678/This here is a sword.

This here is a sword.
Date of Scene:	21 March 2020
Location:	Gymnasium - Happy Harbor High School
Synopsis:	Dane and Alexander meet and discuss future plans.
Cast of Characters:	Dane Whitman, Alexander Aaron

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Dane Whitman has posed:
Dane Whitman is...mildly annoyed, really. On one hand, he's glad that SHIELD decided to be marginally more up-front about what's going on with the School and why he's here (as well as how much they know about him personally which...basically amounts to almost everything...minus the ten years he spent living in the body of his ancestor during the Third Crusade).

On the other hand, being asked to "evaluate" a student on short notice seems a little less like courtesy and a little bit like SHIELD's treating him like he's on their payroll (well...maybe he is...he's not sure where the funding for the school is coming from, as he thinks on it), and he didn't recall ever signing any contracts to be a SHIELD agent. Not that he's opposed to working with SHIELD he just might appreciate a bit more courtesy from them. He doesn't even know the real name of the bland looking fellow that he spoke with regarding all this.

Despite all that, he figured he may as well do it. No point being obstinate for no particulary good reason.

So Dane has unrolled a couple wrestling mats in the gym, and has a long gym bag resting over to one side. Of course, he's not even sure the student he sent a message to come meet with will even show, but in either case the kid isn't late yet. In the meantime, Dane stretches and warms up a bit, and is presently in the process of hand-climbing one of the heavy ropes hanging from the ceiling here, before making his way back down. He's clad in a pair of sweatpants and a tank top, with a pair of well-worn athletic shoes. The kinda thing one wears for a potential workout.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    The appointed time rolls around properly, the clock hitting that high point and there's likely a small 'rap-rap-rap' on the door as the designated youth stands there, peering inside and looking around. He holds a blue hallpass in hand, his eyebrows quirked and curious as he takes in the surroundings.
    At a glance he might not look like much. Clothes a little too large for him. Blue jeans, white sneakers, a t-shirt that proclaims prominently, 'TEAM BANZAI!' and a grey hoodie though with the hoodie down. He adjusts the hang of his ESU backpack and stuffs his hands in his pockets. "You wanted to see me, sir?"

Dane Whitman has posed:
"Alexander?" Dane queries as his feet reach the ground again. He wipes off his hands and moves over to extend one towards the young man, "Dane Whitman. I'll be teaching here once Spring Break is over. Pleased to meet you, and glad you could make it."

Dane moves over towards the gym bag, "So I'm going to be up-front...I'm not a SHIELD Agent, at least not directly, but they seem awfully interested in having me meet you." He crouches down and unzips the bag, "And apparently want me to spar with you. So...I'm making the offer, but don't feel like you have to accept if you're not comfortable with it. I am aware you're one of our "gifted" students and they gave me enough of a gist as to the nature of where those gifts come from. So in the interest of fairness...I'm not exactly normal myself."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Lips parting in a small 'oh', Alexander nods once, head bobbing with understanding. The man steps over and he'll advance three steps as well to close the distance and accepts the handshake. He's got a decent one, strong, but not aggressive. Business-like in that it's three pumps and then done before he nods and steps back again. "I figured this was extra-curricular and all." Though he had received instructions from his dad there was no such thing really.
    Then the admission as to not being a SHIELD agent, which causes the young man's eyebrows to rise. His eyes seem to follow along at times with Dane's lips, as if watching them closely or reading them, though his file made no mention of deafness.
    "Mmm," The offer of sparring is given and he looks at the man. Then looks at the door and the hall, then back at the man again. "I would like to thank you for your offer, sir. I know your time is not invaluable. But I would not wish to engage in that..."
    A pause as his eyes lift up, as if seeking the right words. "In the pursuit of exhibition of that skill set? While on campus grounds. Since there was a small kerfluffle with a thing before. And it'd be... like obvious if someone poked in and saw us doing a thing."
    Then he straightens up, "But somewhere else sure."

Dane Whitman has posed:
"And once again they leave out details I really ought to have known ahead of time...." Dane mutters, a flicker of exasperation crossing his face, though it in no way seems directed at Alexander personally, "That makes sense. Don't know that I have an alternate arena immediately available, so I guess that side of things can probably wait. Not going to skirt the school rules on my first week on the job if I can avoid it." Dane smiles a bit wryly, "I should be relocated to a place closer to here in another week or two, and most of the places I'm looking at have a reasonable degree of privacy and space, so maybe then, if it's OK with your father and Doctor MacIntyre."

Dane seems...pretty easygoing about it all, really. But that slightly nonchalant and mostly-friendly manner is overlaid the subtle grace of someone that has a LOT of training, experience, or both. His footfalls are light and near-perfectly balanced, his manner relaxed but...ready. Not jumping at shadows, not coiled for imminent attack...but ready all the same.

"So in the absence of sparring, how about we settle on just continuing the introduction?" Dane steps away from the bag for a moment, "I graduated from MIT, my Uncle was a supervillain, and I'm descended from a Knight of the Round Table. My life's been a little weird for the last couple years." He doesn't sound like he's complaining...he's either resigned to it or just matter-of-fact.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Oh hey, nah, it's more my fault, Mr. Whitman. They probably don't know what went down, but I know some folks saw it. So it's just..." A small boneless shrug is given as he adds, "You know, prolly wise to not risk it." That said he shifts his weight to the other foot, tucking his thumb behind the strap of his backpack.
    "But sure, another time might be good." As for Alexander, Dane's good enough to probably pick up that he puts a fair amount of effort into appearing not that good at all, what with the attempt at subterfuge with the slightly over-sized clothes and the careful way he seems to affect his body language as if knowing it sends information to people like him.
    Then Dane continues his story and Alex's eyes lift somewhat, "Oh, what sort of supervillain?" Curious that he keys onto that at first, as if that was what he found most interesting.

Dane Whitman has posed:
"The kind that dressed himself up like a techno-knight, genetically engineered a flying horse, and decided to go fight Iron Man a few times." Dane looks bemused, but there's a touch of sadness behind his eyes at it, too, "He was good to me when I was a kid. Took care of me after my parents died and encouraged me to pursue my Engineering degree." Dane shrugs himself, "Not entirely sure what drove him to do what he did, but the last time I saw him he said he regretted it, and basically told me not to make the same mistakes he did."

Dane chuckles, "Not too hard when "Supervillain" really wasn't on my list of life goals at the time."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "I mean," Alexander's hazel eyes lift and he tilts his head toward Dane as he smiles a little, "Everyone is the hero of their own story, right?" He offers that small lifeline to the point of view one usually has about villains. But then he gives a nod, "A lot of people I meet don't have kind things to say about my father."
    He rubs the back of his neck, "Aunty Diana /hates/ him with a passion. But he's... still my dad, you know?"
    And with that he at least commiserates a little with the teacher. Then chuckles a little at the whole 'don't be a super villain' thing.
    "Yah, not exactly a growth industry with a good retirement plan."

Dane Whitman has posed:
"I dunno. Maybe what good they have or had they spend on us. I can definitely buy that people are rarely simple to sum up, but I don't think still caring about them is a fault...maybe that's what helps keep that good going, you know? I still miss my Uncle, and remember the good things he did for me. I don't agree with a lot of the other things he did, but he did right by me. Good may not erase bad, but bad doesn't erase good, either, if that makes sense?" Dane grins at Alexander's note about the prospects of a life in Supervillainy, "True enough, then again I may have gone a little too far in the opposite direction. Not always much better prospects there, even if people might say nicer things about you once you're gone."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Yeah," Alexander says as he considers Dane's words, and likely the older man can tell that there's an aspect to his tone that might seem he's understanding, but not quite meeting the sentiment, or is unable to adopt it as his own for whatever reason.
    But he gestures to the side, "So who... I mean if you can't tell me it's cool. But who put you up to this? Like you said I've been having more and more SHIELD type things happening around me."
    Though he doesn't give insight.
    "Is it because of the whole my uncle trying to kill me thing?"

Dane Whitman has posed:
"Well, I can't tell you but not because I'm not allowed, more because I don't really know." Dane looks a bit rueful at that, "Like I said, I don't work for them, at least not directly. But the seem to like to act like I do. Not a lot of detail given, and the guy I talked to was about as bland and stone-faced a fellow as I'd ever seen and just said he was "Agent Jones.""

"And I can relate to more SHIELD in my life. I only tangentially knew about them prior to a few weeks ago. But they sure seem to know a lot about me." He shrugs, "Not that I'm trying to hide much. In any case...your Uncle is trying to kill you? That sounds heavy..." He pauses, frowning, "Uh...which one?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    As for answer, Alexander seems loathe to voice his name and just sort of points down. Perhaps indicating the underworld? Or the Earth itself? Or Maybe the ground? But in any case he says, "He has this rivalry with my father and he's not... well, more he's trying to get attention by sending things that want me to let them swear fealty to me, and thus he gets to act all gloaty with my dad next time he sees him since I'd be working with him. It's all about standing and position."
    Then he crinkles his nose, "And if I say no, whatever critters they are try to kill me and it goes from there." That said he looks across the way and grimaces, then looks back. "So I've been trying to keep extra careful on school grounds."

Dane Whitman has posed:
"Huh. Fair enough." Dane replies, mullint it over in his head but not really voicing his conclusions for the moment. "Well, I've got a little bit of experience with...critters...so if they show up, I'll help you get rid of them. Agent Jones may not have said much but he's at least hinted that's one of the reasons they suggested I look into a job here. The goal may be discretion and assimilation but SHIELD isn't naive about the world they're operating in. It's probably only a matter of time before some variety of weirdness pops up at the school."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Oh yeah, I agree." Alexander says as he shifts onto his back foot, "I just don't want it to be my weirdness, you know?" And as he says that he smiles, starting to back up, "Do you still need me? I suppose I should get going and there's Prom stuff going on, not sure if I'm going to do it. Though there's a sorta get together beforehand." With all the folks who are too cool for Prom, totally.
    "But it was nice to meet you, Mr. Whitman. Let me know if you get some time and we can fence a little or..."
    Then there's a pause, "Oh hey. Do you have epees? And a ping pong table? That could be fun."
    "Anyways, seeya!" He says as he turns and starts for the door.

Dane Whitman has posed:
"Fencing Club is in the works!" Dane calls out as Alexander scoots through the door, and then shakes his head in mild bemusement, saying more quietly, "And sure, I guess you can go." Now more to himself than anyone else, but with that, he gets to work rolling up the mats and vacating so the prom decorating and such can begin.