Near silent footfall emanates from the unseen opponent; Unfortunately, the light echo of the steps indicated said opponent choose to move closer. An unwise decision. Damian cautiously slipped a hidden knife from his sweater's sleeve, holding it in such a way that the assassin would not be able to spot it. His muscles tensed, prepared to launch him across the roof at the person approaching from behind, however, he was hesitant to make the first move. Confliction warred between assassin-esque instincts and doubt.
Are they a friend or a foe? Todd and Drake know many people amongst the superhero community- What if it is one of their stupid friends? How much trouble would Damian be in if he attacked them? A lot. Neither ' brother ' would allow him to leave the Manor again, condemning him to a fate as a prisoner in his own ' home '. He'd be lucky if they even consider letting him wander the garden. But, of course, this does not rule out the possibility this person could be an enemy.
If a foe, then who would dare to sneak up on me?
An assassin sent by his 'mother' or 'grandfather'. That is very likely. Both villains expressed how disappointed they were in Damian and how much they wished for his early demise; They loathe him. Still, attacking without knowing who exactly he is up against would be ill-advised. The ramifications of harming the wrong person are too great. Plus- Damian's thoughts froze. Those feather-soft footsteps had stopped, and he could sense a very dangerous presence right behind himself. He turned his head ever-so-slightly. Out of the corner of his eye, Damian saw a myth- a true Gotham legend. A terrible Gotham legend. The one and only fabled Talon of the Court of Owls.
The undead being made no move to attack. It merely stood there... staring at him with cold, dead eyes. He used this to his advantage by taking the opportunity to examine the Talon.
Male, evident by Talon's body structure. Every muscle was well-defined; His heigh and shape screamed aerialist. Greasy black locks fell in the other's face- No doubt never having been cut during his time working for the fools running the Court. Yellow eyes as piercing as a predator gaze studied him in return. An old black suit with gold highlights clothed the 'living' legend. Damian has seen - well, more like snuck a look at - pictures of Talons garbed in the black and gold armor. Many pieces and accouterments are missing, but the bodysuit definitely belongs to the outfit.
The smaller of the two killers wondered why such a being was still wandering the streets and rooftops of Gotham. Then a realization hit. This Talon- Wayne had mentioned him once before, warned Damian of an undead assassin lurking the depths of Gotham's darkest corners. The Talon before him is the one that managed to successfully escape when Batman took down the Court.
"You shouldn't be here." Talon said, suddenly, in a broken raspy voice.
Damian scoffed, "If not here, then, pray-tell, where do you suggest I be?" The tone was combative. An ill-considered action (as no one truly wants to get into a fight with a Talon), however, he can't be anything else. It is a part of his nature.
Thankfully, his natural inclination to pick a fight is ignored. The undead killer blinks at him before bluntly stating, "Home."
'Home ', such a ludicrous notion. In Damian's experience, there is no such thing as home, just a place one is forced to return to at the end of the day and expected to stay 24/7. "How unfortunate, for I do not have a 'home '." He hissed, snidely.
Talon crouched down to his level and looking him up and down. A teasing smile flashed across his face, being replaced by indifference in an instant. "Hmm," The older raven started, "a poor little robin without a nest. What exactly did you do to get kicked out?"
"Nothing. I was never welcome there in the first place." Damian spat, bitterly. He did nothing! Nothing at all, yet, others still refuse to left him into their lives. And he certainly does not need a Talon reminding him of that.
"Baby birds don't belong in a brood of bats." Damian stared at the undead assassin in shock. How on earth did the Court's tool learn the Wayne family secret? Todd and Drake are always going on about code names and not discussing civilian identities/revealing information on the field. Wayne was the same way. So, how? He was about to demand answers when the other continued. "Well, if you have nowhere else to be... then you should join my flock. I'll take good care of you."
Damian will never admit it, but for a brief moment, he entertained the thought. Considered it. Just up and disappearing with this mysterious man. Finding a place where he can live without the restraints Gotham places upon him. Maybe even returning to the mountains. Alas, he can't. Todd or Drake, possibly both, would no doubt drag him back to the Manor. Regardless of how much he kicked or screamed. There is also the fact he hardly knew Talon. Why should Damian trust him? What could he gain by having Damian on his side? Will this man throw me away once he gets what he wants?
"I can't."
"Can't or won't- Never mind, it doesn't matter. My offer still stands. If you ever find yourself tired of flying with bats, return here and I'll show you how real birds fly." With that being said, the Talon jumped back and disappeared into the shadows of the night.