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Tweak says, "What are we, twelve?"

Lois Lane; Intrepid Reporter (thatlanewit) wrote in wariscoming,
@ 2013-08-02 14:08:00

Entry tags:

clark kent/superman, lois lane

Who: Lois and Clark
What: investigating monsters
When: Saturday afternoonish, yeah. let’s go with that.
Where: starting out in an alley
Warnings: language from Lois probably because there may be fighting monsters

Having Sam confirm that the creature that was most likely the culprit behind the homeless disappearances was a Vetala hadn’t really been all that comforting. Lois still wasn’t all the comfortable with monster hunts after the first disastrous one she’d been on with Rose and Dick. But she also knew that just like learning to ride a bike, if she didn’t jump back into it then she’d just keep pushing it off because she was afraid, and damn it Lanes didn’t let fear keep them off doing something for too long. And she was a Lane, wasn’t she? Not to mention she had Clark on her side and Lois was completely certain he wouldn’t let anything happen to her. Which was good and bad depending on the circumstances, but when it came down to tracking actual monsters Lois put his over protectiveness in the good column.

The only problem with the monster hunt was that after the last one, there had been silence on the abduction front. Which was definitely good for the homeless, but sucked for trying to figure out where to go next in the investigation. They needed to find these monsters, the sooner the better, because silence probably didn’t equal no killing. It probably just meant they were being smarter about it and more people were still ending up dead.

Which was why she was going with Clark to try and interview the man from the last attack, the one they had accidentally thwarted. Hopeful he would have some more information to give them that might lead them to theVetala’s whereabouts.

“So...” Lois glanced over at Clark, because there was one thing they really needed to figure out before actually going anywhere near a monster lair. “What exactly are we going to do if we find these things?” Because he was Superman and he didn’t kill, but Lois wasn’t sure what other option they had with these kind of creatures. “And don’t say anything about me getting out of harm’s way because we are in this together, Clark.”

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ex_savior698
2013-08-04 11:04 pm UTC (link)

Clark frowned at the question. It was a complicated subject. If there was one thing he was certain of, it was that he was entirely uncomfortable with killing their target. Murderer or not, that wasn't how Clark dealt with things. But what were their other options? Send a supernatural creature to a human prison? It was unlikely that even the most standard of police stations would hold this Vetala long enough for it to even reach an actual prison. This wasn't their world. People had no idea what was out there. Back home, Superman could comfortably rest knowing that there were people who were capable of keeping aliens, mutants, and monsters alike contained. Here? Not so much. Then there was the option of handing the Vetala over to the people who did know about the supernatural. They would be able to handle it, but doing so would only lead them right back over to killing their target all over again. It was a very messy, complicated road and they were going to have to just find a way to cross it when they got there. For now, Clark just wanted to make sure that these murders ended.

"We stop them," Clark said, somewhat vaguely. He shot Lois a pointed look, knowing she'd appreciate the follow-up. "Together." Working at her side and making sure that she didn't get in too deep was his way of getting her out of harms way. Plus, it was his way of showing Lois that he trusted her enough to handle things if it got bad. They had disputed over the issue before and working together, especially on cases like this, had been their solution.

It had been a worthwhile solution. Partnering up with Lois had always been his favorite part of being a journalist.

"Do you think we'll find him?" Clark had to wonder. The man that they had tried to pry answers out of had been attacked the last that they saw him. If he thought for a second that he was going to get attacked by something again, then there was a good chance that he might have tried to book it out of Lawrence as quickly as possible.

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thatlanewit
2013-08-04 11:29 pm UTC (link)

The ‘together’ comment earned him a small smile, and while she appreciated the sentiment, Lois couldn’t let herself get distracted on this particular assignment. Not even to show how pleased she was with that statement. Distraction had caused Rose to nearly die, Dick to end up needing surgery, and her cleaning blood from the complex floor. Her last hunt had ended in disaster and she wasn’t letting her second one end the same way. Invulnerable or not, she’d still leap in front of a bullet for him. Or go inside of a madman’s carnival and drag his vulnerable-to-magic ass out of it. Those had to qualify as similar circumstances.

But to answer Clark’s question. “If we don’t find him, maybe we’ll run into someone else who at least saw something. Or heard something.” The victim was probably long gone, but maybe if they were able to locate where he had been sleeping there would be some kind of clue left behind. Anything had to be better than simply waiting for another person to end up missing. Dead ends were just not allowed in this instance.

She stopped short of the makeshift house from boxes and other odds and ends, pulling her flashlight out of her pocket and clicking it on. Not everyone had super senses to aide them seeing into darker corners. The boxes were seemingly falling in on one another and something about the setup had Lois suspecting that the man who had called it home was no longer using it as one. The newspaper laying near the entrance had a date from earlier in the week.

Lois scuffed her boot against the ground, annoyed they had lost their eyewitness. Maybe there would be something in the chaos that was left behind. She crouched down to start poking inside, throwing Clark an irritated glance, when there was movement behind them. Lois whirled around, not having the best balance and landed on her ass, flashlight shining on a scared looking teenager. He caught sight of the two of them and took off running in the opposite direction.

“Wait! We just want to talk to you--go speedy gonzales, go. I’ll be right behind you!” The last part was added for Clark’s benefit as she pushed herself off the ground. There was no way she was going to outrun a kid in her current boots. She really needed to start wearing sneakers.

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ex_savior698
2013-08-05 12:17 am UTC (link)

As Lois searched the boxes, Clark moved to look over a bent shopping cart that had been haphazardly turned over. He recognized it. The homeless man that they had tried to question had been pushing it around with a clutter of items tossed inside that Clark could only assume he had collected for himself. There were a few scraps of trash turned out of it's side, but that was all. If someone valued something enough to cart it around with them everywhere that they went, then the fact that all of this was gone meant that their homeless friend probably was, too. Clark was about to join Lois at the makeshift house when the sound of feet against the ground caught his attention. The Vetala? No. A kid. A kid who, as soon as he caught sight of two of them, turned right on around and booked it as fast as his legs could carry him.

It wasn't going to be fast enough. As soon as Lois confirmed that she'd follow, Clark's steady figure vanished. The world slowed itself down, throwing every living thing into an almost motionless stance as Clark tore into the street and sped out after their new target. He hadn't gotten very far - he was practically frozen in a running position just turning around the corner - so Clark took a path around him and ducked into the first available opening that he could walk out of without making it look like he'd magically appeared out of nowhere. After giving it a second, Clark stepped out in front of the teen and grabbed him by the shoulder. The teen tried to jerk away, but Clark's grip wasn't easily broken. "Hey," he said, eyes dropping to meet the teen's own, "we're just looking for some answers. You don't have to run from us."

He seemed reluctant, so Clark let him go and put both his hands out at his sides. "See?" They couldn't force this kid to answer any questions, but maybe if he felt like he could trust them he'd be more willing to talk.

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thatlanewit
2013-08-05 12:34 am UTC (link)

While pushing herself up, confident that Clark would be able to get the kid, Lois had noticed that the newspaper featured one of her and Clark’s stories on the front page. Their names were even circled with something scribbled next to it. Great. She scooped it up and hurried off after the two men, slowing down her pace when she spotted Clark and the nervous teen ahead. The last thing she wanted to do was scare the teen anymore than he obviously was.

She approached with caution, holding out the newspaper. “He’s right. We really do just want some answers.” Lois tapped the paper, right by their names. “Lois and Clark. Reporters. We were the ones who helped out Little Jim.” Who was anything but little, but who was she to discredit a nickname. “We’re just trying to find out who hurt him. Who’s hurting everyone.”

The boy looked between the two of them, still seemingly ready to bolt. “He will give you twenty bucks for anything you can tell us.” Lois patted Clark on the shoulder. It wasn’t bribery. It was more paying a source. Yeah. She was going with that.

The kid glanced between them again, still anxious, but he nodded, seemingly okay with the deal. “Money first.”

Lois shook her head. “Throw us a bone first and then you get the money for the rest.” He could always run off with the cash without giving them anything.

“There’s a blue van. Every time someone goes missing. I got the last few of the plate.” The kid glanced at Clark, clearly wanting the money if he was going to say anything else.

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ex_savior698
2013-08-05 12:59 am UTC (link)

Clark glanced over at Lois as she approached, noting the newspaper in her grip. A clue? He frowned at it briefly, but didn't linger on it. They had a potential source standing right in front of them. Him first. With Lois at his side and the three of them standing out in a clearly visible spot in public, Clark was hoping that the teen would be more willing to open up. If he thought that they were a threat before, he couldn't really believe that two people who were claiming to be reporters that were standing out in the middle of the street would try anything, could he?

Whether or not he was feeling all that willing to talk without a little push didn't matter. Before Clark could try at him again, Lois stepped up and offered him money for an info exchange. Correction: she offered him Clark's money. Lois was immediately gifted with a sharp look that practically made it look like he had 'I Am Unamused' written smack across his face.

He didn't get a chance to further express his distaste for being volunteered as their money source. The kid was talking. Blue van. Plate info. The last few wasn't quite what Clark was hoping for, but it was something. He sighed, shook his head, and dug into his pocket for his wallet. "Just the last few? Were there any distinct markings on the van? Stickers? Dents?"

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thatlanewit
2013-08-05 01:12 am UTC (link)

Lois ignored the look. She was becoming immune to them, usually being on the other end of whichever patented look Clark had at any moment. Though, she couldn’t help but wonder a little if they’d get paid attention to more if he was wearing the suit while giving them to her...probably not.

“Snakes. Not real looking ones. Red. No orange? I dunno, man. But they were long and went along the whole side. Cross logo. PLT. No bumps. It needs a new muffler though.” The kid shrugged, taking the money, and looking between the two of them again. He looked ready to bolt. “Can I go now?”

He didn’t wait for an answer before heading off from them. Lois didn’t even bother to call after him, turning her attention back to Clark. The kid wasn’t going to give more up. He probably didn’t even know anything else, and they at least had something to go on now. Something to look for and research.

“Don’t even think of lecturing me right now,” she started, folding the paper so she could show him where their names were circled. “I doubt it means anything. Unless he was trying to find us. But I don’t remember hearing anything about anyone looking for us at the paper.” She mulled over what the kid had said. “I’m guessing cross symbol means Chevrolet company. So blue, Chevy with ending license of PLT. Call my guy at the DMV?”

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ex_savior698
2013-08-05 01:28 am UTC (link)

Snakes. Ironic. Clark watched the kid bolt down the street and vanish around a corner before he turned his gaze back to Lois. "I'm always thinking about lecturing you," he commented, "especially when we start giving my money out to sources." He couldn't complain. Much. They did end up getting something to follow when it looked like their only potential informant had hit the road. Still, there was no dignity in paying someone off for information. Unless Lois was the one paying them, in which case it was an entirely dignified way to get what they needed.

"What's that?" He asked, reaching out to take the paper that Lois had decided to show him. The man from the alley had been looking into them. But why? "Maybe he had plans on stopping out to see us before he left," Clark suggested. Did that mean that something had happened to him before he got there? Or did he change his mind at the last minute? Clark turned the paper over in his hands, scanning the surrounding articles for anything else that might have gotten left behind. There was nothing. "I hope he's all right." It was frustrating, knowing that someone who knew something important had decided to duck out at the worst possible moment, but that didn't mean that Clark wanted anything bad to happen to that man. He was terrified. He had witnessed something unexplainable and he did the one thing that any sane person would have. Clark couldn't condemn him for that.

He handed the paper back over to Lois and nodded. "Sounds about right. How quickly do you think he can get us an address?" Preferably sooner, rather than later.

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thatlanewit
2013-08-05 01:41 am UTC (link)

Lois rolled her eyes at his comment about lecturing, knowing it was probably true. She did give him ample reason to think about lecturing her most days. Sometimes on more than one occasion. She was already taking out her phone and scrolling to the correct contact while he looked at the paper, wondering the same things as him. She also hoped the guy was okay. He’d endured more than a lot of people would, Apocalypse or not. And considering what the Vetala did to their victims, it would probably be best if he’d gotten the hell outta dodge instead of winding up as one of their meals.

“If we can promise him a pack of coffee beans from Costa Rica in the next week I bet he has it in a few minutes,” she told him, trying to remember if they had a bag of that in one of the cupboards. She was pretty sure they did. “Hey, Phil! Yes, I’m calling for a favor.” She narrowed her eyes, turning away so she wasn’t looking at Clark. “No. I won’t tell you what I’m wearing. Coffee from Costa Rica. That’s what I’ll offer you.”

She turned back, making writing hand motions at him. She needed to write down the possible addresses Phil was so graciously offering her. She had a pen and took the paper from Clark, scrawling the information on the margins. “Thanks, Phil. I’ll drop off the bag next week.”

Pocketing her phone, she lifted the paper for Clark to see. “Three possible options.” Which was better than what they’d had only moments before.

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ex_savior698
2013-08-05 02:03 am UTC (link)

"Coffee beans, money...what next?" At least he wouldn't be the one paying up this time. Clark liked his coffee well enough, but Lois was the one who kept it in plentiful stock. He folded his arms and leaned back against the wall behind him as Lois made her call, mind turning over all the information they'd pieced together so far. He was wondering why the kid that they'd just spoken with had dropped by the alley that they'd been investigating when he distinctly heard Lois say something about her clothes. He did his best not to glare at the phone in her hand, knowing well enough that this Phil, whoever he was, wouldn't see much if he did.

As soon as Lois was finished with her call, Clark shifted up to look at the addresses. "Now we're getting somewhere," Clark said determinedly, already working at pairing up the addresses with his memory in an attempt to figure out if he knew where any of them were. "We can probably sweep all three tonight if we move quick enough." And that was exactly what they had to do. The quicker they were, the quicker they put a stop to all of this.

Unfortunately, that also meant that Clark would have to figure out how to permanently stop everything, too. The odds of him being able to talk those monsters into easing their way into a friendly surrender and changing their ways forever probably weren't too low in a realistic world, right?

"Are you sure you want to come with me on this one?"

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thatlanewit
2013-08-05 02:18 am UTC (link)

She’d begun punching the first address into the gps on her phone, but paused when he asked that question. It really could go either way. Part of her wanted to get as far away from this madness as possible, trust in Clark to figure out how to stop the creatures, and work on the story angle at home while enjoying a nice glass of wine. But that part was being heavily overshadowed by her stubborn self, who wouldn’t let Clark head out on his own, to do something he wasn’t going to want to do, something she was going to need to help him accomplish.

“Partners don’t just walk away once the going gets tough, Smallville.” Lois shrugged, knowing there was more she could and wanted to say, but for once at a loss for how to actually vocalize it all. Plus she’d done the training with Sam and Clark hadn’t. She actually knew how to deal with the creatures and had the silver that was supposed to be the weapon to use against the Vetala. The fact she knew how didn’t mean Lois thought she could actually do it.

Unless they were threatened. Then all bets were off. To a degree, at least. She’d wield the damn silver blade and bullets if she really had to.

Honestly, she just didn't want Clark to have to face the decision of how to end this by himself.

“First place isn’t that far away. Want to swoopy swoop us over and we can scout out the area?”

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ex_savior698
2013-08-05 02:57 am UTC (link)

And so that was that. He'd offered Lois a window, but she wasn't taking it. She was riding this thing out to the very end, whether he liked it or not. Clark peered down at her phone, eyes tracing the map to their first stop until he was certain that he knew how to get there. When he was ready, Clark nodded and gestured for Lois to follow him into an inconspicuous spot so that no one would catch sight of them leaving. Or, as Lois so delicately put it, swoopy swooping away.

"For the record," Clark stated as he lifted Lois into his arms, "up, up, and away sounds so much better." He flashed Lois a grin at that and kicked off. They broke into the sky and, just when it seemed like they were going to keep on soaring upward, Clark spotted their first address and started in for the ground again. His feet hit grass when they landed. As Clark carefully let Lois down, he took in their surroundings. There was a house up ahead, mostly surrounded by field and fence. There was a garage standing behind the house, but he couldn't see through the walls in order to determine if there was a van on the inside. "Lead," Clark muttered. "They built the walls with lead." Well, that wasn't weird at all.

Fortunately, the house was mostly wood and brick. "There's no one in there," he pointed out. He couldn't say anything for the garage, but the house was empty.

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thatlanewit
2013-08-05 03:17 am UTC (link)

She couldn’t help but roll her eyes again when he made his “up, up and away” comment. That only worked for him. She wasn’t exactly in charge of the moving up and away. Plus he swooped her up. So it was swoopy swoop, damn it! But enough of that. It was time to focus. There could be no distractions now.

“Who the hell even uses lead anymore?” Lois groaned, hating that it wouldn’t be so easy to search the place. Not that she had a problem with getting her hands dirty. At least they didn’t have to worry about anyone ambushing them from the house if they broke into the garage.

She headed toward it, glancing around to see if there was any way to peer inside of the structure without altering anyone who might be inside. Nearing the front she spotted tiny windows lining the garage door. “You wanna lift me up to look or do you wanna risk hovering?”

A quick look around showed that there was no one outside looking their way or wondering what they were doing, but who knew how quickly that would change. Though, Clark could always peek quickly. Quicker than the human eye could see.

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