Disclaimer:
I do not own the teen titans.
Summary:
"And the only time she touches the ground is when that little bird… dies."
What happens when a certain bird falls to prey? Will she once again take flight? Or disappear into the night?
Raven centered fiction.
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CHAPTER FIVE
Masquerade, Masquerade, Hide your face so the world will never find you.
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RECAP:
"Mission successful." She waved her hand in front of her and the jewel appeared, putting her hand back behind her, the jewel floated to Slade, who took it in his hand and examined it.
"Good. You're excused."
Raven nodded and disappeared.
---
"Mhm. The mayor is holding a ball-" Raven lifted the sauce covered spoon to her lips and took a taste, nodded, and turned off the burner, "-Are you going?"
She took a glance at Slade, who was leaning against a kitchen cabinet, his arms folded against his chest.
Over the year, Wintergreen had taught her how to cook. And since he was currently on vacation, she mostly had the whole house to herself, since Slade was usually in his lair. But of course, she had to go to the store, and she wanted to drive there like a normal person, problem is though, she didn't have an identity per say. Finally convincing Slade to get her some papers, Ave Dellacouer was born. She lived in a mansion with only a family friend. She was blonde with blue eyes. Slade had chosen her first name but his lack of using Raven at times, and calling her Ave as a nickname. She had wanted Wilson for a last name, but chosen against it just in case she was caught, she didn't want to taint the name she had grown to admire. But when she was at home, Ave became Raven and she would easily change her hair and eyes back to their original hue of amethyst.
Raven had convinced Slade to have dinner with her since she said she was lonely, it being the first night Wintergreen wasn't in the house with her.
Slade frowned at the question. Over the year, they had both developed a respecting father-daughter relationship. He didn't want her meeting some guy.. and distracting her from her missions. "When is it?"
Raven poured some sauce into a plate of pasta, repeating it to another plate. " The 31st of course, Hallow's Eve-" Setting down the pot of sauce, she carried both plates in her hands and brought them to the glass dinner table. She continued, "It's a masquerade. I'll be wearing a mask, so I'll be fine."
The whole kitchen had a high ceiling, it was more of loft. This side of the house was more modern. Another set of stairs led to the upstairs on the side of the wall. Very large windows covered one side of the wall. From Raven's spot, she was behind the kitchen island, facing the dinner table, and beyond that was another living room, with a fireplace that would almost as tall as her. Raven had insisted on updating their kitchen appliances, getting Wintergreen on her side. Slade relented and let her renovated. The kitchen had wall ovens and marble tops, overhead lights. It was such a beautiful modern kitchen, and it was used everyday. Raven and Wintergreen had matching Chef hats that Raven had got for them. Slade didn't like to cook, so he didn't mind.
Setting a plate on one end of the table, and one on the other end. She walked back to island and crouched getting a wine bottle in the built in holder underneath. "I mean I've been waiting for my next reunion with the spandex clad heroes. Ever since you sent me on that Paris mission."
Slade had sent her to Paris, fully knowing that she could quickly teleport back. The Lourve had opened a new exhibit showcasing a very rare painting and vase that was found underground. Raven had to stay for a week, figuring out the security systems and guard rotations. It had been stolen the next day. But unfortunately, Slade had eyes also on other exquisite items in Paris, so she had been held back by two more weeks.
She had come back to Jump City two days earlier.
Throwing the bottle towards Slade, who easily caught it, Raven walked to the back of the kitchen picked a cork screwer out of the drawer, throwing that also to Slade. Slade caught it and slowly unscrewed the cork, shaking the bottle in a circle, mixing the contents inside. He walked to his end of the table and sat in his leather chair. He had insisted that he should at least be comfortable. Resting the opened wine on the table. He rested his elbows on the arms of the chair, contemplating the pros and cons of the masquerade. A 'whzz' was heard and Slade quickly lifted his hand, catching a wine glass, another 'whzz' followed and he caught that glass with his other hand. Putting both glasses down, he looked up and watched as Raven took something out of the oven.
"I won't be going as Ave though, or Raven, maybe I'll just change completely, I doubt there going to pester about a name. And I could just duplicate an invitation." Her black mitten covered hands holding a tray of what looked like seasoned bread.
She continued as she brought the tray to the island, taking off her mittens and trying to put the hot bread on a plate, not bothering to use tongs, "I'm hoping the titans will be there, I'm sure they will. Birdy is so much fun to play with."
Raven had started calling Robin, Birdy. And it obviously angered him, so she continued to name him that just to see him flare.
Finally getting the pieces of bread into a plate, she brought it over to the table.
Slade sighed, "Fine. But at least make sure to take some souvenirs." Raven smiled and lifted her apron over her head and threw it to the island.
"Cool. I had already acquired a dress while in Paris. I heard of the party before I left." She sat down and placed her napkin on her lap.
"And if I had said no?" Slade raised an eyebrow.
Raven shrugged, "I would have still went. Let's eat. I'm starving."
Slade chuckled, 'Always stubborn.' And took a bite of his pasta.
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They both had just finished, and put their plates to the side, Raven getting up to get dessert from the fridge.
"Wintergreen had given me this recipe of cheesecake, I was going to make it plain. But he suggested that I add some cherry topping and voila!" She reappeared from behind the refrigerator door and showed her cherry sauce covered cheesecake. She was grinning like a madman.
Slade tensed at the sight of the dessert, as she held the cake in one hand, while getting a knife with the other. Walking back to the table, she noticed Slade's eye on the cake.
"What's wrong?" She asked with concern. 'Maybe he just never had cheesecake before. I've never seen Wintergreen cook cheesecake before. Mhm, well here's your chance Slade!'
Slade shook out of his memory, "Nothing. Looks good."
Slade had remembered that the last time he had cheesecake was when Addi was with him. And she always added cherry sauce as her specialty. It was his favorite. He only told Wintergreen this. Damn him for suggesting such a dessert! But he was craving for it.. so might as well eat it.
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Raven watched as he stopped eating halfway and leaned back in his chair. 'He must be full.' She shrugged and continued her piece. She had cut the cheesecake in quarters, fully aware that she could easily eat her share, so could Slade. She stabbed her fork into her cake, and put it in her mouth, closing her eyes, savoring the taste. 'Good God, this is the best thing I've made since like.. ever..'
Slade watched her close her eyes in pleasure. 'Mhm. Is this a weakness I see..?' He quietly picked up his fork, and threw it at her with ease and speed, aiming at her shoulder. 'She could heal herself. Plus, I just want to test it out..'
The fork was so fast that a 'ssss' was heard as it flew through the air, Raven didn't even look up as she caught it in between her left middle finger, forefinger and thumb. She put it the fork down and opened her eyes, not even looking at Slade as she lifted her last bite of cheesecake toward her mouth. Quickly averting her eyes toward the butter knife that stay still, inches away from her cheek. Her power had stopped it. She looked at it, and put her fork in her mouth. Slade had always done little tests like these.
Only a millisecond later, another 'swwsss' was heard and this time she looked up at Slade, he only shrugged. Raven smiled, for right next to the knife was his plate with half of his slice still on it, floating in mid air. She looked at the cake in front of her, and digged her fork in it, taking a bite, whilst the knife and plate lowered itself to the table.
"You may be faster and stronger than me, Master, but what I lack in stealth, I gain in power." She grinned at him, and laid her fork down. Raven always called him Master when she was playing with him or when she felt like it. Always when she wanted to, Slade had figured that out. She had never called him Master when he wanted to. She always did it in her own time and way.
Slade laughed, a deep dark laugh. Raven rolled her eyes playfully, he always laughed like that, and it made her crack up.
"My dear child, you indeed gain in power, and one you'll surpass me in stealth. You're just like me." He was proud none the less, he had an apprentice and had gained another daughter who shared the same interests.
"Yep," She grinned, "But I'm better looking." They both laughed.
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Raven twirled in front of her mirror, she had found such a beautiful dress in a shop in Paris. She just had to buy it. She didn't steal it, she did have money, of course, the money did come from stealing. But none the less, she still bought it fair and square.
Raven smiled and held her mask to her face. It covered her whole face except her mouth and chin. She could steal breath, the mask just covered the top of her nose. It was brown and it had ears, it was a fox. Swirly designs embedded into it. Eye holes slanted downward. Brown eyes seeing through them. Raven had decided she would like to be a brown eyed, brown haired beauty, just for tonight.
Her chiffon dress flowed to the ground and was of pale yellow, darker sun colored flowers covered the whole thing. It had two layers on the bottom, making it shift when she walked. Brown and blue beaded flowers traced the top outline of her dress. More brown and blue beaded flowers with leaves, which were larger, were in the middle of her breast dress, and designed down to end on the side of her hip.
The spaghetti straps were of same yellow, and tied around her neck. The front of her dress was cut into a 'V' the sides of it covering her breasts. Her back was cloth less, the dress ending at the top of her butt, small yellow ties, cutting above it, to make sure when she bends over, her dress isn't loose to show off her breasts.
Her wore dangled earrings, and a layered necklace with a small yellow medallion hung loosely.
Wearing strapped black heels, she walked out of her room with her mask, that tied to her face with brown inch wide ribbon, and a little magic that held it in place.
She teleported down to the lair with Slade at the computer. "Sir." She stood with her arms behind her back.
Slade turned around and almost didn't recognized her because of her brown hair, and brown eyes that were exposed through the mask. Her bangs had fallen on the side of her face, covering part of the mask, but the one ear stood through it, making her look like she had ears..
He chuckled, looking at her, "Nice ears."
Raven grinned, "Thanks. I'll be wearing my ear piece just in case. Is there anything else you need me to do before I go?"
Slade shook his head, "No. You're excused."
She nodded, "Thank you, Sir." She disappeared in seconds.
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The Titans were heading out the door, they had received an invitation to the Mayor's formal masquerade.
Cyborg had used his rings to make him look normal, and dressed up as a Pirate, mask included.
Beastboy, of course, with his humor, was a ghost. And at times, would turn into a parrot, sitting on Cyborg's shoulder, making ridiculous remarks.
Hotspot had rings also, thanks to Cyborg, he was dressed as a vampire.
Robin was dressed as The Phantom. His mask, though, still covered both of his eyes, and part of his cheek.
Starfire, of course, was dressed as a princess. Crown and scepter included.
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Raven entered the large ballroom, the high dome ceiling decorated with paintings, the orchestra next to the stage. Tables were on one side, the dancing couples on the other. Many people occupied the space. It was almost full. The room was as large as half a football field, and she didn't doubt that it could extend to rooms and balconies.
She had to walk such a staircase to get here! Presses and flashes blinding you as you make your way to the entrance. Raven wouldn't be surprised if some of them had even stopped and sat down for a rest on the steps. But of course, she had made it up, with all the practice she had in her own home.
She smiled and greeted, some asking her name, but then she would politely, yet expertly change the subject before she could answer. She would comment on the extravagant necklaces and jewels of the ladies, taking a mental photograph that she could later steal.
It had taken her an hour! A whole hour to locate the titans. By this time, she was sure she looked at every piece of jewelry in this ball room! Exhausted, she sat down at one of the tables, and kept her eyes on them. It seemed that Starfire and Beastboy were dancing, to any stranger, they would look like a couple. Cyborg had taken Bumblebee who was dressed as a butterfly, to the dance floor also. Hotspot was nowhere to be seen. And Robin looked as if he was going to die. He was currently conversing with an elderly couple. His eye twitched every now and then.
Making her decision, Raven made her way to Robin's side. Sliding her arm around his, she smiled politely at the couple, "I'm sorry for the interruption." She then glanced at Robin's surprised eyes, she knew, though no one would know from that mask.
"Darling, I've been looking all over for you!" She smiled at the couple, "If I could just steal him for a quick dance, Sir and Madame. I would be eternally grateful." Robin was looking back and forth between her and the elderly couple.
"Why of course dear! You're such a beautiful pair, aren't they shnuckums?" The man blushed from embarrassment at his wife's nickname, and excused himself, and dragged her wife away.
Raven waited until they were gone, and laughed softly. She turned to stand in front of him, her hand still holding his arm. "I'm so sorry, I had noticed your pained expression, and thought of a rescue." She smiled.
Robin was amazed at her elegance of the situation. He never met her, and yet he saved him, even though it was from the elderly.
He smiled, "It's alright, I must thank you though." Raven grinned, and just nodded.
"My name is Robin by the way,and you Miss..?" He waited for a name with a small smile.
Raven grinned, "A masked woman never reveals her identity. It is a masquerade, is it not?"
Robin was intrigued, most of the girls he had met, were immature and were practically fawning over him, and yet, this one, had held her grace and confidence. "Would you like to dance? They might be watching." He held out his hand with a small mock bow. All he wanted was to dance with her and get to know her.
Raven laughed quietly, "Why thank you kind sir, I'd be honored." She raised an eyebrow with a grin, as she curtsied. Her eyes laughing.
She took his hand and they began to waltz. "Why sir, you do indeed know how to dance. Most men have left feet."
Robin chuckled, "Of course, I was taught by my guardian, he had made sure I was raised a gentleman."
It seemed they were the only young couple that was dancing a perfect waltz, those who did know, were elderly. The elderly would point and gasp and make comments, they had never seen such a pair so young that knew how to dance a waltz.
The people now had surrounded them, the titans were in the crowd, and the two young people noticed this and stopped, the people clapped and applauded. The couple blushed and disappeared into the crowd.
---
Robin and Raven were on their way to the roof, they went to the balcony earlier, but it was too public. With sparkling cider glasses in their hands, they took the stairs to the roof. There was no elevator. And they were too young to drink, so they settled on cider, assuming they would get thirsty on the way. And they did. They've been walking up the stairs for a full five minutes, and yet they have not yet reached the top.
"Wait! Hold on. Let's rest." Robin was practically panting, and Raven was fine, she just grinned.
"Please. Maybe I've never climbed stairs for five minutes, but I'm not tired." Robin looked at her skeptically.
"Okay, okay, maybe just a little, with this dress, it is difficult and with heels no less!" Robin chuckled and patted the spot next to him. Raven sat down on the step with him.
She took a sip of her drink and handed it to Robin, "Hold this for a moment." Robin confused, held his and her glass. Then his eyes widened when Raven took her dress, and ripped it right below the knee. She continued until she went around her whole dress. She ripped the final piece and let it fall to the floor. Her dress was ripped diagnolly from her knee to her calf.
Raven let out a long sigh, and wiggled her legs, watching as Robin eyed it. She grinned.
"Much better don't you think?"
"Huh? Err.. uh, yeah." He took his gaze away from her legs and handed her glass.
She stood up and dusted her dress, "Let's go Robin, I want to get there before sunrise."
He chuckled and stood up, "Yes, ma'am."
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CHAPTER TO BE CONTINUED
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AUTHORS NOTE: FSCKING, STUPID, SON OF A- you know what! YOU KNOW WHAT! I finished this chapter with twice more writing than it is now, and it didn't save! SO I HAVE TO WRITE EVERYTHING ALL OVER AGAIN. DAMNIT. Above, is the only thing it saved! LJDJDSALKAJDSLKAJS...grrr...so I apologize if the following has lack of creativity or originality. Can you believe that! Hours upon hours of writing GONE! ...I hate fanfiction,net at the moment, so bugger.
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I am seriously, seriously pissed off at the moment. I can't even type. But what the hell; here's the chapter, I'll try and put in another chapter tonight to make up for the lack of writing in this one. Fscking Hell.
Ist.
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Oh, and check my profile for a picture of her dress, I editted it, and photoshopped the mask.