space chips [kyle]

Participants: Jessica Cruz & Kyle Rayner
Open/Closed: Closed
Location(s): Planet Oa
Time of Day: Day
Weather: Clear?
Summary: Still considered new to the job, Jessica is assigned some training with a fellow Lantern.

So, she was starting to think of it like this: there was no reason to be overly weirded out by being on an alien planet. The world outside her own front door felt like an alien planet most days. So, there wasn’t really much of a difference, right? It wasn’t even her first time here, anyway. She even knew where she was going this time.

Maybe it was the mental gymnastics or maybe it was just a good day, because she felt almost chipper as she arrived at the planetary base of the Green Lanterns. She didn’t even bat an eye at the various alien races she passed by, just waved at the ones that dipped their heads in acknowledgment.

There was that ever-present sinking sensation in her stomach, though, just not as pronounced as usual. She supposed she was a little nervous. She’d only met Kyle a handful of times and only briefly. Most of what she knew about the other Lantern was from the stories she’d heard and they were impressive and kinda intimidating, honestly. He certainly seemed like a pretty humble guy the few times she’d talked to him, though. Still, despite him never seeming anything other than friendly and the fact that they patrol the same sector, she’d been surprised when she’d received a message from him inviting her to Oa for some training. She’d admittedly thought of declining, on the chance it turned out to be a bad day for her, but hadn’t.

She reached the meeting spot and saw him waiting there. “Sorry, I’m-” at her absent wondering of the time, her ring supplied the answer –“on time.” Oh. Well, could be a worse start.

Kilowag had given him a look - a very specific look - when he'd offered to do some training with one of the newer Lanterns. It had been a look that was a mixture questioning whether he could actually handle this and scorn for potentially stepping on Kilowag's toes - figuratively, of course - because he usually scared trained the new recruits. Kyle had met Jessica a few times but not nearly as many as he would've hoped considering they both protected Earth and were both on the Justice League. She was technically a reserve member of the League, something that caused him to hope she hadn't turned down an offer of full membership because of him. He didn't want her to worry about stepping on his toes.

Kyle had invited Jessica to the training personally, rather than asking someone else or the Guardians. His fellow Lanterns were more than just his colleagues in his mind, after all. They were also friends. That and he thought inviting her himself might alleviate any anxieties that might come with the training. He was aware of the reputation he'd gained. It wasn't a bad one at all but he had helped bring back the entire Green Lantern Corps, the Guardians, and had also been Ion for a time. Even if he was a genuinely nice and approachable guy, he understood the shadow that could cast.

He arrived to the spot early - It'd make a bad impression if he was late, risking her wondering if he took her training, and thus her, seriously as a Green Lantern. He also needed time to get ideas for her training. He'd always been creative so ideas weren't hard but he had to make sure they'd apply to knowledge she'd need to know. He'd need to test the strength  of her constructs and thus her will. And if she needed help, it was his job to help her, even boost her confidence if need be.

He'd been starring off into the distance when he heard her voice. He looked over, remaining standing where he was and waited for her to reach him, giving a soft smile. He remembered what it'd been like to be one of - technically the only at the time - newbies. At least she had a whole Corps behind her. He knew what it was like to actually be alone with no fellow Lanterns to back him up. He didn't want her to ever worry about that happening to her.

"If it helps, I've been late to League meetings," he said, his smile turning to an amused grin. "But you're correct - You're on time." He folded his arms across his chest and arched a curious eyebrow at her. "So tell me a bit about yourself first. Who have you fought so far? Has anyone else given you any training? What's your favorite construct? Is it also your most used construct? Have you ever head-butted Kilowag?" The last one didn't really have any purpose, he was just hoping to alleviate any nervousness she might have been feeling.

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506 words
Jessica Cruz

Does the League have a tardy policy? she wondered idly at Kyle’s statement. Like a strike for each absence and three strikes you’re out sort of thing? She’d briefly worked at a fast-food joint with that kind of policy. And there was no way Batman was less strict than her manager at the time, Todd “I’ll look the other way if you buy me a joint” Heilberg had been. Then again, Wonder Woman was the one in charge now and Jessica got the impression she could be lenient within reason.

Wow, she was putting way too much thought into this and Kyle was talking, shooting off a series of questions that had Jessica blinking as she tried to keep up.

“Uh,” she stuttered, trying to parse through each one. “A tentacle monster and some alien hoards. Kilowag, mostly. Uh, bubble? And no. That… that sounds like it’d hurt.” Kilowag had scared the crap out of when she first met him, but she was starting to get the impression there was more to him than being a loud, large drillmaster. Still, the thought of headbutting the large alien had her wincing. “Have you headbutted Kilowag?” Because if so, she bet that would be a pretty interesting story. If not, then, well, she admitted she might be a little disappointed. Sure, Kyle had saved the galaxy and the whole Lantern Corp probably a handful of times by now, but somehow headbutting Kilowag felt like an even higher standard to achieve.