VII: Something About Her
I had no trouble finding her. We know each other well, she and I. Almost better than we know anybody else.
She sat on the roof, her legs crossed. Except she wasn't sitting on the roof.
She floated upside-down above the roof. As a result, her hair and cloak hung down.
Somehow, I managed to keep from laughing at the picture she presented. There's just something about Raven when she looks disheveled.
I didn't have to say a word. She cracked one eye open and Looked at me, almost as if to say, What?
She's grumpy, too. Have I ever mentioned that? I'm sure I have, but don't tell her. She insists that she isn't grumpy.
I didn't say anything. I just stood there, looking back. I know her well, you see. I knew that eventually she would lose patience with my just standing there and make me get to the point.
"Do you need me for something?" As usual, when she spoke in the midst of meditation, her voice sounded gravelly.
"No, not really. Just wanted to talk. But I realized you were meditating. If you want me to leave, I can."
I didn't have to say: And will.
We have an understanding.
"No, you don't have to leave. It's fine."
She righted herself, lowered to the ground. I sat next to her.
"What sent you in to the meditation spree?" I asked.
She lifted an eyebrow. Her expression said: You know me better than that, but all her mouth told me was, "Aside from the fact that I need it?"
"Good point. But really, is something bothering you?"
"I'm going to end the world, Robin. Use that Bat-trained brain. Sometimes I think you're the smartest person in this Tower, and sometimes I think you're dumber than a sack of rocks."
At this blithe confession, she clapped her hands over her mouth.
I only laughed. "I think you're right on both counts. But the real reason you love me is because I'm dead sexy."
"And only marginally taller than me," she quipped.
"Hey! Don't make fun of my height! It's good that I'm short! Being short helps out with gymnastics and acrobatics! The best gymnasts are short, you know!"
She looked at me. That was all it took, really, was that one look. I burst into laughter, and she did her equivalent: smiled widely.
There are times I wish that she could laugh. I imagine all the time how her real laugh would sound. When I'm with her, and she's suppressing her emotions, I just wish I could wrap my arms around her and make everything better.
There's something about Raven at any time. She doesn't have it just when she looks disheveled. She doesn't have it just when she looks as happy as she ever does. She doesn't have it just when she smiles.
She has it all the time.
Her frailty makes you want to make everything better for her, her strength of will makes you admire her, her sheer power makes you need to run away when she's angry.