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Post by Nomz on Aug 15, 2024 3:23:53 GMT
Confusion finds its way back into his expression as Wally rubs at the back of his neck. His attempts at reassuring her that he isn't a threat aren't working and they seem to be slipping down a hill. He tries to think quickly about what exactly is happening here. He's offering to help her in the least invasive way he possibly can and she keeps offering him...outs?
"So," Wally starts slowly like his mouth is trying to remember words he's heard before from somewhere far away, "No matter how small an act of kindness or generosity or simple positivity you put out into the world, it will make a difference. Someone I knew said that once. I am trying to put out an act of kindness. I'm sorry if I am making you uncomfortable. I am trying to show I am not a threat."
He looks sheepish at the admission, but there is something stronger in his stance. Wally was a hero at one point. He's saved so many people and helped so many more. He can do this. "I'll offer again: Would you like a ride to where you are going? I have no plans and I am more than happy to help."
"Will you let me help my friend?"
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Post by Countess on Aug 15, 2024 3:38:51 GMT
Confusion. Des can work with that.
"Diana Prince, yes, I know her," Des says, shrugging. "Look. You aren't making me uncomfortable, you don't have that power over me. I am giving you an exit, because I know some people in this world don't like mutants, and quite honestly, take their fear and use it as a reason to attack and kill us. So, I am looking out for myself here, if you are afraid," Des says, giving him her palms as if to show him how harmless she is. Now... now she is exerting her influence. It is subtle. She doesn't want to be hurt. She doesn't want him to be violent.
"I would love a ride, but I really want to make sure I am safe. You seem very kind, but I have been burned before... literally," Des says, looking away briefly. "Can you promise me I will be safe? I understand if you cannot give me that. I can take care of myself. I always have."
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Post by Nomz on Aug 15, 2024 4:18:48 GMT
Wally sighs through his nose, shaking his head before glancing up at her again. Honestly, all he wants to do is help and...maybe protect her. He tries not to think about the fact that she knows Diana and what that may mean. He can only imagine how it would turn out if Wonder Woman found him and questioned him.
"You're safe with me." There's that confidence, unassisted and genuine. It is also said with such practice as if he's said it a million and one times before. Perhaps he has. Wally doesn't keep track. "I won't hurt you and, as long as you're with me, I won't let anyone or anything else hurt you."
"Let me try my introduction again if you will." Wally stands up straighter even as he holds one hand out for a handshake. "My name is Wally West and I am the fastest man alive. You don't scare me."
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Post by Countess on Aug 15, 2024 17:28:28 GMT
Des scrutinizes Wally pretty closely, then shrugs. She's willing to at least give him a chance. Her hand gets outstretched, grasping his palm firmly for a handshake. "Desiree Allard, Muse," she says, sniffing primly. "I make people better," she adds, as if that is supposed to shed light on who she is a little better. He might even recognize the name, as she is moderately famous. Well- she moves in many famous circles. Music, the arts, politics, but not sports. She is banned from sporting events, usually. The last time she attended one, Germany won the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup against Brazil, 7-1. It was wholesale slaughter. She was only 14.
"So. I need to get to New York City, I have a potential client I am meeting with. I have to do introductions, get a feel for them, make sure they aren't using my powers for, say, supreme evil or something silly like that," Des says, getting out of her car and moving to the trunk. She pulls out a duffel bag, Louis Vuitton of course, and slings it over her shoulder.
"How exactly are we doing this, Wally?" she asks, clearly already moved on.
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Post by Nomz on Aug 15, 2024 18:31:43 GMT
Her comment about making people better does earn her a quirked eyebrow, but he doesn't press. No, Wally is just happy that they seem to be on some type of even ground. "Muse is an interesting name," he supplies even as he watches her move over to her trunk.
"A run from here to New York isn't so bad. I can do that one without a map. I used to make this trip almost daily." He doesn't mention that it was often a triangle between Metropolis, New York, and Gotham. Reaching for the sky, Wally stretches as he waits for his new friend. Too many years of running have taught him the downsides of not doing so first.
He's just popped his shoulder when she returns to his side. "Well, I have a new question then: do you want me to stick around while you have this meeting? I don't even have to be very close, just need a way to know you need me."
"As for the running, we can do piggyback or princess carry." Wally does not seem to have a preference on either, merely offering them like asking if someone wants an orange soda or grape soda.
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Post by Countess on Aug 15, 2024 19:07:30 GMT
Des considers his offer, weighing the pros and cons. It helps to have someone in her corner, but it also pays to maintain an illusion of her being single... She looks at Wally, looking him up and down, judging him with narrowed eyes and pursed lips.
"We will have to stop by my apartment, you cannot go to this meeting dressed like that. I am sure I have something in your size, if not I can make adjustments..." Des says, now walking around him with a very critical eye. Without asking, or even any warning, she lifts his arms, lightly touching his clothes. She is getting an idea of his size... she reaches into the back of his shirt to see the tag, then his pants, uncaring and unbothered.
"Yes, I think I can work with this..." she mutters. "Fine. You may stay. I'll feed you, too, as thanks for helping me out."
Des wrinkles her nose at his next question. "Princess. How is that even a question? I am a princess, I deserve to be carried like one."
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Post by Nomz on Aug 15, 2024 19:47:19 GMT
"My clothes?" Wally sounds so confused as he watches Des start circling him like a shark. It is not unlike when his Aunt Iris had taken him to get fitted for his tux. The lady there had poked and prodded at Wally until she had him contorted like a pretzel. "How fancy is this meeting?"
His arms go up when she lifts them and he doesn't flinch away from her touch. Wally instinctively bends backward as she reaches for his collar, not looking to get choked while on the side of the road. Even if the person who is choking is his new friend. Red races up the back of his neck and tints his ears as she reaches for his pants. He hides his face in his palms, but Wally doesn't fend her off, equally shocked and impressed.
"I- Uh. Okay." He mumbles through his hands before peeking out at her. "Food sounds good. I'll eat anything. I can be good." Wally holds out one hand for her bag. "I'll be easier if I carry that and, please, pardon me while I scoop you?"
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Post by Countess on Aug 15, 2024 20:48:14 GMT
"Fancier than... this," is all that Des says in response, and it is very clear just what she thinks of his clothing. It stands to reason- she has on an outfit that looks very expensive, perfectly tailored to her body and complexation, meticulously picked out and curated down to the accessories.
Eventually, she is appeased by her research. "You will do fine, of that I am sure. I just need to... clean you up a bit, mm?" Des says, wrinkling her nose at his clothes... again. Then, she waves her hand at his embarrassment. "Do not be bothered, it is just a body," she says, utterly European about it all.
Des hands him her bag, and it isn't all that heavy. Feels like clothes and more like an overnight bag than anything else. She then lifts her arms, as if preparing to be held. "Just be careful. If you touch my skin- my power- well, you'll really feel it then."
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Post by Nomz on Aug 15, 2024 21:03:19 GMT
When Des wrinkles her nose at his clothes for the second time, Wally solemnly swears to burn the flannel at the first opportunity. Clearly, he had done something wrong if it earned so many looks of distaste. It is a good thing he is not attached to it. He had found it in a bin at GoodWill for $2.50 last week.
"Right. Just a body. Just, yep." Wally nods once as if he has convinced himself with so few words. Today is certainly turning out to be more eventful than he had planned. He shrugs her bag over his shoulder, surprised at how empty it feels.
"I wasn't planning on touching your skin unless invited, Des." He smiles a bit at his own...flirt? It's been a while since he dated, but he's pretty sure that may have counted. Anything to get over being flustered about a beautiful woman tugging on his-
"Make sure you hold on tight. The first time can be a little rough for some." Wally reaches down and scoops her into his arms, carefully giving her a moment to adjust before he starts walking forward. He makes sure to close the trunk with one hand, knocking Atlas out of place. "Here we go."
He shifts into a running pose, face focused before he....keeps walking a few feet. Wally can't keep back his chuckle as a shit-eating grin pulls across his lips. He glances at Des before saying, "Kidding."
And then they're gone.
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Post by Countess on Aug 15, 2024 21:37:22 GMT
"Oh? A gentleman? Play your cards right, I'll let you have a taste," Des says, winking at him. Even if she doesn't like his state of dress, she does seem to like him. A nice thought, perhaps she isn't that superficial. She sure seems to project that flaw, however.
Des does as she is told, wrapping her arms around his neck to help stabilize her. That's when he feels it, feels her. It is like every high in his life, every moment he was doing his best and it was so damn effortless. Already, a problem that had been nagging at him in the back of his mind has a clear solution laid out before him. He feels clever, powerful, his absolute best.
So... that's what she meant by better.
"Wally, if this was all a ruse to hold me, I am going to-" Des start, her voice deadpan, but she never finishes that thought. He starts to run, and her grip on his tightens considerably. Everything rushes past them at a dizzying speed, so she just stops looking at her surroundings. Instead, she closes her eyes, burying her face into his chest and neck.
Fastest man alive, indeed.
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Post by Nomz on Aug 15, 2024 22:59:51 GMT
Wally feels so good. Better than good. Great. Fantastic. It feels like the day he was reunited with Barry. It feels like that time he and Dick managed to outmaneuver Conner and prank the rest of the Young Justice team. It feels...it feels like the day Linda asked if he wanted to go on a second date. A bit like the day she said 'yes' to his proposal.
It's...beautiful. As he dashes across the state towards New York, Wally can't help but wonder if this is what Des meant. He feels like he could take on this Earth's Superman in a brawl and come out on top. More than that, Wally thinks he finally knows what he wants to do here. He had planned on just existing among the people, but he can do more. He should do more. It's so clear to him now.
He's the Flash.
As suddenly as it starts, the race comes to an end. The world tunes back into something more stable and friendly to the eyes. They're tucked under some trees in Bryant Park in the New York City borough of Manhattan. Wally still has that silly grin as he looks down at Des with perhaps the warmest gaze he has managed yet. It is the look of a man who has finally decided what to do about something that has been haunting him.
"I forgot to ask for your address."
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Post by Countess on Aug 15, 2024 23:21:33 GMT
Des doesn't dare open her eyes or look around. That was pretty terrible, but she isn't going to say so. "Right- right-" she says, then gives him an address. It is a townhome in Soho, which will take no time at all to get to. Hell, they had just been in Delaware, yet here they are.
Once they get there, she quickly gets her feet back on solid ground, hand going to a wall to steady herself. She chances him a look, and knows exactly what has happened. Des sighs, used to that part of her ability. She wonders if she could ever have that feeling, that relief, that certainty.
Probably not.
"Come in, come in, you can raid my closet in the meantime," Des says, walking up to the door while fishing for her keys.
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Post by Nomz on Aug 15, 2024 23:32:46 GMT
"Raid your closet?" Wally rubs the back of his neck as he waits for Des. The trip to her home had been nearly instant. Guilt does flash across his gaze as he watches her lean on the wall for support. He's had mixed reviews on the run. Not everyone is as crazy about it as his friends had been. Then again, most of them had years to get used to it.
Des kinda got the short end of the stick.
"Do you always keep clothes for men in your home or did you get a premonition and set aside a set for me," Wally teases even as he tucks his hands into his pockets. Her bag still rests securely over his shoulder.
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Post by Countess on Aug 16, 2024 0:03:12 GMT
"Of course I have clothes for men here, why wouldn't I?" Des says, sighing as if it made all the sense in the world. Once he enters the home... it sort of does.
It is polished, perfect and clean on this more social and front facing area, art dripping from the walls, but once she takes him up flights of stairs, he sees so much... creation. Paintings, plants, sewing, statues, drawings, photography, everything and anything that could be considered art. This place is a monument of The Process. She leads him into a room dedicated to fashion- designing, creating, wearing- and just as she had said... yeah, she has clothes for men here.
Des starts rifling through various outfits, then settles on one. It is a beige jacket, forest green tie, red checkered button down, dark wash jeans, a brown leather belt, and matching leather shoes. She stares at it for a moment, then holds it all out for him.
"This. Put it on. I'll find a watch and sunglasses..."
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Post by Nomz on Aug 16, 2024 0:35:07 GMT
Des' home is amazing. Wally does his best not to trail too far behind as he takes in all the natural light and seemingly endless art on the walls. People always say that a home says a lot about a person and now he thinks he understands it. Des must be a person who works in the arts.
He gratefully takes the clothes from her, realizing quickly that the quality of the fabric is far better than what he is used to. His fingers trace over the forest green tie as he hears Des mention a watch and sunglasses. Wally takes a soft breath before toeing off his shoes and neatly tucking them to the side and out of the way. She told him to get dressed, so he does just that. Right where he's standing.
It only takes a minute for him to get the new pants and shoes on. He is surprised by how nice the shoes in particular fit considering his many brutal encounters with dress shoes. Wally manages to get his flannel off and is holding the button down in his hands before he speaks up.
"Do you have any spare undershirts? My uncle always told me that you should wear one with a nice button-down." He seems confident in this information even as he doesn't realize that the sage advice of Uncle Barry should have applied to flannels as well. Once he is supplied with one, he will put it on and button up the new shirt. He pauses at the tie. "What kind of knot?"
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