(Untitled)

[master_wayne]

It's been a year for him, and it shows, if you met him before. He's far more muscular from the training he's been doing and currently, the muscles are accentuated still further from hunger. But it's self-imposed this time, rather than just from being unable to afford food.

He's seen a lot, learnt a lot and is tired, of many things. And this means he

Comments

[cutting_edgex23]

"You have been working," X says, approaching from the left.

She's very, very quiet -- at least when she is not purposefully making noise.

"It is okay?"

[master_wayne]

He didn't hear her coming, only aware of her when he saw movement in his eyeline.

"It's...okay."

He doesn't ask how she knew that, he supposes it's obvious. And he's tired. For the first time in a year, he's starting to wonder whether this is going to pay off.

"How are you?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"I am okay."

X tilts her head very slightly, watching him. Sometimes people do not like questions.

"You missed the baseball game. I played."

Beat.

"There was a demon rabbit invasion. At the end."

[master_wayne]

"...what's a demon bunny?"

This is a more pertinent question than talking about baseball. Though, after a beat, he does add;

"Did you like it?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"They are rabbits. Red ones. Outside."

Beat.

"Some of them breathe fire. But they are not difficult to kill. A demon made them. I asked."

And for demon read: Lucifer.

"I liked sliding. But I am not very good at batting. You have played before?"

[master_wayne]

"Gotham Little League Champion, right here."

He smiles sarcastically and runs a hand through his hair.

"Why would a bar need demon rabbits? Or was it just for fun?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"I do not know. I was not here. Some people like to cause trouble."

And in what might not be a subject change --

"Tomas plays Little League, too. He helped me practice."

Tomas is eight.

[master_wayne]

"You got that right," he says, quietly.

"Who's Tomas?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"He is my neighbor. At home."

Beat.

"He and his mother do not come here."

This pause is longer. Much longer.

"I would know."

She'd be able to smell them if nothing else.

[master_wayne]

"Well...yeah. Wouldn't he tell you?"

That's how conversation works between people, isn't it? It's been so long since he had a proper one, he feels like he might have forgotten.

"Tomas is a kid, isn't he."

[cutting_edgex23]

"He is eight."

X's response is prompt.

"But sometimes people do not talk about Milliways. Outside."

She shrugs, quick and one-shouldered.

"Do you?"

[master_wayne]

He laughs, dry.

"No. But then, I don't talk about much outside of here."

His Chinese is a lot better but still not perfect, plus - he doesn't hang around with people he'd share personal info with. The whole point is to not let anyone know him.

"Are you going to play again? I'd practice with you, if you like."

The idea of doing something as mundane as hitting a few balls around is both bizarre, and appealing.

[cutting_edgex23]

"Oh."

Beat.

"The field is still there. Here. Tomas says I still have to help him practice at home. I do not mind company."

This pause is longer, and it leaves X frowning very slightly.

"You are not allowed? To talk."

Beat.

"Or you do not want to."

She remembers both.

[master_wayne]

His pause is long too.

"There's nothing to say."

Her mode of speech is oddly relaxing to him. It doesn't always make sense but he feels like he doesn't have to spell everything, or anything, out.

"If there's a field, it should be used,' he offers, after another long moment. "No point to it otherwise."

And he likes exercise. Always.

[cutting_edgex23]

"Okay," she says, nodding just once.

Then she studies him again.

"We can get equipment from Bar."

Beat.

"If you are not busy."

X is fond of exercise, too. Go figure.

[master_wayne]

Bruce laughs then and it's genuine.

"Do I look busy?" he asks, as he pulls himself out of his seat.

"I'll be glad of the distraction. Come on."

He heads to the Bar, pretending not to notice the way she studies him at times. He's not sure how to react to it.