A Lovely Day for a Swim

June 13, 2018:

Danny and Claire go for a jogging meeting. Both end up in the East River - and not to cool off.
GMed by Luke Cage

Characters

NPCs: None.

Mentions:

Plot:

Mood Music: [*\# None.]


Fade In…

Summer in the city is brutal and the June day has the sun in full effect, baking down on the concrete and seemingly burning away anything resembling a breeze up the avenues or down the streets. Blame it on that, or the eccentricity of a billionaire to request a meeting down by the docks with the steering committee member, Claire Temple, but there is a wind here off the water that at least makes the air at least pretend to be cooler for his afternoon run. Yes, they are meeting during his exercise time, because that's the only slice of time he could carve out in his busy day to see her. At least Danny Rand's secretary warned her in advance of the 'activity' so she wouldn't show up in heels and a skirt.

Words like 'budget' and 'clinic' were bandied about as they start to pass the chain link fence surrounding Pier 16 which consists of one dumpy looking warehouse set on the water next to a short concrete jetty currently devoid of a ship being moored.

*

It's really a wonder that they let Danny do this without a bodyguard in tow - especially considering how riled up both sides got after his press conference. He's been keeping an easier pace out of deference to Claire (not that she's not in shape, but his superhuman physique lets him go faster and harder than even fit people.) That, and it's easier to talk and keep beside each other at a slower pace. "…so I hope that Misha isn't being too uncooperative." The marketing member of the steering committee, who keeps steering everything towards message.

*

Heels. There's probably a pair of those for weddings and the like in her closet, but even fancy committee meetings don't get to meet those, much less ones down by the dock. The pure practicality of combining workout and business is a lot more appealing than having to get gussied up. If the weather was better, it would be perfect - every couple of hundred feet = one slice of pepperoni on the pizza of jogging in this nonsense reward. "Misha is being very cooperative to branding and PR. Just have to convince them that there are places in the world where /actually/ doing /good/ is the best PR." Thank goodness for his deference. It would be a much huffier conversation without it

*

The tire squealing is apparent, it echoes off surrounding buildings announcing the approaching vehicle before it can even be seen. It's not but a split second later that it shoots out of an alleyway just barely able to fit the wide bodied sedan through its corridor before the vehicle careens across the open avenue just feet in front of Danny and Claire, aiming for the open gate to the pier. It doesn't quite make it, clipping a post with one of the side mirrors that's left to dangle like the broken piece of some macabre marionette. Just as it enters the yard for the warehouse, the gate starts to close on its squeaky track and a man and woman can be seen fighting through the windows to the car. He's trying to drive the best he can while the woman is flailing fists at him from the backseat.

*

Danny reaches out with lightning reflexes to grab hold of Claire to pull her back and out of the way of the careening car. He lets go of her as soon as she's clear. It takes him a second to parse what's happening. His brow furrows, and then he's bolting towards the car. To Claire, it must look very foolish - but then, no one has ever accused him of having an overabundance of sense. He's clearly trying to make it past the fence before it closes.

*

The ensuing adrenaline spike has to be good for at least a whole slice of pizza! Claire jerks back as the car arrives on the scene, albeit a bit more quickly with Danny's help. She squeezes her extremities in close to make herself small as the car passes just a couple of feet from them on Mr Sedan's Wild Ride. The grating sound of metal, plastics, and post leave her grinding her teeth. Danny's actions would look a lot odder to her if she wasn't emulating them even before the sight of the people fighting registers.
Exit Danny, purused by a Claire.

*

If they weren't so near, it would have been more of a challenge to beat the closing gate but as it stands they both make it in well before it makes telltale clang as it shuts behind them. Unfortunately the car travels faster than even ninja legs can manage and it doesn't appear to be slowing down, despite the fact that it's starting to run out of viable ground before concrete turns to East River. Now the woman in the back seat seems to be half pulled into the front as the struggle continues. 50 yards. 40 yards…10. The sedan hits a raised edge and goes airborne, sailing off the edge of the pier to drop the distance to the unforgiving water's surface.

*

Most people, when faced with this kind of situation - even on adrenaline - would hesitate for a moment. But neither common sense nor the filthy water of the East River are going to slow him down. He shouts back to Claire, "Call the police." And then he's flinging himself bodily off the pier not far behind the car. The water's surface will be a little kinder to him as he drops into a dive, but he still has to contend with the undertow the sinking car will no doubt create.

*

Claire Temple snags out her phone and thumbs the voice google option. "Google how to rescue someone from a sinking car," she shouts breathlessly. If she has a second or two as that's pulling up, time to smash the camera button. She holds the phone out in front of her, not caring much about focus and just trying to get shots of the car - license plate, etc, in case it's going to be needed. Yeah, not even looking at the results. That's for later! That done and the google results loading? Well, Danny's advice fits pretty well with her next plan of attack - dialing 911 to report the situation. There's a quick look around, seeking identifying signs to give the 911 operator on where they are. And hey, see what might be useful as impromptu medical supplies.

*

The sedan hits the water's surface like a brick, bobbing there before it starts to fill with the east river. Soon the bubble will be broken and the car will be pulled downward. The impact has the two unbelted passengers bouncing around like two meaty rubber balls in the cabin of the car. They both end up at odd angles, the woman head down on the floor board with her feet up towards the liner. Bound legs. Her ankles are trapped together with what appears to be zip ties and she's struggling to right herself. The driver is now just slumped over the wheel, seemingly oblivious to the fact that water is starting to swell up over his legs.

Danny splashes in near the sedan, getting a view of all of this just as it starts to sink, the woman suddenly popping up with panic stricken eyes as she starts to slap her palms on the window screaming for help.

The pier is clearly marked with the standard number placard at the front of the fence, and the warehouse has the faded and chipped sign of a long defunct seafood company called 'Gulls' but it might be enough for the operator to go off of as far as the location. Abandoned as the warehouse appears, there may be an old first aid kit inside but that is Claire's best bet unless she can do something with an old steel barrel and rotting fishing equipment.

*

Danny feels himself being tugged down by the undertow created by several tonnes of steel. He lets the pull close the gap between him and the sinking car. In the rapidly darkening water, he struggles to see what's happening. For a moment, he hangs in the water, lungs beginning to ache. And then, his fist starts to glow.

He uses the glow from his power to guide him towards the sinking car. He flexes his fist, hauls back and then slams the golden hand against the back window. It's with more than enough force to break the glass even with the pressure of the water. With any luck, it will suck both of them up and out.

From Claire's perspective, there's a sound that's more heard than felt, and a weird golden glow shimmering on the surface of water that rarely shimmers.

*

Claire is collected AF on the phone with the operator: "Old company called Gulls on the river. Car in the river, at least two passengers, one billionaire citizen in the water to rescue." Because let's face it: Billionaire may gain a better response time than this faded part of the docks might otherwise warranty. "I'll bring up my GPS location, one second." Tap tap and the very exact location is provided, because Gods Bless Technology. "Passenger in the back was in an altercation with the driver. I'm going into the ware.." She trails off when that weird sensation of … something gathering in the water. Blink. "I'lllllll um stay on docks to be visible." And watch what's going on. Cause /Something/ is going on.

*

The weird glow on the surface is followed shortly by a giant air bubble roiling up as Danny breaks the back window and the last gasp of air from the car escapes and East River floods in. It's a terrifying moment for the woman trapped inside, to see a glowing fist shatter the glass and disrupt the pressure in the cabin. It does the trick to suck her towards the opening created, aided by her clawing hands to just try to ESCAPE. Her bound legs however, are proving to be a hinderance in getting out the window and she can't kick swim shy of some awkward mermaid movement. It also doesn't help that like some drowning victims she's panicking and ends up just fighting rescue. The driver makes no movement, possibly unconscious and stuck on the wheel as tiny air bubbles dribble out his nose and parted lips.

Claire gets the unfortunate answer that water search and rescue is 20 minutes out, and land first responders are 18.

*

Little bits of square safety glass rake over Danny like shards of ice. He has to pinch his eyes shut for a moment to keep from getting bits in his eyes. By the time he clears his vision, it's to see the woman flailing around. He has to keep his fist illuminated to have an idea of what's going on. He tries to reach for her, to calm her, or at least remove her wrist and leg bindings so she can fight her way to the surface herself. Going for the leg bindings puts him well within kicking distance, and ninjas aren't water creatures.

*

Eighteen to twenty minutes … "I'm a registered trauma nurse, I'm trained for the medical. Signing off." Claire clicks out of the call, then pulls up Rand's office number. Time to make nice with the assistant to see if they can get anything sooner. She sits down and tucks the phone up to her chin as she yanks off her shoes in case she has to go into the water to assist, especially as there were two.

*

The remnants of the zip ties the woman had around her wrist are easily stripped away, but with her flailing and the fact that they're doing this underwater, Danny has a harder time of being able to break the bond around her ankles. He gets a good belt to the head for his trouble once she feels the tie release, her very instinct and her lungs screaming at her to start kicking for the surface and damn whatever (or whoever) is in the way (despite the fact that he's trying to HELP). The driver remains motionless, stuck near the front of the car as it continues it's nose dive into the deep water.

Calling Rand's office number, Claire gets the standard recording that starts listing various options before you can get to an actual human. If she'd like it in Spanish, press one. If she'd like their address and fax number, press two. The moments are starting to stretch, every minute seeming longer than the last.

*

At this point, Danny's been down what feels like forever. The struggling woman had air in the car before he smashed the window. He hasn't had a breath in almost too long. He lets the light of his fist dim, then he grabs hold of her kicking legs and shoves her upward as much as he can. He gets another foot in the face for his trouble, which knocks some of the precious wind out of him. An airbubble escapes his mouth and pops to the surface.

If circumstances were better, he would make a dive for the driver too. After all, they don't know the circumstances. Instead, it's all he can do to keep himself alive. He struggles to the surface, but his limbs feel heavy. He ignited his fist without properly centering his chi, and the exertion of swimming hasn't helped. His vision tunnels and he paws ineffectually out in front of him.

*

0. "Operator." "Look, you overpriced AI. Danny Rand, CEO, has jumped into the East River to rescue a … MISHA! MISHA GORMAN," If she gets Misha on the phone right away? More conversation. If not, time to dive in and help the billionaire with some fresh legs and rescue breathing for the woman he's pulling up.

*

"You've reached the desk of…" Claire has the decision to make of whether or not to bother with leaving a message. The flailing woman makes it to the surface thanks to the Rand powered boost, gasping for air and coughing water out of her lungs. "That man…that man…" Is all she gets out, not yet really able to form coherent sentences as she sees Claire up on the dock. Water logged limbs are still able tp swim towards the metal ladder that dips into the water. She's fairing much better than Danny who's about to learn what a lung full of polluted water feels like.

*

Spoiler alert: it doesn't feel good. Danny uses up his energy reserves and misjudges how far the surface is away. He ends up pawing upwards, about four feet from precious air, but the combination of swimming and using his power has drained him more than he realized. That, and he's not the world's best swimmer. The shallow hot springs of K'un L'un weren't deeper than a few feet. He chokes on a mouthful of Manhattan's Finest Water and feels it enter his lungs.

*

Epic eye roll. Voicemail. Corporate America, failing again. The woman's headed for the ladder and looks momentarily steady. "Stay as calm as you can. Help is on the way." Claire yanks off her shirt (REASON!) and dives in. YMCA swim classes and trauma training, don't fail her now. At least they're not TOO far out. Probably should have started when his Christmas tree light fist was still glowing, but hey - when she gets closer to Danny's flailing hands, she keeps hold of one sleeve and throws the tail end of the shirt towards him in hope it will give him something to grab at and anchor to.

*

The previously trapped woman continues gasping for air, huge hiccups that sound painful, but she manages something resembling a nod to Claire before the nurse goes sailing into the water. The woman makes it to the ladder, hooking numb limbs onto it and just hangs there bobbing in the water to wait for help.

*

Maybe after this, Danny will invest in some swim classes of his own. The last of his flailing ends before Claire reaches him. Now, he sort of floats there in the water, midway between consciousness and unconsciousness. His fingers still faintly glow in such a subtle way that Claire could be forgiven for thinking she imagined it. The water also clings his shirt to him, revealing a dark ink shape on his chest. He doesn't really seem like the kind of guy to voluntarily get a really prominent tattoo. All minor details of course, when one is faced with a half-drowned billionaire. She will find no resistance but also no help when it comes to pulling him to the surface.

*

A little dive to get enough purchase to push him up in that dazed state. Dazed is better than agitated, at least! The shirt will go under his torso, stretched around the middle. "Breathe out first, spit and then try the breathing in." He may or may not hear it as she gets her arms positioned to use his bicep to make sure he's turned on his back. Once he's in a better position, one hand goes on the forehead to brace him, the other keeps him hooked as she starts kicking them over towards that ladder. While she may not have any super heroes, there's no panic in her tone or presence. Steady as a rock. Hopefully not sinking like one.

*

Danny hears words and is aware he's being spoken to, and that the voice is calm. What they're saying? Not so much. Fortuantely, his body does the trick for him, causing him to sputter up a mouthful of filthy water and follow that with a racking cough. He takes in a few long, deep breaths and flails about for a moment before he realizes there's someone there. Unlike the panicked woman, he can regain control of himself under pressure. He attempts a calming breath which just provokes another coughing fit. That's actually a good thing because it brings up some more water.

*

"I'd say calm down, but in thousands of years…" Well. I'll be. Apparently it DOES work once in a lifetime. Danny becoming serene like that may be the oddest part of the day at the moment. When they get to the ladder, Claire dips under the water and hooks one of Danny's arms to a rung before checking on the woman. If she's okay? Well, a look back at the car, but she's not holding a lot of hope as she looks for any air bubbles to come up.

*

Sirens start sounding in the distance, first from police and EMS vehicles and then the deep horn of the water vehicles. It takes them a minute to work the security box with the fireman override on the gate before they're pulling up to where they see the commotion in the water. People in uniform manage to get the coughing woman up the ladder before they start to assist Claire and her patient. It soon becomes a mad house once word spreads that the man they are fishing out of the water is Danny Rand, and a diver is rolling off the back of the boat to find the location of the sunken car and determine that a rescue is now a recovery in the case of the driver. Things will needed to be sorted with statements and first aid which will lead to a long afternoon for Claire and Danny, but the story the woman is giving to an officer is that the driver is (was) her estranged husband who kidnapped her from her work parking lot.

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