8391/These are the People in Your Neighbourhood..

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These are the People in Your Neighbourhood..
Date of Scene: 18 July 2019
Location: Unknown
Synopsis: Kinsey returns to the Watchtower to continue the promised tour, and is escorted by Batman! They make a deal: A tour in exchange for freshly baked cookies. Mmmm, chocolate chip cookies.
Cast of Characters: Kinsey MacKenna, Batman




Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
Because it can be lonely working on a space station, and because things had not only been quiet, but she had a little down time, Kinsey MacKenna has shown up to the Watchtower, intent upon taking Superman up on his offer of a tour of the place - a tour that was interrupted the last time she was here. Little does she know he's been called off and busy, though she's held at the security checkpoint for 'just a moment Miss', the gentleman asking her looking more than a little uncomfortable, she being his senior by at least ten years, and for keeping her. However, he had his orders..

Batman has posed:
While the security guard turns to his terminal to check a few things, a looming presence prompts him to glance sideways and up. The overhead lights of the hangar cast a shadow over both Kinsey and the guard. Although not terrified, the guard looks like he could stand to be out of this particular unnerving presence. He gives a muttered 'sir' and quickly turns his attention fully to his work.

"Kinsey MacKenna," a voice intones like the distant slamming of a crypt door, seriousness and gravity all in one. Behind Kinsey stands the Batman, perfectly visible in the light but even so the shadows seem to cling to him and cast everything but his face in gloom. He stares expectantly at her, adding nothing further.

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
At the start of the loom, Kibou, her ring, speaks up quietly "Sister Kin-"

:"Shhh," she tells the young ring, turning to appraise her 'guest'. "I know who it is." Of course she does, though he might not know why she looks so amused when his gruff rumble of a voice reaches her.

"Dr. MacKenna, actually, though I will answer to Kinsey. And you, if I am not mistaken, are Batman."

"I hope I didn't disturb? I was given an invitation for a tour and thought since I was in the neighbourhood I'd cash the opportunity it, though I've been told Superman isn't available. And, I'm afraid I didn't bring cookies this time."

Bruce might remember some days past a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies in the mess hall. Kinsey would be responsible for those.

Batman has posed:
"No cookies?" Batman says flatly, the blank white eyelets of his cowl fixed on the doctor and, for a moment, the blue ring she wears. Was that a note of disappointment in his voice? No. Surely just a trick of sound. Batman has no interest in baked goods.

He steps past Kinsey and through the security checkpoint, the guard rushing to hurry up and open the way for the pair of them once it's clear the Dark Knight is going to pass through anyway: "I'll handle the tour."

A pause as he begins to lead the way through the hangar and towards the inner areas of the Watchtower, "What are you a doctor of, Doctor MacKenna?"

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
"Alas, no cookies," Kinsey confirms. His attention to her ring is not missed, and she makes no move to hide it from him. "As for what I'm a doctor of, I have a PhD in Genetic Engineering, and another in Xenobiology, though I was rather a latecomer to the field."

She gives something of a gentle shrug. "They play well together. Though I do have to say I imagined myself doing much more curing of exotic diseases, or discovering all the ways were were nothing more than the same as one another."

She speaks nothing of the truth - science is like that. Moments of brilliant inspiration followed by, sometimes, years of mind numbing boredom in research. Though he might have heard of the explosion in the science labs on the station, and that there were no less than three Lanterns in attendance, including Hal Jordan.

Since he's offered the tour, she doesn't make any noise or gestures to suggest he shouldn't, but takes him at his word, clearly content to be shown around.

Batman has posed:
"Xenobiology," Batman grunts, still leading the way and only slightly turning his head so he can be heard when he speaks, "That's an entirely new field. On Earth, at least. Difficult to be late by comparison."

As the continue through the hangar, he speaks but doesn't gesticulate or embelish, "This is the hangar. You're likely familiar with it already as it's the main ingress and egress for the Station. Through here is the central hub - the main concourse of the Watchtower."

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
"Late when your entire career revolved around genetics. Though I found the older I got the more focused I became. I wouldn't have thought myself interested in the engineering side either - that I picked up during my Masters years. Maybe it's a good thing I stopped when I did. Who knows what else I would have delved into."

She more than slightly amused as she says that.

When he gestures about the Hanger, she makes an effort to look about, nodding confirmation. "I've seen here, and the hallways to the mess hall. We got no further than that, though before duty called. For him, not me."

Her steps fall into an easy match for his as he leads along.

Batman has posed:
Batman leads the way into the Watchtower's central ring, at ease even with the constant rotation in the station's artificial gravity. He is leading the way towards what appears to be a guarded door that occupies it's own section of the station. As they move, he continues to speak.

"There's a lot to see, but not all of any great interest. Most are places you'll either use as you need them, or those that you won't have much reason to interact with. I'm not familiar with the functionality of blue power rings," the tone of his voice suggests that is not entirely true, "But this is the Monitor Womb - feeds from news and other sources all over the world are streamed here to allow for constant vigilance. All League members are expected to take a shift."

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
Kinsey laughs softly, "I wondered which of us was going to bring that up. Yes, I bear a Blut ring, and I'm still learning all the ins and outs of it. Kibou, my ring, is still very young. He was actually created for me. So, between us, we're still stumbling about learning where we fit into things. So far I've not been assigned a sector which suits me fine."

She nods, looking about. "Ah, yes. Monitor Duty. The bane of all superhero existence. Thankfully I'm spared that on the Station - security handles those matters, but when I'm on duty in the Science Labs, or the officer in charge at any given time, the problems still come my way."

She looks his way, "Do you enjoy being a League member?"

Batman has posed:
"It's adequate to fulfill my mission on a larger scale," Batman answers of being in the League, not leading the way into the Monitor Room but instead standing at the door where the internal setup of screens are visible. He seems to be avoiding disturbing whoever happens to be on duty there, "I have other concerns of my own, but the Justice League suits as a peacekeeping force on a global scale."

He pauses for a moment, glancing back at Kinsey with an impassive stare, "Does this sector have a Blue Lantern assigned to it already?"

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
That question does give Kinsey pause. "I'm not certain to be honest. It may well be someone has been assigned. I'm afraid that we've been rather busy since I was indoctrinated. My training still isn't finished, and Brother Walker and I have found ourselves in some very interesting situations.."

To be fair, she'd be happy being a Lantern at large.

Batman has posed:
Batman doesn't shrug, but the way he turns purposefully suggests that is the Dark Knight equivalent of such a thing: "Maybe you'll end up assigned to Earth. This sector has multiple Green Lanterns already, don't see why the same can't be said of the Blue."

He continues along the concourse, "Mentioned that Superman gave you the tour. Imagine it was more entertaining and personable?"

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
"STarted the tour," Kinsey corrects with a smile. "He said, and I quote, that you'd be jealous you didn't get to do it."

Which only makes her chuckle.

"As for sector support, I will make a point of asking next I am on Odym. I am due for a visit regardless. I have.. questions."

Batman has posed:
"As do I," Batman answers quickly, "There's a great deal of curiosity about power rings of all sorts. Much could be learned from them. Green Lantern's unwilling to part with his. I imagine Gardner's is unsanitary."

"I don't make a point of giving tours. Newcomers would rather meet Superman or Diana. Obvious reasons."

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
"Well, I'm not exactly a schoolgirl with a crush, so I suppose all that nonsense has passed me by. Can you really see me fangirling at my age? Besides, he's the one who said it. I'm afraid he didn't go into detail as to why.."

He's given a considered look.

"You aren't obligated, you realize. Honestly, I can come back another day." She chuckles about the rings. "Oh, I can see Green Lantern suggesting many things you coul do other than take his ring. With good reason. Without them, we are noting less then human. Or, I suppose, whatever we were before we earned the right to war them. I know I would be loathe to part with Kibou."

Batman has posed:
"I don't feel obliged," Batman shakes his head silghtly, "But nevertheless, I'm still giving the tour. We've started now. Would be unfair to waylay you a second time."

At the talk of the ring, Batman does something strange. He smiles. Nothing garish, but the corner of his mouth twists into something crossed between an amused smirk and the same grim, emotionless line he usually sports.

"You say 'no more than human' like being a human being is a disadvantage."

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
"Did I? Oh my, I hdan't meant it that way." Kinsey's apology comes after a small pause. "I suppose what I meant was many of those of us who weild the rings come from normal walks of life. We didn't ask to be anyone special, or to step into these grand roles. Without the rings, we haven't their powers. For me, I'd return to the station and my life would become nothing more than my research there."

She smiles, turning to him.

"And, no, I would not regret that. Not for it being unworthy of anyone's attention. I was quite satisfied." Until she earned her ring, that is. Earning it had changed her perspective on the world, the universe, significantly.

"Perhaps we compromise. The short tour. It's not like I'm not close enough to drop in again, and it does give me an excuse to deliver cookies."

Batman has posed:
"I understand. But I think it's worth noting that the human being is capable of a great many things. The potential is there and, although I'm not a doctor of xenobiology, it's there in all other species as well. All that it requires is the will to unlock it." Batman casts his eyes to the ring, "And the hope that you can make a positive change."

"No, you're owed the full tour and you'll get it," he leads the way, the pair of them disappearing down the concourse as he speaks, "As for cookies, some of the League are partial to chocolate and macadamia ... "

Kinsey MacKenna has posed:
"With Hope, all things are possible," Kinsey says gently. "I truly do believe that. And the human heart is perhaps the most hopeful I've ever encountered."

As he continues the tour, a counter offer is made, "I tell you what, if we end this tour in the kitchens, I'll make a fresh batch before I leave.."