multiversallogs | they say that a hero could save us

Lex has had plenty on his plate that has very little to do with restoration. With Brock Marsh getting hit particularly hard with the various creatures he'd had to keep refuge with Clark for a while before setting out again to take out a few of the things himself.

He was set to leave again and do the same when it occurs to Lex that he hasn't seen Adrian in a few days. He had assumed that the other man was just as preoccupied with the invasion and didn't bother to think much of it before now. The door is ajar to Adrian's room and Lex sees movement inside. As he pushes the door open, Lex freezes in place. Adrian in various states of undress is nothing new, and though it's not exactly unwelcome, it was something he had to get used to when they agreed to share lodging.

What he sees is an entirely different matter that causes a multitude of thoughts to swim through his head, causing Lex to sort through them rather than speak. With a single handed crossbow strapped to his arm and sword at his back, Lex doesn't exactly paint the picture of someone who remains at a desk either should Adrian turn around.

He's just sliding one of the bracers into place on his arm when a sounds behind him makes Adrian turn his head, freezing when he sees Lex standing there. It takes a second for the man's appearance to register, but when it does it's enough of a distraction that Adrian turns to face him with a curious frown.

"This is a new look for you." Says the man wearing a latex and kevlar bodysuit.

"You say that like it's a bad thing," Lex counters. For now he says nothing about what Adrian is wearing, but the elephant in the room is not at all unnoticed.

Lex regards Adrian with a bit of an annoyed expression. He doesn't have to run his choices by anyone before making them. "Might as well have the full effect." With his free hand Lex dips into his pocket and shows Adrian the switchblade he had purchased with the rest of the weapons.

"And you're right. I usually go for firearms."

Adrian isn't making any statement about Lex's appearance beyond surprise, and although he raises an eyebrow at the appearance of the switchblade, the confidence with which Lex handles it raises his opinion of the man another notch.

"I take it you're going out into the neighborhood," he finally says, turning back to pick up the long purple cape from the chair he's laid it over.

"I am," Lex confirms, pocketing the knife and watching Adrian. "And not for the first time." He's still defensive about Adrian's initial remark.

At the entrance of the cape Lex can't let Adrian's appearance go any longer. "What the hell are you wearing?"

"If you'd said something, I might have joined you." Now Adrian's feeling a bit defensive about waiting so long, but putting the costume back on isn't something he does lightly. Going out there means returning to a life he really wasn't prepared to pick up again just yet.

He raises his eyebrows again at Lex, shooting him a 'what does it look like?' look. "It's a little depressing, really. Where I come from it would have been recognized in an instant." Cape fastened, the circle comes next, and then the mask, although Adrian stops before setting it in place, staring down at it in his hands.

"The next time I am unexpectedly attacked during lunch with a friend, I'll be sure to text you right away." You're going to go there, really, Adrian?

The costume is weird, but Lex has also never been one to let out of the ordinary events deter him from anything. He watches with equal parts skepticism and fascination. Lex had grown up reading comic books and it makes the nostalgic part of him a little hopeful about the idea that he might know a true Warrior Angel who wasn't confined to a page. On the other hand, Adrian could be completely crazy.

"Well," he says slowly, approaching Adrian with a wide sweep from behind to get a full sense of the suit. "I don't recognize it, but I'm sure I will in the future. Would you care to enlighten me?"

Well that's different from the impression Lex gave by saying he'd been out in the neighborhood before, leading Adrian to believe he meant he'd gone out to fight things, not just accidentally run into them during lunch. He shoots Lex an annoyed look, sure the man knows what he meant and is being deliberately confrontational.

"Ozymandias," he says, in answer to Lex's request as the man circles him, in a tone that suggests that should be the only answer anyone ought to need. It's not, of course, and Adrian finds himself having to control his irritation at the thought of all those years spent creating his image and marketing himself, wasted and useless now. "I've been retired from the mask business for some years, but I if there was ever a time to come out of retirement, this is probably it. And since the costume arrived with me, I have to assume so did someone else."

Lex had been fighting things and if Adrian gave him the chance to explain at all Lex would be more than willing to share. Of course, Lex had asked the question about the suit to begin with, so he has no room to complain when the conversation went in that direction. That doesn't mean that he won't anyway, mentally at the very least.

The name rings a bell, but not because of its significance in relation to superheroes. Lex walks to stand by Adrian's side, knowing full well that Adrian is being confrontational and not backing down in his own right. "After being caught off guard by the creatures, I came back here to regroup before leaving again to do something about it. If you're through being angry with me for an ignorance had no control over, I think we could do more damage together than separate."

When his mind settles to the point where he's willing to listen, Adrian will be glad for Lex's explanation, and he'll be impressed by the man's willingness to go out and risk his life for people he doesn't know. Not that he doesn't think it's a quality Lex possesses, but if it was a common quality then the world wouldn't be in need of superheroes.

"Don't be ridiculous, I'm not angry with anyone." Not really, or at least he's not so much angry at Lex as just uncertain about the situation and about taking up a role he'd deliberately set aside years ago. So his next words are calmer, more centered, as he adjusts the mask over his eyes. "I agree, Mr. Luthor. And since you've been out there already, I'll follow your lead as to where you think the best area to begin would be. I only ask that when you see me like this, you don't address me by my given name."

Adrian had made absolutely certain that Lex knew he was being confrontational and now he was attempting to wave it off. The look on Lex's face is not at all convinced. "If you're not angry then I'm going to insist that you not address me as if I have personally antagonized you." Lex isn't upset, but he is firm. If they are to continue living together Lex doesn't want this to set a precedent for Adrian treating him as less than an equal.

Lex watches Adrian don the mask and doesn't push the issue further when the other's demeanor changes. He tilts his head with no expression written on his face, but his mind is racing. If Adrian is indeed a superhero (which is still hard to swallow) why would he need to protect his identity? A flashy purple and gold costume isn't exactly stealthy.

Fascinated by this new aspect of Adrian's life he had never known before, Lex shifts his focus from Adrian to the costume itself, taking a light hold of the cape by folding his fingers along the side and running them down the protective cloth. "And what should I call you instead, Mr. Veidt?"

Adrian isn't used to people continuing to push at him once he's made it clear he's finished with the conversation, and for a moment it really riles him. He shoots a cold glare Lex's direction, making it obvious he wasn't being entirely truthful, but Lex isn't really the source of his irritation and he reminds himself of this fact. So the glare softens immediately, and instead of an argument, he offers a slight nod of his head, cool but apologetic.

"I've already given you the name for this half of my identity, Mr. Luthor. Ozymandias." He feels the light tug of fingers on the fabric of his cape and turns his head slightly, curious as to what Lex is doing, and why. "It may be pointless but all the same, I'm not willing to out myself to the city at large until I have a better understanding of the reaction I should expect. It would be a great favor if you would agree to keep this secret for me. For now."

So this was how Adrian wanted to be addressed. Alright. Lex could understand the need for privacy, but Ozymandias seemed to be a little much. Then again, the same could be said about anything involving Adrian Veidt.

No more apologies are needed once they reach an understanding. He doesn't offer any explanations for his actions. If Adrian can't understand why a masked hero's suit would draw someone in then perhaps he wasn't as smart as he claimed.

"I think if one of the few who know us see me with you they will figure it out pretty quickly," Lex points out. "But with being a little preoccupied the chances of that are slim." He removes his hand from the cape with a downward swipe and looks back to Adrian himself with all sincerity. "I promise to keep your secret safe."

Something Lex will learn the longer they share the same living space -- Adrian does nothing by halves, and that includes his obsessions.

He has a feeling there'll be another conversation about this moment later, once the city has settled down and they have no business more pressing than the continued renovations. Most people Adrian has encountered in his life have fairly predictable reactions to the costume, falling neatly into the categories of Awe and Disgust. Even on an average day, Lex Luthor defies categories.

"I don't believe we've made many of the same acquaintances yet, but I agree, what's out there right now should be enough of a distraction. These situations usually are." He offers Lex a small smile this time, and raises his hand toward the door. "After you."

Usually. Lex shakes his head with a wry expression. Of course Adrian would know.

Lex readjusts his crossbow and walks purposefully toward the front door. His demeanor changes considerably. Now is no longer the time for questions or curiosity. Lex is going to take care of a problem and Adrian can deal with his part in any way he wished.

He pushes the door open with a hard shove and walks out, retracing his route back to the restaurant with long strides. Lex was moving straight to the source that had descended on him so unexpectedly and this time would leave nothing unfinished.

The confidence and purpose with which Lex moves now that they're headed outside earns him another point of respect from Adrian. Of course he thinks it's a touch on the foolish side to go into a fight with plenty of weapons but no defensive protection, but that's what Adrian is there for.

It's certainly still entirely possible that Adrian is simply insane and the costume is part of a well-funded delusion, but the fighting skills he exhibits once they encounter some of the city's invaders speak to a level of both natural ability and training that suggests just maybe he's telling the truth. He wades into the fray like someone who's done this kind of thing before (although he has to adjust his approach to accommodate the fact that these are definitely not humans he's fighting), always careful to keep an eye on Lex's situation, ready to intervene if necessary. Not because he doesn't think the other man can take care of himself -- it's very obvious Lex knows his way around a weapon or two -- but he isn't the one wearing bullet-resistant full body armor.

It is completely foolish for Lex to enter this fight without any sort of protection, but the fact that he doesn't own any body armor isn't going to stop him from making himself useful. Somewhere the back of his mind is telling him that no matter the situation, Luthors are invulnerable.

He battles his way through the creatures and they have already done some serious damage before he notices Adrian keeping an eye on him. It annoys him that someone thinks he needs a babysitter, but it's not enough to make him stop shooting at the creatures, retrieving the arrows to use again once they're safely down.

Together they clear the area and Lex glances over at Adrian. He's breathing heavily and his clothes are covered in sweat and grime and blood. Not all of the blood is his, but some of it certainly is as the tears in his clothing will attest to.

"So."

Adrian would protest at the 'babysitter' moniker, but then if you come from a world where you don't see masked heroes on the news everyday, you probably aren't used to the idea of there being someone out there trying to keep you safe without your knowledge and/or permission.

He still thinks it's a little bit insane to go into a fight like this not fully equipped, but it's ballsy too, and that's something Adrian can respect. Returning the glance, he sweeps his gaze over Lex and determines that the injuries are at least not life threatening. For himself, the blood on his costume is definitely not his own, and it's showing only the most minimal of damage (mostly to the fabric of the cape).

"Time to regroup and resupply?" he asks, and it may not be a slap on the back and a 'good job', but it's an acknowledgment of Lex as an equal in this endeavor, which is far more meaningful.

"I think so," Lex says, but the tone of his voice makes it clear that he is very definite in his answer.

They return home in silence, ever watchful for more threats along the way. With front door closed and locked behind them, Lex removes his weaponry piece by piece and sets them on the kitchen counter to be cleaned. Ignoring Adrian for now, Lex works on the knife first so as not to let it rust.

Edited 2011-06-15 20:49 (UTC)

The weapons definitely need to taken care of, but Adrian would personally prioritize things slightly differently. He disappears for a moment, returning with a first aid kit which he sets on the counter.

"You'll never get them cleaned properly if you continue to bleed on them," he says quietly, stripping off his gloves and opening the kit. There's no accusation or condescension on his voice, just a plain statement of fact. Adrian appreciates that Lex wants to see to his arsenal, but it shouldn't be to the detriment of his own health. "Do you want some help? I can already see something got its claws into your back."

The knife is small enough that Lex finishes cleaning it effectively, but Adrian is right. The other two weapons are large and by the time Lex finishes cleaning one area it would probably become soiled soon after. He's almost certain that Adrian finds his actions today completely foolish and that's not at all the impression that he wants to give.

Lex sets aside his knife with a resigned frown, or as much of a frown as his slight facial tics give away. Accepting help isn't one of his strong suits. He turns away from the sink and looks to Adrian. "I would appreciate that. Did you want to stay here?"

Adrian finds Lex's determination to face things he's surely never encountered before, without the benefit of any kind of protection, a bit foolish. But the rest of it? Not in any way. In fact Lex has comported himself today with the kind of stubborn courage Adrian finds difficult to dismiss.

"There's already blood on the floor and the counters, I don't imagine we can do much worse to it," he answers, with a wry smile. "If you'll get your shirt off I can see how bad it is in the places you can't reach. Let's hope these things aren't poisonous."

Poison is the least of Lex's worries but that's not something he needs to bring up right now. The primary concern should involve what they need to take care of themselves.

He pulls off the plain long sleeved shirt up over his head, a bit regretful that he's already ruined something new beyond repair and drops the shirt onto the floor. Normally Lex would never be so careless with his things, but as Adrian pointed out, the floor is already a mess. "I can at least spare the chairs," he answers, matching Adrian's tone.

Walking toward Adrian, Lex turns his back to the man, revealing cuts along his back and shoulders, and a deep gash alongside his spine that until now he had been doing his best to downplay. It hurts, no doubts there, but it isn't life threatening. There's no reason to make a fuss, but when his face is out of view he grimaces - just as he had when he was a little too busy with monsters to bother with appearance.

Adrian makes a face as well -- the gash looks painful, and he has to give Lex his due, the man has exhibited some willpower in putting up this kind of front. There's no point in warning that cleaning it up will hurt, Lex isn't an idiot, so Adrian holds his tongue and carefully cleans and bandages the injuries.

"I'd suggest seeing a doctor about this later, you really should have stitches." But he's aware that isn't really feasible right now, and Lex is a grown man, he'll take care of himself when he has the chance.

Moving away to tidy up after himself, Adrian offers one more suggestion, casually so as not to sound like a mother hen. "If you're going to keep doing this kind of thing, you should wear some sort of body armor. I'd feel more comfortable knowing you had some real training as well."

Lex's muscles tense under the cleaning but he makes no other movements and looks steadily ahead. He knows that Adrian means well, but he always resents being told what to do no matter the form. "I'll see a doctor later," he says in an almost echo, that much they can agree on.

He leaves the shirt off so as not to irritate any injury further and goes right back to cleaning the weapons. The neighborhood may be clear but there was no telling what new disaster would happen next. Lex needed his weapons again and preferably as soon as possible.

"Are you saying that what training I have isn't real?" Though he has his back to Adrian, there's a clear tone of a raised eyebrow in his voice.

There's no point in further conversation on the matter, so Adrian merely inclines his head and lets the topic drop. He suspects that when he's ready, Lex will do exactly as he claims, and being fussed at about it won't hurry anything along.

"I'm saying I have no idea what kind of training you have, and I would feel more comfortable if I did. Mr. Luthor, there's a difference between what the average person learns in a self-defense class, and yes, even in your fencing training, and what a person learns when he's trained to actually go out and look for violent situations. It has nothing to do with pride, and everything to do with self-preservation."

"I don't look for violent situations. Defending oneself and their home is another matter entirely." Lex likes Adrian and he isn't looking to pick a fight, but despite what Adrian says, a matter of pride is very much a factor here. He knows that he looks like the unprepared civilian and he doesn't want to concede that part of that is true. His performance spoke for itself and that should be the end of things.

With weapons set aside Lex sets about with cleaning the mess he's made in the kitchen, doing his best to not agitate his back. "I'm sure you already have a proposition in mind, Mr. Veidt. What is it?"

"Mr. Luthor, I never said you did." Adrian can understand pride, but he so rarely comes up against anyone who's as willing to stubbornly defend that pride as he is. Living with Lex is obviously going to require making some adjustments to how he handles people. "I said that's the type of training I think you ought to have, living here."

He assists wordlessly with the cleanup, knowing better than to suggest the other man just sit down and rest. The suit needs to come off and be cleaned up as well, but until he's sure he doesn't need to go straight back out again, that will have to wait.

"I do. I suggest you let me train you. We'll see what level your skills are currently at, and work on your speed and reflexes. Regardless of what some people like to believe, being quick and agile enough to avoid getting hit will do you a lot more good than just brute force."

It takes a while for Lex to respond, busying himself with the cleaning to avoid giving an answer straight away. Despite the slight he feels at Adrian's words, there is truth to them. Lex has been taught how to fight by instructors and relatives, none of which have the actual combat experience Adrian does. As proud as he is, Lex can see where some of his weaknesses lie.

"Alright. We can start after I see someone about my injuries." He's agreeing to both the training and a doctor visit, but Lex needs to at least pretend that some of this is on his own terms.

Adrian may not understand people at an emotional level, but he's learned to be very good at dealing with them, and he knows to give Lex his space and silence for now. When the man finally replies, Adrian nods in agreement.

"Of course. I was thinking, if you're interested in assisting me, that it might be useful to try and capture one of those monkey creatures. We could take a carcass if necessary, of course, but I think a live one would be more useful."

Lex is a little surprised at the request. He's expected Adrian to not want him to go out again until after acquiring stitches and body armor. Instead of fighting it he keeps his mouth shut in that regard.

"I think it would definitely be useful. When were you planning on heading out?" He reaches for the crossbow to indicate that while he isn't fully dressed and ready to go, he can be quickly.

There's probably no point in even trying to get quick service from a doctor at the moment -- the hospitals and clinics must be filled with people seeking aid. So against his better judgment, Adrian leaves the matter of Lex's health to Lex.

"When you feel that you've done what you can to protect your injuries from further exacerbation," he answers. "There hardly seems to be any rush, I don't think the things are going anywhere."

"If you'd be kind enough to do me the courtesy of waiting, I'll be down in a few minutes." He leaves Adrian in the kitchen and heads toward his bedroom where he quickly changes clothes. Lex is feeling a renewed surge of energy and it would be a shame to waste it while the creatures are still out there.

He returns to the kitchen and collects his weapons. "I don't see why we shouldn't go now."

they say that a hero could save us

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oh look at all this vague handwavy action going on

lalala a gun is kinda like a crossbow, not really

a gun is more like a crossbow than a fencing foil?

Re: a gun is more like a crossbow than a fencing foil?

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