Disclaimer: I own Bryson, Kenneth, Fernaco and the Elves, oh and I also own the look of Malchior and Rorek's Mansion (note: I'm chilling on his couch right now), everything else like the Teen Titans and every other character in the series I don't own.
A/N: Hey! Thanks for the reviews people, love you all so much, however updating is going to be a little slow (not too slow I hope) because I'm moving and … yeah, that's just a little note to tell you guys what's what with my life. So here's the 9th chapter and a little more of a reminder that X doesn't play nice with others at all. However … he does have an honor bound conscious.
Enjoy!
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Dragons, Riches, and Thieves
It had been twenty straight minutes into Raven and Malchior's flight and within those twenty minutes Malchior had been trying to entice a scream from her calm demeanor. In doing so he flipped, twirled, barrel rolled, dove, and practically dropped out of the sky twirling so close to the ground that Raven could have stretched out her hand and grazed the dirt when he was upside down. However nothing worked, all she did was go with it all. Ride like she was expect! Which just irritated Malchior, made him feel like she was taming him.
No one can tame a dragon.
Yet she … a mere Azarian sorceress was leaning, and banking with every move he made. Even in with the rapid jerks and flips he made she flowed with him, staying close and leaning low holding his spikes and letting him have his "fun" a few times Raven cursed him for causing her to almost drop the book a few times. However he never heard it that was all in her own thoughts. He continued to fly until the twenty minutes were up.
Far from the city, far from civilization in fact was a massive low-grounded mansion. Maybe only five stories high, barely above the other taller – unnaturally tall trees for this day and age that is – was the "house" that stretched and seemed to blend into its surroundings. Meaning it'll be easy to miss on land, the only way to spot it was through the air, and Malchior took her around the entire land mass.
Afterwards he headed down for the rooftop, but just as he let his hind leg reach for a landing in a poof of smoke Raven found herself clinging on to the humanoid Malchior and falling fast through the air. In no time, Raven yelped when he flipped and crouched low on the roof, his hand hooked under her knee still holding her close, while his thumb rubbed her skin to try and sooth out her startled composer. Raven looked up and saw him looking back, again too close for comfort she saw they were once again safely on the ground she slid off his back.
Much to Malchior's reluctance to let her go at all, her scent was so intoxicating. He wished he could just bury his nose in her hair and damn all of everything to hell and back as he watched her pull up her hood and look around the roof for the entrance into the mansion. Malchior lead her too it and let her go down the steps first growling to himself wondering when his sudden infatuation with the girl all began. Patients Malchior, patients … the curse on her will tell you in due time just what it all means … just be patient.
"What a pleasant surprise, so you haven't eaten her and she's all in tack. All five limbs to be precise," Rorek greeted at the base of the grand entrance stairwell Malchior had lead the curious and amazed Raven to the parlor. Off to the side, out of costume and in normal – well actually barrowed clothes from Rorek was X or Kenneth. Leaning against the entrance of the parlor and watching the scene unfold with much amusement as Malchior snorted and glared at the wizard.
"Honestly Rorek, did you really think I'd eat dear Raven?" reaching the bottom, Malchior wrapped an arm around her shoulders earning him a heated glare from the dark bird, "I'd take a teasing taste, but never chew."
"Arm off, or I'll rip it off," Raven growled in his head and Malchior backed off with his hands up to tell Raven to cool it.
Kenneth chuckled, "Ignoring the graphically explicit images runnin' in my head," all heads turned to the thief, Raven's eyes burning holes into his sockets, Kenneth ignored it, "I think we all owe Bryson a little thanks for holding the fort."
Malchior raised a brow, "What do you mean?"
Kenneth grinned, "Let's just say he found exactly what I need to help us track the jewel before anyone of those pointed eared freaks do. YO! Bryson! Get out here!"
"Who's Bryson?" Raven asked curiously.
Rorek smiled, "Why, he's my butler and dear friend through the ages. You'll love him."
"And so it comes to this," the gargoyle, sighed tiredly his horned head shaking and his folded wings dropping ever so slightly to the ground. Raven gasped and shot a hand up to her mouth dropping the book as she saw the fire-haired black-eyed gargoyle come from what she thought was a kitchen. Which was just up against and behind the same wall the stairs curved with. His dry expression and pursed lips telling her just what kind of emotion he was feeling. Irritated, "stooping as low as serving humans … humph, now I think I'm beginning to understand why exactly every other creature despises you … mortals."
Kenneth snickered mockingly and snatched the Red X belt from the air when thrown by Bryson who crossed his arms over his chest, "Aw, I love you too man. Thanks for the tune up, so anyway … yo, Pawn of the Oppressor, you alright girl?"
Raven, gulped and blinked, shaking her head when all eyes suddenly fell on her. The dark sorceress blushed out of embarrassment and dove down to pick up the book she had dropped. Glad that her hood had been up the entire time as she controlled herself and regained her composer. Bryson raised a brow and gave his young lord a strange look; Rorek nudged him towards Raven to introduce himself. Bryson was reluctant to do so.
That's why he was sort of happy that Raven broke the ice – ironic now isn't it? Holding out her hand to shake, Bryson eyed it warily and took it, "My name be Bryson … what is yours?"
Malchior answered for her, which earned him another menacing glare from the dark bird, "This here is little Raven from the Teen Titans, but she's tragically struck with a curse so she cannot speak for herself, but I'm going to be her mediator. So anything you ask her, you can ask me."
"Fuck that shit Malchior!" Kenneth shouted from the side, "You know damn well Raven can speak for her damn self and that's for damn sure."
Raven – along with everyone else – gave the thief an odd look, Kenneth sneered, scoffed and snorted, uncomfortable with the looks he was getting glared, "What?"
The sorceress shook her head and decided to come back to X later for his odd outburst as she turned back to Bryson and gave his hand a firm shake allowing for her mind to connect with his slowly. Showing that she was just a friend and he accepted her, "As Malchior earlier stated, my name is Raven from the Teen Titans … and I guess I'm here to try and track down the Red Sea Sapphire and return it to its rightful owner."
Bryson gave a gentle smile, his hard cold black eyes surprisingly soft and warm with wisdom and kindness. He brought the back of her hand up to his lips and kissed it swiftly, like a true gentlemen of old, "It's a pleasure meeting you my lady, and do not take a offence when I say that it is about time we have a lady's touch to our operation."
A growl was heard, but before anyone could place who had done it, it was gone in a flat second and Raven was left to raise a brow, "Um … I'm flattered?" Raven did not do flattery.
Bryson chuckled warm-heartedly and stepped away gesturing to the impatient thief that was tapping his foot on the marbled floor, "Well then, I guess it's time I give the floor to human Kenneth Aftaka, take it away."
Kenneth snorted, "Right, don't trip," turning and heading into the parlor he opened his mouth to begin explaining when Bryson interrupted once more.
"Oh, terribly sorry Master Kenneth, but if I may," he politely asked, and Kenneth sighed rolling his eyes and waving his hand dismissively. Bryson bowed his head, "I'll be brief, but lunch will be served soon so I suggest you keep the coffee table clear if you all don't wish to eat at the dinning room table."
Rorek nodded, "Thank you again Bryson, you've been most helpful."
"I try my best my lord."
Kenneth growled – patient meter already blown, "Enough already with the royalty bullshit! Can we get to MY part of the script you bunch of scene hogs! God! DAMN!"
Arms thrown into the air and giving out a frustrated growl the human marched into the parlor leaving Malchior, Rorek, Raven, and Bryson to stare in wonder and lost expressions. Blinks going around, Bryson excused himself and the other three headed into the parlor, Raven being the one to eye the place and take in all the miraculous artifacts inside. She was almost afraid to sit in the place that looked so … alive with magic.
This … is Rorek's home? This couldn't be the first one … no … this has to be some kind of getaway … I wouldn't be surprised at how much exactly he's worth in riches. Surviving through to the now he's had to acuminate something close to the extent of rivaling Bill Gates and Donald Trump put together! Raven shook her head and leaned against the wall eyeing the miniature library that sat even further into the parlor. Shelves ground level, a fireplace, a mantle, and a glass cabinet to hold all his antics that he'd dare show off for the world to see. Raven was actually surprised at the trust he put in X – or Kenneth in this case, he wasn't wearing his suit.
To say the least, Raven was astounded by the amount of money the room itself must have cost without the structure being built. Even the rug that she stepped on with its elaborate designs and mystical colorings with gold trimmings was breath taking. On the walls … the wall just across from her, opposite the one she was leaning on was a wall with stainless/shatterproof/soundproof glass barriers to the outside world. With pillars separating each Gothic arch and stretching all the way to the ceiling disappearing as it reached the center to touch the opposite parallel pillars.
The Gothic arched windows opened separately, but with the rain now it was any luck at all that they'd ever be opened to gaze out at the lovely forest view of the land that covered the massive mansion. Secluded … quiet … just the way she liked it … but she had to wonder … did it ever get lonely for the wizard to stay here by himself with no one but his servants to keep his company? Raven shook her head when she noticed that her violet eyes had traveled from the room to stare at the real wizard from the story she held in her hands.
He looked so … so clean, smooth, calm, collected, trusting, and charming.
Not to mention he was intelligent, kind, a gentleman at heart, and a good man.
He was what every girl wished for in her dreams … he was … he was a –
"So Prince Charming, what'cha think eh?" Kenneth handed the prince who had felt Raven's eyes upon him for quite sometime, but chose better to ignore it. Least he'd get her to think something that he did not need to get started. The belt … the Red X belt that he noticed the glowing red liquid wasn't a liquid anymore but more a smoky substance. Rorek found it odd, especially when he could feel power coming off the thing.
Power that was the equivalent of a power bomb he'd drop upon Malchior if given the chance to kill the dragon once and for all. Dangerous, Rorek was almost afraid to hold it – note: almost, he just fidget it with it slightly, "Well … I must say … it is quite impressive … but can you handle it? I mean, Bryson had only just given this to you, and let's face it. Besides the dagger that's strapped to your waist at the moment I don't think you know much about magic."
Kenneth shrugged and grinned, "Don't know magic? Maybe I don't, or maybe I do?"
"No games human," Malchior growled from the couch propping his feet up on the coffee table – the one that he had already scratched beyond repair – black metallic eyes glaring warningly at Kenneth, "you know what we mean, no parlor tricks, like coins from behind the ear, card tricks, mumbo-jumbo crap. None of that. What you're holding isn't chemicals where you can just wash it off, that's power, pure chaotic energy might I add. Where if it should goes off in the wrong way, used in the wrong way, say good-bye forever. Just a tube full of that thing drops, cracks and explodes it could wipe out a good 18-square mile of a city. You don't want that happening now do you?"
Kenneth flinched, the information haven't been given prior to the making of the belt. Raven raised a brow and pushed off the wall walking into the conversation and finally putting the book down on something she gestured for Rorek to hand her the belt. He did so and for a moment their fingers just barely grazed each other's skins, but it was enough to send a shiver down the other's spine.
Raven inwardly slapped herself, Fool! Danger Raven Roth, danger, danger! Never good to go goo-goo-gah-gah! Never! Never! Remember you don't DO attraction, infatuations, crushes, like-likes, or love. Besides … what do you know about him? Nothing! That's what, no trust!
Immediately she jerked her hand away, but discreetly and eyed the belt, playing it all cool, "Chaotic Energy … it really is impressive, but Malchior's right X – er – Kenneth … this could be too dangerous for you to handle, sure xinthonium was just as deadly … if not highly unstable, but Chaotic Energy? It's unpredictable, you can't control it … no matter what you try to do."
"So what?" Kenneth shrugged, "You just gonna confiscate the thing from me just because it's danger levels are too great for you guys to trust? Since when have either of you ever worried about my life?"
Raven gave him back the belt, "Since you're still human and an innocent one on strange circumstances. Like a participating bystander so to speak … I'm a hero remember? It's my duty to protect guys like you, no matter how stupid you may be."
"Aw," Malchior mocked, Raven turned to notice a strange glint in his eyes … was that … was that anger? Or jealousy? "Now isn't that cute, even after helping a couple of fugitives you still manage to be the hero you still think you are." Feet off the coffee table and on the ground getting up from the couch, Raven eyed him warily as he sneered baring his long jutting fangs, "How delightfully entertaining to watch a creature from the night such as yourself still try to find a place in the light. Very amusing actually."
"Hey, back the fuck off man," Kenneth defended stepping up in between a startled – not to mention confused and surprised Raven as the thief took a stand for her. Not that she liked it; she could very well fight her own battles, but this? This would be the second time he stood up for her, "I have no idea what the hell you're trying to do here, but try to keep from bothering the Titan too much alright? She's done nothing to you except put your ass where it rightfully belongs, and deserved. If you still be holdin' a grudge just for that than that's a damn shame. You supposed to be actin' all grown like you know, well you don't. You're just clownin' and being a stupid ass fool who don't know when to keep his stupid ass mouth shut."
Malchior's growl turned deep, low, and deadly, "Ironic coming from a human that likes to talk but can never deliver. You really must be out of your mind to be challenging me, fool."
Kenneth scoffed, "Like I said, I don't know spells … but I know crazy."
"Obviously."
"Lunch is served," Bryson – whether it be by coincidence or sheer luck alone came in between the feuding duo to set the tray of food down. Raven let go a breath of relief when Kenneth suddenly snapped out of his angry state and immediately dove for the food.
"Finally man, I've been so freakin' starved since yesterday!"
Bryson smiled, "Glad to know that I have saved your life," looking up to Rorek both gave each other knowing expressions and Rorek nodded a "well-done" to Bryson who bowed and left the room.
Malchior on the other hand snorted and rolled his head to the side muttering but one word, "Humans."
Raven sat next to Kenneth taking the belt back in her hands she sighed and decided now was a best time to change the subject, "Okay, well, X – Kenneth, you said that you found a way to detect the jewel faster than the dark elves. How?"
Mouth full of food, he chewed and swallowed – Malchior praying that he'd chock – cleared his throat and pointed with his fork to the belt in her hand, "The chaotic energy thing you guys are trippin' about. Bryson found out that the Red Sea Sapphire had a chaotic field around it, so if I combined magic with my tech I cold find the thing in a snap of a finger. It really couldn't have gone far, Malchior over there said that the distance between the warehouse and my next destination when I teleported couldn't have dumped the thing too far from there. Get it?"
"Clever," Raven nodded and placed the belt back on the table next to the tray of food that featured four plates of lasagna. Never questioning the platter Raven grabbed one of the plates and stood up from the couch. Walking to the window and taking the white book with her to the bat window in order to sit down away from the group to eat. Raven will never admit it, but she was always so very uncomfortable eating in front of others … call it being silly, but it just felt rude to her.
Unlike Kenneth who woofed down his plate and was already starting to try and take stabs at Rorek and Malchior's plates to steal away their meals. A smile came to her face and Raven shook her head, Idiot, turning away and looking out the window she sighed and licked her lips. Cutting into the lasagna and stabbing at the slice Raven brought it to her parted lips.
However, before she could even put it in her mouth, Kenneth plotted on the seat across from her eyeing the lasagna as if it were his next victim. Raven raised a brow, "Something you like? Thief?"
"Yeah, I'd like for you to hand over that lasagna nice and slow and no one gets hurt." He said with a goofy grin, one that reminded her of a child stalking a butterfly and trying to catch it.
Raven chuckled, "You want this?" she said putting the fork back onto the plate and moving it around watching as his head follow every, which way the plate went until it was on her lap again, "Why don't you ask Bryson for another piece?"
"Because I'm not that hungry, I just want what's on you guys' plates." He answered as if she was asking for his name, casual and cool.
Odd one he is, she thought with another shake of her head picking up the fork and finally putting the food in her mouth to chew. Kenneth glared.
"Oh you damn tease."
"Like I said, go ask Bryson for another piece, and I'm not teasing. I'm just as hungry as you are."
"Yeah right," he pouted and sat back on the bay window looking out the window, Raven sliced the lasagna again and poked it, about to eat it again she stopped and sighed.
"Alright," she growled in his head getting his attention, "I'll give you half my piece – but only because I know I won't finish it – but you have to answer a simple question of mines."
"Deals." Kenneth stated more than asked in a low voice so the other two couldn't hear, but that was fruitless. Especially since one always had a hearing spell on and the other was born with the natural ability of heightened sense. This did not go observed by the human teen that shrugged, "Alright, what do you want to know."
Raven put her plate down on her lap again, and pulled her hood back feeling it was getting a bit stuffing inside of it and plus she needed to hear him correctly least his answer be off the wall. She blinked and asked slowly, "Why are you sticking up for me? Against Malchior that is, you did it twice since I got here … what's your edge?"
"My edge?" Kenneth snorted a chuckle, "No edge sweetness it's all business. You saved my ass back at Titan Tower, so I'm just paying you back the trouble. Until I feel we're even I'm gonna keep doin' it so don't go be giving your mind them funky thoughts. You're hot and all, I just don't dig you that way, see what I'm sayin' doll?"
Now Raven … was at a loss …
She didn't know what to think of the edgy teen that just practically dissed and complimented her at the same time. With his gleaming bright and fun amber hazel eyes that glowed under any kind of light and hair that was soo messy it looked soo right at the same time and that cute boyish face with a much more sarcastic grin to his expressions. It seemed impossible for this guy to stop grinning. Although, all this wasn't the point, the point was that Raven couldn't decide whether to smash his head into the laminated glass or let it slide and ignore his rather rude comments.
She chose the later with an irritated huff, "Whatever, but do me a favor."
"What's that?"
"Start using my name from now on, bad enough I got Malchior I don't need you to be doing the same. So the names Raven. Got it?"
Kenneth cringed and shuttered with distaste, "Can't I call you something else?"
Raven narrowed her eyes in annoyance, "Why? Raven is my name."
"Yeah I know," he shrugged, "but it just seems … kind a … I dunno … plain."
"Really?" Raven sneered, "Well "Kenneth" seems rather lame."
"Hey, don't be dissin' the name, not cool girl."
Raven rolled her eyes, "Well then, as you so clearly put it: Don't be dissin' my name."
To retaliate Kenneth opened his mouth, but stopped when he realized something here … she just lured him into a trap! Twisting the conversation till he had no choice but to go with her or don't get food. He narrowed his eyes all the while grinning, "Too shay, slick. Too shay."
"On guard," Raven handed him the plate of food, "take it, and remember to leave me half."
"No probs … but one more thing just call me X alright chick – erm – Raven."
"Will do Kenneth."
With that Kenneth happily devoured his half of the plate, but snuck in a few extra slices, however in the mean time as he ate and sat next to her the dagger on his waist hummed gently. A very low hum that only Malchior could hear and Rave if she tried – and she began to notice a strange buzzing sound. Kenneth was of course oblivious to the noise. The humming didn't grow in sound, it just … hummed, when Raven happened a glance down at the sheath in side X's pant's pocket. She found the humming origin.
Narrowed eyes she looked up to the content X who was looking out the window smiling and enjoying the meal like an oblivious little kid. Raven raised a brow and returned her gaze back to his dagger and noticed he had strapped on the Red X belt around his waist. Yet, that wasn't the strange part … the strange part was the belt's reaction to the dagger as it hummed.
The smoky, red glowing chaotic energy didn't seem angry anymore … but instead looked … content the same as the dagger and its owner. That's odd …
Raven tested a theory that was running around her head, "X could you undo your belt and give it to me?"
"Why?" great hesitation in the question, he stopped his picking and looked at the sorceress who held out her hand.
"I just want to see something."
"What?"
"Just give it to me." Raven hissed in his head and her gesture sharp and demanding, the human scoffed and put the plate down on top of the white book taking off the belt. Handing it to Raven he paused when he noticed that the glowing red energy had suddenly flared up angrily and the humming seized.
"Whoa."
Raven hmmed to herself, "Just as I thought … it's your dagger X, you're dagger's the one that calms the chaotic power inside the belt. I think it's the key to holding the energy in check … how? I haven't a single clue, but I'll find out later. For now, I suggest you create a holster for the dagger to be held with the belt. That is if you don't want the magic to consume your body and virtually take control of you and destroy your soul, when you use it without your heritage."
X shot Raven a dry look, "You really know how to motive a guy don't you."
She shrugged, "Just a warning."
"Yeah right."
"Lord Rorek," all heads turned to the entrance to the parlor to notice Bryson standing and holding a cell phone in his hand an uneasy look on his face as he eyed X.
Rorek shot up, "What is it Bryson?" the prince noticed the phone and raised a brow, "Who's on the phone?"
"It's for master Kenneth." came the unsuspected answer and all headed turned to the human who was about to scarf down the rest of Raven's plate with no intention of sharing.
Confused, Kenneth gave a rather dumb expression, and answer, "Huh?"
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Ring, ring, ring … hello? Hah! Who's on the other line I wonder? See ya in the chapter 10 folks, reviews would be nice.
L8er daez!
