Chapter Title: Berry Lies
Word Count: 2,151
Italics indicate spoken Tamaranean.
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As a precaution, Cyborg had sent a program to Robin's communicator that served as a chemical scanner which could be used to detect poisonous reagents, both those that were intentional or simply inedible to Robin. For peace of mind Robin had been using it at every meal given Starfire's stomach – or rather multitude of stomachs – were significantly more durable than his own.
On Earth Robin hadn't particularly been fond of mushrooms, but given here fungus was among the few things he recognized and it tasted at least similar to mushrooms at home, he found himself elated when a fungal dish was brought out as part of the spread. Starfire had sweetly asked the waitstaff to always set those dishes nearest Robin, because though the food was tossed into a chaotic mass, it gave him more opportunity to ingest what he enjoyed.
Shaking his head to himself Robin regretted his initial shock at Starfire's consumption of mustard at home. He had made many of those dining faux pas himself over the past week, and had decided certain condiments did taste better as beverages after consuming an acidic sauce that tasted like a viscous lemonade. Seeing how different the dining culture was, he was surprised Starfire hadn't once tried to rip a teammate's head off in a bid for a leg of lamb. Perhaps she immediately recognized that food scarcity was not as much of an issue on Earth, or maybe she just hadn't felt welcome enough to join the table. Here it seemed you had to be invited to eat and even then, food was not a guarantee. He felt he had a better understanding of how overwhelming everything must have been for her when she first arrived on Earth, and he wished he could go back and tell his younger self that while Starfire was very capable, it helped to have someone explain what each food item was at the beginning of the meal because obvious things rarely are obvious across cultures. He acknowledged he had the easier end of the deal as Starfire's intimidation protected her own food as well as his. He wasn't sure he'd actually be able to eat if not for her.
Robin also relied heavily on the manner of guests at each meal. Tournament members were invited to the table each night as a celebration of their bravery and continued quest for interim grand ruler. In order to assess food safety he kept a watchful eye on the demeanor and willingness to eat of their guests. Surprisingly the man with the bandaged face and the woman in heels were never present. Starfire assured him this was a nonissue, as some families preferred to remain private during the challenge, but Robin remained wary.
The problem started when the goblets of zorka berry juice were brought out. Robin had embarrassingly been given a goblet for Tamaranean children as he couldn't lift the monstrous adult sized glasses, but that also meant the liquid remained closer to his olfactory sense.
The pungent smell wafted toward his nose instantly and his body let out an involuntary gag. Despite his sensory distraction, his hand still reached for Starfire's underneath the table and he was able to give her hand the agreed upon 'something is wrong' signal of three quick squeezes. A silent SOS that would go undetected by the other dining guests, though today the table remained rather empty as competitors had opted to spend additional time practicing in the training facility before tomorrow's challenge.
Starfire's curious eyes met Robin's mask and he mouthed the word 'juice' to her.
With subtle decorum, Starfire called Navi'a over and whispered in quiet Tamaranean what the situation was. Navi'a immediately called the table to attention and instructed everyone to forgo their glasses as this batch of zorka berry juice was 'sour' and busied herself removing glasses.
Starfire addressed the table with a hasty goodnight as she and Robin removed themselves from the situation. The silent SOS had destroyed both of their appetites such that when Navi'a brought a private meal to Starfire's quarters later, it would remain untouched.
"I am glad you are okay, princess" Navi'a spoke softly.
"Be safe, my friend. I wish you to avoid me for your own safety," Starfire directed. The pair stood in the hallway outside of Starfire's room though the open door gave Robin the ability to listen and record with his translator.
"You know I cannot do that. I gave my word that I would serve you and I cannot disgrace my post." Navi'a reluctantly replied.
"You are the oldest living friend I have...I could not bear the thought of harm coming to you because of me." Starfire melancholically declared.
"I cannot break my promise to Galfore." Navi'a reached a thin hand out to clasp Starfire's neck and press their foreheads together.
Starfire pulled back from the small act of familial kinship and nodded in a defeated manner, unable to fight the wishes of her departed knorfka.
"If you need anything, my princess, I am here for you." Navi'a regained her composure and dismissed herself while eyeing the hall warily for guards. The servant girl knew she sometimes overstepped boundaries when it came to the princess and while Starfire thrived on touch and friendship, Navi'a knew she could be viewed as an opportunistic social climber which was a punishable offense on Tamaran.
Starfire closed her eyes as she shut the heavy doors behind her. Robin's tight lined face gave way what he was thinking.
"I think your friend might be a little too close to the situation." Robin's voice betrayed no emotion. He was digging for answers, to see if subtly she'd noticed something off.
"I tried to get her to stay away for her own safety. She has refused." Starfire sadly echoed.
"Star, we don't know who's after you. For all you know it could be her. She's got the most access to you out of anyone."
"No."
A curt single word was all the reply she gave, but the conviction in her voice was undeniable.
"Your judgment when it comes to your people is a bit...too trusting sometimes." Robin quietly argued.
"Just because I gave Blackfire many chances does not mean I misunderstood the ways in which she had and would continue to hurt me. Navi'a is not like that. She is not Blackfire. And I will not let you slander her in such a way!" Starfire shouted drawing up to her full height with green energy creating a glow about her form.
"Then why, Starfire. Give me some context so I can understand why you are so willing to trust her when two attempts have already been made on your life and mine."
"Navi'a is...Galfore's daughter. Biological, but I believe the word in your language is illegitimate." Starfire's energy faded to a quiet glow about her now softened form.
Robin looked at her curiously. "You never mentioned that Galfore had children."
"One child, just Navi'a. His mate, Di was sterile. Navi'a is a few years older than I am. There was a war which Galfore was a part of. She is what is known on my planet as a battlefield baby. Instead of losing his life during the war as he'd thought, Galfore just lost his eye and almost his union."
Robin looked at her expectantly.
"Di was...not happy...The price for such transgressions are not as great on our planet as most given new life is a bit hard to come by, but when the biological mother died in childbirth, Di had a change of heart and took in Navi'a and forgave Galfore. By the time I was born and placed in Galfore's care for my childhood, things had settled."
Robin placed a hand over Starfire's and led her towards the bed to sit.
"I'm...sorry." He replied unsure how to respond.
"It is not a thing to be sorry about. She has been my friend in a place where such a thing was forbidden to me. It has always been a precarious situation, but the risks she has taken in remaining my companion all this time despite the punishment it may afford her if she's found out, mean I know she would never harm me. And she would never have brought harm to Galfore." Starfire spoke with conviction.
Robin's squeeze of her hand in response reminded her of why they had started this conversation in the first place.
"What was wrong with the zorka berry juice?" Starfire quipped curiously.
"It smelled off."
"What did it smell of?"
"Vinegar. It was pretty strong. I'm surprised you couldn't smell it."
Starfire sighed wrinkling her nose.
"It was likely a dust from the interior of the planet pyroglyphi. It is lethal in small doses when consumed. It is also odorless and tasteless to me. It is lucky it is not the same for you."
A protective arm wrapped around her shoulders as he dragged them both down to a horizontal position on the bed.
"Starfire, we have to return to Earth." A statement, not a plea, but one that contained the same urgency.
"My duty to my people remains. It is all the more reason to figure out who is committing these attempts; whoever succeeds in claiming the crown after the tournament will remain a target so we must not let that happen." Starfire spoke distantly.
"Starfire…" Robin's sad eyes met hers and he was unsurprised to see how closed off she looked. Despite whatever she wanted for her life, she would die for her people if the need arose. "What can you tell me about the dust?"
"It is another item that would be hard for a Tamaranean to acquire as thermal venting on the planet ensures the air is full of it. Its particle size also has a tendency to clog most breathing apparatuses. Historical accounts of attempted acquisition to facilitate changes of power have often failed at the collection step."
"Well, at least we know one thing, it has to be someone with access to the castle and kitchen." Robin responded confidently. Any information was better than nothing at this point.
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"They really don't set up any sort of barrier for this thing?" Robin asked incredulously as they took their seats in the arena.
"It is a point deduction for the offender if the object goes off the field." Starfire nonchalantly responded, unfazed at the flaming metal balls being tossed around the arena.
Robin scanned the crowd in search of their main suspect, the man with dark facial features and flaming red hair, but could find no sign of him. Perhaps he had fled after being noticed, or perhaps he was setting something else in motion. Either way his absence stoked the worry in Robin's anxious mind. Well that, and the fact that Robin and Starfire were the closest to an arena full of energy burning metal projectiles.
The competitors had been divided into two groups and each given an arsenal of unlit metallic objects the size of a softball.
"It is similar to a game on Earth that Beast Boy and Cyborg made me watch a documentary on once, though in this competition only a lit projectile may eject a competitor. An unlit projectile that hits a competitor counts as a point for the team, and a projectile that escapes the field, lit or unlit, will be a negative point. The premise is to be the last team standing, though every 10 points amassed allows for the return of a chosen team member to the field." Starfire explained.
"Uh...Star, do you mean 'Dodgeball'?" Robin queried.
"Oh yes, it was a most informative piece. I did not realize your people used such battles to determine building ownership," Starfire quipped happily.
"Yeah...that's not really a documentary…" Robin mumbled reminding himself to give Beast Boy and Cyborg another lecture about how Star's cultural knowledge depended on them being honest with her. After all he'd been through here he couldn't imagine how difficult it must be for her to fight through their constant pranking misdirects.
"Oh…" She softly replied, "It is just – it was similar to this competition so I assumed other planets resolved things in kind."
"The game is real, dodgeball is a real competition, but the movie you watched was fiction." Robin softly responded before a whooshing stray metallic projectile collided with Starfire's lit hand.
"I appreciate your information, though I apologize as I must begin my observation on the tournament. It appears to have started." Starfire diplomatically spoke turning her attention to the field in front of them. Her bruised pride in finding out she'd been duped by the duo of pranksters again often led her to retreat much to Robin's dismay.
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Ya'll, sometimes I don't even know what kind of crazy plot-lines are going to come out of my mind. We're on an adventure right now, so I haven't been dipping into the romance, but after the next chapter I'll try to add some in.
Review if you'd like.
-FWFT