In the Clouds

Superman: Part 10

"Of course not," Clark smiled at the half-joke about remaining unbiased. "Part of what makes your work worth reading, I'd say. I think it's part of the job of the press to keep people like me in check if we ever were to step over the line, or make mistakes." He frowned, a more serious look crossing his face. "And I'm still very human, pardon the lack of a better word. I will make mistakes, and I'd never ask you or anyone else not to cover them wholly and honestly."

As always, Clark did his best to speak from his truest beliefs. He felt people in power had a certain level of accountability they needed to be held to that others didn't. Be they world leaders, law enforcement, or flying men with heat vision, they were beholden to those that depended on their help. The day Clark abused his power to get one over on someone else, or his reckless abandon cost someone their life, was the day he hoped someone checked him. "No one should be beyond reproach, no matter who they are or what they've done." He punctuated his point with a nod.

The question of how much gave him pause. Not for lack of willingness to answer, but for lack of knowledge. "I don't know," He spoke with an apologetic grin. "I can't say I've ever found an upper limit, but I've not exactly tried to push the moon anywhere, either." Tilting his head slightly with a shrug, he added. "Not that I would, to be fair. Hard to imagine the situation where I'd need to." Unfortunately, there wasn't any wood nearby for him to knock on, but Clark wasn't one to believe in jinxes and the like anyway. Was that maybe a little close-minded as a superpowered alien talking to his soulmate? Probably, but some things were hard for even him to believe.

Lois's visible relaxation was more than a little reassuring. He felt her heart slow slightly - still racing from adrenaline, but no longer as much from nervousness. It allowed him to ease further into the conversation, too, in much the same way he had as Clark Kent. She was just easy to talk to, even in this more professional context. Maybe there was some supernatural element there, but to some extent, Clark just liked to think they got along really well.

Chuckling at her joke, he retorted, "You don't? Are you sure about that?" It was very much a joke, too - he was hardly looking through all her personal belongings for anything standout. After all, having the ability to see into someone else's possessions didn't necessarily give him the right. That was part of why he tried to tune out the world when he wasn't looking for people in need. It felt wrong to listen in on others that believed they were speaking in confidence, especially people he cared about. Since coming to Metropolis, he'd never once listened in on Lois. Never on Jimmy or even Perry, either.

She was right about one thing, though. "I think your editor is going to have a stroke down there looking for you. Hope I won't get you in trouble keeping you here?" Of course, Clark knew better - Perry would absolutely have a conniption until Lois told him where she'd been and he'd go back through his usual dance of considering whether or not to fire her, which he never would. Especially not with this. It was a secondary benefit, but her getting some much-deserved recognition made Clark more than a little happy.

Why he was sent to Earth brought on another pause. Her reassurance he didn't have to answer was appreciated, but he still gave it some thought. Clark had made a promise to himself to be honest as much as he was able. Leaving his purpose on Earth in the air would only serve to further that sense of distrust people held towards him. "The first two questions have similar answers, so I'll answer them together. Thank you for trying to make me comfortable, but I'll be alright." Again, his tone was as reassuring and light as his smile.

"Krypton was a world of scientific marvels and peaceful advancement," His smile took on a more sad air. "So I'm told. All I have of my home is from information my parents sent with me. The planet was destroyed shortly after I left. As far as I know, I'm the only living Kryptonian in the universe." The last son of Krypton, his father had called him. "They wanted me to get a chance at a normal life - but they also knew what the effects of this place on my body would be. I'd like to think they wanted me to do some good here. To use what my second chance to make Earth a better place, if I can."

"As for still learning, well... There's a lot that I just don't understand about Krypton." He shrugged, not elaborating further. He and his mother were having to work to translate a language with virtually no similarities to anything on Earth. Thinking it all a little crazy couldn't have been further from bothersome to him. Again, Clark chuckled a little. "Yeah, believe me, I know. I didn't really believe it at first. I had to be shown the ship I came in on."

The questions to his origin earned Lois another apologetic grin. "Sorry. I think it's important to the safety of those I care about that I keep my identity private." One of them being her, but he didn't say that. "Suffice to say, growing up as I did had its fair share of challenges. My powers came on somewhat gradually, and they could be overwhelming. At times, they still are." He motioned to the city. "You know how many cars are running right now? It's really, really loud." Clark grinned, albeit at his own expense. "And that's just in Metropolis."

His smile became less self-deprecating and more warm at the topic of his mother once again, nodding in thanks as she shut the recorder off. "She is. I love her very much. My parents didn't have to take me in when they found me, but... Well, I wouldn't be where I am today without them."

Her eye roll made it abundantly clear Lois knew exactly what he was talking about, albeit likely for very different reasons. Lex was an old friend of Clark's - one might say Clark had been the young genius's only friend growing up together in Smallville. Things had taken a very bad turn towards the end of their friendship, though, a subject Clark didn't let himself linger on too long due to its unpleasant nature.

Motioning to the recorder as though giving her the go-ahead to turn it back on, he waited for her next question. "I've got all the time in the world, local disasters permitting. Just let me know."