(open) i know the sun will shine tomorrow

[thisisontherecord]

WHO: Take your pick of Lois Lane, Clark Kent, Jon Kent, Superman, or Superboy + you!
WHEN: End of August through to September Mission start.
WHERE: Etraya (various locations)
WHAT: A catch-all for running into the Kents, the Supers, or the singular Lane.
NOTES\WARNINGS: Specify which folks you're looking to run into in your subject line!

Do you run into one of them:

1. At the apartments near the Hospital? Find them on the top floor.

2. In the food stores (Kwik Trip, 7-11, Bangtang Market, the bot-run restaurants) scattered throughout Etraya? Snacks are at a premium for some of these guys.

3. On a rooftop somewhere in Etraya. Yes, even Lois.

4. Exploring the Daily Planet. It's the wrong one, but it's also what's here.

5. Down in the Catacombs. Why has part of Paris been recreated here, anyway?

6. Wildcard yourself anywhere in Etraya!

Comments

Nova City

[newsbeat]

[So, he's been summoned. Clark isn't naive enough to think this can only be for a friendly chat, but he's not cynical enough to assume it must be a trap and/or attempted murder. Still, Clark engages his enhanced vision long before he touches down from the sky — x-ray, all ranges of the light spectrum he has access to, the works. He's not taking chances.]

[theknightshift]

[ Bruce is aware that he will not stay hidden for long once Clark decides he wants to find him, but he keeps himself tucked in the shadows anyway. It gives him a few moments to study the other man. Give him a good read on how young he might be. Pretty young if he didn't know Jon. It's disappointing, but he's still Clark at the heart of it all.

And better yet, he's not Hernan.

When he jumps down, it's deliberate. He lets Clark see him, but the evaluation continues, eyes tracking every detail. He looks right enough. ]

How long have you been Superman?

[ No hellos. Right to business. Hi Clark, nice to meet you. ]

[newsbeat]

[Hi, Batman, nice to...wait. This is definitely not the Batman he spoke with the other week. What the heck.]

Three years.

[He's not bothered by the brusqueness or by the question itself. The latter would be public knowledge anyway, if the public he's used to were here.]

Give or take a couple of weeks.

[theknightshift]

[ Jeez, he's a toddler. Not ideal, but it could be worse - he could be year one. Thankfully, Bruce doesn't anticipate the need for much hand holding here. Three years is plenty of time to learn the mechanics of being Superman. The hows and what not to dos. ]

Then we likely haven't met.

[ It's more a commiseration than anything. Clark had been a confidant during this mess with Asema. Someone to talk to now that Alfred was gone. He missed that and wondered briefly if it would feel the same. Right now, it doesn't. They're strangers. ]

Did you bring anyone else with you besides Lois and Luthor?

[newsbeat]

No, we haven't.

[Clark would remember. He's absolutely sure of that. Also, this is a very tall man in a bat costume — it's hard to imagine him not staying a vivid memory for anyone.]

I'm going to assume you don't mean that literally, since I wouldn't bring Lex Luthor anywhere if I had the choice.

[There's a sharpness to his tone that anyone perceptive might be able to tell speaks of more than garden variety enmity. There's a grudge here, and it's fresh.]

But no. As far as I know, it's just us.

[theknightshift]

[ Bruce notes the hostility. Of course Luthor's done something. He's Lex and he's always Doing Something. Bruce isn't overly concerned at the moment about whatever is going on between them at the moment so he won't ask about it for now.

He's satisfied with Clark's answer. Fewer variables to monitor. Fewer people to protect. Bruce won't say he's glad he's here, that he hopes they can be friends despite the differences. Even if that's how he feels. He settles for brevity instead. ]

Good.

[ Welp, that's all he needed. ]

Take care of yourself, Clark.

[newsbeat]

No, I don't think we're done.

[He's calm but firm. Insistent but not aggressive.]

You didn't seriously call me all the way out here just to find out who I brought with me. There are other ways to get that information.

[theknightshift]

[ Bruce already has his grapnel in hand. To Bruce, the conversation is done, but he knows Clark and he'd be disappointed if he just let Bruce go. ]

I don't trust the network. I only use it when necessary. I had questions. You answered them. We're done.

[newsbeat]

I have questions too, and it's very unlikely you can leave without me being able to follow you.

[But hey. Never say never.]

Why are there two of you dressed as Batman? I spoke with one in San Francisco. I know he wasn't you.

[theknightshift]

[ Bruce almost smirks. He could not completely disappear from Clark's vision, it's true. But he knew how to make it harder for him. Give himself enough room to breathe before Clark catches up.

The question, Bruce expects. ]

He is me. Just younger.

[ Probably closer to Clark's age now. ]

[newsbeat]

Huh.

[That is...not what he expected, he didn't even know that could happen, but it does slot surprisingly well with other pieces of information Clark already has.]

So when Jon referred to Robin's dads, plural, he mean that literally.

[theknightshift]

[ Welcome to the multiverse, Clark. ]

Did you think we were married?

[ It's delivered flatly, but make no mistake, Bruce is amused. ]

[newsbeat]

Could've been a domestic partnership, it's none of my business.

[Yeah, he imagines.]

Look, I may have fewer years of doing this under my belt than you're used to, and yes, this is my first encounter with different realities and alternate people and all that. But I'm not exactly green, either. It'd would be nice if we could keep the lines of communication open, especially since you apparently know me well.

[Another him. Whatever. In this context it's close enough.]

[theknightshift]

It isn't closed.

[ Technically true. Bruce won't always answer especially if he's in a mood, but Clark is free to reach out whenever he likes. That's as much of an invitation as he's willing to give. ]

[newsbeat]

Uh-huh.

[It doesn't feel especially open. He supposes he'll take what he can get.]

Out of curiosity, is there a reason your son greeted me by attacking me the other day, or does he do that to everyone?

[theknightshift]

[ Sometimes, Bruce does not miss Damian at this age. ]

Everyone. I'll talk to him.

[newsbeat]

[Somehow Clark is not surprised.]

It's not a big deal. Wasn't like he actually hurt me.

[He dismisses the attempted assault by child with a waving gesture.]

But I figured it'd be good to know since our kids are friends.

[theknightshift]

[ He probably should warn Clark that Damian is not to be taken lightly. But he doesn't. ]

Duly noted.

[ He'll still speak to his kid. ]

Anything else?

[newsbeat]

Not unless you want to give me an actual name in return.

[Clark is guessing not. But he'd take it if offered.]

[theknightshift]

[ Clark could peek if he wanted. He'd have his face, but likely not have a name to go with it. It'd be a lie to say Bruce isn't tempted, but for now he'll keep the cowl in place. ]

Maybe next time.

[newsbeat]

[Clark just nods. There will be a next time, he's sure. He can wait.]

Then I'll see you around, Batman.