it's a cruel cruel world to face on your own

[futurebatwoman]

WHO: max & scathach
WHERE: scathach's dojo
WHEN: sooo backdated this is like the 10th or the 11th not long after max came back
WARNINGS: none i think!
SUMMARY: so about that finding my body thing.
FORMAT: whatever you want i'm gonna quick start

[ She'd seen Scathach's post when she backread, immediately shut it down and not watched it again. She'd been hoping - well she hadn't been thinking too clearly at the time, but when she came back she'd hoped for a little bit that it would have been someone who didn't know her who found the body, that at least she'd have been in the morgue before anyone who knew her had to identify it.

That's why she hesitates over going into the dojo, because she doesn't know how to look someone in the face who's seen her dead. But she needs to see her - wants to see her - and now that the hangover from Sunday night has faded it's time to do things that are more important. She steps forward and pushes the door open, taking a deep breath. The dojo is familiar, at least. She's been here almost every week since Christmas. In some ways it's a home away from home. ]

Comments

[symmachy]

[Scatty knows this isn't healthy. She knows the stages of grief, knows that Max should be going through them (it's strange, she imagines, to grieve one's own death). But her dead little heart stirs, seeing her student like this. She wants to take the inevitable pain away. She knows she can. She's already touching Max, all it would take is a little concentration, just a few seconds of eating her aura, absorbing the hurt before it can even fully register, it would be delightful--

The redhead drops her hand from Max's shoulder as casually as she can.]

Then stay busy, if that's what helps.

[Bad advice, but she's having trouble thinking clearly.]

[futurebatwoman]

[ She nods, unaware of Scatty's thoughts or the reason behind the absence of her hand. The lack of physical contact is normal enough to her that it doesn't particularly register. ]

Yeah. Yeah, that's the plan.

Which is why I will definitely be here normal training days. And on Friday too.

[symmachy]

[She nods, and wraps her arms around her middle as loosely and casually as she can.]

You are always welcome here.

[Scatty pauses. It isn't exactly her area of expertise, but--]

And if you need someone to talk to, I'm here. If or when you're ready.

[futurebatwoman]

Thanks. It kind of feels like a home away from home here now. [ She glances around, takes a deep breath and nods with a faint smile. ]

Seriously, thanks. It means a lot.

[symmachy]

[Scatty smiles in return, but doesn't show her teeth. She doesn't want to remind Max that she's in the home of a being that wasn't human.]

I'm glad you feel that way. I--like having you here.

[futurebatwoman]

[ Her smile gains a little more genuineness. ]

It's been - what, ten months I've been coming to you for lessons now? Since New Year's, with a few interruptions.

[symmachy]

[It's a relief, seeing that smile shift. She had been worried that her social skills would completely crumble before it could. She gives a nod, looking more than a little pleased.]

You're one of my longest-running students.

[futurebatwoman]

Really? [ Huh. Wow. ] I guess the Porter must really like me then. Keeping me here with you oldtimers.

[symmachy]

[Scatty doesn't want to say that she's thankful to the porter for that. It seems wrong.] I guess so. [She pulls something of a face.] I'm not that old. [Yes she is.]

[futurebatwoman]

[ Max's grin widens, just a little, and she almost laughs. ] You totally are, mom.

[symmachy]

[For a moment, Scathach imagines that she feels the pride that wells up inside her. But she checks herself, even if she keeps smiling.] I'm going to ground you.

[futurebatwoman]

[ Rolling her eyes a little bit as she shrugs. ] You can't ground me, I have a job I have to be at.

[symmachy]

I'll call you in sick. [LIKE A REAL MOM]

[futurebatwoman]

Lying to government officials is probably illegal in one way or another.

[symmachy]

[Waves her hand dismissively. This is suddenly ten thousand times easier.]

I'm sure I could meet with your boss and explain the situation.

[futurebatwoman]

Seriously? You're going to go explain to Mitch Hundred why I'm not in work? Because good luck, he believes in 18 hour work days and never taking days off.

[ It really is. ]

my html skill are top notch this week

[symmachy]

I can be very convincing.

[With her fists.]

i have no html skills

[futurebatwoman]

You know what, you should definitely do that, because I want to see how you accomplish that. It would be great.

[symmachy]

Don't tempt me, you know I'll do it. [She's going to get like, exiled.]

[futurebatwoman]

[ No words, just the face of someone daring you to follow through on that. Not that she actually wants her to. Like at all. ]

[symmachy]

[Slowly pulls her cell phone from her pocket.]

[futurebatwoman]

[ Nnnnnngh. ]

How did the Friday class do while I was gone, did you guys meet?

[symmachy]

[Holding the phone so casually that it's threatening, somehow.]

We did. Your students are more advanced than I anticipated.

[futurebatwoman]

[ aghhhh ]

Well, I had to live up to your training one way or another, right?

[symmachy]

You did. [A beat.] I'm proud.