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After all the black suit, perfumed cream, and bed sharing descriptions, I'm not sure if my mind is in the gutter, or if Lois's is, so good work on that one.

Excellent descriptions of Kal's emotional awakening. Painful emotions seem to come part and parcel with becoming aware of the good feelings - Lois didn't just teach him how to smile, she taught him how to cry, too. Fear and hope. Happiness and despair. As ruler to a small, troubled population, Kal probably has plenty of fodder for future emotional experiences, to boot.

I'm still a bit puzzled by how it is that Kal seems completely...ignorant doesn't seem like the right word, perhaps unaware... of the whole birds and bees business. It seems from our tiny sliver sized views of Tek's life that Kryptonians know love, lust, and attraction, but manage to keep these feelings both deeply private and unnamed. And Kal isn't suffering from an attachment disorder - he's not incapable of love, he in fact displays plenty of the compassion and generosity of spirit that make the emotion of love possible. So what is it that was separating him from--what is for Earth humans--the biological imperatives of love and attraction?

I'm looking forward to reading more of this excellent and intriguing story.

Regards,

Rac

Yes what she said. I am riveted to this story. I love the characters here and the way you are taking us to love a little tease at a time. They've come far in a short time but I know Nor is going to get in the way of things in a big way. I am not looking forward to his part of the story. I am looking forward to more of the kissing and hugging in bed and also the communication. Lois needs to understand that he doesn't really belong to Zara and Kal needs to understand that her love for him is unique. I am looking forward to finding out how you will unravel the rest of the story. Laura

Rac said: You are teasing us, Corinna. Hmmm. You have said that there will be no nfic scenes. I agree with Rac, it's almost impossible not to think of... well... when you end the chapter like that, and yet it won't happen. It would of course be possible to squeeze in the nfic scenes "between chapters", so to speak, so that when Kal and Lois wake up in the morning, Lois will have taught Kal what the birds and the bees are about. But I don't think that will happen, not now and not like that. If Lois really had such bold plans, she would be more nervous about it.

Otherwise, this chapter made me think of something I read in my local newspaper a few weeks ago. A scientist claimed that the human race, Homo Sapiens, is a suicidal species. The scientist claimed that individual human beings are very good at doing what is good for themselves and their immediate family, but it is much harder for them to do what is good for the larger group they belong to, their society. And it is even harder, almost impossible, for them - for us - to do what is good for our species as a whole, and for our long-term survival.

Now consider the New Kryptonians. If I have understood things correctly, they are a relatively small bunch, a small people. They are a species made up of few individuals. Okay. So if there are few of you, what do you need to do to survive as a species? Well, lesson 1 A would be that you don't kill each other needlessly. And, really and seriously, you don't kill girl children and fertile women. Because after all, if you kill girl children and fertile women, who are going to bear the new children that your species so desperately needs?

On this world, where so few children seem to be born, where you have to be so careful not to destroy any possibility to have more children, what did these murderers do? They killed one girl and two adult women, both of whom might still have been fertile. I would say that what those murderers did, under the circumstances, was a crime against Kryptonians as a species.

Ah, but I forgot. Kryptonians aren't Kryptonians, as such. They aren't a species, or at least they don't think of themselves that way. They are North or they are South. Silly me. And that means, of course, that they can go on killing each other, and that way, they can kill themselves. Yeah, well, I know what the New Kryptonians should be called as a species. Kryptonian Suicidales.

But... no. There is still hope for them. There is Kal, and there is Lois supporting him, and there are New Kryptonians who are willing to save themselves by refraining from killing each other:
And we learn who is behind the suicidal behaviour of the New Kryptonians. As if we couldn't guess.

The scientist who claimed that human beings are a suicidal species would nod his agreement at Lord Nor. "Yes," he would say, "that is exactly what I meant by the kind of behaviour that threatens the survival of the entire species!"

But Kal is on the case. And Lois. And Kal loves his people, as Lois has already pointed out to herself, and now he loves her, too. And he can only gain strength from his love of Lois.

You are making me love Tek, too. You make me see how Tek reads Lois's book to his children, and how his children ask for another book, another story. And you make me see how the children's enthusiasm makes Tek's wife happy, and how she tells Tek to give her scented salve to Lois in return for bringing joy to her children. If I didn't know better, I'd think that Tek and his wife are trying to bring Lois and Kal together - really together, if you know what I mean. Tek has already given Kal some cologne, hasn't he? So if Kal puts on his cologne and Lois puts on her scented salve, it could be that a nfic scene becomes unavoidable after all - even if it takes place "between chapters"!

Ann

Someone needs to yell at Lois, "You're an investigative reporter... Investigate!" Or, better still, they can investigate together. How long will it take before one of them decides to take a closer look at this murder/"suicide" story? Ironically, it appears that Kal's mistake was not, as he supposes, in refusing to accept the murderer's wife's proposal, but in ordering the grieving parents to turn in their weapons.

Lois being Lois. Telling Kal/Clark that SupremeRuler/Superman can't be everywhere or control everything.

Everything seems to be moving along here - Lois and Kal's relationship (I LOVED Lois comforting him, and Kal's "please, please, please" don't leave), Lord Nor's plans, the subtle changes in Tek (or, perhaps it's not so much a change in the man himself, as in the way we see him, I'm not quite sure). But there is one thing that has been on the back burner since the story began, and which I am getting ever more anxious to see resolved - Kal's marriage! Where is his wife? What is her story? How and when will this marriage be dissolved so that Lois is truly free to be with Kal?

How ironic that Nor sneers over the people's "weakness" because Kal is able to positively influence them, even as he brags to himself about how easy it was to manipulate the grieving family into taking revenge. We finally see his motivation and goal. The question is, will the people he thinks he can rule allow him to drag them back into that life? Or will they rise up and fight against him, choosing instead Kal and his message of peace?

I'm really enjoying these glimpses into Tek's life. Like Kal, he starts out so distant, but Lois has earned his trust and affection, just as she earned Kal's. Not in the same way, obviously, but it's clear that Tek likes her, and appreciates the gifts she has given his children. So I love that Tek's wife has given gifts to both Kal and Lois -- proof that Tek confides in her about his day, and maybe that they've even discussed a plan to help encourage Kal and Lois to be together physically/emotionally. Kryptonians are clearly a lot more complex emotionally than we (and Lois) thought at first.

I'm also delighted that we got our first hint of the bond coming through in Lois's dream. How many buildings over is his from hers? Obviously far enough away that she couldn't have heard his sobs physically. So I absolutely love that she just "knew" that he needed her and that she was driven to find him. Wonderful.

Now we just need Kal to find the words to get her to move into his quarters permanently. Come on, Kal, you can do it!

Rac Great point about there being two sides to the emotional awakening.

Kal's awareness or otherwise ... I'm just going to leave that one alone for awhile.

Thanks for your comments, Rac.

Laura As I've said before in replies to FDK, there is so much I'd like to say, but so little I can.

What I can say is that the resolution to one of the issues you raised is exactly where I'm at in writing the fic.

Thanks, Laura.

Ann Actually this was not really meant to tease. The part got bigger than I had originally intended and I really wanted to finish with them together.

I admit the word 'bed' was suggestive, but they have a desk, a chair and a bed, so there really aren't too many options! I think that if Lois was intent on seduction, the mood would have been different.

As you said -
True - and the first scene of the next part will be sweet ... not hot.

(I do have a *shameless* cliffhanger in the works. I sent it to Iolanthe who says I have to use it, so if I do, you can blame her!!!)

That doesn't mean they won't make love. That means I have no intention at this point to write it in detail.

Your explanation of Nor's motivation is spot on. He doesn't care about the Kryptonian people. He cares about power for himself and victory for the South.

I love that Tek has won you over. His part is this fic is only just beginning.

Thanks for all your thoughts, Ann.

Vicki

Yes, they should investigate ... but I don't think even Lois Lane can get an answer from a dead person about who stirred the feelings of grief into violent action.

Yes ... Kal is married. That definitely needs a resolution.

Thanks so much for your FDK, Vicki.

Kathy

Nor - In TNAOS, I remember Nor being evil, but not particularly bright (I could be wrong, I usually fast forward through his scenes). In this fic, his reasoning is totally illogical - but he is so blinded by hatred and the need for power, he can't even see that.

I remember some early FDK about whether Kryptonians were human or not - given their lack of emotions. It was a fascinating discussion, but I so wanted to say 'just wait until we get to know them a bit better.'

Thanks, Kathy.


Corrina.

No, IIRC, there wasn't an explanation. I'd say it was just an eyecandy thing for the female demographic :p And since you gave such a strong impression of Kal's modesty, there has to be an explanation why he's wearing bodypaint instead of clothes and still manages not to die of embarrassment





I should have seen it coming. But you know, my devious mind came up with a much more nefarious explanation: Tek could be in league with Nor and he’s marking the Supreme Ruler and the Alien Freak so that everyone can smell it if they engage in inappropriate activities.

Lois, you do know his ‘face’ is a bit higher up, right?

Oh, that’s interesting. I had no idea if Nor would be North or South. Somehow I figures North, simply because he would abhor a bastard bred between the two sides but given that the bastard’s father was North and he is North and he is Nor, he could still extrapolate his divine right to rule from all this.

Yeah. And do I detect a hint of jealousy in there?

Okay, that sounds way too suggestive. But you already said it was not. Oh well, waiting for part 13

Michael

Michael's comment reminded me of something from season 1:

Kal is a man. Lois is a woman. But I'm beginning to wonder if Lois actually is going to have to draw him a diagram.

Cold night, warm bed, Kal's a quick study-no problem. (Sorry, could,nt help it).

Hmmm... "should" doesn't sound like "will". Not that it matters, because the second part of your answer would appear to indicate that my theory of what really happened the night of the masacre is totally off anyway, so I guess I'll just have to read along and see where this leads.

Re: emotions. We've actually been given plenty of clues to indicate Kryptonian emotion. Nor, obviously, knows what it is to hate - as well as feeling distain, envy, and pride. The grieving parents... grieve. A mother's love leads her to offer her own life for that of her child. Children enjoy storybooks. Tek expresses concern for his mother-in-law's health, while he and his wife worry about their children's future. [Edited to add: Now that I remember, to this we can add that Lois noticed Tek was amused when she asked if he and his wife were the parents of his children, embarrassed when she asked how his wife got pregnant, and relieved when she ended the conversation.] I'd say there is plenty of emotion, but virtually no (public) emoting. The $24,000 question is: Why?

Wow, what a part - again!

Emma (ok, so I lied about the length of the post, this is becoming a full-on dissertation on 'Awaken my Heart' by Female Hawk!!)

Rac, maybe she will, she's getting pretty adept at drawing now! Still, I think sjp's right, Kal would be fine with a hands-on demonstration! Eeek, minds out of the gutter people, this is a sweet, innocent fic!

this is getting more and more intense. how much time has passed here? and how much time will the story take - do you have a count of parts yet? I get so anxious...

I keep laughing over Michael and Rac's comment about Lois needing to draw Kal a picture. Lois's next venture, an adults-only series. She's already introduced them to stories and sweet oatmeal. Porn is the natural next step, right?

Em wrote:
LOL!!! That is an awesomely perfect description of L&C.

yeah, might be fun to write a story that actually took LL interfering into account in order for for the plan to succeed

Michael

PS: Is is it time yet? Or will you post in the next 11 hours, please? Pretty please?

Just post, Corrina! You're killing me!

~Sheils

Awwww..... everytime they're together, it's sweet. I can't wait to read the scene. I LOVE sweet! Although.... I do like salty, too.

So, will you post when you get home from work? I'm with Michael and Sheila - craving more NOW. Why do you have to live on the other side of the globe? I hate these time-zone delays.

OK ... again I'm due at work. (I'm a math tutor. Can you imagine how hard it is to concentrate on Pythagorus and trig and calculus when your head is absolutely crammed with Lois and Clark? Or in this case Lois and Kal? Maybe *I* should draw the diagram! )

Anyway, yesterday the muse was extremely cooperative and I got two chapters written. They still need a lot of polishing, but I can see the end ... and even better, I have a fair idea of how we are going to get there.

Latest estimate is 23 parts.

Thanks everyone. I love your comments - particularly amongst yourselves. It's like listening in to someone else's conversation.

As you've been so nice, I'll try to post the next part today - 6-8 hours from now.


Corrina

Originally posted by Michael:
The stories of Wanda Detroit and Kalvin as porn??? I hope not!!! In Sweden, Kalvin is a cartoon calf, designed to make kids drink more milk!!!



Corinna, just so that you know....!!!!

Ann