12107/Back to the Big Apple

Back to the Big Apple
Date of Scene:	01 September 2020
Location:	Apartment 604, The Ludlow
Synopsis:	Jane returns to NYC and makes a surprising discovery about her new work bestie. Welcome back?
Cast of Characters:	Jane Foster, Sandra Billings

---

Jane Foster has posed:
A week ago, Jane Foster returned to New York City after a several year absence due to school. She's a doctor now. Well, a resident, which still meant that she was a student in a lot of ways. Thankfully, she'd gotten stuck in a coffee line with one Sandra Billings, who ended up working at the same hospital and has become her unofficial Bellevue Hospital tour guide and impromptu realtor when Jane mentioned she still needed to find a place nearby to live.

And here she is, cramming her way through the door with a ponderous box of Ikea dishes, into her new apartment. "...few more feet, few more... come on, fingers, don't give up on me now..." She coaxes her hands to keep it up as she makes the last shuffling walk for the kitchen counter where she sets the box down with a clanking, ceramic thud.

Sandra Billings has posed:
Having decided to help Jane move in, Sandy is carrying quite a large load of boxes herself in her arms. Though they weigh almost nothing, she puts on a good show of at least pretending they do. Once she eases into the door, she waddles over into the living room and places the boxes down, then gives a long stretch of her body.

"We did it! The last few boxes are in! We didn't drop any and we're still breathing. I do believe that we owe ourselves some ice cream. My treat." She wipes her hands down on the front of her jeans, then gives a look around. "You know, my lease is up in my apartment. I may snag the one down the hall from you. It's really cute and so much closer. I won't have to take two buses."

Jane Foster has posed:
With a tired wheeze, Jane sits herself down on one of the bar-height chairs they'd brought up on an earlier run and takes the moment to let down and then re-pin her hair back up into the messy bun that it was prior to six plus trips up and down an elevator carrying things.

"You should! I'll probably just walk it most of the time unless the weather is terrible, then there's the bus and subway right here. I could have gone with a slightly cheaper unit, but the previous tenant was willing to leave the built in and loveseat. So I was sold. I just tossed them some extra on the side. That saved me - and my back - a lot. I'm still spending a ridiculous amount for a studio, but the location is good and at least this place is clean, updated, and laundry is right here. It also has a gym that I'll probably ignore in favor of the rooftop garden and a book."

Sandra Billings has posed:
"If I knew you were looking for a place, we could have got a two bedroom together and just split it. Would be cheaper I think." Sandy says as she takes a seat as well, slowly, so not to break the chair beneath her. "But, this place is still cheaper than my other spot, so I'm willing to downgrade in size a bit if it means having an easier time getting to work. It's no that I honestly need much. It's just me and a cat, and my boyfriend who stops over once in awhile."

There's a gushing smile upon her face as she talks about him. "I should introduce you to him one day. He's actually famous. Doctor Henry McCoy. We met at an ice cream shop one day and hit it off. We've been dating a few months now."

Jane Foster has posed:
"Yeah it may have been." Jane says as she leans an elbow against the countertop. "Well, if you move into the building I'd say we could make plans for when leases are up, buuuttt..." She drawls out with a grin spreading across her face. "A boyfriend, hm? You might prefer the space to yourself, especially if things would get serious. I know about him, I actually read and referenced several of his papers in school. He knows his stuff, and better, at least he'll understand your terrible work schedule. That's probably why medical professionals end up dating other ones."

Sandra Billings has posed:
"Maybe. I just really like the color blue also." Sandy says with an impish grin upon her face. "But, we're pretty serious. We used the L word the other day. We've had our share of weekend trips to the Shore and a cabin to spend more time together. So, who knows. But, I'm not ready to move in with him yet. Sides, he lives in a huge, fancy school that he teaches at and has a full time job as a Professor and researcher. We barely have time to see each other as it is."

Giving a loud yawn, she smacks her lips a bit as she looks around the room. "So, you know about him? You're okay with him being a mutant then? I know it's a .. uh.. sensitive subject, right? People think the worst of mutants."

Jane Foster has posed:
"Anyone is equally capable of being good as they are bad." There's a gentle smile on Jane's face as she says it. "I try to believe that anyone can make good choices and live a good life, even those who life dumped some bigger burdens and trouble on. That probably sounds silly, but I never bought the whole 'born to be bad'. Someone may be born in a rough situation, or with difficult families, or even psychological concerns, but that doesn't mean they can't still choose to try and live their best life."

"Psychology aside, I'm a doctor. A chunk of my work is focused on mutations. Not the kind that give you powers, but, it all comes from the same principle that something in the body deviated from the baseline. Some of those changes are good, others bad, but judging someone because a mutation turned their hair blue is no different than saying certain hair colors are wrong, or eye color, or skin tone. Every variation started off as a mutation in some fashion. We're living in a time where we actually get to see these changes happening all at once, not over millennia. That's insane and really kind of cool."

Sandra Billings has posed:
Nodding her head, Sandy rises up from her stool and heads over towards the kitchen table. She gives a clear of her throat, then picks it up with one hand, lifting it up as high as her head as she gives her a sheepish grin. ".. So... I probably could have just carried everything myself up here and not put you through all of that."

As she gently puts the table back down, she rubs the back of her neck a bit. "Surprise? If we ever get mugged, just know I can probably handle it. No one at the hospital knows. My skin is impenetrable. So .. I was not able to give blood samples. They think I'm boring Sandy who's hooked on coffee and enjoys scones way too much."

Jane Foster has posed:
At first there's a look of dismay at the concept of probably feeling pulled muscles for days when it didn't need to happen. Second, there's the dawning bright spark of hungry curiosity as Jane starts to lean forward. It's a look that Sandy would know well. It's that borderline manic look when someone has hit that right button and a doctor is very likely to go from casual discussion to obsession. Thankfully, Jane seems to realize that's going into creeper territory and reins herself back in while also leaning back.

"That... is incredible! Holy --..." She bites her lower lip as she gets her thoughts back in order. "I spend my time studying the genetic mutations that are likely to kill someone. It's nice to see the ones out there that may be able to help. Anyway, your secret's safe with me."

Sandra Billings has posed:
"Well, they can still kill me. I can't swim. I literally have this .. uh .. weird .. gravity zone about me that just makes me insanely heavy and it's not because I can't stop eating sweets. I mean, I'm .. a big girl, right? Obviously, but my body is like always being pulled downwards. So, if I was to get into the ocean, I would drown. I also don't know how much I can take. I've been shot once. I did leap on a grenade the other day. So, you remember the explosion at the hospital a few weeks back? Some terrorist came in, trying to kill one of my patients. He threw grenades into the room and I lept on them. Blew up my gown, but not a scratch on me. The story that I had to come up with was insane."

Sandy adjusts the table gently to make sure it's just right again. "I gotta be really careful. How I hug people, how I open doors, how I high five someone. Being clumsy could hurt someone. I don't want to be a superhero or anything. It's why I became a nurse. At first to find a cure for this, which .. now I'm kinda over that. But also to help people. Saving lives in the ER is my super power."

Jane Foster has posed:
"I don't know what's scarier, knowing you have power like that or not knowing where the lines are." Jane murmurs, though in that tone where she doesn't sound like she's expecting an answer. "I feel the same way, though. I can't go put out forest fires with a sneeze or stop a meteorite from hitting the earth, but I can still help save someone's life. Maybe they'll end up being the next hero!"

She does raise a finger in a point making gesture. "What all of this sounds like, though, is an excellent reason for us to go get some good Mexican and margaritas tonight. You busy?"

Sandra Billings has posed:
"Definitely scarier not knowing where the lines at. I think it goes with anything in life. Everything has limits. But unless you test them, you'll never know. I will say that I /can/ pick up a truck. So far I think I can do about three or four thousand pounds from a dead lift."

The idea of Mexican causes her to rumble hungrily. "I am starving. I also /love/ Mexican. Would it be okay if I introduce you to Hank soon? It'd mean a lot that my beeest friend and my boyfriend get to know each other. You're not allergic to cats are you?"

Jane Foster has posed:
Best friend so soon? It kind of warms Jane's heart, and there's a peaceful sort of smile that touches her face. she does blink though as the question dawns. "O-of course I'd meet him! Fair warning, I may nerd out so, uh, I will try my hardest /not/ to but I can't promise anything. Besides, sounds like I'll run into him anyway! Especially if you end up living down the hall."

"And cats," She adds. "Cats are cool. I'd love a pet, but with my crazy schedule it'd just be cruel to leave one stuck in the apartment all day. One day when I'm rich and famous and have my own team of residents to do my hard work for me."

Sandra Billings has posed:
"I'm just asking because you know, Hank is .. blue and furry. Kind of like a cat. It's always a bit weird when we're at a cafe and someone starts sneezing nearby and getting hayfever." Sandy gives her friend a wry grin. "But, I do have my own kitty. He just naps all day anyways on the tree. I also got him one of those automatic feeders which is why he's fat."

Heading for the door, she gives her arms a bit of a swing. "I'm ready for Mexican when you are!" She says with a giggle. "And you can geek out around him. He'll talk your ear off on just about any topic. Sometimes he loses me in conversation but I pretend I'm still hanging with him. He has PHD's in PHD's. I don't think he has a stopping point for his wealth of knowledge."

Jane Foster has posed:
"Oo, yah that'd be a bit awkward." Jane remarks as she slides off of the chair. "He's way above my level, I'm sure. I'll try not to clog up the conversation with questions, though. Of course, having dated a doctor once, I also know that as much as everyone promises *not* to talk about work that it eventually happens."

She heads down the hall to poke her nose in the bathroom, giving herself a quick once over in the mirror to shift her hair again and throw some water on her face. "Alright. Well, I look like I just moved in, but that's okay. I don't plan on getting fancy Mexican. The dive-ier, the better."