[OPEN] HULK NOT LIKE GIBBERISH

[beastisbeauty]

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.]

Comments

[edgar_sawtelle]

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.

[beastisbeauty]

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.

[wildmage_daine]

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.

[edgar_sawtelle]

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.

[beastisbeauty]

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.

[wildmage_daine]

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_sawtelle]

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

[beastisbeauty]

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.

[wildmage_daine]

"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.