16648/Bat-Family Time

Bat-Family Time
Date of Scene:	22 December 2023
Location:	Gymnasium and Pool - Wayne Manor
Synopsis:	Damian epically teases his parents.
Cast of Characters:	Talia al Ghul, Damian Wayne, Bruce Wayne

---

Talia al Ghul has posed:
It's sometime in the middle of the evening as Talia Al Ghul practices. She has two long wooden blades in her hands of a somewhat distinct ninjato - katanas forged without quite the normal curve to them. She's going through a combat exercise. It's not a kata - katas are ritualized and formal. Motions repeated until they are muscle memory.

This? This is a spar with someone or something unseen. Some dance to the beat of an unknown song. Talia fights with an unknown opponent. Blades rapidly twist and block, body going for quick strikes and defense. Her motions are quick, with a minimum of effort. Whomever in her mind she is fighting overmatches her in speed and strength. In her mind, she fights in a more restrained manner to limit their advantage in openings.

Damian Wayne has posed:
And that unknown opponent? It's someone that Talia knows very well and was once underneath her heart. Damian's strikes are not a mirror of Talia's. He's learned. Adapted. More of his father's training has shown in the years that he has spent in the care of the Bat family.

Strikes are parried, made in return, but he does not go for obvious kill shots when Talia offers or teases him with them. Instead, he pulls back, giving her a chance to recover and continue the attack.

The clash and clatter of the Themyscarian sword against Talia's is another change. A gift from Donna, the young man has learned the master the weapon for what it is. "Come now, Mother." he comments between strikes.

"You have not made a commitment to your plans for the holiday. And it is only four days away. You do not even need to worry about a gift."

Talia al Ghul has posed:
The back and forth goes along. Dodge, strike, parry. Counterblow. The motions are quick, crisp, and precise as the two would dance. Talia goes to twirl her blades, looping them throught he air in quick arcs. Almost like she were twirling them like batons. Strange, particularly given that it's rather showy and not at all like she normally is in combat.

"Very well, since you insisted. And I have not yet figured out my plans. I suppose I'll likely be here." If they'll have her.

Then she's on the counterattack once more upon being given the opening. She goes to wield her wooden blades less like swords, and more like scythes. Slashing around in long arcs, the buildup of momentum and inertia designed to have given her much more power behind them. The blades move faster, even as she goes on the offensive, attempting to use the enhanced strength the maneuvering ave her to try and drive Damian back in thier exchange!

Bruce Wayne has posed:
Lurking back in the shadows, because that is what he does best, Bruce watches the exchange between mother and son in silence. Curious to see how it plays out.

The spar, and the conversation.

Damian Wayne has posed:
Talia starts to increase the attack, and Damian grits his teeth. What's the old saying?

'If you have time to talk? You're not trying hard enough?'

Something like that. While she's in the middle of her blade dance, Damian focuses on the deflection, parrying and moving backwards, feet sliding along the ground. He's retreating? Falling back along the mat, he continues to let Talia press and build up her speed.

"Good." he comments. "Then I will have to find you a present for you to give to Father." His tone is light and teasing. "You will have already bought me a nice present. I will be grateful." A taunt, a flat out taunt suggesting she can't buy Damian a good present.

And that's when he reverses field. Hoping to have used Talia's overpowering strikes against her, he suddenly moves forward and drops to his knees in a slide and brings the blunt of his blade against his hand as he tries to drive it into his mother's stomach and flip her over. She'll probably be able to land on her feet, but his hope is that her back will be to her, opening her to a quick strike as he bends backwards, contorting to be upside down as he bends against his knees and brings the blade around.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
There is a slight crinkle of Bruce's mouth at the idea of Damian attempting to find a present to give to Talia for him. But it does, as usual, go towards Damian's character.

He ponders making himself known, but for the moment, he is content merely to observe.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
The blades would swing back and forth. Retreating is the best tactical move. In a fight, one never wants to give up mobility. To retreat when outmatched is best; your opponent has to advance, and you can influence the pacing of the fight. Wait for them to overextend themselves, for an opening, and strike. Her blades would slash through the air even as Damian goes to maintain his withdraw.

Talia goes to laugh, "If you insist. Should I get something so you can be competitive in the.. Ugly sweater competition? I'm sure I can find some things appropriate for that." For Damian.

"And I'll take your advise in the manner." Of gifts for Bruce. The quick counter-strikes from Damian as Talia overextends herself would result in Damian having the leverage to flip her. Even as she's upsides down bringing one blade over to deflect the hit.. Partially. But it still sends her sprawling to the ground.

Damian Wayne has posed:
Taking a moment to flip over and get to his feet, Damian moves to get back in a guard position. "You need a gift that will remind him of you." he offers as he considers the idea, tumbling it over in his head. "I'd suggest a scent, but he would presume it could possibly be a neurotoxin or a way to track him." The young man continues to muse thoughtfully.

"Perhaps a tie." he suggests. "A nice, well made tie. That he could wear when he is out in public. And it will allow you to stake a claim over other would-be suitors."

So that's his game.

Bruce Wayne has posed:
For a moment, Bruce considered descending into the moment and announcing himself. But as he watches and realizes precisely what Damian is up to, he decides that perhaps alerting them to his eavesdropping would be counterproductive, at best.

He can hardly fault the kid, however.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would get back up to her feet, "I'm not sure he wishes to be reminded.. But I'll take that into consideration, thank you. It's a good idea." She switches to Arabic as the two would talk to one another. "I'm sure I can find something appropriate. It shouldn't have a garotte in it, though I suppose he'll end up having one put in it just in case. Is it considered polite to put a blade in it or does one accessorize that sort of thing oneself?"

Talia's words are a bit unsteadier there at that last bit. Attempting to cover up the momentary unsteadiness with a joke.

Damian Wayne has posed:
Damian's eyeroll is obvious. "The only competition that you have a stray that should be in a kill shelter." the young man offers flatly as he draws in a breath. "Please do not try to assassinate Father. I realize that may be foreplay between the two of you, but the less I know of it, the better."

Bruce Wayne has posed:
There is a wrinkle of the nose as Bruce listens. Should he warn Selina that his son is out for her? Maybe. But if she cannot handle that...

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would glance over at Damian, "I can't make promises like that. however, I'll try. I also will however not restrain myself from doing pressure points. Perhpas the occasional poison in his tea.. And thank you for your enthusiasm, my son. I never expected you to be so.. Interested."

Damian Wayne has posed:
"Oh yes. I am very interested in your relationship with Father." Damian says, moving to a much more relaxed posture. "After all..." the young man seems to muse, looking like he is on the verge of just breaking into a smile.

You see... while he was on his knees? He had spied someone watching from the shadows. And now? He's playing the game between both of them. "I wouldn't mind a brother or sister that is biologically related."

Bruce Wayne has posed:
There is a crinkle of admiration from Bruce as he watches Damian scheme. He is _fairly_ confident that he has been made, and that this is for his benefit. Mostly because he suspects that Damian would have little use for a sibling other than target practice.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Oh, this is amusing over as Talia catches on. "I see. So we finally get a chance to see Alfred's parenting abilities in action?" Since everyone here but him seems to have the emotional maturity of children.

Damian Wayne has posed:
"It would be better than growing up in an incubation tube, I suppose." Damian offers, before he smirks. "I'm sure just your presence will be more than enough of a present for the holiday." he points out as he puts the sword away.

"I should prepare for bed myself. I still have yet to shop for Gabby's gift." A shrug. "I will figure it out." He bows to Talia politely. "Good night, Mother." he offers to her as he starts to make his way out before calling over his shoulder. "Pleasant dreams, Father!"