"Look, I''m just saying that this whole hero bullshit is just that. Bullshit. Heroes are either vigilantes of the fame seeking variety or the ones who just think of themselves as some kind of paragons, or worse, they''re just fucking puppets of the state. Another means of violence for the government to use to put down those who step outside the lines of the politicians'' pocket books."


    "James, I really hate to be the one to tell you this, and I know it may come as a shock, but you literally are a hero."


    "Oh make no mistake, I''m keenly aware of that. Still doesn''t change the facts of the matter. Hell, what''s even worse is we even get the same fucking scandals as police departments. Do you remember that report on "injuries sustained by race". Can''t even dodge the racism allegations"


    "James… can we just eat our food and talk about something other than the fact that you''re an anti cop, cop. Or just avoid politics in general. As it stands, it was a really long shift and I barely have the wherewithal to deal with your rants when I''m not tired as hell."


    The scene itself wasn''t an unusual one, or well, it was. Maybe uncommon would be the more apt description. Sitting at the outskirts of the city, where building density began to decrease and the population began to grow far less dense, there is a small 24/7 diner. It was nothing particularly special. It had a small parking lot, semi illuminated by the 2 out of 3 working lights that showed 2 vehicles, one being an aging truck, half rusted and likely not even built in the current millennia. The other was a much sleeker car, not quite fancy enough to be luxury, but certainly something new.


    "The Early Bird" read the sign, or at least it did during the day. Currently, with the only functioning lights, it read "Th E Bird". The inside was well maintained, if as dated as the rest of the place, Bright red booths lined the walls with only the pair''s table actively being filled.


    James was a smaller fellow, a skinny guy who seemed to be of a shorter stature. What he lacked in size, he certainly made up for with flair. He wore a bright green and yellow bodysuit that clung to his body rather tightly. A face mask sat on the table and a hood laid back revealing pale skin, bright red hair and cool blue eyes. When he spoke, he moved about, punctuating his words with a matched movement of his hand.


    Across from him sat Alice, a dark haired woman in scrubs who seemed to take in the man''s words with generally nothing more than a single nod. She held a tan complexion with brown eyes. Her posture was slumped over her meal.


    "Well, what do you want to talk about then? About the wondrous meals provided by The Bird"


    James gestured to Alice''s meal, or at least what remained of it. Half a slice of ham and quarter of a syrup soaked waffle.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    "Hey, food''s food. Not all of us get to have meal planners and cooks and such. Side''s, just because you don''t appreciate a good 4 a.m. breakfast after work, doesn''t mean I can''t enjoy it. I don''t know. Why don''t you tell me about that one guy you''ve been clashing with. Drag or something?"


    James grew noticeably less animated at that, giving a sigh.


    "Let''s not today. The kid''s not even that bad, just misguided and somehow fancies himself as my arch-rival or something. Real shame is that he''s smart, only ever picks a fight with me whenever I''ve already been in a rough fight or two. Honestly, I hope he just keeps it targeted to me. Technically hasn''t broken any laws otherwise, and it would be really unfortunate if the boss-man finds out my "City relations Activities" was dedicated to brawling some 16 year old who wants the prove he''s the top telekinetic in town. How about something more mundane, like how''s the rest of the gang doing"


    "Because I spend so much more time with them than you do. Kevin''s still a fuck up, and still somehow not in prison. Last I heard Jude''s still hiding out in the mountains. Apparently she''s got some sugar daddy relationship going on or something. Have no idea what May and June are up to, and I''m sitting in a cafe at 4 in the morning after a run at the graveyard shift, talking with my idiot friend who still talks like he''s going to overthrow the government whilst being the government"


    "So basically we''re all still kind of fuck-ups as usual then?"


    "Well, you all are. I''m an actually functioning adult, thank you very much"


    "Technically so is Kevin"


    "Oh Fuck you, you know what I mean"


    "Yeah, yeah, we''re all just hot messes whilst you are the sole bastion of forward progress."


    "And don''t you forget it" They were both smiling now, at least James was. Alice had quietly started to fill her mouth with the remaining food that sat on the table, grimacing as she realized just how long the conversation had dragged on and how cold her food had grown amidst it. To her disdain, the milky colored contents of the mug had also grown tepid.


    The conversation ambled on from there, indistinct and largely filler words filling the air until finally Alice sighed and pushed herself up from the table, reaching out to grab the ticket before it floated into the hands of James. "I got it. I dragged you out here and made you listen to my rants for an hour after all. You can get the next one whenever we meet up during normal people hours"


    "These are my normal people hours" She made a quick snag for the ticket only for him to pull back.


    "If it bothers you so much could you leave the guy a tip? I don''t really carry cash when I''m wearing this thing after all"


    She nodded as she turned to toss a few bills on the table, not willing to continue the fight any longer. Not long after the two found themselves outside. They walked over to the nice car and shared a quick hug. "Thanks for checking in. It''s hard to make time for folks these days with the shitty shifts and such"


    "I know the feeling. Thanks for picking up the phone. Was worried I''d be stuck back at base all alone for another few days. Speaking of which, I should go log my patrol. I''ll see you around" Alice nodded and released him before huffing as the man did an attempted back-flip, nearly falling straight onto his head before simply pausing midair. Silently, James righted himself before slowly rising up into the sky.


    There were no poses or anything as he did so. It was honestly rather casual. At least relative to superhuman and the sort. As for Alice, she simply rolled her eyes at the display before unlocking her car and climbing in, ready to go meet the sweet embrace of her bed.