Fallen from Grace

(I'm going to time snap to move things along. If you had anything in mind I can edit)

"I'll meet you at the school in the front." She gave him directions. "Anyway I have to get going. Take care of yourself Clark."

* *

Daria was waiting up fron for Clark at the school like she said she would, but she wasn't alone as there were two other people. One was a gentleman with pointed ears, the other a young girl with wings on their back and orange hair.

Clark got out of the cab and waved to Daria. "Hey, Sorry I'm late." He walked over and gave a boyish grin. "New York traffic. You know how it is." He looked to the others and back to Daria. "Who are your friends?" He adjusted his glasses. He was kind of hoping it would just be the two of them, however he would keep an open mind.

Daria smiled when Clark came. "Those two are some old friends of mine. This is Erlan, and his adopted daughter Angelique. Erland has known me since I was young; he's basically the father I never had."

The Elf extended a hand for a handshake. "Clark Kent? It's a pleasure to meet you young man, must have made a good first impression for her to bring you here this soon. My daughter Angelique can't talk so its either sign or letters."

In response, Angelique scribbled something down in a note pad.

'Nice to meet you Mr. Kent.'

Clark smiled and signed to Angelique as he spoke "It's a pleasure to meet you too." He looked to the elf taking his hand. "My wife, god rest her, taught me. It's a pleasure to meet you too." He looked to Daria "Well, I'm not sure if our first meeting was convenient but it was memorable." He continued signing and gave a boyish grin. "I uh... dropped my wallet and she returned it."

Erland and Angelique were pleasantly surprised at that but the Elf did somber slightly at the news of his deceased wife. "I'm sorry for your loss. As for how you met Daria, there's nothing wrong with that. Me and my wife met in a similar way, she'll be joining us pretty soon. But her job as a Hunter keeps her very busy so she doesn't get to spend as much time off as we would all like."

Daria thought the smile of Clark's was cute, but she didn't say that out loud naturally. "Come on. I'll show to where we'll be seated." They actually had a bit more time, but it was best just to be there just in case.

Clark continued to sign as he spoke. "Thank you, I appreciate that. It's been two years and while I do miss her I have mourned her. Along with everyone else who perished." His eyes grew a little wide but he recovered. He let something slip that he shouldn't have. He hoped they wouldn't pry. He would answer their questions as a matter of course.

Luckily for Clark, Elrand and the rest respected the man enough not to pry in his personal business unless it was something he wanted to talk about. Daria already knew a bit of what he was talking about but it wasn't really her place to say anything.

On reaching inside, the place was slowly forming with various people of different walks of life and ages. Elrand found a spot to get comfortable by his daughter while Daria sat next to Clark. "Hm, this isn't your first time watching a play of some kind is it?" Probably was, at least in regards to children since having his own old enough to have one hadn't ever came up.

Clark smiled and sat down. "Oh no. Lois had a sister. So I've been to a few." He looked to the stage. "What's play is this?" He was curious. The last play he did was Peter Pan. 

(sorry it's such a small post. I'll do better soon lol)

Daria grinned slightly. "It's called 'Small Tales'. It's basically just a story about friendship, growing up and such. I approve of it. People treat children like they're stupid when in truth they're smarter then people give credit for..they're just naive to themselves and the world."

It wasn't too long before the play started and the gathering audience quited around to watch. As far as plays go, it was all right for a child's play but entertaining enough. None of the children would of course be winning acting awards but they did their best to put their little hearts into it. When the play actually finished the audience stood to clap as the children went into the back.

A few moments later, Dorian came escorted by a teacher. He seemed happy to see Clark and his mother there. "How did I do?"

Daria crouched down and gave him a hug, which embarrassed him but he was happy. "I'm very proud of you that was a good performance Dorian."

"If you keep that up and practice, we might be seeing you in movies one day." Elrond said with a smile and Angelique nodded; not from lack of anything to say but she couldn't in anyway Dorian would be able to understand.

Clark also smiled. "I've been to a few plays and I have to say that was very well done." He knelt down and looked Dorian. "There's one thing I've learned in my time, and that is that every great actor out there puts all their heart into their work. That's what you did tonight." He gave another grin, patted the boy on the shoulder and stood. Looking to the rest of the people gathered he pushed up his glasses and focused more on Daria. "Thank you for having me." Clark shoved his hands in his pockets, "So what's next?"

Dorian blushed, looking down giving a small mumbled 'Thank you' under his breath as if finding the shoes and the ground far more interesting of a view. Angelique rubbed the little boy on the back afterwards briefly.

At that question Erland grinned. "That my young friend is up to Daria. She's our hostess for the night."

"Am I? I was under the impression I was just here just because." She teased back, before thinking. "There is a place I go around this time to eat, we could go there. I'm not sure if you're hungry or not Clark." From what she knew of Kryptonians they could eat. A lot.

Clark smiled, "Yeah I could eat." He was actually having a good time and they haven't even started yet. Stepping aside and motioned for Daria to lead the way. "After you."

It didn't take the small group of four too long to arrive at their destination which was essentially a smaller 'all you could eat' family owned buffet. Daria knew the owners of the place and was friends with them so she did frequent their business whenever she could.

The complex fortunately wasn't too crowded and they found a spot that was comfortable before too long.

"I hope you've been enjoying your stay so far Clark. This planet and country has its issues but it has its upsides too." Erland said to the younger man. Of course, it was possible Clark was in fact older.

Clark smiled and nodded "It's not all dissimilar to where i'm from. Landmarks, and some of the topography are different however the vast majority of this Earth is much like my own." He paused for a moment his eyes reflecting memory. "There are some places that simply don't exist. Metropolis, Gotham, Central and Star City are not here, just to name a few. It took a bit of getting used to however after some research I found that the creators of the Detective Comics had a tendency to make up fictional cities." He ordered a diet Mt.Dew. "Where as Marvel Comics used actual cities." He shrugged "It's an interesting dichotomy." 

On a rooftop across from the buffet a man dressed in all black with a matching duster knelt over. He peered at the small group through a pair of binoculars. He had been watching his target for some time. Learning his movements, friends, occupation. He reached up and touched the side of his cowl. "I'm coming in." 

A female voice came back to him. "Are you going to bring the package?"

Reaching back he pulled out a gun-like device. He aimed it at the rooftop and pulled the trigger. The sound of a small gas cylinder discharged and a claw like apparatus stuck into the rooftop. "Not tonight. Soon though. Call her. Bring her in. I'll see you at HQ." The he lowered himself into the alleyway and vanished into the darkness.

"Knowing what we do know, I honestly wouldn't be surprised if the Marvel universe was actually real somewhere. Stranger things have been found." Daria was glad this earth wasn't too different from Clark's old home, he had been dealt a rough hand before coming here.

"Either way no plans on me finding out anytime soon. I think my job at Nobus keeps me busy enough." Erland said with a chuckle as he took a bite of his food. "But its been slow lately, which in my book is a good thing. We've actually been dealing with more 'mundane' things as of late. Shady organizations and similar. Though if its all right, I need to briefly talk with Clark in private."

"That's fine. I need to grab something up front real quick anyway. Come on Dorian." The young boy followed after his mother where others were gathering a few things. Angelique decided to go along with them.

Once they were gone, the older man turned to Clark. "It's not something Daria hasn't already put together but I don't want Dorian worried about it. But I just wanted you to give you a heads up to be careful. If you're really the Clark Kent others could take a interest in you and your power. You're practically a Demi God power wise so you don't have to worry too much, but such groups may try to use friends against you in a bid to get you to do what they want. I don't want to sound paranoid but they're like family to me and I believe we should be cautious and on our guard."

Clark nodded and for a moment felt guilty. He had become a little complacent in the fact that in this universe he was actually a comic book character and "real Kryptonians" were not quite like him. Thus making the Clark Kent here more of a believable alter ego. He could fake being hurt and clumsy all day long. One of the reason's he kept ketchup packets in his pocket. His version of "fake blood" Cost effective tastes good. 

He looked at Erland "I understand where you're coming from and I just want you to know, I'm just not that guy anymore. I only tell those I trust and for some reason I can't understand, I do trust Daria and to a large extent, you." He cast his gaze down "There is no more Justice League and this world has so many to protect it. I don't see any need for Superman. The quiet life suits me just fine."

Elrand watched the younger man quietly after what he said. He felt no false sincerity coming from the man, everything about them felt the same sense he had met them. In that sense it was a good thing, but then Daria just didn't let just any man hang around herself and her child. "I believe you. Daria very rarely brings any man around her so that by itself is a sign. The world may not need a Superman, but one in Daria's life couldn't hurt. Woman's been through things, but I'm not at liberty to say much more. You'll have to see for yourself."

"And I don't know you well, but if you live for three hundred years you get a decent ability to read people if you study enough. You've been through things too, not sure which but no shame in just living a normal quite life. I plan on retiring from the 'hero business' myself from Nobus give or take a few years. If I was in a movie and a minor character, that alone probably would have sealed my fate." He chuckled, knocking on wood. "Ah. Apologies. Me and other friends developed a sort of grim humor, former miltary doesn't help. It's not for everyone but we've sort of developed poking fun at your own mortality and such. It's off putting to some."

Clark chuckled and gave a smile. "Oh no worries. Barry was like that too." He recalled his friend, always had a quick line and a certain humor to him. Almost the direct counterpart to Bruce. "Hey humor gets us all through some dark times. Believe me."

Clark wanted to steer the conversation away from him being Superman. "So, tell me about this Nobus? I've been hearing various things about this organization." He took his drink and sipped.

***

In a dark underground facility the sound of an elevator could be heard. It was a low hum and soon it touched down and the doors opened. The dark clad figure exited the lift and made his way through the darkness. He pulled open a hightech chair and sat in it. As soon as he did lights came on and dozens of computer monitors flickered to life. The large central one came on last and a virtual face appeared. "Hello Bruce. Got anything new?"

Bruce Wayne pulled off the cowl of the Bat and set it on the table next to him. "Nothing yet Oracle. This Clark Kent is who we suspect him to be. However i'm going to hold off contact for now. He's been through enough." The face in the screen nodded and Barbra Gordon's voice came back at him. "I understand."

"We've all been through hell and back." Came another voice. This one belonged to Princess Diana. A.K.A. Diana Prince A.K,A, Wonder Woman. She came over to the chair and slid her arm across Bruce's shoulder. She kissed him on the cheek. "Nothing to report. New York seems to be clear of any Purifier drones. That makes all major cities clear. I don't think they followed us here."

Bruce nodded. "That's good. We'll start over seas operations soon. I don't have the resources I used to have however what I've set up here should suffice. When the stocks I've invested in bare fruit then we'll have plenty of financial backing."

Diana nodded, "So, what are we gonna do about Clark?"

Bruce didn't even hesitate. "He has his own life right now. He's still coping. When the time is right we'll let him know we're here."

The computer spoke "He's not gonna like that you've been here for two years and not let him know you're alive. I've been monitoring him around the clock and he believes he's the soul survivor."

Bruce nodded "It can't be helped. We need to make sure this world is free of the Purifiers. Then, maybe. We'll see."

Diana nodded. "Until then there's nothing for us to do right now." She took Bruce's hand and pulled him from his chair. "It's time to relax." She said as she pulled him to the bed. 

Oracle blinked. "Well... Um... I'm gonna switch to stand by mode for a bit. I'll let you know if anything happens." With that the lights dimmed in the cave.

The elf drummed his fingers on the table. "That's a long question, but short end of it they are basically fancy police for all the meta humans and supernaturals that run about. Before Nobus there were Hunters and organizations related to them in a similar vein but they've shrunk further and further to only being a handful now. While all are similar, many of the branches have their differences as well depending where they're stationed."

Elrand saw the group come back. "Welcome back you three."

"Thank you." Daria said politely as she sat back down. "I was wondering, are you doing anything tomorrow after work Clark?" She really hoped he wasn't doing anything, she liked his company.

Clark shook his head "No i'm free." Looking at Daria "What did you have in mind?" He thought about Nobus being the police for superhumans and Meta Humans. He actually liked the idea. Someone watching the watchers so to speak.

"I'm not doing anything in particular, but I was hoping we could just have a day on the town. Just the two of us.." The usually mature and calm woman actually seemed a bit shy for once at the last part, it was a bit cute.

Clark smiled. "You know, I would like that. It's been... a while since i've done anything like that." He thought about it for a moment. "We could have a picnic at central park or something." he took a sip of his drink "Tell you what, you decide what you want to do and we'll do it. Wander around until something tickles your fancy."

Daria had no objections to that, plus she really didn't have any other ideas. "I would like that. We can find things to do along the way. it's New York, there's always things to do."

In the background Erland was amused and happy. He was happy his surrogate daughter was coming out of her shell after her messy past experience. It wasn't as if there was any real doubt however as he knew she would eventually.

Clark nodded "Okay we need a starting place. How about coffee and we'll take it from there. I'm partial to the coffee at that diner where we first met." It had been a while since he had done anything like this. He felt a bit awkward but excited at the same time.

Luckily for Clark, he wasn't the only one that was nervous at the given time. Elrand found it funny how two grown people were acting like teenagers in some sense going on their first date, not that was anything wrong with it. He had been there. Quite a few times in fact.

He was getting old..er.

"I don't have a problem with that, we could start tomorrow in the afternoon at one if that's a good time. Maybe visit the beach along the way?" Daria suggested.