15189/A Visit to the Fortress

A Visit to the Fortress
Date of Scene:	20 June 2023
Location:	Entrance Hall - Fortress of Solitude
Synopsis:	Clark Kent and Jon Kent meet at the Fortress and discuss the last 24 hours events.
Cast of Characters:	Clark Kent, Jon Kent

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Clark Kent has posed:
A bitter cold wind whispers across the Arctic Ice, even though the sun is bright in the sky. The crystal structure of the Fortress of Solitude was almost hidden by snow and the valleys of the Arctic.

The temperatures were around -20 degrees celsius. Cold, but not as cold as it could get. Snow was blowing, and the day was actually quite beautiful.

There was someone outside the Fortress and at this time of day - a rarity. Clark Kent, in his guise as Superman, arrives, lands, and after a moment, enters the last piece of his home world of Krypton, on Earth.

Jon Kent has posed:
Even more rare is the presence of Jon at the Fortress. He, too, is wearing his own version of what may be the single most recognizable uniform on Earth. He has been here meditating for some time. His legs are crossed, though he is floating in midair, leaving his cape to dangle down, twisting gently in the air currents. He is facing the statues of his grandparents -- family reverence is of the utmost import to Jon.

Of course, he heard Superman's approach some time ago but only now does he straighten his legs and land feather-light on the floor of the Fortress. He turns toward his father and his eyes glitter brilliantly. Even now he still feels a sense of awe while in the presence of Superman. With a hint of a warm grin on his lips, Jon takes a few steps closer. "Father," he greets. "I was just clearing my head. If you need to be alone, I can leave." Instinctively, while wearing this uniform, he speaks smoothly and fluidly. The 'ums' and 'ers' and awkward pauses are reserved for Jon Kent as part of the veil that keeps the world from knowing who he really is. Here stands Superboy, unencumbered by the inelegance of awkward adolescence.

Clark Kent has posed:
At first a little surprised at Jon being in the Fortress, Superman hides his surprise with a warm smile. "Jon! It is good to see you."

Walking from the entrance to where Jon was approaching, Superman raises his right hand up, and shakes his head. "Of course not. You are always welcome here. You are family. Family is always welcome in the Fortress."

Moving further into the room, Superman turns slightly, and takes a quick look around. "So what brings you to the cold summer air here in the sunny Arctic today? Everything okay?"

Jon Kent has posed:
Clasping his hands casually behind his back on the outside of his cap, Jon falls in step with his father, albeit an alternate version of his father. "There was an incident last night at the Avenue of Tomorrow. I had just come from the Hall of Justice and came across it by chance."

Jon wrinkles his nose a little bit and exhales his bangs away from his brow. A touch of frustration. There is the real Jon Kent showing through the disguise of Superboy.

He stops walking and faces Clark. "Dad, I had to help the Flash and Miss Martian and a couple of others deal with a major attack. It was at night and I could feel myself running out of energy." Squinting slightly, Jon peers at his father. "Does that ever happen to you at night?"

Clark Kent has posed:
Walking with Jon, Superman listens quietly, not interrupting Jon's conversation. He nods where appropriate, looks Jon in the eyes as an active listener (his reporter skills kicking in) and waits until the young man finishes. Stopping when Jon does, Superman frowns at the last revelation and faces Jon.

"No. I never run out of energy at night. Now, under a red sun, my powers disappear rapidly. My body stores enough solar energy to get through the night pretty easily." Superman considers for a second.

"Of course we do not know how different your body would react to, not just this Universe, but your dual origins." Human and Kryptonian. "Has this happened before?"

Jon Kent has posed:
Jon shakes his head. "No, sir," he replies. "But I've never pushed myself that hard before. And it wasn't like I was bottoming out of anything. I just felt...a little tired is all. I even *perspired* a little bit."

The young hero shrugs and begins to meander aimlessly around the floor. "So I figured I'd come here and spend some time medicating with gram and gramp." He peers back to Clark to gauge the man's reaction. "I kicked butt," he adds softly, a bit more of a smile playing across his good-natured features.

Clark Kent has posed:
Superman nods. "Well, pushing yourself hard is how you learn your limits. Sounds to me like you handled yourself well last night against some tough opponents. Well done. I'm proud of you."

Superman wasn't saying that to make Jon feel better. His voice was not fake, but matter of fact and truthful. As he always was.

"Just be careful. If you know your limits, you can better pace youself. Just like a Marathon runner."

As Jon continues, mentioning his grandparents, Superman pauses for a moment to look at the images, and reflect. Then, looking back at Jon, he smiles. "I am glad. They were amazing people, and I miss them every day. Feel free to do it as often as you like."

Superman moves to head to his destination, the lab. "I need to check on something...no worries, not a world shattering event." That was to let Jon know he wasn't needed...yet.

As he moves to head off, he stops, and looks over his shoulder at Jon. He grins. "I have no doubt you did kick butt. After all, you are a Kent."

Jon Kent has posed:
In the entire history of pleased sons being praised by proud fathers, none have approached Jon level of pleasure. His cheeks and ears bloom a ruddy red and all of his might is unable to keep a full-on smile from erupting over his face. Imagine that your father is none other than Superman and he just told you did well and that he was proud. It's everything.

He trots for a moment or two to catchup to his dad. "What is it? Aliens threatening to atomize the Earth? Inter-dimensional beings taking over human bodies? A massive black hole approach our solar system?" Here is the goofball side of Jon.

Clark Kent has posed:
Superman laughs, and says, "No, nothing on that level. It is something for..." Superman pauses, and then winks at Jon. Did he just wink? "It involves a Justice League thing I am looking into."

Superman continues onwards, "Walk with me, and I'll tell you about it...after all, you are now a member of the league, so you should be informed..."

As the two men chat, Superman reveals what he was up to.

Jon Kent has posed:
Hanging out with dad at the Fortress was off-the-charts, infinitely cool before. Like, couldn't get any cooler under any circumstances. But now that Jon is officially a trainee of the Justice League it is WAY cooler now. At some level he listens to his dad's plans with the level of professionalism that Clark can expect from Jon. But at another level, he is so incredibly aware that he is a Justice League member speaking with another Justice League member, and that thought is impossible to set aside.

The Justice Frickin' League!

After Superman finishes his rundown, Superboy looks at him. "If this goes south, you know I got your back no matter what." He clears his throat. "Well, almost no matter. If I'm late for supper, Gram'll kick my butt."

Clark Kent has posed:
Superman puts his hand on Jon's shoulder. Smiles. And says, "You know she will." Superman laughs and enjoys the time spent together with his son.