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@kate.bishop | ■ ▲ ◌ ▼

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[fledges]

Jealous of him why? He couldn't possibly be as cute as you.

[reneger]

That's where you're wrong.

( eyes looking over to kate even if he doesn't tilt his head in towards her, a brow raising. )

He's a born performer. Bred for it, even. Moves like a fucking ballerina on steroids, not to mention he's gorgeous. I never stood a chance against him. Everyone loves him--and when I say everyone? I mean everyone. Villains, heroes, everything in between. He's like an Adonis in tights.

[fledges]

Oh.

[She was mostly kidding, but...]

What do you mean, you never stood a chance?

[reneger]

Inherited his suit when he moved on. The first one.

( how can he make this as vague as possible while still making sense. )

All I ever heard was "well you're not THAT guy, so."

[fledges]

I get that a lot, too. Maybe not in the exact same way, but...

[She shrugs, then leans over to bump her shoulder into his.]

Inheriting names can be rough sometimes.

[reneger]

I had a crush on this girl, growing up. Absolutely amazing chick. Smart, independent, didn't let anyone tell her what to do. And I finally got to meet her--I was so excited.

( but his voice is fond, even if the words aren't. great. )

The first thing she said to me? "You'll never be him." A lot've shit's happened since, I don't hold it against her. She's right, I'll never be him. We see the world in entirely different lights, he's all sunshine and rainbows, doesn't see the shades of grey like I do.

[fledges]

[It doesn't really seem to bother him, but the more he talks, the more intense her frown gets.]

That's awful. It doesn't matter if you aren't him. The point of inheriting a name is making it your own. What was she expecting? A carbon copy?

[reneger]

It's not about exact copies anymore. But back then? Guess that was what they wanted.

( he was never good enough to live up to grayson's legacy. never good enough to put on the "R". never quite enough to stay in it. jason just--didn't function the same way. )

Outgrew the suit fast enough anyway.

[fledges]

[She clicks her tongue at that.]

What do you mean? Did someone else take it up or something?

[reneger]

There were a couple more after me.

( tim, whose existence set jason off like crazy when he first found out. damian, who needed the suit more than any of them. )

But it was the kinda suit that was meant to be temporary.

[fledges]

Huh. So what did you do after that?

[reneger]

You want that to be your second question?

[fledges]

[She considers that, then shakes her head.]

Nah. I don't want to weasel it out of you if you don't want to tell me. You ask me a question first.

[reneger]

What's your schtick?

( seems fair enough, doesn't it. an easy, simple question. )

[fledges]

What do you mean, my schtick?

[Apparently not. Kate shoves another spoonful of ice cream in her mouth, apparently unconcerned about the potential cooties from sharing a carton with him.]

[reneger]

( cooties become much less of a concern when you grow up dumpster diving. jason doesn't give a shit, shoves the spoon in right after she's done scooping out more. )

Everyone's got one. A schtick. What's yours?

[fledges]

I'll tell you, but I want you to guess first.

[reneger]

Stand up for me? Do a lil' twirl.

( beer down between his legs and he raises a hand, moves his index finger around in a circular motion. )

[fledges]

[Kate laughs, but she does as he asks, putting down her beer and standing up. She twirls with a little flourish, then curtseys.]

Did that help?

[reneger]

Lean muscle, but enough that it's there. ( eyes move down to her hands for a moment, lips pursing. )

Callouses show you've used a bow for a bit. My best friend back home's an archer. Bit bulkier, but he punches the crap out of people too. You have any extra-human abilities before they did creepy experiments on you?

[fledges]

[She whistles, long and low.]

Impressive, Malone. I've never had any powers, unless you count being a kickass marksman.

[reneger]

I'm guessing you've learned a bit more than just how to shoot a bow.

( with his own raised hand curling into a fist. )

Gotta learn how to think on your feet to survive out there.

[fledges]

Are you asking if I could kick your ass? I totally could.

[reneger]

Doubt it.

( but it's said playfully, not rough. )

Bet I could even outaim you.

[fledges]

[She gasps.]

That's the meanest thing anyone's ever said to me. Go ask Hafid how that worked out for him.