[ For all his life, Dick had only known Haly's Circus. It's where he was born and raised, where he'd experienced so many new and wonderful things as a child. There was no adjustment period to circus life, no introductions needed for any 'new normal,' because, to Dick, Haly's Circus was normal.
So things beyond it were always what fascinated him. Which was why, when he introduced Haly's to fresh eyes, he finally felt genuine wonderment towards his own life, towards the gifts he'd been born into, the loving and talented family that he was proud to call himself a part of.
Strange, then, how quickly that wonderment had passed. How quickly it fell by the wayside when Rapunzel, whose fresh eyes rekindled Dick's love for his home and everything it represented, was taken away. When Dick stopped hearing back from Rapunzel's pidgeon messages, and he checked to see a tower empty of its furnishings and inhabitants.
And that wouldn't be the end of it. Dick's parents had been murdered by bandits, who sabotaged their rope during their last act on their last day in Corona... and Dick was never the same since.
He lived in the shadow of his parents' deaths for years, letting it change him. He ran away from Haly's and began embarking on a crusade to right the wrongs committed by bandits' and thieves' guilds, systematically taking them down all his lonesome, leaving injured bodies to be seized by local authorities.
Though his own roguishness turned him into a wanted man, he'd earned the name 'The Nightwing,' and had become something a folk hero throughout the continent. He eventually came to lead his own crew, the Titans, whose loyalty and camaraderie gave him wistful recollections of life at Haly's. Leader that he was, Dick felt responsible for every member of the group. They had all been hurt, had all lost something to bad people.
As such, he took it upon himself to fetch them some firewood one evening, as the least he could do for his comrades' loyalty.
Seems this is the same evening that Rapunzel's been wandering the woods, having freshly escaped Gothel's clutches.
Of course, Dick knew nothing of this until finally, navigating the dark of the woods, he senses frantic movement. He climbs a tree and maintains a silent vigil over the body in motion: a familiar one, albeit older than he'd last seen.
He almost can't believe his eyes, so paralyzed by the realization-- does she even remember him, he wonders?
Before Rapunzel can continue down the trail, Dick leaps down from the branch where he was perched. He crouches into his landing to properly absorb the impact of the fall, and slowly rises, clad in all black with some blue highlights. He even wears a mask now, but imagines it does little to conceal his true face if one simply looks at him long enough. ]
Recognize me, Rapunzel?
[ His voice is obviously deeper since they last met, but it carries that familiar cadence. ]
medieval/childhood au cont'd.
So things beyond it were always what fascinated him. Which was why, when he introduced Haly's to fresh eyes, he finally felt genuine wonderment towards his own life, towards the gifts he'd been born into, the loving and talented family that he was proud to call himself a part of.
Strange, then, how quickly that wonderment had passed. How quickly it fell by the wayside when Rapunzel, whose fresh eyes rekindled Dick's love for his home and everything it represented, was taken away. When Dick stopped hearing back from Rapunzel's pidgeon messages, and he checked to see a tower empty of its furnishings and inhabitants.
And that wouldn't be the end of it. Dick's parents had been murdered by bandits, who sabotaged their rope during their last act on their last day in Corona... and Dick was never the same since.
He lived in the shadow of his parents' deaths for years, letting it change him. He ran away from Haly's and began embarking on a crusade to right the wrongs committed by bandits' and thieves' guilds, systematically taking them down all his lonesome, leaving injured bodies to be seized by local authorities.
Though his own roguishness turned him into a wanted man, he'd earned the name 'The Nightwing,' and had become something a folk hero throughout the continent. He eventually came to lead his own crew, the Titans, whose loyalty and camaraderie gave him wistful recollections of life at Haly's. Leader that he was, Dick felt responsible for every member of the group. They had all been hurt, had all lost something to bad people.
As such, he took it upon himself to fetch them some firewood one evening, as the least he could do for his comrades' loyalty.
Seems this is the same evening that Rapunzel's been wandering the woods, having freshly escaped Gothel's clutches.
Of course, Dick knew nothing of this until finally, navigating the dark of the woods, he senses frantic movement. He climbs a tree and maintains a silent vigil over the body in motion: a familiar one, albeit older than he'd last seen.
He almost can't believe his eyes, so paralyzed by the realization-- does she even remember him, he wonders?
Before Rapunzel can continue down the trail, Dick leaps down from the branch where he was perched. He crouches into his landing to properly absorb the impact of the fall, and slowly rises, clad in all black with some blue highlights. He even wears a mask now, but imagines it does little to conceal his true face if one simply looks at him long enough. ]
Recognize me, Rapunzel?
[ His voice is obviously deeper since they last met, but it carries that familiar cadence. ]