[color=gray][indent][indent]The sound of the billiard balls breaking echoed through the large den as the seventeen year old entered to see a young man with a clean shaven head playing pool alongside a beautiful woman. The security escort waved him through the glass paned doors as Clark was taken aback by both the size of the Luthor Mansion and its sheer elegance. Hand carved wood adorned much of the wall paneling and trim. A massive mantel drew his attention across the room while book cases upon book cases framed the far wall, broken up by exquisite stained glass windows. 

Clark suddenly found himself feeling very out of place and underdressed as he hastily wiped his hands on his jeans, tugging at his flannel shirt to straighten it before he took an uncertain step forward.

[color=#3d85c6]“Mr. Luthor, I’m-”[/color]

[color=#38761d]“Please,”[/color] The young man looked up, flashing a cocky smile at Clark. [color=#38761d]“Mr. Luthor is my father,”[/color] He interrupted, winking towards the nearby woman.

[color=#38761d]“You must be Clark Kent,”[/color] He continued, [color=#38761d]“Lex,”[/color] Lex offered, extending a hand.

[color=#38761d]“I hear I have you to thank for saving my father.”[/color]

[color=#3d85c6]“I just did what anyone would do,” [/color]Clark replied with a shrug, [color=#3d85c6]“That’s actually why I’m here, about the truck-”[/color] He added, stopping as Lex rolled his eyes.

[color=#38761d]“Let me guess, you wanted one in a different colour? Or maybe a higher trim package.”[/color]

[color=#3d85c6]“No, no!”[/color] Clark protested, holding out the keys to Lex. [color=#3d85c6]“Nothing like that at all, I’m afraid I just can’t accept it.”[/color]

Lex blinked twice as Clark extended the keys to the free vehicle in front of him.

[color=#38761d]“Oh, I get it, you’re young. You probably wanted a sportscar. Sorry, Bo, I’ll be sure to let my father know to send a Charger out to the Kent farm.”[/color] Lex stated dryly, snatching the keys from Clark’s outstretched hand.

[color=#3d85c6]“Lex, I don’t think you understand.”[/color]

[color=#38761d]“No, Clark, I do understand. You’re yet another local hick who got lucky and is using that luck to shake down my father. If I’m being honest, you’re lucky my father isn’t pursuing charges against you.”[/color]

[color=#3d85c6]“Lex, I’m sorry I gave you the wrong impression, but it’s not the truck.”[/color] Clark replied,[color=#3d85c6] “It’s the idea of a gift. I don’t need a gift for doing the right thing. I didn’t pull your father from the river in hopes of being rewarded. I did it because if I were in his place, I’d want someone to save me.”[/color]

[color=#38761d]“I’m sorry,”[/color] Lex did a double take at the younger man, [color=#38761d]“Are you telling me, you did the right thing with no ulterior motive? You saved one of the most powerful men in the world and you have no interest in being repaid.”[/color]

Clark had to fight to control himself from laughing.

[color=#3d85c6]“Yes, Lex.” [/color]He nodded, [color=#3d85c6]“I’m not looking for fame or glory.”[/color]

[color=#38761d]“Clark, I don’t think you have any idea how rare that is.”[/color] Lex replied before extending a hand towards Clark.[color=#38761d] “I apologize for the hostility. Generally when someone shows up after receiving a gift from a Luthor it’s a shakedown.”[/color]

[color=#3d85c6]“I’m just here to see you get your Dad gets his money back,”[/color] Clark said as he shook Lex’s hand.

[color=#38761d]“My father hardly needs it, but I’m sure he’ll appreciate the gesture.”[/color] Lex stated, returning to the pool table before taking his shot. The ball sunk into the corner pocket as Lex moved to line up his next shot.

[color=#38761d]“There is one thing that interests me though,”[/color] Lex continued. [color=#38761d]“How does someone get struck by a car at sixty miles per hour, plunge off a bridge and remain conscious enough to pull two men out of a sinking car?”[/color]

Clark shrugged, flashing a disarming smile.

[color=#3d85c6]“Just lucky I guess.”[/color]

[color=#38761d]“Lucky?”[/color] Lex smiled, nodding towards his female companion. [color=#38761d]“Victoria, pass Clark your cue, I want to see how Mr. Kent’s luck holds up on the pool table.”[/color] He looked from Victoria back towards Clark.

[color=#38761d]“You have played before haven’t you?”[/color]

[color=#3d85c6]“I can’t say I have,” [/color]Clark replied, accepting the pool cue from Victoria with an appreciative nod.

[color=#38761d]“Victoria can help you line up your first shot. You hit the eight ball into either solids or stripes, call the pocket you intend to sink it in. You sink your shot, you go again.”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“There’s a bit more to it, but that’s the jist of it, luv.”[/color] Victoria smiled before placing her hands on Clark’s shoulders.

[color=#ffffff]“You really ought to wear something more fitted. Quite a bit of muscle under there, Mr. Kent.” [/color]

Clark felt his cheeks flush. 

[color=#ffffff]“One hand here,”[/color] Victoria instructed, moving Clark’s hand down the cue, [color=#ffffff]“And the other here,”[/color] She guided.

[color=#ffffff]“Keep it level, pull back and a quick tap.”[/color]

[color=#38761d]“So, Clark,”[/color] Lex smiled. [color=#38761d]“What’s your call?”[/color]

Clark eyed the table up, quickly taking stock of where each ball was located. A quick mental count and a calculation easily sized up the best shot.

[color=#3d85c6]“Number Nine, corner pocket,”[/color] Clark called before striking the eight ball. It missed the stripe ball, hitting a solid that ricocheted several others. True to his call though, the nine ball sunk in the corner pocket.

[color=#3d85c6]“Fifteen, side pocket.”[/color] Clark stated as fifteen too landed in a pocket.

[color=#3d85c6]“Twelve, far pocket.”[/color] He continued as a third ball sank. Victoria squealed with excitement as Lex stared at the table.

[color=#38761d]“Are you hustling me?”[/color]

[color=#3d85c6]“Honestly,”[/color] Clark replied, [color=#3d85c6]“I’ve never played.”[/color]

Lex let out a chuckle before passing the rack to Victoria.

[color=#38761d]“Darling, if you wouldn’t mind racking a new game, this just got interesting.”[/color] Lex stated.

[color=#38761d]“Clark, I think this is the beginning of a very [i]interesting[/i] friendship.”[/color][/indent][/indent][center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019ae5d8-259a-77b5-b37c-931c223261f3.webp[/img][/center][indent][indent][i][color=#ffffff]“And the record-breaking crime wave continues across the Metropolis as a young mutant woman was apprehended after attempting to rob-”[/color]

[color=#ffffff]“Breaking News, although initially apprehended, the young mutant appears to now be at large. Sources are now saying she has an accomplic-”[/color][/i]

[color=#ea9999]“Lane! Olsen! Why the hell aren’t we the ‘sources’?”[/color] Perry White’s voice boomed from the balcony overlooking the bullpen. [color=#ea9999]“And where the hell is Kent? I don’t like getting my news from the news.”[/color]

[color=#8e7cc3]“Kent’s off chasing his own leads,”[/color] Lois barked back, [color=#8e7cc3]“Shame he has the instincts and self preservation of a quokka.”[/color] She muttered under his breath before spinning towards Jimmy.

[color=#8e7cc3]“I guess that leaves you and me, you got a new memory card in that thing?” [/color]She asked, gesturing towards his camera with her chin.

[color=#ff9900]“Same one from this morning, should be plenty of room.”[/color]

[color=#8e7cc3]“Get your head out of your ass, Jimmy.”[/color] Lois snapped, [color=#8e7cc3]“You’re not some cub reporter, you know how many pictures we’re going to need of a car literally melted into the road.”[/color] She added.

[color=#8e7cc3]“Little firebugs may as well have stood for a photo op. Bet we could even find a trail.”[/color]

[color=#00ff00]“Damn, Lane, you certainly filled out,”[/color] A male voice called from the top of the stairs as Lois froze, before looking out of the bullpen towards the familiar face. 

[color=#8e7cc3]“Corben.”[/color] She smiled weakly. He looked different with his hair grown out, but the smirk was the same, accented by the scar from where she had split his lip.

[color=#8e7cc3]“Sergeant John Corben, you got old.”[/color] Lois continued, calling towards the older man.

[color=#00ff00]“Honourably discharged John Corben,” [/color]he replied, turning to the side and awkwardly stepping down the stairs. Lois was only just now noticing the limp in his walk and the cane he was leaning on.

[color=#00ff00]“Figured, I’d drop in on the most beautiful Pulitzer Winner and pay her a visit.”[/color]

“Helen Branswell is here?” Lois asked, her tone dismissive while she mockingly looked around only for Perry to poke his head out of his office again.

[color=#ea9999]“Great Caesar’s Ghost, Lane, you’re still here?”[/color] White roared, [color=#ea9999]“Get a move on!”[/color]

[color=#8e7cc3]“Sorry, John, this will have to wait.”[/color] Lois said apologetically, tapping the man on the shoulder.

[color=#8e7cc3]“Our usual booth at the Ace O'Clubs, say eight tonight?”[/color]

[color=#00ff00]“I’ll be there,”[/color]

[color=#8e7cc3]“See you then, John-Boy,[/color]” Lois winked, giving the former soldier a quick peck on the cheek before rushing out of the bullpen.

[color=#8e7cc3]“Move it, Olsen!” [/color][/indent][/indent][/color]