Behind The Masks

Chapter 3 : The Watcher and the Dancer

It's been nearly two weeks since Mother had been defeated. Cassandra took her late father's codename Orphan and she had officially joined the Bat clan. Bruce even bought her an apartment in Gotham, which she rarely used. Depending on the part of the town she was while patrolling, Cassandra would often go to Harper or Stephanie's place. But then, Harper began her studies and Stephanie spent more time with Tim. So she began to use more her apartment, always keeping it clean and organized.

Tonight, she was not on patrol duty, but she still was in full suit in the Batcave. She was waiting for a possible call for reinforcements. Cassandra usually patrolled solo through the city, but Bruce had insisted on her familiarizing with the Batcave and the other of the Bat family. Maybe he was right. Stephanie and Harper were more busy due to studies and their social life (especially Steph). She sat on the same rock she sat on when she first stepped in the Batcave with the three Wayne sons. It's already been a while and yet, it felt like it was yesterday. She was alone in the cave, excepted for the bats living within it. Tim and Steph were patrolling along Bruce and Dick...God knew where he was.

After a while of waiting, Cassandra leaped to the computer screens.

Cassandra: "Computer...YouTube. Ballet."

The computer executed the search for her and several videos popped up of different ballet representations from the last months and years. There were hundreds of them, from amateurs to professionals. But then, she saw few figure skating videos. She was intrigued and opted for one of them. Her eyes widdened to the beautiful and graceful moves performed by a single young Russian girl. She could tell from her body language, that she was really into it. Focused. She felt what the figure skater wished to express through this divine dance on the ice rink: serenity, melancoly, determination and strength. The performance was like a story developing silently, with no words needed. Cassandra was truly captivated, she was beaming.

Cassandra spent nearly an hour watching ballet and dance performances as it seemed she was not needed tonight. Alfred passed by to check briefly on her, and even brought her freshly baked cookies on a trail along Darjeeling tea. She'd barely glance to him, mesmerized by the different types of dances, this variety of body language!

Alfred walked up the stairs leading to the secret entrance of the Wayne manor. He stopped midway.

Alfred: "Are you sure you do not wish to go to sleep yet, Master Jason?"

Jason was sitting in one of the small and dark cavities of the cave near the stairs. He was barely visible if it were not for his legs hanging down, out of the shadows.

Jason: "Nah, I'm fine, but thanks. You should rest though. Also, I don't mind to be a babysitting duty tonight."

He glanced briely to Cassandra who was still watching dance videos on YouTube. Alfred discreetly glanced to her as well before to nod slowly.

Alfred: "I will be upstair if you two needs anything in particular. Good night, Master Jason."

The butler headed off to finish his duty for the night. Afterwards, perhaps he could indeed take a short break until Master Bruce, Tim and Stephanie come back from the patrol.

When Jason glanced back to Cassandra, she was standing still feets away from the computer screens. What was she doing? He was intrigued while he chewed a bite from his sandwish. Jason was in his full gear, but his mask rested against his chest, laid on his legs. Then, Cassandra rose slowly both of her arms and tilted her head back slowly. Some kind of secret fighting style? He thought not. Well, he wasn't sure.

Cassandra made few slits with her legs. Ah, she was warming up. Indeed she was. After a good ten minutes, she felt ready.

Cassandra: "Computer. E-Evanescence. Missing."

She stood in the middle of the platform, calm and focused. Then, the music began to play. A soft and melancholic melodu began, followed by a tender and soft voice. The girl felt the vibrations of this melody, of the song to her very core. She began to move her body in a way she hadn't used often before; she was dancing. She followed the song beat perfectly. Cassandra could already match a professional dancer, may it not be for her moves, but for the emotions she put in them.

Jason was watching her in awe. Not only did he recognized the song - one that had once or twice almost made him cry - but her moves...fit perfectly to the sadness of the song. He had even stopped eating, barely blinking, as if he was in a trance. He was hypnotized by this small girl who danced to Missing, a song of the Metal group Evanescence. Although he usually liked faster beats, Jason had always appreciated deeply Evanescence's songs. Most - if not all - of them. His hardened traits gradually softened during her long and yet, short performance. She wad beauty. She was grace. And she could punch you in the face. Yeah, he realized that through her gestures. Perhaps he had understood, for a little while, what it was to read body language. Body language held a deeper meaning.

Jason: "...especially in bed."

He'd muttered, grinning stupidly to himself.

The song was over and so her dance was. Jason felt something in his throat, almost like his vocal chords were tied into a tight knots. He wasn't going to cry, was he? No way, no way...He swallowed with difficulty. Damn this song...it reminded him of too much of the pain he burried...He shouldn't listen to it too much. As he rubbed his eyes to prevent them from watering, he heard the familiar sound of the Batmobile roar; they were back.

He glanced to the tunnel, but he suddenly began to feel uneasy. Jason glanced to the girl...wait, where was she? The Bat computers were off and there were no signs of her.

Jason: "Holy fucking Christ, I'll need a second swimming in the Lazarus Pit if I tell Bruce that I don't know where she -- HOLY CRAPPY LIFE!"

Jason didn't jump so hard in his - second - life. Cassandra was right beside him, looking at him. She held his tightened fist holding an automatic with such strength...Yeah, he had been close to shooting her. The man settled down, but he was visibly pissed. He was caught off guard and...scared by a tiny little girl! He hoped that none had seen that. Alfred was already walking down the stairs to welcome the Master and the young masters back to the cave and the manor safely. Crap. Jason knew he had witnessed his pitiful reaction.

The man traits hardened again as he glared at her menacingly. But she didn't flinch. She simply furrowed her eyebrows a little. But then, he remembered her wonderful performance and his boiling rage seemed to cool down.

Jason: "Don't come up on people like that, they'll have a heart attack."

He even smirked to her playfully and she smiled in return, nodding.

Cassandra: "Yes!"

Jason: "Say, did you know I was there all along...?"

She nodded, smiling. Jason understood that she knew and he sighted. None could really surprice Bruce and now, he had brought in a girl like him.

Jason: "Oh well, I didn't mean to spy on you. By the way, you did great! Even better than pole dancers and strip-teasers!"

She tilted her head, her eyes showing that she didn't really understand his last sentence. However, Cassandra was glad that she wasn't too bad, that someone appreciated her short performance.

Cassandra: "What? Pole...strip..."

Jason: "...Ask Bruce."

To be continued...