tushanshu | [video || 001]

[The image opens on Bruce Wayne at his finest. He's wearing (1) new suit designed by Favrielle, and he's looking pretty swank. Because Bruce Wayne. And Reasons.]

All right, Keeliai, I have a business opportunity to propose. As of right now, I'm relaunching Wayne Enterprises. For those of you who've never heard the name before, it's a multi-national business conglomerate with a focus on humanitarian aid and the like, based out of Gotham City back home.

Anyway. For the duration of my stay here, I'm looking to start in pharmaceuticals - I'm sure you've all noticed the kedan have never even heard of ibuprofen - and work our way up from there. Essentially, I'm looking to better the quality of life for everyone on Tu Vishan, foreigner and local alike.

If anyone's interested in working for me, or if you have experience in a pharmaceutical field, feel free to contact me over the network. We can arrange a meeting in person if you'd prefer. Confidentiality is guaranteed in either case. I'm paying twice the rates the kedan offer, and I've arranged it with the local authorities such that any time you work towards me counts towards your overall work 'obligation' [can you hear the finger quotes falling around that word] here in Keeliai.

Thanks for your time.

[ooc; tags will be sketchy, but I wanted to get this up and get the ball rolling on this plot before I poofed from the internet. <3]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

For the love of- Bruce!

[It's the first sentence that startles him, because even know he knows Bruce likes pressing his buttons...]

Of course not. And if you don't want to train him that's fine, I'm not saying you should educate an army just because they didn't mean any harm. I'm not stupid, B.

[It's Clark's turn to run a hand through his hair, exasperated.]

But he's a good man, and he doesn't deserve the things you said to him. You should have handled things more nicely, that's what I'm saying. Don't train him, don't approve of his methods- but to put to put it bluntly, you were kind of an ass.

[GASP SWEARWORD]

[-- That startles a harsh laugh out of him.]

Being nice is your job, farm boy.

[He doesn't play that game, and Clark knows it. Batman has always been rougher around the edges by necessity. It's the difference between Gotham and Metropolis.]

Why is it always my job?

[The laugh had kind of upset him, he wasn't joking about this. But he knew better than to take whatever Bruce did when he was upset personally.]

He's not a bad man, and you know it. You don't have to train him if you're so sure he'd use that training to kill, but you can at least be less caustic about it instead of sending me to apologize as always.

You know why it's always your job.

[oops is he all up in Clark's face. Bruce is standing less than a few inches away from him, his expression perfectly Batman.]

I'm not sending you anywhere. This isn't some mess you have to clean up after, it's a disagreement between two individuals that frankly did not concern you in the least. The fact that you can't leave well enough alone has nothing to do with me, Clark.

['And everything to do with you'. He doesn't say it, but his intent is more than clear enough.]

[You would think than after years, decades of friendship Clark would get used to the expression and slowly lose his fear when Bruce is in Batman mode. But time has only made him all the more wary because he knows all he's able to do.]

Are we going to play the game where we pretend we aren't friends again? Because I'm not really in the mood. You know me, I'm not going to tell him anything you wouldn't want him to know. And I'm not going to lie to him.

But he's a good man and I admire him, and I want to at least let him know what's our angle.

Edited (I can words I swear) 2012-09-26 20:44 (UTC)

[Bruce is briefly silent, eyes narrowed, jaw tensed, and then he exhales in a sudden rush of frustration. Clark-- always knows just where to hit him.

He hates it, in a way. He hates having someone who knows him that well. But if it's going to be anyone, it might as well be someone who's practically invulnerable.

Bruce thinks of the piece of Kyptonite he has from Tim, and grits his teeth. Almost invulnerable.]

Don't throw that in my face, Kal.

[It's a warning as much as anything else, but there's also a complete sense of weariness to it. He doesn't want to argue about his friendship with Clark. He's well past the point of shying away from the word, but that just makes what Clark said hurt that much more.]

Fine. Talk to him. But I'm not sorry about how I spoke to him.

[Where Bruce exhales in frustration Clark exhales in pure relief at his words. Where Bruce shies away from their friendship Kal latches onto as if it was a burning iron he refused to let go.

Which is the reason why he refuses to let Bruce pretend he'd do anything to try to manipulate him, or that he'd talk for him if he didn't want him to. He's his friend and it's taken far too long for Bruce to accept the label, Clark can't help but tackle it upfront.]

You don't have to be sorry, Bruce. I told you I agree with you, and I'm not going to take back anything you said. It's not my place to do so.

I just want to make him understand, and I don't think that's so bad. Okay?

[He turns and stalks away from Clark, irritation and frustration in every line of his body.

But there's agreement there, too. If not outright then at least peripherally.]

Fine.

Good.

[He's long past taking that irritation personally. He just has a talent for pushing Bruce's buttons and with time he's learned when it's time to stop because he's bringing Bruce too close to the edge. Now is one of those times.]

I also wanted to... offer my help in this business you had in mind. You know my abilities and how to use the better than I do so just give me a call if needed.

[He hovers up.]

If you don't need anything else, I'll be off.

[Bruce watches his slight ascent with an unreadable expression.]

I was already factoring in your assistance. But--

['thank you'.]

Go home to Lois, Clark.

Edited (word tweak) 2012-09-29 17:44 (UTC)

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