My Fair Maiden
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Continuation
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"Oh, almighty Zeus! Why have you cursed me so? Why am I bound to this accursed betrothal!?" Princess Xin cried, with hands folded in a position of prayer.
On the other side were Roger and his tap-dancing horse. "Gettiup! Vick!! Ol' Roger needs to get a new pair of shoes!"
Vick growled as much as a horse could, but began carrying the metal man as written in the scripts.
Dirk was practicing dialogues with De'garel.
"Go, Dirk of the kingdom Poker. Fulfill your promise and I shall bestow upon you the powers of darkness." Dirk bowed.
"You shall see the rose by daybreak as promised. I hope you will indeed honor your end of the bargain."
"Stop! That was good, Robin. But put more of a dark edge to your voice. Remember, Dirk is in turmoil!" Giovanni coached.
"Yeah, yeah, dark anguish, I got it."
The Teen Titans had officially begun their rehearsals, and though none would admit, they actually enjoyed it to an extent. Beast Boy was teetering and hopping on his hoof as a horse and Cyborg had used his holographic ring to create a version of Roger as described in the scripts.
The role of a drunken moron was somehow easily grasped by Cyborg, but no one made a comment.
Raven also fell into her character nicely, though Giovanni had a very difficult time trying to make her show more malice as Da'garel, and was constantly reminded that Raven was deadly when she was pressured.
It has been several days into rehearsals, but they have so far only reached the parts of Princess Xin's and Dirk's individual stories, and the two of them had not meet again since Dirk was driven from Xin's country because her father attacked him for a crime he did not commit.
But that's all dilly dally, we're not here to read about the story, but to see the ones performing it.
Valence was directing Starfire's scenes, and was thoroughly impressed. As Raven analyzed later, "All the dialogues in the script is how Starfire speaks normally."
But on top of that, the Tamaranian did indeed have a knack for acting, and was not shy to demonstrate.
Valence clapped from where he sat.
"Very nice, Miss Starfire. I couldn't see any mistakes or improvements you need. And you've somehow memorized the first act completely in a few days, that's not something anyone can do. Heck, not even Grizabella could, and she's in Broadway."
Starfire smiled. "I thank you. Tamaranians have a most photographic memory to adapt to any circumstances in order for survival as a warrior race."
"Well, even so, I think you're just naturally talented. Now, we're done for today." He waves for the extras and other characters to take a break.
"We'll do Act II tomorrow, that is, if Robin and the others can finish their parts first. But I think Cyborg and Beast Boy will be working with you tomorrow. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to see if I can help with any of the props."
Starfire floated over. "I can assist you if you do not object. My flying abilities should of great support."
"Object?" Valence asked amused. "I thought you'd never ask. Well, can you go see if Jackie needs some help, those extras are getting lazy nowadays. Especially Javier, kick him once for me if you see him taking a snooze."
"I shall do as you ordered, director, sir." Starfire giggled as she floated off into the other parts of the stage.
Valence scratched his nose. "What a nice young lady, if only girls nowadays acted like that." He heard Giovanni's voice from the other side.
"Robin must be having a hard time with the old maniac, everyone does." He said, just to himself. "Hope he smacks him one."
Starfire had found Jackie 'encourage' a few people to carry the equipment faster, and was quite loud at it.
"New friend Jackie. I have completed my rehearsals for today and I was wondering if you will need any assistance?"
"Already? Girl, you're the bomb!"
"I am an explosive device?"
"It's a slang, Starfire, it means you're awesome."
"Well, then I thank you."
"No biggie. Hey, since you've got free time, can you help these bozos carry the props to the work room? They're already working over shift and I don't really want them to drop dead. Bad publicity and everything." Jackie said mischievously.
"Finally, a break. Can you be any more of a sadistic Cleopatra?" one of the extras complained.
"You wanna get paid? Besides, I got you a sub. Now hustle out of here!" The pair walked off while stretching their limbs.
"I need to go teach Beast Boy some choreography moves, so you're going to be alone doing this. Hope that's not inconvenient or anything, I was assuming that with your alien strength and everything, you know, I don't want to offend you or anything..."
Starfire smiled. "It is quite all right, as you have said, my strength will be most efficient for this task."
"You know where to put them right?" A nod. "Great! Thanks a bunch! I knew I could count on you!"
After Jackie went to search for Beast Boy, Starfire began picking up the various armors, wood, tools, papers, etc and began transporting them over.
"And that's a wrap for today! Good work my Titans, especially you, Raven. I knew you'd be the perfect De'garel!"
Raven flicked her fingers. "That's right, I'm the bomb." Robin raised an eyebrow and he scooted away.
Getting away from the crazy man and now crazy teammate, he walked around to look for Starfire. Julia spotted him first.
"Hey there, Boy Wonder! Where're you heading off in such a huff!"
"Huh? Oh it's you Julia. Have you seen Starfire?" Julia grinned.
"Oh, looking for your lil' girlfriend, I see." The boy blushed unceremoniously.
"She's not my-"
"Save it Boy Blunder, I've seen how you look at her, and by the gods was it obvious."
Robin looked slightly surprised. "I-it was?"
Julia sighed. "Man, you may a superhero, but you're still just a kid."
Robin scoffed. "We're the same age."
"Not in experience, apparently."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that you should control your temper when Leo is hitting on Starfire. He's just like that you know, and I know for a fact that Starfire doesn't find him all that charming." Julia smirked at the expression Robin was displaying.
".......I AM obvious, huh?" Julia giggled.
"Yep. The first step of the therapy has been has been achieved! You are on your road to recovery! Congratulations!"
"Hey! I thought you were my fan, what's with the pressuring mockery!?"
"Just 'cause I think you're cute and brave as a hero, doesn't mean I can't treat you like the funny bunny that you are!" She laughed and raised both her hands in declaration.
Robin smirked a bit. "Fine, you're right, I shouldn't be jealous. And yeah, yeah, I like Starfire. So what?"
"So nothing, she likes you too you know." Guess he doesn't, Julia thought as the Boy Wonder's eyes widened.
"S-she does? How would you know? Who tells you such things? What? Who? Where?"
Julia giggled and scratched the back of her head. "Calm down, Boy Blunder. It's been obvious since every time she sees you and me together she gets irritated and always tries to divert your attention to her. She's been on a protective urge ever since she probably thought I was going to 'steal' you away."
(Chibi Robin glares at a chibi Leo as he begins reciting love poems to the blushing chibi Starfire. Chibi Robin is mad, and on fire. Suddenly, a chibi Julia comes over and rests her hand on chibi Robin's shoulder. Chibi Starfire sees this and swats away chibi Leo, stomping over to the chibi couple and blasts chibi Julia. Chibi Robin stares and picks up chibi Leo's poems and begins to recite them to chibi Starfire.)
Now that I think on it, she HAS been acting a bit weird with Julia around.
Robin shuffled his feet. "Wow." He sputtered.
"Figured it out, Boy Wonder?" Julia smirked. "Good, and I'd suggest doing something with this new found revelation with the little lunch date you got lined up with Starfire. Yes, yes, I know about your lunch appointment. I heard it from Cyborg who apparently eavesdropped on you two talking about it yesterday."
Robin made a mental note to kick Cyborg's tin can butt.
"Oh, and one more thing."
"Yes Uncle?"
"Not funny. I need someone to hook these electric wires on the lighting equipment up there." She pointed to a platform that extended over boards and reached faraway.
"Since you're so agile and well, Robin, I hope you can do this so I don't have to endanger anyone else." She handed him some cables and wires, which he reluctantly took.
"Fine, I'll do it." He shot out his grappler hook and holstered himself up and began crawling over to the side where the lights were.
He heard a faint 'good luck with the princess' as he left the area Julia was in.
Robin found the lights and cable, rather high in vertical distance, and began plugging and such. Before he decided to leap down after the task was done, he heard Starfire's voice on another end of the platform and decided to check it out.
Upon reaching the end of the board, he saw the object of his affections and LEO!??!
Apparently Leo was up to his Casanova antics again, and Robin wasn't pleased. But remembering what Julia said, he decided not to intrude upon Starfire's conversations. That would be rude, and he hoped nothing would go amiss.
He was staring at Leo's back, and when he looked around to check his surroundings he found some peanuts that were probably left by the workers who were there before. He smirked evilly.
Just because I won't intrude doesn't mean I can't have some fun.
Midway through, when Starfire was to retrieve some papers, Leo abruptly showed up.
"Miss Starfire! What a pleasant surprise to see you here!"
Starfire jerked backwards a bit as the man appeared in front of her. "Leo! Indeed, it is a surprise to see you here." She chuckled a bit nervously.
"My, my, may I compliment you on a fantastic performance today during rehearsals. When the big debut comes I am certain you will shine like your name implies."
Starfire blushed and bent down to pick up a few papers. Leo was grinning at her blush, happy that he gauged some reaction form her, but yelped as a sharp pain on the back of his head ran through his nervous system.
"Are you all right, Leo?" Starfire questioned as she rose to find the man rubbing his head and looking around.
"Yes, Miss Starfire, I am fine, it is just that..... never mind, it may have just been a projectile from somewhere." Leo exclaimed cheekily.
Starfire blinked and scanned the area, but found nothing.
"Anyways," Leo continued, "I was hoping we can share a friendly conversation over tea perhaps? There is a small café in –ow!!!" Once again, a sharp impact struck his head.
This time though, Starfire saw the source. Her eyes caught the sight of a flying peanut, she giggled as she noted this, projected from the shadows where the platform is.
Robin, you are such a cute glompu'tre.
It was now evident that the boy of wonder was on that platform watching her and Leo. Starfire supposed she should be angry that he was basically spying on them, but she felt giddy and special that he would risk his reputation by flinging small objects just because he was jealous.
She also felt a small tinge of guilt for enjoying Leo's predicament, but she couldn't help it, it was amusing.
"Ok, who is there? This is not funny!" Leo yelled holding his head.
Starfire decided to try something else, and actually touched Leo's shoulder. "What is wrong Leo? Who are you talking to?"
Now forgotten the incident he turned to Starfire to speak, "Nothing, I just think th-"and was abruptly caught off as numerous projectiles now impacted him on more than just his skull.
"Ow,! Ow! Ow! Who's-ow! Ow! Stop-ow!"
Starfire giggled but decided it was to cease. "Oh, Leo, I believe it is Beast Boy employing a prank, he had done it once to me. A contraption must be around here, I will search for it." And she floated off before Leo could protest.
Starfire had left, and Robin decided that the teen's sufferings can end. He watched in satisfaction as Leo scrambled around for a few seconds, bent down to check if there WAS any contraption as Starfire said, and cautious walked off.
Hahaha!!! Sucker. Now to find Star.........
When the Boy Wonder turned around, he literally jumped as he found the Tamaranian right behind him.
"Whoa!" he lost his balance and fell of the platform and Starfire gasped, luckily he managed to hold onto the edge of the platform before his fall.
"Robin!" Starfire was instantly at his side and pulled him up.
"Hehehe, ummmm, hey, Star, I wan just going to go look for you." The Boy Blunder nervously blundered.
Starfire eyed him critically but mischievously, and raised a dotted eyebrow at the nervous teen.
"Oh? But I believe you had already found me before." She dragged the last word out a bit.
"Ack!" Busted! "I'm sorry Starfire! It was just that I was up there, which was by total coincidence, I swear! And I saw that Leo, all coming on to you again, not that I don't trust you wouldn't be swayed by the likes of him, which is why I stayed up here, and-and-and..."
Starfire giggled, and upon deciding he had received enough punishment, poked him on the nose.
"You may cease now, boy of blunder."
Awww, man, is there a gossip hotline around here!?
"You're not mad?" Robin asked cautiously. The girl smiled and pocked him on the nose again.
"I will admit that I feel your actions were a bit distasteful, but it was just so cute how you projected legumes at poor Leo because of your insecurities."
Heh, the girl is always right on the money. X'hal she's pretty.
Robin found himself relaxing and smiling uncontrollably, but he didn't care. Starfire, giddily grabbed his arm and pulled him along with her to the ground.
"We should make haste, before our friends or the troupe decides they have more tasks for us." She said after Robin secured his feet on the ground. He grinned.
"All right then, c'mon Star. We're leaving in incognito." And so the two enthusiastic teens snuck out of the place surreptitiously. They figured the important people can contact them through their Titans communicator.
So they turned those off too.
Beast Boy was seen hopping around. "Man, I am so tappity and boppity and uuuuhhhhh.....!" Cyborg came in with the Roger holograph still on.
"Hehehehehehahaha!!! That was some good prancing there BB! A tap dancing horse. Who thought these weird things up!?" He slapped Beast Boy on the back, which promptly caused him to fall on his face.
The two boys walked around, looking for the rest of the team, and eventually spotted Raven.
"Hey! Rae! How ya doing girl?"
Raven was sitting on a treasure box, reading. "Peachy."
"All right then, let's go grab Rob and Star so we can get some grub from madam Mara!!! I heard she bakes a mean apple pie!"
"Apple pie!" the green teen sprung to life.
"There's no need." Raven deadpanned. "No need? Now Raven, we don't want to be mean to Rob and Star, now do we?'
"I said there is no need because they're not in the premises anymore."
Cyborg and Beast Boy shared looks. "Whadda ya mean they're not in the premises?"
"Yeah, where'd they go!?" Raven gave Cyborg a look.
"Oh yeah!" the big teen exclaimed in realization. "They went on their little lunch date!"
"What!? They ditched us to go have fun!?" Beast Boy fumed. Raven raised an eyebrow at the annoyed green boy.
"Why are YOU upset? It doesn't concern you."
"I'm not upset." Beast Boy said in indignation. "It's just that they might even go to the amusement park, and I wanna go too..."
Raven sighed.
The pair decided to go to a café on the outskirts of town. It was a small facility with a homely feeling of real wood and fresh bakery that permeates throughout the entire café. Robin had gone there a few times during his nighttime crime fighting, which he told Starfire just now, and she wasn't too happy with that revelation.
So now whenever he wanted to revert slightly back into the old Gotham days, he will be with a partner.
The pair had also changed their outfits before they went to the café. Starfire had asked Robin if they stop by the mall and purchase some new outfits. How could Robin refuse? Even though they had to run away from certain fans in the mall, he had found the inconvenience very worth it when Starfire stepped out the dressing room, each time adoring a different appearance. And every time she did, Robin found himself thanking X'hal.
The tables turned when Starfire then dragged Robin to the men's section and picked out various 'hip' clothes for him to try on. Naturally, Robin had to object, but Starfire was persistent and persuasive, and he soon found himself in jeans and cargo pants.
The Boy Wonder's appearance didn't go unnoticed, and Starfire discovered that there were many appreciative glances from the local females. She glared at all of them, eyes glowing dangerously green. At least the girls had enough survival instincts to scurry away.
So clad in more normal fashioned attires, the couple ordered and relaxed in the serene feeling of the tranquil environment.
Starfire was idly trailing her fingers through her hair, and Robin wished he could do it, too.
Robin couldn't help but think that this was more than just a friendly outing with one's best friend, this was an actual date by anyone's definitions, but he didn't want to push his luck. The consequences could be brutal.
"Robin? What is on your mind?" Robin snapped back into reality when he heard Starfire's sweet voice. Smiling warmly, he reached over gingerly and placed a hand over hers.
"Nothing, Star. I was just thinking about how peaceful it feels."
"Y-yes, it is a most comfortable and tranquil atmosphere."
(Chibi Robin and chibi Starfire are eating spaghetti on a bridge during the romantic night. They also spot the Lady and Tramp dog couple by their table. An Italian guy commits suicide on that bridge by drowning himself.)
They sat in comfortable silence, with the whistling and small mummers of the other customers in the background. Robin mused aimlessly, and thought of an important question that needed to be dealt with.
"Hey, Star?"
"Yes, Robin?"
"Do you remember what Cyborg said about the play? You know, where Dirk and Xin.....you know..." he was blushing by now.
And apparently, so was she. "...kiss?"
"Y-yeah."
"......I do not know how to answer you for I know not the question." Starfire removed her hand from Robin's and he cursed silently for bringing something like this up when everything was going just great.
"I-I mean, are you okay with this? I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable about this play, o-or about m-me. And last I h-heard...actors....umm.."
Man, am I still a guy? That was sentimental to the core!
Starfire regarded him for a second.
She giggled.
She's giggling?! What is going on here!? What kind of sadistic torture is this!?
"Okay. I'm going on a whim here. Is there something on my face?" his tone caused her to laugh some more.
She finally calmed down and once again placed her hand on his.
"Oh, Robin. You looked so much like a cute cla'rokem. Your expression was most adorable." She continued to giggle.
"Cute? Adorable? I really don't think that's how a man like me should be described as."
He was glad that the thick tension earlier was now dissipated, and chuckled along with Starfire's giggles.
But eventually the giggled of lightheartedness will have to die down, and the question at heart needs to be addressed.
Starfire blushed slightly and thought over her next words carefully.
"As I have come to understand, the 'first kiss' is important to earth girls. Though Raven has vehemently denied there are any importance in relationships or the fawning over of trivial matters such as kissing."
Robin could feel the conflicts in her aura, but waited patiently for her to finish her thoughts.
"On earth, it seems that the display of affections is to be more cautious, and perhaps reserved for the 'right person' as I have observed, but I-I..." She took a breath.
"I do not think I will mind, i-if it is with you."
(Chibi Robin has just achieved his dearest dream and is having a chibi heart attack.)
"S-Star?" his look of bewilderment was a bit uncomforting to the girl.
"I-I apologize! I d-did not mean to imply! Please do not be upset, Robin! I-" Robin began to chuckle.
Starfire stared at the boy as bewildered as he was himself earlier.
"W-what is funny?! Boy of wonder! Why are you laughing!? What have I said-"She was cut off from her frustrated blunder as Robin placed his hand over hers again, then held it up to their faces. Starfire noted with glee that he took his gloves off again.
"The only thing that was funny, Star, was how crazy I've acted, when all along my brightest star had always been there right alongside me."
Starfire drank in his words, pouted a little, then dabbed him on the nose.
"That was Act II, line 67, you boy of blunder you." He grinned, rubbing her palm.
"Busted huh?"
"Philanderer." She rubbed his hand.
"I prefer Casanova." They both smiled.
Flirting is very so much entertaining.
The two chatted away even merrier than before, enjoying the scrumptious deserts and each other's company.
Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Raven were now in T-car, all catered by madam Mara and her delicious cuisines.
"Booya! That was some good grub!" the android shouted happily, pumping one hand in the air.
Beast Boy looked slightly unnerved. "Does anyone know why Leo was glaring at me? He was all weirod mephisto the entire time I was eating."
Raven shrugged. "I guess you're just annoying everywhere you go."
"Hey! What's with the attitude Raven? Lately you've bashing me around for no reason at all!" Beast Boy cried.
Raven glared at the green teen. "Obviously because you're acting much more stupid than usual."
"Oh boy, please don't go psycho and hurt my baby!"
"And you're acting like a witch! Or are you just taking this Da'garel character too seriously!?"
"Cyborg?"
"Yes, Raven?"
"Drop me off here." She said, a silent anger building.
"C'mon, guys. Cool down and talk like-"
"NOW!!!"
Reeeeeeeeekkkk!!!!
The door of the T-car opened and Raven stepped out, furious and definitely unapproachable for the time being. She treaded into the busy city.
The two boys sat still in T-car, with passive expressions that conveyed a slight fright.
Beast Boy recovered quickly and began unbuckling his seatbelt.
"Ummmm Beast Boy? You need to have that on when I'm driving. Please tell me we're driving somewhere." The android exclaimed, alert.
Opening the door and stepping out, Beast Boy muttered back. "You go on Cy, I'm going after Raven."
"Dude! She's going to kill you!"
"And she's going to have a hard time killing an armadillo!"
Cyborg looked at the green teen desperately. "BB! Raven's really unstable right now and I think it's best if you don't go on provoking her anymore!"
"Too late, she's provoked me." With that, Beast Boy turned into a cheetah and ran off in search of the bird.
Cyborg slammed his fist on his knee, not wanting to hurt the car.
"Darn it! What's with those two!? I need to find Robin and Starfire, I need backup."
He dialed into his communicator to see the respective ends unresponsive.
"Just great! Now I'm going to need a body bag, no, two body bags!!!"
After lunch, the giddy pair decided they need not return to the tower so soon, and decided to visit the Jump City central park. It wasn't anything like Gotham's park, commodious and very expensively built, but had the feeling of home.
Dressed as normal citizens for once, the couple found it to be another sensation of relaxation. The cool air was flowing brilliantly, and Starfire smiled as she pulled her hair back and allowed the breeze to caress her.
Robin crouched down, taking in the scene before him with the mindset of a teenage boy, and not a hero, for the moment.
The two continued along the green grassy field to a small baseball diamond, with several kids playing their version of the game.
Robin saw a tree, somehow alone and isolated, erected proudly in the middle of the park. He took hold of Starfire's arm and guided her to sit under the even more comfortable shades of the maple.
The boys that were playing baseball now were in a friendly pile, mimicking a huge baseball brawl.
"Richard?"
"Yeah, Kori?"
"Do you know what the matter with Beast Boy is?" Robin turned to look at her.
"What do you mean?"
"He is..." She thought her words over. "very fond of Jackie, is he not?"
Robin rested his hands behind his head, leaning against the tree. "I guess. There a problem?"
"I did not think he would be so light in spirit after..... after Terra. Of course, I want my friend to be happy and not sad, but-"
Beast Boy turns into a green dog and tries to pick up any scent of the goth he is in pursuit, but to no avail as the scent of Raven was overpowered by the bustling crowds.
Raven weaved through the people, and all of which recognized who she was. They wanted to approach her, but she just floated off.
"I think he's trying to move on. Like you said, he can't stay sad, he doesn't want to. And he's trying very hard to like Jackie, probably because it's easier for him." He becomes solemn.
"Yes, I agree. But could he not see? That our friend- oh, I have said too much."
Beast turned into a sparrow, perched on a building to increase his area of vision.
A portal opens as Raven steps in to avoid any disturbance, mainly the green Titan.
"You mean that Raven may harbor some feelings for him?"
"How did you know?"
Robin smiled. "She's been edgy and hostile, especially when it comes to Beast Boy nowadays, and I doubt it's because he's green."
Starfire pulled up her knees and rested her hands on them. "She must be angry to allow feelings for Beast Boy to enter her heart....."
Beast searched the café Raven usually went, and found nothing. He searched the local wiccan community to find jack squat.
"Beast Boy may like her too, but he's got to get over Terra, WE have to get over Terra. That's why he likes Jackie, at least, that's why he's trying really hard to do." Robin rested a hand on Starfire's shoulder.
"I concur, but would it not be most joyous if Beast Boy may find that solace in Raven?"
Robin smiled. "Maybe, let's just let them work it out on their own."
Beast continues his search, morphing into several different animals in adaptation for the method of search. As he passes an alley, Raven steps out to see him running, and walks in the other direction.
Robin stood up, extended a gentlemanly hand to Starfire. "May I escort the princess back to her palace?" Giggling, Starfire took his hand.
"You know, Robin, you are becoming a very nice Leonard Whiting."
"Heh, and you're a dazzling Olivia Hussey." The two walked back to the R-cycle, hand in hand.
Raven found a cliff, where the countryside of Jump City rested. She recognized the cliff as the place where the Titans fought against the gigantic fire creature Slade summoned through manipulating the brothers, Lightning and Thunder.
The marks of that battle was still there. Scorched lands and broken trees. But it served as a reminder of what power meant, and what the price of that power was.
She sat on a sturdy branch of a tall and aged Trembling Apsen, something she rarely did. Climbing tress was what Beast Boy would do, of course, she didn't exactly climb. But the comparison was there and she chastised herself for thinking about him again.
"Hey there, Rae." Beast Boy's voice sounded softly, but in the unexpected ears of Raven, it was like a bazooka.
She visibly jumped and whirled around, and found Beast Boy on another branch, in a crouching position and with melancholy eyes.
Silence filled the forest save for the chirpings of some birds and the humming of insects, as the two tormented souls watched each other.
"How'd you find me?" Raven asked softly.
Beast Boy's eyes widened a little, perhaps expecting more of a scolding yell than such a unpredicted ease. "Had some help." He then pointed to another tree.
Raven followed his finger and found a flock of .......ravens?
"Thought the best help to find a raven was a flock of ravens." He didn't meant it as a joke, and she didn't take it as one.
"......What are you doing here?"
"I should ask you the same question."
She turned around. "I don't think my issues concern you." Beast Boy chuckled.
"Nope, it doesn't. I just wanted to involve myself. Think of me as a volunteer to pester you, which I think is the reason you're mad, and I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything I said, I was angry and you were upset, so things got out of hand." He shuffled the branch he was on, not looking at the girl anymore.
Raven looked back at the teen, and took her hood down. "You're forgiven, though you're apologizing for the wrong reason."
The changeling lifted his head in surprise. "I am?"
She didn't reply.
He morphed into a squirrel and scurried to a closer branch then returned human. "Raven, would you please tell me why you're mad, what I did wrong, why everything is this-this, I don't know, crazy!"
She closed her eyes, gathering her thoughts, then she opened them and spoke. "You did nothing wrong, in fact, you're probably doing all the right things. You're trying to move on."
He didn't know where this conversation was going to, so he chose to allow her to speak.
"I'm still in the same place as before, burdened with my powers, and I can't bring myself to change much. I'm the introvert, the sarcastic one, the gothic girl who can't even say what's on my mind." She took a breath.
"Jackie is a nice girl, and I think she likes you too. Try not to screw this one up." She meant that as a joke, but he didn't take it as one.
"You're right, Jackie is a nice girl, she's attractive, smart, nice, hell of a dancer, and wears a wicked jumpsuit." Raven closed her eyes again.
"But I'm not moving on when I'm with her. She's like Terra, you know? Free spirited and fun to be with. But I found myself just going in a loophole, with the same kind of situation. I'm going nowhere."
She opened her eyes.
"But....you're different Raven. You're deep, mature, and mysterious, yet at the same time you're everything a girl is supposed to be. Pink, green, gray, blue, yellow and maybe some brown, though I don't know which one that is." He scratched his head. She stared.
"And.... I want to be the one who makes you laugh. Make you feel ease when you're tense or frustrated. I admire your strength, but you can't be tough all the time, Rae. You need someone who can understand you, and I need someone like you to keep my head straight."
The two teens gazed in each others eyes. "I-I guess what I'm trying to sa-"
"You're a big idiot, you know that?" Raven interrupted, but with a very grateful smile.
Beast Boy smiled. "Yeah I know." He morphed and changed to move right next to her.
It had been several hours since they started their argument and evening was arriving. They both knew they should call and tell Cyborg that everything was all right, but that would spoil the atmosphere.
"Hey, I know how to tap dance, you wanna learn?" Beast Boy suddenly asked. Beside him, Raven just raised an eyebrow, but kept her smile.
She then spontaneously hugged the boy, with both arms around his neck. He did nothing that resembled a protest and tenderly fall into her embrace.
Eyes half closed, Raven moved her mouth to his pointy ears and whispered "No."
Cyborg was seen driving his baby frantically everywhere, trying to locate any one of the rest of the Titans.
"Oh man! Oh man! Oh man!" The android basically retraced where Beast Boy had been in his search for Raven, just a lot more desperate.
Extremely merciful on the frantic teen, his arm began the familiar tune of the Titans communicator. He made no delay in accepting the signal.
"Who's this!? Robin!? Star!? Raven!? BB!?"
"Whoa!! Calm down dude, it's me Beast Boy."
"BB!!! You're alive!!! Oh man! I was so freaking worried man! Guess you didn't find her, huh? Well don't worry, we'll talk to her later, all of us. If necessary, we'll bring tranquilizers and make sure she won't murder anyone." Cyborg spoke, very relieved to see his friend in one piece.
"Actually, Cy, I found Raven." He looked, sheepish!?
"Oh my God!! What'd you do? You're alive!!! Did you kill HER!!!?!??"
"Dude! What do you think I am!? Of course I didn't kill her. We talked and made up, that's all. Everything's peachy from this day on forward." His image turned to look at something behind him. "Very peachy."
"Well, whatever happened, I'm so glad everything's cool now. So you guys need a lift?"
"Nah, we'll be home before you know it, we can fly, remember?" He turned into a bird and chirped.
"Ok then, I'm heading back to HQ. I still haven't heard from Robin or Starfire, but that's to be expected, so no worries there."
"Hehehehehe, they're probably making out somewhere. Ow!!!" Beast Boy rubbed his head.
"Huh? You ok there BB?"
"Yeah, just fine. Just a bird pecking me on the head."
"Uuuuuuhhh.... Ok?"
"Smell ya later, Cy!!" The communicator went silent. And Cyborg pondered the madness around him as he drove home.
Cyborg was surprised to see Robin and Starfire already at the Tower after he parked the T-car, since he figured they would want to be alone for the most of the day.
When he saw them, they were playing checkers, with Robin explaining the rules of course. What stuck him as odd, though, was that they were out of uniform and in average teenage outfit. Maybe Starfire wasn't so much of a shock, but Robin's appearance was definitely something to ponder on.
"Man, the guy's so smitten with her he's willing to part with his never parted uniform? He even sleeps in that thing!" Cyborg muttered.
The pair noticed the android eventually and called him over to play something with them. Glad to be included, finally, he joined in and they all decided to play something.
It was a little later that Raven and Beast Boy finally made their arrival back at the Tower, and Cyborg made it his business to hug the green teen. Raven quirked an eyebrow and giggled, which caused mental shell shock on Robin and Cyborg. Starfire's belt glowed black before blowing up.
They all eventually decided to watch a movie that they could all agree on......... since they really couldn't, they decided to get some well deserved dinner. Cyborg especially, his constant worrying in the afternoon gave him a healthy appetite.
As it was, madam Mara had a lot of leftovers, and Cyborg had taken to himself to bring all of the scrumptious delights back with him to the Tower, and so dinner was also quite enjoyable. Along with a few teasing here and there, and it was a like normal time in Titans Tower.
By night time, the entire team was amiably watching some odd show on television, chatting merrily and mocking the show at every turn.
"Yo, I'm turning y'all. My battery's running a little low, so I'm gonna go recharge now. See you in the morning." Cyborg dismissed himself, waving his hand with his back turned.
Beast Boy was checking through the fridge at the time and came in with a glass of soy milk. "See ya, Cy."
Raven stood up. "I think I'm going to read in my room before I sleep."
"All right, see you in the morn-aaauuuuuuhhhhh....." Robin said while yawning.
"I bid you a good night, Raven." Starfire said to her friend nicely.
Beast Boy finished his glass of soy milk and placed it on a countertop, and approached Raven to say good night as well.
"Hey, see you around Rae. Well, I'll see you in the morning.... so it's sooner than I think.."
Raven deliberately walked into Beast Boy, brushing her shoulder against his chest, then she sniffed him with her eyes closed. Beast Boy froze.
Sniiiiiiif. "You smell like the forest. Like an evergreen." She then continued on her way to her room.
Luckily, Robin and Starfire didn't see the scene, as they were stretching and getting ready to go to their respective bedrooms as well.
Beast Boy stood idly for a few moments before grinning stupidly and staggered into the halls and into his room, but not before staring at Raven's closed doors and hopped a bit.
Starfire turned to the boy sitting with her on the couch. "I have had an absolutely wonderful day today. I thank you immensely Richard."
Robin grinned widely. "It was my pleasure Star, for nothing is more worthy than the priceless treasure that is your smile." She smirked.
"Act II, line 150."
"Now you're just showing off." She giggled.
"Oh, I believe it was you who is showing the off."
He chuckled. Both of them yawned again.
"I believe I will retire to my chamber for the night, Richard." Starfire said as she stood up, creasing her shirt.
"Sure thing Star, I'm going to look at my scripts some more. Not all of us have such impeccable memory as you do." He stood up along with her.
Starfire looked down at the ground, blushing cutely, and Robin had not time to begin wondering what was going on before he felt the most wonderful feeling since forever.
Starfire kissed him.
It was quick but full of meaning, not just a peck, but an actual kiss, with full lips and lasted at least a few seconds. It certainly was a shocker to him, and he stared at the still blushing but now smiling girl.
Though his eyes were masked, he could see the brilliant glint in the Tamaranian girl's eyes, full of emotion. Emotions for him.
Once again, she lowered her gaze to the floor, and spoke softly, but loud enough for him to hear.
"I do not mind, at all." With that said, she skipped back into her room, hair flowing gracefully with her figure.
Robin plopped down on the couch, dazed beyond comprehension.
I really shouldn't fall asleep on the couch again.
He tried moving, to no avail.
Then again, who cares about that right now!? X'hal! Whatever kind of deity you are! Thank you!!
He then chuckled, feeling overjoyed and disoriented. His scripts lay forgotten on the ground. He closed his eyes to sleep. Though it took him several hours to get the excitement he felt to fade.
The rest of the play was going to be a blast.
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To be continued.........NOW will be the perfect time to tell me to stop if you want......'cause it's going to end soon.........now?........no?.......yes?..........by the way, thanks to all those who appreciated my story...........now?