Remember when I was going to try to only have one more chapter...hahaaaha ha I was optimistic. SO update this week as I finish up, but we are staying in Starfire's pov. Please review wonderful readers!
I couldn't feel the sunrise.
I knew that the likeliness of being in a different time zone was high, but I thought at least by now I would feel the sunrise. It was an instinctual perk up that often woke me up naturally if I was sleeping normally. I would often go to the roof to witness the dawn rise above the city bathing the structures in new light. Though I knew I was not in Jump anymore. I was somewhere else and deep underground. Was I too deep to feel the sun? Or did it simply not rise yet? It unsettled me more which was unneeded.
I had moved on from moping to investigating. I was sure I was being watched since there was a prickle against my skin as I walked unknowing of blind spots. I had found a mixed closet of the same clothes Miss Thursday had wanted me to wear and nice quality civilian clothes that reminded me of the blonde dolls Earth children seemed to like. The clothes were wonderful in aesthetic, but worrisome in quantity.
The gold box contained a white dress which I knew the connotation from the lace and Julia Roberts movies I had watched. Joy.
The other presents contained other near useless trinkets and accessories. Though everything was high quality. There was a matching mirror to the brush that I spent some time starring at seeing if I could remember any of Raven's scrying spells. My affinity for magic was so low it problem would not work even if I remembered, but I was trying to think of a way to send a message with whatever means I had. 40 meters of dirt was a strong physical barrier that would not be easy to beat so I had to attempt to find alternative escapes.
I had a bathroom attached to my room which was nice in cleanliness, but rather simple in comparison. The products I found were primarily in French and Italian which luckily I understood. They were of nice quality and smell. I assumed they were expensive since everything had to be. The one anomaly was a jar of the same black hair wax I used. I was not surprised they knew, since it had been hinted along the way. Though it was enough of a confirmation that I felt comfortable showering. I had turf and tears clinging unpleasantly to my body. I hoped it would make me feel better, but unlike the ocean it did not soothe only wash. I had to admit the lack of the wax was satisfying. The wax served a purpose, but it was my least favorite part of my costume. With my hair clean and my body smelling of jasmine I wrapped myself in excessive towels. I needed to conserve my strength and energy since there was no guarantee of when I would see the sun again.
I did not sink below the covers since I knew that sleep was not an option. Even though I had a door with a lock, Kyd Wykkyd was not stopped by locks and I was sure Miss Friday would have a key along with everyone else. I could not be that vulnerable until I had a better idea of my circumstances.
I let my fingertips run over the textured smoothness of the duvet. I did not feel like putting on my Ember uniform nor any of my gifts. Maybe it was apathy or exhaustion, but I could not find myself to get dressed or move from my nest of towels. I would be a lump until I was needed.
The ceiling was perfectly smooth which made it uninteresting to stare at. Our rooms at the tower had textured walls where I could see shapes if I stared long enough. My room had a dog shape above my bed. Robin's room had a Batman insignia which was not intentional since I pointed it out and he found it odd.
I hoped Robin was okay and had an idea of where I was. I should have circled back to the Tower to let him know. Though I knew he could not of gotten ready fast enough to join me nor would I have been able to speak with my constricted airway. I had acted on continuing my roll and there was nothing that I could change in here. I hoped the brick landed, if I had been off the note would have sunk into the ocean like a pebble in a pond. He would be none the wiser. I hoped the necklace charm worked so he would know where I was even if I did not. Maybe he was preparing to rescue me now.
Though I had been locked in enough cages to know how dangerous that false hope could be. I was not Rapunzel as Speedy called me. No princes or knights climbed up towers or broke into prisons to save me. I had to free myself. The first time I had been in a holding ship, I deluded myself for the first month my mother or Galfore would come save me. I clung to that hope until it rotted inside of me. Now was not the time to let it start all over again. There was a chance he knew nothing and the information had not reached him. I needed to think of ways to save myself and keep my Terran card. Satisfying both would take brain power more than brawn. Or I would have to wait until Friday at their mercy.
I heard footsteps approach my door and by the clicking sound associated with the steps I assumed it was Miss Friday. I did not move besides moving my forearm above my eyes to mask them in the near impossible circumstance my cover was not blown. My hair was completely wrapped in a towel which hide its true shade. My make up was vanished, but it had been faded before. Though I knew she knew in my heart. I would not be underestimated as much if she knew, but perhaps that's why she spoke of my potential so often.
I was surprised she knocked, but only halfway. Etiquette and politeness seemed to be priorities of everyone here. That would be wearing as well if I had to stay here for the remaining days until Friday. I did not give a response to her knock. I both wanted a distraction and her to leave me alone in my wallowing. Though she went with the former as my door slide open tentatively.
"Miss Ember?" She asked, though she could see me plainly. I wanted to feign sleep, but I doubted that would work. Though I stayed passive as I heard her creep in closer, heels tapping against the cement. I felt the bed sink as she sat on the side and tried to keep my breathing steady as I felt her hands hover above me. Her hand landed on the arm crossed over my eyes. Her finger tips just running down the length down to my torso. "Are you awake?" She gently shook my arm before removing her hand from me as I kept still. I felt more of the bed shift under her weight and then I felt her breath mix with mine. Lips were lightly pressed against mine. English, French, and Latin. It was just a peck, but I remembered Miss Thursdays warning when I felt a hand at the top of my towel. I did not want to play into her dramatics.
"Hello." I said simply and moved my free hand to move hers away from my towel. She intwined our fingers.
"Good morning Princess Koriand'r." Well that was enough confirmation and I moved my arm so I could see where she was. They had access to my files since at no point had I been referred to that where they could overhear. No in the Tower called me that and I could tell by her pronunciation she had simply read it. I locked eyes with her and I saw no fear only wonder. "Though I could call you sleeping beauty if it pleases you?"
"You have known from the beginning?" It was just confirmation at this point of what I had suspected. There was nothing that changed besides an ease in my mind. I had failed in concealing myself.
"No not the beginning. It took time to match up your partner's fighting style and then we took account of the association. Though your height and hair length are distinct, I doubt anyone unimportant recognized you due to your antics. I have kept your secret and his from everyone else at the club and we can keep it that way." She pulled the towel away from my hair revealing what I had been hiding for so long. I was intrigued by the fact she was willing to let me keep up the act. The hair wax proved she was willing to help.
I knew Robin modified his moves and his weapons, but no one I had met on Earth quite moved like him. He was flexible and agile unlike anyone else who wasn't modified. It had been a draw for me, an identifier for them.
"What do you want in return?" I was not so foolish to believe that her offer was freely given. I looked her over trying to get an idea of what her body language was. She had changed to a silky dress that was a unique shade of blue. It complimented her lighter features and dark brunette hair, and was still modest enough in cut to be worn in a formal setting. Her posture was relaxed, as this was natural for us to do. Though I realized she had been bold about entering my personal space early on. Her eyes held something in them I did not want to be true.
"Consider it another gift, like everything else here. You are free to give me one in return if you feel like it." I did not trust her statement of a gift. I knew they were possible in Earth culture, but I had lived most of my life without altruism or generosity. I also had little to offer her in materials with my sudden departure.
"I do not have much to offer." I said and started to sit up and break away from our closeness. It was not something I needed from her right now. It did not soothe, it brought tension and apprehension. I was certainly not going to offer my body. It was still mine and I was not willing to compromise anything beyond my comfort level. Using my body in that way had always been my last resort for freedom. She had surprised me earlier, but I was not going to surrender more than I needed.
"Just be a good girl, Princess. Your smile is enough of a gift. Prettier without the blue." She said and I knew compliance was still her goal for me. Was this all just a ploy? The physical contact had endeared me to Red X was she just mimicking in hopes I would follow her the same. I tried to quirk my lips up, but I knew a smile was not in my eyes. I did not think she was fooled, but she smiled anyway. "I came to give you a tour. Though we should brush your hair and pick something for you to wear." She sat up and went to the closet where she grabbed me a purple dress that was a similar shade to my usual uniform yet a longer cut and a lower neckline.
"Thank you." I said since I knew that was part of her expectations. "You have chosen very beautiful things for me." That was something I could say full-heartedly. She had.
"I look forward to seeing you in them. Did you try the dress in the Gold Box?" She unzipped the back of the purple gown and handed it to me so I could put it on. I stayed seated on the bed letting the fullness of the skirt circle me and the towel fall when I was fully covered. Her earlier advance with the hand on my towel had me willing to participate in modesty. My hair was still partially damp as the towel had done all it could, but it needed to be air dried now.
I felt the bed sink behind me and a hand grabbed my damp hair pulling it free of whatever had fallen into the dress. I felt a brush tap against my ear before running through my hair. I had not had another person brush my hair since my mother. It was a lot of hair and even time consuming when I maintained it. No one had volunteered to do the task. She zipped the back of the dress closed and began to hum.
"I did not want to try it on while I was dirty. I can brush my own hair." This was too strange of a sensation due to the circumstances.
"I want to, no one has hair like yours. It looks so much better free of that gunk in your hair. Was that your idea or his?" It was clear where her opinion of Robin fell. She brushed my hair gently, painlessly working any snags by gripping the hair away from my scalp. I thought about all the compliments Robin payed to my hair and all his actions playing with it. Maybe he would help me brush it if I asked. I would just have to keep his hands away from gel.
"It was my idea, the entire outfit is my idea and construct. He did not want me to be involved." I answered knowing that it was probably okay to continue civility. She probably already knew.
"I had a feeling with how jealous he acts that the outfit was not his choice. Dragging you out by your hair was certainly an impression." She moved part of my hair that had been brushed forward over my shoulder. "Though that certainly did not stop him from using you. How does that feel?"
"Can we not talk about him? The act was tiring to keep up and I rather not think about it." I did not want to listen to slander about him now. I needed to trust he would come up with a plan to get me out. I also did not want to say something useful to them.
"I am fine with that, Princess. We have plenty we can talk about, I am a good listener." She was also a good manipulator.
"Can I ask about you? You seem to know so much about me, but I do not know much beyond the surface." I needed to get everything I could while I was here. "You are a mystery to me."
"Mystery adds interest, though I am flattered by your attention. If I thought it was genuine I would be more so." She tugged a knot and it hurt. "Though I suppose you have gotten used to me indulging you. Lets avoid business since I am technically off, but you can ask questions as long as you answer mine. You didn't answer my last one. How does it feel when he uses you?" She was smart and trying to get me to place all my blame on Robin. It seemed that she was trying to use psychology as part of her handling.
"Tiring and disappointing though I am used to not coming first." She gave a little snort through her nose that was not something I had heard from her. I wished I had the mirror so I could watch her face when I asked things. "Why are you doing this?"
"Why am I part of this or why am I brushing your hair? I will only answer the latter. I am doing this since I have wanted to since I first saw you. It's soothing isn't it? I want you to feel good." I caught her question. The action itself and her technique was soothing.
"It is soothing, no one brushes my hair for me." I gave her something to play upon individuality. If she was a clone like I suspected that would be something she sought out. "Why do you want me to feel good? You have the power here my feelings are secondary."
"That mindset is why you are letting him use you. It's why you aren't achieving your potential. I want you to feel good because I want to see it, your potential. You are undervalued by the League and Titans by what you can actually accomplish. Your power is used as a party trick instead of what greatness it was intended. Have you read your file from the League? It's demeaning truly, especially your Terran card." Well she had access to the League's database that was good to know. Good to know where she picked up my name. Though her words echoed my experimenters. They wanted me to exceed their expectations and be a good weapon who killed when they snapped their fingers and not a second before.
"I have not read my files. I already know the information I have provided and everything else is outside of my control to change. Have you just read just my file?" I was not sure how much of this I would actually get out of her.
"I have read everyone's, but yours filled me with the most interest. I have a printed copy if you want. It's filled with plenty of photos and videos. You were really young when you were taken away from your planet." It was a statement and not a question, but I knew she was setting up my emotions.
"I was." I didn't have a question to answer so I decided to ask another. I did not want to get trapped in thoughts and questions of my past. "Why were you most interested in me? I know you have mentioned my potential, but you have someone else's potential you can focus on."
"The subject isn't mine. He is someone else's project and focus. You could be mine, if you found value in yourself like I do. You would let me help you be who you actually should be. Self Actualization would make your powers stable and yourself happier." Her goal did not sound all that maniacal, but I knew that was not the actual case. Connor was Luthor's project and she wanted to have her own. Was it competition? Her use of self actualization made me think of Argent who had described the same phrase on top of a pyramid she drew on a napkin for me once.
"Did you study psychology?" I knew Argent was at her intermittent college courses. She began to braid the sides of my brushed hair.
"Yes, it's useful when dealing with all people. Do you have an interest? I know you've been prescribed therapy, I would not be unqualified to fulfill that need. Though then again Harley Quinn also is if you prefer having someone more relatable in your line of work." Hmm I guess she had read my updated file. Perhaps she had live access.
"I would like to study more about mental health and overall health. I wanted to be a doctor more than a princess." That was more personal information than she needed, but it was not a secret I felt the need to hide. I felt her inhale near my scalp and had to assume she was pleased by her scent choices. "How old are you?" She looked young and old at the same time. She could be 22-35 and was obviously taking care to her appearance. I knew plastic surgery was an option, but here she acted younger.
"Old enough to have 4 different degrees and we shall leave it at that, though you may find that my age does not warrant much. How old do you think I am?"
"I do not have a great grasp on how well humans age. I assume you are several years older than me, but you look very pretty if it is more than that." I did not put a question in just for safety if I touched something wrong. Age was a touchy subject across the universe, my curiosity just did not stop.
"That is certainly a lovely answer. Am I prettier than my sisters?" Ah here is the trap and insecurity I was picking up on.
"You know you are. Though I assume much of that is how you present yourself in the prettiest of outfits. If circumstances were different you would be an enjoyable shopping partner." She paused in her work and I was not sure if it was because it was done or she remembered I was here against my will. "Is there a name I can call you other than Miss Friday?" I was leaving a door open if she chose to take it. I felt a cool ring of metal descend upon my forehead.
"You can simply call me Friday when we are alone, but I do not have a real name or title like most naturals. Look." She handed me the mirror that matched the brush she used. I looked much more like myself with the Ember make up gone and the tiara she had placed framed my face in a way that reminded me of my mother on winter days. Her use of the word naturals threw me for a loop, but I had to assume it was natural births.
"Thank you for doing my hair. It looks very pretty. Are we going somewhere?" This felt too fancy for just a tour.
"Just around the station though I may have some photos taken of you for research. Which one?" She said and I was not sure what she was asking since I did not see any choices in her hands.
"I do not understand." I said and stood up off the bed and realized the dress had a high slit that did make it more practical to move in since the skirt was full, but it added full mobility.
"Which one of your boys would you prefer? I am sorry for not clarifying, my curiosity got the better of me." That felt like a topic I wish she had not brought up. I did not want to have them be used against me.
"My heart has room for many, though I suspect you are disappointed by the answer you already know?"
"I've told you before either would hold you back." She came off the bed and did a motion for my to twirl which I did. She smiled at that. "I want what's best for you." I believed she wanted her version of the best for me.
"I assure you, it is a good thing they hold me back for your sake." I did not want her lines to blur as she gazed at my face. She was making me more believing of X's theory of a crush, though I assumed her lust was one of power more than bodily. I was a captive no matter what I wore or how cozy the cell.
"I will accept that answer. I hope you come to see me in a different light during your stay. For now your Terran card is useful for my purposes more than anything else." She said and then hugged herself into my chest and squeezed me tight as I processed her words. She knew what I could and couldn't do according to the rules I signed.
"I am still my own person, Friday." I said though I doubted it would snap her out of whatever giddy victory she felt like she had.
"I hope so. I like your fire even if it sometimes it needs to be directed at me. If you carry me the tour will go quicker." I did what she said even if I felt a prickle of defiance in my spine.