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Who: Damian and Kisa
Where: The Forest™
When: December
What: trying to find that damn rainbow chicken
Warnings: the struggling suffering of two tweens

[Going into the forest makes Damian more meticulous and cautious than he already had been (which sure is something). None of it probably means much to Kisa, but he's put together the flimsy strings of a plan if things turn sour--mainly him being at the forefront with his fists and his items--and patched together a little sack of foodstuffs Kisa can carry around her shoulders.

In case they get lost forever.

The most important thing, even knowing they're going in to look for a chicken, is him having the three batarangs, the grapple gun, and the makeshift bow with ten arrows from the first-place ribbons. He makes Kisa put on the courageous shoes, and he wears the awful (cute) friendship bracelet received with Izuku for added endurance.

Going in is terrible, naturally. "Going in," as if they can even get in at all. The forest turns them right around several times, and a deep pinch grows increasingly across Damian's brows. He tries, at first, to go in alone, and then he tries again with Kisa, and then he tries again holding Kisa's hand, but everytime, they end up in town.

Damian didn't plan this much or come this far to give up. Poor Kisa gets dragged in until it lets them pass, and he is almost stunned it bends and allows them inside. He won't let go of Kisa's hand, but he doesn't squeeze it roughly. She's kept beside him rather than behind, so he can keep eyes and ears open changes in the forest. He knows it changes. He's seen it.

And he tells Kisa one thing.]

I'll protect you.

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[ It's been an odd few days, from coming back to the town to instantly falling ill and spending a few more days curled in a miserable ball of tiger under a blanket, and. Well. This.

Damian seems to be back to his normal, overly cautious, incredibly determined self, and while Kisa still has no idea why he'd specifically asked her to come with him in order to find this hen of legend, she'd agreed with only minimal hesitation. Not because she doesn't trust him, but because she's not entirely certain she won't hold him back.

The forest thwarts them first, though, something she hadn't expected; she doesn't complain, simply goes along with it for as long as Damian insists on trying, but once they're properly inside, Kisa takes a much deeper breath and glances at Damian. If he wants to keep holding her hand, that's fine.

But there's a very strange feeling in the air. Like... ]

Thank you. [ Automatically. But then-- ]

It feels... different. In here.

[Kisa isn't wrong, and he nods, though his eyes are looking around instead of at her.] It always does. Be careful. [Gently, he pulls her along beside him, trying to match her steps without being overpowering and brisk.

The Robin outfit had been unfortunately butchered to craft the jacket Damian is wearing now. A kind of medieval-looking tunic jacket, pilfered from town, repurposed to fit a child. Evidence of the Robin outfit is stitched on the back, the colorful, shielded S of the El clan. It was a gift to Jon, but then Jon left, and the coat remained.

So Damian is wearing it without explanation or excuse because the symbol stands supposedly for "hope," and it's better protection now that his poor Robin suit is no more.]

If nothing has changed, the forest will test us. It's tested me and others every time we go in. But we're looking for the multicolored hen from the forum story. Don't forget.

Tell me if you see anything.

[She doesn't have to, though. After walking for ten or fifteen minutes, with whispering in their ears, they run up on the split between the land, the gorge keeping them from the other side. It's like the swamp, he thinks, the one he ran into with Izuku.

There's a bridge, but he glances at Kisa while they're paused.] Are you afraid of heights?

[ Kisa shakes her head. Heights are fine. Bugs are fine. Thunderstorms are fine. What scares her usually tends to lie within the judging stares of others.

But there's none of that here, so she's fine; Damian is probably checking for her own sake, but Kisa will take the first step forward onto the bridge to reassure him that she's not just putting up a brave front and he doesn't necessarily have to gently fuss her across.

The ominous creak of the board beneath her foot, though? That's... concerning. And the fragile sigh of ropes straining at their limit? Even more so.

Damian's with her, though, and she thinks so long as they keep moving along briskly, it's fine, they'll make it across.

Until the voice.

"Kisa."

It's one word, her name, no particular tone to it, but Kisa instantly stiffens up, like she'd received some manner of electric shock. When she whips her head around, her eyes are wide, the expression on her face an amalgamation of longing and absolute terror. ]

Akito-san?!

[ And sure enough, standing where they'd left, is that same beautiful, black-haired person Damian had seen in Kisa's memory. From the frown on their face, it's clear they're not too pleased, either. ]

[Honestly, even if he wouldn't have wanted her to go first, Kisa taking the step onto the bridge does reassure him it's okay. Without hesitation, he follows. His steps on the bridge are sure, but the state of it doesn't do well to make him less paranoid.

Fragile. The ropes are a disgrace. The boards are old and damaged. The height is... high, he's assuming. The bottom of whatever gorge they're crossing can't be seen below their feet.

The voice behind them doesn't hold the same resonance it does to Kisa. His hand tightens around hers, and he turns to also look back. The... man? From Kisa's memory. A rolling wave of anger and resentment blooms in his chest. It's an illusion. He knows. He knows it's an illusion. Seeing Batman in the forest with Izuku, he knows... but wanting to strangle the life out of the illusion is still something he'd love to do.]

Don't be stupid. It's a trick. It's a test. [If she tries to go back, Damian won't release her.] Kisa. [For a moment, his eyes jump down to the bridge. The danger is only increasing the longer they keep their weight in one area.]

Let's go. We have to keep going.

[ He's right. She knows he's right. Akito wouldn't simply... appear like this, not at the well but in the forest, and Kisa's aware that this... has to be a test, like Damian had said. But she's spent her life loving and fearing this person, this very existence, and even though she doesn't move towards Akito, she doesn't... move. At all.

As if sensing her indecision, Akito speaks again, low and smooth, with a hint of anger lining his tone.

"Are you disobeying me? Me? Get away from that boy and come back here, where you belong. Do you really want to make your god angry?

Or do you want to be the one locked away?"

Kisa's trembling now, involuntarily. She can hear her own heartbeat, feel the tug of her very blood towards Akito, feel dizzy as her breath comes shorter and faster--

She can't hear Damian, if he's still speaking. But...

She can feel his hand in hers.

And so, painfully, as though the act itself is physically destroying her from the inside out, Kisa steps forward. Away from Akito. ]

[It isn't that Damian doesn't understand. He can imagine Akito as someone else, as someone he knows well. His mother. His grandfather. Even, sometimes, Bruce. But especially Talia.

Not begging. Commanding him to come back to the League. Threatening him with his destiny, with punishment, with dishonor.

He doesn't yank her. This is something she should do on her own. When she takes the first step, he simply takes one with her.] You don't have to be a pawn in someone else's game. You are your own person.

I won't let anything happen. You can keep going. [He does give a glance full of vitriol back to "Akito," though.] We're leaving. [It's spoken to the Akito haunting the way back regardless of what it is or what it does.] We're looking for whatever the forest is hiding, and we're going to find it. You can let the forest know its tricks won't stop us. [And then, gentler, to Kisa:] It'll be over when we cross the bridge.

Don't forget to breathe. You can focus on that. In for three seconds and out for three seconds.

[ Akito snorts, derisive.

"What do you think you know? You think you can protect her? You think a monster deserves protection? You'll get absolutely nothing from her staying by your side!"

Kisa really... can't speak, in that moment. The words just get trapped in her throat. She can't talk back, or protest. There's a darkness in her eyes that suggests she's retreating within herself, a form of defense. But slowly, she breathes. In-- three. Out-- three.

And she keeps moving, with the bridge creaking and groaning beneath their feet. When she steps onto solid ground... well. Akito's still spitting out threats and insults, but at least Kisa wincing and slowly tightening her grip on Damian's hand isn't going to get them killed. ]

[Damian's hold squeezes briefly, not at Kisa or himself, but at the words. Their sting may be more severe because he realizes they are words that could have left his own mouth long ago. When he was working to become the heir, when he was following in the footsteps of his mother and training to be great like his grandfather.]

Don't stop talking. [It's not a command so much as a request.] We're almost there.

[Akito doesn't get another response. It would be useless. Crossing the bridge together without faltering means more than anything he could think to say. Even though hissing insults and threats follow them, the other side is a relief. He exhales himself, long and low. He doesn't drop her hand.]

One down. [He gives them a short enough time to rest, to recalibrate.] If it's anything like the one I went on alone, there will be three. Two more to go. [But he glances are her.]

Are you okay? The forest always uses the worst against you.

[ It takes a moment for Kisa to reply-- she can still hear Akito yelling, faintly. For a moment, it feels as though her voice won't emerge again.

But finally, she breathes out shakily and offers Damian a quietly pained glance. ]

I'll be okay.

[ Maybe not at this exact moment, but Kisa's always been honest with Damian. She doesn't think he'll hold it against her if she admits that she's not entirely okay right now.

Because he's right, that was probably the worst the forest could have done to her.

How Damian got through this sort of thing - three things - alone is just kind of bewildering to her. But maybe that's just how he is. There isn't much that ever seems to get to him. ]

[Damian nods. Her honesty means more than her attempt at bravery. Damian respects people who are like him, but he's also learned to respect people who can admit they aren't okay, they aren't strong.

When ready, he continues on with them linked at the hands. There's not much he can say to reassure or relieve her, not when he doesn't know the things the forest could throw at them. He's sure he's going to get his due, too. That's what he has to prepare for now.

But Batman doesn't show up. Bruce doesn't show up. Dick, Alfred, his mother, his grandfather. None of them show. Only thick, strangling fog. Fog? Damian's pace slows considerably; he's consumed by caution, not even for himself really, for Kisa. It's difficult to see her even standing beside him. He doesn't know what could come out of the fog, and even if he's prepared, even if he would bet on his reflexes, he's not sure what reaction would be needed to keep Kisa from danger.

And then her hand is gone, and he's left grasping at foggy air. Something pulls on his smallest finger, chokes it, and he realizes it's a string. Lifting his hand close--it's a red string.] Kisa? [She has to be beside him, not unless the forest would string him to something else.

A swell of knowing swirls up in his chest. The string... he must be honest. Nothing speaks to him, but he knows somehow. His feelings... If he doesn't, like the bridge, the string will snap.] Kisa. You'll have to talk. I need to hear your voice.

...I'm worried about you because of the fog.

[ The fog seems to drift into existence out of nowhere, but before Kisa can pipe up, ask Damian if this is some other kind of test, or even press closer when she realizes she can't even see him--

She can't feel his hand any longer. There's just a red string attached to her pinky, and as Kisa stares down at it... it slowly clicks. Is this... a red string of fate? ]

Um!

[ Right, think about that later. For now, her eyes snap up and while there's a hint of panic in her voice, the string's a form of comfort. He's still got to be close. ]

I'm right here... I just can't see you.

Alright. Keep going.

[They need to keep communicating so they don’t stand idle or run into anything else. But he knows if he keeps talking, he’s going to have to be honest.] Damn... [Geez. He continues forward, trusting she is nearby and doing the same.] It’s a test.

[It’s fine. Saying how he feels honesty may not be, but... he can do it. If he can do everything else, he can complete this simple, ridiculous task. He can do this.] Don’t worry. It isn’t difficult. [Except it is for him, and the moment the words leave his mouth, the string between them begins to wear, loosen. He understands his error immediately.] No! Fine!

It’s difficult! Whatever! It’s... difficult for me, but I can’t still do it. I’m not incapable. I don’t care if you’re trying to make a fool of me. I’m not going to let you win!

[ To Kisa, who still can only see fog and her own hands if she brings them up closely enough, it's very bizarre to listen to Damian snap defiantly at... what? The string? The fog? The forest itself for giving them a test she doesn't entirely understand?

Obediently, she continues to walk, but the concern is definitely present in her voice when she speaks up again. ]

It's... making you do something you don't want to do?

[ Well, that's rude. ]

... I'm sorry. I'm not sure why you wanted me to come with you, but... I know I'm not really helping that much.

[ And even now, Kisa has no idea how to help him out. ]

In a way.

[His brows pinch as she speaks through the fog. Dammit. If he says anything not true, the string will be gone, and he’ll lose her in the depths of the woods. He isn’t sure if they will get any do-overs. The harder the tests, the better their luck in finding answers, in finding something useful.

The one blessing is she isn’t seeing his face. She is looking at him when he’s talking. If he can tell her honestly that her voice is pleasant without it being platitudes, he can tell her others things.] You were the most useful person to come with.

In regards to me... our bond is the strongest. With Jon gone... [He’s quiet for a moment, but the string is still there, and they are still moving, a pull and tug here and there.] The town... or maybe just the forest, understands... the bonds between people. The stronger they are, the more answers we may find here.

Ichinose and Dextera found infornation by going in together. With you, there’s a better chance at finding anything about the hen from the story. Therefore... [Another smaller pause. He can almost be heard sighing.]

You’re more important to me here than anyone else in town.

[ The little intake of breath, the world's tiniest hiccup of surprise, is hopefully completely muffled (erased, ideally) by the fog. Kisa can't help it; she hadn't expected Damian to suddenly... say any of that.

On the one hand, it makes complete sense. Damian's straightforward and pragmatic. He wanted answers, and he'd already made some sort of connection between those answers and the strength of a bond between people. So logically, he would have figured out that by bringing the person closest to him here, he'd get the answers he wanted. With his father gone, and... his friend gone-- well, no, she's still a little surprised that Damian doesn't have more attachments. Even when he's abrasive, it's not hard to realize how much he actually cares.

It's just so hard to wrap her head around. She'd thought she'd exasperated him more than anything. He'd seemed so reluctant to call them friends. Then again, after knowing Hiro, maybe she should have thought to look properly past that. In the end, he'd always promised to protect her and tried to reassure her, in his own way. And a town without Damian...

It's a little painful to imagine.

Realizing that she's probably been too silent for too long, even as she continues to walk, Kisa struggles to come up with some manner of response that doesn't involve flustered stammering. ]

... I know before... you said that you weren't a good person. There's a lot about you... that I don't know about, like what you've been through. And I've told you-- mm. You probably know, that I'm not as strong or as skilled or as brave as you are.

But... I like being with you, Damian. You make me want to... keep trying. Even if I can't reach where you've gone. Where you're still going.

You're really important to me, too.

[Hopefully, the string is only affected by truth and lies and not talking in general because Damian falls quiet for a while. It's clear he's there by the taut string between them, but nothing else comes through the fog.

Plenty of times, his father has told him he's important. To Bruce. To others, too. A few have told him almost as much, not that he's important to them necessarily, but they accept him, love him.

It's different coming from someone... not related to the Family, not related to a life of crime fighting. Someone "normal," someone who is more like a civilian, and maybe it's this which makes him understand what it means to be Robin. He understood before, in theory. When those he saved would thank him, would say he was impressive, amazing.

But it's this, here, being simply stupid Damian in a stupid Superboy jacket walking in the fog being useless that makes him understand a bit more why his father puts on the suit every night to be Batman.]

I don't want you to be like me. [It isn't a lie. The string is still there.] Being like me means... [Being like them, the Family.] ...losing things. People, family, dignity. No matter how strong you are.

Sometimes... [There's no righteousness in disappearing for him, but how many times does he occasionally consider how much better it'd be if he hadn't been born at all?] ...living is the strongest and bravest thing you can do.

... Damian...

[ Thankfully, the string between them hasn't frayed, and if it goes slightly slack, it only means that Kisa has somehow managed to move closer. Not that she can see him yet, and it won't be reassuring like this, probably, but she wants to at least do that much. ]

Being a... member of the Zodiac means losing things, too. If you'd... if any of you had found out about me at home, you would have had your memory erased. If our bodies... experience too much stress, we transform. If we're hugged by someone of the opposite gender... even if sometimes that's all we want, we transform. We don't have the right to hug who we want.

And Akito-san will always...

[ Well. She'll stop there. That's not what she's trying to tell him. ]

... I think... what you said, about living... is right. That even if you think you're only... bothering others and that disappearing might be better for them, giving up is the worst thing you could do.

[ She knows that. Deeply. ]

But if I can't be like you... then... if nothing else, I can be with you.

[ And, solemnly. ]

I might be hard to lose.

So that's why.

[For a moment, he's worried she's vanished somehow, lost forever in the fog and the woods. He had failed (typical), hadn't been truthful when he thought he was being as truthful and honest as he could.

But her voice breaks through, and he relaxes as much as he can with the two of them waltzing through the forest fog.]

It-- [No, the string feels too fragile to even entertain dishonesty.] As long as you're here. It doesn't matter... if it's with me. As long as you're here.

[It doesn't even have to be romantic. It can be as a friend. He's okay with that. There's no denying the hot, weighted knot in his chest, though. He's... different, sometimes weird, but he's still human. A girl is definitely uncharted territory. And yet, he's more than okay with friendship? Almost prefers it, considering who he is and what he does.

Bruce is a good example of how relations with Bats usually go. (Sorry, Dad.)]

Is there a way to fix it? Your... curse.

[ Feelings are tough. Damian held an important place in Kisa's heart, as her first friend here. Her first friend, someone close to her age, who had helped her from the very first time they'd met. And she'd thought that had been it. That was fine. It was okay for that to be it.

Until she'd kissed him, and of course Kisa hadn't meant it to be anything romantic at the time, just so desperate to bring back the Damian she knew that she hadn't let embarrassment be a hindrance. Even when she told him she could be with him, it's an earnest thought. Not necessarily romantic in the way that Ayame would have claimed, fierce and passionate, because she was twelve. But not really all that platonic, either. It's just a feeling. A warm one. The same kind of warmth she'd felt when he'd called her by her name.

"As long as you're here." Like that's the most important thing at all.

It makes her throat feel tight. ]

Is it bad if it's with you?

[ It's mild, tentative curiosity, even if she takes a deep, uncertain breath when Damian continues. Right. That. ]

... I don't know. [ About a cure, she means. ] It's been... a part of the family for generations. There was a Tiger before me. And someone else, before them. I don't know... if I'm the last. If I'll be like this until I die.

[ Odd, though. Maybe it's her imagination, but it feels like the fog is slowly getting lighter. ]

No, I--

[How does he answer that question truthfully when it's both honest and dishonest to admit it's bad if it's with him. It's good, too? It's fine. Help him. Kisa deserves better than to be stuck hanging around with ambition, stubborn, relentless Damian Wayne.

At least her explanation gives him a moment to pause, to reconsider.] I see.

If there's a way to end what's happening here, to the town and the forest, if there's a way to break the curse, I know there's a way to break yours, too. [She isn't wrong. The fog is thinning out. He can see more of the string, spanning out.] But even if... you're the way you are until you die, it isn't terrible. Frustrating and inconvenient, yes. Not terrible.

I know someone like you--in a miniscule way. [Ah, there. He can see her hand with the string attached, her wrist, her arm, and the fog seeps out and away, quickly the further they go.] Beast Boy. I realize it's not... exactly the same. He can transform into animals of his own volition, but...

...Kisa?

[The fog is gone. The string has unraveled, but he can't remember when or where, and looking back merits no evidence of it having been there at all. Weird.]

Ridiculous.

[ Damian should really meet the Sohma family, he'd understand so much more.

Kisa listens quietly, though, tilting her head as though this will somehow help her understand... this new person. Beast Boy? A person who can transform, but it's of his own free will...

She has to wonder what that's like, and she's still staring down at her hands when the fog finally lifts completely and her finger is free of that string.

She does want to tell him. That she appreciates the reassurance. That if she's cursed her entire life, it does mean she's bound to Akito for all of that. But Kisa thinks Damian's probably worn out from having to say things he normally wouldn't, so when she lifts her eyes, it's with a rueful little smile. ]

You did it. You passed, Damian.

[It's sort of a relief to see her again. He almost assumed the forest would pull a stunt like the town did with his father--have Kisa be invisible the rest of the way or something equally as painful and stupid. Thankfully, she's there again, standing with him amidst the trees.]

Easy.

[Let him at least pretend to be unbothered by the damn test of honesty. His smile is very faint and mostly mischievous, but present for a short moment before it falters.] One more test, and then we'll see what the reward will be.

[Slowly, he lifts his hand and holds it out to her, offering his palm to take again.]

[ Kisa's smile is a lot warmer than-- well, she's still getting accustomed to smiling again, but nonetheless, it's a strong one in answer to Damian's confidence kicking in again.

"Easy," he'd said, when he'd irritably snapped earlier that it wasn't, but she's come to realize that's just how he is. Kisa won't comment on it, amiably taking his hand again. Briefly, she considers hooking their fingers together, but that... seems like it'd probably just embarrass them both. It's fine, she tells herself, she doubts they're going to get separated that abruptly again.

And so on they go, largely uninterrupted, until Kisa pauses. That's... a clearing, up ahead? ]

There's... something on that stump...

[Well, here they go. Damian partially leads them on through the forest, wary of a final test. And yet, the sight of the clearing, the sight of the box settled in the circle of light, throws him for a complete loop.

There's definitely always three tests, he's sure... They had only finished two, right? The bridge, the string... There has to be one more.

The box is tantalizing. Unfortunately, Damian has been in his line of work long enough to be skeptical and cautious of anything that is so easy to reach. Nothing comes without work. He moves into the edge of the clearing with Kisa in tow, going slow, careful.

Tigers are a surprise, something he's not expecting even though maybe he should. Despite being prepared, they're fast, powerful, and they bust out of the forest behind them and straight for Kisa. Probably the worst part about the encounter is they're exotic animals, and Damian is weak to a) animals, and b) strong and feared animals. He has immediate regret when he swiftly kicks one to get it to bound away. Sometimes, you have to be firm with animals, but he doesn't want to hurt any of them.

This means Kisa's hand is frightfully bare, and the other tigers can easily snatch her up and flee.] Kisa! [Okay. It's fine. IT'S FINE.

His bow. The box.

He pauses long enough to pull the bow from around him and level an arrow. He can wound at least two before they escape, but... the bow sags. He doesn't want to hurt them! They're just tigers! Beautiful and smart and strong! And... Kisa... Would it hurt her if he attacked something like a part of her? His eyes flicker to the box, still there. If he took it, perhaps they would be transported back to town with the prize.

If not, though, he can't just abandon Kisa when he said he would protect her. Gave his word. A test.] Dammit. [He drops the bow to the ground and takes off, racing right by the box and into the forest.] Kisa!

[ It's kind of all a blur, how quickly it happens. Before Kisa can say a word, before she realizes that this much is probably her fault, because tigers were drawn to her, but maybe she could get them to let them pass.

Up until the point where they snatch her entirely. They're larger than normal tigers by far, and she could have sworn that one just snorted fire to the left, and as she dangles a bit helplessly by the collar, swung from a solid jaw, Kisa frantically tries to free herself.

It doesn't go well. In fact, while they reassure her that she won't be harmed (minus a few bumps and bruises from a slightly rough handling), because she's their cub now, there's clearly no intention of letting her go. All she can really tell them, order them to do is "stop".

And that only works because they've become aware that Damian's pursuing them, and so as the largest one holding Kisa comes to a halt, two more bound towards him to try and slash at him, bite, bowl him over. As far as they're concerned, he's as good as a hunter, trying to take one of their own. ]

W-wait-- stop! Don't hurt him, he's not trying to steal me!!

[ Well. Technically he is, but that's not important. ]

[Regardless of whether or not he left the bow behind, he's ready for the tigers when he barrels through the forest and gains on where they've stopped with Kisa.

The biggest advantage is letting them come to him. He skids to a stop and jerks his arms up, hands flat and protective of his face and neck, waiting.] Return the girl! [The most he can do is be defensive. He still doesn't have the mind to harm any of the tigers.] She doesn't belong to you!

[The first of the two tigers jumps him, but he bends and ducks low, letting it fly overhead. It doesn't matter how big the next tiger is really; no fear exists in Damian's stance or eyes, only focus. The paw swipes down, and he meets it with a forearm, pushing it away like he's not just some normal, thirteen year old boy. The magic is what most people don't realize: he uses physics in his favor, takes the tiger's motion and rounds it off in another direction.

It leaves the tiger's soft underbelly open, and Damian slams a palm into the last rib and the pliant flesh below it. So quickly does the battle go, it seems like Damian might have tossed the tiger rather than the tiger leaping, pained, off to the side.

The second tiger, though, is back, and even if he's turning to give it acknowledgement, it gets a good, toothy hold around the forearm he lifts to block. The jaws are powerful, and they'll snap his arm in two if he isn't careful. But he's not stupid--pulling is futile. Futile is fear. Wincing, he instead presses forward suddenly and hastily, not giving the tiger a chance to reconsider. He'll take the bites if it means he gets to keep his limb.

He shoves his arm further into the tiger's mouth, making it uncomfortable, giving less of an opportunity to hold on. The tiger, unsure at this dominance, starts backpedaling.] You've got me--now what, cat? What are you really going to do when you get what you're after?

[Give up to try again. The tiger lets him go and awkwardly tries to put distance between them so it can plan for another attack.]

I said return the girl! I won't say it again!

Damian!

[ Kisa knows firsthand how bad a tiger bite can be, and her eyes go wide with horror when the tiger gets a good grip on his arm. It's... not reassuring to watch him try to play it off by shoving his arm in there further, and she can't say she blames the tiger for being so baffled at the audacity of this boy. She's never seen Damian fight like this before. It's weirdly graceful.

But she can't just dangle here and watch. The tiger's grip on her has slackened, at least, as it continues to watch some random kid beat up its brethren. This time, one good twist gets her free, dropping her heavily to the ground.

And this time, as the tiger from before readies itself for another attack, crouched low to spring, and the biggest tiger slowly stalks forward to join it--

Kisa gets there first, placing herself between the tigers and Damian with her arms spread out to either side of her and her eyes narrowed in an incredibly rare display of anger.

The tigers are simple; they won't really understand if she tells them he's her friend, if she tells them he's one of the good humans, if she tells them he'd never hurt her and that her staying with him isn't because he considers her his prey or his property. She has to tell them in tiger terms. So, simply-- ]

He's mine.

[ She'll apologize later, Damian. ]

So please, stop. If you hurt him any more... I won't forgive you!

[ one of the tigers chuffs, a bit disbelieving. Kisa holds that posture, and then slowly, the tigers take a step back and sit.

They're both still staring at Damian like they'd love to eat him if he tries anything, though. ]

[Damian is one hundred percent ready for the tigers? He's not at all ready for Kisa rushing out to stand in front of him like a blockade. (He will commend her on the escape, however. Good job.)]

Don't--

[The muscles in him tense. The tigers don't act. Of course they don't. She's almost one of them, in a way. They'll listen to her more than likely. They'll listen to her when she shows them her strength, not unlike most animals.

In a way, Damian can commiserate with that. Show him strength, and he'll give respect.

Slowly, his arms lower, and he straightens when it's clear the tigers are going to listen to Kisa. The back of her head gets a rather brief, strange glance about just who he belongs to, but he doesn't even snort. It's not a bad tactic.]

Take me out. [It's muttered to Kisa, his eyes staring down each tiger in turn. Like prey. He's not sure if he'll ever talk about being impressed.] I'm yours, right? [He gets it. If she drags him along, maybe they'll leave them both be.]

[ ... Yeah, she already regrets everything. She's definitely apologizing profusely after this.

But for the time being, there's something more important to tend to, so without breaking eye contact, Kisa steps back until she's beside Damian rather than in front of him. She's careful to reach for the hand that doesn't belong to the bitten arm, grasping it firmly as she continues to move backwards, tugging him with her. ]

Don't. [ To one of the tigers as it stirs, growling uncertainly. ] We're going now.

[ And although they look tempted to protest, or stalk forward, between Damian fiercely fighting them and the authority in Kisa's very quiet and soft tone-- the tigers don't pursue them, letting the two of them go.

Once she can no longer see the tigers, Kisa's shoulders slump and she lets go of Damian's hand, heaving a sigh. ]

I'm... really sorry, saying it like that... are you okay?

[The tigers, for now, are willing to listen to Kisa, and Damian goes along with her when she takes his (good) hand. His eyes don't leave them. He's fairly certain they won't harm Kisa or she would already be dead, but he not sure whether they might try for him anyway. He doesn't want Kisa caught in the crossfire.

But they allow them both to pass unharmed, to disappear into the woods the way they had come, again toward the clearing. Her command of them is admirable. Her voice quiet, but powerful. He doesn't stop until she stops.]

Looks like the kitten is now a cat. [If he's mad about being referred to as a prize, he doesn't show it. Maybe it's somewhat endearing to see that side of Kisa, something a little more feral, more strong-willed.

And it also helps him trust her more. She'll stand up for things she wants to protect, fight for things she wants. One day, he might even get to see her punch Akito.] I'm fine.

[The leather sleeve of the jacket is unfortunately torn in several places. He'll have to see if he can mend it. The hand lifts, fists gently, as if he's gauging the soreness. He's not bleeding profusely, thankfully, and he still has his arm and his skin. Small blessings.]

Come on. We should head back, I suppose.

[ Damian why. Kisa offers him a slightly flustered stare-- because a comment like that, coming from him, is either a tease or a compliment and either one is plenty embarrassing.

Still, that expression is quick to fade, replaced by some concern as she studies his arm, and something a bit like... resignation. Kind of a weird thing to be feeling, given everything they'd been through, and it's true that she's certainly relieved to be done (hopefully), but.

It just feels like they've grown closer, somehow. ]

Mm. I'll follow you.

... That should be the last test.

[ So he shouldn't have to worry about her or keep her as close anymore. ]

Don't underestimate the forest.

[The warning is given without being scolding or dark. Just a reminder that what should be the last test could be the first in a long line of them.

Uncurling his hand, he moves by her and leads, though pauses so she can catch up. He doesn't want anything swooping in from the back again. But he doesn't hold her hand this time; whether it's a good or bad thing, his face doesn't exactly say. He doesn't seem to be upset, if anything.

Just his overly cautious self.

The clearing hasn't changed; they are spilled out into it on the opposite side. He's actually surprised to find the box is still there in the light, as if waiting on them, and he exchanges a glance with Kisa. He wonders if the box itself is the test.] Stay here. [He's the one who goes ahead, creeping toward the box as if it'll be a mimic falling open to eat him.

It's small, though. Crouching down, he opens it slow, but without fear. The contents... He gives Kisa another glance as music begins to softly tinkle. His eyes aren't disturbed so much as perplexed, like he found something, a secret. He doesn't tell her to stay back, and his hand pulls a folded piece of paper from within.]

[ Cautious as always. Kisa's come to accept it at this point-- it's just a large part of who Damian is, and she waits silently until his shoulders relax just slightly. Then she moves to join him, settling down beside him to peer at the contents.

A music box... a note, that she'll let Damian unfold and read first, but as she continues to look, she slips two fingers in to draw out a beautiful, iridescent feather.

Ah. ]

The hen's...?

[ Or there's some other rainbow-colored bird shedding feathers, but. Still. ]

[His green eyes skim the paper after he unfolds it while she crouches down beside him. It's not unlike the forum story, but perhaps more fleshed out. There's a few details they had been missing. It isn't a monumental discovery so much as a way to piece everything together.

He lowers the paper and glances at the feather she holds up. Honestly, it's beautiful. He's surprised it came from a simple--sorta--hen, though he supposes hens can be beautiful, too.

Not wanting to snatch it away, but still wanting to see it, he reaches out and curls his hand around hers over the feather, twisting it a bit in the light so he can inspect it.] Maybe. [He lets her go and instead offers her the paper.]

She has to come willingly.

[ With furrowed eyebrows, Kisa takes the paper, keeping the feather loose in her grip just in case Damian wants to take it for more thorough inspection.

For now, she's just going to read.

... And frown.

A heart filled with pure love and battered by hardship? If Kisa herself wasn't well aware that legends and fairy tales could hold more than a grain of truth to them, she'd be a little dubious. But... ]

And you can't... give in to temptation.

[ ... ]

Does that mean that... the reason the town is like this... and everyone was gone... is because that person took her against her will?

[ That's a pretty terrible curse, and her expression falls slightly, distressed. Slowly, Kisa folds the paper back up to place back in the box. ]

How... how do we fix that?

It's possible. I can't say. We'll have to see how the story unfolds.

[He lifts the box, but holds it open so she can put the feather back inside as well. When he closes it, he offers it out to her.] Hold onto it until we get back. [He needs both hands free just in case anything happens.]

We know there's three tests. So far, we have two: taking the path not easy and a committed heart. [Standing, he offers a hand out to help her up.] We'll need to see what the third one happens to be, if it even matters in the end. I think the forest tailors tests to those who enter.

What should matter is passing three tests and allowing the hen to come on her own.

[For a moment, he pauses in thought, glancing around the clearing as if the hen may just save them the trouble and walk out on its own. No luck.] It also seems maybe Dextera and Ichinose found the journal of the man the one from the forum had been in love with. He said his best friend went missing. The man in the story on the forum left to find the hen in the woods.

The woman being seen in the forest by people in town could be the woman who told the man about the legend of the hen.

[ Damian, please. That hen's probably a romantic and they don't quite fit the bill.

Kisa's quietly pensive, taking the box in one hand and mulling over... pretty much everything, as she takes Damian's hand to get back to her feet. It's a lot to take in. They hadn't found the hen, but they'd found a few additional pieces to draw it all together. Like the forest is somehow helping them, despite the way it had chosen to test them. Forcing Damian to speak candidly. The perfect representation of Akito. The tigers.

There's really no way to be prepared, is there? ]

... We should head back. I think... it's important to share this with everyone.

[She isn't wrong, as much as he hates handing out information to people. It's a Bat thing. He'll tell Dextera first at least, and then they can hand it out to other people as is appropriate.]

Come on. [This time, he extends his hand again for her to take. Walking into the clearing is one thing, but walking back through the forest is another. He doesn't trust something not to happen.] We'll figure out how to organize the information when we get back to town.

Did the tigers injure you?

[ ... Oh.

A Damian precaution, but Kisa's not about to complain, so she'll grasp his hand again and settle into step beside him. As she thought, it's comforting.

At the question, though, she glances down at herself. A few scrapes. A few forming bruises. Some cuts. Obviously no bites. Rough handling, but they hadn't been aiming to hurt her. ]

I'm okay. You got hurt much worse.

... Thank you, though. I know you were trying not to hurt them.

[For once, he trusts her assessment without having to question it. She doesn't look bad off, maybe only rustled with the tigers' fleeing. She can walk, breathe, and talk, and that's good enough to get back to town.

He leads them back, holding her hand, not looking at her.] I would have if they hurt you. [And that's the only clarification he gives her about what would have happened to the tigers if they had made the wrong choice.

Damian Wayne would have killed them.]

[ ... Ah.

Well, now she's definitely glad the tigers hadn't gotten her injured. But Kisa says nothing else, only squeezes Damian's hand once. Onwards! ]

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i'm cracking up HE'S MINE

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