"You gotta be kidding! You want us to escort that old prude to the opera?"
Robin shook his head in disbelief at his mentor's face on the screen.
"That old prude's life may be in severe danger Robin," the dark knight said gravely, "and I'd advice you not to call one of America's most powerful men a prude…at least not to his face."
Robin frowned and said, "Well, if his life's in danger, then what the hell is he doing going to the opera?"
"The Senator's appearance at the opera is highly crucial."
"Because…"
"I would tell you why but it's a strictly…"
"Yeah, yeah, I know…need-to-now basis only. But why ask us? Isn't there someone else more suitable for this job? Like someone who actually likes the opera?"
"Robin, there really is no one else that I trust more than you and the Titans to do this job. I need you to do this."
Robin gave a big sigh and reluctantly nodded.
"Besides Robin," the deep voice continued with a hint of amusement, "who knows? You may come to find the opera quite enjoyable..."
The connection cut off, leaving Robin scowling at the blank blue screen of his computer. Batman owed so him big time. He ran a hand through his tousled black hair and gave another sigh. Now how the hell was he going to convince the Titians to go on this crack-pot mission?
Their reaction wasn't as bad as he had expected. In fact, Robin thought they took it rather well…
Cyborg's frenzy of chuckles sent his system into overload, resulting in a few blown fuses.
Starfire screamed and jumped up and down excitedly, then nearly suffocated Robin with one of her rib-crushing hugs.
Raven just gave him her raised-eyebrow stare and a very non-committal 'huh', and then went back to her novel.
Beast boy almost wet himself laughing.
Yes, Robin said to himself, this was going to be an easy assignment.
Robin frowned at his watch and clicked his tongue impatiently. It was almost time to go and all of his team mates were nowhere to be seen. If only the senator, that old traditional fusspot, hadn't insisted that they dress appropriately for the opera, this fashion mayhem wouldn't have arisen.
"COME ON STAR! BB! RAE! CY! We have to go now!"
"Hey Rob, chill!" Cyborg walked into the foyer looking incredibly stylish in a white tux and a metallic lavender tie Raven had given him for Christmas. "Star and BB are almost ready. And Raven left ages ago. She muttered something about incompetence…and um…the pointlessness of primping, then took off.
"She didn't tell me she left," Robin frowned and loosened his tie a little. He hated wearing the damn things. They were so constricting.
Cyborg flashed him a grin and said in a teasing voice, "it's not like you're her mama, or her boyfriend..."
"No, I'm her leader. She should have told me." Came the tart reply
"Well, no need to get all defensive. Sheesh Rob, can't you take a little teasing?"
A loud, delighted laugh stopped Robin from retorting and drew both boys' attention to the door. There stood Star, shining as brightly and intensely as her namesake. Robin's eyes hurt just looking at her.
"Starfire, you look beautiful." He said even though he could barely see her ecstatic smile through his squint.
"Oh thank you Robin. You look very beautiful too!" Star beamed at him and gave a loud exclamation when she saw Cyborg, "Cyborg! You look, as they say, out of this planet!"
"You mean world, Star" Cyborg said with a smile, "you clean up good too girl. You'll definitely have to beat all the ga-ga-ing suitors off with a stick tonight."
"I'm sure Robin will be there to protect me from those…those…gagainsuitars," said Starfire happily, looping her arm through Robin's.
Just then, Robin's jacket started beeping incessantly. Detangling himself from Starfire, he reached for his transmitter and flipped it open. And immediately regretted doing so for it was none other than the old prude.
"What kind of an escort are you! You're late! I've been waiting at my country club for over five minutes and the only person here is this little girl telling me that she's here to protect me! She isn't even armed! This is outrageous! Just you wait until Batman hears about this boy!"
Robin fought the urge to roll his eyes at the Senator. Tact, diplomacy and assertiveness, he said to himself over and over again.
"I'm sorry for the delay sir, we will be there shortly. We're just facing some… technical difficulties. Raven will keep you safe until we get there."
"Huh, that's the most pathetic excuse I've ever heard! You're a terrible liar boy! And what kind of a superhero are you? Leaving a helpless old man like me to be protected by a little girl! Have you no sense at all? She's too small! Use your brains boy!"
"I am sir. And right now I strongly advise you to do the same and stick by Raven until we get there." And with that, Robin hung up.
"BEASTBOY IS IN THE HOUSE!" A greenish black blur shot down into the room and halted in the midst of Star, Robin and Cyborg. "EVERYBODY SAY HEY GOOD LOOKIN'!"
Beast Boy grinned happily at his team-mates' surprised reactions to his sensational outfit.
Robin was the first to break the stunned silence, "ok Beast Boy, I'm giving you five minutes to change. But you better hurry."
Beast Boy shook his head, "There is no way I am gonna change! The chicks won't be able to resist me in this!"
Robin opened his mouth to argue otherwise, but Beast Boy bounced away, grabbed Star by the waist and danced her to the car. Well, Robin thought, at least I tried.
"Rob…" Cyborg's voice wavered with barely suppressed laughter.
"Uh huh?"
"Did you just see Beast boy in that…"
"Yeah…"
"Should I get the camera?"
Robin smiled wickedly, "Yes."
Raven eyed the old man with suspicion. What kind of a scam was he trying to pull?
"Your turn little girl. And think fast."
With a lazy wave of her hand, she levitated her piece into place, "It's your turn again, old man."
The Senator scowled fiercely at her jibe, to which she retaliated with one of her own glares. Swallowing a chuckle, he drew deeply in from his Cuban cigar. He liked this little girl; she had a lot of spunk. This Raven girl was as pretty as a flower and had a sharp and clever mind to match. The senator made his move expertly and sat back in the leather armchair, thoroughly satisfied. There was no way she could beat him at his game; after all he had years of wisdom and experience on his side.
Raven pondered for a while; then lifted her hand …
"You're playing chess?"
The two competitors looked up from their board in surprise to the four people standing at the door. So engrossed were they in their game that they didn't realise they had an audience. The Senator chuckled and invited them in to wait whilst Raven and he finished their game.
Beast Boy was shocked at what he saw. From what he had heard from Robin about the Senator, Beast Boy had expected an old, bald, fat geezer in one of those gross tweed suits, with a high whiny voice. Instead, the Senator looked the complete opposite. He was a tall, big man with wide shoulders and a broad chest, all of which wasn't clad in an expensive-looking suit. The Senators deep chuckles filled the room and he spoke with the authority of someone who was used to being obeyed. He also had a head full of silver hairs and a bushy, grey beard.
Beast Boy had also expected Raven to be fully at war with the difficult old man, meaning lots of yelling, shouting, blood and gore etc. But they were both calmly sitting opposite each other, like old friends, playing… chess.
Raven smirked slightly at Beast Boy's shocked expression and then frowned she saw what he was wearing. How could Robin have let him out of the house looking like that?
Robin, on the other hand, looked very dashing in a black suit and tie, relieved only by the white contrast of his shirt. He was leaning against the mahogany door, arms folded across his chest, with a smug grin on his face. Her heart skipped a beat. Raven quickly averted her eyes.
Cyborg looked fantastic; she knew he always had a flair for fashion. She was also pleased to see that he was wearing the tie she gave him.
Star looked absolutely spectacular in a figure-hugging dress of sparkling white. Her vibrant red hair was twisted into an elegant knot and firmly held in place by a dazzling diamond pin. She had even smeared every inch of her bare skin with a shimmering cream. She was simply dazzling, though one could also say vivid, iridescent even.
After a quick evaluation of all her friends' clothing, Raven glanced back at her opponent, who was patiently awaiting her move. She gave him an impish smile. Her black queen flew forward on its own accord and landed in front of his white king.
"Checkmate."
"Well I'd be damned," the Senator said softly and Raven was pleased to hear admiration in his voice.
"Good win Rae! Normally I'd call for a celebration but it's really time we get going." Cyborg said, "I'll go get the car."
"No, we'll go in my limousine." The old senator barked as he got up, held out an arm to Starfire, who giggled, and escorted the delighted alien out of the room
"Yo, that dude is so not what I expected" Beast Boy said to Cyborg as they followed the Senator and Starfire.
Raven used her telepathic powers to reset the chess board before sauntering to the door where Robin still stood, studying her behind his mask.
"What are you looking at?" She said, lifting her chin up challengingly.
"You."
Her eyebrow shot up.
"You look amazing Raven." Robin said. And he meant every word.
Raven was wearing a midnight blue velvet dress that just brushed the ground as she walked. Its square neckline, though modest, still showed quite an amount of tantalizing bare skin. The medieval sleeves of the dress flared out just below her elbows and flowed gracefully to end at her delicate wrists. Raven's purple hair, which she had allowed to grow into beautiful wild tresses, tumbled down her back. It was half held back with two braids, enhancing the shape of her graceful, slender neck. She wore no accessories save for a white lily that held the braids together.
In short, Robin thought Raven looked good enough to eat. Not that he would be eating any Raven pie anytime soon. Later, he said to himself, pushing the tempting notion to the back of his mind. He had to keep his mind on the job.
"Thanks," Raven said hoarsely; her throat felt suddenly dry at the intensity of Robin's gaze. She recovered her voice and said, "You don't look half bad yourself, wonder boy. You should have lost the mask though. It looks geeky. And maybe you should have slicked your hair back…"
Robin grinned and took her arm in his, leading her after the others, "So? What do you think about our Senator?"
"Two words."
"Senile fusspot?"
"No."
"Crazy crankpot?"
"No. And I'm going to tell him you said that."
"No you won't. Well? What is it?"
"Big softie."