15324/Where in the World is Jonathan Samuel Kent

Where in the World is Jonathan Samuel Kent
Date of Scene:	06 July 2023
Location:	City Center - Metropolis
Synopsis:	Gabby manages to catch up to Jon finally. They have therapy in the form of flying, a slice of pie, and a slice of farm living.
Cast of Characters:	Jon Kent, Gabby Kinney

---

Jon Kent has posed:
It has been a couple of days since the fateful encounter with the skinwalkers. It wasn't easy on any of the three members of that response team, so Jon certainly isn't special in that regard. Nettie and Gabby are good people and they had to do bad things that day. Bad things for a good reason, but that doesn't make it easy. But at least as members of the JLD, they went into the situation prepared for darkness. It's kind of their jam.

But Jon-El, son of Kal-El, son of Jor-El is a being who lives in the light. His people worship Rao, namesake of the very red sun that gave life to Krypton. He does not *do* dark deeds. He was never trained for them. He was never prepared for them. And his good friend, Gabby, has tried for two days to text the young half-Kryptonian with no success.

But here he is, in Metropolis, as Superboy. He has shielded himself against his feelings by wearing the credit of his fathers today. There is a screeching of tires and a sound like a gunshot. Only it's not. It's an engine backfiring. A bus is suddenly careening out of control and most of the people are able to get out of the way. But not a boy on a skateboard. No chance. He is moments from being the next victim of Darwinism.

<<cue the Superman theme>>

From out of nowhere a blue and red streak speeds toward the boy. Like it was some trivial thing, Superboy plucks the boy off the street like he was no more than an empty styrofoam cup. He sets him down on the sidewalk a good twenty feet from the bus that has managed to come to a complete stop -- a good twenty feet from the skateboard that lies crushed under one of the bus tires.

As Superboy begins to glide up in the air the boy yells out, "Thanks, Superman!" Gritting his jaw, Superboy stops and hovers in midair. "I'm Super*boy* not Super*man*," he says in irritation to the kid, then he whisks off at high speed to land on a nearby rooftop.

"i'msorry," the boy mumbles quietly.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
It had been awhile since Gabby had to hunt anyone down. The last time she really had, it had been an Old One that had infiltrated this dimension to do... awful things. The enhanced senses Gabby had been blessed with were a sure curse in that intance as there was nothing she wanted to remember about that smell, ever.

This was different at least. The one she was trying to track down had a specific scent only a few on this planet did. That, coupled with knowing which city he was usually fond of patrolling, made it easier. No sooner had she heard the screech of bus tires as she'd zoned in on where he would likely be.

Borrowing some of the techniques of the guardian of another city she leaps off the building she was perched atop only to fire off the grapple gun which allows her to swing from one to another. It was always an interesting experience, that stomach dropping sensation only to be caught by the line and swinging upward instead. Like a rollercoater without rails. Again, and again, until she'd swung several city blocks and found what she was searching for.

For a moment the upward momentum carries her into the air above the rooftop where Superboy had perched, and she calls out simply, "Superboy." If she had a cape, one might mistake HER for being in flight.

It ends rather quickly though. Gravity brings her back down to land in a crouch to asorb as much of the impact as she can. Then she rises again looking with worried eyes toward him. "Jon. You're a tough one to get ahold of lately." A soft, sad smile is offered.

Jon Kent has posed:
The young paladin stands and faces Gabby. It's quite something to behold, this one, when he's in full uniform and wearing his game face. He takes a few steps closer to his friend. "Hi, Gabby," he says softly. "Sorry, guess I just haven't been in the mood to talk to people." Always the truth from Jon, never even a little white lie to cover his tracks.

A few steps closer.

"How have you been? I should have checked on you. I'm sorry." He looks at Gabby with those curly black locks and those sheepish, so-bright blue eyes. It's enough to get the devil himself to forgive Jon.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney lets out a breath she'd held in a long sigh at the way he's acting. Of course, he was in his city. In his element. That he would put on his business face was hardly a surprise.

"It's not me I'm worried about. I can... I've... dealt with things before." Even so her words seem a bit uncertain. This wasn't her forte either. Without a word she spreads her arms open in silent offer of a hug. At least up here ontop of the roofs few would see. At least none that would take issue with it.

"How are *you* doing?"

Jon Kent has posed:
If you've never been picked up by a Kryptonian before, it's quite an experience. Jon is thin, almost gangly even. His Kryptonian blood will make sure he looks thin and 15 or 16 years old for many years to come. But his strength...by Rao's light! If Gabby were picking up a paper towel from the ground she would be expending many, many times the energy that Jon expends to pick her up. There is this sense of being engulfed in a power than could crush you in an instant...but knowing Jon Kent as one does, it's the sense of being safe from almost anything on Earth.

He stands there silently, not moving, holding his friend in an embrace that says no, he's not exactly doing alright today, thank you very much. After some amount of time he releases Gabby, takes a few steps back, and looks at her. "Those creatures, they were irredeemable, right? I mean, has anyone ever *tried*?"

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney doesn't seem to mind being picked up as if she weighed nothing. Her arms wrap around Jon in turn just holding him tightly as long as he might need. Her own eyes close after a few moments indulging in the hug herself. It had been just as stressful for her as for him. The only difference was, this wasn't her first time having to be in such an awful position.

When he steps back she lets her hands fall to his arms giving a little rub against his elbow as if trying to soothe him a bit further. "I don't know." The answer was honest, but a bit sad. Her mouth opens to say more before she catchese herself... and then lets out a sigh. "I'm not going to say something like 'it was us or them' or 'there was no hope for them.' I will say that there are times that there's no time to make that decision. And it is awful."

The touch she offered falls away as her eyes dip to the side unwilling for the moment to meet his gaze as she feels her chest clench with tension. "If it helps any. Any at all. From what I've learned of those things, they had to do really, really awful things to even get those powers in the first place."

Jon Kent has posed:
"Someone's future should not be one hundred percent dictated by their past," young Jon-El says as he moves to the edge of the rooftop and peers down to the distant street below. "How many of them have evil in their hearts right now?" he asks in a tone of voice that half suggests he's asking Gabby and half suggests he's asking himself. "My x-ray vision can't detect it no matter how hard I try. But they have been given life by a source unfathomable to me. And the fate of their consciousness once their bodies die is opaque to me. Do I have a right to take life if I don't understand where it comes from or where it goes?"

Sheesh. Jon's a bit dark today, it seems. Our chipper, optimistic Superboy seems to be on his union-contracted meal break or something.

He turns to face Gabby again, his...his...Kryptonian-ness, his energy, his vibe completely focused on her now. "I am so sorry I ghosted you these past couple days," he intones in a soft, solemn tone. "You needed a friend and I failed you. I won't fail you again. I promise." Those bright-hued baby blues regard Gabby seriously. "Are you okay?"

Gabby Kinney has posed:
"Evil thoughts aren't the problem. Evil actions are," Gabby responds quietly, though it may not mean much coming from her. "I can think 'Hey I could rob that bank' and never do it. It's when I *do* it that it becomes an issue." The string of her own thoughts spoken aloud falls silent as she looks back up toward Jon meeting his gaze with her own deep green. An odd color but one that it seems ran in the maternal side of her family.

"No. I'll live. I'll survive, and I'll remember this and try to keep it from happening again." Again she offers a weak sort of smile.

"My family are killers, Jon. Some don't like it, but do it anyway. Others... Are very different in their attitude about it." This was always difficult to talk about, and she fidgets by twisting her hands together held tight to her stomach.

"I don't want to be that. I know I *can* but I don't want to. I refuse to. ... But I have. Twice now. Does that make me a bad person?"

Jon Kent has posed:
Jon takes a few steps closer to Gabby. "Yes, you're a horrible person," he replies. His lips twitch as he fights a smile. There are a few sparks of our lovable Superboy starting to show back up again.

"How are you with cold air and high altitudes?" he asks mysteriously. "May I fly you somewhere that is very special to me?"

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney responds by sticking her tongue out at Jon's confirmation of her being a horrible person. It only lasts a moment and then she's cracking a smile again along with a little chuckle. "Guess that means you're not a bad person, either, then," she retorts simply.

The question catches her a bit off guard. "No problem with. I mean, I can get cold, but I recover pretty quickly too." The offer of going somewhere causes her to grin a bit more. "Sure. I'd like that."

Jon Kent has posed:
Jon wrinkles his nose like some young lion prince as he pretends to try to grab the offending tongue with his thumb and first finger. He misses it. Of course he wasn't even trying. A smile replaces his playful snarl.

"Alright, come here," he says as he wraps his cape around Gabby and enfolds her in his arms from behind. "Do you trust me?" he asks as he lifts off the ground. It's not like being in a plane or being carried by some huge bird or something. There is no propulsion or thrust, he simply wills himself to move through the air as though it was given to him by destiny to go where he wills.

"I hope you're hungry," he says as his speed seems to pick up faster and faster. "My gram force feeds everyone who visits the farm." In the upper atmosphere it's chilly despite the summer season. Jon's Kryptonian biology generates greater heat than a human form would. It's like being flown by a living electric blanket. How fast he is going is hard to say, but towns and cities rush by down below.

"Is this okay?" he asks.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney actually laughs at the faux snarling response because it was just so out of place on Jon. At least her smile is genuine this time as it deepens enough to crease the old scars on her cheeks with laugh lines.

"Okay," she agrees when he asks her to come closer. Without question or hesitation she steps in closer to her friend only to be wrapped in cape, and held tight. She can only look over her shoulder toward him with another grin at the question of trust. "Of course I do!"

The flight itself? That has her attention riveted on the ground watching things pass by trying to see it all, and yet not getting a good look either. Finally she looks up to the sky itself finding herself grinning broadly. The cloudsd passing by, the sunshine, or rain as they work past it. It was all there and exciting to see.

"Of course!" She finds herself laughing again. "I never get to enjoy the view when I'm carried around like this," she explains. "It's usually for a mission or..." her words trail off. They didn't matter in this context. "Really, I envy you getting to see things like this all the time. It's very okay. As for being hungry, I can almost always eat, trust me. Fast metabolism. Not as bad as a speedster, though."

Jon Kent has posed:
Yes, flying unaided like this is a blessing, indeed. There are certain gifts for those who must live their lives in the Light, certain compensations. By now, Jon's previous emotional slump is entirely gone. He's grinning freely and enjoying how Gabby is enjoying the flight.

Then a playful glitter fills the deep blue pools of his eyes. "Do you *really* trust me?" he asks genuinely. "Do you want to try flying on your own for a few moments? I swear on the light of the sun that no harm will come."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Giddy at that suggestion Jon can likely hear Gabby's heart skip a beat and race at the very thought. It only takes a moment for her mind to catch up to the rest of her by asking, "Oh my own?" Curiously. Her gaze darts down to the ground, then up again at the sky before returning to Jon again looking highly amused, and... Maybe just a bit excited.

"Can I? That would be awesome! Yes!" She agrees readily. If she were on her feet she might even be bouncing a bit, as it is her feet give a little unintentional swish-kick energetically.

Jon Kent has posed:
He gives Gabby a reassuring squeeze. "When I let you go, put your arms out in front of you like a missile." Wait, what? When he does what what now? "Then when you starts to fall, put your arms and legs wide like a skydiver." Did he say fall??

"ENJOY it, Gabby, because it won't last long." With a smile -- part mischievous, part warm -- Jon begins to speed up, gaining more and more momentum by the second. "Okay, here goes. I promise no harm will come to you." And just like that, he releases Gabby. She will be carried forward through the air by pure momentum. Eventually, that forward vector of force will begins to decay, but that, too, has its pleasures. Free falling like a skydiver with one of the most powerful guardians in the world nearby to catch you.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney nods solemnly taking in the advice. "Arms out, legs... Right!" It didn't take a huge leap of logic to figure out he'd be letting her go. She'd just not expected THAT much. Maybe he would have held onto her belt, or the back of her shirt, not... YEET.

Her family had a long history of being yeeted. Just usually not while already airborne.

It's impossible to mistake the woop of laughter she lets out as anything but pure, unadulterated glee at the experience as she's sent off. The air in her hair keeping it out of her face allows her to see everything above and below. And when she feels herself beginning to fall?

She tucks, rolls, and spins until she flips back in the position she was before. When else was she going to get a chance for aerial acrobatics?

Jon Kent has posed:
Sadly, like all good things, it ends. And it ends quickly. Jon typically flies in the 10 to 15 thousand foot altitude. That's going to give Gabby maybe 15 seconds of forward flight, and perhaps 45 seconds or so of free fall. Jon will not allow any more than that. There would be no recovery for him if he allowed Gabby to get hurt. So those powerful, somehow-soft and somehow-steel arms once more encircle Gabby, along with the warmth of that Kryptonian furnace of a body of his.

And somehow, with wisdom that belies his years, he just shuts his mouth and let's Gabby decide when to break the silence. He rockets toward Kansas. If he wasn't carrying Gabby, of course, he would fly much faster. But such a speed would render her unconscious or worse. So he takes his time. But soon enough, Kansas farmland can be seen all around. Millions of acres of agriculture. Many, many farms doing the critical work of the people, making food, making *life*.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
The warmth of his body was quite welcome after the short flight and fall. Even with her own heart hammering away in her chest as it was the cold of the air was easily felt against her skin. It might even be a bit snappish if she were someone else, but being who she is, it just brings an involuntary shiver once she's close to him once again.

For a few moments she is quiet, just allowing her breath to calm down a bit and the warmth so close to be a comforting presence. Once they start to see the farmland though she finally speaks as she guesses they were getting close to their destination.

"Thanks, Jon. That was amazing. Really. I know I might say that a lot but... I do mean it."

Jon Kent has posed:
The flight is coming to an end soon. Jon's speed begins to reduce as well as his altitude. "It's important to have friends," is all he has to say about that.

Oddly, Jon sets down along a lonely stretch of dirt road rather than near any sort of farmhouse. He looks at Gabby and grasps her shoulders comfortingly. "Gabby, I'm really sorry but I have to drop you here. I have to fly into the farm really fast so nobody sees me, and that sort of speed would...would not be good for you." He gestures down the road. "The Kent Farm is just about two miles down this road. I'm gonna change into my regular clothes, grab the pickup, and come get you. It won't take me long at all."

He gives Gabby a playful wink and then *WOOSH* he is gone...like *speedster* gone. The rush of air left by his sudden departure likely whips up some of the dirt on the road and even Gabby's hair.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney once on her feet again she fights off that little feeling of dizziness that sometimes comes with shifting from one extreme to another. It sometimes happened when she was teleported, too, but it passes soon enough it's barely more than a blip to her.

She reaches up to pat his hand reassuringly with a quick nod. "It's okay, I get it. Secret identities and all." Two miles really wasn't that far to begin with either way. So while he's gone, though she could just stand there, she allows herself a moment to stretch and inhale the country air... Then just begins to leisurely walk down the way he'd indicated. Likely they'd meet along the way.

Jon Kent has posed:
It isn't long before a beat-up red Chevy pickup is approaching from the direction that Jon indicated the Kent Farm was. And sure enough here's Jon wearing old jeans, an untucked flannel with the sleeves rolled up above his elbows, and battered and beloved cowboy boots. He's drinking from a bottle of water. The pickup rolls to a stop next to Gabby. The windows are already down.

"Hey, girl, what're you doin' out on this old country road all alone? You need a ride?"

With a nod, he gestures to the ice cold bottle of water in the passenger cup holder. It's so cold that it's covered in condensation from the hot, humid air. He takes another long drink from his own bottle and makes an exaggerated 'ahhhh' sound. "So refreshing!"

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney was NOT dressed for the country. Thankfully she did have her favorite set of ankle boots on so that wasn't so bad. The dark colors of her clothes though made the heat of the sun all the more aparent as she continues down the road. At least she had a blue shirt on instead of being monochromatic. Maybe she could sort of fit in. Maybe.

The truck rolling up causes her to stop with a grin as Jon leans out greeting her in that manner. Eyebrows raise as she grins, only to respond with a laugh. "Must have lost my way. I'd love a ride."

Quickly jogging around to the other side she opens the door just enough to hop inside. Nevermind she was just a tad on the short side so it did REQUIRE a hop to get into the truck. She's in, and the door tugged shut firmly before she looks to the bottle of water. "Ah, thanks! It is rather hot out here. But... " Momentarily trailing off she has to admit. "The fresh air is great."

Jon Kent has posed:
Jon wheels the truck around to head in the opposite direction. Clearly he's not as good behind the wheel of a truck as he is up in the sky. But he manages, and now the truck heads toward Kent Farm. "I know. I'm so blessed that I can live here on a farm in Kansas *and* go to school in Metropolis and train at the Hall of Justice." He draws in a deep, slow breath. "Dad lives in the city. I dunno how he does it. But he vibes there, so good for him."

An old gray pickup is in the oncoming lane. For some reason Jon starts to slow down. The driver of the other pickup does the same. *THIS* is small-town country living. There is an older man, maybe mid-to-late 50s or so, in the other truck. "How's your grandmother, Jon?" he asks.

"She's doing great, Mr. Granger. I'll tell her you said hi." Then Jon gestures to Gabby. "Mr. Granger, this is my friend, Gabby. Gabby, this is Mr. Granger. He owns a farm down the way a spell." Yeah, he just said 'down the way a spell.' The Jon Kent identity is so different than the Superboy identity.

Mr. Granger touches the brim of his John Deere ball cap that looks like it might have already been old and beat-up around the time when Gabby was born. "Nice t'meet you, young lady."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney settles back into the seat. It wasn't her first time in a truck. Just the first time in awhile. "You know, my... genetic donor had a truck kind of like this. This one's in better shape I think," she adds with a chuckle and a fond little pat to the bench seat. "Yeah, some people can just fit in anywhere. I'm glad you get to experience both."

The approaching truck causes her to fall silent. Watchful eyes look over the man and truck though without suspicion. Just caution, and curiosity.

Quietly she listens to the talk between the two up until she's introduced. It's then she leans a bit forward to peer around Jon better offering a cheery smile and a wave in his direction. Hopefully he won't be too upset seeing a girl with scars on her face. Most people knew not to mention it. "Hi! Nice to meet you too, sir. Hope you're having a good day."

Jon Kent has posed:
After pleasantries are finished being exchanged, Mr. Granger drives away and so does Jon. "He's a really nice man. His wife died of cancer years ago and his only son died in Afghanistan," Jon reports solemnly. "I know it makes him sad all the time. I can feel it on him. He comes by the farm and eats meals with gram pretty regular." A pause. "He's a good man." For a half-alien, Jon has a great deal of love for humanity. He learned that trait from his father, and he wears it like armor.

The truck pulls into a long dirt driveway. A battered old wooden side announces that this the KENT FARM. The sun is not quite finished going down -- Smallville is in Central Time. A rough-and-tumble woman with a kind face is sitting on the porch sipping from a teacup. She gives a warm wave as Jon parks the truck in front of the house.

Jon shuts off the truck but leaves the keys in the ignition. Small towns. Getting out, he calls, "Hey, gram! This is my friend, Gabby. It's, um, safe to talk in front of her. She knows all of it, including about dad." He looks to Gabby. "Gabby, this is my grandmother, Clark's mom, Martha."

Martha "Ma Kent" gets up and walks down the front porch steps. She kisses Jon on the cheeks and he gives one of those bashful 'aw shucks' looks to her. But nothing can hide the pleased smile and the glittering eyes. Then she goes to give Gabby a hug. "You are *very* welcome here, Gabby. Any friend of Jon's always is."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney watches the truck fade into the distance a long moment before turning her attention back to the road ahead. The bottle of water set there for her is snagged and twisted open to take a few large gulps. "He seems like a nice guy. I get being sad, though. It's good to know he has a friend like your grandma."

Then they arrive. Her attention shifts taking in every detail--Was that a chicken that just ran across the yard? The faded sign could use some touching up with paint. She had paints. "Do you have cows? I want to pet a cow," she blurts out as her thoughts stray that direction.

When the truck stops she cracks open the door to stand and wave cheerily before hopping down out of it entirely. "Hi! Yeah it's okay I'm in the business, too." The business was the easiest way to talk about it while not outright talking about it.

Following along she pauses to watch with growing amusement at Jon's reaction to Martha's greeting. Then she's caught up in a hug, too. One which she leans into returning easily with a grin.

Gabby always had been a hugger.

"Thank you. It's great to meet you, ma'am."

Jon Kent has posed:
Jon gives Gabby the extended tour of the farm -- and yes, they have cows that love to be petted. After the tour, Martha insists that everyone have some pie and ice cream. Then, if Gabby wants to stay the night, Martha will turn down the guest room for her. In which case, Gabby will have the treat of some country breakfast the next morning. Martha LOVES to cook.

All in all, it's a stress-relieving night where the two young heroes can just exist in this old world that somehow seems to be suspended in time.