[center][img] https://i.imgur.com/Hv80xnv_d.webp?maxwidth=1520&fidelity=grand[/img] [sub][color=goldenrod]Interaction[/color] | Black Canary Kassy AKA [@Mistress Dizzy] [color=goldenrod]Location[/color] | Secret Sanctuary [sub]| September 28th |[/sub] [/sub][/center][hr][hider=Nothing but a memory…]In an opening of dirt, between the brush and beneath the sun of the African plain a battle took place between a hyena and her cub. The savannah son felt a swift breeze wash across his face as he bent backward to dodge a swiping rod. A foot extended outward in the same motion for his opponent’s stomach. Though, opposed to it being an attack, it was a means for further evasion, the boy pushed off and leaned into a back handspring. With the distance made, the cub no older than nine stared down the tall woman. She stood firm in her defensive stance, raising the spear with one end aimed at the boy’s chest. The child with the mane of curls lowered his stance, clawing his fingers like a tiger’s. His steps led him into a half circle around her slowly, baring his teeth at his weapon wielding opponent. [color=goldenrod]“Rah!”[/color] His approach was a pounce forward from on all fours, and a small exchange ensued. Aggressive, clawed strikes were blocked and countered by the woman warrior easily. She was obviously more experienced, barely having to move for her defense. Though, when she went on the offensive to strike with the spear’s sharpened end, the boy lowered his shoulder to dodge beneath. At the same time that the trap triggered, the bushbaby clasped his fingers into a snake’s head. In a fluid motion, he threw the fanged limb beast directly into the Hyena’s front wrist. With the precise strike causing her grip on the weapon to loosen, the Son of the Red grabbed hold of it. Though a clever manipulation of leverage and swinging his smaller body around hers, he managed to wrest the spear away. Retreating once more, he cartwheeled several feet away. In a relatively impressive display of dexterity, he twirled and spun the spear around himself. A smirk glimmered his features as he spun on the ball of his foot. Yet, just as soon as he was to finish with a pose, he was met with unexpected speed. A heavy heel was aimed at his head, and in a desperate measure he raised the pointed staff to block. Though, it wasn’t much help, as the Hyena’s strength still launched him from his feet. As if that wasn’t bad enough, he couldn’t even fully fly back when she then caught him at the foot in mid air. The inertia of initially flying one way to be yanked another caused him to lose the spear. Dangling upside down by his leg now, he raised his hands to protect his face from an oncoming attack...but it never came. Hesitantly, he opened his eyes to see disappointment on the woman’s face, which honestly hurt worse than if he’d been struck.. [color=f9ad81]“You have lost focus again, Kila.”[/color] Her voice matched her body, feminine but rugged. The wild child went limp, and the Hyena captain let him go. He flopped on his back, displacing some dust, but it didn’t seem to hurt in the slightest. Simply lying there, the preteen looked up at her from the forest floor. [color=goldenrod]“I...I am sorry, tenzi Iwisa…”[/color] The student addressed the master, though Iwisa shook her head. [color=f9ad81]“You may have the ability to apologize to me, but your enemies will not be so gracious. Your theatrics mean nothing in true battle.”[/color] She critiqued, stern in her delivery. The lion cub stood up but his face did not leave the ground. [color=goldenrod]“Yes...I know…Baba would not be pleased…”[/color] His voice was more diminutive in comparison. The veteran warrior sighed while kicking her spear up from the ground to her waiting hand. While in her grasp, she twirled it against her palm a single time in reflection. [color=f9ad81]“Do remember why Baba brought you to me?”[/color] Iwisa took on a more compassionate tone. [color=goldenrod]“To be strong and fast like he is?”[/color] [color=f9ad81]“Your baba is strong and fast, yes, but your baba is king because he knows to control his focus. [i]When[/i] to focus your strength, [i]how[/i] to focus your speed; So you can use those things to protect your home.”[/color] Iwisa explained, resting the spear on her shoulder as she lowered to a crouched position. Afterwards, she extended her open palms out in front of him. The bushbaby remembered this exercise, and took a neutral stance. He threw a quick jab at one of them, but Iwisa caught his wrist and took the opening to poke a few fingers into the boy’s side quickly. Tickled, little Kilimanjaro wiggled and giggled a few paces away. His eyes closed for a second, but as he opened them, he noticed Iwisa staring off into the distance. Her expression was very serious, and it shrunk the little one’s smile. He wanted to ask what she saw, but the boy was afraid of the answer. Iwisa turned back to Ja, and smiled. [color=f9ad81]“Come, let’s find food.”[/color] [/hider] [i]Footsteps. Tiger Roar! White Coats. Needles. Wasp Buzzing! Darkness. Flashing Light. Mamba Hiss! Child Screams. Blood. Fire. Elephant Trumpet! Caged Bars. Flowers. Glass Break. Hyena Cackle! Tibani? Cold. Warmth. Numbness. Eagle Screech! Iwisa? Rage. Sirens. Rushing Water. Lion Roar! Vixen. Hurt. Scar. Red. Father? SILENCE.[/i] His eyes wandered around the rather destroyed room. Metal unnaturally curved like vines in the walls, which showed insulation and framing. Machines had shattered as though made of legos. The electrical lights in the room had gone, leaving it enveloped in shadow aside from light of the sun reclining in the ocean. The cause, sat with his arms around his knees in a fetal position, in the midst of the chaos. His throat hurt from holding whales back within it. Despite doing the work of the Tasmanian Devil whispered to his ear, some part of him wished to keep it contained. His eyes had been a waterfall as he suffered in silence. A hurried step and a familiar sound would shatter that silence. [color=orange]"Kila? Ja?"[/color] Kassy had been going from room to room since they'd touched down from the Watchtower. She was still fighting off the nausea, honestly, but there was something far more important than her own discomfort to deal with. Someone. [color=orange]"Where are you, KJ?"[/color] She was near, carrying the scent of the sea and the soothe of the waves, as she always did. The savannah son could smell it through the walls, through a shaky breath. His headbush unfurrowed from around his face and he looked toward the double doors. Hesitantly, he trotted forward, nudging his head through the cracked opening. [color=#F4320C]“[/color][color=#F13D0E]K[/color][color=#EE4910]a[/color][color=#EC5412]-[/color][color=#E96014]a[/color][color=#E76B16]s[/color][color=#E47718]s[/color][color=#E1821A]y[/color][color=#DF8E1C]?[/color][color=#DC991E]”[/color] The voice she was looking for answered, albeit worn and tired sounding. He wasn’t in as rough shape as when Daphne initially found him. Most of the topsoil on his topside was gone. The scratches were nonexistent; but there was a weight under his eyes. Instead of a response, her footsteps picked up. Nearly a full run, until her feet took her where she needed to be. The door to the training room slid open, revealing an exhausted and still-queasy looking Kassandra. [color=orange]"KJ!"[/color] Between the tired young adults, the bigger one rose to his feet with a slightly hunched posture and leaned forward. His arms clasped around her shoulders, releasing some soft but deep sort of whimpering sounds between breaths. It took just that for Kassandra to burst into tears, clutching him close with shaking hands. [color=orange]"Oh, I was so afraid… they wouldn't let me join to help look for you! You're okay. I'm so… so glad…"[/color] Pearl-white tears rolled freely down her cheeks. After a few moments, she pulled away, cupping his face as if to make sure he was real. The only note of her discomfort was a sudden stillness in her. A split second wariness, an uncertainty. And then she gently touched his tired eyes, her cool thumbs gently resting against the dark circles on his face. [color=orange]"...which one are you, right now?"[/color] [color=goldenrod]“The one that remembers too much…”[/color] Ebony eyelids enclosed over amber irises. He was sure that he was going to get into trouble for what had happened in the gym. Though, that pushed itself to the back of his thoughts slowly. With Kassy here, it was like a fog was clearing up, allowing him to focus his thoughts on something. [color=orange]"Ja."[/color] Kassy knew she was being repetitive, but… something felt not-quite right about that answer. But there would be plenty of time for that later. [color=orange]"Sweetest, you need a bath. And perhaps a shampoo. You smell like the woods."[/color] [color=goldenrod]“I…y-yeah…you are right.”[/color] His eyes reopened but they wandered around the room and the halls as his memories recollected themselves. [color=goldenrod]“I-I…I’m sorry…I didn’t know what to do…I was lost…then…then the Red Beast…I— he…guided me back here…home. But I couldn’t come back…I was angry…and hurt…uhm…”[/color] The bushbaby stopped his broken rambling. His head turned briefly to look over the gymnasium that he destroyed, fidgeting for a moment. A careful step took him away from it, towards the dorm rooms. Focus— Washing off would help. [color=goldenrod]“Is…is everyone else okay?”[/color] [color=orange]"We are, more or less. But don't worry about us. You need to take care of yourself right now. If you come back after your bath, I'll help oil your hair for you. Would that help?"[/color] Ja nodded, but didn’t let go of her hand until he got to his room. He picked out clothes that were looser, to the point that one may wonder what era he lived in. It was more for comfort than style; a large white t-shirt and harem pants with different colored paisley patches on it. The shower he took wasn’t very long, just enough to be effective and mostly chase the smell away. His nerves still seemed to eat at him, rocking in place as he waited outside the bathroom for her to return. Kassy didn't go far. While he was occupied, she did her best to clean the training room. She hadn't known Ja was so capable of - no. No, that was a lie. She'd known he was capable of destruction. They all were. That's why equipment was replaceable. She left the unfinished requisition list in the corner next to the broom, and went to Ja's side again as soon as she heard the water stop. Seeing him from afar, so closed up and nervous made her chest hurt. Part of it was empathy for how afraid he must have been. And part of it, even now, was pure rage. If the people who'd orchestrated his kidnapping were in front of her. Well. She'd be back in prison by sundown. [color=orange]"There you are."[/color] She slipped her hand into his and squeezed, but then frowned slightly. Picking up their joined hands, she peered close at his skin. [color=orange]"Your hands…"[/color] Biting back a flash of worry, she gazed up at him. [color=orange]"We should bandage them."[/color] His head slightly tipped to the side to look at his own hand as well. His lips quivered then pursed. [color=goldenrod]“I-It would only slow my healing down…but I made sure to clean them…I promise.”[/color] [color=orange]"Oh. Alright, then."[/color] She offered up a soft smile. [color=orange]"Let's take care of your hair."[/color] She walked into his room, setting up a pick and the little jars of oils and creams that he preferred. Well - tolerated, perhaps, was closer. Ja reflected her smile, smaller but present. He gently tugged at the door behind him to close it most of the way as he came inside. It felt somewhat odd to be in here…his own room, after having not been in it for a few weeks. Absent-mindedly, he walked in and sat on the floor next to where she sat. His nails traced along the carpet as he thought and waited. Then he seemed to realize something. [color=goldenrod]“Is everyone okay?”[/color] Kassy stopped with the jar half open. [color=orange]"Ja… Sweetest, you just asked that a few minutes ago. We are still okay."[/color] Concern flashed in her eyes. [color=orange]"Are you okay?"[/color] She remembered the way his memories would scatter when he switched between Kila and Ja. He nodded, almost reminiscent of how his head would bobble when in a happier mood. He didn’t initially realize that he asked already, but the question came up again due to certain memories resurfacing. [color=goldenrod]“I…remember Cora being knocked out and Daphne in a bubble…I remember Vincent and Zach being tired…before…”[/color] He hesitated. [color=goldenrod]“I’m…here. With [i]you,[/i] and that is okay. It helps me feel better.”[/color] He reassured, a small piece of his optimism peeking through this hollowed version of himself. [color=orange]"Good. Not even the coldest riptide will take me from your side again."[/color] A warm grin slipped on her face. [color=orange]"The others are mending. And you will too."[/color] She leaned over, and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. [color=orange]"Do you just want to stay here, for a while? I can wait on your hair, if you want."[/color] Ja smiled softly when Kassy’s lips found his cheek, but it shrunk slightly when his ears started twitching. The unmistakable sound of Black Canary’s heels on the concrete floor came to a halt in front of KJ’s room. There was a firm knock on the door before the mentor entered the room. She stood silently in the doorway, observing the pair. There was a quiet sense of admiration that reflected in her eyes. [color=Slateblue]”A hot shower really does transform you, especially after everything you went through.”[/color] Black Canary didn’t know the full extent of what KJ went through, but she was determined to find out. It was important to find out what happened to him. Important for his personal mental health, but also that of Kassy and the rest of the Team. The second she heard approaching footsteps, Kassy scooted to a hopefully friend-appropriate distance from Ja. She was aware Black Canary was dating another Leaguer, and therefore couldn't say too much, but - it was still a bit embarrassing. [color=orange]"H-hello Miss Dinah."[/color] The bushbaby had recognized her several steps ago. The heeled boots she typically wore made a distinct clicking sound. He had often observed the way people walked growing up. It was part of his training as a way to identify people. You could learn a lot about a person through such forms of body language. Today, the sound of these steps weren’t the heavy and deliberate ones of their stern combat instructor; instead they were the quick and soft ones of a concerned counselor. The last time he saw her was a few days ago, through the eyes of the Red Beast. He didn’t attack her…or any of the Justice Leaguers that tried to talk to him…but he didn’t respond to them either. He’d only watch, or retreat to the tunnels when they attempted to get near…It was only when Kassy had found him earlier that the beast's edge flowed into a more passive place. He didn’t remember all that he had done since the Red Beast had come over him just yet. What Ja did remember was that he wasn’t supposed to be on that mission. He had broken protocol. It was out of fear for his friends, yes, but broken nonetheless. Those factors left him unsure of what to say when his golden globes aimed up at Tenzi Dinah. Kassy found herself taking the lead in the silence. Subconsciously, she eased herself between Dinah and Ja as she rose. [color=orange]"Do you need me, Miss Dinah?"[/color] Black Canary approached the pair, watching her body language to put them at ease. She joined them on the floor. She sat next to them on the same eye level. [color=Slateblue]”Not just you Kassandra, I also wanted to check on Ja.”[/color]. When she mentioned Ja’s name she looked right into his gold eyes. She was starting to recognize Ja when he was in charge more easily. As someone with a background in psychology KJ’s condition was fascinating. At the same time it worried her. If the personalities weren’t balanced or didn’t co exist peacefully they created inner turmoil. [color=Slateblue]”How are you feeling right now Ja?”[/color] Feeling the Canary’s eyes on him, his lips pursed. [color=goldenrod]”I am…” [i]’Okay is not the right word,’[/i] “alive, and here…It was me that made a mess in the training room…I didn’t mean to, I’m sorry.”[/color] Kassy settled beside Ja, and after a moment's thought, wrapped an arm around his shoulders. She couldn't do much besides give him comfort, and that is exactly what she'd do. Black Canary shook her head. [color=Slateblue]”Don’t worry about that, Ja. I know you didn’t mean to and everything can be easily replaced.”[/color] His answer was something she expected. She wanted to do some digging into the time he spent away from the Team, but she didn’t want to push him too far. Kassy’s presence would help him to be more at ease. She didn’t see the need to separate them, on the contrary it would be better for both of them to stay close. At least for the foreseeable future. [color=Slateblue]”What do you remember about your time away from the Team?”[/color] She wasn’t the first person to ask him this. Daphne also attempted to unearth some answers from KJ’s shattered perception, but neither the timing nor the circumstances were right. The question made Ja sigh, rubbing his hands against his knees. His eyes started to wander, but shifted over to Kassy when he felt her arm keep him from floating away. With her silent reassurance, he found the resolve to speak. [color=goldenrod]”I…remember a lot of time in the woods. When the Red Beast had control, I lived as the wild for a few days. A hunter and scavenger… But… I… remembered here; home. After that I was in the sky…somehow I felt the way home through the Red…it tugged me back to the forest outside where Daph found me…”[/color] [color=orange]"Ja…"[/color] Kassy's voice was soft, but her arm around his shoulders was careful and firm. [color=orange]"When Viktor and I were acting as enemies, what helped us become teammates and friends again was to say the painful things out loud. He is like you - he doesn't want to hurt people's hearts. But sometimes… it's okay to speak the truth than to keep it locked. Especially when others can see that you're holding your tongue. It will be alright."[/color] Adult presence be damned. She pressed a very soft kiss to his nose. [color=orange]"...Strike. Say what must be said. We're here."[/color] Ja’s lip twitched and he took a shaky sigh. Maybe this time would be different. Kassy was here this time…It would be okay…right? [color=goldenrod]“I…I remember being in the back of a truck? It was only enough light to be necessary…I remember Mister Slade’s eye watching me the whole time…Others from a squad I did not remember…I think it was to make sure I did not escape…When the van stopped, we were deep in the woods. I remember a runway for an airplane, and then being led inside another building that was like a wooden house, a little further than the hangar…”[/color] His heart started to race in his chest. Steady breaths. It…was in the past now…it couldn’t… [color=goldenrod]“When I got inside was when I saw her…After so long…Tibani was who they sent…or maybe…maybe she just decided to find me…She told me that I was a long way away from home…Asked me how I was doing…She…told me that Baba and the other Hyenas missed me. She said that Baba understood how confusing it must have been when…”[/color] He paused. Kassy told him to strike, and it was like pulling teeth but it was too late to stop now. She said it was better to let the truth out. [color=goldenrod]“…I was brought to america. Tibani said she understood that you guys were my pack now and that she would not force me to come home…but…”[/color] He subtly started to tremble. [color=goldenrod]“But she asked if I knew what really happened the day that the Justice League found me…She showed me to a screen that showed a camera feed. It was a recording of that day. The footage showed the battle…and…it…”[/color] His eyes started to well with tears. [color=goldenrod]“It showed me, what [b]really[/b] happened…I…S-she told me that Iwisa had died so that I could get away…That B-…the ‘Red Lion’ used his claws to tear her apart…but that was a [i]lie.”[/i][/color] His tone had a more distinctively sharp cut on the bitter tasting word. His headbush billowed in a familiarly infamous whisp-like fashion. [color=goldenrod]“The camera showed me that it was not the Red Lion that killed Iwisa. The camera showed me…that it was Her. It…It was Vixen that killed Iwisa…”[/color] His breaths had gotten deeper, and tears rolled down his cheeks. The lights in the room started to glow a little brighter than they should, and the tablet in Black Canary’s hand glitched a little. [color=goldenrod]“It was [b]VIXEN[/b] that killed my Amai!!”[/color] The lightbulbs shattered with his roar, followed by a silence that filled the room; leaving even Canary speechless. The revelation far surpassed his outburst, giving rise to so many questions about the young lion’s past. [Color=slateblue]“Your Amai. Your mother? Ja, that's a heavy accusation. It…”[/color] Canary was being careful with handling this. She scooted herself closer to him, offering her hand for him to take. [Color=slateblue]“From our previous talks, I was of the belief that Vixen, Mari McCabe, was your mother.”[/color] Kassy, who had been sitting in stunned silence, pressed herself closer to Ja as well. She looked down to see his nails - claws - digging into his skin. But she dared not speak to interrupt. Instead she simply wriggled both of her cool palms over his, trying to stop him as gently as possible. What Ja said didn't make sense at all - but he had no reason to lie. Nor did he conjure falsehoods easily. No, he wouldn't say something like that without believing it true. If it was true, the consequences of it were too large for her to grasp the edges of. But if it was a lie… then who could have made Ja believe it so fiercely? Still, she realized her mistake earlier, in insisting Ja talk about it. Maybe it was too soon? She shouldn't have pushed. Now that they were in it, though, the only way out was through. [color=orange]"It's okay. We're right here. You're safe - "[/color] She looked up, searching her beloved's eyes, and once again stopped in shock. Red. A bellowing hiss reminiscent of a crocodile wisped through the teeth of the beast. His shoulders still rose and fell, muscles tensed. He was clearly still feeling the pain of Ja’s breaths. Yet with Kassy’s cold hands over his, he didn’t move from where they were seated. His head was heavy. The claws that had ripped into the knees of his pants, and the skin beneath unlatched hesitantly for his arms to fall to the floor on his sides instead. His headbush slowly weaved and coiled around his head. Though his eyes still brightly burned through, looking first at Kassy, then to Dinah. First her hand, which was outstretched and empty. Next, the woman herself, who sat with posture that was lower—smaller than his was. Her face was careful and non-offensive. Though with all that, he didn’t move to take her hand either, instead he winced at seemingly another pang of pain. The wild prince pressed half of his face into Kassy’s hands on his knees, scratching at the rug on the floor quietly. [i][color=F4320C]“…amai…”[/color][/i] Could be heard from a grumbled whisper; emotionally exhausted. [Color=slateblue]“Makes sense.”[/color] Canary commented softly to herself as he retracted her extended hand. Besides a single glance down at her tablet to confirm she could continue to use it, she looked upon the young man—she looked upon the stranger, studiously. [Color=slateblue][i]This identity…[/I][/color] The timing of the transformation helped to solidify an idea as to the origin of this third boy. [Color=slateblue]“You must be the protector. It's nice to meet you.”[/color] She welcomed him, not with caution, but with a warmth accompanied by a polite smile. [Color=slateblue]“Ja doesn't feel safe speaking about what happened to Iwisa, so… are you here to be a wall or the person who can speak about it?”[/color] She commented inquisitively while also hoping he'd be able to answer her. Instead there were several long seconds of silence. Kassy frowned subtly. She understood what Miss Dinah meant, and what she wanted to do. But maybe that was too large a question at the start. Maybe they had to start smaller. She remembered their sudden and pitched battle, which seemed like years ago, somehow, despite it being barely 3 weeks. [color=orange]"Hi again."[/color] Soft, careful, her hands shifted to cup his cheeks. To comfort him, and protect him. [color=orange]"You remember me, right? Kassy."[/color] She smiled, remembering to hide her teeth. But the warmth would shine through in her voice. [color=orange]"What's your name?"[/color] At first, his eyes seemed to be absently wandering the room. He heard Dinah’s voice but her words seemed to have no hold on his attention. Instead, the wild child came to focus on the sea daughter when she moved his head to look at him. He remembered that question but not necessarily what it meant. [color=F4320C]“Name…?”[/color] He sank his legs to sit flat and thought for a moment. He thought about other words he knew. [color=F4320C]“Kassy…?”[/color] He tried, as if it were the answer to what she asked. [color=orange]"No, I am Kassy."[/color] She pressed her hand against her heart. Then gestured with the same hand to their mentor. [color=orange]"There is Tenzi Dinah."[/color] Carefully, slowly, she let her palm rest against his chest. [color=orange]"What is [i]your[/i] name?"[/color] His face followed each of her gestures before he got the point. What was he called? He heard ‘urhirho’ before. He heard ‘Unyana’ before…but more than anything else he’d heard: [color=F4320C]”Ki-la…Ja…Ro…”[/color] He tried to say it but it sounded a little off between the grumbling nature of his voice, as well as how words seemed to be foreign to his mouth. [color=orange]"Yes! Kilamanjaro. Good!"[/color] They were getting somewhere. Though it would get a bit confusing - Kila and Ja were two different pieces of the boy she loved. Same heart, different eyes, same spirit, different names… [color=orange]"Can I… can I call you just Ro?"[/color] He was attentive when she said his name better. Though he blinked blankly when she said the familiar last sound. Remembering her gesture from earlier, he held her wrist with both of his hands and readjusted her palm to be outside of where his heart was. [color=F4320C]”Ro.”[/color] Ro repeated and Dinah nodded in encouragement. [color=orange]"Ro."[/color] Kassy echoed him, orange eyes as soft as sunlight. [color=orange]"You are home. Safe."[/color] [color=F4320C]”Ro…home.”[/color] Ro knew that word, and hearing it made him nod his head. [color=F4320C]”Kassy home…Tenzi…Tenzi home?”[/color] He looked at the blonde woman. [Color=slateblue]“Yes.”[/color] She nodded with a soft smile. [Color=slateblue]“Tenzi is here. Tenzi is home.”[/color] She added as she was sure Ro used the term in a definitive fashion. [Color=slateblue]“Ro has a family here,”[/color] she said as she pressed around on her tablet. Within a few seconds she had a candid photo of the current Team amongst each other in the lounge, likely taken by Red Tornado. [Color=slateblue]“See? Family. Team.”[/color] She turned the tablet over so he could see the photo. Ro’s eyes scanned the picture, following a line between different people he recognized. It was them. He knew them. [color=F4320C]”…mhuri…”[/color] He mumbled the word and nodded. Then he saw her in the picture. [color=F4320C]”Kassy.”[/color] His eyes found her again outside of the picture and the burly boy leaned into her. Home. Safe. Kassy hugged him tight without hesitation. He was so warm - almost feverish to her touch. [color=orange]"I'm here, Ro. And Tenzi is right. You're safe here, with our family."[/color] She would make sure of it.