14353/Clearing the head

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Clearing the head
Date of Scene: 01 May 2022
Location: Central Park, Manhattan
Synopsis: Quick meeting in the park, after which Tony got really tired and had to go to bed.
Cast of Characters: Iron Man, Superman




Iron Man has posed:
Central Park in the Springtime is something worth seeing. The dogwoods are blooming, the cherry blossoms are also. Washington DC isn't the only city that has festivals in honor of those little pink flowers!

Because of the day, or perhaps just because he needs to get out, Tony Stark is actually running the Park. He's dressed in black sweats, sunglasses, and he's taking the trails like a pro, not stopping for selfies, not stopping to take a swallow of water; this is to sweat, to work, to break the fog that he's been finding himself in.

Sooner than expected, he's on the other side of the park; the food carts and the carriages are parked just beyond.

Superman has posed:
"That's it, move those legs, breathe! You're doing it, just a little more!"

The cheerful voice of a thirty-something woman rises over the din of the park, shepherding some fifteen people in various states of fitness along the trails in color-coordinated outfits. Judging by the armbands, they're part of a shared group, likely some form of charity or local health consciousness organization. These men and women are sweating out their bad habits and embracing a new lifestyle.

Among them is one Clark Kent, wearing baggy sweats and a sweater, a pink headband wrapped around his head and the patch on his arm. Next to him is an older woman, mid-fifties.

"See, Clark, I told you this would be good," she remarks, breathing steadily and keeping herself moving in the brisk breeze. "You spend too much time bent over your laptop. Strapping boy like you needs to be out moving!"

"Y-yes," Clark pants, slowing as the group comes upon their end destination, the food carts and drinks. "Well, it's been real fun so far, but the bet was only once," he reminds. "I think if I did this again it'd kill me, Helen!"

He and the rest of the middle-aged group frolic into Tony's proximity.

Iron Man has posed:
Sneakers pound the dirt path like it's their job (and it is), bringing Tony ever closer to that imaginary 'finish line'. The group that crosses his path doesn't make him stop, nor does it make him change his direction, but it does have him taking that quick notice that he actually recognizes someone from the group. That.. reporter, what's his name?

Slowing his pace, if only for a few steps, Tony's handed the answer to the unvoiced question, 'Clark'.. that's right. Clark Kent, and the recognition happens all over again, this time situational. A nod is given in the man's direction; it seems people of his acquaintence are plagued by middle-aged, or early seniors. Seems to be a running theme! Question is, does he feel like rescuing the man?

Slowing his pace even more, Tony breaks it to a walk, and with a hand digging at his side, massaging the muscle there, he begins to take his direction towards one of the carts that is selling water. (He does drink the stuff!)

"Mr Kent." There. Acknowledgement!

Superman has posed:
Clark isn't in bad shape, but he does have more muscle than endurance, and moving that big body of his is tiring. By the time the group slows to a stop, he's breathing hard and bending over to catch his breath, head between his legs. "Oh, gosh, Helen, I can't breathe," he laments, before finally settling his rump on the ground and splaying out to pant and rehabilitate.

"I'll go get you a water, dearie," Helen, the silver-haired companion of his, voices, scooting off to the side and leaving Clark to bask in the dappled sunlight as it peeks through trees. "You stay right there."

Clark tiredly lifts a hand in acknowledgment, then lets it fall back down. It's at this point the inestimable Tony Stark himself enters the scene, drawing a number of gossiping looks and whispers from the crowd. There are an awful lot of housewives in this group, and all of them know Tony Stark.

"Oh, Mr. Stark," Clark greets, sitting up and looking toward the other man. "Fancy seeing you here. Guess even superheroes need to stay in shape, huh?"

Iron Man has posed:
There you go.. Clark's cred has jumped by 10 points by not only recognizing Tony Stark, but having the self-same man respond and actually //know his name//! Having slowed up only heartbeats before, he's panting, the sweat beads on his face. He's working it, absolutely. "Even superheroes.. and I don't feel like doing steps today. All 90 floors of them." He's joking, right?

"How'd you.." and he waves a hand around to the group that seem to be sort of standing on the periphery as they talk, except for Helen, who is getting Clark his water.. "I mean, really. But, if you want to look good, I guess this is the way to do it? But, I gotta tell you, buddy.." There's a pause before, "I really need to introduce you around."

Superman has posed:
Credit where it's due, Clark bounces back quickly. He's not even sweating by the time the conversation with Tony begins, and any stress in his breathing has calmed pretty fast. "Oh, these," Clark says, clambering to his feet and swinging one long arm to gesture to the group, "are the Heart Strong Advocacy Group's number one joggers." A small, local awareness organization for heart disease, popular among the older crowds for their cardiac health support networks. "I have signed up for a one-year membership, with complementary magazine subscription."

He nods toward Helen in the distance grabbing water bottles.

"I lost a bet with Helen, fair and square. We were watching the game the other night, and..."

Clark sighs. "I'm not proud, but we lost."

A number of the group start coming closer, as if keen to bask in Tony's charisma.