"What color? What color?"You ask out loud to yourself, in the kitchen. Looking at the plain white frosting, eyes darting from each color of the specturm.
You hadn't been able to figure out which color to make the frosting, nor the icing either for the cake. Which you where still baking, using some of your fire. One of the many good uses you got out of having it. Though of course you had to be extra careful not to put TOO much feeling into it. Otherwise, you'd burn down the room and burn the cake. So while you mind mentally kept the fire in control, you could focus on this more important matter.
The color choice you had in mind most likely wouldn't be something Terra would like, blood red was the color you wanted to choose. With some yellow. Maybe a dark grey or a nice aquamarine would be a good one too. No. It just didn't feel right.
Becoming stressed now, caused the flames to react and you nearly burnt the cake. Calming them down, when Raven entered. She looks quickly at the cake and rising flames."So, almost done?"She asked walking over.
"Almost."You tell her still settling the flames."Just trying to figure out what color I should use."
She peers at the frosting, icing and colors."Why not just do something simple. That's what I asked."
"I know. But, it also has to be special too."You add. With a stressful sigh."Colors mean something. So they have to correct. Besides that where you able to do the other stuff on your end?"
"Yes. Everything been set up. Terra is in her room. She's been in there since she came back. I'm going to get her in a bit."
Extinguishing your flames, the cake was now down. Raven levitates it over."Thanks. Now, it just needs to cool for a bi-"You froze in fear for a second. That feeling came back again. His face flashed in your mind. And the pain came back.
Raven noticed something was wrong."Violet? What's wrong?"
Her voice brought you back, taking in a quick deep breath, ease up."It's nothing."You say unsure yourself."I'm fine."Reaching for the two colors you finally decided to use.
It became quiet with you and Raven. She watched you work on the cake, though there was really no passion and joy behind it. There was something troubling your mind. She didn't need sense it, when she could see it weighing in heavily in your eyes. And the way your eyes kept glancing over at your phone. She knew what it was, you didn't have to tell her.
But she was going to speak about it."Done."You tell her."How does it look?"You step back to marvel at the cake, she was amazed at what she saw and approves.
"It's good. Thank you."She said. Looking at the time."I'll go and get her. Do you want to come?"She uses her powers to put everything away for you. So you wouldn't have an excuse to not come. While also answering for you.
After delivering the cake to the others who had everything set up for the surprise. Gar compliments you on doing an awesome job with the cake. Thanking you over and over again. To where Dick had to pull him away. Handing the cake off to your cousin, you go with Raven to get Terra. It was still quiet with you both on the way to Terra's room. It wasn't eerie silence. Nor uncomfortable silence. It was just silence.
With each step to her room, flashes and images of angry mob caused a split headache. Still hearing their yells and bantering words. Reminding yourself to calm down. Which worked, which was good, because you and Raven both arrived at Terra's door. She knocks, while you pull yourself together. In just a few seconds Terra opens up, surprised to see you both. Raven informs her about everyone wanting to meet with her, while also offering to teach her some meditation techniques. To which Terra said she would consider.
"What?"She demands looking at you staring. Realizing this, you apologize.
"Sorry."You come back to your senses."I was just in a daze."
"Umm...okay.."Terra scoffs, quickly shooting you a suspicious glare. Before looking back at Raven."I'll be there. Just give me a few minutes."
"Alright."Raven leaves."Let's go."She tells you.
Walking back down the hall to the others, you just couldn't shake it. Why did...why did you see Slade? See him more clearly in her presence? You stop for a second and try to make sense of it.
"Violet. We have to hurry up."Raven tells you, turning around. Noticing you had stopped. The conflicted look you had, made her think it was something different. Like any sister she goes over to see and offer you words of comfort."Violet, if you don't want to move. Then you should tell them. If you're worried about leaving, don't can still have our sessions. I know you're strong enough to control yourself."You look at her confused, which she misread for something else."And...if it's about how Damian feels..."She pauses."You'd be surprise. Now come on, let's go."
Just like Terra said, in a few minutes she came as Raven said. Walking into the dark room, her guard down while still staying on her toes. Ready should anything arise, but she wasn't ready for what came when the lights turned on.
"SURPRISE!"Everyone cheers.
Shocking Terra who nearly attacked everyone."Shit! You guys scared me."She withdraws her attack.
"We can see that."Kori said.
Taking a quick look at everything, Dick holding the cake, Jaime and Kori holding up a sign reading: "Happy One Year Anniversary, Tara!", Raven, Gar and yourself holding gifts. Terra wasn't sure what to make of it."Are those for me?"She asked.
Which Gar eagerly answered."Yes they are. For your one year anniversary as a member of the Titans. It was Raven's idea."
Lost for words and touched. "I-No one's every done anything like this for me before."Terra emotional begins to tear up."Th-Thanks. Thanks a lot."
"Dry those tears and let's get this party started Mama!"Gar tells her, taking out his phone and snaps a selfie.
And just as he said, the party did get started. Music played. Laughter and smiles exchanged, among everyone. Gar and yourself taking selfies and pictures of it all. Though Gar did it the most. One of everyone together, him and Jaime eating with Terra in the back laughing, Terra and you singing the song, Raven eating cake too, you playfully caking Jaime and laughing about it. Everyone dancing, though you stood back watching them. Dancing wasn't something you really enjoyed doing, even if you had a few ballet lessons. You never really got into it really, that didn't stop someone from noticing.
"Come on."Terra grabs and pulls you with her onto the floor with the others. But, you decline.
"No. It's fine. I don't mind watching."You tell her looking down with a nervous look."I umm..."She wasn't going to take no for an answer and forces you anyway.
"Come on!"She pulls you with her."What's the worst that can happen? Right?"She chuckles."Just follow my lead."
Hesitant for a second, give in and take her in trust. Following her lead, having a good time. Terra cheering for you, you had to admit it was rather enjoyable. Stopping when you caught a glimpse of Dick and Kori in an intimate embrace dancing.
"Damian..."You whisper.
"Beast Boy's sending you pictures of Terra's party."Slade tells Damian who was trapped in the wall. Courtesy of Terra. Walking over to the teen, looking through his phone."It's a shame you're missing it."
"You should go. Playing teenagers is about your speed."Damian baits him.
Which Slade doesn't fall for."I'm not going to let you bait me kid. Oh what the hell."Back slapping Robin across the face.
Unfazed, Damian spits out some blood and mocks Slade."Big man. Why don't you let out of here so I can defend myself properly. Unless you're afraid?"
"Really? You're dumb in hoping, I'll act like the biggest stooge in a B rated movie?"
"You're outfit said give it a shot."Robin smirks. Hitting a nerve in Slade. Who beats him some more.
"Grandson of the Demon's Head you are not! You're an entitled brat. I rose from nothing, while you had everything handed to you. You cost me my rightful place."
"And the family you betrayed."
"They turned on me! By choosing you! You took my old family, Damian. So I'll take your new one."Slade promises, going through the teen's phone. Stopping with a dark, cruel smile."And I know just who to start with."He shows Robin, getting a reaction from him."Honestly, I was rather surprise to find out she actually lived. It will be a pleasure to kill her again. Well, I won't this time."
"Don't you touch her."Robin scowls. Slade paid him no mind swiping through the rest of the pictures.
"You know, I never actually figured out what the two of you are. But, now I know."He still swiped through, stopping."Well, it look at this, a video."He presses play, showing Robin. It was a video Gar had sent him from Terra's party.
He was going around talking to everyone, spotting you by the cake. Cutting some of it and setting it to the side. Gar asking what you where doing, which you respond that you where saving it for Damian. Gar then jokes telling you to say hi as he was making the video for just that. You suddenly become bashfully and flustered. But say hi, with a big grin, waving to the camera. While telling Damian to be safe. It ends with Terra pouncing on you.
"Touching."Slade mocks."That has to be my favorite one."
Back at the party, you had excused yourself no longer in the party mood. That feeling you just couldn't shake, no matter how much you wanted too. Your mind already screaming at you, made it worse. To clear it, you needed peace and headed to your garden. It helped just a bit, but not enough. Damian still lingered heavily, sensing him in pain. But from what? Looking at your cellphone, there was nothing. No responses from the texts you've sent.
Though it was the norm with him not really responding, it was never this long. Even when he went out on his own. Walking along the flowers, trying to wrap your mind around it, while ignoring the voices. There was some sort of conspiracy, something rising. It was starting to make you paranoid.
"Somethings happening. What? What is it?"You begin to talk to yourself."Why? What...Everyone. Huh? No don't go. What's going on?Dick. Raven. No. Hold on...Could it..No it couldn't."
You where so focused on your words and voices, you didn't noticed when someone came in. Until they startled you and you nearly charred them."Whoa!"Jaime in his Blue Beetle attire with his shield up."Hermana, it's just me. I came to get you, we've got a mission. You...you okay?"
Calming down, realizing who it was."Yes. Yes, I'm okay."Blue looks at you weary and cautious.
He gets ready to retract what he said, but your flames engulf you changing you into your hero attire."Alright then. Let's go."
Blue filled you in about the mission, it was about some scientist that was thought to have been dead. But wasn't, his lab still operational and being funded by Blood himself. Able to pinpoint and the find lab, the team heads there to deal with them. Arriving to a warehouse, Starfire taking the lead. Telling everyone to be careful with their spacing upon entering. Finding the scientist at his computer get the last bit of information, before deleting the files.
Starfire shots a blast, startling and frighting him."Step away from the computer and you won't get hurt."
Realizing and seeing he was compromised, the scientist quickly alerts his drones who come out in a multitude of numbers at the team. Giving the man the cover he needed,while making the computers self-destruct. You manage to avoid being hit by the drones. Sending out an emission of fire, disintegrating them into nothing but a melted sludge. Noticing the scientist making a run for it, you where about to go after him, Raven beats you to it. So you cover and take out a few more drones.
"Don't touch my sister!"You growl, blocking them with a wall of fire. Slowly descend down, clenching your fist, baring your fangs with a wicked smirk and attack ruthlessly.
Destroying the rest of the drones before you, ended your fight with them. The others finished too, you go and meet with them outside. Dropping down by Terra, whom you startled by your eerie look now and what you said.
"Thou metal and machine did not quench my thirst."You hiss, creeping her out, until you came back. Looking around finding her staring at you."What?"
"Nothing."She said, looking away. Hearing the sound of someone approaching moved your attention to Raven who had scientist under her control.
"What do you want ask him first?"She said.
Before anyone could, one of the drones reactivated, shoots and kills him. Blue spots it and fires back destroying it."Bad luck for him. At least it wasn't one of us."
"Yes. Bad luck."Starfire agrees, noticing something on the ground. Picking it up."That we couldn't speak to him about these."Everyone crowds around to see what she had; pictures. Not just any pictures, it was pictures of everyone.
"Where did he get these?"You said shocked.
"Maybe he was a fan?"Beast Boy assumes. You look at him then back to the pictures. Something definitely wasn't right. There was something wrong.
If the mission wasn't bad enough, the party mood was now dead and dull. After finding out that scientist had been watching everyone, left the team unsettled and tired.
"Nothing like speed laser drones to take you out of the party mood."Raven sarcastically said. Pushing a plate of cake away.
"I'm beat."Jaime up against the wall picking at the cake."Tomorrow I have to make lunch at the center."
They both decide to call it a night. While Gar had more uplifting news."On other news, I've been invited to be on Kevin Smith's podcast. At Metro-Con tomorrow."
"..."You had nothing to say and decide to leave too, heading to your garden. When Nightwing stops you, Raven and Jaime from leaving.
"Hold up."He said."Starfire has something to say."
Giving her the floor."With what we discovered tonight. We need to be extra vigilant. And not take any chances."
"Are you kidding me! It's Kevin Smith!"Gar protest.
"I didn't say don't have plans. But keep your eyes and com-link open at all times."She orders."I have a feeling whatever Blood is planning is just a prelude."
With that everyone was dismissed. Though Nightwing reminds you about heading home."Hey, Violet we're going to wrap it up in just a bit. After Starfire and I go over some more things. Then we're heading home. Okay?"
"Okay. Let me just finish watering my plants."You tell him hurrying off.
Just as you told Nightwing, you went to water your plants. As you watered them, you didn't notice someone had come in, until Richie did."Hm? Oh, Terra. I didn't hear you come in."You welcome her."Do you want to help me water?"Looking at the other water pail.
"Sure."She agrees and picks it up. Pouring the water rather heavily.
"Not too much."You tell her."Gently. Gently. See?"Showing her.
She does her best to try and follow you."This is a lot difficult, then I thought. It's really...frustrating."
You couldn't help but find it funny and lightly chuckle."I never realized. Since I've been doing this for so long. I guess it can be, but it's calming for me."
She was still struggling and eventually gives up."I'm done. I'll just watch you."Placing the water pail down and looks around."Honestly, I've never actually got a full look of this place. Being here a whole year. I'll admit, it's pretty amazing. There's so much life in here."
You stop and look up."Yeah. Guess there is."Both you kept staring up for a few more seconds. Marveling at it all."Terra."
Calling to her, she looks at you. Finding you staring right at her. Your eyes seem to be looking straight into her, made her rather nervous. Ready to react should need too."Y-Yeah?"She stammers a bit defensive. Become more so when you stepped to her, your eyes hadn't left. Panicked now, slowly she and carefully she steps back. You put your hand out at to her."Wh-What are you doing?"
With no words coming from you, freaked her out more. It was no or never, she'd have to react. Blowing everything. Your hand raises and comes down on her shoulder."...I'm so sorry for what you went through in your life."
Your words shocked her, she wasn't expecting that. Stun and lost for words, she saw your eyes drop, cringe and flare up in anger. To quickly vanish."Life has been rather unkind to us. The both of us, to be treated for being different."You lament on your own past."Terra? Do you hate yourself?"
That question came out of nowhere. Her silence gave you the answer. You scoff with a smirk."I thought so."You speak for her."I'll be honest. I hate myself too. Remember when you asked me what was the difference between me and my sister? Well, I never did tell you the actually truth. Which is, unlike her she has a soul. Can a make a soul. I don't have neither of those. Which is why, why I'm always craving, because I lack what was stolen from me. Actually..."You look at your hands and form a small flame. Your eyes watch the dark flames closely."I never had one to begin with."
"But, you're so nice."Terra finally speaks.
You give her a mocking chuckle."That's kind of you. But,"Your voice drops and tears form."I know. All the horrible things I've done. Because of what I am. Sometimes, I wonder if this niceness is nothing but a false mask I wear so I do not have to deal with the pain tearing me up inside. Like you with with your cold and distant front. If anyone is nice and kind. It's really you."You express, surprising her.
"W-Why would you say that?"She asked surprised. Trying hard to hold in her tears.
"Because,"You begin to tear up. Turning to her with a small smile."You're the very first person I can call...my kinder. My kinder spirit. You helped me see, despite it all, my life, I can get through it. So thank you."You hug her."Thank you. I'm glad to call you my best friend."
Terra stood there stun and conflicted. She didn't hug you back, your sincere words weighed on her. Her mind unable to process this, how you could call such, after all she's said to you. And what was soon to come.
"There."You pull away, relieved from what you said."I finally got to tell you. Terra, since I won't be living here anymore, I trust you to watch over my plants. I think you might like it here."Looking at your plants."To be honest, I still don't want to move. It worries and scares me...because well..."You look up at your robin."I don't want to leave behind my sister and the others. Also, I feel...Every time...There's always separation..."You trail off, mumbling under your breathe. To quickly come back what you where talking about."Terra, after I settle in, why don't we have a sleepover? I know it is rather juvenile, but, I've never had one."You admit to her bashfully."So...it would be great if we could. You, me and Raven. Maybe everyone."
You look at her awaiting her answer. Hoping she would agree."...Yeah."She agrees.
Bringing your smile back."Awesome. I can't wait."
