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Post by Nomz on Nov 20, 2024 21:37:04 GMT
Watch Tower. It was the Watch Tower. Some places were a touch different and Wally could see a lack of Batman designs in the structure. He wonders just how many hands had been involved in the creation of such an interesting place. Relief fills his chest as he realizes that this place is different enough that the ghosts of his past do not float down the halls after him. His universe. This is his universe and his Watch Tower and that's his random dude with an awesome hair cut that he just dashed past (at a human speed for those few seconds).
He's already made the circuit 239 times, but he's going for 240 times. Wally wants to know the Watch Tower enough that his feet can carry him to any place in it without a second's hesitation. Break Room. Med bay. He's pretty sure this is Barbara's sanctum. Training area. Teleporter. Corridor of rooms for the league members and back. Wally runs his hand through his red hair, coming down to a very human jog as he comes down a hall that shares a wall with the exterior of the station. On the other side of the glass windows is a shot of Earth in all her glory and Wally stops to examine it, tucking his hands into the pockets of his basketball shorts. His white tank top sticks to his skin a little and he can see the golden WW for Wonder Woman across his chest reflected in the windows.
"I could stare at you forever," Wally West murmurs to his planet, a gentle smile on his face.
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Post by Beriadan on Nov 21, 2024 21:18:05 GMT
"That's flattering, thank you."
Johnny had seen a blur pass him by at least 239 times as he walked from his quarters around the corridors to the gym. On the 240th pass, the blue had become a human shape, a young kid with ginger hair, who stared out of the window as he had done many times.
"You're, uh, Wally, right? Diana told me there was another new guy joining up. Name's Storm, Johnny Storm."
He turned his head to look out over earth as well. The Watchtower's view wasn't new to him, but neither was the sunrise, or a beautiful woman's face. Johnny felt inspired none-the-less.
"It's beautiful, isn't it? I've flown around the world so many times, but it's different seeing it at a slower pace."
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Post by Nomz on Nov 22, 2024 15:45:49 GMT
Wally smirks despite himself, keeping his eyes pinned on the planet below them. His words come out just a touch fast and tinged with mirth, "Oh, you are so very welcome, handsome."
Green eyes dart up to examine the stranger from the corner of his eyes and Wally finds that he seems kind enough—a quick assessment, even by speedster standards.
"Yeah. I'm Wally West," he holds out a hand for a shake, never once dropping the little twist to his lips even as it changes to a smile. His shoulders are loose and overall he seems very relaxed. Either he trusts far too quickly or he is confident that he could win against Johnny if needed. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Johnny."
Wally turns his attention back to Earth when Storm mentions it, and his expression turns soft.
"Yeah, she's quite the beauty to behold and that just makes it all the more worthwhile when I'm trying to protect our people." He picks at his shirt, unsticking it some from his skin as he thinks. "It may be odd coming from me, but I truly believe that we could all use a few minutes to stop and enjoy the view. It is easy to get caught up in daily life- our routines and the motions we go through. Most people never notice what they're missing until it's gone."
He tips his head down to look at Johnny, "What about you, Johnny? Always in a rush kinda guy?"
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Post by Beriadan on Nov 24, 2024 11:20:06 GMT
Johnny couldn't hide the tinge of ego inflation when Wally played along with his joke, smirking at the man's response.
"I figured. There aren't many people that could run around this place that fast, and you're not wearing a skirt or spandex, so I figured it had to be Wally. Yeah, that's what they all say."
He winked, then laughed, clapping a hand on Wally's shoulder.
"I kid! I'm not that vain, honestly. Nice to meet you too, new blood.
For a second there is a stillness, as the two of the stare out at the Earth below. Johnny has never seen anything more beautiful. It was why he went up into space in the first place, why he begged Sue to let him join the mission all those years ago. Why this place suited him now more than anywhere else in the cosmos.
"It makes it easier to remember what we're doing this job for, right? I think people should be humbled more by the view. Otherwise you forget, and go all Victor Von Doom on the world."
Johnny looked across at Wally, smiling. Truly he was the fastest man alive, going from meeting someone new to delving into deep philosophical debates in a matter of minutes. He shrugged, exaggerated and obvious.
"I mean, it comes and goes. I spent four years fixing cars and helping my sister with her kids. That was nice. Then I came here and I've already flown around the world and punched a gorilla in the face. That was nice too. Balance is key, you know?"
He eyed Wally with a scrutinous gaze, wondering about the man. It was always fun to learn the powers and abilities of his peers.
"So... you're fast?"
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Post by Nomz on Nov 24, 2024 13:33:44 GMT
"No one told me that my uniform choices were spandex or a skirt. Which one do you wear, Johnny-boy?"
Wally grins good-naturedly, holding still as the older man claps his shoulder. The gesture feels welcoming and he could use so much more of that. His 'new blood' comment earns a proper chuckle that accents the start of his laugh lines. If there were anyone Johnny could be sure would laugh with him, this is the guy.
He has no idea who Victor Von Doom is, but the context is enough to give him an idea to work with. A joyful little glint forms in his eyes as he listens to Johnny and it's clear he found something interesting in his words- a piece of the man to be asked about later. It's forgotten with the last comment and Wally can't help the gleeful bark of laughter.
"Oh man," he says, shaking his head just a little. "Yeah, I'm fast. Can't say I've lost a race. It has so many applications beyond just going from one place to another. I got bored once and read through the Library of Congress. Generally, if I have a few seconds, I can learn almost anything."
The way he talks isn't so much as bragging as if he is merely talking about the capabilities of a specific car engine. There is something mechanical to it- like the data in a manual. He lifts a hand to rub the back of his neck a little.
"My mind can keep up with my body in terms of speed, so I can think as fast as I run. I try not to let it take off at the speed of light because then it feels like everything around me crawls to a stop."
He lifts an arm to elbow Johnny a bit with a grin. "It's why I like working on things like cars. Keeps the mind and body engaged at the same speed. What about you? Is your superpower just being a really nice guy with good hair?"
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Post by Beriadan on Nov 24, 2024 14:11:56 GMT
"Oh, just the speedsters, you know? If it's a flash of red underpants then I know it's Supes. The skirt is Diana... unless you've got a similar costume, now, in which case one of you is gonna have to change."
Johnny grinned, chortling to himself. He gestured at his shirt, nudging aside the material to reveal dark spandex underneath, with a flame logo in the centre of his chest.
"Spandex all the way, baby. Breathable and fashionable, and really gives the people what they wanna see. My great abs and cute butt."
So, Wally was fast. Not just in terms of how fast he could run, but in terms of everything. He gave a low whistle. Useful power, alright.
"Nice. That's pretty slick. Being able to read at super speeds sure would come in handy!"
Johnny snorted. He made a mental note... and then raised a hand, conjuring a small flame in his hand. It seemed to bounce up and down like it was alive, and excited.
"I can turn my body into fire, or bits of it, as well as controlling temperature and flame. Plus, flight, and melting bullets, yada, yada. Are you telling me you've never seen me on TV? I was a pretty big deal, back in the day."
Johnny gave Wally a scrutinising gaze. Anyone who hadn't heard of the Human Torch had to have a reason.
"Huh. You're into mechanics too? Ah, that's great to hear! I've been fixing up cars my whole life. I run a little garage..."
Johnny pointed towards the earth, at the North American continent below. A small smile formed on his lips as he thought about it.
"...right there. Helps out the local kids get out of trouble and gives them a proper education, stuff school won't ever teach them. An opportunity that kids like me never had."
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Post by Nomz on Nov 24, 2024 14:30:57 GMT
There is a look of mock shock that doesn't quite hide Wally's interest as Johnny shows his uniform. He adopts a most southern accent as he speaks.
"Dearest me, I seem to have left my uniform at Diana's. I'll have to pick it up before anyone notices." He suppresses the urge to just come back with his uniform to impress and shock Johnny. Wally quite enjoys wearing tank tops rather than full-on-sleeved clothing to hide his outfit.
At the mention of his butt, Wally dramatically leans back as if checking it out. His hand makes a 'so-so' gesture and he grins up at Johnny, "I give it a 6/10. I know a great glute routine if you need help."
That little grin melts as the man holds up his hand and conjures a flame. Wally's body tenses just a bit, but it isn't in fear. No, the utter curiosity on his face makes that very clear. Wally is just doing his best not to burst around Johnny at superhuman speeds to further investigate. Instead, he takes a step closer, leaning down a bit to look at the fire.
"Melt bullets? Just how high can your temperatures reach? How far is your reach overall?" Wally turns to meet the older man's gaze and he smirks. "Back in the day? You don't look a minute over 25. How old are you?"
He follows where the man points, wondering if he's gone past Johnny's garage more than once since he's arrived. Wally smiles softly, more of a small lift of lips than anything else.
"That's actually really kind of you to do. Kids need adults to look up to, people who they know they can trust when it comes down to it. My uncle was that guy for me, though I became a speedster as a child. Been in the business since I was 12?" His voice grows a little distant. "Huh. That's over half my lifetime."
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Post by Beriadan on Nov 24, 2024 15:03:16 GMT
Johnny makes a " yeah, right" face at Wally's assessment of his clearly 10/10 butt. It was trained vigorously, along with the rest of his body. He seemed to melt a bit at the compliment about his age, but Johnny still gave Wally a bit of stinkeye. "Well, it's not exactly limited to anything except my surroundings, as far as I know. In my Nova Form, I once peaked at 1,000,000 F, but Reed reckoned I could do more if I hadn't melted the moon that I had been on. Reed, uh, is Mister Fantastic, if you didn't know. Super smart, super stretchy."Super flaky. Johnny doesn't add that, instead leaving it at a respectful, professional tone. "Bit of a dick."Oh well. Johnny smiled at the mention of his kids, but waved it away with modesty. He truly was, modest that is. Johnny doesn't do it for the fame. "Yeah, well. Not all kids can go to space and get exposed to enough cosmic radiation to melt a city. Some of them don't get the chance to do anything, because the school system sucks. I'm just doing my part, you know? Your uncle sounds like a great guy, too."Johnny made a face. "You're twenty four? Ugh. That's half my lifetime. Now that makes me feel like an old man." |
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Post by Nomz on Nov 24, 2024 17:23:29 GMT
"Reed is a dick, understood."
Wally nods as if this is the most sage advice, though his mind is still spinning over the idea that this old fella can reach well over 555537.778C -his eyes get a little distant as he makes sure he carries enough numbers- and he smiles at Johnny.
"If I referred to you as 'hot', people would never know which one I mean. Which is great, because I love it when people aren't sure what I mean. Used to drive so many people crazy with it." He shifts on his feet and turns to fully face Johnny. "And, yeah. My Uncle is the best person I know. He's where I get many of my outlooks on life."
His laughter is bright and happy with the expression Johnny sends his way. Wally is shaking his head, hands up and palms out as he catches his breath.
"No-No, man. I meant I've been a cape for over half my life. I'm-" He pauses to chew on his cheek, eyes darting out to space as if he's doing math. After a few seconds, he shrugs and turns to Johnny. "Well, I've only been here for a month so you could say I'm 33 days old. Oh! Oracle made my credentials, so I suppose 'Wally West' has existed for 4 days? Oh, but- mmm. I mean, I was born in the '95, so that puts me at 29!"
He looks like a kid who finally came to a decision, but then frowns.
"Well, there was the whole trapped in the speed force and then getting erased from existence....How old are you, Johnny?"
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