xp_logs | Log - Monica and Hank

Backdated to February 8

Monica visits Hank in the labs to talk about getting a better idea of how her powers work. And falls off a stool.

The science labs, down in the basement near the medlab, weren't somewhere Nica had been much since the initial tour of the building. But they were the best place to hunt down science-types, and it was a science-type she needed. Counting off the various lab doors as she passed down the futuristic metal-lined halls, she found the one she'd been looking for, standing ajar. Taking it as an invitation, she pushed the door open and peeked in.

At first glance everything seemed in order - there were the orderly rows of benches and shelves, all lined with various pieces of equipment and rows of tidy glass containers. It didn't seem to be occupied, though, which was odd - hadn't Hank said he practically lived down here? It was only once she had lingered quietly in the doorway for a few moments that she heard the rasping snore emanating from the back of the room; stepping further inside she could see a figure slumped over the bench, head resting on its folded arms.

"Uh, Hello?" Normally Nica would take the snoring as a "do not disturb" sign, but somehow she didn't think a science lab was exactly a safe place to nap. And she did have an appointment. Sort of. "Dr. McCoy? Hank? It's Monica Rambeau." When the snoring continued, a sudden impish thought struck her - perhaps she'd been hanging around with Bobby too much. Making a "gun" of her hand, she aimed her forefinger directly at Hank's nose, directing a harmless beam of light dancing over his sleeping features and closed eyelids.

Her target came to with a start, though luckily there was no delicate equipment nearby to be disturbed by his briefly-flailing arms. He regained his bearings quickly enough, though as realisation set in he got a look on his face not unlike an embarrassed cat, reaching for the glasses he had set on the bench in front of him. "Ms Rambeau, I'm sorry, I must have dozed off by accident just then. I apologise for forcing you into the role of alarm clock."

It was hard not to giggle at the flailing, and there was no way Nica could keep the grin off her face. "I thought science didn't need sleep?" she teased, coming closer so that she was on the other side of the workbench. "Don't let one of the mother hen nazi types catch you dozing off down here or they'll lock you up for enforced naptime."

"Yes, I've already been threatened with just that," he said, rubbing a large hand over his face before settling his glasses back on his nose. "Your discretion would be much appreciated so I can avoid such a fate."

"Well, since you're helping me out and all, it's the least I can do." Nica dragged a stool over to sit on and positioned herself opposite Hank. "I thought since you're as curious as me about this whole mutant thing, you'd be interested in some experiments?"

"I would!" Hank replied, his enthusiasm returning full-force as his sleepiness faded. "The absolutely fascinating thing about all of this is how the manifestation of any particular individual's x-gene can be at once so different than anyone else's and yet also so similar. Obviously with the current sentiment on mutants it is difficult to gather enough data to make a full analysis possible, but at least here at the mansion we have a concentrated group of people with which to begin our investigation."

After parsing what Hank had said - and it took a moment or two - Nica nodded. "It's like Alison and I. We both have the same powers, on the surface, but it looks like she's an energy converter - sound into light - while I'm a straight projector - light in and light out. But the thing that really confused me is this." And with that she went full-glow and went to put her hand on the workbench. But instead of making contact, her hand seemed to slide over it, like a sunbeam crossing the floor.

"That's fascinating," Hank exclaimed, leaning in closer to inspect the effect, his nose inches away from the workbench. After a moment he looked up at her. "And the effect is localised, even more interesting. I would have thought a mutation like that would be full-body, at least without a great deal of control exerted over it..."

"You mean, like this?" Nica concentrated some more, focussing on releasing her usual hold on her powers, until she lit up the room like a small, person-shaped sun. But having neglected to get up first, her altered state meant that she slid over the stool she'd been sitting on, until she was basically a light patch on the floor. "Ow," she said, more out of reflex than any actual pain - she couldn't feel anything like this. "You didn't see that."

"Oh, but I did," he said, getting up from his stool and crouching down to help her up. Not that he was exactly sure how to do that...

Nica dropped the light, revealing a normal teenaged girl sitting on the floor, blushing. "I'm such a klutz," she said, holding her hand out to Hank to pull her up now she was solid again. "I forget that happens, but I guess it's still new to me."

"That's understandable," Hank said, his hand engulfing hers. "All things considered you're doing a remarkable job. Now, what I'd like to do first is establish the full extent of your abilities with some controlled experiments, but I realise that might make you feel like something of a lab rat, though of course you'd have full control over anything we embark on."

Nica nodded, blinking at the enormous hand holding hers. "All in the name of science," she replied with a grin as he helped her back to her feet. "But thanks. If I get weirded out or anything, I'll holler."

"Excellent." Hank tucked his hands in the pocket of his lab coat - habit, or had he noticed Monica's ogling? "I'm afraid my lab isn't particularly well set up for measuring optics-based phenomena, but perhaps we could impose upon Dr Richards for a few hours. Failing that, I'm sure there must be enough equipment lying abandoned in the storeroom that I could cobble together a working rig."

"I'm totally in your hands."