Hey, everyone! First I'd like to say, thanks for the comments. Second, I'd like to say that, as much as I'd like to sample Tameranian cuisine, I do not own the Teen Titans. Lastly… enjoy the show. -bows-
Chapter 2: SurpriseSomething's up, thought Raven perceptively, walking with the talkative, babbling Beast Boy in tow, towards the kitchen. It's too quiet… She refrained from saying anything to her green-skinned companion, however, until they got to the kitchen doorway.
Cyborg, Starfire, and Robin were there, all with various expressions of happiness on their faces. Raven looked confusedly from Starfire's delighted grin, to Cyborg's slight smile, to Robin's confident one, and back again to Beast Boy's silly grin. "Okay," she said, allowing a slight tone of annoyance to permeate her normally level voice. "Can one of you please tell me what in the nine circles of hell is going on?"
Starfire piped up. "I have heard that it is customary to bake a cake on such a wondrous occasion as this!" She pulled out a somewhat-burnt cake with sixteen lit candles on it, smiling brightly.
"And to bring gifts," said Cyborg, holding up a wrapped present.
"Ooo, I can't take the suspense anymore," said Beast Boy, sheepishly. He turned to Raven, arms up. "Happy b-day, Rae!" Starfire immediately bolted up to Raven and hugged her.
Raven suppressed her shock behind her usual poker-face. "Whatever makes you think that it's my birthday?" she queried, keeping her voice steady.
"It's on the Teen Titans calendar," replied Robin, with sure confidence. He patted Raven on the shoulder. "Congratulations for sticking with our team for so long."
"It is customary where I come from for Tameranian princesses to dance with a male, upon turning sixteen!" Starfire broke in, holding up her index finger. "However… I believe that we may forgo this custom, if so wished!" she hurriedly added, noting Raven's expression.
Beast Boy jumped onto the table, whipping a microphone out from seemingly nowhere. "Enough talking, guys!" he said, beaming. Always the showman. "Let's sing Raven the good ol' Happy Birthday song!"
Raven pretended to be pleased with the cacophony of Beast Boy's too-loud singing, combined with Starfire's confusing screeches in Tameranian. "Right," she said tonelessly, arms crossed. "Happy birthday to me, I guess. I think…I'm going to go upstairs and meditate."
"Oooo no you don't!" said Cyborg, hoisting her onto a chair. "First you've got to open all of our presents!"
Raven did not quite feel up to protesting. Damn those birthday presents. Damn their happy faces, so easily disappointed… She sat down, bracing herself for the barrage of presents when…
A loud, familiar, beeping noise was heard.
Robin immediately looked at his Titans badge. "Titans! Trouble!" He darted towards the doorway, motioning for the others to follow.
He turned apologetically to Raven. "Sorry," he said genuinely, a slight frown on his masked face. "We'll continue this later." Raven nodded. She was actually relieved, frankly. She knew that Robin had probably given her some Titans' merchandise, Starfire a makeup kit, Cyborg a piece of machinery, and Beast Boy a rubber chicken. There is no such thing as surprises when you're able to read people like a book.
Turning away from the kitchen, all the Titans ran to their separate rooms to gather their equipment.
"Heh heh heh," laughed the dark, cloaked figure, sitting in the security room, snapping his fingers. "I have the Titans EXACTLY where I want them…"
It was the perfect plan, really. He'd forcefully break into Titans Tower, setting off the alarm. They would then separate… thus making each of them vulnerable…
…and, when he was done with them… he, the Great Depression, would be able to freely reign over all.
