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Post by Beriadan on Sept 17, 2024 11:32:53 GMT
The grip was firm, yet friendly. It wasn't what you'd expect from Superman, but at the same time it suited him down to a tee. He was a living legend, the Man of Steel who could do more than any other living person, and yet he was still incredibly down to earth. Just a normal man at heart.
Johnny felt a man-crush coming along.
He gave Superman a wide, charmed smile as he released his grip. Superman would be able to feel how hot Johnny's skin was, even in a normal form. He was looking around the atrium now, clearly impressed.
"Reed never had anything this fancy. I mean, science fancy, sure. But this is great. Though all I'm hearing is you guys didn't gather to celebrate me. Or maybe that's later?"
Johnny gave Babs another wink, dragged straight out of the ocean of charm that he reigned over supreme.
"It's nice... it's been a long time since I was part of a team. At least, a team that felt like a family."
News of the Fantastic Four wasn't exactly private, even if the details were subject to speculation. Johnny had a tinge of bitterness in his words as he said it, walking a little way away to take in the atrium.
"So it feels great. And you guys have been so welcoming so far. Even Babs. Hey, how long until I get to stretch my legs and save the world, Superman?"
Johnny turned back to them, all charisma and charm. Confidence overwhelmed his fanboyism. It hadn't taken long, really. He was born to be a Superhero, rubbing shoulders with the greats. It was where he could truly shine.
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Post by Countess on Sept 17, 2024 14:57:46 GMT
Superman, much like Diana, always knows what to say in these moments. The wink is a nice touch, a knowing expression on her face. They have been through this before, a number of times. Johnny will let this fade in time, and seeing and talking with the Man of Steel himself will become as normal as anything else. Hopefully. In the meantime, she is going to tease the shit out of him for it.
"When things calm down, and people have the time, there will be a bit of a meet and greet. Given the nature of our work, it is for the best all parties that we stagger it a bit," Barbara says, reasonable as ever, even after yet another wink. What is with these two? "Hang around here enough, you'll get to meet everyone in time. There are a handful of us that live here, and others like myself basically live here," she says, thinking in particular of Martian Manhunter. "Though, many of us have families, loved ones, spouses, kids... finding the balance can be hard," she murmurs, thinking of Damian back home. Maybe she can invite Johnny over to her place in New York. If not to make him feel more a part of the team in a familial way, the sheer hilarity of him meeting her favorite little assassin.
There is a mischievous look in her eyes, one that Clark knows all too well.
"Knowing Earth, it will be rather soon..." Barbara says, looking down at the world for a moment.
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Post by Bixir on Sept 19, 2024 21:58:01 GMT
"Sooner than you think. But never when you expect it... or ready for it. I've learned to keep my schedule open." Superman smiled at that. Sometimes it was that simple. Usually, it wasn't. As a veteran superhero, he was sure that Johnny understood. After all, he had been the most outgoing of the Fantastic Four. Settling into a routine again might even feel like old times.
"For now, though, you two are welcome to continue touring the facilities. Or stay and chat. I've found that it's easier to know the genuine article by going straight to the source and not a file. Sorry, Oracle." He smiled sheepishly at her. Superman was far from the only one guilty of this sin, but he was among those who often glossed over the details of a given briefing. It wasn't that he didn't want to read. Sometimes there just... wasn't enough... time. He was thankful that Oracle couldn't read minds, though she could certainly read faces.
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Post by Beriadan on Sept 21, 2024 11:04:45 GMT
Johnny nodded solemnly at Babs mention of finding balance. Didn't he know it? The Fantastic Four had always lacked that kind of thought. Reed had been one way, Sue the other, and both Ben and Johnny often found themselves in the middle. That's why Johnny was so dead-set on making sure Sue's kids had everything that they didn't get from their overly focused father. He'd do his work and take care of them with Sue. Nobody said being an attentive uncle would be easy.
"Hey, I'm always on call for whatever I'm needed for. I learnt a long time ago that there's no point planning anything when you're working with Sue or Reed. It seems like this'll be a similar deal, and I am all for it."
Johnny gave one of his classic charismatic smiles. He was well and truly back now, stepping back into Human Torch's shoes after five long years of retirement. Sue had never liked the limelight, but Johnny... he thrived in it.
"Yeah, sorry Babs, but I'm on Superman's team there. Don't get me wrong, reports and dossiers are all super important, and all that jazz. But nothing helps people more than being there with them in a crisis. Or just to sign autographs!"
Johnny stared wistfully out of the glass, to the world slowly revolving below them, or above them, or however you liked to describe space. He smiled, suddenly a thousand miles away.
"Seeing the smile on a kid's face after they've been through hell and back... knowing you've brightened their day just a little, even if it's all gone to shit for them. Those moments are what I live for. That's what being a hero is all about. Right, Superman?
Johnny gave the big guy a wink of his own, then turned to Barbara with his arms behind his head, pure relaxation mode.
"Of course, paperwork... super important. Speaking of which, anything else you gotta do to me before I stretch my legs? I'm so ready to prove you, Superman, and everyone else right about their choice. Oh, I need everyone's t-shirt sizes too. Everyone who threw me a vote to join the team is getting a signed Human Torch shirt, for sure."
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Post by Countess on Sept 22, 2024 19:15:54 GMT
"Field research is a thing, you two," Barbara says, rolling her eyes at the jocks. "You would both be dead if it weren't for nerds like me. I would, too, if it weren't for you jocks," she says, scoffing a little at their ganging up on her. "Just read the briefs. Who knows there might actually be something helpful in them, so you don't make mistakes and endanger innocent people," she says, getting playfully exasperated.
Barbara found herself a little touched at his speech, though. She remembers those days of being on the ground level, seeing the good her help did first hand. As much as she knows she is important in her heart, there isn't a whole lot of thanks for the gal in the chair. Some days are better than others, but there is some bitterness sometimes. She doesn't need the thanks- she just needs... something tangible. Usually, it is just a hard sleep in the cot set up next to her computer. Not exactly as affirming as a parade in the streets for someone like Johnny or Superman.
Barbara shakes the unpleasantness away. "Nah, I just gotta get your blood sample over to Zatara. You are all set. If you want the tour, I don't mind giving it to you, but..." she says, looking over to Clark. "Something tells me Supes here will give a much more memorable one. I can spend the time getting you those shirt sizes," she says, adding the last bit with a bit of a lough. She can feel herself deflating, though she is putting up a convincing enough act to the contrary. No need to drag them down, too.
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Post by Bixir on Sept 28, 2024 6:42:24 GMT
Superman offgered Oracle a sympathetic smile. He genuinely valued her work. Oracle's contributions to the Justice League and its operations were - are - vital. He could not understate this, and that showed in his expression, even if it was not as clear in his words. Johnny was a particular sort, especially on his first day. These conversations were always a balance. That, and he could tell that there was more going on with Barbara than today's itinerary.
"It can be. It is important for the people to know that we're here for them. We also need to avoid giving the impression that we are above them. We're not. Not everyone is looking for an autograph." He gave Johnny a knowing smile, and then one to Oracle. Oracle was right. Johnny may well benefit from a tour with someone else. It seemed to be that way for her as well.
Before Oracle completely took her leave, Superman put a hand on her shoulder for only a moment. It was so sincere, gingerly, one could have mistaken it for a grandmother saying goodbye. "Take care, Oracle." It was all he needed to say on the subject. He knew that she knew... well, about many things. More than he could focus on. Everyone had their parts to play. That part did not - should not - have to be everything.
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Post by Beriadan on Sept 28, 2024 10:53:30 GMT
Johnny was no stranger to people becoming socially exhausted around him. He didn't blame her; after all, she put up with a lot of exhausting personalities, his now not withstanding. She was right, of course, and Johnny felt a bit of guilt for getting carried away.
"Hey, Babs? Thanks for the tour. I definitely owe you that date now."
He gave her a wink, and a sly little double-barrelled finger gun. Johnny made a mental note to tone down the jock-ness. It was fine for the cameras, but he remembered how Sue uses to scold him. Babs probably felt the same way. He owed her some flowers, too.
"I know you're gonna save my ass by doing the important work. If it wasn't for the brains, then us brawn wouldn't last long against any villain with more than two braincells to rub together. So... I'm looking forward to having you in my ear for my first mission, and all the rest."
Johnny looked at Superman, nodding.
"You ready, Supes? I'm ready! Let's... Flame On!"
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Post by Countess on Oct 4, 2024 15:28:08 GMT
There is a lot of pressure that Barbara is under, and she usually flourishes in it. It is the moments like these, the times in between, the moments that someone else takes the time to reach out... that make her so aware of it all. When you're in the thick of it, you don't need to come up for air. But once you're at the surface... you realize just how close you were to drowning.
"I always do, Supes," Barbara says, and it is a lie. She knows it, and more importantly, she knows he knows it. This is for Johnny's benefit. Of all the people in the League, she can't hide anything from Bruce, nor Diana, nor Clark. Bruce never was one to talk about these things, Diana talks too much, and Clark... just had a way of making her feel safe, that her head was finally above water for a moment.
"Don't have too much fun you two," Babs says, huffing a laugh. "I'll put the date on your tab," she says, rolling her eyes. "Knowing you, it will be a long, long tab. You're gunna owe me the moon by the time I'm done with you," she continues as she turns to leave. Best to have this on a high note, letting the boys play around the space station. Barbara has work to do, anyways.
Slowly, her head sinks back underwater, and she holds her breath. How long can she last this time?
END THREAD
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