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[backendbat]

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[backendbat]

[it's complicated. its not complicated. it's stupid, its agonizing. it hasn't been a chain around his neck, most of his day-and-night job opportunities offering him undercover jobs with fancy fake diplomas that he can print out and put on his wall if he wanted.

the toaster pops in the background, and he gives it a minute.]

You doing the basic stuff? P.E, which I'm sure is a breeze, the last couple projects? I wouldn't be against it. You'll let me cheat off your tests, right?

[rockypath]

[She laughs mid-bite--] PE isn't part of the testing. It's like... science, math, social studies, and English? You could totally cheat off me if you want, although it would kind of ruin the point.

[The point for Faith being to prove she could do it. To prove that she wasn't the idiot that she'd always internalized she was.]

[backendbat]

[with that, he gets up to fetch the fresh eggos, returning, setting the plate between them with a quick flourish]

The point that you'd blast my scores out of the water? That's true. I wouldn't mind it. To have that on my resume...a real one.

[rockypath]

Yeah, right. [She scoffs at that idea, snorting as she reaches for her OJ. Faith is working hard, but she doubts she'll be acing anything and is just as dubious that she'd do better than him.]

That's why I'm doing it, too. I don't think I'll ever have a normal job. But it would be nice to know I could, if I wanted. [Of course, for any decent job, she'd also have to get a degree.

One step at a time.]

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I'm probably not the person to talk to about real jobs. Most things come second to the night job.

[would he love to have a normal one? there are times he would have loved that; a normal 9-5, someone to share it with, a dog or something.

but the night is too dark for him to turn his back on the people.]

I think you could get a real hobby.

[rockypath]

Yeah, I know. Not like I have room to talk, either. [She's not had anything but her night job. And the occasional distraction... which is what Dick was supposed to be.

She snorts at the suggestion, stuffing another piece of waffle in her mouth.]

Like what? Pickleball?

[backendbat]

[Didn't she know that 'Distraction' is actually his middle name? It is, look at his birth certificate. he hums, though, shaking his head]

I teach gymnastics sometimes. You could do something like that. Teaching?

[rockypath]

I could. I've taught more than a few of the mini-Slayers, so it's not like I don't know how. Where do you teach gymnastics? I could do self-defense or something. Or sword fighting?

[It would just mean she'd have to think through how a normal person could fight someone off. Having superstrength made things a little different.]

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There's a center a couple blocks from here. Do it a couple times a week, when I'm in town. You could teach a kid how to throw a punch.

[she's going to teach kids how to make bullies cry, and he should be against that, but.]

Maybe the sword parts can come later.

[rockypath]

I could do that. I knew how to throw a punch even before I got my powers. [She was always a bit of a menace, let's be honest.]

Maybe we could spar a little too? [Faith winks before finishing off her OJ.] I might even let you win.

[Which isn't fair, he's damn skilled and might well beat her even with her powers in a fair fight. But it's more fun to tease him.]

[backendbat]

Let me win? Holy smokes, Batman! [he laughs, warm and low] I think you're better watch your words, before you land on your ass.

[rockypath]

[Faith nearly spits out her Orange Juice, choking it down with a sputter of laughter and coughing.] My ass, huh?

Dunno, what if I like the sounds of that? Not much incentive to watch my words, boy wonder.

[backendbat]

[his eyes crinkle with amusement]

We'll just have to see how I sweep you off your feet, then.