The victory celebration was winding down in Raven's apartment. The Roth Tower security staff, which had helped run the command center during the brief civil war, had left after politely excusing themselves as soon as the celebration began. Arella was pacing around the room, studying her daughter's friends.

First of all there was the Tamaranian princess, who puzzled Arella with her puppy like innocence. The Matriarch had once met the girl's sister at an official diplomatic function on an alien world inhabited by disgusting slug like creatures. The girl was also a princess of Tamaran, but unlike her sister she was cunning and devious, which in Arella's opinion was how princesses should be.

She then turned her focus on the bionic man, who wouldn't stop stuffing his face with food. He certainly wasn't of royal upbringing, not with his manners or disposition. She found him loud and boisterous and a boor as well.

The masked boy, she could tell that while he wasn't of royal blood, he had been raised correctly, most likely in a household of privilege, as he knew how to behave properly at a party. That, and the fact that he was in some sort of relationship with the alien princess demonstrated that he had some class.

Arella then switched her gaze to a small couch, where her daughter was engaged in some very Earthlike exchange of affection with her First. Sshe recalled that in North America their behavior would be called 'petting' in polite circles, and 'making out' amongst the less refined. Either way she was disturbed by their immodest exchange, which they were engaging in rather shamelessly.

"Yo! You guys need to get a room!" The Titan known as Cyborg shouted at them.

For once Arella agreed with the oversized youth. She shook her head as she tried to fathom her daughter's choice. She had not only chosen a pauper to be her first, but it was painfully obvious that the green boy had even less class than the loud mouthed mechanical lad. And worst of all, Raven had descended to his level.

In the eyes of their teammates the Chromatically Challenged Couple™ were only engaging in a modest and chaste kissing session. Raven was sitting on her husband's lap as they exchanged tender kisses in front of their friends, which was a big step for her. Still, such behavior was not acceptable nor the norm in polite Azarathian society and it made the senior violet haired Matriarch feel very uncomfortable. As she stewed in her own juices she was interrupted by an assistant who had quietly entered the apartment.

"Mistress, they have arrived." The uniformed woman informed her in a deferential tone.

Without turning to face the woman, Arella replied.

"Have them wait in my penthouse, and make sure that the proper pleasantries are extended to them. Raven and I will be over shortly."

"Yes Mistress." She replied before hurrying back out of the apartment.

Arella sighed, knowing what she had to do. She marched over to the couch where her daughter was continuing with her 'celebration'. Raven gave no indication that she was aware of her mother's presence. Growing impatient, Arella cleared her throat. Raven stopped kissing her husband and without turning to face Arella she replied.

"Yes mother?"

Summoning all her willpower, the taller Roth kept her cool and replied.

"They have arrived, we must go meet them."

Raven gave Beast Boy one more kiss before getting up.

"Duty calls Gar." She purred to him. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

The two women walked out of the spacious apartment, and as soon as the door slid shut behind them, Arella finally spoke her mind.

"Do you really love him that much, or are you behaving so shamelessly just to embarrass me?"

Raven didn't reply immediately and soon they reached the entrance to Arella's penthouse.

"Did you ever love a man?" She asked her mother.

"I can't say that I have." She replied. "And I'm surprised that you do."

"I guess I'm lucky that way."

Arella placed her hand on a palm reader and the dual sliding doors to her penthouse opened. The two violet haired Matriarchs then entered Arella's private abode.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The scene felt eerily reminiscent to Raven. The large dining room table in her mother's quarters was flanked with women dressed in white. Unlike the previous occasion, half of the women were relatively young, unlike the last time when their mothers were still alive. Raven entered first and took her place at the head of the table, as she was still the Head Matriarch. Nara was seated at the far end of the table and she smiled sweetly at Raven.

Once Raven and Arella were seated Mayra cleared her throat. The portly Matriarch stood up, with a sheaf of papers in her hand.

"Raven, as you already know, we are prepared to discuss the terms of reconciliation between the Council and the House of Roth. First of all …"

Raven kept her signature expressionless face, devoid of all her emotion, as she interrupted Mayra.

"There is nothing to discuss."

The Matriarchs began to murmur amongst themselves as their worst fears began to come true. Nara leaned back in her chair and sighed.

"Raven, you can't be serious!" Mayra complained.

"I am always serious in such matters. My demands are simple."

The room fell silent, as they collectively waited for Raven to drop the boom on them.

"First item: The Chamber of Deputies will be the equal of the Council in passing legislation."

An older woman jumped to her feet.

"Now see here young lady, there's no way we will share our authority with rabble."

Raven narrowed her eyes at the woman.

"Sit down and be quiet, or I will personally remove you from this meeting."

The woman glared at Raven, but complied with her demand, silently returning to her seat.

"Second item: The Mayor's office will no longer be ceremonial. The mayor will have veto power over legislation unless overridden by a two thirds majority in both the Council and Chamber."

A collective groan was heard around the table.

"Third item: The Houses will now pay income tax on their profits, at a flat rate of 35%. Half of that will be spent at the sole discretion of the Chamber of Deputies."

"Raven, you can't be serious!" Another woman complained.

The gray Matriarch ignored the protest.

"Fourth and final item: Over a five year period equal rights for men will be phased in. Husbands will no longer be subordinate to their wives. Polygamy will also be abolished, with existing marriages grandmothered."

The room exploded in protests and complaints.

"Absolutely not! Out of the question!"

"Have you lost your mind?"

"Are you trying to destroy the Azarathian way of life Raven, do you have any idea of what this will do?"

Raven stared at the Matriarchs, who were now all on their feet, still shouting their protests. After a few minutes the women fell silent and Raven finally spoke.

"As I said there is nothing to discuss." She said as she threw a folder on the table.

"These are the amendments to the Articles of Confederation. I want them approved by tomorrow, when I will sign them in public. I suggest you get these voted on. If not I will have no other choice other than to make good on my threat."

"You're bluffing Raven; you'd never destroy Azarath, where would the people live?"

Raven stared down the woman.

"I'll take them to Earth if necessary. They will be easily absorbed into the population."

Mayra picked up the folder with the proposed amendments.

"You'll regret doing this Raven, the house of Roth is finished, there won't be any bailouts for you."

Raven stood up and walked out of the room. She stopped and without turning around she addressed the assembled Matriarchs.

"I want the changes ready for me to sign by noon."

Nara ran after her before the door slid shut.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Raven, wait!"

Raven cringed; she had no desire to chat with Nara.

"What do you want, Nara?"

The young Matriarch caught up with Raven.

"That's no way to talk to a friend!"

Raven replied in her deadpan voice.

"Aren't you being presumptuous?"

"Oh come on, we played together as children."

Raven recalled her childhood days, before she was banished to the monastery and Azar's supervision. Nara and a few other girls had briefly socialized with her back then, that is until Raven scared them with her out of control powers. Nara had been the recipient of the demoness's wrath more than once, which is why she was eventually shunned and sent into inner exile with the monks. But if there was anything Raven was certain of, it was that she didn't play with anyone. At times she watched the other girls play, with dolls when they were very young, then role playing as Matriarchs when they got older. She knew back that she was an outsider, different. She had powers that they lacked and unlike them, she was gray from head to toe.

"Get to the point Nara, what do you want?"

"I'd like to meet the princess."

Raven sensed deception from the young Matriarch.

"Since when do you have any interest in my friends, especially Starfire?"

"I've met her sister once."

"I'll save you the effort, they're nothing alike."

"Oh come on Raven, for old times' sake?"

Raven sighed before replying.

"Nara, we have no 'old times'. You didn't like me when we were children, or have you forgotten?"

"Maybe I want to make amends?"

Raven eyed the young woman carefully. What did she really want?

"Fine Nara, but under one condition."

"Name it."

"I will also introduce you to the male members of my team, and you will treat them with courtesy and respect, especially my husband."

Nara cocked her head as she listened to Raven's offer.

"This really means a lot to you, right?"

"It does."

Nara cracked a well rehearsed and phony smile.

"For you Raven, anything."

"Then come with me." Raven replied, already wondering if this was a mistake.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The four Titans were finishing with the post party cleanup process when the two young Matriarchs entered the apartment. The first thing that Nara noticed was that Starfire was in the kitchen, stacking dirty dishes into the bussing bins, and she was unable to stifle a gasp that leaped unwillingly out of her throat.

"Y-your highness, what are you doing?" She nearly shrieked.

Nara was able to see the family resemblance between the Tamaranian and her sister Blackfire, the similar builds, the facial features, there was no doubt that the two were sisters. Yet here was the Crown Princess of Tamaran, bussing dirty dishes like a scullery maid. Nara swallowed hard as she contained her indignation, and turned to Raven.

"So this is the end result of Earth 'culture'? A princess behaving as if she was a mere servant? Is this what you want for Azarath, Raven?"

Raven gave Nara a subtle frown.

"First of all, there is no such thing as Earth culture. Earth is composed of thousands of distinct cultures, and many are as bigoted as Azarathian culture. Secondly, we are all equals in Titans Tower; there is no rank of royalty between us. Thirdly, Starfire helps with the chores because she wishes to help." Raven muttered so that Starfire wouldn't hear.

"How very enlightened." Nara replied as she approached the princess.

She stopped before Starfire and curtseyed, in the traditional Azarathian style, with her arms spread wide and her feet pointing in opposite directions, with her heels touching.

"Your highness, I welcome you to Azarath."

Starfire giggled.

"Please, we are not on Tamaran, call me Starfire."

"Yes, princess Starfire."

"No, no, just Starfire. But we have not been introduced."

Nara had seen enough. This girl was nothing like her sister. It was self evident she was naïve, trusting and foolish, which made complete sense to Nara. Blackfire would never consider men to be equals. Still there was more to learn.

"My name is Nara, and I'm Raven's childhood friend. I understand that like your sister you are trained as a warrior. I know firsthand of her prowess. Are all Tamaranians as powerful as she is?"

Starfire shook her head.

"No, those of the Royal family have powers that ordinary Tamaranians lack. At this time, only my sister and I have these powers. I suppose that we are the comparable warriors…"

"No way Star! You kicked her butt, you're the better warrior." Cyborg shouted.

Nara made a mental note of the girl's skills.

"Nara, allow me to introduce you to Robin. He is our team leader and is also my boyfriend."

"Forgive me Starfire; I'm unfamiliar with the term 'boyfriend', perhaps you could clarify?"

"She's courting him." Raven clarified.

"I see." Nara replied.

She then turned to Robin.

"I welcome you, Robin of the Teen Titans. What are your powers?"

Robin looked the young Matriarch in the eye, and could see the incredible discomfort she was attempting to hide, as she was unaccustomed to socializing with men.

"I have none."

"I see, so your contributions to the team lie elsewhere?"

"You could say that."

She then addressed the Tin Man.

"I have never seen a male like you before."

"Yeah, I'm one of a kind. The name's Cyborg. Pleased to meet you, little lady."

Cyborg extended his mechanical hand to Nara, who just stared at it.

"Men and women don't shake hands in Azarath, Cyborg." Raven informed him.

"Oh, sorry!" He apologized as he withdrew his hand.

"I see that you have mechanical prostheses on your body. Do they give you super strength?"

"Darn right they do!"

"I see, you must be an accomplished warrior."

"You could say that."

Finally Nara turned to Beast Boy.

"I am familiar with Beast Boy's abilities. It is nice to see you again Garfield. I hope that Raven treats you well."

"I can't complain."

Nara's communicator beeped, and she opened it, reading the message on its screen.

"I'm afraid that I must leave, as my delegation is leaving. Raven, will your team be with you when you signed the amendments into law tomorrow?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Wonderful! I will see you tomorrow then. Raven, Starfire, Robin, Cyborg, Garfield, I wish you a good night."

Nara turned and left the apartment. As she walked out the door she texted a message on her communicator: They will all be together tomorrow. This might be your only chance. She must not be allowed to sign the ammendments

Back in Raven's apartment Cyborg gave the sorceress a quizzical look.

"Was she really your friend?"

Raven frowned.

"No, she wasn't, and I have no idea of why she wanted to meet you. I'm sensing something wrong, something … bad. We need to be extra careful."

"You don't think she's up to something, do you Raven?" Robin asked.

"I'm not sure, but this is Azarath, and until I sign those amendments anything could happen."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I know, I've been keeping you waiting far too long. What can I say, I've been busy.

If you haven't already done so, check out my Teen Titans/Young Justice crossover story "Birds of a Feather Flock Together?" It's posted in the Young Justice section, or just go to my profile page, the link to that story is there. If you haven't already done so, let me know what you think.

No mailbag today (sorry).