The UnTamed

CH 5

Damian and Astraea were both very observant people, but in different ways. Asta was emotionally observant, as she could tell how people felt; it was part of her ability to sense others' emotions. Empathy. With one glance, she could categorize a person into four emotions: Happy, Sad, Mad, and Scared. With further investigation and contact, she could gather more, which she did with Damian. With all their time together, she could identify his mood and its subcategory. Although she still didn't know how to react all the time. She was learning.

Damian was more observational and inferential, which made sense since he was the son of the world's "Greatest" detective. He could observe people and their actions and pull them apart. Taking the evidence given, digging deeper, connecting dots, and making a conclusion or inference. He could learn the basics about anyone with a good look, but with more time, he could dig deeper, and that's what he did with Asta. With all their time together, he could acknowledge things about her that she had yet to disclose or know herself. Didn't know what to do with such information. But he had it.

-

Damian was angry, and it fell into irritation and annoyance, something Asta could see and feel. She hesitated at the window, not sure of how to approach him. Slowly slipping into the room and getting to the bed, she perches on the edge. Judging him from afar. He acknowledged her with a glance and nod and returned to his book. She continued inching closer toward him, her paws quiet and soft on the sheet. Reaching him, she changes from a feline to a human. She sits up against the headboard. "What's wrong?" he gives a side glance. " You're not happy."

"What gave it away."

"I... I just know." she had his full attention now. "Why are you upset?"

"I'm not," he was. He had been banned from patrol for a week. That had been extended until further notice after an argument with Tim. who only got a scolding. So yeah, he was pissed, but he didn't want to talk to her about it. He just wanted to read, draw, and get away for a moment.

"Can I help?" Asta didn't like him angry; she didn't like feeling his anger, and it was so loud she couldn't help but feel it, and she wanted to do away with it. " I'm sure there is something we can do. Something to make you happy."

"Nothing"

Asta leans against him, looking over his shoulder and looking at his book. " Looks like an interesting book. Tell me about it."

"Why?" he asked, but not really, his voice clearly filled with annoyance and irritation. Maybe she couldn't hear that or ignored it.

" So, I can know about it myself and look into it." He let out a bitter scoff. Pushing her away. "

How? You can't even read."

The moment the words left his mouth, he instantly regretted it. The way her face fell was something he never wanted to see again. The way she shrank into herself, slid off the bed and stepped onto the floor. It pained him. He didn't even touch her, but he knew he hurt her deeply.

"I could teach you." He knew from the very beginning that she couldn't read or write. Her limited vocabulary, her avoidance of any written material, mispronouncing words. The biggest giveaway(besides the fact she lack a record of attending any type of school) was her name. When he first gave her name, she always asked him to write and spell it. She never wrote or spelled it herself. She tried, but it was clear from her behavior she was illiterate, but she hid it well. " I could teach you how to read and write." She looked at him, confused and suspicious but unmoving. " Can't have you running around uneducated. I'll teach you."

"I -I don't..." she stuttered as she took a small step back. He set his book on the nightstand and stood up on the other side of the bed. "I'll teach you to write as well," he said." We can start small. You already know your name." he sounded desperate as he watched her eye the window. Her escape. He didn't want her to leave. He didn't want her to go. He didn't know if she'd come back. She could feel his sadness, guilt, remorse, and shame. And feeling that made her sad, too. But a hurt and embarrassed sad.

Even in her sadness, she could not hurt him. With kindness only she knew, she nodded 'yes,' and with a flicker of feathers, she had flown outside the window, gone until the next.

-

Asta returned to him two weeks later. Instead of going to the manor, she found Birdie on the rooftops. His ban had been lifted. " Hello," She whispered as she appeared behind him. She didn't want to startle him as he was perched on the ledge.

"Hello, Astraea," Robin said but didn't turn around.

"You ... you said you'd teach me. You'd help me." Turning around, Robin found Asta small; she kept her head down and fidgeted with her fingers. She was not her usual boisterous self. He made her small. He didn't like that.

"We can start with the Alphabet.