Meeting the day before school (before Bruce's talk)

[shahzadalghul]

 Damian walked slowly up to the address on the paper from the computer. He had to make sure he wasn’t going soft, that all this schooling wouldn’t leave him an ordinary boy. If Father wouldn’t train him till he went to school, he would have to make sure that the one person who could make Mother fear would be of help to him. He had to ask for her

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[cass_batgirl]

There is a knock at the door, which she turns too as she remains kneeling still holding the string she'd been dangling for the kitten. In the next moment she hisses as little claws did into her through the thin shirt. It seems that the little orange tabby kitten has decided that when it doubt, being on Cass' shoulder (or in her hood if she was wearing one) was the best place to be.

Absently she reaches up to give the kitten a reassuring skritch as she stands and heads to the door. Looking through the peep hole she sees. A boy. She barely sees him, actually. Huh.

Cass opens the door and sees Damian, who she's met a couple of times briefly before. He's nervous about something.

A furry little orange face peeks at the boy from the ebony strands of the girl's hair.

"Damian?" she asks, puzzled.

[shahzadalghul]

Damian was more and more flabbergasted by Gotham life. He had read many stories of the great Cassandra Cain, but seeing her with a kitten on her shoulder made him doubt it was a new training system. “Indeed,” he said softly, wondering how he should ask her about training without seeming like a helpless little boy. He was a Wayne. “I was wondering if we could….talk.” Talking was bad description, but it would have to do. “In a manner of speaking.” This was going well.
BL-more confusion and now a lot of studying her, he’s clearly trying to figure her out and sound more confident, but he wants something.

[cass_batgirl]

The young woman smiles ever so lightly, amused at the boy's obvious confusion and trepidation. She motions him in, and points toward the couch, which is neither shabby nor chic. The entire apartment is nice in a functional way without having any real personality to it. It could be a show suite for a planned condo development.

[shahzadalghul]

Damian looks around, trying to figure out what words to use to convince her to take him for training. The apartment seemed very sterile and utilitarian, making him feel more at ease. It was a warrior’s room for a warrior. “I have decided to remain with my father for the time being,” he began, deciding to stand. “As his son, it is my duty, even if it means being unable to train with the teachers my mother selected.” All right, he should be able to demand her obedience; she had been raised for his service but had rebelled. “My father has decided on a course of training for me, and I seek to supplement it.” He was an Al Ghul and Wayne; he wasn’t good at being humble.

BL-trying to hold himself, afraid to turn his back and a bit vulnerable.

[cass_batgirl]

Cass gives a small expression that is mostly in her glittering eyes. A grin. then she's walking over to the fridge and reaching for something on to of it. When the Asian girl walks back into the room, she has a tin of catnip in her hand, which she then hands to Damian.

"Likes. Make friends." With her hands she motions for the child to open it and give Robin some.

She can see that he's got something on his mind, something he needs to ask, but rushing people is often a bad idea. And she has no need to hurry. It's kind of nice to have a visitor.

[shahzadalghul]

Damian bit his lip, wondering if he was being tested for patience. "tt," he mumbled, as he opened it, and found the catnip. He opened it in his hand, for the cat to sniff it, rub against it, lick it & finally eat it. Nepeta cataria, he know all about it.

Still, the sight of the kitten doing so brought a tiny smile to his lips, almost unable to be seen. For a second, he was almost like a child.

Then he remembers himself and stiffens up.

[cass_batgirl]

Cass watches the wordless transformation in the boy. So small. No one else would have noticed. Well, Bruce would have, but the rest, no. And the boy NEEDS it to be noticed.

The young woman leans over and pointedly pokes him in the shoulder. NOT on any pressure point but definitely enough to get his attention.

[shahzadalghul]

Damian stiffened at the touch, putting his hand up to defend himself. He hated people touching him, especially people who had the ability to hurt him. "Yes?" he hissed.

BL-Stressed, surprised, angry, defensive

Thread continued...

[cass_batgirl]

"No games. Learn you. Learn to learn," she explains as she carefully watches him. Not only how he moves but how his emotions play in his muscles. Anger. A lot of anger and frustration. But only a part of it is about the current spar with her.

She moves out of the way again and reaches out to STROKE the line of his nose before moving again.