Chapter 2: Training

Victoria's face was flushed. She was concentrating so hard on the spell her mom was teaching her, that she was about to pass out.

"You have to concentrate harder," Raven ordered her daughter.

"Trying my best mommy dearest," she retorted gritting her teeth.

"Don't make me bring out my wired hanger now," Raven said smiling. She was so proud of her daughter no matter of she could so a stupid spell or not. She loved her more than the next breath.

"Mom, I think it's impossible," Victoria told her.

"Calm down Vicky."

"I told you, you can call me Tori, or Victoria, or even Falcon, but not Vicky."

"Maybe it will help you concentrate."

"Doubt it. I'm useless."

"If I hear that attitude, I'll just stop teaching you anything. I mean, if you're as pathetic as you say, then there isn't any point."

"Tell me, when is Cassandra coming home from college?"

"Today in fact, your dad should be picking her up right now." Victoria looked at her mom and then closed her eyes once more in concentration.

"Nos puer mortom," (p.s that is just random latin) she said levitating. A bolt of blue magic erupted from her chest.

"That was excellent," her mother exclaimed. "I'm so proud of you."

"Yeah, yeah. Let's just get out of here before dad finds out that you've been using your old training room for other purposes."

"No cross the wires like I told you," Robin instructed Cassandra. The little black box with multi-colored wires beeped and a green light flashed. "Sorry, darling, but you're dead."

"Damn! Bomb dismemberment and construction is so hard," she said.

"And you using big words and long phrases to describe my training methods deserves an A by itself," he chuckled.

"Why do I need to learn this? I steal artifacts. It's not like I'll be setting off bombs in buildings anytime soon," she told him slumping back in the chair she was in.

"You might not set up bombs, but you can bet the police will if they ever get desperate enough to catch you. I'm concerned for your safety. I was injured multiple times while doing the whole villain. I don't the same thing to happen you."

"Okay! I'll try harder." Her tongue between her teeth, she rearranged and disassembled a few wires and a red light blinked instead of the green that had turned on last time.

"That's my little girl," he said walking over the refrigerator he kept in his training room. He threw her a Fresca which she drank happily.

"So where are you right now?" she asked.

"Picking you up from college," he responded lazily.

"And how's that working out for you?" she asked smiling.

"Not too well. You're mom wants to pick you up the next time you want to come home. So I'm going to get you your own motorcycle to avoid such a confrontation," he explained.

"But on the brighter side, a bank on the other side of town is having an artifact auction. I can snag something, can't I?"

"What do I look like, you're father?" Robin joked. Cassandra shoved him playfully. She really did love her dad. He was the only one who understood her.

As Cassandra and Robin entered the dining room of Robin and Raven's house, a shriek met their ears. Victoria practically jumped out of her seat with excitement. She gave her sister a bone crushing hug.

"Can't….breathe…suffocation…gonna die…." Cassandra said.

"Sorry sis, I just missed you so much," Victoria told her sister. They were very close which was exactly how their parents wanted them to be. They both knew that when the time came, the girls both would have to make the decision to help themselves or each other.

"How was traffic?" Raven asked as Robin gave her a quick kiss on the mouth.

"Not as bad as last month," he informed her.

"So, how's Gothom University?" Victoria asked. "How are the guys?" she added in an undertone.

"It's okay," she responded. "And the guys are more than okay," she said also in an undertone.

"I've got great news," Victoria said. "I just got accepted to Gothom University. Now we room together next year."

"No!" Robin and Cassandra exclaimed in unison.

"I mean, no, sis, I'm transferring out after this year. I can go anywhere from here," Cassandra said.

"And when was I going to be informed of this?" Raven asked.

"Oh shit!" Robin exclaimed slapping a hand to his forehead catching on. "I knew that there was something I had to tell you last week."

"Leave it to my husband," Raven said rolling her eyes.

That night at dinner, Cassandra went out afterwards to "get some fresh air".

It was then that Robin suggested a movie. Victoria and her parents sat down on the couch and watched her favorite movie, "Underworld". It was then that her cell rang.

"What is it?" Raven asked before Robin could speak knowing that her cell phone was linked into the police scanner and would ring when there was trouble.

"Hello," she said into the phone. All she heard was a police man saying that he needed extra guards that night at an artifacts auction across town. He had heard rumors of a planned break in. "I'm sorry you guys, but I've got to go. The music store needs all hands on deck. Our manager's sick."

"Okay honey," Robin said waving to her as she left.

"Be safe," Raven added.