dealing with the King of Hearts (tag deadgirlsliekme)

"I want to fight him," he says desperately. "I can't let him h-hurt anyone. I just. . .it's rather a lot to take right now."

Victor thinks about it himself, sipping his tea. "It could," he says. "I honestly don't know her opinion on the King. Apparently he was long gone by the time the Queen -- ran amok." He really does need to find her, maybe figure out if he can borrow the Vorpal Blade (no, not to use it like that). . .except -- "Why doesn't he have his own body?" he mumbles, confused. Why did he have to get himself possessed?

"These are the things you need to figure out. With Alice. I am confident you and she can protect Wonderland together."

"Just like how I help Clark protect Smallville. And someday soon, it will be Metropolis." She has to smile softly at that.

There's the faintest suggestion of a smile on his lips. "I'm g-glad one of us is."

He nods and has more tea. "T-thank you for helping me," he adds. "I -- I don't know what might have happened. . . ."

"I am sure your other friends would have been there for you. They do appreciate having you in their lives."

"Oh yes," Victor says. "I would be surprised Doc didn't notice earlier, but he's had other things on his mind." At least, that's what he thinks -- he and the King saw Doc and Dee hashing something out. "I'm sure they -- they would have done what they could."

Clark had not mentioned his time with Dee, so April can't offer any clue to Doc's distress. "That is what friends do."

"Victor. I think you need someone to talk to. About all this."

Victor looks at her over the rim of his cup, expression clearly reading, Is this a hint to get me to go to Alice? Because yes, he really ought to talk to her, but maybe she means another friend first. . . .

April smiled. "I am not going to push you to talk to Alice, even though I will continue to stress that talking to her is a good first step."

"I was more thinking... someone neutral. A therapist." Recently Clark has been seeing a therapist, and it has been a supportive way for him to express the guilt in her boyfriend's heart.

"A therapist?" Victor repeats, eyes wide. He's never thought he needed therapy before. Psychology is barely a science where and when he comes from. Besides, where is he going to find a --

He pauses, then laughs in a slightly hollow way. "You're right, talking to Alice would be a good first step. Mostly because she's the most likely one to find a therapist for me." Wouldn't that be ironic, if she ended up recommending him to her Dr. Wilson. . . .

"Trust me Victor. There is nothing wrong with being strong enough to speak to a therapist." April knows that it would be a big step for Victor. Especially considering the era he was raised in.

"And speaking from experience... a good relationship like yours and Alice will be able to survive this." She sets down her mug, so that she can place her hands on his.

". . .I thought you spoke to a therapist when you felt weak," Victor says. Which he does. "Where w-would I find one, anyway? Where I live, it's just m-myself, Doc, and Dee."

He looks down at her hands on his, then back up at her. "I -- I certainly hope so. I hate the idea of losing her." He's thinking about the revelation of Alice's LOL, and of them getting married someday. . .and he wants that. He really honestly wants that.

"It takes a strong person to see a therapist." April repeats. "To say to themselves that they want to work on themselves. To improve themselves."

"There are reliable ones in the Nexus. I could find you a name." She will ask Clark who he is seeing, and refer the name to Victor.

"You won't lose her." April squeezes his hand. "Relationships have low points and high points. It is a strong relationship that survived the low points. And I know that you and Alice will survive this together."

"I could use improvement," Victor says pragmatically, sighing. And frankly, it might be nice to get a little of this poison out of his soul. He's been carrying this load for longer than anyone should.

"I -- I w-would appreciate that, thank you."

Victor manages another ghostly smile. "Thank you again. When I see her, I'm sure -- I know she'll help me." He can't imagine her letting the King reside in his head, at least.

"Everyone can improve themselves. No one is perfect Victor. Everyone has their own dark moments."

She thought quietly for a moment. "I hadn't called her. Wanted you to take that step. And I won't tell anyone about the cutting memories."

"That's true enough."

Victor lets out a sigh of relief. "Thank you," he says softly. "It's -- not the sort of thing one w-wants spread around. And I will call Alice as soon as I can."

"Everyone has secrets they prefer to tell themselves too." April returns to picking up her mug. And finishing the fluid that was inside off.

"You are welcome to stay here, on the couch, for the night. I can ensure that the King gives you no nightmares."

Victor nods, letting her finish her drink. He's not going to ask, though he has a good idea of what it is.

Victor frowns slightly. "It's a lovely offer, but I think I should at least contact Doc before anything," he says. "H-he's probably worried about me."

She offers him her PINpoint, as she starts to clean up the dishes. "Doc is welcome to come here too. I met him once. And he is good friends with Clark."

"I think I have mine," Victor says, checking his vest and locating his pocketwatch PINpoint. "And I d-don't know if he'll w-want to leave Dee alone. Er, did C-Clark tell you about Dee?" He can't imagine her boyfriend not telling her about the car that turns into a little girl, but they've had much bigger things on their mind lately.

"He can bring Dee with him. Its a small place, but I welcome guests." April replied. She hasn't met - or learned about Dee - yet. Clark has been understandably distracted since reviving from his own death.

"W-well, if there's a p-parking garage nearby, she may be able to s-stay there -- Dee is short for DeLorean, you see," he says, preparing to call up Doc. "S-she came through into our world during Doc's f-first time travel experiment, and -- now she can t-turn into a little girl. A consequence of entering our r-reality." He's not making that up, but the mun is sure the AU vampire girl from the Buffy-verse dating Clark Kent doesn't need to be told that.

(OOC: And now, bed, as I have school tomorrow)

"I am assuming by that Dee must sleep in car form?" April doesn't want the car that can turn into a girl feel left out. "And can join our talk in girl form?"

"The apartment comes with a parking spot. I don't use it... as I am still learning how to drive."

"She can sleep in either form, but I think she prefers car," Victor says. "She c-can talk with us, but her h-human form is six, so. . . ." He nods. "The parking spot s-should be ideal."

After a little fiddling, he manages to get a hold of Doc. "Doc? Are you--"

"VICTOR! Great Scott, are you all right? Where are you?"

"I'm f-fine -- I'm at April's apartment -- April is Clark's girlfriend," Victor says in a rush. Glancing up at April, he asks, "D-do you have the coordinates for here, or. . . ?"

April uses her PINpoint to provide Victor both the coordinates for her apartment, and the coordinates for the parking space located just beneath the living room window. She then decides to make a little snack tray, for her guests.

Victor transfers the coordinates to Doc, who promises to be there with Dee right away.

Sure enough, not two minutes later there's a rather urgent-sounding knock on the door. Doc's waiting outside, fidgeting and making sure he's not causing any unusual weather phenomena. Dee is by his side, rocking on her heels and alternately looking at the door and up at her 'Dad.'

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