A/N: I noticed that it takes me about a week and a day to get a chapter up and ready. I also noticed that I tend to get more reviews if I post in the middle of the week. Go figure. Anyway, expect the next chapter on Wednesday or so. I've already started it.

A public apology to Vinnie, who got mad at me blaming him for my day-late chapter last time. I'm soo sorry, Vinnie. I beg for your forgiveness.

Once again, many thanks to all of my great reviewers! You guys are the best! Do you have any idea how ecstatic I am when I get a review?

I'm still fiddling with switching POV's in 3rd person objective. So, this chapter is written from Robin's POV.

Honesty

Chapter 3

Robin watched numbly as Raven casually jumped over his last three pieces in quick succession. "I win again," Raven said, removing the checkers. "Want to play again?"

"Yes," Robin said, scowling slightly, his response honest and automatic because of the curse. "I'm not giving up until I beat you."

"Then we'll be here forever," Raven said, smiling slightly. She rearranged the pieces for their fourth game in a row.

"How did you learn to play so well, anyway?" asked Robin, moving a piece forward.

"I don't really know," Raven said, considering his statement while moving to the side. "I like strategy games that make you think more than others, though. Maybe that has something to do with it."

"Cool," Robin said, smiling. "It probably does."

Raven smiled back, before letting out a slight yawn. Shifting her position, Raven reached out behind her, stretching like a cat does after it wakes. Robin's eyes couldn't help but take in the sight of the lithe mystic stretching.

Raven rolled her shoulders and leaned back as far as she could until her back made a satisfying crack.

"Ouch!" Robin said, wincing. "That sounds like it hurt!"

"It didn't," Raven assured him, smiling as she settled back down onto the bed. She lay down on her side this time, propping her head up in one hand, her knees slightly bent. "It felt rather good, actually."

Don't think of Raven feeling good, Robin's brain commanded him instantly, as Raven made her move. You can blurt out your thoughts. You can think of that later.

Robin blinked, and looked at the board, to see that Raven had jumped him again. Sighing, he moved a piece.

"Are you sure you didn't learn how to play checkers from some grand master?" he accused, causing her to grin slightly.

"I'm quite sure," she responded, moving again. "I was only trained in one game."

"Really?" Robin asked, slightly startled as Raven nodded. She smiled slightly at having startled him. Robin was shocked. He had been joking about being trained to play a game. "What game?"

"Chess," Raven responded simply.

"No way!" Robin exclaimed. "I was trained in chess too!"

It was Raven's turn to be incredulous. "Are you kidding me?" she asked, disbelieving.

"Nope!" Robin said, grinning at her stunned expression. "My mentor thought it was important to learn strategy, and what better way than through a high-class intellectual game?"

"No idea," Raven conceded. "Still, it's a bit strange to be trained to play a game."

"I wasn't exactly trained to play a game. I was more trained in strategy through chess," Robin said, laughing. "I don't think anyone's trained just to be good at a game."

"I was," Raven remarked, a slight grin on her face as she moved again.

"No way!" Robin said, astonished. "You were actually trained to play a game for no other purpose?" Raven nodded. "Why?" Robin asked curiously as he made his move. Raven bit her lip.

"It is customary for royalty to settle disputes with others of high class with a game of chess," Raven said delicately. She was obviously trying very hard to phrase her words carefully through the curse, but judging from the scowl on her face, she couldn't leave out as much as she had wanted to.

"You're royalty?" Robin asked, astounded. Raven winced, but nodded. "What's your title? Where do you rule? Why have you never told us about this?" Robin asked, excitement creeping into his voice. I knew Raven was stunning, Robin thought, but I never knew she was royal.

"Raven Metrion, Ri'is al Tri'vinthos entan Ki'in," Raven said flatly, reciting the answers to Robin's questions like reading aloud from a dull book. "I don't rule anywhere, and I don't like to talk about my past."

"You don't like to talk about your past?" Robin asked, curious.

"No," Raven said.

"Why not?" Robin asked, trying to be emphatic.

"Because of what it is," Raven responded, scowling at her obligatory response. "I just don't," Raven added curtly, her tone sharp. Robin winced slightly.

"What's your title mean in English?" Robin asked, changing the subject. Raven sighed.

"Princess Raven, demoness of the Underworld," Raven deadpanned. Robin raised an eyebrow. "Don't ask," Raven said, waving a hand dismissively. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Sorry," Robin apologized, flushing. How could I be so stupid? Robin berated himself. She already said she didn't want to talk about it, yet I press the issue.

"It's okay," Raven said, smiling slightly. "It's your turn."

"Oh," Robin said, hurrying to make his move. Raven snickered. "I got distracted," he said.

"I noticed," Raven teased, a half-smile playing around her lips. She looked up from the board, and, seeing Robin still slightly upset, paused.

"Robin," she said gently. "Chill. It's okay. You just brought up a bit of a sensitive subject; one that I'm not ready to talk about just yet. I'll discuss it with you some other time, okay?"

"Okay," Robin responded, watching as Raven jumped him. Robin paused, and then asked, "Are you mad at me?"

Raven laughed. "No, I'm not mad at you," she said amusedly. "If I was, you'd know."

Robin laughed. "Is that a threat or a joke?" he teased, smiling.

"Both," Raven said, laughing. "Are you going to move?"

"Oh, yes, sorry," Robin said, quickly moving a checker. Raven smirked, and proceeded to double jump him.

"Cheater," Robin muttered loudly, earning a laugh from Raven. He grinned at her and moved again. Raven immediately jumped him and got a new king.

"You're very good at this," Robin said, as he moved again.

"Thanks," Raven said, blushing slightly, as she looked at the board, contemplating her next move.

"You are," Robin insisted. "I'm not just saying it. I can only tell the truth, anyway, can't I?"

"We don't know that," Raven responded mechanically. Robin raised an eyebrow. Rolling her eyes at her automated response, Raven elaborated.

"We only know for sure that we have to answer questions honestly; though, if we focus, we can change the wording of our answer," Raven explained, as Robin jumped his first piece of hers, which she quickly jumped in return. "We also know that we are rather prone to blurting out our thoughts. We haven't tested, however, to see if we can't tell a lie."

"How are we supposed to test that?" Robin asked, moving.

"Simple. Just try to tell a lie," Raven said, moving. "King me."

That's easy enough, Robin thought, as he kinged her checker. "My name is Raven," Robin tried to say.

Somehow, though, the words just wouldn't come out.

Robin tried again. "Cyborg loves tofu." The words ran loudly in his mind, but his mouth and voice box refused to comply, and the lie would not form.

Raven watched on amusedly. "I guess we can't lie, then," she said, smirking, as she double jumped Robin with her new king. "That sucks. How am I supposed to be cynical and highly sarcastic now?"

"I have no idea. I'm sure you'll manage, though," Robin responded, laughing. Raven looked up at him, her lips quirking into an odd smile.

"Oh, sure. You think it's funny," she accused, dramatically waggling a finger at him. "You're not the one whose reason for existence just flickered out."

Robin laughed at her melodramatic statement, and Raven grinned slightly. "See?" Robin said, chuckling. Raven shook her head, her forced honest response coming non-verbally this time. "I told you you'd be able to be sarcastic without telling a lie," Robin explained, grinning. "You had nothing to worry about. You can work around it."

"Yeah," Raven said, smiling as she understood. "I guess I can."

"Of course you can." Words spilled from Robin's lips without him wanting to speak. His eyes widened, but he continued on nevertheless. "You can do anything when you set your mind to it. It's just one of the many ways in which you're amazing." Raven jerked her head up at this, looking to Robin intently.

"You… you think I'm amazing?" she asked, looking slightly stunned.

Oops… Robin thought, wincing. She wasn't supposed to know that. Damage control time…

"Yes," Robin admitted.

"Really?" Raven said, looking up, her eyes wide. Was it just Robin, or did there seem to be a note of hope in her voice, and was there a bit of a blush on her cheeks?

No, Robin thought. She's just asking. You're seeing things that aren't there.

"Yes, really," Robin confirmed, knowing he had to say the truth. "Just look at you," he elaborated, intending to lessen the meaning. "You kick ass at checkers, you're a great fighter, you're a spectacular Titan, and you're a great part of this team. Of course you're amazing." Robin watched closely for her reaction.

Raven stiffened for a moment, before quickly returning to normal, Robin noticed. But while a moment ago she had been smiling and genuine with him, open and friendly, she now gave off an aura of distinct coldness and chill, as if she had put on a mask or façade.

What was that? Robin wondered. Slightly confused, Robin tucked it away

"I'm an amazing part of this team," Raven repeated flatly. "Great."

"I mean it, Raven," Robin said, misunderstanding her tone. "You're my friend. I'm not joking around with you."

"I'm your friend," Raven repeated dully. Robin raised an eyebrow.

What is going on? Robin wondered. A second ago we were fine, now she's all distant. What did I do?

Raven abruptly stood up. "I'm going to take a shower before dinner," she announced, heading for the bathroom. "I'll eat when I get out."

"But what about the game?" Robin objected, watching her go. Raven paused, and cast a black aura-encased hand behind her. One of her black checkers rose and quadruple jumped Robin's remaining checkers.

"There," Raven said. "Game over." With that, she went into the bathroom, promptly locking the door.

"Great," Robin groaned, flopping back on his bed, as he heard Raven turn on the shower. "What did I do now?"

A sharp knock came at the door. Robin sat up, to see it open, revealing a haughty Jinx.

"Your dinner is served," she said sarcastically, holding out several little cartons of Chinese food.

"Just put them on the dresser," Robin said, gesturing. "You came a bit too late. Raven's in the shower now."

"And I care why?" Jinx sneered, setting down the food.

"Because you hate Raven and you missed your chance to argue with her," Robin responded automatically, the words spilling from his lips. Jinx smirked.

"Curses aren't fun, are they?" Jinx said, smirking, as she straightened. Robin shook his head. "And I don't hate Raven," she added, after a moment.

"You don't?" Robin asked, startled. "The way you two bicker in battle, I thought for sure…"

"Has it ever occurred to you that Raven and I enjoy our verbal battles?" Jinx interrupted. "I certainly don't get much intelligent banter from hanging around with Gizmo and Mammoth."

Robin considered. "No," he admitted. "I never thought of that before."

"Obviously," Jinx said, rolling her eyes. "I'm sure Raven appreciates it as well. I have no idea how she stands dealing with people who have no gift for subtlety for so long without strangling someone."

"What do you mean?" Robin asked, intrigued.

"The rest of you Titans never pick up on anything," Jinx said bluntly. "Take you, for example. You don't have a clue about Raven."

"Yes I do!" Robin denied, insulted.

"Not much of a clue, then," Jinx said dismissively. "She's been sending you signals for months now, and you still haven't picked up on it."

"Signals?" Robin asked, confused. "What signals?"

"If you don't know, I'm not going to tell you," Jinx snapped. "Now, if you're done interrogating me, I'll be leaving."

Jinx stalked out of the room, slamming and locking the door behind her. Robin sighed frustratedly, running a hand through his hair.

Now everyone I can see for the next week is mad at me, Robin thought moodily, kicking his dresser defiantly. Great.

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Maybe I should start making cliffhangers a given. They certainly make the readers review. :P

Again, please review! Let me know what you think! Everything, even just aline letting me know that you read this, is greatly appreciated! Many thanks!