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Good morning Keeliai, how are we all today?

[Steph is sitting at her console, leaning back in her chair with her legs propped up on the desk. She's smiling, and for those that know her, it's the sort of smile that should be extremely concerning. Those that don't know her may also be feeling like they're about to hear something they don't want to.

She is going to be a terrible person today.]

I'm going to preface this message by saying that anyone under the age of 16, or whatever the age of legality is where you're from, should tune out now, please and thank you. I'm not gonna be explicit or anything, but it's probably not going to be appropriate for kids. [she gives a pointed look, yes you, Damian, switch off the computer now.]

I was taking an anthropology class back home, and my professor happens to be here too. [she wrinkles her nose, like yes, I know that's super weird, how do you think I feel?] And he's been giving me assignments and stuff, because apparently being kidnapped by a giant turtle isn't a valid excuse not to keep up with coursework. The topic we'd been studying before I got brought here was human sexuality, and Professor Craig suggested I write a paper on kedan sexuality instead. [Hi Bruce.] Except, uh, after the last couple weeks, I'm not really keen on that idea.

But I have been thinking about all these people with superpowers running around, and like - we've got comics back home, right? But they tend to focus on the whole defeating supervillains and stopping alien invasions side of things, which is great, sure, I love a good action story, but there's something that just never really comes up.

[she looks directly at the camera, the very picture of scientific curiosity] Do they - or, do you, for the superpowered people in the audience - ever use their powers for sex? This isn't a rhetorical question, by the way, if you have used your powers in the bedroom, feel free to share with the class.

And in the interest of not excluding anyone from the conversation, anyone who's just a regular old human, or whathaveyou, you can discuss what sort of powers you'd like to have, and how you'd use them to impress the gender-of-your-preference.

Don't feel like you have to respond directly to me, you're more than welcome to talk amongst yourselves. I figured we could use a little lighthearted chat to take our minds off the situation. Don't you agree?

[She winks, clearly trying not to laugh, and sits back in her chair to wait for responses]

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A cause with no chance of success. [Steph don't be a smartass]

I might want to pretend this conversation never happened. Like - [oh god] - I kind of want to ask, but at the same time I want to be able to look him in the eyes when we're working.

And I still think you don't understand what that means.

[She laughs.] I'm sure you want to ask. What you have to ask yourself is whether I'll answer.

You know us too well. [sometimes she used to think it meant herself]

I have a feeling you will just to mess with me. [she's onto you, Lois]

I've met enough of you to know.

[Lois laughs.] And yet your morbid curiosity is going to keep eating at you, isn't it?

[It's true oh god. She can't decide if Lois is the best or worst person.

But she can't back down from anything resembling a challenge, so she's just going to pretend they're talking about someone who isn't Superman .]

Well. Since we're sorta on the subject, you've gotta take advantage of the super hearing to mess with him when he's not around, right?

[Beating around the bush a little, because of Reasons, but she thinks Lois is smart enough to figure out what she means.

Trust a Bat to ask; as soon as Steph realized Tim had bugged her room, she took the opportunity to give him a show.]

[Lois is totally the best person ever.

Really.

She's even going to give Steph some things to think about that probably won't break her brain completely!]

Remember that he's always got an ear out. Abuse that too often, the novelty wears off. Actually, I've found his hearing a lot more useful for mundane things, like asking him to pick up dinner.

[Pause.]

Plus, it's just not as entertaining as messing with him to his face.

That's why you only do it on special occasions. [She's trying hard not to think about it in too much detail, but this is actually a topic that interests her.

Tim had so many issues he could have built a castle out of them, but once had Steph had figured out his voyeurism thing, it had been - something.

Anyway] I'll keep the dinner thing in mind for next time Kara comes over.

[And with that comment she's going to get flustered because now she's thinking about Lois and Clark making out. Dammit, Lois]

[Man, Lois is just entertained by this. But it makes some sense. Steph's probably still a teenager, after all--she can't have been more than five, seven or eight max when Superman made his first appearance. Maybe not even that old, if Steph is from a time after Lois is.

That thought is just a little disturbing. I feel old some days.]

Special occasions I'll accept. But usually his facial expressions are just usually too good to miss.

Your interest doesn't seem academic, or you wouldn't be sitting here regretting my talking to you.

[She used to run around with a towel tied her neck pretending to be Superman. Of course it's a little embarrassing.

Especially when Lois mentions facial expression. Oh god.] I'm not sure I want to think about that particular aspect.

[oh no she's been caught out! well, not really, she just looks a tiny bit sheepish] It's a combination of wanting to mess with people and personal interest. [by people she mostly means Bruce] I just didn't expect to be messed with in return. [at least she can admit defeat.]

Have you really never seen him blush?

[But she laughs anyway. After all, she won that game of 'I have more shamelessness than you do.']

Never start chasing a lead if you're not going to follow it. I'm assuming there's a boy? [Could be a girl, or something. But she's guessing not.]

Are we talking dangerous powers, mind-reading, or something decently unlikely to injure?

I hadn't even really met him until we both came here.

[There'd been that brief fight against Toyman's robots, but things had been pretty hectic and Steph had been busy talking to Kara]

There's a boy. [she's caught somewhere between unsure and 'secretly pleased'; she's only human, she has a right to be a little excited about a boy. But the final question has her leaning more towards unsure] Think Livewire without the supervillainy.

[Welp]

Well, trust me. It took him years to learn to stop blushing. He still does, when I do things right.

I see. [She nods slowly, pressing her lips together thoughtfully. She's immediately rather more concerned. But she's also got the perspective of being on the other end of a relationship with a particularly dangerous partner.

She's heard... theories.] Since coming here, I assume? I don't see it making much difference if he's at home.

[And yes, it is actually relevant to her.]

Thanks for sharing. [that is the opposite of what she means.

Steph nods, this is a much better thing to think about, and she appreciates Lois not immediately freaking out at her about it] I met him here, yeah. [she tries not to think about what that'll mean when they have to go home]

It's not-- [vague hand gesture] We haven't done anything, not really. It just got me thinking about how other people might use their powers, and I really did think it'd be nice to talk about something a little more light-hearted than what's been happening the last couple weeks.

[and from how many people have gotten involved in the conversation, she thinks she's done a decent job of helping everyone forget about the awfulness]

Any time. [Lois is always helpful!

Lois just listens calmly, expression a little closed, as she thinks it over. Her automatic reaction is alarm--electricity is nothing to sneeze at. Thing is, Clark's strength alone means she has no room to throw stones--and that's before taking into account a couple other of his talents.

Finally she sighs and smiles very slightly.] Well, it was definitely that--even if you still need to remember some people will answer.

[Even if, actually, Lois hasn't told her anything.] Have the two of you talked it over?

I'll admit it wasn't my most well thought out plan. [Not that many of her plans are well thought out, but it's an easy joke to make before she deals with the more serious aspect of the conversation.]

We have. I'm... [It's kind of strange, but nice, to be talking to someone about something like this. Or, more accurately, to be talking to an adult. Steph kind of just guessed and bluffed her way through most of her experience as a teenager, it wasn't like either of her parents were in any position to give her The Talk, let alone care about her personal life.

It makes her want to actually talk about it, not just lightly joke around the topic.] I've had some bad experiences with - uh - with electricity. [She doesn't know if Lois will make any connection with their discussion about the gang war.] So we discussed it for a bit, and he was good about everything.

[After the initial flipping the fuck out, but they'd managed to resolve those issues, at least for now]

[Lois can guess, at least, about the gang war stuff. After all, without any other context, that's the Traumatic Event she's heard about, but it might make sense, at least.

She listens in silence, face a little troubled. She's no stranger to traumatic events--nor to taking refuge in physical comfort, for that matter. There's a logic to it. Even so, the kind of power leaves her a little leery--but that isn't actually what's top of her 'you might want to think about this' list.]

Mmm. You want an honest opinion? I can promise it won't be a knee-jerk freak out, like I'm sure you'll get from some quarter, but I can't promise you'll like it, either.

[Steph actually gives that serious consideration.

Does she want an honest opinion, even if it's one she might not like? She's always prided herself on being honest, as much as she can be in certain situations, which isn't always the easiest thing to do, but - When it comes to things like feelings, and opinions, she tries to be as open as she can, and she appreciates that Lois is willing to do the same for her]

Please.

First of all, standard line about consenting adults. Kick anyone who says otherwise, then let me have a crack.

[Deep breath. This is the part Steph probably won't like.]

His specific talent worries me, but it's no more dangerous than superstrength or heat vision could be, so it's a bit hypocritical of me to say anything.

Me, I don't think I'd be able to trust anyone I'd known only a few weeks with something like that. Generally that's the sort of thing you want to build up to. Not everyone is like that, but... especially with your history? I wouldn't be rushing into things.

On a lighter note, taking time to savor things and pace the spice? Makes it sweeter.

[She appreciates both the comment about consenting adults, and that Lois understands it'd be hypocritcal to say it's too dangerous.

It helps her keep in mind that she shouldn't react with instinct defensiveness to whatever Lois has to say, but once she's listened, it doesn't really matter anyway. Because she agrees with most of it.]

You're right, and I mean - I was telling the truth when I said we didn't really do anything. He just let me feel what it was like, barely more than static. [She wriggles her fingers, to show that's where he touched her. She decides not to mention the massage he gave her, using the electricity to help soothe her muscles, but she doesn't think that's much different from a TENS massage anyway.]

I do trust him, but I'm not planning to jump straight in the deep end, here.

[That's rare for her.]

Eh, electricity's not really my kink. [Lois shrugs a little.] That was a-- particularly bizarre time period for us. Besides, when he was solid and not in the damn containment suit he didn't actually have superpowers. It doesn't really apply.

[Biting her lip--an oddly visible hesitation for the normally self-assured reporter--she seems to be weighing her options.] I'm guessing there are conversations I'm not seeing. Are any of them with someone actually in the position I am?

[Namely, the vanilla human with years of stable, loving, incredibly healthy relationship experience with a superpowered partner.]

I liked it. [Steph shrugs, an easy, one shouldered gesture. It'd be too hard to explain why exactly she liked it, so she'll leave it with that simple comment and address Lois's question.

Which, makes her expression twist a little]

There are, your husband apparently has a lot of opinions about my private life. [her? angry? never!] But you've got a unique viewpoint right now. [So, no, no one else in the same position Lois is.]

[Lois stares for a moment, then actually facepalms. Just barely audibly:] Not my shtick, and we are talking later. [Too bad Clark stopped listening in.]

Clark's issues are another discussion, and one between him and me.

Relevant, I promise: your boy's electricity, is it a 'must control at all times or bad things happen' type, a 'must control under unrelated stress' type, or 'only need to control when consciously activated' type?

[She hopes Clark is going to get in trouble for being a jerk, but it eases some of her tension to know that Lois is going to talk to him.]

I think it's a little of B and C. [They haven't actually discussed that aspect in depth, Steph had been reluctant after hearing some of what he told her about Osborn.] It only seems to be around when he wants it to be, except under - high stress situations. [The air had felt kind of staticy, when she first approached him in his suite.] There were kind of extra factors at the time, but I'm not gonna go into them.

[Because they're Brandon's issues, not hers to share; she doubts he had eaten or slept properly for a week at the time, it's not too surprising he was having trouble keeping a handle on his powers. And then there's the fact he killed someone when his powers first activated, she's definitely not sharing that]

He's had a lot of training.

[The Osborn thing again. There are so many people from Brandon's world who she wants to kick in the teeth]

[Lois kind of suspects Steph can hold her own. But either way, she and Clark are talking, because there are pretty constant issues Clark has. Someone needs to rein him in.

She listens quietly, however, nodding slightly and almost absently at the 'extra factors.' Of course there are going to be things Steph won't discuss with her--and frankly, that's fine with Lois. Playing shrink for teens with superpowers (and Bat-training counts) is really, really not how she wants to spend her life.

She's still the only one with perspective.]

Okay, your life got easier already, trust me. Does he know about what happened to you?

He does. [It's pretty clear from her sudden awkward expression that the conversation didn't go all that great, but it can't have gone too bad considering she's still talking about him.]

I had to be a bit vague on some details; he doesn't know I come from a place with superheroes, but he... knows. And he understands why I wanted to try it anyway.

[Which is an important part, in her opinion]

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