we are just these people running around.

[clobberin]

WHO: Ben Grimm and YOU!
WHERE: Going for a run in various parts of the City.
WHEN: Early morning: forward-dated to your choice of Sunday or Monday!
WARNINGS: Derp.
SUMMARY: The man formerly known as the Thing is gettin' some exercise, yup.
FORMAT: Quicklog to start! Start threads however you like, and feel free to catch Ben any where along his jogging route.


[ Ben Grimm's been at a bit of a loss, honestly. Even after a few solid months in the City, there's a lot that he hasn't-- and might never-- quite adjust to. He'd been on the brink of so many things back home. Getting his body back, getting engaged to Suzie-- finding the truth out about Reed, whatever that was. But here, he feels a distinct lack of purpose, tinged in festering uncertainty. He'd enlist again, maybe, if he thought the Air Force here would take Imports.

So, he's started making it his habit to go for a run in the mornings, 5:30 AM sharp, when it's still cool out and traffic hasn't gotten too bad yet. It's his way of giving himself a chance to sort his thoughts out on a long route that takes him through Central Park, past City Hall-- a good place for a nice breather, he almost always sits a few minutes on the steps-- and to the regular spot of one of his favorite food cars, where he picks up a hearty breakfast burrito or two before turning back around.

Jogging outside is a luxury anyway-- one he appreciates now that he isn't a huge, orange, and rocky anymore. ]

Comments

[waiting]

[ He's beginning to realize just how often the Porter seems to take people from the most inconvenient times, but though his mouth twists, all he offers in the way of sympathy is a nod. It's obviously something the guy thinks about enough; no need to voice platitudes. ]

Not as hardcore as strapping yourself into a hunk of metal and hoping it doesn't fall out of sky, fly boy. [ His tone is easy, though, and the joke's a lighthearted one. ] Used to be a Captain, too, but after that I ended up working for Harbor Patrol instead. Now? I'm the Mayor's bodyguard.

[clobberin]

[ Ben seems entertained by that, huffing out an amused breath. ]

Helps that I'm invulnerable. And I've definitely had worse than fallin' out of the sky. [ A half-beat. ] Ex-Marine, workin' bodyguard duty now, huh? Guess we don't gotta worry about the safety of our Mayor.

[waiting]

I dunno, I think I've got a lot to live up to. [ He shakes his head. ] I heard the last guy who had the job was James Bond.

Besides, dealing with supervillains isn't exactly something they teach you in basic. You've probably got more experience than I do. [ He nods towards the rest of the park. ] Having a power like yours would be handy. Right now, I'm just trying to be ready for anything.

[ He glances at Ben, giving him a lopsided grin. ] Got any tips you'd like to share?

[clobberin]

Tryin' to be ready for anything's a rough gig. Guess I was always lucky, bein' on a team with a couple of real geniuses. They were the brains, and I was the brawn. Sure, I got the invulnerability, the super-strength, and all that-- but I prolly wouldn't know what to do with it half the time without Reed and Sue.

[ There's something vaguely rueful about the way the corners of his mouth quirk up just a little. ]

So, best advice I can give ya is to make sure good people got your back.

[waiting]

[ Something about those words makes Bradbury's expression turn particularly rueful, like he's suddenly thought of an inside joke that isn't actually all that funny, but all he does is nod. ]

Yeah, that part might be a little hard to manage. [ He's quick to change the subject, though. ] So, where are you headed to? Mind if I come with?

[clobberin]

[ Ben catches that look, but doesn't comment on it. He figures it's not any of his business anyway, not when they've just met. Maybe the most he can do is just let the subject change. ]

Thought I'd grab a burrito. Breakfast of champions. That sound good to ya?

slides fashionably in to tag this one week later

[waiting]

Burrito sounds good to me.

[ It's a good change of conversational tack as any, and an effective way of leaving the previous subject behind. ]

Lead the way.