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Post by Brainiac 5 on Mar 24, 2012 10:54:57 GMT -5
Glad that he didn’t have to breath, for it would’ve come out shaky, and broken, Brainy nodded, despite the fact that he wouldn’t be able to be seen. “Y-Yeah, it’s me, Superman,” he told the other, and despite the fact that he was one of the few that used Superman’s actual name, called him Clark, he couldn’t help but fall back on the oft-used codename, feeling… a bit scared. Quietly, his feet almost soundless on the floor, he drifted back to the table, sitting down unsteadily in the chair across the table from Conner, though he took no notice. It was just him and the phone in his hand.
And the voice on the other end, which was slightly confused. “Superman? You haven’t called me that in-” The familiar, yet not, voice cut off, comprehension apparently alighting on the other as he let out a gasp. He didn’t know what was making him understand, what he had understood, and that was troubling him. What? What? “This is when you got stuck in the past, isn’t it? You told me about this!”
…That hadn’t been what he was expecting, not at all. “I… what?” the Coluan asked, baffled. He had told Superman about this? Really? Maybe mentioning it in passing, he could understand, but this sounded like full comprehension, like he had heard the full story, and kept it to heart, even after all the years that would’ve passed. Even through… what had happened.
Clark was not deterred by his confusion, instead, feeling bolstered by it. “When you get back to the future, you tell past me all about it, and you told me that you were going to call me,” he replied, mapping it all out, before he paused, and then continued. “It’s so weird explaining this kind of stuff to you.”
Despite himself, Brainy could help but let out a small chuckle, a smile cracking its way onto his face. “Agreed,” he replied, softening slightly and feeling just a bit of tension leak away from him. So used to being the one to regulate the time travel, and explain it, it was… odd, to be on the receiving end. Of course, his experience with the matter helped him understand.
“So, what’d you call to ask?” Clark questioned, and his smile was practically visible, audible in his voice. “You, well, future you told me to say yes, no matter what.”
That. That was ingenious. Mentally applauding his future self for getting him to agree to such a matter, and tucking that information away to use later, Brainy laid out the rudimentary basics of his plan. “I’ve been operating in Jump City, rebuilding my Time Bubble,” he started, and at Superman’s affirmative noise, he continued. “Right now, I’m in Smallville, and I… I’d like to take Conner back with me. Please.”
For a moment, the absolute quiet on the other end was absolutely deafening, and then Clark sighed. “I dunno, Brainy. You’re what, eleven? And you didn’t exactly get on well with Kel-El…”
“I’m twelve, Superman,” he corrected his friend immediately, before he frowned. “Who’s Kel-El?” He didn’t recognize the name, not from the past, so… How did this ‘Kel-El’ have the name of the House of El?
A quiet, soft curse was his answer, and Brainy couldn’t help the smile quirking at the corner of his lips. Clark clearly wasn’t as used to keeping information from him as he was. Though… That was good. Superman should never be a liar, not like he was. “Another clone. You’ll meet him in a bit.” His answer was rushed, a bit panicked, as he clearly tried to not change his past and Brainy’s future, before he brought it back to their original topic. “But seriously, Brainy, are you sure? Conner’s, well, young…”
The Coluan knew how to play his best friend like a fiddle, though. “Clark, you remember your first days with the Legion, right?” There was silence on the other end, and he forged on. “We taught you to fly, you learned some of your history, we had fun. We faced our fears, we saved people… It was, is, the best. Jump City has the Teen Titans. Shouldn’t Superboy get the next best thing, if he doesn’t have the Legion? Please, Clark, don’t you think there’s a reason I tell you to say yes?” He might have not been able to compose something heartfelt towards Mrs. Kent, but to Superman… Everything that came out of his mouth towards the other was completely from the heart. He was Superman, how could it not be?
There was continued silence on the other end, before his best friend sighed. “Is Conner right there?” he asked, and at Brainy’s affirmative sound, Superman continued, raising his voice a little bit. “Conner… what do you think?” He was obviously not as familiar and comfortable with speaking to his clone as he had been with Querl, but at least he was trying.
Of course Superman would try. He was Superman.
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Post by Superboy on Mar 26, 2012 15:44:43 GMT -5
The way his new mentor and genetic template spoke to one another was so... familiar. It was so easy for them. And this from a being who was largely (if not completely) a robot. While he began to feel a fraction (and only a fraction) guilty for listening to the conversation between the two of them, as it seemed like he was intruding upon a private little reunion, he could only stand and wonder why Superman couldn't speak so freely and easily with him, his own flesh and blood.
A clever bit of time bending by future Brainy seemed to have already solved their problem before the present-Brainy even got to ask his question, which was convenient. Even so, Superman remained hesitant at the request, and when the response came informing Brainy that he was 'young', Conner couldn't help but frown dejectedly as his heart sank a little.
Young. What was that supposed to mean, exactly? If he meant his being alive for only two months, well that was hardly his fault. What, was the plan to keep him in Smallville for sixteen more years, until he was a 'proper' teenager? Surely he could see how stupid that would be... in that case, maybe he meant his sixteen-year-old 'apparent' age. That wasn't fair either - he knew for a fact that Superman was sprinting around saving the day before he was 16. Brainy proceeded to confirm that with what he said next. After a few well thought-out words, it seemed Superman was more open to the idea, but Conner still looked slightly irritated with the hero as a question was shot his way. That was the beauty of the telephone conversation. He could frown and cross his arms and shoot daggers from his eyes all he wanted - not even Superman could see him from here.
But then he dropped his attitude and his annoyed expression when it came time for his reply.
He hesitated for a moment, trying to formulate another convincing argument as he did with Mrs. Kent, but he seemed to realize that there was no point. He and Superman weren't on the level that he was on with Brainy - he couldn't figure out which words and which arguments to use, and so he sighed quietly and simply said what he truly felt.
"I want this more than anything." He responded, trying his best not to let too much emotion bleed into his words. He stopped himself from adding an extra 'please' to his appeal, but the silence that came after his words spoke for itself. He could have said more than just that. He could have done his part to try and convince him that he wasn't too young, that he was ready to do this and that he wouldn't cause danger to anybody in doing so... but he didn't feel like anything he said would mean anything - not really. If he wanted Superman to trust him and his decision, he would have to earn that trust. Brainy had already earned Superman's trust, so his words mattered. And if Conner was allowed to go to Jump, he could earn his trust too. Until then, his fate was once again out of his own hands.
His eyes slid from the phone to the Coluan who still held it. If he was going to plead with anyone for this, it would be Brainy. He was certain, from listening to them talk, that if Brainy wanted something from Superman, if he really tried, he could probably get it. Conner was counting on that now...
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Post by Brainiac 5 on Mar 27, 2012 15:54:46 GMT -5
Conner’s simple, yet profound statement inspired silence from both of those on the phone for an instant, Brainy’s purple eyes fixed on the clone, before he spoke up, glancing away. “Clark… It’s not as if we’re getting into anything too dangerous. Do you still have your communicator” Considering it sounded that he was still in contact with him, maybe, just maybe…
And he was correct. “Of course,” Clark replied, with a small sigh, and Brainy knew he had won, though the other hadn’t even said it yet. He knew what he was doing, and he couldn’t help the small gleam of triumph that showed in his smile. His best friend sighed once more, on the other end of the phone, giving in. “Why am I even arguing with you, Brainy? You always win,” he spoke up, and the smile of the boy in question grew slightly.
“I won’t invalidate that one,” Brainy responded smugly, smirk playing over his lips. But before he could say anything else, likely about his twelfth level intelligence, because that was just what he did, Superman continued.
A small, slightly amused sigh sounded, before the other spoke. “But I have some conditions, you two.” A frown played over Brainy’s lips, that Superman would be ordering him around as thus, before he decided that it was better that his friend actually still cared about him enough to say such a thing. Yes, always look for the ‘silver lining’, as Clark had said his mother said, though the Coluan still didn’t quite grasp the meaning behind it. Clouds were not outlined in silver. “Conner, I want you to listen to Brainy, he knows what he’s doing. Make some friends, and be careful, okay?” Brainy couldn’t help the smile that quirked on his lips, glad as he was for the recommendation. Of course he knew what he was doing.
“Querl…” It was still weird, hearing his name come from those lips. “You gotta give your back-up to Conner, you’re gonna need to, and-”
Brainy cut him off with a question. “Clark, is that a fact, or a statement from experience?”
There was a sigh on the other end. “Brainy…” Clark spoke in that warning tone he knew too well, with exasperation and fondness mixed into one. “Experience, trust me on that one.” Brainy could understand that, honestly. He treated his life as it was worth less than the others, simply because it was. For one, he could be revived, and two, it was worth less, simple as that. So it was a reasonable observation.
“Now don’t talk,” Superman scolded him, and, obediently, Brainy closed his mouth, keeping it firmly shut as the other continued. “No spending more than a day in a lab, and be careful, okay?”
There was a pause, where he was clearly supposed to speak, and Brainy let it hang, before he spoke up with an apathetic voice, the one usually reserved for anyone that wasn’t Superman. “Am I allowed to speak now?” He was rewarded with a snort of laughter on the other end, and had mechanical eyes been able to twinkle, they would have. Instead, he simply nodded on his end of the phone. “They are acceptable to me. Conner?”
The last word was directed to the clone, as Brainy returned his eyes to him, watching curiously for his reaction. He hadn’t been paying attention before, seeing as it had been just him and Superman, but now that the conversation had made it a necessity to expand his world slightly, he was curious to see what Superboy thought…
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Post by Superboy on Mar 28, 2012 17:22:21 GMT -5
Conditions had been expected, and before the voice on the end of the phone had even started listing them, Conner had broken into a grin from ear to ear, out-smiling Brainy by a mile at their success. The excitement he had first felt at the initial suggestion of leaving Smallville returned in full, and his mind rapidly began to wonder off, leaving the kitchen and instead turning to the possibilities of the future that had just opened up.
His head was in the clouds, and so he had to force himself to return to reality to respond to Superman's instructions. Listening to Brainy. Well that was a given, he already knew that Brainy would steer him straight. Brainy was the one he had to thank for this approaching change in the first place. He was indebted to him, and so that made the Coluan the one in charge, and that was fine with him, at least for now. Making friends. Now that was a stranger one. It confused him slightly to hear advice like that coming from Superman. He hadn't thought he cared about his social interactions, as long as he didn't get into trouble. Conner didn't know if he needed any more friends now that he had Brainy, let alone if he'd be able to actually make friends. That was okay though. 'Make friends' was hardly a condition the Man of Steel was going to enforce if he didn't fulfill it, and who knew? With the Teen Titans in Jump, there was always the chance he could meet more people like Brainy who he could socialize with. And the final condition - to 'be careful'. That was nothing new. It was the same old command he had been given over and over since he had been sprung from the growth tank at the cloning facility. Repetition of the words somewhat lessened their meaning, but Conner still responded dutifully to his instructions.
"Okay - you got it." He replied, certain that his grin could be heard in his voice but not caring to try and hide it.
He was much more interested in Superman's demands of Brainy. Particularly about him giving his 'back-up'. At first the clone assumed he meant back-up as in support, but the way they talked about it seemed to suggest it was something else. Well, if Brainy was going to follow his hero's advice (which Conner was sure he would), he would find out sooner or later anyway.
Brainy shot a question his way and he nodded as at him. "Of course!" He replied, struggling to find a balance between sounding pleased and not sounding over-eager, "I mean... Yeah. Acceptable." Then he realized that there was something else he was supposed to add to his response, and did so awkwardly, raising a hand to scratch the back of his head for something to do, "And thanks." He said simply, and it was directed to both of them.
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Post by Brainiac 5 on Mar 29, 2012 16:27:38 GMT -5
Conner certainly seemed excited by this, and why wouldn’t he be? Honestly, in his place, Brainy was positive that many of his less controlled fellow Legionaires would’ve let out cries of joy, or danced, or something along those lines, so that fact that he didn’t was a point in his favor, at least for the Coluan. It would have been annoying. For his part, at the other’s thanks, he nodded, smile still on his face. He didn’t feel that he had truly done anything, not yet, but considering all the harm that Brainiac would inflict/had inflicted upon the prominent donor of the other’s genes, it would remain nothing.
Superman, for his part, responded awkwardly. “Ah… You’re welcome, Conner.” He seemed to have issues talking to the other, and for a brief moment, Brainy wondered why, before he considered finding out that there was a clone of himself. He would destroy such a thing on the spot, so, really, Clark was doing admirably well. ‘Silver lining’, once more.
Querl hesitated after that, trying to work up the courage to say something to end this conversation, before they’d get to the inevitable ‘Brainiac’ portion of it, before Clark spoke up. “Well, guys, I have to go, me and Lois have an interview planned,” he told them, and Brainy felt like he swallowed a lemon. Lois Lane. Of course she would take up Superman’s time. It made sense. Still, despite the history books, despite all that, he couldn’t help but feel a bit upset that his idol, his best friend (though who knew if he felt the same), was just going to ditch the conversation, this highly important conversation, to go gallivanting off with his girlfriend (although he was not sure if they were together yet). Just like he had before.
But as always, Brainy pushed that away, forcing himself to keep the smile on his face. “Of course, Clark. Enjoy yourself.” And he truly did wish such a thing. Clark should always have a good time, should always be enjoying himself, and not have to face things such as Brainiac. Never.
A smile radiated through the words, pure happiness, and Brainy could picture the other quite easily in his mine, blue eyes sparkling with happiness. “Will do! Call me again later, okay?” And like that, he was gone, disappeared, and the world was just a tad darker.
For a moment, it was as if time stopped, as if he were off that high he had felt, and was plummeting to the ground, before he looked up from the phone, and smiled slightly at Conner. “That went well, don’t you think?” he asked. Yes, that had certainly gone well. The clone was going to accompany him to Jump City, he had gotten to speak with Superman, and the other either tolerated him, or had yet to make the connection between him and Brainiac (which seemed unlikely, but he had been treated so nicely…). Yes, it was well.
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Post by Superboy on Apr 2, 2012 17:00:38 GMT -5
It was probably just as well that Superman had to dash off with Lois Lane. They'd gotten the go-ahead, and the conversation coming to an end now would eliminate the chance of Superman changing his mind for some reason, as Conner feared (perhaps irrationally) that he would.
With a final few words to his old friend, the Man of Steel was gone again, and although he had just had one of the most important conversations in his short life so far, it was strange how Superman had come and gone, leaving nothing behind but his permission - and yet everything had changed. Brainy commented that the whole thing had gone well, and that seemed like an understatement. It couldn't have gone better if one of Brainy's powers was mind control. Still, he continued to restrain his enthusiasm for the sake of maintaining appearances. He hadn't quite given up his 'cool' guise completely.
"I'd say so, yeah." He replied, clearly satisfied - more so than he had been the entire day. He wanted to know what happened next, but he was determined not to seem like the over excited little kid he was. Did he pack a bag or something? Suddenly he couldn't seem to think of anything he had that was worth taking with him. It wasn't like he had a load of memories in this house that came with old photographs and sentimental keepsakes. A couple of t-shirts and some pairs of jeans and he'd be all set to go.
While thinking of this, he happened to look to Mrs. Kent again for the first time since the phone had been passed to Brainy. Oh God, she wasn't going to try and have a moment with him, was she? Surely not, they barely knew one another. And yet she did seem the type to be all protective and clingy. Couldn't she just slap him on the back and wish him luck?
Struck with the sudden horrific fear that the middle-aged woman was going to tear up on the spot and launch into a heartfelt goodbye, Conner shifted back toward the door. "I'll go get my things." He said, "I'll just be a second, okay? Then we can go. Just-" He raised his hands at Brainy as he backed out of the door, as if motioning for him to stay where he was rather than fly off and leave him behind after everything they'd just done.
He turned then and dashed up the stairs, taking the steps three at a time in a combination of excitement and a desire to get back to Brainy and save him from being trapped by Mrs. Kent, who could probably convince him to stay for dinner if she really wanted to. Actually, Conner wasn't sure if Brainy even ate food. Heck, even if he didn't that probably wouldn't be enough to stop her.
Once in his bedroom, which, like everything on the farm, was inhabited before him by Superman, he located an old backpack and threw in the items of clothing he needed, along with a toothbrush. Then he looked around the room and realized that there was nothing else he had here to take. He was used to not really owning anything. While he supposed that this would be a sensation to make most people feel empty or displaced, he actually enjoyed the feeling of not having anything here to tie him down. One of the perks of only being alive for a couple of months, he guessed. He pondered shortly whether or not he would create more ties when he got to Jump. Maybe wherever he ended up in that city would even begin to feel like... dare he say it? A home?
Well, whatever the case, he was ready to head off - he didn't see why they would waste a minute longer hanging around here. He rushed back out of the room, only stopping and dashing back in to whip the jacket off the back of the door and throw it in the backpack, which he in turn slung over his shoulder. Then he practically flew back down the stairs and rounded back into the kitchen.
"Ready!" He announced, "I mean, if you are..."
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Post by Brainiac 5 on Apr 3, 2012 16:14:45 GMT -5
While surprised that Conner wasn’t… over-reacting, Brainy was slightly intrigued by the slightly panicked look that he sent Mrs. Kent. That seemed unprecedented, especially as he turned, and the woman was just looking at them, an… odd look in her eye, as she opened her mouth to say something, before Conner made a strategic retreat. Was… there some sort of social dynamic he was missing, here? Something between mother and son, or grandmother and grandson, that he was unaware of? Before he could do anything but blink quizzically in the direction of the clone, running over thoughts in his head, Mrs. Kent spoke up. “Brainy…?”
She seemed hesitant, almost as if she wasn’t sure that was his name or she was addressing him wrong, so Brainy shifted in his seat, facing her with his attention on her, and she hesitated and continued, stepping forward. “You’ll… watch over Conner for me, won’t you?” The Coluan in question was a bit… taken aback by this, having not expected such a statement, and the woman continued. “You’re only twelve, but… He’s only a few months old, really. He needs someone to help him.”
Even he had been dead set against such a thing, the pleading look in Mrs. Kent’s eyes won him over. She would be alone here, he realized, alone and taking care of the farm by herself (maybe with help from the neighbors), and she wanted comfort that her sort-of ‘grandson’ would be fine, so Querl stood up, drifting over and laying a gentle hand on her arm. “Of course, Mrs. Kent. I’ll do my best.” The words were accompanied by a small smile, as he desperately tried to recall what Imra did when she needed to comfort someone, before he found himself embraced.
Mrs. Kent was hugging him. Stiffly, Brainy let himself be hugged, though every fiber of his being was yelling at him to push her away. It was gentle, not like Luornu’s hugs out of nowhere, compromised of three beings surrounding him, but even so, he couldn’t help but feel greatly uncomfortable. Greatly, greatly uncomfortable.
Thankfully, Conner returned then, and Querl found himself released from such a prison, with Mrs. Kent darting over to her ‘grandson’, instead. For a moment, he thought that she would hug him and serve him right, too, it was all his fault he had been hugged, but she didn’t. “Are you sure you won’t stay for dinner? I made chicken noodle soup,” she asked, instead, and glanced at Brainy as well, as if to include him. He hadn’t been feeling left out (the opposite, believe me), so he simply shrugged lightly.
“It’s up to you, Conner. Do you wish to have dinner before we head off?” It might be good, because he certainly didn’t plan on stopping, once they were in the air, but he would let the other decide. After all, he was not the one who needed food, and though he felt bad for Mrs. Kent… It wasn’t exactly in his nature to be either sympathetic or empathetic.
It was Clark’s favorite meal, though. Apparently, Mrs. Kent made the ‘best in all of Kansas’.
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Post by Superboy on Apr 5, 2012 18:47:09 GMT -5
It took a moment for Mrs. Kent's proposition to actually reach Conner, since in his brain he was still wrestling with the impression he had that she and Brainy had been hugging when he entered the room. There was nothing too weird about that though... was there? Mrs. Kent was a very huggish person, Brainy probably got ensnared. Still, he couldn't quite imagine Brainy being the huggable type. He looked to the Coluan for some kind of clue, but he was still pretty hard to read.
Mentally shaking the matter out of his thoughts (he would return to it and get to the bottom of it later. If it turned out Brainy was some kind of hug machine, he would make so much fun of him...), he turned his attention to the question Mrs. Kent gave him.
His first instinct was, of course, to decline. The last thing he wanted to do was just hang around here when they could be setting off already. It would be sunset soon, and surely it was easier to fly in the light of the sun than the dark of night. That was a valid excuse if ever he heard one.
He opened his mouth to deliver this point, but then paused upon looking at Mrs. Kent again. She looked... sad. Had she looked sad before? He didn't think so, but he had been so preoccupied with the phone call in what it entailed that maybe he just didn't notice. And noticing now made him think about the implications his decision would have on her. She'd been getting on alright running the farm without him when he arrived, but it had been a lot easier while he was here, and now she was going to have to go back to doing it herself. Not only that, but she would go back to being alone in the house. He hadn't considered it before, but maybe she would actually be lonely without someone else here.
He felt the first tug of guilt somewhere down in his gut. It was irritating. Somehow this whole thing had been made his fault. He didn't ask to come to Smallville, he'd been placed here, and now he wanted to leave, he was the bad guy?
Or maybe he was over thinking it. It was just soup. And even if it wasn't his fault that he was abandoning - no, leaving her, he felt like he owed her that much, at least. Besides, he was starving.
"Okay. Yeah, we can eat before we go." He said after thinking it though, and smiled. Not the excited little kid smile he had worn before, but a thankful expression toward his adoptive pseudo-grandmother. "Why not?"
He walked back over to the table and hung his backpack on the edge of a chair before sitting down. "Can't beat Mrs. Kent's chicken noodle soup, anyway." He told Brainy, "You won't find anything like it in Jump, that's for sure." Actually, that was a guess. He had no idea what you would and wouldn't find in jump. But compliments were easy.
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Post by Brainiac 5 on Apr 8, 2012 18:17:13 GMT -5
It seemed they were staying, then. At seeing as Mrs. Kent’s mood seemed to crank up a few notches, Brainy decided that Conner’s decision was a wise choice, and he retreated to his seat, watching the older woman bustle around, pulling out bowls, stirring the soup one last time, and performing the common actions that he had seen Brin perform in the Legion kitchen. Despite the fact that it was similar to chemistry, which he could do in his sleep (not that he slept, but the principle still stood), he was not allowed to cook anything. First of all, it was not necessary for him to eat, so he didn’t see the point, and secondly, after he had blown up a pot of boiling noodles… It had become generally accepted that Brainiacs were not suited for domestic duties.
The corner of his mouth quirked slightly at the clone’s words, noticing how it made Mrs. Kent’s face even lighter. “I did enjoy the pizza there, but I have heard much about ‘Ma’s homemade chicken noodle’, so I am certain you are right.” It was rare for him to connect to people easily, but Conner was similar enough to Clark for him to feel relaxed, yet different enough that he did not feel as if the other were trying to take his friend’s place. And of course, he would never be rude to Mrs. Kent, not after what she had been through on the behest of Brainiac. No, no matter how much she grated on him, never.
A bowl was placed in front of him, the scent of which he immediately began processing, analyzing what seemed to be in it from scent, and the robot nodded his thanks at Mrs. Kent, picking up his spoon and taking a bite. Despite the fact that he did not have organic taste buds, and he was, for the most part, analyzing the ingredients that were in it (by the second bite, he had a list of all the components, and by the fifth, was figuring out the correct dosages), Brainiac 5 had to admit that it was quite good, and told Mrs. Kent so.
After that statement, he retreated from the light chatter that seemed to accompany every meal table, answering any questions politely but sparing no extra words, eating his soup mechanically until it was gone (he had a completed recipe by the end for Brin to attempt). He… felt awkward. With his teammates, though he did not always eat (though he never turned down a Timber Wolf cookie), it wasn’t this way, unless the more extended members of the league came in, instead comfortable. When he was with people he knew, and trusted, even if he was just reading a book at the table, analyzing his next project, or interjecting with comments about their next mission, he felt welcome. Amongst those he did not know, though… He did not, and by Mrs. Kent, he felt horribly, irreparably guilty, and so remained quiet, hoping for the meal to hurry on and finish it.
When it was over, when that exceedingly awkward dinner (to Querl, at least) was over with, and Mrs. Kent had retreated to collecting the dishes, and then washing them, clearly trying to extend their stay only slightly, Brainy decided that now was better than later, and with the only fully human occupant of the room preoccupied, he opened the center circle on his chest, and pulled out his back-up, a small purple disc that he placed in front of Superboy. “This is my back-up,” he explained, voice slightly below the audible register for Mrs. Kent. “If I ‘die’” –the last word was accompanied by quotations he made with his fingers, something which Bouncing Boy tended to do- “or am severely incapacitated, slide it into the center circle on my forehead. It contains a copy of all of my processes, memories, and functions, just to be safe.”
In truth, he was vaguely curious to see how Conner would react to it, because the disc that he had just presented him with was as close to a clone of a robot as you could get. But Superman had stated that he should pass it on, so he would.
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Post by Superboy on Apr 9, 2012 12:28:34 GMT -5
Dinner passed uneventfully, with Conner actually enjoying the meal since he had expended quite a lot of energy that day (what with fighting Brainy, smashing trees and almost exiting the stratosphere with his first experience of flight). Although Brainy seemed to be keeping quiet, Mrs. Kent was happily chatting away, and strangely Conner was finding it easier to talk to her now than he had since he'd arrived. Maybe that now she had agreed to let him go, he wasn't seeing her as a captor or a babysitter, but a relative... in a strange, roundabout kind of way. Regardless, he was able to listen contentedly while she offered a couple more bits and pieces of advice when it came to living in a city, and took brief mental notes of her various warnings about being surrounded by a lot more people than he was here in Smallville. In another context, it might have felt like a lecture, but the chat was lighthearted and easy, so it was more like friendly advice, to which he was not adverse. Both Brainy and Mrs. Kent had more experience interacting with humans than he did, and he would have to be stupid not to take heed of what they told him. At least until he figured things out for himself.
He relaxed back in his seat while Mrs. Kent busied herself with the dishes, and took the moment of peace to try and collect his thoughts, which had been scattered all over the place in the course of the day. It wasn't long before Brainy drew his attention to speak with him though.
So this was his 'back-up', the thing he had been speaking about with Superman on the phone. As the Coluan explained exactly what it was, the clone picked it up between his fingers and examined it interestedly, hesitating and looking back to Brainy with slightly widened eyes when his explanation was completed, and it suddenly sank into his brain exactly what this was. His 'processes, memories and functions'... Brainy might have talked about it like it was a flash drive (the principal was similar, after all), but Conner realized what it really was, and the implications of his being given it. The little purple disc that he was holding between his fingers was Brainiac 5. Processes, memories, functions... what it really meant was that, if Brainy had a soul, this was it. And now Conner was being given it, and Brainy was trusting him to reboot him if anything ever happened to him.
While part of his mind was occupied with what an incredible creature Brainy was, that he was, given this new information, far more powerful than Conner could possibly hope to be, and undoubtedly far more clever, he was also contemplating what a great responsibility he had just been given. Sure, there may have been several copies of this back-up. He could give them to every person he met, if he wanted. But still, it was important, and the way he spoke in his reply showed that he realized that.
"I understand." He said, after having gathered himself from the surprise that had visibly passed over his face when he first realized what he was holding, "I'll keep it safe." He smiled reassuringly, already feeling the pressure to do something to prove to him that he was trustworthy enough to even have this. But that would have to wait until Jump.
He placed the little purple disc in his backpack, carefully lying it between the folds of clothes he had packed. It'd be safe from any impact in there for now, and he'd find a better place to keep it when he got to his new home. Maybe he'd figure out a way to keep it with him at all times... but then there was the higher possibility of damage...
He put the matter out of his mind for now, deciding that he would think it through properly later.
The light of day was starting to turn orange, and it flooded in through the window in the kitchen and illuminated the room, casting faint red shadows and glinting off the metal of the kitchen sink. Conner sat at the table in silence, appreciating the strange stillness of the atmosphere for a moment, until Mrs. Kent finished the washing up she was doing and turned to them again.
"We'd better take off," He told her, as carefully as he could, "Before it gets dark." He cast another look to Brainy for his approval of the sentiment, before standing up out of his chair and grabbing his bag again. "Thanks for the soup, Mrs. Kent, it was great. And thanks for... you know." He realized with a chord of horror that resounded in his brain that, if an awkward goodbye moment was going to arise, it would be now, "Everything." He finished, and then, because he felt like he was meant to add something to that, "I'll... come visit sometime, okay?"
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Post by Brainiac 5 on Apr 11, 2012 18:14:42 GMT -5
He was unsure of how to react to Conner’s, well, reaction, a mixture of surprise asn seriousness, so the Coluan merely nodded his thanks, a small smile playing over his lips before he returned to his usual impassive self. None of his teammates had taken his disc so… reverently, nor treated it so carefully, like how the other was doing as he stowed it away (though Superman had not known what it was when he received it, so of course he was excused), though the surprise was expected. It happened every time he proved himself vastly different from his teammates, for they often forgot that he was not as humanoid as they.
But the moment of exchanging information and contemplating reactions flitted by, for Mrs. Kent was finished with her task, and Conner spoke. Nodding slightly at the other’s words, for yes, they should be going, though the light (or rather the lack thereof) would not affect him, he watched, bemused, as the other attempted to bid farewell to his ‘grandmother’. The older woman in question took a moment to compose herself, holding herself back with what seemed to be great strength (Clark had to get it from somewhere), before she smiled softly. “Call me ‘Ma’, dear, and it’s nothing,” she spoke, and then took the few steps to embrace the clone (which made Brainy smirk, for the other was getting it back, hah!), before she released him, keeping her hands on his forearms and speaking as she would to her own child.
“You had better visit! I expect to see you every holiday, and you have to call me and keep me updated, understand?” Had he had a heart, Brainy likely would’ve felt it pang, but as it was, he simply averted his eyes. Was that what it was like, to have a mother? Or a grandmother? Aside from the hug, it looked… nice, someone to watch over you and care for you. She was insistent and stubborn like Garth, warm and motherly like Imra, and welcoming (though not to the same extent) and friendly like Clark.
He must’ve missed the rest of their exchange, if there was one aside from Mrs. Kent releasing Conner, for when he looked back up from his musings on motherhood and where was Mother, he wondered, Mrs. Kent was there, and he only had a moment’s notice before he was swept into another hug. Perhaps it was because he appeared to be a child (he ignored the voice, sounding quite a bit like Lightning Lad, that insisted he was a child, and made a note to make sure his programming had no bugs later on), but Mrs. Kent insisted on hugging him, and it was a lucky thing that she could not see his face, nor the pained expression that he held, arms and body stiff as a rod, clearly uncomfortable. He did not like this, not one little bit. He was not built for physical interaction, no, he did not like it, not at all, and had this not been Superman’s mother, he would’ve shoved her away and fled. As it was, he simply endured it, looking as if he were almost in physical pain, until she let go (it seemed to last for eternity, though he knew it was even shorter than Conner’s hug) and he twisted his expression back into his usual impassive one.
“It’s always good to meet some of Clark’s friends,” she told him, and Querl couldn’t help the slight twist of his mouth, quirking into a slight smile at the reference to him being Superman’s friend. “You’re welcome anytime you want to visit, alright?”
He nodded in return. “Of course, Mrs. Kent.” Imra, Tinya, Luornu, or Brin would’ve made him thank her, but they were not hear, so he did not voice that. Instead, he wondered briefly if she would still say such a thing should she know the connection between him and Brainiac, if she knew that he was built with his coding, and it was his fault her husband was dead. There was an 89.47% chance that she would not make that offer.
Now, though, he turned to Conner, trying to forget that. “Shall we go, then?” he inquired. He could certainly navigate well in the dark, but Superboy, on the other hand…
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Post by Superboy on Apr 12, 2012 17:57:09 GMT -5
The hug had been unexpected. And Conner wasn't sure whether or not it was as awkward for 'Ma' (which, if he could help it, he was never going to call her...) as it was for him. It didn't seem so, as she held him tightly until she let him go, and then spoke sincerely to him about calling to update her and returning during holidays. It seemed like she really did want him to keep in touch. He had really only said that before since it was a social custom, and something to fill the silence. Again he was confronted with the suspicion that his presence on the Kent Farm had been more than just as a farm hand. He was certain they hadn't 'bonded' while he was here... had they? Well if they had, he hadn't realized it. That was probably what made it awkward.
He was no longer sure as to what the proper response to the situation was. He had seen a few departure scenes on TV, but none of them quite covered his particular set of circumstances. And usually there was a love interest involved. At least he didn't have to deal with that.
He didn't know what else to say, so he simply stepped aside and watched as Brainy was re-captured into a hug of his own. Well. If Conner thought his hug was awkward, he was getting a lesson from a professional now. His face cracked into a smirk as he saw Brainy tense up and he had to try and pass his snickering off as a short cough. When Brainy next looked at him, he tried to look as innocent as possible. It did occur to him, though, that Brainy probably didn't have a mother, being a machine-boy. He was lucky. Okay, he appreciated Mrs. Kent's help and what she'd done for him, but he was so glad to be getting away from her 'parental guidance'. Yeah. Mothers weren't for him. He didn't get the appeal. Maybe if it was his mother, and not a borrowed one...
But he was determined not to get dragged into that chain of thought. It wouldn't lead anywhere good. That was why when Brainy finally asked those words, the ones he had been waiting to hear since dinner, he smiled at him and nodded. "Yeah. Let's go."
Sparing a final glance and a wave to Mrs. Kent, he then led the way out of the kitchen, back to the front door through which they had entered, and out onto the white wooden porch on the other side. For a moment Conner paused, waiting for Brainy to come to his side and simply breathing in the evening air, feeling his skin absorb the sun's rays. He definitely felt stronger in the sunlight - he was sure it wasn't his imagination.
Feeling replenished and once again full of energy, he threw together an image in his mind, recaptured the sensation of being lighter than air, and stepped off the top step of the porch, floating into the air instead of going down. He drifted upward and forward a short distance, imagining that familiar cloud around him turning him to face Brainy and the house.
"Lead the way." He grinned, once again a little kid about to embark on a big adventure.
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Post by Brainiac 5 on Apr 14, 2012 18:51:28 GMT -5
Conner seemed a little too pleased with his discomfort, a fact which he tried to hide, but he couldn’t hide it from Brainiac 5. Though he wasn’t the best at reading emotions, because he tended to try and pretend that he didn’t have any, for efficiency’s sake, he was anything but stupid, and so his eyes narrowed at his errant ‘pupil’. Could he call him such? Hm… He had not with Superman, but with him, it was more assisting in his training, rather than the one-on-one planning that he would have to proceed with here with Superboy. Yes, ‘pupil’ would be an accurate term, though it was highly unlikely that he would actually speak it.
Once the clone had agreed, Brainy gave Mrs. Kent one last nod of farewell, and followed Conner outside, shutting the door carefully behind him. He paused beside him, curious as to why the other had stopped, but before he could question this action, or find out why the other had such a smile on his face (was this truly so exciting for him?), Superboy lifted off, presumably using his odd method of flight, as it was not as smooth as a Legionnaire’s flight (though he was better than some of the newer ones, likely on account of him being genetically disposed towards flight, at least on his Kryptonian side), so the Coluan nodded, drifting up easily beside him, noting Mrs. Kent watching them from the window, likely trying to be discreet and failing.
The cover on his arm sliding back to reveal his purple keypad, Brainy quickly typed in the coordinates, speaking to Kon. “We’ll have to fly high enough so that no one on the ground will be able to see what we are, but we can’t pass by any planes. You’re still in civilian clothing, so…” Coordinates complete, he surveyed Conner with a slightly critical eye. “…We’ll have to discuss uniform choices when we arrive…”
Perhaps he should make the other a modified version of the original Legion suit? He had never worn it, personally, simply sticking with his usual clothes from Colu (not that any of his team realized that they were the clothes that branded him as a Brainiac, something he had worn for his whole life, not something he had designed for his name), but most of the other members took it, simply modifying it for themselves, and then that was their uniform…
That was for another time. Perhaps they could discuss schematics on their trip to Jump City. And so, smiling ever so slightly at Conner, Brainy flitted ahead into the sky, pausing to make sure that the other was following, before he continued. “It’s this way,” he stated firmly, flying comfortably, neck extended slightly (it was a habit of his, when they were flying for a longer period, something that he shouldn’t have, yet did), as he led the way towards Jump City.
Well now. He had come to see where he was on the timeline, if Brainaic had attacked, if Superman was still his friend, if he could possibly make an ally out of the other… And now he was coming back with the hope that he could still remain in contact with his hero, and a ‘pupil’. How the Legion would laugh if they knew.
[ooc: ...The end?]
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