|
   |
Lunchtime in the Big Apple means one thing to any red-blooded New Yorker: pizza. Johnny Storm may not be a native New Yorker — hell, he wasn't even born in the country, nevermind the state — but he has adapted to his new home very quickly. Thus: Mario's.
After spending all morning and a chunk of the afternoon at the law firm, Johnny called home to invite Sue to meet him for lunch. Peace offering. Free food is always a good choice, right?
So here the famous Johnny Storm is, wearing his deep blue Italian cut suit — again — and chillin' in an empty booth while he waits for Sue to catch up. While he waits, he's sipping on a bottle of Coke and has his feet propped up on the seat across from himself.
*
Crystal took a break from searching the city for her sister. It isn't that she's given up hope - that's not ever going to be the case - but she can only take so much urban pollution before she needs to…well, detox. After a few weeks have passed, though, she's ready to get back to it. It's just that lunch isn't really what she budgets for when it's time to search. Which is why she steps into the pizza shop, in search of something quick to eat before she continues.
She doesn't look like most of the people in the shop, with her white gloves and her mid-calf dress that looks like it's ten years out of fashion. But she smiles politely to people, stepping to the side to get a good look at the menu.
*
Before Johnny can see Sue, he can hear a murmured conversation from a table behind him. "She looks familiar…"
"Oh! She's the Fantastic Four's secretary, right?"
"Oh yes! That's where I've seen her — "
If Sue hears the remarks, however, she doesn't openly react. Instead, she merely skip-hops to the table that Johnny has selected before slipping into the bench opposite him. Time out of the office warrants an opportunity to get out of the lab coat and into something with a stitch more flare. The simple red, sleeveless dress, complete with the equally simple black pumps has a simple air of simplicity as she lifts her chin and glances around the pizza joint.
Immediately, without a word, she lifts the menu and her dark eyes peruse the list of various pizzas, pastas, and other italian fare. After a moment, she presses the menu back onto the table and levels her gaze at Johnny. "And here I thought you were going out to pick up Chinese. Italy and China are about a continent away."
Her neck cranes, and she spies the menu that Crystal is studying before asking the woman, "I'm sorry, I left my glasses at home. Would you be a dear and let me know if there is any Chinese fare on the menu?"
*
Waiting for someone as he is, Johnny can't avoid noticing Crystal when she comes in. It does not hurt that she is a) an attractive young woman, who b) does not entirely fit in. That's probably the quickest way to get his notice. He finds himself sitting up a bit straighter, watching her with a curious, interested tilt of his head — until the people in the booth behind him start talking.
The force with which Johnny rolls his eyes is impressive, and it takes visible effort on his part not to turn around. He offers Sue a tight, hopeful smile instead, quickly moving his feet out of the way for her.
"Chinese food would have been for dinner last night, and I am told that you and Doctor Richards went out without me," Johnny notes with a playful jutting of his lower lip. "Today, it's pizza. Though if you'd prefer Chinese…"
*
Crystal glances over at Sue's question, smile slipping crooked as she shakes her head. "I'm afraid there isn't even anything close here. You might be able to pretend the pasta primavera was a noodle dish if you had it with light sauce? It really depends on how good you are at lying to yourself, though," she laughs.
Now that she's inside - and presumably planning on eating - she starts to pull her gloves off, tucking them into her purse. Pausing, she gives the pair a closer look. "I'm sorry, but have we met? You look… familiar."
*
Sue squints at the mention of lunch with Reed. "We were working," she deadpans back to Johnny. "We worked on the Conference presentation and discussed plans around it and — " her eyebrows draw together. " — and you would've been invited if you were findable. Instead of starting bar fights." Her eyebrows draw together tighter, "Or ending them. I'm a little sketchy on the details."
Crystal receives an easier expression — practiced and even — complete with a polite, altogether well meaning grin. "Thank you," she virtually purrs to the stranger. Her head cants to the side and she glances towards Johnny before turning back to Crystal, "I don't think we've met, but it's possible you've met my brother before. He's a bit of a lothario." She pauses before lifting her fingers and scotching down the booth — a silent invitation of sorts. "I'm Sue."
"Italian is fine," she volleys back towards Johnny. "I'm just saying, it's not Chinese."
*
As Sue speaks to Crystal, poor Johnny looks utterly flustered. He sputters out an "I did not — I am not -" that, really, can be a response to pretty much anything Sue said to him. And probably is. Does he need to hit Reed? He might need to hit Reed. He said he was going to handle it.
But not right now. Right now, they are in public, and actually engaging with somebody. Johnny draws in a breath and offers Crystal a winning smile instead, following Sue's lead and gesturing to the booth in invitation. "We haven't met. I'd remember," he says confidently. "Johnny. Nice to meet you."
*
Crystal laughs brightly at Sue's suggestion. "No, I'm quite certain that wouldn't be it." Wait, hold on, quite certain? Poor Johnny. She does move to slide in next to Sue, though, offering a hand to the other woman first. "I'm Crystal," she introduces herself. "And if we haven't met, then it's a pleasure to meet you, Sue, Johnny. Are you local here?"
*
A smirk tugs at Sue's features. It's not common that she gets to get to know other people who don't automatically recognize her. "We're from LA," she offers quickly. "Been in New York just a few years." Her eyebrows lift higher on her forehead. "What about you? From New York? Always keen to meet the neighbours…"
*
When it's his turn, Johnny is happy to reach across the table for a shake, still smiling brightly. 'Poor Johnny' indeed, but he seems just fine. "I think we've been here for, what… four?" he says thoughtfully, glancing to Sue. "Almost five?"
*
"No, I've only been here a few months," Crystal shakes her head, glancing toward the doorway. "I'm not sure I'd say I'm from much of anywhere, really, my family and I have spent a lot of time traveling. Mostly through Europe, but we recently came to the States. I have to say, New York really is a unique place. I've certainly found a sense of home here, even in the brief time I've been here."
*
There's a small nod of Sue's head. "That sounds about right. We came when I was going to school," her finger taps at her chin, "the first time. Barnard College." She issues the other woman a small shrug. "That was awhile ago." Her eyebrows knit together and she issues the woman an easy smile, "So you're here with your family?" Her smile turns lopsided. "And good. New York is an unusual place. I think a lot of people feel at home here."
*
"I know I do, even if home is -" Johnny pauses short and eyes Sue, considering. "…are we cool with the four now? Reed didn't sound sure about it when I asked how your talk went…"
Before she can reply, a waitress appears at the booth. Johnny is not waiting any longer to order his lunch, thank you. He requires a slice of pepperoni and sausage. "…and whatever these two lovely ladies would like," he adds, indicating Crystal and Sue with his bottle of soda. "My treat."
*
"Oh, you really don't have to," Crystal demurs at Johnny's offer. "Are you sure?" Only once she's sure will she order, just a slice of pepperoni and some water for her. "My family is more or less here," she answers Sue, smile rueful. "We've actually been looking for my sister. It's a long story, but the short version is she got lost in all the upheaval in Europe, and we haven't been able to find her since. We've followed some rumors here, but we've split up for now, hoping to find her."
*
"Cool might be a stretch — " Sue states back. "But I'm accepting of it on the side of the building." Her jaw tightens slightly. "Reed and I had a long talk about it. Things are fine. We found a way to press forward and move onto more important things." Than a giant 4 on the outside of the building.
When the waitress takes their order, the Korean woman straightens considerably. "Just a slice of," Sue glances back to her brother with just a hint of mischief in her eye, "pepperoni and anchovy." She watches him a few beats to gauge his reaction. "And just a diet soda."
Moments later, however, that same mischief drains from her face. Instinctively, she reaches out to squeeze Crystal's shoulder. Her gaze turns downward, and her smile takes on a much more maternal edge. "I'm so sorry." She swallows hard and tips her head towards Johnny, "My brother and I are part of a team with a lot of resources. It's possible we might be able to help — I really would like to help. Family is important."
*
The look that Johnny gives his sister when she places her order is one of utter betrayal and horror. He has been tricked into spending money, his money, on anchovies? He gives the waitress an almost pleading look, but alas, she simply takes the orders down, offers a cheerful "Comin' right up," and abandons Johnny to his fate.
Johnny puffs up his cheeks and returns his attention to the women across from him, his brow creasing slightly. "Lots of missing people lately," he murmurs to himself, frowning and leaning forward in his seat. More clearly, he adds, "Yeah, if we can help, we'd be happy to try. Do you have a picture or anything?"
*
"Family is important," Crystal agrees with Sue, smiling gratefully back at the other woman. "I'm afraid we don't have a picture, no. Not…one that would be of much use. It's been almost ten years by now. We're getting close, though, I'm sure of it." There's such certainty in her voice when she says it. "I keep hearing rumors. Just enough to let me know that she must be here in New York. Soon."
*
There's a small nod at Crystal's thoughts. "Well, we're still happy to lend any resources we can. Please feel free to come the Baxter Building any time — " she smirks " — it's the one with the giant 4 on it. We have an office there and would be happy to lend any support we can. Sincerely." Her lips press together tightly. "What kind of rumours?"
*
"Thirtieth floor," Johnny adds helpfully, loosely wrapping both hands around his drink. After a pause, he adds, "The receptionist is a robot. Don't freak out. Roberta's really very nice." Then, he falls quiet and allows Sue to take point. It's usually the smart thing to do.
*
Crystal pauses for a moment, then flushes, pressing a hand to her cheek with a sheepish laugh. "That's where I know you from," she replies. "Well. Let's all pretend I was a little less…unaware of things. Thank you. That's very kind of you to offer. I'm not sure how much can be done, really. I've just been asking around as much as possible, hoping someone will get back to me. She's…distinctive, my sister," she explains with a look to Sue. "Very long red hair, which she's able to control to a very precise degree."
*
Sue waves a hand almost flippantly. Knowing the Fantastic Four is neither here nor there, and it's unusual for any of them to meet people who don't know them by reputation prior to meeting in person. "Distinctive," Sue repeats as her lips purse. "What's your sister's name? Maybe we can keep an ear to the ground? I know New York is big, but it's not that big. Every time I think it's huge it proves it's smaller than I think and people know each other more than I think they do."
*
Under other circumstances, Johnny might make a comment about redheads but even he isn't that tactless. He does look rather intruiged by the description, however, his head tilting curiously to one side. "Control?" he asks, keeping his voice low. "Have you checked Mutant Town?" It's the obvious choice, in his mind, and he sounds apologetic for even suggesting it — but she did say she hadn't been in the city very long. Maybe she hadn't heard of it.
*
"Extensively," Crystal smiles crookedly at Johnny's suggestion. "And there's a young man who tends bar at one of the more popular watering holes who has my number at work in case she should show up there." At Sue's question, she tucks a piece of hair behind her ear, drawing a breath that suggests she's heard some interesting reactions. "Her name is Medusa. Though we think there's a chance she might not be entirely herself. If she'd been able to come home, she would have. So either someone's deceived her, or she doesn't remember who she is."
*
Johnny receives a nod of approval. Good question. "Of course, makes sense that you would scower mutant town." Sue thoughtfully stares at her fingers in front of her, all too aware of what she would do if Johnny was missing. "I'm not sure how easily our resources can go about working on it," Sue begins only to cast her gaze back to Johnny, "but we'll look into it as well. Seems like a lot of people are missing across the city these days."
*
"That reminds me, I still need to call Trish," Johnny murmurs to himself, leaning back in his seat and running a thoughtful hand across his jaw. While he's mulling things over, drinks and pizza slices, including the insult against all that is good and pure which Sue ordered, arrive at the table.
*
Crystal sobers a bit at Sue's observation. "Yes," she agrees quietly. "Yes, there have been quite a few people going missing in the city lately. And it isn't very promising." There must be more to that, though as the food arrives, she makes space with a polite smile for the waitress, not want to press an unpleasant topic. Once the food is on the table, she clears her throat, changing the topic. "So what is it really that you all do? You're scientists, yes?"
*
The change of topic is easily followed, and Sue hmmms about the team. "Reed and I are scientists. Reed more than I am. The man has what, five doctorates?" she cringes. "I'm still working on my first." She sighs softly. "Doctor Richards is eclectic. He has a lot of inventions." She looks at Johnny to explain what he does.
*
For once, Johnny resists the impulse to identify as the pretty face. "I'm a mechanical engineer," is what he introduces himself as instead, flashing a brilliant smile at Crystal as he works on tucking a napkin into his collar to protect his suit from his lunch. "Which… lately mostly means helping Reed actually build the stuff he thinks of." And keeping his ideas grounded in this reality, ever so often.
*
"Five? That is impressive." Crystal takes a sip of her water, considering. "And there's a lot to be said for making theoretical ideas into the practical. Often those who are most capable of coming up with ideas need a little bit of grounding to bring them to the rest of the world. What is it you're studying, Sue?"
*
Whether or not Johnny notices it, there's a very proud big sister smile that tugs on Sue's features; something he should commit to memory when they get an opportunity to really talk about the bar fight.
There's a faint flush of Sue's cheeks at the question about her research. "I'm doing my PhD in organic chemistry." But perhaps, Sue's biggest asset is her ability to talk through technobabble. "Basically," she starts, "I'm interested in strategies to reverse cellular degeneration processes. It's work I started with Reed. In a nutshell, it's theoretically possible to use light energy to heal cells. We've seen it used to advance evolutionary processes, but light on the other side of that same spectrum should do the reverse."
Her smile warms. "And what about you? What do you do when you're not hanging out in pizzerias in Brooklyn."
*
Crystal tilts her head, considering Sue's explanation. She seems to be able to follow along well enough. "That's an interesting theory," she muses. "Though I'd be interested to hear where you've seen it used to advance evolutionary processes." Considering the origin of her own species. "I work at a school, actually," she laughs. "Though nothing terribly impressive. I take care of administrative tasks, make sure everything is properly provided for."
*
"Schools are important. As are administrators," so sayeth one administrative type to another. "They keep things moving when they would otherwise fail." Sue chuckles as she considers the first, "Extreme energy outputs can move usfester along the evolutionary chain. While I wouldn't presume to understand where mutation came from," she's not a geneticist. "I think knowing that we can break down and change cellular output from massive energy surges — that's important scientifically. And useful long-term."
*
This all sounds suspiciously like genetics talk to the mechanical engineer, and so Johnny keeps his mouth shut. …well, no, he just doesn't chime in on a topic he has no expertise in, outside of his own very brief meeting with cosmic rays. What he does is listen curiously as he works on his slice of pizza, being careful not to get any on his suit.
*
"I find I'm rather good at it. It's nice to see things rolling along smoothly. Of course, now that school is starting back for the fall, it's a bit more of an adventure than it was when I started, but the challenge is a good one." Crystal reaches for her own pizza, taking a bite as she thinks over the science. "What sort of energy surges, though? It seems like there are a lot of ways that could go wrong."
*
The comment earns Crystal a nearly wistful smile. "Absolutely. Which is why we would never want to create that kind of output on purpose." Her head cants to the side, "The opposite, however, not quite as dangerous." Her lips purse slightly. "I guarantee everything in my lab stays contained well beyond military standards," and then some. Her hands draw together, "Solar flares would produce the kind of energy I'm thinking of. There are few other phenomena, but certainly any output from the sun." Finally she lifts her pizza to take a nice cheesy fishy bite.
*
Johnny's slice has vanished. Imagine that. With a satisfied expression, he plucks the napkin from his collar and wipes his mouth and fingers, keeping his eyes on the pair across from him as they speak.
"Are you gonna talk about this at the conference, nunim?" Johnny asks Sue, his eyebrows lifting in curiosity. "I just realized I never asked. I think I was distracted by egghead's enthusiasm for his own stuff."
*
"Though you'd need to be outside of atmosphere, and be able to adjust your shielding so that a particular sort of radiation-" Crystal stops herself, once again flushing as she realizes who she's talking to. "Of course. Well. It seems like you've got quite a goal, then."
*
Sue shrugs, "Maybe. To be honest," her eyes turn downwards, "not many of my colleagues are excited to hear from a woman." Pause. "Let alone a Korean woman." Her lips press together tightly. "And Reed has a lot of ground to cover. Plus we're hearing there's apt to be representation from Latveria."
"I think all students have lofty goals. Right now my dissertation is just an array of theories. Evidently that's likely to be enough to get me this doctorate. But I want to to help people." Specifically two. Ben and his state. And Reed and his guilt. Both weigh on Sue.
*
"Oh, don't let Reed hog the whole thing," Johnny says to Sue, and there's a note of pleading in his voice, his hands dropping to rest against the table. "He gets plenty of attention. This is a good opportunity for you," he notes, leaning back and folding his arms across his chest. The mention of a possible Latverian delegation causes him to make a face. "Of course there will be," he says under his breath, sighing.
*
"Well, then I wish you luck," Crystal dips her chin to Sue, sincere. "The more people there are in the world who want to help people, the better the world is going to be." At the talk of Reed and the Latverian delegation, she looks between the pair, though she doesn't press that issue.
*
"It's not like that," Sue counters, "Reed is an incredible scholar. And a wonderful," whatever word she was going to say doesn't seem to jive with the one she lands on, "colleague." Because that's what the pair are. "He's not hogging anything. I'm diverting to someone else's expertise." A glance is given to the clock on the wall and she gives a quick expletive in Korean. "I'm sorry… I'm late. I have to — " she points to the door and slips out of the booth. "Lovely meeting you. Thank you for lunch, Johnny. Our chat about yesterday… it's not over."
*
It's hard to tell whether it was the expletive or the note about their chat that makes Johnny wince, but he nods up at Sue as she gets to her feet. "Yes ma'am. I'll come find you when I get home," he promises, offering what he hopes is a reassuring smile. "After your thing." He doesn't know what she's late for, so… that will do.
He offers Crystal a wry smile and folds his hands in front of himself, raising his eyebrows. "Guess you're stuck with me," Johnny says lightly. "But I'm not nearly as fun to talk shop with as Sue is, I know. I won't be offended if I'm stuck with me."
*
"A pleasure to meet you," Crystal calls after Sue as the other woman runs, looking back to Johnny with a flicker of amusement. "Stuck with you seems terribly strong, given the situation. Besides, I think that conversation probably exhausted most of my understanding of the shop talk, honestly."
*
"Not my wheelhouse at all, honestly," Johnny confesses with a sheepish twist of his lips. "She's tried to explain it to me a hundred times, but I guess it's just not what I'm wired for." He thinks for a moment before he reaches for his soda, gesturing towards her with it before having a sip. "You said you worked at a school, right? Which one?"
*
"It's a small private place outside of the city," Crystal waves a hand. "Which is nice. The kids are relatively well-behaved, there's a lot of freedom for the staff. It's very progressive, really. And it means I have time for other things," she adds, gesturing around the pizza shop. "Like the occasional visit into the city to see if anyone new has heard of or seen my sister."
*
"That does sound pretty great. Small schools mean small class sizes," Johnny says with a smile, seemingly unbothered by the lack of specifics. That last note gets his smile to soften and he nods once, drumming his fingers against his bottle of soda. "We'll keep our eyes open," he promises. "And if you think of anything we can do to help, like Sue said, the Baxter Building's not hard to find. Is there some way we can reach you if we find anything out?"
*
"Of course." Crystal reaches for her purse, pulling out a card and offering it over. Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, it says. So maybe she's not really trying to hide anything, so much as convinced that the name of the little school outside of town just isn't relevant to anyone. "Anyone who answers can take a message for me, or they can have me come to the phone," she assures with a small smile. "It's not quite a building in the middle of New York, but the people are good."
*
Brightening, Johnny reaches out to accept the card, giving it a curious looking over. "Good people matter a whole lot more than geography," he notes with a lopsided smile, tucking the card into his jacket. "I'm glad you've found somewhere like that. And I'm sure your sister will turn up," he says confidently, nodding to himself.
*
"She will," Crystal agrees, nodding firmly. "We're closer than we've ever been. I'm sure this time, we'll find her." Finishing her pizza, she reaches for a napkin to wipe her hands clean. "But I should get back to work if that's going to happen. I have three more stops before I go back to the school. It's been a pleasure to meet you, Johnny," she says as she stands, smile warm.
*
"Likewise," Johnny replies warmly, immediately sliding out of the booth to stand as well. It's good manners, after all. "Good luck, Crystal. With the search, and the semester. If you ever need guest lecturers, let me know. I might know a guy."
*
"I might take you up on that," Crystal laughs. "Take care, Johnny." And with that, she slips her gloves back on and ventures back out into the street to start the search anew.