So far, the evening had been okay, Robin reasoned, casually glancing at his companion. Both had abandoned wearing clothing that gave indication of who they where, Robin had even discarded his mask for the evening. He had made the decision early on, when he was not fighting with the Titans he was Richard Grayson and nothing would change that. The restaurant of choice was a local café with a small selection of food, but surprisingly classy and nice.
"...That's when I left Azerath behind. I might return some day, but the chances of being allowed back are very small."
Dick nodded, sincerely interested. Cyborg had been telling the truth, Raven was not as difficult as he had thought to talk with. The Boy Wonder inwardly admitted that he had never thought enough to give getting to know the empath much of a try. In his defense, it had taken critical circumstances for the others to do the same.
The boy was intrigued by the dark lady's unusual past; part of him felt great sorrow, but her story was so different from any he'd heard that it was near impossible to empathize with the emotions attached to it. "What happened to your mother?"
"I don't contact her. Ever. It's better that she gets the chance to forget the conflict that she brought into the world. Arella deserves a life free from dwelling on her mistake."
Dick's eyes widened. The words stung even to him, yet they had been spoken so casually. "Is that what you think of yourself?"
"I don't think anything of myself, I'm just...me. I'm here and that won't be changed. The fact is what Arella did was a mistake, my being conceived was a mistake."
He couldn't argue, although he wanted to. Raven seemed untroubled, she had lived her entire life with the knowledge of her heritage, Dick imagined not much about that bothered her. What obviously did, whether or not she would admit it, was the conflict of human and demon in her, coupled with the constant requirement of complete emotional control. He had never given these things thought before, but the boy now pondered them in amazement.
Raven took a moment to sip her drink, watching his face and sensing his emotional reaction. Suddenly she felt an urgent need to change the subject. "So, now that you've heard my life story... What about yours?"
The question was unexpected, but Dick resolved to answer it truthfully, and soon found himself spilling parts of his life that had been locked away for years, trapped in his memory. He had a little trouble revealing everything that had happened to him. After all, openness is never the expertise of a masked hero.

-------

"How was it?" Robin didn't even have the chance to sit down before Beast Boy appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. He glanced around in a pronounced way, "Where's Raven?"
"She went to look for Cyborg, something's wrong with the car."
"She's not gonna find him, he took Star shopping."
"Why?" The question flew from his mouth instantly; Cyborg was not a big shopper, as one could imagine.
"You know how we talked about getting a guard dog?" Beast Boy sounded a little put off.
"How could I not! Star kept begging and begging, but Cy didn't seem big on the idea... You didn't, either."
"Well we decided to play for it in a game of cards, if star won, we'd get a dog, if she lost to either of us, no dog." Beast boy had his arms folded.
"Lost, huh?"
"Big time."
"Let me guess, rummy," Ravens voice came from the right.
"Gah!" Beast Boy squealed as both teens whirled to see her, leaning with her back against the wall, "How long have YOU been there?!"
"Long enough to know why I couldn't find Cy... so..." Raven turned towards Beast Boy, "they're out getting you a friend, huh? Why aren't you with them?"
"I...uh... I have pet store issues," Beast Boy visibly shuddered.
Robin caught Raven's eye, trying not to laugh. The empath's face was dispassionate. "I'm going to my room," she looked at her companions' concerned faces, "I'll... leave the door open."
Ravens face darkened as she walked silently in the direction of her room, the threat of her father's influence had affected almost her entire life, but now it was destroying one of the few luxuries she had: privacy. She couldn't even be alone in her room, and meditation had become a chore. Whenever she chanted and began to clear her mind, the dark lady would see an image of her father's sneering smile. The image was both frightening and tempting, for it promised great destruction and pain, but also near limitless power. This was what she had been struggling against for her entire life, but Trigon's desire to corrupt his daughter had increased dramatically.
A wave of nausea hit as the girl began to think about her father. Her vision blurred as she reasoned that he was evil, and needed to be fought. Her knees buckled and Raven collapsed to the floor as her mind shrieked but corruption is the easy path! My problems would be solved, and I would be powerful
"You would be all powerful, daughter," Trigon's gaze pierced Raven's now-scarlet eyes. She was in that dimension again, she could only assume it was her father's origin, for the land around them was as purely chaotic and damned as the demon who called her 'daughter'.
"What do you want from me?!" Raven screamed, though there was no need to. The dark lady's head was spinning as she became torn between two options. She could sense the power that sat so freely for the taking, and her dark side yearned for it, forcing her thoughts to become corrupted, greedy, and violently malicious. Her other half was pleading for her not to lose control, to fight her father, assuring her with any reserves it could muster that corruption had to be avoided, that her father had to be fought.
In a last desperate attempt to regain control, Ravens mind flashed an image of her teammates, all smiling, looking very inviting. Another image of those same people twisted in pain, their faces contorted with horror, and herself the very cause of it. It was enough to make someone sick with misery. But it was to no avail, rage and power from Trigon began to consume the girl.

--
"RAVEN!"
The loud yell caused Raven's eyes to fly open. She had awoken just in time, it seemed. The girl was breathing heavily, and could not seem to blink her widened eyes. She glanced at Beast boy, who's cry had jolted her back to their own reality.
"Raven," Robin's concerned face stared down at her, and his voice was gentle, "are you okay?"
The same icy feeling from her last episode was present in her chest, preoccupying the empath's thoughts. "I... I ," a wave of annoyance hit her suddenly and she hissed, "what do you think?!"
Robin and Beast Boy glanced at one another, obviously appalled, and turned back to their companion.
"Sorry..." Ravens voice was quiet, she was not looking up, "I didn't mean to say that."
Beast Boy's clueless expression was not returned this time, Robin was still watching Raven, very troubled by her behavior.
There was no further chance to dwell, however, as Starfire and Cyborg burst into the tower. Raven was on her feet in an instant, and stood casually beside the boys, acting as though nothing had happened.
"Friends!" Starfire was overjoyed, "see what I have taken in in the earth custom of caring for another species." Starfire held up the white creature for all to see, "His name is Zmorg!"
Raven, Robin, and Beast Boy where slow to react, merely staring for a moment.
"Um...Star?" Robin finally ventured.
"Yes Robin?"
"You do know what that is, don't you?"
"Dude, that's a goose!" Beast Boy's tone was disbelieving.
"Keen observation," Raven muttered, eying the bird with a mixture of disdain and amusement. It was really a very fitting pet for the strange alien. He was almost ridiculously simple-looking, all white with an orange bill, and Starfire had even thought to tie a pink ribbon on his head.
"What happened to getting a dog...?" Beast Boy's tone was weak.
"We got a dog," Starfire had a smile on her face rivaled only by that of an excited child on Christmas day, "but when I saw this delightful creature in the park, I decided he must have a home as well!"
'Zmorg' as he was christened, chose that moment to give a decidedly loud honk, causing Starfire's grin to grow even larger.
"Well, he likes her..." Cyborg had obviously had some issues with this, too, but Starfire had been quick to become attached to the creature, "This is the dog we found, I thought he'd make a good guard dog." Cyborg gave a small jerk on the leash. "He's a Phira- a... ph-"
"Pharaoh hound." Everyone stared at Beast boy, "What? I watch animal planet a lot..."
The dog was a beautiful chestnut color, and resembled a jackal somewhat. The creature was very intrigued with these new people, and was upon them in a second, sniffing all three people and enjoying the attention it received.
Robin glanced to Raven, curious about her reaction to such a creature. He had never seen her around animals before, and personally was very glad that Cyborg had managed to pick a respectable and attractive dog; he would make a good watch hound. Robin had expected the usual less-than- enthused expression on the dark lady's face, but was amazed to see the corners of her mouth turned up in a small smile.

--

Okay, a lot of that chapter was useless, but I promise next chapter will be better/longer... I just don't feel like doing that right now... I felt it good to close on the lighthearted side, although the story hasn't become dark yet. Eh, I give up.

Yeah, I know the spacing is horrible, the problem is that I have to change the file type, but I'm making an attempt to doctor the mistakes somewhat...