My Fair Maiden
Continuation
Morning came all too soon, and Robin found out that he actually fell asleep on the couch.
But the hand still felt warm, and he grinned at the memory last night.
I really should knock on wood.
He took a look around.
..................at least some trees are spared.
Decided that he was hungry, he got up to go make some breakfast for himself, and perhaps the others, if he felt up to it.
Slowly, one by one, the members of the Teen Titans all gathered in the kitchen. Cyborg looked just fine, simply because he's always in good condition.
Lucky doofus. He just recharges himself and 'bam'! He's fixed up good and tidy.
("We can make him stronger, faster, better than before. We have the technology." "Umm, sir, why do we want to reconstruct a squirrel?" "Because he's my pookie!!!!")
Raven's eyes told Robin she was tired, but was trying very hard to conceal it, not wanting to appear any less dignified.
Tsk tsk, Raven. Always gotta be tough and stuff, you're not even a boy! Didn't you learn anything from last time when you made the tower into a haunted house?
Beast Boy was dragging his feet and his head trudged on the floor, with hair smudged in all different directions.
It's like he wanted to morph into a snail but didn't realize he didn't and is now in human form, snail brain!!
Then Starfire came flying in and Robin knew his face was decorated with a goofy grin. The others apparently noticed. How could you not? His face was emotionless the first few moments, when he was taking in the appearance of the others, and the very moment the princess came in, his face became a Christmas tree.
I would hit myself, but I don't want to worry Starfire.........or let the others think I belong in an asylum.
Wiping the smile off his face he greeted all the Titans. "Morning, Titans! I hope you all got some rest last night, 'cause I know I did."
He didn't notice Starfire's blush and dazzling smile.
"You know me, always in top-notch." Cyborg said.
"Uuuuuuuuuuugghhhhh....."
Starfire grinned. "Beast Boy says 'good morning'!"
"Heh, he's like a newborn zombie."
Raven stared at the green teen. "Very fitting."
The teens began preparing breakfast, of course minus Beast Boy, who was still incapacitated for the moment.
Raven and Starfire began a conversation about yesterday. And Robin found himself listening intently.
"......-still have goose bumps from that Leo, he's giving me a rash from the lack of personal space. I swear I'll show him how charming a 'dark enchantress' I can be." She may have this in monotone, but Robin picked up on a serious threat.
(Ahhhh my darling!!! Let us slip into a sea of romance. Uh huh huh!!! smooch smoochsmooch )
Leo was a very...........attentive host, and made it his business to pester the two girls of constantly with either compliments or inquiry of their favorite flower, romantic scenery, etc. Beast Boy had to direct him away by jumping in between conversations to save him from the wrath of Robin, then from Raven herself.
"Yes...... Leo was.......most amiable." Starfire mused with furrowed brows. "Although I wish he could have respected my 'zone of the comfortable feelings'."
"Heh, you don't seem to mind about it when it's Robin." Cyborg muttered amusedly under his breath and luckily no one caught it.
"Next time, just tell him to back off." Raven said to the taller girl.
"Oh, but that would be an act of meanness! I do not wish to hurt any of his feelings."
"Starfire, you're too nice to everyone, and I'm not saying it's a bad thing, just some people need to know how you feel about them for them to act properly." Raven consoled.
"I understand, Raven. I should, 'speak about my mind'?"
"As long as you understand the meaning, sure."
Thanks for that, Raven.
Robin made a note to brew her some herbal tea.
"Uuuuuuuhhhh....Jackie and tofu, which to choose?"
After breakfast, Robin called up Giovanni and asked when it was convenient for the Titans to drop in. He got a more or less 'anytime' in a disturbing manner. The leader of the Titans was seriously beginning to debate who he was freaked out more by, Giovanni or Glgrdsklechhh.
They arrived at the school/stage in the usual fashion: Cyborg driving the T-car with Beast Boy and Raven, while Starfire held on to Robin on the R-cycle.
It was interesting how the arrangement became a routine that no one questioned. It seemed natural for Starfire to be riding with Robin all the time. Though the other Titans knew she could have flown. But then again, who would pass up a chance to get a ride on that badass motorcycle. Beast Boy certainly tried, only to get stuck on the ignition part.
What was that word? Oh yeah, X'hal! I think I'm feeling a nose bleed coming!!
Robin had very well noticed that Starfire held on to him closer than usual, and he was becoming a bit nervous and........aroused.
Starfire smiled slightly when she felt the heat radiate from the Boy Wonder's strong body. Robin, of course, didn't see the smile and he couldn't really talk to the girl at the speed the motorcycle was going. He was getting a little frustrated that he couldn't turn around to see what was up with the girl holding him.
When they disembarked, Robin immediately wished she didn't release her hold, even if he had to be frustrated for a whole day.
But the Tamaranian girl's appearance was another treat. Her luscious hair was now a little messy but gave her a sexy appeal; her cheeks were a little flushed and she looked extremely endearing; her outfit was shuffled and actually showed more skin.
X'hal! X'hal! X'hal! X'hal! X'hal! X'hal! Thank you!!!!!
Starfire looked worriedly at the Boy Wonder, as he seemed to have frozen in time, and reached out tentatively to touch his shoulder. This action snapped him out of his reverie and he smiled at the girl before reassuring he was all right.
Beast Boy and Cyborg were smirking and snickering, both very amused with their leader and the star of the team. Raven was just Raven, indifferent, but she was also concerned.
This time, Giovanni came out to greet them, and Robin found himself in for another one of the hyperactive director's chattering. At least it was Saturday so no kids were around.
Once the greetings and pleasantries (?) were over, they ventured into the school for discussion on roles.
Beast Boy had wasted no time in chatting with Jackie and Leo wasted no time flirting. Since Beast Boy was preoccupied, it became Cyborg's job to pull back the overly eager teen to ensure his breathing state.
"Alrighty, my Titans, it is TIME for me to reveal the roles!"
"Ummmmm, I don't think most of us even know the entire plot of the play." Robin interrupted.
Before Giovanni could go into an unnecessarily long and annoying tale, Julia shoved an apple in his mouth.
"Chew, old man, let them just read about it, better than you making noise." Giovanni obliged. No one in the troupe ever crosses Julia.
Robin chuckled at the scene, amused with how much authority Julia seemed to exert. And Julia winked at him. Beside him, Starfire frowned, but kept to herself.
Glempork.
Raven seemed to notice Starfire's change in debonair, but remained silent.
"As the old man's busy chewing on a fruit, I'll go ahead with the roles." Valence took over.
"The major roles played by the Teen Titans are as follow:
Princess Xin: Starfire
Dirk: Robin
Roger: Cyborg
De'garel: Raven
And ummmmmm Beast Boy, with your abilities we hoped you could be the princess' animal friends. Here's the scripts for the rest of you."
"What!? I'm reduced to something like Todo!" Beast Boy yelped.
"Please, Beast Boy? We really need the animal parts, and we don't even need to train any if you can just shift form." Jackie asked, pleadingly.
Beast Boy accepted, of course. "All right, I'll do it!!!" He then began to shifting forms rapidly. Jackie giggled and Raven sneered.
"How very ironic! I am arranged into a role I already am!" Starfire exclaimed.
"Dirk? That's very uncannily coincidentally like m-........ never mind."
"Roger eh? Works for me."
"De'garel sounds more fitting for Srafire. She's the alien."
Giovanni finished the apple. "I am sorry, but the decision is final! We did not ask you, my Titans, to come here and be placed in minor parts. We can never allow such atrocity to happen! The city is to see what they want, their favorite heroes of this city!"
Raven spoke. "Our popularity will draw more crowds than anything, and the more people who comes, the more money we make. How quaint." Everyone stared.
"What?"
Cyborg scratched his head. "Just didn't expect you to be so sardonic."
"You should have come to expect it by now."
Friend Raven seems to be frustrated in some manner, lately, even her meditations are not as long. I am curious......
Robin was already reading his scripts and figuring out his character's background.
"Dirk Hawk, prince of the 'Poker' Kingdom......?" Robin spared a critical glance at Giovanni, before he continued.
"Childhood friend and love of Princess Xin. Becomes a rogue warrior known as the 'Deathstroke', after being driven out of his own country. Continues to protect Xin in the shadows, and approaches her when she is forced to be married to another prince at the time of crisis."
Forced into matrimony............
Robin did not see Starfire's grimace when she heard the background information on his character, but she surmised that it was on his thoughts as he stared at the piece of paper he held hard.
What are you thinking about Robin? Sometimes it feels so difficult to know.........as if that mask does not just conceal your eyes.
Cyborg landed one of his huge hands on Starfire's shoulder. "It's in the past now Star, just like I used to be human. There's no need to be worried about a similarity between this and 'that'."
For being partially mechanical, Cyborg was very perceptive in human interactions and thoughts, as much as Raven sometimes.
Though, as Starfire thought, I am not human.
Cyborg sat next to Starfire and showed her his script, and she had to laugh when she read it. Robin raised a masked eye and leaned to read it out loud.
"Personal gardener of Princess Xin. Gets drunk and rejected by women all the time. Gives Xin some inspirational advice during the event of her unwanted marriage. Has a horse that knows how to tap dance. Constantly stutters." Robin was amused.
Cyborg laughed. "See? I'm the one to get the end point of that part."
Beast Boy was amused and angry. "Yeah......funny, but I know who that tap dancing horse is gonna be."
"Awwww it won't be that bad, it's easy. I'll be the one to teach you."
"Really!?" His eyes sparkled.
"Yep, I guess I forgot to mention I was the choreographer."
I assume Beast Boy is relatively comfortable with Terra's.............petrified state. .........or is he?
Even though Beast Boy appeared genuinely interested in Jackie, Starfire knew something else was causing him to act so love struck. She was the type of person to understand the plight of others' feelings although she is a bit ignorant of her own.
Until recently.
Starfire turned to watch Robin and Cyborg reading over each other's lines, mocking and laughing the whole time. She knew that when she saw the boy of wonder so carefree and laughing so jovially her heart fluttered.
She had begun realizing and acknowledging her feelings for the leader of the Titans, and those feelings were reinforced and amplified throughout the personal moments they've shared.
Robin was her best friend, no question in gender. They are always found hanging out with each other, talking about nothing and everything.
She had a talk with Raven lately, the topic was Robin, and Starfire had a terrific time being shy and embarrassed. Raven tried to be supported, but didn't work out as well as she hoped to be.
What came out of that girl-talk was the undeniable fact that Starfire liked Robin, 100. They then got to talking about what she should do in this situation. Raven thought up the most reasonable plan: flirt.
Starfire may get confused easily and is a bit naive, but she certainly isn't stupid. She understood the concept of flirtation and was all too ready to object upon hearing the suggestion. But Raven managed to convince her that flirting may gather signals and reactions from Robin for the Tamaranian girl, and help her see if the Boy Wonder had any feelings for her. Starfire had reluctantly agreed.
That is why she was being rather bold lately, the hand holding, the amiable hugs, and the deliberate closeness on the R-cycle, all of them were her ways of flirting.
Apparently, it worked quite well, and the girl is glad she listened to her friend. Starfire is now somewhat confidant that Robin does indeed reciprocate her feelings. Julia was a small obstacle that caused her some discomfort but she deemed her as minimal threat.
Goodness, I sound like an Okaara warlord.
A hand suddenly rested itself on her shoulder and she jumped a bit when she felt the unfamiliarity of the touch. She turned to see Leo and his charming smile, though not as charming as Robin's.
"A thousand apologies, Miss Stafire. I did not mean to startle you, please forgive me, for I should have asked for your attention with words."
"One apology is quite enough, Leo, I just did not expect it."
The boy smiled, and tucked a hand in one of his pockets. "I thank you for your understanding. It is almost noon, would you honor me by gracing me with your presence for lunch? I was thinking of trying the cuisines of a nearby restaurant, "Golden Apple", I believe. I hear that the food is very delectable."
Starfire remembered Raven telling her about 'speaking her mind', and her mind was telling her to refuse the offer. But she still could not truly bring herself to hurt the young man's feelings, especially since he was only courteous and kind so far.
Luckily, she didn't have to decide.
"Sorry, Leo, but Starfire is needed elsewhere for the day." Robin had stepped in and Starfire was all too glad for it.
"Oh." Leo's smile faltered. "Perhaps next time?"
"Perhaps." Starfire replied smiling.
Robin then took her arm and led her to the others, who were getting ready to go. Cyborg already talked to Giovanni about rehearsals, and they agreed to meet again two days later, so they can read up on their scripts. Cyborg also recorded Valence's cell phone number on his computerized arm, just in case of emergencies or questions.
Starfire blushed when Robin had led her away by holding her arm. She was squealing mentally with delight as she noted how jealous the boy was being. It was another sign and she felt a great morale boost from his gesture.
Robin only noticed later he had held on to Stafire's arm much longer than needed, and promptly released his hold to apologize.
He blushed seriously when Starfire initiated intimacy by holding his hand when he released his hold. Starfire knew there was a goofy grin on her face, but she didn't care, she wanted him to it anyways.
Robin had learned to expect the unexpected from the girl already, and so gladly kept their hands connected. The two teens then jogged to their friends so they could all go out for lunch.
Poor Leo.
"So Raven, your script is the only one we haven't read yet. C'mon, fork it over!" Beast Boy taunted, wagging his eyebrows at the goth.
The piece of paper was levitated into the air, glowing black from Raven's powers. Beast Boy reached to take it only to have it moved out of his grasp by merely inches. When he tried again, the paper moved respectively. He growled.
"Hey! That's not funny, just gimme!" He pounced after the paper, intent on getting it. Raven just continued drinking her tea, which was conveniently stored in Cyborg's car, and continued to manage the movement of the paper that was driving Beast Boy crazy.
The rest of the teens laughed at the display of immaturity.
They were once again at the pizzeria, and all were happy about it. Starfire had ordered mustard again and was drinking it joyfully, earning some disturbed faces from around.
"Alright Raven, just give BB the script. The rest of us want to see it too anyways." Cyborg persuaded through a few fits of chuckles.
"People should learn some manners." The gloomy girl stated as she used her powers to send the paper into the green teen's face, and held it there.
"MMMmmmmmhmdppmhmpppoooo!!!"
"Ummmm just make sure he doesn't suffocate." Robin warned.
"Yes, friend Raven. Please do not deprive the much needed oxygen from Beast Boy too long, the effects may be far more detrimental than you anticipate."
"Girl's right Raven, you don't want BB to lose what little brain cells he has left."
"MMMmmmmmmhmsigooorggmmm!!!!" Beast Boy was now running a lot slower.
Raven lowered her hand. "Fine."
Beast Boy breathed in the wonderful air greedily.
"Pwaaaahhh!!! Raven! What the heck!? Did you want to kill me!?" He waved his hands on top of his head, evidently very angry.
"Read the script." Raven deadpanned.
Beast Boy grumbled angrily but decided to just let it drop, since he couldn't do much anyways.
"Let's see here.... De'garel. A sorceress of dark magic, wishes to obtain a magical rose. Dirk retrieved it for her, in return for his power as a dark knight. Dark knight!? That's awesome, why couldn't I be something like that!? Oh yeah, rest of it. Later on continues to assist Dirk in manners of sorcery and potions. Becomes similar to a fairy godmother of Xin."
Cyborg scratched his human face. "Wow, aside from me, I think they deliberately picked the characters that best fitted everyone's profile."
"Although I believe it was coincidence that my, um, heritage was matching to 'Xin's' royalty." Starfire said a little worried.
Robin took a sip of his soda. "I sure hope they don't think I'm gonna be like that old rodent. Dark knight, pfff."
Raven looked straight at their leader. "I don't think your 'dark knight' status is what you should be concentrating about. You do know that Dirk and Xin are supposed to kiss in this play, right?"
"Pffffffftt!!! We, I mean, they are?!"
"Dude! That was nasty!" Beast Boy went in search of some napkins.
Starfire coughed out some mustard.
Cyborg scanned his photographic memory. "Yep, the girl's right. You two are gonna have to get some smoochies by the middle of the story, and at the end too."
Robin and Starfire were speechless, so both decided to just stare wide-eyed and mouth agape.
"That shouldn't be a problem for you, right? Boy Blunder." Raven said sarcastically.
Robin was processing the new information in his brain, and he felt as if the entire world was burdened upon him.
K-kiss!? This is not good! I want to kiss Starfire, but what if I mess up!? But it shouldn't even count, it's a play, it's acting, we're supposed to pretend and act!? Right!? X'hal dammit! That word is so catchy.
Raven saw the contorting conflict in the Boy Wonder's facial expressions and decided to give a few more blows before they heard screams and shouts from the street below.
Beast Boy came back to the roof area to see his friends preparing to jump toward the streets.
Robin saw him. "Beast Boy! We got some street racers, and they're endangering pedestrians!"
"And I don't even own a moped! Let's kick some butt!"
The chase was actually much more effort than appeared, because there was at least four cars, all with at least three jerks in them and all had illegal weaponry, and the police weren't much help either.
Events had at point turned even worse, as one of the drivers challenged Cyborg to a race, and called his baby a piece of junk. That riled the mechanic teen to a frenzy, and Raven had to suffer a drive of freight as the two cars competed in a race of speed.
Robin took care of one of the cars after some good effort of chasing, but a second car from behind rammed his motorcycle and he fell over the overpass which happened to be a cliff.
He could've sworn he saw his life flash before his eyes. Fortunately, angels existed, because Starfire managed to grab his arms before his untimely demise.
Very untimely. Robin thought.
They all tiredly returned to the Tower after the cars and criminals were placed in custody. Starfire had, for the first time, undermined the rights of the driver who rammed Robin and made sure he had a few good bruises before she tossed him out of the vehicle and onto the pavement. She also 'accidentally' kicked him.
Cyborg was at the present trying to figure out why Raven was so mad at him.
"Yo, Rae! Why are you so peeved, girl?" He asked confusedly behind the seething goth.
"Why am I so peeved?!" Cyborg could've sworn he saw four eyes. "How dare you even ask such a question! You were supposed to stop the lunatics from driving, not join them in their dangerous activities! Actually, you were more dangerous than they were! Did you even notice the truck that was coming at us!?"
"Yeah, that was awesome. I swayed right out of the way before that big load of metal could hit us. They should use me in Twisted Metal."
"Arrrrrggggghhh!!!" Raven yelled, frustrated, and stormed towards her room.
"Hey! Hey! Raven, you haven't told me why you're mad at me yet! Whatever it is, I'm sorry!" Cyborg disappeared from view as he followed the fuming girl.
Beast Boy was already dragging his head on the ground. "Uuuuuuuhhhh I'm gonna turn in now......zzzzzzzzzzz."
Starfire giggled, and holstered the green boy up by both arms.
"I shall ensure Beast Boy is safely placed in his room, before he damages the remaining of his brain cells." Robin gave out a chuckle. Only Starfire listens to Cyborg's weird comments nowadays.
The Boy Wonder watched as the Tamaranian girl turned around, in midair, to holster the green elf back into his room. Suddenly, he was blessed with a surge of unknown courage and a brilliant idea.
Leo's inquiry to Starfire about lunch had hit it where it counted, and Robin was not in the slightest amused by the situation. He was now determined to take action. Even though Starfire had already expressed no interest in Leo, he wasn't about to give time its course to make things worse. He was the Boy Wonder, and he was going to make the music play his dance.
"Hey, Star?"
"Yes, Robin?" As she turned she accidentally made Beast Boy's leg hit a corner of the hall.
"Ummmm, I was thinking." Brilliant start, Boy Blunder. "Do you want to go out for lunch sometime this week after rehearsals?"
Starfire smiled happily. "But of course! Where do you assume we should go? Cyborg has been mentioning a king that rules over burgers, though Beast Boy was most vehemently against going. Perhaps Raven's favorite depressing café? Or maybe we cou-"
"No, Stafrire!" He interrupted. "I don't want to involve the others. I was asking if you wanted to.....eat lunch with me, just the two of us, alone."
Starfire almost dropped Beast Boy. "J-just t-the two of us?" She asked, hope shining brightly.
Robin smiled shyly. "Yeah, just the two of us. I want to spend some time with you, Star."
That, ladies and gentlemen, was a grade-A way of Robin asking a girl out. Very rare.
Realizing that this wasn't a dream but reality, Starfire answered along with a happy smile.
"I would love to."
Take that Leo! You've been outplayed and smacked around!!!
The two were spellbound, and they both moved forward to each other, concentrated only on the other person.
They already stopped acting consciously, and were mobilizing on their subconscious desires. But before they could do anything much, the moment was shattered.
"Uuuuuuuuuhhhh Starfire, you're not making the tofu right......... no Cyborg, not the eggs, you meanie........ give me liberty or tofu.........zzzzzzzzz..."
Robin and Starfire blinked, then laughed.
"I believe I shall proceed with catering to Beast Boy's much needed rest."
Robin nodded. "Okay. I'll see you in the morning then, Star."
Starfire then quickly levitated higher and pulled Beast Boy along toward the halls, stopping before she was out of sight, she smiled at the boy again.
"Sweet dreams, Robin." And she was gone.
Robin stood at the exact location he was in for several minutes before he stumbled towards the couch and plopped down.
"Thanks Star. And I'm sure it'll be full of you." He mumbled, dreamily.
He fell asleep on the couch once again.
To be continued..........unless or course NOW it sucks and someone wants me to end it.......just say so........tata..........ha.