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*
Steve flips off his motorcycle on the street just outside the Baxter Building where he makes his home. He reaches out in front of the handlebars to grab for his shield which he turns over and places onto his back. With a bit of a wince he kicks one leg over the other, happy to be home after some unmentioned fight.
*
High overhead of Manhattan, the man of steel floats in a seeming solace. Clark doesn't have to work every weekend and so he allows himself the odd respite of being himself. Of course, the trick is being high enough to not be spotted yet low enough not to be in the flight path of large planes. Ahh Kryptonian problems. Either way, he watches the city below him with a lazy gaze.. a lazy eagle eyed gaze. A familiar face is noted out front of the Baxter building and he squints, focusing in on the fellow getting off of the motorcycle. Hmmm.
*
Steve's large hands grab the paper bag that's been strapped to the back of his motorcycle. He holds the groceries close to his chest and enters the building with a nod to Sergius O'Hoolihan. In short order he's sticking his key in the door, wondering if Jack is home. Seeing all the lights off, he assumes she isn't. The lights, then, come on and he also flips on the television as he begins to put his groceries away.
*
X-Ray eyes watch the fellow ride the elevator, get out, key in. Ahh. Excellent. And so Kal-El makes a quick, if sub-sonic, approach to the Baxter building. It wouldn't do to shatter windows after all. Lighting gently upon the balcony, he steps up to the sliding door and taps gently on the glass. Stepping back, he assumes a casual posture.. as if waiting for someone to answer the door.
*
Steve's head pokes from around the wall, quizzically, but once he sees the familiar emblem out on the balcony, he moves to open the door. "Superman," Steve says with a nod. "Come on in." He leaves the door open and leads the way into his apartment. "Quite a surprise. It's not every day Superman comes to the door. Everything alright?"
*
"Everything's fine, Captain." Superman notes with a genial nod. "It simply occured to me that I've been flying all over the world and had never once come to thank you for your service." He smiles and extends a hand to the man. "I grew up reading about your exploits." The smile turns to a bit of a grin.
*
"Oh," Steve says with a chuckle and then a nod as he then shakes the Kryptonian's hand. "Well, you're welcome. Thanks to you as well. You want something to drink? I've got cranberry juice, beer, or tap water." Steve reaches up to undo his helmet and plops it down on the table and the shield is set in the corner.
*
"A cranberry juice would be wonderful." Heaven forbid the Kryptonian have a beer. It just wouldn't be.. proper? Stepping inside he offers while looking about, "Nice place you have here. I trust the neighbors don't give you any trouble." There's a faint chuckle. "Have you met the Richards family? I understand they live in the penthouse."
*
"Sure thing," Steve heads to his fridge and pours some juice for Superman while grabbing himself a beer. He emerges from the kichen and hands over the glass to the Man of Steel. "Most of the people here are pretty relaxed. I decided to move in after my last place got broken into. Way I figure it it's one of the safest places in town." He nods, "Yeah, I've met them a couple of times. Nice people."
*
Clark nods agreeably as he accepts the glass. "I'll have to speak to them at some point. I'm hesitant when it comes to corporate entities but Mister Richards seems genuinely interested in the science and doing good work for the people rather than making a profit from them." He sips from the glass. "Which.. brings me to a topic I wanted to broach with you." He turns thoughtful then, cradling the glass in both hands. "You fought in the war. Fought beside people of all nationalities and races. What is your feeling about the current civil rights movement?"
*
"He always seemed nice to me. I can't say I know him well, to be honest." Steve shrugs his shoulders and turns his head slightly, "I think it's about a hundred years overdue. If not longer." He takes a sip from his beer. "You?"
*
"I wasn't here a hundred years ago.. but considering the way your Constitution was written.. I'd say it's more like two hundred." Either way, Kal-El nods in agreement. "I have in mind gathering like minded souls. People who can be an example. More than just defending the weak in time of dire need, we should stand for them every day." He takes a deep breath and another sip of the juice. "I.. am not given to political action. It is a dangerous trade when you're not from around here." He looks towards the window and out onto New York proper. He is an alien, after all. "But I do believe in the ideals written within it. Within your declaration of independence. Upon the statue of liberty. It is a model for the whole world… and I have to wonder.. why it is America struggles so hard with it."
*
Steve tilts his head and shakes it, "Technically, they wrote that blacks were 3/5ths of a person in the Constitution, for what it's worth." As Superman asks his question, he seems a bit forlorn in response. "I wish I knew. It bothers me. It bothers me a great deal."
*
Clark squints a little, glancing back to Steve.. but hey he's talking to Captain America. He's not going to quibble details with a man named Captain America. He'll just have to reread the thing later. "So would that interest you? I'm not sure who all else I would want to invite to such an endeavor but.. I'm talking something grass roots. It won't be popular. It will net enemies I'm sure. But there is a quote that keeps rattling around in my head and, while I don't know who to attribute it to, it keeps me up at night." Does he sleep? "All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
*
Steve nods, "Yeah, I'm definitely interested." He's been sort of bored anyhow of late. A way to get back into the swing of things appeals to him in several different ways. "Who else have you had this conversation with?"
*
Clark laughs. "Just you, I'm afraid." He shakes his head. "It sort of came to me as I was contemplating life a few days ago in conversation with Warbird. We were floating over the statue of liberty and talking about the current events.. I'd invite her.. but I worry at the kind of message a name like Warbird sends when we're essentially talking about supporting a peaceful movement like that of Martin Luther King."
*
Steve shrugs, "Well, names come and go. She can always switch her /name/. If she's a good person and you trust her, I say bring her in." He throws back the rest of the beer and sets the empty up atop the bar in between the living room and the kitchenette.
*
"True." Superman muses on it. "Though I wouldn't say I know her well. She seems.. conflicted.. internally. I'm not sure why or how.. but my instincts tell me her heart is in the right place." Another sip of the juice and he looks back to Steve. "What about you? Know of anyone with a good heart and unimpeachable reputation?"
*
*
"That's a good question. I'm not sure if anyone out there really has an unimpeachable reputation."
*
"That's a good question. I'm not sure if anyone out there really has an unimpeachable reputation." Steve tries to think, "I know a few people from my time at SHIELD. And there's a few people who I've met along the way. I could put together a list if I sat down and thought about it."
*
Property damage abounds follow cataclysmic disaster in New York City. And last night was no different. Most of the damage had been localized in the Park, but the mess left in the wake of — whatever it was — definitely left something to be desired. It's Saturday. And Jack is just getting home after heading to work… despite not being remotely scheduled to work.
Keys in the lock announce her presence before the door handle turns, but in seconds she's in the door. With a lopsided all-too-mischeivious grin, she calls out, "Honey, I'm home!"
Most of her appearance befits a woman arriving from work. The pencil skirt, blouse, and jacket overtop along with her hair pulled into a completely coiffed french twist looks professional.
Weirdly, however, in her grasp, she holds a bloodied baseball bat. Not quite as professional. And in instants before really looking the place over, she's hopping around the entrance to get her heels off with little ceremony. Or grace. The jacket is shed. And she's tugging at the buttons on her blouse. Work clothes. YUCK.
"You won't believe what they're saying is going on around the Park it's — " stop. Talking. Now. "…hi." Her eyes flit between the pair as she freezes. And then slowly, as if not to garner any attention, reaches back up to her nose half-undone blouse to rebuttal the top buttons. Without any semblance of ceremony or dignity.
*
Superman nods. "Do it… and take your time. This is something I want us to do with planning and care. Perhaps start 'spontaenously' showing up at civil rights rallies. Anywhere we think there might be violence. I.. expect there will be a lot of time spent in the south." He considers his glass a moment then finishes it off. "The concern I would have with SHIELD is.. well.. you have superiors to answer to. They may not approve of freelancing political action." He steps to the kitchen and sets the glass down and is just coming back into the living area as Jack comes in and begins to undress. There's a polite cough.. announcing the presence of He In the Red Cape. You are not alone. He also casually finds an interest in something passing by the window outside.
*
"Hey baby," Steve says with a bit of a laugh as she embarrasses herself. He moves to her in order to give her a kiss. "Superman stopped by. You want something to drink?" He eyes the bloody baseball bat, "I'm sure that there's a story there."
*
Jack arches a wry eyebrow at the mention of Superman stopping by. "Right. Well, welcome, then," her eyebrows lift and she finishes buttoning up her blouse with a clearing of her throat. She quickly returns the kiss. "Water would be good." She looks towards Superman, "Do you need a drink? Er. Do you want a drink? wait, do you ever need a drink?" Things she just doesn't know. Clearly. The bloody baseball bat has her lips turning upwards slightly, "Well." She cringes. "I was doing assessments in the Park. It's insane! They're like people, but… not people." She shrugs. Explaining things for the win!
*
"I'd heard the screaming.. or.. moaning I should say." Superman offers somewhat pragmatically. "It appears to be some manner of dimensional overlay." He says like that's a normal thing. "One of the many reasons I'd like a word with Reed Richards but he seems to be out." He looks back then.. notes the bat. "Captain America already offered me a drink, thank you, ma'am." Eyes on Steve now but he advances on Jack and his attention settles firmly upon her with a smile and an extended hand. "Would you be Misses Rogers? Glad to meet you. Please, call me Kal."
*
*
Steve disappears to get her some water. "People, but not people?" He has been in another area of town all day, and has no idea what either of them are talking about. "Not yet," he calls out in response to Kal's question about whether or not she's Misses Rogers. He appears again with a glass of water for Jack.
*
"Uh, I'm Jack. Pace. Er… Mister Man, uh Kal, it's short for Jacqueline. But. Call me Jack. Please, I mean. Everyone does." She manages a toothy grin. But it shifts with the thought of the bat and what's going on in the Park. "It's unreal. I can't tell what is real and what isn't. And believe you me, the damage is real." She accepts the glass and looks towards Steve, "Thank you."
*
Clark laughs. "Kal El. Superman is simply what the press dubbed me.. and it stuck." There's a shrug at that and he nods to Steve. "It's actually quite alarming and I hope the phenomenon doesn't spread. A number of heros have already responded and it seems, for the moment, contained within Central Park." Which is Superman speak for 'not world shattering so I'm not freaking out right now'. "Unfortunately, I don't have the expertise to remedy the situation even if I can recognize it for what it is." He takes a moment to think. "Perhaps Wayne Industries might have someone in town with some expertise… unless either one of you is familiar with transdimensional mathematics?" There's a glance between them.
*
"Sounds terrifying," Steve admits. "I suppose I should go take a look for myself." He shakes his head towards Superman at the question. "Unfortunately I don't have much more than an 8th grade education. That was the way back then. I stick to the multiplication and division. I leave the difficult stuff to her."
*
"Good to meet you, Kal El, then. Glad you could come by our home." There's a hum that follows the question about transdimensional mathematics. "I'm more of a statistics person, but I might be able to work some math if I really tried. Statistically I should be able to figure it out. There's like a 75% chance that what I know should transfer over. But physics was less my area." She shrugs and then laughs at the mention of leaving difficult stuff to her. "I have a mind for numbers. I'm an insurance adjuster. Also once in awhile an insurance seller. Don't know if you have need, but I could offer you a very comprehensive plan in the event of property damage." She shrugs. "But as far as transdimensional math, I imagine you'd need a physics expert as well. That wasn't my strength. I'm a woman. They don't really like us in those classes — didn't stick around beyond high school and even then," her hand waffles.
*
Superman blinks. Twice. "Now see." Kal thumbs in Jack's direction while looking to Steve. "That's exactly the point I was making moments ago. The fact that she said it so matter of factly and without an ounce of rancor only goes to further show how serious the problem is." To explain, he looks back to Jack. "We were just discussing support of the civil rights movement. While there may be amendments to your Constitution written.. they are hardly being upheld."
*
Steve nods, "Well, she's one of the people I was going to recommend, though I'm not sure how ready she is for active duty yet. She's been training a heck of a lot, though." The blonde takes a seat at the table.
*
Jack presses her fingers to her lips. "It's not lack of encouragement either. It's open discouragement. Environments aren't exactly open to a woman with a brain." Her head turns towards Steve, "I could be ready! I've been training so hard. I mean," her nose wrinkles, "I miiiight be ready." Her gaze flits between them, "Ready for what, e xactly?"
*
Clark chuckles at Jack's enthusiasm. "I wasn't exactly suggesting that we go fisticuffs with anyone. I certainly think you or I would be able to handle a mob of misguided souls." There's a moment of thought. "Have you considered Wayne Enterprises? They just hired a female to a major position if I recall correctly. You might find them amenable to a woman of talent." He gives her a smile and nod of encouragement.
*
Steve grins at Jack and folds his arms over his chest. "Pepper Potts, right?" he asks. "I met Pepper a few months ago. I wonder what made her leave Stark."
*
"Well, I went fisticuffs with a few odd corpses," Jack's eyes trail to the bat on the floor and her head shakes. The mention of Pepper though prompts a twinkle in her eyes. "I've considered it, but… math. Insurance. They're kind of my thing. And I've already gone way further than expected for someone my age. Like, honestly. But, I'd certainly consider it if something came my way."
*
"They're a multinational conglomerate. I'm sure they need math wizards and insurance geniuses." Superman observes. "Of course, so does Legal Aide, so.." He shrugs. "Sometimes we have to choose where we are most fulfilled. Bruce Wayne donates to many charities from what I understand. Still. There are the usual excesses of wealth." There's a shrug as if to say he's going to refrain from further. "I haven't met the man so I won't judge either way."
*
Steve smiles at Jack and just shrugs his shoulders, "I'm a 'ain't broke, don't fix it' sort of guy. You know that." He's sure he's never met someone who loved their job quite as much as Jack loves hers.
*
"I don't know enough about Wayne Enterprises to have an opinion one way or another," Jack offers with a lopsided grin. "And Steve's right, I do love my job. I get to meet people and do math and help them in my own way." Her grin grows substantially.
*
Clark nods, seeming to smile at bit at Jack's resolve. "I can see why you get long." He straightens a bit. "But. I've lingered long enough and don't want to interupt your evening." His attention settles on Steve. "I'll stop by in a few days. See how the list is coming. Then we can see about a meeting. Sound fair?"
*
"Sounds good, Kal. It was good to finally meet you. I'll get working on that list and we'll meet up soon." He tilts his head towards Jack, but keeps his eyes on Superman. "If I don't have dinner ready soon I'm going to hear about it."
*
"If you give us warning we can make sure there is dinner when you come by," Jack says towards Superman. "I can only make one thing, but I've been told Mom's meatloaf is acceptable." She nods at this fact and shoots him a small wave. The mention of dinner now though, prompts her to lift a single eyebrow. "Thank you for coming by, Kal." Even if she isn't at all sure why.
*
Clark offers a wave of departure then steps out onto the balcony. "Thank you for hospitality. Good night." With a woosh of air, he disappears into the night sky.
*
"Not a bad lookin' guy," Steve says as he looks over towards Jack with a grin. "If you're thinking of trading up and I have to fight for honor, it's probably going to get messy."
*
A glimmer of mischief reflects in Jack's eyes at Steve's assessment. "With your assessment, I'd think you were considering trading up, Captain Rogers." The smirk that plays on her lips hitches up far higher on one side than the other as she trails towards Steve. Her tongue clucks, "I feel like that would make me homeless though," she taps her chin.
*
Steve lets out a sigh, faking its weariness. "Spose we'll just have to stick it out then, I guess." He smiles at her, more genuinely now. "What do you want for dinner, Zombie Hunter?"
*
"Just for the sake of my mom and her tendency to worry, I think," Jack nods solemnly. "Plus, I hate moving." Her eyes narrow slightly at the last question and she hmmms, "I dunno. Pasta? Sandwiches? Pizza? Chinese?" She shrugs. "Whatever gets me out of unpacking boxes."
*
"Pizza, television, and sleeping in sounds about right," Steve replies. "The unpacking can wait. At least until tomorrow." Another look is given to the baseball bat. "You sure you're alright?"
*
"Yesssssss. Pizza. Anchovies? Please, please. Pleeeeease?" Like a puppy Jack has an edge of hopefulness in her tone. "And sleeping in sounds glorious! I missed that this morning. So. Much. Work." She follows his gaze to the bat and her smile softens some. "Yeah. I think so," her eyes trail up towards the ceiling. "It was a bit touch and go at first." Her voice takes on a playful lilt, "But. I have this boyfriend who taught me some stuff. I'm pretty good at taking care of myself. I mean, since the whole Dracula thing happened."