"How does she just disappear like that?" Cyborg demanded in a dismayed but exasperated tone.
"Dude, chill." Beast Boy tried to sound reassuring. "We'll find her. We came really close last time."
"That was two months ago," Terra pointed out.
"Closer to seven weeks, actually," Robin corrected, almost absentmindedly.
"Whatever. We found her before; we'll find her again. She's got to pop up somewhere." The changeling spoke with a confidence that belied his true feelings of worry and sadness.
Starfire's scream interrupted their conversation.
The four Titans rushed towards the sound in a panic, only to find her dancing around in an elated mood unlike one they had seen since Raven had left. Her cry had been one of excitement. The four sweat-dropped.
"Star, what's going on?" Robin inquired.
She pointed to a screen, which was showing the ending of a commercial. "The people of the giant screen are coming here for the showing of a new, um, moovy."
"This isn't the time to go to the movies," Terra protested.
Robin started to speak, but his communicator went off. He answered it, and after a few quick moments of conversation, he hung up and addressed his team. "Seems we don't have a choice. We've been asked to go as backup for security."
Terra, unlike Starfire, did not appear pleased, but could not object.
"When is it?" Cyborg asked.
Robin grimaced. "Tonight."
"What? I don't have a tux!" Cyborg complained.
"Me neither!" Beast Boy added.
"I don't have one either. I'll call Bruce and see if he can help with that."
"We need dresses, too," Terra interjected, speaking for herself and Starfire.
Robin merely nodded.
Some hours later, in clothes suited for the event, the five arrived at a large dome-shaped building swarming with stars and the media. Terra and Starfire were asked to stand guard near the front entrance. Robin took a position near the walkway amongst the reporters, Cyborg watched the entrance to the backstage area, and Beast Boy surveyed the guests as they took their seats inside.
Cyborg observed crews carrying in lighting and music equipment, movie reels, and catering necessities. All of which, he noted with satisfaction, were rather outdated when compared to his own technology. Something caught his attention in the corner of his eye. He turned to see a lithe woman searching through boxes in the back of one of several vans. She wore a belt with round, dark red jewels embedded in gold.
"Raven?" Cyborg exclaimed, and approached her at a fast pace. "Oh, man. We've been looking everywhere for you. You've no idea—" He touched her shoulder, and the woman who turned a startled face towards him was not Raven. "Oh, er, sorry. Wrong person." He tried not to sound disappointed. Then he noticed the stones on her belt were plastic, not authentic like Raven's. Cyborg resumed his post, the pride he had earlier felt in his technical advances dampened. Despite his industrial genius, he had still not, after all, found Raven.
Beast Boy stared, enraptured, at the finely dressed people who entered to take seats in the large theater. The women, more than the men, formed an array of color amongst the constant red of the theater seats. Suddenly, the flutter of an orchid-colored cape snared his attention.
"Dude, Raven!" He sprinted towards the character that was weaving through small groupings of people as if she had not heard his call, only to come to a skidding halt when he discovered that the cloak was only an accessory to some female celebrity's outfit. He returned dejectedly to his station, the rainbows of garments no longer holding the opulence they had previously.
Terra and Starfire were admiring the finery of the women and the handsomeness of the men who passed through the entry. Terra was looking elsewhere when Starfire gave a squeal that, thankfully, went unheard by most because of the din of the crowd.
"Friend Raven!"
Terra's eyes searched in the direction Starfire was heading, and landed on something purple that periodically became visible between the throng of people. Anticipation filling her, Terra followed Starfire, only to be equally disappointed when she reached the source.
Apparently, one of the characters in the film had dark lavender hair, and they had spotted one of the movie posters, made to look animate to them by the wind and moving bodies around it. They returned to the main doors, their interest in the surrounding persons gone. They now wanted only to finish the night and continue their search for Raven.
Robin's masked eyes scanned the crowd for suspicious activity. Behind and amid the reporters were fans straining to see the stars. Short, violet hair caught his attention. He made his way to the female, only to have his hopes dashed away as he saw the terrible dye job of the enthusiast.
Once the doors officially closed, the Teen Titans took their seats near the back of the large theater. They each briefly recounted their near finding of Raven, and would have laughed at the irony had the fact that Raven remained missing not been lurking over them. The lights darkened.
The film was astoundingly marvelous. For two hours, the Titans forgot their worries, weariness, and stress as they were captivated by the plot, acting, scenery, and emotions of the picture. Action and adventure, fantasy and romance, comedy and drama, all tactfully and tastefully coalesced into one amazing movie. The actors were new, but the acting excellent. Few faces were recognizable from other shows.
At the conclusion of the two hours, with thus far no requirement of their crime-fighting abilities, they exited the theater to watch the procession of actors and actresses to the after-party. Names were heralded, admirers cheered, and then the icons disappeared into a room for only those of the movie and the press. The main and two supporting actresses passed by with the supporting actors, as did the screenplay writer, music composer, and several guest stars.
Excited applause and cries of praise arose at the couple that appeared next.
"Hey, I don't remember seeing her," Terra commented, as the main actor whose arm the woman held lightly had his name announced.
Her name followed. Kriti Sanaa. The director. In addition, she was one of the cinematographers. None of the Titans had heard of her before, but the crowds seemed to love her work on the most recent film.
Pale plum-colored eye shadow, a shade lighter than her sparkling, jewel encrusted, floor length gown, was barely visible above dark glasses that concealed her eyes from all. Amethyst gems hung from pierced ears and gold chains around small wrists. A beige hat, plain in comparison, hid the hair—except for a few rebellious strands of naturally violet locks.
Knowing from experience that their shouts would not be heard above those of the multitude, the Titans tried vigorously to reach their friend before they lost sight of her.
The person they knew as Raven, and everyone else knew as Kriti Sanaa, calmly and confidently shook hands with her fellow staff that she passed as well as a few lucky reporters and fans, before entering the party.
By the time the Titans were able tofollow, she was nowhere to be found.
A/N: Sorry for the extremely long wait, everyone. I worked very hard to finish my other story. Now that it is done, I can focus all my attention on this one. In other words, updates should be more frequent, with any luck.
dancingirl3: Thank you for reviewing! I am glad you like my story.
Raven of the night 676: Thanks for the review! I will be sure to explain Raven's career change by the end of the story. I am sorry it is confusing.
VashTheStampede7123: Lol. I apologize for the wait you had to suffer through. I hope this chapter was somewhat worth it, at least.
this.is.stupid: I have noticed that as well. Raven is a smart girl, she could be doing more than wallowing, I think. Anyway, thank you for the review, I am happy you like my story. Sorry for the wait! And thank you for the non-fluff comment.
hey: Sorry I did not update sooner! Thank you very much for reviewing! You got your wish in this chapter. She escapes yet again. Thanks, again!
JMPchick: I apologize for the wait you had to endure for this chapter. Thank you for reviewing!
The Wings of a Raven: I am sorry you had to wait so long. I hope you are more pleased with the ending of this chapter. Thanks for reviewing!
Poopy Penguin: Yes, lol. Director is, too, I imagine. I apologize for the wait on this chapter. I will try hard to get the next chapter out much sooner.
Skye: Actually, Raven has awakened from her coma. These past three careers have been "real life" so to speak. Too confusing? There will be an explanation by the time the story ends.
Yaa: I am happy you like it. I am very sorry I took so long to post this chapter. Thank you for the review!
Tamurl: I am sorry I took so long to update. I hope you liked this chapter. Thanks for reviewing!
Wild Spirit Of Darkness2: You have a point. We shall just have to hope that no one saw her. Thanks for the review!
Hanita-chan: Sorry, but the little social life I have I would like to keep. I will work hard to update sooner. I am happy you like my story. Thanks for reviewing!
NevermoretheRaven: Thank you for the compliment. And thank you for the update on the cartoon. I hope she does not die. Anyway, I apologize sincerely for the wait, and I hope you continue to enjoy my story. Thanks, again!
Sparrowing: I am glad my story is keeping you entertained. Hopefully updates will not be this sparse in the future. Thanks very much for the review!
The Last: Thanks so much! I am glad you feel that the characters do not go too OOC, especially Raven. I am very touched that you were inspired by my story to write a one-shot/poem. It is beautifully written. I will try hard to update more often.
CD: Thank you, I will!
BlackShield: Thank you for being patient, and thanks very much for the review! I am glad you are pleased with my fiction.
KidFlashisHot: I know I did not update soon, for which I am sorry. I hope this chapter was at least somewhat worth the wait. Thank you for the review! I am glad you are enjoying my fiction.
Butterfly Girl Sarah: You will find out eventually. Thank you so much for the kind review. I will try very hard to update sooner this time.
storywriter10791: I am sorry I did not update sooner. I will try hard to do better. Thanks for reviewing!
Raven of The Shadows Azerath: May I ask why you did not like Raven's change in appearance? I respect your opinion, and I don't mind criticism, I am just curious. I am sorry I did not update sooner. Thank you for the review!
hoopla: I am sorry I have not updated sooner! Coming to the same temporary ending so many times must have become frustrating. I will try to update sooner. Thank you very much for the kind review! I am pleased you enjoy my story so much!