32 Productions Presents…

32 Productions Presents…

A Teen Titan Fan FictionThe Teen Titans in…

"Tales From the Tower"

Starfire's Room

Starfire wiped her eyes.

Starfire: Most beautiful, do you not think so? Hmm…perhaps something in the more romantic vein…? Ah, this appears to suit that one.

The First Date

Shade's Room

Shade was freaking out. Raven had said yes. Sure, it was after she had supposedly killed him, but she had said YES. And at first he was happy about that. And why wouldn't he be? The girl of his dreams, agreeing to go on a date with him? Somebody pinch him! …then reality set in. If he fucked this up, Raven would not only discontinue such dating efforts, they'd be stuck LIVING together under uncomfortable circumstances. Unfortunately for him, he had to turn to the only other Titan to have been on a date. …well, Robin might have, but he wasn't helping, the dick.

Beast Boy: Dude, settle down.

Shade: YOU settle down!

Beast Boy just stared at him.

Beast Boy: Wow, you have NO idea what you're saying right now, do you?

Shade: I don't know…shit! What do I wear? Where do I take her? Why the hell didn't I plan this out in realistic terms?!

Somehow, a romantic evening on another planet where the two of them were completely alone didn't seem likely. Beast Boy sighed. While the trickster in him wanted to royally screw Shade over on this…he had to admit, it would be good for the both of them. Shade was like a rubber band being stretched, bound to snap, and Raven was a ball of depression. This might be just what they both needed.

Beast Boy: Relax, relax. I've already got you reservations at (insert fancy restaurant name here).

Shade: (Insert fancy restaurant name here)?! How the hell did you…?!

Beast Boy: Like I said…relax. So, knowing that, you're going to have to dress up a bit. What'cha got?

Shade thought. Hmm…t-shirts…t-shirts…black pants, black pants, t-shirts, black pants…and coats. OH!

Shade: Yeah, I got something.

He got an already assembled set of clothes out of his closet. Beast Boy shrugged.

Beast Boy: Eh, that'll work.

Shade: Well, thanks for the fucking vote of confidence.

Beast Boy: Okay…you got the place, you got the clothes, now you need the flower.

Shade: This time, I'm ahead of you.

He vanished. He returned with a flower in his hand.

Beast Boy: For me? You shouldn't have.

Shade: I'm going to hurt you later. I really am. …ugh, my stomach is a knot! And I just know Raven's not even the least bit concerned.

Raven's Room

Raven paced in her room.

Raven: What was I thinking? I can't believe I said yes to him! I mean, he's a great guy, but I…I don't know I just…ugh, my head is spinning.

Starfire: Er…that is because you keep pacing in shorter and short circles.

Raven stopped. …and so she was. Sighing, she turned to Starfire, who was going through her closet for the right clothes. She was well aware of Beast Boy's plans but was determined to fight the urge to inform Raven. She was just supposed to pick the outfit out for her…and maybe work on her make up and hair.

Raven: Am I making a mistake, Starfire? I mean…he's always been there for me and everything, but…I'm so confused.

Starfire: It is natural. You are feeling your emotions for the first time without consequence. You are bound to be overwhelmed and disoriented.

Sighing, Raven nodded, running her hand through her hair nervously. Why was this such a big deal? They were just going out for something. Yeah. No big deal.

Starfire: …this is perfect.

Starfire held up a blue dress. It was sleeveless and would reach about halfway between her knees to her ankles.

Starfire: And these too.

A set of black gloves that would reach her elbows, the middle and ring finger on the gloves missing.

Starfire: And of course, the shoes.

A pair of blue high heels. Raven had spent hours walking around her room to get used to them. After spending longer putting on make up just right then Raven thought was necessary, Starfire deemed her ready. Raven stared at herself in the mirror. Her cheeks had just a bit of blush to them…her lips glossed slightly. Her eyelashes had been done up just a tad and her eye shadow…well, she wanted that thick and there was no way Starfire was going to stop her. Raven wanted to retain SOME of her usual look after all.

Raven: …I…thank you, Starfire. I really needed your help. I don't think I could have done this on my own.

Starfire: It is not a problem. Hmm…your hair just needs a quick comb…

After brushing her hair for a little while, Raven was interrupted by a knock on the door that sent the brush flying behind her dresser as her grip loosened accidentally.

Raven: Coming!

Raven groaned. She sounded ridiculous. Relax, Raven. He was probably going to look stupid, take her some place cheap, and generally embarrass the fuck out of them both. Yeah. No problem. Just take it in stride. Taking a deep breath, Raven opened the door to her room, ready to insult the first thing she saw wrong with his look. …her mouth had nothing to say. Shade was wearing a formal white shirt with a tie, black pants, and, of course, a coat. Yet, unlike his dirty old coats, this one looked new…black and fancy looking. His hair was combed and gelled, though she could tell it was fighting the hold the best it could. Shade held up a black rose.

Shade: Um…ready to go?

Raven shut the door, putting her back against it.

Raven: (whisper) Starfire, what do I say?!

Starfire gave her a blank look. Wow, the girl was nervous.

Starfire: …er...yes?

Raven opened the door. He was looking really confused. Raven cleared her throat and took the rose, her cheeks turning pink.

Raven: …yes, I am.

The pair started to walk to the main room door to leave. Raven looked him up and down again.

Raven: You like quite the gentleman.

Shade: What do I usually look like?

Raven: Er…well, you usually…that is…look, just take the compliment and give one back, please.

Right, give one back. Shade could do that. Um…uh…oh, he had one!

Shade: You look great today.

Raven: What did I look like yesterday?

Shade: …wow, we can't compliment for shit, can we?

Raven sighed.

Raven: Apparently not.

INSERT FANCY RESTAURANT NAME HERE!

This was so awkward. Raven and Shade ate in silence, neither knowing what to say but both realizing that if nothing was said, the date would be ruined. They were told so! Think! Think! Raven ran through the things she knew Shade liked. Fighting…working out in a seemingly vain attempt to build muscle mass…video games…nngh, none of those were worth talking about! Finally Shade spoke up.

Shade: …what do you like to read, Raven? I see you reading all the time, but I never get a look at the titles.

Raven blinked. What did she read…? Well, that was as good a topic as any.

Raven: Lots of things. Mostly fiction…if I had to pick two genre, horror and fantasy would be my favorites.

Shade: Bet I know your favorite author.

Raven: Before you suggest it, it's not Poe. He was great, but not my favorite.

Shade frowned. Then he spoke up again.

Shade: Lovecraft, maybe?

Raven: No way. You know H.P. Lovecraft's work?

Shade: Some. I've always been curious as to how something could be so twisted in appearance that you can't actually see it like the shenogoth.

Holy shit, he actually knew what he was talking about. Raven was impressed.

Raven: I'd have thought the Cthulu mythos would be too complicated.

Shade: It is, to be honest. I try to stick with the works that don't include names I couldn't dream of pronouncing.

Raven: …yes, a lot of people have trouble with Cthulu. So what's your favorite?

Shade: "Cool Air" was one I liked. The ending was predictable, yet still made my stomach turn from the imagery described.

Raven: Not my style…I preferred more subtle horror, like "Whisperers in the Dark".

And the conversation went on. They almost forgot to eat. Eventually they ran dry…but Raven finally had a topic.

Raven: You like to draw, don't you?

Shade: When I have the time. I'm usually busy.

Raven: What do you draw?

Shade: Lots of things…but I think my best drawing was when I woke up really early one morning and just decided to go onto the roof and draw the sun coming over the horizon.

Raven felt a tiny tug on her lips.

Raven: Never figured you for the sentimental type.

Shade: I'm not. I'm more proud of myself for actually waking up that early.

Raven couldn't help herself. She laughed. It wouldn't be the last time Shade would make her laugh either. Shade, however, looked confused.

Shade: What? I was being serious.

Raven: I know, that's why it's funny. I…I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh at you, it's just…

Shade: No, I get it. Besides, I like hearing you laugh. I'm just not going to tell you knock knock jokes to get you to do it.

Raven: …you like hearing me laugh?

Shade: …yeah…it's a beautiful sound, especially to someone with sensitive ears like me.

Raven blushed again.

Raven: I…I'm really not used to hearing things like that.

Shade: Do you want me to stop?

Raven: …no. Just…ease up, alright? My face feels like it's about to burst into flames.

Titan Tower: In Front of Raven's Room

Raven sighed.

Raven: You didn't have to walk me to my room.

Shade: I wanted to.

She turned to him, smiling softly.

Raven: …I had a good time, Shade. I…I'd like to do it again.

Shade: Yeah…me too.

Would it be bad to kiss him on the first date? …I mean, she had known him for a while. …no. No, not yet. She wouldn't.

Shade: By the way…um…I didn't want to tell you this in the restaurant but you have a piece of food stuck between your cleavage.

Raven's eye twitched.

Raven: You let me walk through the tower with…ARGH!

POW! Shade collapsed onto the ground, holding his stomach where Raven had punched him as she turned and went into her room. And thus began the relationship we all know.

Shade: So…so, pick you up maybe…two days from now, same time?

Raven: Fine, whatever, go away.

And now you know.