video; locked

[heliakal]

[ private to: Ivan, (Solid) Snake, Bruce, Miles, Gregor, Elizabeth, and Tony ]

So, about my secret identity. [ A small quirk of his lips - it's still odd to say it, but still, he should have done this months ago. ]

I know that I've already spoken to most of you about this, but not in a whole lot of detail... the short of it is, I really need you to keep what you know about me to yourself, for your own safety. I thought it wouldn't be as much of an issue here, but there are some things I didn't take into account.

[ Namely, his family showing up, and the fact that Superman is a lot more popular than he imagined. It was one thing, when the worst he had to worry about was maybe the Ingress pulling Faora out of the phantom zone, but that's just in his corner of the universe. Suddenly there are a lot of people who might have a bone to pick with him, and anyone around him.

But mainly, there are things that only Superman can deal with. He needs his own space to maneuver just as much as Clark needs the space to be, well, Clark. ]

I've got a second ID on the network now, under Superman. If I'm out in that suit, I'd prefer if you called me that, or Kal, instead of Clark. [ He rubs the side of his neck. Theoretically, asking people to call him Superman is a thing he'll eventually get used to. ] Mostly it's there if anyone needs to contact me in case of an emergency, or if there's anyone you know who might need my help.

If anyone asks, there's nothing special about Clark Kent. I'm sure there are some questions, and I'll answer them, but suffice to say, the less people know about what I really am for now, the better.

Oh, and if anyone else shows up and mentions Superman or the Justice League, I'd appreciate a heads-up. Thanks.

Comments

video

[whatdidisay]

( don't go spilling clark's identity everywhere, yeah yeah he's got that.

the important part of this is, however: )

You want to be called Superman?

[heliakal]

It's... What people call me.

[whatdidisay]

Is it because of the "S"? Don't get me wrong, I'll do it, it just seems like an odd choice.

( sorry clark. )

[heliakal]

It's not an "S." But -- yes. [ And Lois Lane takes this round. It does kind of look like an S. ] I think that's a part of the reason she picked it. I just didn't realize it would stick.

[ This is the face of a man doing his level best not to actually squirm in discomfort. ] I appreciate that, Ivan.

[whatdidisay]

Oh. ( he says, a light going on behind his eyes. ) It was given to you by a woman.

( damn son. )

[heliakal]

Yeah, she thought... [ Clark stops and, slowly, flushes right to the tips of his ears. ]

No, Ivan, it wasn't because-- [ Exasperated: ] We were in an interrogation room.

[narcissistictendencies]

[Tony... shouldn't be smirking, but he is.]

Embrace the name and the fame, buddy. I knew you wouldn't be able to hold out forever.

[heliakal]

[ Clark looks down at the table then back at the screen again. ]

I'm working on it. So what's next, do I join a team?

[ He's mostly being facetious here. ]

[narcissistictendencies]

Hey, you could, you know. It's not bad once you get used to it. And I think you'd make an excellent Avenger, if it were up to me.

[He's not saying you should join their team, but you should join their team.]

But, we didn't so much 'join' as we were recruited by Fury then thrown into a catastrophe together.

[heliakal]

[ He pauses a moment, actually considering that. ] I'll think about it. I definitely wouldn't mind some pointers from someone who's been at this longer than I have. And whether or not we're on a team together, you know you can always give me a call if I can help.

[ They've talked a little bit about this, but Clark is always curious. ] The alien attack, you mean? That must have been a trial by fire. Did you stay together after?

text

[forwardmomentum]

[ miles doesn't get around to seeing this until late at night, and he definitely squints at his MID screen for a while after watching this. yeah, he totally gets what clark is asking, and it's absolutely reasonable, he'd ask the same thing if he were in that position, but... his tired brain can really only scrounge up one thing to reply to. ]

Superman?

[heliakal]

It's a long story. And I did say you could call me Kal.

Are you alright?

[forwardmomentum]

Just fine, and I will, thank you. Actually, come to think of it, I don't think you've ever specified what you prefer to be called in private. When no one else is around, I mean -- well, when no one else but me is around, anyway.

[ sorry clark did you think you were really going to get a real answer ]

[heliakal]

I hadn't really thought about it a lot. I've been 'Clark' my whole life. It's just... Sometimes it feels almost like it fits as strangely as 'Superman.'

[ Which isn't to say that it doesn't fit. Clark is the name his parents gave him, and Superman is from the people of his adoptive home. But at the same time, he feels like both of them are just - facets, maybe. Parts of a whole.

'Kal-El' is his birthright, something he can claim for himself. But it feels... intimate. Does he want Miles to call him that? ]

Better question: are you going to meet me somewhere, or am I going to come and find you?

[forwardmomentum]

Hm. Well, think on it and get back to me. At your leisure, of course.

What are you talking about? Did I miss a memo?

[ wait. shit. did he miss something -- or forget, rather? miles racks his brain. no, he's pretty sure he hasn't forgotten any plans he made with clark. he's pretty sure they haven't made any recently -- miles has been damn near off the grid lately with how all over the place he's been. ]

[video; locked]

[soldiergenes]

[ It's taken some time, but Snake can tell when a message sent to him is private. Technology is not his strong suit, but it's hard to miss the icon of a lock in the corner of the video feed.

Clark's message is well-timed, since Snake's been meaning to follow up with him ever since their encounter on Emiri. His family converging on him like the ship was the destination for some sort of horrible reunion had kept him distracted, to say the least.

It's not like Snake can blame Clark for wanting to put some distance between his two identities, if they can be called that. Not that it had been difficult to tell he was the same person even in that red and blue suit, but maybe he'll be taking more care now.

After taking it all in, Snake sends a message back. He's in his room, which is as private as it's going to get around here. Scott and Wash are out. ]

So what didn't you take into account?

[heliakal]

[ When he opens the feed, there's something pensive in his expression. He doesn't think Snake is a bad person, but he's still a soldier, and they're no longer working against a common enemy. ]

Well, it turns out the multiverse is a big place, and there's more than one version of my world. [ He leans back, and nudges his glasses back up - more telling of any discomfort than his expression. ] Superman is just a fiction in some places, or doesn't exist at all, but in others... That shield means something to people. Eventually it'll mean something here, too.

So far, that something has been positive, but I don't expect that to always be the case. You've seen some of what I can do. Imagine the kind of person who'd pick a fight with me, and how.

[soldiergenes]

[ All this talk of multiple or alternate versions tends to gloss over in Snake's head, turning into static that he can't really make any sense of, simply because it's too big to even imagine. As far as he can tell, there's only one version of his own world, only one version of him. At least he can hold onto that.

Superman doesn't mean anything to Snake, except that he's someone who has incredible abilities that could be used for good or abused. Thankfully Clark doesn't seem to be the type of person to misuse his abilities. ]

If you still go flying around in that cape when a crisis hits, those people would still notice and pick a fight with you. I get that it's easier to contain if they don't know who you are otherwise, but damage would still be done.

[ Snake doesn't have a good solution for Clark, but he figures he should point out the obvious problem in his plan. ]

[heliakal]

[ Trust a soldier to look at this tactically, first. Clark nods, his expression serious, something like regret lingering in it. He has a long history with collateral. ] You're right, it would be. I'm trying to find a better solution, but getting ahead of it and containing it is the best I can think of. It's not as simple as changing up the suit or something like that - that symbol isn't just a beacon to enemies. It's important that the people who trust me can still find me.

[ He cards his fingers through his hair. It feels self-important talking about things like this, but it's the reality of the situation. ]

And speaking of visitors from home... It looks like you got a few of them yourself. Friends?

[soldiergenes]

[ For someone like Snake whose job revolves around being as unnoticeable as possible, it's difficult to relate to where Clark is coming from. But he can tell that it stems from wanting to help others. Clark isn't going to hide away just because he might draw the attention of some unsavory people, and Snake can respect that.

The subject change is sudden, to say the least, and not toward anything that Snake's interested in talking about. Still, he might as well take the chance to offer some warnings. ]

More like enemies, in most cases. [ Snake's mouth twists downward like he's tasted something sour. ] You're better off staying away from most of them. Especially Liquid -- he looks similar to me facially, but his hair is blond.

EXTRA PRIVATE

[lets_see_what_happens]

Of course. [Simple as that.] What do you prefer to be called in private, Clark or Kal? I somehow doubt you want to be called 'Superman' all the time, though I will if you ask.

[heliakal]

[ Simplicity is something he can definitely appreciate - but of course Gregor would understand. Since Miles had asked the same thing, he's given it some thought, and this time he has an answer. ]

I'd really prefer if you didn't. [ He smiles. ] They're both my name but - Kal, I suppose.

[lets_see_what_happens]

All right then, Kal. [Gregor smiles slightly, tilting his head--curious, but not pressing.]

I'd be interested in hearing more about whatever situation you have back home that's prompted this split. Or just more about you in general. [He turns a palm out in view of the vid pickup, an offering gesture.] I'd be happy to trade again, if you liked. No urgent questions, though, it's just my own curiosity.

i tried to make this sound less like flirting and i didn't succeed

[heliakal]

It's my kryptonian name. [ It seems fair to volunteer that much. ] That crest on my suit is my family name: El.

[ The rest of it is a longer story, but Clark props his chin up on the heel of his palm and returns Gregor's expression with an easy, unrestrained smile of his own. For once he doesn't feel quite so apprehensive about the idea of talking about all of this. He's not particularly interested in putting his strangeness on display, but with Gregor it's different. He thinks maybe they'll find more common ground. ]

We could have that drink, if you're up for it.​

AND THEN I HAD THIS TAG COMPLETED IN MY INBOX FOR A MILLION YEARS AND LOST IT

[lets_see_what_happens]

Oh, I see. [Gregor sounds enlightened, warmed by the smile spreading over Clark--over Kal's face.] I'd like that very much, if you have time. I'm assuming some kind of minor crisis prompted this sudden tightening of security.