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[batricide]

@hafid.alghul| ■ ▲ ◌ ▼

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[fledges]

see you soon.

[Hypothetically, this could be a very smooth conversation, but it probably won't be. Kate heads over to the bar and picks out a booth, and by the time Damian gets there, she already has a drink and is picking at a patched tear in the faux leather. She gives him a little wave.]

Hey. You didn't even get lost.

[batricide]

Why would I?

[ He gives a subtle glance around - making sure no one is listening, that they're not at risk of being attacked, and then slides in the other side. ]

[fledges]

I was joking.

[Off to a good start! Might as well just dive in.]

So. You got touchy with me on the network the other day.

[batricide]

[ ugh, this? damian shifts uncomfortably, already regretting his choice to come here. ]

Is that what this is about?

[fledges]

Yep.

[Oh boy. He already looks like he wants to cut and run. Kate keeps her voice gentle, as far from accusatory as she can manage.]

Why do you hate the idea of us being friends so much?

[batricide]

Because we aren't.

[ since when do friends do anything but get in your way? ]

[fledges]

[She raises her eyebrows.]

Why not?

[batricide]

I don't need friends.

[fledges]

Everyone needs friends, Hafid.

[batricide]

[ He lets out an annoyed huff. ]

Then I'm not everyone. I'm not wired for friends, people just get in my way.

[fledges]

Get in your way how, exactly?

[batricide]

[ Damian shrugs. ]

They think the familiarity gives them more leeway than it does. They get cocky. They don't listen. Then they get dead.

[fledges]

[Kate hums softly at that, spinning her glass between her hands on the table.]

I've lost people too, you know. That doesn't make getting close to others less worthwhile.

[batricide]

This isn't about losing people, this is about people losing their objectivity when emotions get involved.

[fledges]

No one can be objective all the time. Don't you get lonely? Be honest.

[batricide]

[ . . . ]

What exactly are you looking for, Bishop?

[fledges]

[She sighs.]

I'm just trying to figure out where you're coming from.

[batricide]

[ He pinches the bridge of his nose. Give him a minute. ]

I don't need friends. I don't have friends. People don't tend to like me, and I don't tend to like them. It doesn't matter so long as they listen.

[fledges]

[Kate props her chin up on her hand.]

I like you.

[batricide]

You don't know me.

[fledges]

What else do you think I need to know?

[batricide]

[ He crosses his arms. ]

You don't even know my actual name.

[fledges]

[She smiles at that.]

Isn't that kind of a normal thing in our line of work? Are you gonna tell me?

[batricide]

No.

[ Can you really call it normal? Hiding it from even your allies? People you're supposed to be trusting and bringing into the fold? ]

I have a body count higher than some small countries.

[fledges]

[Spider-Man sure does. And speaking of spider-themed heroes...]

So do about half the people I've worked with. Are you proud of it?