First Night [Action]

[cowledcrusader]

[In the middle of the previous night, a note will be left under the door of Clark Kent.  It reads as follows:]

Clark,

There are urgent matters to discuss.  Be on top of Community Housing 7 at midnight.

[The note is not signed and not dated.  Mysterious letter is mysterious.  The only question is whether or not Clark will meet him there at the appropriate time.   As for the rest of the night before then, Batman will keep tabs on Luceti.  He's looking for anyone in particular he might find useful.  If you want to be shadowed by this vigilante or speak with him feel free to be out and about minding your own business.  Don't worry about finding him.  He'll find you.

Be warned, he may not even stop to talk if he doesn't want to.  That's just how he is.]

Comments

[Action]

[greenlongjohns.livejournal.com]

[Batman would surely never bother with a bald guy with a beard. But here he is anyways, walking to the general store, dressed in casual civilian clothing, wearing sunglasses to disguise those glowing eyes of his. Why would he do that to his hair? Why?]

[Action]

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

[Batman is hiding in the darkness not far from the path. As John passes him, he'll speak up quietly, in his normal Batman voice.]

...Decided to go with a new look?

[Action]

[greenlongjohns.livejournal.com]

[Have a very brief moment of surprise, mostly shown in the rise of his eyebrows. He doesn't move to speak to Batman or face him, simply crossing his arms.] I decided not to attract attention. [Referring to the civilian clothing, of course. Batman probably saw him using his ring for Moro earlier in the day though.]

[Action]

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

Your head. You shaved it.

[Action]

[greenlongjohns.livejournal.com]

[He has as much of a satisfied smirk as he is capable of now.] So much for the master of deduction. I did that a month ago. [Of course, John isn't that naive. So he'll immediately follow that with the current date, which is likely almost two years ahead of Batman's.]

[Action]

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

[Batman subtly raises an eyebrow.]

...It seems that Professor Sage's guide is correct. You and I come from different parts of the timeline. The last thing I recall was leaving Themyscira after defeating Faust.

[Action]

[greenlongjohns.livejournal.com]

[John remembers that mission. He wasn't there for it, but he read the log for it.]

I'm from further ahead, then. [And he won't elaborate unless pressed to.] How long have you been here?

[Action]

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

Three days, seven hours.

You're the first I've spoken to. You haven't been here long either, have you.

[More of a statement rather than a question.]

[Action]

[greenlongjohns.livejournal.com]

Longer than I have, then. [John glances down at his ring.] Found the ring and the lantern. Tried to contact Oa, only got static.

[Action]

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

The barrier keeping us trapped in here likely blocks all forms of communication. It seems to be made out of some sort of energy field that's impenetrable with any weapons the locals have tried.

Shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. That barrier was erected by the Malnosso and they're not going to hand us the key to our own cell.

[Action]

[greenlongjohns.livejournal.com]

There's the power dampening effect in play as well. It's powerful enough to even cut the output I can get with the ring.

[Action]

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

By about fifty percent, if the guide is accurate.

[Action]

[greenlongjohns.livejournal.com]

Definitely accurate. It's going to require more practice to make up the difference.

[Action]

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

The sooner you can, the better. This village is filled with very powerful people. Magicians, metahumans, non-humans, and warriors. There are a handful of mundane individuals, but they are in the minority.

...And those are the people who don't intend to cause harm.

[Action]

[greenlongjohns.livejournal.com]

I've already received information on some of the more dangerous residents. [Not that he needs to name them off, he's sure Batman has gathered more on that than he has.] What kind of equipment do you have on hand?

[Action]

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

Not much. The Malnosso left me with the basics and little else. And without the Batcave, I'll have to do everything the old fashioned way.

[Action]

[greenlongjohns.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you'll manage. [A statement of fact, not sarcasm.] Although the Malnosso have been making offers to the residents, in exchange for luxuries. Clark already volunteered.

[Action]

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

He's walking into a trap. Even if the Malnosso are fighting invaders beyond the barrier, they'll probably sending volunteers on suicide missions.

[Action]

[greenlongjohns.livejournal.com]

Maybe. There's a lot more support from the residents than I expected.

[Action]

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

Frustration and bloodlust are a dangerous combination.

[Action]

[greenlongjohns.livejournal.com]

You'll be talking to Clark soon, right?

[Action]

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

Of course.

[Action]

[greenlongjohns.livejournal.com]

I'll leave you to it, then. By now, I'm sure you know where to find me. [John isn't one to underestimate Batman's stalking skills.]

[Action]

[cowledcrusader.livejournal.com]

[Have a self-satisfied smirk, John.]

I'll be in touch.

[Action]

[greenlongjohns.livejournal.com]

I'm counting on it. [And John keeps on walking, back on his original course.]