tushanshu | 001 ♓ [Video]

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001 ♓ [Video]

[Kaldur takes in the location as calmly as he can after having the strange location explained to him. He knows that this is a city on the back of a turtle—which sounds vaguely like something out of one of the books on surface-dweller mythology he had read once—but why he had been chosen and how cut off his final memories were before arriving here was still a mystery.]

It is said that to better understand your surroundings you must look at it with many eyes. [He is formal, but genial. He does not wish to start a confrontation on his first day.] I am known as Aqualad. It is a very…unique situation in which I find myself. Where we are and how we may have come to be here has been explained to me, but I would greatly appreciate any further information that those who come before me are willing to provide. The frequency of arrivals, whether others have managed to leave before, and general disposition of the native inhabitants would be very helpful. Those I have met so far have been...amicable, I can say.

[If none respond, he will have to seek a less direct route of coming by the information. He bows his head slightly, but visibly.] Thank you for your time.

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My King! [There is a great deal of surprise at seeing Orin here, but he is also at attention. Why would they have brought his king? Was this something connected to Atlantis in some way? Why does Orin seem...different. He is clean shaven in a way Kaldur has not seen him in many a year. But his king asked a question and answering is more important than seeking his own inquiries.]

I do not understand your question, King Orin. I have been directed to the Water Sector, Annex, for reasons I believe to be self-evident. [Atlanteans in the water sector. Cliche, yes.] I will debrief you of what has passed since my arrival here as soon as we meet.

[It is only after he agrees that he realizes he should be more wary, more on guard. Orin asked him if he had dyed his hair. Why would his king ask such a thing?]

['My king'? That is definitely not what Jackson called him. The kid had been... defiant, at first, had even lashed out at him. Certainly hadn't treated him like royalty, not that he'd had any reason to. Arthur looks thoughtful, a little perplexed, at the greeting. But still, it's one of his proteges, even if the boy is his newest one and they aren't all that familiar with each other yet, and it's good to see him in a way, so he smiles, easy and relaxed.]

I meant your suite number. Mera and I are in the building 2B, though we'll likely be using hers for storage- [Huh. He must be learning Atlantean.] Ah, it would... seem we do have much to discuss. I'll fill you in in person.

[He is very open. Less formal than Kaldur knows his king to normally be. Something is off here. It is disconcerting. If someone were attempt ting to disguise himself as Orin, getting such a simple as the color of Kaldur's hair wrong would be strange. What is going on?]

Yes, meeting in person would be for the best. I have also been assigned to 2B. If you are currently home we are near each other.

Must be the last formerly-empty one, I'll be over in just a moment. [It's good that they're close, at least, the three of them. Not that another building in the Water Sector would be all that far off, but he likes the idea of being able to hear any commotions potentially being kicked up at Aqualad's place. He hasn't found any trouble yet, but you never know in a place referred to by some as 'turtle hell'.

It doesn't take him long to get there and knock on the door. He may be clean-shaven and a little older but his posture is the same, tall and straight and proud. There isn't much of an expression on his face, but his eyes are warm.] I should probably ask what the last thing you remember is.

Edited 2013-02-24 03:22 (UTC)

[Kaldur opens the door to his suite and looks over the man who claims to be his King. He certainly looks similar and his presence is the same. Perhaps it is like what Zatanna described. Perhaps his king is further in the future than Kaldur himself.]

Please do come in, Annex. I apologize. [It is awkward being the host. He is not used to this, considering that he has often met the King in the palace and his mother is the hostess of his family home.]

My last memories were of the debriefing of Red Arrow, Artemis, and Kid Flash after our last mission.

[Arthur's a lot less formal about the whole thing. He's not king anymore, hasn't been for some time, and Aqualad is his protege, not his subject. But he can see subtle differences now that they're in the same room, and wonders just what is actually different about Jackson Hyde. Besides his hairstyle, at least. He steps in easily and raises an eyebrow just slightly.]

Nothing to apologize for, Jackson. I just didn't want to share our conversation with Batman, I have a feeling it'll be somewhat personal. [This Batman is a lot more stalkery and grouchy than the one you know.] Different timelines and universes are common here, I'm guessing that's the case here. The last I remember, you had put on the suit for the first time, and you, Mera, Aquagirl and I had driven back Xebel's army from the Florida coastline.

[He's shutting the door and stops to look back at him in confusion.] Different universes? Worlds similar to our own, but with some significant differences.

[It's a theory that's been mentioned before, but not one Kaldur ever gave much thought to. If the universe was that vast, then it was not his place to question it. But now he is being confronted with such obvious proof that everything makes so much more sense to him. He posture is less open, but he is still respectful.]

I see. That explains several things. I apologize then to inform you that I am not the person you believe me to be, my King. [He still can't help but say it.] I have no idea who this Jackson is. My name is Kaldur'ahm.

Yes, it's apparently very common here. There's a woman from another version of Atlantis as well, similar structure and mythos but different people. [And apparently he and Ja- Kaldur'ahm aren't quite the people they thought each other to be. But Arthur's posture doesn't close off any, his expression doesn't go any colder. His people, his proteges, his family, they all mean more to him than anything else.]

Your Atlantean name, then. I'm sorry, I wasn't sure. I generally go by Arthur, I haven't... been King in some time, though Mera still sits the Atlantean throne as Queen.

The formality isn't necessary, you know, you're still my protege. [There isn't any reason to make him feel like he doesn't belong here with them. Arthur knows that's one of the worst things you can do to a boy; his own father wouldn't approve.]

[This is very strange, to meet an Orin that is this open with his body language. His King is not reserved or distant from his people, but is it merely how they are. His King could be considered too friendly in many ways. This Arthur is different. More like the people of the surface world.

And yet hearing him call Kaldur his protege does relieve a knot he didn't know existed in his stomach.]

I am unsure how to be less...formal, as you say. [He truly doesn't. This is how he normally is.] You may not be King in your world, but I cannot see you as anything else.

[Arthur can be distant and reserved, but his days as King seem distant with a death and exile between them. His last act as monarch was re-sinking Atlantis in the past to save the entire world's future, a decision he still struggles with sometimes.]

Whatever's comfortable then. [He might not be exactly sure how to handle this situation, but he won't let on that he's unsure. At the same time, he doesn't want Kaldur to be uncomfortable.] I'm not sure I deserve that regard, though.

I suppose we should discuss this place, first. Distrust of the kedan seems to be widespread, along with a... disdain for the Emperor. No one's been very forthcoming with what little they do know.

Thank you for the consideration, my...sir. [Kaldur never expected to be in this sort of situation--where he would be faced with his king from another world who somehow is not even a king anymore. It's not easy to know what to do or how to react. He speaks so easily of himself, but Kaldur isn't what he should say or do in return. His king has never done anything that would make him question is regard for him, so why would this one consider himself so unworthy of it?]

Yes it seems that information is not so easy to come by if you are not familiar with persons already here. My teammate, Zatanna, has explained that the turtle itself might be what keeps our powers and sorcery intact.

[This might take some getting used to. Neither of his Aqualads were ever this formal with him, when the royal court was nowhere to be seen. Some might have thought Garth took too many liberties with the monarch, but he was family, always, and family is important. Family like Mera, Lorena, and in a way, Kaldur.

Arthur frowns at the news, looking pensive.] Or, apparently, if you're friends with the Justice League. No one ever mentioned that to me. Batman did mention that magic intervention is the only option they haven't really explored. Zatanna is... older, in our timeline, much older than this Zatanna, and no one is willing to put her younger and less experienced self at risk.

[That is more confusing, but if this is a different world, perhaps fate has led all of his friends down different roads than he could think of. But the fact they have no utilized her skills because they find her too young...]

With all due respect...sir, she is a newer member of our team, yes, but she's more than proven herself capable and knowledgeable in her craft. There are children at the Conservatory of Sorcery years younger than her, as well. Zatanna was born into magic as much as they, as is far more experienced.

[Arthur shakes his head slightly.] No, it isn't a slight against her, Kaldur. The fact of the matter is, the palace so far seems impervious to everything, even Superman, so I was told. It's likely very old and very powerful magic and we don't know anything about it.

At this point, I wouldn't risk Garth either, and he was- he was very talented. Whatever is going on here is enough to keep Superman, Batman, and a Green Lantern imprisoned on this turtle, and we must be careful where and how we tread.

[Kaldur does not point out that the three he mentioned do not have powers based in the mystical in the way that Zatanna does, but he can see why they would be wary to put her in harm's way, even if he still believes Zatanna herself should have that choice.

It is something else that keeps Kaldur's attention.]

...You say Garth "was." [The very idea of it makes Kaldur feel somewhat ill.] Does that mean...? [Kaldur cannot even speak the words.]

[Well if that isn't an oh shit moment he doesn't know what is. This Kaldur is Garth's contemporary? That raises a lot if questions, like why his son isn't his partner and how well they know each other and if Garth is even his son at all, but... Now Kaldur is asking him about Garth, and how can he even begin to explain? How can he tell him about his son's death, about Dolphin and Cerdian, ...about Tula.

He decides not to mention her at all. He isn't sure what to say about Garth either, Kaldur's reaction brings the pain up in a fresh wave again. So he just starts, sounding tired, even though it technically isn't a lie,] He lost his magic when the Spectre went on a rampage. I wasn't aware you know Garth. Things are very different in my timeline. He's years older than you where I'm from. Maybe we should get to know each other better again.

[It is much like talking to a familiar stranger rather than an estranged friend, Kaldur thinks. There are so many feelings he has, but about things he has not experienced--may never experience. It seems as if so many things have occurred in this other world that Kaldur is grateful his own has avoided.]

I agree, the differences in our worlds are subtle and yet poignant. In my own world, Garth, Tula, and I studied together at the Conservatory of Sorcery under Queen Mera's tutelage. When the opportunity arose, I chose to become your protege, Garth chose to remain at the Conservatory. He and Tula are the most skilled of their class.

[Arthur, at least, doesn't have a lot of preconceptions about Kaldur'ahm. He hadn't gotten the chance to get to know Jackson Hyde, not really. After the mess with Xebel, and after being a water elemental for a bit, he hadn't even gotten the chance to call the Titans to get him some training. But it doesn't change the fact that he had stood with Jackson and Lorena and Mera and proclaimed them all outcasts, but not alone.

Kaldur won't be alone, either.]

Some differences are larger than others. We don't have a Conservatory of Sorcery, magic isn't always... fondly looked upon in recent times. [So he was taught by Mera and Garth wasn't Aqualad first... It seems odd, the difference in ages, but it makes sense, considering how young Zatanna is.] Different events, perhaps, but it doesn't change who we are. I'm not exactly the man you know, but I hope I can still be the mentor you deserve.

[He's definitely not mentioning Garth's death, or Tula's death, though. If Mera thinks they should break the news to him, they can do it together, gently.]

[Kaldur sadly has too many preconceptions, but he is trying to set them to the side, because he can see how this man is his king and yet distinctly different from him at the same time.]

Magic is why we exist. Without it Atlanteans would not be capable of living beneath the ocean. It is the one thing we have always trusted. I am sorry it is not the same in your world. Hopefully this will change in time once you have returned there.

[He also truly believes they will find a way to leave. He isn't known for giving up in such circumstances.]

And it is not you who has anything to prove, my...sir. [This is going to take some getting accustomed to.] I serve Atlantis, but I also swore my loyalty to Aquaman as my mentor and as his protege. It is I who have to prove I am still worthy of that.

[Apparently even these two Atlantises evolved differently. Magic has a much darker past in his Atlantis's history, and it was King Orin the first and the scientists of the age that developed the serum that made the past Atlanteans breathe water.] It sounds like a more peaceful Atlantis. I'm very glad to hear that. [Since a lot of the things that made sorcery so hated in current days are his fault.]

We all serve Atlantis, and anyone who chooses to stand by me is worthy in my eyes. [It took him a long time to find a place in the world. But he can ensure that Kaldur has a place with him as long as he wants it.]

We are...not without our own troubles. But for the most part, yes. You--The King and Queen do much to keep it that way.

[He won't speak of the Purists. It has no bearing on their current predicament and he would rather not speak so ill of his people at this point in time when he is not sure when next he will see them.]

And thank you.

No Atlantis is without its... darker points. As much as I wish it were otherwise. [Ask him sometime about blond babies being left on Mercy Reef to die. Actually no, don't ask. He knows all about suspicion and tensions between the different sectors of Atlantis; he's dealt with similar issues before.] Apparently we have things better under control there. Mera... rules alone, at the moment.

I look forward to getting to know you.

The Queen has always been a formidable force and I have no doubt she rules well and justly. I myself will do my best to live up to your expectations. [He does not wish to be this person that Arthur remembers, but he is still Aquaman. For him to do anything less would dishonor his own mentor and what he has learned from him.]

That never changes. My wife is formidable as a typhoon. [His smile is fond when he speaks of her; they never really stopped being in love, even if they did stop being a couple for a while.

But then he offers a hand.] I believe it's best we go into this with no expectations. [He barely knew Jackson, but he can tell that Kaldur isn't Jackson. And that's okay. He'll take Kaldur as he is, get to know him. Partners are partners.]

It is impossible to go into any situation without some form of expectation...sir. But I will do my best to set them aside as much as possible.

[He takes Arthur's hand with a serious expression. This may not be his king, but his sense of loyalty cannot be completely diminished. He'll have to adjust to this strange situation as much as he can.]

Is there anything else I should be aware of? [If not, he does need to get to a meeting with Robin. To find out what he knows so far.]

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relentlesstide - 2013-04-02 06:21 (UTC) - Expand

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