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_taliaalghul (_taliaalghul) wrote in newalliance,
@ 2016-03-13 21:45:00

Entry tags:

[event] retro, damian wayne, talia al ghul

Who: Talia al Ghul, Damian Wayne
What: Talia spends time with her young son.
Where: Venice, Italy
When: July, 2008 [RETRO]
Rating: PG

This was not Damian's first mission he had been left to run independently of his mother or grandfather; and Talia saw no reason to worry after his safety. At eight years old, he was already better trained than most grown men-- and besides, she had her own missions to undertake while her son was away-- two of which had involved swimming through the murky waters that the ancient city was built on top of. Her objectives accomplished, she returned to the villa which was their temporary home-- one of many of her father's landholdings that were kept ready for the moment the al Ghul family required them again. This one was built upon a small island all its own in the Laguna Veneta. The house itself was quaint compared to their usual accommodations, only approximately a hundred square yards for the house itself, and a little less than double that for the entire island. A skeleton staff manned the house; they would not be staying long, likely only until the end of the week when it had been assured that their various assignments had been successful. The house itself was accessible not only by water; but also by air, by virtue of a small helipad out on the island-- though the helicopter that usually occupied it was missing, along with the master of the house.

Talia rose from the deeply inset and carved stone stairs that led out from the water, and made her way into the house to strip of her armaments, accessories and her wet suit. After bathing, she returned to the piazza overlooking the water, dressed in a sleeveless wrap dress of chocolate brown, held cinched at the waist with a thick, beaded belt of gold, green and turquoise.

The sun was setting as she took her tea-- waving for a second setting to be brought out as well. She expected her son to return at any moment; and looked forward to his arrival.

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entitled_bat
2016-03-15 01:22 am UTC (link)

Venice was an old city filled with history and culture but Damian paid it little attention. While others would have been content to wonder at its numerous canals, Damian appreciated the fact that the city presented a unique challenge. Subterfuge was significantly harder without easy transit and ready exits.

Still, it was a straightforward affair. Not an assassination this time. Merely a warning to one of League's associates. The League had many resources and most were easily subjugated. There were a precious few who were in the public eye. Those individuals could prove useful in the future until such time they were won over or replaced. Either way, it would be short sided to conclude dealings with them at this time.

It wasn't the challenge he'd been hoping for. Not with mother making an appearance. Damian concluded his affairs then swam the same route as his mother had done. He could have hired a boat but privacy was of utmost importance. Once he had arrived, he greeted one of his tutors curtly, giving an abbreviated report before going to make himself presentable.

He changed quickly into the clothes that had been set out for him. Fine fabrics in the European style (dress for the locale), then made his way to where his mother was waiting.

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_taliaalghul
2016-03-15 05:06 am UTC (link)

She knew he was coming long before he arrived to have tea with her-- but it wasn't until she heard his footsteps that she poured the second cup of tea, so that it would not have time to grow cold before Damian joined her. She glanced at him briefly to note that he was cleaned and dressed, and his manners had not failed him in that regard, and sipped from her tea for a moment, her eyes cast out towards the bay beyond the reach of the island.

"You are late." She observed, but finally gestured at the second chair for him to join her and take tea- and this time when she looked at him, it was with an air of fondness. She was very glad of him, her son-- though showing him too much undue praise would only harm him in the end. He was not other children; he was destined for many great things... and her motherly intuition to coddle him would only be detrimental to his future.

Talia had learned long ago that to feel something did not mean one should act on it. Terrible consequences came from such foolishness-- and she would not allow that same foolishness to bring harm to her child's future.

"I trust aside from your tardiness that all went according to plan? Your mission was accomplished? Your grandfather was called away unexpectedly, as you may have noticed, and will not be joining us this evening. Perhaps not until Hong Kong."

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entitled_bat
2016-03-17 01:40 am UTC (link)

Damian made a face at her greeting. It was hardly his fault if the stupid politician chose today to alter his schedule. Aside from the timetable, the mission had been completed flawlessly. But, as Damian well knew, there was no room for excuses or exceptions when it came to perfection. In the League, you kept the highest standards or those waiting in the wings would be more than happy to drag you down. As heir apparent, Damian had a bit more security but his position also meant he had more scrutiny.

He sat obediently across from his mother but didn't make any effort to reach for the freshly poured tea cup. He wanted to argue or protest but knew it wouldn't get him anyway so he settled for crossing his arms with a little huff.

"It went fine," he finally replied, sounding a bit sulky and a bit annoyed. There were always more missions, some were challenging most were not. "That long?" he asked.

Not that it really mattered. Ra's al Ghul was not beholden to any schedule but his own.

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_taliaalghul
2016-03-17 02:16 am UTC (link)

She ignored his face and his annoyance and his pouting. Adorable though she might have found them, there was no need to encourage such behavior-- nor did she find at this moment that she had the heart to scold him either. She had already scolded his punctuality, and while Ra's was away, she might be somewhat more lenient.

"Perhaps." Talia replied at Damian's question, glancing away from the sunset to look at her son, pointedly taking note of his refusal of the tea before looking back out to the creeping darkness. "He has been awaiting a certain breakthrough which came today. If all goes well, he return in a day or two; but such experiments are nothing if not unpredictable."

Curiously, Talia looked to Damian again, sipping from her tea again, and holding it in her lap. "Are you disappointed, my son?"

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entitled_bat
2016-03-18 02:24 am UTC (link)

"Not really," Damian replied, but added, "he's always busy."

And it was true. Ra's al Ghul had many duties to attend to. There were precious few matters that required his direct attention and those affairs were always decisive. Mercy was not one of the League's creeds. While Damian had heard of Ra's al Ghul long and storied (and sometimes boring) history, he'd rarely seen him at his best. Instead, it was always lording over his followers and making proclamations. It was very hard to find anything intimidating in that.

Reputation worked wonders but there was only so much Damian could care about. Once in Hong Kong, no doubt it would be talk of politics and declarations of power. Same speeches, different city.

"Are we to wait until he arrives?" Because that sounded boring.

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_taliaalghul
2016-03-18 04:47 pm UTC (link)

A smile bent the corners of her lips at Damian's plain assertions, and she didn't try to correct or coddle him. Nothing he had said was untrue. She would never chide her son for speaking the truth-- though his tact was still sorely lacking in a great many situations. Ah well, such were the joys of children.

"Perhaps for a few days." She said rather enigmatically. In truth, they were supposed to be at Ra's beck and call the moment he crooked his finger; but Talia anticipated this particular mission would take him longer than he expected, which left she and Damian at liberty until he remembered to call for them or to send further instructions.

And if such instructions or summons were not forthcoming within a reasonable amount of time-- say, forty-eight hours-- she saw no reason that they might not enjoy themselves some.

Oh, it would certainly be met with Ra's wrath; but it would be directed at her, and not something she was incapable of handling. Of all the things that she had disobeyed him on, this would be minor at best. He would accuse her of spoiling Damian, the way that he had spoiled her, and that spoiling children made them ungrateful and rebellious- as she herself was a fine example of; but for now, in this instance at least, his ire would be directed at her, and not at Damian. And that she could bear quite easily.

Setting her tea aside, she leaned her elbow on the arm of her chair, couching her chin on her fist and turned to admire her handsome child, the small, elusive smile still lingering.

"Perhaps we will find someplace else to go, more suited to our liking." She prompted. "In all the world; where would you most like to go, my boy?"

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entitled_bat
2016-03-20 10:24 pm UTC (link)

Damian smiled in response and his change in demeanor was obvious. Though skilled in many subjects, hiding his emotions didn't come easily to him. He could put on airs and he was well versed in etiquette but he was also easily bored. Lessons were a constant and free time was a rare thing.

He finally sipped at his tea as he contemplated the question. It was an infrequent opportunity and it would be best not to spoil it. There was the obvious answer, of course, though he'd heard many stories about his father he'd yet to meet the man nor set foot in the place he called his home. But America was not close to Hong Kong and Ra's al Ghul despised delays.

Damian had traveled to many cities and countries but usually with a carefully maintained itinerary. Would it be better to revisit one of those, perhaps India, or try somewhere new? Singapore would be close enough for grandfather's beck and call.

"Do you have a favorite spot, Mother?"

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_taliaalghul
2016-03-21 05:10 am UTC (link)

She could see his mind moving, which was just as fascinating to her as watching a distant thunderstorm blooming on the horizon. He was young still, of course, but it was clear that Damian was an intelligent child; a thoughtful one. One who would not simply accept questions- nor answers- at face value. She had not known his father as a boy; but she imagined they were not dissimilar in that regard, though Damian took after her side as well.

And sometimes, if she were feeling particularly self-indulgent, she thought he took after her; not his grandfather, not their bloodline, but that there was something in him that was uniquely from her. But that was a thought she was careful not to entertain for long periods.

"The world is my home, Damian." She said vaguely, but without venom- simply a statement, if a broad one. "I have many favorite places, for many different reasons. What I am curious of is what place appeals to you." Taking her chin from her hand, she reached out to brush her hand along the back of his head, briefly and affectionately touching his hair before returning to her tea.

"Your wish, my darling, is my command." After all; the only person who would stand in her way was currently gone. No other would dare dissuade the Daughter of the Demon; not if they cared to keep their lives. If she cared to take her son elsewhere, then she would, and there would only be one person who could place judgement on her.

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entitled_bat
2016-03-23 02:09 am UTC (link)

It didn't take Damian much longer to decide. If his mother were truly giving him carte blanche it wasn't an opportunity to be squandered. He'd been many places in the world and to areas unknown to any maps. The League's empire was vast but he was under no illusion that he'd truly seen the extent of it. Yet.

"Then I wish to go some place I have never been before," Damian announced. He held his head up high and paused just for a moment. It was hard to tell if he was hesitating or merely giving Talia a chance to object. "A place with family history."

His words were oblique but the request was direct enough. It was, like most affairs in his life, up to Talia to decide what to do.

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_taliaalghul
2016-03-23 10:50 pm UTC (link)

When he hadn't immediately asked to go to Gotham, she had thought he wouldn't. She mistakenly thought that he had considered it, realized it was an impossibility, and then proceeded to the next best option. But it seemed the first thought had not left him after all, and his subtle subterfuge surprised her.

She stilled when he made his request, then finally let forth a small sigh as she reached for her tea again, taking time to sip from it and to gather her thoughts and words before she replied.

"I cannot take you to your father, Damian." She said point-blank. "I cannot take you to the city of your father, and I daresay I am against the idea of taking you even to the country of your father." Bruce would know, somehow, undoubtedly, and then he would discover Damian's existence and...

... For Talia, everything had changed when Damian was conceived. For Bruce, that shift was yet to come-- and it would be at a time of Ra's al Ghul's choosing; not hers, nor her son's.

This was one matter that was strictly forbidden-- it was not something Talia could flirt with, and ask for her father's forgiveness for later. Disobeying him in this regard would be met with swift and brutal punishment. He would not strike her, nor harm her physically-- but he would see that she was unfit as a daughter, and therefore as a mother; and he would take her son from her, and send her to the end of the world where she could never again have a negative influence on the boy.

"Any where else, my dear. Wherever you would most like to go, only... not there."

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entitled_bat
2016-03-24 02:39 am UTC (link)

Damian huffed out a little sigh. He set his teacup down and let his legs swing idly. He hadn't been asking that... or maybe he had but hadn't wanted to admit it to himself. Either way, to hear things laid out so succinctly and absolutely was depressing and frustrating. It was tempting to make a fuss but his mother wouldn't appreciate that.

She'd yet to retract the offer and if he continued to push, they'd both stay in Italy until Grandfather beckoned. It was a stupid mandate. America was vast and his father had limited himself to a single city. But it wasn't a battle Damian could win yet.

Damian tilted his head slightly and gave Talia a look. A small smirk played on his lips. "And have all your meetings been confined to a single country?"

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_taliaalghul
2016-03-29 12:57 am UTC (link)

She liked to tell herself that Damian was yet too young to understand why his mother couldn't do or give him things that he wanted, even if she didn't disagree. That was only an excuse. He knew that she, and he himself, were beholden to his grandfather, and Ra's al Ghul's word was law. She gave him as much as she was able within the rules he had set; but Damian wanted more. There were certain things she could give, that she could accept punishment for, but others...

... other disobediences would be unforgivable.

It was all she could do to hide the smirk that rose at Damian's next question behind her tea. He was likely to have already seen it, but it wouldn't do to make such things obvious.

"Would you like to see where we were married?"

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entitled_bat
2016-03-29 01:59 am UTC (link)

Growing up in the League taught him many things, a variety of skills, storied history, but it also taught him that people were not created equally. There was a hierarchy to all things. At the head of the League was the Ra's al Ghul, the Demon's Head. Despite his relative youth, Damian's status was widely known.

It made for an interesting situation. He had all the expectations but was beholden to very few people. Audiences with his Grandfather were few and far between and even his mother had her own affairs to see to. He was used to a certain amount of deference it was annoying when anything upset that routine.

But there was no reason to put up a fuss now. His mother had decided to agree with him. They could obey the letter of the law while disregarding its spirit. And grandfather need not know a thing (though he'd most likely find out. He always did.)

Damian nodded. His demeanor had changed. He was now curious and anticipatory, ready to hang on her every word unlike before. "Is it far from here?"

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_taliaalghul
2016-03-30 03:03 am UTC (link)

"Oh yes." She said, smiling at Damian's change of attitude. Her father was right; in many regards Damian was spoiled; but she loved him, and she liked to show him as much when she could.

"South. In the Persian Gulf, just north of Bahrain." She was sure Damian would have at least passing knowledge of the area given those directions-- he was a very astute student, after all, and geography was not a subject one should skimp on. Turning towards him, she poured herself another cup of tea, and warmed his with a little more as well.

"You see Damian, when I was very young," She began, leaning forward in her chair, her tea balanced on her knee, "Close to the age you are now, my mother was murdered in front of my very eyes. Your grandfather was devastated, and devoted a great many resources to tracking down her murderer to make him suffer in kind- but the prey proved elusive for many years.

"Until we met your father; a many of great intellect and skill. Your father is a canny and creative detective-- observant, vigilant, determined. He found this man, even when your grandfather could not. But this was only one of many tests that your grandfather surprised your father with; each one more difficult than the last. And still, he succeeded each time, by use not simply of his brawn, but of his quick wit." It was only the beginning of the story, but she took a moment to sip her tea, testing Damian's reaction.

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entitled_bat
2016-04-02 06:26 pm UTC (link)

Damian took a sip of tea but once Mother started his story it was clear his attention was caught on every word. Stories about his father were few and far between. In contrast, stories about his grandfather were a dime a dozen. The storied history of Ra's al Ghul was filled with many battles and triumphs but, though he clearly greatly benefited from those same endeavors, they might have been ancient history for Damian. (And in truth, some were.)

But stories about his father, someone grandfather respected and his mother adored were far more entertaining. They were always different too. Sometimes his father would preserve due to his wits, other times, his strength.

When his mother paused, Damian was quick to ask, "How did he find him, Mother?" He was caught up in the narrative and wanted no delays.

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_taliaalghul
2016-04-04 11:25 pm UTC (link)

He was so taken by his father; it made her heart glad. One day, her son would meet the man they spoke of, and she expected he would be delighted; though of course he would keep such emotions contained, as befitted his station. Still though, it brought a small smile to her lips to see how her son brightened when she spoke of her Beloved.

"This man made the mistake of committed another act of murder, this time in your father's home of Gotham City. The Batman cannot allow such atrocities to go unpunished, because he serves justice, you understand. It was this other murder that tipped your father's hand; and when he found your grandfather was involved, he pieced together the mystery, and unraveled it-- as fast as if the answer had simply sprung to his mind, so great are his powers of deduction. That is why your grandfather calls him Detective, as you know."

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