Hijas de los Diablos
"So you studied about Demons?" Raven asked to break the uneasy silence. Maria's threat along with her age and the fact that she was Tir'eir daughter made her a daunting instructor.
"Yeah, I learned Infernal and took to reading. Now and again I can get father to talk to me in Infernal but he prefers Common. But I've been studying about the Nine Hells and its creatures for centuries." Maria said. "All behind Jacob's and father's backs. Well father's back anyway. It's been easy to do since Jacob gets me the books and father isn't home a lot." Maria said rather sadly.
"What got you so interested in Infernal creatures?" Raven asked out of curiosity.
"Father. When I was younger he used to tell me all sorts of stories about the places he's been and the creatures he's seen… and killed…" Maria said the last bit under her breath but Raven still heard her.
"You don't approve of killing? From how you acted at the breakfast table I would think you supported it." Raven said dryly as she pointed out this hypocrisy to Maria.
"I support killing off the weak and the trouble makers. I just don't support father killing. Judging from all of your weak reactions I would say that none of you has killed so you wouldn't know what it does to a person." Maria said setting her position very firmly.
"And you have?" Raven countered. She wouldn't let Maria get away with acting like her father; all knowing and snobby.
Maria glared at Raven who stood her ground and glared back. "Personally, no. However I've seem what it's done to father I don't like it. It has changed him." Maria's tone changed to a soft and saddened one. "He's not the man he was before. He's harder, meaner, stronger, tougher, rougher. I know he's been doing it a long time and it's changed him. Jacob has told me that this is the case. Father is a very strong man but it changed him somehow. I can see it in his eyes sometimes; he's tired."
"Of killing?" Raven asked. Maria's concerned rambling had just opened up an entire side of Tear that had previously been hidden. It made seem Tear seem more real while at the same time reminded Raven of herself. She had not killed people but she was definitely all the times Maria had said because of her long internal struggle to control her power and emotions.
"Of everything. I know he just wants to retire to a peace but I know he can't." Maria told Raven in a sorrowful tone. "Even if I killed you this wouldn't end."
"What?!" Raven said sliding to the far side of the hallway as they continued to make their way to Raven's room.
"It wouldn't change anything." Maria continued without acknowledging the fact that Raven had moved away from her. "It's kind of ironic, isn't it? I mean you're so important to his plans and yet you really don't matter." Maria laughed wearily.
"What plans? How can someone be important and at the same time not be?" Raven asked frustrated that she didn't understand what Maria was talking about.
"Nothing. You don't need to know. Maybe I'll tell you later but it's not important. Oh good you're angry with me." Maria said merrily.
Raven just glared at the girl that was confusing her more and more.
"In order to control Dark energy you need to keep on thing in mind. That thing will be your focal point, your anchor. An emotion is easiest, for me anyway, in both types of Energies. You can use an emotion if you want or pick something else. Also don't try to command and have control your emotion but go with them. Ride the wave of emotions; they are the true source of power and control in the Energies." Maria told Raven.
"But things get destroyed when I show emotions." Raven told Maria.
"That's because you try to control them, master them. No one can conquer their emotions. They can get good at hiding or not showing them, like you and father, but no one can use Dark Energy and not show emotion. It would be like running without moving your knees. Frankly I'm amazed you haven't killed yourself." Maria told Raven.
"Hey, I have control of my powers!" Raven said as the light above them shattered.
"Oh you have good control for the restrictions you work within. I was talking about how you haven't killed yourself because you don't allow yourself emotions. It seems like you have a very depressing life is all." Maria said before she went skipping off around the corner leaving Raven to think things over.
Most of the "lessons" passed this way. Maria would begin to gleam some interesting facts about Tear or herself before giving Raven advice and disappearing from sight for several hours. Raven took the time to try and set the facts about Tear straight and to practice wielding her unruly powers. Over several weeks Raven could see, rather grudgingly, that she was having more control of her powers and having an easier time handling her emotions. Things only exploded when she got angry which normally happened when Maria would begin acting high and might when instructing her how to use Dark Energy.
"Everyone in the Underworld can use it." Maria would always taunt her. Raven wanted to snap back at her that most of them had help in figuring out how to control the black force but Maria had already told her that it was an inborn ability for most and the simplest form of magic known in the Hells. This fact would make Raven's blood boil and she was reminded of it every time the subject of Dark Energy came up. It would be then that something, mostly lights, would implode. Raven, being high blood as Maria would call her, would prove that she could control her powers even if it meant that she became even more snappy, withdrawn, and secluded from the world for the time being.
"So we have a deal then?" A cloaked man asked. He had a high collar that shrouded his face into shadow, his cloak perfectly hung on his shoulders giving him an authoritarian look despite his lack of height. He stood at one end of a plain wooden table. Another man stood at the other end, his one black eye to match the glowing red orbs of the cloaked man. The second man was dressed in black, armor plates decorating his body.
The second man picked up one of the many disks that were on the table. "Yes we have a deal. I will expect you to compile with me as per the agreement."
"Likewise." The cloaked replied before disappearing into thin air.
"Find and follow him. Contact the H.I.V.E. and assemble an assault team. I have a few plans." The second figure said to a black ninja who had been in the shadows the entire time before he began laughing. The second man left the room still laughing as his underling went to arrange the things he had been told to do.
Maria was a tolerated guest at best. She got along well with everyone just fine but she had a way of ticking everyone off. Once she had yelled at Starfire for asking so many questions and being so naïve causing the Tamarian girl to cry. Robin had come to Star's rescue giving her the comfort of his arms while he told Maria off. Maria then had the nerve to berate Robin for being too soft around Starfire which really got Robin off. Only Jacob's intervention kept the situation from escalating further.
Beast Boy and Cyborg were accused to being slack pigs, always eating and playing games. They simply ignored her; her beauty having lost its effect on them.
And then there was Raven. She received the most regular tongue-lashing but she would find some way to fire back at Maria from time to time. However Maria seemed to have all the right counters to Raven's retorts making Raven even more frustrated with her with each passing day. However in the back of her mind Raven knew that she would have to prove to Maria that she could control her powers despite being "a half-born high blood." Also for some reason Raven felt that if Maria didn't like her too much she could have some influence on Tear. Being the only child Raven figured Maria could wield a lot of influence.
His absence of late was noted and from time to time Raven found herself thinking of him, missing his smile, his dark eyes, him… Raven would never let herself dwell on Tear long but Maria had told her one thing that worried her. Even though Raven knew that Tear had found Maria and never had had a wife Raven knew that Maria was right in saying one thing; who ever had Tear's heart would have to be a very strong woman. Could she, a short half-breed girl, be strong enough for Tear to accept her?
Jacob, on the other hand, was a godsend in the Titan's point of view. Being a butler he was used to doing all sorts of things for Maria as well as cleaning, cooking, etc. The Tower was actually clean, top to bottom, because of him. There were no more loud morning arguments over who was cooking breakfast and what they were cooking; there were only arguments over what Jacob should cook at meals. These are arguments between Beast Boy and Cyborg were ignored by all and Jacob just made whatever he felt like making. All of his food was good since he had had "centuries of practice" in just about everything he did.
"Just how long have you been a butler?" Cyborg asked Jacob on morning through a mouthful of waffles.
"3005 years." Jacob replied.
"Damn that's a long time. Don't you ever get tired of it?" Beast Boy asked.
"I've been rather fortunate. Master Tir'eir is a very kind master and for one in my position it would be rather unwise to leave his service." Jacob replied monotonously.
Before any one could ask further questions the alarm went off.
"Sightings of red creatures at the mall! Titans, GO!" Robin yelled.
"I'm coming too!" Maria yelled stopping all the titans in their tracks. All eyes went to Robin since he was the decision maker.
"I know how to kill Infernal creatures." Maria plainly stated.
"Robin glared at Maria. "Don't expect us to baby-sit you. Move Titans!"
A/N: The title of this is "Daughters of the Devil." Hey 86 reviews, it's getting there. I would like to break 130 with this, only 44 reviews away from that. With some of the things I have planned I think I can get reactions out of the regulars and maybe snag a few non-regulars. Don't I make Maria such a pleasant little girl? Can anyone tell me what happened to Trigon off the top of their heads? Anyone?
AnimeHimeko: Yes the reaction was late but it was planned that way so that the guys would talk to Raven and see would realize a few things. Hopefully you can see that in chapters 16 and 17. Everything I write has a purpose though sometimes it will take a few chapters to understand why some things happened.
meditaion6: Thanks for reviewing. Yes Maria is "high maintenance" as you up. She's meant to be and she has her reasons. Just look back at the last chapter when she talks with Raven for the first time along with the interactions here. She has her reasons, everyone and everything has a reason.
a reader: Can I get a name or alias so that you are more then just this unknown reviewer? And yes they are old. I mention Tear's age several times before chapter 17, Maria as well. Jacob is old too but there is a reason for that.
Voltor: 40 chapters, I think I could make that depending how long I drag this out. Could be a long haul though with a RaeOc pairing. Demons don't love all that easily or well and Raven has her own issues though I've already remedied some of them if you and anyone has noticed.