Starfire, S04E06: Troq
Starfire felt uneasy, even when Val-Yor departed hours ago. All the memories from the previous space mission remain crystal clear in her memories. Why was it discrimation was so common no matter where you are? Is it that big of a commotion to be different from others?
Tamaranean warriors were far from weak! Their race was more about being misunderstood; the betrayal of Blackfire one of the most leading factors. They were hardened from the harshest conditions from war, even famine. Yet the royalties knew that their people crave relief from the never-ending war. If it weren't for Komand'r betraying their vital information to the Citadel, they could still have some semblance of fighting chance.
She knew being angry was pointless; she only felt the unending hurt the situation gave. Although she felt happiness when her friends decided to step up and defend her from the insensitive comments from that galactic hero.
Every attempt from her friends after returning to Earth has been turned down. She was not feeling it at all today. So she resided in her room, all the vibrant colors felt dull to her. Maybe she can sleep the hurt off, and she may wake with a refreshed state. Yet, sleep eluded her, whenever she got a grasp of it, it slips, never granting her the reprieve she desires. Sleep, however, did like Silkie more for some reason, her larvae pet purring contentedly in the corner of her room.
What did earthly human beings do when they cannot sleep? Her favourite TV shows were not airing yet, they were scheduled during mornings. She mused deeper in her thoughts, Robin liked to spend his time in the evidence room when his insomnia torments him; Raven was often awake these times, considering it was a peaceful time for her daily meditations; Cyborg and Beastboy, however, always slept like a log.
She was not like the broody birds who often turned to their favorite beverages: tea and coffee, she cannot stomach such bitter taste profiles. She did like the chilly air, so maybe she could waste time on the rooftop. Flying as to avoid waking her pet, she exits the door with a quiet swish from her door.
True to her expectation, she did feel a bit better when a cold breeze greeted her stature as soon as she stepped out. Not as better when the sun is present, but at least it eased her untamed emotions currently eating her out from the inside. She sits down on the bench offered on the rooftop. Watching the quiet night, she hugs her knees.
She hated being lonely. Not alone, but lonely. For some reason, being lonely reminds her of her times under the gruesome slavery of her sister. And she hated that. And thinking of that again makes her angry all over again.
With a huff, she unleashes her anger blindly on an unsuspecting figure ahead of her. Thinking it was an infrastructure part of the rooftop, it spoke. And before the starbolt hit the figure, she saw a flash of indigo. She gasps, whether in horror or mortification, she does not know.
"Ow." Raven muttered, having been thrown to the ground from the brute strength of the nuclear ballistic projectile. Her book has already escaped her grasp and tumbled down at a terrifying speed to the body of water encircling the island. A muted splash confirmed her book sleeping with the fishes tonight.
"My dearest apologies, Friend!" Starfire was panicking wildly, she attempted to help her friend up, but a stubborn palm told her otherwise. The empath dusted herself, more so in her bare legs rather than her dirtied cloak.
"If you want to blast something, the gym and obstacle course is there." Starfire laughed hesitantly, the laughter dying out quickly when the gem in the empath's forehead glinted in her direction. With the little natural light offered by the moon, she chuckled mirthlessly when she received the blunt glare of the demoness.
"What brings you here, Starfire?"
Starfire looked away, then she hugged her arm not a moment later, suddenly it felt cold. She questioned her biology, hasn't she faced the ruthless atmosphere of different rigorous planets? Why now does her body betray her of her tenacious heritage? Or was it really from the dropping temperature in this city?
A soft cloak draped her shoulders. She glanced at the empath, donned only in her leotard and belt. When she attempted to give it back, another glare from the sorceress made her halt the returning gesture.
Raven's cloak was heavy, and silky. It was also comforting. Despite it reaching only to her calves, her boots protected any remaining exposed skin anyway. "Your hood is delightful…to wear. Now I understand why you would like to keep it on."
"Hm." The two girls remained standing, facing each other as Starfire continued to toy with the hood. The cloak swished around her body, the wind unforgiving, given the altitude they were in.
"Aren't you cold, Raven?" Starfire asked in genuine concern, surely she would be still affected even if she's a half-human? Raven, however, stood unconcerned from the chilly breeze.
"No… I was actually here to cool off. Going back to my question, are you still troubled from before, Star?"
"I believe, in your terms, I cannot 'move on'. To be treated like that openly and without hesitation, still… makes me angry, sad, and hurt.''
"Fly with me?" Surprised at the rare offer coming from the usual stoic sorceress, she smiled and flew towards the airborne empath. They did not stray far from the premises of the island, flying just over twenty meters from the rooftop. For a moment they flew silently, slowly, merely enjoying the feel of the wind against their skin.
Starfire squealed in glee, fascinated how the cloak billowed around her body. Despite how the clothing only holds around the broach in her neck, it never gets loose, or blown away by the wind. Being lent by one of her cloaks is rare; actually, she thinks this is the first time she was offered one, excluding the part where they exchanged bodies. The alien continued to fly in circles, delighted how the cloak flew against the wind.
Time to time, Starfire could feel Raven staring at her when she is able to see the face of her friend. She knew she was concerned, and she finally wanted to talk to someone about it. When she slowed down in her flight, Raven followed suit. They remained airborne, their altitude giving them a breathtaking sight of the luminous city.
"Why is it so hard to be different, Raven?" Solemnly. She hated how her voice sounded so solemn. While she is unashamed of showing her exuberant behavior, there are times where she wanted to be seen as strong against these… unpleasant situations.
Surprisingly, the empath offered no immediate answer. Starfire had to strain her eyes to see Raven when the clouds blocked the moon, thankfully the reflection from her gem and belts guided her to see her. Perhaps only a few seconds passed, but here, within the dark sky with her friend, felt like minutes.
"People fear what is unfamiliar to them. Throw along some unchecked rumors and they start seeing it as facts. And then, there are those who feel they are superior, becoming arrogant enough to label those they disdain, inferior."
"You are talking about Val-Yor?"
"Everyone who is similar to Val-Yor. Unfortunately, not everyone is as open-minded and compassionate as you, Star." It grew silent again, Starfire guessed that the mystic Titan still had to say something. Starfire relished the silence, and tried to draw more out from the girl.
"Yet, they cannot comprehend that those who are different are those who are more tolerant, forgiving," Raven stalled, and looked towards Starfire when the cloud finally showed the moon. "And most compassionate."
"You proved him wrong, Starfire. You were not nothing; you showed him what you were capable of. You saved his life when he despised yours. It may not change his views on your people, but he cannot deny that he was wrong with all the things he said. You are everything he lacked."
Starfire stills, halting the playful motions she did with her hand against the edges of Raven's cloak. Was she really angry from the hateful comments from Val-Yor? Or maybe deep down, she really did not desire reshaping the galactic hero's view of Tamaraneans; rather, she wanted to prove to herself that she is anything but from what he said.
And she did. She proved herself, not to Val-Yor, but to herself that she was not a nothing.
Before she could register what was happening, she was laughing freely. She feels light, her sour mood leaving her in a blink of an eye. She zips suddenly towards her friend, ignoring the surprise painting Raven's face.
"Truly, you have a way with your words!" She exclaimed, pulling the empath in a hug right after. She lightened her hold, knowing the empath would scold her for using such strength. Her smile widened when there was no protests; when arms returned the gesture, she could not refrain herself, and she laughed joyously.
She knew Raven was wise, pragmatic, and smart; rarely encouraging. Witnessing to be the receiving end of such encouraging and comforting words swells her heart so much she is tempted to tighten the hug. With mustered self-control, she maintained a steady grip on her friend. Alas, she knew she had to withdraw soon, the demoness was known for her love of private space.
"I am glad that I visited the rooftop, besides blasting you." She giggled, while she withdrew the hug.
"You still have to pay for my book."
"A small price to pay."
"That at least cost me about three months of savings, Starfire."
"Hihi, oops?"
"C'mon, let's go down. They're waiting for us." Raven pointed below. The doors of the rooftop were open, the boys were talking to each other then waved at them once they spotted their gazes. With a quick descent, Starfire welcomed the comforting hugs. Knowing Raven already experienced one, and despised being part of it one more, excluded her.
"No fair, Raven gave you her cloak!"
"Well, why would she give it to you after you pulled it from her when we were inside that TV!"
"Dude! Disguise works!"
She smiles at the banter, steadily feeling better now that she has solved what was troubling her. Robin caught her attention with a wave.
"Are you feeling any better?"
"Yes… Raven… is such a great friend, yes?" She looked at the empath at the corner of the rooftop, undoubtedly about to attempt to get her book.
"That's Raven alright." Robin follows her gaze, the memory still fresh when the empath also helped him. Robin's smirk grew when he realized that Raven may also have intentionally placed herself on the rooftop to speak with the other girl; similar to when he had trouble sleeping. The girl was just so covert in showing her affection.
"What's our girl lookin' for?"
"I kind of… blasted her accidentally, and also threw her book into the ocean." The boys were nonplussed, before bursting out in laughter.
"How are you not in another dimension?" She finds herself joining the laughter.
"Yeah, yeah, laugh all you want in my misery." Raven joined in the company, she knew it was a fool's errand to try and find her book anyways. Starfire smiled, in the company of her found family, she does not require to prove herself to them, for they know her worth. This was a family accepting of everyone's differences, and she needed nothing else from them.
"Xhal! I shall prepare for Blorthog!"1
She found herself the only person to remain laughing amongst the collective groans.
1 Blorthog: A celebration for the renewal and maintenance of close friendships. The opposition to Rekma. (Teen Titans Wiki, n.d)
And that's it! Raven interacting with the four other founding Titans! Starfire's part may be short, and for that I apologize. I rarely know about Starfire, despite having read her from the comics, watched from the animated series, or searched from multiple wiki sites. But I hope I gave her the justice she deserved from the episode Troq.
Accept your differences, people! For you are the most tolerant, forgiving, and compassionate peeps out there!
I hope you've enjoyed reading this, and finally happy to mark this story as complete!