about damn time

Hope Van Dyne/37/not having it |closed for skwadrp

[revinxharley-deactivated2017022]

“Perfect!” Cassie smiled.  She never really had any one on one time with Hope, her father was always present mainly because Hope was his friend.  Her mother barely knew her.  “Do you know how to play?” She questioned, “I mean you don’t look like the type to hang around Carnivals.” 

[esperevandynex-blog]

She snorted at Cassie’s comment, a tiny smile tugging at her lips. “And what could have given you that impression?” Hope picked up one of the balls, bouncing it in her hand. “I’m ready whenever you are. I just hope you can handle how good my game is.”

[esperevandynex-blog]

[revinxharley-deactivated2017022]

Cassie was already on her third cotton candy as she made her way around the carnival grounds.  She had three simple goals today, win a stuffed animal army. Eat enough junk food to last her the year and beat as many games as possible.  The young hero stopped at skee ball booth finishing off the last bit of her cotton candy and tossing it into the trash.  “Hey! Does anyone else wanna play around?” She called out to no one in particular.

[esperevandynex-blog]

Hope had agreed to the attend the carnival for an hour, and her time was almost up. Dressing up felt silly, and she hadn’t eaten cotton candy or pretzels since she was seven. Cassie’s voice stopped her, and she looked up from her phone for a moment. “I suppose a game wouldn’t hurt.” Their usual buffer, Scott, was off ‘investigating’ with his partner. It’d be a little uncomfortable, but Hope couldn’t turn Cassie down. 

[thescottparticle]

Need A Lift? || Wasp & Ant Man

[thescottparticle]

“Ooh hoo hoo hoo~” Scott taunted, voice turned baby-like for effect. “You’re so smart. You just really want me for a step-dad, admit it. Cassie does have it good.”

Scott was prepared to press his growth device, but Hope’s observation made the engineer hesitate, “Lucky for you, I made a living as one of these chumps–once upon a time. ‘know all their tricks.” He glanced around, “There had to be a guy messing with the alarm… another on surveillance, maybe two.” The panic alert hadn’t been set off even after the thief Hope took down broke open the back door with his crowbar. “Since jew-fro here decided to play gangster they ought to have picked up that gun shot. We’ll have to make a break before they do.”

[esperevandynex-blog]

“You’re absolutely right. I’ve always wanted you as my daddy.” Hope retorted, using a childish voice like Scott. 

“Stealing a smoothie machine doesn’t make you a master criminal.” She muttered, before nodding her head. He knew the technicalities behind a robbery far better then she did. “If there’s three left, that means two for me. And one for you.” The police weren’t on their way yet, and she was itching to keep fighting. “We could face them head on - or sneak around back. I could carry you, to save time.”

[thescottparticle]

Need A Lift? || Wasp & Ant Man

[thescottparticle]

Scott smiled as his new partner fluttered before him, but the moment dirt lined cuticles and calloused knuckles curled out toward the pair Lang tumble rolled off of his last targets head and wound up beside a freshly strewn pile of loose change. Through the red lens Antman didn’t stop watching for a second while Hope expertly handled the sloppy threat. Mouth hanging open, all Scott could do afterward was point his right finger toward the apprehended thief and ask through his mouthpiece, “What was that? I don’t have one of those.” Maybe Scott was out of the loop (no surprise) but those sick shackle dispensers were new to him. Could have come in handy before! “You’d think Hank would put together a special lab Care Package just for me.”

[esperevandynex-blog]

Hope grinned from underneath her mask, pleased at how well everything was going. She performed well in practice, but she and Scott had yet to test their team work in real combat. And if she were being honest, she’d be concerned her skills couldn’t keep up with him. Thank god that mindset was gone.Standing beside the fallen thug, Hope made sure the shackles around his legs were secured. “Special care packages are reserved for off-spring or partners - if you want to try and win my father’s heart, be my guest. I always thought you two had some chemistry.” She had a spare device for him, but she figured that’d remain a secret for the meantime. “So far we’ve knocked out two, but that can’t be all of them.” Hope wasn’t an expert on robberies by a wide margin, yet something told her they’d hadn’t finished the mission. 

[thescottparticle]

Need A Lift? || Wasp & Ant Man

@esperevandynex

“HAH-AH… Oh yeah! Woo.That never gets old!” Scott felt smooth, but some concern lingered in that quirky voice of his. Deep down the engineer wondered if he’d shit his pants a little. “Run run run run run. Hey-uh… Hope?” Taking a small breath Lang made the harrowing leap, grabbed hold of the thugs bangs, and dragged the sucker down to the asphalt with a resounding thud that was a clear sign Scott had successfully knocked his lights out. Panting, Scott stood atop the criminals forehead and made a few pointing gestures. “I uh… I think I’ll wait for my ride–wouldn’t want to hurt Antonio’s feelings.”

[esperevandynex-blog]

“Not bad.” She was still slightly surprised at how well Scott had taken to the suit. Hope hovered inches away from Scott, her wings flapping furiously. After glancing down at the unconscious thug, Hope turned her attention to the scene around them.One down, but two remained. So far it seemed a simple robbery of a jewelry store, gone sour when The Wasp and Antman had arrived. While her back was turned, a meaty hand reached forward in a vain attempt to capture her. “Men.” She groaned, flying forward to use her feet take out his eyes. The man stumbled backwards, and she threw a cylinder at his legs, which sprung into shackles.  “Beat that.”

[vcncssa]

CONTRASTING to her usual nature, vanessa had been lying low since the night of the gala, even going so far of adopting a variety of different personas and shapes to stay hidden. “oh fuck,” the woman mumbled under her breath when she spotted a familiar face, wrestling with the urge to turn and walk in the other direction or to make her presence known. “hello,” she greeted, deciding to go with the latter of the two. “lovely day, hm?”

[esperevandynex-blog]

“I’m not sure if Gotham’s ever seen a nice day.” Hope frowned at her own words, shaking her head as if she could dispel them. “It is a nice day, I’m just finding it hard to enjoy anything in this city after that stupid gala.”

[fireandlife-blog1]

     Jean nodded as her questions were answered.  ❝ We could run a batch of tests if you’d like; be sure the rash is just that, and not a sign of some other underlying condition. ❞ She paused briefly.  ❝ Being physical is considered to be good for your skin, just remember to know your limits. ❞ Not that she could lecture anyone on their choices to engage in any physical activities with her acts as an X-Men. 

[esperevandynex-blog]

“I love tests.” She hadn’t caught any weird diseases, and would be on her way soon enough. The redhead was the most efficient person she’d met in a while. “Have you been in Gotham long, Dr. Grey? I’m starting to realize being physical isn’t a choice, like it used to be.” Physical had become Hope’s analogy for crime fighting, heroics, or whatever the hell she was trying to do. 

[fireandlife-blog1]

     Jean couldn’t help herself chuckling at the first two items listed as ‘allergies’.  ❝ That’s good, it’s not spreading so it’s not an infection. If it were, you would’ve found more rashes and present more symptoms. As well as the rash would look more… Disgusting.❞ For lack of a better term, she thought. ❝ It may not be completely irrelevant, we can’t discard those soaps as cause yet. Are you in any stressful situations in your life, such as work? ❞ She wasn’t asking to be nosy, as stress can be a cause for rashes caused by dermatitis even without a family history.

[esperevandynex-blog]

“Thank god.” She let out a light sigh of relief, her shoulders slumping slightly. At the mention of stress, Hope let out a strained laugh. She wasn’t sure if there was anyone in Gotham that wasn’t buckling under a mound of shit. “Stress? We’re very well acquainted. I’m also quite, physical.” She wasn’t sure how to phrase her fighting in a delicate manner. 

[fireandlife-blog1]

     Jean closed the door after her next patient walked in, seemingly eager and down to business. In her book, that’s better than fussy patients able to get on her nerves. Nodding at the words, Jean walked to one of the cabinets and took a pair of disposable gloves, put them on and stepped toward the examination table.

      ❝ Do you have any allergies? Eaten anything unusual during the past 48 hours? Used a different skin product? ❞  She asked as she examined the arm, the rash seemed to be limited to an area of Hope’s arm. ❝ Has the rash grown since you first noticed it? ❞

[esperevandynex-blog]

“Idiots, people who un-ironically wear crocs and shellfish.” She thought back to when she first saw the rash, and shook her head. “I don’t think so, as far as I know the rash has stayed in that one area.” Muting the vibrating phone in her pocket, Hope looked back up at the doctor. “It’s probably irrelevant, but a colleague of mine gave me these shell shaped soaps. I used them for the first time around twenty hours ago.” 

[hybridlunc-deactivated20180720]

“Forrest Gump?” she laughed brightly, “couldn’t think of anything better, huh?” she asked before walking forward. “Here we are” she replied as she extended her hand out, “I’m Eva”

[esperevandynex-blog]

“Actually, I thought it would serve you quite well.” Hope shrugged, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. She took the other woman's hand in hers, giving it a prompt shake. “Hope, it’s a pleasure. Normally I’m much more charming, but the other nights events - they’ve left a sour taste in my mouth.” 

[hybridlunc-deactivated20180720]

”What?” she asked as she looked back at back at the woman, “I just like running through the woods” she explained as she walked forward. “And I wasn’t running away from you, I didn’t even hear you, actually”

[esperevandynex-blog]

“Sorry Forrest Gump. You just looked like you were running for your life.” Hope brushed a piece of hair back as she spoke, studying the blond woman. “But you did hear me. It’s why you stopped. It doesn’t matter though, because here we are.” 

[fireandlife-blog1]

     There were days Jean questioned why she worked at one of the clinics throughout Gotham. She enjoyed helping others, there was no doubt in her mind, though there was a touch of paranoia anytime she put on her white labcoat and called in for her first patient of the day. None of them could find out about her true nature, lest she be exposed and God knows what would happen to her then. 

     She shook her head lightly just as someone knocked on the door. Her brows furrowed, normally she’d call people in after a patient left. Perhaps, the next one lacked patience; she could find out if she wanted, just touch their mind enough to read their thoughts and she’d know. But she could not take the risk. A soft sigh left her lips before she called out. 

      ❝ Come in. ❞

[esperevandynex-blog]

Hope was a rational woman of science, but her mothers death had left its mark on her psyche. She hated to admit it, but she was a slight hypochondriac. If she didn’t keep it together, the smallest injury could be blown into a deadly injury in Hope’s mind. When she woke up to a series of bumps on her arm, Hope tapped her nails against the black screen of the phone in her lap, anxious to hear her name called. A nurse informed her that the physician, a Doctor Grey, was ready to see her. After a polite knock, she opened the door and walked inside. Glancing at the redhead, Hope took of her jacket immediately and made herself comfortable on the examination table.

“Hope Van Dyne, - I’ve got a rash.” Taking off her jacket, she presented her arm for inspection. 

[hybridlunc-deactivated20180720]

As the pain from her side had begun to subside, she began to run down the street and into the woods. Remembering what Waylon had said, she couldn’t help but wonder if he was right about it all. Hearing a noise, she quickly looked up and slowed down just incase they wanted to say something to her.

[esperevandynex-blog]

“Seriously? Gotham is full of creeps and you’re running from me?” Hope pulled the white earbuds from her ears as she spoke, glaring at the blond. All she’d wanted was to take a jog, and yet found herself in this strange situation. She was in a decent mood, but by others standards, a bad one. “Another thing, why are you running into the woods? It’s common knowledge you don’t run from danger, into a dangerous place.”

[waltersface-blog]

“Still feeling special, Miss Dyne?” Rorschach teased in his brutal manner. “The one partner I kept…” His voice turned almost distant for a moment, there was a sore spot on that subject, “didn’t have the luxury of knowing more either. No more than this.” A card was pulled from the trench coat pocket between two gloved fingers and he carelessly abandoned the small page over one of the bodies. Across the white card was a scribbled red symbol, a thin rorschach mark, his mark for the cops and the public, criminals, he’d undoubtedly reach out of consequence. A guarantee that he had their attention

Rorschach listened while taking paced steps along the enclosed pavement. Like a caged tiger. Yet, he was silent, focused, interested in hearing the woman’s thoughts and position. There seemed to be an unspoken understanding between the pair, one Walter himself could appreciate, no matter the snark it was clear this remained a serious matter. “Not so. With the rebels filtering into the city. As you mentioned; it’s a witch hunt, those who fight evil now suffer for it. The monsters thrive on such distraction.” Which brought back Hope’s first point; the government forming a cycle, fearmongering, in order to enslave these heroes and bring back order that had been from the start. “That is why-…” Rorschach’s voice slipped. He hadn’t lost track, mistaken his words, but during passionate fits he could appear… imbalanced. This was the type of talk he hungered for. “there has to be more. It has to be bigger–what I do… and you said it, now… if that is truly why you’ve come to Gotham, Miss Dyne… You have my respect.” Rorschach reached out his gloved hand. Such a gesture might have seemed inappropriate, but it was the one way Rorschach, Walter, would dare convey such emotion.

[esperevandynex-blog]

“Is this how you make all your friends?” She had little tact, but she knew from the sound of his voice not the press the matter further. Bringing up the past wasn’t something Hope wanted to do that night. If they were to be partners, or something that resembled the moniker, they’d have to respect boundaries. She watched the card fall on the dirty body of a incapacitated criminal. You’ve got a killer brand down.” It was a genius choice really - create an identity based on a test that revealed your true nature. 

Hope enjoyed listening to the man speak. His pauses were focused, making way for the next batch of thoughts to leave his lips. She’d come to Gotham with the hope she could offer assistance in the Accords conflict. But Hope had lacked direction in her efforts; and her identity as the Wasp had yet to truly be forged. Her face said it all when he outstretched his hand towards her. Hope had never cared about being liked or loved by others. The only bit of recognition she allowed herself to crave was respect. People could hate each other with all their heats, and still hold respect for the other person. She wasn’t sure if she was worthy of his respect that night, but she made a vow to become a person that was.They had no plan or formal agreement in place; yet when she placed her hand in his, she knew some kind of agreement been met. “Whatever change we may bring to Gotham, it won’t be here.” Pulling the coat closer to her frame, she gestured for them to leave. Where would they go? She wasn’t sure. The night was young enough for something fruitful to happen.

[theblackcanarybird]

“Doesn’t matter. He is an asshole. Apparently, me trying to decide the best way to protect the little family I have left is childish. He is lucky I didn’t blow out his eardrums and tear off his other arm.” Dinah muttered, not liking the other when they had met, especially when he didn’t even know her. “They usually end up finding me. My stroke of luck but who am I to say no to a good classic bar fight.”

[esperevandynex-blog]

“I think years of being locked in Hydra’s basement does that to a person. I’ve got less of an excuse to be so angry - all I went through was boarding school. Ah, family.” Connecting with her father emotionally was still a struggle for Hope. Still, she understood where the other was coming from. “This must be one hell of a city to live in if you attract trouble. Protecting your family is probably a full time job.” 

[babsxgrdn-blog]

“Yeah.” Barbara smiled happily, glad someone knew who she was talking about. Glancing over her shoulder, she nodded slowly. “I haven’t met the DA yet, and this whole even is for him. That’s alright; you and I are in the same boat. “

[esperevandynex-blog]

“I’m not sure if he’d want to me meet. Ass kissing isn’t really my thing.” Gordon was probably hung up talking to important politicians. His daughter looked young, pushing twenty at the most. “I’m Hope, by the way.”