Day 18-
The constant knocking in the distance was becoming unbearable. Raven opened her eyes with a fiery air. The knocking kept coming. Like an unvarying rhythm. Raven growled and rolled off her chair. She headed to the door.
Opening it she saw a frightened Jinx wrapped in a blanket. Her hair was a slight mess. She wore purple shorts and a mangled black tee shirt with a white gothic cross on the front. Lazily around her was a blanket with numerous holes, obviously old and warn. Her face was contorted with fear and eyes bright red.
Raven glanced around outside. The sun was barely showing above the horizon in the distance. Not many people were around.
Raven stepped aside and allowed Jinx entrance.
Jinx made her way in with a cautious eye.
Raven watched her from a distance as she sat timidly on the couch shaking a bit. Raven made her way over the chair and retook her seat. She kept a very firm eye on Jinx. "Another dream?"
Jinx nodded.
"You've seen more."
With a small swallow, Jinx nodded again.
This time Raven waited for Jinx to talk on her own. And the time passed. Slowly.
"There were flashes. Red. Green. Black. Yellow. Teeth. Not teeth, fangs. Blood dripping. Screams. Wide eyes. Cat like. Like mine. They were mine. Wide pink eyes. Words trickling down. These… creatures… all over. Flying. Four eyes. Red and white. Glowing. And flashes again. Red. Green. Black. Yellow. And then me. Blood. Screaming." Jinx's voice trailed off. She said it all in a slight whimper. And finally her fear consumed her again and she broke down sobbing.
But that wasn't what surprised Raven. Her dream sounded vaguely… familiar. "The words, do you remember them?"
Jinx nodded after a minute. But she waited to speak until she calmed. "They weren't really words. Just letters in some random sequence. ESVRIEEHYNOTIRETTSIAENDU-SYRNNGEOIGBEAR-TRPAOIWTESHL."
Raven looked at her for a long time. Random letters is right. "No spaces? Capitals? Lower cases? Anything to tell them apart?"
Jinx nodded. "Do you have some paper? I'll write it for you."
Raven levitated some paper and a pen from the kitchen and set it down in front of Jinx. She spelt it all out with eight letters circled. "They weren't dripping."
Raven studied the letters for at least twenty minutes. And then looked back up. "You don't remember anything else?"
Jinx shook her head.
"Is this a normal dream?"
Again Jinx shook her head. "That's why I got scared."
"How often do you have nightmares other than your normal ones?" Raven asked still looking at the letters Jinx had provided her with.
"Not very often." Jinx said quietly.
"Hmm…" Raven got to her feet and paced around the room looking at the letters some more.
Jinx watched her hopeful.
The scene stayed the same for a long time. And they were only pulled out of their states by the rapid knocking at the door.
Raven shook her head trying to get herself out of the daze. She made her way to the door. Opening it she found Robin and Cy.
"Tell me Jinx is here." Cy said a bit worried.
Raven nodded and moved to let them in.
"What's wrong?" Jinx asked examining their stressed faces.
"My brother's on his way." Robin said with disgust.
"Ah." Jinx said almost mimicking the look.
Raven raised her brows and looked from one to another. "Is this the brother I've heard so much about?"
They all nodded. Just a little.
Robin looked to Raven. "I hope you understand when I say… there will be no time today when you are by yourself. Actually, until he leaves you are to be in the company of one of us or BB at all times."
Raven looked at him in disbelief. "Yea. Why?"
"He's a jerk." Jinx said.
"Jerks I can handle."
"Please don't argue with me on this, Raven. Just agree." Robin said a little strained.
Raven could see the stress on his face. Not that it bothered her. What kind of interest would his brother have in her anyways? So he's a jerk. Big deal.
"Come on Rae. If not for Robin then do it for me." Cy said trying to lighten the tension.
Raven narrowed her eyes. "Why don't one of you just stay with him at all times?"
There were exasperated looks among the three of them.
"Fine." Raven sighed. For now I'll agree. But I don't need to be babysat. Those were the thoughts going through her mind.
Breakfast came and went. Robin skipped his practice to 'be with' Raven. And then the four of them sat around Raven's living room. Just sitting there. Small talk went around. Raven went over the letters again and again.
Finally she had had enough. And she stood. Heading for the door.
"Where you going?" Robin asked.
"For a walk." She answered as she continued walking.
Robin ran after her. "I'll join you."
"That's ok. I can walk on my own." Raven said absently as she rearranged some letters in her head.
Robin sighed and rolled his eyes. "You agreed."
"I did it to humor you. But the more I think about it, I would rather spend time on my own today. I have a puzzle to solve."
"Alright. I'll make you a deal. Until he gets here you can do all you want by yourself. But once he arrives, you have to be with one of us. You can choose who."
Raven kept walking.
Robin turned to rejoin his friends in her house. Cy and Jinx were sitting on the couch waiting.
"Where is she?" Cy asked.
"Gone. Can you track her somehow?" Robin asked taking Raven's normal seat in the chair.
Cy looked down to the small screen on his forearm and punched some buttons. A tiny map of the Grounds appeared. Typing some more a small purple dot formed but stood stationary. Every few seconds it would move slightly.
"Without her having any form of cybernetic technology on her, I only get am approximate location. Sorry, Rob. It's the best I can do."
"That's fine. As long as we can track her and get to her before he can."
"Do you really think he'll have an interest in her?" Jinx asked.
Robin thought about it briefly. "Yes. That's the way he is. Something he can't have, he wants. Just like every other guy."
"Not true." Cy started. "I don't want anything I don't already have."
"Don't you ever want to be robot free?" Robin asked with a knowing smile.
It was Cy's only wish. "Alright. I get it."
And they were quiet.
"Why does she have to be so difficult? Aside from the whole betrothed crap… she's only bitchy towards me. Either of you notice that?" Robin said testily.
Cy nodded.
"Well, we are keeping a whole lot of information from her." Jinx pointed out.
"There is nothing gained from telling her."
"There's also nothing lost." Jinx argued.
"Rae's smart. She'll figure it out eventually." Cy added.
"Then we distract her. She doesn't need to know. It's a part of the past. I don't want it brought up. Understand?" Robin shouted and turned his back on them.
No one said anything.
Robin sighed. He didn't mean to be so harsh. And it's not like he regretted his past. Most of it he didn't anyways.
There was a soft hand laid on his shoulder and Robin hung his head.
"We were all innocent then. And stopped when we realized… please, don't be like this." Jinx's voice was soft.
It made Robin cringe at his behavior. He had hurt them. Her. Unintentionally. "I'm sorry."
Jinx removed her hand but didn't move. "It's ok. You're stressed."
Robin gave a bitter chuckle. "To say the very least. She makes everything so damn hard. What I wouldn't give to make all this go away."
Cy and Jinx glanced at each other. "In time, man. We'll find a way to make her lighten up in the meantime."
"It's just me she's like this around. It's like there's this alert that goes off every time I get near her. Yea we're a team against the priests and the wedding business. A pretty damn good one too. But after that, we're complete… opposites."
"You know what they say, opposites attract."
The three of them turned to the kitchen. A green teenage boy stood behind the counter with a glass of water.
"BB. What have you been doing?" Jinx asked surprised to see him.
"Listening to you guys whine. That's all I ever do." He said with a toothy smile.
"Yea. Except when you're no where to be found." Cy said with a smirk. "Seeing Terra behind our backs?"
BB's smile vanished and he narrowed his eyes. And then formed a wry smile. "I'm always around just not always in sight. And I don't go for seconds."
Jinx widened her eyes. Cy opened his mouth in slight shock. Robin said nothing.
"Sorry. Low blow. But how long do you think you can keep this crap from her? Really? And now that your brother's coming. You said it yourself, he's a jerk. What's to stop him from making your business known? So… what's your plan?" BB said raiding the fridge.
"You said you were spying. You should know." Jinx said irritated.
"No. I said I was listening. And you know your plans crap. Why do you think she's so distant from you all? Besides that she's grown up with this shit all along and now you try and baby-sit her like she's four. You really expect her to say 'ok, Robbie. I don't mind if you watch me for the next twenty-four hours like I'm a helpless child.' Come on, dude. Get real."
They all looked at him spitefully.
"What's gotten into you? And what makes you think you know so much about her?" Robin hissed.
BB shrugged eating an apple from the crisper. "Just dishing' it back after the cute little Terra comment. And you know I can take any animal form, extinct and existing, including insects. Is it that hard to figure out?"
"So you spy on her too." Robin said hatefully.
"Never. I make my presence known."
There were glares from the three of them.
"Ok smurf, if you think our plan sucks that much, what's yours?" Cy asked with an edge in his voice.
"Don't have one. But I can tell you that you all underestimate her. A lot. She is perfectly capable of taking care of herself."
"What makes you so sure?" Robin said with narrowed eyes.
With a mouth full of apple BB answered. "I just do."
There were grimaces all around. BB smiled at his accomplishment.
"You know something about her that you're not telling us. Spill." Robin insisted.
BB laughed. "Not gonna happen."
"Why?" Robin growled getting to his feet and heading towards BB.
"It's not your business." BB said not making any effort to move from Robin's range of aggression.
"I'm going to marry her, I have a right to know."
BB smiled. He got Robin in the desired situation he was aiming for. Robin was two feet in front of him and gaining. With a swift movement, BB shifted into a house cat and ran between his legs with a perky meow as he went.
Robin turned to see the green boy standing behind the chair in the living room. He had one arm leaning on the back of it and the same smile lingered.
"So it's ok for you to keep secrets from her, but not for her to keep secrets from you?"
Robin stopped fueling his rage. A frown graced his face. Touché.
"She knows you're all keeping something from her. And she's all but said it now. You can't expect her to trust any of you until you trust her. You're stupider than I thought if you think that. Or something along those lines. You get my point."
"Ok, BB." Jinx started. "If you 'listen' to her so often, then should we tell her?"
"We're not telling her." Robin growled.
"I know that." Jinx spat back. "But our green dwarf here thinks he knows her better than any of us. We should at least hear him out."
"Why bother? He's already traded his loyalty to Raven over us." Cy barked.
BB rolled his eyes. "Loyalty. Should I go there?"
"Don't." Robin snarled.
BB smirked.
(A/N- Sorry BB's so out of character. There are only a few times in this story where he will be like this. But I warn you; I can't write BB very well. I'm not really good at dry humor. Writing it anyways.)
There was a cold tension so thick you could cut it with a knife that engulfed them.
"Listen. If you insist on watching her all the time while he's here, just do it from a distance. A close distance. But stay hidden."
"Then you watch her." Cy said bitterly.
"I fully intended on it. I have the best chance of getting to her if she needs it than any of you."
"So you agree that he'll go after Raven." Jinx said with a slight cock of her brow.
"Yup. He hasn't been here in over seven months. All the sudden Raven shows up and guess who's coming to visit? And when he finds out that she's rebelling and putting up a fight as much as she is, he'll have a field day." BB said sourly.
"The snoop has a point. If he 'listens' as much as it sounds, he's got a pretty good idea of what's going to happen." Cy said.
"What's with the name calling, tin man? She's just as mad at you as she is them."
"You know too. So why doesn't she hate you?" Robin said with a grin.
BB considered this question for a while. He couldn't let them know he was Meeko and that Raven didn't know he was really human. They could 'accidentally' let it slip that he's green. That would give it away. And with their annoyance against him now, that would be too risky. He liked being Meeko. He liked being with her. So he just shrugged. "She doesn't hate any of you. She's just… annoyed with you. And she'll stay annoyed until she finds a reason not to be. I don't think I have to tell you what that is."
"We're not telling her, BB. And you better not either." Robin scowled.
"Why would I? It's not my business. I didn't do anything."
"Why does she trust you so much with supposed secrets that she won't tell the rest of us? What's so special about you?" Jinx said a little jealous.
"I listen. I comfort. I'm cuddly. And I'm cute." BB said finishing the last of the apple.
Immediately Robin snapped his attention to BB. "Cuddly? What do you mean, Cuddly?"
BB smiled.
"Oh. Oh. Oh." Cy said jumping to his feet and waving a large metallic finger in BB's direction. "You. That's why you never come home at night. You're here. That's why you're cuddly. You're here."
BB let the accusation, the true accusation mind you, go by him as if it was never said.
Robin took the silence for what it was. "He's right. Isn't he?"
Again BB rolled his eyes. "Why would I come here at night? I know she's your fiancé. And if you really think I'm that bad of a friend, I don't need to be here anymore do I?" He turned his back on them and started for the door.
Jinx ran to block his exit. "No. We're sorry. This is the most I've seen you in weeks. Stay."
BB looked to the other boys.
Robin kept his glare. Cy didn't so much as look at him.
BB felt the guilt build up inside him. He had just lied to them. He'd never done that before. But for now, it was worth it. Raven needed to have at least one friend who wouldn't keep a secret from her. Although he was probably keeping the biggest secret of them all. But she needed a friend she trusted. And she trusted Meeko.
BB nodded slightly.
Robin checked his watch. "I have to go. The planner will be here soon."
Jinx nodded. BB stood aside from the door. Cy checked his forearm display. "She's already by the gazebo."
Robin nodded and without another word or glance back he left Raven's suite.
"So… who's up for some stank ball?" BB asked.
Cy shot daggers at him.
--
Robin walked down the path thinking about the last few hours. Raven's attitude. BB's new attitude. And everything that was said.
He found Raven sitting on a large rock a few hundred feet from the gazebo reading a book. He watched her from afar for a while. Could BB really be going there every night? And why? Would she really allow that? She was so adamant about her feelings against… their wedding night. But he was pretty sure it was the circumstances she was against. Not the activity itself.
So Robin wondered about the thought of the two of them together. And his anger started to course through him again. BB had been his friend since… they were in diapers. His oldest friend. So why would he do this?
He looked at Raven for a while longer. Her hair was down and blowing in her face. She made no attempt to keep it away. She wore some short black shorts, a tight black tee that shown her mid drift and the neck was cut in front along with a pair of black boots. She had a sort of youthful beauty to her. But not so youthful he decided as he'd watch her longer. She may be young in years, but she was growing in other ways. Her beauty wasn't so young per se. Her beauty was sort of a dark radiance. A black glow. A shadowy splendor. Her purple hair was enchanting. Her violet eyes dark and captivating. But she would never look at him with anything other than spite. Eyes that held a deep fear of the invisible power he had over her. His presence would always loom a sinister hold on her freedom. That's why she was always tense around him and not the others. He had the control. They didn't.
As if announced, Raven looked up and locked eyes with him. Robin made his way to her gradually. Once there he took a seat next to her on the rock.
Raven watched his every move trying to decide what he wanted. What was his agenda?
"Good book?" Robin asked.
Still sharp eyes looked at him. But she nodded.
"I've been thinking. I know why you're so standoffish with me. So tell me what I can do to change that. Anything I think of, you have a way of not believing it. So you tell me and I'll do it."
Raven frowned. She wanted the secret. Not his plead for friendship and trust. "I guess you'll just have to earn it like normal people. You can't rescue me from anything like you did with everyone else. You're stuck in the same situation I need rescuing from. You'll have to earn it the normal way." Then she returned her eyes to the book.
Robin looked at her frustrated. "What have I ever done to you? Why do you have to treat me like this? I know its cliché, but can't we just get along?"
"We do get along. But you seem to strive for something that takes time. And you want it immediately. And that's just not something you can demand and have. Or ask nicely and have either. If you want it bad enough, you'll find a way to get it." She said in monotone.
"You already have it set in your mind that you're going to dislike me. So how am I supposed to change that?" Robin asked countering her statements.
"I guess you'll just have to wait until after our wedding night for the initial change."
"Then you'll trust me?"
"Not completely. But a great deal more."
Robin watched her as she talked. The whole time she kept her attention in the book. Not once looking at him. "What if I tell you this secret you're dying to know? Will you trust me then?"
Now Raven looked up. She narrowed her eyes. "Not completely. I told you already. Trust isn't earned with a bribe. You don't trust me with your secret, so why should I trust you?" And then she went back to her book again.
Robin frowned. Almost the exact words that BB used. He sighed. "Ok. I'll work for it. But will you at least make an attempt to trust me? Stop hating me so much."
"Robin." She said putting the book in her lap and facing him. "Being a male, this might be hard for you to understand. And I'm not saying this to be rude. You may think you know what your brother's wife went through, but I can guarantee you don't. You may have 'heard' her. But you were young. Your fears of that are nothing like mine. You don't get the pain, having something so precious taken from you never able to get it back, being violated in the worst possible way. And the worst part is, it's not thought of as 'bad' or 'wrong' by anyone of any authority. It is just about impossible for a male to get raped. Face the facts; you have to be aroused to have sex. Of course I mean this for heterosexuals. But it only takes force and muscle to rape a girl. So you can say what you want, but until I see it… you just got nothing from me as far as that goes."
"But I told you-"
"Yes words. I can tell you that I'm adopted but maybe I'm not. I can tell you that I can read your mind, but maybe I can't. I can tell you that my hair used to be to my butt, but I could be exaggerating. So you telling me that you'll stay away from me no matter what and forever, maybe you won't. They're just words. They can be forgotten and ignored. And even manipulated into forming a loop hole."
Robin couldn't help but smile. "You know, you're smart for a thirteen year old."
"I read a lot. And I'm stubborn."
Robin nodded with raised brows. "So I've noticed."
Raven watched him for a minute.
"Can I ask for your trust on one thing in particular?"
"Depends."
"My brother. Just trust my judgment. He's a jerk. He hasn't been here for seven months at least. He didn't even come for the big family Christmas. So his 'I want to visit my family' line is just crap. He's here to meet you."
Raven looked at him. "And your point is what exactly?"
"Please just trust me on this. I don't know his intensions. I'm following my instincts."
Raven smirked. "You don't think I can take care of myself?"
Robin thought about it for a minute. Not really, was his answer. No matter what BB said, what could Raven possibly do against someone like him? But that wouldn't be what he said. Although trust meant truth. He sighed.
"You don't."
Robin smiled shyly. "I'm sorry, Raven. But I'm only looking out for you. I don't want him to hurt you. And you can think whatever you want about what I just said. Fact of the matter is, now you're one of my friends. I don't let anything happen to my friends. Ever. I always protect them. Even if they don't need protection. Even if it means I'm in danger. I'm no saint, as I've heard you refer to me as. But I am loyal. I'll earn your trust. In the meantime, you'll have to consent to me protecting you. If not for you, then for me."
"Why do you feel such a strong need to be masculine? Why protect me? We were forced together. We never decided to be friends." Raven argued somewhat intrigued.
"It's not an ego thing. It's more like a… stubborn thing. (He smirked) I don't care that we were forced together. And take it as you like, but now you're in my care. Not appointed by anyone but myself. I like you. I think if we meant on normal circumstances then we'd be friends anyways. Fate, God, Allah, whatever. Something brought us together. I care for you. You're my friend. Therefore, with or without your permission, blessing, so on, I'm going to protect you. It's what I do."
"It's what you do? I thought you did martial arts. Trips for your family's business. Learning the ropes so you have your own in a few months. How is protection what you do?" Raven said amused.
Again Robin smiled. "I told you. There's a lot about me you don't know."
"True. So tell me."
"Like what? We can have a share moment." Robin leaned back on the rock pleased he was getting somewhere with Raven. But he saw the sly smile form on her lips. "Except that."
Raven shrugged and picked up her book again. "There's nothing else I want to know."
"Why is this so important for you to know?" He said agitated that he missed the moment.
"You're going through a lot to keep me from it, so it must be important, right?"
"It's not though. It happened a long time ago. Before I found out about you. It's not important. I just don't want to talk about it. Can't you respect that?"
"I can. But since everyone else knows about it, why can't they tell me?"
"It's not their place. Not their business." Robin said quietly.
"None of them? No one else was involved?" Raven questioned. She was getting somewhere now. In his pleading with her, he was also sharing.
For a minute Robin didn't move. There were a few parts to this so-called secret. And he'd focus on one to answer questions about. "One other."
"Let me guess. Jinx." Raven said with a smirk.
Robin flinched slightly. And nodded slowly.
"So I know who's involved. Should I keep asking questions or will you just tell me now?" Raven put her book on the rock and swiveled a little to face him more. She saw the pain on his face. Slow agonizing torture. And her humor turned to concern.
"If I tell you, you tell me something." He said quietly.
"Like what?"
"You can choose. But just as personal as this, deal?"
Personal? She didn't really have anything personal. Maybe she'd think of something. "Ok."
He swallowed.
"Jinx came here when she was nine. I was twelve. For being so young, she was mature. Of course she basically lived on her own since she was three. And a great friend… We grew up a lot together. Shared a lot with each other. Trusted each other more than anyone." Robin stopped. He had been looking down at his hands fumbling in his lap until now. He looked into her eyes. "Raven, I slept with Jinx. More than once. But I didn't do it just because. Not like you think. I loved her. She loved me. I wanted to marry her. But I wanted to wait until she was older. And we could find her parents. So her father could give her away. We could have a big traditional wedding. Big stone church. Lots of guests. (Short pause) And then I was told about you. Not you really. Just… this." His voice cracked. And he looked away. "That's why I searched so long and hard for a way out of this."
Raven just looked at him in shock. Her eyes were wide and mouth opened slightly. She had suspected there was some kind of relationship between them, but this was so much more than she guessed.
"I know what you're thinking. I'm horrible; disgusting. She was so young. She was twelve to be exact. But I loved her so much. And our first time we just got carried away. I often think I was wrong. But I don't ever regret it." He paused. "I loved her." He whispered.
Raven stayed in shock for quite some time in the silence. Robin wouldn't look at her. "You say loved."
A small smile, very small, appeared. "Yea. I'm sixteen. That's two years to get over something you thought you could never have again."
"So you don't love her anymore?"
Robin looked to her with the same smile on his face. "No. I mean I'll always love her. She's my best friend. And she was my first love. But my love has faded and was set aside for so long… it's just not there anymore. Not the same anyways. I don't crave her anymore. I don't long to be with her all the time. My breath doesn't catch in my throat at the sight of her. She doesn't fill my thoughts or dreams as she once did."
It hit her at different speeds. In one way she was relieved. Not sure why. In another she was really, really disappointed. But she didn't show anything. Instead she stayed quiet.
"Your turn." He said.
Raven smirked and searched herself for something, anything, to match the depth of that. "I don't really have anything that… ah… involved. I've led a pretty typical life."
Robin shrugged. And he smiled a little. "Something about you then."
"Ok. I'm a rape child."
Robin blinked. "But both your parents-"
"When I say I have no parents, I mean it. (She sighed) My mother was raped when she was on a trip. And I was the product of that. The father in my life was a stepfather, but he never treated me like anything but his own daughter. A week after my fourth birthday, they died in a car accident. I was adopted by the Delpheki family."
"Oh."
They sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes. There was something about sharing with each other that made them both feel relieved. But their thoughts, though loosely on the same subject, were quite different.
Robin lay back on the rock again with his hands behind his head. He supposed that was the biggest part of the secret. The hardest part to tell. The only part he didn't regret. The other could wait. She didn't know there was more than one side to this story. Not side really. Part. Accident. Mistake. But as far as Raven knew, there was only one secret. Not two parts of a huge one. Not that she ever needed to know any of it. But it helped to tell her. It actually made him feel a little better too. Of course now he questioned his feelings towards Jinx. Did he still love her? A little he guessed. But he was becoming more and more infatuated with Raven. Her attitude, her style, her demeanor, her aggression, her anger, her darkness, her stubbornness. Everything sparked an interest in him. She was in so many ways like Jinx, but in so many more ways completely different. And the difference was what he liked.
Raven hadn't picked back up her book. Instead she looked around the grounds. His confession really did explain a lot. The unique relationship they shared. The nicknames. The small subtle flirting. His undying protection for her. But he couldn't have just turned off his feelings. And she found it hard to believe that she doesn't love him anymore. True, they all talk about him like he was some sort of God given gift to everyone. But he just admitted a major flaw. And it didn't really bother her. Awkward a little now. Looking at Jinx might be strained. Other than that… In the very depths of her mind, she felt a tinge of something else though. Whatever it was, it wasn't big enough to be a bother or be concerned about. So she ignored it.
Robin's cell phone rang. He answered. "Yeah… Good I guess. (There was a brief pause here in which his expression went from indifferent to a frown) Thanks." And he hung up the phone. He turned to Raven. "Miss Tayfler had to be somewhere else so she won't be joining us until Friday." He said with a smile.
"Bummer." Was Raven's sarcastic response.
Robin's smile faded. "On the other hand, my brother just arrived. For everything good is countered with something bad."
Raven looked towards the main house in the distance. There was a bit more hustle there than normal.
"You have a choice. We can go meet him now, or avoid him altogether and leave the Grounds." Robin said with some hope for the last part.
Raven still watched the crowd at the house. The large oak doors were surrounded with nicely dressed men and women. All of them were workers for the Drake Grounds. "Where do you want to go?"
"Anywhere but here." Robin got to his feet. He was watching the main house as well.
"He'll just go away if he doesn't meet me?" Raven asked.
Robin chuckled. "Not a chance. But I'd prefer it if we don't have the introduction now."
Raven shrugged. "Fine. Let's go."
Robin smiled a little. He led her to the automotive shed. The one with all the ATVs and other such vehicles in it. Robin passed them all and headed towards the back. Raven followed slowly.
He hopped on a red motorcycle. Raven looked at him with skepticism. "You don't really expect me to ride with you on that."
Robin handed her a helmet and smiled. "I'll go slow."
Robin put his helmet on and started his bike. Raven put hers on and cautiously climbed on the back. There were no passenger handles or a back to the seat. It was a racing bike. Not really made for two people. So she clutched his shirt in her fists.
Robin shook his head slightly and started weaving in and out of the other vehicles.
Once on the open road, Raven wrapped her arms around his waist. Holding his shirt was fine while they were going relatively slow, but not so good at greater speeds. She was surprised at how refreshing it felt to be going as fast as they were. She watched the world pass them by in a great blur. The people and cars looked to be almost stationary. She felt a calm sensation mellow her blood as she relaxed and enjoyed the ride.
When Raven wrapped her arms around him, Robin smiled. It was quite plain to himself that whether he liked it or not, he was really starting to grow fond of her. Her soft touch sent chills through his body and he had to hold his breath to prevent them from escaping. This was a new experience. New and exciting.
They did nothing but drive around for a few hours. Until it was dinner. As Robin had suspected, they had been called to the house for a large dinner. So they headed back.
Robin stopped his bike at Raven's suite and walked her to the door.
"Um… I don't want this to sound… (His eyes wondered around as he tried to think of the correct word) contemptuous… ah… just think of it as another instinct thing. Ok? Wear more clothes tonight."
Raven laughed. "I wanted to wear my bikini." She pretended to pout.
Robin's face was stressed again.
"I'm kidding. Alright. I'll change into something more appropriate. You can't really think I'm asking for attention in my normal clothing, though. I have no body to speak of."
Raven departed from him but Robin waited for her return. He didn't leave her door. No body huh? To whom, you?
While Robin was lost in thought, Raven made her way back out to join him. They headed back for the house on his bike. He parked around the back of the house. And they went in through a back kitchen door. He dragged her upstairs and to his bedroom.
Raven looked around. It looked in some ways like a normal teenage boy's room. But in others it screamed adult. On one side was his large messy bed. Blankets strewn around all over in big clumps. Her mind hazily wondered if he and Jinx had been in that bed. She pushed the thought away. Next to it was a large television, a few different game systems, radio and more electronic toys. On a different wall was two file cabinets casing in a nice sized desk. The desk was full of papers. The drawers were opened with files lying across the top. Owning a bunch of vineyards couldn't require that much paperwork.
The walls had various posters across them. Sports, girls, Batman and Robin and above his desk were newspaper clippings. Raven didn't get close enough to read what they were about.
The room had three doors. The one they walked in. One Robin had walked through. And the last she saw to be a good-sized bathroom. Bigger than her large one in the suite. Raven watched the door Robin had gone through. He left it open but it opened in the opposite direction so she couldn't see what was in that room. Though after examining the room she was in, she guessed it to be a closet. There were no dressers or any sign of clothing at all in his bedroom.
Robin walked out dressed in black corduroy pants, a black polo tee shirt and black boots. Raven was in black pants and a looser black tee shirt than she had been wearing earlier.
He crossed the room and sat on his bed while he tied his boots. "Want to play a game until we're called for dinner?"
Raven looked at him sideways. "What kind of game?"
"Game station, Game box, Game sphere, you name it, I got it."
"I've never played those games before." She said absently.
Robin narrowed his eyes. "No? That's just wrong. Come here." He turned on his television, stuck a disc in one of the many boxes in the case, and sat in one of the beanbags on the floor. He motioned for her to join him.
Hesitantly she did.
Robin handed her a controller. "We're racing. You're this car. (He pointed to the screen) Press this button to go, this one to use brakes and this turns you. Got it?"
Raven glanced at the controller and the screen. "Uh huh."
Robin laughed and started the race. The first race Robin won easily. Raven insisted it was because this was her first time playing. The second one he barely beat her. The next three, she kicked his butt. And then they were called to dinner.
Robin's cool attitude left. He visibly became tense. He took her hand and led her into the dining room.
Raven recognized most of the people at the table. At the head were Mr. and Mrs. Drake. To Mr. Drake's right were two empty chairs. And then Jinx. Raven had a flash of her and Robin's conversation from earlier. Across from where Robin would sit was a man who looked quite a bit like Robin. Taller. Brown eyes. A little more built. And just as cocky. She presumed this to be his infamous no name brother. And it just now occurred to her that she had never heard them mention his name. Next to him was Cy and then Terra. BB was missing again.
"BB could not join us this evening. He insisted on attending to the animals." Mrs. Drake addressed Robin's wondering eyes, which had stopped on BB's empty seat next to Jinx.
Robin didn't acknowledge her words. No one took any notice.
They made their way to the seats that were empty. The man was looking at her with piercing eyes and a greedy smile. He looked at all of her. Up and down. It made her extremely uncomfortable and she squeezed Robin's hand unintentionally. He pulled her closer.
"Raven, this is my eldest son, Daniel. This is Robin's fiancé." Mr. Drake introduced them as they stood across from each other.
He held out his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Raven."
Unhurriedly Raven took his hand. "You as well, Daniel."
His smile grew wider. "Call me Slade."
(A/N- Good guess Nevermore266. I had considered making Slade Robin's brother for a while and when you guessed it, I just had to do it. Good attention to details. Cookie for you)
His handshake was firm and pulled her towards him a bit. His eyes bore deeply into hers. It made her shiver.
Robin pulled her back.
With a wink Slade let go and addressed his father about something. They all sat.
Raven looked among the faces. Cy had a bit of an edge to him. He eyed Slade unkindly. Terra had a smile. She seemed to like to see others uncomfortable. But it wasn't a totally satisfied smile like Raven had seen before. It was sort of lazy. More like a signature. Jinx gave Raven a warm reassuring smile.
Raven looked to Robin. He was spitting fire at Slade. And he still held Raven's hand tightly.
Dinner came and went. The seven course, small helping, meal was delicious. But she couldn't enjoy it. Slade kept watching her like she was a fresh piece of meat.
After the meal the six children gathered in a TV room. But left the TV off. Instead they talked. Much to Robin's dislike.
They were all sitting around on the couches and chairs. Candles were burning in the fireplace since it was too hot for a fire. Raven, Jinx and Robin sat on one couch. Cy and Terra on another. Slade in the chair across from Raven.
The conversation was light. Slade was polite. Terra's smile had faded a while ago now. Instead she looked almost nervously between Robin, Raven and Slade. And now that Raven looked, Jinx and Cy shared the look. So Raven tried to be more observant. She was obviously missing something.
Slade was glancing at her quite a bit. But that can't be the cause of the apprehension.
Around nine, Raven decided she had had enough. She stood. "I'm going to bed." She announced.
They all stood too.
Slade took a few feet towards her. "Mind if I walk with you?" He offered. "I could use some fresh air."
Luckily she didn't have to answer.
"Actually, I'll walk her home." Robin said without so much as a smile in Slade's direction.
Slade smiled more broadly.
Raven shivered.
And they all left the main house, leaving Slade there alone.
Robin started in the opposite direction to Raven's suite.
"Where are we going?" Raven asked.
Robin handed her a key. "Would you mind sleeping in a different suite until he leaves? I don't want him to know which ones yours."
"Is this all really necessary?" Raven asked knowing the answer.
"Yes." Most of them said.
Ok. This is going to be a long night. I hope Meeko finds me, Raven thought.
Robin and Raven stopped in front of a suite that looked almost exactly like her own. The other three bid their good nights and continued on their way.
They went in.
"He gives me the creeps." Raven stated with another chill.
"Jinx and Terra too."
Raven nodded.
"When Terra turned 12, Slade started following her. Yes he was married to Bri (A/N- OC, but she is only in here by mere mention. Nothing more. Unless I decide to have her discuss her horror with Raven later. What do you think? Yay or nay?) but as you know, men do no wrong. We all watched from afar. Not quite sure what was going to go on. One day we were all caught up in doing our own thing. Jinx was with me. Cy and BB were somewhere else. Each one thought Terra was with the other. It turns out Terra had been cornered in one of the sheds by Slade. BB got there fast. Then when he found out about Jinx and I he made frequent home visits. All of his attention went to Jinx. He wants what he's not supposed to have. It's like some sick game. He does it for the challenge. And he only does it because he knows it's his word against the woman's. Who's everyone going to believe? And he does it because he thinks he can do no wrong."
Raven looked at him.
"And we were all right. He's found an interest in you. So you're his next project. I could see it in his eyes."
"How'd he stop going after Terra and Jinx?" Raven asked.
"Terra he got bored with. Realized she was to easily cornered. Not much of a challenge. And when Jinx and I split, he stopped going after her. But you're always off limits. His brother's fiancé, soon to be wife. So this should be a challenge for us. He'll only stop if he succeeds."
"So what do I do if he finds me here?" Raven asked glancing out the window.
Robin smiled. "I thought you said you can take care of yourself?"
Raven smirked. "I can. But I don't want to."
"I picked this cabin because BB will be on the Grounds tonight. Just inside the trees behind you. So for some reason, if he does find you, just yell or make as much noise as you can. He'll be here and/or call one of us. Cy'll be here in the morning for breakfast."
Raven watched him leave and locked the door. Then she went to every room in the house and locked all the windows and doors. She only left the one above the sink open a bit for Meeko. If he found her.
And he did. Meeko curled up in her lap right before she fell asleep.
Day 20-
The soft rapping on the door awoke her from her sleep. She rolled off the couch and landed on the floor with a soft thud.
It was the second night in a suite other than her own. This chair wasn't as comfortable as her own. So she slept on the couch which still wasn't a big improvement.
Sleepily she headed for the door ready for breakfast. Or expecting breakfast. But Cy's shining smile didn't greet her. Instead Slade's arrogant smile did.
Raven backed up a bit now fully awake.
His eyes roamed her body freely. His smile turned into a hungered grin.
"Good morning. I had picked some fresh peaches this morning and thought you might want some." He said entering her living room.
Leaving the door opened she turned to face him. He had made his way over to her kitchen and set the bag on her counter.
"Sleep well?" He asked.
Raven nodded a very tiny bit.
His smile broadened. "I see you get along with the local orphans we provide for." He said with a slight snicker.
Raven said nothing.
"I also see you don't want to talk." He moved around to the front of the counter. "I really didn't either. I had something else in mind actually." He started to make his way towards her.
Raven moved away from the door. She tried to always keep a large piece of furniture between them.
Slade smiled as he stopped in front of the open door. "How'd you know I like a little work out first? Catching you should be fun. It's almost my favorite part. The hunt." He shut the door and locked it. "Almost."
Raven almost cried when she saw him shut and lock the door. Robin had been right. She didn't let her fear show on her face. She kept it expressionless.
After a few minutes of Raven managing to stay away from him, Slade lost interest in this game. "Ok. Just stay there." He said annoyed.
Slade made his way around the couch, but Raven moved too. "I said don't move." He said with more irritation.
With the more steps he took, the more Raven moved as well. Disobeying an order. But that's ok. She didn't think there was anything he could say to justify this. Besides, it would be Robin to 'punish' her. And he'd know what was really going on.
"Raven, you're making this harder on yourself. You don't want to see me mad. If I were you, I'd hold still." He growled with a devil's grin.
Raven disobeyed again.
For a few more minutes of Slade fuming and gaining speed, he had finally gotten ticked. Raven kept furniture between them at all times. But the position that made her the most vulnerable was the one she was in now. She had her back almost against the wall with the couch separating them. With only a sly grin as a warning, Slade jumped the couch and flung her to the wall. He put his right leg between hers to hold her there and held both her hands above her head. Then he smiled.
"I told you to be good. Good girls get better treatment then bad girls. I warned you."
"Get off me." Raven said in monotone.
He went down and started kissing her neck. Raven squirmed and wriggled as much as she could. Unfortunately she was in a strained position. His free hand started at her hip and made its way up, bringing her shirt with it.
"Leave me alone, creep." Raven hissed.
Slade backed up with a mischievous smirk. "Do you really think that's wise when you're in such a position?"
"Yes." Raven had one of her hands loose and ripped it away. She slapped him across the face with as much force as she could muster.
Slade's naughty playful manor disappeared. Now he was filled with rage and determination. "You'll pay for that."
In an instant her hand was bound back up with her other. His free hand went between her legs. He grabbed her.
Raven whimpered.
He started moving her shorts to the side when her door burst open.
"Get. Off. Her. Now."
Slade turned in time to see Robin punch him in the jaw. He stumbled back. Raven fell to the ground.
"Little brother. Nice of you to join us." He said with his smile back. "Raven and I were just getting to know each other a little better. After all, we are going to be in-laws."
"I know what you were doing. Save it." Robin growled.
Slade smiled more. "I see you need some quality time together. I'll be on my way." He headed for the door. And turned in the doorway. "Nice spending time with you, Raven. I look forward to seeing you again." And he was gone.
A hand appeared in front of Raven. Raven took it and got to her feet.
"You ok?" Robin asked softly.
Raven nodded.
"I talked to my other brothers this morning. He slept with both of their wives as well. Caddy was forced. Jiann (said like Diane with a J) willingly. She thought if she wasn't a virgin she wouldn't have to get married. Obviously that's not the case."
Raven didn't answer. She walked to the couch and sat down. She watched the window.
Robin talked a little more. Raven lost herself staring in space.
"Raven? Are you really ok?"
Raven blinked a few times to focus. Robin was sitting on the coffee table in front of her. "Yes. Just a little shaken."
"I'm sorry I let this happen. I should have known he'd find you. I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault."
"Yes it is." He set his head in his hands with his elbows on his knees.
Raven watched him and smiled a little. She placed a hand on his. Robin looked up. "I'm fine. He didn't hurt me."
"No but he touched you." Robin said with a growl.
There was no denying that. Raven let a shudder go over her. "But you stopped him."
"Not soon enough. I should have been here." Robin stood. "I'll kill him."
Raven giggled. "You can't. He's your brother."
"I wouldn't care if he's my father. That's two he's succeeded in hurting and three attempts on others. And we can't forget Bri. Those are the ones we know of. And he won't stop going after you. There'll always be a little miscalculation and you'll be alone. Like this morning. BB had to go on his rounds. Cy was called to work. Jinx, Terra and I thought you were covered."
"How did you figure it out?"
"BB said he saw your door was opened when he walked by on the other side of the Grounds. So he called me. On my way I called the others. Needless to say they weren't with you."
"Thanks." Raven whispered.
Robin turned to her. "Hungry?"
Raven looked up to him. "I thought you don't cook."
"I don't. But I can order and have it delivered."
Raven nodded. She was a bit hungry.
Robin ordered breakfast and they ate watching cartoons. Robin chose them because cartoons cause you to forget your problems and escape into a fantasy like universe. And Raven needed to escape from this morning's affairs.
After breakfast, Raven headed to the bathroom for a shower. She turned on both nozzles and watched as the water heated up. The steam rose and fogged over the glassed sides, the window and mirrors. The stone floor became slick and glass tile walls a little wet with mist. Raven stood there with no cloths on feeling the muggy warmth encase her body.
Raven stepped into the shower and felt the water rush over her body from the front and back. It was warm. She picked up the lilac scented shampoo. Before she could open it she collapsed herself to the floor in a fetal position and cried silently.
She regretted not believing everyone about Slade. It wasn't that she didn't believe them. She was too stubborn to let someone protect her. True, she could have protected herself with her telekinetic powers and such. But she didn't want her secret known to everyone quite yet. Besides, Slade was a jerk. He'd find a way to make her sound possessed or something.
She cried a little harder. She should have listened to everyone. She shouldn't have answered her door this morning. She should have ran out her door when he entered. Ran until she found someone. Any one of her friends.
As fast as she started crying, she stopped. And stood. Proceeded to wash herself. She could do the whole 'I should have' all morning. Nothing would have changed. And she didn't feel better. She couldn't make it all go away now. At least Robin got there when he did. Not a second too late. Well, maybe a second. But it could have been worse.
Raven wrapped up in an oversized heated towel and stood in front of the mirror for a long time. The mist slowly started to evaporate and her reflection became more and more visible. Her right eye shown almost clearly. Her dripping hair clung to her face and neck. Her eyes were a little red. Her face had small water droplets trickling down. Some from her hair; some from her eyes.
Sighing, Raven left the bathroom to her temporary bedroom. She had brought one of her duffle bags from her own suite full of clothes and other such products. Today she would wear not only black, but also some clothes that fully covered her. She thanked God that the day wasn't too warm. She could wear long sleeves comfortably. She dressed, brushed her teeth and ran a comb through her hair before reentering the living room. The last item she put on was a faded chrome chain necklace she had had for years. One of the last items she had left that belonged to her first father. Her stepfather. And as far as she was concerned her only real father.
Robin was sitting in the chair watching television. Jinx and Cy sat on the couch watching as well. Robin turned it off when he saw Raven.
Jinx jumped up and ran to her, wrapping her arms around Raven. "Are you ok? I should have come over this morning. I'm sorry."
Raven hugged her loosely. "I'm fine." She pulled away a little. "Don't worry about it. The saint rescued me." Raven eyed Robin.
Robin grinned a little.
Jinx smiled. "Well, for the rest of the day, I'm not leaving your side."
Raven nodded somewhat thankful. "K."
The four of them stayed there all morning. Terra stopped by at one point when she heard what had happened (from BB) to make sure Raven was alright. Raven decided then that no matter what the reason was the others didn't like Terra, she would at least give her a chance. She may be a brown noser, but she at least cared enough to check up on her with concern.
Other than that visit, they played Game Sphere until noon.
"Let's go do something." Cy suggested.
"Like what?" Robin asked shutting off the game.
"Anything. I'm bored."
"I have an idea." Jinx said with a smile.
"Don't you always?" Robin smirked.
Jinx returned it. "Not always. Let's paint."
Raven narrowed her eyes. "Paint!"
The others were smiling. Remembering their game of tag to be a complete surprise than what she had been expecting, she shrugged and agreed.
Minutes later they arrived in a decent sized warehouse. One entire room, a very large room, was covered floor to ceiling and wall to wall in huge sheets of white paper. In the middle were huge bins (they looked like sleds and saucers used to go sliding down hills in the snow) full of different colored paint. Red, green, blue, yellow, black, brown, white, orange, purple, pink and a few others. Next to them were buckets full of brushes, towels, sponges, you name it, and it was there.
"You've heard of finger painting, this is body painting." Cy beamed.
With a broad smile Jinx grabbed Raven's hand and dragged her through a door. She began to change into a bathing suit. Raven did the same. Hers was a two-piece bikini. The bottum had frilly lacy ruffles (cute, not dramatic) around the waist and the top resembled a short tight tank top that barely went to her ribs. All black of course.
Jinx wore a one piece. But not a typical one piece that covered her mid body. The top tied around her neck and was thick solid material at her breasts. The bottum was of the same material. The middle was all mesh (somewhat like fishnet but more crochet like, fancier) and her back was bare. Hers was bright pink.
They walked back into the paper-covered room. Robin and Cy were wearing shorts. But nothing more.
"I want pink first." Jinx called.
Raven watched her. Jinx skipped to the sled with the bright pink paint- and jumped in. She covered herself from head to toe, rolling around in the paint. And got out and rolled on the floor.
It looked like one of those paper cut-outs where there are dozens of the same shape gingerbread persons holding hands.
Robin and Cy did similar marks on the floor.
"Its water based paint. It'll come out." Cy said.
"After a forty-five minute shower." Jinx laughed and dived in the green.
Raven walked to the black. She knelt and looked at it. Sticking a finger in it she rubbed it between her index and thumb. It was thick. Didn't feel like water based.
With what felt like a splash of cold water against her back, Raven turned. Robin was laying in the red paint behind her. He had slipped. Red was everywhere.
"Sorry." He laughed.
Raven smirked. She scooped some black paint in her hands and chucked it at Robin. It hit him in the face.
After wiping the paint from his face a bit he looked at her with a similar cocky grin. "Wanna play dirty, huh?"
"You splashed me." Raven said kneeling in front of the black paint still now with hands folded in front of her.
In a flash, Robin leapt from the red and dived into her. She let out a squeal as they fell into the black. Robin pinned her and smeared black all over her.
Robin laughed as Raven squirmed to get free. "You cheat." Then she smiled as white paint rained over Robin's head.
Jinx was standing there with a small bowl that was now empty. Her smile went from ear to ear.
Robin stood. "That's it. Paint war." He called.
And that's what happened. By five, the sleds were empty. They were covered in slimy wet paint. Head to toe. They looked like walking talking rainbows. And the room was a splatter painted mess.
At the moment, they all lay on the floor to one side of the room. Heads meeting together and bodies stretched away from each other. Laughter and heavy breathing filled the room.
"That was great." Raven said with a small sigh.
"Yeah." They all agreed.
Minutes later they were all in separate showers.
The boys were clean first. The paint ran off Cy's metal body for the most part. And Robin had shorter hair than the girls. Eventually, there were all standing in the doorway to the warehouse.
"Terra left me a message. Slade left a few hours ago. I also got a message from my father. Miss Tayfler will be there in half an hour. We should head back."
They climbed into Cy's car and headed back to the Drake Grounds. On their way they stopped for an ice cream cone.
Miss Tayfler was seated in the gazebo like usual waiting for them to arrive. A man with a camera was there as well.
"Good Evening Mr. Drake and Miss Delpheki." Miss Tayfler greeted with a warm welcoming smile.
Robin nodded in her direction. Raven didn't acknowledge her.
"This is Mr. Meeker. He's a high-class photographer. I mentioned pictures a few weeks ago. Have you made a decision on the ring if there is one?"
Robin looked to Raven. She frowned. "Can I use your phone?"
Robin handed it to her.
After a brief moment she found the number she was looking for. They all eyed her curiously.
After a few rings a voice graced Raven's ear. "Olah Misier Robino Drake." (A/N- add an Italian accent to the words. I've decided Jinx likes to use accents when on the phone)
"Actually, it's me." Raven answered her.
"Sorry Raven. Whatchya need?" She said in her sing-song voice.
"Remember where I put the ring?"
"Uh huh."
"Will you bring it to the gazebo for me?"
"Sure thing. Be there in a few minutes."
Raven hung up the phone and handed it back to Robin. Robin made a mental note to get Raven her own. He'd been meaning to for a while now.
"It'll be here shortly." Raven said in monotone.
Miss Tayfler smiled. "In the meantime, we have a few topics to discuss. Colors need to be decided upon. Flowers and music. Let's start with colors." She slid a book full of color patterns to them.
"This is unnecessary. We told you before. Black." Robin said.
Miss Tayfler's smile flickered. "I realize. But it is custom to have at least two more colors to compliment the main. If you have put it in stone you want black," She flipped to a chapter close to the back. "These are typically color schemes for funerals, but they compliment black nicely."
Raven eyed the book. Robin did the same.
"You pick." Robin said to Raven as he still glanced at the pages with her.
Raven frowned. But found the colors that she best liked. One was the same blue of Jinx's dress. The other a purple so dark it almost looked black. "These." She pointed at her choices to Robin.
He nodded. Miss Tayfler took some notes.
"Alright. Flowers."
"They can be dyed right?" Robin asked.
Miss Tayfler sighed. "Yes." She removed the color book and handed them a flower book.
Raven skimmed through it. "You decide this time." She pushed it to Robin.
"Roses, lilies, carnations, spider mums, this small one and babies breath. The roses, lilies and spiders in black. Carnations and the small ones in blue. Babies breath purple." He said after flipping through a few pages.
Miss Tayfler took notes. "Music. Live band? DJ? Or both?"
Robin and Raven exchanged looks. "Both." They agreed.
"Alright. I'll set up auditions for… July tenth. Sound good?"
Raven shrugged.
"Whatever." Robin said.
Jinx came trotting around the corner. Raven smiled at the sight. She looked like a little schoolgirl happily on her way to the playground for recess. And then the thought occurred to her. Maybe Jinx held on to that ring for so long because Robin had given it to her when they planned to marry. Raven turned to look at Robin. He watched Jinx for a moment before looking back to the wooded area behind the gazebo. Was he avoiding looking at her because he had told Raven? Did he tell Jinx he told her? So many questions. All interrupted by Jinx placing the box in Raven's hand.
"Thanks." Raven said quietly still entertaining some of the thoughts in her mind.
Jinx grinned and retreated. Raven watched her go shifting her head to the side a bit while watching her.
"Ok. We do one picture of the two of you separate. One of Robin putting the ring on your finger. One of the ring. And one of the two of you together. Not an engagement picture. That will come later. When you're… dressed the part. I want Raven sitting in the chair, Robin behind her with his hands on her shoulders and Raven, your left hand up on his right, showing your ring."
(A/N- if I have any artists who read my story, I'd love it if you'd draw these pictures. I'll post the links in this chapter and always at the bottom of every chapter in the future. If you'd like to submit me a picture, email it to me. The address is in my profile. Thanks.)
The pictures were taken. They didn't once smile. Only scowled. They looked like someone died.
And the meeting was over.
Raven looked at the ring still letting her questions consume her thoughts. With a slight shake she woke from her daze. She took off the ring. But instead of putting it back in the box, she put it on her chrome chain around her neck.
Robin hid the small smile that formed.
"Let's go get some dinner." He said getting to his feet.
Raven followed him picking up the jewelry box as she passed.
They entered the east wing kitchen. A few cooks were there cleaning.
"Young Master Drake." The tallest chef greeted with a very light bow. "And Mistress Delpheki." He repeated the movement to Raven.
"Hey, Rosen. What do you got to eat?" Robin asked with a smile.
"I have what ever you'd like. I would be most happy to whip something up for the two of you." He said with a smile.
Robin looked to Raven. "What are you hungry for?"
Raven thought for a moment. Any thing sounded good. She hadn't eaten since this morning. "Something warm. That's my only preference."
Robin looked to the stove. "How about… barbequed baby back ribs, seasoned pasta and steamed vegetables?"
Rosen smiled. "Wonderful. I will have it prepared for you right away." He turned and started. "Any desert Master Drake?" He called over his shoulder.
"Anything from the fridge will be ok."
They took a seat at the large counter to the side.
"Will the others be joining you?" Rosen called again.
"I'll find out." Robin called them all. BB had already eaten at his house. Terra had eaten earlier with Mr. and Mrs. Drake. And Cy was preparing him and Jinx something as they spoke. "No." He told Rosen.
They were served shortly after. The pasta had just the right flavor. The vegetables were crisp and sweet. And the ribs were to die for. Desert consisted of freshly baked blackberry pie.
Raven walked to her suite by herself. It was safe now without Slade on the Grounds. No one would try and harm her. She kept her mind blank. Quietly meditating to herself as she walked.
Meeko lay in the chair waiting for her.
Raven smiled.
Ok ok ok... I hope you all enjoy this chapter. It was so hard to write because I wanted to get so much into it but not make it 40 pages. So I stuck with 32. Hehe... I have a few topics I would like your opinion on.
1. I mentioned Bri earlier (Slade's wife) and that she would only be in by mere mention. But if you'd all like, I could have her and Raven talk about the horror's she goes through living with Slade. I need a yay (yes) or nay (no).
2. Jinx's dream... anyone care to try and decode it? Yes it is actually all words.
3. I have mentioned before that I'm not an artist. But I would really like it if someone would draw the pictures I had mentioned earlier. I will post a link on the chapters they are for and also at the end of all chapters. It's a good way to get your artwork out there.
And before I go to answering reviews, I have two more things to mention. No worries please, this is not a robin/jinx story. And to all my reviewers who have asked over and over again, and waited patiently for her appearance, Star is introduced next chapter.
Now, reviews to answer/comment on:
miraculasacies- Cy is just a confidant. (Sorry if I spelt it wrong) like robin's diary. He has to have someone to tell his secrets too. And if he wants to talk about the girls he can't go to one of them, right?
Unforeseen- good question. I read somewhere that empathy works mostly on humans and not animals. So when BB's in animal form, Raven can't feel that he's happy, sad, etc. she mostly relies on reading his body language. It makes sense when you think about it like this: we relate to humans because we have a human mind. And not so much animals because being human we can't relate to what they go through. Does that make sense?
Megami-chan- thanks you so much. I will post a list of those who do right at the bottom of my chappies for you. hehe. Sorry about the confusion of the flashback. Wait… it was a dream. I'll go back in italicize that so you know it's not a normal day scene.
They Call Me Sweetsnow- they can't keep making priests go away. Eventually one will stay. And as far as the marriage goes... you have 85 days left till the wedding... gonna have to wait and see.
krOnnikal- sort of like HP. he's coming in four more chappies. Last I counted anyways. I already have a scene worked out for that.
kittykat- not ridiculous... I had it in mind all along. Good thinking. And Slade is (checking notes) eight years older than Robin, making him currently 11 years older than Raven and Jinx. dirty old man!
Dea Lunae- I'd love for you to draw pics for this story... try my challenge pics perhaps? Being thirteen yourself, can you relate to how Raven's acting if you were in this position? I don't want this to be too fiction-y. I mean it's completely not real, but as far as situations, I don't think it's that far off from the truth to what a stubborn opinionated girl (Just like me :)) would do. I try to base Raven's actions/attitudes on what any other 13 year old would do in this position. Any suggestions? Good suggestion about Robin's parents. I will definitely work that in somewhere. Powers will be revealed in due time. If you mean get them all out in the open, probably in Part II. Part I is already a bit full right now. Powers I think will be out when there is a time when it is absolutely eminent that someone needs to use them. It'll be a time when they're all together. Terra... that is a secret… can't tell :) I've been informed that this religion loosely describes (not the exact word I'm looking for but will work) Hindu and Muslim. And a few others. I don't know for sure. I love the long review... love to interact with my reviewers. Thanks for the letter... ;) I wish I had that money to go shopping with too.
Last parting words... I just want to remind you that everything mentioned happens for a reason. It all causes the plot to thicken and the story to be more developed. So the part of the secret that I just revealed... it's for a reason.
Thanks for my reviews and REVIEW AGAIN PLEASE!
Little Creature
muah