video; 001.

[ihope]

[The video flickers on without any trouble. The console's familiar enough that Lex doesn't have to fumble with it to get it working the way he wants. Behind him is the large space of a luxurious room that obviously originates from the Metal Sector. He couldn't see the harm in letting the, uh, 'citizens' of this In-Between see where he stands on trivial matters like his choice of interior decoration and he'd even gone and tidied up some before the broadcast, or at least that's what it looks like with two small cuts above his right eyebrow nothing but thin red lines now as opposed to the angry marks of earlier.]

[And the young man himself is seated comfortably, leaning to one side, legs crossed somewhere off-screen, left arm propped up on the table where the communicating device rests. A finger twitches and, right, he doesn't have anything around to grab a hold of at the moment. And so he begins to speak.] 'Tu Vishan. An In-Between of life, death, and dreaming.'

[And he has a sort of hushed voice despite the obvious intention to project to, well, the audience. And there's some light in his eyes that signals amusement-- or something resembling it. Excitement is either good or bad, never both. There's no upturn of his lips, no creased brow. He shifts, sitting straighter, peering closer into the camera, damn well expecting someone out there to listen.]

I'm supposed to believe this?

[He expects someone to listen, not to answer, because he just goes on.] The Kedan were generous enough to offer the explanation that I might not be dead, and to be frank, I appreciate any attempt of reassurance on the matter. I'd put more faith in it if I hadn't also heard the turtle had been in danger of dying. Spending the rest of my years aboard an ailing reptile wasn't exactly the life I envisioned. [He can believe abduction and drugs, but no deep sleep of his will ever revolve around an animal so stupid and slow. His voice turns wry. He knows he's not dead. He knows he can't be fully alive. The... Kedan were nothing from his waking world. That could only mean one thing left to figure out.]

[He's still seemingly calm. He's still only just sitting, just talking like he can see the company across the screen already. Like it's only a conference call he's taking from his desk. But now he sighs and he wants to smirk, but he doesn't. And now he'll be waiting for an answer.]

So who's the big dreamer?

[Show yourself, mastermind. A clear challenge, but after a second he tacks on a detail with clear concern and some well meaning urgency.] I also heard something about a clinic in trouble. Is there anything I can do to help?

Comments

audio; /CRASHES INTO

[imaginate]

[It's "clinic in trouble" that attracts his attention, more than anything else, and he sounds very distracted when he replies, because he's occupied with other things.]

Our clinic, and we're fine, thanks. Do you have any experience with medicine or magic?

video; OH NO

[ihope]

[The point of this was to present himself; it'd mean nothing if he switched the feed to audio just to follow suit. But he's making a show now, wondering how difficult it'd be for the man to just press 'video'. How bad was the damage, then?]

[He leans slightly forward once more, he brings down his left arm from where it had been resting, clasps his hands together casually. Tilts his head to one side, curious.] 'Our' clinic? [His offer isn't being extended to a nobody. Names are always good to know.]

[And there's a slight pause as he ponders the question he's asked. Funny choice of words, stranger.] I'm not a miracle worker, no. [No experience with medicine, either.]

audio > video; OH YES

[imaginate]

[It’s not the words that get him to straighten up. Words mean little to a Green Lantern (unless it’s a promise, like the oath), because out there, anyone can talk big for the sake of it. They mean even less to Kyle, who lives in a world of colours and movement, who speaks and is rarely listened to. No, it’s not the words. It’s the force in Lex’s voice, akin to dark clouds gathering and the wind picking up. And then, Lex isn’t forceful, neither is he trying to be. A deliberate, quiet tone? That is somebody who doesn’t need to be loud, who has real power (or truly believes he does).]

[The background noise stops and there’s the sound of a chair being lifted (not dragged, as he usually would), as he takes a seat to see who’s addressed him. The bane of an excellent visual memory, an overactive imagination, and experience with the multiverse means he knows the face. It only takes him a few seconds to place it, and he almost - almost - inhales sharply.]

[At once, he considers cutting the feed. The knee-jerk reaction is overpowering, the instinct to run, to survive by backing away is strong. Being scared of Lex Luthor... well. It’s sensible. (One doesn’t stick their head into a lion’s mouth, after all.) Young or not, alternate universe or not, Luthor is Luthor.]

[But. He’s fearless. And he finishes what he starts. Anything less, and he doesn’t deserve the symbol he wears.]

[So it takes a quick moment for him to cast a simple illusion of a tidy room and desk. Then, he uses the ring to dress himself in his uniform. Instead of green and white, he chooses green and black, the insignia emblazoned on the left side of his chest. Deliberately, he flattens his hair and sits up straight. He’s not sure why he’s even considering making a good impression (well, he is. It’s not wise to make an enemy of someone who might not know him yet, even if his better judgement is telling him to cut the feed while he still can. What the hell is he afraid of?). The option, however, is open. A clean slate. The crazy, hopeful part of him says this could go differently. There wasn’t any such thing as destiny. There was just what you chose.]

[But Luthor is Luthor.]

[Kyle’s aware the silence is telling, and he’s quick to cover it. He puts on his armour: a winning smile and a curious pose, and flicks on video. It’s only his eyes that betray him, with their keenness. He is much sharper and warier than he is presenting himself to be.]

The Green Lantern Corps. [A pause, to see if Lex might recognise the name, but otherwise could be mistaken for a pause in normal speech.] Kyle Rayner, at your service.

[He smiles a little more widely, chuckles softly as though Lex had just made a hilarious joke (and inside, his instincts are still screaming).]

Sure about that? ‘Miracle’ has variable definitions.

video;

[ihope]

[Judging from the distracted tone of voice of moments earlier, Lex hadn't been expecting a tidy desk. He gives a slight nod of acknowledgement when the video clicks on. Much, much better than having to rely on the words of a disembodied voice.]

[The uniform is startling, in a sense. He's never seen something as bizarre, not outside of the broad realm of entertainment, but the man seems to be wearing it without a hint of irony. Okay, well. That'll do, he guesses. The insignia is another new brand. He eyes it for a second. Can't make heads or tails of it. And finally, after what seems like a small eternity, his eyes are searching the face now before him. His own brows furrow, and for the sake of clarity, Lex shakes his head at the mention of the Green Lantern Corps.]

Never heard of it.

[But he doesn't sound surprised, he's only stating a fact of himself. Quickly after, he's introducing himself as well, filing away Rayner's name in his mind.] Lex Luthor. [Not exactly boastful, but close. It's a habit. And he's very much not at your service until he sees a need for it. However, now's one of those times. He is worried-- actually, that may be the wrong word. He doesn't know the extent of any damage and if this man's calm and cheerful facade is anything to go by... it wasn't that bad. That's good.]

[But Lex doesn't like 'vague' when it's thrown at him. He waves a hand a little dismissively, a little impatiently. Not what he's supposed to do when he was the one who offered to help, he knows.] I could only offer to turn water to wine. I'm sorry I don't know how to raise the dead. [It slips out before he's aware, really. God, he hopes there's none dead. Really.]