It was to say the least, another boring day at the Titans Tower. Beast Boy was, as usual, arguing with Cyborg about who won the race, Starfire was intently studying the cookbook I had gotten her for her birthday and Robin was listening to music on his iPod. I was of course, sitting cross legged on the couch, reading another thick book, with a dent in the spine of it. Everything was as it should be; normal and actually, kind of quiet. That was, until Starfire came up with a "brilliant" idea.
"Friends! I have thought of the most wondrous idea!" Starfire exclaimed gleefully, twirling around with her apron, which Beast Boy had gifted to her for her birthday. I lazily yawned and stretched my arms out before resting my book on the cushion next to me. Starfire flew to the center of the room and clasped her hands together, bearing a smile that would give the Cheshire Cat a run for his money.
"Is it not the season a your Earth holiday 'Christmas'?" Starfire said, adding air quotes around Christmas. I nodded and non consciously glanced at the window. Seeing as this was California, it was still bright and green outside, which made it seem not more like summer than winter.
"And is it true there are feasts for this 'Christmas'?" Starfire said, enunciating Christmas. We all nodded.
"Well, I am thinking that we have a Titans Christmas of Partying!" Starfire exclaimed, looking around the room. Immediately Beast Boy sprang up from his position on the ground. His lanky body made him seem kinda cute as looked at Starfire like a child expecting a present. Wait. I did not just say Beast Boy was cute. I couldn't have. I didn't feel that way about Beast Boy. At least...I don't think I do.
"THAT IS AN AWESOME IDEA STARFIRE!" Beast Boy said wildly. He too was grinning like an idiot (no surprise there) and to my surprise, Cyborg was too.
"The grass stain's right, Star; that is a pretty good idea. I'm pretty sure we can use lower floor on the Tower that we don't use. What do you have to say Robin?" Cyborg offered.
"You know, it's not half bad. We never let loose. A party would be a wonderful idea." Robin said. My jaw hit the floor in shock. Robin? Let loose? Never in a million year would I use those two words in one sentence.
"What do you think Rae?" Beast Boy said, staring at me.
"Uh...sounds like an idea..I guess." I said quietly, trying to hide myself behind my book. Starfire clapped and smiled some more.
"So it is decided! A party shall be planned! Let the party planning commence!" Starfire said, sitting down next to Robin.
"Friend Cyborg has already offered the lower floor the Tower, so let us go downstairs and see if it is usable." Starfire said, looking at me. I sighed. Of course.
"Don't we have elevators?" I tried.
"Come on Rae, it'll be much quicker if you just teleport us there!" Beast Boy said. I sighed again; if I had one weakness it was Beast Boy. And waffles. So make that two weaknesses.
"Fine." I said, silencing Beast Boy. My teammates gathered close to me.
"Azarath Metrion Zinthos." In a second we were transported to what I believed was the ninth floor of the Tower. Like all the rooms there were large windows, which let in enough light without lamps. It smelled musty, and there were splotches of dirt and mud on the ground. Dust covered the glass windows and the room was in desperate need of some painting. Starfire's smile faltered for only a second before she began her cheery talking.
"Friends, we have work to do, but it will be worth it. Come on!" Starfire said hopefully. Although the room was a mess, Starfire was right. It probably would be worth it. Cyborg switched on the lights and it revealed some old furniture in the corner of the room.
"Well, we do have the money to renovate this room, and the time. It shouldn't take more than a few days. And Christmas is in two weeks." Cyborg said. Robin and Beast Boy perked up.
"Yeah! All we have to do is get started!" Robin said, almost as cheerful as his girlfriend."
"I'll go get the paint, and a some furniture for this room."
"I shall call the other heroes and friends. Robin shall call the catering company. Beast Boy, Raven, may you please clean the room?" Starfire said. Beast Boy's ears instantly drooped and he looked back up at Starfire.
"Do I have to?" he moaned. Robin looked at him sternly and he pouted, crossing his arms across his chest.
"Fine." he muttered. Robin smiled again and waved to us as he fled the room with Starfire.
"I'll get the mops." I sighed.
(_)
Five hours later (and I'm still covered in dirt) Beast Boy and I finished cleaning the ninth floor. The room looked much better, now that it was clean. The floors sparkled and the windows were literally crystal clear. Paint was setting on the walls (and all over Beast Boy and I) and he said that some furniture would be arriving before the party. Although it's unlike myself, I'm kinda excited. I've never actually been to a party that wasn't held by the mayor. Those were just formal parties that we had to go to. Normally I wouldn't get so...buzzed over something like this.
"Oh friends! You did a most glorious job!" Starfire shouted as she saw the room. I winced; her voice was quite loud, but forced a weak smile.
"Yeah, I guess we clean up pretty well." I said, nudging Beast Boy. He was half asleep next to me, too tired to say anything to Starfire. I rolled my eyes and resisted the urge to smile. He looked so- wait. I was NOT about to say what I was going to say. No.
"I have done the inviting of guests! Titans East shall party and I suppose there are other heroes we can invite." Starfire said, a casting a tired look at Robin. He looked just as sleepy as Beast Boy, but he managed to stand up and offer a smile to Starfire.
"Of course Star. I got the catering company; Next week we'll go Christmas Tree shopping." Robin said, obviously trying not to fall asleep. I myself was very tired, but I didn't let it show. Cyborg didn't either, and he stifled a yawn.
(One Week Before Party)
"Oh! Friend Raven! You look wonderful!" Starfire said, as I exited the changing room. I was wearing a tea length tan dress with black netting and black beads embroidered onto it. I wasn't one for shopping, but I did enjoy this dress. The other ones weren't really my style. But I looked sophisticated and pretty in this dress, something neither of the other dresses provided. I had to smile at Starfire as she clapped happily. She looked like a pleased child.
"Alright. Can we go home now? My feet are killing me." I said, stepping back into the changing room to change back into my usual outfit. Starfire already had her dress picked out; it was a short strapless pink dress with lace at the bottom, looking like it belonged in a circus more than a party. But Starfire adored the damn dress and bought it, along with pink high heels, that increased her already tall height.
"Yes friend Raven. We shall return home." Starfire replied, clearly pleased with herself. I think she was just glad I even agreed to go shopping with her. I never went to the mall any of the other times she went. But maybe it was because I was trying to actually impress someone this time.
(One Week Before Party)
We were all currently in the T-Car, wearing winter jackets and snow boots. I had on a black knit cap and black and white mittens. I also had on a black winter coat and gray knee length winter boots. Starfire was excitedly conversing with Beast Boy, and I was unfortunately wedged between them. Beast Boy, being his comedic self, wore a goofy green, floopy eared hat. The reason we were all decked out in winter clothing was because we were going up to Northern California to get a Christmas tree. It seemed like a far way to go just for a tree (I had pointed out that I could just teleport us all there, though Robin had said that wouldn't be in the spirit of the season) but everyone was giddy for it. Ugh. Did I really just use the word giddy? Dear Azar help me.
"...and you put a star on top of the tree too and light it up!" Beast Boy said, explaining the concept of tree decorating to Starfire. We had never formally celebrated Christmas before (what with the villains and all) but now with the crime rates being lower, we finally had the time.
"Light it up? You set the tree ablaze!" Starfire said, horrified. Beast Boy's eyes widened.
"What? No! We put lights on the tree and we turn on the lights!" Beast Boy said quickly. Starfire looked relived and Cyborg suddenly stopped short in front of a ranch looking place.
"We're here kids!" Cyborg said, opening the door. I quickly jumped out of the car and stretched. Being cramped in a car for hours was most definitely, not good for one's back. Cyborg had an ax in his hand and was smiling wickedly at Beast Boy. The green changeling yelped, morphed into a green cat and hid behind my legs. I glowered at him before glaring at Cyborg.
"Aw relax Rae, I was only kidding." Cyborg said, as we all began walking into the ranch. Beast Boy jumped into my arms and I lowered my eyes as Robin and Cyborg laughed. I sighed and dropped Beast Boy to the ground. Being a cat, he landed on his feet before morphing back into a human.
It seemed to be hours until we all agreed on a tree worthy of a spot in the Tower. We decided to get two; one for the ninth floor, and one for upstairs. Beast Boy was carrying the tree on his back , as a mule and I was heavily concentrated on keeping the other tree midair. Finally, we reached the car and Cyborg looked at me nervously.
"Uh, Raven, could you do us a huge favor and teleport the trees home?" Cyborg said.
(One Day Before Party)
"Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells! Jingle all the way! Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh! Hey!" Beast Boy sang. Loudly. And off tune. He had on a red Santa Cap and he was currently helping Robin wrap the lights around the Christmas tree. I had already done my part- topping the tree with the star- and right now, I was helping Starfire wrap gifts. I hadn't told anyone what I had gotten for Beast Boy yet. It was safely hidden in my room, under my bed, waiting to be opened by the eager Titan. I was wearing a wrapping bow that Cyborg had put on my hair was a joke, but decided to leave it there, seeing as Beast Boy would probably just find away to put it back in my hair. We were on the ninth floor right now, having already decorated out tree upstairs. The room was really coming together; the bright red walls seemed brighter seeings as Cyborg had also painted white stripes with it. We were sitting on an ornate rug that Cyborg had found in the basement and cleaned, with the rest of the furniture tying the room together. The windows were decorated with tinsel and it smelled like cinnamon in the room. It was surprisingly calming.
"Beast Boy! Shut up!" Robin finally snapping, throwing the scotch tape and Beast Boy's head. The green changeling grimaced and glared at our leader before I burst out in a fit of giggles. Before I knew it, so was everybody else.
(Day of Party)
The music was blaring and I was actually enjoying it. Starfire had convinced me to come dance with her and I was having a ball. The room was packed with fellow heroes, many of them drunk. I hadn't had one sip of alcohol and I prided myself in it. I really looked wonderful in my dress and with my hair in a loose bun, I looked less like myself and more like a movie star. Or Wonder Girl. You know, just, not blonde. I was still dancing with Starfire went a felt a tap on my shoulder. To my heart's content (seriously?) Beast Boy faced me as I whipped my head around.
"Come on Raven; let loose. Have a drink or two! It's our night off!" he said. I smiled up at him, acting out of character.
"I think I'll take you up on your offer. After that, I had a few drinks. So many, that I can't really count.
And it's a pity because I have no recollection of what happened last night.
(Note)
Yes, they are all of drinking age in this story.