Hallo all. Just so that you know, I'm changing my update policy. I will not be pushing out nine page updates every other year. Instead, I shall write a scene per day and maybe update three page chapters every (other) week or so. So, you do get less Kali-liscious goodness, because that scene could be a oneshot, for my other story, or for the Ms Donovan and Ms Midnight account. But you get the Kali-liscious goodness more often. And now, a message from our sponsor (me, you dingus!):
Hi! My name's Kali (idiot!) and I'm here with this special announcement. There's a writer out there who wishes to get her voice herd. And she is...
Moi (of course, you bag of leperous camel snot!). Instead of putting one story on story alert, please put me on author alert. One, it makes me feel special. Two, it makes the author notes make more sense. I might reference something in several chappies for several different stories, so if you author alert me, you'll understand more. And three, it's easier. If you have me on author alert, you can get notices when I do anything. And that means more Kali for fewer bucks. That's better. I don't have that many stories, so you won't be flooded by emails at any time. I might post two things at one time, but I won't post a thousand per day. You all know I take too long to update this, so think of that update schedule on another story. So, you get my stuff more often, and more plot-skis. All in all, a good deal.
And most importantly, it makes me feel good. Smileyness!
And now, on with the show!
Raven looked up when she heard the knock. Funny. Bekka didn't call. And I paid the rent on time…
When she opened the door a small crack, her scowl in place, it reminded her of years of secretiveness and fear that they would find out… Needless to say, Raven swung the door wide open as soon as her mind took that path.
Which was wise, considering the tan woman who had knocked immediately squealed, "Raven!" and tackled Raven.
"Star?" Raven croaked as soon as she could get air to her lungs.
"Yes, dearest Raven. I wished to get your advice."
"I'd be happy to dispense it. But first, what are you wearing?" Raven stood up and eyed Starfire's outfit.
"Well, you expressed a wish to show no visible connection with the Titans, so I did not fly here, nor did I wear my uniform. I rummaged around in the closets and found this. Are you not happy?" Starfire fingered her rather small shirt and stared at her tight jeans.
"I'm thrilled. But Star, most people make a habit to wear shoes. And more than three yards of fabric." Starfire stared at Raven, confusion written on her face, as Raven cracked up. In Raven's room, a light bulb cracked.
"I shall remember to buy shoes on my way back to the Tower. But last night, a great and joyous thing happened. I asked Robin if he would accompany me on a quest for dinner, and he accepted. I remember that this is a key part of the earth ceremony in preparation for marriage. But I have no knowledge as to what is acceptable and expected from this point onward. Would you please instruct me?"
Raven paused for a moment, parsing out what Starfire had said, then thinking about what to do. "Did you set a night?" Starfire shook her head. "Okay. Well, then we have no deadline. That's good. Unfortunately, I don't have that much in the way of dresses. Or anything that would go with your complexion. Did you bring money or a credit card?"
"Why would I give credit to a card?" Raven sighed, shaking her head. "But I did bring this magic piece of plastic. Robin gave it to me when I told him I was to be shopping for groceries."
"Thank you, Robin," Raven said, bending down to where Starfire was still crouched, and grabbing the card from her outstretched hand. And now, to the internet." Raven ran off to her room, groaning as she saw the lamp, and returning with her laptop.
Raven sat on her couch and patted the spot next to her for Starfire to sit. "Now, we buy a dress for you. I'm thinking a soft green, like your eyes…"
Hours later, Robin's computer beeped. He moved from the newspaper clippings and police reports that littered desk. A message was flashing, telling him that the Titan credit card was being used. Well of course it was being used. Star was shopping, he thought at the computer.
Back to the clippings. Which were, well, boring. No recent surge in crime, no new villains. It was as if all the enemies of the Titans were plotting, or hiding, or gathering…
But Robin knew that there was no point reading over things that couldn't help. Police reports and news articles were about what happened, not about what could or might be happening. So Robin, defeated, sulked over to the common room. On the way there, he passed Beast Boy, who was, for once, sitting silently in his room.
"Beast Boy? What are you doing?"
Beast Boy opened his eyes. "Um… Practicing some new jokes?"
"Silently? Without a victim?"
"Well, I would ask Raven, or Starfire, but they've both gone. Hey Robin! So, one hundred and eighty five roll into a bar and ask for a drink—"
"Beast Boy, please stop. I don't like where this is going. Why don't we just go out for pizza?"
"Sure! I'll go ask Cy!" Beast Boy leapt past Robin to find his friend.
"Raven?"
"Yes, Star?" Raven looked up from her book. "Have you decided on a restaurant?"
"I have. How is this one? Robin has previously spoken of a desire to attend this House of Kimikono. What do you think?"
Raven leaned forward to make sure she was hearing correctly. "Star, I'm sure that Robin would like to go, but I don't think it's right for your first date…"
"Why not? It appears to be of small price," here, Raven laughed. A sushi joint was never cheap. Star continued, oblivious, "And it seems to have the same dress code."
"Star? The problem is… Well… I work there…" Raven looked down to the ground, waiting for a small, "oh…" from Starfire.
Instead, she got a loud, "Oh how glorious! We shall all be able to dine as friends, and we shall catch up and—"
"Star, it won't be a good idea to have me at your date."
Star stopped in mid jump. "But it shall be wondrous to see you, and in such a setting, Robin cannot be sulky."
Raven blinked. It had been a while since anyone she had been near had floated in mid air. She had grown accustomed to people abiding by the laws of gravity. "You don't want the focus to be on anything but you."
"Oh… There is much I need to learn about this ting of dae. I am glad to have such a patient and understanding teacher." Starfire sat back down. "Then what would you recommend?"
"There's always Gillorini's. They have the best cannolis."
"So, Robin. How're things with Star?" Cyborg looked expectantly at Robin, who looked to Beast Boy for help. That poor, poor boy.
"Yeah, how are things?" Beast Boy gazed at Robin hopefully. "Have you gone out on a date?"
"Have you kissed?"
"What's going on?"
Robin backed away slightly in his chair. "So… How about them Yankees?"
Later that night, Raven lay on her bed, exhausted. Star was wonderful to have over, but tiring after a while. And she berated herself extensively for involving herself in the lives of the Titans. Which were becoming more and more fragile as time went on.
Not to mention that her emotions were telling her that she shouldn't have helped Starfire. She kept wondering if she had somehow had sabotaged the date by accident, or on purpose, or if she had merely given good advice and that some time this week the two of them would be happier than they had ever been.
Cyborg's keyboard clacked as the night wore on. His human mind was chattering endlessly to fill the silence the computers supplied him with. Robin clearly couldn't see what he could. Neither could Starfire. But he shouldn't get in the middle of their lives. It was theirs to live. But Cyborg couldn't stand to do nothing while Raven distanced herself and Starfire and Robin frolicked as if there was nothing stopping them and nothing that could cause pain. And he certainly couldn't stand by while Raven could get hurt.
But she would get angry with him if he tried to help her. Or even tried to meet up with her. Raven angry was scary. She was happy to ignore her needs, but her life was hers, not anyone else's.
Cyborg just didn't want his surrogate sister to be shorted because she was trying to help.
Eventually, Cyborg was forced to shut down and rest for the night.
Okay, good readers. I want you to know how uncomfortable it made me feel to type the scene with BB, Cy, and Rob at pizza. I don't do that stuff well. It skeeved me. Yep. Skeeve-ski.
More Plugs! (Yep, those who watch me will see that I'm on a plug-trip. They are fun!)
1) Semine. Go check her out. Awesome writing, superb dialogue, fun plots, and even funner author notes.
2) My other stuff. You see the above writing you endured? Think stuff like that. Crappy descriptions of movement, nice other stuff. Angst (but this is my angst-heavy piece). Funny author notes. Subliminal messages. ((((((((((give me money))))))))))
3) Ms Donovan And Ms Midnight. Sem and I. We write stuff. Some stuff that is extremely creepy. ((((((((((give me money)))))))))) Some stuff that is fluffy. Expect one update per week.
I don't think I have anything else to say. Other than:
REVIEW!
Keep a Poor Writer Fed!
It only takes a small donation of your time.
Just find it in your heart.
Taa!
This is Kali; sleep deprived and out.
