riverview | video | un: al.ghul

( What you see when the feed turns on is Damian standing in what appears to be the jungle, and if you look closely, you can see there are a number of fallen creatures behind him. They're in various... pieces, for lack of a better word. Some are whole, easy to mistake for a creature in slumber were it not for the neat wound over their heart - a clean, flawless kill. Others are not so fortunate, limbs strategically removed in a way that tells you their attacker is skilled, practiced in the art of disabling and destroying a target.

For those who are more focused on the speaker, you'll see Damian. But for those who've met him, there's something cold about the green stare and his expression is set in an emotionless line. There are smears of blood across one cheek and a speckled arc of scarlet across the other cheek and his forehead. His clothing is in a similar state, splattered with blood. But there are no tears, no sign of injury beyond a single scratch stretched across his neck. And just barely, you can see evidence of what might be a horn or tusk clutched in his hand - one end dark and bloodied, newly removed from its previous owner. )

Tell me of this city's greatest champions and most treasured relics. They will be slain and captured in the name of Al Ghul.

( ooc For those canon familiar, Damian's forgotten his memories from the middle of the Year of Blood onward. For those unfamiliar, meet Damian al Ghul, assassin and demon child.

He currently thinks he's still in the middle of the Year of Blood. What that means is he will be trying to complete one task a day as a show of strength/intent and take a "trophy" as proof to present to his mother and grandfather. Those tasks will likely be extremely violent. If you want to plan anything on that front or handwave any previous CR, feel free to message me via PM or on plurk at

batbrain. )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ ohhh boy. Jon considers replying but he knows they'll just run in circles. He digs through his clothes and puts on his suit. Right now, he needed to be Superboy. With a quiet exhale, Jon hones in on Damian's heartbeat before flying out the window and landing nearby. Everything is on high alert and Jon can feel the trepidation sink into his bones. He's no stranger in a fight. ]

Damian?

( Damian had pocketed his phone not long after he'd posted to the network. When Jon arrived, what he'd find was Damian leaning over one of the larger fallen creatures.

It's clear the creature was the owner of the tusk he'd been holding a moment ago, and he had every intention of removing the second.

He heard the approach, though, and stopped to look up at the sound of his name. He straightened immediately, no hint of recognition on his expression at all. His heartbeat was steady and even, no sign of any previous overexertion from his previous battle. He took a moment to examine the other boy, taking in the blue and red. Recognition came to him easily, the image of Superman of Metropolis and the Justice League flashing in his mind. )

Pretender. ( He offered blandly, reaching for the blade he'd taken from his first kill. ) What do you want?

[ Fair question. Jon hadn't thought that far ahead. He scratches the back of his neck as he stems the involuntary reaction to wince at blood and violence that occurred earlier. ]

Uhm, I'm here to . . . tell you fighting everyone here is a really bad idea and you're gonna get hurt?

Tt.

( Damian took a few seconds longer to examine the other as if assessing if he were a threat.

But the uncertainty in his actions said he wasn't. Nothing to be concerned with for the moment. )

I don't need your worry. ( He turned away, back to the creature he'd been working on a moment ago. ) I will do what needs to be done. Trying to stop me or dissuade me is the bad idea.

Okay, but is this . . . really something you want to do? Is it really going to help?

[ Jon recalls what Damian said about his mother, but he wonders if bringing it up will be a trigger for Damian's temper. ]

It just doesn't seem worth getting hurt for.

( Damian's eyes lifted, fixing Jon with a sharp, cold stare. )

Don't pretend you know me, Pretender. I will do what I must to prove I am worthy of the League of Assassins and all that entails. ( His hand moved at his side, twirling a blade carefully until the hilt rested in the gloved palm. ) If you intend to stop me, you won't live to regret it.

[ Jon crosses his arms, a flicker of determination in his eyes. ]

Unless you've got some kryptonite in there, you're not going to be able to. I'm trying to help, Damian. You don't need some crummy guild to be worthy anyway.

I don't need Kryptonite to stop you.

( Damian's hand closed tightly around the hilt of the blade, hard enough that Jon might have caught the faint creak of the material of his glove.

He took a few steps forward, boots crushing the remains of the animal in front of him as if it were nothing more than another stretch of earth under him. )

[ This time Jon can't help physically flinching. Damian loved animals. Seeing him act this way . . . it was brutal. ]

And what happens after you stop me?

[ Softer. ]

Is it going to make your mom happy?

Your cape will be a trophy. Proof that I've bested another during the Year of Blood.

( His eyes narrowed sharply at the second question. )

She will be pleased I've brought another victory to the Al Ghul name.

Yeah, sure.

[ Typical Damian stuff. Jon isn't budging. ]

But will she be happy? Will she even care that you did that?

( The questions hit a nerve. That much was obvious by the sharp way his eyes narrowed and his jaw tensed for a few seconds. )

That isn't any of your concern.

( His hands curled tightly at his sides, his knuckles cracking softly. He lifted the blade in his hand, pointed it at Jon as his expression hardened - cold but determined all the same. )

I'm done talking with you, Pretender.

[ Jon is stronger than Damian, but Damian has far more training. He won't get very far underestimating him. Jon lets his eyes burn red as a warning. ]

Don't do this, Damian.

( If Damian's memories were there, he would have known going toe to toe with Jon was dangerous. He could play deceptive bat tricks and use underhanded techniques to draw out the fight or find a way to pull the wool over Jon's eyes to win. But in a show of strength, Damian knew he didn't have a chance.

But this Damian - Damian Al Ghul wasn't that logical. Everything was an obstacle to be conquered by sheer force, proof of the title he would one day hold, and the skill of his family name. There was no fear or worry as he stared at the burning red eyes. )

Scared? ( He prompted, taking one slow, warning step forward. ) Because you should be.

( He sprang without another word, all silence and fluid grace. The blade in his hand was held carefully, angled that he hoped to sink it into Jon's torso. )

[ Jon may only have the most basic of training but his instincts are still sharp. Not honed the way the Robins are, but susceptible to the slightest changes to his environment. He is a Kryptonian and any change rings a bell in his mind. He immediately reaches for Damian's arm, his strength coming into play as he tumbles to toss Damian over his shoulder. ]

video | un: al.ghul

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