A/N: What a pain in the ass. Finally got around to re-doing this chapter in italics and bold, since ff net doesn't allow me to use the symbols I was using.

Their inner conversations will go like this, now. Hopefully...

Beast Boy: Italics

Raven: Bold

- - -

BB ran through the meditative exercise Raven had taught him, trying not to be distracted.

Imagine a flame, surrounded by a void. Feed your emotions into the flame -

I wonder what we're having for dinner. I hope it's pizza -

Focus!

Right. Emotions into the flame, until there is nothing but the void. I am within the void, I am the void -

I wonder what we're gonna do when we need to go to the bathroom...

Grrr...

I-am-the-void-I-am-nothingness-There-is-no-emotion-here-it-cannot-enter-the-void-I-am-alone-

No wonder you're such a killjoy, Rae. This is depressing stuff.

Beast Boy, are you trying to piss me off?

Sheepishness. Nah, not really. But what did you expct? Meditation isn't really my thing.

Exasperation. I know. But you need to do it, as long as you're in here with me, or you'll end up destroying things.

Repentance. Yeah, I know... sorry, Rae.

... It's fine. Let's work on control, then. You might need to know, one of these days.

Excitement. All right! This is gunna be great

Right. Okay, now you know those words I always say?

Sure.

They're for concentration purposes. Not really necessary, but it'll help you keep your focus. You simply imagine what you want done, and it will happen. It's a little more complicated than that, drawing on power sources and such, but you don't need to worry about that. I'll be handling that end. Give it a try.

"Okay... I can do this... Azerath, metrion, zinthos!"

Lame - nothing happened!

I would have been surprised if it did, on your first try. Calm down, center yourself, and try again.

Right, right... calm, peace, good stuff.. and.. let's give it another shot.

"Azerath, metrion, zinthos!"

Nothing.

Again.

"Azerath, metrion, zinthos!"

This time, black power crackled along her exposed skin - they wore only her leotard for this exercise - spread across the floor, up the walls.. and did nothing.

Not bad. Again.

Beast Boy obliged. "Azerath, metrion, zinthos!"

One of Raven's books was picked up by dark power and hurled through the air so hard it bounced when it hit the wall. "All right! Kick ass!"

Calm down before you blow something up. And... good job. You did well.