bravelyrunaway: (012)
Seamus Zelazny Harper ([personal profile] bravelyrunaway) wrote in [community profile] wilderlogs2018-04-25 10:10 pm

Cold be hand and heart and bone... [closed to Jon Kent]

Who: Closed to Seamus Harper and Jonathan Kent
What: A little side adventure intro
Where: A little bit aways from the main quest
When: During their travel to Weathertop
Warnings/Notes: Mention of mercy killing, body horror

What the hell...?

[Seamus Zelazny Harper, super genius extraordinaire, lead engineer of the glorious (and babealicious) ship the Andromeda Ascendant, was no stranger to weirdness. Every since he'd joined Dylan's merry band of idiots and tried to help him restore order to the universe, his life had taken a sideways step into the strange. But this was high octane, A-grade weird in a way he wasn't used to.]

[To go from standing there in front of the tesseract device to falling through some weird tunnel of leaves surrounded by whispers, to being surrounded by grassland and scrub and hills...]

[Well, at least the scenery's nice, even if it's a little dim and misty. It looks like Earth the way it used to be in pictures, before it was ravaged by the Long Night. The mudfoot in him can't help but revel the feeling of dirt and grass under his boots, and the air... God that smells good, way better than the sterile, stale recycled air in the Andromeda and Maru, or the nasty-smelling air of Earth, tinged with fallout, death, and decay. Somebody could make a killing bottling the air of this place and selling it.]

[In fact, it's so good it clues him into what happened. He'd been about to shoot the tesseract device - his only chance at survival - to save Hohne, he'd asked Dylan to kill him and Tyr had volunteered instead...]

Oh, I get it. Tyr must've taken the shot after I turned my back so I didn't see it coming [Since one of the others could've turned off the tesseract generator. Harper had made his final decision.] That was kind of almost considerate of him.

[He didn't even remember any pain so he must've made that one hell of a head shot. Quick and clean.]

So what is this? The afterlife? [No, he doesn't really believe in an afterlife, or the Divine, or anything.] Or maybe it's just my brain just trying to make sense of things as I die.

[Which would explain why his subconscious had given him the happy idea of the Magog larvae being kept at bay by something. His hand briefly goes to touch the rabbits' foot on its chain around his neck.]

[Then he holds up his hands and talks to the sky, walking along, trying to figure out where to go.]

Alright, brain, what magical revelation do you want me to have before I bite the dust? Or is this just going to be an epic thrill ride of fever dream weirdness? If I'm allowed to, uh, put in any requests, I'd rather it be some kind of psychological journey or crazy acid trip instead of watching my life flash before my eyes. "Harper's Greatest Hits" ain't so great if you consider all the early stuff.

[A part of him wonders if he should be sad or scared - he's dying, after all, but he's already grappled with the idea of dying more times than he can count. What he'd been afraid of most was dying horribly by getting eaten from the inside out and if Tyr bypassed that and gave him something gentler, well...he can live with that. Or, y'know, die with that.]
shieldedson: (We got cowboy boots)

[personal profile] shieldedson 2018-04-26 08:30 am (UTC)(link)
[The last thing Jon had known, he was being forced through a portal to go back home, before it had... twisted, somehow, turning into leaves and and falling, quiet words spoken to him. And then, well.

He shoves himself up into a sitting position and looks around. Wherever this is, it isn't Yggardis or Metropolis, and Damian isn't anywhere nearby that he can tell. All the superpowers he's developed over the last several months seem to be gone, but he can still see a normal yellow sun. And the niggling feeling it might have to do with some of those words he heard.]


Da- Robin?

[Nothing. With how obnoxious the older boy can be, the near-slip would have caught his attention if he was around at all. Jon stands up, checking himself over. Cape is still there, jacket's still zipped up, his jeans don't have any new holes in them, and his Converse are still on both feet. Pulling his phone out and turning it on doesn't show any signal, either, so with a sigh he turns it back off and shoves it back into its pocket.]

Hello? Anyone hear me?

[He can't get in trouble for falling into another dimension, right? He hopes not.

After a while, he shrugs, and picks a random direction to start walking in, cutting across the grass towards the slope of a hill. If nothing else, maybe looking from somewhere with a view'll give him any ideas.

Adventures, it turns out, are a lot better with someone else along for the ride.

Once up the summit of the hill, he scopes around.]


Wow, this is empty.

[There's nothing to watch except the wind occasionally winding through the grass and scrubby brush. And then, someone comes into view, their hands raised to the sky.]

Hey, mister! Hey!

[And so begins the waving as Jon begins running- well, more like taking long bouncing strides and managing to not trip over himself and crash- in the man's direction.]
shieldedson: (Been watching you)

[personal profile] shieldedson 2018-04-26 09:13 am (UTC)(link)
Uh, hi. [Jon blinks at the man for a second. Honestly, this is not the sort of reaction he expected. Even the awkward hello was at least in that range.

But still! The man's question reminds him of the words he heard, before ending up on the grass here.]


You heard the message from the Green? It looks that way.

[Even if Jon doesn't have his powers and this guy looks kind of twitchy in the sort of way that'd have his mom starting to make comments he's supposed to pretend he didn't actually hear. It's probably the hair.]

I'm Superboy.
shieldedson: (As you are)

[personal profile] shieldedson 2018-04-26 09:48 am (UTC)(link)
[He's in charge. Honestly, the rest of his comment goes in one ear and out the other because Jon is still focused on those oh-so-magical words. This adventure is already amazing- and it's turning out to be a good thing Damian isn't here, because he would have scoffed and insisted on being in charge on account of being Robin.

Jon huffs his chest out slightly, and leans back to push his shoulders out and make himself look as tall as he can.]


Sure! Let's go... [There's a second as he pauses for a bit, concentrating as he looks around. Just ignore the fact the tip of his tongue is sticking out a lil' bit. Something feels... different, one direction over the others. Even though there isn't anything obvious just looking around. He scuffs his heel against the ground before looking up at Harper.] This way.

What's your name?
Edited 2018-04-26 12:00 (UTC)
shieldedson: (And grow as tall)

[personal profile] shieldedson 2018-04-26 10:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Uhh.

[He might be young, but between two journalist parents and all their friends it doesn't take that long for Jon to realize something's amiss here, if those references mean what he thinks they're supposed to in this case.

Part of the problem is he hasn't actually been taught what to do in this sort of situation, beyond having the suspicion that the 'Gotham' way isn't it. Plus, Harper looks very alive and healthy, and the sort of decision Damian would make would probably change that second one.]


You aren't dead yet.

[There. What a good job he did. He's still taking the lead for now, anyhow.]

You work on a ship? That's cool.
shieldedson: (And grow as tall)

[personal profile] shieldedson 2018-04-27 06:39 am (UTC)(link)
Uhuh. Right.

[That definitely didn't work, and on top of that he isn't sure how to prove he's right without doing anything mean. Maybe he should just give up on that for now unless Harper does anything dangerous. It's definitely not something Damian would do, so it's the right call.

At least wherever it is they are is kinda nice, reminding him more of the open areas around Hamilton County. Even if he doesn't see any tells of a town or farm anywhere nearby.]


What kinda ship?

shieldedson: (I wanna do)

[personal profile] shieldedson 2018-04-27 10:40 am (UTC)(link)
[Jon has been to the moon at this point, which is still incredible to him. A spaceship is Something Else, even in a world where alien invasions aren't counted as impossible. That, and the fact that about eighty percent of the rest of what Harper said flew over his head, enough that the almost inappropriate comment also was missed totally.]

Wait, you mean like a spaceship? So you're an astronaut?

[Jon really likes space. Even if he's missed the point there.]
shieldedson: (But take your time)

[personal profile] shieldedson 2018-04-27 11:07 am (UTC)(link)
[Jon is very good at that sort of thing. Even if the fact that Harper's asking about the year and is implying he's from the distant future makes him want to ask more questions.]

It's 2017.

[Pause.]

At least back home. Who knows what it is here.

[Because apparently alternate dimensions don't always match, even if they have the same dating system.]

What do you think it is? And who're the Vedrans?
shieldedson: (I've been watching you dad)

[personal profile] shieldedson 2018-04-28 05:02 am (UTC)(link)
[Wait, 'ancient' earth? He doesn't know what 'CY' means, and 'Anno Domini' probably means 'AD', and isn't fully sure on the Gregorian calendar for that matter, but 'ancient'?]

Ancient? That's like, the Greeks.

[Even though Wonder Woman would probably not be completely on board with her culture being called ancient by him or anybody, since hers is very alive, and included bringing a dead boar to the house for dinner. Once.]
shieldedson: (pic#12256878)

[personal profile] shieldedson 2018-04-28 08:26 am (UTC)(link)
[Jon twists and turns, cape snapping from it, once he realizes Harper isn't walking anymore.

5168 AD? That's ages from now. As far away from Jon's time as the Ancient Egyptians and Greeks are, just in the opposite direction.

It's a lot to take in, even for a kid starting to experience a much bigger, weirder world than they were used to, with bigger risks, on a scale different than most his age are adjusting to (if they ever do).

And then there's that question, if he's just playing pretend. He doesn't know what's going through the man's head- Jon doesn't know everything, just that Harper thinks he should be dying, or is gonna be dead soon, instead of being here- but even then it's an out of place question unless he's changing his mind on that, or something.

He looks up at him earnestly, red cape pushed back and to the side a bit by a slight breeze, and shakes his head. At no point has he gotten tangled up by it or had it twist on him like it might have if it was something he wasn't used to wearing it. Bright blue. Bright yellow. Bright red.]


I'm not playing pretend. I'm really Superboy. I'd normally be able to prove it real easy, but I can't here. Not really sure why.
shieldedson: (pic#12257200)

[personal profile] shieldedson 2018-04-28 09:58 am (UTC)(link)
[Harper's words do, for better or worse, kind of sting, and Jon can feel the tears well up a against his will as the future engineer rants.

He's had a really long couple of days, a decent chunk of which wasn't even spent on Earth, much less the right dimension, and this isn't exactly on the top of the things he wanted to do, even if the idea of saving the Green is cool.

And about when Jon's almost ready to yell back, because it's not his fault Harper's life sucks, the man says words that even he can tell is going to result in something really dumb, if he were to go with how Damian would see the whole situation.

And then the rabbit foot on the chain comes up and drops onto the grass, and Harper is groaning in pain before ending up on the ground himself.

Jon is already rushing over the same second, imaginary what-if snark (Damian) and reassurance on what to do (his dad) rattling in his head as he tries to not panic too much.]


Hey! Hey! Are you okay? Hey! Mr. Harper! Don't die! C'mon!

[Where's the rabbit foot, where's the rabbit foot, he does his best to search for it on the ground below; something that would've been easier and faster with his Kryptonian powers, but he's still small and deft enough that getting into a grown man's space to find something that small isn't that hard of a task.]
shieldedson: (pic#12256995)

[personal profile] shieldedson 2018-04-28 10:24 am (UTC)(link)
[Maybe he should have taken the Damian route after all, if pain was what he needed to knock him to his senses. The whole thing was pretty scary, and he'd have preferred to skip the 'adult in terrible pain on account of doing something really stupid to themselves'.

But on the topic of 'little kid'...]


I'm not that little. I'm ten and I'm allowed to actually do things by myself. I go out with Robin all the time. [Twice. So far. Three if you count him and the Titans coming back and asking for his help after curfew. But it still counts! This would be a totally different story if he was eight, Harper.]

You don't actually hafta be responsible for me.
shieldedson: (pic#12257082)

[personal profile] shieldedson 2018-04-28 10:56 am (UTC)(link)
Hey!

[Getting grabbed like that actually hurt- not a lot, but still. It's not like he's become completely impervious to pain or even as invulnerable as his dad, but it's been awhile since being grabbed too hard by a normal human being has been a serious contender.]

Leggo of me!

[He twists and yanks, doing his best to work his way out of the grip on his arm.]

Don't drag me around, dammit!

[Eventually, he will apologize for the swear, but not right now.]
Edited 2018-04-28 10:57 (UTC)
shieldedson: (What's a Dad for Dad?)

[personal profile] shieldedson 2018-04-29 05:26 am (UTC)(link)
[Even as Harper is trying to cajole him into obedience, Jon isn't quite a step behind him in catching on to something being off. A place like this isn't supposed to be silent, and if it weren't for the earlier squabble, they would probably have noticed the quiet setting in before this.

Jon's hands ball up into fists, no longer trying to fight against getting loose. At least for now. His shoulders move back a bit as he stands taller, looking around warily.

The fog continues on its encompassing grip on their surroundings, misting and grey.]


This isn't right. We should get moving.
Edited 2018-04-29 05:26 (UTC)
shieldedson: (Been dreamin' day and night)

[personal profile] shieldedson 2018-04-29 11:02 am (UTC)(link)
[The whole situation is off-putting, spooky and unsettling, and reminding Jon far too much of the nightmare situation he and Kathy ended up in in the swamp, where while it was happening they weren't sure what was real and what was their imaginations taken for a ride, enhanced by gases coming up from decay under water, and their rescue by Kathy's grandfather answered the question, but in that definitive way grown-ups use to tamp down on questions that didn't leave any room for arguments.

Jon isn't old enough to really have any solid footing for the whole 'metaphysical versus reality' sort of argument yet- he isn't Damian, who would probably boast something about how he already understood this kind of thing when he was six- but he can and does still have an opinion, which is that he doesn't like this sort of thing. The world shouldn't do weird things like that based on people's imaginations or change that way.

And then, the fog isn't so overwhelming, and the sky opens up a bit, and while Harper's question might be about how so much time slipped them by, it's a view that is completely foreign for a kid who's spent his whole life on Earth, a few surprise trips aside.

The sudden wind only compounds on the feeling in his chest, before things bloom into full horror.

Harper's gun doesn't work against the whispering, menace figure in the dark.

Jon can't fight against some kind of terrifying monster, without superpowers he's just a normal kid. He doesn't have that sort of training yet. But he's the one who's supposed to be the superhero, not nervy-seeming Harper who is trying hard but looks like a stiff breeze would knock him over, who shoves himself between Jon and this creature with icey lit eyes, who pushes him away to give Jon a chance to escape, before passing out right in front of Jon when a boney hand grabs the man's arm. He can't even process the Harper's whisper, just staring in horror and guilt.

It feels for a short instant like something warm and bright fizzles just under his skin before flickering out, before a second hand reaches for him, too, and grabs his shoulder, immensely cold even through his jacket and shirt, and it is the last thing he knows before losing consciousness.]

shieldedson: (pic#12261530)

[personal profile] shieldedson 2018-04-30 02:42 am (UTC)(link)
[Coming to is like the aftermath of a nightmare, except in this case, instead of his warm bed, familiar sheets mostly under him, posters on the wall and solar system hanging up above, there's a cold stone beneath him, he's wrapped up, cold gold resting lightly on his head, and a sword at his neck.

Fear and panic hit him in a start, and are just as immediately squashed by a desire to not die and not let Harper die, despite somehow being stuck and he yells in frustration. As he does, he feels that inner warmth and brightness again, and instead of letting it fizzle, he focuses on it with a push and-

A solid golden arc of light pushes outward, loosening the shroud as it flings out, shoving the sword away and a good bit of gold, jewels, and other assorted ends and pieces in its wake.

It doesn't take long for Jon to wriggle out of the shroud, and begin shaking at Harper as hard as he can, trying to unwrap the linens wrapping Harper in the process. Escape now. Figure that out later.]


Wake up!
shieldedson: (I'm the luckiest boy alive)

o lord a hand

[personal profile] shieldedson 2018-05-04 08:06 am (UTC)(link)
[It's hard to decide which creeps him out more- the terrible song and chant that made the little hairs on the back of Jon's neck rise up or the horrible skittering hand that went for the sword that was probably supposed to kill them before Harper chopped it in two.

What doesn't help at all is Harper apparently decided to pass out before the glowing thing appeared out of his body and starts smashing itself repeatedly against the wall. He crouches down, shaking Harper, again, before beginning to drag him against the wall farthest from the passageway the hand just came from, without interfering with the glowing magical space manta's work.]


I don't know if you did that on purpose or not or something but passing out again isn't a good idea!

[His spooky magic tolerance has officially been reached and surpassed, and it's starting to become really clear why his Dad isn't fond of the stuff. Punching aliens and bad guys is more straightforward when it isn't a disembodied hand.]
shieldedson: (pic#12279710)

someday, they'll look back on this and... probably have nightmares.

[personal profile] shieldedson 2018-05-07 06:38 am (UTC)(link)
If you say so.

[Jon can only listen in concern, and then watch in fascination as the Harper-manta swoops, and repeatedly smashes, trying to get them free.

If he was keeping a better eye on Harper's actual body, he might have been able to react when the second arm initially made its appearance.

As it stands, he yells in shock when Harper's body begins the not-so-smooth drag away, terrible fingers wrapped around the man's ankle.]


No!

[An immense light bursts outward, with Jon as the center, filtering out as he dives for Harper's arm and ties to dig his feet in.]
shieldedson: (pic#12257200)

[personal profile] shieldedson 2018-05-27 05:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[Jon really doesn't need that much urging to run, considering everything that happened since they woke up in there, but he also doesn't have any incentive to let Harper push him on ahead, turning and yanking on Harper's arm in turn when the man tries to shove him out first.]

C'mon! I'm not letting you get grabbed again!

[He isn't sure if he can full off that light show he just did again that made the hand stop in the first place.]