Emerald City Bulwark
Posts 37
Power Level 31
|
Post by Carl on Jan 25, 2017 22:51:34 GMT -7
Carl nodded in understanding. It certainly wasn't easy to apply perfect morals in the midst of a fight, but that didn't necessarily mean that there was no point in trying. Generally speaking, evildoers usually did evil things, and thus needed to be stopped. They were also people, though, in most cases, and that meant that they were as capable of doing something selfless as they were something selfish. As such, there would always be a need to be aware of consequences if one tried to be a hero, the same as there would always be doubts. Nobody with any real experience or intelligence ever claimed that being a hero was easy. It didn't take long to realize that performing the job for personal glory would get you nowhere, or that doing it for the right reasons wouldn't be a walk in the park.
Before he had a chance to try and reassure Blue Jay again, though, a particularly strong hit knocked him off his feet. After landing on his face with an audible crunch, Carl wasn't particularly concerned about rushing to try and be comforting. "Gratitude is one thing," he all but spat as he started to pick himself up off the ground. "Unprofessionalism in a professional setting is an entirely different matter. And hugs aren't going to solve any of the underlying issues that the city is facing. Acting otherwise would just be deluding yourself."
He steadied himself upon his feet once again, then turned back to face Blue Jay. The center of his mask was noticably darker and clearly wet, but it was just as obvious that it wasn't anything that he was concerning himself with. "Give yourself more credit," he said with a bitter edge that he suspected didn't quite match what he intended to say. "Even if you don't see yourself as one, you're the closest thing to a real hero that I've seen among your city's supers. All things considered, as far as this city is concerned, you're more of a hero than I am. You intend to stay here and do what you can to improve everything you can, yes? All I'm here for is to give people like you whatever is required to do what's necessary, and then make my way to the next city in need. The only reason I'm not behind the scenes more is because there is a shortage of people center stage. I doubt I'll remain long after that changes."
|
|
Pandaemonium
Posts 343
Power Level 30
|
Post by Blue Jay on Jan 28, 2017 18:45:53 GMT -7
Blue Jay would offer a hand to Carl if he wanted it, but the super seemed to have it handled. The sight of what he assumed to be blood made him feel a little bad; he hadn’t been intending to hurt the guy, even if he wasn’t exactly really trying not to hurt him, because he knew Carl probably wouldn’t care and indeed seemed not to. Yes, Carl could take it. Besides, he wouldn’t do that to just anyone, so Carl could take it as a sign of respect? It also helped his point, he guessed.
“It’s not just that I don’t see myself as a hero, I’m done playing by the hero’s book too.” Blue Jay said with a hesitant cheerfulness. “So please don’t call me a hero. That’s not what I am anymore.” He paused, rubbed the back of his head, and only half managed the task of maintaining eye contact. He was keenly aware of the last one; the unusual color of Carl’s eyes made avoiding them feel like one was avoiding looking at a flashing advertisement board. It wasn’t something his subconscious could keep to itself. “Thanks for doing your part, though. Even if it means you might be stuck here a while, sorry.” He chuckled awkwardly to the cityscape.
Likewise, he was very aware of the air of unease he was creating. He liked it about as much as he liked the feeling of bugs crawling under his skin, and so sought to remedy it immediately. Tearing his eyes from the distant lights of downtown, he found a smile and a new topic.
“When did this become a professional setting? We’re two menaces to society, standing on the rooftop of an abandoned building surrounded by rubble. I called this meeting on an illegal junker phone, my briefcase is a gym bag, and you’re wearing fingerless gloves. There isn’t even any coffee.” Blue Jay teased.
“Saying ‘hello’ isn’t going to solve any underlying problems either, but you do that still.” Blue Jay chuckled. Pressing the tips of his fingers together, he looked upward and left. “You could say hugs and greetings foster friendly relationships, though. Maybe this is all a sly attempt on my part to try to make friends.” He said like he was suppressing an evil laugh.
Adjusting his bag on his shoulder, he took a casual step back and let out a long breath through his nose. He felt better, and all things considered, accomplished.
“But thanks again.” He said, a little more seriously. But only a little. “That’s, uh, all I had really to talk about. You have another lecture on justice or anything? I’ve got time if you do, but there might be bank robbers or police corruption somewhere.”
|
|
Emerald City Bulwark
Posts 37
Power Level 31
|
Post by Carl on Jan 29, 2017 17:11:33 GMT -7
Carl stared flatly at Blue Jay as the older super denied that he was hero. Last he had heard, there were few reports of civilians being murdered by a superpowered sword wielder, so the odds of him having done something outright villainous were likely slim. As for "not playing by the hero's book", Carl simply couldn't understand what was meant. The only thing that could really explain it was that Blue Jay didn't understand their situation or what a hero was.
"You do realize that every super is a criminal, no matter their morals, yes? So, from the moment our powers manifest, being a hero by socially accepted norms is inaccessible. That means that there really is no 'hero's rulebook'. It's entirely up to one's personal ethics. And, by my moral code, you're the closest thing to a hero in this city. Maybe not a perfect fit, but I stand by my judgment. So I'll continue to call you whatever title I feel fits you. If it helps, consider it recompense for breaking my nose." He paused a short moment before continuing with a slight edge of exhaustion. "And don't thank me until I can produce some genuine results. And I expect that to be a while off yet."
Carl sighed and looked out over the city. There was too much to do, too few people trying to do it, and not enough of him to go around and try to fill the gaps in manpower. Even with his ability to literally work himself to the bone without worry, there was only so much one person could do. It was why he had previously been looking into providing the poor of Emerald City with low-skill paid labor. However, it seemed that a good number of people were being employed by Aurora Disicio to improve the docks and provide maintenance on Pandaemonium's new base. Because of that, he wasn't willing to risk antagonizing them by stealing away their unpowered workforce, considering his current lack of numbers. It was still an option he was looking into, but a large number of his funds he had set aside for the possible venture was being reallocated. Into Blue Jay's charity, specifically.
It was because of that that the young Bulwark didn't appreciate the lack of respect for the current situation. Unamused, Carl's gaze quicky found the older super. "It became a professional setting the moment you decided to organize a meeting with me to discuss something that I do professionally. You can't honestly believe that I wouldn't approach this with the same sort of care I would were you president of a competing business. Just because the general aesthetic isn't similar doesn't mean that it's any less important to me."
"And that's exactly why a hug wasn't the proper approach to take. I say 'hello' when it fits the situation, and the same applies with hugs. The best way to make a friend is to read the situation, Blue Jay, and act accordingly. Acting nonchalant while the other party is actually being serious is a good way to anger someone, should they not be open to that kind of behavior." He stopped suddenly, and underneath his mask he frowned. "You said you're nineteen? I shouldn't have to explain something so simple to you."
The accusation that he was lecturing made Carl defensive. "You're the one who decided to derail the conversation and discuss your past; don't blame me for giving my thoughts on a topic you brought up. But yes, you can go do what you want, I don't have anything else I want to 'lecture' you on. And, should you have anything that you would like to bring to my attention, you obviously know how to get ahold of me."
"Oh," he added after turning to walk away. "While I'm not sure I can consider you a friend, I do value you as an ally. Don't do anything to jeopardize that position without at least giving it some serious thought first, please."
|
|
Pandaemonium
Posts 343
Power Level 30
|
Post by Blue Jay on Jan 30, 2017 21:58:50 GMT -7
Blue Jay blinked at Carl. Of course he knew every super was a criminal. He was shot at by police. All the time. Hell, the week after he’d saved a police precinct, they’d fired at him with the intent to kill. He was well aware that herohood was going to result in a lot of thankless people hating you for helping them, and that one needed to make their own definition of what a hero meant because no one was going to hand one to you. By his, he was not a hero, and he would’ve been offended that Carl insisted on calling him one anyway because it meant the Bulwark was still pushing what he thought a hero was onto him, if not for the statement of reimbursement for his own teasing. Blue Jay cracked a grin and allowed a chuckle. “Alright, I’ll take that trade.” He muttered.
It seemed he’d managed to offend Carl with his word choice, and the super’d taken it at face-value rather than the joke it was meant to be. He had the strong temptation to clear up the misconception. He was well aware he was the one who’d gone off on a tangent and wasn’t miffed in the slightest about Carl responding because he wasn’t expecting to be talking to a brick wall, nor did he mean ‘lecture’ with a negative connotation; so said the guy who looked forward to going to history class more than just about anything else. But he guessed that was just a risk he ran, talking like he did around people like Carl. Lesson learned with another super of similar disposition, fix never employed. It was fine to let things lie and he really needed to stop explaining himself all the time. He picked his battle.
“We’re equals, aren’t we? I think that means you don’t have sole right to decide the mood.” He said cheerfully. If it was situations that dictated how one should act, Blue Jay quite liked the more nonchalant one he had made for himself. By a short extension of the Bulwark’s logic, he could be just as upset at Carl for being serious when he was trying to be lax as Carl did the other way around. That said, he’d be failing his own mood if he grew angry over something that small. “You can take my casualness as a sign of respect.”
Blue Jay turned opposite Carl, preparing to depart as well. “Be seeing you, ally.” He confirmed to the one title from Carl he wanted to keep.
Though he did hesitate in case Carl had anything else, If there was nothing, he’d depart swiftly from the rooftop.
|
|
