[Video]

[andaway]

[When the feed comes up Clark is fiddling with the ring in his finger, smiling at the camera. He's obviously looking rather nervous- and it's not posing for his persona, he really does hate talking to crowds when he can't see them. Talking to the computer feels weird.

There's a reason he would rather give speeches than interviews.]

So, I have been thinking. [He reaches to massage the back of his neck, sighing before he speaks again. It's clear he isn't sure about what he's going to say. He simply doesn't know if enough people will be interested.] I was a reporter back home- I've told some of you about this already. It was my job, and I liked it. But apart from that... it was useful. It was a way to get the information out, to make sure people knew what they needed to and were... prepared, aware of the world around them.

As far as I have seen, there isn't anything like that in this place. And I think it could be an useful tool for us- for the foreigners. We could get to know this place better, post articles about how to stay safe, slowly inform of what we get to know about the Kedan and their Emperor, about the turtle...

It wouldn't be printed in paper, of course. We don't have the resources for that. But a simple newspaper over the network... well, I think that could work.

[A smile.]

So... who would be interested in helping me with this little project?

Comments

[video]

[cowled]

[Bruce's expression is an interesting blend of 'no' and 'why would you ever' and 'sigh, Clark'. It's equal parts fondness and frustration and sheer exasperation. Primarily it's a Bruce expression. But there's a little bit of Batman there as well, mostly around the eyes.]

Haven't found anything better to do with your time, Kent? No livestock that need rescuing?

[... also this is his first post on the network as Bruce Wayne and not Devin Craig, which means it's straight from his home console. Don't you feel special.]

[usavatar]

[GUESS WHAT CLARK Steve was going to talk with his people about involvement first and then he saw Bruce's response.]

I'd be happy to help, though I won't be much assistance as far as the... 'publishing' is concerned.

[video]

[andaway]

[And Clark's expression back to him is equal parts of 'I do what I want' and 'You are so lucky this is over the network'. He can read all these emotions on him- what kind of friend would he be if he couldn't. But it's very hard for him to swallow the Bruce persona. He didn't like him when he met him, he doesn't like to think his friend lowers himself to that.]

Better than trying to gather people together to create a network of information? No, I haven't. And I did promise that interview to you.

[andaway]

[You're a true friend Steve. If only he could tell you about the secret identity thing...]

I'm sure we could use your help as far as ways to keep safe and how to act in a fight goes. And I'm sure if you wanted to help in any way else than publishing it would still be useful.

[video]

[cowled]

[He waves a dismissive hand.]

You reporters and your 'information'.

[Okay, that's said with some genuine annoyance to his tone. He hasn't had much care for the media since he was chased by photogs as a newly-orphaned millionaire. It was the first time he'd ever seen Alfred well and truly angry. Also the first time he learned that the man had learned fisticuffs in England.]

So what sort of budget are we looking at, here?

[You know he'll fund the damn thing. Even if it's published digitally, there's going to be some expense, whether it's wages, travel expenses-- etc.]

text;

[inhisherosimage]

Never given much thought to joining the school newspaper, but there isn't really much else to do here.

What kind of things did you need help with?

[ video ]

[sciencewhizard]

[ Have a teenage speedster in his civies, eagerly grinning, cause HEY familiar name and face. ]

Heeeeyyyy, Mr. Kent! I don't know you personally, but I've heard your name from my Uncle. Says you're a pretty decent reporter.

[ Of course, he doesn't know the link between Clark and Superman on his world. ]

I think a newspaper's a pretty great idea.

video;

[stickshift]

I think this is a wonderful idea! It's Mister Kent, right?

[Yeah she went back through the Network to check. Itty bitty bat in training? Maybe just a little. But unlike so many of them, she's smiling - and brightly.]

I'm not much of a writer, but if you were interested in technical manifestos of the local mechanical engineering, I could probably try that? What do you think?

[video]

[sharpes]

Ever think of running a 'How To Catch a Predator' exposé?

[HE STILL HASN'T FORGOTTEN THAT, CLARK, SORRY.]

[video]

[andaway]

[He was about to reply back at him, keep with their banter. Not all the reporters are glory hounds like that and Clark would have smashed those who bothered a little traumatized guy who had just lost his parents to the ground himself had be been there. That's not what this job is supposed to be about, and it's one of the things that make Clark truly angry.

But then Bruce asks about money and that kind of throws him off.]

I- uh- no idea? I hadn't considered it. I simply wanted to see if it was a viable option first.

text;

[andaway]

[Text. It's the first time Clark has seen it used over the network- not that he minds, but it makes it clear the person behind the screen has something to hide.]

Only if you wish to help. I simply need more people to gather information for me, I can't really cover it all.

Plus other people will be a better to choice when it comes to certain I know little about.

[ video ]

[andaway]

[Give him a few seconds to react, Wally. He already knew thanks to Kon people could be brought from very, very early points in the timestream but...

But Wally is just a kid? And he doesn't know him? This isn't going to be easy to swallow.

And yes, those freckles are easy to recognize no matter the multiverse. So is the quick quick quick heartbeat that all the speedsters have.]

Your uncle wouldn't happen to be from Central City, would he? I think I... recall you from some pictures he shared once.

video;

[andaway]

[He blinks at her knowing his name, a little surprising- but then again, the network is public. Smart girl.]

Really? That'd be extremely useful, I'm sure some people are having trouble adapting to their kind of technology.

Not to mention some don't even know what technology is to begin with.

[video]

[andaway]

Striker.

[You're kinda hard to forget even without his perfect recall,Brandon.] I'm assuming that's your way of saying you aren't interested in this?

video;

[stickshift]

Then I'd love to. I'm Asami-- Asami Sato. It's great to meet you.

[video]

[sharpes]

Not even if you paid me, man.

[ video ]

[sciencewhizard]

Yep, good ol' Uncle Barry, haha.

[ What was with this place? First he meets Bruce Wayne and then Clark Kent? Not that he was complaining, but he was hoping more for other heroes when he thought of "familiar faces." ]

Never thought he'd go off showing my picture, geeze... Kinda embarrassing.

video;

[tasteforpoison]

[They don't have newspapers and reporters in Ixia. She's used to hearing about things via word-of-mouth since the Commander militarized the territory. People know what they need to know, when they need to know, and information is its own currency.

She can't say that this approach doesn't sound like it would benefit them as a group...]

What kind of help would you need?

text;

[inhisherosimage]

Well, like I said, not much else to do around here.

I'm pretty good at gathering information, so I can certainly help with that.

→ video

[controlledvariable]

I'd like to help. I've never really done any journalism work before, but I'm a fast learner, and a half decent writer.

[At least in the technical sense, she's had the skills drilled into her from writing reports as Robin, and she's getting a B+ average on essays at college.

She also trusts Clark to understand that this should be their first conversation, since Steph is playing at being from a regular world]

[video]

[cowled]

Generally, the reaction to a billionaire offering to fund your endeavours shouldn't be 'I hadn't considered it'.

[He rolls his eyes.]

Do consider it, Kent, and get back to me with some figures. The sooner the better, this offer isn't on the table indefinitely. And I'll expect a cut of the profits.

video;

[andaway]

Asami, that's a pretty name. You understand about technology then?

Video

[wholenewstory]

I...could help.

Not - with writing. [She looks a bit disappointed about that, just for a moment.] But - finding the truth.

[She'd helped with that, when she first came to Gotham. Protected people as they carried precious information to Oracle. Now she can deliver it herself.]

[video]

[andaway]

You're the second person who's talked to me about money when I hadn't even thought of it, shows how much of a farmer boy I am.

But it's a pity because I could use a teenager point of view in the articles.

[ video ]

[andaway]

You can't blame him, he was very proud of you. Still is.

[The last part is added in a rush. Timelines with the Flashes and Kid-Flash are... complicated, and he dosen't want to risk it.] It's a pleasure to meet you either way.

And you say you'd like to help?