Laugh

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Druid's café.

A cozy and, yes, gloomy corner of the city. One of my favorite haunts. Little cartoonish witches and wizards prance past our share of the window.

"Happy Halloween, Raven."

"……"

Starfire. It's been fifteen years seen I last saw her. Best Maid in her marriage.

"Will you be celebrating?"

"I'm a tad too old for that, Star. I have got the sweets ready if anyone dares climb up to the manor."

"Please… refer to me as Kori'ander."

"Kori?"

"It will suffice."

"Leaving your past behind?"

"Yes…" She made some sort of sad gesture. "Most of us have. Though I wonder why you have not?"

"……"

"Raven?"

I choose my words slowly. Starfire has… grown.

"Running from my past is what I have been doing for a long time; but I will never leave it behind."

"Yes… it is courageous of you. I fear we have chosen the coward's way out… It… is not befitting of a warrior."

"Avoiding pain is what we are made to do."

"Yes… I am looking for a word… an expression… transcendence?"

"... Maybe, Kori. Maybe so."

"Enough of me, what of you, friend?"

"I'm… fine."

"I… know tis' your day of birth a week later."

"I can handle it."

"Yes… where did you say your residence was?"

"The Manor, Wayne Manor, King's Avenue."

"And who did you say you lived with?"

"Richard Grayson, a total asshole."

She giggled.

"And how are you faring with him?"

My eyes narrowed.

"Are you implying romantic interest?"

She giggled again.

"Of course not!"

"Good."

I relax.

"How is Robin?"

I sigh. Robin. Nightwing. Richard. All pompous bastards.

Although I hold him in much higher regard than most people will think possible.

"He calls himself Nightwing now."

"Nightwing?"

"Yes."

"How is Nightwing?"

"He is… as fine as possible."

She tilted. Absorbed me into those green eyes of hers.

"Are you fine?"

I nod.

"As possible."

"Yes…"

I sip my tea.

"How's Speedy and… Ansaila?"

"As' a'i'la"

"Unpronounceable."

She giggled. And sighed.

"She is, I believe…" She leaned closer. "Turning Goth."

I stare at for a moment.

And laugh.

And laugh.

"I know… tis' ironic."

"Mmmmprrrphh… Teenagers always harbor rebellion in their hearts."

"Yes… I wish they would remain five years old forever."

"Mmmm…"

We both finish our tea.

"It has been a wonderful chat, friend."

"Yes… it has been interesting."

"I will keep in touch…"

"Do that."

She left. I stared at her retreating figure.

She has… grown.

"……"
I sigh.

Stretch.

Get up.

And leave.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Crrreeeaaaakkkk…

Wayne Manor.

Damm Antique doors.

Damm gloomy lighting.

Damm Nightwing.

I sigh.

Home sweet home.

"……"
I head straight for my room.

And then the shower.

"Mmmmm…"
…

And finally dress up.

And laze.

"……"

DDddddiiiinnnngggg…

And damm antique bells.

Damm kids.

Damm Nightwing.

DDddddiiiinnnngggg…

Alright, candy? Ready.

Not-so-scary-smile? Ready.

Alright, time to face the runts.

Crreeaaakkk…

Did I mention the antique doors?
"……"
A kid stood before me.

Dressed up like a witch; white makeup, the black getup and robes and ineffectual hat.

And four red eyes smeared over her face.

"Trick or treat?"

"Uh, yeah… here's the candy…"

"Thanks!"

"Um, what's with the four eyes?"

"These?" She smeared the face even some more.

"Well… their used to be a witch living over at the T tower, always floating around and stuff… real horrible; she was the daughter of a real terrible demon, with big horns and stuff… my brother said he had seen her and dressed up as this!"

"Umm… o-okay. Go along now."

"Okay!"
…

"……"

I head back indoors.

And sit down.

The house is shadowy.

There is vacant and desolate.

There are dusty books. Everywhere.

"……"
If your life shows you, even for a second, a parody of itself, you'll be very luck if you could still laugh.

Very lucky indeed.