[action - semi backdated to midday]

[sublimating]

[at midday Bruce finds himself hovering at the edge of the sand near where the sand begins to give way to grass and trees, milling about and rubbing his hands, occasionally ducking down to survey the plants that are visible from the tree line. the heat is oppressive, but he's unfazed by it, having spent times in hotter climates. it's already been a trying day, and the last thing he wants to do now is dwell on the things he can't change about their situation]

[he promised Sif that he would forage for food, edible fruits and vegetables and berries; and Sif promised him volunteers. so he's waiting to mentor whoever shows up -- and/or who he stumbles across in the jungle while hunting over the next few hours]

Comments

[sublimating]

That's probably for the best, I'm -- not exactly the best singer...

[but he notices her distraction and he thinks it might be a better time to ask]

How're you holding up? [easily]

[onehotpepper]

[twisting her lips, failing to properly salvage a little smile] Could be worse. [shaking her head, pushing the discussion with Tony out of her mind] Better now that I've got something productive to do.

[sublimating]

It's always helpful to have something else to focus on. I tried a lot of techniques to keep calm -- I learned to meditate, and practiced aikido. Regular exercise can contribute to emotional stability.

But at the end of the day, I guess it comes down to willpower.

[onehotpepper]

Mostly I just breathe deep. [shrugs, looks down] Earlier, I-- I don't know. I just felt like running. Anywhere. As fast as I can. [how fast is that now, she wonders]

[nope, not thinking about it] Don't tell Tony that.

[sublimating]

You got it. In fact, this whole... conversation never happened. [a brief smile at her, but he says] You didn't heat up, though.

[onehotpepper]

[the small smile she'd given him disappears as she shakes her head] No. But I could have, if I'd started running, I think. I don't-- [sighs] I don't know. But I never have, in all of this, so it's all the same. [except now she second-guesses everything she might do, wonders what triggers it. it's exhausting even without Tony looking over her shoulder]

[sublimating]

Is it really the same? It seems to me like every time you don't... every time you're better than that... that's a win. [tilting his head back]

[onehotpepper]

[were it anyone else telling her that, she'd laugh them out of the room, so to speak. she gives him a slow nod, digesting the information, tucking it in the cracks in her reality that have yet to be mended.] Being-- still alive. Not hurting anyone. That's a win.

[you're a good man, Bruce Banner. A+. she smiles.]

[also, she has located a bora bean within reach, so she grabs it and feels a little bit proud. it's the little things.]

Do you still do any of those things? The aikido, the meditating?

[sublimating]

Oh, yeah, a little. They don't help that much, but -- I'm not a guy who likes losing a skill. [a grin at her, gently gathering some of the beans himself] Honestly, I think I most enjoy the morning jogs.

[onehotpepper]

Oh? [smiling, plucking more beans off the vine] I think I might try that. And yoga.