January catch-all

[apricitous]

Who: Clark Kent (apricitous) & you!
What: Catch-All and some concern about the state of things
When: January
Where: largely Wyver
Warning(s): none so far


[ scouting for reporters | wyver | open]
[ While Clark's put up his message, he's also putting up a few flyers around town with the same basic content; while his focus is the refugee population, just for ease of communication, he's not opposed should any locals show any interest in helping. He obviously can't offer any money since it's not a business as of yet per se or anything but... if you see him, feel free to ask about it. ]

[deserters | outside of the city | open ]
[ There are things Clark can't do, but there are also things he can do, things that he can't not do when it comes right down to it... and one of those things is look out for people. Especially people who are desperately trying to avoid a conflict.

Clark goes there first, asks what they need, and at first he uses some of the funds from his dragon bounty, what was still there. It's after Christmas, so it was a little more scant than he'd like, but he makes up for it by eating less, sitting in the sun more; he'll cook portions for Jessica the same as usual but he can make do himself. Eventually, he does have to ask for money, but he'll run into the city and bring back just about anything. He's also taken to spending the occasional afternoon out there, though, patrolling from the sky or ground to take care of any natural threats that might be stalking the smaller settlements just in case... ]

[ home | wyver | open ]
[ If you happen to come by their house, you'll find Clark at one of three activities: attempting to write something on the current Wyver-Olympia conflict, trying to figure out how he can better siphon some of his paycheck into supplies, cooking the occasional bit of food, and working from a particular book given to him for Christmas as a present, muttering to himself in a strange language that your character almost certainly isn't familiar with. ]

Comments

[apricitous]

The last time I tried to go to Olympia, the reception wasn't exactly 'warm'.

[ He reaches over to grab some water, grabbing Bruce's to hold it out to him in turn.]

[beknight]

So I've noticed. They're getting frosty to me here.

[ It means a retreat. He's going to need another identity to work this side — thankfully, he's gathered most of what he needs to know. The streets are known to him like the back of his hand. ]

[ Bruce accepts the bottle, pausing before he sips. ]

Alternately, we could make use of the station. I think you're ready to handle a different opponent.

[apricitous]

If you think it would be best.

[ All combat-related things he leaves to Bruce. Ask him about handling a natural disaster or a fire or something like that, he's actually got a lot of experience. Combat he leaves to Bruce and Diana. His heart's just not in it. ]

I'm worried, Bruce. This war looks almost inevitable. Not to mention that it's practically over nothing but old feuds and wounded pride.

[beknight]

It's my assessment.

[ Clark's free to agree or disagree — it's his prerogative. He knows enough about his body's limits and his natural inclinations, Bruce takes those into account but doesn't know where precisely they fall. There were never any instruments that could cope with a Kryptonian, back home. How fast, how strong, he thinks in the end, Luthor knew better than he did. Luthor knew the specific circumstances to coerce him. ]

[ He sits on the bench to stretch, his body in a slight turn — space for Clark to sit next to him. Old feuds, wounded pride, imagined slights. Funny, human nature doesn't change even a world away. It's reminiscent of so many gang wars, back in Gotham, even when they knew who was the top of the food chain. He doesn't occupy that position here. Bruce is just another shadow in the alleys, a ghost on the rooftops. He's been staunching wounds where he can, fighting fires. This is an infection, it's not going to be treated with his methods. It's best left to the likes of Clark and Diana. ]

We're not entrenched enough to provide any political sway. Were you thinking of suiting up?

[apricitous]

[ He nods to the first, because he trusts Bruce's assessment, believes in what he says.
Bruce is his teacher, and part of being a student is to trust in the process. As to the question of suiting up, well, that's something else entirely. ]

I was considering it. But I'm not sure what, exactly, I could do even in the suit.

All the suit would mean to these people is a refugee trying to throw their weight around, backed by force.

It's as likely to make things worse as it is to make them better.

[beknight]

[ He nods. They aren't at home, they mean something else to these people. Maybe it will never be the same thing, exactly. ]

We'll have to see if — or when — the time comes.

[ It's a when, for him. But there are some things to be hopeful for, he's somewhat better at striking a balance. ]

How've you been doing on the ground so far?

[ He knows Clark's out and about. Bruce is frequently in that orbit, usually tailing Reinhardt. He doesn't show himself to Clark then, but he figures his heartbeat is being tracked. ]

[apricitous]

Mostly I've been doing what I used to do.

[ Stealth help, smaller saves, doing what he can to help people. Not to mention-]

And I've been flying out to the deserter colonies, bringing supplies.

[beknight]

Someone thought about making a neutral settlement, unaffiliated. It might be worth looking into as a sanctuary.

[apricitous]

Who was this 'someone'?

And how possible do you think it actually is?

[beknight]

Someone on the network, no longer here.

[ He pauses to sip. ]

Logistically speaking it's hard to maintain long-term. It's easier to fit in somewhere that already exists than to make a third.

But as a temporary fixture it could have merit. A place for food, shelter, and work, regardless of alignment.

[apricitous]

And all the people in Olympia and Wyver that we leave behind...

[ He can't help it, can't help caring even if they're people from another world.]

[beknight]

[ He hums quietly. ]

It's a large undertaking. I don't think it should be a first resort.

[apricitous]

I don't either. Especially not-

[ A pause as he gathers his thoughts.]

It could be a good idea. But not to run away.

[beknight]

Agreed.

[ Let's hope there's not a war. But even he knows the war against human nature isn't one to be won in a single decisive victory. It's a slow, dogged change, and there's often times when it goes backwards instead of forwards. ]

For now, we focus on those in need. Have you seen a large German gentleman wearing unusual armour, with a horse?

[apricitous]

I met a large German man on the station and he mentioned being a knight. But I haven't seen him since.

[beknight]

That's Reinhardt. He's a friend.

[ Which from Bruce might as well be gushing praises and falling over himself about the man. Reinhardt is a source of light. Bruce knows their value. ]

He's been travelling into the forest helping who he finds. I've been keeping an eye on him.

[apricitous]

Then I suppose you know what I've been up to in that respect.

[ He hadn't exactly made a secret of his own activities. He was almost broke because of them as well. ]

[beknight]

[ Bruce's mouth curves, a back at you. He's not thinking of building any lead-lined suits to hide himself from Clark. ]

Don't I always?

[apricitous]

[ Clark's eyebrow twitches up, just the once. I know but I don't do much about it. Because Bruce isn't the only one who does surveillance the people he cares about. ]

Do you think I should talk to Reinhardt again? Offer my assistance?

[ An alliance means admitting his abilities. And that means consulting with Bruce, at least at this stage. ]

[beknight]

He doesn't know my name, but he wouldn't be surprised by who I am.

[ Just his way of saying the man is trustworthy, in his own right. Bruce likes him in a way that is simple, that aches to think about too hard. He'd buried believing in people's honest decency in a way that nearly killed Clark. ]

It's your decision to trust him.

[ He doesn't expect they'll feel the same way towards the same people — they are very different. ]

[apricitous]

[ That gets a nod. ]

And I think I will. I just wanted to know you had no objections.

[beknight]

[ Shaking his head, ]

None here.

[apricitous]

[ He looks down for a moment, tries to consider what he wants to say and what he means to say and- ]

How's Diana feeling about the whole thing?

[beknight]

Much the same as you.

[ Which doesn't surprise him, really. Kind hearted people — no matter how much violence they witness — will always feel upset by it. ]

She's also going where she's needed. We'll probably both stay in Olympia for a while.

[apricitous]

I'll cover things down in Wyver, then.

[ He takes a moment before rounding out to what he'd really wanted to say. ]

It's not that I feel I can't do or say things without talking to you.

I just... want to surprise you as little as possible. That way, anyway.

[ He knows how much Bruce cares, so... he wants him to know what's going on as much as Bruce wants to know. ]