16037/Dinner and a Movie

Dinner and a Movie
Date of Scene:	07 February 2024
Location:	Lane-Kent Brownstone, Midvale, New Troy
Synopsis:	Lois invites Karen over for a meal! They share good conversation, good food, good desserts, and a horrible movie together.
Cast of Characters:	Lois Lane, Power Girl

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Lois Lane has posed:
    Lois had sent Karen more than a few messages since her return from Eastern Europe. These included a lot of friendly check-ins but also an invitation to join her for dinner. Tonight! And a movie. Lois has a few ideas there, and since she's seen almost nothing in the past 20 years, she had to get some suggestions from one of the film critics. But since they were suggesting things that sounded boring, she instead asked younger people around the office for some ideas.

    Regardless, tonight, Lois has meatloaf in the oven and it smells... good? Wait. Lois is making something that isn't horrible? There's music playing. Okay, it's blaring. Who'd have guessed that Lois would listen to a bunch of poppy, romantic stuff?

    The air is so nice that she has the balcony open. With another window open, it provides a really nice breeze. She's dancing around the kitchen as she starts to work on the salad, occasionally interrupting her humming and singing snatches of lyrics with some choice words whenever she makes a bad cut. Or nearly cuts herself!

Power Girl has posed:
    Karen's always been quick to respond, short of the occasional time that Lois has no doubt seen she's been busy with a literal runaway train or other crisis that gets a little too hands-on for texting back immediately. But tonight? Oh, tonight has been circled on her calendar and she has refused to take any League assignments or anything else that might interrupt. She's even ensured there are no particularly sensitive or dangerous experiments at STAR labs just to be safe.

    Of course, the promise of homemade meatloaf is more than reason enough for Karen to break the sound barrier on her way to Lois's, only to slow and gracefully touch down... in a snug black turtleneck and hip-hugging blue jeans. Are the thick rimmed rectangular glasses perched on her nose a playful tease at Lois? Well, when she steps in and pauses, Karen tilts her head down a little to peer over them with a crooked little grin, "It's me. Karen. Did the disguise fool you?"

    And then she's stepping in from the balcony and perks one eyebrow slightly. "Is that Taylor Swift? That sounds pretty Swift-y."

Lois Lane has posed:
    "I love shiny things, but I'd marry you with paper rings~"

    Lois is singing along, and the thing is, she never expects people to just fly onto the balcony. Considering how many people she knows who can fly, jump, rappel, etc., this should not shock her. It still doess, though. She jumps when Karen calls out to her.

    She is dressed in Lois casual. Which means she isn't wearing a blazer, but is donning a neatly pressed shirt (a very bold, familiar blue), and a short, white skirt. It is spotless, despite cooking. The apron she wears is not quite so spotless, though.

    "Oh wow! That's quite a look there. I hope you didn't steal Clark's glasses!" She steps over to Karen. There's this little pause, then it is arms wide and she goes in for the hug. Not one of those little polite ones, but a real hug.

    "I'm happy you were able to get away tonight! It sounds like you've been busier than ever."

Power Girl has posed:
    Karen rolls her eyes and sighs out, "I did /not/ steal Clark's glasses! I /borrowed/ them. Besides, he has more!"

    Lois moving in for the hug gets a skeptical little glance down at the apron but... no, no, it's fine. Karen's sure those little spots of sauce and the like are already dry. Besides, a little mess is more than a fair price to pay for a Lois hug! And so the blonde's arms wrap about the brunette and squeeze, not quite a bear hug, but it's a genuine, gleeful moment of physical affection that doesn't move to lift Lois off her feet... because that would be impolite!

And then she's pulling back with a crooked little smile, "Oh! I've been busy because I was making sure I /could/ get tonight off. Had to shuffle around some monitor duty, move up some experiments at the lab, you know, the kind of things you do to go on vacation. Maybe. I guess." Her lips press into a thin line and she sighs out, "I mean, even any vacation I take is going to be business in a way probably. Like, if I visit Diana sure it's an island paradise with white sand beaches and stuff, but... there's no way I'm going to resist talking shop." She sighs out in faux regret and then smiles a little more gently, "But speaking of talking shop, how are you? You've seemed a little... uhh... impacted? By that whole thing in Eastern Europe?"

Lois Lane has posed:
    "That is true, he keeps several pairs. Sometimes a quick change doesn't go right." Lois may just become a hugger at this rate. Thankfully, yes, the apron stains are set in and dry. She would have felt horrible! It only occurs to her after the fact that she needs to get rid of the apron. And turn off the music!

    She hangs the apron on a peg that (until recently) collected a lot of dust. It's clean now! The kitchen is not, though. Lois hasn't gotten to the point of being neat in her work. But she has made something that smells pretty good.

    "I..." Lois sighs softly as she thinks of the question. It leads to a pause as she hangs the apron. "Yes, it did. I imagine you read the article? Elena's death shook me to the core. You know, Karen, I've seen a lot of people die in my line of work. It's just that in her case, it came out of nowhere, cutting off what was going to be the most exciting adventure of her life."


    The sadness only lasts a short time. Lois forces it back with a smile. "Her life was important. She was young, strong, just an incredible woman. I won't just stand by and let her be forgotten. And, well, I won't keep running through my life as though nothing but the next story matters. I screwed up, Karen. Badly."

Power Girl has posed:
    Karen loosens that embrace after a few more seconds, but doesn't let go. Lois is the one in charge of the hug, and she can end it whenever she wants! And once she does Karen's fighting back an even broader smile as she chimes out, "So! What can I do to lend a hand? I mean, it seems like you kind of have everything in control... any potatoes need peeling? I can do it /really/ fast." She tries to sound like she's bragging but... of course she can peel potatoes fast. Super speed.

    She nods and sighs out softly, "It's... I mean, the part of the whole..." She makes a little airplane-like swooping gesture with one hand, "Cape and cowl and flying about thing that... really isn't exclusive to it. Whenever our lives wind up bumping into other people there's a chance our mistakes won't splash back on /us/. But you need to focus, learn, and let it drive you to be better. Even if being better than 'Lois Lane, intrepid reporter' is a tall order."

    Karen trails off for a moment as she takes in the kitchen decor and then chimes up, "On the plus side, you have the advantage of being Lois Lane, all around superstar to help you achieve it."

Lois Lane has posed:
    "I want to be a whole new set of Lois Lanes," she replies gently. "Lois Lane the good friend, Lois the caring fiancee, and maybe someday something else I never thought I would do." Karen's study of the kitchen will reveal a very large, very obvious bottle of prenatal vitamins.

    "I remember twenty years ago, Clark asked me if I ever let up or slow down. I was on my way to race over to airforce one, as I recall. I told him the idea of the picket fence, the cooking of meals, the kids, that they would drive me insane."

    She grins ruefully, "Karen, if there is one thing I'd desperately try to help you avoid, it is thinking that you know everything. I sure had it all figured out. I never really thought it through, though, as the years kept moving by. The Pulitzers were there, the banquets, the recognition, the Superman rescues, my inability to figure out who I liked..."

    She laughs softly at herself. "Oh, there is one thing I would love help with!" The reporter walks up to the oven and pulls it open. "I have this way of burning myself every time I take something out. We need to take the meatloaf out and let it rest for ten minutes before we each it. If you can take it out so I don't add another burn, I'd be grateful."

    Clark sees the burns after. She would rather not give him any reason to think she's struggling in the kitchen. He's quick to get concerned.

Power Girl has posed:
    Karen levels her gaze at Lois, intent, serious, her voice firm and certain. "You are /already/ Lois Lane the good friend. So you're off to a good start." She quirks an eyebrow at the vitamins and files that away as... something not to bring up. Nope, that's going to be a Lois-guided topic!

    She grins crookedly and sighs out, "I mean, the picket fence Kansas farm quiet lifestyle thing is... definitely Clark's vibe. And maybe as you experience things it grows on you and becomes enticing. But don't think you have to embrace it just because it's Clark's thing."

    She snickers softly and sighs out, "Oh, figuring out who you like is... definitely a challenge I'm sure. I mean, okay, like figuring out who you /like/ like... figuring out who you like in general is usually pretty easy. If they keep talking and you want to throw their car to the moon, you probably don't like them. Or maybe that's just how /I/ figure it out..." She sighs out thoughtfully.

    And then her eyes widen as Lois is moving and opening the oven and asking for her help and... well, what's a little invulnerability between friends? Karen reaches out to pull the meatloaf out without oven mits or kitchen towel, setting it down as easily as Lois might take something out of the fridge in her place.

    Karen clicks her tongue softly with a little smile, "Well, of course I can help. I mean, I'm sure a /few/ cooking burns are a badge of honor, but you only need so much honor really, right?"

Lois Lane has posed:
    "It is more complicated when you are trying to pick between two identities of the same person," Lois explains, laughing at herself. "Clark sure did run me on a merry chase, though! But, in fairness, I was pretty unapproachable. I teased him so much, Karen! Smallville.."

    She sets a timer for the meatloaf to rest. Karen can tell that Lois Lane is currently engaged in a trip down memory lane. "And you know, I am not sure I'm up for Kansas living. I love Metropolis. Things happen here at the speed I like. But I do love visiting the farm. And I have to thank Martha for all the help she's given me lately. And, well, always."

    She carries the salad bowl the table. Places are already set, glasses are out. "Would you prefer wine or a bit of champagne?" Lois grins as she explains, "One of our critics gave me a few bottles as part of a trade. Kind of beyond my paygrade otherwise, frankly. Fortunately I was able to ensure his girlfriend got to go home early, supposedly working a special assignment for me."

    Lois the impish liar, too! "So... wait a sec. Are you seeing someone now?" She's very curious, now!

Power Girl has posed:
    Karen just fights back the biggest grin as she hums out softly, "Well, remind me if I start taking an inkling to someone to ask you and Clark how to /skip/ the decade plus of dual identity shenanigans... it sounds /exhausting/."

    And Karen nods with a crooked little smirk and a soft laugh, "Honestly? Kansas life is a lot like Antarctic life. I mean, the Fortress is amazing, and great to visit. But... Metropolis has some damned fine takeout and theatres and clubs and... you know... /life/. I mean, not that a week on the farm can't be charming, take care of the horses, go riding, get tired of seeing fields of corn..."

    She perks her eyebrows up and hums thoughtfully, "Wine, I think! I mean, champagne's a bit of a special occasion thing right? We'll just have to make sure something happens worth popping a cork on some sometime soon!" She snorts and shakes her head wildly at that question, "Oh, by Rao no! I mean, honestly? I'm doing a pretty terrible job at the whole... life balance thing. Like, Power Girl can't just swoop down out of the sky to introduce herself to some civilian and ask to swap numbers, and... I mean, I don't want to risk anything at work. And... the whole... costumed community is so tight knit that it's really just another kind of work, right? So I... ahh.. I'm just focusing on having friends."

Lois Lane has posed:
    Lois laughs at the first. "The key is being more honest, though I can't say there's an easy way from point A to point B. People can be so, well, inept at expressing themselves. There's a huge cliff to jump off of in admitting how you feel about someone, and in this case, the ability to fly doesn't help at all."

    She will go to get the wine. It's been on ice. Being cheeky, she brings it out to show Karen before opening it. This she does easily enough. "Kathyn Hall," she explains. "I have no idea, I just know it was a $250 bottle." She will fill Karen's glass. She then fills her own.

    After this, it's time to serve the salad and take the final steps in preparing the meatloaf. She brings it out on a heavy plate and sets it out with a knife for cutting it. She made the point of pouring the juices on top, then adding some parsley for a garnish.

    "Dinner is served!" she announces. She'll settle into her usual seat with a grin. "Now, let's see.. focusing on friends is not a bad idea. You need a ton of them, really. Relationships are too terrifying to face down alone, anyway! And you are still so young. Which honestly is a thing I wanted to talk about. How are you doing, Karen?"

    Lois is giving her a most serious, searching look. "It has to be really hard, navigating all of this. I know Clark has helped you, but I feel like I could have been better in lending a hand... and well, I want to make sure I offer it now."

Power Girl has posed:
    Karen laughs softly and sighs out, "I mean, chances are I'll... find someone. Sometime. Probably someone who knows my secret because..." She grimaces playfully, "I cannot imagine /years/ of having to slouch every time I'm 'Karen', you know? My back aches often enough as is."

    Lips purse to let out a low little whistle at the wine... sure, she's /pretty/ clueless about alcohol, but she knows prices! "...So this is going to be wasted on me? I mean, I am not a wine connoisseur by any means." She sighs and then settles in for the final presentation of dinner. Hands clap, genuine applaus as she chimes out, "Well done! My compliments to the chef!"

    She exhales a slow breath... and then uses that fine wine as an excuse to take a slow sip and delay answering the question. Her shoulders lift and fall in a helpless little shrug, "I'm... managing? I mean, honestly I usually don't even think about it... I'm just... living my life now. I'm... confident there's no /weird mind programming/ in place or anything that'll turn me into a terrifying force of evil or anything." She sighs and smiles lopsidedly, "Honestly, if anything I'm mostly hoping to catch up with Kara again." She clicks her tongue thoughtfully, "If only /someone/ was holding regularly scheduled family dinners..."

Lois Lane has posed:
    The comment about slouching has her laughing. "Clark was so good at that! And then clumsiness. I mean, can you blame me for not noticing that the biggest clutz in Metropolis looks just like Superman?" There's that little look in Lois' eyes. Dreamy? Since when does she get /dreamy/?

    "And don't worry about the wine, Karen! It's wasted on both of us, and who knows? This may be the last I have in a while. I'm trying to watch my health carefully now. I already cut the caffeine, I sleep at least six hours a night, I have regular meals. Granted, sometimes I eat and run in the figurative sense, but it used to be no eating at all."

    Then things get more serious. Lois listens carefully. She has this way of focusing that makes it clear her complete attention is settled on Karen. Usually this only comes out in an interview. "Of coures you are not going to do that! You're our Karen, and you are a total sweetheart." You know, origin story issues don't count!

    "And you know, we are getting together. I put out the invite! Clark didn't tell you. He probably was too busy. Anyway, I am telling you now. This Friday we're getting together. This was kind of a dress rehearsal for it, honestly. So if you play those cards right, Karen, you'll get Lane cooking twice in a week!"

    This was previously seen as punishment for past sins. But tonight, well, Lois actually did well. She's going to ruin that reputation that formerly struck terror in the hearts of all sitting at her table.

    "I hope to do this at least once a momnth, too. I mean the family thing. You can drop by once a week or more, if you want. I'm one of the few people you can be in and out with and not have to cook up some lame excuse. Ohh! We're going to play a game Friday. I have it! Competition for the lamest excuse ever used to cover heroics."

Power Girl has posed:
    Karen laughs softly and murmurs out, "Oh, see, that's one difference... I wouldn't be feigning the clumsiness. I just need to stop myself from moving at super speed to cover it up... I swear to god, the number of mugs I've barely stopped people from seeing fall off my desk..."

    She sips her wine again and murmurs out, "Well, that's good. I mean, daring-do only gets you so far, so a little focused self-care is something to encourage. Just don't forget you can relax now and then. Sometimes cake is allowable."

    She grins lopsidedly and winks, "Oh, he might've texted me or emailed me, but... you're right, I /am/ pretty busy lately so I might have just nodded and said 'uh-huh' and then immediately forgot about it." She perks her eyebrows and whistles softly, "So I get your meatloaf /twice/ in one week? I feel like that's cheating... which for the record I'm totally fine with. I'll just work it off somehow. Go catch a few extra airplanes." She taps her chin and murmurs in mock thoughtfulness, "Well, I suppose I can drop by now and then. Maybe stop in and see how you're doing in the afternoon now and then too. I mean, who's going to notice a red cape sneaking in the balcony, right? I'm /pretty/ sneaky for being tall... and wearing a cape."

Lois Lane has posed:
    Lois is even trying to eat, well, like a normal person. Most have seen Lane stuff her face at lightning speed so she can talk more. Or run off and do things. Tonight, though, Lois is just relaxed. Her phone is nowhere in sight!

    "Cake is definitely allowed. But I'm not going to try to bake yet. Baby steps. Maybe for birthdays I'll give that a try. I mean, it just takes time and recipes, and Martha is like a library of cookbooks and she's so happy to just talk. I'm glad we talk more now."

    Lois looks distracted for a moment. Something in that has conjured forth a more serious memory, it seems. "You know, I'm 39," she says. That just... lingers there. "I was looking at social media. All the women I graduated highschool with are married, have several kids, and look so disgustingly happy."

    She stabs the salad as if it offended her. "But anyway.. enough of that. Oh, capes? Don't worry. I'm Lois Lane. My neighbors assume I see Superman all the time. I had one old lady very angrily inform me that she thinks it is disgusting that I led Superman on only to wind up getting engaged to a coworker. So now I get to wear the disguise, too. And you totally can handle more meals. You girls all end up looking like models of one kind or another."

Power Girl has posed:
    Karen's doing her best to focus on eating like a normal person herself. After all, being used to eating when under the pressure of a workday is really only made worse by having super speed. But it's not that difficult when you're not eating alone and there's the ebb and flow of conversation to keep you grounded.

    "Oh, there's always cake mix! I mean, that's my secret boxed cake mix for the cake, and then you can focus on the icing... admittedly I've only done /cupcakes/, but... they have to basically be the same process right?" She smiles lopsidedly and bobs her head, "And yeah, that Martha knows... enough recipes to make your head spin. You could throw any three ingredients at her and it probably wouldn't phase her for a second."

    One eyebrow perks up at that pause and she smiles, "Ah, but those women look at /your/ page and think about how they wish they had your career and your /impressive/ array of journalism awards." She sputters and stammers and covers her mouth with a hand, "That... I'm sure that old lady is just... very concerned about... Superman's feelings!" She grins crookedly and sighs out, "I mean, to be fair, most of us cheat via magic or alien DNA.... I mean, not all of us, but I'm assuming that's just because like... Black Widow sleeps while she does reps in the gym or something."

Lois Lane has posed:
    "I feel almost guilty using a mix," admits Lois. "Like I've sinned against Mrs. Kent! I am Catholic, you know. I take that pretty seriously!" Not her religion, admittedly, but the idea of not impressing Martha would bother her to no end.

    "I know what I can do, though! Not this time but next time I will let someone else bring dessert. Friday will just be something I buy. There are all sorts of nice bakeries in the area. Some are even run by nice ladies like Mrs. Kent." She laughs then, "I hope I'm not yelled at again for breaking Superman's heart."

    She nods as Karent talks about the super heroines. "Well, I will admit it is kind of amazing to have some of them respect me for my work. It's one thing to get an award, it is quite another for someone remarkable and busy to tell me they appreciate my writing." Lois pauses, turning the conversation back to Karen again.

    "Speaking of writing. Is any of your work going to get published? Do you want to get into a research paper? That would be so amazing!"

Power Girl has posed:
    Karen screws her face up thoughtfully, "Well, I think I can live with my sinful ways, provided I continue to reap the moist, delicious rewards!" She clears her throat softly, "Of course, I trust you not to /tattle/ on me, Lois!"

    She snickers softly and sighs out, "Well, I mean, you /probably/ won't be... maybe. But imagine the conflict if you discover the best bakery in the neighborhood is run by a lady who thinks you've broken Superman's heart?"

    She nods her head with a crooked little smile and sighs out, "I mean, they're right, Lois. You do things that only you can do. That's what makes everybody special, everyone has the potential to do things no one else could." Karen shrugs lightly and grins, "I mean, I imagine I might eventually, but... the anonymity of working at STAR Labs and letting other people write the papers and take the credit is kind of nice. Power Girl being in the public eye and all, it's nice that Karen Starr can go catch a movie or go shopping and not be recognized."

Lois Lane has posed:
    "What do you think is the biggest difference between Power Girl and Karen Starr?" asks Lois. It's so obviously an interview question that she laughs at herself. "I'm so sorry, Lois reporter is hard to keep quiet. But, you know, the question stands. I'm curious if you think of that often."

    She is working her way through her meal, taking her sweet time. And wishing she had a proper dessert for Karen. Lois doesn't dwell on that though. She has her attention far too focused on Karen now.

    "It occurs to me that I need to give you a proper nickname, too," she mutters. It'll come to her. Maybe in Karen's answer she'll find it!

Power Girl has posed:
    Karen sighs out softly and frowns slightly, "That's... a really good question, actually..." Her eyes narrow slightly, lips press in a thin line, "Look at you, using those reporter powers on me..." She shakes her head with a little laugh, "I mean, I don't think there really /is/ much of a difference. I mean, okay, fashion-wise there is. But... I'm just me. I'd do without the secret identity except that I need a name, and having people call me 'Power Girl' in casual conversation would be /super/ awkward."

    As she picks at her own meal she frowns thoughtfully, "Maybe I should ask Wonder Woman for some guidance. I mean, you know, she's been balancing the whole 'Diana, actual princess' and 'Wonder Woman, inspiring icon' thing longer than I've been alive! Hell, longer than I've /artificially/ been alive."

    One eyebrow perks and she murmurs out dryly, "If you come up with 'Science Playset Barbie' as my nickname, I'm just going to say you have telepathy and read it out of my mind just now."

Lois Lane has posed:
    "Diana is pretty much next level amazing. I highly suggest you learn from the best, and she is that in spades," says Lois. There's only admiration, there. "But you two must talk all the time, right?"

    Lois grins, waits a beat or two, and says, "Science Barbie. I like that. But as a compliment. You kind of have a lot going great for you, and you've been through a heck of ride just finding yourself. I hope you take the time to realize that, too. Karen Starr, you are amazing in your own right. And that's coming from Lois Lane. Two Pulitzers. Probably three before the year is out. So you can't ignore it!"

Power Girl has posed:
    Karen bobs her head with a little laugh, "Pretty frequently, but I mean, there's talking and then there's /talking/. Chatting about the latest natural disaster one of us curtailed, or costumed ne'er-do-well we had to have a little punch up with is different than... you know, /talking/ talking. About ourselves or something. It's like... water cooler talk."

    She flashes a little smirk and offers a wink, "I'm kind of partial to it myself. I mean, okay, my hair's a little short for any theme of Barbie, but like... excuse to get a convertible? Sign me up! ...Also I guess technically I should make sure I have a driver's license."

    She rolls her eyes and grins impishly, "And yes yes, I'm sure if I ignore the advice of the great Lois Lane, I'll have to deal with... I'm not sure what vengeance. You'll probably tell that crazy old lady that I'm Superman's cousin and she should talk to me about how you broke his heart."

Lois Lane has posed:
    Lois shakes her head, "I do know about the talking and filling the air with words, yes. It's like when I interview one of those half a dozen or so identical tech bros that keep making a splash in the stock market, only to implode when their vaporware is revealed. Substance, Science Barbie! That's where it's at."

    Lois is, it seems, satisfied. She didn't really eat that much. So no signs of eating for two, anyway. And for the x-ray curious, nothing there, either. As for the other big tell? Her heart beat has been steady all night. Well, except when she had dreamy eyes about Clark. That sent her pulse racing for a bit.

    "You better not ignore my advice, girl!" Lois admonishes sternly. She ruins it entirely by laughing right after. "I look at it like this, Karen. I made a lot of mistakes. I put off things that I wish I hadn't. But this is the important part. Sometimes, you just have to screw up and learn your lesson on your own. Cause advice is someone else telling you what they think you need. Screwing up and taking the time to learn from it? That's you /deciding/ what you need."

Power Girl has posed:
    Karen just grins broadly, "Oh, no, I'd never ignore your advice, Lois. Consider it, act on it, /tease/ you about it, but ignore it? Perish the thought!"

    She rolls her eyes and heaves out a sigh, "Cryptocurrency, I swear to god it's the biggest waste of electricity I've ever seen. Like, even more than turning a potato into a lamp."

    And while Karen's been hearing Lois's heartbeat all evening, and she /totally/ noticed those vitamins earlier, she hasn't taken any X-Ray peeps, because she is a proper lady! Well, okay, because she is polite because she knows Mrs. Kent and that sort of thing rubs off on you.

    She nods her head and smiles crookedly, "Exactly! You need to make your mistakes, stumble, and pick yourself back up. And try to make the mistakes in relationships and cooking and not, say, mixing substances during a chemical experiment and creating incredibly powerful acid."

Lois Lane has posed:
    "Tease me, Science Barbie? Oh boy, you better bring your A-game for that one, kid." She smirks and asks, "You want some ice cream? I don't have a proper dessert tonight, but I have whatever we have in the fridge. I think some of that neopolitan stuff is in there."

    The comment on crypto gets her laughing again. "That stuff is only for criminals, I swear. Oh, criminals and speculators. It's basically money laundering in app form. Don't even get me started on NFTs, either! I swear if people wanted to drop millions on ugly monkey sketches, they should have just asked. I can provide them with all sorts of terrible artwork at that price."

    She gets up because /she/ is going to get herself some ice cream, at least. "Oh, and not sure how long you can stay, but I figured we'd watch a terrible movie together, if you have time. I'm sure Clark is out doing something heroic, or I'd worry that he might judge me for watching a mindless action flick or something. Or really whatever we might settle on. I just want to not think much about it so we can keep talking."

    Once she knows what Karen's position is on the dessert front, she will head to the kitchen and get to work. One might guess that were she alone tonight she'd probably be binge watching Sex in the City and eating ice cream right out of the bucket.

Power Girl has posed:
    Karen narrows her eyes and murmurs dryly, "Are you offering me ice cream because you called me kid?" The pauses for a long moment, "Because I will totally take a scoop of ice cream." She snickers and nods her head, "I mean, it's not only for criminals. It's also for people who enjoy losing money and jumping into things without fully considering them."

    And then Lois is heading to acquire that ice cream and Karen busies herself tidying up the dinner plates... which is to say, there's a subtle whoosh of super speed because Karen's not above using her natural gifts for a friend! She laughs softly, "Oh, we can watch some mindless action movie. Or a series of them even... consider me your company for the evening, Ms. Lane! I am at your disposal!"

Lois Lane has posed:
    Lois hears a scoop and figures that's code. Karen will learn that there's this little known fact that Lois just made up which says if you ask for a scoop, but eat three (plus sprinkles and hot fudge) you only actually get the calories of a single scoop. Oh. And whipped cream and three cherries.

    Armed with these heavenly concoctions of fat, sugar, and the American Way, the pair sits in front of the television and have a wonderful night. So what is it that they watch? Well, the super heroic member of the Justice League and ace reporter from the Planet select "New York Ninja", a film built entirely from lost footage with no accompanying sound. Somewhat less than convincing voice overs and ridiculous action congeal with a story line so worthy of taunting that it makes for a great night of conversation (both serious and playful) and a whole bunch of laughter.

    Somewhere later on, Lois is soundly asleep on the couch. She's having a dream, too. She murmurs softly, "Yes... Jonathan is... a wonderful name."