A. Note: I've been busy like hell. School is consuming my life and my precious time. Damn them in a million ways possible. Morons! All of them!!! I hope hobos defecate on their beds! On the main note, I hope this chapter is pleasing.
Thanks are at the end.
Entry 5
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Hmmmmm. Should I get the strawberry, or the grape? Maybe the mango, that looks spiffy. Did I say spiffy? Can't forget the ketchup. I should update my adjectives. Syrup, love syrup! Spiffy? Damn it! I wonder if Kori would like these pop-tarts?
Robin stood amongst the many, many, and many aisles of the acclaimed supermarket of Jump City.
It was a market of immense size and importance, since it was basically where mostly everyone went for their grocery shopping, and is also one the most opportune places for part-time jobs.
They had arrived at the supermarket much earlier than the boy had expected, because both roommates had awaken to the crisp smell and feel of an early sunrise.
For Robin, it was just a standard habit. Waking up early in the morning was something he was extremely accustomed to; it was when he would usually be doing some simple physical training such as stances and pushups.
For Kori, it was because she enjoyed the first rays of natural light, absorbing some of the fine energy she is endowed to have. Light is always something extremely pleasant to her, and she felt compelled to receive the first glimpses of it.
She had been on the balcony when Robin was getting himself orange juice, feeling one of the greatest pleasures as the morning rays and breeze caressed her face. It had given her so much joy to feel free and unfettered, that she almost subconsciously began to float in the air.
She had yelped in surprise and staggered to remain balanced when Robin opened the sliding door to the balcony and greeted her in his cheerful manner. She had immediately greeted him back, but could only smile nervously.
That time, Robin's suspicion of the possibility of the girl's abilities was increased. He had noticed many evidences as of now, and was almost certain she possessed Tamaranian abilities that he doesn't know of.
But he wasn't in the least unnerved by the prospect of Kori and her alien powers; he didn't have a reason to be. The girl was a genuinely benevolent spirit if he ever encountered one. The only problem he had with the situation: was that she seemed intent on hiding those abilities from him. It wasn't too much of a concern, but he really wanted them to be more open to each other. Of course, he also had his own secrets that he deemed too dark to reveal to her, and so felt it unjustified to inquire hers.
Standard issues aside, the two spent the early morning together, both basking in the comfortable atmosphere. They chatted as they did before, with Robin providing her with more information about Earth to the best of his abilities, which Kori deemed superb.
Kori had been absolutely thrilled and excited when they arrived at the supermarket. The structure of the store alone made her all starry-eyed. The bustling crowds, the lively atmosphere, the impressive display of food items, these just seemed extraordinary compared to the markets on other planets. From what she described to Robin, most of the so-called markets on other planets consisted of what looked like a hotdog stand and jars of organic components.
Of course, the Tamaranian girl didn't really recognize much of the food items in the market, since almost all of them are earth-oriented. This was especially true of dairy products, spices, and the large variety of cereals, which took up at least three, long aisles. Not like it mattered to Robin, though, he usually just ate Lucky Charms.
The teen grabbed a bottle of ketchup and a bottle of honey maple syrup with one hand and tossed them into the pushing cart behind him. With his right hand, he swept several boxes of pap-tarts into the cart as well.
He was still debating on which flavor of the jams he should purchase, when he saw a bottle of mustard standing innocently next to where he grabbed the ketchup.
"Eh, why not?" He tossed the mustard bottle in the cart with the other items. He then looked at the various jams. He shrugged.
"Eh, why not?" He chose all of the flavors.
Feeling done with this particular aisle, he glanced around.
".......okay, where's Kori?"
His roommate was nowhere to be found. The girl had been so energized this morning that she pranced around the entire place while poking and examining things, while also talking to many different people and employees.
She had been through each aisle with Robin until she just sort of meandered off, navigating herself in the gigantic market.
Robin searched through the many aisles, poking at different columns and passing by many other customers, in search of the redheaded alien in question. This was also when he implemented another one of his habits, which was to listen in on other people's conversations, otherwise known as eavesdropping.
It wasn't something scandal or thrilling, but as a thief, and perhaps just someone who likes to gather information, Robin tends to use his senses on his surroundings at all times. Besides, sometimes he did hear about interesting things.
He passes two girls buying shampoos.
"-Daisy's good for crap brother spilled this-"
Three boys who look like they need lessons about proper attires.
"-ollege is gonna be awesome, man! Me and Lisa are so gonna get to homeba-"
Two mothers and their children.
"-a new salon parlor in downtown, I heard it was pretty nice-"
A man and what is presumed to be his brother.
"-you heard about the ancient tree in the park? I heard it got blown up by terrorists-"
Robin winced slightly when he heard about the tree. He leaned back a bit.
"-I know is that some asshole 'kaboomed' that tree in half or something. It was on the news a few days ago, you need to be more attentive to matters happening-"
Robin continued on his way.
Oh crap. I almost forgot about the park, and Dirch. And I wanted to show Kori there too, ah crap.
Naturally, he could just simply make a small lie to the girl. From what he's heard, most of the public has no solid or even logical idea of the truth behind the incident. But then again, unless he really needed to lie to Kori, he wouldn't do it in most circumstances.
Still, he didn't know how she would react. If he told her that her landing caused the unfortunate mutilation of the small landmark of the city, it might upset her.
Besides, maybe the area is prohibited from public entry, since the authorities might be concerned about the possibilities of criminal activities.
"Ah...I'll just think about it later." He opted to just search for the girl first.
---------
As he rounded a corner, Robin's eyes found Kori talking to a food sample clerk.
She seemed to be her perky self, while the person she was talking to appeared to be a little nervous.
Robin halted in his path towards his roommate, suddenly struck with aspiration to just lay back and observe.
"Do you mean to say these market products are not labeled with a price?" Kori asked, indicating to the small cups of pudding that laid about the surface of the table.
The young man nervously tried to explain and answer the young woman's questions the best he could, which wasn't really good.
"Um, no, I mean-that is, we're giving these out as samples! You know, like letting people try them and see if they like it or something, so maybe they'd buy the actual product."
Kori pondered over his explanation with a finger under her chin.
"So this is a form of commercialism and advertisement done under the jurisdiction of the proprietor of this market of superiority?"
The poor boy was getting headaches from just hearing those words used in the same sentence, and the thought worsened as it was so early in the morning as well. In addition to the case that he was quite confused by the girl's way of speaking, he was unnerved by how extremely pretty the girl was. The fact that she was even talking to him created the nervous reaction he was having; he never had such experiences in school.
"Wha? Market ....of superiority...wha? Ah....ah....ah.....I don't know...! I just work part-time here!" He protested out loud, getting a little more frustrated than he anticipated.
But Kori was a little too engrossed in her thoughts to take notice.
"From the home in which I have arrived from, there are such similar practices, though it is because our ideas of municipal commodity exist readily. But many of the places I have traveled to do not sell products in containers and these interesting boxes."
Kori decided to try a little of the pudding. Ignoring the plastic spoon and using her fingers, of course.
"Ah! It is quite sweet in flavor! What do you earthlings call this scrumptious delight?"
The boy scratched his head. "I-it's called pudding...uhh...miss-"
"Oh! You may call me Kori!" The girl declared, as her eyes sparkled. "I have just received this name recently! Do you think it is a nice name?"
From where he was watching, Robin chuckled.
"Uhhh.....recently? ....uh....yeah, i-it's g-great......?"
"Tell me, what is your name?" She asked with the same smile she had on the whole time.
The boy looked a bit skeptical. He pointed to his name tag. "I-it's J-josh, miss Kori."
Kori smiled apologetically, and scratched her ear. "I apologize, but I do not recognize the written form the language of your planet as of yet."
The boy now known as Josh now looked very confused. "Umm......miss Kori?"
"You wish to ask a question? Please do!"
"Uh...uh....are you oriental, by any chance?"
Kori pondered over the word. "O-ree-en-to? I do not understand."
Robin decided it was enough for the day.
"Hey, Kori!!! Over here, you clumsy girl." He called as he walked towards her.
Kori's expression became even more joyous, but there was slight hint of mock annoyance.
"Richard! Why do you call me a clumsy girl? Do I stumble when I walk?"
"Yep. Just like this. Whoaaaaa...!" She giggled as he deliberately walked in an odd staggering fashion towards her. He grinned at the success of his antics.
Josh was watching Robin and Korian'dr as they conversed. Though he knew nothing about either of the two, he felt as if he was witnessing something very out of this world. He didn't know why, but the girl that looked peculiar and acted unusually seemed to be connected with the tall, handsome man, who he now presumes to be her boyfriend.
The scene really wasn't anything too special, actually, just two individuals of different lives and of different worlds, somehow tied to some unknown force to connect and meet one another on the same planet. But there was just something magical about it.
This, of course, was beyond the knowledge of the teenager, but he was awed and bewildered at the same time.
Kori suddenly turned back to Josh.
"Oh! Allow me to introduce, this is Josh." She introduced. "He was very amicable to explain some of the concepts of this market of superiority."
Robin grinned friendly at the younger male.
"Hey, what's up? I'm Richard Grayson." He greeted as he extended his hand for a handshake.
Josh took the hand, a little awed. "N-nice to meet y-you, s-sir." He noted that it was a firm and confident handshake.
Robin scoffed. "Sir? Man, I'm probably only a few years older than you. Just call me Richard. Even this silly girl over here does." He laughed as Kori pouted.
John reevaluated the young man before him. From his perspectives, the person he now knows as Richard definitely did not appear to be only a few years elder. One could say he was ten years older than himself, both physically and mentally, and Josh would still believe it.
People like him were the gods in his school: tall, mature, dashing, popular, strong, and just overall the idols of everyone. To him, a meek and weak sixteen-year-old loser, Richard was a visage of what he always dreamed to be.
Even though he couldn't make any immediate judgments as of yet, Josh still thought the black haired young man to be amiable. Of course, most of those supposedly nice people often turn out to be absolute bastards. But he hoped the person was truly nice, because it just seems so appropriate.
"Richard, you are such a nor'fil ert lork'flor!" She grinned as he raised his eyebrow.
"Hey, that's not fair! I don't know anything about glorks and plorks!!!"
Kori giggled as the boy crossed his arms and pretended to be offended. She then clapped her hands.
"Richard! We should purchase a few quantities of these delicious 'puddings'! They are most scrumptious!"
Robin smirked. "Eh, why not?" He turned to walk into one of the aisles to find where he left the cart.
Before she left to follow Robin, Kori turned back to regard the high school boy.
"Oh! Dear friend Josh! It has been a pleasantry speaking to you. I thank you for the kind patience you have shown."
Surprised that the girl still remembered his existence, John tried to reply the best he could.
"Ah...ah....it's no problem, uh, miss Kori. Have a nice-"He paused.
"Um.....friend?"
Kori smiled. "Of the most certainty! That is, unless you do not wish to be my friend?" She said this a little sadly.
"Ah! N-no! Of course we can be friends...un....I'm, ah, just surprised...um...a bit..."
"Glorious!" She exclaimed, and she suddenly wrapped him in one of her spontaneous, and rather dangerous, friendly hugs.
He grunted slightly painfully as the girl squeezed some of his life out.
"Hello, new friend!"
"Eeee...h-hello..." He wheezed slightly.
Kori ended the friendly hug and waved her goodbye.
"I hope to meet you on a random coincidence soon!" With that said, the girl skipped off as Robin rounded a corner with the shopping cart.
Josh scratched his head slightly, still feeling as if the entire world had become relatively insane and surreal.
He pondered silently for a few minutes, processing and recapping the entire encounter with the two persons.
"......a friend....me?"
Josh smiled, and felt energized for the rest of the day.
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The Tamaranian girl smiled blissfully as they walked back to Robin's motorcycle, each person carrying a roughly equal amount of bags in each hand, which they had somehow come to a silent agreement to.
Robin had introduced her to the concept of the currency on earth, which involved, as she concluded, the trading of green papers printed with images of certain humans in history and had numerical values.
The day was approaching noon, and so the sunshine was beginning to become slightly more intense, but was still nowhere bothersome, in fact, it served as a comfort for the cool whether.
Kori raised both arms, along with the bags, up towards the sky in a happy manner, while giggling a bit. Robin smiled.
"So, I'm taking it that you liked our little excursion at the market of superiority?" He thought it was fun to talk like her.
"Oh! Indeed! It was so interesting and impressive! I cannot believe how much of I have not imagined to see of this planet! It makes me feel ......adventurous!"
Robin raised an eyebrow, still grinning. "Adventurous? Haha. I don't know how that came to be, but all right."
The girl just smiled back, allowing the statement to be interpreted in anyway possible.
As they finally reached where Robin parked the motorcycle, Kori once again found herself admiring the means of transportation.
It was shiny, exquisite, fashionable, and hellishly powerful. She liked to ride the motorcycle very much, not only because of the thrilling speed and powerful roars of its engine, but also because in some ways, she could identify the vehicle to its owner. It somehow reflected his person. They were both impressive and imposing existences, but at the same time, they were both complaisant existences. In fact, she believes that the shiny, red vehicle was even more of a reflection of Richard than his own apartment.
"What are our plans for the remainder of the day?" She asked, as Robin placed the bags in a compartment of the vehicle.
"Well, there're plenty of places we can visit, in and outside the city. So it's kinda hard to make a concrete decision. You have any idea where you wanna go?" He thought it was worth a shot.
Kori considered for a short moment.
"I do not truly have a preference as of yet. I believe I shall be astonished by the all of the incredible of this planet. But......I do recall you have mentioned the park?"
She looked slightly confused as the boy cocked his head to the side and gave a sarcastic laugh.
"Ha.......yeah....you want to go to the park?"
Kori tilted her head. "Yes. I have spoken so, have I not?"
Robin scratched his head slightly. "All right, we'll go to the park, of course, there's a chance it's not accessible right now."
"Oh? What is the reason?"
Robin shrugged. "Um......I'm not really sure, actually. But let's go check, okay?"
Kori nodded her affirmative, and got behind the boy after he handed her a helmet and started the motorcycle into ignition.
Indeed, the wind and the speed were both exhilarating.
--------
The city park looked very different in the sunlight, Robin noted, now that he actually saw it for himself. He admitted that he actually almost never came here during the time of day.
Apparently, the park wasn't closed down from public entry, since there were no yellow tapes or authoritative looking people bitching about parameter caution. Also, there are a good number of people going about their usual activities on the grounds of the huge patch of greens.
In deduction, it would probably be because of Robin's little escapade in S.T.A.R. Labs last night, causing a little more disturbance to the authorities and certain departments than some explosion in the park.
Kori lifted the helmet off her head, allowing her long and graceful red hair to flow around her slender frame. The combination of nature and the sunlight made quite the impressive scene for the alien visitor, and it showed on her face nicely.
"Jou'lerum gom'fil X'hal............"
The park, called the Vermillion Field by some poetic individuals in Jump, is located near the farther west side of the city, which is considered the more rural area of the bustling metropolis. This is probably the reason why not many of the 'urban, more technology driven' people visit the place often. But it was where most of the other citizens of Jump relax or just clear their minds.
It wasn't as bustling as the supermarket, but it was more of an insight to the lives of the regular earthlings. Some people were jogging, while some other kids were playing soccer, football, frisbee and such. There were couples cuddling while they were in the middle of a picnic. A few artistic people were seen drawing and sketching by the small river that flowed across part of the park.
What Robin saw was how most of the common people of the city interacted with each other, what they interacted in, and which kind of people interacted. Also, those activities are important elements that he considers the reactions of the things that have happened in Jump.
But what Kori saw in all was peace. The flowers that bloomed across the green grass and the trees that created the feel of a small forest; the comfortable and serene weather that showed in the endless blue sky; slight shades where the people found most comfortable; children able to play around freely and without fear. She sighed.
Robin fastened the lock on his ride, and smirked as he saw the smile that had unconsciously made way to the girl's face.
"So, c'mon, let's go take a little walk." He said as he nudged her on the arm slightly.
Kori complied and strolled alongside the black haired teen.
The two walked on the small pavement that was specially designed to allow pedestrians to able to make a full round in the entire park, and had professionally planted floral seeds and leafy trees to provide the strolling people some coverage from either the sun or the rain.
The Tamaranian newcomer walked ahead of her roommate slightly, finding the site so captivating.
"So serene.....Earth's nature is indeed beautiful...."
Robin didn't really have the heart to tell her that the place was probably crafted like some simple ceramic pottery. Most of the things on Earth are most likely artificial to some degree. But, he can always take her to see the truly angelic and real nature at a later time.
"Yeah, it is. Though I can't say I've been appreciating it all that much myself."
The girl waited for him to be just next to her. "Oh, but you must! A planet's nature is the world of its inhabitants. If we do not content ourselves to appreciate its value, then it will eventually be deprecated."
Robin nodded his head. "It would.......wouldn't it?"
"I believe.......that all life must be glorified, or at least, it is the way of my people."
Robin didn't know it then, but she meant 'my people' a little more differently then he interpreted.
"Glorifying life, huh? That's something maybe everyone should be doing." He didn't know why, but he didn't put his heart into those words.
They continued along the path, mostly in silence, until Kori asked Robin a few questions regarding the activities she saw that she didn't know.
"Oh! Richard, look!" She exclaimed as she wrapped her arm around the boy's wrist. "What are those earthlings partaking in?"
Robin looked to the side, seeing a few people tossing a frisbee in a formed circle, along with their canine pets.
"Hehe. We call that Frisbee, it's really simple. You just kinda fling that ...um...Frisbee to each other. It's interesting because you can train domestic animals to do it too."
"Teehee. Indeed, it appears very interesting." She commented as a dog leapt into the air and caught the plastic toy in its mouth.
"Oh, I wish I could have my bongo'lor to do such a trick. She would have definitely enjoyed such an activity."
Robin didn't know what kind of animal Tamaranians kept as pets, but he hoped it was similar to a dog.
It was then that he noticed the girl still had her arm wrapped loosely around his wrist. He felt the slight warmth he experienced when he touched her fingers, and cocked his head slightly to the side.
Kori didn't seem to have noticed her action, and they continued to walk in this fashion. Perhaps she was too captivated by the park to be very observant or aware, but.......Robin didn't feel like raising her attention to the contact.
He observed the girl passively as she merrily viewed the spectacles, that exact same serene smile she had on her expression since she arrived.
Thoughts were coursing through his head, but at an extremely low rate. He didn't feel like thinking, for once, about all the strategy lingos that he was accustomed to. He didn't need to be evaluating the park and the people in it. Instead, he can just be strolling through the Vermillion Field with his new roommate.
He felt a small incentive to lift his lips.
When they were rounding into the further parts of the park, a Frisbee suddenly flew near their feet.
"Hey!!!! Can you get that for us, please!!!??" A man hollered from far away, standing around with four other people. Apparently, one of them must have flung it too hard, or something.
Robin knelt down and picked up the plastic toy. He grinned, and Kori saw a distinctively amused glint in his pristine blue, grey eyes as he turned to her.
"Hey, watch this."
Not even getting into a crouching position, Robin pulled the disc back and flung it towards the group.
The Frisbee sped in a beeline direction, at about neck height, and at a speed that caught the people off guard, thus the disc flew past them and straight across to the other side of the field.
They stared at him, confounded.
Ha! If they think that's impressive, they should see me with me choice of discs.
Kori certainly looked impressed. "Glorious! You are skilled in the disc flinging, Richard."
"Heh, well, I've always liked tossing these things."
"You must have had much practice to obtain such skillfully honed ability."
Oh hell yeah, I've had a lot of practice.
He shrugged. "I suppose I've had some interest in the flinging."
Robin linked his arm slightly around the girl's elbow. "C'mon, let's go before those people make me fetch their Frisbee."
It was Kori's turn to notice their subconscious contact, and the same with Robin, she didn't voice anything.
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In just about a few minutes, Kori found herself in front of the big ancient tree, half broken, but still a shadow of an extraordinary existence. She was a bit speechless as she gazed at the
She, of course, then noticed the long and trailing upheaval of dirt and earth near the huge landmark.
"Richard," she spoke, "what is the significance of this botanical monument? Does its fragmentary appearance serve as a representative symbol for this city?"
She watched in confusion as Robin seemed to be chuckling oddly.
"Um....yeah. Exactly something like that."
Kori got closer to the huge and ancient tree for better inspection. She touched the tree, and felt that its barks were rough and scabrous, sort of a backing evidence of its age. The roots were amazingly thick and gigantic, sprouting from and digging into the various earths around it.
"Richard, please tell me, what is the history behind this magnificent monument? Why is it fractured? Is it not a tree?"
Robin scratched the bridge of his nose, walking behind the girl. "You know, I don't really know for sure. I think, it's, um, some kind of a-accident that happened here. Hey, c'mon, lets-"
They both suddenly heard voices, coming from the other side of the tree. Curious, Kori walked around and saw three boys playing around the deep and long dugout.
"Cool, isn't it? My brother said it's the mark of a new villain in the city. Probably some kind of hell warrior, this time. With like, fire swords and stuff." A kid with a blue hat said.
Another of one the boys frowned, while flipping his skateboard. "Yeah right, and my mom is from Venus, like dad tells me. The news said it was a meteor or something from outer space."
"Wouldn't there be pieces of some kind of ship then? I don't see nothin', just a lot of dirt."
"Whatever it was, it sure broke old barky. We can't climb it anymore." The child paused. "I wonder if we can make this place into our new base."
"Didn't you guys listen? It's where the hell warrior is born, it's cursed! We can't make a base here!"
"Yeah right. Let's just go, mom wants me back home for lunch. You guys comin'?"
The other boys nodded. "Sure. I hope we're having pizza!"
Kori did wonder about the site where she had landed occasionally during these few days. Apparently, she found her answer.
She turned to look at Robin, and found him scratching the back of his head solemnly.
The Tamaranian then returned her attention back to the ancient, broken tree.
"Kori..." Robin began, but was cut off.
"This damage was recent, was it not? I.......my emergency landing has caused this infliction upon this mighty life?"
"Kori, you said it, it was an emergency landing. You couldn't have possibly prevented any of this. Besides, it's not that big of a deal, old Dirch here was due for a check out someday..." Robin consoled, cursing himself for falling prey to the serenity of the walk and failing to divert their direction away from the crash site.
"Dirch? Richard, is that the name of this tree?"
Robin winced. "Well, no.......not exactly. It's more like something....um....I call it."
Kori held her elbow in her hand tentatively.
"You have had an interpersonal fondness of this tree, I believe. Perhaps most of the denizens of this city share the identical fondness, no? I....I have caused damage to this lovely existence..." Each word was spoken heavily.
Robin walked to her front. "Kori, I know what you're thinking, and I'm telling you to stop it. It's not your fault! I'm not blaming you, and neither should you!"
The girl slowly lifted her head to meet his eyes.
"I have explained that my people believe in the admiration of life, have I not? I cannot simply equate this incident as an accident and be free of guilt." She turned away from him.
"I......c-cannot simply-"
"Please, listen to me. The whole thing is unfortunate, yeah I know. But......you can't be depressed because of this. You may have caused some damage, when you arrived, but, but I think it's more important that you got here, right, I mean, it might sound selfish, but I'm glad you're here, even at the expense of this."
Kori looked at him sadly.
"One life is not more important than another, Richard."
Robin sighed.
"Even so, it's just how things happened. Please, just don't be sad over this...I was worried that you would."
Kori found herself a little surprised, as Robin looked frustrated and a little sad, now. She had been engrossed in feeling guilty and sad over the damage of the landmark, that she had forgotten how Robin would feel about her sadness.
Her display of emotions had affected him, and she didn't want him to be sad.
The Tamaranian closed her eyes, while mouthing a few words under her breath.
Robin stood silently, watching the girl with patience. After about a minute, Kori opened her green iris eyes.
"You are right, Richard. I cannot be sad from such an incident. Perhaps it was Dirch who has saved my descent to cause lesser damage than opposed to landing within the city. I.....I cannot say it is a fair exchange, my life for its wellness."
She placed a hand on Robin's arm.
"But.......I will attempt to live my life joyfully. If Dirch has saved my life as well as you have, Richard, then the only method of repayment is to cherish my own."
Robin could feel the smile creeping back to both their faces.
Kori looked up to the colossal height of the tree. "I will honor its existence, as well as the lives of all other organisms. It is the way of Tamaran, and I shall endow myself to continue such a philosophy."
"Life......" Robin mumbled, too low for Kori to hear.
Kori turned to him with one of her genuine smiles, and made a questioning look.
Robin shook his head, and just smiled back.
"Great to hear, Kori. Like I said, it might sound a bit selfish, but I'm glad you're here, even if the expense is this."
She sighed, but still smiling, and spun around. "I...am glad as well."
Grinning, Robin continued to walk nodding his head to call the girl to follow.
"C'mon, let's hurry back. The weather's cool enough but who knows when those milk will go sour."
Kori nodded, and jogged to his side. "Oh, and Richard, please do not forget we are to purchase a new bed today. I do not wish to keep you from resting in your own bed. Of course, the alternative-"
"Oh no, you're going to be sleeping on something comfortable and proper, so we're gonna buy that bed. Seriously, it's not that big of a deal, though, you just deserve a bed more than I do!"
Kori smiled. "One life is not more important than another."
Robin paused, and slightly returned the smile.
"I can't win easily with you, huh?"
Kori just walked ahead of him, giggling slightly.
Well damn certain that there's a smirk on his face, Robin followed the redheaded alien, feeling as if he learned a lesson today.
Korian'dr allowed her eyes to gaze at the magnificent monument once more.
I will honor the existence of this tree......but living my life gracefully, as well as a small requite to Richard. Perhaps there is a way to restore 'old Dirch'. I will hold a responsibility for myself to search for such a way.
Feeling immensely better, Kori strolled alongside her roommate once more, until she, once again, repeatedly reminded him about buying the bed.
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Closing Notes: Once again, sorry for the slow update. Things have been hectic. But I think I can get most of the later chapters up quicker, just have to find time. On a personal opinion note, I didn't really like this chapter, but, it served its purpose.
Thanks
Nightbolts101 – Hey, what's up? I've been busy, but I managed to read your stories lately, and I like em'. Of course, doing so 1:00 A.M. in the morning has caused some serious dysfunctions and I'm feeling the effects, but I'm waiting for more! Go, go!!!
Jemi – Yes, just why does Slade need obsidians? What does he even want with jewelry? If you're pondering, then I hope everyone else is pondering, hehehehehe.
Princess Angel Rose – Hey, I did like your stories, just that you haven't finished them, and started something else. Tsk Tsk. Hehe, just joking.
PixieGirl2009 – I also love fortune cookies. They're so tasty and fun to read, especially if you play with the end. You know, hehehe, adding the same exact words at the end so it becomes, hehehe, dirty. Anyways, I like ramblings, it's one of the things I do the most. So continue to ramble, that's how ideas are formed!!! Woohoo!!!
Daydreamer1313 – Of course! Of course!
robstar4ever – Wow, um that's a lot of questions. I'm just going to answer a few key ones. Slade is not going to be Batman, that is also one of the stupidest things I've even heard, no offense to people who like that idea, but it's just downright crazy. Also, even though in the cartoon show Slade always somehow manages to spy and observe the entire city through whatever means he garners, it just seems slightly impossible to me that he spy on every corner. Besides, he's too engrossed with his projects to care about the whole city, at least, that's my explanation. As for the rest, read and find out.
kilala63 – Hmmmm, you really should think about extending your story, no offense.
Jeanniesstorm – Neither can I, it's playing through my head constantly.
Star-Fire832 – I don't know you called yourself naïve, but to answer your question, there are many possibilities of Slade's action upon discovering Starfire, but that shall be revealed later, if he ever does find out about her.
Lost Inside – I'm afraid I have to answer the same way I did before: read and find out.
uhavereallyprettyeyesnotjen – Thanks! How'd you like this chapter?
solodancer789 – sorry about the delay, hope you liked this chapter. (Though I didn't)
waterangel17 – Amazing writing talents? Heh, I always liked compliments. Boosts my ego.
Kaliann – That'll be much later in the story, when Starfire finds out about Richard being Robin. Before that, they have other issues.
animeluvr1 – I believe it's necessary for Robin to be the apprentice of Slade, this time. I had thought about just letting Robin be the Robin trained by Batman, but that will steal some of the conflicts in my story, so...this is what came about. Besides, I love AU at times, makes things so much more perky.
starfirerobin5 – Starfire's powers, hehehe, interesting stuff, eh?
StArFiRe-RuLz – Well, I did put the genre as romance, no? So, what you think is gonna happen?
coolcat996 – Thank!
orlifan4561 – The others will definitely make an appearance, just wouldn't be complete without them. The main focus will still be on Robin and Starfire, I assure you.
cupcakies – Thanks for liking that story, it was one of my earlier inspirations. I've also been thinking about making a sequel to that, but that'll have to wait.
Zeldagurli - Eats muffin Gracious!!!
aquatmarine – Thanks, I hope you like this one too!
lizzie – Thanks for leaving a review for all four chapters, though you don't have to.
Faith – Sorry, just been busy, hope you'll enjoy the rest of it as well.