a strange adventure

[slayers_desire]

April is deep in thought when she returns from the Nexus, her mind still going over the conversation with Clark Luthor. Jonathan is still fussy in her arms, and really doesn't understand why the not-daddy-man kept his distance.

And the first time she will have to do, of course, is talk to Clark about the conversation. The arrangement. The decision to return to the White Room and attempt to contact 'Drusilla'.

She knows that Clark will be working today, so heads up the stairs to his Daily Planet office. Hopefully he will be around, Jonathan is fussy enough that he might distract the other employees.

Comments

[clark_luthor]

Clark watches and listens. This thing may be wearing the skin of April's mother, but April clearly doesn't trust her. Tea can be a sort of game.

[slayers_desire]

April, who never lived in high society, doesn't understand Clark's mental thoughts. Drusilla leads them to a table, where she sits. There is four extra chairs at her table. April takes one, and Drusilla sets Miss Edith in the one beside her.

"Dark one. I'm Dru." She purred, patting the other chair beside her.

[clark_luthor]

In Clark's world, he's been raised to see every social event as a negotiation. Often times, there's five or six layers to the conversation, couching riddles and double meanings in seemingly ordinary conversation. There are rules and strategies, and every time is a different verbal dance.

He sits in the chair indicated, nodding his head towards Drusilla. "Clark Luthor. Pleased to meet you, madame."

[slayers_desire]

"This is Miss Edith." Drusilla smiles at her doll. She pours them each a cup of tea. April frowns slightly.

"What is your objective here?"

"Manners child."

[clark_luthor]

Clark takes his tea and inhales the scent, as if enjoying the smell of it. He's also testing the scent for poisons, or other additives that might not be so benevolent. It's not that he thinks she's trying to kill them, it's just habit. "There's no harm in talking, is there?"

[slayers_desire]

"You know the rules. We must follow the rules." Drusilla sips at her tea. It is not poisoned. Nor can he sense any additived.

April takes her cup, blinking softly at the fluid inside. Blood.

[clark_luthor]

He wonders if she means the rules he knows, or if there are other rules involved. But it would be against his rules to ask so openly. "Of course we must."

[slayers_desire]

"Tonight the hall will be filled with guests." Drusilla speaks so eloquently. April can't help but wonder why. "Important guests. There is much to be done."

"I hope you can help us get ready."

[clark_luthor]

"What is the occasion?" Clark asks. He takes a cautious sip of his tea, for appearance's sake at least.

[slayers_desire]

"A debutante ball. Oh it would be so wonderful to see my daughter on the arms of such a dignified man."

April sets down her tea cup. "You are not my mother."

[clark_luthor]

"We knew she wouldn't be."

[slayers_desire]

"No... I mean she is not even attempting to mimic my mother this time." April clarifies. This woman makes too much sense.

"It will be a lovely ball. I hope you will honor us by attending."

[clark_luthor]

"That remains to be seen," he tells Drusilla. He doesn't know what April's mother usually acts like, or who this other person wearing her face might be.

[slayers_desire]

"Of course, we would ensure proper appreciation for your efforts." Drusilla picks up the cup, sipping it like a lady.

[clark_luthor]

"Perhaps some other time."

[slayers_desire]

"You are not willing to negotiate? Shame." The conduit takes a different appearance. A more regal looking dress on her body. Jewels. The whole look.

"And I was informed you were a business man."

[clark_luthor]

"I'm not certain I'm the one you need to be negotiating with," he says politely. If he's surprised at the sudden change in her appearance, he doesn't let on.

[slayers_desire]

"It is customary to negotiate with the head of a family. She is not head of her family." The conduit pointed out.

"She is just a daughter..."

April gives a gasp. Because now she is in a fancy dress too.

[clark_luthor]

It's true of a lot of societies, that only the patriarch is expected to carry out negotiations. In the Luthor family, everyone had to pull their own weight, no exceptions. And April is not a member of his family.

He looks at April for cues on how to proceed. This is slightly out of his realm of expertise, and he's supposed to be here to shelter her, not bargain her away.

[slayers_desire]

April is a little lost right now. She has never been in high society life. And that is more his realm of expertise.

"Let's say he does escort me..." Because that is not too far-reached. He is already her escort.

"More will be revealed."

[clark_luthor]

Clark pretends to consider the deal, drawing on his ingrained social skills. "We will, of course, require certain assurances."

[slayers_desire]

"Name your terms." The conduit seems very comfortable in this setting.

[clark_luthor]

"We need a guarantee of safe passage. And April will not leave my sight." He doesn't know what the conduit really is, but he doesn't trust them one bit.

[slayers_desire]

"You are her escort. Of course you shouldn't leave her side. And the gala is safe. You will pass unharmed."

April touches Luthor's hand. Ask her to take a different face. This is unnerving. Seeing my mother, but not hearing her

[clark_luthor]

"We must also request that you use another face," he says, although speaking to Drusilla is the reason they're there in the first place. "If you would be so kind."