omegafriends

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002

Who: Clark Kent and Blake Belladonna

descendsfromshadow
What: A chance meeting after their previous encounter
Where: A grocery store
When: A day or two before Lady Blue's theft of the Omegabase

[Technically, Clark didn't need to eat, but thanks to his mother he has a certain appreciation for good cooking. He didn't get a lot of time to actually do much cooking given the demands of his job, but every once in a while on a night where he just got to be Clark Kent he'd make something other than take-out. He was hoping tonight would be one of those nights. Between the dinosaur invasion, some of the other Omegafriends wildly changing personalities and the dozens of crimes that happen on any given night he hadn't had much time to himself. The job would always-- always come first. But even Superman needed a break every once in a while.

[He wandered down the isles of the store, picking the odd ingredient here and there, keeping one ear tuned toward the vibrant soundscape of Venture City, just in case there was some situation the others couldn't take care of. For the moment, they were on top of everything, and that got a smile out of him. A few years ago, there were only a few heroes on the street, and for every brush fire you put out there were three more springing up. It seemed like a distant memory.

[It seemed like everything was well in hand until the shouting drifted in from the front of the store. Sounds like someone got caught shoplifting. Clark adjusted his glasses, moving to the front of the store. It sounded like the situation was under control, but on the off chance that changed he'd rather be up close.]

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[It's a nearly perfect illusion. Even standing right beside him, Blake can barely see any of the man she'd run across that night. There's a resemblance but everything else is off from his voice to his stature. If it wasn't for her senses, she never would have known the difference.

It takes her a second to catch on to what he's trying to do and she glances between the two of them. Perhaps unhelpfully, she quickly discards that look of panic and back to her usual even expression. Still, it seems to be enough as the manager sighs a little bit.]

"Sorry, but it's store policy to call the police for thefts over a certain amount."

If it'll help, I can pay for what she took.

[Clark offers, reaching into his pocket to pull out his wallet.]

Edited (Because I selected the wrong icon twice like a knob) 2014-08-23 08:30 (UTC)

[Wait, if he what? Blake looks up, almost as if she wants to protest but then pauses, reconsidering. If she refused then she'd be right back where she started, looking at either dealing with the police or fleeing.]

[The manager frowns, thinking over the idea for a second before sighing once more.]

"I guess that's fine. As long as she doesn't come in here again."

[Blake shifts her attention again, giving the manager an even, cool look.]

That won't be an issue.

[Even if she did protest, he'd probably end up doing it anyway.

[Clark nods to Blake and turns back to the manager with a smile as he fishes out a few bills from his wallet to cover whatever it is she'd picked off the shelves. As soon as that was done, he turned to Blake and nodded towards the door. It's probably best they leave. He has a few questions, and his groceries can wait.]

[Well, that was done. For the second time since showing up in Venture City, Blake swallows a bit of her pride. She gives the manager one last look before snatching up the now-paid-for food and turning sharply to head out the door.

It's nonetheless a tough pill to swallow. Being forced to steal is bad enough, but she'd thought she was done relying on other people like this.]

[There's no shame in getting help when you need it.

[Clark steps ahead to hold the door for her before following her out onto the street. His parents saw to it that manners are pretty much instinctive for him at this point.]

So. How'd you know it was me?

[He asks, figuring that she probably doesn't want to talk about how often this happens. Not that he couldn't guess.]

[Even if that's the case, she can't say she likes it very much. She can recognize that it might be foolish, but it's still a blow to her pride on some level.

... And he's following her. Naturally. She couldn't have expected to get away that easily, but at least he's focusing on something else for the moment. She's quiet for a second, glancing around to make sure nobody's in earshot before answering.]

A pair of glasses and some oversized clothing doesn't change your scent.

I see.

[It had never occurred to him to mask it. He's going to have to figure something out for that. This time it's his turn to make sure no one was close.]

All the same, if you're serious about this Black Fang thing, it wouldn't hurt to look in to getting some.

[She shrugs.]

It probably isn't something you typically need to worry about.

[Besides, it's only fair considering he already knows all about her. Further evidenced by him mentioning her "alter ego."]

That's what these are for. [She gestures to the colored lenses on her eyes and the black bow in her hair.] So far, they've worked well enough. People tend to see what they want to see, after all.

... But I'll consider it.

Maybe not, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

[He may have earned a lot of goodwill as Superman, but he has just as many enemies. Of course, this applies to her too. She has as much reason to keep her identity secret as anyone he's ever met.]

Good. [Clark says, idly adjusting his glasses.] It pays to be careful.

I'm glad though. To hear what you've been doing

[Their talk had left her with a lot to think about, and he hadn't been sure what she would end up doing with it. He's happy to see she made the right one, or has at least started down that road.]

Edited 2014-08-24 05:02 (UTC)

[More reason than he might even realize right now, but no reason to go into that right now. The city was just about the safest place she could be right now. Even with the risk of law enforcement.]

[She blinks, glancing up at him and then at the ground ahead of her. She can only guess he's referring to her recent involvement in that Gem of Pandora mess.]

... It wasn't exactly something I intended to get involved in. I just sort of got mixed up in it all.

[With a little bit of help from her impromptu partner, Yang, or Golden Dragon.]

Even if you weren't looking to get involved, a few heroes have you and the others to thank for things going back to the way they're supposed to be

[He doesn't have all the details, but what he had painted a pretty flattering picture.]

Whether or not it's a one-time deal, you did some good work.

[A genuine compliment, and a moderately subtle way of asking if she's going to keep it up.]

Edited 2014-08-24 05:45 (UTC)

Mm.

[It was just something that had to be done. Blake still wasn't that interested in fighting for human justice but after seeing how the Gem had changed somebody like Moonlight... well, it was something that had to be stopped.

She picks up on the sincerity in the compliment, and the subtle question and glances away for a moment before glancing up and sideways at Clark.]

I think there might be some people who are disappointed that we didn't recover it. I'm sure somebody thought about using it on captured villains.

[That gets a sigh out of him. Not a frustrated one, but more ... disappointed.]

I'm sure there were a few.

[He can understand it on a pragmatic level, but that doesn't mean he thinks it's right by any stretch of the imagination.]

Maybe it's better that it stays gone, then.

Edited 2014-08-25 22:24 (UTC)

[Disappointment. That's... promising, but she doesn't drop the studying look just yet.]

Maybe, but you can't say that it wouldn't have saved everyone a lot of problems down the road. Rewriting a criminal's entire personality.

That doesn't make it right. No matter how much power you have, you don't get to make other people's choices for them.

[There's a moment of silence from her before her expression softens slightly.]

I agree. I just wanted to see what you'd say.

[She looks forward again, smiling faintly for just a second.]

Thank you for the food. I'll find away to return the favor someday.

[He had a feeling.]

Don't worry about it.

[He said, waving his hand as if he's waving away the idea of it. She was in a bad place, and he was more than willing to lend a hand.]

[He can say that but... she's made a note of it anyway. She'll think of something.]

So... what should I call you right now?

Clark.

[She already knows it's him, so there really isn't much of a point in trying to keep that particular genie in the bottle.]

Clark.

[She repeats the name, committing it to memory like he had done some time ago, nodding to herself.]

They gave me one of those watches after the fight. ... I guess that makes me part of the team now.

[He smiles. A situation like that, he can see why.]

So you'll be staying at the Omegabase then?

[It's been on his mind, where she's staying. Like she said, there are plenty of areas in the city that are unfortunately inhospitable to Faunus, and even those probably have more of a price tag than she can afford.]

That seems to be the most viable option for now.

[It's true there aren't really many safe havens for her kind here. Of course, the White Fang had places hidden away that she'd been using but those weren't particularly safe for her either anymore.]

[He nods in agreement.]

I'm glad to know you'll have someplace safe to stay.

[It's one less thing she has to worry about, which is good. She may be able to handle herself just fine, but she shouldn't have to.]

And if you ever need to reach me ...

[He raises his arm, letting his sleeve drop to reveal the watch on his wrist]

You know what to do.

[It's a weight off of her mind as well. Now all she has to do is work out some way around not having any kind of income.

She looks toward his watch and nods, and then offers a faint smile.]

Well, at the very least I know who to call if I ever need to move a couch.

[She gets a laugh out of him.]

You wouldn't be the first.

[He turns, ready to let her go, but he stops.]

Have you given any more thought about what I said? About what you're going to do?

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