tushanshu | [video]

[video]

[When the video opens on Bruce, much of his 'friendly neighborhood playboy' demeanour is muted. He looks a little more serious than normal, though his tone and expression remain congenial enough.]

As some of you may have noticed, passports have been delivered to our suites. It's very likely that these herald another landfall, and given the fact that our population is significantly increased from what it was in November, I'd like to warn people about what we might encounter.

[Attached is a file, landfall.doc. It contains things like details on the llothi, the mausoleum, the ruins, the temperature, sorts of plants found, soil samples, etc.]

You have Miranda Lawson to thank for those. Sadly, she's no longer among us, but I doubt she'd want her research to go to waste.

[A slight pause, barely notable before he continues.]

And that brings me to my second point of business. At one time, a foreigner was keeping a list of people we might be looking for in the event that they arrive. However, I think it's past due we started a compilation of the names of those that have left us. Since disappearing from this place seems an almost instantaneous process, it could be weeks or even months before we become aware of some people's departure, and I believe that process is best expedited for everyone's sake. Most recently, at least to my knowledge, we've lost Miranda Lawson, Favrielle nό Eglantine and Lina Inverse.

[Not mentioning Jason Todd? Not mentioning Jason Todd.]

I'd appreciate any other names you might have.

Additionally, given the current state of Keeliai, I think it's an opportune time to rekindle the idea for a Foreigner-lead council. Councilman Tarrlok, a word to that effect? I think an elected representative from each Sector would be a good place to start.

And if there is anyone well-suited to the role, I'm happy to hold nominations.

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[After realizing his home console has essentially marked his place as "Invincible's Suite," Mark decided to pay a visit to a cafe to show his unmasked face on the network.] While I'm not saying a foreign-lead council is a bad idea... would the Kedan be okay with something like that? I mean, from what I've heard, tension is pretty high. Would creating a council make anything worse?

...I'm too new to really help on that first part, but I'll keep an eye out.

I'm hoping it might ease some of that tension, politically speaking. If we have a unified political body, we may be able to broker possible peace treaties or suchnot. As long as we can make it clear we'd rather cooperate than not.

And thank you. I don't believe we've met, I'm Bruce Wayne.

[Mark nods.] I'm just worried they might think we're trying to take over, though I know that's not your intention. [Thanks, Viltrumites, for making him weary of any potentially nice gesture.]

I'm Mark Grayson. Nice to meet you, Mr. Wayne.

There are nearly sixty thousand of them. I don't think that a population of a hundred or so could take over, frankly.

[-- Grayson.

He wasn't expecting that surname, and it felt a little like being punched in the gut.]

You too, Mark. You're new here, I guess?

You'd be surprised. [How to phrase this? Mark knew that everyone on his Earth knew what happened between him and his father, but he's way too close to this. Maybe this was a bad day to go out as Mark. If only he could throw his fellow Viltrumites under the bus instead of his dad, but the average person didn't know about the Viltrumite Empire.] Where I come from, there was a superhero named Omni-Man. He was an alien, but we thought he was one of the good guys, so it was all right. Then one day he killed the Guardians of the Globe and tried to take over the world. We have a lot of superheroes, really strong ones, but he probably would have succeeded if his son hadn't stopped him... even then they killed thousands and destroyed several cities in the process. And that was just one man. I can only imagine what 100 of him here would be like.

[It's (probably) a coincidence, really!] Yeah. That obvious?

[Oh, Mark. There are stories you don't want to tell Batman and there are stories you don't want to tell Batman. Bruce merely raises an eyebrow, looking 'shocked' at the nature of his little monologue.]

That sounds... a little unpleasant. Point taken. Still, I'm not sure we have anyone like that here. At least yet.

[He's so blithe.]

When you've been here as long as I have, you tend to pick up on it a little easier.

[Oh he'll probably regret this later once he figures this out, but for now he just thinks he's making really personal) conversation.

Mark bites the inside of his lip. Technically he could be, but he'd never.] That's true. I hope not, anyway.

I guess you know everyone, Mr. Wayne?

Not everyone. But I've been here long enough that I've chatted a time or two with most of our 'foreign' residents. Why do you ask?

No reason. [Actually...] Uh, is... has... there ever been a redhead here? About 20, goes by Eve?

[He makes a show of thinking about it, idly leaning back in his chair and running a hand over his jaw in thought.]

I can't say I recognize the name or description. I don't suppose she would have had a reason to go 'undercover', would she?

[The quotation marks around that word are almost audible, as if he's only ever heard the term crop up in spy movies and the vain rambles of conspiracy theorists.]

[God damn it, Bruce, he's not a paranoid bat like you. He trusts people (sort of).]

U... Undercover? My girlfriend isn't a film noir detective, cop, or action hero, no. [...Maybe she was that last one a little bit, depending on your definition of action hero.]

[He laughs!]

I've found you can never be too sure, given some of the characters we've seen in the past few months. Then no, I'm sorry. I don't believe she's been here. I can keep an eye out, though, if that would help set your mind at ease.

Seriously? Who the hell is on this turtle that you have to ask someone if their girlfriend is a spy?

And no, thanks. Well, yeah, I guess if you can, thanks. I'm just glad she didn't have to deal with this. [You know, when she briefly died and all. Also, he hopes his ~~pregnant~~ girlfriend doesn't show up. He loves her, but he'd rather her not get stuck here.]

Have you met some of the so-called 'superheroes' here? It's all very charming and a little surreal. I think ninja are next on the menu, personally.

[He rubs his index finger along his browbone.]

That's altruistic of you. She might argue it's not up to you to make that decision, though.

I can't say I have. We have superheroes back home too, but I wouldn't think any of them were that...surreal. I dunno, I've been around it so long I don't even notice anymore. [Growing up with one as your dad will do that to you.]

Never seen ninja, though. And yes, I'm aware of how easy of a joke I just set up, don't go there.

[At that Mark bites his lip. He had just meant he was glad she hadn't come here when she...] She might argue a lot of things. She's a smart girl who is more than capable of taking care of herself. Heck, she'd be handling this much better than I am right now. But I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy, and that's all I meant by that.

I've met a few back home, but it never gets any less 'surreal' - that's a good word for it.

[Pretending to be starstruck by Superman? You bet.]

I understand. Frankly, neither would I.

[Mostly because it would mean having nearly sixty thousand people trapped alone on an island with the Joker, unchecked. No thank you.]

[At least his arch enemy only hates him. Mark was moderately certain that if Angstrom Levy got stranded here, the only thing he would do was try to come up with some evil plan to use the turtle to make Mark's life miserable.]

What about you, Mr. Wayne? Is there anyone you'd like me to keep an eye out for? Fair's fair.

[The offer honestly surprises him, and it's evident on the briefly unguarded look on his face. This boy has more in common with Dick than just a surname.]

I--

[Jason Todd. Selina Kyle. Diana of Themyscira. Even Talia. A muscle jumps in his jaw.]

Honestly, as strange as it sounds the majority of people I'm close to are already here. But thank you.

[What the...? Mark could tell something about the other man changed, but for the life of him couldn't figure out what.]

I'm sorry. [A beat.] That you're all stranded here, I mean.

[He makes a careless gesture with one hand.]

You're here now too, don't forget.

Heh, yeah... Right.

[He smiles a little.]

Feel free to contact me if you need anything in the future, Mark.

Thanks Mr. Wayne. You too.

Good luck with your government committee.

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