![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
#D32F2F
[ He wants to address the losses. He wants to do something about them, but the guilt of them still eats into him: he'd been a wolf at the time, dangerous in a violent situation, and he'd been doing his best not to become a danger.
The problem with Superman as a violent beast is that he is more than well aware of exactly how fast and deadly he'd be without the mental barriers he puts in place not to be a danger. And keeping that from being unleashed on the town had been his priority.
But it still stings. All the same-]
I won't say much about everything that happened over the last few days. That said, I'd like to thank any and everyone who assisted in making and distributing the cure. As well as those who did all they could to defend the town. Suffice to say, you have my thanks and appreciation.
But as always, there's more to do so hopefully, here is where I can do my part.
It took a bit of processing, but I've managed to make some passable (if flavorless) toothpaste, washing soap for doing laundry, and soaks for strained of aching muscles.
For those who help medically and for those who are involved in our farming efforts, I'm happy to provide access to the rest of my store of epsom salts, and anyone is welcome to some of the baking soda if they need it. There are limited amounts [ because both had involved a somewhat complicated chemical process that he'd managed using some hastily welded pots and pans scavenged from where he could find them, minerals found in the ground with his senses, heat and processing and pressure provided by his own eyes and hands... ] but I'm happy to give what I have to our efforts.
I was also looking at the possibility of introducing some sort of running water to the town, perhaps utilizing a water tower to produce the pressure necessary. Nothing as complex as what we're used to, no doubt, but maybe we can make it a little less difficult to get water for people.
And last but not least, I'm going to do soap classes, spinning classes, and weaving classes on [ insert appropriate time and date here ] but let me know if you can't make it and we'll work something out.
Hopefully, tomorrow will be brighter.
Sincerely,
Clark Kent
[ooc: please assume if he promises you something, it'll get delivered to your house (or would have been delivered to your house if you asked for soap) unless you want to play it out]
The problem with Superman as a violent beast is that he is more than well aware of exactly how fast and deadly he'd be without the mental barriers he puts in place not to be a danger. And keeping that from being unleashed on the town had been his priority.
But it still stings. All the same-]
I won't say much about everything that happened over the last few days. That said, I'd like to thank any and everyone who assisted in making and distributing the cure. As well as those who did all they could to defend the town. Suffice to say, you have my thanks and appreciation.
But as always, there's more to do so hopefully, here is where I can do my part.
It took a bit of processing, but I've managed to make some passable (if flavorless) toothpaste, washing soap for doing laundry, and soaks for strained of aching muscles.
For those who help medically and for those who are involved in our farming efforts, I'm happy to provide access to the rest of my store of epsom salts, and anyone is welcome to some of the baking soda if they need it. There are limited amounts [ because both had involved a somewhat complicated chemical process that he'd managed using some hastily welded pots and pans scavenged from where he could find them, minerals found in the ground with his senses, heat and processing and pressure provided by his own eyes and hands... ] but I'm happy to give what I have to our efforts.
I was also looking at the possibility of introducing some sort of running water to the town, perhaps utilizing a water tower to produce the pressure necessary. Nothing as complex as what we're used to, no doubt, but maybe we can make it a little less difficult to get water for people.
And last but not least, I'm going to do soap classes, spinning classes, and weaving classes on [ insert appropriate time and date here ] but let me know if you can't make it and we'll work something out.
Hopefully, tomorrow will be brighter.
Sincerely,
Clark Kent
[ooc: please assume if he promises you something, it'll get delivered to your house (or would have been delivered to your house if you asked for soap) unless you want to play it out]
no subject
[ It's an easy way to start out. ]
And I'm worried about what might be going on at home while we're here. I'm concerned about those who might miss me right back, and about those who might see my absence as an opportunity.
[ To be perfectly frank. ]
I'm not a fan of magic in general, but it's something that's a daily part of life here by necessity. And while I don't mind the number of children and young adults who seem to have shown up here in theory, it concerns me that this place chose to take so many of them. Why it would. After all, any number of stories involve children who wander into strange worlds.
no subject
Even at thirteen, there's been worry about what is happening back home. There are people he misses despite his father being here.]
Fairy tales are always read to children. In a lot of them, children are the protagonists or the focus. Even in epics such as the Illiad, characters were young. Maybe it's all the town knows.
no subject
Sometimes, the image of firm, cheerful optimism doesn't help everyone. Clark's had to learn that a few times over, to be honest.
He shakes his head a little at the hypothesis, though. Gentle, but firm.]
Many, but not all. And stories like what we consider 'fairy tales' and folklore haven't always been just for children. There's significant oral history, religious parables, social instructions, safety lessons, and even explanations for scientific phenomena to be found scattered throughout the stories of various cultures.
[ He's going to show himself as a little less naive than some might think but- ]
I'm more concerned it took younger people because it believes it can train them better. Mold them more completely.
no subject
You can. Train children easier.
[Slowly, his gaze moves to Clark's own, and he doesn't look away. World's Greatest Detective isn't needed to figure out how he knows that in such a certain way.]
Based solely on the data that has been gathered so far, I don't think it's trying to make child soldiers at least. Even the quests that ask for battle are related to mythology; fighting jorogumo, dispatching the Bogeyman. The conditions of others are mostly philosophy, intangible. Moral. Or "lesson" based.
Cleaning, restoring writing, giving, sharing, resisting temptation, being positive. Working together.
Perhaps the town knows children are the only ones who can accomplish those tasks because they haven't already been groomed to be discriminate against others like some adults.
no subject
Children are also more open minded. They can accept things like strange magical worlds where the color exists selectively a lot easier than most adults can. Most adults.
[ He sips at his tea and lets that settle for a moment. His father and Clark are both used to having a much more elastic understanding of the bounds of reality than most. The other adults he's encountered seem to be about the same.]
I agree with you: I don't think this place wants soldiers.
I think it would be premature to assume anything so... manipulative. The kind of magic that exists here seems almost primal in its understanding of morality and narrative. And trying to assign motives to something so... well, alien, might not be the wisest idea.
no subject
We search for food, safety, color through the quests. When we accomplish the tasks, we're rewarded. When we do something the town doesn't like, we're "shocked."
Did Father discuss Elizabeth and her portals with you?
no subject
[ Had Bruce mentioned it yet? No. Is Clark aware of them because he'd had one heart-stopping (literally) moment where he'd thought Bruce was dead? Absofrigginlutely. ]
But I don't think we're in a Skinner box. That's still assuming more consciousness than I believe this place has.
no subject
[Your son and him went on one, okay!! It tried to kill them!! It talked to them!! They had to Save the Day!! But he can't tell Kent any of this right now, he doesn't think, because Kent won't understand. They'll tell Kent over breakfast when it happens. Uh, back home.]
Elizabeth can manufacture wormholes in space-time. All it shows is another town rather than other planes she claims to be able to open. We can't go through them. I tried.
The town punished me for it.
[And... Bruce and Elizabeth, but Damian doesn't want to mention that to Clark... ]
no subject
[ Which he makes sure to keep mild. ]
Though I did, perhaps, misspeak. I think you're assuming more consciousness in regards to our treatment than I believe this place is putting into things.
[ He takes up one of the cookies. ]
What you're assigning as punishment may just be a function of this world, an automatic response triggered by your actions. After all, it's clear enough that this world itself works on a system of punishment and reward.
no subject
We're being tested on, what? Moral merits? "Do a thing, get a reward."
This all isn't a test to see what we will do; otherwise, we would never be punished period. It isn't about good or evil either. Bad joke aside, that's too black and white.
no subject
Whether it's entirely sentient, whether it's a manufactured world or some strange corner of the universe, what we're being tested on and what it wants-
[ He takes a long sip.]
I'm not sure. Because I think the sample size is too small, so far, to make any definitive conclusions. Not when we're dealing with something as alien in understanding as this is. We have to be careful not to impose our own biases, suspicions, and presuppositions on what we're observing.
And take care that we don't rush to answers just because we want them so badly.
no subject
Yes. I love waiting for some unnamed horror to rise up unexpectedly and demolish a quarter of our populace much like the Bogeyman did.
[Sometimes, he's an eighty year old, straight-laced heir to the Batman mantle and Wayne Enterprises. He's focused forward, shoulders and back rigid, lips twisted. Other times, he's a thirteen year old, Tired boy, and so his head thwacks when he drops it down against the wood of the table beside the cup.
For a long time, he stays this way without saying anything, and then he finally picks his head up, leans back.]
no subject
I wish we had easy answers too. Unfortunately, when it comes to magic, easy answers tend to turn out to be the wrong ones.
[ He finishes his tea and goes to pour for himself before lifting the pot in offer to Damian. ]
no subject
Magic is the most asinine and insufferable concept to ever come into existence.
[He frowns at the cup then frowns at Clark when he glances up again.]
If this entire place has captured us on the premise we need to color everything, we'll never succeed. It's literally impossible. As soon as someone vanishes like some have already done, color disappears. We won't be able to keep people from disappearing, and, thus, we won't be able to keep the world completely colored.
no subject
The huff and his nod afterwards is agreement on magic. He hates magic. He might like plenty of magic users (or a few of them, anyway) but he can't stand the stuff otherwise). But in regards to their task... ]
I wouldn't say it's impossible, [ nothing is, really, says the guy who's come back from death ] but it's certainly going to require a lot of work. And perhaps an even greater amount of teamwork.
no subject
In one, long drink, he slowly downs the rest of the tea. Barbaric, yet necessary. He doesn't want to waste it. Then he sidles away from the table.] I'm going before you tell me we're all going to have to kiss to get back home.
[At the door, he glances back.] Thanks for the tea, I guess.
If you start working on a water supply, keep me informed.
no subject
[ Sorry, Batnephew. Or birdnephew. Flying-creature-nephew... but deep sarcasm activates his vague urge to troll you a little. ]
And I promise to do so, of course. Though I should thank you. For coming by and listening for a while.
no subject
I don't understand how you can have any fears, knowing who you are. [Also, he's a child. Being an almost immortal, impenetrable, superpowered alien means No Fear, right?] What do you really have to be afraid of?
no subject
Fear is about more than just 'what you can survive'. [ Clark's gone and seen and done a crazy amount of things, up to and including communing with the Source at least once. And yet- ]
And it's healthy to have, to a certain extent. It helps you to prioritize the important things in life. What really means something to you.
no subject
I guess you're not wrong. [His way of actually saying Clark is probably right. The Kryptonian gets a flick of a wave over the shoulder as he continues out the door.] Bye, Kent.
Don't forget.
no subject
[ He'll just start cleaning up, putting the cups away afterwards and stashing the rest of the cookies.]
Have a good day, Damien.