It's not the hardest field of study, and I'm still taking classes and certifications as I go, but it has been taking some work! But I love it, there's a lot of places for hellhounds to be muscle or receptionists or whatever... doing this, I feel like I'm doing something special. It took me foreeever to figure out this was what I wanted to do, even with my family already in this line of work!
Huh... and you're like, glowing. You're really happy, and it's really inspiring.
It makes me hope someday I'll run into somethin' I'd like to do that could even make me feel like 50% of what I'm feelin' from you. I did... bounty hunting for a while. I'm good at it, but I feel like people hated me more than felt relief that somebody was lookin' out for 'em.
I don't wanna give that kinda thing up, since I know there's a lotta people who need the help against others who would take advantage of 'em, but... man, all the stories make it sound so easy to play some kinda hero.
Y'know... Somebody that people would like n' notice, cheer for a little bit. I mean, who doesn't wanna be somebody that others can look up to? Just... you enter a room and people see you and everybody lights up.
[He rubbed his neck awkwardly and sighed in defeat. Steam rolled from between his teeth.]
No, that makes sense... like, I have plenty of hard days and people that don't like me, but I also have plenty of parents and kids that are grateful. Finding the spot where the good outweighs the bad is important.
[She offers him a smile! She'd missed the steam entirely.]
But! It doesn't have to be your job that makes you feel warm and welcomed. A good circle of friends can be the huge difference maker. People can be so judgmental about homeless people, so I know it can be hard for them to make friends... it sucks that that's the case, but I hope this here's the start of your first circle.
[The good outweighing the bad. When everything started, he had more good days than bad. But as time went on, it reversed and cascaded...]
...Yeah...
[But not anymore. His smile was one of relief. She was right... in these last few weeks, this complete 'change of address' has come up with a lot of new and interesting faces, so many supportive folk... and save for the kind of freaky meeting with the King, maybe there was nowhere to go but up for him.
[She'd have to ask him what 'kanpai' meant later, but she could guess - she knew a few weebs from school.
After taking a sip from her sangria and laughing a little at her head swimming, she finally set down the alcohol and obeyed her body begging her to stop.]
That's all the booze I can handle. Let's get a huge plate of cheesy nachos!
[His own brain was begging a whole drink and a half ago, so by the time he was done he sort of wanted to find a table and sleep under it. But no... he would endure...!! Pochita was strong and so was he. Chainsaw Man (Man? Dog? He remembered talking with Octavia about a name but thinking was hard right now) wasn't going down without a fight!]
"Nah-choze"~ I have no idea what those are, but I'm so fuckin' in, Poppy! Lemme at 'em!
Ohh, I think you'll like them! They're tortilla chips covered in cheese and all kinds of toppings! I loooove them with olives and bell peppers, maybe a little chili and sour cream!
[There is absolutely no wait time before that plate is summoned right in front of them, the proportions truly monstrous.]
[So it wasn't something you used utensils for. It was like nigiri! The chips were scoops for the mix of toppings and eaten as a whole thing. Okay, easy!
He would try that too, and try to get as many of the toppings as he could. But-]
Heheh... oh, shit-! My little chip ship's losin' integrity!
[You had to be quick before the chips got too heavy or soggy and broke! Fortunately he used another chip for balance before helping himself to his first big bite of nachos.
Right. Man... ya wouldn't believe the number of assholes I was in fights with goin' on n' on about how my dreams are 'too simple'. I mean, I beat 'em every time, my dream's legit, but it gets so freakin' annoying after a while.
[He went for more.]
This right here? Dream shit. I met somebody and they don't think I'm too weird to hang out with. Dream shit. Who needs piles of riches or bein' some kinda King if you get to sleep where ya don't get rained on and get to chow down on nachos with somebody that's cool as fuck and helps kids?
[Whew! Was it the booze making the compliments hit so hard? Poppy smiles as she's munching on a chip, ignoring how burning hot her face was.]
Those people sound like they were assholes. They must've just been mad you were beating them. Or maybe they were feeling insecure about their own dreams and goals.
Hahahaaah, some were so pissed. Oh man, I got... I got so many stories...
[He leaned back and thought, brought a thumb to his tongue and lap off a bit of salt from the chips. After, he leaned closer, shielded his snout at one side with a hand. Booze was making him really talky.]
Thing is, I dunno if I'm allowed to tell some of 'em...
[She was nice to him, and he wasn't lying when he said she was cool. This was something that he knew she'd keep hush-hush. He looked left, looked right, and decided that Lucifer only said not to fuck around with the Purge. This had nothing to do with that whole thing...]
Heheh... I'm a superhero. "Bounty hunting" is just code...
I've been able to jump from building to building, which is super fun, but I'm also strong enough to throw cars. But the big thing, the one signature thing...
Yeah, you get me! I'm surprised the name wasn't taken, so I snatched that sucker up. It would'a been any old movie title or somethin', but I remembered old Leatherface and it was my lightbulb moment.
[Then, he giggled.]
Holy shit, I think I'm drunk. That's not real hero-like, huh?? I should... I should call somebody...
Wait... wait, but I gotta make sure you're okay...!
[A salute! Getting up and- whoa. whoa whoa. Okay... let's find that water and... and his ride. C'mon, Pochita, you can take a little alcohol, right? Devils are tough!
He checked for the friend of hers, and felt a lot better about parting ways. Now where the heck was his buddy? He hoped they weren't lost in the face-sucking sauce...]
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Is that kinda work rough to get into? Like... school, certifications and everything?
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It makes me hope someday I'll run into somethin' I'd like to do that could even make me feel like 50% of what I'm feelin' from you. I did... bounty hunting for a while. I'm good at it, but I feel like people hated me more than felt relief that somebody was lookin' out for 'em.
I don't wanna give that kinda thing up, since I know there's a lotta people who need the help against others who would take advantage of 'em, but... man, all the stories make it sound so easy to play some kinda hero.
Y'know... Somebody that people would like n' notice, cheer for a little bit. I mean, who doesn't wanna be somebody that others can look up to? Just... you enter a room and people see you and everybody lights up.
[He rubbed his neck awkwardly and sighed in defeat. Steam rolled from between his teeth.]
Sorry... I'm really fuckin' buzzed.
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[She offers him a smile! She'd missed the steam entirely.]
But! It doesn't have to be your job that makes you feel warm and welcomed. A good circle of friends can be the huge difference maker. People can be so judgmental about homeless people, so I know it can be hard for them to make friends... it sucks that that's the case, but I hope this here's the start of your first circle.
[She offers up her glass to 'cheers' with.]
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...Yeah...
[But not anymore. His smile was one of relief. She was right... in these last few weeks, this complete 'change of address' has come up with a lot of new and interesting faces, so many supportive folk... and save for the kind of freaky meeting with the King, maybe there was nowhere to go but up for him.
He raised his glass as well.]
Yeah! Kanpai!
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[She'd have to ask him what 'kanpai' meant later, but she could guess - she knew a few weebs from school.
After taking a sip from her sangria and laughing a little at her head swimming, she finally set down the alcohol and obeyed her body begging her to stop.]
That's all the booze I can handle. Let's get a huge plate of cheesy nachos!
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"Nah-choze"~ I have no idea what those are, but I'm so fuckin' in, Poppy! Lemme at 'em!
[V's for victory!]
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[There is absolutely no wait time before that plate is summoned right in front of them, the proportions truly monstrous.]
--Right! Like that! Thank you, Queen Bee!
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The plate appeared and Denji was in awe. His eyes sparkled and his voice cracked.]
...Thank you, Queen Bee, for this offering. It's... it's beautiful...
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Ooooh, I'm drooling. I'm doing it, I'm digging in!
[She'll grab a couple of chips so she can heap up a ton of cheese, olives and sour cream in one indulgent bite. NOM.]
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He would try that too, and try to get as many of the toppings as he could. But-]
Heheh... oh, shit-! My little chip ship's losin' integrity!
[You had to be quick before the chips got too heavy or soggy and broke! Fortunately he used another chip for balance before helping himself to his first big bite of nachos.
...]
...I am a changed man.
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[She scoops up a nice heap of chili and pops it right in her mouth.]
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[He went for more.]
This right here? Dream shit. I met somebody and they don't think I'm too weird to hang out with. Dream shit. Who needs piles of riches or bein' some kinda King if you get to sleep where ya don't get rained on and get to chow down on nachos with somebody that's cool as fuck and helps kids?
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Those people sound like they were assholes. They must've just been mad you were beating them. Or maybe they were feeling insecure about their own dreams and goals.
[Rolling her eyes!!]
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[He leaned back and thought, brought a thumb to his tongue and lap off a bit of salt from the chips. After, he leaned closer, shielded his snout at one side with a hand. Booze was making him really talky.]
Thing is, I dunno if I'm allowed to tell some of 'em...
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I can keep a secret! Pentagram over my heart.
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Heheh... I'm a superhero. "Bounty hunting" is just code...
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What's your super power?
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Chainsaws. Everywhere.
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Chain paw massacre! I get it!
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[Then, he giggled.]
Holy shit, I think I'm drunk. That's not real hero-like, huh?? I should... I should call somebody...
Wait... wait, but I gotta make sure you're okay...!
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[She'll take another big bite of nachos.]
Get some water too! Getting drunk is really fun at parties, but water's gonna help so you're not too sick in the morning.
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[He smiled, and rubbed the back of his neck.]
Anyway, uh... don't be a stranger, yeah? I wanna do that movie, and... y'know, adventures n' stuff.
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[A salute! Getting up and- whoa. whoa whoa. Okay... let's find that water and... and his ride. C'mon, Pochita, you can take a little alcohol, right? Devils are tough!
He checked for the friend of hers, and felt a lot better about parting ways. Now where the heck was his buddy? He hoped they weren't lost in the face-sucking sauce...]