( text )

[hyperkinesia]

For those who knew them: Tony Stark, Pepper Potts, Clark Kent, Scott Lang and Foggy Nelson are gone.

[ Bruce doesn't know whether or not to leave it at that. He wants to keep it a brief announcement, almost detached, but in the process he's making it fairly obvious that some of these people leaving has affected him a lot. But then again, that's why he went with text, so he can avoid any slip of his expression or tone of voice that might betray just how upset he is.

He doesn't really want to talk about it. Or maybe he does, but he doesn't know with whom, or how to bring it up. It's not like he's ever been the best at expressing himself.

Best to just leave it at that. Short and... not really sweet, no. ]

That's it.


(( ooc: forward-dated a couple of days just to avoid overlapping recent drop notices! ))

Comments

[hyperkinesia]

Really? Who?

Me too. At least we'd know if they went home or if they're just stuck elsewhere. [ And potentially try to do something about it if the latter were the case. ]

[peridork]

Steven Universe.

[Just when she'd started warming up to him, too.]

Do we know of anyone who's left and come back?

[hyperkinesia]

Steve did, for instance. Steve Rogers. He didn't remember any of this when he came back. I did but I was stuck in cryo so technically I never really left. A few other people left and came back the same way Steve did, but I can't say for sure if any of them kept their memories of this place.

I'm sorry about your friend.

[peridork]

Thanks. It's fine, though. He's been gone for a few months now.

Perhaps the Science Department should consider heading a survey of sorts. Ask for volunteers of crew members who have left and come back, look for common threads... It may clear some of the mystery up.

[hyperkinesia]

I had no idea. You know you could've told me back then. If you wanted to talk about it. [ Like you can talk, Bruce. ]

That could be interesting, actually. Maybe people wouldn't mind participating. Do you want to join in? You could help me put a survey together. I'm not sure any actual tests would help, but comparing experiences should be a good start.

[peridork]

I know. But it just happened kind of suddenly. Before Del Pascia.

[She just hopes he went back to Beach City, and not to that horrible Ryslig place he'd been talking about.]

I'd be more than happy to help record data. I've been meaning to gather information on those who have experienced informational visions within the cryo chambers as well. It might help to better understand the nature of our presence here on the ship.

[hyperkinesia]

Tends to be the norm here. People disappear without warning.

Great. Drop by sometime, then, and we can start working on it. Two surveys, even. One for people who leave and come back, and another for the ones who were stuck in the cryo units all along. That happened to you, right? It happened to me too. We can start on that front by sharing any details of our experiences, if you're up for it.

[peridork]

It did, yes. Which reminds me of something else I want to experiment with...

To your knowledge, has anyone ever willingly gone into a cryo chamber to try and trigger visions of home?

[hyperkinesia]

Not that I know of, no. I wouldn't put it past some people, though. A lot of us miss home, some might think it's a way to cure the homesickness.

[ Bruce knows better, though. ]

[peridork]

[Oh.

Sounds like he already doesn't think very highly of the idea. Peridot's reluctant to respond and takes a moment before sending her next message, phrased very tentatively:]

Yes, but what if you did it purely for the sake of gathering information, rather than being driven by sentiment?

[hyperkinesia]

[ He doesn't think anything of the idea, honestly. Each person could have their own reasons to do that willingly, and far from Bruce to judge. He's seen people with far worse habits or vices, missing home is hardly something to hold over someone else's head. ]

That's also another possibility. There can be a number of reasons why people would want to do it.
Why do you ask? Is that what you did?

[peridork]

No. But I was considering it.

[hyperkinesia]

Alright.
I assume you're worried about the uncertainty of the process. That it might not work at all, or that you might not wake up again.
Are you planning on giving it a shot anyway, or were you hoping to find out more about how it works first?

[peridork]

[For once, none of those concerns had been running through her mind... but they sure are now.]

I was just wondering if you'd heard of anyone else giving it a try. Having a better idea of what I might be getting into would be ideal.

[hyperkinesia]

[ Well you're welcome then, Peridot. ]

I see. You're probably better off asking the network, I think. To my knowledge no one's done it purposefully but there might have been someone who wanted to give it a try.

[peridork]

Hmmm. I will take that under consideration. And also inform you if I find anything else.

In the meantime, try take care of yourself, Banner.