Disclaimer: I don't own Fire- Teen Titans. Teen Titans, not Fire Emblem. Been a while since I made that mistake. I don't own Teen Titans, all rights to the owners.
STARFIRE
"We could boom tube." Robyn says. "But at the same time, I don't want to be borrowing the Justice League's motherbox every time we need to go offworld."
"You sayin' we need a spaceship?" Cyborg asks.
"Yes." Robyn nods. "Though that's easier said than done. Especially one with FTL capabilities."
"FTL?" Mumbo asks. "Why would we care if we're carrying a full truckload?"
"It means Faster Than Light." Robyn explains. "And as you can imagine, it takes some expensive and high tech equipment to regularly break the laws of physics."
"Such technology is not nearly so expensive in the wider galaxy." I note. "It is not cheap, but even the lower class of a society might be able to afford a simple ship."
"Well Earth isn't so advanced." Robyn huffs. "And we don't have the currency to buy something from another planet, so we have to make or get something here."
"Do you think the city would let us use some of the parts from the Gordanian Warship?" Kid Flash says. "I mean, they probably had fighters, right? Maybe we can at least get a warp engine or something…"
"I think the government, the federal one, took most of the stuff from the warship." Robyn says. "No dice there."
"Perhaps we could buy one off the Justice League." I suggest. "They have ships, yes? Depending on the cost we could purchase one of the ships, or else pay to have another produced."
"Now that's an idea." Robyn muses. "I don't doubt it was expensive, but they somehow managed to make the Watchtower and not have it cost trillions…"
"How do you know the cost of the Watchtower?" Cyborg asks.
"I know things." Robyn says cryptically.
"Batwoman knows, and so Rob knows." Kid Flash says cheerfully.
"KF…" Robyn sighs.
"What? It's not exactly a secret." Kid Flash says. "Hey, why don't you just find out from Batwoman how much one of the ships cost?"
"I… could." Robyn says. She clearly doesn't want to though. "Fine. We'll buy a Javelin."
"Why would-" Cyborg starts to say.
"That's the name of the ships."
"Ah."
"Wait, if we're going to be leaving the planet, don't we need someone looking after the little one?" Kid Flash says, and zips over to Crow's bedside. "I mean, Changeling isn't around all the time to watch him."
"We could probably get Nathan and Kima to watch him." Cyborg suggests. "Or just leave him with the League for a bit."
"Changeling would never allow that." Robyn reminds her. "Crow's staying somewhere she can reach him."
"Ah, right."
"And I think we're overlooking the problem of how we're thwarting this marriage." Robyn says. "The Emperor has obviously arranged this."
"It will not be so simple." I say quietly. "Arranged marriages are perfectly legal in Tamaran, if not common among the royal family, and as King, Blackfire has the authority to order any Tamaranian into whatever marriage he wishes. Beyond just defying the Emperor's rules, I would be breaking Tamaranian law were I to refuse. In order to invalidate this marriage, we will need to find a legal loophole, either on the Tamaraian side or Yaemanese side… and that is assuming the Emperor will care about loopholes at all. He holds ultimate authority over both Tamaran and Yaeman."
"So we just depose the emperor then, right?" Kid Flash says. "No big deal."
Only humans can be so casual about deposing emperors of foeign nations. Or perhaps that's simply superheroes.
"There has to be another way around this." Robyn frowns.
"I could simply refuse the order, and become a criminal by law for refusing the King's order." I say. "It would be a technicality, but all the same I do not know the opinion of the Tamarianian people. They may see my refusal to go through with the marriage as abandoning them even more so than I have already."
This situation is not so simple as refusing to listen. Even if I am not directly under the Emperor's control, I cannot casually disregard his words. He has finally realized that I can be manipulated through my position. I was hoping that after our last encounter he would decide dealing with me was too much trouble. Alas, that is not the case. Now, even if I am effectively exiled from Tamaran, my actions could still have an effect on my home. I cannot give the Emperor any excuse to punish my people or my brother.
"Then we depose the Emperor." Robyn asserts.
"But how?" Mumbo asks. "It's not so simple to stop such a grand show as an empire! Barring the death of the main actor, you'll need quite the plan."
"Mumbo is correct." I say grimly. "If we are unwilling to kill the Emperor, this will be made quite difficult. Even his death may not be enough, however. There is nothing to say some other powerful gordanian will not step in to take over his position. So long as they have the support of the gordanian military, they very well may be able to maintain the empire."
"Do you have an idea?" Robyn asks.
"Well… the death of the Emperor would be helpful." I admit. "Though I would have to ensure Tamaran has sufficient military forces and military allies to stave off the remains of the Gordanian empire after the Emperor's death."
Robyn nods gravely. "Of course, if Tamaran had sufficient allies…"
"We would never have been taken over in the first place." I murmur.
"Yeah."
We don't end up deciding on a plan that day.
NATHAN
"I suppose we could watch him." I say. "Though, will we be doing work while you're gone? I could, but I'm not so sure Kima should work alone."
Judging by Robyn's expression, that consideration hadn't occurred to her. I don't exactly blame her. Starfire's arranged marriage is obviously more important than what me and Kima are going to do while they're gone, but it is a bit unfortunate that this happened just as we were hired.
Such is the nature of working for a superhero team I suppose.
"I don't want to hire her and just have her do nothing though." Robyn says. "Hmm…"
"Do you need furniture?" I ask.
"Uh…" Robyn blinks. "Yes."
"Well, Kima is a woodworker."
"Oh. Oh!" Robyn blinks. "That's a good idea."
"Might have to pay her more though. Woodworking is a mite more skilled than construction."
"Right, right." Robyn sighs. "Oh, and Nathan."
"Yes?"
"Take this." She says, and hands me a small, circular communicator. It's yellow and black and has a capital T on the front. "If we're going to be gone, and something happens, you can use this to contact the League from anywhere. You can also use the main computer of course, but… just in case."
"Alright." This is a lot of responsibility on my shoulders. Joy. "Hopefully that won't be needed."
"Hopefully." Robyn nods. "In addition, if we're going to have Kima do woodworking while we're away, she'll need tools. I'll give you some money to go and buy whatever tools she needs."
"Alright." I say. I have my reservations about that. Not that I don't think Kima should get tools, of course I think she should, but the public is not very happy with metahumans right now. I'm wary about going out in public. "Is that going to be safe?"
Robyn pauses. "I… hmm… maybe it will just have to be you going out."
I shake my head. "They're going to be Kima's tools, and it's not like I'm going to be able to tell what tools fit her criteria even if she tells me what she wants."
"Then you may have to venture out." Robyn says reluctantly. "Kima should be safe thanks to her strength."
That's true. "Well, alright then. We can't sit inside forever anyways."
"You might want to get those tools soon as well." Robyn says. "We're probably going to be leaving within a few days, one way or another."
"Alright." I guess I know what the plan for today is then.
After sorting out some further details, including what I'm responsible for while they're away, I get some money from Robyn and locate Kima outside. She went to the island, then came back, clearly wondering why the other Titans aren't working over there.
"Change of plans Kima." I say. "The Titans are going to be leaving for a while rather soon because of some Tamaranian problems. Seeing as you can't do construction alone… what do you say about using those woodworking skills of yours in the meantime?"
"Yes." Kima's tentacles flick in sudden excitement. "Need tools."
"I know." I say. "Robyn gave us money to buy some."
"We go now?"
"As soon as I figure out where we need to go, yes."
It doesn't take horribly long to find a place on my phone, but it's a decent walk… and walk we do. We could probably get a ride from Cyborg in the T-car, but I need exercise anyways. Supposedly it's supposed to help improve your mood. I don't see how; exercise has always been far more irritating than it is rewarding, but if science says so I'll play along.
Kima always attracts a lot of attention when we go out in public. That's not a surprise. She's pink, has tentacles on her head, and is relatively physically attractive. All of those would individually attract attention, and all together attract more. That's usually not the best thing to be honest. Kima has shooed away several people who showed inappropriate interest in her before, and we've had more than one scornful look or rude comment thrown our way before.
This is even worse now that the public isn't happy with metahumans. It doesn't matter that metahumans weren't really at fault, and it doesn't matter that Kima is an alien and not a metahuman.
Naturally, today is filled with more scowls than people either hitting on or leering at Kima. So, I have to ask, "Are you alright, Kima?"
"Am fine." She says. "But have disappointment."
"Me too." I say quietly.
"Not care much." Kima continues. "Am having you."
You put far too much stock in my company Kima, but I'm flattered nonetheless.
After about an hour of walking we make our way into the store. From here I let Kima take the lead, as I know precisely nothing about woodworking. Even if some of the tools are different, she's still going to know more about this than me.
The basic tools Kima can identify, even if they have a slightly different design. Her first comment upon seeing a hand saw is: "handle for hands. Going to have to use hands more…"
I suppose I should have expected she used her tentacles for work back at her home. "Does that mean the handles for excelian saws have tentacle holes rather than handholds?"
"Yes." Kima nods. "Both sides of saw, also on top. Tentacles strong, but not strong as hands. Need three to use small saw. One each side, one top to keep stable. More for big saws. Sometimes handholds if need much strength."
"I see."
"Also safety measure. Tentacles grow back if cut off, so okay to use in dangerous work." Kima says, patting one of her tentacles. "Used to be emergency food in old times. Store energy."
I'm sorry, what? "You can eat your tentacles?"
"Yes. Edible." Kima nods. "Not just for look scary and touch at distance. Store extra nuti... nute… store extra energy."
"The term is "nutrients"." I say. "And that's incredible, your tentacles can do just about anything, can't they?"
"Very useful." Kima nods. "But not like having cut off."
"Does it hurt?"
"Little. Not much." Kima says. "Mostly look bad. Have all tentacles look nice."
Fair enough. I'd agree with that sentiment. Having some tentacles cut off and some not would probably look lopsided, like a bad haircut.
"Lots of saws…" Kima mutters, scrutinizing the choices on display. "Do you know what good?"
"Unfortunately not." I say. "I don't even know which brands have a good reputation. I'm sure an employee could help though."
"Then we ask!" Kima says, and quickly walks around the store looking for someone while pulling me along with a tentacle coiled around my arm. I'm not sure I've ever seen her quite this eager.
The store employee we find looks rather intimidated at having a pink tentacled girl asking them about saws with a blank stare, especially with her tentacles writhing in the air (out of excitement, but the employee doesn't know that).
"I-I can make some re-recommendations if you want." The employee stutters, keeping a wary eye on Kima's tentacles. Poor girl looks terrified.
"Can tell what saw does thing well?" Kima asks. "Need know about metals, woods, quality."
"I- uh- well-" The girl says. "I-I'm not an expert, I just work here!"
"Perhaps you know someone who is more knowledgeable then?" I say softly. "We'd be quite grateful if you could fetch some help for us."
"I- I'll go get my manager." She says, and scurries off to the back of the store.
"She nervous." Kima notes after a moment. "Am scary?"
"To her, perhaps." I say. "Not to everyone."
"To you?"
"No." I say. "Though admittedly the first few months of me knowing you also involved me being drowned in spores, not to mention that you were largely unconscious for most of the first few days. There was very little room for me to be afraid."
I could have gone for a more flattering answer, but I prefer honesty. I don't know if I would have been afraid of Kima or not, given clarity of mind.
The girl doesn't return, but someone else does. It's a dark-skinned, middle-aged man with an extremely well-kept work uniform and a slightly stiff gait, giving away a prosthetic left leg.
"Hello." He says in a very thick Nigerian accent. "You had questions about the saws, yes? How can I help?"
Kima immediately dives into the questions, many of which I would never have considered (and still aren't sure if they're actually relevant, or if Kima is just obsessive about every detail of her tools). The manager answers her questions effortlessly. He can even tell her things like what type of wood a handle is made out of, what that means for how the handle feels and functions and how long it will last, and all the tiny little details that would never even cross my mind.
That's only for the saws. They have an even longer discussion about hammers, and Kima is delighted to learn that Earth has some methods of attaching the hammer head to the handle that don't exist on her planet, and so there's a lengthy discussion about that and-
My point is, it takes literally five hours to buy two dozen tools in the same store because Kima asks about anything and everything, and the manager is more than happy to explain. In fact, he seems delighted to have someone who cares so much, and I come to the conclusion he must be just as obsessive about the details as Kima.
After we're done, and we've finally purchased all the tools, the manager has one last thing to say. "If you are curious about such things, there are monthly magazines for such things. Are you interested?"
"Yes!" Kima says, and turns to me eagerly. "Can we? Have money?"
"Depends on the monthly fee." I say. "But I'm sure we can afford something."
"Well then, I can't sign you up for the subscription, but I do have some individual issues here…"
And so ten more minutes are spent on Kima and the manager discussing the pros and cons of each magazine at length (with me silently, if fondly, rolling my eyes) until finally we leave.
"Thank you for your patronage!" The managers calls after us, waving. Kima waves back. "You and your husband are welcome back anytime!"
"I come back!" Kima responds. "Thank!"
Kima eagerly reads her new magazine as I lead her by the arm- tentacle?- to get lunch… at two o'clock in the afternoon.
"Some tools very expensive." Kima says, nose still buried in her magazine. "Why saw two hundered dollars?"
"Either a luxury brand or specialized equipment."
Kima pauses and looks up. "Luxury tools? That sound like oxo… ox… air moron."
"Oxymoron." I say. "And there are luxury items or services for anything. Even things you wouldn't think need it, like tools. Anything so the rich can tout that they have a fancy and expensive… I dunno… screwdriver."
"Rich people weird?"
"Very much so. I imagine it was the same on your world, yes?"
"Is true." Kima nods. "Prestige to own most remote house, away from all people. Don't understand point unless want to be away from people."
"That is weird." I agree. "Oh, did your planet have fashion?"
Kima pauses and tilts her head. Her tentacles twirl in amusement. "No, all naked. No fashion."
I think that's a joke. "Right, stupid question." I cough. "I meant high-concept fashion."
"Were fancy clothes… but you mean something else, yes?"
"Yeah, let me find some pictures." I say. "After we eat."
"Oh." Kima says, and glances at the time on my phone. "Long time. Am sorry."
"It's fine, you were enjoying yourself."
"But you not."
"I was content that you were happy. It's fine, Kima." I murmur, glancing at restaurants. It can't be something expensive. Robyn is paying for the tools, not our food. At the same time, getting fast food for lunch feels… insufficient.
Wait, why would it be insufficient? This isn't a date. We're getting fast food.
After quickly getting some food, I find a few solid pictures of weird high fashion and show it to Kima.
"That… but…" Kima blinks slowly. "Is box."
"Yes."
"She wear box."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I have no idea."
Kima flips through the next few pictures, completely baffled. "Strange."
"Yep. High Fashion is weird." I chuckle. "Though you never see these sorts of things worn outside the actual runway from what I'm aware, so I don't quite understand the point. Even rich people don't wear things that weird."
"Good." Kima says. "So… what rich people wear?"
"Eh, just nicer things. Better material, probably from a luxury brand, maybe with a few subtle design changes. Honestly, a lot of it isn't nearly as outlandish as you might expect." I say. "Maybe you'll see something unusual at a red-carpet event, but often nothing as weird as high fashion."
"Can see?"
"Sure, just give me a second…"
Kima looks through these pictures with significantly less confusion. "Men all wear same thing."
"It's called a tuxedo." I say. "And yes, there's very little variety."
"Lots of holes in women's outfits."
"Sometimes." I agree.
"See lots of skin."
"Sometimes."
"Not like home." Kima notes. "Covered up. If want attention, decorate self."
"Decoration like necklaces?"
"Yes. Also things for ears, bands for tentacles, markings on skin. Much decoration." Kima says. "Mostly rich thing. I not see anyone do, because live out in village."
"I see." I have to wonder what that would look like. Kima doesn't exactly have any pictures to show. "I suppose shopping bags make for poor decorations?"
Kima pauses, and glances at the bags she's still holding with her tentacles before understanding my joke. "Yes. Bad decoration. Need fancy bag."
That more or less marks the end of our outing. All that's left is the walk home.
Fun chapter. I have so many more ideas for Nathan and Kima, but I have to contain myself.
IHateFridays: You might not see Changeling go after David. That was mostly just to explain the scene.
Shiranai Atsune: :D Thanks for the compliment, I appreciate it."
Origami Stars: Rob/Star incoming… hopefully. It's a lot harder than the other pairs because they're both very serious people, and every romantic dynamic I'm used to writing relies on either one extremely assertive partner (looking at you Changeling) or a certain level of casualness and open conversation (Nathan and Kima) which Robyn and Starfire absolutely don't do, so it's new territory for me.
Starfire's in for a rough time me'thinks.
Changeling is a selfish girl, but she's not completely self-centered. Maybe you're right, maybe not. Either could be true.
legendaryNot: We'll just have to wait and see, hmm?
