I have realized, thanks to Firox, that my writing has been rushed lately. I will try to slow down and add more detail to my upcoming chapters.
Carmen looked around the living room in awe. She darted from place to place exploring the large room.
"Wow," she looked out the giant windows. Cyborg smiled at her enthusiasm. It had been so long that he'd almost forgotten her unlimited amount of energy. "This place would be great for hide-n-seek," also her love for games. "Don't ya think?" Carmen asked Cyborg, who had joined her by the window.
"There are lots of places to hide, but you might get lost," He poked her in the forehead. She made a face at him and giggled as she turned her attention back to the wide view.
"Probably," she admitted. So much of her was the same, yet something seemed different to Cyborg. She seemed more…closed up. Like, she was holding something back. Carmen gazed outside towards the setting sun. Her bangs created a shadow over her eyes. She frowned slightly, but smiled again. Carmen sniffed quietly. Cyborg noticed a small tear rolling down her check.
"Hey, you ok?" he asked sympathetically. Carmen had always been a semi-sensitive person, but not enough to tear up because of a sunset. She nodded as she wiped it away.
"This is the first time I've seen the sun set in four years. The index is… always dark," Carmen practically whispered. She tilted her head down as she bit her bottom lip. "It's scary sometimes," Carmen sniffed again. Cyborg put his arm around her shoulders. His friend always comforted him so some debt had to be repaid.
"Don't worry Carmen, everything's ok now. You're out of that place and you can stay here, right guys?" Cyborg looked back at the other Titans. Robin hesitated then nodded.
"Sure, I don't see a problem," He said, though it wasn't exactly the full truth.
"Yes you must stay here. That way you came teach me more of these games you enjoy playing," Starfire added as she walked over to them. "What do you think Beast boy?" BB walked over to face Carmen and looked at her suspiciously.
"I need to ask you some questions first. Number one: Is that your natural hair color?" Beast boy asked holding a clipboard that was on the counter. Carmen blinked at him then examined the ponytail that hung to at her mid-back.
"It wasn't before but I think it is now," She ran her fingers through her bangs. Beast boy nodded trying to look professional. Raven rolled her eyes and signed quietly.
"Well that's all the questions I have, I vote her to stay," Beast boy laughed at his own joke. Carmen smiled at him unsure of what to say. "How 'bout it Raven?" Everyone turned to Raven to hear what she had to say.
"I don't mind her staying, but first…"She paused. Everyone exchanged glances. "I want to see your tattoo," Raven smiled and gestured to Carmen's feet. Carmen blushed slightly and laughed at the request.
"Ok, I guess that's fair," she pulled down her sock and showed off her turtle. Raven, Starfire, and Beast boy all crowded around Carmen for a closer look.
"Dude, your parents let you get a tattoo? You don't even look seventeen!" Beast boy exclaimed. Starfire cocked her head to one side then the other. She attempted to rub it off but nothing happened. "It doesn't come off Star. It's too smooth to be a sticky," Beast boy informed. Carmen giggled at Starfire's confused expression then she met eyes with Raven, who smiled.
"Cool," she remarked lethargically. Carmen was better than Cyborg described her. She had a certain aura around her. Her seemingly childlike nature, very kind, but not as enthusiastic as Starfire, or as giddy. Carmen also seemed calm, collected, and aware of her surroundings. She didn't seem like one who would panic easily, or get distracted. Raven noticed Robin staring at her suspiciously out of the corner of her eye. From the other eye she also saw Cyborg staring at her, but in the total opposite way. Dreamy, happy, relieved, or perhaps... lovingly. His mind was completely concentrated on her. Raven smiled. Earlier that day she had comforted her friend as he mourned over her, now it made her smile to see him so happy. Made her smile and made her slightly jealous. Carmen practically got a second chance at life. Raven's mother didn't, but she erased her moment of jealousy to catch Robin narrow his eyes at Carmen. 'Don't be a jerk Robin,' Raven thought to herself. That would really tick Cyborg off if Robin had suspicions of Carmen. Course, he has suspicions of everyone, but still, it would make Cyborg extremely angry.
"You are a very strange girl Carmen," Starfire said slightly confused. Carmen pulled her sock back up and began to retie her shoe.
"How so?" she asked, keeping her attention on the shoe.
"Well, I'm not saying it's wrong to be strange, on this planet I too am strange, but you just seem… strange to me," Starfire rambled hoping she didn't offend her new friend.
"I'm strange to those who've known me since the dawn to time, Starfire," Carmen replied calmly, glancing at Cyborg. "I don't mind, why do you think I'm strange? I'd like to add them to the list I'm making," Carmen smiled kindly at the timid looking Starfire.
"It's the coloring of your hair. On my planet, those with two different colors in their hair would be considered very old. Also your…um tattoo? It's just strange, how your skin can turn that color in that design," Starfire explained.
"I see. Well Starfire, my hair is this color because I dyed it and it accidentally became permanent. As for my tattoo, I got it done when I was thirteen,"
"What is the process of getting a tattoo?" Starfire asked eagerly.
"Why, you want one?" Carmen chuckled at the shocked look on Starfire's face. "It doesn't hurt much."
"No, no, I just wish to know the process," Starfire flailed her hands. Carmen smiled sweetly. Starfire was so eager to learn the things she didn't understand, it made Carmen shine to be asked questions like that again. It had been so long.
"Well Starfire, instead of explaining it to you, I'll bet I could run you down to a parlor tomorrow and you could see a tattooing for yourself," Carmen suggested. Starfire clasped her hands together hopefully. She would be able to witness an ink staining in ones skin.
"Oh, really?!" Starfire began to fly in a circle. "Robin, may I go?" she asked in a happy/begging tone. Robin nodded. He'd go with them to make sure nothing happened. He didn't know Carmen; he wasn't going to trust her that quickly. The tattoo almost made a statement that she had made a decision like that at such a young age. It reminded him of all the body piercing he'd seen. All of the underage drinking and smoking in mist the city. She, for some reason, reminded him of Terra and how she just popped up out of no where. Maybe Carmen was the same. Beast boy yawned and looked at the clock. 11:45 p.m.
"Wow, it's that late already?" He yawned again. "I'm crashing guys, see ya'll in the morning," Beast boy stretched as he walked out of the living room.
"I guess we all should be getting to bed," Robin suggested. "Sorry Carmen. We don't have any guest rooms, so I hope the couch will be ok for you."
"It'll be just fine, thank you," Carmen smiled gratefully. She hadn't even sat on furniture in four years, yet alone sleep on them. Her reality was so much better then the dark and lonely index. Especially because Victor was with her now. She was so glad that she found him she had to prevent herself from kissing him. Oh well, all in due time. Though it was hard too hold back. Robin and Starfire retreated to their rooms for the night. Raven stayed behind foe a moment longer.
"It was really nice to finally meet you Carmen," Raven commented.
"Nice to meet you too Raven,"
"We'll go to the mall tomorrow, and get you some better fitting clothes, ok?" Raven offered. Carmen looked herself over. Indeed her clothes were a tad too small.
"Sounds like fun," Raven waved goodnight and she too head for her room. Carmen turned to Cyborg.
"You found some nice friends," she smiled her calm smile. (A/N: Yeah she has different smiles. Kinda like Robin's leader tone and Starfire's…emotions)
"Yeah. We're all pretty tight, but you know, they… can't replace you," Cyborg blushed slightly. They stood there staring at each other in silence for a moment, though it seemed like an eternity. Only five inches apart, they just stared. It had been so long. Too long for either of them. Just when insanity was closing in, they're reunited by 'Fate' as Carmen would say. Her piercing, dark blue eyes bean to tear up; her hands trembled as she thought of the day she and he were separated. They had hardly spent more than three days apart, then all of the sudden they don't see each other for four years. One year for denial. One year for desperate tactics of escape, one year of lonely suffering, and one year waiting for insanity to overcome. She didn't have to say anything; he knew the reason for her sudden tears. Their first embrace had been of joy, the next stage with the tears had been postponed. He opened his arms to her and held her close as she cried. Her sobs where muffled as she pressed her face in his armor. Cyborg rocked side to side, comforting her as he gently stroked her fine hair. When she calmed her sobbing down he seated her on the couch and went to fetch a pillow and a blanket. Carmen rubbed her eyes and sniffed as she picked up a videogame box that had been on the coffee table.
"Soul Calibur2 huh?" She smiled as she saw all of the other games. Mainly racing and fighting. "You guys need an RPG game," Carmen said as she yawned. She lay down on the couch and drifted into her first nightmare less slumber in four years.
How was that? I really hope you liked this one. It's 10:46 p.m.! Good thing it's a Friday!