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[ This is weird. Isn't it? Bruce still feels slightly weird about it-- though not because of Helena. It's all his own issues, wrestling with what the notion of hypothetical monogamous happy parenthood makes him feel. The fact that it's just out there in some reality, something he didn't think could ever be possible, messes with him.

Regardless. He's pleased to see her. ]

Ah.. they hate me. [ Yes. He's been here. Bruce shoots a polite smile towards the counter as he sits down, and watches the kid behind the register twitch in terror before forcing a smile in return.

Why does everyone hate kale and 300 different additives :( ]

How are you?

[Helena watches the exchange with a raised brow. There's definitely a story behind that. She wouldn't be Helena if she didn't ask what it was. She looks back to Bruce and responds politely despite wanting to brush the question off.]

I'm good. [She chuckles for a couple seconds because how could she not? He apparently made enemies at a Chinese restaurant. It's quite a feat.] So what did you do to them?

I asked for a few substitutions, [ he says, as close to the picture of innocence as it's possible for Bruce Wayne to get. ] It's been slightly off every time so I wrote a list.

[ Like a crazy person, yes. ]

Ah. [Helena takes a sip of her drink to cover up her smile. She knows it's a wasted gesture since she can't stop. As much as she pities that poor guy, this is both funny and endearing at the same time for her.] So you're that customer. I'll be sure to tip accordingly.

I always tip very well, [ he points out. Some habits hold over even without the billions of dollars, regardless of his annoying customer antics. ... Though he's still probably really annoying; he's not doing the I'm so nice and normal and airheaded routine here, which means he's being himself, which means chances are his personality lands anywhere between 'aggravating' and 'nuclear grade asshole' at all times. ]

Anyway. I bought a blender.

I never doubted that. [Helena retorts, but there's no heat to it. Even she tips like she's still rich despite being very aware of her limited budget. (RIP takeout for every meal.) As much as she'd love to be quietly entertained by Bruce Wayne being Bruce Wayne (and really she could listen to these stories all day), she did have something to discuss with him.

Helena takes a delicate sip of her smoothie and changes tracks.] So I was hoping to pick your brain about something. What do you know about the Genesis Project?

[Right or wrong, she feels more comfortable assuming he knows a little about everything. Hey, it did give her an excuse to hangout with him so no harm done if she's wrong.]

I know that it's a magic-technology hybrid, [ he begins, the transition into shop talk more seamless than it should be on anyone. ] I knew a few of the scientists who worked on it, and one of the magic users. The latter doesn't instill any faith, but the city government has been honest about their mechanics so far.

[She visibly relaxes once he enters shop talk. It's terribly naive, but she's inclined to take his word for it. Her idea is getting a little less crazy as a result. That's a result she desperately needs about now. Besides, it's oddly comforting to know this Bruce Wayne may not trust magic either.]

I was thinking it might be an option for me to explore. [She sees no reason not to level with him.] Getting my incentive is important, but truth be told this is harder than I thought it'd be. I don't know how to fix that in a timely manner without trying something a little drastic.

[If she can control what she shares, it's only a little, right?]

[ It'd be naive to take someone else's word for it. It's the right thing to do, taking Bruce Wayne's word for it. Which is an unbelievably egotistical thing to think, but in his honestly quite extensive experience, his assessments are usually correct. ]

Do you need to have an emotional connection to be able to engage in a physical one? [ he asks bluntly. ]

I don't know. [She doesn't bother to hide her frustration. Helena has always prided herself on knowing what to do in any situation. Nothing really prepared her for forging these kind of connections.] I've never tried as me before. I've definitely never had to worry about seeing the other person again afterward.

[Which means she'd have to live with her screw up. That's never appealing.]

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