they say that a hero could save us

[defenestration]

Who: Adrian Veidt, Lex Luthor
What: A secret identity is revealed
Where: Luthor-Veidt Building
When: at some poing during the monster invasion
Notes: all the backdating up in here
Warnings: None

It's taken a few days, but Adrian has had it with keeping his head down and pretending he doesn't care about what's going on outside. Pretending there's nothing he can do to help. His costume was brought along with him for a reason.

He breaks down finally, pulls it out of the box he hid it away in, unwraps the pieces from a set of inexpensive sheets (what an ignominious fate for something with such value) and lays them out. Expecting Lex to remain busy with whatever restoration project he's dealing with at the moment -- certainly long enough to suit up and slip out -- Adrian strips down and begins his transformation from scientist and businessman to masked hero.

Comments

[defenestration]

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."

[patricide]

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?"

[defenestration]

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."

[patricide]

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.

[defenestration]

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."

[patricide]

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.

[defenestration]

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."

[patricide]

"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?"

[defenestration]

"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."

[patricide]

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.

[defenestration]

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."

[patricide]

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.

[defenestration]

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."

[patricide]

"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."