2018.10.06 - A Super-ior Welcome
Karl was having an interesting time adapting to earth still. Some things he got super easy. He liked the music the pop culture, other customs and such just kept seeming to baffle him, though perhaps it was more American culture than earth culture. At the moment he was sitting outside in one of the courtyards, with a set of earbuds in listening to music with some text books and a tablet sitting next to him. He was pretty oblivious to everything else at the moment.
The cloaked Hypership floats above the school Sky High, as the heroes that have just left it moments ago float just slightly below it. Skyboy frowns slightly, his eyes shimmering with blue and white motes of light. "Sprock, she is over South America already. What do you figure the odds are Nightengayle stays out of trouble?" He glances back at Kon and smiles weakly. "I suppose the sensors in the bracelet on her ankle will at least get some good readings. Well, we might as well find someone to introduce ourselves to." He glances below and starts looking for just that thing.
"See," Kon says with a smirk, "this is why I didn't bring Krypto." He rolls his shoulders in a bit of a shrug, then says, "Hey, if anything gets too bad, the anklet will probably let you know, and we can step in, right?" He folds his arms across his chest, considering, and says, "Well, there's a lot of people here." He looks toward the student center. "A bunch obviously live in there, and... hey. There's a guy over there. Looks... kinda familiar for some reason, but I can't quite... tell why." He glances back to Knick. "Wanna go say hi?"
Seth, meanwhile, laughs and asks, "You guys wanna meet the cute local while I get Acme and we go flying with Nightengayle? I promise I'll stay out of trouble as much as possible, and seeing more of this world might help me understand its magic better. I might even bump into Zatanna or something. And I'll keep my comlink open so you'll know if anything goes wrong. Okay?" He grins at Knick hopefully, clearly very eager to go and explore.
Karl sighed as the song ended and figured he should do more work. He was taking a lot more academic classes than anything as he was trying to learn about his new home planet. He leaned over to get his book and tilted his head. Was that Kon? It had been weird enough seeing his baby cousin was older than him, even more so with that baby cousin having a clone, who was roughly his age... But that didn't look like Kon... Well it did, but a little different. He for his part was in a workout outfit one of the few things he owned that was completely covered with his house crest. Though there was a necklace with the crest around his neck.
Skyboy crosses his arms in thought for a moment, and then nods to Seth. "I didn't want to split us up just yet. But that may be for the best. If you can, try and map some of the ley lines here. If my theory is correct I suspect they will be very different from back home. Given the potential size difference. It won't prove the theory but it may be yet more data to add into the equation." He floats over and hugs Seth. "Just be careful, and if you find anything unusual, I can't wait to hear about it." Knick grins and kisses the younger Kryptonian before giving him a confident nod.
Then turning his attention to Kon and the person he has noticed Knick cants his head slightly. His eyes flicker with those blue and white motes of light again. He arches an eyebrow and chuckles faintly. "Well, lets go say hello to the first Kryptonian from this world." He shoots Kon a what are the odds look, and then slowly starts to drop out of the sky. A safe enough distance from the other figure to hopefully assure him they are not attacking him and mean no harm. As he descends he smiles and calls out. "Hello there. We have only just arrived here and hoped to speak to someone with some knowledge of the school here. My name is Kal-En, it is nice to meet you." The smile on his face is quite genuine as he lands and starts to approach.
Seth laughs and hugs Knick tightly, returning the kiss, before he holds up his wrist computer. "I'll map everything I can, yeah, and I'll give you a full report when I get back." He glances at Kon, clearly considers saying something snarky, but then instead he just laughs and darts back into the Hypership. A few moments later, he and Acme go darting out and streak away through the sky, following the direction that Nightengayle went.
Kon, meanwhile, watches Seth go and rolls his eyes some. "If he starts trouble, just remember, you're the one who let him go without a chaperone." He nods at the suggestion and accompanies Knick over to where Karl hangs out, and as they descend, Kon gives a wave. "Yeah, just a couple of interdimensional travelers. I'm Kon-El." He doesn't repeat the "nice to meet you" part, since he figures it goes without saying, but he seems just as genuinely friendly.
Karl stops a moment his head tilted looking at his almost cousin in a very confused way. Then he lets them continue talking and blinks, as he has heard of interdimensional travelers before. Granted the closest worlds were nothing like this one. But he'd read about the multiverse and such. " I uh... Hi... I'm Kar-El. But I go by Karl here." Meanwhile he was using his own enhanced senses including X-ray to verify the subtle differences that marked a kryptonian, though who knows if those hold through in other dimensions.
Skyboy doesn't reply about Seth, and the potential for trouble. Knick has every faith in him, that he will rise to this occasion just as he always has on their own world. Instead he focuses on this moment, as it is the 'first contact' with a resident of a new world. "Kar-El, it is very nice to meet you. Kon and I only arrived here a short while ago from a nearby hypertime. I noticed this world while I was running routine scans of neighboring systems." Yes. That is considered routine. "I was very interested in this world as it seems to be a nexus of sorts. If you don't mind me asking, how long have you been on Earth?" It was a baseline question, but would certainly help to establish for him if Karl might be able to answer some of his other questions. "Oh, and please your welcome to call me Knick. Knick Alen." He flashes a brilliant smile and brushes the perpetually wind swept hair out of his eyes. "Or for that matter, Skyboy is fine as well."
Chuckling a bit, Kon-El says, "Yeah, and you can also call me 'Superboy,' but just 'Kon' works fine, too." He doesn't mention the Kent name since, after all, he's not sure about the locals, and it could lead to unintentionally outing someone or something. Seems best to keep it simple. "Y'know, Karl, you look really familiar, almost like I know you, but... I just can't quite say why. Do you normally wear, like, glasses or something, maybe? That could be it. Glasses can totally change the way someone's face looks." He doesn't even try to comment further on all the Hypertime stuff. He and Knick have a long-standing policy that Knick handles the science, and Kon handles the... coolness. It's worked out this far.
"Did Kal-El never tell you about his cousin in your uh world? And Um You can call me uh Superlad, if you really want." He looks sheepish he'd been trying to keep up a cool facade but he was blushing now, "Superboy was already taken when I go here. Um Do you uh Mind if I call my Cuosin? He should probably know that there are other kryptonians about." He asks politely, "I wore these when I was in at smallville high?" He says pulling out the dorky glasses, that don't really fit him, but do make him look quite different.
That dynamic has indeed served them well. Knick sports the IQ. Kon sports the CQ, Coolness Quotient. Why mess up a good thing now? "It is possible that Karl has a hypertemporal analogue on our world Kon." He doesn't put a lot of thought into it. If he did, he might figure it out quick enough. The clues are all there. But at the moment it is not the most pertinent information, and Knick has met a LOT of hypertemporal analogues in his time travelling.
But of course as Karl speaks again the point becomes moot. "Ahhh Yes, you DO have a analogue in our world after all." He glances at Kon, hoping he might not mention just now who that is. It would derail the science! Don't derail the science. Ahhh who was he kidding Kon was likely going to derail the science. "No, No not at all. I'd appreciate it if you did. Honestly I was hoping you might know how to contact Kal-El. I seldom get the chance to meet analogues for him and I am always hoping to." Superlad, the Legion would certainly approve.
Kon's jaw drops a little, and then he lets slip a little bark of laughter and says, "Whoa, I totally get it, now. Karl, Kara... whoa! Dude, I'm pretty sure that in our universe, you're, like, a lady." He shakes his head a bit, grinning, and glances back to Knick. "I knew there'd be glasses. But I can't believe I didn't see it right away. Not like we've never run into this kinda thing before." Yeah, Kon totally derailed the science. Hell, he probably just blew up the whole science train. He too seems to approve of "Superlad," though he does grin at the mention of Kal-El. "Your cousin is Kal-El, right? As in Superman? Not... Superwoman, or something?"
He blushes at the fact he's apparently a girl elsewhere, "Well I'm a guy here I promise!" He hadn't bothered to take the dorky glasses off yet and they really did change how he looked. He reaches in his gym shorts pocket looking for the cell, nervously and obviously still hasdn't QUITE gotten used to super strength as he ends up pulling them all the way down for an insant, revealing a bright orangish red jock that matches the rest of the outfit, though he quickly pulls them back up, and rubs the back of his head as his cellphone is on top of his tablet on the bench where he'd been sitting. He grabs it and dial his cousin, not using emergency measures or anything at this point just the typical human was of getting hold of each other.
Skyboy sighhs inwardly and has a feeling he may need to wait for an appearance now from Superman to ask any further questions. Ah alas poor science I knew thee well. "Kon is correct. In our timeline we know another analogue of you as Supergirl. She arrived on Earth not terribly long ago." She was in fact the sign for Rao to begin to ascend from his hiding place in Knick's psyche. Supergirl, her title on Krypton was Revivication. As she represented the rebirth of Krypton back home. Knick shakes himself from the moment as Karl speaks again.
Skyboy flashes that smile of his again, warm and friendly. He makes no mention of the loss of Karl's pants. But instead makes another comment based on observation. "I was sometime when I arrived on Earth. Well, the first Earth that is. Learning the exact limits of my strength, and speed. Even my durability. Your still learning some of that, yes?" There is utterly no judgement in his voice at all. "I know we've only just met. But I am experienced at teaching those elements of power regulation and control. If you ever like, I'd be happy to give you some pointers." Again he smiles in that soft, sincere manner that seldom seems to truly leave his features.
Kon manages not to facepalm when Karl half-strips himself for a moment in front of the two of them. Well, at least he didn't tear the shorts or anything. He's not judging or anything, just... it was funny. And he's managing not to laugh. It's the best he can do! But he does flash a warm grin at Karl and says, "You seem... kinda more chill than Supergirl. So, that's not a bad thing." It's the best compliment he can come up with. At least he doesn't try to explain Matrix. That could only start to cause headaches at this point. Instead, he bobs his head and says, "Knick's a great teacher. Lots of experience, and... well, he's basically the smartest guy ever, so he'll probably understand your powers better than you do." He pauses, thinking, then shakes his head. "Nah, not probably. After all, you've got mostly the same powers, anyway, probably."
When Karl's call goes through, the voice on the other side says, "Actually, I'm already on my way to you. Monitoring systems picked up a blip that I couldn't quite track, but the Sky High sensor grid showed another blip a few minutes later. I was just going to investigate and see if I could track the possible new arrival, but... it sounds like you're way ahead of me!"
"He should be here any second." And Karl was glad his cousin wasn't busy, he'd be calling everyone else, he considered himself to be the complete rookie even below Kyprto. He flushed even more he hadn't meant to show proof he was a guy here but oh well. And he was pretty chill and laid back other than the nerves and shyness. " That's why I'm here. Um this is a school for those with powers. I tried a regular school, because i thought I might like to try a normal life, but I was bad at it. Its a lot harder suddenly having powers rather than them growing with you. I I'm pretty good though unless I get nervous. Though I'm sticking to hanging out with kyrptonians, or amazon's mostly, you know those i can't accidently break, when it comes to anything physical."
Skyboy smiles a little at Kon's praise, glancing at him and shrugging a little in a slightly humbled way. "Thank you Kon, that was sweet of you." he leans into his life mate affectionately. "But Kon is correct in so far as your abilities being very similar to our own. I noticed when I looked at your molecular structure and genetics earlier. It was how I knew you were a kryptonian like we are." That might be something new for Karl, Kon being a kryptonian as well. It was a strategic move to gather a bit more information. Karl had seemed to recognize Kon, and Knick had never met another analogue of Kon in any other hypertime that was kryptonian. He wasn't terribly surprised he himself was not recognized. As far as he knew he was the only Skyboy in hypertime ever since the accident that had given him his rather spotty precognition. Sadly something that only applied to their own hypertime at that.
Taking a shallow breath Skyboy nodded to Karl. "Well it sounds like you have a good grasp pf how to effectively learn your powers and abilities. I am sure the rest will come with time and practice." He smiles softly. "Ahhh yes there he is now. I can hear him." As they all likely could.
Kon laughs and slides an arm around Knick, hugging him from the side in a generally chase way since, after all, they're new here, and it'd be weird to get too PDA in front of his obviously jumpy Hypertime cousin. He also presses a kiss to Knick's cheek, chuckling, and says, "Hey, I just call it like I see it. You know that!" But, truth be told, Kon can't help being sweet where Knick is concerned. They are lifemates, after all. It's probably not all that surprising at all. As the sound of a flying person becomes noticeable, Kon's grin widens. "Yep, that's him. Sounds the same as ever."
And, seconds later, Superman does indeed descend from the sky. He shifts smoothly from a swift approach to a gentle descent, floating down to land quietly beside Karl. One hand stretches out, gently squeezing the younger Kryptonian's shoulder, and he offers a bright grin, the sort that conveys genuine pleasure to see every one of them, exuding a relaxed and easygoing warmth. There's a sense of poise about him, but it doesn't seem in any way false, just like practiced good manners. It's no different than when he extends his hand, nodding to Knick and Kon in turn, and says, "So, you're the visitors. Welcome to our Earth! I'm Kal-El, and... well, I guess you already know all that." Looking to Kon, his smile shows a ghost of familiarity, and he says, "One of you looks familiar, the other," as he looks to Knick, "is a new face. In both cases, I'm very pleased to meet you."
"Aparently on their earth, I'm a Girl." He says blushing with the manner that woudl tell his cousin he'd already done something embarrassing by accident. Though in a way he does make a good first contact he's laid back and as nonthreatening as a Kryptonian can be. There had been 0 response to the show of affection, not as if he was ignoring it, just as if that level of pda wasn't worth mentioning and the fact the two of them seemed to be together wasn't a surprising. So at least they know this isn't some weird hypertime where same sex couples are unusual.
It was true. It was almost like he had his own theme music. Superman. Champion of Krypton, and for that matter Rao. Sadly no matter what hypertime he had lived in or visited Knick had never really been close with him. The no few lectures about not being so sarcastic to Batman early on likely did not help. But that didn't prevent Knick from respecting him just the same.
So when The Man of Steel arrives, Knick smiles at him quite cordially and shakes his extended hand. Once upon a time that gesture was so alien to Knick he tended to fumble it. But he has long since grown used to the greeting, even if it is not to his exact taste. "Kal-El, Superman. It is very nice to meet you. I am Kal-En, though as I mentioned to your cousin just a few moments ago. You are welcome to call me Knick, or Skyboy as you wish. Kon, another close friend, and myself are visiting here from another hypertime some distance away. Just exploring really, as I have something of a interest in hypertemporal physics, as it applies to anomalies and nexus points in particular. Which according to my long range research and scans this world in this timeline seems to be." He glances at Karl and smiles softly. "There are differences between our timelines, yes. That is actually a part of what we have come to explore. It is always fascinating to see them, learn about them first hand." He doesn't go into why there is likely no analogue of himself here. It is a long story, and hardly important at the moment.
Kon almost imperceptibly stands up a little straighter when Superman appears. Being Superboy is something that he's become very proud of over the years, and Superman, well, he's the only real role-model Kon's ever had, and Superman... well, Superman's Superman, almost every version of him ever. When they shake hands, Kon's quick to say, "Kon-El, yeah. On... our Earth, we're... family. It's great to meet you, too!" He shoots Knick a glance, grinning in the kind of way he always does when thy have this kind of meeting. Somehow, it never seems to get old. He even manages not to glaze over when Knick starts talking science! Hell, at this point Knick talking science is almost a charm point by now, as long as Kon doesn't listen too hard. As Knick starts to warm to his subject, Kon turns a bit to Karl and offers what he hops is a reassuring wink, as if to say, yeah, Knick always does this. It's who he is.
Superman says, "Pleas, feel free to call me Kal, if--" He pauses, grinning in amusement, and says, "Well, that makes two of us named Kal. That's definitely a first! Is it awkward if I call you Knick, then? I don't want to insist on you calling me by your own name if that's strange, but I do find that 'Superman' can be hard to use in familiar company." He seems about to say more to Kon, but he sees that his alternate-universe relatives may be talking, so instead he focuses on Knick for the moment. Listening and clearly, at least for the most part, understanding what he says, Kal's eyes light up a bit in the way that clearly indicates Aha! A fellow enthusiast! "I haven't done much Hypertime exploration, myself," he explains, "at least, not outside of a few isolated incidents. I do have some Hypertime-attuned sensors, which is what alerted me to something entering our Hypertimestream in the first place, and I'd really be fascinated to hear more of your perspective on it, as a practiced Hypertime traveler." Yes, it's clear. There is a bond of Kryptonian nerdness, here, and it shows every risk of Kal being five minutes from dragging... the other Kal... off to his lab to start geeking out over dimensional physics and, probably, beyond.
Karl might not get that wink, or maybe he does and is trying to diffuse things. The confused by bread look on his face seems real enough as he blurts out, "You want to learn first hand about me being a guy?" His eyes go wide at that and he atleast appears to be genuinely confused, or maybe it was a coping mechanisim so he didn't have to try to understand the science. He'd been about to ask if the other's boyfriend might mind, but maybe he thought the wink was an indication he didn't? Though the sheer levels of nerditude are almost overpowering.
Skyboy flashes a utterly brilliant smile. Yes! Yes this was what he was missing being away from Krypton at times. Fellow Kryptonian love of science! "Oh it isn't awkward at all, but of course Knick is fine." He gears up to go all in with the science, but reigns himself in though and hastily adds a moment later. "Oh, and beaches! We are going to expolore beaches, too." He smiles a little sheepishly looking at Kon, leaning into him again, and starts to speak speak again when Karl interjects.
Knick's mouth opens but nothing initially happens, with the words and such. Licking his lips he slowly shakes his head to Karl. "No...No that wasn't the...I mean it is pretty obvious your male, which is a difference between our two timelines. It would be noted as such, and we would continue seeking other differences as well. Sky High for example. There is nothing precisely like this back in our home timeline." The smile is still there, though a little weak for a moment longer before he looks to Superman again.
"I would be very gratified to share some information. It can be very good to know who your neighbors are, particularly in a nexus timeline. I am sure we will have the opportunity to do that." He glances back at Karl again and smiles some. Maybe not just now, given not all present really appreciated the science.
Kon slides both arms around Knick this time, unable to keep himself from laughing, but it's not scornful or mocking laughter. He seems, in fact, genuinely charmed. "Yeah," he agrees with Knick, "beaches, too." Then, there's Karl. That could be awkward, but Kon takes it pretty well. Smiling at the blond local Kryptonian, Kon says, "Knick's right. It's pretty clear you're a dude, dude. And... I mean, maybe we should take some time to get to know each other before we move too fast in any, uh, particular direction, yeah?" He flashes his own smile, bright as Superman's but far more playful and impish, even without trying to be. Keeping his arms around Knick, he leans slightly toward Karl and says, "Right now, we should be way more worried that these two are gonna go crazy deep into science until we both drown in it."
Clark's social graces are such that he doesn't say or do anything to call attention to any awkwardness that might exist on Karl's part. After all, it seems like Knick and Kon have that handled. Instead, Clark just gives Karl another shoulder squeeze, just a casual gesture of affection, and chuckles. "Well, most people do enjoy the beach, of course. Our Kon-El certainly does, too." He looks back to Knick, a patient smile settling onto his lips, and he says, "Well, when you've settled in, be sure to look me up or give me a call. Based on what I've seen of your technology, I'd say it looks very likely that you'll have no trouble doing either one, and I definitely look forward to talking more with you about... well, all of this, really." But, for now, he's clearly just as ready to let Karl take the lead and show them some of those beaches... and other, less nerdy things. Even Kryptonians can enjoy fun and culture alongside science and knowledge, after all.
A very embarrassed blush follows, showing that he is definitely a bit of a clutz, but then again pantsing himself right after meeting them probably showed that. "I uh I wasn't offering. I mean not that I wouldn't... I mean you two are cute I mean um uh ..." He just goes quiet and blushes letting the convesation go on for a minute while trying to think of a way to salavage this thenfinally comes up with it "Hey I could show you some fun beaches." IT was an excuse to get out of class, and hey it wasn't even skipping class to go to the beach, it was a diplomatic mission and he was an ambassador.
Karl thinks for a moment, "Maybe we should start off someplace simple where we you two can maybe meet some other heroes or atleast won't won't stick out." Not to mention himself, "Its not exactly a normal tourist stop, but The titans have and island and i think it was Gar, though who knows, set up a nice little area to chill surf and hang out on the beach."
Skyboy arches an eyebrow and looks at Kon. Beaches were his thing after all. So Knick was more than willing to allow him to make the call. Glancing to The Man of Steel he casually mentions. "I do have some local maps of hypertime I've made. Just in preperation for the trip here. I have them onboard the Hypership. I'd be happy to share them with you at some point. Or have BDV, my A.I. send them to you somewhere. I have found with the resources of New Krypton, I have been able to make a great deal more progress in my mapping. It is a largely impossible task of course, but the more you know." He flashes a smile and shrugs.
"Titans, huh?" Kon says, looking thoughtful, and then he bobs his shoulders in a mild shrug. "Hey, why not? They're cool, and it sounds like it's worth checking out, anyway." As Knick starts talking shop with Superman again, Kon chuckles, looking over to Karl and says, "We better get moving quick, or they're gonna go vanish into a lab, and once that happens, I'll have to take seriously drastic measures to get Knick back out again. Seriously, you don' even know."
Superman smiles at the beach idea, clearly offering no objection, but just as clearly he's much more interested in what Knick has to say. The mention of the map makes him nod, showing a flash of downright boyish enthusiasm. "That would be excellent! I've, honestly, taken an approach more like an astronomer than an explorer, where Hypertime is concerned. I've done some mapping, made quite a few theoretical models, but your data would be invaluable!" He doesn't say it, but Knick (and for that matter, the others) will have no trouble telling that he's fascinated by the idea of the Hypership, itself. He does add, "I'd also be interested to discuss some collaborative mapping. I've been developing drones for that purpose, but it's been more of a back burner project, and..." He trails off, chuckling, and glances over at Kon and Karl. "Well, maybe we should go and see that beach? I don't want to monopolize your time." Even so, Knick has very clearly met a kindred spirit in this iteration of Superman.
Karl grins a bit, his father was a sceintist so he knew the type. To him though sceince wasn't that interesting yes he was smart, but he'd rather just chill, save some people have a good time, and try his best not to look like a clutz while doing it. "If our dimensions are close you might know how to get there as well as I do. Oh shoot flying in public I need to go get on my super suit... also a swim suit... Are you coming with us Kal?" He seemed surprised his older cousin was usually to busy to have much time for what Karl considered fun.
Skyboy can feel Kon looking at him and willing him not to vanish into the ship. With some slight reluctance he smiles at Superman. "Yes, I'll make sure I get that information to you. Perhaps after we see Titans Tower." He then says outloud. "BDV, please access my personal files on Hypertime from my labratory on New Krypton. Download the information on hypertemporal maps to the Hypership." The disembodied, cool voice of Brainiac Delta Five replies a moment later. "Affirmative Kal-En. Due to the distance involved the information will not be available in it's entirety for 53 Earth minutes." Knick nods and smiles slightly. "Thank you BDV, that will be fine." He shrugs and adds a moment later. "So yes, after the beach should be fine. Sharing this data will help fill out more complete maps of the branches between our timelines." There it is again, New Krypton. Apparently that is a thing in his timeline. To Kon and Karl he smiles. "Alright ready when you are. I have a bathing suit with me." He holds up his wrist indicating the small watch like device there.
Kon stifles a laugh, lifting a hand to cover his mouth, but all the same he flashes a sidelong grin at Knick. It's almost like he can read his lifemate's mind, and he's clearly charmed by the consideration Knick is showing, to say nothing of the restraint. Grinning from ear to ear, he says, "Yeah, we've got all the clothes we need, ready to go, so... go grab what you need, and we'll be ready when you're set to lead the way." All in all, he too is restraining himself pretty well. After all, he hasn't rushed off to the beach or tried to drag Knick off yet, not at all!
Superman seems to be trying very hard not to focus too much on what Knick's talking about, but the second reference to New Krypton is more than he can let pass. Visibly holding himself back from pouncing on the question too much, he leans forward and says, "I'd like to hear more about this 'New Krypton,' too, when you have the chance. In our world, there was only ever one Krypton, and it's been gone for... quite a long time." His grin is visibly a bit like Kon's, which is hardly surprising given their genetic similarities, as Knick indicates the costume generator. He gesture to the buckle of his belt, noting, "I assume that works about the same as one of my uniform pods? I developed them when it started to be inconvenient, having to hide my street clothes when I changed."
"We really need to get me one of those sometime." Karl says softly going quiet himself. To Kal it had been a long time, to Karl not so long. And if he thinks about it he misses his family, misses everything about Krypton. He shakes his head again then flies off to his room to get a change of clothes.
Skyboy sighs a little and nods. "I noticed that this was a hypertime without New Krypton. It is, a very long story. But Rao restored Krypton in our timeline after defeating the cause for why he sacrificed it to start. There are Kryptonians there from all throughout hypertime, and more are appearing as time passes. As Rao restores more-" he sighs again and smiles weakly. "It is a very long story, but suffice it to say Rao means to reintroduce Krypton to Hypertime now that it is safe to do so." He speaks as if he has a very intimate knowledge of the topic, and of Rao.
With the mention of the device he wears Knick smiles more genuinely and replies to Superman as they await Karl. "I believe the function is likely similar yes. It is a costume generator, though it is capable of a lot more than that. I originally built them when I was younger to help fit in on worlds that were being surveyed. They solidify ambient background radiation into specific patterns. In this case clothing, or uniforms. It is more durable than normal textiles and for those that need it they have built in basic life support and enviormental functions." He shrugs some with a smile. "I've adapted the functionality to larger scale items as well. Parks and recreational facilities for example for locales without the means to support them."
Kon grimaces faintly at the matter of Krypton. There's nothing much to be done about that. He doesn't say much, just standing nearby, reaching out to rub a hand up and down Knick's back, knowing it must be a little difficult to talk to Superman about these things. After all, everyone here but Kon is a displaced native of that planet, and even if Kon is in every other sense now a Kryptonian... he still realizes that there's a question of personal history that he's very aware of. Not normally one to be too quiet, he's even so willing to step back for now and let Knick handle that part of things.
Superman watches Karl go, smiling faintly and a bit distantly, before turning to nod to Knick. "I'll be... very interested to hear more about that," he says, his tone carefully restrained. It's a clear temptation to focus immediately on what Knick can tell him about Rao and Krypton, but Kal-El has the self-control to leave that matter for future discussion. If nothing else, he has the impression that Karl and Kon might not be entirely comfortable with the subject, and he doesn't want to make them feel awkward. Instead, he just nods along to Knick's description of the costume generator and says, "That's actually a much more complex system than what I use, and I can see the advantages. What I use is really just a clothing storage and exchange system, but you've clearly been designing technology for a much wider set of uses, and users, than I'm used to doing." As before, he seems very genuinely fascinated by Knick's approach to technology.
Skyboy smiles, the momentary uncomfortable conversation behind them. Leaning back into Kon's touch like a momentary life vest. Knick references the matter only enough to reply to Superman about it. "Of course, you should know of what happened anyway. It is only fair, long story or not. Of course I am sure if the opportunity presents itself, you'd be more than welcome to visit there as well." He clears his throat then and glances at his costume generator. "If it will be useful to you I'll include the schematics for it in the hypertime cartography data stream."
When the moment's tension seems to pass, Kon settles for casually draping an arm around Knick's shoulders, just smiling and looking fully at ease. After all, they've been through enough of these first contact meetings that he knows the drill, and much more importantly, he's very confident of Knick's ability to handle this kind of thing. Kon's brand of diplomacy is likely to come alive much more once they actually hit the beach.
Smiling still, Superman says, "I'd be happy to see your schematics. I already have an idea or two about how I might approach designing a similar device, but it should be very helpful, not to mention interesting, to see how you did it." His eyes still seem to light up as they discuss the science and the gadgetry, as once again it becomes quite clear that this Superman finds Knick considerably more relatable than some of those he's met in the past. He doesn't return to the more awkward topic of Krypton, despite the fact that it holds obvious interest for him. Clearly, it's more important that everyone remain comfortable rather than he satisfy his own curiosity.
Karl is back a moment later, or rather Super lad is. His costume is a blue shirt of the same skin tight material as his cousin, but his is only a T-shirt instead of full length, and the sleaves have a gold border, which matches hsi hair which somehow seems blonder now. He has on a pair of red tunk over a pair of blue skin tight shorts, though reach mid thigh , also lined with gold, as are his red sneakers, The should be boots, but he didn't like how those felt. And of course he has the House of El symbol emblazioned on his chest ( and on his sneakers). "So Um Kal You never said if you were joining us?"
Skyboy leans his head onto Kon's shoulder and sighs some. As always through any hard time Kon was an anchor for him. The exact level or measure of the hard time did not matter. He always buoyed him no matter the weight. "Well thank you again Kal. I appreciate the interest. I'll transmit a message from the hypership on a 70,000 Hz bandwidth when everything is ready. Let you know we can go over the schematics. If you are available, as I believe you may have more situations and people pressing for your time at the moment than I do." He flashes another of those effortlessly charming smiles that seem to come so easily to him. "I look forward to it, and to seeing your designs as well." But for now, they were off to a beach as Karl returned in costume. "I like your costume, Superlad." He smiles again, and floats easily into the air. Ready to follow.
Kon seems perfectly at ease in the situation, but then he's been there many times before. Supporting Knick seems to just bring out a kind of glow in Superboy, but it's not exactly serenity or anything. If anything, he looks downright pleased with himself, unable to keep a bit of a cocky smirk from his lips. He's definitely got no shame about being happy with his lifemate and even showing off the relationship that they have. When Karl returns, Kon flashes a big grin. "I dig the costume," he says with a nod. "We about ready to go?"
Superman looks thoughtful, even tempted, for a moment, but then he gives a little shake of his head. "I think I'll let you all go and enjoy the beach," he says with a smile. "I do have other things I need to get to, but I couldn't miss the chance to welcome visitors to our Earth." Especially since they're Kryptonian, and there's a certain shared bond there that makes it feel all the more important that such welcome be extended. He extends a hand once more to shake with each Knick and Kon, nodding, and says, "I look forward to reading over your data, and of course, don't hesitate to contact me if there's anything I can do to make you feel more at home while you're here."
Karl grins sheepishly at the comments on the costume. He still gelt a little silly in it, but it was a family thing. And it did show off his assets rather nicely... He floats over to give his cousin a hug before Superman left. Then pulls out his cell phone using it to make sure he was heading in the right direction. "Everyone ready?"
Skyboy shakes hands with Superman once again. "Of course Kal. We are going to try and remain as unobtrusive as we can. I suspect we will likely be travelling back and forth somewhat. I have some matters I can't let go to long back home." Like a country to help run among other things. "Fortunately things have been relatively peaceful back home for a time. Affording me more of an opportunity to explore. I'll be looking forward to seeing you soon."
Glancing to Superlad, as they prepared to leave Skyboy nodded. "Yes, feel free to lead the way. I'm fairly certain we can keep up." He grins and winks at the fellow Kryptonian.
Kon gives Kal-El's hand an enthusiastic shake, adding, "We know how it is. Never-ending battle and all that, right? Really glad to meet you, Superman!" He smiles as Karl and Kal exchange goodbyes, then turns to grin at Knick. "Yeah, I think it's time, definitely, to hit the beach--let's do it!"
Superman, meanwhile, gives out two firm handshakes, smiling as warmly as ever at each of the visitors, and says, "I look forward to getting to know you both better, and I hope you'll find plenty of new allies, here. Where worlds like ours that exist as major nexus points between realities are concerned, I'm sure it's always best to have all the allies we can." He of course returns Karl's hug, giving him a reassuring clap on the shoulder, and then he steps back, gives the others a last little nod, and without further hesitation he shoots up, up, and away, smoothly arcing up through the sky and vanishing soon enough from even Kryptonian sight.
Superlad vanishes a second later he's a speedy little guy , though he does pause to make sure the others were hot on his tail. He was pretty well acquanted with Titan Island, as once he had a better control of his powers he'd likely become a member of that team and he spent a fair amount of time there goofing off.
Skyboy watches Superman leave briefly, as Superlad is then off as well. Skyboy has never been quite as strong as Superman in his home timeline, and here with his powers slightly diminished, certainly not so. But he is every bit as fast or faster, that he still had going for him. In a blur of color, he takes flight after Superlad.
Superboy watches Skyboy go, just for a half second, since there's a part of him that never gets tired of watching his lifemate moving gracefully through the sky. Anyone still watching would see the same pride as earlier shining from his expression, love visible in his expression, reflected in his eyes. To a super-speedster, he might be seen relishing the moment, basking in it, but to anyone else, he blurs after Knick and Karl almost instantaneously, following after and letting lose a little, delighted laugh as they all make their way toward the first of what he hopes will be many beaches they'll visit on this Earth.