higher, further, faster, baby.

“not you.” donna was well aware of the vague morality with women like the one in front of her, and she’s well aware she’s the one balancing out harley quinn’s energy. but the amazonian was wary and she was being extra careful ever since roman came out and supported some crimelord named wilson fisk. “actually you know what? definitely you. you know roman better than i do.” roman sionis was a mad man and they needed all the help they could get.

pamela laughs in response as she narrows her eyes towards the other woman. “i wouldn’t say i know the man. i know of him -- but deal with him? know him? a man?” she scoffs, shaking her head. “plus... why would i want to help you or your... merry band of misfits?” she questions, green arms folding across her chest. “i don’t see why i would. i don’t care much for any of you.” she adds, bluntly.

“i wish i could say yes a hundred percent, but i’m just improvising.” she was, for the lack of a better term, making do with what she currently had. and donna knew she couldn’t move without making a huge splash that would eventually reach her other friends. so yes, she was just improvising. and she could trust kory to have her back just like all the other times they partnered up. “we should maybe keep this from dick until we know how to deal with this.” after all, they just scratched the surface of new gang activity in new gotham.

it’s obvious by the look on her face that she’s hesitant when keeping secrets comes up -- especially from dick. she doesn’t like it, but she trusts donna, so after a moment she gives a small nod. “but not for long, preferably. i do not like the idea of keeping him in the dark for long,” she replied, but at the same time, she had to wonder if keeping it from him would be better for him -- who knew when the last time he even slept was? certainly not her, but she wouldn’t be surprised to learn he was pulling all-nighters, especially with what was going on. “what do you make of the situation so far?”

a tired sigh escaped him as he placed his hands on his hips. there was no way in hell he was going to get this city back to the way it was before the chaos began. even if this city was a bunch of chaos to begin with - it was at least manageable for a time. now everywhere he turned there was something worse or even worse going on.

when he looked up, a blonde girl was standing before him - causing him to crinkle his brow with concern before shaking his head. “who the hell are you?” he asked, coming off far more gruff and irritated than he wanted to be. “if you’re looking for grayson, he’s in the office down below.” he figured that more often than not, if it was a kid, they were looking for grayson.

“jeez, who pissed in your cheerios?” stephanie replies, blue hues narrowing as she stares over at jim, her arms folding across her chest. “like i know there’s a lot of shit going on right now, i may be young but, surprisingly, i do watch the news sometimes, but... doesn’t mean you gotta be an ass.” she shrugs her shoulders. “how’d you know i was looking for dick?” she questions a moment later, brows knitting together. “well, thanks, i guess. the layout of this place is kind of confusing.”

Cindy pulled down her mask, finally relaxing as they sat on the rooftop. The breeze felt nice, and the views were even better. Heights didn’t scare her, not when they droned out all the sounds and troubles of the city. “20 questions? Sure,” the brunette answered. His question, however, caused her to smile since she liked having the upper-hand, for once. “You don’t know?” she waited for a minute before confessing, “I don’t have one.” 

“Who’s your favorite villain?” 

“i guessed that, but i wasn’t really sure,” he admits sheepishly in response. when she asks who his favorite villain is, he has to pause, thinking about what his answer would be for a minute. “oh, man, uh... well, i can tell you who’s at the bottom of my list, and that’s anyone with a goblin persona.” he says with a soft laugh. “but uh... i dunno, maybe black cat? i mean, she’s  a pain in my ass, but at least she doesn’t want to kill me. usually. and, y’know, no puns about ‘squashing the spider’ are nice. i’ll put up with the cat puns if i can avoid those cheesy spider puns.” he laughs. “what about yours? who’d be your favorite?”

“if there is a god out there, i don’t think she’s listening, harley,” pamela replied as she looked up from what she was doing -- which, was, standing over a man whom now had one of her vines wrapped around his throat, slowly suffocating because of something he’d done that had pissed her off enough to attack -- to glance over at her fellow siren. “we’ve all had our fair share of crisis's over the years, and where has god been? not there, as i recall,” she hums as a loud crack can be heard moments before the limp body falls to the ground and out of her clutches. “what’s going on in that head of yours?” she asks, as a green arm extends to place her hand soothingly on harley’s shoulder.

harley jumped about the same time as the other woman spoke, turning in an exaggerated manner as she placed her hand over her heart. “oh, did i? yikes. well, i’ll have you know that the bejeezus was scared outta me a long time ago lady, so you’re welcome.“ she gave an affirming nod towards the woman before stepping closer and taking a better look at her. “i like your hair, it’s really pretty.“ she paused and grinned, “can i touch it?”

“you’re funny. ah i like ya.” rogue replies with a grin as she laughs softly. “oh, thank ya. been like this for a while ‘cause of my mutation, but ah think ah make it look real cute. your hair’s real pretty too -- but ah probably wouldn’t touch me if ah were ya. there’s a reason ah wear these gloves, after all!” she says, gesturing to the green gloves she was wearing. “the name’s rogue. what’s yours?”

          For him, it had been moments. Falling to the ground in Sokovia, and in pain, in terror, hurting and alone as the dark swallowed him up. And then he had woken up here, in this strange new city, with no clue how he had gotten here of what had happened. Enough of the people he knew had been there for him to find out what had happened, how many years had passed in his world between his death and this new place.           Pietro sometimes wondered if these people really were the Avengers from his world or not. It was all so complicated. And if they were there, then where was Wanda?                     And now she was here.           He holds onto her tightly, gripping her shirt with all the strength that he can muster, and then some. He’s not letting her go, he’s never letting her go again. It had been so painful, walking through these strange streets, looking for her and never finding her. Her absence had been a knife in his heart, and he would only start to heal knowing that she was okay. That she was safe. That he could keep her safe once again.                “I’ve heard- So much of- People keep telling me what’s happened, but all I cared about was trying to find you.”

the avengers had become almost like a second family to her, but of course it was never the same. there had been holes in her heart since they’d lost their parents when they were young, and though she’d moved past their deaths now and grieved properly, pietro’s death was a whole other story -- and one that opened a new, much bigger, wound. but he was here now, and though part of her was curious about the how, she quickly decided she didn’t care. her gaze shifts to the people around them, staring, and without hesitation, red energy surrounds the both of them and the world around them disappears for a moment as she teleports them to her apartment. she had a home at the avenger’s facility, but most of her time lately seemed to be spent at the apartment. “i’m sorry i didn’t find you sooner,” she replies, sniffling as she looks over at him. “i should have known, i should have felt something, but...” she trails off, shaking her head. “none of that matters now. we’re together again,” she smiles, genuinely, for the first time in a while. she moves to her feet, grasping his hand and leading him over to the couch in her living room, taking a seat as her free hand wipes away her tears. “how long have you been here? i’ve-- i’ve missed you, so much,”

Roy had to hold himself back from rubbed his sore foot, where he had just rammed it into the side of the bench they were both sitting on. Kory had the great talent to make him feel stupid at every turn, and it seemed as if this time wouldn’t be any different. “Yeah, yeah. nothing bruised besides my ego.” He said, laughing. 

“So,” he started, pretending to be suave, “come here often?”

“oh, poor baby,” kory coos jokingly in response as she playfully pinches his cheek, a wide grin spreading across her features. as he attempts to be suave, kory can’t help but laugh and roll her eyes. “to this bench or to the park? i mean, the answer to both is ‘no’ -- though the parks are quite beautiful this time of year. do you wish to give me a tour, roy?” she’s still, at least half, joking as she looks over at her friend.

At the question, Cassandra stilled and she turned to face Stephanie fully, giving her full attention. In answer, She widened her eyes and leaned closer, placing her chin in her hands and blinking at her expectantly with a small, curious smile. Then, not wanting her friend to think she wasn’t playing along, spoke softly. “What?”

steph glances back at her best friend, laughing softly when she noticed the pose she’d taken in response. there’s a grin across her face as she turns to face cass properly, showing her the switch in her hands. “i found cherry on one of these little island tours. finally, someone who’s not ugly -- i’d rather die than doom my island to have more ugly villagers.”

“i’m not sure, rogue, i think that was a pretty graceful” lorna tells the other, a smirk in place. they are at a factory of some sort and in front of them there are about half a dozen idiots stealing some supplies — there’s a whole array of things, from shampoo to tomato soup. people are starting to get desperate and the prices keep rising; some people have decided to take advantage of the situation by stealing and re-selling goods at a higher price. “and what do we have here?” a little bit of fun.

"awh, lorna, yah’re flatterin’ me!” rogue replies with a grin as she glances over at the other, moving to stand fully on her feet. staring at the group of looters, she cracks her knuckles. she knows they’re desperate, and it’s a mindset she was slightly familiar with from the days when she was on her own, running away from the trail of destruction she’d left behind as her powers formed, but things were different now. for her, at least, and because of that she knew they’d change for the others as well -- even if the scenarios between them and herself were a little bit different. “looks like a group of mooks fixin’ to learn a lesson the hard way,” she said before she took a step towards one of the looters, a man significantly taller than her (though, that wasn’t that hard to start with, considering rogue’s short stature), and without hesitation jumps and kicks him in the stomach.

@dialedsenses : Steph sent to Damian:  “ so… do you think there’s any instant noodles left in the stores? or have they all been cleaned out by the billionaires? “

Damian snorted and rolled his eyes, staring at the news of stores being cleaned out. “You do realise that father never eats instant noodles, don’t you? For that matter, he doesn’t even do grocery shopping - Pennyworth does that. And he would never stoop to instant noodles.”

Leaning back in his chair, he stuck his feet up on the table. “I’m incredibly bored. We should go do something. Something fun.”

“well, that’s his loss, not mine. instant noodles are great. hey, do you know where alfred keeps his shopping list? i gotta add ramen to it for the next time he goes shopping.” she hums in response. “hi incredibly bored, i’m stephanie.” she replies, tone teasing as she glances over at him from behind her phone. “i mean, you do realize how vague ‘something fun’ is, right? like that could be anything. what exactly do you have in mind? i’m probably down but i gotta know what we’re getting into first.”

He cracked a smile at that, and suddenly realized Titans Tower was more like home than Bludhaven was. Wouldn’t be the first time he felt that today either. He’d think more on what that meant later. “Me too. It would be nice to have it, I miss the tower. Even though some of the security tech was my dad’s- everything in it was ours.” They weren’t borrowing from another team, hoping they weren’t overstaying their welcome. If it didn’t come soon, he figured he’d ask Bruce to buy a warehouse for them and he’d start building a new Titans Tower in New Gotham. But that was a bridge he’d cross when the rumors calmed down. “I’m sorry your planet’s not here- and if there’s anything I can do to help look, let me know. I’m your friend, Kori. I’m here for you no matter what.” he was glad she arrived when she did, but she probably knew that already. He motioned for her to follow, a smile crossing his face. He’d forgotten how much he loved spending time with the Titans. “We’re in a lounge area right now, but I think you’ll love to see the Trophy Room!”

“exactly,” kory replies with a nod of her head, smiling over at dick. “no, it’s quite alright -- do not worry. tamaran was my home, of course, and it always will be, but... earth is my home, too. my second home, but a home nonetheless. i think at this point i would be happy should family members appear. well, it may be complicated should komand’r return, but... ryand’r is wonderful. you would like him.” she beams, despite the rocky relationship she had with koma, she tried to be positive about it all -- like always. she was known for being the optimistic one within the group. “as far as looking goes, i believe that’s something only i can do, unless there is tech here for space travel. i would be so happy to take you -- and perhaps some of the other titans -- should it appear. it’s a beautiful planet. i hope you know that i am here for you, as well, dick -- no matter what.” she replies, repeating the sentiment. “i’m glad to have you as a friend. but, yes, please! lead the way.”

Tony couldn’t help a smile when Wanda said ‘old friends’. Things had never been the smoothest between them - but of all the Avengers he’d managed to piss off over the years, Wanda was one of those he regretted the most. 

“Small world, eh? Quite literally. What have you been up to? You should come by the Stark Tower some time, we could catch up over a few drinks. I promise I won’t try to lock you in again.” He grinned a bit. 

there had been bad blood between them in the past, but wanda was eager to put that behind herself. she didn’t want to be the type to hold grudges, nor one to hold onto that rage that had been festering since she was little. she’d grown, she’d changed. wanda offers him a soft smile. “even smaller lately, it seems.” she laughs softly, nodding in agreement. “do you have tea? i would love to catch up. though, you would not be able to lock me up even if you tried.” she chuckles, only half joking. “besides, you aren’t the same person you were back then. i don’t think any of us are.”

Dinah glanced over to the woman who commented about her and her tiredness and she wasn’t wrong. Dinah was going through the motions since she had lost all that she knew when the world had changed. At first, she thought it didn’t bother her but she was jaded now. There were literal gods and they couldn’t even stop it. What good was a fighter with a sonic bird call? 

“What? We friends now or something?”

pamela looks up from tending to her plant to narrow her eyes at the other woman. “no.” she answers, without hesitation. “i don’t do friends. or at least, only in special circumstances. you aren’t one of those.” she says coldly. “i’ll tolerate you, for now, until you prove yourself to be intolerable to me. and if you have a problem with it, i don’t care.” she shrugs. “but that doesn’t mean i can’t see when someone’s clearly quite tired and comment on it.”

“ms. mar- no, sorry. captain marvel” lorna corrects herself, moving to sit with the other woman. “i’m no superhero. i’m not ignorant, i know what’s happening in the city, i’ve seen it. pillaging, fights, violence of all kinds”, she stops to ask the waitress for a cup of coffee. then, the mutant turns back to carol danver, feeling drained already. “but this is not my life anymore…” lorna tells the superhero, thinking back to all of her ‘hero’ moments since arriving in this new world. she tried not to get into any action, but it’s hard when it’s right in front of her.

carol understood the need to get out of the superhero life. while it wasn’t something she’d ever considered, she still knew how it could get to be too much sometimes. “i’m good, thanks,” she says to the waitress when offered a cup of coffee, giving her a smile before she looks back at lorna. “i understand. you don’t have to say yes right this second, we just... we could use all the help we can get. it’s not pretty out there, and we just want to make sure everyone is ultimately safe.”

As she had thought. This was becoming just like Gotham. The crime rate spiking to an all time high. So much was happening that it had almost lost her, but she was ready to try and stop people from stealing. Diana pulled out the Lasso of Truth, “Of course,” the golden line of rope began to glow, faintly, “I do not wish to hurt them, merely calm them down and assure them there is no need to panic. But if we must fight, we will,” she glanced down at the orange tabby at Carol’s feet and smiled, kneeling down to his eye level, “I take it Goose is a noble warrior as well?” she asked.

“i want to calm them down too, but... i feel that they won’t really listen to reason. we can try it that way at first, though. maybe a few will listen -- more, if we’re lucky. if not, it ends in a fight and these guys get their asses handed to them.” carol replies with a small shrug of her shoulders. goose is especially happy to be recieving attention, purring, as he rubs himself against wonder woman’s leg. “oh, definitely. the noblest warrior i’ve ever met.” carol replies, only half joking as she laughs softly. “he’s got a few tricks up his fur. but i’m not so sure his assistance will be so needed here, especially with the both of us already present.”

lorna pushes through the crowd until she reaches the red head – who immediately jerks away and falls to the ground. “it’s okay, you’re okay” she repeates overandoverandover again, going to sit down with the other woman, hands touching her shoulders. the green haired mutant knows better than anyone what’s like to lose control, to become unhinged and hurt others – it seems like her mental health gets worse every day and getting her medicine had been harder still since the world collapsed. “i know you didn’t want to hurt anyone, it was an accident” she reassures the other, trying to offer as much comfort as she can. although she doesn’t know the enhanced in front of her, lorna had a strong suspicion; powers like that can only mean the half-sister she never wanted and never knew. with pietro it’d been easier, they hadn’t yet met face to face. “you need a quieter place so you can calm down” she says to the other, “come on, let’s get you out of here” and tries to get the crouched down woman up and moving. the green-haired mutant wants to scratch her skin out, to scream, but she also knows wanda needs someone to help her through this. she won’t abandon her in this state.

wanda takes a deep breath in, eyes squeezing shut as she attempts to relax. having someone near was nice, knowing they weren’t upset with her, weren’t mad at her-- they only wanted to help. and in any other circumstance, she might’ve stubbornly refused help, but she knew she needed it. slowly, she nods her head in agreement as she moves to her feet. without another word or a second thought, a blip of red magic surrounds them as she teleports the both of them to somewhere she knows to be a safe place, at least, for her -- her room at the avengers compound. “sorry about that,” she apologizes, out of habit more than anything, after taking another moment to compose herself. “thank you for... being there. for helping me. i didn’t realize how busy it was, how easily i’d get overwhelmed. there’s so much going on...” she pauses, staring out the window for a moment before her gaze shifts back to looking curiously at the green haired woman. “wanda.” she adds, holding her hand out to shake. there’s something about her, a feeling in her gut about the other, but she can’t quite place it yet.