Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans. I've lost to them at every game imaginable. I even lost at Connect Four. Oh well.
A/N: Three Cheers for Amaya our first convert. When I first started writing for the Teen Titans it was just to try my hand at a romance. Since I had been watching the show since its premier last year I decided to focus on my favorite character, Raven. To make it even more unique I decided, as a guy, to write from a woman's point of view. And I am firmly heterosexual. Don't even think about labeling me as Gay. The more I watched the show the more I felt that none of the other Titans were, shall we say worthy, to have any kind of relationship with Raven.
I never had any intention of trying to convert people to my way of thinking but it is quite a bonus if I manage it. If I had the tools, the time and the money I would most probably create a fan shrine to the Raven Goddess. As it is I have none of the above. I hope that some of you will see that Raven is too good for any of the incompetents (no disrespect to the other male characters) who she hangs around with.
Dragon Star – My brother's name is Adam.
Chapter Six: Lost and Found
Raven landed in front of Mr. Williams tailor shop. She hurriedly pushed through the door to the empty shop. Mr. Williams was behind the counter dusting the cash register. He looked up as she rushed in and smiled at her. "Why the hurry Miss Raven?"
"Mr. Williams I'm sorry to barge in like this but I have a favor to ask." Her face was flushed and she hoped against hope that he could help her.
"Well then I'll try my best to help you then. What seems to be the problem?"
"Well sir," she began, "Kale Syger had taken my picture for me at a café here in town and it's my favorite picture. One of my friends ruined it and Kale has a copy. I was hoping that you could tell me where he lives so I can ask him for another copy." She had all of her fingers crossed and she braced herself for the answer.
"Oh, Mr. Syger," Mr. Williams said, "Very nice fellow indeed. My shop couldn't run without him. He keeps the business coming by helping me advertise. He puts adds in newspapers, magazines, and sometimes he can get one on TV. As for where he lives I can give you the address. Here."
Mr. Williams pulled out an address book and rifled through it for a moment. He pulled out a piece of paper and a pen. He scribbled a name and address on the paper and handed it to her. "Yes," he said, "Very nice fellow he is. I daresay he thinks very highly of you Miss Raven. Well I will see you later."
Raven exited the shop feeling much relieved. She looked at the address on the paper. 403 Lexon Avenue, apartment 216. She began her trek across the city to the location. The city seemed alive with people today. The streets were packed and everyone was hurrying past each other trying to get one place or another. Soon enough Raven began to tire of walking through the complex river of people and took flight.
As she glided over the hustle and bustle of the city she noticed that her destination, Kale's home, was very near to the place where she had been left on the beach some ten days before. It took her several minutes to reach the front of the building. It was a rundown structure and it seemed as though it might collapse at any moment. The dumpster in the side alley was overflowing with garbage and several windows had been broken and covered with trash bags.
Raven stepped inside, intent on getting another copy of the photo, and saw that the interior of the building was immaculate. It was beautiful. Pristine white sofas and chairs surrounded polished mahogany tea tables to create a wonderful lounge area for visitors. The lobby was painted an off white color that went well with the furniture. She stepped up to the directory. She ran her finger down the side looking for the photographer's number. She found Kale's name on the third floor in the back of the building.
She took the short elevator ride to the third floor and searched for the number, finding it easily. She reached her hand up to knock on the door. It opened slightly at her touch. She tried the knob and found it unlocked. She pushed the door open and saw a simple den area. A ratty looking sofa sat in the corner. It was an awful yellow-green color and its seats were sunken. A more respectable looking armchair of a sky blue color was prominent in the room, facing a small TV on a stand by the wall. She could clearly see the gamestation controllers laying on the bare tile floor of the den.
The kitchen was merely a mini bar and a stove and refrigerator. The counter looked worse for the ware and the microwave looked older than she was. Several antique cameras and a few unopened action figures occupied a rickety table in the far corner. A wobbly looking bookcase groaned under the stress of a very large collection of Japanese manga.
Two doors led off of the main room. One stood open revealing a very clean bathroom. The other was only slightly ajar. Raven hesitated before her curiosity got the better of her. She entered the apartment shutting the door behind her. She walked purposefully over to the closed door and stepped inside what she assumed was his bedroom. What she saw made her jaw go slack and her eyes widen.
The room was wallpapered in photos of her. She saw newspaper clippings, magazine articles, computer printouts, and even a few genuine photos of herself lining the walls of the room. The comfortable looking bed was dressed in deep blue sheets and had a notebook on it. She saw that the most prominent picture in the room was the one she wanted a copy of. There were several of them but the largest one was hanging in a clear space over his computer desk.
The computer monitor showed a web page. Upon closer inspection she found that it was opened to a "Raven Goddess Fan Shrine". At the top under the banner of the site was a creator's byline. It read The Raven Goddess fan shrine was created and is maintained by Kale Syger, Alias "The Shadow"
Looking around once more she spotted a glass-covered pedestal. Under the glass casing her old cloak was folded and neatly placed. It looked like some kind of holy talisman the way it was protected. Raven's mind reeled at this. Feeling faint she sat down on the comfortable bed until she could regain her senses. Her hand brushed against the notebook that sat on the bed. She looked down at it and recognized it as a journal.
She knew she shouldn't have but she did. She picked it up and began to read.
Entry 1, April 5, 2:20 am.
Today I have finally escaped Erathor. The place of my birth is a grievous place. The women of our world have been in rule for three centuries now. During the fifth millennium a female became a prophet. Prophets were so rare and held so much power that my mother's ancestors took this as a sign from our long forgotten god that they were to become rulers of the realm. The women of old betrayed the love of their husbands for the power of the crown. Since then all male prophets born were killed. All other men were raised in solitude and programmed to obey the women's every command. Due to our vast mental capabilities a mental link is formed between every woman and her male slave.
Luckily I was intelligent enough to hide my "talents" until I was old enough to defend myself. My powers progressed quickly and I was endowed with the knowledge of the prophets of old. I knew that there were other worlds out there. I knew that it was too late for my world and that I could be happy somewhere else.
Raven stared in astonishment at the entry. Despite the fact that she knew what she was doing was wrong she flipped to a later entry.
Entry 12, August 13, 5:30 pm.
After trying several other worlds I have decided to stay in a realm called Titarus. I have found a home in one of its most prominent cities. I have also learned that there is a group of heroes called the Teen Titans. I shall look into this further at a later date. I have purchased an apartment home near the beach. I have always liked the beach. I once heard that my family had a summer home near a tropical beach. I have always loved the serene setting and the soft sand. It is too bad that I will never know what that beach looks like. I wish I could have seen it once before I had to leave.
The beach looks out to a large inland sea that sparkles during a clear night. In the center of this sea is the island home of the group of heroes. It is shaped like a giant 'T' and seems to be a comfortable place to live. I must look into the city's protection further. I need to make sure that I will be safe from any kind of retaliation from my mother or her military. Hopefully it is reinforced well enough to deter any attempt to forcefully retrieve me.
Raven felt a tear slide down her cheek. He had been chased from his home and forced into hiding. How could he live like that? She paged further into the journal.
Entry 37, December 25, 6:00 am.
Today is called Christmas here. It is a holiday that was thought up by the Christian church to celebrate the son of their god. The people here use it as a time to relax and give gifts to the ones they love. The customs here are sometimes hard to understand but I think I am adapting to life here very well. This kind of cheerfulness and spirit is a welcome change to the bleak, business type attitude of my own world.
I do believe I have fallen in love. When I investigated the super hero group called the Teen Titans I found that they are a group of teenagers, as the name implies, that defends the city on a regular basis against such criminals as Slade. At first I did not understand what I was feeling when I first saw Raven during one of the battles that took place not far from my street. As the time progressed I learned that I was infatuated with her. Today I think I have fallen in love with her. However I am not sure as to how I should go about telling her. We have never met and I have found that she has a reputation for being cold and mean. I'm sure there must be a good reason for her behavior. Right? I have gotten her a gift but I am sending it to her as an anonymous citizen. I hope she likes it. How could someone as beautiful as Raven be mean?
Raven remembered that year. The 'anonymous citizen' had sent her a book of dark, depressing poetry. It was just the kind of thing she had been into at the time. In fact she still had the book on her desk at the Tower. That had been from Kale?
Entry 54, June 19, 12:00 pm.
I think today was a good day. My boss at the "Daily Star" news company laid me off last week but I have found a new calling. While I was walking in a park today a nice family asked if I could take a picture of them. When the Polaroid picture developed the father and mother were very pleased with the results. I think that I will buy a camera with what savings I have left and take up photography. Now I can take pictures of Raven instead of clipping magazine articles. For some reason none of them can get a picture of her wonderful face.
I have also decided to start an internet shrine to her beauty. None of the ones I have visited so far have been adequate. I believe it is laughable as well as inappropriate that many of them have the delusion that the green skinned changeling fellow could in any way be a suitable boyfriend for such a beautiful woman. Some of the others even put the leader with her. Are they too blind to see that he is supremely infatuated with the alien girl? Starfire was her name? I intend to do her justice with my shrine.
Raven glanced up at the computer monitor before continuing to read.
Entry 79, May 20, 5:00 pm.
I have begun with my plan. I have no idea what made me even consider it. It is too late however, to back away now. I have put the first of my many anonymous love letters in the odd mailbox that belongs to the Titans. I just hope that she doesn't get mad at me. I have been watching her across the water at the beach. I am very glad that I bought a pair of bird-watching binoculars. The way the moon illuminates her face is enough to make me weak in the knees. She goes out on the beach every night at midnight and sits there until dawn. I can't help but watch her.
On a more frustrating note my mother has been sending a mental projection to talk me into returning to our world. She is persistent but I can be just as stubborn as she can. She always makes a point of mentioning the way I live. It's not that bad. Sure most of the neighbors don't appreciate how much I have done to help them, but it makes me happy knowing that I can help them. I can never be like Raven and her friends because I don't have enough courage or self-confidence. I can't be a super hero but I can do other things to help people. My mother just doesn't understand that any kind of suffering is better than a cold emotionless existence.
Raven placed a hand over her mouth and gasped. Her eyes were as wide as they could get and her breath was in tatters. Kale was her secret admirer? Kale was her secret admirer! She had found him!! She placed the notebook down and sat in amazement. And just seconds later she heard the front door open and close.
A/N: Well what do you think? Sorry about the cliffhanger. I don't mean to do it, it just happens. Really!
