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[ 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?

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 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.

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 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. ]

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