[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

[andaway]

[He lets his nose bury on her hair. He missed her smell.]

I should have heard your heartbeat when you arrived, I'm sorry. Have you been told about this place already? What it is, how we ended here...?

[wherethestoryis]

We've talked about this. The super-wiretap doesn't need to be tuned to my frequency twenty-four-seven.

[Despite rolling her eyes, she sounds amused rather than nettled.] Mostly what I assume is the standard Reader's Digest introduction.

[andaway]

Doesn't need to isn't the same as it can't, or shouldn't. But that doesn't matter now, I'm here.

[He pulls away from her, but only enough to be able to look at her.] You know this place isn't safe in certain sectors then. You're not in the most dangerous one, but I'd still be more comfortable if you lived with me in the Water sector.

I'm not going to tell you where to live, of course. [But she should know that whenever she ends he'll fly to her bed every night.]

[wherethestoryis]

And that's different from Metropolis how? I'd like to see you try. [She raises her eyebrows. He's in overprotective mode again. It makes her feel treasured, but he can also go a little far.]

I guess it's not really their fault for putting me somewhere else. They probably couldn't have known we're married. Where'd they stick you? I mean, what floor and building.

[andaway]

[He really tries, he knows being overprotective of her does no good but he's seen her hurt, kidnapped or things of the sort enough times to get worried. But she can deal with it and he knows it... so he tries.]

WA-1A. It's a simple one, but I don't really need much more. And I don't think the Emperor even knows about- [He motions to the S-shield] so it wouldn't surprise me. She's at fault that we're here, but she has little control over it as far as we know.

[wherethestoryis]

You wouldn't, farm boy. [She hums thoughtfully for a moment.] Well, we could always check out both, see which we like better. I mean, on the one hand, no stairs, on the other...

[Waving at the open, above-ground-level window, she can't help her smile as she looks up at him.] There's something to be said for tradition.

She doesn't? So it's probably not some 'let's get the superhero in a trap' thing?

[andaway]

I think it is, in a way. The summoning spell was meant to bring protectors here, so it did. You'd be surprised about how many heroes I have met, even from other worlds. Most of the people here are.

[Implying Lois is a protector and a hero as well. It's really no a secret that she's saved his ass plenty of times (and other people's, too) so he has no trouble at all with it.] But the Emperor herself isn't omnipotent, so she doesn't know. B gave me that idea.

And speaking of traditions... [He grins and holds out a hand] I wouldn't mind giving you a lift, Miss Lane.

[wherethestoryis]

I'm not sure whether to be comforted or disturbed to know that our karma is universal.

[Beat.]

Multiuniversal. Interuniversal? [Always the wordsmith. She doesn't really notice his implication, not consciously. She sees herself as his support, and that's enough for her.] He would make sure to find out about that, wouldn't he? But at least we know.

[She grins back, taking his hand and stepping closer.] How can I resist such a gracious offer from the Man of Steel?

[andaway]

[He wraps an arm around her easily, they have done this so many times the posture just comes naturally to him. He's carried people before, but no one fits in his arms the way his wife does.

And off they go, minding the window. He's glad she left it open- he guesses she must have known he'd appear sooner or later.]

If you have any more specific questions I can try to answer, but basically you know as much as I knew when I first got here now. I've been meaning to get together a newspaper to make sure everybody has easy access to this kind of information.

[That he would like her help is left unsaid, he knows she'll tell him if she wants to join.]

[wherethestoryis]

[Being in his arms never gets old. With a city spread out beneath them (even if it isn't as brilliant as Metropolis), she feels a kind of freedom unlike any other.

She closes her eyes for a moment, just relishing the warmth of his arms contrasting the breeze from flight.]

Great minds, Smallville. If you hadn't, I would have. We don't have photography here though, do we?

[After a moment, she tilts her head.] How long have you been here?

[andaway]

[He tilts her head at her second question. He's not really rushing to get to his apartment, he's enjoying the ride.] I have been here for- around two weeks? A little less. Not long. I was told time stopped back at home while we were here though.

[So he simply assumed Lois hadn't even been aware he was gone, because in fact he wasn't.]

And no, there aren't any as far as I know. I'm sure someone would be able to manage an improvised one, but maybe it would be better to work with the video technology we have available?

[wherethestoryis]

[Even if Lois had a feel for how long it should take to get from her apartment to his, it wouldn't matter. They don't get enough time to enjoy leisurely flights.] At least we won't have to make up lame excuses.

[Wrinkling her nose a little with distaste, she nods reluctantly.]

They're just a little inconveniently stationary. Maybe one of the others can sketch? It would be very 18th century pamphlet, but considering most of the tech around here, we'd fit right in.

omg so slow on tags sorry

[andaway]

Sketch?

[Now that's something he hadn't even considered, but it could be even fun.] It's not a bad idea. It's not bad at all.

Maybe we should ask if someone would be up to it. We'd have to find somebody able to draw without being biased.

don't worry, some weeks get slow

[wherethestoryis]

I wouldn't have had it if it were a bad idea. [Lies.]

But yes, let's ask. Someone's got to have a hobby.

[Her smile is wry.] Without being unfair, you mean. Bias is part of us--even if we journalists try to deny it.

<3

[andaway]

[That gets a startled laugh out of him. It's only been a little less than two weeks, but he'd already missed these little things about her like crazy.]

My bad for doubting you. And sometimes I forget how cynical you are. [But he can't deny it, he can try to be as unbiased as he wants when he writes but he's still human. Sort of.

He couldn't make the flight last forever even if he had wanted to, so soon they get close to his suite.] Ready to a little speed to sneak using the window?

[wherethestoryis]

[She grins at him, one eyebrow raised.] Isn't your memory supposed to be better than that, Smallville?

Besides, one of us needs to keep some perspective.

[With a sigh, she nods and lays her head on his shoulder again.] I miss skyscrapers already.

[andaway]

I guess not all of us can be born and raised in the big city.

[And there they go, flying fast enough to not be seen but not fast enough to make Lois feel sick. Once inside he lands gently in the middle of the living room.

It's a nice building, pretty and adorned with the typical water-thematic things the water sector has. It just has one floor, but it's still big enough to be comfortable. And Clark has never needed much more anyway. There's a little fountain to decorate the place, and Lois will find the bath is big like a swimming pool if she checks the bathroom?]

Well, here we are.

[wherethestoryis]

[Once he sets down, Lois gives the whole place a cursory glance and laughs.]

You would like it, farm boy.

[Clark's always had modest tastes, after all, and this place is definitely more than Earth Sector. Still, Lois smiles to herself as honestly, any place on this bizarre creature is grossly more opulent than any place she's lived. But there's a principle to be adhered to, so she shakes her head.]

Well, without benefit of modern conveniences, as long as there's a hot tub, a good couch, and a comfortable bed, I am not objecting. We're still spending some time trying the other place's windows and balconies at some point, though.

[Pause.]

...Modern conveniences. These people probably don't know about coffee makers, microwaves, or take-out. Do they even have coffee?

[andaway]

[Clark smiles at her reaction. As she speaks he's off and back in a fraction of a second, dressed up as Clark Kent now. This is supposed to be Clark Kent's living space as far as the Kedan are concerned, and while he isn't sure how much they even care about them he doesn't want to give them any reasons to figure it out.]

Anytime. As long as I'm allowed to sneak in, having access to two places could also be good. Or we could use one as some secret base or- [He shrugs.] Well, we've seen weirder things.

[He's long past the point where spending so many nights away from her would have made him worry. Rao knows she's earned the right after his adventures around the multiverse.]

And I haven't... actually seen any. We could probably find a place willing to do take-outs but... [He makes a face at her.] I doubt they'll have much in household technology. I can heat and dry things up but... we'll have to improvise about the coffee.

...Oh, are you hungry?

[wherethestoryis]

Secret base? [She rolls her eyes at him. He's so cute sometimes.] Well, I suppose you're lacking in a Fortress here, plus it's a city. Maybe it is my turn to have one.

[Still, her expression says clearly she thinks he's a little crazy--why wouldn't he be allowed to sneak in? Unless they're actively in the middle of a major argument, she's glad when he can have a few more hours at home with her. Even when they are, well-- it's better for both if it doesn't fester.]

Oh great. Maybe some gullible teenagers can be talked into starting a delivery service. [It's said flippantly, but it's actually a good idea.] I'll take child labor over cooking.

Hmm. I'm not not hungry?

[andaway]

[Clark is just trying to make sure she knows she'll have her space, he knows he can get pretty clingy and overwhelming. Years of marriage and she still has to remind him it's okay to let her handle things on her own every now and then.]

It's actually not a bad idea for a business. Which reminds me you'll... probably have to find some kind of job to do while I get the newspaper started up?

[He's not going to be able to pay the people who collaborate much, or at all at first. But at least Bruce has already offered to finance it.]

I am working for a local farmer so I get cheap prices in most food [He winks at her, hovering to the kitchen] You'll see, food in here is... different, but still good.

[wherethestoryis]

[Lois knows she isn't always consistent, partially due to being sometimes too stubborn in her independence. Even so, she understands what he's trying to do. She can meet him half-way about it.]

While you get the paper started up? Come on, you don't get to have all the fun around here. Besides, [her tone becomes more sincere than light-hearted] this is something I can help with.

[Unspoken is that not working on a paper, even just starting one in 'spare time,' would drive her insane. It's not like she really knows anything besides reporting.]

How different? Is fruit still fruit, even if it fruit we've got at home, or is produce here just... totally different?

[andaway]

[Already in the kitchen, he smiles to himself. He never doubted Lois' willingness to help but it's still a relief to know it's a sure thing. He could have managed a newspaper on his own, and he did run the Daily Planet while Perry was getting chemo and Lois was out... but there is a reason he's known as 'Lois Lane's husband' among their coworkers.

He's a good journalist but Lois is the best.]

I'll show you what I have been getting ready then. And it's... simply different, I'm not sure how to explain, it's like- ever heard of 'sea prunes'? Or cows with feathers?

[wherethestoryis]

[She'll never admit it, but Lois is glad Clark's spear-heading the project. If he weren't, she would, but as much as she is more than capable of the cat-herding required to get people in line? She'd much rather be doing, as she thinks of it, 'real work.' Being the editor's favorite reporter is definitely her favorite place.

Besides, editors are probably supposed to trust spell-check programs. That's heresy.]

Huh. Are sea prunes actually fruit? Because I don't think sea cucumbers are, back home. And so long as the pigs also have wings, I think I can handle the idea of cows with them. [Har-de-har.]

[andaway]

I tell you there are cows with feathers and your first thought is if the pigs will have wings as well?

[But he's just laughing. It's not a nice thing to say because it means she's stuck in here with him as well, but still: he's glad she's here. He had to spend years and years stuck without her once, it wasn't an experience he wanted to repeat.]

Luckily we'll have enough information about this land in our next newspaper to get a better general idea on the kind of food and animals it has. They have lived in here for very long, so their resources are limited.