"So the construction of spider homes happens within this little box?" The red headed Titan asks, looking at the odd box in her hands at different angles.
The robotic man stands there with a blank face. "Uh, I said a website, Star."
"Exactly! The construction site of webs!" She exclaims, opening up the electric box her friend just gifted to her.
The robot sort of chuckles, "let me just show you how it works. Check it. We're gonna set you up a little password, let's make it easy. Hmmm." He looks around the room for a few seconds, then his eyes fall on the silk worm in the corner. "We'll make it the little guy!"
Starfire watches in amazement as her friend lights up the rectangle in different pictures than before and text that reads S-I-L-K-I-E.
"Next, I'm going to show you how to open up the internet. See this little globe here with a W on it? That's the internet where you can open these websites." He explains while pointing to the screen.
"But friend Cyborg, what do these websites do? Why do I need this thin electric box for the spider homes?"
"Well, since you're so curious about earth culture, and since you might not always want to ask all those questions rattling around in your head, I made you this! See? You can type any question into this internet, and you can get every answer the world has to offer! What should we google..." Cyborg thinks for a second. "I know! Let's look up some mustard recipes! Here, I'll show you how to type it in."
Starfire glances at the keys in which her friend is typing in all of this information.
"So the little tiles down there contain the earth alphabet which I hit to input the earth language into the spider webs?"
"Uh kinda sorta I guess? See Star just look." He points to all the sites that contain mustard recipes. "So now you can click on any one of these and get whatever information that has to do with mustard. Pages and pages of it!"
Starfire stares in amazement. "The spiders homes are glorious! So you are telling me that all I have to do is type in the pet's name into this mechanical rectangle, click the earth, and I get answers to all of my questions?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying, Star! Here you try! Google whatever you want to know."
The alien takes the laptop from his has hands and thinks for a moment.
Cyborg laughs for a second, "Star? Are you googling us?"
"Indeed I am! And look! The spider homes has brought me pictures of us fighting the villains! There are even pictures of us eating pizza and pictures of Beast Boy as different animals! How cute that the spiders follow us in our daily lives! Friend Cyborg! It is you!"
The robot leans down to look at where the smaller Titan is pointing. "Yep! That's me all right."
"But since that is you, why do you have some text beneath you saying 'evil beware. I have waffles.' What do the waffles have to do with evil?" Starfire makes a confused face as she stares at the screen.
"That's just a joke, Star. Like whoever created that is just calling me a goofy guy in a creative way. People on the internet and websites make all kinds of funny or odd stuff with different names or text to be humorous or witty. You'll see a lot of stuff like that on there the more that you use it." The metal man ruffles her hair. "I'm going to go recharge my batteries kid while you play with your new toy, if you need me, I'm down the hall." He shoots a big grin at her then proceeds out the door.
"Thank you again, friend Cyborg!" Starfire exclaims as the door is closing.
She floats down onto the bed putting the laptop across her legs. "Oh Silkie, this little box is wonderful! There is friend Robin and Beast Boy and Cyborg right there! There is even Mumbo! Did you know that his occupation is a magician and not actually a criminal? What sort of person does crime for a hobby?" She looks at the silkworm who just makes a moist sounding noise in response. "You are right, Silkie. A bad villain is one who cannot make a job out of crime." Starfire keeps scrolling down the pictures of all of her friends and their villains. "Silkie look! It is Raven and I at the earth mall of shopping! That is after the puppet king took over our friends." She narrates to nobody in particular then clicks on the image. Her eyes scan across the texts at the bottom. "Just gals being pals," she murmurs to herself. "What could that mean?" She stares at the screen contemplating. "That must be what friend Cyborg was speaking of with the different meanings of earth things! The 'just gals being pals' must be this spiders idea of the best of friends!" Starfire gets a giant grin across her face. "That is it Silkie! I will use the spiders to ask about friendship things I can do with Raven!"
Starfire clears out the teen titans search then types in "Just gals being pals" to the bar. "Oh! There are many images and things of the best friends! Why look, Silkie! These friends are even having a double wedding!" She exclaims as she points to the two women walking down the aisle in wedding dresses. She glances over the images in confusion and amazement and murmurs to herself, "do the best friends really do all of this?"
Her eyes scan down the screen. "Here is a web about loving women! Friend Raven is indeed a woman! Smart spiders indeed!" Starfire clicks on the website with a smile. "The holding of hands?" She questions as she starts to read down the list. "I don't believe I've ever seen earth women hold hands, or have I?" She thinks for a second. Her face lights up as she remembers seeing humans at the mall. "I have! Those two girls in the rainbow hoodies were indeed holding hands! They looked like the best of friends!" She happily smiles as she reads down the rest of the list. "Silkie! I have all the new things to try to deepen my friendship with friend Raven! How glorious are the spiders!" She shuts the laptop then sets it aside on her bedside table. "I shall ask friend Raven on a "date" tomorrow morning!" The silkworm makes a noise in response as the smiling alien lies down at the end of her bed.
"Dude quit hogging all the pancakes!" Beast Boy shouts.
"He made them with real milk so you can't have any!" Cyborg shouts back, fighting to keep the plate to himself.
"I know you're lying!" The smaller green boy starts to jump on the robot.
"Good morning friends! What a glorious day!" Starfire cheers as she flies down the stairs. "What is for breakfast this morning?"
"Pancakes," Raven dryly replies as she cuts her eyes at the fighting boys.
"Is there not enough?" The alien asks as she tilts her head.
"There's plenty, Star," Robin replies with a smile, "Your plate is right here." He motions to the stack of pancakes right beside his seat.
"Thank you very much for cooking, friend Robin!" She flies over to the seat and grabs the plate.
"So Star-" he starts.
"Oh, friend Raven!" Starfire flies over to the seat beside Raven before Robin could finish his sentence.
"Hm?" The smaller girl replies as she sips her tea.
"I have a question!" Star exclaims as she starts to take buttery bites.
"Proceed," Raven replies monotonically.
"I wish to invite you on the date!" Robin chokes on his pancakes and the boys cease fighting as Raven keeps a straight face, slowly setting down her teacup.
"That wasn't a question," the empathic girl remarks coldly.
"Oh yes! Uhm friend Raven! Would you like to go to the mall today?" Starfire corrects, adding a case of the puppy dog eyes to her plea.
"That's better English," the raven haired girl replies, sipping her tea.
"Go get dressed before I change my mind."
Starfire squeals in delight as she quickly flies up the stairs, leaving her half finished pancakes on the counter.
"Dude…" Beast Boy whispers with glazed over eyes.
Raven shoots a glare at all three boys. "It's Starfire. She doesn't know how to work a toaster much less a relationship, so no of course she wasn't asking me on a real date, she just wanted to hang out. So Robin, remove that jealous look off your face before I maim you. Beast Boy, get that perverted fantasy out of your head before you become interdimensional. Cyborg, here's more pancakes." She extends Starfire's plate to the robot.
"Why didn't he get threatened?" The shapeshifter huffs as he crosses his arms.
"Cause she threatened you enough for the both of us," the robot replies as he munches on pancakes.
Raven just rolls her eyes and slides her empty cup to Robin. "Thanks." She says, getting up then walking up the stairs out of the boys sight.
"So who's gonna tell Star she's got this date thing wrong?" Beast Boy asks, looking between the two boys.
"Not it," Robin quickly remarks. "One of you can explain earth to her this round."
"She's got this new laptop I made her so she doesn't have to ask us! Great idea right?" Cyborg replies with a buttery filled grin. "I can't help it I'm a genius."
"Guess you also can't help it you're spraying butter all over my hair either, dude."
"Goodbye friends!" Starfire chimes as she walks down the stairs into the living room.
"Don't wait up," Raven states with the smallest of smiles.
"Haha very funny, Rae. But like, you're going out in street clothes instead of your outfits? Weird," Beast Boy replies, eyeing the girls. "I mean not that you two look bad, those jeans are doing you all kinds of favors and Star-"
The metal man hits the small shapeshifter on top of the head. "Beastie!"
Star giggles in response and Raven groans.
"I put on a pair of jeans. Call the media."
"The white skinny jeans and black combat boots do look nice with your black tank top, Starfire, the black jeans and purple blouse really look fantastic," Robin compliments.
"See Beast Boy? Look how easy it was to call them pretty without being terrible."
"Hey listen dude!" The bird and beast start to scrap between themselves.
The girls say bye to the unlistening group of boys as they retreat out the door shaking their heads.
"They're the worst," Raven remarks.
"The boys will be boys," Starfire replies with a warm smile.
"You read an Englishman's guide to idioms last night?" The goth playfully jokes.
"I believe I read articles on the teen titans last night," Starfire replies.
"Nevermind," Raven shakes her head with a smile.
"This day is simply glorious is it not?" The alien leans her head back basking in the sun as the breeze blows her hair back behind her.
Raven looks at the alien and gives an affirmative hum in response. "She looks so carefree."
"What do you want from the mall?"
The alien turns her head to her friend, "I simply wanted your company, dear Raven. Also, I need a gift for Jinx's birthday!"
Raven gives a soft smile, "beats staying in the tower all day. Also, you don't have to get a gift for the H.I.V.E.'s leader, Star."
"But she is friend Cyborg's lady friend companion! Villain or not she is still our friend's lover! I hope friend Robin or Beast Boy would get a gift for whomever I love so why would I not do the same for them?"
Raven almost chuckles at the idea of Robin buying Star's future boyfriend a birthday gift. "I guess that's fair. I'll have to look at her something too." She smiles at her friend's innocence as they ascend the concrete stairs of the mall.
"I only wish I knew what she enjoyed!" Star exclaims as she heads through the door Raven is holding open for her.
"Maybe I'll buy her a rabbit's foot," the smaller girl remarks with a cock of the eyebrow. The two teens smile at each other as the busy sound of the mall soon fills their ears. "Crowded." Star shoots Raven a giant grin as they make their way through the people.
"So... where to first? Maybe Jinx would like something from Hot Topic, that's her style, or maybe a gift certificate for her and Cyborg for-"
Raven cuts her sentence short as she feels a warm hand intertwine with hers.
"Certificate for where? Perhaps the clothing option would be a good idea. As long as it isn't evil!" The alien exclaims happily as she scans across all the store names. "There are so many to choose from. What does one get a friend they do not know?"
Raven clears her throat nervously as she tries to free her hand, only resulting in a reassuring squeeze from Starfire.
"What are you doing?" She finally asks, trying to sound monotone.
"I am looking for stores in which look like Jinx!"
Raven figuratively face palms herself then sighs, "I meant with this?" She holds up their combined hands in front of them.
"I am holding your hand, friend Raven," she replies simply. "How about here?" The alien asks, pulling the telepath into a store labeled Hers and His.
Raven grumbles, Star's ignorance starting to annoy her. "I meant why are you holding my hand," she snaps almost venomously.
Starfire stops in her tracks beside the monogrammed coffee cups then slowly releases Raven's hand.
Raven's face softens as Star's face falls.
"Hey Star," she whispers.
Star squeaks out a soft, "Why am I still doing things wrong?" as she feels her eyes starting to get wet.
"Star, what do you mean? I'm sorry I snapped at you I just-"
"I am sorry if I upset you, friend Raven. I read in that thing given to me by friend Cyborg that girls hold hands and go out and do all these things best friends do, and I thought for once I was performing earthly tasks correctly!" The alien almost shrieks, her distress apparent all over her face.
"This is one of those two's jokes, and I swear when I get home" Raven quickly rests a hand on Star's shoulder. "Hey now, you didn't do anything wrong."
"Then why do you anger? I had thought I was being correct with all the smiles we were getting from everyone, and how you seemed happy to come to the mall with me," she tilts her head to the side in confusion.
Raven sighs again. "She can't keep looking at me with those sad eyes my heart is going to combust. It's like kicking a puppy hurting her." She offers a crooked smile, "I'm just not used to having a friend like that. I just freaked out is all." Raven quickly looks around for something to ease the awkwardness. "Those coffee cups are cute, huh? They only say hers and his though. Are there others?"
Starfire quickly snaps out of her depressive state to get back to the task at hand. "Mr. and Mrs. definitely do not work. Hmmm" the alien flies up to inspect the top shelves as Raven looks over the bottom ones.
"His mermaid Her captain Cheesy. Soul and mate? Really? No effort there." "Here we go," Raven replies, making the alien fly down to her side. "These are perfect." She holds up the box so the alien can read it.
"Calm down and Don't tell me to calm down!" She reads out loud then breaks out in giggles. "They will most definitely love it! We still must find another gift for her though, correct?"
Raven nods, "let's stick with one thing for her and Cy though. My gift will come from somewhere else. Let's go check out, princess," she playfully coos the last part of the sentence.
Starfire lightly blushes at the playful mock of Raven's nickname. "You are simply trying to make me smile to make up for upsetting me earlier." She shoots a playful wink to the smaller girl as they make their way into line.
"That wouldn't be much of an apology," Raven replies. The purple haired girl reaches over and wraps her pinky around Star's, holding it tightly.
"So the holding of hands was too much but the holding of the pinky's is not?" The alien asks, wondering what brought on the gesture.
"I'm just sorry I snapped at you earlier." "What made me do this? Guilt? Her puppy dog eyes? The way it hurt her when she didn't understand why this was wrong? Oh I'm definitely getting Cyborg and Beast Boy back for this. For making her feel stupid and for making me have to endure her soft hand in mine all day."
"It is really fine, Raven. I understand my friendship gesture should've been welcomed before I initiated it! I am glad we are indeed good."
Starfire offers a bright smile to the cashier as she extends the box with her free hand.
"These are cute, ladies! We also had some Hers and Hers cups over there," she points to a different section in the corner occupied by same-sex monogrammed items. "I wish we had some superhero ones to offer! You're the second couple to come in actually! I believe Aqualad and Speedy were over in that section earlier today."
Raven feels her ears heat up as Star shows a face of confusion. "Here you go," Raven quickly replies, extending cash to the woman. "Keep the change." She quickly grabs the bag to try and save herself anymore embarrassment. The cashier waves them goodbye as they walk out the store.
"So… Speedy and Aqualad?" Raven breaks the silence.
Starfire giggles, "the lady mistook them for lovers too! Could you imagine how upset Speedy would be?"
Raven just laughs at Star's misunderstanding. "He would throw an absolute fit, I'm sure."
Star laughs at the idea then looks at Raven, "why did she take us for lovers?"
Raven quickly tenses up. "Well…" "I swear on Azarath Cyborg is mine when I get home."
"Maybe nobody has ever bought gifts there before!" Star exclaims, not waiting for an answer from her friend.
"Blissful ignorance. Thank God."
"So what about you, friend Raven? There is the clothing store you mentioned earlier? Or were you serious in the inquiry on rabbit feet?"
Raven just smiles, "Let's just go in Hot Topic and see what I can see."
The smaller teen feels her arm rip out of socket as Star zooms into the store. "Star! Don't forget we're attached," she scoffs with a small laugh, as to not hurt the girl's feelings.
"Apologies, friend Raven! I am not used to the holding of appendages either! You are indeed the first person I have ever gal paled!" The alien smiles apologetically for a second then looks around the store. "This does indeed fit our friend."
"Cyborg's friend," Raven corrects. "Though I'm sure I could buy her anything in here, and she'd like it."
Raven scans the wall of shirts and blouses until her eyes land on a purple and black sweater that read I'm bad luck in a cursive font. "But she'd love that."
Raven turns to ask for someone to grab her the sweater, but her partner quickly flies up and grabs it. "Most adorable!" She chimes as she lands, handing it to Raven.
"Maybe next time I can request a guy," she grumbles as she notices all the eyes in the store on the pair.
"Did I do wrong again?" Star asks, looking around at all the people.
"Just… just come on," Raven remarks, pulling the larger girl to the register.
"You uh find everything okay, ladies?" The cashier asks with a laugh.
"Sorry. She's just excitable," Raven replies, pulling out some bills.
"No, you're totally fine. It's cute. You're a lucky lady," the boy remarks with a smile.
Raven feels the familiar heat to her ears as he takes the money. She glances over at Star who is too occupied with a plush CatBus to hear the boys remarks.
"Thanks," Raven states while taking the change. She grabs the bag off the counter as the boy happily chimes a goodbye.
"The kitties are most cute in stuffed form!" Her alien companion chimes as she takes her place by her side, grabbing her pinky.
Raven just smiles in response. she uneasily shifts as all the patrons they pass offer big smiles and aww's. "Maybe we should be heading home. You can get a head start on wrapping this, and I'm sure Jinx will be over tonight after she robs a bank or something."
Starfire just laughs as they change their course for the exit. "You don't believe she'd take her birthday off from crime?"
"Maybe she wants to treat herself," Raven defends.
Both girls laugh as Star pushes open the door. The brisk air hits their cheeks as they descend down the steps.
"Who would rob a bank on such a nice day?"
"Are you genuinely asking or are you joking?" Raven remarks with a raise of her eyebrow.
"Can't you tell?" The alien playfully teases.
"Never with you," Raven remarks, sliding her whole hand into Starfire's.
"So now it isn't too much? Make up your mind," the alien kids.
Raven starts to get confused until she realizes she was now holding hands with Star. "When and why the hell did I do that?"
"It keeps you on your toes," Raven remakes back coolly.
"HEY LADIES!" Beast Boy yells down the way.
The girls pop their heads forward, not even realizing they were almost across the bank from the tower. Raven quickly drops Star's hand as they fly over to their yard.
"What did you buy?" Beast Boy gargles out while holding a frisbee in his mouth.
"Maybe not talk with a full mouth?" Raven asks, suddenly feeling in a less cheerful mood than earlier today. "Why is that?"
He spits the frisbee out with a chain of saliva dripping down his chin. "I asked what you girls bought."
Starfire just grins as she takes the bags from Raven. "It is a secret! But I must go wrap them!" She flies to the top of the tower before the boys could ask her any questions.
"Wrap?" Cyborg asks, "who got a gift?"
"Obviously one of us if they're not telling, dummy," their leader scoffs.
"Who you calling a dummy, bird brain?"
Raven shakes her head as the three boys start to bicker again. "I've never seen them get along for ten minutes," she grumbles as she created a portal in front of her. She climbs inside then flies over to her closet once she materializes in her room. She changes out of her mall clothes and settles into her cloak. "Much better," she thinks as she floats onto her bed. She starts to close her eyes, but then darts up in remembrance. "Cyborg."