893/Weekend at the Park

Weekend at the Park
Date of Scene:	11 June 2017
Location:	Central Park
Synopsis:	Carol Danvers gets to meet Ares, who displays surprising parenting skills.
Cast of Characters:	Ares, Captain Marvel (Danvers)

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Ares has posed:
    Saturdays in Central Park are always very active, the great sweep of green and grass and trees is always a focal point for the people visiting Manhattan as well as those who live there. Any number of events are often going on. There are local baseball clubs playing games, art shows at times, rallies. There are even some plays at times. But for most people they just come there to get back in touch with nature to a degree, to enjoy the feeling of grass on bare feet and to enjoy the sun without the giant shadow of looming skyscrapers standing sentinel over them all the time.
    Near one of the lakes there's a playground that has the needed equipment for a kid's childhood happiness. There are all the old pieces. There's a seesaw, a set of swings, a sandbox, there's even a jungle gym of old logs shaped to be a pirate ship complete with a slide instead of a plank to be walked. And where there's a Saturday afternoon at a playgroud, there are kids. Being noisy with laughter and screams, running around playing brilliant games of make believe whose rules change from moment to moment. At times a parent's voice will lift to call out across the way.
    But in this one moment it just so happens that that voice belongs to a large man seated on a bench where he can keep an eye on his son. "Alexander!"
    A blonde child comes running off away from that pirate ship, skidding to a halt in front of a well built man in jeans and a t-shirt. A black baseball cap shields his eyes from the sun. That child looks at his father, "Yes, dad?"
    "What did I tell you about hitting girls?"
    The kid sighs and shuffles his feet a little, "To don't do it unless they mean to really hurt me."
    "Right," The seated man on that bench peers at the young man's eyes, "Unless you are both training together. But this is not training, this is play. Understand."
    Another sigh, "Yes, sir."
    "Alright, off with you. I will be watching."
    The kid turns around almost instantly and beats feet.

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
Carol Danvers happens to be out and about on this Saturday in Central Park, dressed in blue running crops and top, she was doing some exercise. She had just finished another lap by the playground, in time to pick up on the unexpected lecture from a father to his son. Something that caught her attention, as she waited a moment, looking over the kid, and then finally approaching the father, "wish more parents were like you, Sir, that was very classy thing to do. Raising your kid to be a gentleman? Or you're one of those weirdos that actually have morals...?" She asks half jokingly.

Ares has posed:
    For a moment she might see a glimmer of annoyance on his features, for in the past he's heard people speaking to him about what he should and shouldn't do with his child. At times it has been negative, at times it has just been patronizing. But as he turns his head to the side to listen to her, brown eyes meeting her gaze his brow unfurrows and a small 'heh' slips form him as he lifts a hand, fingers uncurling to the side as if brushing off the compliment.
    "That is kind of you to say," He looks after Alexander's retreating back, then gives Carol another look. In her time in the military she's probably had more than her fair share of guys giving her the once over. He does so as well, but perhaps not for the same reasons. Where some might be considering curves and features. His glance is more to take the measure of a person, their manner, their stance, but also to recognize them for what they are. A warrior? A leader?
    But then she makes her teasing joke and his lip curls wryly as he gains his feet. And he's tall, a good way past six foot and half to seven. Not the tallest she's seen assuredly considering the crowd she travels in, but tall all the same.
    "Definitely a weirdo, miss." He extends a hand, "John Aaron."

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
Carol has been in many male dominated environments, be it the Military, the CIA, NASA and likely the worst being the Bugle. She knows all manner of things about being looked down upon, not being taken seriously, and naturally being first and foremost considered for her looks. But she's also not the kind to go crazy over a guy giving her a once over, it's something she's more or less gotten used to in her time, and so long as people are respectful, there's usually no issues at such slights.

In fact, she's so used to being given a onceover, that she doesn't even consider this man might be different. That he may be looking at her for a different sort of measure altogether. He will find a confidant stance, an athletic build, toned muscles, and a level of strength that seem to emanate from her. Having been a Colonel in the USAF, a Security Director in NASA and last but not least a superhero and an Avenger, Carol certainly carries herself as a person who is willing to take on one and all, and expects to be respected. Warrior and leader are certainly two qualities one might spot in her, given a good appraisal skill.

It's not often that Carol has to look up at someone, so this man certainly steals her attention for more than a cursory moment, as he gets up and extends his hand. She readily shakes it, proving to have a firm strong grasp, "pleased to meet you, John Aaron, I'm Carol Danvers...wish more fathers were as attentive as you."

Ares has posed:
    His own handshake is firm, not aggressive. It's precise, two pumps, done, and through it all his eyes remain on hers steadily. "Mm," A man of few words apparently as she offers her introduction and then comment on his parenting. He turns to look across the way, hands resting upon his hips as he watches Alexander rushing around playing some form of tags with the kids. Some of them have sticks and are sword fighting, others are clamped onto the wooden 'masts' of the pirate ship. It all looks terribly involved.
    But then he looks back to her and says with a small ghost of a smile playing at the corner of his mouth as he remembers his manners. "It's good to meet you, Ms. Danvers." He then takes a step back and gestures with the uncurling of a hand towards the seat nearby, an offer to join him if she wishes even as he takes his seat back. "I just muddle through best as I can. If you saw me trying to figure out diapers you wouldn't exactly be singing my praises. I have dealt with officers that were less pernicious." A small touch point, they're both military... or ex-military.

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
Carol seem to equally take something of a measure of John, even if she doesn't make it an obvious thing, just a slightly lingering glance and a subtle inclination of her head. As she follows John's gaze, she takes a few moments of watching the kids at play, before commenting, "I never cared much for the sea as a child...my head was always up in the sky...in space. Seemed more exciting to me."

She follows John and takes hi invitation to have a moment and join him, though she goes about a few routine stretches rather than sitting, excusing herself with a quipped, "hope you'll excuse me not sitting down, I just want to have a proper cool down after running some laps. I like to exercise on the outside, rather than in a gym."

Ares has posed:
    "A good choice when you can take it," John's response is accepting, calm as he settles back on the park bench, one leg crossing over the other and his am resting upon the back of the seat. His eyes are distanced, watching the children at play for a moment as if making sure that they're still there, then he looks back to her as she stretches.
    "A man I once knew preferred to teach his students in a field when he could. Martial arts." He smirks a bit and rubs at his chin, the stubble there scratching a bit. "But he had the cops called on him once, and some students who complained about their gis getting dirty." A shake of his head is given, that smirk still there slightly. "So he gave up the dojo, and just takes one or two students on now and again."
    But then he slips back to the here and now, looking back at her. He quirks an eyebrow for a moment at the stretching, but shifts his gaze away. Now he's not one to ogle, but she is a beautiful woman after all. He then says sidelong, "See I knew there was something airforce about you. You got that eye in the sky look to you." Perhaps the tone is a little teasing, informal if nothing else.

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
"I didn't have that choice available to me...but I fought for it," Carol says proudly when John puts the clause of availability for such things. She smiles as he relates the story of the man who would teach Martial Arts in the open, "the best way to learn Martial Arts, what style do you practice?" She asks curiously, assuming he knew that man because he learned from him.

Hearing what happened to the man, Carol stops stretching and rolls her eyes, "seriously? People wanted to learn Martial Arts, and complpained their Gi got dirty? I would dare say they had much learning still to do. I feel for their teacher, having such mindless students."

Carol wasn't one to ever be vulnerable to flattery, but she does carry an immense sense of pride in the Air Force, and so John's words manage to loosen a smile out of her. A proud one. "Glad it's notable, it will always be a part of me. The Air Force gave me the tool to become strong and achieve my goals."

Ares has posed:
    The tall man is not looking at her as she asks him her question, but she can see the smile it brings to life on his features. He looks at her askance for a moment, away, then back again as he considers his answer. For a moment he considers actually telling her the whole truth, as if it would be good to share that connection, but connections cause problems at times, dangers. So instead he tells her a partial truth. "A little of this, a little of that. I've learned what I can."
    There's a pause as he looks away then. And for a moment his smile loses its guardedness, just a small second when Alexander off in the distance waves to him. He waves back, not as enthusiastic, because he must project the proper image to the world, to the child. But still, a small glimpse into the man.
    He turns back to her, "Besides, if I told you then if we ever sparred you'd have an edge." John's smile returns, but a little wry as he meets her gaze, something subtly challenging there before he looks away.
    "But yes. You seem..." He pauses for a moment as if trying to figure out how to explain this, "You seem at ease in your skin. Like you know who you are, what you have done, and are accepting with that. It's a rarity to see in a person."

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
She looks at the minimal exchange between John and the kid, looking at it from a distance as it were. She did not expect to have children of her own, not with her lifestyle, not with her life choices, and not with where her path lead her to. So it was something bitter sweet to observe, but she doesn't linger long on the thought, just as John says, she is comfortable in her skin. She is very accepting of who she is.

She actually seems quite surprised at the observation that John makes about her from such a little exchange, "first of all I must say I'm impressed you'd consider me a sparring partner. Men usually tend to disregard women, even when they realize they have had training." She then looks more deeply into John's eyes, her own blue eyes quite focused and serious in their gaze, "you're quite astute. Mind if I ask what gives you that impression about me...? That is...not something I heard often, certainly not from a person I've only just met."

Ares has posed:
    A low rumbling laugh slips from him, his voice that deep baritone almost makes it sound like the sound is a growl, but it's good-natured and offered to her freely. "The women I have known in my life, often they are the greater danger if I was to go against them." He shakes his head and looks at her with that open half-smile, and she perhaps will never fully know the truth of that statement considering who he has faced in the past and who has felled him.
    "I have met quite a few who have enjoyed knocking me down when I thought myself well and truly the victor."
    But then she asks her question and he looks at her again, chewing the inside of his cheek slightly, those severe features seeming so curiously eased by the informality of his expression. "Your approach at first. If I may," He asks for truly offering analysis about anyone can be a touch rude. "You spoke your mind, uncaring as to the opinion of others, or those around you." He glances to the side at the other adults who are passing back and forth along the paths, who are each wrapped up in their own little world. "You advanced upon me with a declaration, and wanted nothing further from it than to make that declaration. You were complete in action without my acknowledgement, approval, or comment. You needed none of it, and sought none of it. Your life would go on."
    He takes a deep breath and unless she stops him he'll go on, "But even if you did not speak to me, I could sense some of those aspects to you without the words we shared. The way you stand is strong, you are aware of your surroundings. Your sense of security seems to come from a knowledge that you read the world as it is, and that you are competent enough to deal with most all it could throw at you."

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
"That's a fresh perspective, where are you from? I have to ask..." Carol can't help herself as John seems to be an all around cool guy, going as far as to suggest life had taught him some women may be more dangerous than some men. Not something she's used to hearing, especially from men who would speak of martial arts and the likes. He had to have been more than a weekend dabbler in martial arts training. "Oh, that truth goes beyond gender. He who gloats in victory, is soon to meet defeat."

When John actually answers her question, and explains his analysis, Carol claps her hands twice, "that is a very good set of eyes and ears that you have, John Aaron. Having such gift for observation, I must wager that you must be very confidant in your station as well. Truly pleased to meet you, John."

Ares has posed:
    A small laugh slips from him and he shakes his head, as if her enthusiasm embarrassed him. He then furrows his brow as he checks the watch on his wrist, then starts to gain his feet. "It has been entirely lovely, Ms. Danvers." He streeetches a bit, joints giving a faint crackle of cartilage before he grimaces at one that seems to pain him a little. His smile comes back easily as he looks to her, "I'm afraid I need to depart,"
    He turns and lifts his voice, "Alexander! We're leaving."
    Distantly the boy responds, "Coming!"
    And to lend truth to the word, the boy starts running towards them. John turns back towards her, "I'd love to speak with you again if you share the same wish. I'm in the book." He steps towards her and offer his hand again. A slightly less formal shake as the previous one, but then he smiles. "Take care of yourself, Ms. Danvers."
    And then he steps away to move towards his son and scoop him up into his arms, carrying him on his hip one handed. "Alright Alexander, we're off to see your Aunt. Best behaviour."
    The blonde kid replies, "Yes, sir."

Captain Marvel (Danvers) has posed:
Another quick handshake for parting, as Carol nods at John's words, "if we get the chance, certainly," and then she gets right back to her exercising, picking up the pace as she sets off on another round about Central Park.