1751/The Curious Mr. Aaron

The Curious Mr. Aaron
Date of Scene:	31 July 2017
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Superman, Ares

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Superman has posed:
Rarely is Clark able to get things from Lois. She's too good at what she does and too careful with her things. She also doesn't just drop stories.

This story, Clark noticed, Lois just dropped. Stopped working on, stopped pursuing.... No good reason.

It made Clark suspicious.

Had someone threatened her? She hadn't said anything. Not even to Superman.

It was time to investigate.

Sure, Clark had to cheat, but he'd gotten enough information to see that she was investigating a John Aaron. Not able to get anything from Lois about the story, Clark figured it was his turn.

What could go wrong?

Ares has posed:
    There were two places where one could follow up the leads she had. This John Aaron was not hidden from the public eye, it took little scrutiny of her notes and even with just the name and occupation any number of facts could be brought up. One of those was his home address. Kensington, New York? An upper class zip code and not likely a place a guy could afford on a construction worker's salary. But the man is also supposedly a single father. Perhaps it would't be good to spook him while his kid's around.
    That left... the work site the Local Union 477 was working. A building for LexCorp of all things. That could be an angle, possible... perhaps not. But a little web work, perhaps a call to a supervisor to find out what shift the man is on and then a plan of approach could be made. It wasn't too difficult and would be a good angle.
    So that afternoon, as the second shift was about to end, Clark would most likely find himself outside that work site, but in range to witness the shift change. A picture of John Aaron would have been easy to acquire, and then there he is, in the flesh. Tall, curiously. Taller than Mr. Kent by a few inches, and with a rather strong build. Nothing about him looks too out of the ordinary. The man dresses like a blue collar worker with boots, jeans, and a black t-shirt. He's walking along the sidewalk, satchel slung over his shoulder and a yellow hard hat under his arm.

Superman has posed:
And then Clark cheats. Because of course he does.

Chin dips, blue eyes peer at John over the rim of his glasses and into that satchel. Must make sure everything is indeed 'ordinary'.

Ares has posed:
    There really is little of interest to him. In that satchel are some tools, some measuring tape, and the remains of a lunch that is in a folded up paper bag. Though there's a small plastic sword that's still in the package, probably a gift for his son.
    His path takes him to the edge of the street and he gets ready to cross, making sure the traffic is clear. He's aiming to go to the parking lot and the black SUV parked there.

Superman has posed:
Ordinary. Hmm... Clark pushes his glasses back into place and pushes from his I'm-just-being-casual spot. Hands in pockets, the reporter makes his way down the sidewalk, at a pace that would put him on an intercept course with Mr. John Aaron.

Ares has posed:
    The point of connect will be when he crosses the street, stepping across it... it'll be when he reaches that gate towards the parking lot and then there they are. He's shouldering that pack and stepping up off the street onto the sidewalk that carries Mr. Kent on his way towards him. Just a few steps.
    The tall man's brown eyes meet his and there's no hesitation, no wavering, just a steady gaze and a simple nod of greeting, what New Yorkers who dare make eye contact tend to offer as if nothing was of regard, no harm intended, no harm brooked.

Superman has posed:
Blue eyes meet brown. Clark returns the nod, taking in that eye contact of 'no harm'. Clark too has a messenger bag. One which falls and spills its contacts when Clark's right toe catches on a crack between cement slabs of the sidewalk and the reporter flails.

"whoooa!"

Ares has posed:
    The tall man's instincts aren't to get clear, instead he steps to the side to try and catch Clark's fall, breaking a halt to the man's descent. Just firm hands on his arms trying to stabilize the man as his brown eyes meet the incognito Kryptonian's gaze, brow furrowed and marked with a small measure of concern or at the least surprise he'll lift his voice, "Careful."
    A moment as he tries to make sure the man is together, then he kneels and starts to pick up the folders and papers that might have fallen.

Superman has posed:
That was... not expected. Clark doesn't normally GET caught. Well, sometimes Lois does. Grabs his jacket, or his tie, or something. Clark usually just floats a bit so Lois doesn't have to deal with anything close to his full body weight. Stablized, Clark gives a very eloquent reply.

"Uh.. thanks."

Dropping to a knee, Clark too starts to collect the items strewn about the sidewalk. Among these things are pens, and a phone, and a reporter's notebook, and Clark's press pass: Kent, Clark - Daily Planet, Metropolis - Reporter.

Ares has posed:
    No words are offered as they make the hurried gathering of items and articles to hopefully get them before any pages from the notebook blow away. He glances up and nods his head to Clark, urging him to open the bag so he can toss a few things in there and then he hands the press pass to the man as they both rise back up. A small smile is there, "Careful, Mr. Kent?" He asks as he offers the small laminated pass.
    "The Daily Planet? A bit off your beat here in the Big Apple? Chasing a story?"

Superman has posed:
Bag held open, Clark accepts things tossed into his messenger bag (read: man-purse), and returns the small smile with one of his own.

"Yes, actually. Just following up on something, Lois, my partner has going," Clark says amiably, his midwestern warmth making that sound so perfectly innocent, as if he didn't intentionally trip at all. (read: he totally did, but he's skilled at being the clutz)

Ares has posed:
    A nod is given to the man, "I've had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Lane," The tall man steps to the side and then turns back towards Clark, walking back a few steps though hesitating as he stands there near the parking lot's gate. There's a small tilt of his head as those brown eyes remain on Clark's, his expression calm and measured as he stops just there. "Please do give her my regards, she is a remarkable woman."

Superman has posed:
Clark nods as well, blue eyes focusing sharply the moment Mr. Aaron confirms knowing his Lois...partner!

"Of course, Mr....?" Is this underhanded? Maybe. After all, Clark knows who this is.

Ares has posed:
    "Ah, John. John Aaron," He adjusts the hang of his own satchel on his arm, slinging it a bit roughly over his shoulder to make sure it stays in place. There's a turn of his head as he observes Clark, as if a different angle might lend some hint or clue to the man before him. "Forgive me, for some reason I just assumed." That he would know. But as the case may be he rests a hand on the fence that blocks that part of the parking lot off from the main road.
    "We met at the Veteran's Memorial a few weeks back." Then his brow furrows, "Perhaps a few months? Time flies."

Superman has posed:
"It's alright. She just didn't mention you," replies the farmboy with complete honesty. Because Lois never really did mention John Aaron, or the investigation, nor the reason she dropped the story.

Ares has posed:
    A nod is given, "That's likely." That having been said, the tall man turns and starts to walk towards the lot and his parked car. A hand lifts over his shoulder as he waves to the other man, "Take care of yourself, Mr. Kent. Watch where you're walking." That said he steps up to the gate and through, causing it to squeak faintly as he pushes it open and then lets it swing shut behind him. He heads over towards the black SUV and pulls open the trunk, tossing in his equipment there casually.

Superman has posed:
Evasive. That's suspicious.

"Of course. Thank you, Mr. Aaron," Clark calls out, stepping out of the middle of the gate, but watching the man's movements over the frames of his glasses. The SUV's plates are memorized and the contents looked over as Clark takes his phone out of his messenger bag.