Hello Wonderful readers. I am pulling from the episode sisters for this one in addition to just general Starfire quirks. Enjoy! Please review!
Believe it or not the club scene was not for everyone. Starfire happened to be one of those people which somewhat surprised me with her bubbly disposition with the Titans. In all fairness it was crowded, though I did not expect her reaction of basically becoming an accessory on Mammoth. She sat on his left shoulder somewhat resembling a gray parrot. The first few minutes she had been on the floor and did not appreciate the random brush of people against her or the volume of mixed chatter. She had let out a hiss which made those still sober back up and those who were beyond call her Kitty-kitty.
Mammoth had hauled her up into safety. He was growing even more protective of her after she flew him to safety. In years past when Mammoth went down none of us where strong enough to haul him home so he got arrested a little more disproportionally. Starfire was able to fly us all home if need be which I guess he wanted in future heists.
The band had not started playing yet which left a very enthusiastic DJ at the helm of the noise which had to have just gotten his set up with how experimental he was being. I could understand how the random intervals of sounds would be off putting. Her reaction to the fireworks showed that she had lost her acclimation to Earth with the memory loss. She was scared, but Mammoth was helping her along with the alcohol he was sending up her way. Her metabolism was insane so it took time. If I was a better person I would have sacrificed my earplugs. Too bad.
"When is the concert supposed to begin?" I asked for probably the third time I was desperate for us to find a place to settle. I had not had any luck finding anyone that caught my attention. Nowadays I wasn't sure what my type was, but it sure as hell wasn't the crowd in tonight. The BO was bad and the few that would have caught my eye had a rainbow haired pixie in ripped fishnets and a baggy band shirt giving glares. Women scorned human and otherwise were scary creatures that I did not goad without cause or a few extra drinks.
I had pregamed some and then had been nursing a special cocktail that may or may not have raw meat as a garnish. It was incredibly dark and my eyes were not able to adjust with the random strobe that filled the room at a few points. I was beginning to doubt I was a club person myself. Though I distracted myself with a rating game in my head, shallow yes, fun also yes.
"25 minutes ago." Gizmo answered as he himself was entertaining himself with balancing random objects and mystifying the drunks. I felt a hand scoop my ass and sent out a hex without even looking back. I preferred to not be groped by strangers from behind. I could respect those who were brave, but not those who were stupid.
"Typical." I said since Johnny Rancid had a reputation.
"She's kinda hot." I heard a drunk Seemore say not so subtly to Billy. I turned to see where he was pointing and saw someone with more safety pins than a sewing kit and an admittedly impressive grasp of eyeliner. Though I knew Seemore was appreciating the selective patches of skin revealed in the gaps between safety pins.
"You do what- who you're going to do man. I can look, but I can't touch without hell to pay." Billy said not denying his friends statement.
I heard some other muttered whispering about certain body parts as I tried to tune him out. I downed my drink and watched the door hoping a better option for my own search would come through. Though a curtain of red and purple hair tumbled into my sight as Starfire leaned herself downward to flip off his shoulder. There was a bit of a wobble in her landing, she must of drank enough. Though she gave no words or signs of what her intentions were before strolling up to the woman Seemore had been talking about. I felt Kyd Wykkyd freeze to the left of me debating if he would have to intervene. Though she appeared to just be curious, she seemed to strike up a little conversation that was filled with some looks our direction and body language change.
"Wing woman, yes!" I thought I heard Seemore say, though when the girl shook her head and Starfire tilted her head back to laugh, I knew it was not in Seemore's favor. Though after the motion of rejection Starfire did not seem to back off. Apparently they were able to find something else to discuss as the girl ordered them both a drink. Starfire then said something that got another head back laugh from the girl before returning to us with a parting wave.
More than one of us directed our attention on her as she happily sipped on her drink with the tiny straw.
"What?" She asked once she had drained her beverage of all the fluid. Though there was still a smile on her face as she acknowledged her audience.
"So is she interested?" Seemore asked full of curiosity and eyebrows.
"Not at all, she's waiting on a boyfriend. I believe the phrase is..she is leagues ahead of you anyway." Starfire said and then tilted her glass to get her ice.
"Out of your league, Candy." Billy corrected with a hand over his mouth to hide his amusement from arguably his best 'bro' on the team.
"Rude." Seemore said, but he had enough vision to see that. "So you often try and hook up friends?"
"Not to my memory, but I wanted to have action instead of listening to you for the rest of the night. " I heard a snicker from Gizmo.
"I was just working up the courage, sweetheart." Seemore tried to justify and went to boop her nose with rejection pausing him as she gave a daring smile. I had instant goosebumps as the air reminded us that Starfire was higher than us on the food chain.
" On Tamaran we have a saying about those who move to slowly…" She said and then trialed off as the girl waved her back over with what had to be the boyfriend. It was a shame since he was arguably the most attractive guy who had walked in. Black jeans, white T shirt and auburn hair brushed back. My type unfortunately. Though having him off the market would keep me from backsliding.
"What's the saying?" Mammoth asked as she moved to greet her new friend.
"Those who move slowly lose everything." Well that wasn't super catchy in translation, but it certainly showed something to her character. She acted quickly since she was taught it was the only way. She was certainly intelligent, but her reactiveness made sense. She left us behind as she went to chat with people she hadn't been living with. We had already briefed her on civilian etiquette. Nothing real and nothing incriminating.
"Well, that was enlightening." Billy said sarcastically. "Cmon See, let's find you a babe." They thankfully left and I was left to have another drink and potentially lower my standards. Distressed T shirt showing abs guy was starting to look better, I just would have to deal with the fact he had bad face tattoos.
"I am leaving, find other transport home." Kyd Wykkyd said, while he blended in just fine I knew he would much rather hang out at Angels place. He was always kick to bail. I didn't even get the chance to say bye before he was out of sight. Dammit, could Starfire drink and fly okay? I just did not want to try and get a lyft or uber. I didn't match the photo so more than half the time they would drive away.
"Dammit." I muttered and asked for a bottle of water to help take the sway I was feeling in my step as I approached Starfire and her new BFF couple. I was a little tipsy which made me think that me grabbing her was a good idea. I was literally dangled off the ground in the few moments necessary for her to recognize me. I wanted to hex her but it was too dangerous to receive pay back.
"Sorry, you are typically better about giving me a warning." She said as I was back on the ground able to glare up at her.
"Well it's just me." I said with more confidence than sober me had nor deserved in this situation. "I need you to stop drinking, our ride home left already."
"Boo!" The boyfriend said in jest at one of my statements.
"I will need time still if you want full confidence that I won't hit any buildings." She said and in a rather uncharacteristic move seemed to dismiss me with a hair flip with her attention back on the couple. Her statement was normal enough where you could hit buildings driving a car or flying in our case. She seemed to be interested in their love story with giggles and smiles flowing freely from the conversation I stayed intruding on.
Then the lights flashed all at once three times. I knew this was finally the signal the show was starting a whole hour late. It was on brand at least, though we would be coming later next time, if I didn't just ditch these brats again.
"Let's go back." I said and made sure she saw my hand before tugging on her signaling I did not want to be around these random people anymore.
"Fine, maybe I will see you two later?" She said and the girl gave a cool wink her way and the boyfriend exchanged looks from either girl. I was lowkey dragging her back at this point, but she let me which was an important element in all this.
"Making friends?" Gizmo asked all sneer his drink making him forget to play nice. She did not even acknowledge him as she went to hug Mammoth in greeting like they had been separated all night. He chuckled as she subtly lifted him off the floor and hauled her up after for what I assumed was strong person equality.
The feedback from the stage instantly ruined her mood as she cringed low at the sharp sound. Maybe her hearing was better than what we knew. Though as the band began to come on stage, she grew transfixed. She tilted her eyeglasses down momentarily. For a moment the thought she might recognize Johnny came forward. It wasn't impossible but it would make zero sense why he would be who she remembered.
"Lobo?" She asked with some trepidation.
"What's a lobo?" Gizmo asked as I'm sure he was curious if it was a new insult.
"Someone you never want to meet, if he was on Earth there wouldn't be much Earth left." She said as she came to her senses right as the lights dimmed. Ah it was another mistaken identity like relating Galfore to Mammoth.
The music was surprisingly better live than the CDs that Mammoth played when he was home. It was not quite my taste, but I knew that walking in that this was not the band I would pay to see. Starfire immediately got over her memories when he started singing. The songs must have been familiar since she was getting into maybe more than Mammoth. I took a step back from their merriment since it just felt like too much. I also did not want to be teased for putting in earplugs. The sounds were sharp and not worth having damage. I scanned back again to see if there was anyway my night could be salvaged since it seemed Mammoth could handle babysitting at least for a while. I needed to reclaim my own life, interests.
Though with the menu being rather bland for my tastes I decided to revert back to some of my more interesting games with inebriated targets. Often my hexes were random, I knew something bad was going to happen, but I did not see what. A pipe could burst out of nowhere or a random piano could fall. Fate was on my side with it's blessed chaos at my finger tips, but if I held in a hex and thought of what could happen it was a little less draining. Of course in a battle setting this was limited, but if I was quick to have a thought in my head it would be possible. Drunk people were easy test subjects since they would pass anything off as themselves or the drink. I was less likely to be accused of witchcraft if the victim could not see straight.
I had moved away from them entirely going back to a higher staged bar in the back where I would have a better view of what I could do. Shoes becoming untied was a classic, though the Titans were boot wearing folks. I shifted to random nails popping up from the floorboards. I did an entire row of panels to see my accuracy. A few tripped so success. I made a few drinks spill as well which while didn't have a battle advantage was just funny to watch the processing and mourning of a lost 18 dollar beverage. I chilled it off when I felt a barmaid start to give me the stink eye. Rightfully so, since it was on her to clean up the broken glass. Though I was starting to feel the drain on my own energy and probably needed some food to balance myself out. The water had been a good choice to dilute the alcohol, but the power fatigue was compounding what I had left in my system.
Maybe I should just try getting a lyft since Starfire was starstruck by Johnny somehow. His music might be better live, but he was still far from one of my favorite people to be around. He was more Mammoth and Seemore's buddy when it came down to it. Though I knew it was more of a rivalry with Seemore and Mammoth which in the current moment Seemore had more chips in his stack with our last victory. He was also on the prowl for a woman to flaunt so I assumed that was just icing on the cake. I wouldn't put it past Seemore to bribe a woman at this point.
I found a pilar to lean against and just take some gentle sips of my water hoping that the light ringing from using my powers too much would fade. Though the sound of both screaming from the audience and heavy electric guitar were going beyond my earplugs. My body could feel the music shaking the building. If I was feeling better it could be enjoyable. Could be. I put in the lyft order just to see what would happen. It must have been a busy night since no one picked it up in time to save me from Seemore.
"Jinxy.. Jinxy..jinkies." He sang to me as two Billys flanked his side. Sometimes he would multiple unconsciously when a bit drunk.
"What do you want?" I asked taking out my ear plugs. I was not in the mood to hex him, but if he kept boxing me in at the pilar he would get a good one or a broken a nose.
"We all got invited to the VIP room, let's go together." He said and leaned himself fully against me. He was warm and pointing just adding to my annoyance.
"Get out of my face if you want to keep yours intact." I warned him formally before trying to rub out my temples. I hadn't even realized the concert had ended.
"C'mon do me a favor. You know I'm good for it." He said and I thought that maybe singeing off those damn eyebrows would be a fair trade.
"I am over this." I said and knew my tiredness bled into my tone. Though Seemore and hints were not a quick mix.
"C'mon you just need some food, you know Johnny always has the best grub backstage." This was Billy who obviously just wanted to keep the party going or eat said food. This is where they had me, I needed to eat something of substance. I could wait, but I didn't want to pass out in a strangers car either. It was a risk.
"Fuck you." I said and gave Seemore a shove so he would give me some much needed space. Though they knew it was a yes. He was quick to relatch onto me with an arm falling on my waist and some of his weight leaning on me causing me to hold onto him to stop us both from crashing down on the floor I had uprooted earlier.
Starfire was floating a few inches off the floor as Mammoth wrapped a hand around her waist like gripping a balloon. Maybe she had started to float away on him and he had gotten scared. Gizmo was nowhere to be found and I assumed he had also bailed. He had a somewhat easier time getting ubers so it wasn't that shocking if he ordered one.
"There you are." Starfire said in a tone that was much too overjoyed for me. "Did you enjoy the music? I did not think Earth had such talent." Everyone but Mammoth let out a snort at her words which made her tilt her head.
"Yeah he is a true wonder, he also fights the Titans on the side so he's like us. Less cool, but yeah." Seemore said with sarcasm thick enough that she could pick it up on his first line. She frowned and stopped floating.
"Dude, stop stalling lets just go back. I want some of the Barbeque he always gets delivered." Billy said and fell back into one person as his words were overlapping in a way he must have noticed.
"Ready to meet him, Candy?" Mammoth asked and her mood instantly brightened. I was glad she was still wearing her glasses or else her eyes would be glowing obviously.
"I kinda want to record his reaction." Seemore tried to whisper over to Billy who nodded in mutual mischief. Ah Seemore intended to show off Starfire like a new car. I assume she had brushed him off earlier since he was clinging so much to me still. She wasn't going to play along, I was going to cash my favor by getting him to find a way to enlarge the house.
"Nah just enjoy." Billy said and took his other shoulder and walked us in the entrance to backstage. A bouncer eyed us quite warily, but we must have had passes or pre arranged clearance.
I caught Starfire trying to mess with her hair and adjusting her clothes. I scoffed since it was unbelievable that she would be acting this way if she had her memories. She would be gearing up to knock him into next week. He was like the general masses that assumed she was dead, so I was not sure what reaction he would have. Seemore told her she could take off her glasses and tuck up her shirt like she tended to revealing her lack of bellybutton in the same zone most humans had one.
Johnny was a mediocre singer, lesser villain, but had decent reflexes we learned. He had acknowledged us initially with a wave as he was eating some sort of ridiculous sandwich before noticing we had a new member with glowing green eyes. Since he was a technopath he instantly commanded two Pitbull automatons he had on deck to attack before cowering.
"What the fuck! She's supposed to be dead." Apparently Gizmo had also thought it was a good idea to record since I saw his gear flash the red light. Though in fairness he looked rather ridiculous climbing to the top of his chair looking for more tech. Starfire at this point had picked up both of his robot dogs by the neck and kept their jaws from biting her. She looked hurt for a second before she blanked out her face and looked to us for an explanation.
"Sorry Candy, he's reacting like he saw a ghost. Johnny you might wanna call off your dogs before she gets annoyed. You know how she runs hot. " Seemore said and then walked up to Johnny and whispered something in his ear. Which did cause him to react by turning off his dogs and then grabbing a bottle of something dark and likely strong.
"Did we know each other before?" She asked him, but a more open question to the room. The dogs were gently let down and I saw a starbolt start to form and flicker on her now free left hand. "I'm sorry I haven't been able to remember anyone from Earth." She was nervous as the ends of her hair were taking on a mind of their own. Her lip was between her teeth and I wondered what stupid thing Johnny would say that make the situation worse. Johnny looked at Seemore who nodded.
"Yeah, I mean that makes sense. I just have been listening to the wrong people." He pushed his hair back mimicking her obvious shard. It was taking a second look at her had made him more trusting of what Seemore had said.
"You've punched his face a couple times, Kori. You can't blame the man for being on the defense." Billy said creating a false possibility of a history explaining his aggressive reaction. I caught that he had supplied Kori what Billy called her quite boldly so Johnny could play along.
"I do not see myself wanting to hit his face." She said with a small glare at Seemore and Gizmo.
"You like to hit people, Candy." Mammoth said with a laugh and took a seat on the long couch in the dressing room making himself at home with the spread of food.
"I guess that is true. Do you mind if we get reacquainted?" She said walking up into Johnny's space and put her hand on the one holding the bottle. He dropped it but she caught it in time and took a sip before offering it back. His disbelief turned into glee as he watched her not act like her former self.
"I think that's fair, I tend to think of myself as unforgettable… not a bad thing to get humbled." He said and she giggled.
We sat down and chatted for a bit. Starfire had originally started closer to Mammoth, but she was starting to drift closer to Rancid gradually. He had been a little spooked when had made the first move to start tracing her fingers over his tattoos. His random tech throughout the room would spark to life with his reactions which would have been funny if I was in any mood to be here anymore. I had sat on the couch, but had pretty much zoned out. I wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or the power fatigue dragging me down, but I had started to feel very dizzy even though I wasn't moving. I closed my eyes and guess gravity took control because I was on a collision course with the glass table until I felt a hand catch me.
"Lightweight." I heard someone mutter, but I knew it was Starfire who was straightening me back up.
"I guess I'll see you the later."
"She's fine, you can just let her sleep it off. I thought you wanted to go for a ride."
"I do, but I guess that gives me a reason to see you again, Johnny. Alone."
"I like the sound of that." I heard a hitting sound and grunt from Mammoth. "Dude chill."
"Jinx are you with me?" I heard Starfire, but I nodded instead of speaking. "Let's go home."