Normally, updates will be weekly, but I wanted to see if the publish later setting actually works.

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"So, Damian. What does the current context lead you to believe about the Weird Sisters, and do you think that lead is true?" His British Literature teacher questioned. Damian was finding Macbeth to be a more interesting story than Beowulf.

"So, they seem to be some sort of witches, but Macbeth is unsure of the validity of their prophecy. The context seems to want the readers to also fall in line with his way of thinking. As to that lead's truth, I think it's gray."

"How so?"

"Well, they do seem to be mystical, and they're prophesy oddly specific. 'Cannot be killed by a man born of a woman'? They're legit. Which means the prophecy will come true in one way or another. It may not be in the obvious interpretation, though."

"Interesting observation." The instructor wrote something on her clipboard.

Cassandra was playing with a yo-yo on the other side of the room. Most seven year olds would probably be jealous of her for getting to play while they worked, but not Damian. While he thought her tricks were pretty cool- though he'd never admit it- his lessons were far more valuable. He was exercising his mind, and growing his intelligence. She was doing tricks with a toy she'd probably been using for years.

While his mother claimed the girl wasn't developmentally stunted, he had a hard time believing it. How could someone who only ever trained and played possibly keep up with him? Or even most kids her age, whom Damian knew were near higher education at this point. She didn't even know the alphabet. Actually, he was pretty sure she wasn't really aware that the marks on paper meant anything. How was he supposed to believe that she was smart?

"Damian! Pay attention to your lesson!" His teacher reprimanded. "I asked you to read the next scene aloud."

"Watch the way you speak to me!" He snapped. "I could have you beheaded for that!"

The teacher froze, her eyes widening. Even though she'd been with Damian for a month, she hadn't grown used to his tantrums. Especially since she didn't know what had happened to his last teacher. He smirked, satisfied, then started on the next act.

As he immersed himself, allowing a bit of fun by reading the lines dramatically, he didn't notice the attention had shifted. Now his bodyguard was studying him, and not in the way she usually did. Damian was a violent child, and that unnerved her. She was continually lying about that fact with her features, keeping her feelings hidden, as always.

But now, she let the mask slip a little. She couldn't understand the words that he was saying, but hearing his tone and watching him move, she had an understanding of the story. Despite what Damian thought, she did know the scribbles on the papers she was often sent to run meant something. But she didn't realize that they could convey feelings, too. Not like this. She couldn't look away.

Damian ended the act with a final bit of flair, and some applause from his teacher. "You have quite the talent for the dramatic, young sir."

"I know. Now, I believe time for my lesson is up?" He arched an eyebrow, nodding towards the clock.

"Of course. I expect you to be ready for a review of this act tomorrow." She collected her belongings.

He simply nodded, before turning around. "Cain, don't look so stupid. Come." He tapped the side of his leg like he was calling a loyal dog. Which was basically what she was, as far as he cared. The call worked anyway, and she came trotting over, slipping her yo-yo into her pocket.

-•-

While those two were preoccupied with class, Jason was looking around the library for books on sign language. He had found a few. They sat next to his Austen novels, which he was quite eager to read.

Jason knew that he wouldn't be able to teach her much without getting them both in trouble. So, he figured that he would just teach her a few very basic words, and some names. Easy enough. Once he learned them. Which was easier said than done, as he soon found.

He got a scrap piece of paper and wrote a list of five things she should learn.

CassandraJasonDamianFightBlah blah blah

It was possible that he just thought that last one would be funny.

He realized though, that he would have to make signs for all of their names, and he wasn't supposed to do that. Only members of the non-hearing and non-speaking communities were aloud to create sign names. He guessed he'd have to go against the rules a bit. These were special circumstances. For now, he simply settled on using the first letter. A 'C' for Cassandra, a 'D' for Damian, and a' J' for Jason. Easy enough.

Number five was the easiest. As soon as he did it, it unlocked a spring of memories. Talking with his friends. With his family. All the people were still blurry, but he could hear them. He could remember using that gesture, or having others sign it to him. He remembered laughing. He couldn't help but smile. Yes, he had to teach her that one.

He couldn't find number four in the books that he had looked at. But as he flipped through the last one, he found a few pages of heroes. Two caught his eye. The first was Wonder Woman, who he suddenly remembered used to be his favorite. The second was Batman.

He couldn't quite explain why, but Batman sent a chill up his spine. He wanted to look away, but he couldn't. He could feel memory trying to resurface, but it was quickly smothered by inexplicable panic as he read a little note on the side of the page. "Batman is often accompanied by his sidekick, Robin." Why did that seem so important to him? And why did it make his gut churn and his palms sweat? He quickly closed the book, not caring if it had the sign he needed. He just needed it as far away from him as he could get it. That was the only thing that could slow down the rapid beating of his heart.

He shoved all the sign books back on their shelves, and scooped up the novel Thalia had had found for him. A few hours alone with his books, in his quiet room would make him feel better. It always did, so it had to now.