( he bites back the initial i did not expect to see one so old comment, both because - it isn't quite true, even if it packs the bite he would be going for, and because while richard's reactions to not often sway how damian reacts, he imagines that would get a less than playful flick to the ear. not a great first impression, and they're meant to be observing others here. and damian wayne, whilst some of his attitude can be explained away by being raised elsewhere, is not meant to be rude.

his mouth twists into a scowl, but he doesn't open it. contemplates the question for a moment, because it's complicated. he's passionate about learning, always has been. his intelligence far surpasses what one would anticipate from a normal thirteen-year-old boy. but one could argue that a significant amount of that, even to damian, was due to the pressure put upon his shoulders from the moment he had come into the world. he gives an answer that is not a lie, but isn't the whole truth either. )

I was raised in a multi-cultural household. Not knowing at least a handful of languages would have been abnormal, given the amount of them that had been spoken in our home. I was learning multiple languages while learning how to speak. ( his mixed ethnicity is a little obvious: damian carries many of his mother's features: her darker skin tone, the shape of her eyes. a solid mashup of both of his parents has left it easier for him to blend into numerous places but also more difficult to get by in the gotham school system. ) And my father is a well-traveled industrialist. Not learning local languages and customs would be impolite.