Enter: Damian...... Wayne?

[robinrises]

The arrival to Wayne manor was less than difficult; after all, Damian had been raised since his early life to pull off any sort of scheme thought up. This was different, though. Damian had defiantly disappeared from the League of Assassins due to needing change. Yes, he was Ra's al Ghul's grandson but it meant little to him anymore- he was nothing but a 'spare' after all. There in case the 'real' plan were to fail.

But Damian was more than some simple 'spare'. He would never allow himself to sink into the life of a low-level tool that was to be used strictly as back up. He was more than that- better. So he made a big decision and set the plan into action.

He would meet his parents.

His mother, perhaps, would have been a simpler lead. After all, she was Ra's al Ghul's daughter. However, Damian sought to disappear from Ra's' plans entirely and knew it would be foolish to remain within reach of the League. This is what truly confirmed his decision- his father was the one he had to seek out first.

After plenty of research and thoughtful planning, there he was, standing on the doorstep to Bruce Wayne's home. He stared up at the building, a disinterested look on his face, but green eyes glittering with a kind of anticipation he didn't yet understand.

"So this is the fabled Wayne Manor." He muttered, glancing side to side. "It's smaller than I expected. Hm." Now was the biggest step. He'd made it this far unnoticed and without struggle. Was he to simply ring the doorbell, or did he need to take different initiative? Deciding to go with a more socially acceptable approach, the boy stepped forward and pressed his first finger up against the button on the side. He stepped back immediately after, staring directly at the door with hard eyes.

This was the moment of truth.

Comments

[fanboy_power]

There wasn't a very long wait before the door opened. It wasn't a butler or even the owner of the mansion that was answering the ringing bell though. Instead it was a teenager in Kid Flash logo t-shirt. Eddie blinked a few times in surprise before offering a smile.

"H-hello. Can I help you?" he asked.

[justlikebruce]

"HEY." What is talking like a normal person? Not something Jason Todd knows how to do.

"Is that my Ubereats guy? He's like fifteen minutes late." Jason of course is pretty much ducking around the corner and half way hanging all over Eddie. Jason really likes his 'younger brother' and may be forgetting to not crowd him.

He blinks a few times at the hard eyed kid at the door. Nope, not an Uber driver.

[robinrises]

Damian quirked an eyebrow. This was the right place, surely, yet who were these... fools? His expression was like stone, eyes sharp and likely familiar to the other two in a weird, de ja vu way.

Without further ado, the boy stepped forward and let himself into the mansion. He glanced around and turned back toward the others. "You two are extremely unorthodox for servants. My name is Damian, and I am here to meet my father. Take me to him." His tone was expectant and the look on his face showed he was more than serious.

[fanboy_power]

Eddie gave a little surprised noise when Jason started hanging on him. He glanced up at his 'older brother' with a smile before returning his attention to the kid at the door only to see him letting himself in.

"Hey," he started to protest only to be cut off. And then there was just confusion. "I...what?" he glanced back to Jason before tilting his head to the side. "Um. I'm s-s-sorry but Damian who? And who's your father?"

[justlikebruce]

Jason feels something curdle in his stomach. He doesn't like the way he is called 'servant'. He is not some kind of hired help and even then Jason thinks that people doing their jobs, the honest kind anyways, deserve respect.

His lips pull back in a sneer. "We're not the help."

His tone is a little harsh but he kind of wants to thrash this kid and for once Jason has no idea why.

[robinrises]

Damian gave an agitated sigh. He should have figured as much, though he wasn't entirely sure who these two could possibly be.

"Damian al Ghul." The boy replied, "But I suppose if I'm to be a little more direct for the both of you, you could also call me Damian Wayne." He crossed his arms over his chest and focused on the young adults in front of him. "This IS Wayne manor, correct?"

[fanboy_power]

Eddie had been thinking they were just dealing with some lost or confused kid. But then Damian gave his name and Eddie's expression became one of shock. The 'al Ghul' name alone was enough to have him worried but the 'Damian Wayne' part was even more of a surprise. What Damian was claiming didn't make sense to Eddie and he looked to Jason again.

"M-maybe we should find a place to sit down and then go g-g-get Mr. W-...get Bruce" he suggested quietly to his 'older brother', hoping there wasn't about to be a fight.

[justlikebruce]

Jason does not like this. The name coming out of the kid's mouth has something howl in the back of his head. He doesn't like his reaction to the kid's name. He doesn't deserve the knee jerk reaction to fight.

Jason decides that maybe he should go get Bruce. He gives Eddie a short nod. "Yeah. I'll go get Dad.... I guess it's okay to bring him to a sitting room."

He just couldn't help but throw a little dig at Damian as he leave to go find Bruce.

[robinrises]

"Tt." Damian remarked with a simple display of annoyance. Watching Jason leave, he grew mildly curious as to just who he was. There was clearly something missing, here. His eyes flicked back to Eddie-

"Dad?" He inquired. Was that other person related to Bruce Wayne? He waited to be directed to the sitting room so he could finally meet the father he'd only ever heard about.

[fanboy_power]

Eddie nodded in reply to Jason and watched him for a moment before attention returned to Damian. He wasn't sure what to make of the younger teen yet but those names had him worried. The question got a nod out of Eddie as he began to lead the way to the sitting room.

"Yeah. You w-wanted to see Bruce so he went to get him," Eddie replied.

[robinrises]

Damian walked behind and slightly diagonally from Eddie. He had his hands behind his back and as they went, surveyed the surroundings once again. Memorizing it.

"Correct." He replied. It was clear he expected it to be soon. The way he stood, presented himself, all of it- it was clear he was raised by Ra's al Ghul and the League of Assassins. There was a dangerous aura he carried with him.

[fanboy_power]

"Sit anywhere you'd like," Eddie offered as they entered the sitting room, gesturing to the sofas and chairs in the room. Eddie certainly noticed that dangerous aura, surveying Damian the same way he was looking over the room they were in. The older teen carried himself in a more shy and careful way, not exactly giving off a dangerous himself.

"I'm s-sure they'll be back soon," he offered, standing rather than sitting down. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "So um...did you have to travel long t-to get here?" he asked, not that good with small talk.

[robinrises]

"I will." Said Damian as he took a seat on one of the sofas. Crossing one leg over the other, he pondered Eddie's question before giving a very direct answer. "Tibet. It was a journey, but nothing impressive. I've completed a number of journeys far greater. This place is... acceptable. Different than I imagined." He wasn't one for small talk, really, but for the time being he may as well.

[fanboy_power]

"Tibet? That's pretty far," even if Damian said it wasn't, Eddie did think that trip was a bit impressive. While he had done more travel than one might expect of someone with his history, Eddie hadn't been outside the United States very much so travel from other countries still caught his interest. "J-just acceptable? What did you think this place would be like?" he asked, genuinely curious.

[robinrises]

Damian gave a shrug. "Bigger." Was his simple answer. There was no need to describe any further detail, or anything. He clasped his fingers together over his knee. He pondered what his father would be like.

[mr_bruce_wayne]

Off in the Sun Room, Bruce was having a very nice meeting. The truth of the matter was that he was having tea with Sandy, Kathy and Dick in attendance, being served by Alfred. When the boys took longer than expected to reappear, foreboding caused Bruce to scowl deeply.

“Would you like some more tea, Missus Higginbotham?” Sandy asked her grandfather, while batting big doe-like eyes. Bruce loved the little girl dearly, but he was starting to become distracted. Where were Eddie and Jason? “Sandra, will you forgive my bad manners? I must excuse myself.” he murmured in reply.

Moving to stand, Bruce scowled more, his face turning to Kathy and Dick. “They should have been back by now.” was all he said.

[justlikebruce]

"Bruce?" He sticks his head in the room. He had a rather serious look on his face.

"Got a second?" The look on his face reads that they have a situation. Jason isn't sure just where on the scale of problems this falls on.

It's just a kid. Can't be that bad. Maybe he was just over reacting before.

[mr_bruce_wayne]

The look on Jason’s face causes Bruce to press his lips into a straight line. “What is it?” he asks, not mincing words.

[justlikebruce]

"Kid showed up." Jason's expression starts to echo Bruce's. Mostly because Jason is trying to keep his cool.

"Says he's named Damian al Ghul." Let that sink in just for a second. Jason fights the urge to scowl. "He didn't say he was your son directly but... uh. He very much implied it."

Is Jason freaking out? On the inside he is!

[kathy_duquesne]

Kathy says nothing, but the smile fades from her face immediately as she glances at Bruce.

[mr_bruce_wayne]

Bruce’s scowl deepens, if that were even possible. He looks downright thunderous. “I would say that it was impossible, but given his surname, I wouldn’t put anything past them.” he then said, his tone low and near the bottom of his register.

Looking to Kathy, Bruce said “This could be a trap. Few things with the League are as simple as their face value. Whomever Damian is, I’m willing to bet it’s a complicated story.”

Well, there was no time as good as the present, it seemed. Bruce gathered himself and then tried to affect something less scowling on his face as he moved towards the door. “Where is he, Jason?” he asked.

[justlikebruce]

That is right about when Jason has his oh shit moment. He left his little brother alone with an unknown. He can't believe how stupid he was. Jason feels his stomach lurch with an unbidden flash back trying to over take him.

He mentally swears and shakes himself. Thankfully this was all a quick freak out. "Yeah. He's with Eddie. Front sitting room."

His hands get shoved into his pockets. "I figured we should try and treat him like a kid... even if he's acting all...I dunno. Posh robot?"

Treating Damian like a kid is way more Dick's style.

[flyingg]

Important question, not in the least to determine timelines.

"How old a kid?" Just asking.

[justlikebruce]

"Ten, I think."

Facts. Facts give him something to think on. Okay, maybe a ten year old won't straight up murder them all. But that makes Jason lean more towards wondering if Damian was raised like a kid or a weapon. He is leaning towards the later and it makes his blood go hot.

Great, from almost hate to wanting to punch people for him.

[mr_bruce_wayne]

“Let’s go.” stated Bruce as he strode off down the hall. The boy was waiting.

[flyingg]

Dick just nodded, and busied himself with Sandra to keep her for rushing after her grandfather. Or before him. Yes, he was very curious, but Jason's expression - not to mention the new kid's name made him consider it likely dangerous to let his daughter run over to greet the newcomer excitedly.

He was going to follow, too, with her firmly carried against his hip. And he was going to be looking through the footage of the entrance hall as close as Bruce was, probably.

[mr_bruce_wayne]

All of the sudden, Bruce appeared in the double doors, dressed in black. He also wore the scowl to end all scowls. He was unamused and for those that knew him best, they would recognize him being very much in Batman mode. The gloves were off for this situation.

“Damian.” he said simply, the name rolling off his tongue. “Where is your mother? Is she here?” As he spoke, Bruce crossed the room, coming to the boys.

Bruce obviously thought the most logical answer to this mystery - That Talia had somehow gone behind his back and given birth to the child. He crossed his arms over his chest, still standing There as he waited for an answer.

[kathy_duquesne]

Kathy stands behind him, silently. Her eyes are observant, taking everything in, and not just from the boy. If this is a trap, he's meant to make the Batman lower his defenses.

Kathy will be those defenses for him if necessary. And when it's done, she will be there for Bruce.

[fanboy_power]

"B-bigger than this?" Eddie trailed off quietly. Wayne manor was huge as far as he was concerned but he'd come from a different place as Damian. The sound of approaching feet caught Eddie's attention moments later and he glanced at the door. When the others arrived, Eddie stood up straighter. His expression went right back to concerned when 'Batman mode' registered with him and he stayed quiet. He gave a little nod of greeting to everyone following Bruce before his gaze settled on Damian again.

[justlikebruce]

Jason slips in. He is trying to stay near Kathy but he is in Robin mode. It feels right to at least slip into that mode. He just feels a bit for the kid.

Too bad Timmy isn't in the room. He may not get along with him but Jason can see where Tim's perspective would seriously help.

[robinrises]

Damian stood, taking a glance at the new faces. So this was Bruce Wayne... finally, he was meeting the person he'd traveled far to see. "-Tt-. Hardly a greeting, wouldn't you say, father?" He tilted his head slightly to the side. He crossed his arms over his chest. "It just so happens that I came for you before her. You live farther away from the League, obviously."

With little expression on his face, he took a good look at the newcomer- a woman, the boy he'd been speaking to previously, and then the other- the one who went to retrieve his father. "I'm surprised you need this many people around. They say they aren't your servants, so what is their purpose?" He looked directly at Bruce, then. "They're definitely not bodyguards."

[mr_bruce_wayne]

"Eddie," he nods towards the youth, "And Jason are my sons by adoption. Kathy is my partner." replied Bruce. He was giving a lot of information, but right now, it seemed appropriate. After all, Damian said he had come to Wayne manor before seeking out Talia. That couldn't bode well.

"Your name is Damian al Ghul." said Bruce then, his voice commanding the boy and the subject back to something under his control. "That means that you, at the very least, are familiar with Ra's."

[robinrises]

"Interesting choices." Damian remarked before listening to the rest of what Bruce had to say. He noticed the change in conversation and knew he wanted the topic changed.

"Correct." He replied. "He was a great man, though not the best at picking for potential." It was clear he held some sort of bitterness toward the other, but there was no evidence as to why as of right now.

[mr_bruce_wayne]

Bruce didn’t seem to like that answer, or at the very least, it caused him to press his lips into a straight line. “And so what brings you here?” he asked, while linking his hands behind himself. His line of questioning was direct, and minced few words.

[robinrises]

"It's simple, really. I had no desire to live my life as some simple 'spare' like Ra's wanted." Damian placed his hands behind his back, holding one wrist. "I'm more than that. I researched and located you, then came here. -Don't get me wrong, I can take care of myself, I merely had some interest in the background of the father I've never met."

All the while, Damian's eyes never left Bruce's. The child had the stern look of an adult, though only 10.

[fanboy_power]

Eddie had been quiet since everyone arrived, just watching and listening. "Sorry but," he was making more of an effort to deal with his stutter now. "Spare for what?"

[kathy_duquesne]

Kathy doesn't say a word, but there's the tiniest shift in her body language, as if she's just a half-step closer to Bruce.

A spare. He was a child, and Ra's called him a "spare." She didn't have to see his face to get an idea of just how angry Bruce must be feeling right now.

[justlikebruce]

Oh Jason is angry. He cannot even begin to touch on just how badly he wants to suddenly make someone bleed. Ra's would be ideal but Jason could settle for some other deserving scum too.

He has to suddenly remind himself that he isn't Red Hood anymore. That he can't just go off and do what he wants anymore.

But he really wants someone to pay for calling the kid a spare.

[robinrises]

Damian seemed unimpressed with the series of reactions he was receiving. Clearly this lot hadn't dealt with Ra's personally- as far as he was concerned, that is. "A spare child. Obviously." He responded to Eddie.

"... In case my parents didn't have their own child."

He looked toward Bruce, waiting for him to say something again. "Well, father?"

[mr_bruce_wayne]

The revelation of Damian’s “spare” birth simply made Bruce ‘s scowl fall into a grimace, and he shook his head the slightest bit. “I am not Ra’s.” he stated, before crossing his arms over his chest. “I am also not surprised that he did this.” There was a pause, and as he looked around the room, Bruce mused “So now what? What did you come here expecting?”

[robinrises]

Damian mimicked his father in a sense that he, too, looked around the room. It was certainly different than he'd expected, but...

"That wasn't obvious from the start?" He inquired. Well, he supposed they weren't as observant as he'd hoped. "While it's true I can very clearly take care of myself," He began, placing his hands behind his back. "I've come here to learn from you, father. The league is behind me, so to speak. I've located you to learn what is so great about you."

[mr_bruce_wayne]

"The League." scoffed Bruce, as he too linked his hands behind him, mirroring Damian. "As for your learning from me, I have to give that some thought. I already have quite a few wards. I'm not certain that I'm ready to take on the responsibility of an unknown's life. Especially out on the streets right now. If you want to learn from me, you will be content to take your time and learn at the pace I set. I can't just go from zero to one hundred; we need to make sure that you can take one hundred."

[robinrises]

Damian didn't like the implication Bruce made with his last comment and that much was clear by how his eyes lit up with fury. "-Tt-. Just what do you take me for?" He grumbled. "I suppose I understand your wariness, father, but you would be wise to take me seriously. I am not one to be looked down upon."