bildungsromans | for watcheslanterns

[ Dick would slap himself in the face if he let his jaw drop at the sight. Luckily, he's got more self-control than that. He also senses Rapunzel's nervousness (how could he not when she makes it so obvious?), and is quick to tell her the truth. ]

Stunning.

[ Hearing himself, he might actually be smiling the most he's ever smiled in front of Rapunzel. Either the Robin aesthetic just makes anyone look better, or... Rapunzel simply looks that wonderful in that costume. He looks away before a lingering stare creates unwarranted awkwardness, and instead rises from his seat, fiddling with the smart device on his gauntlet to seem preoccupied with something - as if Rapunzel doesn't have his complete attention. ]

It really, um... suits you.

[ He paces towards a bridge to the hangar, where the Batwing's parked. As he walks, he gestures at a nearby staircase for Rapunzel to take to catch up to him. ]

I've uploaded the case file on Gothel and all the intel you need to our cloud server. You should be able to access it from your seat in the Batwing, and from your wrist computer.

[ It should be on Rapunzel's left gauntlet the way there's one on Dick's. ]

Sources tell me she's in Siberia, under the League of Assasins' protection. She and Ra's are anticipating us... but I know you want your closure.

[ Rapunzel studies Dick across the fire. She's still trying to connect the bright, sunny boy she had once known to the jaded man before her now. It's obvious now that it's still him, but something has changed for him, and perhaps not all for the best. ]

Your friends...are they from the circus?

[ She remembers her long ago outing to the circus and how much fun she had had together with Dick. Did he no longer find joy in the work his family pursued? Or had something worse happened? ]

[ She relaxes slightly at Dick's response. She hadn't really been sure what to expect, but she's glad that he seems confident in his decision to lend her the suit. It was an important sort of gift, and she didn't want to let it go to waste. She wouldn't exactly say she feels comfortable in it yet, but she could do what she needed to. ]

Thank you.

[ He voice is soft, and her cheeks do feel warm, but she ignores that particular reaction to his compliment. Instead, she makes her way to the jet and settles into the passenger seat. Her eyes focus on the glowing screen, taking in the content of the files. She's surprised by very little of it now. Every terrible thing Gothel had done in her past made all too much sense to her now. ]

So we won't be able to take them by surprise. Do you have some kind of plan?

No.

[ He pauses, pensively staring into the glow of the firewood. He casually tends to the flames, before finally regarding Rapunzel with a somber look. ]

They're all outcasts who've lost their way in the world.

Life had other plans for them-- plans they couldn't agree with.

[ Despite all that, he manages a small smirk. ]

It was the same for me.

Not long after you left, and I presume that was your mother's doing, criminals killed my family.

I fled the circus and I've been out for vengeance ever since.

Plan? This is the plan.

[ He knows that sounds a bit silly, so-- ]

For once, it's as simple as coming to them, arresting your mother, and incapacitating Ra's Al Ghul.

[ And by that, he means kill Ra's, with the understanding that he'll come back via Lazarus Pit. ]

They might hurt you if it means they can keep you, but they definitely won't hurt you badly.

They need you. Your hair has all the benefits of the Lazarus Pits, and none of the side effects.

They're probably willing to kill me to get to you. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they went out of their way to--

[ Just then, a kunai pierces the Batwing's windshield, never quite passing through to successfully stab Dick in the head. ]

Well.

Should've guessed they'd come to us.

[ Dick opens the cockpit and vaults out, gliding into a horde of assassins that had just emerged from the Batcave's depths. They'd clearly just gotten here. ]

Stay close to me!

[ Rapunzel's hands fly to her mouth as she gasps. She's imagined such horrible things before thanks to her mother's tutelage, but to hear that something so awful has happened, and to someone she cares about, makes the reality so much worse. ]

I'm so sorry, Dick.

[ If there wasn't a fire she might have reached out to him, but as there is, she settles for her limited words. ]

That must have been awful. I wish...I wish I could have been there for you.

[ Rapunzel jumps in her seat as the kunai hits against the windshield. She's shocked for a moment, but quickly leaps into action after Dick. She's running mostly on instinct again, but it's kept her alive before, it will continue to do so. Having the new suit gives her an added sense of security, an armor she never had before.

She grips her hair in her hands, ready to use it as needed as she follows close to Dick. Taking a moment to asses the scene, all she can hear at first is the beating of her heart. She isn't used to fights like this, but she can't let that hold her back. ]

Do we have a plan now?

[ With a flick of her wrist she snaps her hair in the direction of one of the assassins. She pulls them close, then whips them back out at their partners, knocking a few over. ]

Just thinking it might be a good idea.

[ Believe it or not, Dick senses Rapunzel's hesitation. His expression doesn't really soften, but he attempts a small smile at her kindness. ]

Likewise.

[ It's not like Rapunzel's out here in the wilderness because her life's been any better. ]

There's nothing we can do about it besides do right by the living. Do right by you.

After a night's rest, I promise to get you where you need to be. To something you deserve to see.

[ Dick's attended the lamtern festival before, back when his parents were still alive. To say it was anything short of beautiful would've done it no justice.

To prepare for the night ahead of them, Dick rummages through his backpack of supplies (he's had one this whole time, but simply brought no attention to it). He pulls out a folded cloth that unfurls into a large blanket... something for picnics, probably. Still, Dick spreads it out and lies down, deliberately occupying the edge furthest from the campfire.

Rapunzel, after all, might need the warmth more than he does. ]

It's not bedding or anything, but I hope it serves.

Sometimes, improvisation is key.

[ Dick elbows an assassin in the face before throwing them over his shoulder and kicking them into another assassin. ]

Like in jazz.

[ He vaults over an assassin that had charged at him, just before unsheathing two eskrima sticks and parrying the strikes of several more opponents.

Just before another assassin can grab Rapunzel from behind (even with the mask, it's pretty obvious it's her), a stray eskrima stick collides with the assassin's face.

After Rapunzel and Dick take on their shares of enemies, only for several more to emerge from the shadows, Dick appears at Rapunzel's side. ]

The plan is to hold your own. I know Ra's Al Ghul's angle.

This isn't an attack so much as it's... an invitation.

[ Rapunzel hesitates for a moment before getting up and walking around to the blanket. She sits down, with Pascal settling next to her. She glances over at Dick, uncertainly. ]

Are you alright over there? [ She pulls the bulk of her hair into her lap. ]

I know it probably sounds strange, but my hair will probably keep me warm, if you need to be closer to the fire...?

[ Rapunzel shrugs. Dick knows more about fighting than she did, so all she could do was rely on his advice. Besides, she seems to be doing a fair enough job as she pulls another assassin towards the wall with a heavy slam. ]

If only they knew we were planing on visiting anyway.

[ Strange, how in the midst of severe violence, she somehow manages a quip. Maybe something about being with people again, about being free, is bringing back some of the joy she once had.

Eventually, though, they were down to the last assassin. They both stood evenly apart from him. ]

Do you want to take this?

You do the honors.

[ Part of him also wanted to say he's punched enough assassins for one day, but he relents. ]

You've got a lot of potential, you know that?

[ He speaks as if the remaining assassin is no longer a threat, which - shortly - becomes the case, thanks to Rapunzel. ]

With the right training, you'd make a fine vigilante.

[ Might as well keep the momentum up, in terms of quips and their general rapport. Rapunzel might never stop being angry at Gothel and Ra's, but she can at least remain in high spirits fighting alongside Dick. Something - especially about being free - to keep her centered. ]

Thanks, but there's no need.

[ He turns to look at her, but his eyes wander to the fire instead. Rapunzel can see that he's taken off his mask, and this will have been the first time she's seen his eyes in forever. ]

I'm quite used to the cold, and I can also--

[ He pulls the far side of the blanket around himself and rolls until he's bundled up like a burrito. From his position, he looks up at her with a whimsical grin - something like he'd worn when they were both still small. ]

--do this.

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