"What?" came from Nightwing.
"Its just as it said," replied Altair, "there is a ball in our honor due to our preventing Trigun from entering this realm."
"As well as me," added Jake, "and Cray for taking out Blood."
Other then Hazara, everyone had gathered in the main room to be told about ball and that they had to go. The Titans seemed excited.
Raising her hand, "Um, are we included in this too?" asked Jinx.
"Yes," replied Daria, "but I don't know if Titans East are in too, the note didn't say."
"And may I ask," said Starfire, "but what is this 'ball'? Does it have to do with anything round and bouncy?"
Shaking her head, "No Star," explained Etana, "Think a really fancy party that most of the time can be a complete bore."
Star blinked as Nightwing patted her arm.
"I'll explain later," he said.
"And when is it?" asked Terra.
Looking at the paper, "Um, two days," said Atlair.
With that said, the girls all began to think about what dresses to wear, while the guys just kind of not thrilled about the idea of dressing up. After a bit more talking about having to go, everyone went their separate ways to come up with the proper attire and try to look forward to it.
Through the forest, the carriage went. It followed this worn path until it stopped at the House of Ill Gotten Gains. One could get anything. The carriage occupant was looking for flesh namely female flesh with a certain mindset. Exiting the carriage, cloaked figure with his face covered entered the House.
"Great pasha," greeted the fat owner.
"May you seasons stay fertile," sitting on a purple cushion, "Reveal the merchandise."
Clapping his hands, young women dressed in clothing to show off their curves and a good amount of skin.
Sighing, "Too young," getting up, "I need a woman," looking at the window, "Who's that woman?"
Joining the customer, owner stared at the pig sty then followed the drain into a pit. The pig waste come to the chest of the red headed troublemaker whose hands were tied to a log over her head.
"That she cat. She's been sold or escape then recaptured. She tried to disfigure my one number girl."
Rubbing his chin, "How much?"
Shocked.
"5,000 gold pieces."
Rubbing his chin, "Double it."
Mouth opened.
Bowing, "Yes, pasha."
"Clean her up. Dress her. Get her in my carriage."
Bowing again, the owner left.
"Isn't the price for that woman high?" asked the man's adviser.
"I know I could've got her cheaper. Still the price made him grateful to get rid of her."
Two days of shopping and trying on formal wear. The ladies looked shunning in their dresses while the guys looked odd. Nightwing kept his mask on. Cyborg did his best getting a customized tux. Beast Boy well he had trouble keeping fur off his tux.
The other hunters had already taken the majority of the Titan's downstairs. Leaving Jake and Raven the last ones. Right now, Jake was waiting for Raven. The girls were being weird. Every time one of them came down, they would look and giggle at him until Raven was the last one. He asked where she was, and they wouldn't say.
This frustrated Jake to say the least. It seems he hated being left out of the loop.
A movement at the top of the stairs caught his eye.
"About time," he thought turning around.
What he saw took his breath away. Standing at the top of the stairs, Raven wore a deep purple and black strapless dress. Adding a small bit of color, she applied a hint of blush on her cheeks. A black chained necklace with a purple stone matching her eyes wrapped. She began to descend the stairs, Jake taking note of the heeled shoes rather then her normal boots. A shawl of lighter purple was wrapped around her arms as she held her hands in front of her, as if waiting for his approval for something.
Smiling at his expression, she walked down the stairs looking him over. He was wearing his army formal wear. Pressed olive green pants with matching jacket. A light green undershirt with black tie was under the jacket. The jacket bore insignia of rank and different combat situations he's been in. The one patch that did catch her eye was on the shoulder with the pinned up sleeve, where his left arm should have been. It was what might have been a pirate's Jolly Roger. The difference being that rather then crossed bones under the skull, it was crossed rifles. He wore no gun, but knowing Jake, he had one in a cross draw under the jacket.
As she approached him, Jake's lungs seem to finally start working again as he exhaled the breath he was holding in.
"My god," he whispered, not even realizing it, "you are so beautiful."
Smiling at his surprised, "You don't look to bad yourself."
That snapped Jake out of his stupor, "Oh, um, thanks. Been who know how long since I've worn the thing." Referring to his uniform.
Smiled as she brushed a loss strand of hair back onto the combed head of her love, "I think you look handsome."
Producing a wide smile, "And is this outfit the reason why all the girls were giggling at me when they passed?"
Blushing a tiny bit, "Yes, they were wondering what your reaction would be."
Jake let out a small laugh, "And I'm sure your going to tell them, am I right?"
She shrugged, "I don't know, I might just keep it to myself. Shall we," she asked.
"Before we go, I want to tell you something Raven," noticing her confused look, "You might get some looks, because I know that a lot of people know about the two of us, and I know that you've been told by the others about the factions within the organization. I want you to keep close to me as much as you can, and if you can't, then try to stay close to one of the other hunters or the Titans, but not by yourself."
She rolled her eyes, "Jake, it's a ball, I'm going to be fine."
"No, you won't," he reply grabbing her arms just enough to get her to focus completely on him, "The purists will take any chance on taking out a demon of any kind at any chance, even half demons. Council or not, they will try to kill you if your alone, and will attack you in numbers. That much I'm sure of. Just promise me that you'll stay close to someone you know."
Staring at him, she saw and felt the concern for her radiating off of him.
Giving him a small nod, "Alright, I'll stick close to someone."
The instant she said that, she felt relief come off of him.
"Thank you," Jake said kissing her forehead.
With that, they went to join their friends in the Tower's garage.
City of Yaralet where the people bar and bolt their doors, they sat back behind their barriers shuddering with candles burning for their household gods to protect them until dawn appears. Even criminals shun the shadowed ways, gather in foul smelling dens or candle lit taverns. No patrols. No painted wenches beckoning from the shadows. No thieves sneaking nimbly their way through the winding alleys. From dusk to dawn, city of Yaralet was silent. The streets empty and desolate.
On this certain night, a carriage rumbled through the streets almost hitting a rider on a black horse with red down its muzzle. The carriage stopped. A big muscle man carried a rug on his shoulder. Entering the garden, he headed towards the back door. Pushing the door, he entered the house of Shubba. Walking through the hallway passed pillars of marble. Reaching the dining room, his eyes rested on master of the house sitting at a table with a meal prepared. Gripping the flap of the rolled up rug, he tossed the rug towards the master of the house. The rug unrolled until a redhead with patch of white over her left eye continued rolling until she sat up in the locust position staring at the man who brought. She wore a light blue slave outfit that showed off her curves. A brass bracelet with runes around her left wrist.
"Hungry, my dear," greeted Shubba motioning to the food in front of her.
Grabbing a loaf of bread, she torn a piece. Putting it in her mouth, she slowly chewed keeping her brown eyes on him.
Smiling, "Paying for you then bringing you here just to poison you," eating a spoonful of soap in front of her, "This meal is payment for you to listen to my proposal."
Picking the bowel up to her mouth, she shoved the contents into her mouth. Cleaning her mouth with a napkin, her eyes rested on Shubba.
"Yaralet needs a new king and the king and his sister ruled long enough. There's unrest since Tananda had Amboola arrested. Kill the king and you have your freedom," noticing her tapping her bracelet, "That's to prevent you from running."
Getting up, she walked towards the window. Noticing it was near the street, she held her arm out the window. Pain shot through her body. Watching her fight the pain, he marveled at her endurance and testing her pain limit. Sweat covered her skin soaking through her outfit giving a better view of her nipples. Her left knee buckled causing her to bring her arm back into the room. Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she returned to the table eating her meal.
Smiling, he was tempted to keep her then again he didn't want to wake up with his throat slit.
