Casting Shame, Crying Rain
Author: ChristinaRoss
Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans or any of its characters. Nor do I own the song '30 minutes' by t.A.T.u or their lyrics or them. Wish I owned all of these things though.
Author's Notes: Read, Review, Relish! Rinse & Repeat!
Chapter 4:
Separating
A pink bubble slowly emerged from pursed lips as the young Tamaranean princess exhaled. A loud popping sound echoed throughout the cold, steel room as the gum burst and the girl sucked the substance back into her mouth. She continued to chew, creating smacking sounds until she began to repeat the blowing process. Another loud pop, followed by further smacking.
"Do you mind?" asked Robin as he glared at the girl. "We're trying to have a serious talk."
Another pop resonated before she replied, "Nope, I don't mind at all."
Irked, the Boy Wonder looked at the others around the room accusingly. "Who even gave her gum anyways?"
"Don't look at me," Raven responded dryly. "I don't like gum."
The green changeling swallowed hard, consuming the piece of gum he had been silently chewing on. "Not me," he lied, trying to mask his guilt.
"Well, will someone please get her to spit it out so we can focus here?" Suddenly, the pink pebble flew across the room, sticking to the spiky-haired boy's left cheek. Wiping the foreign object away, he simply stated, "Charming." Bitch.
The tall, tanned girl smirked. "Oopsies. Sorry about that. I was aiming for that awful haircut of yours."
"Enough!" Robin exclaimed as he slammed his hand down hard on the table in front of him. "What are you doing in Jump City?"
Flipping her hair back, the girl's face drew very serious as she spoke, "I have urgent family matters to discuss with my dear sister. Is she around?"
"Star doesn't want to see you, like, ever again!" answered Beast Boy.
Blackfire cast her eyes downward, hurt by the statement. "Well, can you please just tell her something for me then?"
The boys made no inclination that they were willing to listen to, let alone pass along a message for their enemy. However, Raven was curious as to what could have brought the betrayer to their turf and complied. "What is it?"
"Ryand'r is missing."
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A loud buzzer rang, followed by a robotic voice stating, "Access denied."
"What the fuck?! Access denied? You can't deny access to the outside world!" Jenny exclaimed, furiously kicking the solid, metallic door in front of her.
"Please refrain from using violence and profanity," requested the robotic voice.
Her boot connected again hard against the structure. "Don't tell me to fucking refrain," she ordered. "I'll 'frain all I want! Now, let me out!"
"Please refrain from using..."
"Oh, shut up already!" the petite brunette interjected.
"No, you shut up," retorted the building's computer.
Shocked, the girl verbally fought back. "Did you just tell me to shut up? That's it, I'm gonna download so much porn into your hard drive."
"Go ahead. Three teenage boys use me. I am already full of various types of pornography."
"Eww," she replied, her anger fading away as the disturbing mental image formed of the male Titans enjoying videos and themselves.
"Affirmative."
The guest contemplated for a moment before asking, "So how do I get out then?"
"Only a Titan has access to change permissions."
"Any Titan?"
"Affirmative."
Let's see, who can I ask? Robin and Raven are out. I guarantee neither of them will let me leave without a series of painful conversations. Beast Boy? Maybe. Starfire is more likely though. She's so good natured and trusting, I'm sure I can convince her that I need to leave. I'll go find her. Wait... Do I say goodbye to the computer? It would rude not to, especially after how I treated him... her... it. "Okay, thanks for the info. Sorry about earlier. Maybe I'll see you around sometime," she said as she looked around the empty air, unsure where to direct her speech exactly. "Bye."
"Goodbye," the monotone voice responded as the small figure wandered away.
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"Oh Puddin', you drive me cra-a-a-azy, they're gonna ship me off to Arkham A. Maybe I'll see you on my wa-a-a-ay!"
Music blared from the open windows of the modified SUV as it raced down the road. Its driver tapped his fingers on the wheel in time to the beat as his foot pressed down further on the accelerator.
The song began to fade as the deep-voiced radio host spoke over the last few word, "And that's 'I'm Crazy' by Dr. HQ dedicated to Mr. J. Coming up next are some commercials but stay tuned for more of today's hottest hits. This is DC-Radio with your host, Major Malcolm."
As he passed a big, blue sign, Cyborg read aloud, "468 miles to Steel City. Booyah! I should be able to get there by nightfall."
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The greenish, gelatinous blob wobbled as Starfire placed the plate down in front of the uncloaked crusader. "If you are further hungry, there is plenty of glorrk prepared," the alien assured as she took a seat next to Raven and began scarfing down her own portion.
Raven picked up her fork and poked the foreign food before pushing the plate away. She turned to face the cook as she spoke softly, "Star, your sister wanted me to pass on an important message to you."
Starfire raised her hand to silence the sorceress. "I do not wish to hear her message for me. I do not wish to hear any of her messages for anyone."
"You might want to hear this one," she protested.
The Tamaranean ignored the plea and gestured towards her friend's food. "Are you going to consume that?" she asked, licking her lips in anticipation.
"Have at it," she answered, sliding the dish over. "But seriously, I need you to listen please."
In between mouthfuls, Starfire agreed, "Fine, for you, I will listen."
Taking in a relaxed, deep breath, Raven obliged, "She said Ryand'r is missing."
"Oh? What is he missing?" the clueless princess questioned.
"No, missing as in disappeared. His whereabouts unknown."
The clanking of fallen metal rang in the girls' ears as Starfire's mouth gaped open, food slightly spilling out.
"Star? Are you okay?" Raven asked as she waved a hand in front of unblinking eyes.
Snapping out of the shock, tanned hands grasped firmly on the black leotard-ed shoulders, bringing their owner's face close to her own. "Are you certain he cannot be found?" she asked frantically, particles of food flying onto the sorceress' face.
Ignoring the annoying mess forming upon her, Raven answered, "Well, she's not exactly the most honest person ever but that's what she said. Personally though, I think she's telling the truth."
I must speak with her. Releasing her grip on the girl, the tall, tanned Tamaranean whirled off without a word.
The half-demon leaned back in her chair, putting her snow-white hands behind her head for support. Who the hell is Ryand'r?
With the whizzing of a door opening, brown hair bopped in, twirling left then right as its owner looked around the room.
"Forget something?" Raven asked, not looking up to confirm who she suspected it to be.
"Oh... uh... Raven... I was just looking for Starfire but I guess she's not here so I'll just go." stammered the mousy girl.
Raven spun around in her chair to face her speaker. "Oh, it's you, Jennifer Craine," she stated flatly. "Where's my cloak?"
Jenny looked down at her own empty hands before responding, "Sorry, I must have left it in the other room. I can go get it, if you'd like." Before the girl could make her hasty exit, a black portal opened at her feet and she felt her body free fall for a few seconds. She suddenly landed on the chair next to Raven, the white glow of her eyes fading as the portal closed behind her.
"No, that's okay. I can get it later."
Damn. Well, I guess it's worth asking her even though I already know the answer. "So, why can't I get outside?" she asked. "The computer keeps telling me 'access denied'. Am I a prisoner or something?"
Raven smirked at the question. "Not exactly. I... I mean WE, just want to make sure we get the chance to talk for a bit before you leave. Don't want you disappearing on me... US again."
The non-prisoner squirmed in her seat, feeling uneasy from the pressure emitting from the heroine. "Listen, Raven," she started. "I..."
"There you are," a nasally voice interjected as Robin marched towards the pair and looked down at Jenny. "I'd like to talk with you, if you don't mind."
Brushing a brown lock out of her eyes, she returned the hero's gaze. "Oh? Sure, I don't think I have much of a choice in the matter anyways."
Robin turned his attention to Raven before coolly requesting, "Do you mind giving us the room, Raven?"
Thin lips smirked slightly before parting to respond, her gaze remaining on the other girl, "Actually, I'd rather listen in."
He furrowed his brow a bit but didn't voice his disappointment, instead turning his back to the half-demon as an attempt to somewhat exclude her from the conversation. "So, how are you feeling? Is there anything we can get you?" he asked the petite girl.
The question surprised Jenny a little. "Uh... I'm fine, thank you." she stammered. "And no, I don't need anything. I was just hoping I could go home now but your security system won't let me leave."
"Yes, well, don't worry. You'll be able to leave soon enough," he answered as you grabbed the nearest chair and moved it in between the two girls before taking a seat on it. "I just have a few questions."
Oh boy, here we go. Let's just get this over with then. "Okay. Ask."
"Your father is Sergeant Craine, correct?"
"Was Sergeant Craine," she corrected. "Yes, or at least, that's what I've been told. I don't remember my parents."
"Even before they were murdered?"
"Yes," she responded dryly, "Thanks for reminding me." Ass-hat.
"Who killed them?" the silent sorceress spoke up. Is this how I know her? Something to do with her parents' death?
The questioned girl stared at Raven before replying, "Someone evil."
"Who was it? Where are they now?" the spiky-haired boy asked, trying to take control of the conversation again.
"I don't know. Hopefully burning in hell, but I doubt that."
"You disappeared after that day, where were you all those years?"
"I don't know. I try not to think about the past." She glanced over at Raven once more as she whispered, "It's too painful."
"Fine, then how did you end up near death in an abandoned warehouse?" Come on, just give me a solid answer, anything.
"I was stabbed," she stated, maintaining a monotone voice.
Duh. "But who stabbed you and why?" the hero pressed further. This is getting frustrating. Why won't she just tell me so I can help her?
It's like the police officers all over again. Feeling exhausted, she let out a heavy sigh. They'll never leave me alone, so fine, I'll give them something. "My parents' murderer because he grew tired of having me around, I guess."
"So you do know who killed them," Raven interrupted again, this time stating the fact instead of questioning.
"More than I'd like to," she admitted.
Robin grabbed the tiny hands with his gloved ones and eagerly questioned, "What do you know about him?"
Her eyes glazed over as she recalled the buried memories. "I know he always seemed to smell of hot oil and leather. I know the taste of his lips mixed with my blood. I know the feeling of his rough hands around my neck. I know the sound of his grunts and his bone-chilling voice. I know what every inch of his body looks like but his face. I know he takes great pleasure in the suffering of others. I know he thinks I'm dead and if he ever found out I wasn't, he would find me again and be sure to finish the job properly."
Silence filled the air until the chirping of a lone cricket crept throughout the room. "Beast Boy, cut it out!" ordered Robin.
Suddenly, a green cricket scurried out from underneath the refrigerator before transforming into a teenage boy. "Sorry, dudes, but it got super awkward there. I thought I'd lighten the mood."
"Even if you were a lamp, you wouldn't be able to lighten anything," Raven retorted.
"Hey! I could too! I could light up this whole building if I wanted to!"
"That's enough, you two!" Robin snapped, pounding his fist on the table. "This isn't about your squabbles. It's about her," he said as he gestured to the unresponsive girl. "And trying to help her." The hero turned his attention back to Jenny and patted her shoulder reassuringly. "I'm so sorry for what happened to you but we can't help stop this man if you don't give us some information we can use to find him. Do you know his name? Maybe some distinguishing features?"
Don't keep me waiting and get over here now!
Please no, I can't. Just let me go, please... I won't tell anyone a thing.
You are starting to anger me and you know what happens when I'm angry.
No, no, no, no, no, wait... I'll behave, promise.
I'm afraid it's too late for that.
"Jenny..." a faint voice trickled in her ears and it slowly grew louder. "Jenny? Hey, Jennifer, can you hear me?" Amethyst eyes filled with concern stared into her own as Raven crouched down in front of her.
My hands are warm... Am I holding something? Dazed, the guest glanced down to notice her hands being held within the pale sorceress's. Raven... You honestly believed that someone, especially Miss Raven, would ever love you? Shut up! You're not real. You're just my mind playing tricks on me. No one loves you, not even Raven. Shut up, shut up, shut up! It's all just a fantasy. "Get out of my head!" The young woman exclaimed as she abruptly stood up, yanking her hands away from the heroine to clutch her skull.
Taken aback by the outburst, the three Titans peered at each other, hoping one of them had clarity to offer the rest.
"Are you okay?" stammered Beast Boy finally, as he cautiously approached the agitated girl.
Snapping out of her own world, Jenny returned her gaze to the perplexed teens and blushed furiously. "Oh, sorry, yeah, I'm fine. I just don't like to think about past stuff. It kind of gets stuck in my head."
"We understand it can't be easy," Raven spoke in a soft tone, easing in next to the girl, and placed an assuring arm around her shoulders.
Jenny instantly flinched away from the touch and immediately apologized. "Sorry... I just... I don't want to be touched." Yes, I do but only by you, Raven. Only if it's real and you never let me go.
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The two Tamaranean princesses sat across from each other, one bound and the other looking very displeased.
"Raven has informed me that you have something important you wish to discuss with me. Are you being truthful? Has Ryand'r disappeared?" Starfire attempted to keep her voice from trembling but it cracked at the mention of his name.
Blackfire smirked before answering, "You always did like him better, didn't you?" A heavy sigh slipped from her luscious lips. "Yes, he's missing. Last anyone has heard from him was two weeks ago. One day he's fine, living in who knows what secluded area with his bodyguards, and the next day, gone. Vanished without a trace."
"But he is to be hidden, who informed you of his disappearance?" Starfire skeptically questioned.
"I have my sources. Look, I'm only telling you this because he's my future too. We need to find him. If the Gordanians find him first, they'll kill him. Then poof, goodbye Tamaran."
The red-haired beauty hesitated, thinking it over. "How am I to trust you? How can I be certain he cannot be found? You could be just using me to help you locate him so that you may take his place as our future ruler."
"He's my brother too!" Blackfire yelled, her eyes burning with determination. "I might not like you but I liked him. He's the only family I seem to have left and I wouldn't jeopardize that."
"Very well. I shall have to discuss this matter with the others before we can begin searching."
"Of course, you have to have daddy's permission first," the older sister scoffed as she sat back in her seat. "Can't do anything on your own, can you?"
Emerald eyes glowed fiercely, as the younger of the two clenched her jaw. "I would not cause my anger levels to rise if I were you. I can search for our brother while you are permanently imprisoned if I must."
"Fine, I was only teasing anyways. You really need to lighten up, sis," she retorted, pouting.
"Do not call me that," Starfire sneered as she stood, spinning around to depart. "I shall return to discuss our actions once decided." And with that, the alien departed.
Left alone, Blackfire lowered her head into her lap and began to weep. "Oh, Ryand'r, please be alright."
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