Chapter 2: Blue
Soft piano music drifted out of the main dining room as Terra and Beast Boy made their way down the short hallway towards a pair of ornate double doors. Terra stumbled along side her date clinging to his elbow and burying her head into his shoulder as soft muffled laugher sporadically erupted from her. Beast Boy did his best to try and ignore his hysterical counter part. The pair halted in front of the main entrance.
"Come on Terra, get a hold of yourself," Beast Boy pleaded. "We don't want to get thrown out before we get a chance to get in."
Terra looked up at Beast Boy; her face was a bright red and her eyes were brimming with tears. "I'm sorry, that was just too funny."
Beast Boy looked away. Terra smiled and pulled her companion closer to her. "Oh come on," Terra mildly lectured him; "you of all people have to admit that was hysterical."
Beast Boy looked down in embarassment. "I didn't know, ok!"
"Beast Boy, you ran over the Valet's foot," Robin said as he quickly escorted Starfire up the hall to join their friends.
"I didn't mean to run over Val's foot," Beast Boy replied. Terra burst into another round of uncontrollable laughter. Starfire pulled her hair out with her free hand as she looked on in concern not sure what was causing her friend to act this way in front of her date.
"Look," Beast Boy continued slightly miffed, "I don't want anyone riding my new bike."
Terra stopped laughing and shot her date a hurt look, "Hey what about me?"
"I MAY make an exception for you," Beast Boy said as he seriously considered this possibility. Terra's eyes narrowed in mock anger as she planted a hard jab on his shoulder.
"Ouch, that hurt!" Beast Boy winced in pain.
"Ok you two," Robin interrupted. "Have you got everything out of your system? We have to behave in here."
Terra smiled and wrapped her arms around Beast Boy's elbow. She turned and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. "You heard the man, behave yourself." Beast Boy turned towards his date then shot his eyes upwards in disbelief.
Robin extended his elbow. Starfire smiled at him and gently hooked her arm around his elbow. Robin glanced back and saw that Terra and Beast Boy had regained their composure. He nodded then stepped forward and pushed the doors open.
The doors opened into a small receiving room as crisp piano music greeted them. In front of them was a small wooden podium. Behind it stood an impeccably dressed gentleman with light grey hair who was glancing down at an open book. He looked up slightly annoyed at the young couples in front of him.
"May I help you?" he said in a deep calm voice.
Robin spoke up after taking a deep breath to prepare himself. "Titans, reservation for four," he calmly announced.
The man looked down in his book. "Ah yes, you're ten minutes late but I think we can find something for you. My name is Harold. Please don't hesitate to let me know if you need my assistance."
He turned to his side and raised his hand motioning someone towards him. A scantily clad young woman with dark hair came forward. She wore a short black skirt and a small black vest that barely covered her chest.
"This is Judy she will be your server tonight," Harold calmly introduced her. "Please show these people to their table." He pointed down at his book as the waitress looked down to determine where she was to seat them. She nodded. Harold handed her several large menus which she took and quickly pulled to her chest. She smiled at her quests, "Please follow me."
She turned and made her way into the main dining room. Her back was completely bare and Robin wondered how her vest stayed up. It was then that he felt a sudden hash pain in his right foot. He turned and saw Starfire giving him the look of death as she pressed her foot heavily onto his. Robin gritted his teeth fighting the urge to cry out in pain. Starfire relented and Robin quickly limped forward pursuing their waitress.
The dining room was covered with a plush red carpet and sparsely furnished with immaculate wooden dining tables. About half of the tables were filled with people. Judy led them towards the back of the room. She stopped at a table set for four near the kitchen entrance. Robin inspected their location and frowned.
Beast Boy pulled out one of the red cushioned chairs and Terra quickly sat down as he gently pushed her towards the table. Robin quickly did the same for Starfire; he figured Cyborg had been lecturing his friend on the finer points of dining. The boys took their seats as Judy handed out their menus.
"Welcome to Blue," she kindly announced, "please let me know if there is anything you need. May I get you something to drink while you're looking at your menus?"
"May I see your wine list?" Beast Boy asked.
"Certainly, but I'll need to see some ID," their server politely countered.
"Right," Beast Boy replied nervously, "I guess I'll just have a glass of water then."
"Iced tea for me," Terra said with a slight smile.
"I'll have the same," Starfire added.
"Me too," Robin commented as he surveyed the menu.
"Very good, I'll be back with your drinks in a moment." She turned and made her way to the other side of the room.
"Busted," Terra hissed lightly as she smiled slyly at Beast Boy.
"You'd think all the times we've bailed this town out they'd let us order some wine with our dinner," Beast Boy said in protest as he began to look over the menu.
Terra quickly scanned the menu then closed it and looked around. Their table was rectangular with a crisp white tablecloth on it. The plates were white with an intricate blue floral pattern. A myriad of forks and spoons surrounded the plate. The center of the table was occupied by a small red tinted glass that held a dim flickering candle. Dark panels of wood stretched halfway up the walls. Dark red wallpaper with intricate gold patterns occupied the rest of the space up to the ceiling.
"I don't get it," Terra commented as she looked around. "Shouldn't this place be called red?"
"The owner's last name is Blue," Robin quickly explained.
"Well that makes sense, I guess," Terra replied.
Beast Boy studied the menu in frustration. He was beginning to sweat. Everything on it was over seventy bucks. To top it off there wasn't much he could order.
"Do you guys want to order an appetizer?" Terra asked the group.
Beast boy cringed thinking of his monetary situation; he should have got another hundred off Cyborg while he had the chance.
"Sure," Robin replied. "What were you thinking of ordering?"
"You guys like Calamari?"
"Fine with me," Robin replied.
"What's that," Beast Boy inquired.
"Fried squid," Terra answered.
Beast Boy frowned in disgust. "No thanks, I'll pass."
"Isn't that the ocean creature you turn into that squirts black liquid?" Starfire asked Beast Boy.
Beast Boy looked up and scrunched his nose in disgust, "Yes, and I can't eat that because I'm a vegetarian."
"That leaves more for the rest of us," Terra lightly chided him. She leaned over and reached under the table and gave Beast Boy's leg a light squeeze in consolation.
"There must be some mistake," Starfire continued to scan the menu, "I do not see pizza anywhere."
"Robin looked up and smiled, "This place doesn't have pizza."
"I don't see how this place can be exclusive if it doesn't have pizza," Starfire countered in disappointment.
"They might have Bruschetta," Terra added hopefully.
"What's that?" Beast Boy looked up from his menu.
"Toasted Italian bread with tomatoes, olive oil and garlic," Terra quickly scanned the menu. "They've got it but it's an appetizer."
Beast Boy sighed in disappointment. "Well that looks like dinner for me."
Terra tilted her head and gave Beast Boy a queer look. "Are you serious?"
"Yea," Beast Boy glumly countered. "Everything else has meat in it."
"Well I'm going with the Gumbo," Robin quickly chimed in.
"Hey, I don't remember seeing that on the menu," Terra countered.
"It's not," Robin said with a slight smirk. "I know the head chef. He's from New Orleans. I asked him to make a special batch for me. It's got an awesome kick to it."
"You mean there is a foot in it?" Starfire questioned him.
"No," Robin calmly explained. "It means it extra spicy. I think you'd like it," Robin shot her a crooked smile. "Wanna try? That is if you're brave enough."
Starfire shot Robin an annoyed look. "I accept your challenge."
Their server returned with their drinks and a bread basket.
"Can I have some olive oil?" Beast Boy requested. The server nodded affirmative.
"Is everyone ready to order?" their server asked. The others all looked at each other; everyone seemed ready.
Terra looked around the table and decided to go first. "Prime cut steak, medium rare." She saw Beast Boy cringe out of the corner of her eye. "I'll have the potato and skip the salad. And can we all have an order of Calamari?" Judy quickly jotted down Terra's order.
"We'll have the Gumbo," Robin announced. Judy looked up in confusion. "Lou has a batch ready for us, I called ahead." Judy nodded then turned to Beast Boy.
He looked up nervously. "I'll have the Bruschetta as my main course. A salad with vinaigrette and no cheese and don't forget the oil for my bread please." Judy nodded as she jotted down the orders then took their menus.
Terra planted her elbows on the table and rested her head on her hands as she smiled at Beast Boy.
"What?' Beast Boy blurted out uncomfortable with her stare.
"Nothing," she calmly answered. "I've just never been with a guy who ordered less food than me."
"Do you go in the back and watch them cook your food too?" Robin lightly chided him.
"Excuse me for being particular with my meal," Beast Boy replied. Judy brought him a small vial of olive oil. Beast Boy grabbed a piece of bread and drizzled oil over it. He looked up at his friends who were eyeing him curiously. "It's good, trust me."
"This place is impossible to get into. How did you boys get a reservation?" Terra asked.
Robin looked up and smiled, "I have my sources."
"Well you both pulled this off and it was very considerate of you," Terra genuinely said to them. "Hey Star let's go check out the little girl's room."
Starfire looked up slightly confused as Terra pushed her chair back and quickly walked over and pulled her away. Robin watched the girls make their way across the dinning room towards the ladies room. Beast Boy continued devouring his bread as piano music filtered through the room.
Robin leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. "Well we won't be seeing those two for awhile."
Beast Boy grunted acknowledging Robin's observation. "Yea, what do you think they do in there?"
"I don't know," Robin replied. "Fix their hair, gossip, you know girl stuff."
"Hope they get back before the food gets here."
"Don't worry. Places like this take forever to get the food ready."
Beast Boy sighed, "I would have been happy going to Sal's."
"Come on Beast Boy," Robin countered, "your first date has to be memorable."
"Oh I'll remember this," Beast Boy quickly added. "And I'm sure Cyborg will remember the two hundred bucks he loaned me to come here."
Robin snickered at Beast Boy's announcement. "Money's a trivial thing Beast Boy. You've gotta get past it and enjoy your life."
"That's easy for you to say. What did you do, rob a bank as Red X and stash the loot?"
Robin frowned momentarily, "No, I just have good sources."
Beast Boy stuffed the rest of the bread in his mouth. "Well at least our food will be hot since we're right next to the kitchen."
"Yea that's a slight," Robin commented in disgust. Beast Boy shot him a quizzical glance. "You're not supposed to sit important people near the kitchen," he explained. "It would have been better by the windows."
"Well I guess we don't rank in this town," Beast Boy glumly added. "The girls seem pleased so it doesn't matter."
"Yea," Robin calmly agreed. "Wanna take bets on when the girls get back?"
"Fifteen minutes," Beast Boy predicted.
"Longer," Robin quickly countered.
"No way," Beast Boy commented in disbelief.
"Looser gets the next round of drinks."
"You're on," Beast Boy confidently accepted. He paused and thought about it for a second. "Hey wait no fair I ordered water."
"Too late."
Beast Boy sighed as he put his elbow on the table and glumly rested his chin on his hand. "I wonder what they're doing."