J'onn J'onzz (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
yourfavorite) wrote2021-07-07 03:24 pm
yourfavorite) wrote2021-07-07 03:24 pm
(no subject)
For continuing threads or random prompts. Bring anything you like to the board.
For continuing threads or random prompts. Bring anything you like to the board.
[ J'onn had taken a number of precautions when he took the job offered by the Brotherhood of Evil. He had told exactly one person what he was up to, the person he could rely on to get him out of trouble if things went to Hell and to keep keep the secret wrapped up tight. With Batman as his safety net, he'd gotten to work. There were few places on Earth it was considered odd for Marco Xavier to visit. He knew every baron, billionaire and black market buyer in the world it seemed. He'd made his visit visible, to ensure the Brotherhood would know he was at least in the country. But all the legwork was done with the use of his Martian powers, ensuring the utmost secrecy as he sorted through the potential dirt. There was a lot, but most of it was either useless (tyrannical dictators tend to take pride in a lot of their evil, and make sure everyone knows about it) or too useful (he couldn't give the Brotherhood too much leverage and let them run roughshod over the country). It took three days, but he'd found a fine piece. Something that would put the upper echelons of the corrupt government in hot water if revealed, but not enough to endanger the common citizens. And once his dealings with the Brotherhood was done he could take action himself.
Now for the harder part. Finding out what the Brotherhood wanted to achieve with the information he gave them.
The private island resort was a perfectly suitable backdrop to test his just how much of a debonair spy he could be. A special challenge, due to the difficulty in reading Gemini's mind. ]
Fancy meeting you here.
[ A confident smirk and a long cigarette holder on his lips, an ice bucket with champagne protruding in one hand and two glasses in the other, Marc Xavier made his appearance. The beachwear of choice was understated but no doubt expensive, even if it was just a part of shorts and a polo shirt. Covering a lot more than Gemini was, that was for sure, but then again she probably wasn't wearing anything at all, he reasoned. His clothing was a semi-sentient plant that could shapeshift with him, so who was he to judge? ]
Now for the harder part. Finding out what the Brotherhood wanted to achieve with the information he gave them.
The private island resort was a perfectly suitable backdrop to test his just how much of a debonair spy he could be. A special challenge, due to the difficulty in reading Gemini's mind. ]
Fancy meeting you here.
[ A confident smirk and a long cigarette holder on his lips, an ice bucket with champagne protruding in one hand and two glasses in the other, Marc Xavier made his appearance. The beachwear of choice was understated but no doubt expensive, even if it was just a part of shorts and a polo shirt. Covering a lot more than Gemini was, that was for sure, but then again she probably wasn't wearing anything at all, he reasoned. His clothing was a semi-sentient plant that could shapeshift with him, so who was he to judge? ]
['Hire the spy, have him obtain the information, if he succeeds meet with him to secure his services long term.' The instructions from the Brain had been concise as always, but luckily for Gemini they left plenty of room for interpretation. So rather than a dingy back alley she had booked an exclusive private island in the Seychelles and settled down to be pampered by the staff until her contact made his appearance.
The sun's rays beat down, spreading a relaxing warmth through her rubbery body as she reclined on a sun lounger on the beach, listening to the soothing crash of the waves, her eyes closed behind the expensive looking black Gucci sunglasses she wore. Were she truly to relax her body would slop off the side of the chair, but an oozing mass of shapeless goo would hardly create the impression Gemini wanted, so she made sure to hold her focus, preserving the look that she called her own. Flawlessly beautiful in the way that only someone with total control of their appearance could be, she displayed her figure to the fullest in a black bikini that she'd seen in the Dior catalogue last year, when it came to men a little distraction always went a long way.
It might have been an hour, it might have been two, the warmth dulling her senses slightly, but not enough for her not to notice the footsteps of the man approaching. She didn't react until he spoke, turning her head to look him up and down, the sunglasses hiding the shark-like quality to her gaze.]
Ah Mr Xavier. [She smiled warmly, her voice a sultry purr.] I'm glad that you made it. I trust you have what the Brain wanted?
The sun's rays beat down, spreading a relaxing warmth through her rubbery body as she reclined on a sun lounger on the beach, listening to the soothing crash of the waves, her eyes closed behind the expensive looking black Gucci sunglasses she wore. Were she truly to relax her body would slop off the side of the chair, but an oozing mass of shapeless goo would hardly create the impression Gemini wanted, so she made sure to hold her focus, preserving the look that she called her own. Flawlessly beautiful in the way that only someone with total control of their appearance could be, she displayed her figure to the fullest in a black bikini that she'd seen in the Dior catalogue last year, when it came to men a little distraction always went a long way.
It might have been an hour, it might have been two, the warmth dulling her senses slightly, but not enough for her not to notice the footsteps of the man approaching. She didn't react until he spoke, turning her head to look him up and down, the sunglasses hiding the shark-like quality to her gaze.]
Ah Mr Xavier. [She smiled warmly, her voice a sultry purr.] I'm glad that you made it. I trust you have what the Brain wanted?
Edited 2021-07-07 21:12 (UTC)
[ Gemini's choice suited J'onn's purposes too. With this set-up, she was more likely to want to hang around. Somewhere less pleasant would probably be a quick meeting. This gave him a chance to milk the situation, as he was sure she intended to do as well. It takes some effort to make the way his eyes go over her body reflect a man who loves the ladies without being on the creepy side of lecherous, but he's practised his human guises a great deal. In reality, he can admire Gemini's figure- from a professional standpoint as a fellow shapeshifter. The extreme perfection is in contrast to his aim of realism, replicating a man long dead down to the smallest smile lines at the corners of the mouth. ]
I hate to disappoint, which is why I never do.
[ A stream of vapour exited his lips as part of the smile (the 'cigarette holder' is in fact a fancy vape pen, the invention of which has made disguising himself with a weakness to much easier), and he settled down beside her. The pop of the champagne cork expertly sent flying followed. ]
Knowing the right people and asking question people didn't want to answer got me some leads... [ He filled a glass and offered it to Gemini first. That's how a gentleman does it. ] ...And from there, I started getting stuck in. It turns out our dear dictator has been funding some science projects that would be of great interest to the international community. Using diverted aid funds, nonetheless.
I hate to disappoint, which is why I never do.
[ A stream of vapour exited his lips as part of the smile (the 'cigarette holder' is in fact a fancy vape pen, the invention of which has made disguising himself with a weakness to much easier), and he settled down beside her. The pop of the champagne cork expertly sent flying followed. ]
Knowing the right people and asking question people didn't want to answer got me some leads... [ He filled a glass and offered it to Gemini first. That's how a gentleman does it. ] ...And from there, I started getting stuck in. It turns out our dear dictator has been funding some science projects that would be of great interest to the international community. Using diverted aid funds, nonetheless.
Excellent.
[Gemini purred like a contented cat, watching the spy as he moved to sit beside her. Had he failed she would not be so accommodating, but with the Brotherhood success brought rewards, particularly if proven to be useful, which Marco Xavier just had.]
Really? Now that is interesting, just think of all those poor children going hungry, how scandalous! [She smirked, obviously not remotely concerned by the plight of the poor unfortunates whatsoever. She took the glass and sipped, expecting a fine French vintage she was not disappointed, more points to Mr Marco, although ultimately it too would work in her favour.]
Yes we can certainly use that, you have the files?
[Gemini purred like a contented cat, watching the spy as he moved to sit beside her. Had he failed she would not be so accommodating, but with the Brotherhood success brought rewards, particularly if proven to be useful, which Marco Xavier just had.]
Really? Now that is interesting, just think of all those poor children going hungry, how scandalous! [She smirked, obviously not remotely concerned by the plight of the poor unfortunates whatsoever. She took the glass and sipped, expecting a fine French vintage she was not disappointed, more points to Mr Marco, although ultimately it too would work in her favour.]
Yes we can certainly use that, you have the files?
Edited 2021-07-11 13:29 (UTC)
[ He carefully observed Gemini's every movement. It no doubt helps his guise as a playboy, but in reality, he's using every supersense he has, all nine, to gauge as much of her as possible. Ordinarily, he could rely on telepathy to do the heavy lifting, trying in on Gemini could threaten his position. Much like how Plastic Man was Batman's choice to battle J'onn if he ever went rogue, her brainless situation (for lack of a better term) was uniquely challenging.
He took the time to pour and drink a sip himself before answering. Savouring both the view and the vintage. ]
There's an encrypted data strip at the bottom of the bottle. So I suppose we'll just have to finish it first, eh?
[ Chuckling at the deliberately obvious ploy to spend more time in her presence, a flirtation from Marco and info mining opportunity from J'onn, he held out his glass to offer to clink glasses together. ]
To new partnerships.
He took the time to pour and drink a sip himself before answering. Savouring both the view and the vintage. ]
There's an encrypted data strip at the bottom of the bottle. So I suppose we'll just have to finish it first, eh?
[ Chuckling at the deliberately obvious ploy to spend more time in her presence, a flirtation from Marco and info mining opportunity from J'onn, he held out his glass to offer to clink glasses together. ]
To new partnerships.
[Marco's gaze was taken as the interest of a red blooded male, and indeed encouraged given that Gemini had decided to present herself in only a bikini so as to make him more susceptible to her charms. Under the facade of humanity though and obvious to his senses her true self lurks. While she makes a show of inhaling and exhaling, there's no heartbeat in her chest, none of the usual sounds or smells that a human body produces as a matter of course.]
How clever. [She laughed, lifting her glass to clink against his.] I imagine that you're aware of what a partnership with the Brotherhood entails? [Even groups dedicated to evil had rules, they simply differed from what society deemed to be acceptable.]
I'd hate it if you had a disagreement with the Brain, that would reflect poorly on me, I trust that won't happen? [She laid cool fingers against his hand and flexed just slightly, giving the human a hint of her full inhuman strength.]
How clever. [She laughed, lifting her glass to clink against his.] I imagine that you're aware of what a partnership with the Brotherhood entails? [Even groups dedicated to evil had rules, they simply differed from what society deemed to be acceptable.]
I'd hate it if you had a disagreement with the Brain, that would reflect poorly on me, I trust that won't happen? [She laid cool fingers against his hand and flexed just slightly, giving the human a hint of her full inhuman strength.]
[ J'onn was fortunate in that his species learnt to see beyond physical appearance. Ironically, her relaxed amorphous form would likely get more of a reaction- turning into a fluid, swirling mass is precisely how Martian's mate. He was sure that few humans could keep their wits quite so sharp as he in the face of Gemini's well designed shape. He had to admire it artistically, however. With her talents, she could have been a popular shapesmith on Mars. On Earth? Who knows what she could have been. Better to remember what she is. ]
Err.
[ That sound is to signal a short reaction to the touch of her strength, eyes dipping down to her fingers and back up. Marco is a normal human, even if one of incredible skill. Of course he should be concerned, until he has time to remember how great his ego is. ]
So long as the payment is prompt, what's to disagree about?
[ He leaves the hand she's touching in place, taking a drink with a playful raised eyebrow. ]
Err.
[ That sound is to signal a short reaction to the touch of her strength, eyes dipping down to her fingers and back up. Marco is a normal human, even if one of incredible skill. Of course he should be concerned, until he has time to remember how great his ego is. ]
So long as the payment is prompt, what's to disagree about?
[ He leaves the hand she's touching in place, taking a drink with a playful raised eyebrow. ]
From here.
I would have assumed that was simply his reaction to being spoken to by an attractive woman.
I would have assumed that was simply his reaction to being spoken to by an attractive woman.
Edited 2021-07-18 13:48 (UTC)
From here.
First step to doing is trying.
Hypocrisy doesn't make me factually incorrect. And besides- I meditate.
[ He did indeed know Jill was very unlikely to flop into a bed on his vague suggestion. But part of being J'onn is caring deeply and giving advice no one takes. In his John persona, it just comes out kind of gruff. ]
First step to doing is trying.
Hypocrisy doesn't make me factually incorrect. And besides- I meditate.
[ He did indeed know Jill was very unlikely to flop into a bed on his vague suggestion. But part of being J'onn is caring deeply and giving advice no one takes. In his John persona, it just comes out kind of gruff. ]
No, of course not.
If there's anyone that knows about giving advice and not taking it, it's me. ;)
My thoughts run too hard and fast, though.
Sleep doesn't work all that well for me.
And I don't need it like I used to.
[ The virus, she supposes, was part of that. Or maybe it's just another excuse among a myriad of them for her to play it cool and strong -- and not think of the reality of the situation or the deeper issues that come with her lack of sleep. ]
Any interesting work?
Or is it on the down-low?
If there's anyone that knows about giving advice and not taking it, it's me. ;)
My thoughts run too hard and fast, though.
Sleep doesn't work all that well for me.
And I don't need it like I used to.
[ The virus, she supposes, was part of that. Or maybe it's just another excuse among a myriad of them for her to play it cool and strong -- and not think of the reality of the situation or the deeper issues that come with her lack of sleep. ]
Any interesting work?
Or is it on the down-low?
HAH, nope, he just keeps threatening to kill me in increasingly unhinged terms.
It's almost a comedy shtick at this point.
It's almost a comedy shtick at this point.
Perhaps he is attempting to transition from super criminal to stand-up comic.
Sounds like an excuse not to worry about the deeper issues that come with lack of sleep.
[ He don’t need no mind-reading to be mister tells-it-like-it-is. It’s one of those things that shows he cares, despite being a man hard as stone.
He, at least, doesn’t force her to stay on the topic by ignoring her question. ]
Putting some strings together. Seeing if it makes a rope to climb. Suspicious delivery patterns, primarily.
[ He don’t need no mind-reading to be mister tells-it-like-it-is. It’s one of those things that shows he cares, despite being a man hard as stone.
He, at least, doesn’t force her to stay on the topic by ignoring her question. ]
Putting some strings together. Seeing if it makes a rope to climb. Suspicious delivery patterns, primarily.
Sounds like just because you hit the nail on the head doesn't mean it's going to change anything.
If it was so easy to fall and stay asleep, I would.
For now, I'm going to keep working and get things done. Better to be productive than roll around, frustrated I can't sleep.
I thought you'd understand something like that.
[ Despite how deeply she values honesty and directness, it still grazes her a little when it's against her rather than for. It's not great. ]
If you need another set of eyes or ears for a fresh view, I'm always happy to lend mine.
If you want.
If it was so easy to fall and stay asleep, I would.
For now, I'm going to keep working and get things done. Better to be productive than roll around, frustrated I can't sleep.
I thought you'd understand something like that.
[ Despite how deeply she values honesty and directness, it still grazes her a little when it's against her rather than for. It's not great. ]
If you need another set of eyes or ears for a fresh view, I'm always happy to lend mine.
If you want.
Talking about it is a start towards a solution, at least.
[ Now that almost certainly sounds like super hypocrisy, considering the John Jones persona she's speaking to him through barely ever talks at all. But at least, when he does, he tries to make it meaningful. ]
Always. Digital or analogue?
[ He likes doing things with paperwork sometimes. Nothing better than having one of those crazy people boards with the clippings and the string. ]
[ Now that almost certainly sounds like super hypocrisy, considering the John Jones persona she's speaking to him through barely ever talks at all. But at least, when he does, he tries to make it meaningful. ]
Always. Digital or analogue?
[ He likes doing things with paperwork sometimes. Nothing better than having one of those crazy people boards with the clippings and the string. ]
Let's hope. I mean, it's not like he could do any worse.
I have noticed that whenever someone makes a statement to that effect, they are immediately proven wrong.
I am going to check if Whirlwind has broken out now.
I am going to check if Whirlwind has broken out now.
I've gone to therapy, if that's what you're suggesting.
Some things you can't talk your way out of or shake out of your bones.
[ She isn't one to judge since she's the same sort of hypocrite at times. Naturally, she's batting for her own team first and if she didn't want to volunteer this information then she wouldn't. Not without some prying, anyway. ]
Funny.
I'm a little old school. I'm a tactile person.
Some things you can't talk your way out of or shake out of your bones.
[ She isn't one to judge since she's the same sort of hypocrite at times. Naturally, she's batting for her own team first and if she didn't want to volunteer this information then she wouldn't. Not without some prying, anyway. ]
Funny.
I'm a little old school. I'm a tactile person.
I was thinking more about just annoying you until you did what I tell you to.
[ He shoots over an address. He's working from home, his incredibly spartan apartment. The closest thing to decoration is the clippings and string wall. John Jones doesn't need much that doesn't help his work. The persona is, in a way, J'onn's sense of justice personified. ]
But in the meantime, you can be useful. Bring coffee. I've got snacks.
[ He shoots over an address. He's working from home, his incredibly spartan apartment. The closest thing to decoration is the clippings and string wall. John Jones doesn't need much that doesn't help his work. The persona is, in a way, J'onn's sense of justice personified. ]
But in the meantime, you can be useful. Bring coffee. I've got snacks.
From here
Hmm. I will confess my first thought was Guy as Scrappy. But Skeets is an excellent option.
Hmm. I will confess my first thought was Guy as Scrappy. But Skeets is an excellent option.
From here
I thought the traditional worry is that it would go to your hips?
[ His poker face recovered to its usual perfection, he asks the question with his deadpan hardness. His favourite joke is that he doesn't have a sense of humour, and he amuses himself with it constantly. He may as well have asked her where she was on the night of a murder, with his tone.
Though the fact he tops it off by plucking a single Oreo from his sundae and biting it in half with a quiet 'mmm' might give him away a little. Or he's just weird.
It's both. Oreos (or their legally distinct non-copyrighted equivalent 'Choccos') are his favourite, signature food. He eats them by the crate. ]
I thought the traditional worry is that it would go to your hips?
[ His poker face recovered to its usual perfection, he asks the question with his deadpan hardness. His favourite joke is that he doesn't have a sense of humour, and he amuses himself with it constantly. He may as well have asked her where she was on the night of a murder, with his tone.
Though the fact he tops it off by plucking a single Oreo from his sundae and biting it in half with a quiet 'mmm' might give him away a little. Or he's just weird.
It's both. Oreos (or their legally distinct non-copyrighted equivalent 'Choccos') are his favourite, signature food. He eats them by the crate. ]
[She laughs] Okay, well-played. I was talking about the compliments, not the sweets.
[Which he knows, otherwise the joke wouldn't have worked, Molly.]
Besides, who ever said I was traditional? [She relieves the spoon of another helping of ice cream and chocolate, then begins to use her spoon like she's carving off the Oreos from the mountain that is this dessert, munching a couple with dollop of ice cream]
Or is that in your Molly Hooper file somewhere?
[Which he knows, otherwise the joke wouldn't have worked, Molly.]
Besides, who ever said I was traditional? [She relieves the spoon of another helping of ice cream and chocolate, then begins to use her spoon like she's carving off the Oreos from the mountain that is this dessert, munching a couple with dollop of ice cream]
Or is that in your Molly Hooper file somewhere?
[ He can't help his eyes following her Oreo mining operation. Oreos fascinate him. They are the finest product of planet Earth. Humans a narrow second. He begins a complex process, plucking a few and twisting them expertly, so that the ends come apart. Sticking them together to form a multi-layer sandwich. All the while with his flat, fearsome expression. ]
I'm an American. What do I know of tradition for the UK? For all I know there are a million Molly Hoopers here.
[ After a moment to hold up and examine the structural integrity of his confectionary construction, he adds- ]
Though I doubt it. I suspect there's only one.
[ And then he can't say anything because he's got a lot of Oreo in a human-sized mouth. ]
I'm an American. What do I know of tradition for the UK? For all I know there are a million Molly Hoopers here.
[ After a moment to hold up and examine the structural integrity of his confectionary construction, he adds- ]
Though I doubt it. I suspect there's only one.
[ And then he can't say anything because he's got a lot of Oreo in a human-sized mouth. ]
Holiday traditions and proper spelling are one thing. I do think that weight to one's hips and concern about it isn't necessarily limited by geographic location. Or gender, even. I've seen some men with really great hips.
[She watches his unique sandwich building, wondering if she ought to try it for herself. Or will that look like she's trying too hard to fit in/endear herself to him? She assumes the Detective, while he clearly has a softer side, wouldn't care for people doing anything that might be interpreted as sucking up to him. So she takes inspiration but adapts it for herself - she untwists one Oreo, scoops a bit of ice cream and chocolate on top of the cream, and then puts the 'cover' of the Oreo back on. It's a smooshier ice cream and Oreo sandwich. Tasty, but a tad messy. She licks at her fingers and cleans them with a napkin.
She knows her limits enough to know she can't attempt a ton of layers like he did with his construction, but maybe she should try one or two more layers of cream?]
I'm probably the only one who's exactly like me? But Molly and Hooper aren't exactly unique names - probably loads of them out there. I might be one of very few for whom Molly isn't a nickname for something else, like Mary or Margaret.
[She wonders if that's already in his file - is his file just observations and facts gleaned from personal interactions, or does he have records that are available through public access. She doesn't imagine him to be the type to abuse his position for access to other databases - that would be unjust.]
On the other hand, I'm a pretty ordinary woman besides what I do for work. Countries are full of the ordinary. Unlike your mouth right now.
[She snickers a bit, pointing at him with her spoon.]
[She watches his unique sandwich building, wondering if she ought to try it for herself. Or will that look like she's trying too hard to fit in/endear herself to him? She assumes the Detective, while he clearly has a softer side, wouldn't care for people doing anything that might be interpreted as sucking up to him. So she takes inspiration but adapts it for herself - she untwists one Oreo, scoops a bit of ice cream and chocolate on top of the cream, and then puts the 'cover' of the Oreo back on. It's a smooshier ice cream and Oreo sandwich. Tasty, but a tad messy. She licks at her fingers and cleans them with a napkin.
She knows her limits enough to know she can't attempt a ton of layers like he did with his construction, but maybe she should try one or two more layers of cream?]
I'm probably the only one who's exactly like me? But Molly and Hooper aren't exactly unique names - probably loads of them out there. I might be one of very few for whom Molly isn't a nickname for something else, like Mary or Margaret.
[She wonders if that's already in his file - is his file just observations and facts gleaned from personal interactions, or does he have records that are available through public access. She doesn't imagine him to be the type to abuse his position for access to other databases - that would be unjust.]
On the other hand, I'm a pretty ordinary woman besides what I do for work. Countries are full of the ordinary. Unlike your mouth right now.
[She snickers a bit, pointing at him with her spoon.]
I'm just going to glare at you for saying such a cruel thing. :P
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