<div class="floatleft">(http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Infinitely+Polar+Bear+Portraits+2014+Sundance+Gmu1BcG9xCBl.jpg)</div><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><strong>Name:</strong>Bruce Banner<br/><strong>Location:</strong>NYC, Stark Tower<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>Steve, Natasha, Jessica, Logan, Susan, Amora<br/><hr/><br/>"Feels good to hear you say that, Natasha. I think I will kick back and relax. I tend to forget to do that which is pretty ironic since I need it more than most people." The smile faded and he cleared his throat. "Sorry, I'm rambling. I do that sometimes." Thankfully Steve had shots for everyone, and Bruce gratefully took the glass the Captain poured for him, and held it in front as the first avenger toasted to the new year. "Cheers!" He skulled the shot with the skill and ease of a man who found solace in a bottle. One who had for many many years.<br/><br/>Steve asked about resolutions, but before he could think of one they were joined by Clint Barton. Hawkeye. He waved him off when he apologized for being late. "We're all superheroes, Clint. We know how hard it is to be on time. No worries." Smiling at his friend and raising his empty glass, he looked down at it. "Well the sentiment's the same. Cheers, Clint. Happy New Year." At this point in his life, Bruce wasn't a wreck, but he was still prone to jump scares. The sudden music startled him and he quickly turned to see what it was. He breathed a sigh of relief when he realized it was just Tony...being Tony.<br/><br/>After the billionaire playboy made his entrance, he apologized for being tardy to his own party, but Bruce knew the reason why. And when he confirmed it, he wondered what he'd been working on. "Tell me about it. I got stuck in my lab for three days once working on how to improve a solar power generator." Tony went on, giving them free run to eat, drink, and be merry. He just hoped Hulk wasn't hungry, because 'enough food to feed a small army' roughly translated to 'lunch' for mean green. Natasha told Tony her resolution for the new year, and he laughed as everyone else said theirs. "I'll be happy if I can stay off Ross's radar for a few weeks. He wants me to slip up so bad. It's more aggravating than anything. But uh, if I'm being honest...I want a year where the Hulk is a name people admire and not fear. I just don't want to be seen as a monster in the eyes of the world no matter how much good I do."<br/><br/>It was pretty somber in comparison to the others, but he didn't do feelings well apparently. He found his way to the bar and poured himself another drink as Tony chatted up Natasha. "Hey, Sue. You uh, you look stunning tonight. Glad you could make it." Susan Storm was like him. A person in the wrong place at the wrong time and victim of circumstances beyond her control. They'd both been changed by radiation, but he was thankful only one of them was a monster. She already had enough trouble; she didn't need that fear of persecution and harm hovering over her head every day like he did. He looked at his watch just before midnight and began counting down with the others. When the clock struck one he shouted "HAPPY NEW YEAR" with everybody and felt happy...for a few moments.<br/><br/>A sudden icy wind blew through the room, and all of them were almost immediately looking for threats. Then a green mist appeared in the middle of the room and he watched as the Enchantress made her presence felt. He opened his mouth, but the only sound he could utter was a shout of surprise when her energy began tearing the room apart. "Thor's dead?! How is that even possible?!" She didn't answer his question. Instead she used her magic and snatched Steve into her waiting clutches.<br/><br/>Magic was her forte, but she was still Asgardian and the weakest of them were still far stronger than a human. Even one like Captain America. She asked the man if he knew her love had been killed and was trapped in Hela's realm. "Of course we didn't know! If we did we'd be there right now trying to-OOOMPH!!!" An energy blast slammed into him, interrupting him and catapulting the good doctor into the TV up on the wall. A shimmering field of blue energy could be seen as he fell to the floor, leaving a sparking and shattered mess where his body had impacted and ruined the television.<br/><br/>His force field had kept him from having to change. Hopefully he could stay human for now. Jess was the first one to move, and a quick blast of her own got Steve in the clear. Deciding that without his shield Steve was still at a major disadvantage, he teleported over to him, then teleported them both to the other side of the room. In an instant he was by Jess's side, his Old Power Taser fully charged and ready to knock some sense into Amora.<br/><br/>"Listen to her, Amora! I know a bit about how you Asgardians work. Hela's the Asgardian death goddess. If she's got Thor, then she has his soul or something like that. We get it back from her, we can bring him back. That's how it works right? So how about instead of attacking us in a hissy fit, you do like my friend suggested and let us help you bring Thor back?" He took a deep breath, his taser still trained on her if she attacked again.<br/><br/>"You love him, and you're angry right now. I get that. Trust me if anyone understands it's me. But attacking us is crazy. You want to kill one of the few groups of people who can and will try to get him back? What sense does that make?!" He was still in control for the time being, but Hulk wanted out. He wanted to SMASH. Banner's eyes flashed with green before he shook his head and took control. "Clocks ticking, Enchantress. Give us an answer before<em>he</em>makes it for you.<em>Please.</em>"