Hi again! For those of you who read my other fanfic, I know I haven't updated in forever. I do have the next chapter written, but it's on another computer, and I keep forgetting to post it. I also have chapter 4 written, I just need a friend to revise it. That means you Semine! The instant you get back, you're reading! If it helps, loyal readers, I have the whole thing plotted, and one of my writer friends whose opinion I value greatly said it was nicely done and complex. And if I seem too fast paced, then don't tell me. I always think that when I re read my stuff. Sorry! Gomen Nasai! Je Regret!
Disclaimer: No matter how often I forget to put it here, I must. I do not own the Teen Titans. If I did, than the writing would be less preachy (exhibit A "Troq" Can you say racism metaphor? Exhibit B "Transformation" Can you say puberty metaphor?) And the outfits would be a tad more punky. And Raven would be much, much more important. I do own Nightingale. I do not own the song, Celebrity. It's owned by the Barenaked Ladies. They bloody rock.
And on with the show!
Raven landed on the roof of an apartment, crying softly. How could Robin do that to her? Less than half an hour passes, and he's getting into Starfire's pants? If she had been cruel to leave, than this was just torture.
Raven began to meditate. It had become habit. But instead of going to her own mind, her soul self ended up next to Robin. She couldn't be there. After several failed attempts, she fell to the hard concrete roof. "Ooof."
"Who's there? This is trespassing!" A girl came up the stairs, yelling.
"I'm Raven. I'm sorry. If you don't want me here, I'll leave," Raven said as she began to re-pack her stuff.
"Wait—the Raven? You can stay here! In fact, I demand that you stay in my apartment." The girl rushed over to Raven, ushering her down the stairs and into a tiny set of rooms.
"O-okay. What's your name?"
"I'm Abigail. But you can call me Nightingale. I'm going to be a superhero." Nightingale beamed at that announcement. And she could play the part. She was tall, her arms and legs rippling with muscles. She had brown hair that fell down her back even tied up, and her eyes were a bright blue, the perfect shape to hide behind a mask. In the back of the apartment was a glass case with a hand made outfit of gold and brown, with a bird insignia.
"That's a cool name. But being a superhero is…difficult." Raven said.
"Yeah, but I'm tough enough for it. You can sleep on the couch. You can even crash here for a few days, until you get a job. And now, I'm heading to sleep. See ya tomorrow." Nightingale walked over to her room, disappearing behind a door.
Raven set her blanket down on the couch before laying down there. The things Robin was feeling still disturbed her, but she got over it so she could drift into a sleep filled with grotesque images.
"Hey, Rae, I'm leaving for an errand. Are you going to be all right? Help yourself to the fridge, and there's the classifieds on the table," Nightingale said as she pulled on her coat and left the apartment. Raven groaned, and turned over on the couch. This was way to early to even think of waking up. It was almost six.
Seven thirty rolled around, a much more desirable time to awaken. Raven pulled herself off of the couch and pulled on a clean uniform.
"First on the agenda, buy new clothes," Raven murmured to her self as she realized she might stand out in the cloak and leotard. Raven rummaged through the magical duffel bag that held most of her stuff until she found the purse with at least two hundred dollars. That should be enough for a new wardrobe and rent. Raven left the building to head to the nearest Starbucks.
"What even makes you Titan material?" Cyborg said to the fourteen year old standing in front of him and the other Titans.
"You mean, what is my superpower? I can summon harmonies that can inspire fear or hope, bravery and courage, they can daze and deafen enemies and increase the chance of a hit for my friends." Nightingale smiled and looked at the Titans expectantly.
"So, you're a bard? Cool! What level? I have a level seven druid that needs a partner!" Beast Boy said, getting his bag of dice and figurines.
"I have a level twelve bard, along with a ten barbarian," Nightingale said. The Titans stared at Beast Boy and Nightingale. "D&D. Don't ask."
"Give us an example of your powers, if you please," Starfire said.
"Okay. Give me a moment." Nightingale closed her eyes, raised her hands slowly, and hummed lightly. Music erupted from the walls.
"Don't call me a zero
I'm gonna be a hero
Like Fred Espisito or the Kennedys
I'll incorporated
And I'll be imitated
And overrated but that doesn't bother me
All the jaws will drop
And all the girls will scream
And there will be commotion when I show up on the scene.
And all that you will see is a celebrity
All that you will see is a celebrity" Nightingale sang, her voice amplified so that all the people in the Tower (all five of them) could hear her clearly.
The music came to a point where some one else had to sing. Robin began in a low voice that spoke of tears and sorrow.
"When I'm riding in my limo
I won't look out the window
Might make me homesick for humanity
There's nowhere that I can't go
And there's nobody I don't know
And there's an emptiness that's eating me."
Nightingale ignored that gloomy verse and continued.
"All the clocks will stop
And all the smiles will gleam
It has always been my one and only dream.
All that's left of me is my celebrity
All that's left of me is my celebrity"
Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Starfire came in to join Robin's side of the argument.
"Leave your heart
Lay down your art
You're here for the party
Smile and wave
Try to behave
Be happy that they've
Made you a celebrity."
Somewhere in the city, Raven wandered sadly. This was the place she had sworn to protect, and here she was, the newest bum on the street. At least, she was homeless. But as she went on, she became less and less Raven the Titan, and more and more Raven the girl.
"I could disappear
Into the great unknown
And it would wear my face
As if it were it's own." Raven did not sing often. But the urge had just come over her. The music had come from around her, but no one else seemed to have heard it. Raven just sighed and walked into the Hot Topic.
"Can I help you?" a girl at the service desk asked.
"Yeah. What do you recommend for someone who hasn't had a wardrobe change since she came to this planet?" Raven deadpanned.
The girl did exactly what Raven would have wanted her to do if Raven had been looking for a friend. "Yeah. Wait until my break, and we'll have you looking like new."
"We are sorry, Nightingale, but we can not accept you to the Titans," Starfire said politely.
"We admire you ambition, but that's all you have. You don't seem to have morals, no actual desire to help the people of this city. We don't think you would lay down your life for the team or the city. But you have real promise. I have some friends in New York City that could use your help." Cyborg said.
Nightingale looked at the Titans, and nodded. "Okay. I can deal with that. I'll leave town, trying to make it on my own. Who knows? I might even get those ethical values you seem to like so much. Thanks for your input. I'll be famous any day now. Okay, I have some other errands to run, so I have to go. Bye!"
The Titans stared in disbelief as the girl left the Tower.
"Hey! I'm home!" Nightingale said as she entered her apartment. She took a look at the new and improved Raven. "Well, looks like you've been having fun. I like the new look."
"Thanks," Raven said. She wasn't sure of her new look, but she thought it fit her well enough.
"And by the way, I'm leaving for New York soon. Don't worry; I've paid the rent for the rest of this month, so you can stay at this apartment. I'll leave a note telling the rates of the bills. My credit is pretty good, so you can just pay in my name."
"I don't know what to say. This is so nice."
"Thanks will be enough, and a good luck in New York wouldn't hurt too much."
"Great Luck."
"You just have to be like that don't you?"
"Yes. Otherwise, I wouldn't be me. Now, I'm heading to bed. I have an interview tomorrow."
"Good night, and good luck with that interview. Knock their socks off." Nightingale went to her room to pack.
"Pizza, pizza, pizza!" Beast Boy shouted as the Titans entered the pizzeria, Mama Mozzarella's Pie Place. They took a seat on the outside patio and looked at their menus.
Fifteen minutes later, a harried waitress came to the Titans. "I'm sorry it's took this long, but we're short staffed. Boss just cut off our two best waiters. What can I get you?"
As the Titans walked back home after their dinner, Starfire looked at Robin and blushed. Then she tackled him, smothering him with kisses. Robin pulled himself out from under her.
"Star! What the hell are you doing?"
"Is this not the way that humans profess love to one another?" she asked, confused and hurt.
"Yeah, but not in public!"
"Oh," Starfire said dejectedly. She sulked home.
End! Nice and angsty, right? This one is a tad shorter than chapter one, by four hundred words or so, but hey, who's gonna notice? Review! And send suggestions as to odd jobs Raven will do to bring in the moolah! Oh, money money! Fire on a stick!
Semine: shoves pills down Kali's throat Feeling better?
Kali: …Maybe. Will I have to take more pills if I'm not?
Semine: Technically yes, but I'm too lazy to try to make you eat medicine twice a day.
Kali: Thank Goddess for lazieness!
Semine: Wait--did I just say that? Kali, what the hell have you done to me?
Kali: running away Oh shit. I was caught!
I would like to apologize to Semine, whose name and identity I have borrowed for a cheap laugh.
This is Kali; sleep deprived, and out.
