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Post by Beriadan on Aug 28, 2024 19:47:59 GMT
"Hey Johnny, check it out. We're back."
Johnny kicked the stand of his Harley, shutting off the overly loud engine as he stared with admiration at the Hall of Justice. He smiled, with the knowledge of someone who has been here before, done the deed and worn the t-shirt embroidered on the chest. Sure, it was no Baxter Building, but this was his gateway back to the top.
Johnny truly hadn't expected the call. He had been Human Torch solo for only a few weeks, but you just don't turn down a call from the Justice League. Prestige aside, it was another chance to meet Wonder Woman, this time formally and through Sue. She was, to Johnny, somewhat of an Idol. A living legend who he had based a lot of his Superhero persona off of. Okay, not a lot of it. Some of it. The bits that mattered.
He tucked his sunglasses into the pocket of a slick red leather jacket, ran a hand through his full blond hair, and smiled to himself.
"Okay, let's do this. Flame on, Johnny."
Johnny pushed his way through the main doors to the building. It was a grand entrance, cool and charismatic, befitting of his reputation. Johnny strode up to the receptionist, leaning ever so casually against her worktop, staring wistfully off into the distance until he turned his face towards her with a wry smile
"Hey beautiful. Name's Johnny Storm, A.K.A. the Human Torch. Not to brag, but... Superman's got a ten o clock meeting booked in with my name on it."
Johnny gave her one of his seasoned Smiles, eyes glittering with a mischievous charm.
"Fancy calling upstairs for him? And while you do, maybe writing your number down for me? I know an Italian restaurant that has been lacking a certain something until now. I realise that what it's been lacking is you enjoyng a bottle of 1942 Borolo. What do you say to, I dunno, 7pm tonight?"
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Post by Countess on Aug 29, 2024 0:32:26 GMT
Barbara has had a long, long day, but this is the end of it. This is the last thing before she goes home to work on her schooling. She sighs a bit wistfully, thinking of the productiveness she will attain in this day alone. Four missions, two classes, and one onboarding... not to mention getting ahead of next month's schoolwork! Ten AM, but she's been up since the night before burning the midnight oil... A hand goes to her cheek, and she revels in the sense of accomplishment for a moment.
Only a moment.
Barbara gets back to it, sitting down in the reception area of the more public HQ of the Justice League. It was an off day, usually there was a secretary here to help coordinate tours and help anyone with directions. The place was more of a museum than the actual base of operations for the team. Truly, the best place for onboarding new members. With a touch of paperwork, an explanation of benefits, a quick physical, and integration into the telepad system... She can do the best part...
A tour of the Watchtower.
Babs kicks her legs a little in her seat, a bit of glee in her. It is a nice thing to be able to do again, something she had forgotten she does until recently. Happily, maybe a bit euphoric, Babs goes over her calendar on her laptop.
That is... until one Mr. Jonny Storm arrives. She stands, closing her laptop and preparing to get this started-
Jonny doesn't give her an inch edgewise to respond. When she could honestly Babs is so dumbstruck, all she can get out before he starts speaking again is, "Actually Mr. Storm-" He is quick on the uptake, bulldozing his way into getting her number, getting her on a date, and all without even allowing her to introduce herself. Barbara smiles.
Oh. She is going to enjoy this.
"I am so sorry, Mr. Storm, Superman is otherwise engaged at this time," she says, honest in that. The guy had been up all night dealing with the Impossible man, AGAIN, and deserved a little R&R with his wife. But Jonny Boy here didn't need to know that. "I am afraid you're stuck with lil' ole me for your onboarding," she says, smiling sweetly. Too sweetly.
"I dunno... I usually only give my number out to A listers," Babs says, tapping her chin. "Want a date? Gunna have to earn that, big boy, just like the rest of them," she says with a wink. He has no idea who he is flirting with, no idea her place in this organization, no idea she is... anything worth more than a date. Who knows, maybe she will put the fear of God in him by the end of the day, and maybe just a hint of his respect.
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Post by Beriadan on Aug 29, 2024 5:51:00 GMT
Johnny hadn't expected this kind of rebuttal, but he didn't balk. Of course, the flirtatious Superhero wasn't an idiot, and as soon as she smiled a smile that was just a little bit over-the-top, he knew he was dealing with someone more than just your basic front-door secretary. He had flirted with more than enough secret identities of both heroes and villains to know the look in her eye.
Still, she played along, and that was a good sign at least. He ran through a list of masked names in his head as to who she could be, but Johnny was fairly rusty on new faces. He had been an early noughties guy, and the state of the field had changed.
"Well, that's too bad," he smirked, removing his sunglasses and tucking them into his jacket pocket as he straightened up, giving her a wink, "but I'm more than fine putting the effort in. Where are my manners! I'm so looking forward to my onboarding session with you, Ms...?"
Johnny left the question hanging in the air as he tried to grasp a name himself internally. Spider-woman? Wasp? Bat-girl? Miss Masque? He wasn't sure at all, but knew that he was definitely playing with fire by asking any of them on a date. Any of those superheroes could potentially kick his butt if he pressed the wrong buttons. Johnny was grinning. He was used to turning up the heat.
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Post by Countess on Aug 29, 2024 21:11:21 GMT
Ah... to milk it, or not? Her identity is rather well known within the Justice League, though not as Batgirl, but as Oracle. Really, only her Family in the Cowl, the Birds of Prey, and a select few telepaths know she was, and is now again, one of Batman's first sidekicks. It was something he taught all of them- keep your identity as close to the vest as possible. As Oracle, only those who work with her in the Watch Tower know. Everyone else gets the motion tracked green face she made years ago.
"Call me Ms. Gordon," she says. "Anything more will take all that... effort," Babs says, putting an emphasis on the last word with a scrunched nose and narrowed eyes. She looks him up and down as she moves out from behind the desk, her things tucked into a stylish, though not expensive, laptop case.
"How about the physical first, hmmm?" she asks, then laughs. "No, lets not get ahead of ourselves, hate to tire you out when things are just starting to get... hot," Barbara says, inwardly screaming in laughter at the stupidity of her pun. She's done her research on him- had to, since she was one of the people that pushed for his recruitment- and puns seem to be a weak spot of his. Or a guilty pleasure. Lets see what mind games she can subject him to. Gotta be good under pressure, right?
"Paperwork it is, then, come on," Babs says, grinning like a cat in the cream before smoothly turning on her heel and leading him through the building. "Have you been here before? One of the tours, maybe? You look like a guy who loves good tour. Sadly, I only give a mean one... I suppose it will have to do," she says, knowing if Dick could hear her, he would be groaning. "Not like you have much choice. You are well and good stuck with me."
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Post by Beriadan on Aug 30, 2024 12:18:19 GMT
Johnny grinned. He followed her into the building, looking around like a kid at Christmas. It wasn't the most exciting hideout, but this was where the likes of Superman and Captain America spent their daily lives. So cool. He looked at Ms. Gordon with admiration. The name... it rang a bell, somewhere deep in Johnny's mind. She's definitely got a secret identity. Who was he playing with here?
"Hey, I'm still a young guy. I've not been sitting on my ass these past few years."
Johnny took a few extra quick-steps to catch up with her, giving her a sideways glance. Was she... cracking a joke? It was a good one, if it was. He let out a laugh as she thrust another one his way.
"Yeah, well, I'm used to the mean ones. Ever heard of Victor Von Doom? Mean as they come... and not to brag, but I've knocked him around a few times."
Johnny stretched his arms high, as if it meant nothing to him, and gave her a sly wink.
"I've been stuck in worse places, Ms. Gordon. I could tell you some stories that would keep you up at night. All in a day's work, though, for Johnny Storm! When things get hot, I'm the only one who can take the heat!"
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Post by Countess on Aug 30, 2024 14:27:29 GMT
"Young? Aren't you twice my age?" Barbara says innocently enough. She's going to make him sweat when he learns who she is. Oh man, might even spend the first couple months sending him on side quests... Gotta haze the new guy, right?
Then he asks if she's heard of Doom. It is everything in her not to tell him she made the dossier on him, compiled years of firsthand accounts -some even from Johnny here- and coordinated strikes against him. Instead, she lets her eyes get wide. "Oh, golly gee, mister!" she says, laying it on far too thick for him not to notice. What can you do?
"Oh my god, he actually said that," Barbara thinks to herself, biting her cheek to stop herself from reflexively saying "Cringe." She has to admit, though, the confidence he has through it all... she can see this working. Not for her, of course. Babs has had her fill of quippy, cute guys with a great-
"Right in here," Barbara says, opening a door to what appears to be a rather nondescript examination room. It is faintly medical, though there is a table with a couple piles of paperwork, presumably for him. "Lets get started, shall we?" she says brightly, taking a seat as she motions to the first stack. "Standard procedure. First up is an NDA, as you can imagine there is a lot of sensitive information that you will come across, all of it is protected within these terms," she says, showing him the very, very iron clad and verbose contract. She wrote it herself.
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Post by Beriadan on Aug 30, 2024 17:46:16 GMT
"Twice your... I'm not that old! Wait... how old were you when the Phantom Menace came out?"
Johnny paused to do some mental maths. He wasn't that old... was he? Or was she younger than she seemed? Suddenly aware of what he considered harmless flirtation, he caught up with her again. Johnny felt like he was fighting a losing battle against Ms. Gordon, but he had fought worse odds.
"Anyway, I'm vintage. A classic. Not old, just... golden age!"
Johnny smirked, a joke at his own expense. He had heard of millennials like her. Valeria was bad enough. At least Ms. Gordon hadn't called him cringe yet. He followed her into the room, glanced at the stack of papers on the side, and expertly ignored them as he perched himself on the side of the table, looking down at Barbara with a grin.
"Yeah, yeah, all the boring paperwork, don't tell the press what we did last Tuesday on Planet Zero, stop leaking private missions on Twitter, all that jazz. Tick, tick, double tick, boring stuff out of the way. What's next, can I let off some steam and show you what my powers can do?"
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Post by Countess on Aug 31, 2024 14:25:03 GMT
Well, he took that one on the chin. She laughs, actually a little charmed by him. "You really don't want me to answer that," she says, knowing she was only a year old at the time of the movie getting released. Barbara laughs again at his joke at his own expense, and while she's not going to move in with the guy any time soon, she could see herself getting closer to him. It isn't like any of his "charms" were a surprise to her, after all.
"Golden Age? I'll have to remember that one, Mr. Storm," Barbara says, laughing again. It isn't at him- though she might have a spicy streak, she honestly doesn't seem to want to hurt him.
An eyebrow raises at his little anti-paperwork speech, the corner of her mouth curving up along with it. "Sign here, Vintage," she says, placing a pen over the stack of papers, looking up at him through her lashes. Maybe she likes playing with fire.
"And here..." Barbara continues, smiling wider and wider as she continues. "Initial here... and here..." she murmurs. Once he has done so, she flips through the stack of papers to pull out a booklet.
"This is the code of conduct, essentially what is ethically expected of you as a member of the Justice League. I strongly suggest reading through it, as there will be a test," Barbara says, lying through her teeth. There will be no such test- but maybe she can get the Human Torch to singe at the heat.
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Post by Beriadan on Aug 31, 2024 16:06:22 GMT
Johnny rolled his eyes with an exaggerated sigh. He hopped off the table and onto the chair, pulling up to the stack of paperwork and began to go to town. It couldn't be worse than helping Valeria with her homework, or signing autographs. If he imagined hard enough, he could even be at the Fantastic Fourcon, surrounded by adoring fans...
Johnny shook his hand out when he was done.
"Yeesh, been a while since I've signed my name that many times in a row."
He groaned at the mention of a test, picking up the booklet and giving it a skim through.
"No swearing in public. Aw, heck. No posting political views on social media... does Superman even have a personal Facebook? No playing music while working - wow, this is a big list of things not to do. Do you guys really have issues with Captain America and the Flash doing all this stuff?"
Johnny smirked at Ms. Gordon, placing the booklet down in front of him, and shrugged, leaning back on his chair with his arms behind his head.
"Listen, I was the golden child of the Fantastic Four for a decade. I know how to act and how not to act, unless I wanted Sue to give me a personal telling-off. Do you really think I want Wonder Woman giving me an earful? I'll play by the rules, all that jazz."
Johnny leant forward, placing his hands on the table and giving Barbara a sly grin.
"Now, c'mon, let's go let loose. I'm dying to show off my skills for the Justice League, and you can be the first one to get a sneak peak of what Human Torch can do!"
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Post by Countess on Aug 31, 2024 21:54:10 GMT
"Hand cramp, Mr. Storm? Can't handle the heat?" Babs says, giving him a mischievous and rather suggestive look. "Here I thought someone like you would be able to go the distance, that you would be good with your hands... being an engineer and all," she says, smirking. She's done her homework, and likes to flaunt it. More than that, she likes to show him how severe his disadvantage is here- she knows so much about him... and he doesn't know a thing about her. Keeps things fun.
"You will be a representative of the Justice League- I am happy to help you set up a social media account if you would like one," Barbara says, sidestepping the question of Superman entirely. Of course he does. It is all cute animals he sees while going around the world, rating them with cute anecdotes and musings. Not a single one is below ten. His handle is Super4MansBestFriends, and she still smiles when she sees it.
"We hold everyone to the same standard," Barbara says. "There are some exceptions- powers or abilities that conflict with our code of conduct. We are also inclusive, and understand there are different body types, different religions, different people. Think of the majority of these a guideline, but some if you break egregiously, there will be a review with the core team. Wonder Woman, Superman, Captain Marvel, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Captain America, The Flash, Zatara, and myself," she says, throwing him the smallest of bones as to who she is.
"Golden child? Here I thought you were more... orange and red," Barbara says, snickering at her own silliness. "Wonder Woman doesn't give earfuls- she has an honest discussion about you, your actions, and your feelings. Really delves deep into it all. She doesn't get angry... just disappointed," she says, and it is clear by her tone that it is far, far worse than anger.
"I suppose we could get to the physical..." Barbara says, standing and stretching. It is... such a good feeling. She hops, as if testing something, grinning delightedly at the sensation of it. "Are you willing to give blood? I need a vial. It is for... arcane purposes," she says, adopting a grave countenance in a teasing way. She is being honest, however- she needs to give something of him to Zatara to add him to the Teleportation Circles. He can use it with her to get to the Watchtower today... Of course, it doesn't need blood, but it is damn good for the magic of it.
"Then you can.... flame on."
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Post by Beriadan on Sept 1, 2024 12:24:43 GMT
Johnny laughed sharply at Ms. Gordon's quips, and her astute knowledge of his past. The Storm Garage wasn't something he plugged too publicly, not part of his Human Torch persona. For her to know about it showed some intense research. He wondered, was that because of the Justice League, or personal interest?
"Listen, Mr. Fantastic was the writer. I try not to sign anything that isn't an autograph!"
The core team. Johnny's brain was suddenly working so hard that the gears could almost be heard turning. He frowned, then slowly realisation dawned like the sun rising over a primordial world. Johnny pointed a finger with a wide-eyed moment of clarity.
"Oh wow, you're Oracle! You're the eyes and ears of everything Justice League! Shoot, I didn't even realise - I've read plenty about you, but I didn't realise you'd be so... young!"
Johnny was showing his fan boy nature, and that fact he knew so much gave an insight into how much he really idolised the group. Indeed, his face had gone from suave charmer to wide-eyed fan in an instant.
"That's super mean, not to let me in on who you were. I could have made a real ass of myself, you know. Would you sign an autograph? For Sue's kids, of course. I said I'd get a signature from all the cool heroes I'd meet today!"
Johnny grinned, settling back into the chair. Somehow he had regained more confidence than before, knowing that he was dealing with someone more than he had expected. His expression became serious all of a sudden, and he picked up the booklet again as if it was a book of gospel.
"Listen. I know I talk the big talk, and you've probably read a lot about me when I was in the Fantastic Four, but I'm not one to take light of my role in society. Heroes have to be more than brains, or brawn, and there's nobody that knows that better than me. While Ben was doing the clobbering and Reed was doing the thinking, I was giving our team the public image that we needed to keep people feeling safe. What use is a hero when you don't trust them, or don't even know who they are? Or, even worse, if they're the kind of person who you wouldn't want saving you and your family because they're too careless or don't even give a crap?"
Johnny took a deep breath. Then he grinned at Barbara, all genuine charm and excitement.
"As you can tell, I'm pretty passionate about this Superhero stuff, and I've only matured with age. Sure, sometimes I still play the occasional prank on Ben, and sure, I flirt with beautiful women and go on dates a fair amount... but I just want the world to feel safe. When someone is in trouble and they hear my catchphrase, they know they don't have to worry!"
He got to his feet, giving an exaggerated shrug, winking at Barbara.
"So, Ms. Gordon, I hope you don't feel like you have to worry about little ol' Johnny. And I'm not squeamish about needles, or giving blood. Reed Richards has taken enough samples from me over the years to clone an army. You can't scare me!"
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Post by Countess on Sept 1, 2024 16:33:05 GMT
Barbara can't believe how much this guy is growing on her. She finds herself more often than not chuckling while she shakes her head at him. He is so very full of himself in the best of ways, she she can't help but to feel a bit more confident herself. He's infectious, not condescending. Hell, she might actually like him.
Then, of course, he puts two and two together. Barbara is a bit surprised herself- Oracle isn't really a public sector name like Wonder Woman, but in the private she is prolific. She works as liaisons to many other groups and individuals. It would make sense he knows her moniker- she's worked with Planetary and the remains to the Fantastic Four before. She is more surprised, however, at his glee over her super hero identity. She can't help it- a very pleased blush dusts over her cheeks.
"Been in the hero game since I was sixteen," Barbara says, thinking back on those years with a fondness. Then however, she was Batgirl. "I didn't take up the name Oracle until..." she starts, trailing off. Does it need to be said? Its over now. She can still hear the flashes of his camera. Babs flinches slightly, the room getting just a little smaller.
Get back to work.
"Sorry, faulty earpiece," Barbara lies, taking out the device as if to really sell the lie. "Save autographs for the end of the tour," she says, rolling her eyes, trying to get back into that headspace, back into the teasing, maybe flirting, banter from before. She just has to find her step again, get her thoughts back on NOW not THEN. "That wasn't you making an ass of yourself?" she adds, just trying to be normal. It was supposed to be a good day, she can't let herself linger.
More than he knows, and more than she will ever tell him, she needed that speech. It grounds her, pulls her out of her head and back to him. He's endearing. Very, very endearing. A little too bright for a girl from Gotham. Shame, cause he's real nice to look at.
"You'll know when I want to scare you," Babs says, a bit deadpan. She goes over to a cabinet, pulling out the necessary equipment. She's done this so many times, and she doesn't need a lot. Her hands are quick and deft as she inserts the little butterfly needle. While she's there, she lets her hands linger juuuuust a touch. Why not? He's got nice arms...
"There we have it, thank you," she says, pulling the needle out without so much as a pinch. "You really want to show off, don't you?" she asks, chuckling, but also taking a couple steps back. She's never seen this in person. Lifting her arm, she activates what looks like a watch... a hologram of a screen comes up- she's monitoring him. "Should we do this inside... outside...?" she asks, looking around the room. Her eyes land on the paperwork. Babs very quickly grabs it, putting it all into her bag. That could have been bad.
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Post by Beriadan on Sept 1, 2024 16:55:42 GMT
More mystery, but Johnny is switched on enough to sense her discomfort. He had seen that before, in other heroes across the board. It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, and she obviously wore scars beneath her smile. As she shrugged it off as a faulty headpiece, Johnny didn't push anything further. Instead he put on a hurt expression, hand on his chest.
"That was me being cool, actually. Don't tell me you didn't like the speech! I've been rehearsing that for weeks!"
He grinned at her as she withdrew blood from his arm, noting the touch that lasted perhaps one second too long. This woman was certainly an enigma, that was for sure. Johnny got to his feet, stretching out... then laughed.
"You really think I was gonna go all fireball in a confined space? Ms. Gordon, this isn't my first rodeo, you know. Anywhere outside where I can do my thing?"
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Post by Countess on Sept 1, 2024 17:13:18 GMT
Barbara can't lie about this. A lot of other things, yes, but this? "No, I liked it," she says, the guy earning a sharp exhale of a laugh from her. "Sounded real," she adds eyebrows furrowing for a moment, letting that thought linger for a moment. Then, she smiles. "Always could use more of that, right?" she asks, laughing a bit more. She was right to advocate for him, and is looking forward to working with him. Sure, she's going to haze the spark out of him, but he doesn't need to know that yet. Nothing life threatening. Just silly.
Barbara laughs at herself then, willing and able to. "You know? For a minute there? Yeah, I did," she says, grabbing her things and closing out the hologram she had up. "There is an atrium, if you follow me. Open air, and everything. Just gotta keep you away from the trees," she says a bit dryly. She starts leading him out of the room, going out the way they entered, but continuing down the hall in another direction.
"What are you most excited about?" Barbara asks, wanting to get to know him a bit more.
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Post by Beriadan on Sept 1, 2024 17:36:05 GMT
"Oh, man, where do I begin? Working alongside some of the greats, both my generation and the next one. Rubbing shoulders with Superman, teaming up with Wonder Woman. It's what I've dreamt about for, like, forever."
He followed her with a spring in his step. Johnny had been confident before, but wary, tinted with anxiety. Now he felt right at home. Barbara helped, of course, in her way. She was mean, but in a joking way. Almost like how he used to treat Ben, back in the day. In fact... he suppressed the thought that she had been his age, then, and Ben had been his. Johnny didn't like to think about the fact he was in his forties.
"And... just getting back out there. I loved spending time with Sue and the kids, and setting up my garage was of course great. Lots of kids who said I was the reason they got their life back on track. But when Enchantress did her big scary thing?"
Johnny shrugged, making a face that expressed his disaster for sitting on the sidelines.
"If the Fantastic Four had been active, we could have helped. Saved so many lives. Reed and Sue could have come up with some wild science machine to tackle her magic. Yet we weren't there for Earth, and that felt pretty bad."
Johnny looked crestfallen at that moment. Genuine guilt crossed his face, as his features frowned deeply.
"I know it's not our fault, and you can't be everywhere at once. But I knew I couldn't just leave Human Torch behind me. The fact I get a chance to put the suit on again, get a second chance to do some good... that's what I'm looking forward to."
Johnny paused as they entered the atrium. He jogged ahead of Barbara, then turned to face her, shrugging off his jacket and unbuttoning his shirt. Underneath was a black and orange suit, a flame embezzled on the chest. He tossed them to one side.
"Alright, Oracle. You ready to see a true legend at work? Take a step back, in case I singe your pretty eyelashes, and watch Vintage at work."
The air around him started to shimmer as it heated up. Johnny shut his eyes, taking a long deep breath. It was second nature to him, but he had kept it dormant for so long. Now... now he could put his abilities back in action!
"Flame on!"
Johnny was engulfed in flame, shooting upwards from the ground as he expertly soared through the skies of the atrium. He weaved throughout the tallest trees, leaving no more than a few singed leaves, and dove towards the ground.
"Hey, Ms. Gordon! If this impresses you enough, you should give me your first name! Watch this!"
Johnny's form darted erratically for a moment, leaving behind... a perfect outline of her face in fire, that hung in the air. Johnny landed, body still alight, turning to grin at Barbara. As he did, her giant flaming face winked at her.
"Don't you think you look just as good in orange as I do?"
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