|
  |
It's been over a week since Starfire started living on a little unpopulated (by Humans at least) island and things are starting to look a little more like home. She's got a line up between two trees from which to hang her laundry, a large flat rock she's carried over to make a table/bed, some tree stumps for chairs and a little string grocery bag hanging from a tree filled with various jars and Earth items. There's a nice sea view which lets her look out at the sunset. Sure it's a little primitive, but the weather doesn't bother her and nothing she owns (of value anyway) is likely to care about a little rain.
Starfire herself is sprawling on the large table-rock catching a little sun and reading her way through a pile of library books. There's a a selection of ranging from Human biology, world history, American history through to some more recreational reading in the form of poems and romance novels.
*
The sound would be odd for sure. It's a rush of wind that isn't at all a plane or rocket. The pinprick in the sky is certainly as small as a rocket.. or larger.. depending on your view of rockets. What's more unusual is that it slows and spreads wings and is flapping at the back. Okay, so it's not a rocket. As it rotates, it becomes clearly a humanoid form with a cape but the setting sun is playing havoc with color. It is awash with reds and violets until at last the figure is shaded by trees. It is Superman.
"Good evening." Kal-El offers with a wave towards Starfire. "Just thought I'd come by and check on you. Or. Well, I was checking to see if you'd come back but clearly you've done more than that." He laughs. "It's fine. Plenty of islands in the ocean." He looks from her to the books. "Nice selection. If you want to get into the head of the American framers, you should check out the Federalist Papers."
*
Flying people are so common on Tamaran that Starfire doesn't really expect anything else. Who on Earth would trust the technology of this planet enough to try and /fly/ with it?! Of course she doesn't know it's someone flying towards her until the shape gets much bigger and much closer. By the time Superman is about to land she's shifted to sit crossed legged in the middle of table rock and is waving in greeting. "Good day Kal-El," she says putting her book down and weighting the pages with a rock that looks suspiciously like it comes from space.
"I have not had much luck with my goal of becoming a legal resident of Earth. It seems that many people mistake aliens for mutants, who are not well regarded, and those who do not often react even worse towards aliens than towards mutants. Still, I have met several very kind Earth friends who have been helping me to accustom myself to the planet. Would you care for any Earth snacks? I have a selection of goods from a store of groceries from which you may help yourself." Kori gestures to the bag hanging from the tree. Most of the non-food items have been discarded thanks to the advice of a Mister Grayson, although the big pack of mustard powder remains.
*
"That's very kind of you but no, thank you." Kal raises a palm. "I ate already. In fact, I could teach you to cook a little if you like? I made friends with a French chef after saving him from a kitchen fire in Paris and he insisted on making certain I understood the fine points of eating well." He laughs then takes a look around her little home. "I am sorry that the United Nations was skeptical of you." He offers with due sincerity. "Perhaps, I could help with that. I have star charts and some measure of contacts within the organization." He takes a deep breath then looks back to her. "It's unfortunate. Right now, mankind is dealing with a great many new forces in their lives and it is a bit frightening to them. They only just are beginning a new step in their evolution and then are confronted by the fact that they are not alone in the universe. It's a lot to take in." He truly does seem compassionate to their plight.
*
"I was told I should have brought a saucer of flying to convince them," Starfire admits with a shrug. "But I am not entirely sure what this is. The words imply crockery. But I do not think the people of this planet have the technology for such a device…" She glances at the bag of food stuffs. "I know how to prepare many dishes. I simply require somewhere to cultivate some suitable fungus." She drumms her fingers against the rock, considering the offer. "If you could assist my attempts to obtain an audience that would be most helpful. Although I feel it is important to mentioned that I will not submit to any medical testing, nor will I share any technology with the people of this world. I would not wish to imperil my people by breaking any intergalactic treaties."
*
Kal chuckles at her requirements. "Don't worry. I have the same caveats. They don't like them but I keep helping out the planet so they've stopped grumbling. I'm sure they'll come around if you don't turn out to be some world conquering lunatic." There's a wry expression at that. "Earth has more than it's share of those so I can't fault them for a little paranoia. And.. I should say that the flying saucer remark was probably a joke. It's a popular reference in fiction that aliens are little green men that arrive in spacecraft shaped like discs that they called flying saucers. You.. are a delightful shade of apricot and arrived like a comet. A decidedly more appealing image I'm sure." He tips his chin to her. "In exchange for my help though.. I was hoping you could tell me about the galaxy at large. Have you come across any Kryptonians in your travels?"
*
Starfire tilts her head. "You don't know where your own people are?" she wonders. "Forgive me if that is a rude question… I am sorry but I have never heard of your people or the planet you came from. My people live inside a star system which is isolated due to an ancient treaty. There is a race… Well more of an Empire. They call themselves the Citadel and wish to control every world within my home star system." Her finger begins to glow with green energy and, with the utmost care, Kori begins to scorch a starchart of her home star system onto the rock. "As I am heir to the throne I was surrendered to the Citadel to prevent them killing my people. They kept me in slavery for a time, then sold me to a race called the psions." She takes a few deep breaths. "They carry out medical experiments on any race which interests them. Creating living weapons, plagues and drugs they can sell. Since I… escaped I have not met any other alien races. I traveled until my communications device picked up a signal from this world. But I did not meet another race during that time…"
*
Regarding the rock a moment, Kal floats and rotates himself around the table while squinting at it. Either he's daffy or he's able to see through the stone as he changes the angle of his view. "Looks vaguely familiar. As I say, I have some star charts so I could probably tell you how far you travelled. From our histories, Krypton was far travelled. I'm surprised you don't know of it." There's a frown at that. "I.." He slowly arcs up and then sits opposite her on the rock. "I am the last of my people so far as I am aware. It makes life a little lonesome.. but.. I have Earth. They're a good people in their heart of hearts. They're just young. Culturally speaking." Then he focuses on her with compassion in his eyes. "I had hoped that those who managed to achieve space travel would be more.. driven by peace.. I am sorry you had to suffer as you have." At that, he reaches out to touch his hand with his own. Despite the chill air, his hand is warm.
*
"It is possible the treaty was written in the days Krypton was exploring?" Starfire muses, looking down at the star chart. "I was not permitted to read the terms until I ascended to the throne and my education only covered those races within the Vega star system. I am sorry that I can not be of more help to you, but the war has lasted several generations of my species. Perhaps a thousand Earth years. I fear that it has left us less than we once were."
*
Kal considers that line of thought a moment. "It's a fair thought. It can't hurt to check. Its fine though. I don't expect you to be a walking encyclopedia." There's a laugh and he leans back to sitting upright. "As much as I've read of the archives.. there's no way I will ever remember it all." There's a shake of his head as if to suggest it's a LOT of information to digest. "Anyway, I.." Hmm. "I gather your people are not the most powerful within your system then." There's a time when he thinks and looks around.. then he laughs. "Look at me. Trying to solve your problems and I don't even know the first thing about you." His attention returns to her. "So. Koriand'r was it? Tell me about yourself. Tell me of your homeworld. Fond memories. Food. Whatever."
*
With all the talk of home Starfire can't help but reach for a little jar of honey mustard. The good stuff with the seeds still in. "We were one of the few races strong enough to resist," she explains solemnly. "My sister she… should have been next in line for the throne but was removed from the line of succession. For a stupid, petty reason beyond her control. She betrayed our people." She dips her finger into the mustard and scoops some into her mouth. "My name translates into Starfire in the language known as 'English'."
Kori forces a smile. "My home world is much like the jungles of this planet, we have satelites to control the weather and build in harmony with the planet. We have no need for roads or farms, as we can fly and live on light. Some foods and drink are produced but purely for pleasure using underground chambers so they do not impact the wildlife. Those of noble birth train under the Warlords of Okaara, who teach us subjects such as martial arts and philosophy. We have music and poetry… Our history goes back many thousands of years… I.. forgive me but I do not know how much more I can talk about my home. With every word I am reminded of how distant everything I know is… It must pale in comparison with being the last of your people, but.. I could not even risk checking to see if they had kept their word." She eats a little more mustard. "Perhaps I too am the last of my people. Although I pray to X'hal it is not so."
*
"Kal means strength. El is hope. The name of my house." He offers. "My people were not so advantaged in their inate gifts despite what you see of me now. On Krypton we were.. much as the humans are here. Limited to the gifts of our mind and will. Over the course of our history we warred with ourselves much as Earth is now… but we overcame it and became a people of science. Unfortunately, we also grew arrogant in our knowledge then withdrew from the galaxy as we found other cultures to be barbaric. We attempted to tap our core for power and the planet did not survive. No colonies. No future. My father sent me into the void of space with Earth as my destination. My father had surmised the gifts my biology would grant me when in the presence of a younger sun." He looks up towards Sol. "Kryptonian culture spans some twenty thousand years or more.. I've barely scratched the surface and a lot of information was lost when we decided to leave galactic society." His brow knits as questions form in his mind for which he has no answer. Looking back to her, he shrugs. "I will hope for you that one day you can return to yours. Perhaps, I can share the lesson of my peoples' folly with you that your own won't repeat it."
*
Starfire laughs softly. "I am not sure that my people would could ever fall prey to that particular fate," she assures. "It is hard to withdraw from other cultures when your home system is teeming with sentient life." She shrugs, then scoops out yet more mustard. "From what I was told while in captivity they intended for my sister to rule as a puppet. So perhaps there is still hope. Perhaps some day I will return, maybe even to rule. Until then I shall try to follow the teachings of X'hal as best I can…. There are many but… I suppose the most imporant is to become strong to protect those who are not." She wipes her eyes. "I must admit I always struggled with the more advanced aspects of philosophy, especially the regions concerning abstract mathematics and physics."
*
Clark leans in and offers a corner of his cape. The fabric is unbelieveably soft, like one would expect of a baby's blanket. "Perhaps I could help you there." He smiles warmly. "With the math and physics that is. The devoting yourself to the aid of those weaker than yourself is just a choice. It's not even a hard choice." He looks to her sincerely. "The difficulty is knowing when not to help. When to let people walk on their own." There's a glance around. "I've been on this planet all of my life and no matter how many people I save.. I have to remember. I am one man and their free will is not mine to take no matter how bad their choices." There's a wry laugh. "I feel a bit like a parent in that way. Which.. I'm not even married so.. it's a little surreal some days."
*
Starfire dabs at her eyes using Supermans cape. "It seems quite excessive to have such a large garment to wipe tears with," she points out. Perhaps unsure what the purpose of a cape is. "Oh I was able to complete my studies. But… let me see if I can translate from Ocaaran… A tree falls in the woods. Does it fall differently if it has been observed by a sentient mind?" Briefly she grins, then adds "They would set us such questions and we would spend several days considering the answer while working on the forms of martial arts. Some tutors would ask questions and would expect responses in the form of a poem or a piece of music. They do not consider there to be any differences between the subjects. It probably seems quite strange."
*
Kal shakes his head. "Not really. The same quandaries of existentialism confront all sentient races given enough time. For instance, the humans have a very similar aphorism. And.. I could offer one with a personal twist. Say I were to take a piece of coal in my hands and squeeze. Now the question posed to you is, how hard am I squeezing? Am I squeezing at all or just faking? Now at some point, I will have a diamond. If I am squeezing. But you cannot see what is in my hand. So it could be argued that until I remove my hands, the coal could both be coal and diamond." He smiles. "Now the humans use that example with a cat and a poison pill.. but Schroedinger struck me as a little grim."
*
"I was not aware it was possible for a being to squeeze that hard unaided," Starfire admits, tilting her head curiously. "I am still trying to learn all my unit conversions. So I could not give a satisfactory response right now. Measurements are one of the things my ability to learn languages struggles with. As I have to find common points between the system and the systems I understand. Although I imagine the coal dust escaping from your hand would be a good way to tell if you were indeed applying pressure!"
*
Kal smirks a little. "Cheater." He winks then and leans back again, tossing his cape behind him. "It's not for tears.. not truly. It's.. a memory from home." He offers quietly. "A gift from my mother." There's a moment of silent introspection which is broken by a deep breath. "But. Units of measure will come in time. What's really going to get you is that the Americans use their method then the rest of the world uses metric. Which strikes me as horribly silly because everyone has to figure out what you mean. They got it from the British but the British converted to metric. Change.. comes slowly in America. I think because it's so big."
*
"I was a little shocked to discover all information here is recorded on /paper/," Starfire admits, gesturing at the books. "Perhaps the pace of change will increase as technology does… Although it does not surprise me that there are variations in measurements. I have been taught about currency, which also does not seem to be unified across the planet. Presumably there is some common agreement regarding worth which allows trade."
*
"Gold tends to be the standard." Kal offers with a shrug. "Precious metals and gems. Those seem to be a universally accepted currency." He floats to his feet and stretches. "I will say that.. if you had to learn some languages. I'd start with.. English.. Spanish.. Hindi.. Chinese.. and go from there. That'll cover most people on the planet. After that there's hundreds of languages spoken by a lone country or fewer. You're lucky. I have to learn them the hard way. In fact.. why don't I show you. How about we try China?" He offers her a hand.
*
+==~~~~~====~~~~====~~~~===~~~~~~ end of log ~~~~~~~==~~~~====~~~~====~~~~~==+