Chapter 19: Dark Clouds Under Heaven
Raven silently finished cleaning Beast Boy up, and helped him into a fresh tunic. "Do you think you can walk?" she inquired. Beast Boy nodded and she helped him off the bed. Though slightly unsteady, he was able to walk, with relative ease around the room. She watched from the bed as he tested his weight on his previously injured leg. Beast Boy gave her an affirming grin and Raven allowed herself a small smile as well, glad to see he was ok. Not for long. Raven's smile dimmed and disappeared and she fell back into her familiar monotone.
"So when do we head to that planet thing?" he asked brightly. Raven was a little startled.
"Whenever you're ready, I mean, don't push yourself," she muttered. Beast Boy's eyes flashed, a determined look flying across his features.
"Whenever I'm ready? Well, then let's get a move on. We don't exactly have forever." He said firmly. Raven's eyes shimmered with gratitude.
"If you're sure," she said quietly. Beast Boy nodded in assent. Without hesitation, Beast Boy, Raven, the astrological charts, and their bags were consumed in black power. A large Raven swooped from the room, and with a grating cry it ascended to the surface of the Inn. They landed in the day star light. Raven looked gloomily at the changeling by her side. "I kind of need to save my energy for what's to come. I need to teleport as little as possible until this is over. In other words… we're making this trip the way everyone else does," she sent a glance in the way of a curious building. It towered higher than most of the other hut-like structures but was made out of the same uniform marble. Beast Boy followed her over to it. Raven entered the dim building and peered around. It was not lit with a single torch. Raven made her way to one of the strange Zinthosite creatures he had seen in the main room of the Inn and heard her exchange a few words in the beautiful lilting language of their kind.
Raven nodded and produced a few pieces of silver and handed them over. She beckoned the green boy over and he complied, following her to a crude door. Raven opened it and entered, Beast Boy following tentatively behind. Once within, Beast Boy saw something that looked much like a row of stalls, save their marble construction. Raven finally spoke.
"Ok, let me tell you what's going on,"
"That would be nice," he replied. Raven rolled her eyes and Beast Boy chuckled.
"Seriously. We're going to ride to the post about thirty miles from here. Just passed the… gardens you went to," She paused, and gave him a weak smile. "At the post, there should be a Zinthosite there to tell us which portal we need to take to get to Iris. Iris is the closest star to Latsiere. If I remember correctly there is a wall of black holes surrounding the planet so I'll need to teleport us in order to get on the planet itself. Once we're there… well… just don't think about that yet," she muttered. Beast Boy nodded carefully.
"And what exactly are we riding? I doubt they have mopeds here and I have a slight inclination to believe we're not going to find a horse anywhere close by, either," he replied. Raven pressed her lips together and nodded.
"They're not horses. But they are similar. They're called Palla. My mom used to take me here to ride them sometimes… I remember I loved it," she said, staring off into the distance for a moment. Raven moved to one of the doors and opened it. She entered the stall and Beast Boy heard the clinking of metal. Raven came back out leading an incredible creature. It stood about eighteen hands high, if one was to even measure a Palla in such fashion, and its fur glistened a shimmering, pale blue. It looked similar to a horse but its tail fell long and whip-like, forking about half way down into two, slim tassels. Its hooves were large and round and had rough pads on the bottom of each, similar to the pads on a dog's paws. On each sturdy leg near the Palla's body, a leathery wing sprouted outwards. The wings had bluish feathers along the top but the undersides were like the wings of bats. The creature had no mane but rather a ridge of hard knobs ran down its neck.
"He's a gelding. You should find him fairly easy to ride… just like a horse," she said. She handed over the chain reins. The Palla's head was completely encased in a metal contraption that Beast Boy assumed to work like a bridle. Thin metal mesh covered each eye, enabling the animal to see, but preventing debris from getting in. Raven moved to the next stall and came back with another Palla of a dull grey. It pranced and shied in agitation. "Mine's a stallion," she answered his curious gaze. Beast Boy nodded and gave a slight laugh.
"Do we have saddles or anything?" he inquired.
"No, but it'll be fine. Thirty miles is pretty easy on these guys. They almost float," she replied. Raven hesitated. "Beast Boy?"
"Huh?"
"Could you give me a leg up?" she muttered. Beast Boy smirked.
"Sure," he said. Beast Boy helped her mount side-saddle and then vaulted lithely onto his own ride. He gave her a haughty grin. Raven grimace.
"Let's go," she said dryly. Both nudged their Palla forward and moved out of an exit to the left of the stalls. As soon as they were outside, Raven nudged her Palla forward to a faster pace. Beast Boy followed suit, and noticed with interest that the animal's four wings began to beat lightly as they moved forward. The Palla moved with fluid grace, their stride light but strong. Beast Boy finally broke the silence about half a mile from the village borders.
"What are their names?" he asked curiously. Raven shook her head.
"It's disrespectful to name a Palla," she said easily. Beast Boy's eye brows shot up.
"Names are good though," he countered. Raven's expression became almost sad.
"Sometimes it's nice not to have a name," she said curtly. Raven pressed her Palla forward and shot off, her maroon hair swirling behind her and the peach silk of her dress flowing back like a pale flag. Beast Boy followed her quickly. The wings of the Palla picked up the slight breeze and they caught like strange sails, helping to power the creatures forward. Beast Boy finally caught up with her and he frowned.
"What was that about!" he asked unhappily. Raven slowed to a trot and BB did the same.
"Nothing… Sorry…" she said blankly. "Just, nothing," she repeated. Beast Boy's frown deepened. "What's wrong, Rae?" he asked softly. Raven brought her Palla to a halt and Beast Boy lurched to a stop so as not to pass her.
"I just… I lost my name a long time ago. They gave me a new one, but it was out of shame. It would have been better I was never given a new name." she looked away, hiding the pain that rushed to her face. The ground below them shook slightly, flickering black.
"Look, I'm sorry, I didn't know. I won't bring it up again, promise," he amended. Raven looked back, her eyes burning with sudden passion.
"Like that will make it better? Like forgetting everything, and pushing it all away will help? Do you really think that all of my problems will just disappear if I don't talk about it? Do you really think every stupid thing I've done in my life will just vanish!" she was yelling now. Beast Boy shrunk back.
"Raven! Get yourself under control! Just calm down!" he cried out. Raven's eyes were glowing a dangerous black and her hair was flinging up into the air. Her expression faltered and fell. Raven took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled, closing her eyes. When she opened them her eyes were normal again. Only, they were actually normal. As in… violet again. "Raven… your eyes…" Beast Boy was staring at her, gaping. Raven's hands flew up to her face and she dropped the reins, causing her Palla to shift irritably.
"How can they be… are you serious?" she asked, her gaze wide and hopeful.
"Yes, I'm seri…" he trailed off as they flickered scarlet again. He shook his head. "They're red again," he said, disheartened. Raven nodded slowly. They started to move forward again in silence. He allowed himself to peer back over at Raven and noted with a start that tears were snaking down her porcelain cheeks. "Oh, Raven," he breathed softly, bringing his mount close to hers so he could reach out and wipe her cheek. She looked over at him, her expression betraying her fear, her pain, her insecurities. Beast Boy and Raven pulled to a stop again and he dismounted. Beast Boy pulled her off of the Palla and brought her close to him. She allowed herself to be limply pulled into his embrace. Beast Boy brought her chin up and laid a light kiss on her lips.
"Everything is just so wrong…" she murmured. Beast Boy nodded.
"Yeah, but I still love you," he said quietly. Raven felt more tears spring to her eyes. Don't say that.
"I think I love you too…" she said carefully. Beast Boy brought their lips together again, and he ran his hands through her hair, gently caressing her back. Don't love me. They parted and Beast Boy let her go. He silently moved to the head of Raven's Palla and unhooked one side of the chain and attached it to a small ring on the chin of his Palla's bridle. He led the girl over to the side of his ride and then he remounted. He offered her his hand, and grasping her wrists firmly he helped her up to sit side-saddle in front of him. Raven smiled meekly as he wrapped his arms around her and picked up the reins again. As they rode towards the post, Raven felt a bitter-sweet sensation fill her. So, how long will our love last? How will you ever forgive me for what's coming?
The mire of emotion
Grips me.
Bearing off and in
To you,
That I might cause
You pain.
Please,
I cry
Crystal tears for you to deny
Your love.
Don't let me hurt you.
Author's Note: Ok... there. They got togeather. But their troubles are so far from over it's not even funny. Either way I hope this chapter wasn't as stupid as I thought. I don't know why but I feel like a I accomplished nothing more than a lengthy and random piece of fluff. But humor me on this, next chapter they reach the post and head to Latsiere. Should be interesting. Oh, and for any Robin Starfire fans out there, I have awesome news. In quote by the director he actually said that he'd been hinting at a relationship between the two in certain episodes and that he hoped to really pick up on that now that the show is established. For the actual quote, go to my favorite stories list and findthe storyby SocialButterfli. It's in the Author's note of the 25th chappie.Well... that was my little happy momentfor the day. Like I said, I hope you won't kill me for posting this chapter. I'dlove your reviews, even if you do throw knives at me or something.
Love, Princess Starfire of Tamaran
