ground - and then she reaches for Edgar's hand, both to make sure he doesn't bolt and to send him some reassurance. The Hulk might be angry and frustrated, but so is everyone else right now, and he hasn't actually tried to hurt them (yet).

Daine swallows nervously, then lifts her other hand - the one clutching the bag of almonds - and waves a hello.

Edgar gets the reassurance, as well as the concern Daine couldn't (or didn't think to) mask. But he also gets the sense of familiarity, which Daine's little wave confirms. Apparently Daine knows whoever this is.

Deciding to follow her lead, Edgar gives a small wave of his own and throws in a faint smile as well.

Hulk stops, his head tilting in confusion. Hulk is used to humans yelling at Hulk, running from Hulk, or trying to hurt Hulk. Hulk is not used to humans being still and waving hands in the air. These puny humans are being still and Hulk recognizes one of them. One of them knows puny Banner. Hulk walks forward, growling warily. Maybe these puny ones can talk to Hulk?

Daine stands her ground as the Hulk approaches. She doesn't want to take it for granted that he remembers her, so she needs some way to let him know she's a friend.

Thinking of one of the ways she makes friends with the People, she lets go of Edgar's hand and shakes half a dozen almonds into her palm. Then she slowly stretches her hand out, offering them to the Hulk with a smile.

Edgar can't help but cut Daine an incredulous look from the corner of his eye. She's offering him food? Still, he keeps his expression neutrally friendly and his smile in place. It can't hurt, can it?

Hulk huffs, leaning forward and sniffing. He peers down at her hand and sees the...almonds, Banner says almonds. Slowly, the Hulk holds out his own hand, palm up. Her hand is too tiny for him to take things from. Banner is loud in Hulk's mind, warning him to be careful of puny girl.

Daine's smile widens, and she tips the almonds into the Hulk's enormous palm before drawing her hand back, keeping her movements slow and even.

Edgar releases a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. So far, so good.

Hulk sees the smile and his smile spreads across his face. It's not a particularly nice expression, couldn't be on Hulk's brutal face. It's more of a smirk, but it's followed by Hulk sitting down and staring at the seeds. Puny Banner says "food" and "eat," so Hulk puts the almonds in his mouth and chews. Almonds are nice and Hulk likes. Chewing, he peers closely at the boy. Hulk doesn't know the boy, but he doesn't seem to have gun or bullets.

All right. Time for Edgar to make friends, too. Daine raises her eyebrows at him and gives the almond bag a little waggle, then passes it over to him.

The smile slides right off of Edgar's face as he looks from Daine to the bag and back again. He takes the bag cautiously and turns back to the man, who is eying him closely.

Smiling in what he hopes is a friendly way, Edgar holds out the bag and tips it slightly in offering. Then he waits to see if the offer will be accepted.

Hulk holds out his hand, more than willing to have more almonds. Crunchy means he can smash with his teeth! He decides these are good, puny humans. They haven't tried to talk, though, and Hulk wonders if they can.

Daine lets out a quiet huff of relief as the Hulk holds his hand out for more almonds. She has little doubt that he's dangerous, though she'd suspected Bruce was being a bit unfair when he'd characterized the Other Guy as some sort of mindless rage monster. It seems she was right on that count, and she can't help smiling at the image of a green, well-muscled giant happily snacking on sweetened almonds.

Edgar relaxes a little, his smile softening into something more genuine. So far, so good.

Hulk eats the almonds, huffing happily, at least as happily as he is capable of. The smile flees from his face, when a puny man in uniform runs up and draws his gun.

"Stop right there! Stay away from those kids," the cop barks, angrily, his eyes wide, with just a hint of panic.

Hulk growls, standing up. Hulk hates guns, really really hates guns. Hulk is being nice and stupid puny think he can threaten Hulk! Grabbing a nearby rock, Hulk hurls it at the cop, who just barely dodges in time. He fires directly at Hulk, but the bullet bounces uselessly off Hulk's chest.

Daine nearly jumps out of her skin at the arrival of the police officer, who shouts a bunch of garbled nonsense and brandishes his gun at the Hulk. She raises a hand, trying to let him know that they're perfectly all right - and then the Hulk throws a rock, and the officer begins to shoot.

Instinctively, Daine drops into a crouch, tugging Edgar down with her. She casts a fearful glance at the Hulk, expecting the bullets to have done some damage, but he appears unharmed. She turns her attention to the cop. "Stop it!" she shouts, assuming he won't be able to understand the words but hoping her glare will get the message across.

Edgar flinches at the gunfire, then stares in shock as the bullets bounce off of the green man's chest like pebbles off a wall. Then he jumps at Daine's shout.

It's gibberish, but from the tone he can tell what she means. The cop spares them a glance, but doesn't take his eyes off his real target.

Hulk roars again, slamming his fists into the ground, making it shake and knocking the cop onto his backside. Hulk runs to Daine and Edgar, putting himself between them and the cop. He roars again, the sound a challenge.

Edited 2013-04-20 03:22 (UTC)

Daine bites back a scream of frustration. There's no good way for this to end: either the Hulk will get hurt trying to defend them, or (more likely) the officer will get hurt trying to take on the Hulk. And worst of all, there's nothing she can do. Even if they could understand her shouts, she doubts they'd listen.

The People, however, are paying attention. Daine may not be talking to them, but they can feel her frustration and see the source of it, and she's too distracted by the confrontation before her to hold them off - or even consider the possibility that she might need to. A flock of sparrows explodes out of a nearby shrub and swirls around the cop, their shrill calls filling the air. Taking advantage of the distraction, Daine rushes forward, hand raised to get the Hulk's attention.

"Please calm down," she calls up to him, hoping her tone will help convey her meaning as she motions for the Hulk to back down. "If you hurt him, it'll only make things worse!"

Daine is upset and very worried. Edgar is confused and worried. Almondine's mind is full of their feelings and she quickly decides what needs to be done.

Careful to be casual with her body language, she trots over to the downed officer and gently noses his shoulder. He stares at her, shock, fear, and distrust in his eyes. She licks his cheek, then slowly steps over him so that she is bridging his torso. Meeting his gaze, she stares him down.

Be still, she thinks. Be still.

Hulk scoops Daine up, as she babbles at him. He can't understand her, but he knows she is tiny and frail. Banner likes her, so Hulk will protect her from the stupid man in uniform with the gun and stinging bullets. He makes sure his arms are between her and the stupid man. Hulk starts to roar again, but then the doggy lays across the officer.

Hulk stops.

The officer isn't struggling and the doggy isn't growling. It's a good doggy, Hulk decides. Stupid officer better not try to hurt good doggy, Hulk decides growling in warning.

Daine wasn't sure what she was expecting, but being picked up like a doll definitely wasn't it. Beneath her shock, she registers that he's actually treating her quite gently, and she sends out a wave of reassurance to the People before any of them attempt to come to her defense.

Then Almondine steps forward, and it's all Daine can do to clamp down on her own fear for the dog's safety. She holds her breath as Almondine stands over the officer, worried he might shoot her - or that she'll be in the way if the Hulk lashes out. She feels him growl as much as she hears it, and she pats his arm reassuringly. "It's okay," she says, looking for Edgar as an idea strikes her.

When she catches Edgar's eye, she waves a little to get his attention, hoping he'll understand what she's suggesting. She points to him, then rubs her palm over her chest. Then she lifts her hand and rests it on the Hulk's arm for a moment before pointing to her hand, and then Edgar again.

Edgar was torn for a moment between running after Almondine - who trotted toward the officer - or Daine - who was (gently, it seems) picked up by the green man.

The officer appears to be fairly docile under Almondine's steady gaze, so Edgar turns to check on Daine, only to have her wave at him. He frowns as she motions at him, unsure at first what she means. Even when he thinks he understands, there's a part of him that isn't so sure. To be honest, the unsure part might be heavily influenced by the part of him that doesn't particularly want to get closer to the green man.

Steeling his nerves, Edgar walks over to the man and holds up his hand.

The good doggy is keeping the uniform man down, which Hulk likes. He stares at the puny boy, who comes closer. Hulk looks puzzled, as the boy raises his hand. Reaching out, Hulk grabs the hand, oh so carefully, intending to pull the boy up. If Hulk has both puny ones, he can leap away and take them to safety.

Daine watches the Hulk and Edgar's interaction closely, holding her breath. Half an eye is also kept on Almondine and the officer, though at least the cop has the sense to stay down. Perhaps he just doesn't want to risk firing on the Hulk now that he's got her in his grip, but regardless, not having then at odds suits her fine. If Edgar understood her idea, maybe they can all get out of this unscathed.

Once Edgar is aloft, he plants both his palms against one of the man's giant fingers. After an unsure glance in Daine's direction, Edgar meets the man's gaze.

Then he thinks, pushing his feelings toward the man as hard as he can.

We're okay. Everything is fine. Calm down. Relax.

Hulk shakes his head. He can feel the boy pushing feelings to him, feelings that urge calm and relax...Banner emotions. Hulk frowns. Hulk knows better than to be calm, not when stupid uniform man still has bullets and Hulk can't understand anyone. Hulk knows he's not stupid. He understands, when puny humans talk, usually. Something is wrong and Hulk has to keep the puny boy and girl safe. He sends his own emotions, his protective rage, to the boy, trying to communicate.

Edited 2013-04-27 01:32 (UTC)

Oh, good - Edgar did understand her. But then the Hulk shakes his head, and Daine frowns worriedly up at him. "It's okay," she says soothingly, knowing he won't understand the words but hoping he'll get the tone, at least. Then, pointing to the ground, she adds, "You can put us down."

Edgar pushes more feelings of calm and peace toward the green man, along with a sense of well-being.

Hulk growls down at Edgar, shaking his head. If puny boy isn't careful, Banner will come out and Banner is weak. Banner can not protect puny boy and girl, but Hulk can. Hulk turns away from the uniform man and begins walking deeper into the park, looking for a wooded area.

"Oh, dear," Daine breathes to herself as the Hulk starts to carry them off into the park. She's not as worried for her own safety as she could be, but she can't help wondering where they're going, or if Almondine will be able to keep up - or what will happen if they run into another police officer now that the Hulk has a few two-leggers in his arms. What if folk think they're being kidnapped?

Well, she'll only help give that impression if she starts wiggling around and asking to be put down, so she does her best to look as if she's not at all worried about the current situation. She reaches over to Edgar, hoping to try and tell him to stay calm, assuming he hasn't figured as much already.

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[OPEN] HULK NOT LIKE GIBBERISH

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