32 Productions Presents…
A Teen Titan Fan Fiction The New Titans in…"Sibling Rivalry"
Chapter Three
Main Room
Taking a deep breath, Conjure entered the room. M was playing the video game her sister bought him. Damn, that was a point for her. Conjure calmed herself and leaned over the couch.
Conjure: Hello, M. Did you enjoy the brownies?
M: GAH! Don't DO that, woman!
Conjure: I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to…
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the empty pan. She also noticed the dents in it.
Conjure: They weren't good, were they?
M: N…no, they were fine! Terrific!
Shaking her head, Conjure sat down. Be yourself…be yourself…be yourself. How hard could that be? Oh crap he touched her hand! Her heart pounded in her chest. The lack of any romantic experience made it hard to deal with that. Even platonically speaking, the most she had done was give reassuring hugs to her little sister or get them from her mother.
M: Um…you okay?
Conjure: Yes, I…I'm fine.
Appa: How cute you both look, so close together. It would be tragic if something…unfortunate were to break this moment up, hmm?
Conjure: (whisper) No, please…
Appa: I know…how about I destroy the game system? Oh, I think that will make him VERY upset.
Conjure bit her lip. She couldn't let it happen…WOULDN'T let it happen! He'd forgive her in time, no doubt, but would never trust her control again!
Conjure: I'll do anything you want, just don't ruin this for me!
Appa: Anything, you say? Heh…very well. You don't have to do anything. The sheer fact that you were willing to obey me just to prolong your control is enough…today.
The feeling of something bubbling inside her faded away, making her sigh in relief.
M: You sure you're alright?
Conjure: Perfectly. …you don't like this game, do you?
M: …not really. It's kind of boring. How'd you guess?
Conjure tapped her temple.
Conjure: I can sense your boredom. It feels a little like depression, but on a much lower scale.
M: That's kind of creepy.
Conjure: That I know you're bored?
M: No, that you can sense emotions in general. It has to be a burden. Everybody has something deep inside they're hiding.
Truer words were rarely spoken. It WAS a problem. When she was a little girl, her parents took her to the circus. Not that they wanted to go, but Arella insisted and it was her birthday. Damien, naturally, just followed along, not caring either way. There, amongst the painted faces of the clowns and such, Debra could sense suicidal depression. Her mother felt it too, she could tell by how she insisted that they leave. Arella never understood why. The circus closed down. Why? Because one of the clowns killed themselves during the act. They ruled it as an accident…but Debra…now Conjure…knew better.
Conjure: …it's so much easier to take things at face value. If someone is smiling, they must be happy. If they cry, they must be sad. But when you're like me, you know that isn't the case. Smiles…frowns…they're no more then masks which may or may not be how the person really feels. …but listen to me go on. I must be depressing you.
M: Are you?
Conjure: …no. But that's another thing about being empathic. You have to know when to pretend not to be able to sense it. Besides, not all emotions are forth coming. I can barely read anything from Hood. …I often wonder how he does it.
M: So…what do you generally sense about me?
Conjure blushed.
Conjure: I…I try not to pry. I just get the basic jist of what you're feeling at the time, not who you are generally.
M: C'mon. You're not a very good liar.
She didn't want to talk about this…it made her seem intrusive.
Appa: Go on. He asked.
Conjure: I…I feel…depression. Loss. I…M, it doesn't help to cover it up. You have to let these feelings out or something can go very wrong.
Appa: HA! You're one to talk. Perhaps you'd like to pen a book about the healing power of laughter next.
The mocking was getting infuriating, even to her. It was like she was a movie star being tailed by a critic 24/7. Still, she pushed it out of her mind. M sighed.
M: …my family died in a fire. ...if I was there, I might have been able to help, but I was out doing something stupid.
Conjure: Oh, M…I'm so sorry. …I…you hide it well…but you don't have to. We're all friends here.
M: It's not that I don't trust you guys, it's just…well I don't trust you guys. At least not all of you. Besides, somebody needs to be the light hearted jokester with a traumatic past. I checked the job description.
Conjure: You're right. We do need someone like you.
Appa: I may gag at this rate.
Conjure had the perfect line set up in her head. She would simply follow her last sentence with "I need someone like you". It was brilliant! …and then her sister showed up.
Ebony: Hey, M! …and Conjure.
M: Yo.
Conjure: Hello, Ebony.
Her voice was colder then usual. To her dismay, Ebony grabbed his arm.
Ebony: I'm bored. Want to tussle, M?
M: …you're asking if I want to fight you?
Ebony: Just for fun! C'mon. When I get bored, I get really aggressive. I need someone to help me burn the extra energy off.
Ebony grinned.
Ebony: Of course, if you're afraid I'll hurt you, I promise to use only one hand.
M: Oh ho, ho! A challenge is it? Alright then, you're on.
The pair departed for the training room. Conjure sat there in stunned silence. Finally she sighed and hung her head.
Conjure: Damnation.
Appa: Mama's girl.
Conjure: Shut up.
Appa's laughter echoed in her head. …and both despite herself and to her concern, she chuckled as well. It was so depressing it was funny. She had come so close to confessing her feelings and her sister ruined it in an instant.
Appa: Then make her pay.
Nonsense! She couldn't hurt her sister!
Appa: No, no, no…I wouldn't condone such a thing! How low an opinion you have of me. Hear me out, hmm?
As if she had a choice.
Appa: All you need to do is let me slip over and into little Allie. Then I'll up her aggression so that she'll hurt him bad enough that he'll never want anything to do with her!
…it…it could work. It…NO! No, she couldn't! Not to her own sister! Appa laughed again.
Appa: Literally. Since she's of the same blood, our abilities don't work so well on her, nor do hers work well on us. I just wanted to see if you'd do it. And for a minute there, you were thinking about it.
Conjure: Stop it…stop toying with me…
Appa: I'll stop when I'm ready to make my move. Cats do the same thing, you know. They bat the mouse around, toss it into the air by the tail, let it run and chase it down…and I'm going to do the same to you. I'm going to play with you until you beg me to take control of you.
Conjure took a few deep breaths. She could take it. Appa couldn't keep it up forever. Her mother had made her strong. She would persevere against this faceless tormentor. She would…
Hood: …now you're really starting to worry me.
Conjure: H…Hood! I…don't startle me that way. It's not wise.
Hood: So you've said.
Hood leaned against the wall next to the door (or rather where the door WAS) that led deeper into the tower.
Hood: Look, Conjure…if something is wrong, tell me.
Appa: Yes, my little Debra. Tell him. Tell him how you're slowly going mad. How you're losing your battle with me. Tell him that you're too dangerous to stay on this team and be sent home crying to Mama!
Conjure: Nothing's wrong. Don't worry about me.
She bit back the next part about her not being worth worrying over. Sighing, Hood shook his head.
Hood: Whatever you say. I'm trusting you on this.
…yeah…that made her feel better.
Hood: …just thought I'd tell you that Nightwing cancelled on us…again.
Conjure: Ah. I see. …I'm actually somewhat relieved. If you'll excuse me…
Conjure slipped past him, nodding her head in further way of "good bye".
Beast Boy's Room
Swearing softly, Beast Boy collapsed on his bed. What possessed him to do that? He didn't know her too well, but Skeemat seemed to be a bit…vindictive. Now he wasn't ashamed of his sexuality. Not at all…but he was fully aware that not everyone was as understanding as others. There were those who thought it was some sort of bizarre life choice. There is no choice! …well, if you're bi-sexual there was a choice involved, but not when you're flat out gay, no choice. The point was, it wasn't his fault. That's the way it is, a fact he didn't accept until the prior year. Sighing, he got up. Damn it, he couldn't just let it lie. He was too nice a guy to just leave Skeemat all upset. He decided to go talk to her. He checked her room first, knocking on the door.
Skeemat: …who is it?
Beast Boy: It's me. Ashley, I really need to talk to you.
Skeemat: …what do you want?
Beast Boy: Can you open the door?
Skeemat: No. What do you want?
Beast Boy: I told you. I want to talk.
Skeemat: You talked. Now what?
Sighing, Beast Boy leaned on the wall.
Beast Boy: If you don't want to let me in, fine. I'll wait out here until you leave. You've got to come out some time.
That did it. The door opened. Skeemat glared at him, her helmet still off.
Skeemat: …what? Haven't you hurt me enough today?
Beast Boy: You know I didn't mean it! You think that it's something I tell everyone? …I didn't know what to say and I didn't want to hurt your feelings. But…I wasn't willing to string you along in a meaningless relationship either.
Skeemat: …feh. If you're trying to talk me into keeping quiet, forget it. I already told Ebony.
Beast Boy: I don't care.
Ha! That's right! That will…wait…he didn't care?! Skeemat's jaw dropped.
Skeemat: …you don't?
Beast Boy: The only thing I worry about is how the guys will react. I'm sure eventually they'd be able to handle it, but we're still starting out. I'm hoping once they get to know me…
Skeemat: Then why are you here?
Beast Boy: That's what I'm trying to tell you! I'm sorry, Ske…no, I'm sorry, Ashley. You'll make a guy real happy some day.
Skeemat felt tears welling up in her eyes. She had been considering ruining his reputation by spreading the news to the tabloids, she was so pissed at…at…herself. Now that she thought about it…she only had herself to blame for getting so worked up.
Skeemat: …so will you. Hopefully not the same guy or I'll have to perform an impromptu sex change on you.
He laughed…but noticed she wasn't even smiling. Gulping, he rubbed the back of his head.
Beast Boy: Um…you can do that?
Skeemat: I'm fing Skeemat. I can build anything. Making you a girl will be a piece of cake…
She smiled sadly and flicked his nose.
Skeemat: But you're just too cute to do that to, out of my reach or not.
Beast Boy: I see…then I'm going to protect my face at all costs from now on.
This time they both had to laugh.
Beast Boy: So…forgive me?
Skeemat: On one condition.
Beast Boy: What?
Skeemat: You have to forgive me first. I overreacted without thinking about how you felt. I'm still so used to being around people who only look out for themselves…the idea that you were hesitant to say anything was for the sake of my feelings never occurred to me. …guess that makes me pretty thoughtless, huh?
Beast Boy: Yes. Yes it does.
She stared at his deadpanned face.
Skeemat: So did you want to be a blonde girl, or a red head?
Beast Boy: I was kidding! Kidding!
Skeemat: …I need to go get my mask. I left it in my workshop.
She wanted to ask him if he wanted to do something…see a movie…get something to eat…but realized what it was. The impulse to do that was just a foolish attempt to have him without having him. No matter what, he would never love her that way. The best she could hope for was for him to think of her as a sister. So without another word, she turned and went to the workshop for her mask, waving goodbye as she left. Nodding to himself, Beast Boy sighed.
Beast Boy: (muttering) That went well…
Training Room
Okay…Helios was getting very confused here. First she gave M a present…now Ebony was trying to kick the crap out of him? …maybe she found out that he thought the game sucked so hard that it blew. …either way, it was more entertaining then TV. Ebony caught M in the mouth with a punch, making him spin, what with him not being on the ground and all. …or perhaps it was on purpose, because as he spun back around, he grabbed her and knocked her down. One might think this was a bit much…but she was still smiling about it. M wiped his mouth.
M: You're really enjoying this.
Ebony: When I was growing up, this was how I played with my dad. I've got a natural inclination for violence, but I choose to direct my inclination for more…noble type purposes. Oh and M?
M: Yeah?
Ebony: Gotcha now!
She sprang up and tackled him. She giggled slightly as she realized that even with her pinning him down, he still wasn't touching the ground. …then she realized what that meant. He flew upward, spun in the air and suddenly she found herself on the ground instead.
M: You were saying?
Ebony: I…um…
Her face burned. She wasn't shy by any means, but still…he was right on top of her.
M: So…you going to say "uncle" now?
Ebony: I…
Wait…what did that mean? Uncle…uncle…she knew this one. Her brain refused to work. …QUIT! It meant to quit!
Ebony: Not even close.
Ebony managed to plant her foot on his abdomen.
M: Yuh oh…
Ebony flipped him off her. She wouldn't give up. Her very instinct told her that giving up was not an option. To test his full compatibility as a mate, she had to give it all she had. It was a subconscious desire, of course…but still it was present. Helios shook his head.
Helios: It would be better if it was two girls fighting…and there was mud. Lots of mud.
Ebony: One, you're a pervert. Two, WHY ARE YOU TALKING TO YOURSELF?!
A shadow fist to his face told him he should have kept that to himself. Apparently once Ebony got started with the violence, it didn't stop. Not that it hurt that bad. Ebony lacked the ability to give her shadows life the way her father could, so she had to use her mother's telekinesis (or whatever that was) to move the shadows for her. Since she was busy with other things, she couldn't really get it to move with much force. …but she did raise a point. Why WAS he talking to himself? Ah well. A question for another time.
Rooftop
Beast Boy winced. He didn't see how it was even remotely possibly. Still, Conjure didn't seem the least bit uncomfortable as she leaned forward and actually rested the back of her heels on the top of her head, her cheek against the blue mat she brought up to the roof.
Conjure: Does something trouble you?
Beast Boy: Huh?
Conjure: You grimaced. Is something the matter?
Beast Boy: How can you even DO that? It look agonizing.
Conjure: I started slowly and worked my way up. Care to try? Yoga is very relaxing.
Gee, an invitation to knot himself up like a pretzel. How COULD he refuse?
Beast Boy: No thanks.
Her response was to switch positions, sitting back and putting her leg behind her head. God, how was that even possible? Obviously she wasn't wearing her normal costume. The dress and cloak were hardly appropriate for combat, let alone the contortions she was doing now. Instead she was wearing blue spandex.
Conjure: You told her, didn't you?
Beast Boy: Huh? Told who what?
Conjure: Skeemat. You told her.
Beast Boy: Um…
She gave him a look that shouted a single word. "Duh".
Conjure: Empathic, Daniel. I'm actually rather impressed.
She switched legs.
Conjure: Not an ounce of shame regarding it. …does your family know?
Beast Boy: Only you.
Conjure: …why do you insist on that? Can't you see that I don't want to be a part of your family? I have my own. I'm happy with my own.
She sounded edgier then normal. …but she brought it up, something she never did before.
Beast Boy: Because you're blood. I'm not asking you to give up on your family, just to let me and Dad in too.
Conjure: What do you want from me? A big hug and for me to call you "brother"? It won't happen, Daniel. You're not my brother and you never will be. Do you understand that?
Something was definitely wrong with her. She sounded…angry. Well, no, that wasn't right. More like borderline angry.
Conjure: What do you know about my life, Daniel? Hmm? Look at me. I'm green. I have purple hair. In short, I'm a freak. Now we look at you. Handsome. Boyish charm. And green hair that most, no doubt, assume is dyed. Take a picture of the both of us together and see how many people ask if I'm your sister compared to those who ask why you're standing next to a freak. …DNA may say otherwise, but we are not family.
Beast Boy: ...oh. …um…I see your point.
Sighing, she unbent herself and stood up. She put a hand on each of his shoulders.
Conjure: I don't mean to be cruel…and I do like you. You're a kind gentle soul and, in truth, I enjoy being near you just because of the purer emotions you emit. But please…drop the subject.
She lay on the mat and bent herself again.
Conjure: Now tell me how it went with Skeemat.
Beast Boy: She took it kind of hard at first.
Conjure: I thought I felt something. Her emotions exist, but have a strange…sensation to them. It's difficult to notice them sometimes.
Beast Boy: I went back to talk to her again later. After I explained the whole deal, she calmed down.
Conjure: Good. I've known Ashley a while. Back then she was pretty listless…lazy. And there are times were she still is…but lately she's been working a lot. Building and building. …it concerns me, really.
Beast Boy: Yeah, me too. We should try and get her out of the tower more.
Conjure: An excellent suggestion.
An interesting look crossed her face. Like she had bitten into something bitter.
Conjure: But…that's
not my forte, sadly. You should ask Ebony.
Beast Boy: That's a
good idea. I'll see if she wants to see a movie now.
Beast Boy left. Conjure hung her head.
Appa: Why so glum? Having second thoughts?
Conjure: What you made me do was underhanded and unnecessary.
Appa: "Made you do"? I didn't make you do anything. I suggested that you use the machine as a distraction. You followed through on your own.
Conjure: Don't call her a machine. Ashley has emotions…wants and desires.
Appa: Funny. So do you, yet you aren't allowed to feel them. Sad that even a walking tin can is more human then you, isn't it?
…
Conjure: …I walked right into that one.
Appa: Careful. You're going to pull something in that position.
Sighing, Conjure switched to a different position. Appa confused her so much. One minute it was taunting her, the next she was giving friendly advice. Was that a part of the creature's plan?
Appa: By the way…
Conjure: Hmm?
Appa: Stop calling me an "it". I'm a "she". A female. A girl. I can't read your thoughts completely just yet if not directed at me, but I get the impression that you think I'm an "it".
Conjure: Oh…I didn't realize…
Appa: I'm a part of you. What else would I be?
Conjure: I don't…
Oh damnation! She was slipping even more. She was actually speaking to Appa aloud like she was a living person. Appa laughed in her head.
Appa: I was wondering when you'd notice. …you know, my little Debra…I'm beginning to think you WANT me to take over.
Absurd. Why would she desire such an insane thing? Another soft titter of laughter.
Appa: You want me to because I can set you free. Free of the constraints placed on you. And I am not without compassion, my little Debra. I will set you free. I will lock you away so deep inside that you will know nothing but peace. Past, present, future, these will be nothing but words. I will give you the bliss that Heaven is renowned for.
No. She wouldn't allow it. Appa seemed surprised.
Appa: Why not? Isn't that what you always wanted?
Not with that price. Appa would do horrible things. The thought of what Appa would do made the temptation to surrender disappear.
Appa: And if I promise mercy? If I vow to leave your mother, father, and little sister alone?
Then she'd be lying. Appa chuckled darkly.
Appa: Better. I do so want this to be a challenge.
Conjure fought back the urge to cry. In the span of a single day she had lost so much ground to her inner bestial demon. …how was she going to last another sixty years (knock on wood)?
Appa: Oh, I know. Why don't you come on in and we'll play chess?
No…
Appa: Afraid you'll lose?
…yes. Yes she was.
END PART THREE