Courtaud

Young Justice

Location: Training Grounds
Interactions: Rain & Team Canary

---

Talon watched with his eyebrow raised as Cybergirl swung and tossed Nymph clear over the gap of the chasm before them. Hex had already made his way across without a second thought, his abilities allowing him to simply materialize across the plane. This was Nymph's plan, utilize the strengths of the team in order to get the weaker members across. Although weaker probably wasn't the correct term, just the less able to fly or teleport, or clear the pit in a single bound.

During the first hurdle, Talon did not involve himself - Rain and Cybergirl's enhanced strength meant they could be relied on to clear the obstacle on their own, with only Nymph guiding them through it due to her ability to communicate. And now for this next obstacle, it was Nymph who helped clear something up - the depth of the pit itself. Talon wondered if she had eyesight beyond a normal human's, or perhaps a mastery of trigonometry that she was able to state the dimensions of the pit with such confidence. He wondered how it was she was able to come up with the information. He'd ask her later, when he'd be able to speak again.

Rain turned his attention to Talon and Talon met his gaze. Rain had that serious look he always had on, looking at Talon expectantly.

"What?" Talon gestured to him.

Rain looked back over at Nymph on the other side, safely clearing the passage. Then back to Talon.

Talon got it - Rain was thinking of tossing him too. Inconceivable.

Talon looked passed Rain's broad shoulders to the closest tree to the edge of the pit. The height of which would do fine for what Talon needed. He brushed passed Rain, returning the taller boy's serious look with one of his own.

Rain had carried some of the team through that first obstacle, yes - but Talon would be damned if he had to be literally carried the rest of the way. Only a few feet away was a thick tree, one with enough branches and thick enough bark to climb easily enough. Talon did just that. Demonstrating his dexterity and acrobatics, he made it look effortless - easily swinging himself up to a tall and thick branch high enough off the ground to see across the way. Sure enough he was right, there were plenty of other trees across the way. Determined not to be left behind by the others, Talon took out the one gadget he was permitted to bring with him - a modified Batrope from Nightwing.

Pulling it from a pouch at his waist, Talon took careful aim across the chasm. The strength of the cable would be enough to support his weight, easily. And in training with Nightwing and some of the others, Talon was beginning to get a real knack for swinging utilizing it's clawed edge - easily clearing the gaps and spaces between the buildings and skyscrapers of the city of Bludhaven. This should be a cake walk in compared to those dazzling heights. Without hesitation, Talon fired the mechanism, the length of cable-wire firing outward at the thickest tree across the way. And with that, Talon dove. If he retracted the device at the same time as his descent, he should arc enough to swing easily enough across, landing safely and clearing the gap.

The theory was sound, but Talon didn't account for the tree itself. After nearly making it across, he could hear the cracking of the thick branch he had grappled. Suddenly it snapped, sending the wood splintering, and the grapnel end retracting completely back into the device. Talon was in freefall, and he wasn't going to make it clear after-all. Keeping as cool a head as possible, Talon braced himself, as he slammed just a foot below the edge of the peak. He dug his hands deep into the earth, grabbing on as tightly as he could in order to get as much leverage as possible. An outsider would note that he looked like he was free solo on a cliffside. Dirt and debris showered beneath Talon as he felt himself momentarily stunned. He looked up to see both Hex and Nymph looking over the edge at him. Coming to, he realized he needed to find another place to grab, but he was losing his footing, and pickings were slim...

Young Justice

Location: Training Grounds
Interactions: Team Canary

---

Before Talon had stepped away from the others, Cybergirl had tapped him on his shoulder. “Don’t be angry at Viktor for “pulling his punches” or anything. I don’t even think he did, but even if that did happen, I didn’t win because of that. I won because he underestimated or forgot or didn’t know my physiology and thought oxygen deprivation would kill me. So please chill out. Okay? We’re all friends and teammates here, I promise.” She smiled at Talon as she finished and then abruptly turned face and left him, quickly catching up to Nymph and exchanging words. Talon had heard what she had said, but didn't know if he agreed with her. He didn't know the sort of strength that Rain was capable of, but something was nagging at Talon regardless. But he did agree with Cybergirl about one thing - they were teammates. Or at least, were supposed to be. And that meant being honest with each other. And when you're honest with someone all the time, you can't always be nice.

Talon unhooked the utility belt from around his waist and handed it to Black Canary, but not before removing a black buckled object with two prongs on the end of it - a previous version of a Batrope that Nightwing had given him during a patrol in Bludhaven. He unstrapped the gauntlets he wore and dropped those to the ground, landing heavily with a thud. He felt lighter already - knew that his own physical conditioning would be the only thing he could contribute to the current obstacles. He'd have to rely on the others for their enhanced strength - those being Cybergirl and Rain. He wondered if Hex was able to utilize his abilities in a way that would increase his strength. As Talon looked over Hex, he wondered about the boy. The sparring session he had with Black Canary did not seem to have really hurt him, but his dejection afterwards and his spilling of decaying energy were disconcerting. Was he feeling alright? Talon approached the spread of dead grass that had wilted at Hex's feet. Dug his fingernails into the dirt. Surprisingly, it also gave way - the soil itself grown softer from whatever it was that emanated out of the ghost. He brushed the dirt from his fingers and got up off of his haunches, rejoining the others.

Their new instructions included the caveat that only Nymph was able to speak to the others. Talon was perfectly okay with that. He wondered if he'd be able to take orders from the others, then quickly shook the thought from his mind. Cybergirl was right, the team would require cooperation, and he'd give it. Luckily, non-verbal communication was something that Talon himself was really comfortable with. Happy enough to sit back for the first challenge, Talon watched as Rain and Cybergirl took the initiative of rolling the giant wheels into their necessary locations. Talon watched as they tried to speak to each other without speaking. Felt familiar.

Young Justice

Location: Training Grounds
Interactions: Rain

---------------------

Talon's eyes narrowed. Rain had dismissed his concern with hardly a second glance. His insinuation about whether or not he had taken it easy on Nymph burned behind Talon's eyes. His met Rain's. Sized him up. In a previous life, Talon would immediately resort to violence in such a situation as this - easier than dealing with whatever it was that was really bothering him. He had to fight the desire to lunge at Rain already.

"What use would be we to each other if we held back?"

Talon pointed at Rain, emphasizing his point as he felt his frustration grow at being patronized. If anyone ever went easy on him, he'd take it as the greatest possible insult - he refused to be pitied.

"Try something like that with me, and I'll make you regret it." Talon spat through gritted teeth. He stepped closer to Rain, glaring at each other all the while. Just when the tension was becoming unbearable, Black Canary called out to them. The next training session was to begin - they would be making their way through the obstacle course - starting from the opposite end of the other teammates. Talon broke his eye contact with Rain in the interim and looked over to the others when he witnessed the black energy coming off of his teammate Hex. Talon felt a chill throughout him he didn't care for, felt himself shiver half a moment as the grass at the young boy's feet decayed and died.

What a frightening gift the boy had.

Feeling himself still seething at the exchange with Rain, Talon stepped backwards from the group, letting the others - like Nymph - take charge of the first round of the obstacle course...

Young Justice

Location: Training Grounds
Interactions: Nymph, Hex, Rain

---------------------

Talon's embarrassment for quieting down soon turned to curiosity as the pretty girl he just threw knives at smiled at him and skipped away, asking him to sit tight. Hex - the ghost boy that fought valiantly against Black Canary as a volunteer had joined them as well. When he told Talon and Nymph that they had a nice fight as well, Talon nodded at him. These were the kinds of compliments he was comfortable with. Talon sized the boy up and down, nodding to him in recognition of his compliment, as well as trying to say the same to him. Though the outcome of their sparring match was inevitable, Talon was nevertheless impressed that a boy who came off even more shy than he himself did was able to rouse the bravery to willingly trade blows with a member of The Justice League, and in front of everybody. Talon felt this was something that Hex should be truly proud of, and he wished he was able to express that to him.

Meanwhile, on the training grounds, Rain and Cybergirl were exchanging their own haymakers. Talon noted that Cybergirl was throwing incredibly powerful punches, but lacked any sort of real form or strategy. Rain may be physically weaker than her cybernetic parts, but this lack of real training enabled him to keep his edge. Talon felt himself getting more engaged, studying Rain's fighting style. It was evident that he had a similar background as his own - although he was physically taller than Talon and likely stronger, Talon's agility may be the only thing keeping them at some even level.

By this time, Nymph had reapproached Talon and Hex, and she was smiling down at her phone. She was typing away a message for someone, perhaps her brother or another friend of hers. Imagine Talon's shock when instead she showed him the message - one meant for him.

Her friendly demeanor after such a violent display between the two of them touched Talon. He was at a loss for words that she would go the extra mile in order to attempt to communicate with him. Even though he had only been a part of the team for a night, there hadn't been a moment in which someone tried to get through to him via writing or texting - instead only able to exchange small pleasantries based on missions or skills. But she was already displaying a fundamental difference in her philosophy - she was reaching out to him as if he was a person. These thoughts raced through Talon, interrupted only when Nymph took his hand in hers. He felt his face grow hot only briefly as she put her phone in his palm. He looked down at the keypad between his thumbs. Hesitated for a moment. He wrote out simply:

"Thank you."

He wasn't sure what he was more thankful for, her well wishes that he wasn't hurt, or the lengths that she had gone in order to befriend him - if that's what this was.

When she looked expectantly at the phone, Talon thought for another moment before adding another message:

":)"

He immediately felt stupid. What was wrong with him? Was he blowing it already? What should he say to a girl like this? His teammate, now his friend, formerly his opponent? He wondered if he was looking as foolish as he felt. Luckily, she asked if he and Hex wanted to finish watching the fight between the others. Talon was grateful for the distraction. The fight itself didn't last much longer, and Talon himself was surprised to see that Cybergirl seemingly came out victorious.

As the two teammates walked off the training grounds and towards the others, Talon felt himself grow irritated. How could Rain have been defeated? And by someone with such amateurish tactics? Was it possible that Talon had overestimated Rain's abilities? Or was Cybergirl and the others just that strong? And if Rain was stronger than Talon was - what good would Talon be on the team? He handed Nymph her phone back without another glance and approached Rain. He could feel himself getting angry, like the old days.

"You lost. Were you pulling your punches?"

Young Justice

Location: Training Grounds
Interactions: Nymph

---------------------

Talon looked over at the sound of Daphne's light footprints. She was approaching him with a somewhat regretful look in her eyes. Whatever she was coming over to say, Talon wasn't prepared for it. He had attempted to put her out of his mind when he saw that Hex had went to console her. Imagine his shock when it turned out that she was coming to console him and even apologize. Her eyes were a dark brown, and behind the already drying tears was a warmth that Talon was not familiar enough with, not something he'd experienced before. They both felt the same psuedo-embarrassment and turned away from each other at the same time. He was facing down at the ground, unsure what to say. He was conscious of her taking another step closer to him...

He remembered what it was like training with the rest of the Court of Owls. Remembered the wood chamber. Remembered the Head Talon screaming at a young Jack to hammer his elbow repeatedly into the temple of his bunkmate. Over and over, until the thudding sounded wetter, thicker, until the boy stopped making noises at all.

Talon remembered being thrown scraps of meat in a room with the others, expected to fight each other over who got to eat that night. He felt the scar going from pectoral down to his left elbow burn with the memory of being slit open in the night during an exercise with the talon gauntlet's he now wore upon his own person. The same sharp talons that gutted his only friend from head to toe because he had dared leave The Court of Owls. Jack was only 10 then...

"You're armor. It's strong." Was all he could manage.

He wanted to tell her that she fought really well, beyond that - he wanted to tell her that he was grateful for the chance to express himself with her in this way. But he just wasn't there yet. Decided to at least try, he looked just past her and began signing.

"I was the same during my first fights. I was terrified of being hurt anymore than I already had been. But we can use it. You have sharp instincts, and-" He stopped. He could tell by her reaction at watching his hands that she didn't speak American Sign Language. He gave up and his arm fell limply to the side.

Instead, he lifted up his hand and gave an awkward "a-okay" hand gesture. He wanted to let her know that she hadn't hurt him, not in any way that a little rough and tumble wouldn't injure someone. It was the best he could manage given the circumstances. He felt stupid immediately, and angrily turned his attention back to the others in his group.

Young Justice

Location: Training Grounds

Talon felt the vines and leaves throughout Nymph's hair loosen their grip as Black Canary called off the rest of the sparring match. Talon felt a moment of his typical training as a Talon for the Court of Owls - leaving someone alive was not permitted. But then Talon could hear the supportive voice of Dick Grayson, and he felt his hand relax. He got off of his downed opponent, feeling a bruise develop in his thigh from the sliding tackle she used to knock him prone earlier. Doing his best impression of Nightwing's demeanor, Talon reached out to her with his hand. She clasped it and he pulled her upright. He was trying to think of something supportive to say. He was impressed by her resilience, and her willingness to change tactics mid-fight.

Then he saw her face. Behind her eyes he could see that the intense nature of a fight can lead to a serious crash of emotions afterwards. Talon wondered if she had ever been in a real fight before. If not, that would be surprising. He wondered what her backstory was that lead her into joining the team. Surely it was more than just the potential of her abilities. She must have demonstrated their use to someone particularly vital - or maybe some vigilante heroism on the side? Suddenly, she burst into tears.

Talon looked on in shock. He had no idea how to really console at this point. He froze with his hands up as if in defense - took half a step backward. He wasn't used to this kind of interaction at all! What would Dick do in this situation? What about Barbara? Or Tim? He seemed like a nice guy when Talon had met him, brief as it was. Talon started to say something, saw the tears in Daphne's eyes. Black Canary called out to her and told her to take a few moments to herself. She left the immediate area and Talon watched her go. Did he do that to her? Was it his fault she was this upset? Maybe. Probably. He should say something.

The last two in their training group, Cybergirl and Rain, were squaring up together. As interested as he was in seeing both of them fight each other, his attention was still on Nymph. She looked disconsolate. She was sitting on the grass not too far away. Talon felt pulled in her direction. Missed whatever it was that Cybergirl had said to Rain. Seemingly without his blessing, his leg took a step towards Daphne, off on her own. Out of the corner of his vision however, Talon saw the ghost boy - Casper - Hex - walk towards her. Talon stopped.

Perhaps it would be best for her to be consoled by someone other than himself. He was partially responsible after all. Plus, what would he say? He was betting that Hex would be far better to talk to in this sort of situation. Empathy poured off the kid like an open faucet. His social skills weren't up to par to help someone. He could listen, but wouldn't know what to say. He'd close up. He could communicate in things like the mission, but otherwise? Nothing. He felt a cold shiver throughout himself as he turned his attention back to Cybergirl and Rain.

Young Justice

Note for everyone:

@dreamingflowers is a really collaborative writer and easy to work with. After posting earlier this morning she was quick to assist in suggestions and enthusiasm and is very supportive.

Young Justice

Location: Training Grounds.
Interactions: Nymph.

---

Talon watched as Nymph's skin was covered in the protective armor of tree bark. It almost seemed to spill out of her and across her exposed skin, like the world's most perfect defense. It seemed that it acted almost of it's own when it's host - Nymph - was exposed to danger. Did it have it's own sentience? If that was the case, he was no longer sparring with one person, but two - and he couldn't count on his experience being the only thing giving him the edge, as he didn't know what this plant like armor was truly capable of. Perhaps it would act completely on it's own. A variable he hadn't exactly accounted for.

These thoughts went through Talon's head before he noticed that Nymph was creating distance between the two of them. She shuffled backwards, keeping her eyes locked on her opponent - a good instinct. But he was certain he was faster than she was. He started to take half a step towards her before surprisingly Nymph herself charged directly at him. As she swung her now exponentially more dangerous tree limbed arm outward, Talon sidestepped easily enough, grabbing her by the wrist and using her own momentum against her. He struck her in the left arm with an open palm, not wanting to damage his own knuckles with a closed fist. He could feel his upbringing and muscle memory begin to take over and kick in. Fighting turned his nerves up to 11, and with it, a sense of clarity and focus that brought him the peace of not having to think. His opponent was undeterred however, and ducking low, she reached towards the bladed weapons he had strapped to himself. Her eyes were wide - they gave her move away to him, and he pushed the girl off balance.

This time, he separated the two of them. While Nymph was pushed in one direction, he rolled in the other - unsheathing two blades alongside his forearms. Like second nature, he threw them effortlessly one after the other - with enough force he thought able to penetrate the skin of a tree. As the blades were loosed from his fingertips, Talon had a moment of recognition - this was merely an exercise, and he had just thrown two knives at his teammate who may or may not have combat experience. Luckily, he didn't have to worry long, as the armor she draped herself in was able to protect her - his blade jutting out of her arm. She panicked for half a second to pull it out of her. She threw it onto the ground nearby and Talon made a mental note of it. The distraction was enough - without thinking, Talon whirled two more blades - this time at the girls eyes.

IDIOT he thought to himself, immediately terrified he may have just hurt someone. But again, he had underestimated his opponent and her abilities. Her hair - now made of leaves and foliage, slowed their trajectory, and Nymph was left with only a scratch on her face. Talon was internally grateful about this, and again he was impressed with the kinds of adaptation his new friend was capable of. He could feel his fighting spirit rise. And that was when Nymph started picking up speed. The determined girl took several flashing steps forward right at Talon - head on. Before he could even get a proper grasp of her timing, she shifted her bodyweight, throwing herself down to the ground - gliding along the morning dew of the grass. She was going for a sliding tackle!

Talon threw the blade in his hand directly down into the ground at his heel and thought to jump out of the way, but she was too quick. Her movements were unexpected - and Talon less than gracefully attempted to leap over her prone form. He bent down to lift himself with one hand in an attempt to corkscrew over her, but managed only a half successful dodge before the girls legs kicked out his arm from beneath him. He was thrown prone - and then suddenly she was on him. Talon felt the strength of her legs - no doubt amplified by the strength imbued into them by her tree bark armor. Nymph at first seemed at a loss on what to do, having not thought her moves through. She realized she could take this opportunity to disarm him. Her hands grabbed the first two knives in reach and she pulled them out of the holsters, tossing them away into the distance. Her heart was beating wildly and the sound felt deafening, while adrenaline was rushing through her.

Talon had to give her credit - she was taking the initiative of disarming him while she could. This was a really smart tactic to take, and it was a wonder that she would try something so advanced seemingly on auto-pilot. But what he didn't appreciate was people taking his things without asking. He had underestimated her, but was still giving his all. She was smart for taking away his bladed weapons. But he had more than just knives.

She had left his arms free, and with his left hand he pulled at a round metal disc (not dissimilar from a boomerang) from a holster. He reached up and pressed it against her shoulder where it stuck like a landmine. It instantly began blinking, before three rapid beeps sounded.

Then sudddenly - FLASH - the snapflash went off in Nymph's peripheral vision. One of the tool's given to him by his mentor.

Talon took his chance.

The fingertips of his gloves sheared open - sharp claws emitting from each tip.

He had to immobilize her, get out from underneath her if he could. With what force he could muster, Talon stabbed into her left abdomen, swinging his body in an arch beneath her arm. He was right - the bark on her skin was enough to catch his claws. Now he was the one who caught her by surprise. Though she was on top of him, he was physically stronger - and with his claws imbedded into her side, he pulled her to the ground next to him. Then their positions were reversed - he was straddling her, one clawed hand embedded in her side, the other at her exposed neck.

"Please Submit." He told her.

She was pinned down by his knee, and the two of them were pressed close. There was nothing like a fight. At least not yet. Talon could feel the imminent victory. He could also feel something moving across his hand.

It was her hair.

The leaves began to wrap themselves around his open claws. They were trying to force him to keep his hand open wide, prevent it from harming her. This girl.

Young Justice

.

Young Justice

Interactions: Casper, Viktor, Alisa, Daphne

--------

Talon watched as Black Canary demonstrated the gap between her skills and the skills of her new trainees. The Ghost Boy - Casper - fought with a lack of self-assurance, but despite this was able to make up for it with the unique attributes of his ghost form. The way it moved, with it's black tendrils in flux, reaching out to incapacitate the blonde superhero were frightening. The potential the boy was demonstrating was really impressive. Talon wondered what kind of latent abilities the boy possessed. This world of gods and monsters, it was enough to unbalance Talon, even if only for a moment. When Casper and Black Canary's session ended, Talon nodded at the boy in recognition of his talents. His own abilities were not the same kind of flashy as the rest of his teammates, and he wondered what his ultimate place on the team would be like. Even Rain - someone with a similar background as his own - had to be warned to restrain his own physical strength. But Talon?

He had only himself.

He had only the owls.

He looked down at his gloved hand, felt the history of their violence. He grew up with no agency. He was but a weapon to be aimed at the enemies of The Court of Owls. Now things were different, he had begun to make friends. But here he was among them...prepared for a fight. It's possible this was all he would ever be.

The thought process going through Talon's mind was one he is going to struggle with if he didn't seek out the proper help. It was like he couldn't escape his own mind. He would have continued down this path if he wasn't approached by Viktor.

The boy had a good half a foot of height on him, (probably more) and he carried himself with that knowledge. Talon looked up at him, his eyes hidden by his domino mask. Would this be a challenge? Talon braced himself.

"Talon was it? You would give me the most training value, but let us spar another time. A and Daph will learn more by sparring with one of us than each other." Viktor's voice was rough, gravelly. And although Talon was disappointed he wouldn't get to fight him, he understood the other boy's logic. When he turned to the two remaining members in his training group, and he froze.

They were Nymph and Cybergirl.

Talon was really interested in sparring with Alisa, if purely out of curiosity of her capability. In Bludhaven, Talon had fought alongside Nightwing and Spoiler against an Amazo - a synthetic human capable of mimicking the superpowers of various heroes in the world. And in his own research, he knew the kind of abilities that Red Tornado had. But he was an android. As for Cybergirl, what was she capable of? Was she strong? Fast? Was he staring again? Viktor saved the moment by challenging Alisa himself. Talon found himself somewhat relieved. And annoyed with his own confusing thoughts. That left...

Nymph...

Talon grew serious.

He had heard of this one. He knew the sort of damage someone of The Green was capable of. He read of Poison Ivy's destructive capabilities, of the god of the greens strength. This girl could be truly dangerous. A genuine force.

But she certainly came off as gentle. In fact, she carried herself as one of the friendliest of the other members of his team. During the night before, when Talon was given proper introductions to the others during his tour, Daphne walked with the sort of comfort as if this strange place were the furthest thing from strange. The others immediately gravitated around her orbit - looking to her. She was already leadership material. This was a good opportunity.

"If we're going to spar you should know I'm not really a great fighter, but uhmm there's no need to hold back, I can hold my own"

@dreamingflowers

Talon looked at her, and with the utmost conviction told her the truth.

"Its okay. I don't know how to hold back."

He nodded to her as they stood off in a distance away from the others. There were few things like a fight that would help Talon get out of his own head. He was preparing himself into a fighting stance when Daphne began to transform her body. Talon watched, somewhat transfixed, as her hair began to shape and weave into leaves. As far as transformations go, hers was beautiful. That's what Talon was thinking - right as she turned around and took her pants off. Talon averted his eyes, trying not to turn red. He remained standing ready for their fight to begin. Daphne turned, Her legs were now exposed, showing off her plant form. It was stunning. And then the started to move towards him.

Talon braced himself, already weighing two different options - whether or not to attempt to immediately knock her off balance or-

"There's one thing you have to do though before we start, you have to hit me..."

@dreamingflowers

Talon thought to himself That's usually how a fight works...

He was willing to oblige. She was polite, even in the middle of a fight. Quite the sportsman, this one. What game was she playing at? Was he being made a mockery of? Or? No - that didn't matter, wasn't important. What was important is that there was some sort of trigger for her to begin to fight. And he'd give it to her. He approached her slowly, standing before her plant form as she braced to be hit. He raised a fist and spoke silently to her, but avoided eye contact.

"I don't typically give people what they ask for in a fight. I'm not like the others on the team here. They stand out, even the ones who desperately try not to. But what I can do, is this. And I can take orders from the people that I respect. If you are asking me to hit you, then that is exactly what I'll do."

He crouched lower before lashing out, his fist connecting with Nymph's midsection. He was aiming for the place right below the ribcage. Talon noticed Daphne took half a step back, and Talon pulled back his punch, feeling confident in it's damage.

And then he felt stinging. He looked down at his fist, and saw the black gloves he wore as part of his hero costume were scuffed - when he looked back at Daph, he was surprised to see she seemingly felt no damage - in fact, in the same place where he had hit her, something remarkable happened. A bark tree - not unlike armor, began covering her skin, spreading outward....

"...ah"