tushanshu | 004 ♒ Audio & Text [Atlantean], Encrypted

[Encrypted Audio to anyone who might have known Mera or anyone on fairly good terms with Arthur, 60%]
[Arthur just sounds... tired. Resigned. He doesn't mince words trying to break the news gently, because he's the one who cares the most anyway.] Mera, my wife, has disappeared from Keeliai.

[Encrypted Audio to Kal-El/Superman, 80%]
I need to talk to you.

[Encrypted Text to Kaldur'ahm, Written Atlantean, Hackable]
[Feel free to have your character hack his text, but if they do, all they'll come up with is a bunch of odd symbols and glyphs arranged into what are possibly words. Atlantean is a fairly difficult language to parse through.]

Mera is... gone. There was no trace of her this morning, and I can't find her mental signature. Please come by when you get a chance, Kaldur, we need to talk about something important.

[ooc: He's being an antisocial douchebag, but anybody who knows him is absolutely welcome to just come by his place in the Water Sector. The first audio post I'm leaving pretty open-ended on purpose, feel free to just assume your character was included if they know him or Mera, or know OF them. Also feel free to hack it, it's all good.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Window's usually faster when you come in flying. [Kal can't help a little grin, shrugging a bit. Everyone tells him that at one point or another but everyone keeps on opening their windows for him. And hey at least he always knocks.]

What can I do for you, Arthur?

Between you and Bruce... [Shaking his head slightly. He doesn't get any of you. Though he does appreciate the knocking instead of just appearing in the middle of the living room.]

...Mera's sudden disappearance has made me realize that I could disappear from here any day now, too. She and I both arrived here together. [He's not the type to mince words or make small talk.] If that ever happens, I have a request that I don't necessarily trust anyone else with.

[The humor of situation quickly goes down the drain when Arthur begins to tell Clark what he wants from him. It's not that he hasn't thought about it himself, about what he would do if he suddenly disappeared one day. It's just hard to face the possibility that others might leave first, even though it has already happened. He's lost Kara twice.]

What is it?

[Arthur knows it isn't such a pleasant topic of conversation, it's not something he likes thinking about either, but if he is taken from this place, then he wants to make sure his affairs are handled the way he wants.]

I'm leaving some things for Kaldur'ahm. All Mera's and my personal belongings, our savings... And most importantly, my trident and the Atlantis Chronicles. I know the kedan clean suites out when the owners disappear, and it's important that Atlantean artifacts stay in Atlantean hands. Will you help make sure that he gets everything?

[Kal's body language makes it clear the whole idea makes him uncomfortable. Arthur might have fought Superman in the past, more than once- but that didn't mean Kal didn't think of him as a friend even before they got to the turtle. And after actually spending time together with no clash of wills and morals and expectations he's seen a lot of sides of the king he didn't get to see often back at home.

And now he's planing what to do when he disappears. He gets it's not like dying, that he would be simply go back home and he should, at the most, miss him but not mourn him. It doesn't make thinking about it any easier.]

No one but Kaldur'ahm will put a finger on them, I promise you that. Can I ask you something in return?

[Arthur is fairly good at reading people. He's had to be, to be king of Atlantis, to do the things he has. He can tell Kal doesn't like the idea of him disappearing, and really, he doesn't like it either - he wants to stay here until the job is done, until Asti is safe. Until Kaldur can return to his home safely. But sometimes things happen, and Arthur is nothing if not pragmatic.] Thank you. I don't want to leave here, but I don't want to leave loose ends if it does happen.

[He pauses, glances up at him solemnly.] Of course. What is it?

Take care of Lois.

[It's a simple request, but he doesn't think he needs to elaborate. And it would feel like throwing salt to Arthur's wounds, now that Mera's gone- very few other leaguers would understand what being faithfully married and in love, which is the very reason he's asking him and not Bruce, or even his father.]

We both know she can kick ass on her own and how she was taking care of herself long before I came along, but I'd still feel better knowing someone will be here for her.

I will. [It's definitely a request that he can understand. Mera is perfectly capable of taking care of herself too, but if he'd left first, he would have wanted to know that someone would have been there if she did need it. It's the sort of thing that he and Kal understand more than the others, being happily married for so long.] As long as you look after Kaldur'ahm for me. I don't trust anyone else with my protege's life.

Thank you, Arthur. [He gives him a nod. He hadn't realized how much he'd worried about Lois staying behind if he ever disappeared until it wasn't a problem anymore... but he does have a tendency to bury his worries so deep inside he doesn't even realize they are there.]

Is that all you wanted from me? I can stay around if you want, or leave you alone if you'd rather.

[It's not like it's something fun to think about, but still, Arthur's kind of glad they've worked out this quiet little man-pact between them. He can't help but worry about Kaldur if Arthur were to ever disappear.]

Yeah, thank you for coming by. I still have to talk to Kaldur, but we can go get a drink or something sometime. [He... doesn't exactly have a lot of friends. And this time, there's no Garth to pull him out of whatever depressed pit he might steep himself in.]

[He smiles, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes as he reaches to squeeze Arthur's shoulder. They might have made a pact and reached an agreement, but it doesn't make the topic any less sad.]

I'll take you up on that offer. [Mostly because he knows Arthur will need someone to pull him out of his Atlantean man-cave. Arthur might have other friends- and even family in this place, but Kal actually enjoys the man's company and he would be sad to see him hide from the world.]

Good luck talking to Kaldur'ahm. [Is all he adds before he takes off.

Using the window because he can, deal with it.]

Edited 2013-11-04 20:58 (UTC)

Good. [Because as much as he and Kal fight and posture at each other back home, here without their usual responsibilities and obligations, none of that has been necessary, and they've actually been able to connect as just men. Friends, even. That, and Kal's moral code are why he actually trusts him to look after Kaldur should anything happen to Arthur himself.]

Doors exist, you know! [He calls out after Kal as he vaults out the window, rolling his eyes.]

004 ♒ Audio & Text [Atlantean], Encrypted

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