FIC: The Jewel in the Lotus (5/8)

[jij]

Title: The Jewel in the Lotus 5/8
Pairing/Characters: Clark/Bruce, Alfred Pennyworth
Notes: "Music of the Spheres" is a series set in the combined universes of "Batman Begins" and "Superman Returns." Other stories and notes on the series here.
Rating: PG
Summary: On Father's Day, Bruce has a talk with Alfred and embarks on a perhaps-unwise quest for

Comments

[jij]

Thanks! It's very difficult to get Bruce in danger sometimes, since I always feel like he should be able to see it, unfortunately...but even Batman makes mistakes sometimes. ;)

[sorrelchestnut]

I think Alfred's comments about Bruce's parents in this were some of the most insightful and commonsense I've seen in a long time. Usually it's all, "Oh, your parents would totally approve of you being a vigilante, because it's for the good of Gotham!" or "Your poor parents' hearts would just break to see you doing this." I like that this walked the middle road, a little closer to what parenthood is actually about.

[jij]

Thank you! The really funny thing is, right after I wrote that conversation, seacrystal posted scans from "Death and the Maidens" in which Alfred and Bruce have almost exactly this exchange, lol. Canon has it all!

[saavikam77]

Gah! I knew that perfume had to be something bad. O_O Bruce *has* been acting rather odd, hasn't he?

Of course, Alfred is brilliant as always. ^_^

*applauds*

[jij]

Bruce *has* been acting rather odd, hasn't he?

Maybe not that much different from a usual sort of "funk," which is why Alfred and Clark miss it...but yeah, it's getting to him.

If I can do any justice to the brilliance of movieverse Alfred, I'm happy. *grins*

[jij]

*grin* Lavender isn't Ivy in disguise, because I couldn't quite accept that Bruce wouldn't recognize her. But she's not a dupe, either...she's in on the scheme. Mooreston, on the other hand, is something of a dupe. Though it's probable that she should be investigated for it later... *ponders*

I'm glad that both Clark and Alfred are going. Since the perfume seems to create an obsession of some sort about family, it's logical that the only two people Bruce considers family would go help.

:) You and Alfred think alike. *grin*

Thanks for the comment! I like it when people think thinky thoughs about my stories...

[jij]

I'm glad that Lavender isn't a dupe, because despite all her cheery attitude and stuff, I'm beginning to find that I actually don't like her very much.

Oh good, I'm glad that's coming across. *grin* She'll probably appear a little in the next arc as well, as she and Ivy are both actually working for someone else. And I like the way you put that about Mooreston--that her own pettiness and bias are making her a tool.

Thinking like Alfred is a high compliment indeed! :)

[laramoon]

awww! Bruuuuce.... *hugs him* Poor thing, desperately trying to do something he thinks would make his parents proud -- it's a shame he lost them when he was so young, else he'd know that no matter what they say, parents still love their children and carry a great deal of pride for them in their hearts. (and go figure, this is what's gotten me all sniffly...)

Love Alfred in this. You do such a great job writing him. hee! :D Makes me happy to see him around.

Looking forward to the next parts. :)

[jij]

Yeah, Bruce losing his parents late enough to know and love them but too early to really understand them is very tragic. *hands tissues*

I love having Alfred in my stories, and I've become really fond of movieverse Alfred! (The more so after seeing the movie!)

[laramoon]

:D I gather you've seen the movie now? I should go check if you've posted about it... I just saw it again today, on IMAX - and ooooh! Darn it, it's awesome on that big a screen. :swoons: