[closed] we're headed to the dive bar we always thought was nice

[agoddessonce]

WHO: Ororo agoddessonce and others. Starters posted in the comments!
WHEN: late June and into early July, post-Mission 003
WHERE: Harry's Hideaway Pub, Up in the sky
WHAT: When you're reeling from some trauma, you gotta chase it down with a beer and some good company.
NOTES\WARNINGS: Drinking, healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms, probably some discussion of X-Men-typical bigotry.

Comments

[anewhope]

[ his expression turns sober for a moment, thinking of bruce. ]

I've never had anyone to spar with. It was . . . too risky.

[agoddessonce]

Would you like to have someone to spar with?

[ Wanting someone and needing the practice were two very different things! ]

[anewhope]

. . . I don't know.

The idea sounds nice, but I've never had that kind of training. And I'm . . . too strong.

[ which sounds like a boast, but clark sounds pained to admit it. ]

[agoddessonce]

And you're afraid of hurting someone. [ She understands that pretty intimately. She may not be physically strong, but she's had similar problems herself. ]

But plenty of people here are strong, too. Perhaps you might consider asking around. It is not a risk if people know what they are getting into.

[anewhope]

[ he nods slowly. ]

I know. But I'm less . . . aware of the superheroes here. Plenty seem to know me, but I don't know them.

[agoddessonce]

Well, then what is stopping you from getting to know them?

[anewhope]

[ he blinks. ]

I guess . . . nothing?

[ save for a lifetime of isolation and fear?? ]

[agoddessonce]

[ weak!! ]

If nothing is stopping you, then I think you ought to try and meet them halfway. Maybe not for a spar just yet, if you aren't comfortable with that.

[ she whips up a little wind and sits with her legs crossed on her burst of air. ] If you do want a spar, however, I suppose I would give it a fair shot. I am not afraid.

[anewhope]

How do I do that? Do I . . . put out an ad?

[ clark has no idea how this works. or if there is a way this works. ]

And you're sure?

[agoddessonce]

No, not an ad. You mentioned there are people here who already know you? [ He didn't need an ad if he already knew those people! ] Just talk to them. They know you -- so now you must know them. Yes? [ Go make friends, Superman! ]

And I think you know yourself better than you give yourself credit for. You wouldn't really put me at risk. [ a beat. ] And I have a habit of surviving worse things.

[anewhope]

[ his expression twists. ]

I don't know them that well.

But . . . if you're really interested, we can give sparring a shot.

[agoddessonce]

[ Is he not listening to her? She chuckles. ] That's why you get to know someone, Superman. So that you can actually know them well. And then, perhaps, you won't need to watch yourself so carefully around them.

And I am interested, yes. But we'd need to set some ground rules.

[anewhope]

[ she has a point. perhaps he's spending too much time letting fear dictate his choices. ]

Of course. What would you suggest?

[agoddessonce]

I think any rules we agree on will depend on what you can actually do, and what you want out of it. [ She regards him openly, as if sizing him up. ] Thus far, all I know is that you are... very fast, and very strong. But how strong? And... what do you do with all that strength?

[anewhope]

I think some hand to hand training works. Or something akin to reflexes. Maybe more defensive moves.

[ as for her query, he pauses, mulling it over. ]

I'm strong enough to pick up entire space rockets and navy ships. Does that help?

[agoddessonce]

Defensive moves would be useful if you are worried about hurting people more than you should. [ It's not her preferred style, but she knew a little. Maybe she'd ask Scott for a few pointers, when he wasn't... being Scott about some things. ]

If I may ask, why do you find yourself picking up rockets and navy ships?

[anewhope]

Just a few emergency situations I tackled. One rocket had a faulty malfunction so I went in to save the astronauts.

The ship got beached and was taking water so I brought it to shore.

[agoddessonce]

All by yourself? [ Those are the sorts of things that would be easier with a team, she thinks. It's hard to do things like that alone. ]

How do you find who needs your help?

[anewhope]

[ clark pauses. ]

I hear them. I hear everyone. Across the world.

[agoddessonce]

[ Ah. So he is: super fast, super strong, super senses. ]

Can you hear everyone now?

[anewhope]

[ he sighs but nods. ]

All the time.

[agoddessonce]

One of my best friends goes through a similar problem - but she hears what people think, not only what people say. [ Ororo hums thoughtfully. ]

You might like talking to her, as well. I think you would have plenty to talk about.

[anewhope]

[ he manages a quiet chuckle. ]

I think her situation is far more exhausting than mine.

[agoddessonce]

Well, it's a good thing it's not a competition of who has the more exhausting situation. [ she says, dryly. ]

Sometimes it helps to talk to someone who understands.

[anewhope]

. . . I suppose it can't hurt.