Train-surfing, or Bored Teen Hero at Play [Open]

[kid_flash_found]

WHO: Kid Flash (Bart Allen) and YOU!!!
WHERE: Anywhere there's a railroad
WHEN: First Week of October
WHAT: Riding the open rails the wrong way!
WARNINGS: Teenage stupidity, possibly reckless endangerment, will edit if needed

[ooc: Catch Bart anywhere high-speed or light rail is found, because he gets around]


One of the nice things Bart had found out about the way the nanites interacted with the 'net on this Earth was that when he didn't feel like running between places or trusting his luck to the Porters, he could pull up bus and train schedules at a thought, and read as quickly as he wants. Which is what leads to Kid Flash going train-surfing.

Sure, he could have gotten a ticket and rode inside, but on top of the train, he could feel the wind in his face in a way that tended to fade when he ran as his frictionless aura shielded him from pesky things like air resistance and heat. Besides, balancing on trains was fun, and getting on and off took a little timing and precision. Not to mention any fans that caught him on video will enjoy the thrill of it, without actually endangering anyone or spending every free moment catching purse-snatchers and other petty criminals. He does that, too, but this is just about the joy of the moment.

Kid Flash can't help the tight-lipped smile that keeps threatening to turn into a full-fledged grin as he shifts his weight in reaction to the movement of the car beneath him, a map of the rails with current track schedules and timings kept current on an internalized heads-up-display. And when he notices that he isn't alone anymore, that grin is realized, amber eyes lighting up behind the mask.

"Amazing, isn't it?"

Comments

[kid_flash_found]

"I hate time travel, sometimes," Bart grumbled. "I can't really imagine going back that far, or having one of my family come forward. I mean, it happens, but considering how little Grandpa Barry has stopped moving since he came back..."

Bart wishes it hadn't felt like most of it was to avoid him. But then Barry had saved him from the black ring.

"I wonder if we really could do normal."

[callmesuperboy]

"I don't know, Bart. Normal is something I tried. It didn't stick."

He shakes his head.

"In fact, I've tried it multiple times, and every time... it didn't work. I won't begrudge you if you wanted to try, but I think I'll stick with what works for me."

He nods. Being normal is a pipe dream for Kon.

[kid_flash_found]

"I can't just stop being a speedster. It builds up," Bart admits.

"And sometimes, it's like I'm more me when I'm Kid Flash than I can be as just Bart. That's part of why I didn't really bother with keeping a secret from the other imPorts, at least. And mostly just keeping the same line we did back home. Kid Flash will sign autographs and do fanservice. Bart doesn't."

He doesn't want to lose the balance of having a little bit of normal in his life, but he's always been a hero, and even trying to give that up would be painful.

"I can fake being a normal-speedster if I have to, but it's not something I like. I'd rather just be me, warts and all."

[callmesuperboy]

"I understand. for me, having a normal life was a failure, and ended in failure. So I am not trying anymore. I am just... being me. I was born Superboy and that is who I am. I m grateful for the names Clark gave me, but in the end, they are... second and third names to me. They are the cover names, not Superboy."

He rubs his face again and nods.

"I barely sleep in my bed. I mostly just float at night, high up, and let the wind currents carry me away." For him, it was easier than trying to pretend he was going to sleep a lot.

"I am glad things work like that for you. I am glad you have that line. I just never really... made a good one for me."

[kid_flash_found]

"I guess I sorta use Kon because Superboy is still a mouthful. But it means the same thing to me. It's just there are times that I want to myself, and sometimes it feels like Kid Flash has to share everything with the world," Bart said.

"It's kinda stupid, but I want to be more than just a Flash. I want to be myself, even if most people never know me beyond the mask."

[callmesuperboy]

"It's not stupid. And I am glad you have that. And I will do my best to protect that for you, Bart." Whatever it took, Kon would do it. His friend, and what his friend needed, those things were important to Kon, a lot.

Pretty much the most important things, really.

[kid_flash_found]

"And I'll do what I can for you. Whatever you need."

He likes a lot of the people he's met since showing up, but Kon was there pretty much from the beginning, and that's something that will always run deep.

"Even if it's just a pizza delivery." What? Stay serious? Why?

[callmesuperboy]

"A pizza party sounds like fun. We should round up a place and throw one, invite whoever we can lay our hands on, and see if we can just relax."

Kon grins. It sounds like a really good way to just not think for awhile.

[kid_flash_found]

"See, I knew we kept you around for more reasons than just looking pretty," Bart said, with a grin of his own. "That sounds amazing."

[callmesuperboy]

Kon laughed and shook his head.

"I figured it was because I broke the bad guys with my head."

He nodded.

"We'll float the idea through word of mouth and see who bites. Carefully."

He hmmmmed. "Maybe see if any of our friendly neighborhood Bats want in."

[kid_flash_found]

"If not, I've got a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man that definitely will. Got an idea of which city? I hear Heropa's got the best beaches."

Perhaps other people would find having a half-shouted conversation on the roof of a speeding train unusual, but this was just another day as a Titan.

[callmesuperboy]

"Sounds good to me. And Heropa is my first choice, unless we want to go DeChima, I think both Jeopardy and Maurtia are out for different reasons."

He waves around them. Gotham Lite and Spooky town were both not his favorite places.

[kid_flash_found]

"Iris is in Heropa, so there's another vote in favor. And yeah, Maurtia Falls is definitely not my cup of tea, but I just didn't want to ditch for that alone."

It's hard for him to just pack up and move again. Not without something to look forward to.

"I haven't really spent any time in Jeopardy, though."

[callmesuperboy]

"Sounds like a plan, then. We should look for a house we can have several rooms in, one for gaming, and a guest room." Kon nods, thinking.

"And we should see what super-proofing we can do, or get done."

[kid_flash_found]

"What do you mean as far as super-proofing? I really don't think we can lead-line the bathroom."

[callmesuperboy]

"I meant, refitting it with stronger materials, when and if we can." Kon just wants to make sure he doesn't break things, okay?

[kid_flash_found]

"Sure," Bart agreed. "I can get down with that. I mean, I really hope the imPort housing is reinforced since not everyone has experience with powers when they get here."

And having a gaming room and space would be nice. "Pretty sure we can make this work. Maybe even find a place with a yard. You can have chickens."

Okay, he's teasing about the last, mostly. Although he doesn't mind animals.

[callmesuperboy]

"I hope so, but, you know, I want to be sure." He has not always had a lot of forethought. H is trying now.

Kon laughs. "Maybe not chickens. They're mean. But corn or wheat, maybe."

[kid_flash_found]

"I've read they can be better if you hand-rear them and handle them a lot. No idea, though. I had a dog for a while, but that's pretty much it. And I don't know if the soil's right for grains in Florida."

But there's plenty to think about.

"I expect we can think of something to keep accidental damage down. And if we're not up to it, there are some smart people around."

[callmesuperboy]

"We can get the right kind of soil, and there is winter seed that can be used." He nods. He did learn a little about this stuff.

"I'm sure we will. Yeah, Might call Oracle and see if she is willing to give advice."

[kid_flash_found]

"Besides, you aren't the only one with superstrength who might benefit. A certain Spider is kinda reluctant to talk about it, though." And he still worries about the guy.

"If you want. I bet David would love some access to organic produce."

[callmesuperboy]

"True. And oh yeah? That's cool. and why? Maybe we can talk to him." Kon has known others reluctant to talk. It is always very odd to him.

Kon arches an eyebrow. "David? Which one is that?" Wait, didn't he meet a David?

"Is that the supersmart guy? I think I met him."

[kid_flash_found]

"Someone unmasked him in his world, and he's still dealing with the mental fallout of being branded a murderer and shit like that. I'll have to introduce you, though. He's like the only guy from his world under 25 who does our kind of work." And Bart will allow Peter that secret if he wants to separate it. He understands and respects those decisions.

"He's the one wearing gloves and long sleeves in summer."

[callmesuperboy]

Kon winces. "Oh damn." That's not cool at all. He feels a little defensive for the guy without even meeting him.

At Bart's words, Kon nods, then.

"I'll be glad to meet him. Anyone who is a friend of yours, and all."

He chuckles. "Okay."

[kid_flash_found]

"He comes to game nights. Sometimes," Bart said, smiling slightly. "But you remember how hard it is when you're still getting started. He had a lot on his shoulders."

"David's pretty cool. I still bad about giving him a migraine."