Chapter Title: Uniform
Word Count: 2,205
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'It was unlike Robin not to check in with the team' Cyborg thought as he opened the computer to check for transmissions. With no unheard transmissions, the cybernetic teenager thought about doing a quick news search through some of Starfire's bookmarked Tamaranean news sources.
'It couldn't hurt.' Cyborg reasoned clicking on the first source. As soon he saw the translated headline his jaw hit the floor.
"Uh...guys?" Cyborg called the attention of the other two Titans in the room.
Raven peered curiously from her book on the couch and Beast Boy sidled up to Cyborg with a puppy-like bounce in his step.
"What's up, Cy?"
"Well they went from zero to a hundred real fast." Raven curiously droned noticing the front page article with the missing Titans.
"Married? Sleeping together? Dude, they just started dating!" Beast Boy exclaimed once he noticed the featured photo of a shirtless Robin curled up in bed with Starfire.
The article, simply titled "The Princess's Consort," went on to postulate questions about who the mysterious Earth man was and why Galfore was willing to bless the marriage.
"You figure they'd have at least invited us for the wedding." Beast Boy grumbled as they finished reading the salacious press piece.
"I'm going to contact Robin...Radio silence and this news can't be good." Cyborg declared organizing his thoughts to begin the transmission.
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A few days later Robin received the transmission while Starfire was getting ready for the day's portion of the tournament in the en suite. For as much as Cyborg tried to compose himself, the stressful tenor still rung in his voice as he asked what the hell was going on with Robin and Starfire and when they got married?
Robin puzzled at the question. He sent a transmission back to Cyborg about how Starfire mentioned that Galfore had blessed the relationship, but no one has said anything about marriage and as far as he knew they weren't married. He also mentioned the tournament had some unexpected pitfalls and he would likely be staying on Tamaran as protection for the near future.
He had planned to ask Starfire about it when she emerged from the en suite, but the sight of her in a black leotard cinched at the center by binding metal rings with strips of sheer silver fabric forming a skirt of sorts from her waist down to her ankles, caught him off guard. The next thing he noted was her attitude which was south of her normal bubbly self. It was weird to see her in these dark uniforms and rigid crowns, it seemed to make her mood more taut as well.
"I do so hate this uniform. It is lucky it is only today that it shall be worn." Starfire sighed.
"It still looks good on you." Robin complimented, he agreed the black was not her color, but she still looked beautiful in it.
"It is all show and no functionality. Really what purpose do these serve in battle?" Starfire grumbled picking at the sheer fabric strips, "and this metal does nothing but bind, it offers no protection."
Robin merely placed a hand over hers and nodded to empathize.
"At least it's only for today?" He offered quietly.
"Yes." She said looking down quietly.
"So what's so special about today's challenge?" Robin asked curiously changing the subject.
"It is a traditions assessment. As I am the royalty I must still maintain the most formal of attire so no competitor shows status higher than my own." Starfire scoffed breaking into a small rant in Tamaranean. Social caste traditions meant little to her after her time on Earth.
This was not the moment to ask her about Cyborg's transmission, Robin decided. He would attempt to find out, but in a more sustainable manner.
"Hey Star?"
She peered at him curiously, breaking her in-progress harangue.
"Can you teach me how to speak the language?" He implored gently.
Her face lit up at the request. She did love sharing her culture with him and suddenly the gloom of hated uniforms and royal blood was but an afterthought.
He smiled at her as she beamed at him. She was still there, radiating as much joy as she could muster under the confines of monarchy.
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That newfound joy faded under the second round of the tournament challenge. She was seated at the head of a long table with Robin seated at her right side.
Each contestant stepped up and was given a description of the ritual they were to dress for in Tameranean and a long rack of clothing was on the back wall for them to select from.
"I do not enjoy judging people on the clothes they wear." Starfire droned as she made small notes on the parchment in front of her.
Robin hadn't really seen this side of her before. She had been reluctant to talk about anything relating to her status on Tamaran and he suspected she had far too often been placed in stiff uniforms in childhood when she'd rather be running naked in the wilderness. The resentment of event appropriate clothing rang clear. Her joy on Earth that first day, the clear elation at choosing her own uniform, and the slight reluctance to ask if she was dressed appropriately – it had always been about more than fitting in on Earth.
The next part of today's challenge was a mock interaction with another alien species. The species in question was called out from a long list and the competitors had to react in kind to whether the interaction was with an enemy race or a neutral race.
"Tamaran has no allies." Starfire shrugged noticing Robin's confusion at the animosity and reserved reactions.
There were no standouts today in competition, but two men, one of whom had failed to appropriately call upon antagonism fast enough at the mention of an enemy species, and another who selected a harvest outfit for a council meeting were eliminated. The bandaged man and woman in heels remained in the running.
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"Why do humans always insist on learning the dirty words first?" Starfire laughed as they settled into her quarters for the night.
Robin shrugged with a smirk, "Just something we do."
Before they could continue the banter and lesson, a flurry of creatures that looked like wild locust came barreling in through the open balcony door.
"Acridae!" Starfire exclaimed quickly shutting Robin into the en suite and slamming the door shut while she remained outside and took to blasting the swarm with her starbolts.
"Star, I'm here to help you!" He called out frantically from behind the heavy door she was holding firmly shut using her body weight.
"These creatures have spit that can melt Tamaranean flesh. If they can so easily damage me, I fear what they could do to you." Starfire explained all the while blasting and cursing the tiny insect like creatures.
Robin waited anxiously as he listened to the barrage of starbolts blast through the room. Suddenly things went quiet.
"You may come out now."
Robin forced the door aside and rushed out to find an exhausted Starfire, her clothing in tatters and barely holding up, slouched in the middle of the decimated room. Her distressed hair formed a wild mane around her guarded face.
"Starfire!" He cried out rushing towards her.
"Please, it is fine. This uniform is not meant for battle and certainly not for my powers...it looks much worse than it is." She wearily dismissed.
He studied her carefully and noticed several spots of broken flesh.
"At least let me help heal you. What do you need?" He insisted.
She directed him to grabbing the first aid kit. She reached for a salve made of rolled clay and binding mucus from a creature similar to a dung beetle called a leopter'a. He bandaged her up after applying the salve and she moved into the bathroom to dress in her Titan's uniform for the night.
"Any idea who sent the swarm?" Robin inquired when Starfire returned from the bathroom and flopped down on the miraculously undamaged bed. She winced as she looked around the room, plenty of the furniture would need to be replaced in the morning, but she did not have the energy to call upon Navi'a for help tonight.
"They are from the moons of a planet outside the Vega system. For any Tamaranean to acquire so many would be a near impossible feat."
"I don't want to say it, but do you think Blackfire had anything to do with this?" Robin pressed.
"She has loyalists who likely would assist, but in truth I do not know. Few creatures can survive the locust spit and they are rather hostile creatures, and resistant to most noxious chemicals so they cannot be collected by knocking them out."
The weariness was evident in Starfire's voice. Robin was going to let her be for the night as he mulled over various suspects and scenarios, but then she spoke again.
"I will tell the Royal staff to call for a delay in the tournament. I am accompanying you to Earth tomorrow and then I will return to Tamaran on my own." Starfire ordered diplomatically.
"Starfire, no. Given what just happened, I'm not leaving now." Robin insisted fraughtly.
"It is much too dangerous for you here, Robin. Someone has made their message clear; they wish me harm and I do not wish you collateral damage."
Sometimes it was eerie how someone so emotive could completely shut that side down in favor of the controlled diplomat, but Starfire had been dipping into that behavior more lately as they spent time on Tamaran.
"And with that in mind, you need someone you can trust completely to have your back. I'm sending a transmission to Cy with what we know. He will have to assist remotely."
Robin's stubbornness proved just as strong-willed as Starfire's. A stalemate it would remain until something new was cause for alarm.
"Thank you. Though it causes me more worry for your safety, I am grateful you are here for me." Starfire quietly conceded.
Suddenly she stood from the bed and walked over to retrieve Galfore's journal from its hiding spot in her room; she placed Galfore's journal in Robin's hands.
"This may also serve as a clue...It has not been tampered with since I do not believe anyone knew of its existence. Cyborg will be able to translate it."
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Four days later the translation arrived. Robin, bored and eagerly awaiting some sense of understanding received the transmission while Starfire slept.
He couldn't help it. The date Starfire returned to Tamaran to be married was burned into his mind, so he simply had to look at Galfore's log.
'Blackfire has been banished and though I am sad for her, her actions bear consequences. My other dear bumgorf has grown into a fearsome warrior, but does not wish to return to Tamaran. My first written account as grand ruler and I only wish Di was here to see. It is important to have a strong mate in life and I miss my Di dearly. Though I do suspect my bumgorf has found herself a worthy match on Earth. I distrusted him at first, he was too comfortable with her, but he has a warrior spirit and I value the fact that she has found someone who cares so deeply for her. It is not generally the way of our monarchs, but it makes her happy and that is enough.
Robin shook his head with a small smile. He hadn't even tried to hide his feelings for Starfire that day and was pleased to find that Galfore had approved of him. Not that that was even in the forefront of his mind when he was distressed about losing her forever, but he had made a good impression nonetheless.
Robin skipped ahead to the last month's written accounts hoping to find more clues about who could be behind the assassination attempts. He paused his scanning when he found a recent entry with Blackfire's name.
'Blackfire has called. Her transmissions say she is doing peace work on Caelifera. I have not approved her serving as an advocate for Tamaran and I still do not trust her though I appreciate that she calls to let me know where she is at in the universe every now and then. Her parents, X'hal bless them, would not wish me to give up on her. It is time I called Wildfire home. Things are happening that make me suspect I will meet my end and Tamaran needs royal blood at the helm again.'
Robin looked up from the passage and gently nudged Starfire to rouse her.
"Star...Who's Wildfire?" He asked curiously.
"My little brother." Starfire mumbled sleepily.
"I didn't know you had a brother?"
Her eyes went wide and she suddenly glowered at him with eyes alight.
"It is better that way." She curtly stated before hastily making her way to the en suite.
Robin watched her disappear into the darkness of the room with a curious expression plastered on his face. Something had triggered her about her brother, but what?
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Review if you'd like.
-FWFT