"I read. Take a couple of online classes at the junior college," she admitted grudgingly.

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"Good things to do. What do you study?" he asks, as if he hasn't already hacked that particular bit of information out of the junior college's files.

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"I just started," she said, her voice on the defensive side. "I picked up a math class and an English class until I decide what to do." Or if there was any chance she might live through her nighttime activities.

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"Understandable." he says simply.

"You've got a lot potential, Zoey, and probably a lot of of other skills you haven't tapped. You're already aware of how hard this job can be, especially night after night." Red Robin says.

"I know someone who's a little like you, in a way. I asked her what she wanted to do with her life and she told me she wants to do this. I just...know what it's like to do this from a young age. I was very young when I started." he says.

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Zoe looked away for a minute. She didn't like him putting himself on her level, like he knew what it was like /here/ and being /her./

"So what now? Your people talk to my mom and then what? How's this training supposed to work?"

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"Yes, my backers will meet with her tomorrow, and likely contact you as well." he tells her.

"You and I are going to spend some time working on things like forensics and criminology before we hit the streets together. If you can learn to do solid detective work, Zoe, then you can use those skills in a variety of ways." Red Robin says.

"You'll learn surveillance, some chemistry and how to hack your way into any database you come across. When we hit the streets together, you'll have more than just weapons at your disposal. Your mind will put you steps ahead of any gangster you come across."

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She smiled without a trace of humor. "In other words, you're gonna teach me the skills to hunt you down if you don't make good on your promises. I can live with that."

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"Good way to look at it. I could be creating a monster." he says, a bit humor in his voice.

"Eventually, you /might/ even learn to trust me." he says.

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"Maybe. When I know what you look like under the mask."

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"I'm guessing that that's going to be a big sticking point between us, isn't it?" Red Robin asks.

"When I know we can work together as a unit, Zoe, I'll consider bringing you in deeper." Red Robin tells ehr.

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She handed over the grapnel gun. "I'll learn and be better than anybody else you ever gave the same deal to, because I'm not stupid. Until I see what you're selling, I don't trust because I'm not stupid. Sorry if that hurts your feelings, but that's how it is. /I/ know you can trust me because this is my face, my name and my place. You're a guy in a mask promising magic beans so we don't starve. You got your reasons. I get that. Don't mean there won't be problems later."

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"Then you'll see that the proof is in my actions, Zoe." Red Robin says.

"Keep the grapnel gun and practice a bit more on the swing-lines. I'll see you the night after tomorrow." he says, turning to go.

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"Now that funny. Last night you were creepy, stranger danger guy. Tonight was a little better. What do you think you'll be in two nights? I'll have mastered the swingline," she bragged recklessly to his turned back, but with some expectation of success. She'd always been athletic.

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"I'm the same guy every night, Zoe. Maybe it's /you/ who's changing already." he says.

"I expect nothing less. We're going to get you started on some other things then." he says, leaving her to the rooftop.

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