tushanshu | seven : a scary conversation [AUDIO]

[Hayley sighs a little, then sounds mostly disappointed. Those paying close attention can probably tell it masks a level of anger.]

Seriously? Is no one talking about the whole people getting murdered thing?

[ooc: Action for Superman is in first thread]

[100% Trek encrypted to: Clark]
[There's the longest pause before she speaks, extremely quiet and definitely scared.]

So I, uh.. was dead.

[100% Trek encrypted to: Lois]
[Her voice is mostly level when she messages Lois, but clearly hiding something less neutral.]

I know you and Clark tell each other everything, so whatever. I need some time off from the radio.

[100% Trek encrypted to: Bruce Banner]
You need to see something. Can you come over later?

[100% Trek encrypted to: Dick Grayson (comics)]
You know, you never actually told me who your family members are.

[100% Trek encrypted to: Jason Todd]
Tell me you're not too busy for a drink.

[100% Trek encrypted to: Maxwell Lord]
[There's a pause, then Hayley sounds more pleasant.]
Hey.

[100% Trek encrypted to: Chekov]
Will you help teach me how to encrypt things? I want to learn.

[100% Trek encrypted to: Loki]
What makes a soul any different from just like, memories and neurons and whatever?

[100% Trek encrypted to: Jor-El] - (added a short while later)
You have all the same powers Superman does, right?

[100% Trek encrypted to: Bruce Wayne] - (added a short while later)
I'm sorry, about work. I just need a few more days off and then I'll come back. Please?

[Assume she hasn't shown up the last week or so.]

[100% Trek encrypted to: Sabriel] - (added a short while later)
I want to learn magic.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[If Kal could keep a cool head in this kind of situations he would realize the subtle signs Hayley wasn't telling the truth- or more accurately, only telling the parts of the truth that would get Kal to react the way she wanted him to. Hayley might be a master manipulator and an excellent actress, but it's impossible to completely control your body. Not even Bruce can. And when Kal is really, really paying attention to you... it's pretty impossible to lie to him.

But right now she's somehow triggering all of Kal's overprotective mechanisms and he doesn't doubt a word of what she's saying. If he had been in Hayley's situation, if he had died- when he died and came back from death... he had suddenly realized he wasn't completely invulnerable, and even when he got his powers back he started to act more carefully than he'd done before. Kept close to home. Tried to keep everyone he loved close to him, or at least where he could hear him. And Hayley doesn't have superpowers, not to mention she's much younger... it'd even be weird for her to not be feeling like that.]

You shouldn't be asking me all of that, Hayley. You should be asking him, or his wife, or someone who knows him well enough. [He crouches in front of her, careful not to touch her. He's pretty sure physical contact would not be welcoming unless she's the one to initiate it.]

Why are you asking me of all people? What do you exactly expect me to say? I will protect you no matter what, that much you should know. And I won't let you get hurt if it's up to me, physically or otherwise. But if Kent makes you feel safe, if you trust him... then tell him?

[Hayley physically pulls into herself when he approaches. She doesn't back away entirely and yet it's obvious that she's uncomfortable with him being so near to her. Her hands tighten around her cup of coffee as she watches him, refusing to lower her eyes again, refusing to play the victim.]

You know him better than I do. [She answers honestly. For as little as Kal-El might know Clark, the two definitely know each other better than she knows either of them. Following that, her voice hardens and she gives an exaggerated sigh.] Whatever.

Edited (icon) 2013-11-24 23:54 (UTC)

[He hovers away the moment she looks uncomfortable.]

I know his wife, actually. [Because can someone really know oneself? And this might be Clark using philosophy to justify what would be a blatant lie for everyone else. 'I never lie' indeed.]

But you can change that. You can get to know him better- if you let him know you as well.

[She sighs a little at Superman's response about knowing Lois over Clark. It's not the answer she was hoping for. Because of that, Hayley just sits up straighter, reclaiming the space he's left for her. Her response is intentionally defensive.]

Maybe, but are we done with the whole 'sharing is caring' routine? Because, suddenly? You being here's not making me feel a whole lot better.

[For some reason, that rubs Kal the wrong way. He's half tempted to tell her he's not a dog she can just call any time she needs someone to be with her- but the thing is, he kind of is. Any time anyone needs him, for any reason, he will go.

Hayley is just more honest about using him for safety than most.]

Do you want me to go?

[Hayley hops up from the couch, setting her coffee on the table and shrugging off Superman's entire presence in one gesture.]

You can stay if you want. Or you can go? But I have packing to do and places to be, so it's kind of up to you.

[It's the nicest way she can think of to tell him to leave while in her currently angry, depressed, and powerless mood, simultaneously hating him and wanting him nearby.]

I will leave you to it then. But do you... yell, if you need someone to be with you. I can even stay in a separate room, or outside if it would make you feel better.

But you don't have to feel unsafe.

[She turns to look straight at him, all signs of hesitation or embarrassment or fear or sadness gone in that single moment. There's just anger suppressed beneath a thin veil of neutrality. Kryptonite would help her feel safe, but apparently he has his limitations.]

I do feel unsafe. All the time. And I have to, because I died and I'll never feel the same. But you know what? It's my life and I know- I know you're trying to help, but you're really not. So.. please? Just go.

Edited (icon) 2013-12-03 01:42 (UTC)

[He hesitates for a second, opening his mouth to say something- not sure why, he just wouldn't like to leave in such a bad note.

But he's aware anything he said right now would definitely make things worse. So he's simply mutters an 'okay' before taking off.]

seven : a scary conversation [AUDIO]

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