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Damian doesn't understand why but he knows he needs to save this bird
Damian wandered the halls of the fortress. He was without a tutor or an armed guard for the first time in a while. It was refreshing to finally be left alone for a moment. He understood they were only preparing him for the future in store- the title he was meant to hold- but it was exhausting some days. The courses and training, all endless, all brutal, all necessary if he was to one day replace his grandfather.
One day Damian would be permitted to leave and explore the world but not yet. He was far too young to be let off the island like that. He hoped to find his father, but perhaps that was a little unrealistic at the moment. His mother had promised to tell him who his father was in due time when she deemed him ready. Apparently she did not think seven years old was ready.
Maybe she was right. She would only pick the best in potential suitors but he hadn't stuck around like he should and that it made it difficult for her to talk about him or maybe she was afraid Damian would rush to him first chance he got if he knew who he was.
He knew he couldn't go to the beach unaccompanied yet and didn't want to ruin this chance of isolation. A moment for clear unimpeded thoughts to flow freely as he's been told repeatedly they should.
He can hear the waves crashing into the sand several meters away, and can almost smell the salt water through the open windows. He loved the ocean, how vast, how powerful. It has the power to wipe them out and while it does threaten often it hasn't yet. It holds a variety of life, some of it completely unexplored. It was often calm and tempting, Damian loved the dichotomy of the sea: soft and rough, loud and quiet, calm and dangerous.
Damian's thoughts were interrupted by a small chirping. He glanced around looking for the source before finding it in the corner of the window. A small bird, clearly injured and exhausted resting on the window pane. He stands frozen, unsure what to do.
None of his teachers, his mother, or even his grandfather allowed weakness. A need for assistance. If you were weak you were useless and cut off (usually killed). This bird would be killed if he went for help. He didn't know how to take care of a bird, but he felt it deserved a chance.
So, taking advantage of this moment, he gently scooped the bird up in his hands.
"Don't worry," he whispered, unsure as to why, it's not like the bird could understand him. "I am going to help you. I promise."
He checked the hallways to make sure they were clear before quickly heading to his room.
His back rested against the wooden door before checking the bird again. It was the same. He then scanned his belongings for something useful.
How does one care for an injured/sick bird? What does this bird eat, what are this bird's habits, where is the bird from?
Damian emptied a small box he'd found in the room and laid the bird inside, watching it closely. It didn't respond to the new environment. He decided the bird found the box adequate and that it should stay long enough for him to do a little research as to how to best assist this bird.
Based on his research over a few hours he'd concluded he'd found an American Robin. One that had flown a great distance away from its home. Robins were resilient birds that could handle relatively harsh climates that came in the Northeastern parts of the United States.
He observed the bird for a while and believed the main issue was exhaustion. It needed lots of rest along with food and water.
Damian could more than accommodate those needs.
He snuck off to get some fruit for the bird. Part of him wanted to name the bird.
What does one name a robin?
He shouldn't, naming it will lead to attachment. He knows better than to get attached to things. He'd lost a few favored tutors because he'd grown fond of them.
Best to not name the robin, he'd hate to misname the bird anyways.
He found a wide variety of different fruits. The berries were going to be the safest choice.
"Damian?" His mother called him.
He froze with a handful of raspberries. He turned to face his mother. "Hello mother."
She looked between the fruit in his hand and his face. "What are you doing?"
"I was getting a snack."
"A snack?"
"Yes, I saw these raspberries here and thought they would make an excellent snack." He proved his point further by popping one into his mouth.
She seemed suspicious. "At least put them in a bowl. Best not to make a mess."
"Of course mother." He snatched a cup sitting on the table next to him, dropping the remaining berries inside.
She was silent for a moment. Watching him closely as if deciding what he was up to required investigation. "I will be leaving shortly. I wanted to let you know that I am going to be gone for a few days."
"Where are you going?" He asked.
"I have business to attend to. Please listen to your teachers until I am back."
He nodded once. "Yes mother. Of course."
She made a face he wasn't entirely familiar with before heading off again.
He didn't like when she left. He wanted to go with her. To see what she did. To help. It was his duty to help his family. But she didn't think he was ready, he trusted her enough to know she would bring him when she thought he was.
For the time being he had the all clear to bring the fruit to the Robin in his room.
He lifted a much smaller bowl and brought everything back to his room.
He arranged it in what he hoped to be a suitable fashion for the bird.
Damian set up a schedule. Every three hours or so he'd check on the bird.
It was fine through the night. There wasn't anyone to check on him or get in his way. During the day posed a bigger issue.
His tutors did not approve of him pausing lessons for an obscure reason and kept him from checking on the Robin.
The bird seemed okay. He really didn't know, which was beyond frustrating. He wanted to make sure he was doing everything right.
On the third day the robin had left the box and was flying around his room.
Damian watched, feeling bittersweet. He didn't want to say goodbye. He didn't have many things like this that he enjoyed. But it was wrong to keep this bird cooped up here and dangerous. It deserved to go back home where it belonged.
It landed on his dresser, chirping at him. Probably asking for more fruit.
One last meal. Damian decided. One last meal and then I am setting you free.
He cut some small apple pieces for them to share before he gingerly took the bird between his hands and went up to the observation tower.
It would be a good place to release him.
"Okay." Damian told him, holding the robin just over the ledge. "Be safe and don't get lost." He launched the bird into the air and watched it fly into the distance. Out of sight.
As he turned to leave he jumped. Someone had been up here watching him.
One of his mother's assassins. The silent and unstable one.
He only had a plate covering his mouth today. He seemed curious as to what had transpired.
"Why are you not with my mother?" Damian asked him.
The assassin shrugged before straightening up, staring off in the distance, in the same direction as the robin.
A thought occurred to him suddenly. "Have you been up here the whole time?"
His eyes flickered down to look at Damian, nodding his head once, before fixing his eyes back to their previous position.
"Right, well. Back to it then I suppose." Damian decided. It would be more incriminating to ask him not to tell anyone than to pretend nothing was amiss. It wasn't like this one was known for socializing anyways. He was barely convinced he knew how to talk. "I'd hate for my presence to distract you from your job."
The assassin watched him leave but didn't follow.
There was something off about him. Something weird.
Damian knew this was someone his mother dealt with personally but he left the island as much as Damian did. Which is to say he didn't ever leave. He was likely as valuable as Damian was to her. It made him curious the more he thought about it.
Something for him to investigate later, he supposed.
I know him finding a Robin is really on the nose but... it's my story and I can do what I want. I think a Jason centric story is in order now... Until tomorrow.