RP for kneel_majorzod

[have_no_mercy]

Tess has had a busy morning. There were business reports to initial and fax back to the office and instructions to be sent to the lab for today's work schedule, as well as making sure her assistant was clear on what did and didn't constitute a journalistic emergency to bother her with. Then there was a light workout and breakfast before finally

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[kneel_majorzod]

Zod's curiosity was not easily aroused. Most of the time, he simply didn't bother being interested in the goings-on of those around him. He had learned from a young age that high hopes almost unquestionably meant disappointment. Today, however, was different. Today he was letting himself indulge. He was a bit uncomfortable with the notion that he did not know what to expect. He had no idea what Tess's idea of a "free day" was. Regardless, the day would be interesting. Of that the Major was certain as he left his men with strict orders to not try to find him.

Zod walks into the mansion with almost a smile. The guards let him in without question; they are apparently getting used to Zod's appearances.
Unsure whether to be eager or concerned, Zod steps into Tess's office. He is immediately taken aback by her appearance. He never remembers seeing her dressed in anything but her business clothes.
"Well, don't you look delightful this morning?" Zod says with amusement.

[have_no_mercy]

"Thank you," she replies without missing a beat, offering an amused smile of her own over her shoulder. Then to complete her look, she tugs on a long sleeved hooded sweater and grabs a winter coat from her desk. It's cold outside and Tess is nowhere near cold climate friendly.

She turns to face him finally and holds out a flashlight. "We're going on a little field trip."

[kneel_majorzod]

Zod raises an eyebrow. A field trip? It's not really what Zod was expecting. But then again, a lot about Tess goes against his expectations.

"A field trip?" Zod asks with another smile as he glances down at the flashlight. "I honestly have no idea where you're going with this, Tess."

[have_no_mercy]

"That's why it's called a surprise," Tess says, stepping closer to him, flashlight still proffered. "Don't worry. You'll survive it."

[kneel_majorzod]

"I wouldn't rule out the possibility entirely. There are so many that it's hard to say for certain whether or not they are relevant to our purpose. But yes," Zod added, his expression softening slightly, "perhaps this does qualify as a hobby."

He considers hurriedly before responding. "I think I believe you, Tess. At least, I wish to. It's a nice thought that you actually enjoy seeing me pleased," the Major says with a short-lived smile. "You know, even if the drawings turn out to be useless, there is one thing about this place that could most certainly help us."

[have_no_mercy]

Tess will take that and what felt like failure only moments before doesn't seem all that bad anymore. He keeps smiling, anyway, which she can only read as a good sign.

"And what's that?" Tess does, actually, have ideas about how they could use this to further their goal, but she was going to save that until later.

[kneel_majorzod]

"You could discover more about us if you are willing. Perhaps even learn a little Kryptonian in the process. It definitely wouldn't hurt," Zod points out, studying Tess's expression thoughtfully as he speaks. "And being able to communicate with one another in an undecipherable language would have its perks. It would also go a long way with my soldiers. They still don't trust you, and your willingness to learn about us may earn you some respect and separate you from the rest of your kind."

He pauses for several seconds, letting his words soak in. He hopes Tess will take it as an honor. Zod would not extend such an offer to many.

[have_no_mercy]

And he's surprised her again. Tess is going to have to find a way for him to either stop doing that, or learn to be better prepared. It'll likely end up being the latter.

But she does understand what Zod is offering; basically, they'd be letting her - a human - into their ranks, which she strongly suspects is not normal procedure.

"I'd like that, thank you," she replies calmly enough, and although the little girl that's still somewhere deep inside Tess who loves to learn is ecstatic, outwardly she merely offers a small smile. "I'd be willing to learn anything you'd be willing to teach."

[kneel_majorzod]

Zod grows still as well. "I honestly have no idea," he says carefully as he walks toward the mouth of the cave through which they entered.

What he finds there strikes a small ounce of dread in his heart.

"Tess," he sighs, looking back over his shoulder, "it would appear our free day was just extended."

[have_no_mercy]

"What are you talking about?" Tess gives him a confused look as she walks toward him and past, stopping short when she sees the blockage.

She digs in her coat pocket and pulls out her cell phone, starting to push buttons with growing frustration. "Perfect. I have a watch that withstand the depths of the ocean but I can't get a signal fifty feet underground." Tess turns back to Zod. "So we move the rocks."

[kneel_majorzod]

Zod doesn't protest. As much as he enjoys Tess's company, being trapped with her alone in a dark cave is hardly his idea of a good time.

Taking a rock with both hands, he moves it and tosses it aside. "Perhaps remaining down here alone--at night no less--without proper means of communication was not the smartest idea after all," he observes as he lifts another rock.

[have_no_mercy]

"I didn't think we'd be here this long and not only that, they're supposed to be structurally sound." Tess starts feeling around for loose rocks at the other side of the blockage. "Obviously, my preservation team is falling down on the job."

[kneel_majorzod]

Zod's smile all but vanishes, and thinks for a moment before answering. "That's why we're talking right now, isn't it?" he asks suddenly, looking into Tess's eyes. "That is why we're out here together. Why we haven't killed each other yet. We share not only the same desires and aspirations, but the same sacrifice. I believe you are the first person I've met with whom I have that in common, Tess."

[have_no_mercy]

Tess nods slightly. "I don't think it was luck or happenstance that I was the one who brought you here. This isn't all just some big coincidence. We're supposed to do this and we're supposed to do it together."

[kneel_majorzod]

"I agree," he says with a nod of his own. "And I see no reason why we can't make the best of the situation, since our destinies do appear to be intertwined."

He stands and points to a series of symbols surrounding the octagonal indentation in the wall. "Lesson number one, Tess: 'The day is coming when the last son will begin his quest to rule the third planet,'" he translates, running his finger from symbol to symbol as he reads. "Any ideas as to what that might mean?"

[have_no_mercy]

She watches very carefully and intently, her gaze following the path of symbols he indicates.

"The day is coming," Tess murmurs softly, then glances at her companion. "Rule. You're certain that's what it says?"

[kneel_majorzod]

Satisfied with that answer, Zod nods with half a smile. "Good to know," he says softly. He goes silent for a few seconds as he reverses the question on himself. Is he glad Tess released him from the Orb when she did? He finds his answer to be much the same as Tess's. Potential but not yet success.

"Do you know what I originally thought this day would be like?" he asks suddenly with some amusement. "Relaxation. Food. Perhaps a bit of wine. But all in all, I think this was preferable. Except for this last part, of course."

[have_no_mercy]

"You know, I considered that. The food and the wine bit, anyway. Relaxation, well, you can ask anyone who knows me; I don't do that. But it was too obvious. Too mundane. I knew you'd prefer something more unexpected."

She offers him a small smile of her own. "But just so you know, I don't have any more big Kryptonian secrets up my sleeve, so next time? Expect mundane."

[kneel_majorzod]

"Next time, mundane might be nice. Unexpected is enjoyable, yes, but look where it got us," he points out, motioning to their surroundings. "Then again, I do have a hobby or two now. Should keep me occupied for a while."

OoC: Zod and Tess in the fortress. Now that is going to be cool. :)

[have_no_mercy]

"Well, I did say it would be a surprise." Tess shrugs, still smiling.

"That should please you. Being occupied."

[[OOC: Jor-El can yell at them!]]