Oh, I'm hoping you'll understand

[andaway]

Characters: Superman & you?
Date: From 22/03 for Superman, a week later or so for Clark Kent.
Location: All over the turtle
Situation: Kal's finally decided to step out of prison, start actually getting consequences for his actions. This is something of a catch all for everyone who wants to talk to Superman or Clark after his stay in the prison. Threadstarters tba (if you want one poke me at plurk! crotalus)
Warnings/Rating: There might be talk of murder, will edit if needed


[Superman - Flying (low) around the turtle]

He wasn't quite sure what to do.

He had to pay visits, talk to those he'd personally offended, but- then, what? What next? The world hadn't ended, his life had kept on going. He'd killed, maimed, hurt both with his words and with his fists and yet he was still alive. What was he supposed to do, pretend nothing happened? Pretend he wasn't afraid of it happening again? Pretend the memories of it wouldn't hurt him every time he closed his eyes?

This is what he wondered as he flies around the turtle in full costume... deciding he should, at least, let himself be seen. He'd been so comfortable hiding in prison, but that was done. Superman was back, and Mark had been right about something: the longer he hid from others the worse the memories would get. The hardest forgiving him would be.

So he simply flew around, the way he used to do back in Metropolis in his 'patrols'. Having his power back was honestly a relief, after so long without them. If he saw any signs of trouble for both Kedan and Foreigners he'd fly down and try to help- even though there were a lot of heroes who could have easily done his job in this place.


[Clark Kent - Work (Radio) / Grocery shopping around the turtle]

Using his fake leg as Clark Kent was the hardest time. Not because it didn't fit, or do his job properly (it was Jor-El's work, of course it did). But the phantom pains where still there, still present and somehow they got worse the more he spent as Clark Kent. As Superman he could simply hover, stop touching the ground with his bad leg- or maybe it was simply a psychological thing? Maybe he reverted back to human weaknesses when he was being human, as he'd done when he'd had electrical powers.

Still, he had to get back to work. Lois had been overworked for long enough as it was, and even though his father's bots had done a great job acting like he did (again, Jor-El's work) he couldn't stay away from being Clark Kent. It was as much of a part of him as Superman was, and after a week he decided it had been enough waiting to cast away any suspicions about Superman and Clark.

So he could be found in the Radio's office, doing his job... or simply at the markets, getting what looked like enough food to feed a legion. After the time in the bottle and the time in prison, he wanted to make sure Lois was finally eating right.

Comments

[Closed] Arthur Curry

[andaway]

He hadn't been sure where to start, but... well, his friend was almost his neighbor. He'd talked to both Arthur and Mera while in prison: Arthur had (repeatedly and very loudly) made it clear he didn't appreciate making everything about himself, Mera that while she understood it wasn't him if he hurt Kaldur again she would-

Well.

She had been very explicit, and apparently had a very vivid imagination Kal hadn't been aware of. He guessed he shouldn't be surprised, considering she had earned a certain red ring. The point was he knew they didn't exactly... blame him, but that didn't mean he didn't have to apologize. Or let them yell at him, or just stare at him in confusion because what the heck was he doing in there.

Sadly Arthur was right there, so any possibility of just flying away and actually think this through later had just left.

"So I... finally took your advice?" He said, landing in front of the man.

[relentlesstide]

One should never be surprised what sort of violence can come from Arthur's wife's mouth. Especially regarding the harming of a child. They've seen too many children's deaths, and it's a bit of a touchy point with Mera. Arthur manages to be a little more level-headed about things, though, at least when Black Manta isn't involved.

He's heading out when Kal lands in front of him, dressed for fishing and carrying his net and pole despite his current one-handedness. Arthur isn't going to let his injury keep him from providing for his family - they largely survive off the sea, even here, and Arthur sees no reason to purchase their food.

He just quirks one blond eyebrow at the hesitant comment. "It's about time. Did you realize you weren't going to let go of your guilt in there, or did Evandau kick you out?"

[andaway]

He avoids looking the net- he knows Arthur isn't cruel when he goes fishing, but he's glad he caught him going and not returning. The conversation will be hard enough as it is.

"The first one, but I think Evandau was about to not-so-calmly tell me the prison was not my personal hotel. Arthur, I-" And then he glances at the pole for entirely different reasons. Will he get angry if he apologizes? "I wanted to talk to you, all of you. Say I'm sorry."

[relentlesstide]

He can respect Kal's feelings about fishing and eating creatures that were once alive, but Atlanteans have a much more 'circle of life' sort of viewpoint. Not all of them can communicate with fish like Arthur but he can't let that make him go on a hunger strike. Still, he does set down the net and pole outside the front door until he's facing Kal with an empty hand.

As much as the thought of him near his family again sets that instinctive part of him on edge, he tamps it down to face this level-headedly. Or as level-headedly as possible. Ultimately, it's their choice if they do or do not want to see Kal and hear his apology. "Mera has already told you what will happen if you lay a finger on Kaldur'ahm? Friendly or no."

[andaway]

"Friendly o no." He repeats with a nod, even though the words had kind of stung. He'd known some people wouldn't be able to forgive, and that others would forgive but not forget. And he'd been ready for that, ready to accept it and move on with his life hoping one day they would.

Having the confirmation straight from a friend's mouth, a man he'd become closer during their time on the turtle... still hurts. But it's not like he can blame him, blame any of them.

"I will not touch him. Maybe it's better I talk to Mera first, then?"

[Closed] Jor-El

[andaway]

Having his father in this place made Kal revert to being a little kid, sometimes.

He usually was, in his own words, a bit of a manchild... but he also handled his own problems on his own, with little help from others. Even Lois had to push the right buttons sometimes, if she wanted to get straight answers from the man who liked to play Atlas and bear the entire weight of the world in his shoulders. There was a reason he had a Fortress of Solitude. He didn't know if that came because of his Kryptonian genes, his upbringing, or all of the above but he knew for sure he wasn't one to go running to someone for help.

But that apparently changed when Jor-El was involved, and the Kryptonian found the man in the bright colorful suit knocking on his door. At least he didn't have to hide to go visit his father, he could do it in all his Superman get up.

Re: [Closed] Jor-El

[lookedtothestars]

He had few visitors at his suite, and most were usually planned out ahead of time. This was not one of them. He hears the knock clearly- it would be impossible not to- and glances in the direction of the door, allowing his normal vision to fall away to reveal-

Kal-El.

Within the next instant he's set down what he's been working at and is at the door, opening it with much more conscious care than he would ordinarily give it to prevent it from being ripped from the frame entirely.

His eyes are warm with brightness and a smile- still small, as his usually were- is readily predrnt as he sets a hand on Kal-El's shoulder in greeting.

Kal-El has finally ended the prison sentence that was of his own making.

"Kal."

[andaway]

Kal ignores the hand in his shoulder and simply reaches to hug him tight. It's something he'd been waiting to do ever since Jor-El hugged him in prison, even if the bars had been in the way.

He knows he might be invading the man's personal space but he finds it hard to care about that, right now. "Hello, Father."

[lookedtothestars]

For his family, he will always overlook this form of invasion of his personal space. While he is far more reserved with regards to initiating this level of personal contact, he won't refuse it. He returns the embrace, before stepping away to allow Kal-El to enter.

"When did you decide to leave?"

[andaway]

"Today." It's the best answer he can give. If Jor was expecting some sort of explanation, of reasoning on why he decided to leave he isn't going to get any... because Kal himself isn't sure. He guesses he just woke up today and his brain had already made the decision for him, deciding it had been enough.

Or maybe everything people said to him finally went through his thick Kryptonian skull.

"I had to visit Lois first, and... someone I made a promise to. But I came to you as fast as I could."

Because an awkward "meeting" between Jor-El and Clark Kent was well overdue.

[lookedtothestars]

The markets in the city were something that still intrigued Jor-El, even this long after his initial arrival. He found that many of the foods available on Krypton had few counterparts available in Keeliai, but many of the basic staples were similar enough that only preparation was the main matter and difference.

The regular change and variation in the availability of produce due to season and location was something that hadn't been a concern on Krypton, and between that, the chaos present in the markets themselves, and the fact it was not an activity he took care of on Krypton meant that shopping for groceries was still largely a novel experience for him.

Sometimes, though, there were reminders that as interesting as the occasionally outright chaotic nature of any of the given marketplaces were, it was something that could easily get out of hand.

Such as today.

Whether it had been jarred or the weight of its load had proven to be too much of a stress he does not know (it was something he was curious about, on a basic intellectual level, but questioning it out loud wouldn't achieve anything except remind him of when he was young enough that he would've done so anyways to the exasperation of others) but it doesn't change the fact that there's a large heavily loaded stand of produce starting to collapse on one side a short distance away.

At the very least, doing nothing will inconvenience him more than making some kind of attempt.

In the next instant he's grabbing the edge that was closest, the legs having finally snapped the very moment before. A few of the topmost pieces of fruit have fallen, but better than the majority. It's nothing that will actually be an impediment later on.

He moves a set of nearby crates underneath until he is satisfied they will uphold the collapsed end's weight before stepping away, looking around and very accidentally meeting Kal-El's eyes.

Or to be more correct, those of Clark Kent.

It makes it significantly more difficult to return to his original task.

Aw yus

[andaway]

Not many people get the amount of work that seeing something like that about to happen and not doing anything about it implies. He would have found a way to help out without being found out (he always did), but it still made him wish he could just be... both Clark and Superman all the time.

Apparently something like that wasn't needed anymore, not with other Kryptonians around. Clark can't help a little smile when he sees the man has noticed him, coming closer as he watches the man secure the stand with the crates.

"You just avoided a big catastrophe, sir. Do you need any help?"

[lookedtothestars]

Perhaps. Unfortunately their people- or at least those of his Krypton- were rarely proactive when it came to potential (or inevitable) future problems.

Jor-El hadn't expected Kal-El to approach closer, or to speak to him. In retrospect, it was something that he would have found difficult to resist himself, even more so when he was younger.

"I don't, thank you. As for avoiding a catastrophe, it would not have been a very large one."

[andaway]

"Large or not, it could have been dangerous either way. We're lucky you were here, Mr-"

And then Clark tilted his head, as if trying to find why the face was familiar in some corner of his memory. Such a good actor. "You're Superman's father, aren't you sir? I have seen you on the network before."

[lookedtothestars]

Completely different- and yet not. More importantly, his choice of words set the path for what conversation would follow.

"You're correct. Unless I am mistaken, you're the reporter who does the radio broadcasts. I've spoken to your wife a few times due to her association with my son. She's mentioned you're frequently busy with what your work requires."

All technically true.

[Closed] Zatanna

[andaway]

Quite a bit of peolpe had visited Superman in prison, when they had had the chance. He guessed he couldn't blame them- it was intriguing, for some, to have a man who could have just walked out of jail decide to stay inside. Frustrating, for others, since it felt like a way to hide and flagelate himself, to make it all about Superman when it should have been about those who had been hurt or murdered.

(Or about plenty of other things- everyone had had their own problems inside the bottle, everyone had had their issues. Face things about themselves they didn't know.)

Others, however, had simply wanted to check on him and give Kal a helping hand. And among them there had been a girl who he somehow found himself gravitating towards since they ended on the turtle- he'd gotten along with the Zatanna back in their world, but it was... different with the Zatanna in the turtle. Probably because of the different ages, he could hardly play a parental role with someone who was around his age.

Kal was thinking about all the differences, both between the Zatannas and with his relationship with them when he knocked on the girl's window.

And yes, he was holding an apple pie with his other hand.

[backwordscompatible]

She could smell the freshly baked even before she had the window fully opened. Her mouth watered. Okay, yes, she was happy to see Superman as well, given their respective states the last time they'd spoken...but pie.

"Not that I'm complaining, but I'm pretty sure my birthday isn't for another two months." A warm smile greeted the older superhero, as she stepped back to welcome him inside. As with Jack or Korra, there would be nothing to stop him from passing through the Ward. He wouldn't even register its presence. "Finally let yourself out of jail, I see."

[andaway]

"What, me finally venturing to the world outside isn't good enough for a celebration?" He said with a gentle laugh, stepping inside. For all he theorized about an actual, honest to Rao allergy to magic when he crossed through the window he did indeed not feel the slightest trace of it. One day he would accept it just happened to affect him the same way it did everyone.

"I did, today. I thought you'd like getting the news in person, along with a nice slice of pie or two."

[backwordscompatible]

"Good point."

Already, she was leading him across the room and to the stairs. The kitchen, where she wondered if she had any vanilla ice cream or something to go with the pie.

"Congratulations. That's probably the best news I've heard all month."

It wasn't an exaggeration.

[andaway]

Superman followed her to the kitchen, already familiar with the suite from the times he'd visited his favorite magician in the turtle.

"Really? I was hoping something news-worthy had happened since your last visit in prison." He set the pie on the table, waiting for Zatanna to bring him something to slice the pie with. "I'm sorry it took so long, for me to get out I mean. I feel like I just made the matter worse, but I was so sure I was doing the right thing at the moment."

[shorttempered]

Mark happened to catch the blur of red and blue out of the corner of his eye as he attempted (unsuccessfully) to straighten up his bedroom. He was never the neatest of people, but having come back injured, he wound up being even more neglectful than usual, leaving nothing but piles of clothing, towels, and discarded wrappers in his wake. It took him a second (well, several seconds--he was still a little sore and didn't want to make anything worse) to change into his Invincible costume and take off out the window after him.

Mark flew up beside Superman slowly so he knew he was coming (because frankly, he forgot about the superhearing thing), and gave him his best smile.

"Did Evandau finally kick you out?"

[andaway]

Superman smiled when he heard the kid approaching, the distinct sounds his body made making it easy for Kal to tell who was approaching him. It was almost impossible to distinguish it from a human's heartbeat, but as soon as he got confirmation Mark happened to be Invincible it he couldn't just... unhear it.

"No, but I'm sure he would eventually have. I decide it was time to take a very smart young man's advice and stop making things more difficult for myself."

[shorttempered]

Mark couldn't hide his smirk. "Oh? What happened to being oh-so rational?" Sorry, he's still a jerk kid at the end of the day.

But seriously, he's glad to see Superman out and about again. He'd done his best to keep him from being alone with his thoughts, but he could only go and visit for so long each day. After the third attempt to goad him out, he finally gave up and just talked about what was going on over the networks and interesting things he had seen that day... with subtle suggestions that today should be the day to give up this stupid stupid idea and rejoin everyone else. Maybe it wasn't that subtle, Mark was never sure. He tried to be subtle?

Either way, Superman was finally out. And he said he was right. Awww yeah.

[andaway]

"I said I was rational, not that I never made mistakes." Superman rolled his eyes, but he couldn't keep the amusement out of them or the corners of his lips from twitching upwards. He was happy to be out, even though he knew from on it'd be an uphill battle with those he had hurt.

Which brought him to the second point. Even during all those visits, even after all Invincible had told him and all he'd tried to do to make him step out from that cell there was something Kal had never told him.

His smile melted from his face to adopt a more serious tone.

"Invincible... I'm sorry. For what I did to you."

[shorttempered]

"Oh, so you admit it was a mistake, then?" It was a struggle not to grin more. One of these days he'll officially be considered old enough to listen to. Maybe after today.

The apology makes the smile falls from his face entirely. Why was Superman apologizing? How many times has he told him already that he doesn't blame him for what happened? That he knew it wasn't him?

And then it hits him. It wasn't that Superman wasn't listening to him, it was that he needed to say it. For himself. It was a logic Mark couldn't argue with.

"I forgive you, Superman."

He only hoped that would give him a little bit of peace.