It was expected of me. To do what was necessary to retrieve a trophy.
[This is offered rather bitterly to Percy, so the fortunate thing is it sounds as if Damian doesn't approve of what he had done.]
To become the heir to an organization of assassins, I had to participate in a rite called the Year of Blood. It's exactly as it sounds: I traveled the world to best champions and beasts and take from them a trophy to bring back to my mother as proof of my success.
Goliath's family happened to be the guardians protecting an artifact I wanted.
And I thought my family had issues. [He can't exactly judge him because, like, Percy's hands aren't exactly clean either and also Damian's still technically a kid. This doesn't sound like it was something recent so that means he went on this Year of Blood thing when he was younger which is also...a lot. That's a lot? Yikes.
Somehow knowing he was born into a group of assassins makes perfect sense to him. Mrs. O'Leary whines a little at the bitter tone, nudging Damian again. Apparently she doesn't think poorly of the choice, or maybe she just doesn't want him to be upset.]
But you didn't kill Goliath. [That's the important thing here.] What happened after that? Did you "succeed" by their standards?
[He might just be annoyed that this is just another case of a young kid being used as someone else's pawn for bigger plans, but he might be projecting just a little. He's seen too many cases like that not to though.]
[Mrs. O'Leary is a good soul. Damian tries to reassure her by giving her some attention and pets. He's quiet for a minute or so, doesn't look back at Percy yet.
And then, finally, he half turns around.] Goliath... wouldn't fight me. It wasn't worth killing him because it wouldn't be honorable. He wouldn't fight back. [Apparently, Damian's ideal of honor is a fair and consenting battle. To the death. Wow.
And really, Goliath was a form of innocence, purity, and it made Damian cry to see it, but he won't tell Percy that!!! Percy will get a memory later or something about this.] So I took him back as an extra trophy.
I succeeded in my Year of Blood. I had collected a hoard of trophies, proof of my loyalty to the League. But... [He looks back up at Mrs. O'Leary, frowning.] I went to stay with my father.
[That also explains so much about Damian "FIGHT ME ALREADY!!!" Wayne, so. He's not at all surprised, though it's a little admirable that he chose an honorable route.]
You probably don't want to hear this, but maybe that was for the best. [Not fighting back, saving Goliath, going to stay with Bruce...yeah. Smart plan.] You gave Goliath a new purpose at least which is probably more than other people would have done if they were you.
[Seriously who tells a kid to go slaughter a bunch of things to prove thems--oh wait maybe that's kind of like demigod training. Gods.] What did the League say after you left?
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[This is offered rather bitterly to Percy, so the fortunate thing is it sounds as if Damian doesn't approve of what he had done.]
To become the heir to an organization of assassins, I had to participate in a rite called the Year of Blood. It's exactly as it sounds: I traveled the world to best champions and beasts and take from them a trophy to bring back to my mother as proof of my success.
Goliath's family happened to be the guardians protecting an artifact I wanted.
no subject
Somehow knowing he was born into a group of assassins makes perfect sense to him. Mrs. O'Leary whines a little at the bitter tone, nudging Damian again. Apparently she doesn't think poorly of the choice, or maybe she just doesn't want him to be upset.]
But you didn't kill Goliath. [That's the important thing here.] What happened after that? Did you "succeed" by their standards?
[He might just be annoyed that this is just another case of a young kid being used as someone else's pawn for bigger plans, but he might be projecting just a little. He's seen too many cases like that not to though.]
no subject
And then, finally, he half turns around.] Goliath... wouldn't fight me. It wasn't worth killing him because it wouldn't be honorable. He wouldn't fight back. [Apparently, Damian's ideal of honor is a fair and consenting battle. To the death. Wow.
And really, Goliath was a form of innocence, purity, and it made Damian cry to see it, but he won't tell Percy that!!! Percy will get a memory later or something about this.] So I took him back as an extra trophy.
I succeeded in my Year of Blood. I had collected a hoard of trophies, proof of my loyalty to the League. But... [He looks back up at Mrs. O'Leary, frowning.] I went to stay with my father.
no subject
You probably don't want to hear this, but maybe that was for the best. [Not fighting back, saving Goliath, going to stay with Bruce...yeah. Smart plan.] You gave Goliath a new purpose at least which is probably more than other people would have done if they were you.
[Seriously who tells a kid to go slaughter a bunch of things to prove thems--oh wait maybe that's kind of like demigod training. Gods.] What did the League say after you left?