unease lingers underneath

[crusaded]

[ continued from here ]


"Yyyup," I say. "Popping out like gremlins." Weirdest experience ever, although not as weird and kind of horrifying as at the end of the weekend, when they all just collapsed back into me. I still get random flashes of whatever they were doing. I thought having someone else's memories was weird -- and it still is -- but remembering being in several places at once is... also weird.

"As someone whose only experience of superpowers is seeing them on the news, I have to say it... wasn't actually very super."


"It comes with its own sort of burden, doesn't it?" I nod somberly, lips pursed in thought. Not that someone in my position would have much of an idea— and that goes beyond speaking for Bruce Wayne. I don't like magic, I don't like the idea of having abilities beyond my control and understanding. I don't like that it automatically comes with a relaxing of one's own standards for training. It's a crutch.

Look at all of the times Clark's been bereft of his powers, then look me in the eye and tell me that it doesn't have its downfalls.

"People might judge you if you don't make the best use of it. Superman, for instance, if you've ever heard of him. He definitely wouldn't be so popular if he weren't doing half of what he does for Metropolis."

Comments

[notaparker]

"Dentist? No," I say. "We've got lots of doctors," I start ticking them off on my fingers, "several bars, one bakery, one club of ill repute but not that ill, somehow, but no dentist. Which I also won't miss, although now I'm worrying about cavities."

[crusaded]

"One club of ill repute, but not that ill?" I ask. I know the place she's referring to, although sometimes I have to wonder if there's something more to the establishment. "On an island with a population as small as this one? I guess it doesn't seem surprising that the ill repute might be toned down, considering the fact that we're all neighbors. Kind of removes the sense of mystery that has people side-eyeing them in the first place."

My gaze turns to the side for a second, before flickering back. "Or so I hear. Either way, it's definitely strange that we have one of those, but no dentist. Guess that tells you where people's priorities lie."

[notaparker]

There might be an off-color drilling joke to be made in there, but I am not the girl who will be making it.

"It's passing strange, yeah. Everything is, but that also is. There's less candy but no less desire to see people take their clothes off? Honestly I'd think that being all neighbours would make it a little extra weird, like, constantly running into people who've seen you in the buff. But I also wouldn't be caught dead there so, you know, obviously not of the required mindset."

[crusaded]

"More than that, even, coming from someone who may or may not have indulged in these activities in the past," I remark, eyes narrowing in slight humility, even though the truth is that I've never found joy in such abandon, "that type of place is all about wish fulfillment. What happens when you watch your neighbor dancing in the buff on stage, yet know that said neighbor's in a happily committed relationship and just climbs on stage for the ego boost?" I shrug my shoulders.

There's a touch of truth to all of it, though. The fact that the people on the island prioritize such things above meaningful progress is cause enough for concern.

"It's an exercise in futility, and it takes a special sort to keep that up."