Silence Speaks Volumes

A Young Assassin and Extended Family

Damian was showing his Ra's the newly mastered move he was given the day before. Ra's expected everything to be perfect, and perfect it was. Damian was not one to accept failure. He'd worked on the move all night before Ra's called. "I am pleased Hafid." Damian hid his smiled and kept the face of indifference as he laid his sword down. He bowed. "You have been doing well. You will make a great Ra's when your time comes. Has the detective done anything notable?" Damian nodded. "You may speak."

He's located League cell T-NJ-72-E.

"You've given him?"

Nothing. I've kept to my orders. Ra's nodded.

"You'll need to go check on them. You may greet them." Damian's eyes lit up. " Do not let feelings get in the way." Damian nodded. "Farewell." Ra's hung up. Damian went to prepare for the night.

...

As Damian went to leave, he was intercepted by Tim. "Where're you going?" Damian wasn't allowed to talk to his father's family. He circumvented Tim. Tim chased after him. "You can't leave, Damian." The boy was already gone.

Damian got to the cell quickly. He walked in to see his cousin, Hannah. Hannah was a bit older than Damian, but she was always nice to him. "Damian," she said warmly. He bowed and grinned. "I see Ra's has given you permission to greet. What brings you here?"

Batman has found you. You will need to move. She frowned.

"That's too bad, we liked it here." Hannah was referring to her husband. Damian noticed Hannah looked fatter than she was the last time he saw her. That could only mean one thing. "I see you've noticed what the Americans call my 'baby bump.'" Damian nodded. "It will be a boy. We're naming him Aleksandr, after his grandfather." Damian nodded. "Where will we be moving?"

Central City. It's nice. It's a better place to raise a child in actuality.

"You're very wise to still be a child yourself." She chuckled. "I am sure we will like it there. Come so that I can look at you better." Damian walked up to her reluctantly. She figured it out without having to be told. She made sure to not get too close. "How is my aunt?"

Well.

"That is good. May I offer you a cookie?" He shook his head, but she took one out of tupperware anyway. "Ra's doesn't have to know." She held it out to him. He shook his head again. She sighed and grinned. "Must I report that a child is refusing orders from an adult?" He took the cookie and began to eat it slowly. He savored it. "Good boy, now come sit with me while I drink my tea." He came and sat at the table with her. "You're getting so big, my cousin." Damian blushed. "How is the Batman treating you?" Damian shrugged. She rolled her eyes. "They need to stop fighting over you. It's not good. You know, Americans use arbiters to decide the fate of their children. That may be best in their case." Damian looked at his feet. "Look at me, I shouldn't be so candid with you." Hannah's husband came out.

"Beloved," he greeted. "Damian, it is good to see you." Damian nodded and grinned bashfully.

I must go. He stood up.

"Can I offer you a ride back to the detective's house?" Damian shook his head. He knew he was in enough trouble as it was.

"Goodbye, my sweet." Damian waved by and left the way he came.

...

Bruce was not happy to say the least when Damian returned. "Where were you?" Damian didn't answer. "You can't just go wherever you want, Damian. Where were you," Bruce asked again. Damian flinched when Bruce crossed his arms.