Thresholding by CidGregor

Disclaimer:I do not own the Teen Titans.

This fic is dedicated to Post, for all that he has contributed to its existence. (Not a lesbian!)
Chapter 16

"Hrm…not my ideal choice of color, but…"

Raven glanced around the guest quarters that had been prepared for her. The walls were, to Raven's vague annoyance, a peachy cream-like color, rather than her preferred violet and black, but the colors did seem to have a very soothing effect, so she supposed it wasn't all bad. The rest of the room was very neat and tidy, more than sufficient for her needs, though she seriously wished her room wasn't quite so close to Beast Boy's. Already it was starting to smell like his room in the Tower, and he'd hardly been in here for half-an-hour.

She had just begun to settle herself cross-legged on her bed to meditate when there was a knock on her door and a wavering voice coming through it.

"R-Raven? Please, I most desperately need to speak with you."

Raven rolled her eyes. Dammit, what's Robin done now? "Come in, Star," she said aloud.

Starfire slipped in and closed the door behind her quickly. "Thank you, Raven…I did not know who else to turn to for counsel."

Raven sighed. "What'd Robin do this time?"

Starfire shook her head. "It has nothing to do with Robin…erm…well…I suppose...it does, actually, but…"

"Robin's not the problem?" Raven asked.

"No, no…well…yes…erm…sort of…but not really…"

Raven raised an eyebrow. "You can make up your mind any time now."

Starfire sat down at the end of Raven's bed and wrung her fingers around the hem of her skirt. "Robin himself…is not the problem."

Raven nodded. "Okay then. What IS the problem?"

Starfire hesitated, biting her lip.

Raven rolled her eyes again. "Star, you came here for help, and I'm willing to do what I can, but that sort of requires you to tell me what's bothering you first."

Starfire reddened. "I…it is…embarrassing…"

"Try me. I'm not going to laugh at you. …Probably."

Starfire glared at her.

Raven smirked. "Sorry. Couldn't resist."

Starfire didn't smile back. "This is not a laughing matter, Raven."

Raven's smirk faded instantly. When Starfire was this serious, it was definitely something major. "All right, I'm sorry. I'm listening."

Starfire shook her head. "It is to embarrassing to speak of. You will likely believe I am foolish for allowing it to concern me so."

"Starfire…you know you're my best friend. I'm not going to look down on you for anything. Just talk to me."

Still Starfire shook her head. "I…I cannot say it…"

Raven perked up suddenly. "You don't have to. I have an idea. Here…" Raven placed her hands on the sides of Starfire's head. "Relax…let me help you…Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos…"

"W-wait, Raven, I--"

FLASH!

Raven saw, in the brief moment before Starfire jerked away, a very prominent image burned into the forefront of Starfire's brain, and a name associated with it…something Starfire called the ritual of s'lor…

FLASH!

Raven's hands flew back to her sides as she steadied herself, wide-eyed. "Ohhhhh…"

Starfire shuddered. "I wish you had warned me before you did that."

Raven's own cheeks colored slightly, understanding coming to her, but she smiled warmly. "Starfire, is that all that's bothering you?"

Starfire glared again. "You see? You think I am foolish for being worrying about it."

Raven shook her head rapidly. "No, Star, nothing of the sort. I can understand why you're worried, but I promise you, it's not nearly as bad a problem as you think."

"How can you be so sure? Surely you do not speak from experience?"

"Starfire…just trust me, all right? It's not something you can just explain with logic and reasoning. It's a feeling…an emotion. Just let it go…stop worrying about it, okay?"

"I wish I could, Raven. But it is just not that simple."

"Yes it is, Star. You don't see it now…and I don't expect you to…but you will."

Starfire opened her mouth to say more, but the sudden ring of her communicator interrupted her. She snatched it distractedly. "Yes?"

"Princess. Your presence is requested in the royal chambers," came Tromand'r's voice.

"I shall be there momentarily, Captain," she answered, and clicked the device off. "Forgive me, Raven, I must go."

Raven nodded. "Seriously, Star. Relax. You're making a mountain out of a molehill. It might be a little…awkward, at first…but you love Robin, and he loves you. That alone will make it the best experience of your life."

Starfire blushed again. "I do hope you are right…"

The alien girl swiftly hugged the empath, and then darted out the door…and the moment it shut, Raven did something she'd never done in her entire life.

She burst out laughing.

Oh, sweet Azar… she thought as tears of laughter leaked from her eyes. Have fun with THAT one, Boy Wonder…

"More reports from intelligence are coming in, Emperor."

Galfore turned from his displays. "Yes, Captain?"

Captain Tromand'r nodded. "The Gordanians have yet to make their move. It seems they were not expecting our presence on Earth. They are diverting every ship they have to the outer rim of this star system. They are truly making an all or nothing move. They must be hurting for resources more than we suspected."

"Then they will be fighting that much harder to gain this planet," Galfore observed, gazing out the window of his private quarters. "Desperation is a powerful motivator."

Tromand'r nodded. "All the more reason to commence the betrothal ceremonies immediately and unify our war effort with the humans."

"Is the Earthling Robin prepared to begin the Trials?"

"Yes, sire."

"Good. And the Princess?"

"I have summoned them both, Lord Galfore. They should be arriving any--"

The door opened just then with a hiss, and Robin walked inside the royal chambers, his expression calm and steady. "You called?"

"Yes…where is Princess Kori--"

"I am present!" Starfire cried out from behind Robin and she hurried inside. "Forgive my tardiness!"

To Robin's wonder, she did not come to stand next to him, but instead went to the other end of the room. He gave her a sidelong glance that seemed to ask, "Is everything okay?" But Starfire averted her eyes, resolutely looking at Galfore. Robin stared questioningly at her for a moment more, but let it go for the time being.

Galfore, meanwhile, had risen from his command chair. He stood towering over Tromand'r and the two Titans, his expression business-like.

"We will begin the betrothal processions immediately. Robin, come with me, I shall inform you of the process of the Trials. Captain, if you would take the Princess…"

"Starfire's not coming?" Robin said aloud.

Galfore frowned for a moment, but then his expression softened. "Oh…I see. The Princess has not explained the Surekmas…"

Robin glanced back at Starfire, and she visibly shuddered. Robin felt himself suddenly do the same…that name…it was familiar…

"Starfire?" Robin asked aloud. He took a few steps toward her. "What's wrong?"

Starfire still did not look at him. A blush was creeping onto her face again.

Robin stopped a few feet away from her. "Starfire, please…talk to me. What's going on?"

Without looking at him, she muttered something, too quiet and too quick for Robin to understand.

Robin took another step forward. "Starfire, you're starting to worry me. Please, tell me what's wrong."

"…Nothing is…wrong, Robin," she murmured. "It simply….is."

Robin raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? Is it about this Surekmas thing?"

Starfire shuddered again. "I do not like that word…"

Robin's expression became apologetic. "Sorry…I didn't mean…"

"Do not be sorry," Starfire said quickly. "The Surekmas is an integral part of the ceremonies…much though I do not like the idea…"

"What is this Surekmas thing, anyway? It sounds familiar…"

"It should. It is a form of the word Rekmas…The Drifting."

This time it was Robin's turn to shudder. Abruptly he was reminded of Starfire's tale of her trip through time, into a future where the Titans had suffered the Rekmas, and were no longer friends. The mere though of such a future gave him chills even now.

"Surekmas means The Separation," Starfire said. "From now on…we are to be apart from one another…until your Trials of Betrothal have been completed."

Robin jerked. "Be apart? Why?"

Starfire shook her head. "It is all part of the Trials, Robin. That is simply…how it is."

Robin digested that for a moment. Then he looked back at the alien girl. "Is that the only thing that's bothering you?"

As Robin expected, Starfire's blush grew, but she was silent, still not looking at him.

Robin took another step forward. "Star, please, talk to me--"

"STAY BACK!"

Robin recoiled, stunned. What was going on? Why was she acting like this?

Starfire too looked shocked at herself. Her hands had flown up to cover her mouth, and she was at last looking at him, though her eyes were filled with mingling horror.

"…Starfire…?" Robin whispered.

"I am…sorry…" she said back. "But these are most sacred customs…you must understand, Robin…we cannot be together…until we can be together forever."

Robin's brow tightened around his mask, but slowly he nodded. "…All right. I understand."

"…Do you? Do you really?"

Robin raised an eyebrow, wondering what she could possibly mean by that, but his thoughts were quickly interrupted.

"Robin…it is time. Come with me," Galfore rumbled.

The Boy Wonder's gaze lingered on Starfire for just a moment. What has her so spooked? Are these Trials more dangerous than I'm giving them credit for, or…is something else bothering her?

Galfore's hand landed on Robin's shoulder and slowly guided him away, while Tromand'r took Starfire's arm and led her toward the exit. She cast a fleeting glance back at him. "…Goodbye, Robin."

"I'll see you soon, Star…"

The doors swished open and closed, and Robin was alone with the Tamaranian Emperor.

"I must offer my sympathies, Robin…being separated from the betrothed…is not intended to be this difficult."

Robin turned. "How do you mean?"

Galfore stared out the window again, his eyes passing over his own fleet silhouetted against the daytime side of the Earth. "I am sure Starfire has told you that royalty rarely is granted the opportunity to marry for love. Surekmas is normally a simple formality of tradition…as I understand it is traditional among you humans, as well…that the betrothed are not allowed to view one another in the hours prior to the ceremony."

Robin was surprised that Galfore knew such things about Earth, but he took it in stride and nodded. "Yes, sir."

"When the betrothed are truly in love, however, Surekmas becomes much more than a formality of tradition. It becomes a Trial all its own, to endure the tests before you without your beloved by your side to support you. The only thing to be grateful for is that the end result is that much more rewarding…"

Robin was silent…thoughtful, but silent.

"…Well, I am sure you are aware of this already, so I will not continue to waste our time." He spun to face the teen. "Your tests shall begin at once. You shall face three Trials in your pursuit of the right to wed the Princess: The Trial of the Body…The Trial of the Mind…and the Trial of the Will. I shall warn you, little one…do not expect any of them to be things of ease. There will be danger. There will be risk. There will be things that may quite easily lead you astray. You must overcome all of these…if you are to prove yourself worthy."

Robin nodded. "I understand, sir."

"If you succeed, Princess Koriand'r will be yours. Fail…" He let the rest hang, and Robin understood. There was a lot at stake here. He had to pass these trials. He had to.

"One more thing, young one…" Galfore added. "…Upon completion of the trials…you will be considered an official member of the Tamaranian army. And you will be expected to serve. Normally this would be of little consequence…but as the leader of your team, you will be forced to leave them to their own devices for some time, as will the Princess. I suggest you inform your second in command to take charge of the team until your service is ended."

Robin thought about it for a moment. He didn't think the rest of the Titans would be too happy about it, having two of their members suddenly up and leave like this…but it didn't look like they had a choice. This peace agreement between Earth and Tamaran needed to go through if they were to have any hope of battling the Gordanians. The others would just have to deal with it.

The door swished open again; Tromand'r had returned, alone.

"I have left the Princess with the royal handmaidens, Emperor," he announced. "They will begin preparing her for the ceremony at once."

"Good. Is the first Trial prepared?"

"Yes, your majesty."

"Very well. Robin, the Captain will escort you to your first Trial. May X'Hal grant you the strength to emerge victorious."

Galfore nodded to Tromand'r, who saluted him, and then led Robin quickly from the room.

The pair walked the empty halls in silence for a handful of minutes…where the Captain was leading him, Robin didn't know…but as the silence dragged on, it began to eat at Robin's nerves. But Tromand'r didn't seem in the mood to strike up a conversation. Finally Robin spoke up himself, and asked something that had been on the back of his mind for a while now.

"Will there be…memorial services? For Lysand'r?"

Tromand'r's face tightened slightly. "…Yes. But later. The Gordanians – and this engagement – must be our top priorities."

Robin nodded. "Right…after it's all over." He paused. "…If it's not…against any rules or traditions or anything…I'd like to be there. To pay my respects to him…for his sacrifice."

Tromand'r's pace gradually slowed to a stop. He was dead silent, and for one dreadful moment Robin was afraid he's crossed a line somewhere. But then the Captain turned to the Titan leader, and smiled slightly. "You would be most welcome. Your friends as well, of course. I appreciate your sentiment, Robin. Lysand'r was like a brother to me…"

Tromand'r's eyes, which had momentarily glazed, shook back into focus. "But that is a concern for another day. The Trial of the Body awaits you."

He gestured at a rather nondescript door just in front of them. Robin slowly made to enter it, but Tromand'r held him back.

"Your weapons. Leave them. All of them."

Robin's eyes narrowed slightly. "Excuse me?"

"This is the Trial of the Body, Robin. Not the Trial of your Personal Arsenal. You must face this challenge unarmed, with only yourself to rely upon."

Robin frowned deeper, but sighed resignedly. He removed his utility belt, collapsible bo-staff, birdarangs, and grappling hook from their assorted places and laid each in Tromand'r's hands.

"I'll expect these back when I'm done."

"Of course."

Robin turned back to the door, suddenly feeling a lot more naked than he had a moment ago. He palmed the door release; it slid open to reveal utter darkness…the only light in the room was that which poured in from the hallway. He glanced warily at Tromand'r, but the Captain merely gestured him inside again; Robin guessed, then, that the darkness was normal. Taking small, cautious steps, the Boy Wonder crept into the room, his senses on high alert, his legs on a hair trigger ready to spring at the slightest provocation…

SLAM!

The door banged shut, plunging the room into total darkness, and the electronic click that followed made Robin realize with a sinking feeling that the door had just been locked from the outside.

"Rrrrrrrrr……"

Robin tensed immediately. Where had that sound come from?

Clink-clink-cli-cli-clink…

Chains rattled from somewhere in the room, and a very large….something…could be heard shuffling around.

"RrrrrrRRRRrrrrrrRRRR!.!.!"

How far away they were, Robin could not tell, but two red eyes suddenly opened, and narrowed threateningly in the Boy Wonder's direction.

FLASH!

Lights snapped on, momentarily blinding the Boy Wonder. His eyes slowly adjusted, and he took in the sights around him…or at least he tried to. He had about half a moment to register the high ceiling and circular shape of the metallic room, its diameter perhaps half the length of a football field, and all of the same uniform peachy-cream color. But that was about as far as he got, because suddenly all he could see was the person – no, strike that, CREATURE, he thought to himself – at the other end of the room.

It stood a solid two or three feet taller than Robin on four stubby but thick legs, like a pit bull…appropriate, because a pit bull was the closest thing the creature resembled. It was entirely hairless, and its skin was a smooth, uniform grey. Two great red eyes peered down at him over an enormously oversized lower jaw, like a saber-toothed tiger except upside-down. A huge collar was locked around its neck, and connected to it was a thick, heavy chain bolted to the floor.

"I've seen this thing before…" Robin murmured. He remembered seeing it in the royal palace on Tamaran, chained to a wall. Beast Boy had gotten a little too friendly with it and it had very nearly bitten the green Titan's head off.

"Robin…I'd like you to meet one of Tamaran's most vicious predators…a Zhanghut."

Robin's head snapped toward the voice; Tromand'r was looking down at him from a balcony.

"The Trial of the Body…For the heart of the beloved, prove you possess the strength to protect her!" he boomed. "May you succeed in glorious combat!"

And before Robin could utter a syllable of protest, an electric-blue star-bolt shined to life in the Captain's hand, flew with perfect aim at the Zhanghut…and severed the chain.

The Zhagnhut licked its lips.

Robin gulped.

"HrrwAAAAAAWWRRRR!.!.!"