What Are You Worth, the Things You Love or the People You Hurt?

[lookedtothestars]

Characters: Jor-El, various
Date: All of March (unless otherwise specified)
Location: All over Tu Vishan
Situation: Various, mainly Jor-El speaking to those he and Kal-El wronged
Warnings/Rating: mentions of violence and death, among other things.

Comments

[everylittlegirl]

In spite of her teasing, Hayley doesn't expect Jor-El to be. It's not that he isn't a commanding presence, that he's lacking in any intelligence or wisdom. But in an entire population, people of significance are pretty rare. She sure as hell isn't one, in the grand scheme of things, and even some of the superheroes are beginning to seem like one of many. To be the head of the most important Guild and part of a respected family name? He really is kind of a big deal. And it's weird.

"You're serious," she clarifies, just in case. But his look of humor extends only to her words and not his own. As if he ever jokes like that anyway. Although worth of an 'ohmygod' response, Hayley remains too uncomfortable to dip into such amicable territory. Instead, she looks down to the cape and allows her fingers to travel over the material again.

"So the cape shows what guild you're in? Or the leadership? If it's an El thing, I don't really think I should have it." Not with Kal-El around.

[lookedtothestars]

A position of importance that matters little, here. Something that he's come to enjoy; what expectations there are here stem not from his reputation on Krypton but instead come completely incidental to that- they're related instead to being Kal-El's father. Something that not all of those present here are aware of.

"Neither of those, directly. It's only an indicator of status," he answers, which should be enough to let her know that yes, he's serious. It's not something she seems to actually be doubting either way. "And even if it was directly due to my family, giving it to you would still be my decision to make."

[everylittlegirl]

"Only important people wear capes?" It sounds ridiculous when she says it like that, but it's an honest question. Hayley wants to understand more about Jor-El, about the place he comes from and what it must have been like for him. It's not the same as wanting to know Clark, who grew up on Earth. This is only about the father.

To the latter, she shifts uncomfortably. "Yeah, but I'm not sure I'd want to be the one to answer where it came from and why you gave it to me if he asked."

She doubts there's a question as to who 'he' refers to.

[lookedtothestars]

"If that happened, Kal-El would have to answer to me in turn." It isn't a choice for Kal-El to question, even if he would.

"A person of status isn't necessarily the same as someone of importance," he explains. "Kryptonian society, its social classes, were heavily regimented." Each guild bearing its own different level of importance to society as a whole and what status was ascribed to its members and each house- particularly the oldest ones, such as his own- beqeathing some kind of social standing to its members.

[everylittlegirl]

It was strange to her, how easily Jor-El could separate their relationship from Kal-El. To her, it was as intertwined as trying to deal with Bart and Kon. To him, they were clearly separate entities, with the other in mind but never catered to. She gave a small smile, one that didn't quite seem genuine, as she thought about the matter. It was easier to reply to the other issue.

"Okay, but you were both, right?" Because it was hard to imagine someone like Jor-El not being important if he had such status. He was certainly the type to earn it.

[lookedtothestars]

While it was something he would not forget, it was not something he would hold against her or in Kal-El's favor. Logic and reason had too strong a grasp on him to do so, even where emotions were involved.

"Yes, I was."

[everylittlegirl]

Hayley smiled as she looked down to the cape again, her fingers never ceasing to feel the material beneath them. It wasn't the most extravagant thing she had ever laid her hands on, but it meant more than any of the rest. She suddenly grimaced and looked up at him again.

"You know I don't owe you anything for this, right? I don't mean money. Obviously you don't expect me to pay you, but.. this is just a nice thing and not in return for some favor you're going to call in later?"

[lookedtothestars]

"I don't expect any favors from you, Hayley," he says, meeting her eyes, with a slight shake of his head.

He has no need of any, or interest in one from her.

[everylittlegirl]

Her muscles tensed as he replied, watching the look in his eyes. Had it been Clark or Tony or any number of other people, she would have felt afraid in that moment. Instead, she slowly relaxed and tried again to forget the monster he was a couple weeks before. He wasn't her father and he never would be in any way, which was a good thing for Hayley.

"I'm going to remember that," she replied with a small smile, trying to make the commentary more lighthearted to hide how deeply it affected her.

[lookedtothestars]

He can't- shouldn't- react to her tensing. It will only exacerbate it further on her part. With this level of physical proximity, it's all but impossible for his senses to not pick up on it, as strong as they are here.

"You should. Sometimes nice things are just that."

[everylittlegirl]

Hayley smiles at him, that kind of knowing smile that's really an excuse for arrogance. "Rarely. And the few times they are? It's from people that don't know any better. I don't think you're that kind of guy."

[lookedtothestars]

"No, I'm not." He knows that kind of smile, if in a much more subdued way, common enough as it was on Krypton. "Hospitality and generosity are still elements to keep in mind for any civilized race."

Including Kryptonians.

[everylittlegirl]

"So it's like.. strategic kindness?" She questions. That is something Hayley understands all too well. He might not be expecting something later, but he definitely has his own agenda and his own reasons for helping her, the same as she has with him.