#D32F2F

[girod]

[ 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]

Comments

[bittybat]

I don't think there's any manipulation. It gives us goals, but no deadline, no demands. I won't say it isn't severe in its punishments. [His frown deepens, but he hides it behind the cup as he takes a drink of the tea.] We're in a Skinner box. We're the rats.

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?

[girod]

I'm aware of them.

[ 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.

[bittybat]

I think you're underestimating just how intelligent sentient worlds can be, Kent.

[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... ]

[girod]

I'm not underestimating anything.

[ 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.

[bittybat]

So you think the world is sentient, but running on instinctual triggers. [It's not a question. If he reminds Clark of a grumpy Bruce it's because... he is a grumpy, mini Bruce.] Fine. But then where do the quests come from? How are they chosen? From a database? How does the database of quests correlate with what the world spawns or manipulates?

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.

[girod]

I think the world has desires, rules and methods to its madness. I think it needs people, and I think there's a symbiotic relationship between the people who live here and the world itself.

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.

[bittybat]

[Ughhh. Spoken just like a Kent. Damian rolls his eyes very gently, but it's not done viciously or rudely. He's exasperated, and it just means he can't disagree with what Clark has said.]

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.]

[girod]

[ Clark lets him lift his head before he answers back.]

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. ]

[bittybat]

[Clark gets a shake of Damian's head, refusal, and then he glances into the top of the cup at the half bit of tea left.] It wasn't bad. [To explain that he is simply full rather than disgusted by Clark's liquid-y work.]

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.

[girod]

[ He bows his head in thanks for the compliment. 'It wasn't bad' is still rather nice, in his book.

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.

[bittybat]

[The groan is weak and half-assed, but Damian gives it anyway at the mention of teamwork. His least favorite pastime. Real rich coming from someone, you know, leading a team!! Having to work together with another boy frequently!!

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.

[girod]

I wasn't planning on it but there are enough fairy tales where that's a solution...

[ 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.

[bittybat]

[LOOK, just because he's sarcastic like his dad doesn't mean he deserves trolling!!]

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?

[girod]

[ That sounds a lot like 'that's exactly why he deserves trolling'. Have you SEEN how he is with your father, Damien? ]

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.

[bittybat]

[Damian doesn't say anything for a long moment, even if he's still looking back at Clark. Searching maybe. It seems like he's introspecting with this advice, if briefly.] Heh.

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.

[girod]

I won't.

[ He'll just start cleaning up, putting the cups away afterwards and stashing the rest of the cookies.]

Have a good day, Damien.