Please read the warnings, notes and disclaimer in Chapter 1 if you have not done so before continuing.

A thank you to those for leaving a review.
And a thank you to those who have read this but left no review (I'm like that, myself :)

2: Zum Gali Gali Gali

With the last turn to the left, landing on the number twenty-three, the door to the safe clicked open. A grey, gloved hand reached inside moving past the jewellery and bundled up bills of too much money only to pull out a book. He quickly flipped through the pages of rows of names and numbers to make sure it was the right one he was searching for.

He heard faint footsteps approaching the luxurious office he was in and quickly closed the private safe. With a flick of a switch on his belt, the figure clad in black featuring a skull-like mask faded out to the naked eye. But the book was exposed for all to see. Footsteps became louder and eyeing the bookcase behind him, he slid the text into an empty slot. As the door knob to the room turned he made his way behind the nearest curtain directly beside the bookcase, just in case the belt he had to had to build from scratch decided to fail on him at the wrong time.

The door swung open. "And it was worth every penny, Leonard. Professionals to the very end, they are."

"But boss," the thief deduced this was Leonard speaking, "it's treading on dangerous territory…" The man seemed very nervous to the point of paranoia.

"Bah," the boss refuted, "they've guaranteed anonymity with their merchandise and they have yet to fail me. Nothing will be traced to me."

The subject in discussion was unknown to the thief, but it did perk his interest. Sliding his hand to his belt, he silently pressed a switch to initiate a recording. Maybe there was a bonus to his payment for extra blackmail goodies.

Leonard, a tall and terribly thing fellow for his height, nervously rubbed his hands together. Eyes darted left and right as if he felt he was being watched by the walls. "But…Christ, she's just a little kid, boss…"

"I did not hire you to think, Leonard." The boss' voice became dangerously low having run out of patience with his underling. "I hired you to do and do you shall. Get the girl ready for me in five minutes. I must make a phone call."

The subordinate stared down at his shoes. He knew what that tone meant. If he didn't do his job, he wouldn't live to see the light of next morn. "R-right away boss…" It was his survival instincts that told him to be obedient. But he hated what his boss did, and if he knew that his "hobby" was of this disgusting nature, he would have never joined the circle of criminals. Not that he had made a name for himself after getting in, quite the opposite. But for the un-privilege, it was a tempting escape route. Praying to God in his mind to forgive him of his sins, Leonard meekly left the room.

The thief heard the click of the door closing. The topic being implied in their little exchange was something he did not want to hear. A thief he may be but he had his morals too—no matter how warped and hypocritical they may be to some. He heard the chatter of buttons being pushed; obviously the boss was making that phone call.

"Hello? This is the Duke, calling for Jack."

The thief sighed to himself. He might just knock the boss down himself if he had to wait behind the curtain like an amateur any longer. Taking control of his boredom, he listened in on one side of the conversation.

"Jack? My dear, Jack! I want to say I am very pleased with the quality of the product you delivered." A moment of silence lapsed as the person on the other side of the phone chattered. "Yes…yes yes, my regards to Tom as well. But I've not only called for a recreational chat.

"Though I'm afraid I'm making myself sound too greedy, I would like to order another one." Listening to the answer, the Duke slowly formed a smile until a full blown belly laugh released, "Oh you are definitely good in making your customers comfortable, Jack…. Yes yes, I want another with the same darling blue eyes, dirty blonde hair."

The eyes behind the skull mask narrowed at the blatant use of the word "order."

"Price is not to be fretted over. I will gladly pay double if only for showing my appreciation for your excellent services. Yes it doesn't matter where she's from. Another from Jump City will be fine." He listened to the man on the other line again, and obviously made a joke of some sort because another belly laugh filled the luxurious office of the boss' home. "I'll be waiting to hear from you soon, dear Jack. Good evening." And with a click, the room fell into silence again. Footsteps followed, the creak of a door opening and closing and the thief was alone once more.

Alone, but now with a sudden weight on his shoulders.

He switched off the recording, rematerialized and walked towards the original prize he was looking for at the bookshelf. If it was an isolated incident he wouldn't have given it as much though as he was now. But he heard the reports of kidnapped children, corpses and the "buzz" circulating in the criminal underworld.

He was able to ignore it—it wasn't his concern. They were just a series of unfortunate circumstances that he had learned to take in stride in the short time of his life. Nothing to lose sleep over…it was not of his problem. The phrase of "me, myself and I" was his roadmap in life. He didn't have to face things that didn't directly concern him.

But here he was, the belt holding a heavy burden of the darker side of humanity.

The book was secured in a small pouch hanging from his belt. Sighing to himself, he opened the window he had delicately disarmed of its security system and crouched on the ledge, shaking his head. There was a slight breeze. His cape, stylistically tattered at the edge, swayed under the wind's control. Jump City wasn't that far from Bludhaven. Maybe just a quick visit wouldn't hurt—after getting his reward for the account book.

All of a sudden, delivering the book to the rival warlord of this hell hole of a city seemed extra sweet this time. It would definitely leave the Duke financially paralyzed… and he almost had this sadistic wanting of having the boss physically paralyzed as well.

He never thought he'd return to Jump City so soon again after that somewhat humiliating "defeat." A thief being robbed was a distasteful irony. But wasn't so bad when the one who stole from him was unexpectedly good at it.

Another sigh escaped between the slits of his mask as the red x reflected the pale moonlight, "When did I turn soft?"

ooooooo

"And I say baked tofu, pineapple and olives with garlic!"

"Man, are you TRYING to make me throw up? Pork, steak, barbeque sauce and that's THAT!"

Back and forth Beast Boy and Cyborg argued for the coveted pizza pie the team decided to have for lunch. Starfire, Raven and Robin have long before learned that it was fairly useless to add any of their favourite toppings when those two had their same, tired argument.

The three basically tuned out the petty argument most of the time and usually talk amongst themselves. Robin's mood, however, was making conversation not related to work almost an Olympic level task.

It was still a surprise that Starfire and Beast Boy managed to pry him from his research room, especially after hearing about another kidnapping the night before when they were out trying to solve it. "Robin," Starfire placed a hand on his stiff shoulder, "you should be relaxing from the bindings of the case. It will be detrimental to you if you do not free your mind from the matter at times." She softened her criticism with a warm smile, though the leader knew she was only trying to be her caring self.

Sometimes he envied just how innocent she could be. He wasn't blind to the fact that his friends were worrying over his extra attentiveness to the current problem. Many times he would berate himself for leaving the team out of a part of his work once again. Cyborg especially had made it clear to him that they should focus on what they can do to help the city in a way they already know how, instead of wasting energy on something they had absolutely no control over.

In other words, this case was not something people their age should live and breathe day in and out on, be it super hero or a normal human being.

Robin returned the warm smile, "Sorry, you're right Star. Rest and relaxation is just what the doctor ordered."

Starfire blinked. "Who is this physical healer that recommended this sound advice to you, Robin?"

The Boy Wonder had to grin at that, "It's a figure of speech."

Green eyes blinked again, "You have many…peculiar, shapes of speech that I must become accustom to in your language."

"Don't worry, Star. Even native speakers have a hard time getting used to the English language." The genuine smile didn't disappear as he turned his attention to the menu. "Actually, the way you talk is sorta refreshing."

Raven sat with her arms crossed looking at nothing in peculiar. It sounded as if Starfire finally got their young leader to be distracted away from work, but she was still on alert. The mental residue at the death sites kept her on edge especially since someone was powerful enough to block the mental energies from her. Though she admitted to herself that her empathy still needed much practice, it was stronger than the average psychic. Like Robin, she stayed up all night with the feeling plaguing her, until the only word she could replace the description of "abnormal" was fear. Fear left by, obviously, the victims, but there was something more to it. Like a new level of fear, maybe mortification was the correct word.

But it wasn't just the previous night's excursion that kept her on edge though she dare not show it externally. She reserved extra hours for meditation recently. Unofficially, she was labelled the "dark" one by the group but she too felt the strings of terror pulling on her with the wave of child victims. Emotions radiating from her team mates didn't help either.

Beast Boy was like an open book, and though Starfire openheartedly revealed her emotions, it still took a year for Raven to decipher how the alien princess' mind was different from humans. Current wave of strong emotions just helped to reveal more questions. Cyborg was definitely feeling disturbed, but understood his emotional limits to be the most stable of the group. And in times like this, it was a welcome trait by the team.

Robin, however, was almost a slate of rock to her. Raven knew he was afraid, as any sane child would be, but it was like he was programmed to lock away emotions that were not allowed in a leader, as a hero among super heroes. In many ways, she can understand that, as she had to keep certain emotions in check more than others.

But the city… Raven forced the extra hours of meditation to block herself from the city-wide stench of fear. Living everyday with the Titans, she adapted to deal with sudden surges of emotion from her very random friends. But something this concentrated of a single emotion needed extra work. The words spoken by Robin last night, of the bodies purposely being left to be found could not leave her mind.

"Raven? Are you feeling well?"

Starfire's voice shook Raven out of her thoughts, "What?"

"I was inquiring if you would like anything to drink. You had been 'out in space' for some time." Star asked in concern, with the waiter standing behind her awaiting any more orders from the group.

"Water is fine." Raven flatly answered and turned away from the other girl's eyes.

Shrugging off what others would have considered rude manners, Starfire turned to the waiter with her smile again, "Water then. Oh, and I would like a bottle of mustard, please."

The waiter just stood eyeing her, waiting for some punch line to the joke on his expense.

"And a straw as well, if it is not too much trouble." She casually added.

Now thoroughly confused, the waiter looked from the alien to the rest of the customers. All at once, minus Raven, the group gave a half smirk and shrugged their shoulders. "Um, okay… coming right up…" He swiftly turned around and head back inside from the pizza restaurant's patio.

Beast Boy stifled a giggle, "Must be a new guy."

"I do not understand why I get that look whenever I place an order for mustard. Is it that strange?" She asked in her most innocent way.

As Cyborg and Beast Boy attempted to explain to her the finer side of ordering drinks, Robin peered at Raven. "Something on your mind?"

The dark girl closed her eyes once, as if trying to be patient with an incorrigible child. "Thoughts."

"Like?" He ignored her impatient sigh. The one word replies weren't something that annoyed Robin. They were probably the only two who could keep a conversation going in that matter for a long time… if they talked for that long at all.

Finally she looked over at the Boy Wonder, "If you feel like spilling your thoughts, I'll do the same. One-sided revelations are hardly fair." With that she turned her eyes back to nothing.

Now, that was a hint. Pursing his lips, Robin ceased his questions, being spurned of offering to lend an ear. If there was one person that he knew not to push the buttons of, it was Raven.

Almost as an afterthought, Raven had the idea she used too harsh of words. Not that being strict with words bothered her as that was just the way she spoke. Being plain spiteful was a signal that she was getting irritated—even more so than usual. She mentally noted to squeeze in another hour of meditation tonight. But in an attempt to soothe the sting somewhat, "Besides, now is not the best time to talk about it when we're supposed to be relaxing."

Robin lifted a brow, not expecting the Raven-esque apology. Still, he knew he deserved it for taking in information and never giving it out freely himself. He replied with an understanding nod. Apparently he wasn't the only one with murders on their mind.

And just when the waiter was returning, still with the look of confusion on his face, an alarm set off each Titan's signal receiver. Four groaning sighs echoed the displeasure of the timing and grudgingly got out from their seats.

"But but…" Beast Boy whined as he got to the railing of the patio, "I needs ma food, yo! You'd think crooks would need to eat too!?"

Grinning, Robin patted the green teen's shoulder in mock sympathy, "Crime waits for no stomach, Beast Boy." Receiving a raspberry from the youngest Titan, Robin perched himself on the railing and removed his grappler, "Let's go, Titans!"

The waiter just froze in place watching teens fly or swing away, though a tap on the shoulder shook him out to face up to the giant Cyborg. "Could you hold on to our order? We'll be right back." He asked with a courteous grin and then proceeded to jump off the building and extended a hand to a hovering Starfire to carry him to the scene of the crime.

There the waiter stood, holding a tray of drinks and a bottle of mustard thinking, This is what I get for dropping school.

ooooooo

"Zum gali gali gali
Zum gali gali"

He hummed it and sang it like a lullaby,
From far away watched his precious,fly.
But his eyes so red followed the prize;
Oh what rapture it'd be to catch his surprise.

A melody of spring caught his ear
Eyeing the redbreast perched so near.
A lovely gift for a lovely child,
As red-gloves' thoughts ran giddy and wild.

"Zum gali gali gali
Zum gali gali"

ooooooo

The job in Bludhaven finished up smoothly with the reward now sitting soundly in his bank account. His client was very gracious, even offering him a bountiful dinner for any extra troubles he might have gotten himself into. But the thief respectfully declined, not only for professionalism, but the idea of taking his mask off even half way in the presence of others was a ludicrous prospect. He was too attached to it now.

But Red X took the opportunity to exchange the good will of a free meal for free information. Eavesdropping on the Duke's "hobby" had hooked on his brain by then, much to his chagrin. Instead of playing towards the topic with gift wrapped words, X went straight to the point. While that may not have been a wise decision with most organized gang leaders, the skull-masked read up on his client before taking the job to devoid of any possibilities of backstabbing.

The "Hierarch," as he called himself, seemed generally outraged when he mentioned what X overheard. He had a daughter of his own, now in her twenties as he explained, and he would never dream of laying such acts on a child. But the thief was nodding off as the Hierarch raged on about the chastity of children and especially his daughter. It was after the speech that X finally got information, thought nothing revolutionary.

It seems the word on the street was the recent trade of "merchandise" was well established in Bludhaven along within Gotham, and Jump City was the newest addition. But the crime lord did not have knowledge of whom and the whereabouts of the traders. As if to make up for the lack of knowledge, he made it more than crystal clear that the Duke will be paying a very hefty price as he shook the account book in his hand.

Red X merely grunted, half disinterested in details that didn't concern directly to his needs. Promises in the criminal underworld held little weight; it was action that dictated one's reputation. Though gathering information on a sex trade didn't match his style either.

Perhaps, it was genuine sympathy that worked into his head as he knew the hardships of street life. And he also knew he must have been going crazy with boredom—since the day he met the original owner of the suit. Now that was a fun time. A new thrill in form of a challenge both in skill and mentality was just too rare nowadays.

That night he left Bludhaven, not bothering to sleep.

By mid afternoon, Red X arrived in Jump City. Though he would have hoped to have met the Titans, or specifically, their leader under different circumstances, the information sitting in his belt was not going to leave his head. Once again he easily managed to infiltrate into the Titans Tower security, but to his annoyance no one was around.

He thought about just leaving the small disk containing the information behind, maybe a note attached to it. But knowing that would be one of the dumbest moves to make, he opted to skip the waiting and search the streets himself.

A perfectly, lovely Saturday being wasted on finding the little justice troop… Sometimes he hated having a conscience, and hated it more when he actually cared enough to listen to it.

ooooooo

"That," Cyborg chomped on his sixth extra-meaty pizza slice before continuing, "was the fastest win we ever had."

Raven sipped her cup of water, while only a small bite off her slice was the only sign she was eating. "Who would have thought the most deadly weapon of all is Beast Boy's stomach."

"Hey, a growing boy's gotta do what he's gotta do." Beast Boy savoured the tofu accentuated by the pineapple juice. "When hunger strikes, never stand between a teen and his food."

Robin gulped his piece, who was the only one who dared to eat the changeling's unique choice of toppings, "No kidding. I thought you were actually going to swallow the guy alive."

"Well, it wouldn't technically be called cannibalism if I took a bite as an alligator, would it?" A mischievous grin crept onto the green face.

The half-robot peered uneasily at the smaller teen, "Remind me not to be stuck on a deserted island with you."

While the boys joked around in their usual manner, Raven, ever the dark mistress, couldn't help but stare at Starfire's unusual enjoyment of her unusual drink. Her face remained solid as stone, but it was hard not to look. More than half the patrons at the restaurant were—though it could also be there were five super heroes eating amongst them.

The Titans leader caught the raised eyebrow of the dark girl, and following her line of sight. Like her, he found he just had to stare as well. He didn't mean to be rude but in some ways it was pretty amusing to watch. Soon, the other two looked from the two distracted Titans to Starfire when it became obvious they weren't listening.

"Man, no matter how many bottles she goes through, I still can't get used to it." Beast Boy commented.

Happily drinking her mustard after finishing her portion of pizza, Stafire finally noticed the group's eyes upon her. A sensitive blush already formed on her already pink cheeks, "Oh, I am sorry. I have neglected my manners. Would you like some?" She held out the bottle with the straw out to her team mates whom all responded with a prompt and resounding "NO."

"I don't know how you can drink that straight up, Star. It's almost worst as BB's culinary taste." Cyborg added looking as if he would gag. "Next, you'll be drinking ketchup from tap."

"Actually," the alien sipped what sounded like the last of the yellow condiment, "a mixture of mustard and ketchup was quite exhilarating to the taste buds. Even more so with a scoop of iced cream floating at the top like those served in cafes in the movies."

The pizza in Cyborg's hand slipped from his fingers, "A mustchup milkshake?! That's it, no more for today." His previous hankering for the meat-heaven pizza just made him feel ill.

The changeling just sat with his mouth opened and whispering out loud to the others. "I tell you, she's going to own at frat parties…"

"Right…" Robin said in the same disheartened manner as Cyborg as his own appetite suddenly flew away. "Let's try not to encourage that." The meaning behind that statement was left to be filled in by the others. "We should be getting back to the Tower anyway." He raised his hand calling for the waiter, requesting the bill and left over pizza to be packaged.

The group chatted and laughed about nothing and everything like any group of teens would. Five minutes later, the waiter returned with a single pizza box in one hand and the cheque in the other.

Raven took the receipt as Cyborg received the flat box. She scanned the small sheet and casually placed it in front of Beast Boy.

The changeling looked up in confusion, "I thought it was your turn?"

"I paid last time." The dark mistress answered with navy eyes staring down the young teen.

Beast Boy shifted back in his seat knowing that look meant not to argue with her. But that never stopped him, "No, I paid last time! I think…"

"No," Cyborg added with a grin, "you were short on cash so Raven paid last time so that you'd pay this time."

"Oh, right…" Beast Boy felt a sweat drop down his temple. "Uh, I think I left my wallet in my other spandex?" His hands padded his own belt and waist to emphasize his lack of financial funds. Raven rolled her eyes while Cyborg shook his head with a smile.

Hoping for charity, the green teen morphed into a too large-eyed kitten so petit that he would have fit into his large friend's metal hand. "Oh no, you still owe me for lending you money." Cyborg pushed the kitty to the middle of the table to get those two adorable eyes out of site. Though he didn't really expect the youngest Titan to repay him since he would gladly leave it as helping out a friend, he thought a little responsibility would help tighten the youngster's aloofness.

But, failing to extract help from Cyborg, Beast Boy started to appeal to the girls. Or rather, to Starfire since Raven's answer was written all over her face. He pawed his way up to the alien, releasing a single mew and batting his eyes.

"Ohhhh!" Starfire scooped kitty boy in her hands and hugged him against her cheek, "I can never refuse such eyes round and soft as the magnificent morglock!" Slowly, she lowered the kitten to the table with eyes too dreary for a situation like this. "But I also did not bring monetary notes since I did not expect to pay for today's meal. I am sorry Beast Boy." Watching the tiny ears droop, she couldn't help but scratch behind them to help make the boy feel better.

Thus it became painfully obvious who had to pay for the day's lunch out. "Alright alright, I'll pay for today, Beast Boy." Robin offered with a sigh; the things he had to do as leader.

Ears perked instantly and the kitten jumped right onto Robin, who with his excellent reflexes caught the feline before he landed on his face. A cacophony of purrs streamed from the green kitten as he rubbed his head against the red-clad chest. The others sniggered at the sight except for Raven, whose only evidence of finding amusement with the scene was her arching brow.

Robin couldn't keep his annoyance in the forefront as he broke into a smile at the small bundle of fur. "You're welcome." He plopped the kitty down to the table and the feline became human again.

Grinning back, Beast Boy leapt off the table. "I owe ya, fearless leader." He playfully tapped a fist to his current saviour's arm.

The Boy Wonder returned in kind, only adding, "Worry about it AFTER you pay back Cyborg." That got him a sheepish, toothy smirk. The implied lesson on responsibility wasn't lost on those pointed ears. "You guys go on ahead." Green gloves fished for cash in one of his pouches on his belt while the other reached for the bill. The troop took the suggestion and they headed back into the interior of the pizza restaurant and make their way to the exit downstairs.

Taking a glance again to the bill again, he made sure the total was correct. When it came to food it always totalled above average financially, as they would usually customize what was on the menu. It's a wonder how restaurants had the patience for the five unique teens.

Just when Robin foraged sufficient funds plus tip to set on the piece of paper, the waiter who had put up with the group's antics arrived. "Sorry I forgot this was left for…" The taller waiter checked the tiny parcel in his hand again, "for 'Robin' it says. Is that you?"

Mentally noting the guy really was new to the city, the Titans' leader simply nodded. But the curiosity of the packaged wrapped in plain brown packing paper with a ribbon pecked at him more. He took the box held out by the waiter noticing that there was no "from" written anywhere on the box or on the gift tag attached to the thin strip of red ribbon. "Did the person leave a name?"

"Nope, the guy just said he was an admirer of you for all your work. He asked me to give it to you. I guess he came around after you guys came back. Sorry about that, Saturday's a busy day 'n all."

Robin waved away the excuse, understanding that they were not the sole customers of the place. However, he did write that certain detail on a fresh page on his mental notebook, "Admirer…?"

Despite what would have been thought as natural, the Titans were not people-parading-the-streets-in-their- honour popular, more like the city saw them as a special extension to the police. It was the closest thing the teens could receive from the city as accepting them as normal citizens.

Still, the curious detective side of Robin probed the package. "Do you remember what the person looked like?"

The waiter scratched his head recalling amidst serving close to twenty people, "Um, black business suit and sunglasses, I think. Hair's the same colour. Though I remember for sure he had red gloves on." And as if compelled to add his opinion, he continued, "Personally I thought he was kinda strange…"

Robin had to agree with that conclusion. Business suit alluded that the "admirer" was most likely an adult and the colour coordination didn't help the image either. "Hmm, well, thanks for the delivery, and for putting up with our quirks." He hid his puzzlement behind the simpering expression and pushed the payment towards the other.

A call from another table of patrons caught the teen waiter's attention and acknowledged he heard. "Not a problem," he replied to Robin, "I admit, at first I thought I should find a new job, but it was pretty interesting to meet you guys." The waiter genuinely smiled back and pocketed the payment in the front of his uniform, gesturing that he had to get to that other table. But he didn't forget the generous extra cash for his services that was left for him, "Thanks for the tip!" He waved and returned to his job.

Setting the light box on the table, and going against sound, common sense to not accept things from a stranger—especially one with that description—Robin pulled the red ribbon to easily untie the bow. He had to admit the cursive writing on the gift tag was the most elegant he had seen yet. Beneath the thin, paper skin was a peach coloured box. He lifted the lid.

If he didn't have the years of experience supporting him, he would have faltered back.

Inside was a white piece of folded paper, one corner of it soaked in red. The source of the red stain pooled at the bottom of the box, draining from a single bird's wing. Feathers were brown like tree bark, yet revealed a tint of red when the light hit it just right from absorbing its own blood. A piece of ragged-edged bone protruding from where the wing should be attached to a body indicated it was pulled off the unfortunate animal. It was obvious it was freshly dismembered as not all of the blood dried up to form a mock scab on the surface of the box.

He stared at the gruesome gift, his mask crinkling to wrinkled skin, repelled by the sight. Analytical Robin already set up questions he would need to answer to discover the message wrapped with the wing, and the ultimate goal behind it. Adolescent Robin hid behind the mask of the Analytical, rightfully disturbed with one question of why he received such a thing.

Adolescent just wanted to step away, but Analytical had the reigns to the boy's mind, as it always had for the most of Robin's career.

Returning his face to a neutral expression, he reached in the box and took out the stained paper. Slowly he opened it as if one hasty move would detonate it like a bomb. But all there was scribbled on paper was a map, one that he instantly recognized the location it was pointing to. Below the sub-par map were words that made his mask narrow in suspicion. The broken wing became a possible key to a piece to the current problem city-wide problem.

Come alone or come not at all,
If you're curious to know what girls and boys are made of

"Yo, Robin!"

Boy Wonder almost jumped at the sudden voicing of his name. Quickly he stuffed the note back in the box and turned around, keeping the gift behind him.

"We've been waiting for five minutes! Don't have enough to pay or something?" Beast Boy was standing on the ledge of the building, "Everyone's in the T-car."

"Sorry," Robin coolly answered, "I'll come back on my own later. Something that needs my attention came up." His body posture betrayed nothing of the new information grating in his veins.

The changeling sighed, "All work and no play make Robin a cranky-angst boy." He didn't ask details, as he knew the drill when it came to his workaholic leader. "Gonna be back soon or should I tell the gang your scheduled tactics meeting is dropped?"

After a beat, Robin answered with a slow "no." He eyed the green youngster making sure he didn't suspect anything, "I'll be back in time."

"Alright. Later!" With that Beast Boy flipped backwards morphing into a hawk and dove down to the rest of the group.

Waiting moments for anymore distractions to appear, Robin turned his attention back to the note.

Closing the lid, he headed off to find the piece to the puzzle.

The story is creeping along, and I might be slow with updates too, unfortunately. Some personal demands I need to pay attention to.

Please be patient with me,
-Art of Silence