Ever since Talia pulled her separation stunt on the two it was decided that the best thing for everyone was not to disrupt the schedule that had been set for so long. The girl padded down the hallway for her usual visit to Jason's room. She was a little more exhausted today than usual, it seemed this week Ra's wanted to push her to her limits. It felt like he was preparing for something, she still wasn't sure what. When she turned into his room she smiled, but her expression changed quickly; his bed was empty. She knew he was in no condition to wander off on his own; Talia had made sure he wouldn't after his excursion to find her.
She ran back down the hallway to find Talia; she would be the only other person who might know where he was. As she did she stopped in front of a room that she hadn't taken the time to look at before. Talia was wrapping a type of head scarf around a boy's head. He was clothed in a long tunic and seemed rather rigid. She stood in the doorway, watching and trying to figure out what was going on.
"Oh, Jason," Talia sighed, dropping her arms to her sides, "I know this idea is a little scary, but it's all I've got."
The girl's eyes widened. She recognized the sound of his name. Talia had said it so many times to her that it was almost impossible not to associate his face with the sound. Talia turned, grabbing Jason's wrist to lead him out of the room and saw the girl.
"Of course, you'd come looking for him."
Talia pushed past her and the girl read everything she could within seconds. Talia was angry and determined, much like she had been the first time she brought the girl to see Jason. Jason, on the other hand, was terrified and confused. She made a quick decision to follow them, to make sure he'd be okay.
They moved through the building hastily, as if it would blow to pieces if they didn't reach their destination in time. They came to a room that both Jason and the girl recognized; well they recognized the door anyways. It was grand and always locked; they were always steered away from it. Now, Talia was heading straight for it. When they entered the air felt hot and dry and the walls looked like a mix between a cavern and a sacrificial chamber. A pool of glowing, sickish green liquid filled most of the room and seemed to be the source of heat.
Before the girl had much time to take in her surroundings Talia pushed Jason into the liquid, the fabric surrounding his body flapping around like a wounded bird's wings. As if she had predicted the girl's next actions Talia held her back with her hands.
"This will be good for him, but I'm not so sure it'll help you."
The girl watched in horror as Jason sunk into the liquid, waiting to see if he rose again. It took time, but eventually he broke the surface screaming in agony. The girl felt his pain as she watched, she'd been able to feel most of the things he felt but this was nothing compared to his other moments of panic. Talia could see the pain in her face and shut her from the room, but it didn't help much. The girl could still hear him, still had the image of him in her mind; clawing at his skin like it was on fire.
It was months before she would see him again. She had improved greatly in her skills, but once training was over she would take her meals in her room or stare out the window by her bed. His pain still scratched its way to the front of her mind every day.
Today as she made her way to her room with her meal she got the feeling that someone was following her. It irritated her, Ra's should have known by now that these games were no good for his men and no good for her. Still she made her way to her room and set down her food on the bed before turning around to attack. She paused before going through with it, recognizing the way her stalker carried himself. Though she could only tell because he was in a fighting stance as well. She relaxed and he mirrored her, walking forward slowly. She tensed, doubting her reading of body language for once. He reached forward and took her hand, balling it into a fist and meeting it to his palm. She relaxed and he smiled at her, she did the same. It was strange, seeing him being able to express himself and move about.
"Hi." He spoke quietly.
Her eyes widened, his voice was deep with a small rumble to it that seemed to come from his throat.
"Still can't talk, huh?" He sat on her bed, moving the tray.
She took time to observe him better and noticed he'd grown taller, more developed. He was so familiar but so . . . different.
"You've changed." He looked her up and down.
She felt nervous around him now; his body was telling her what he was thinking.
You've grown up too.
He looked frustrated. She sat down next to him, staring into his eyes, and trying to come to grips with the idea that he was the same boy burning in the pit.
"Maybe I can try to teach you how to talk. I can't read you so well now . . ."
She liked the sound of his voice, it was soothing. His words sounded stressed though.
"Can you say my name? You've heard it enough."
Her face scrunched up, trying to understand him.
"Jason, can you say Jason?"
She smiled, she recognized that sound. That was what he was called.
He pointed to her trying to convey that she should try it out.
She struggled, only able to make the "ah" sound. Consonants were impossible, how does anyone make that sound?
Still he smiled, surprised to hear any sound come from her at all. He tried over and over again for her to get it, but even in pieces the vowels seemed to be the only thing she could get. He bit his lip and noticed how intently she watched his mouth, like she was trying to figure out how it made so many interesting sounds.
"I've got it."
He reached to take hold of her hands again, bringing them to his jaw and mouth.
"Jason."
He spoke slowly, moving her fingers so that she could feel the way he made the word come out.
"Jahy…" She spoke as slowly as he had, her nose wrinkled, not quite getting it.
He squeezed her hands, lowering them to his chest and smiled. She smiled back, knowing she'd done something he liked.
"That's pretty good actually." She traced her fingers over his lips, "Enough talking?" he raised an eyebrow. Heat spread through his face the way it always did when she was around.
She wriggled a bit, lowering her hand to his chest and curling it into a fist. It was like those moments in his room again. Silent, but not quiet. He thought for a moment what that fist could mean now. Something told him though.
You're strong. You've made it.
