Just Drabbles

Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans

I'm dedicating this chapter to Eve Royal…I was basically channeling you while writing this one. Lol.

Chapter 10: Flirtation: Arabian Nights Style

"Hey Richard!" Kori trilled as she raced toward her best friend whom was sitting on the bottom step of the huge marble staircase that led to the doors of their school.

Richard smiled hugely at the red head. "Hey, Star," He greeted in return using the affectionate nickname he bestowed upon her when the two of them were third graders. "What's gotten you to be bouncier than usual?"

"This!" Kori thrust a decorated piece of paper in front of Richard's nose. Pulling his head back slightly and gently wresting the paper from her hands, Richard looked at it. The paper was light purple and was decorated with pictures depicting henna designs, gold coins and a bunch of really familiar looking characters that brought back memories of adventure from his childhood.

"Our school is doing Aladdin for the spring play?" Richard couldn't keep the surprise out of his voice.

"Yes!" Kori cried. Then a bit more calmly she added, "Everyone in the drama club said that Shakespeare was a bit overdone."

Richard chuckled as he handed Kori back the flyer. "At least this will be a play Gar and Roy shouldn't be able to fall asleep in."

"Indeed."

"So I'm assuming you're trying out for the role of Princess Jasmine?" Richard asked; glancing at his best friend out of the corner of his eye as he walked her toward the busses.

"Yes! I cannot wait!" Kori exclaimed. "Only I have a small problem." She frowned, keeping her eyes glued to the sidewalk.

Concern crept into Richard's voice, "What is it?"

Kori stopped walking and faced her best friend. "I have no one to be my Aladdin and to practice my lines on. I would ask my father or Ryan but I feel that would be too awkward."

Richard's cheeks were dusted with pink as he completed Kori's thoughts. "You want me to pretend to be Aladdin?"

Kori's gaze found its way back to the ground. "Or perhaps if you are too uncomfortable I could ask Roy or Garth instead." She mumbled.

Richard's eyes went wide as he shook his head vehemently, "No, no! It's okay! I'll play Aladdin."

Kori's head snapped up as she fixed him with a penetrating stare. "You are certain?"

Richard swallowed, trying to hide his darkening blush, hoping that his feelings weren't too obvious. "Y-yeah. Of course I'll help you."

Kori's emerald eyes were shining earnestly as she threw her arms around his neck and cried, "Oh thank-you Robin!" Her affectionate nickname for him. Before she ended the embrace, Kori kissed him softly and quickly on the cheek. His hand rested on his cheek as she bolted for her bus.

Richard forced himself to walk in long stiff strides toward the limo where Alfred was waiting to drive him home. The elderly man had a twinkle in his blue eyes as he asked, "Everything all right Master Richard?"

Refusing to look Alfred in the eye, Richard managed to get out, "Everything's perfect Alfred."

"Hello Robin!" Kori sang as she opened her door. "Please come in!"

Richard grinned as he stepped into Kori's foyer. "Hey Star, I'm ready to rehearse whenever you are."

"Wonderful! I shall go retrieve the manuscripts." She bounced into the living room. Chuckling, Richard followed his eager friend.

Ever smiling, Kori handed Richard a small blue booklet. "All you have to do is read Aladdin's lines," Kori instructed. "This is the scene on Princess Jasmine's balcony when Aladdin is under the pretense of being Prince Ali. It is when Jasmine refuses his presence. I know I told you all you had to do was read, but it would be ever so helpful if you could try to be in character a bit."

Richard smiled reassuringly at her. "No worries Star, I'll make an effort!"

Kori's smile widened, "All right. You read first."

Taking on a nervous tone Richard read, "Princess Jasmine?"

Curiosity flooded Kori's voice, "Who's there?"

Clearing his throat and changing the nervousness into a brash, cocky voice Richard answered, "It is I, Prince Ali Ababwa."

"I do not want to talk to you," Kori snapped in a voice filled with pride.

Beseechingly Richard cries, "No, please, Princess. Just give me a chance."

"Just leave me alone!"

Pretending that Kori's marmalade cat Silkie was actually the tiger Rajah, Richard had the nervousness return to his voice. "Down, kitty. Good kitty."

"Jasmine" eyed "Aladdin" with interest. "Do I know you?"

"Uhh…no. No," Richard grabbed a baseball cap Ryan had left on the couch and placed it on his head imagining it was Aladdin replacing his turban.

Kori's eyes still held that keen interest. "You remind me of someone I met in the marketplace."

"The marketplace?" "Aladdin" repeats incredulously. "I have servants who go to the marketplace for me. Why I even have servants who go to the marketplace for my servants. So it couldn't have been me you met."

Richard winced as he heard the brokenhearted disappointment in Kori's voice despite the fact that she was acting. "No, I guess not."

Richard forced himself to continue with an awkward voice, "Princess Jasmine—you're very…punctual."

Kori eyed him as if he was crazy, "Punctual?"

Richard quickly added, "Uh, beautiful!"

At this, Kori's lips curved into a coy and flirtatious smile causing Richard to blush profusely. Remember, this is just acting.

"I'm rich too, you know," Kori says casually as she scoots a bit closer to Richard on the couch.

"I know," Richard replies.

"The daughter of a sultan," Her voice became a bit sultry as she came closer.

"I know."

"A fine prize for any prince to marry." Kori's eyelids became slightly heavy.

"R-Right," Richard stammered trying hard to remember that this wasn't the moment Aladdin kisses Jasmine. "A prince like me."

"Right," Kori affirms with a nod. "A prince like you." She gently taps Richard on the nose before reaching up and swiftly pulls the "turban" over his eyes. "And every other swaggering peacock I've met! Just go jump off a balcony!"

It took Richard a moment to remember that Kori was merely acting and wasn't truly lashing out at him. She reminded him of that when she asked in a genuinely concerned voice, "Richard, are you all right? Was I too mean?" As she posed her question, she gently lifted the baseball cap and peered into her best friend's blue eyes.

Richard managed a chuckle. "I'm fine Kori; you're just an amazing actress."

Kori blushed and murmured, "Thank-you, perhaps we should do a scene with no fighting?"

"Sounds like a plan to me."

Grinning, Kori flipped through her copy of the auditioning script. "Hm, the scene after 'A Whole New World?"

Richard nodded, "Okay."

Kori bounded over to her staircase and stood on the fifth step imagining she was on Princess Jasmine's balcony. At her friend's curious look she merely shrugged and said, "For authenticity purposes."

Satisfied with this, Richard came to stand at the side of the banister. Leaning over the carved wood, Kori gazed into his eyes and said warmly, "Good night my handsome prince."

Smiling with equal warmth Richard answered softly, "Sleep well Princess."

Kori readied herself to turn away when she suddenly found Richard's face very close to her own. Blushing she stammered, "Ah, Richard? This is where the audition stops."

Richard smirked and murmured, "The magic carpet made me do it."

Kori barely had enough time to glance at the floor and notice that indeed her friend was standing tip-toe on an oriental rug similar to the one in the movie before he kissed her softly and chastely. When they broke away she whispered, "But that was a part of the movie." Laughing, Richard kissed her again.

After they pulled away Kori spoke again, "I believe you should audition."

"I don't think I have a choice."

Shrugs I needed the fluff.

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