[Video]

[wherethestoryis]

[What is visible of the room is obviously in Earth Sector, both from the décor and from the view out of the large, open window over Lois’ shoulder. As for Lois herself, she’s still somewhat damp and visibly grumpy about it. Her sigh is explosive as she runs a hand through her hair.]

Kidnapping, fine. Another day in my life. Alternate universes? They’re not so much my thing. I try to leave that to the heroes. Murder and mayhem are plenty for headlines.

[Lois rolls her eyes as she says the latter. Despite the few sentences, she manages to convey even more information, even subconsciously: her face and tone are expressive. Exasperation, impatience, and the voice of experience shine through. So too does her underlying concern, though. She is absently twisting some hair around a finger. Her engagement and wedding rings glint as she does.]

Lois Lane, Daily Planet, if anyone’s heard of it.

The last time I ran into an alternate world, at least it was someone’s… misguided attempt at a paradise. Nice enough place, but even that ended in a fight. One day I’d like to get a freaking vacation with one of these things.

[Pause.]

So… are there any competent newspapers around this place?

[So much for wanting a vacation.]

Comments

video; 100% batcryptions

[cowled]

Yes.

[And we have a deviation from the playboy demeanour, his expression is now closer to the usual hyper-focused, 'I am Vengeance/The Night/Etc' deal.]

It's fine, Lois, she's with me.

video; 100% batcryptions

[wherethestoryis]

Good to know.

[Even Lois doesn't usually get to see that Bat-mode expression outside the cowl.]

My sources in Gotham can't keep straight who works independently. I should really get new ones.

video; 100% batcryptions

[cowled]

[A Look.]

Is that a hint?

video; 100% batcryptions

[wherethestoryis]

If you'd rather I prove I don't need to make the hint, I'm happy to.

[She grins. Never let it be said she isn't arrogant.]

video; 100% batcryptions

[cowled]

Is that so.

[His tone is so very wry. Arrogance is a door that swings both ways, here. And while Lois is every inch the reporter that Vicki is, she doesn't have the same history that lead Vicki to learning his secrets. And Bruce gets a touch territorial about his secrets.

Still. This is Lois, and despite his knee-jerk reaction to having someone imply they can just ferret out vital information, he trusts her. If he's being perfectly honest, he probably trusts her more than any other non-League individual he didn't handpick for his line of work. Part of that, of course, is the measure of reliance he has on Clark.

But part of it's because Lois has proven herself. Maybe in less sturm und drang than your average vigilante, but she has earned his esteem in other ways.

He sighs. It's a... tolerant sound, all things considered.]

Tell Kent I'd like to speak with him later.

[He raises an eyebrow.]

And Lois? Welcome to Keeliai.

video; 100% batcryptions

[wherethestoryis]

[Lois looks visibly surprised for a moment. After all, this is Bruce; more to the point, this is Batman. Somehow, despite his having a larger adoptive family than Clark has ever had, she always finds the insular nature of the Gothamites striking. Bruce himself?

Fond as she is of him, he's compulsively paranoid. Justifiably, true, but nonetheless. And for all that she knows some of the most sensitive identities, for all that she shares Superman's life, she's still a civilian.

Knowing that as she does, though, she feels the weight of that trust.

Then again, she trusts Bruce with Clark's life. He's earned it, maybe more than anyone outside herself and Martha.

After a moment she nods, smiling sincerely.]

I will. Thanks, Bruce.

video; 100% batcryptions

[cowled]

Mm. Once you've had a chance to settle, come see me about some coffee.

[They've got some catching up to do. If nothing else, he'll tell her about Damian.]

video; 100% batcryptions

[wherethestoryis]

Will do. You get to buy.

['Get to.' She can't help it.]

video; 100% batcryptions

[cowled]

[It's a rare woman that can stand up to both Superman and Batman. Bruce's expression is dangerously close to a smile.]

Hn.

[Of course he'd buy the coffee what sort of barbarian do you think he is, Lois, honestly.]